Ameliorative efficacy of Sepia officinalis ink extract on hepatorenal injury-induced following high-dose folic acid supplementation in rats

Sepia ink, a black suspension of melanin granules, is a multifunctional marine bioactive material. The present study aims to evaluate the ameliorative effect of the ink extract (IE) of the cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) during high dosage administration of the FA in rats. Kidney injury induced by a single oral dose of FA (250 mg /kg). Eighteen male Wistar albino rats were the control, FA group, and FA+ IE group (250mg/kg). The IE showed a significant ameliorative effect against hepatorenal injury induced by high intake of FA as evident by decreasing the levels of serum aminotransferases (AST and ALT), urea, creatinine, uric acid, and significantly increased total serum albumin. Treatment with IE normalized the antioxidant status of the injured animals by reducing the MDA and the significant increase in the levels of GSH and CAT. The present study revealed that IE had an insightful effect against hepatorenal injury-induced following high intake of FA in rats, as it alleviates the alterations in the oxidative stress markers.

Polish Adaptation of the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (DEBQ): The Role of Eating Style in Explaining Food Intake—A Cross-Sectional Study

Knowledge of associations between emotional, external, and restrained eating with food choices is still limited due to the inconsistent results of the previous research. The aim of the study was to adopt the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) and then to examine the relationship between emotional, external, and restrained eating styles and dietary patterns distinguished on the basis of intake of fruit and vegetables (fresh and processed separately), fruit and/or vegetable unsweetened juices, sweets and salty snacks, and the adequacy of fruit and vegetable intake. The cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020, in a sample of 1000 Polish adults. The questionnaire consisted of the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire, questions on selected food groups intake, and metrics. DEBQ structure was tested using both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA, CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM), while multi-group analysis was used to test measurement invariance. Logistic regression was applied to investigate the association between eating styles and dietary patterns, identified with the use of K-means cluster analysis. EFA, CFA and SEM revealed a three-factor, 29-item tool with satisfactory psychometric parameters. Restrained eating (ResEat) and external eating (ExtEat) were found to decrease chances of low intake of both favorable (fruit, vegetables, and unsweetened juices) and unfavorable (sweets and salty snacks) foods and increased the chances of their moderate intake. ResEat increased the probability of the high intake of favorable and moderate or high intake of unfavorable foods. ResEat and ExtEat were predisposed to adequate intake of fruit and vegetables while emotional eating had the opposite effect. Gender, education, and BMI were also found to determine food intake. Our results provide evidence that both eating styles and sociodemographic characteristics should be taken into account while explaining food intake as they may favor healthy and unhealthy eating in different ways.

Macronutrient Intake in Adults Diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome: Using the Health Examinee (HEXA) Cohort

Macronutrient intake is important in the prevention and management of metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study aimed to evaluate total energy and macronutrient intake of participants diagnosed with MetS at recruitment of the health examinees (HEXA) cohort, considering the plant and animal sources of each macronutrient. We included 130,423 participants aged 40–69 years for analysis. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated to evaluate the intake of macronutrients stratified by gender. Energy and macronutrient intake were estimated by linking food frequency questionnaire data to the Korean food composition database, and were calculated separately for plant and animal foods. Low energy (men: OR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92–0.98; women: OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95–0.99), and fat intake (men: OR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.90–0.96; women: OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.77–0.83) were observed. Only postmenopausal women had lower intake of total energy (OR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92–0.97), whereas low fat intake was observed in all women (OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.77–0.83). For carbohydrate intake, the OR were 1.14 (95% CI: 1.08–1.22) and 1.17 (95% CI: 1.08–1.27) among women in their 50s and 60s, respectively. Protein intake was low (OR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.86–0.95; and OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.82–0.94) among women in their 50s and 60s, respectively. High intake of plant carbohydrates in women (OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.12–1.20), and plant protein in both genders (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.05–1.13) were observed, but low intake of total energy, fat, and animal-source carbohydrates in both genders was also observed. Fat intake was low regardless of food source. In conclusion, high consumption of plant-source macronutrients, and low consumption of animal-source macronutrients was observed in Korean adults diagnosed with MetS. Attention should be directed to plant sources of carbohydrates and proteins when designing population interventions for metabolic syndrome reduction in Korea.

Intake of Vitamin D in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in the Valencian Region and Its Possible Relationship with the Pathogenesis of the Disease

(1) Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by pronounced inflammation. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is an accurate marker for the state of inflammation, due to the high levels of this cytokine linked to the pathogenesis of the disease. These IL-6 levels could be lowered with an adequate dietary intake of vitamin D. The objective of the study was to determine the level of vitamin D ingested in a sample of patients with MS in the Valencian region (Spain), to establish the vitamin sources, and the possible link between the intake of vitamin D and the pathogenesis of the disease through a relationship with the level of IL-6. (2) Materials and Methods: A descriptive pilot study was carried out with 39 patients with MS in the Valencian region. The dietary-nutritional anamnesis was gained through the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and a food diary. Diet and eating habits were analyzed through the Easy Diet (version: 2.0.1)—Consultation Management Program® software, and IL-6 levels in blood by ELISA technique. (3) Results: The results show a low intake of vitamin D, which is significantly and negatively related to the intake of proteins of vegetable origin, which are consumed in less quantity than proteins of animal origin, and significantly and negatively related with the high blood levels of IL-6, possibly as a consequence of the high intake of fats, mainly unsaturated. (4) Conclusions: MS patients in the Valencian region ingest little vitamin D related to low intake of vegetable protein, which would explain the high levels of IL-6 linked to the high intake of mainly saturated fats.

Extreme Miller cycle with high intake boost for improved efficiency and emissions in heavy-duty diesel engines

This study experimentally investigates the impact of extreme Miller cycle strategies paired with high intake manifold pressures on the combustion process, emissions, and thermal efficiency of heavy-duty diesel engines. Well-controlled experiments isolating the effect of Miller cycle strategies on the combustion process were conducted at constant engine speed and load (1160 rpm, 1.76 MPa net IMEP) on a single cylinder research engine equipped with a fully-flexible hydraulic valve train system. Late intake valve closing (LIVC) timing strategies were compared to a conventional intake valve profile under either constant cylinder composition, constant engine-out NOx emission, or constant overall turbocharger efficiency ([Formula: see text]) to investigate the operating constraints that favor Miller cycle operation over the baseline strategy. Utilizing high boost with conventional intake valve closing timing resulted in improved fuel consumption at the expense of sharp increases in peak cylinder pressures, engine-out NOx emissions, and reduced exhaust temperatures. Miller cycle without EGR at constant [Formula: see text] demonstrated LIVC strategies effectively reduce engine-out NOx emissions by up to 35%. However, Miller cycle associated with very aggressive LIVC timings led to fuel consumption penalties due to increased pumping work and exhaust enthalpy. LIVC strategies allowed for increased charge dilution at the baseline NOx constraint of 3.2 g/kWh, resulting in significant fuel consumption benefits over the baseline case without compromising exhaust temperatures or peak cylinder pressures. As Miller cycle implementation was shown to affect the boundary conditions dictating [Formula: see text], the LIVC and conventional IVC cases were studied at an equivalent [Formula: see text] point representative of high boost operation. With high boost, LIVC yielded reduced NOx emissions, reduced peak cylinder pressures, and elevated exhaust temperatures compared to the conventional IVC case without compromising fuel consumption.

Causes of different goiter rates with the same iodine deficiency among the pastoral and agricultural populations of Tibet: A geographical comparison

Background The residents of both the agricultural and pastoral areas of Tibet share the same iodine deficiency and iodine nutrition, but the rate of thyroid goiter was significantly higher in the agricultural areas than in the pastoral areas. This project sought to determine why the populations in the iodine-deficient pastoral areas show a lower rate of thyroid goiter. Methods Food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) and 24 h history recalls were adopted to investigate the dietary patterns of the residents of the agricultural and pastoral areas. Meat and milk samples were collected to measure their inorganic iodine, total iodine and thyroid hormone contents using ICP-MS, AsIII-Ce4+ catalytic spectrophotometry and the Siemens’ chemiluminescence method, respectively. The intake of protein, and the microelements, selenium and iron, was calculated according to their content in the food. Results The per capita daily intake of meat, dairy, and cereal in the pastoral areas was 116.7, 216.7, and 433.3 g, respectively, which are significantly higher than those in the agricultural areas (50.0, 72.2, and 375.0 g, respectively) (p < 0.05). The content of thyroid hormone in dried beef and milk in the pastoral areas was 62.6 and 13.5 µg/kg, respectively, which was significantly higher than those in the agricultural areas (25.1 and 4.1 µg/kg, respectively) (p < 0.05). The daily intake of thyroid hormone, protein and microelements, selenium and iron from foods by the residents of the pastoral areas were 10.5 µg, 99.6 g, 30.0 µg and 15.8 mg respectively, which was significantly higher than those in the agricultural areas (1.79 µg, 56.5 g, 23.8 µg and 13.2 mg, respectively) (p < 0.05). Conclusions The significantly high intake of the food-borne thyroid hormone by the residents of the pastoral area could be the main reason the residents in the pastoral areas show a lower rate of thyroid goiter than those in the agricultural area. Moreover, the relatively high intake of protein and trace elements, selenium and iron by residents in the pastoral area could be another important factor for reducing the goiter rates.

Macronutrient Intake in Adults Diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome: using the Health Examinee (HEXA) Cohort

Macronutrient intake is important in the prevention and management of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). We characterized energy and macronutrient intake of Koreans diagnosed with MetS at recruitment of the Health Examinee (HEXA) cohort. We included 130,423 participants aged 40-69 years for analysis. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated to evaluate the intake of macronutrient. Low energy (OR= 0.94, 95% CI: 0.89-0.98) and fat intake (OR=0.91, 95% CI: 0.86-0.97) was observed among 50-59 year-old men. Only postmenopausal women had lower intake of total energy (OR= 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.97) while low fat intake was observed in all women (OR= 0.80 95% CI: 0.77-0.83). For carbohydrate intake, the OR were 1.14 (95% CI: 1.08-1.22) and 1.17 (95% CI: 1.08-1.27) among women in their 50’s and 60’s respectively. Protein intake was low (OR=0.90, 95% CI: 0.86-0.95) and (OR=0.88, 95% CI: 0.82-0.94) among women in their 50’s and 60’s respectively. High intake of plant carbohydrates in women (OR=1.16, 95% CI: 1.12-1.20) and plant protein in both genders (OR=1.09, 95% CI: 1.05-1.13) were observed, but low intake of total energy, fat and animal-source carbohydrates in both genders. Fat intake was low regardless of food source. In conclusion, high consumption of plant-source and low consumption of animal-source macronutrients was observed in Korean adult diagnosed MetS.

Maintaining antioxidants in tomato fruit using chitosan and vanillin coating during ambient storage

A high intake of antioxidants in a daily diet could reduce the risk of several diseases, including certain cancers and heart disease. Tomato is one of the rich sources of antioxidant compounds. However, it has a relatively short postharvest life due to several factors such as postharvest diseases, accelerated ripening and senescence that hasten the losses in quantity and quality. Chitosan and vanillin could be an alternative to disease control, maintain the quality and prolong the shelf life of fruit. This research aimed to evaluate the potential of chitosan and vanillin coating on tomato antioxidant properties during storage at 26±2°C and 60±5% relative humidity. Chitosan and vanillin in aqueous solutions of 0.5% chitosan + 10 mM vanillin, 1% chitosan + 10 mM vanillin, 1.5% chitosan + 10 mM vanillin, 0.5% chitosan + 15 mM vanillin 1% chitosan + 15 mM vanillin and 1.5% chitosan + 15 mM vanillin, respectively, were used as edible coating on tomato fruit. The analysis was evaluated at a 5-day interval. The results revealed that 1.5% chitosan + 15 mM vanillin have significantly retained tomato's antioxidant properties and prolonged shelf life up to 25 days without any adverse effects on fruit quality. Thus, combining 1.5% chitosan and 15 mM vanillin is highly recommended as a tomato coating to maintain their quality, particularly in the absence of a refrigeration facility during marketing.

Food protein induced allergic proctocolitis: The effect of maternal Mediterranean diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Background: The aim of the current investigation was to explore predisposing factors for food protein induced allergic proctocolitis (FPIAP) in Greek infants relevant in the maternal diet, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as relevant knowledge is limited. Methods: A multicenter retrospective case-control study was conducted in 6 regions in Greece, with 96 mothers of infants with and 141 mothers of infants without a history of FPIAP. Maternal dietary habits during pregnancy and breastfeeding were evaluated with validated questionnaires: a) The Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) Score, and b) The Mediterranean Oriented Culture Specific Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire. Statistical tests, modeling and exploration of the FPIAP risk in relation to the maternal diet using elastic net regression models were performed with R software and Studio. Results: FPIAP was associated with cow’s milk (83.6%), egg (7.3 %), and wheat, beef (6.4%) in the maternal diet. Adherence to MedDiet was similar among the mothers, but mothers of FPIAP infants consumed more vegetables (p=0.018) and olive oil (p=0.003). Elastic net prediction models showed that, in this Mediterranean population, increased consumption during pregnancy and lactation of common allergens, whole grain products, homemade food, fish and shellfish, fruit offered protection; conversely, high intake of vegetables, sugar and total fat, and non-stick/grilled cooking, increased the risk of FPIAP, as did high intake of salt and white flour during lactation. Conclusions: Components of a maternal Mediterranean diet can protect against FPIAP when traditional cooking methods are adopted and fish, fruit and whole wheat products are consumed frequently.

A posteriori Dietary Patterns in 71-year old Swedish Men and the Prevalence of Sarcopenia 16 Years Later

The role of diet in sarcopenia is unclear and results from studies using dietary patterns (DPs) are inconsistent. We assessed how adherences to a posteriori DPs are associated with the prevalence of sarcopenia and its components 16 years later. Four DPs were defined in the Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men at baseline (n= 1133, average age 71 years). Among 257 men with information at follow-up, 19% (n=50) had sarcopenia according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) 2 definition. Adherence to DP2 (mainly characterized by high intake of vegetables, green salad, fruit, poultry, rice and pasta) was non-linearly associated with sarcopenia; adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for medium and high vs low adherence: 0.41 (0.17-0.98) and 0.40 (0.17-0.94). The OR per standard deviation (SD) higher adherence to DP2 was 0.70 (0.48 - 1.03). Adjusted ORs (95% CIs) for 1 SD higher adherence to DP1 (mainly characterized by high consumption of milk and cereals), DP3 (mainly characterized by high consumption of bread, cheese, marmalade, jam and sugar) and DP4 (mainly characterized by high consumption of potatoes, meat and egg, and low consumption of fermented milk) were 1.04 (0.74 - 1.46), 1.19 (0.71 - 2.00) and 1.08 (0.77 - 1.53), respectively. There were no clear associations between adherence to the DPs and muscle strength, muscle mass, physical performance or sarcopenia using EWGSOP1 (sarcopenia n=54). Our results indicate that diet may be a potentially modifiable risk factor for sarcopenia in old Swedish men.