Role of Phytooestrogen in the Prevention of Breast Cancer Coursework

Role of Phytooestrogen in the Prevention of Breast Cancer - Coursework Example They have been suggested to have anticarcinogenic potential (Boccardo et al, 2006). Plant lignans are currently being widely studied for their potential benefits for human health as their consumption has been correlated with lower risks for developing chronic diseases, such as breast cancer and coronary heart disease. However, studies of some classes of lignans, in particular the furofurans, are hampered by the lack of suitable standards to allow accurate analysis (Haajanen and Botting, 2006). A study investigating the association between lignan intake and breast cancer in the early 1980s included small groups of women who were classified as vegetarian, or meat-eating. Over the course of 1 year, the concentrations of lignans excreted in their urine were compared with those of breast cancer patients who had had small breast tumours removed by surgery. The women with breast-cancer had a tendency to excrete smaller concentrations of lignans than vegetarians (Lamartiniere, 2000). Isoflavonoids and lignans are diet constituents with chemo-preventive properties. They occur in certain vegetables as their glycosides from which they are released by the bacterial micro-flora in the gut. The mechanisms by which these agents interfere with the process of carcinogenesis are only poorly understood. Although many epidemiological studies have shown that a phytoestrogen-rich diet, in which isoflavones and lignans are both found, is protective against breast cancer development (Lamartiniere, 2000) the use of soy and its isoflavone GEN by postmenopausal breast cancer patients is controversial (Duncan et al, 2003). The mammalian phytoestrogens enterodiol (END) and enterolactone (ENL) are produced in the colon by the action of bacteria on the plant precursors matairesinol (MAT), secoisolariciresinol (SECO), their glycosides, and other precursors in the diet. Both END and ENL have been shown to possess weakly estrogenic and antiestrogenic activities, and it has been suggested that the high production of these antiestrogenic mammalian lignans in the gut may serve to protect against breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. Various in vitro experiments suggested END and ENL significantly inhibited the growth of human colon tumor cells, and the E2-induced proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells was inhibited by ENL (Wang, 2002). Human Studies Till now, the evidence for a cancer-protective role of dietary nutrients, particularly those with antioxidant properties, has been based on women without any known genetic pre-disposition and it is important to identify and evaluate dietary factors which may modify the risk of cancer in BRCA carriers. Diet modification may modulate the risk of hereditary breast cancer by decreasing DNA damage (possibly linked to estrogen exposure) or by enhancing DNA repair. The prevention of hereditary breast cancer through diet is an attractive complement to current management strategies and deserves exploration (Kotsopoulos and Narod, 2005). In a recent study by Lambert et al six lignans, including the cyclolignan 3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dimethoxy-6,7 cyclolignan, were isolated from the flowering tops of Larrea tridentata. Furthermore the flavanone, (S)-4, 5-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone, was isolated

Premier oil company Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Premier oil company - Essay Example This paper will use the Porter’s forces to analyze Premier Oil environment. Force One: Buyer Bargaining Power The negotiating power of purchasers for Premier Oil is fairly moderate but projected to increase due to high demand from emerging nations in Africa and Asia and their energy demands will have to be met. Crude oil, therefore, is extremely crucial as these emerging nations use a projected 20% of energy supplied from oil. Intrinsically, in the present day world, oil has grown more into a commodity rather than a necessity owing to the underscoring of greener, alternate energy such as hydrogen-cell power-driven vehicles (Financial Times 2013). Force Two: Threat of Substitutes The lure of alternate energy has inflicted a bigger problem to the crude oil business today than it has ever had. Alternatives for bio-fuel or hydrogen cell driven vehicles are easily available to the people. Even nowadays, homes are fitted with solar-energy panels plus they are subsidized by governmen t subventions to counterbalance the huge startup costs required. The implications of automobile to the environment have rendered to the innovation of ‘bridge technologies’ or techno-fixes. This is because crude oil products such petroleum when used in automobile they release harmful gases into the environment. The availability of these techno-fixes is to offer an alternative for petroleum; such include hydrogen gas as energy. In respect to industrial life cycle, these techno-fixes represent the decline phase in which the industry may be supplemented by a new substitutes. However, while oil is even now a main energy fabricator, the premier oil company must study and develop fresh product, which can contend with these options. This is crucial for sustainability as well as for the productivity and development of the firm (History 2009). Force Three: Supplier Power The suppliers’ bargaining influence is low owing to the many corporations, which are frontrunnerswithin the oil business. The multinational companies, which entirely regulate the integration system forward and backward, power the immense bargaining influence of suppliers. The oligarchy system operates in favor of oil corporations, which provide distinct and exclusive products, which are ‘green friendly’ too to the surroundings. This alternative or ‘green friendly’ energy also poses a risk to the market-share since it generates future rivals to obtain market-share through their eco-friendly alternatives. Lastly, the multinational companies like premier oil hold a well-recognized brand image, which generates customer loyalty as well as similar familiarities for the contractors (Financial Times 2013). In respect to industrial life cycle, the phase where a company has established the dominant design is the innovation phase. Premier oil is always striving to acquire innovations and technologies to meet the consumer needs. Force Four: Rivalry amid Existing Busines ses The competitiveness within the business is very great and the bantam room for growth goes unmerited. The total number of other multinational oil companies vertically incorporated throughout diverse regions from the continent to