scholarly journals Relevance of folic acid fortification of foods in the nutrition of women and children

1999 ◽  
Vol 17 (No. 1) ◽  
pp. 35-39
Author(s):  
R. Uherova ◽  
M. Horkulicova ◽  
M. Mikusova

Folic acid and its biologically  active derivates  (folacin  or folates)  rank among  the B-group  vitamins  due to their  hydrophilic character. This acid occurs in nature either in the free form or it is bound to proteins or polysaccharides. Folic acid belongs to the group of vitamins which, in the past were not considered important because the relevance of the acid in biological  processes of the living cell has been discovered  by the scientific  research only in recent years. Folates play an important role as co-enzymes in the synthesis of RNA, DNA, proteins and of some essential amino acids. Therefore they are inevitable for the haematopoiesis, growth and reproduction  of cells. In this sense a widely oriented  research  named "Maternal Folate Status" is proceeding  in the U.S.A., Australia and France.

2019 ◽  
Vol 150 (4) ◽  
pp. 851-860 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zia Fazili ◽  
Maya R Sternberg ◽  
Nancy Potischman ◽  
Chia-Yih Wang ◽  
Renee J Storandt ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Background Serum folate forms were measured in the US population during recent NHANES to assess folate status. Objective We describe post-folic acid–fortification concentrations of serum folate forms in the fasting US population ≥1 y from the NHANES 2011–2016. Methods We measured 5 biologically active folates and 1 oxidation product (MeFox) of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-methyl-THF). We calculated geometric means of 5-methyl-THF, unmetabolized folic acid (UMFA), nonmethyl folate (sum of tetrahydrofolate, 5-formyltetrahydrofolate, and 5,10-methenyltetrahydrofolate), total folate (sum of above biomarkers), and MeFox by demographic, physiologic, and lifestyle variables; estimated the magnitude of variables on biomarker concentrations after covariate adjustment; and determined the prevalence of UMFA >2 nmol/L. Results After demographic adjustment, age, sex, and race-Hispanic origin were significantly associated with most folate forms. MeFox increased with age, while 5-methyl-THF, UMFA, and nonmethyl folate displayed U-shaped age patterns. Compared with non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks had 23% lower predicted 5-methyl-THF but comparable UMFA; non-Hispanic Asians had comparable 5-methyl-THF but 28% lower UMFA; Hispanics, non-Hispanic Asians, and non-Hispanic blacks had ∼20% lower MeFox. After additional physiologic and lifestyle adjustment, predicted UMFA and MeFox concentrations were 43% and 112% higher, respectively, in adults with chronic kidney disease and 17% and 15% lower, respectively, in adults consuming daily 1–<2 alcoholic beverages; 5-methyl-THF concentrations were 20% lower in adult smokers. The prevalence of UMFA >2 nmol/L was highest in persons aged ≥70 y (9.01%) and lowest in those aged 12–19 y (1.14%). During 2011–2014, the prevalence was 10.6% in users and 2.22% in nonusers of folic acid–containing supplements. Conclusions In fasting persons ≥1 y, the demographic, physiologic, and lifestyle characteristics observed with serum total folate differed among folate forms, suggesting biological and/or genetic influences on folate metabolism. High UMFA was mostly observed in supplement users and older persons.


Author(s):  
Leslie M. Loew

A major application of potentiometric dyes has been the multisite optical recording of electrical activity in excitable systems. After being championed by L.B. Cohen and his colleagues for the past 20 years, the impact of this technology is rapidly being felt and is spreading to an increasing number of neuroscience laboratories. A second class of experiments involves using dyes to image membrane potential distributions in single cells by digital imaging microscopy - a major focus of this lab. These studies usually do not require the temporal resolution of multisite optical recording, being primarily focussed on slow cell biological processes, and therefore can achieve much higher spatial resolution. We have developed 2 methods for quantitative imaging of membrane potential. One method uses dual wavelength imaging of membrane-staining dyes and the other uses quantitative 3D imaging of a fluorescent lipophilic cation; the dyes used in each case were synthesized for this purpose in this laboratory.


2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Longerich ◽  
Roy West ◽  
Ed Randell ◽  
Marian Crowley ◽  
Shiliang Liu ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
pp. 37-40
Author(s):  
S.I. Zhuk ◽  
◽  
K.K. Bondarenko ◽  

Most recent studies show the impact of violations in the metabolism of folate and metin period in the pathogenesis of neural tube defects (NTD) of the fetus. Metafolin has a number of advantages, which primarily includes direct intake of substances in biologically active form and the optimum effect, even in the case when the patient homozygote and/or heterozygote genotype 677С T polymorphism in MTHFR. With the aim of prevention and treatment of various pathological conditions related to folate deficiency during pregnancy, it is advisable to apply vitamin-mineral complexes, containing metafolin - active form of folate with high bioavailability. Key words: MTHFR, metafolin, folic acid, pregnancy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengmian Feng ◽  
Lijing Feng ◽  
Chaohui Tang

Background and Purpose: N 6 -methyladenosine (m6A) plays critical roles in a broad set of biological processes. Knowledge about the precise location of m6A site in the transcriptome is vital for deciphering its biological functions. Although experimental techniques have made substantial contributions to identify m6A, they are still labor intensive and time consuming. As good complements to experimental methods, in the past few years, a series of computational approaches have been proposed to identify m6A sites. Methods: In order to facilitate researchers to select appropriate methods for identifying m6A sites, it is necessary to give a comprehensive review and comparison on existing methods. Results: Since researches on m6A in Saccharomyces cerevisiae are relatively clear, in this review, we summarized recent progresses on computational prediction of m6A sites in S. cerevisiae and assessed the performance of existing computational methods. Finally, future directions of computationally identifying m6A sites were presented. Conclusion: Taken together, we anticipate that this review will provide important guides for computational analysis of m 6A modifications.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 543-553
Author(s):  
Luciana Y. Tomita ◽  
Andréia C. da Costa ◽  
Solange Andreoni ◽  
Luiza K.M. Oyafuso ◽  
Vânia D’Almeida ◽  
...  

Background: Folic acid fortification program has been established to prevent tube defects. However, concern has been raised among patients using anti-folate drug, i.e. psoriatic patients, a common, chronic, autoimmune inflammatory skin disease associated with obesity and smoking. Objective: To investigate dietary and circulating folate, vitamin B12 (B12) and homocysteine (hcy) in psoriatic subjects exposed to the national mandatory folic acid fortification program. Methods: Cross-sectional study using the Food Frequency Questionnaire, plasma folate, B12, hcy and psoriasis severity using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score. Median, interquartile ranges (IQRs) and linear regression models were conducted to investigate factors associated with plasma folate, B12 and hcy. Results: 82 (73%) mild psoriasis, 18 (16%) moderate and 12 (11%) severe psoriasis. 58% female, 61% non-white, 31% former smokers, and 20% current smokers. Median (IQRs) were 51 (40, 60) years. Only 32% reached the Estimated Average Requirement of folate intake. Folate and B12 deficiencies were observed in 9% and 6% of the blood sample respectively, but hyperhomocysteinaemia in 21%. Severity of psoriasis was negatively correlated with folate and B12 concentrations. In a multiple linear regression model, folate intake contributed positively to 14% of serum folate, and negative predictors were psoriasis severity, smoking habits and saturated fatty acid explaining 29% of circulating folate. Conclusion: Only one third reached dietary intake of folate, but deficiencies of folate and B12 were low. Psoriasis severity was negatively correlated with circulating folate and B12. Stopping smoking and a folate rich diet may be important targets for managing psoriasis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arpita Paul ◽  
Monami Rajiung ◽  
Kamaruz Zaman ◽  
Sushil Kumar Chaudhary ◽  
Hans Raj Bhat ◽  
...  

Background: Morus alba Linn. commonly known as white mulberry, belongs to the family Moraceae, is a promising traditional medicine. In Asia, besides its use in the preparation of delicacies, every part of this plant is utilized in traditional medicine. Over the past decade, studies related to identification and isolation of biologically active compounds, with flavonoids as the major class of phytoconstituents, from this plant has been reported. These phytoconstituents are not only found to be beneficial for the maintenance of general health but also are associated with a range of potential pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anticancer, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, neuroprotective to name a few. Objective: This review aims to provide upgraded and comprehensive information regarding the phytochemical, ethnomedicinal use and pharmacological profile of the plant Morus alba Linn. Method: The significant information has been collected through various database viz. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct based on the recent findings, using different terms of Morus alba. Results: The outcome of the study suggests that Morus alba is a multifunctional plant numerous phytochemicals, and possess a range of pharmacological activities. Conclusion: The data assembled on Morus alba will be beneficial to trigger research in various fields of pharmaceutical and allied science to explore the medicinal importance of this unique plant.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Kappler ◽  
Michael A. Morgan ◽  
Philipp Ivanyi ◽  
Stefan J. Brunotte ◽  
Arnold Ganser ◽  
...  

AbstractTo date, only few data concerning the biologically active, free form of testosterone (FT) are available in metastatic prostate cancer (mPC) and the impact of FT on disease, therapy and outcome is largely unknown. We retrospectively studied the effect of docetaxel on FT and total testosterone (TT) serum levels in 67 mPC patients monitored between April 2008 and November 2020. FT and TT levels were measured before and weekly during therapy. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints were prostate-specific antigen response and radiographic response (PSAR, RR), progression-free survival (PFS), FT/TT levels and safety. Median FT and TT serum levels were completely suppressed to below the detection limit during docetaxel treatment (FT: from 0.32 to < 0.18 pg/mL and TT: from 0.12 to < 0.05 ng/mL, respectively). Multivariate Cox regression analyses identified requirement of non-narcotics, PSAR, complete FT suppression and FT nadir values < 0.18 pg/mL as independent parameters for PFS. Prior androgen-receptor targeted therapy (ART), soft tissue metastasis and complete FT suppression were independent prognostic factors for OS. FT was not predictive for treatment outcome in mPC patients with a history of ART.


2021 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 205873842110005
Author(s):  
Xia Ma ◽  
Meng Yang ◽  
Yan He ◽  
Chuntao Zhai ◽  
Chengliang Li

Tremella polysaccharide is known to be structurally unique and biologically active natural products, abundant and versatile in activities and applications in food industry, daily chemical industry and medicine industry. In order to improve the industrialisation of Tremella polysaccharide, the limitations of preparation and structure-activity relationship of Tremella polysaccharide were reviewed in this paper. The research progress of Tremella polysaccharide in the past 20 years was summarized from the sources, preparation methods, molecular structure, activity and application, and the research trend in the future was also prospected. The application prospect of Tremella polysaccharide in against multiple sub-health states was worth expecting.


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