Association of magnesium intake with sleep duration and sleep quality: findings from the CARDIA study

Study Objectives As an antagonist of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) has been implicated in the regulation of sleep. We aimed to examine the longitudinal associations of Mg intake and Ca-to-Mg intake ratio (Ca:Mg) with sleep quality and duration. Methods The study sample consisted of 3,964 participants from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. Dietary and supplementary intake of Mg were obtained using the CARDIA Dietary History at baseline (1985–1986), exam years 7 and 20. Self-reported sleep outcomes were measured at years 15 and 20. Sleep quality was rating from 1 (very good) to 5 (very bad). We categorized sleep duration to <7, 7–9, and >9 h. Generalized estimating equation was used to examine the associations of interest as repeated measures at the two time points. Results After adjustment for potential confounders, Mg intake was borderline associated with better sleep quality [highest quartile (Q4) vs. intake quartile (Q1): odds ratio (OR) = 1.23; 95% CI = 0.999, 1.50, ptrend = 0.051]. Participants in Q4 were also less likely to have short sleep (<7 h) compared to those in Q1 (OR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.51, 0.81, ptrend = 0.012). The observed association with short sleep persisted among participants without depressive disorders (Q4 vs. Q1: OR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.49, 0.82, ptrend < 0.001), but not among individuals with depressive disorder. Ca:Mg was not associated with either outcomes, regardless of depression status. Conclusions Mg intake was associated with both sleep outcomes in this longitudinal analysis. Randomized controlled trials with objective measures of sleep are warranted to establish the potential causal inference.

Use of palm bran (<i>Nopalea cochenillifera</i> (L.) Salm-Dyck) in partial replacement of concentrate in maintenance equine diets – a pilot study

Forage palm is extremely suitable as animal fodder due to its high tolerance to the climatic rigors of the semiarid region and its ability to withstand the harsh physical–chemical limitations of poor soils. Thus, in this study, the effects of the partial replacement (0 %, 5 %, 10 % and 15 % replacement) of a molasses- or oat-based commercial concentrate with forage palm bran (FPB) on the acceptability, apparent digestibility and glycemic response of horses at maintenance were evaluated. The ratio of concentrate to roughage (Tifton 85 hay) was 30:70, and the dry matter (DM) intake was 2 % of body weight (BW). For the preference test, 10 barren Mangalarga Marchador mares were used. The experimental diets were offered simultaneously to determine the consumption preference and the intake ratio. For the digestibility test, four mixed-breed geldings were used and were distributed in a Latin square experimental design (4×4). For the glycemic response, blood samples were collected 30 min before and 30, 60, 90, 120, 180 and 240 min after supplying the feed. The preference test indicated that feed containing 0 % and 5 % FPB was preferred by the animals. Nutrient digestibility coefficients did not differ among the experimental diets. Blood glucose was lower at 180 min in the 7.42 % FPB inclusion diet (R2=0.97); this was estimated using the following equation: Y=115.05-2.75x+0.19x2. It is concluded that the incorporation of up to 15 % of forage palm bran as a substitute for concentrate in the maintenance diet tested did not negatively influence feed intake, nutrient digestibility or glycemic index; however, inclusion values above 5 % reduced diet acceptability.

Association of Magnesium Intake With Sleep Duration and Sleep Quality: Findings From the CARDIA Study

Objectives As an antagonist of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) has been hypothesized to improve individuals’ sleep disturbances, a common health problem, through regulating the glutamatergic and GABAergic systems. The objectives of this study were to examine the longitudinal associations of Mg intake and Ca-to-Mg intake ratio with sleep quality and duration. Methods A total of 5115 American young adults, aged 18–30 years, were enrolled in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. Dietary information, including intakes of Mg and other nutrients, was obtained using the CARDIA dietary history at baseline (1985–86), year 7 (1992–93), and year 20 (2005–06). Sleep measures, including self-reported sleep quality and sleep duration, were collected at year 15 (2000–01) and year 20. Sleep quality was assessed on a scale of 1 (very good) to 5 (very bad), whereas sleep duration was grouped into three categories: &lt;7 hours, 7–9 hours, and &gt;9 hours. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to examine the associations of interest. Results After adjustment for potential demographical, behavioral, and nutritional confounders, Mg intake was associated with better sleep quality [highest intake quartile (Q4) vs. lowest intake quartile (Q1): odds ratio (OR) = 1.23; 95% CI = 1.00, 1.50, P for trend = 0.052]. Participants in Q4 were also less likely to have short sleep (&lt;7 hours) compared to those in Q1 (OR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.51, 0.81, P for trend = 0.012). The observed association with short sleep persisted among participants without depressive disorders (Q4 vs. Q1: OR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.49, 0.82, P for trend &lt;0.001), but not among individuals with depressive disorder. Ca-to-Mg intake ratio was not associated with either sleep quality or sleep duration regardless of depression status. Conclusions Mg intake was associated with sleep quality and duration in this longitudinal analysis. Randomized controlled trials with objective measures of sleep are warranted to establish the potential causal inference. Funding Sources National Institutes of Health (NIH).

New Correlations for Flow and Conjugate Heat Transfer with Surface Radiation Characteristics of a Real-Scale Infrared Suppression System with Conical Funnels

The consistent and accurate prediction of fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics in an infrared suppression (IRS) device is challenging due to the complex nature of the flow features. The cool ambient air intake and subsequent mixing of hot exhaust gas from the engine in the cargo/naval ships are done inside the IRS system. The objective is to propose correlations for mass entrainment and outlet temperature of IRS device with conical funnels stacked one above the other. The mass intake rate and funnel exit temperature are determined by a set of relevant operating and geometric parameters, such as Reynolds number, nozzle exhaust temperature, the number of funnels, and funnel overlap. In this study, the funnel walls are conducting with finite wall thickness, and the surface radiation is taken into consideration. Numerical simulations are performed for the real-scale IRS unit by solving the mass, momentum, energy, and radiation equations in the computational domain surrounding the system. Non-linear regression analysis of the data is carried out using the Levenberg and Marquest (L-M) method to achieve an empirical correlation of mass intake ratio and outlet temperature ratio. The proposed correlation for mass intake ratio is valid within ±6%, and that of outlet temperature is valid within ±5% of the numerical data. The valid ranges for correlations are: 6×?10?^5= Nozzle Reynold number 3×?10?^6; 2 = Number of funnel = 5;-0.325 = funnel overlapping height = 0.25;1.33 = Nozzle exit temperature = 2.

Dutch Preadolescents’ Food Consumption at School: Influence of Autonomy, Competence and Parenting Practices

Eating habits appear to become less healthy once children move into adolescence. Adolescence is characterized by increasing independence and autonomy. Still, parents continue influencing adolescents’ eating habits. This cross-sectional study used a Self-Determination Theory perspective to examine how parents can support preadolescents’ food-related autonomy and competence and how these factors are associated with healthy eating motivation and food consumption at school. In addition, the effect of relative healthy food availability at home on preadolescents’ food consumption at school was explored. In total, 142 Dutch preadolescents (mean age 12.18) and 81 parents completed questionnaires. The results showed that preadolescents perceived themselves as having higher food-related autonomy and lower competence to eat healthily as compared to their parents’ perceptions. A path analysis was conducted to test the hypothesized model. Although parental support was positively associated with food-related autonomy, higher food-related autonomy was related to less healthy food intake at school. On the other hand, competence to eat healthily indirectly affected preadolescents’ healthy intake ratio through their healthy eating motivation. Finally, the relative availability of healthy options at home was positively associated with preadolescents’ healthy intake ratio outside the home. Findings from the study advance the understanding of individual and environmental factors that influence eating habits during the key life period of early adolescence. The results may inform interventions aiming to guide preadolescents to make healthy food choices on their own.

Calcium to magnesium intake ratio and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease development: a case-control study

Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Adoption of sedentary life style and westernized diet are shown to be associated with development of NAFLD. Since previous studies suggested that calcium (Ca) to magnesium (Mg) ratio intake is associated with some chronic diseases including dyslipidemia and insulin resistance, we designed this study to find any possible association between this ratio and NAFLD development. Methods The NAFLD was diagnosed using Fibroscan according to a CAP cut-off value of 263 dB/m. Dietary intakes of one hundred and ninety-six patients with incident NAFLD diagnosis, and eight hundred and three controls without NAFLD were assessed using a valid food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Dietary nutrients were calculated using Nutritionist IV software. Results Age of the study population (57 % female) was 43.2 ± 14.1 years. In addition, energy-adjusted daily calcium to magnesium intake ratio was 2.34 ± 0.57 and 2.73 ± 0.69 for control and case groups, respectively. In the multivariable-adjusted model, after adjustment for potential confounding variables; including, age, gender, BMI, alcohol consumption, smoking, diabetes, physical activity, energy, dietary fiber, carbohydrate, fat, and protein intakes, participants in the third (Q3) and fourth (Q4) quartile of Ca/Mg ratio intake had a greater development of incidental NAFLD compared to the lowest quartile (Q1) [(OR = 2.86; 95 % CI: 1.20–6.81), (P-value = 0.017) and (OR = 5.97; 95 % CI: 2.54–14.01), (P-value < 0.001) for Q3 and Q4 compared to the Q1, respectively]. Moreover, energy-adjusted Ca to Mg intake ratio was positively correlated with plasma level of ALT (r = 0.18; P = 0.01); contrarily, it had no correlation with plasma levels of AST. Conclusions The current study revealed that higher dietary Ca to Mg intake ratio is associated with a greater development of NAFLD. Further interventional studies are needed to confirm the causal relationship of the Ca/Mg ratio intake and development of NAFLD.

PSVII-12 Acceptability of Milne blueberry juice and blueberry puree in horse feed

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of liquid blueberry juice (BJ65) or blueberry puree (BP30) used as a binding agent on pellet durability and palatability of a typical equine concentrate when included at 4% of the pellet. Molasses was used as a control. Production data, pellet durability and moisture content were evaluated in 1 replicate for each treatment. Because moisture content of condition mashes were 17.59% and 18.11% for BJ65 and BP30 treatments, respectively, greater inclusion of blueberry product would likely cause roller slippage and complicate the pelleting process due to increased liquid (Fahrenholz, 2012). Pellet durability met industry standards for all treatments. Pellets were fed in a 3 x 3 Latin square design to 9 two-year-old horses to determine the effect of blueberry products on acceptability. All animals were allowed 10 minutes to consume 1.36 kg at 0700 h and 1700 h each day for 3 d. Consumption time and amount consumed were recorded to calculate intake, intake rate, and intake ratio (IR). No horse consumed all pellets within the allotted time, and thus, there were no differences between intake rate and intake. Period tended to impact intake (P = 0.0909), with horses consuming less during period 1 than period 3 (P = 0.0317), but period had no effect (P = 0.2881) on IR. Treatment influenced intake (P &lt; 0.0001), with decreased intake of BP30 compared to control and BJ65 (P ≤ 0.0001). Intake ratio was greater (P = 0.0075) for BJ65 than BP30 with IR of 0.5069 and 0.4227, respectively. Consumption of BJ65 was no different than control. Fahrenholz, A. 2012. Evaluating factors affecting pellet durability and energy consumption in a pilot feed mill and comparing methods for evaluating pellet durability. Doctoral thesis. Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS.