bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lipid Transport, Dietary Fats, and Endogenous Lipid Synthesis: Hypotheses on Saturation and Competition Processes
Authors: Visioli Francesco , Crawford Michael A , Cunnane Stephen , Rise Patrizia , Galli Claudio
Published: January 2012

Plasma lipid concentrations are the net result of the balance between two opposite processes: the loading, i.e. the entry of new lipids into the plasma compartment through the ingestion (diet) and/or endogenous synthesis, and the unloading, i.e. energy utilization, incorporation into cell membranes, and storage. Even though many fatty acids are thought to be synthesized in the body, it appears as nearly all circulating fatty acids are, in fact, derived from the diet. In view of the wide dietary availabilty of such nutrients, the need to conserve energy likely minimizes endogenous synthesis. Consequently, the possibility exists to alter circulating the profile of fatty acids, including the “non essential” ones by dietary manipulations.

In turn, a theory on the dietary vs endogenous contribution to circulating fatty acids, including those known as non-essential, is discussed based on critical interpretation of original data.
Traditional and Acacia colei Seed-Incorporated Diets in Maradi, Niger Republic
Authors: Adewusi Steve R. A. , Falade Muyiwa S. , Oyedapo Boade O. , Rinaudo Tony , Harwood Chris
Published: January 2012

A survey of dietary habits of 83 male and 35 female volunteers from rural villages around Maradi, southern Niger, revealed that fura and tuwo were basic staples, the former being consumed up to 21 times weekly and the latter about once daily. Local recipes were modified to incorporate a prospective new food, Acacia colei seed flour, at 0, 15 and 25% (w/w) and the resulting diets fed ad libitum to volunteers for three weeks under controlled conditions. Acacia incorporation at 25% increased the crude protein content of most meals and the per capita crude protein intake to 136 g/day, 56% above the control. Lipid intake was similar in the three trial groups. Dietary fibre intake and per capita energy consumption for the 25% acacia diet was 93% and 18% above the control respectively. Daily vitamin consumption was above RDA from all the diets. The results showed that the supplementation of the traditional foods of the people of Maradi with acacia increased the nutritional value of each food.
Nutritional Attributes of Agaricus bisporus and Pleurotus sajor caju Mushrooms
Authors: Goyal Rajni , Grewal R.B. , Goyal R.K.
Published: January 2012

Agaricus bisporus and Pleurotus sajor caju mushrooms were procured from the Department of Plant Pathology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (INDIA) and analysed for various nutritional attributes. The fat and ash content were significantly higher in Agaricus bisporus, whereas, crude fibre and crude protein contents were significantly higher in Pleurotus sajor caju. Total and protein nitrogen was significantly higher in Pleurotus sajor caju than Agaricus bisporus mushroom as a result its true protein content was also significantly higher. No significant differences were found in the energy, carbohydrates and non-protein nitrogen contents of both the varieties of mushroom. Both varieties contained low phytic acid and oxalate however, it was significantly higher in Pleurotus sajor caju mushroom. The in vitro protein digestibility of both was not differing significantly.
Effect of Frozen Period on The Chemical, Microbiological and Sensory Quality of Frozen Tilapia Fish (Sarotherodun Galiaenus)
Authors: Arannilewa S.T. , Salawu S.O. , Sorungbe A.A. , Ola-Salawu B.B.
Published: January 2012

The study was designed to investigate the effect of duration of frozen storage on the chemical, microbiological and sensory profile of Tilapia fish ( Sarotherodun galiaenus) collected from a research pond of the Agricultural Development Project, Akure, Nigeria, subjected to sixty days of frozen storage and analyzed at intervals of ten days. Protein content (%) ranges from 43.70 ± 1.17−60.65 ± 2.40. Protein decreases with increasing duration of frozen storage with the fresh samples (not frozen) having the highest protein content (60.65 ± 2.40) while the least (43.70 ± 1.17) was recorded for fish samples that were frozen for sixty days. Similar results were obtained for the fat content (%) where the highest fat content (9.72 ± 0.25) was recorded for the fresh samples and the least value was recorded for those stored for sixty days. Ash content (%) and moisture content (%) do not show any significant change during storage. Mineral composition (Fe, Ca, Mg, P and Zn in mg/100g) and iodine content (μg/100g) of the samples showed a slight change with respect to duration of storage. pH values ranges between 5.20–6.90 while the total coliform count range was between 3.0 × 103−7.5 × 106 with increasing values, as the duration of storage increases. Sensory evaluation of the fish samples on storage revealed that quality of the fish samples with respect to taste decreases with increasing duration of storage with the best quality (texture, odor and color) when freshly prepared; and that better quality during storage is obtainable during the first ten days of storage. These, by implication simply mean that fish should be stored for a short period of time to retain the taste, and provide both the protein and fat at optimal level.
Are Neurodegenerative Disorder and Psychotic Manifestations Avoidable Brain Dysfunctions with Adequate Dietary Omega-3?
Authors: Saugstad Letten F.
Published: January 2012

The present mismatch between what our brain needs, and the modern diet neglects our marine heritage. Last century, the priority in nutrition and food production was to achieve a high protein diet and somatic growth and function. The dietary content of omega-3 (N-3) required by the brain was neglected although evidence for the essentiality of certain fatty acids was published in 1929 and specifically re-affirmed for omega 3 in the brain in the 1970s. Cognitive decline with age and neurodegenerative disorder with dementia are now rising. This review describes signs of N-3 deficit in Alzheimer and Parkinson Disease, where maximum change involves the primary sites: olfactory cortex and the hippocampus. The olfactory agnosia observed in schizophrenia supports an N-3 deficit as does a reduction of key ologodendrocyte- and myelin-related genes in this disorder and affective disorder, where a rise in dementia accords with a deficit of N-3 also in this disorder. N-3 normalizes cerebral excitability at all levels. That the two disorders are localized at the extremes of excitability, is supported by their opposing treatments: convulsant neuroleptics and anti-epileptic antidepressants. An adequate N-3 diet will probably prevent most psychotic episodes and prove that neurodegenerative disorder with dementia is also to a large extent not only preventable but avoidable.
The Mineral Depletion of Foods Available to US as A Nation (1940–2002) – A Review of the 6th Edition of McCance and Widdowson
Authors: Thomas David
Published: January 2012

Over the past 60 years there have been fundamental changes in the quality and quantity of food available to us as a nation. The character, growing method, preparation, source and ultimate presentation of basic staples have changed significantly to the extent that trace elements and micronutrient contents have been severely depleted. This trend, established in a review of the 5th Edition of McCance & Widdowson's The Composition of Foods, is still apparent in this review of the 6th edition of the same work. Concurrently there has been a precipitous change towards convenience and pre-prepared foods containing saturated fats, highly processed meats and refined carbohydrates, often devoid of vital micronutrients yet packed with a cocktail of chemical additives including colourings, flavourings and preservatives. It is proposed that these changes are significant contributors to rising levels of diet-induced ill health. Ongoing research clearly demonstrates a significant relationship between deficiencies in micronutrients and physical and mental ill health.
Working with Parents and Infants: A Psycho-Soma Integrative Approach
Authors: Sansone Antonella
Published: January 2012

Drawing on a single case of a mother-infant difficult relationship, I shall consider the inseparability of psyche and soma and the embodiment of psychosomatic health and illness. A dualistic perspective prevents acknowledging that the mother's concerns, conflicts and mental state can obstruct the milk flow and affect the infant's feeding pattern, the mother-infant relationship and the infant's health.

The aim of psychotherapists and all those with a professional concern for parents and infants should be that of understanding the positive value of a symptom and facilitating the mind integration with the soma.
The Declaration of Nutrition, Health, and Intelligence for the Child-To-Be: Adapted from the Declaration of Olympia on Nutrition and Fitness, 28-29 May 1996 in Ancient Olympia, Greece, an Article by Artemis P. Simopoulos, MD, The Center for Genetics, Nutrition and Health, Washington, DC, USA
Authors: Katzen-Luchenta Jan
Published: January 2012

The Declaration of Nutrition, Health, and Intelligence for the Child-to-be is an urgent cry from the unborn child for a life-span of nutrients for physical and mental wellness. It is a proclamation of paramount importance for everyone involved in child development: parents, health professionals, teachers, government agencies, all producers of food – and children, so they may learn how to feed themselves well.

The Declaration of Olympia on Nutrition and Fitness, 1996, came from a group of nutritional scientists and medical doctors to commemorate the Olympic Games' 100th anniversary. They based it on the health principles of Hippocrates: genetics, the age of the individual, the powers of various foods, and exercise.

Following today's vast wealth of nutritional research and expressing it with my teaching experience, I have revitalized the Declaration of Olympia by writing from the heart of the little learner and the hope of the child-to-be. The nutrients implicated in healthy reproduction and lifelong health include B vitamins, particularly B1, B6, folate, B12; antioxidants, particularly vitamins C and E; minerals such as iron, zinc, magnesium, selenium, iodine, and copper; and essential fatty acids, particularly DHA. These nutrients also lower the risk of neural tube defects; autism, dyslexia, Down's syndrome; childhood cancers, obesity, and defective fetal cell membranes associated with maternal diabetes. Our metabolism is hugely influenced also by activity and by affection. Today's foods are often processed beyond the cells' recognition and can result in neurological and physical morbidity and mortality. A diet of unprocessed free-range animals and seafood; legumes, deep-colored vegetables and fruits; nuts, seeds, and whole grains, germ and bran, reinstates nutritional potency.
Maternal Fish Consumption and Prenatal Methylmercury Exposure: A Review
Authors: Al-Ardhi Fatma Mohammed Mahfoodh , Al-Ani Majeed Rasheed
Published: January 2012

The benefits of fish consumption have been known to be the prevention of certain heart disease, neurological disorders and a very important role in fetal brain development. However there has been, in the past, certain doubts on whether fish should be classified as a beneficial meat source as part of a pregnant woman's diet as it has been documented that fish contains harmful substances that could effect a child's cognitive and neuro development. Methylmercury (MeHg), in particular, has been singled out. As it turned-out, with the use of numerous literature reviews, MeHg is not as dangerous as we have been led to believe. It has been suggested that even during neonatal exposure to MeHg as a result of maternal fish consumption one can reverse the harmful effects of MeHg if, after birth, the child is exposed to a favorable environment and a nutritious diet. The role of antioxidants is also important as they can help in reducing the harmful effects of MeHg if administered in sufficient amounts during pregnancy. There are also many fish types that should be avoided during pregnancy, particularly predatory and dark-meat fish as they are associated with high amounts of MeHg. This review shows that the benefits of maternal fish consumption during pregnancy can outweigh the harmful effects of neonatal MeHg exposure.
Contamination Risk of Water Quality on Fisheries and Aquatic Life of Tigris River reach in Mosul City/Noth Iraq
Authors: Al-Salim Taha Hussein
Published: January 2012

Considerable attention is now being paid to the use of rivers and lakes for such purposes as fishing, aquatic life and esthetical enjoyment.

A study of the water quality of the Tigris River in Mosul city, North Iraq, was carried out in order to assess the chemical composition and suitability for fisheries and aquatic life.

Laboratory analysis of 9 water samples for three sites within the rivers reach were performed in order to obtain the chemical concentration of Ca, Na, Mg, HCO3, SO4, Cl, NO3, NO2, TDS and pH. Certain ions may be lethal to fish and other aquatic lifeforms when present at levels near or below the limit given by public water supplies. Copper, zinc and aluminum, which are not among the metals for which limits are prescribed for public water supply, are toxic to fish and many other species of aquatic life. Concentration of chemical constituents in water samples vary spatially and temporarily.

The chemical analysis of the water samples was compared with the standard guideline values as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for fisheries and aquatic life. Three samples from the right bank of the river fell within the poor quality type for water. While the other samples from the left side and the deepest part of the river fell within the high quality type water.
Preventing Diet Induced Disease: Bioavailable Nutrient-Rich, Low-Energy-Dense Diets
Authors: Robson Anthony A.
Published: January 2012

What the World needs is an integrated and sustainable food policy that makes the best and most appropriate use of the technologies at our disposal to promote health and help prevent disease. Diet induced diseases account for the largest burden of chronic illnesses and health problems Worldwide. Historically a lack of knowledge about human nutritional requirements (including for the brain) helped promote diet induced disease. The scientific knowledge currently exists to help prevent many of the current deficiencies and imbalances in human diet. Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and mental ill health starts, crucially, with maternal nutrition before the inception of pregnancy and continues throughout life of the new born and includes consuming more DHA and EPA omega-3 fats (and their cofactors) and other bioavailable brain nutrients and less high-energy-dense (>2 kcal g−l) foods (e.g. land-based cereal, chocolate, alcohol and refined sugar, fat and oil), so tissues synthesize less inflammatory mediators and to lower transient short-lived meal-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, proliferation and impaired nitric oxide (e.g. ∼0.35–3.5 g DHA/EPA day−l dependant on energy intake and noting the importance of cofactors). Micro- and nanotechnologies are already engineering nano foods for human (and livestock) consumption that may eventually (without excessive consumption) prevent the current diet induced disease epidemic, especially in future generations, by preventing the causal mechanisms of disease. Greater knowledge about the causal mechanisms of disease awaits to be discovered, which could further enhance the human desire to increase longevity in optimum health (creating more problems and challenges for society).
Arachidonic and Docosahexaenoic Acid Deficits in Preterm Neonatal Mononuclear Cell Membranes. Implications for the Immune Response at Birth
Authors: Moodley Therishnee , Vella Cherelyn , Djahanbakhch Ovrang , Branford-White Christopher J. , Crawford Michael A.
Published: January 2012

Preterm neonates are more susceptible to infection than term neonates. Arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) are biologically active components of cell membrane phospholipids. Arachidonic acid is a substrate for the synthesis of eicosanoids, potent regulators of immune function. Preterm babies may have a deficiency of arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, but the impact of this deficit on maturation of the immune system is unknown. To address this we explored links between placental provision of fatty acids to cord blood mononuclear cell (CBMC) membranes using gas chromatography (GC), and maturation of the immune response with gestational age by analysing lymphocyte subsets by flow cytometry. This is the first study to examine the lipid profile of the phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) fractions of CBMC membranes from preterm neonates. The long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) composition of CBMC membranes was dominated by arachidonic acid in both PE (34%) and PC (15%) fractions in healthy term neonates (≥37 weeks, n=9), whilst in healthy preterm neonates <37 weeks, n= 10) the level of arachidonic acid was significantly lower at 28.8% and 12.5% respectively (p<0.05). Preterm neonates <37 weeks, n=23) also had significantly lower absolute numbers of CD4+ (p<0.05) leukocytes and CD4+ (p<0.01) and CD8+ (p<0.05) naïve T-cells than term (≥2.37 weeks, n=24) neonates that correlated with gestational age (p<0.01–0.05).
Dietary Structure and Renal Stone Disease
Authors: Blacklock Norman J.
Published: January 2012

Renal stone disease - calcium oxalate stone of the kidney - appears as much a disease of Western civilisation as diabetes, coronary thrombosis, appendicitis and gallstones. The epidemiology shows a significant increase in incidence in the developed world within the past one hundred years but there have been interruptions in the progression of increase in times of war. There is other evidence that it afflicts the affluent society. Any ‘geographical’ pattern tends to reflect sociological circumstances.

The relationship with affluence most likely incriminates dietary habit. The observed effect of certain characteristics of a Westernised diet, i.e the high animal protein, refined carbohydrate and reduced fibre consumption, on the urinary electrolyte pattern are all shown to increase the risk factors for calcium oxalate crystallisation.
Your Teeth All Your Life
Authors: Barlow Kenneth
Published: January 2012

Many primative peoples have had teeth free from dental decay and have kept them for a lifetime. They had well formed dental arches and, consequently, were free from what we recognise as orthodontic problems. However, as such people changed their diets (largely by the consumption of white flour and sugar) so they experienced dental decay, often on a considerable scale.

Many children whose parents have changed their diet for as little as ten years have serious orthodontic problems. They have crowded teeth and malaligned jaws and are more prone to dental caries.
Childbirth and Prevention of the Diseases of Civilisation
Authors: Odent Michel
Published: January 2012

“Inhibition of action” is a concept introduced by Laborit and could account for the genesis of what one commonly calls the diseases of civilisation. It corresponds to the only possible behaviour when one cannot face an adverse experience either by struggling or by fleeing. After a medically controlled birth, the newborn baby is usually in a highly pathogenic situation. The effect of this situation is especially powerful at an age when the hypothalamo limbic system is still establishing its set point level. Close contact between mother and baby after a physiological delivery is an important element of the prevention of most of the diseases of civilisation, which are the first disregulations of the hypothalamo limbic system. They are so common nowadays that we have to face a real collective and cultural disorder
Lead Induced Disorders of Mentation in Children
Authors: Bryce-Smith Derek
Published: January 2012

Present typical body burdens of the cumulative neurotoxic pollutant lead are now believed to be some 100–1000 times greater than those in pre-technology man. The effects of these seriously elevated levels on brain development and function in children are reviewed. All such effects so far discovered are adverse, and in conjunction with social factors and defective nutrition they can act to prevent a child's mental development reaching his or her true genetic potential. Most aspects of mentation, except possibly mathematical ability, appear to suffer dose-related disturbance at levels now typical for urban children, but impaired intelligence and deficits in the normal inhibitory control of behaviour appear to be prominent. Lead intoxication is therefore a phenomenon relevant to such important problems as educational underachievement and anti-social conduct disorders of the hyperactivity type characterised by a deficiency of inhibitory function in the central nervous system.
Nutrition and Malnutrition in Neonates and Immature Infants
Authors: Brooke O. G.
Published: January 2012

In comparison with older children and adults, infants under 2-3 months of age are physiologically less well adapted to digest, absorb and metabolise certain nutrients. This may lead to clinical problems, which are most important in infants born before term. These problems are aggravated by the requirements for very rapid growth in the young infant. Particular difficulties may occur in the digestion and absorption of dietary energy, mainly due to problems of fat absorption, in Vitamin D and calcium nutrition, in the handling of protein and sodium, and occasionally in trace element nutrition. Human breast milk, though usually ideal for full-term babies, may be inadequate for some premature infants for reasons which are discussed. The nutritional problems of preterm infants are potentially very important because of the vulnerability of the immature organism to nutrient deficiency. Full term infants may also suffer from inadequate maternal milk production, the misguided use of cult diets or from ignorance about the correct composition and use of cow's milk formulas.
A Better Diet for Scotland
Authors: Steven Maisie C.
Published: January 2012

In an attempt both to identify the origins of today's harmful food habits and to learn useful lessons from good ones, a backward look is taken at the Scots diet of past centuries. In view of the apparent contrast between the vigour of the rural Scots from around 1800 onwards and the generally poor health record today, a plea is made for a return to a simpler diet, modified to suit modern palates, but essentially based on the old rural pattern of wholegrain cereals and dairy foods supplemented by potatoes, pulses, vegetables and fruits, eggs, fish and occasional or small amounts of meat; and this plan is “defended” on the counts of nutrition and health, economy, creativity, conservation, and compassion in the face of world hunger.
Papua New Guinea: What People Eat
Authors: Orr-Ewing Alison
Published: January 2012

The way of life in the highlands of Papua New Guinea is outlined. In the villages it is based on subsistence farming but changes are occurring. The nutrition of mothers and their infants with special reference to breast feeding is discussed.
A Food Policy for the Third World
Authors: Aubert Claude
Published: January 2012

The meaning and implication of a global approach to food production are considered, and the futility of attempting to apply any policy to the Third World in disregard of polices applied to industrialised countries. To illustrate this interdependance of the patterns of production and consumption in industrial and in developing countries, the ingredients of a typical French meal are examined.

The polices that ought to be applied to the Third World are not in themselves difficult. A few concrete examples of successful application of the principles of organic agriculture are based on observations made during a tour of some countries in West Africa. The present need is for further experimental work to confirm such findings and to adapt techniques to different regional conditions. Where it is sought to apply such knowledge, the human factor must not be neglected, nor should one underestimate the willingness of peasent societies to learn new techniques once their confidence has been gained.
Is Our Knowledge of Human Nutrition Based on Faulty Premises?
Authors: Shorland F. B.
Published: January 2012

In animal production and rat feeding experiments — used to determine human nutritional requirements — the ideal levels of nutrients are deemed to coincide with maximum growth promotion. Differences in response between the human and the rat are often overlooked as is the fact that human nutrition is not to fatten for the dinner plate but to provide good health over a life span. Diets conducive to rapid growth are associated with Western type diseases, such as coronary heart disease, and with reduced life expectancy. To obtain valid information on human nutrition one is thus forced to look to other sources of evidence such as epidemiology. Human nutrition is not helped generally by food technology.
Feast and Famine: The Chronicle of the Stones
Authors: Blacklock Norman J.
Published: January 2012

McCarrison's observations in India on the occurrence of endemic stone there was perhaps the initial stimulus to his ultimate experimental and epidemiological work relating dietary structure to wellbeing or disease. The pattern of occurrence of bladder stone and its associations in India and elsewhere are described. The association with faulty maternal nutrition is established. The eradication of this affliction now from all but the poorest communities indicates the result of greater prosperity and health education. The surge in incidence of renal stone which continued on from the eradication of bladder stone reflects the influence of the dietary structure of affluence on the causation of the primary lesion in renal stone formation — nephrocalcinosis — and on the quality of the urine whereby it becomes stone forming. This lesson of epidemiological and then laboratory research is now being applied in the management of renal stone disease.
Educational Catering's Failure to Cater for Health Education
Authors: Harrison Alan F.
Published: January 2012

The interest within this study of the school meal is based upon the wide acceptance of the value of its contribution to the nutritional progress of this country in the last few decades and the probably disputable assertion that such a contribution has come to an end with the advent of ‘fast’ and ‘junk’ foods, the indiscriminate consumer and the diminishing motivation of local education authorities to provide a meal within certain nutritional and cost parameters. The main statement of the analysis is that Educational Catering has missed a valuable opportunity to play a significant part in improving the health of the school pupil by providing the appropriate food. Almost equal in importance as a statement is that Educational Catering must become fully involved in the school food education programme. Lost opportunities are of less importance for the future than determining ways in which the school meals staff can be integrated into the team of people in the school interested in improving the dietary choices of its pupils and, as a consequence, improving their health.
Do Recommended Daily Dietary Allowances Stand up to Scrutiny?
Authors: Shorland F. B.
Published: January 2012

The changes in the recommended daily dietary allowances (RDA's) with successive revisions as set by the Food and Nutrition Board of the U.S. Academy of Sciences together with variations between these values and those of RDA's of other nations indicate lack of precision. An absence of correlation between health patterns and conformity with RDA' values raises further doubts as to their validity.
Lead and Disease
Authors: Davies Stephen
Published: January 2012

The evidence is reviewed for ‘low’ level lead exposure being an important contributive factor in the development of a wide range of diseases and conditions. “Classical” lead poisoning is not discussed. Also discussed are the other various contributive factors in the genesis of disease. A call is made for doctors to take into consideration these factors when considering their patients and disease processes, and for scientists to take responsibility for informing the non-scientific community of the hazards of lead and other toxins.
The Generation of Cancer: Initiation, promotion, progression and the multiple influences of the environment
Authors: Stoddart R. W.
Published: January 2012

Carcinogenesis is a multi-stage process, conventionally divided into initiation, promotion and progression. Most carcinogens are initiators, but promoters may be equally important environmental factors in the development of cancers. The environment can also influence the pathways by which carcinogens are activated and targeted onto particular tissues and the mechanisms by which carcinogenic injury is corrected or eliminated.

Despite recent studies on the mechanisms of promotion, progression is imperfectly understood, but agents (possibly including promoters) acting at this stage might influence the rate of emergence of clinical malignancy from pre-malignancy.
Natural Toxins in Plant Foods
Authors: Liener Irvin E.
Published: January 2012

Certain plants – notably soya bean and cassava – contain substances which can produce adverse physiological effects in human beings. People have in some instances learnt to deal with these effects by cooking and other forms of preparation.
The WHO Programme of Prevention and Control of Vitamin A Deficiency, Xerophthalmia and Nutritional Blindness
Authors: DeMaeyer E.M.
Published: January 2012

The vast extent and the world wide distribution of vitamin A deficiency is discussed. Its epidemiology is reviewed and sources of vitamin A in diets recorded, along with the high requirements of children. Strategy for prevention is described under three headings short, medium and long term steps. Strategies in many countries received notice.
Nitrate in Vegetables: Estimation by HPLC
Authors: Walters A. H. , Fletcher J. R. , Law S. J.
Published: January 2012

Over the past fifty years the development of high-tech farming has led to excessive amounts of fertiliser being applied to soil. Some research aspects of this abuse are described in relation to the uptake of nitrate into vegetables. In order to monitor this problem a high precision HPLC method capable of rapid throughput has been evolved. Using this HPLC method the results over a twelve month period are presented and compared with the existing standards now legally enforced in Switzerland and Holland.
Patterns of Infant Feeding in the First Six Months
Authors: Ellis Donelda J. , Hewat Roberta J.
Published: January 2012

A quasi-experimental six months longitudinal study of women planning to breastfeed was carried out in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. The purpose was to increase breastfeeding duration through the provision of nursing support, and information about breastfeeding. This paper reports on the patterns of infant feeding by 131 mothers for six months postpartum. Included are data on initiation of breastfeeding, feeding intervals, supplementation, initiating semi-solids and duration of breastfeeding. Unsupplemented breastfeeding declined from 90.8%, at the time of discharge from hospital to 65% at one month, 45% at three months and 3.9% at six months. For some infants, semi-solids were introduced at one month and by three months 11.4%, were being fed semi-solids. The implications for health care professionals caring for breastfeeding women are outlined.
History of School Meals in Great Britain
Authors: Fisher Patty
Published: January 2012

This paper describes the early origins of the school meals service, their rapid growth in the second world war, their post war development and their recent retrenchment. The factors contributing to their early success and the problems to be overcome are discussed.
Eating Patterns in Childhood and Adult Health
Authors: Kemm J.R.
Published: January 2012

This paper first reviews the evidence that the pathogenesis of many diseases which present in adult life begin in childhood, and that intervention in childhood may delay their onset. The diseases discussed include ischaemic heart disease, malignancy, cerebrovascular accidents, hypertension and obesity. The factors determining food habits are described and the possibilities of influencing food preferences and eating patterns in childhood are explored.
Anorexia Nervosa and Related Conditions in Schoolchildren
Authors: Salmons Paula H.
Published: January 2012

The clinical features of anorexia nervosa and the prevalence of the eating orders in different societies is described. The role of physiological, cultural and biological factors in the aetiology of eating are reviewed. Finally ways of preventing eating disorders are considered.
Sucrose and Idiopathic Renal Stone
Authors: Blacklock Norman J.
Published: January 2012

Idiopathic renal stone comprises more than SO per cent of kidney stone disease. Whilst the incidence rate in the Western World is high, that in Africa south of the Sahara is very low. Epidemiological studies point to a dietary aetiology as the basis for stone formation in the kidney.

A number of dietary constituents increase the urinary risk factors for stone formation and one of these is sucrose. The sucrose effect is exaggerated when it is consumed in certain forms. There is also the evidence that a third of a normal population responds in an exaggerated manner in respect of an increased excretion of urinary risk factors when sucrose is consumed and this phenomenon has been noted in over 70 per cent of idiopathic stone formers. In studying the mechanism of this, insulin was found to influence distal renal tubular function to increased calcium excretion. Stone formers with an exaggerated urinary risk factor response to sucrose were found to have abnormally high and sustained blood levels of insulin following a standard glucose test meal. Where sucrose or sucrose products are in abundance, quite apart from its effect in increasing urinary risk factors in the population in general, there is particular vulnerability of a significant sub group within the population with this type of insulin response. Sucrose furthermore is known to induce nephrocalcinosis in the kidney of the rodent and similar calcific lesions have been found in the kidney substance of man and these have been observed to begin to appear within the first decade of life. Sucrose has also been observed in man to increase the excretion rate of an enzyme which is identified with renal tubular cell damage.
Sugars Consumption of Northumbrian Children Aged 11–14 Years
Authors: Hackett A F. , Rugg-Gunn A. J. , Appleton D. R.
Published: January 2012

In order to investigate the relationships between diet and tooth decay the authors recently completed the first longitudinal study of diet and dental caries increment in children. 405 children initially aged 11.5 years each recorded their intake of foods and drinks for a total of 15 days over a period of 2 years. This is a review of some of the findings.

The evidence implicating consumption of sugars in the causation of dental caries is both diverse and overwhelming (Rugg-Gunn, 1983). Of the 30 or so observational studies relating diet and dental caries in children, all except one have been cross-sectional in design. Such a design is unsatisfactory in older children at least because there is little reason why a lifetime's caries experience should be related to a single estimate of dietary intake. In addition there have been few reports of the food intake in general, and sugars intake in particular, of children in the UK. A longitudinal survey of intake could indicate how choice of foods changes with age and if repeated could show how preferences change over time. The National Food Survey has provided some information on food acquisition (not consumption) over the past 40 years (Derry and Buss, 1984). Unfortunately, besides not estimating consumption this survey does not include foods bought and consumed away from the home such as confectionery and soft drinks. Furthermore, this survey collects data by household and so information for age and sex specific groups is not available. Comments regarding sugars consumption amongst children must be derived from data collected from properly designed dietary surveys of defined groups of individuals. Such knowledge of what children eat is essential to the planning of effective health education campaigns.

In order to contribute to the understanding of the relationship between diet and caries in children and to contribute to health education a longitudinal study was undertaken which had the following aim: to rank some defined dietary factors either singly or in combination in the order in which they explain the dental caries increment of over 400 children.
Sucrose and Dental Caries
Authors: Sheiham Aubrey
Published: January 2012

Sucrose is unequivocally implicated in the cause of dental caries. Biochemical, microbiological, animal and human clinical and epidemiological evidence support a causal relationship. The risk of caries is related both to the amount and the frequency of intake of sucrose. The evidence that sucrose is important is that a) extracellular synthesis of polysaccharides by plaque bacteria is dependent on high concentration of sucrose. Without synthesis of polymers S. mutans cannot colonize the mouth in large numbers, b) studies on animals show a relationship between sucrose content of a food and its cariogenicity, c) there is a direct relationship between the quantity of sucrose consumed and caries in humans, d) the relationship between dietary sucrose and caries in humans approximates an S-shaped curve that rises more steeply when the sucrose-containing products are consumed frequently and when newly erupted teeth are present in young children and adolescents. Following the sharp rise, the curve flattens out. Sucrose is much more cariogenic than starch in humans. Reduction in sucrose consumption levels by half will benefit dental health and is unlikely to have any detrimental effects on health.
RAG: RNA-As-Graphs database—concepts, analysis, and features
Authors: Gan Hin Hark , Fera Daniela , Zorn Julie , Shiffeldrim Nahum , Tang Michael , Laserson Uri , Kim Namhee , Schlick Tamar
Published: January 2012

Motivation

Understanding RNA's structural diversity is vital for identifying novel RNA structures and pursuing RNA genomics initiatives. By classifying RNA secondary motifs based on correlations between conserved RNA secondary structures and functional properties, we offer an avenue for predicting novel motifs. Although several RNA databases exist, no comprehensive schemes are available for cataloguing the range and diversity of RNA's structural repertoire.

Results

Our RNA-As-Graphs (RAG) database describes and ranks all mathematically possible (including existing and candidate) RNA secondary motifs on the basis of graphical enumeration techniques. We represent RNA secondary structures as two-dimensional graphs (networks), specifying the connectivity between RNA secondary structural elements, such as loops, bulges, stems and junctions. We archive RNA tree motifs as ‘tree graphs’ and other RNAs, including pseudoknots, as general ‘dual graphs’. All RNA motifs are catalogued by graph vertex number (a measure of sequence length) and ranked by topological complexity. The RAG inventory immediately suggests candidates for novel RNA motifs, either naturally occurring or synthetic, and thereby might stimulate the prediction and design of novel RNA motifs.

Availability

The database is accessible on the web at http://monod.biomath.nyu.edu/rna

Contact

schlick@nyu.edu
Food Intakes of Children, the DHSS, and the Prevention of Heart Disease
Authors: Crawford M. A. , Doyle Wendy , Drury P. J. , Meadows N.
Published: January 2012

The DHSS recently reported on school children's food intakes (1). Although the type of fat eaten is clearly an important issue, the DHSS study did not analyse the fat intake for its saturated and essential fatty acid content. We have explored the intakes of the children for fibre, sugar and saturated fats as well as additional vitamins and trace elements, not reported by the DHSS. The data from the DHSS survey was presented as a summary of the main food types eaten. They aggregated some food groups e.g. meat and meat products, fish and fish products, cakes and biscuits. While this approach might make little difference to protein intakes, it may be expected to make a difference to fat and essential fatty acid intakes. We have re-analyzed the childrens food intakes keeping within the confines of the food groups reported. We had to rely on certain assumptions about the nature of an ‘average’ diet; we therefore explored the possibility that our assumption of an average diet was incorrect and examined a worse and a better situation to define how much the nutrient intake varied. The result of the analyses illustrate an important principle in the context of the present concern for food and health. The only way in which we could satisfy NACNE and COMA recommendations for fat, saturated fat, fibre and sugar, without a radical change in eating habits, was by simply replacing half the ‘junk’ foods by an isocaloric amount of fresh fruit and vegetables. In addition there was a marked improvement in the intakes of beta-carotene, vitamin C, B6 and folic acid. These improvements in diet are of particular importance to children as it is well known that the period most vulnerable to nutritional distortions is during growth and development. No matter which way we looked at the data it is clear that not only are the school children's diets unsatisfactory from the view point of prevention of cardiovascular disease in later life but they also leave much to be desired from the view point of the wide range of nutrients known to be important for general health, growth and development. If this is true for the mean values obtained, it will be even more true for the ‘high risk groups’.
Galactosaemia
Authors: Sardharwalla L B. , Wraith J. E.
Published: January 2012

This paper reviews galactosaemia and describes the experience of the Willink Biochemical Genetics Unit in the management of classical galactosaemia. Galactokinase and UDPgalactose-4-epimerase deficiency are dealt with briefly. The former disorder is readily treated with a galactose free diet and if this is started early in life, the only complication, cataracts, is avoided. Epimerase deficiency is a relatively ‘new’ disorder and little is known about the eventual outcome of affected patients. Early observations suggest that the prognosis is likely to be poor even in those patients diagnosed and treated soon after birth. Classical galactosaemia leads to a number of long term complications. The prognosis for normal mental development in affected patients is poor. Unfortunately this does not appear to be reversible by early diagnosis and treatment and whilst every effort should be made to establish an early diagnosis our experience suggests that there is no difference in the ultimate mental development between those who are detected within the first two weeks of life and those before the age of six weeks. In addition female homozygotes are at a very high risk of developing ovarian failure at an early age.
Is Diet in Diabetes Important?
Authors: Clothier Christine
Published: January 2012

Theoretical recommendations for dietary prescriptions with the aim of providing optimum nutrition for diabetic control have been made. What are the practical implications of some of these recommendations for diabetic children? Children should be encouraged to select most of their carbohydrate allowance from unrefined carbohydrate, this will increase their fibre intake. The policy to discourage the use of refined carbohydrate on a regular basis is generally accepted although practically this is not always possible. Excessive amounts of dietary fat are to be discouraged and this happens naturally if sufficient carbohydrate is prescribed since it limits the intake of “fillers” such as meat, eggs and cheese. Whilst these principles are generally accepted analysis of sample low fat, high fibre menus for children show these to be low in calories which could be detrimental since normal growth and development is the cornerstone of paediatric dietetics. In addition it should be remembered that diabetes places much stress on a child and too rigid management increases this. Whilst recognising the need for improved nutrition theoretical principles should not be overemphasised. A dietary regimen must be practical and acceptable as well as theoretically sound.
Foods, Fads, and Fats in under Fives
Authors: Taitz L. S.
Published: January 2012

Does manipulation of a child's diet in the first five years of life result in a reduced prevalence of coronary artery disease in later life? The findings of a recently published study (Bogalusa) are compared with British recommendations. Suitable modifications of the under fives’ diet are suggested.
Health Action to Meet Contemporary Challenges
Authors: Shiva Mira
Published: January 2012

While India has made rapid strides in building its medical manpower and medical service, yet many of the major health problems are far from being controlled. Although earlier Health problems have not been resolved, newer threats to health through misguided development are getting superadded. The major health threats today are the denial of minimal sustenance base, such as adequate food and water to an increasing number of people. The rapidly increasing uncontrolled chemicalization of body and environment is another health hazard. Experience has shown that health needs cannot be satisfied merely by expansion of the medical industry. Health care work would have to involve an attempt to arrest the growing threats to health and survival, and rebuilding of the ecological base, to ensure provision of basic needs to all.

These efforts would be towards a new economics, because they include radical shifts in food agriculture policy, resources use policy, industrial policy etc and can only be guided by a deep sense of social justice and human concern. Contemporary health care work has increasingly to involve those who are already looking for alternatives e.g. those involved in ecology movements, feminist movement, peace and civil rights groups, those involved in alternative education, agriculture, health care journalism. Priority has to be given and strategies evolved to help add a health dimension, to various health or non health work and initiatives already existing, with a special effort to safeguard the traditional health care knowledge systems from total disintegration. Grass root level feed back should constitute an essential pre-requisite for any (health) policy formulation and its implementation.
Nutrition Around Conception and the Prevention of Low Birthweight
Authors: Wynn Margaret , Wynn Arthur
Published: January 2012

About 80 per cent of perinatal deaths are associated with low birthweight. Mothers' prepregnancy weight for height is correlated with birthweight, but this is only a crude indication of the close connection between low birthweight and maternal consumption of energy, protein and a range of other nutrients before and around the time of conception. Diet influences follicular growth before ovulation and thus affects ovulatory maturation and the number and quality of ova produced. Immediately after fertilisation diet affects the rate at which ova proceed to first and subsequent cleavages and therefore the size of the subsequent fetus. Diet acts not only directly on follicular and embryonic growth but indirectly by affecting gonadotropin secretion. The endocrine system is sensitive to blood concentrations of amino acids and some vitamins and minerals. Gonadotropin secretion is also depressed by smoking, and by some drugs, poisons and diseases, which may as a result also affect birthweight.