bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social Marketing to Adolescent and Minority Populations
Authors: Leveton Lauren , Mrazek Patricia , Stoto Michael
Published: November 2015

A group convened by the Board on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention of the Institute of Medicine (IOM), in conjunction with the Board on Children and Families of the Commission on Behavioral Social Sciences and Education and the IOM, met to assess the state of the art and science regarding social marketing concepts and strategies in adolescent and minority populations. In summary, the group recognized the importance of promoting healthful behaviors in these populations, but the effectiveness of implementing social marketing approaches to facilitate and sustain behavioral change specific to these two populations remains disappointingly unproven. Despite two decades of empirical research in this area, there remains no firm foundation of scientific theory and empirical research to understand and validate the efficacy of various social marketing programs for these populations. Several research questions emerged from the review of the papers on social marketing in adolescent and minority populations. The Board on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention suggests that these research issues be addressed in future social marketing studies.
Deaf Education Initiatives Project: A Response to the Challenge
Authors: Pugh Gaylen S. , Hicks Doin
Published: November 2015

The Deaf Education Initiatives Project, conceptualized during Dr. Robert Davila's tenure with the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, brought together diverse groups in an unprecedented effort to build concensus regarding services for students with hearing losses. The project generated unusual levels of attention and interest, marshalled active participation of national organizations representing hundreds of thousands of concerned individuals, and produced a set of mutually agreed upon guidelines for services to students who are deaf and hard of hearing.
A Pilot Study of the Effect of L-Threodops on Rehabilitation Outcome of Stroke Patients
Authors: Miyai Ichiro , Saito Toshio , Nozaki Sonoko , Kang Jin
Published: November 2015

We investigated whether L-threodops (L-DOPS), a norepinephrine precursor, improves rehabilitation outcome in patients with initial hemiparetic supratentorial ischemic stroke (2 months post stroke). Five patients who agreed to be treated with L-DOPS received 45-minute physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) for 2 months, 3 days a week, with an oral dose of 200 mg L-DOPS 2 hours before each session, followed by PT and OT without L-DOPS for 2 months (DOPS group). Eight patients who disagreed received PT and OT for 4 months (control). Each group demonstrated comparable age, sex, complications, Mini-Mental State Examination, and the baseline Functional Independence Measure (FIM, DOPS/control = 36/42), Fugl-Meyer (F-M) motor scale (30/27), and ambulation endurance (10/9 meters). DOPS group had significantly greater gain than control (p < 0.05, Mann-Whitney U test) in FIM score at 4 (51/45) and 6 months (57/49), ambulation at 4 (66/16) and 6 months (82/24), and F-M score at 4 months (40/29). There were no side effects that required discontinuation of the drug. These results suggest that L-DOPS treatment paired with PT and OT may be effective in improving functional outcome in stroke.
An Analysis of Changes in Sensory Thresholds to Mild Tactile and Cold Stimuli after Experimental Spinal Cord Injury in the Rat
Authors: Lindsey Amy E. , LoVerso Rebecca L. , Tovar C. Amy , Hill Caitlin E. , Beattie Michael S. , Bresnahan Jacqueline C.
Published: November 2015

Changes in sensory function including chronic pain and allodynia are common sequelae of spinal cord injury (SCI) in humans. The present study documents the extent and time course of mechanical allodynia and cold hyperalgesia after contusion SCI in the rat using stimulation with graded von Frey filaments (4.97–50.45 g force) and ice probes. Fore- and hind-paw withdrawal thresholds to plantar skin stimulation were determined in rats with a range of SCI severities (10-g weight dropped from 6.25, 12.5, or 25 mm using the MASCIS injury device); animals with 25-mm injuries most consistently showed decreased hind-paw withdrawal thresholds to touch and cold, which developed over several weeks after surgery. Stimulation of the torso with graded von Frey hairs was performed at specified locations on the back and sides from the neck to the haunch. Suprasegmental responses (orientation, vocalization, or escape) to mechanical stimulation of these sites were elicited infrequently in the laminectomy control rats and only during the first 3 weeks after surgery, whereas in 25-mm SCI rats, such responses were obtained for the entire 10 weeks of the study. These data suggest that rats with contusion SCI may exhibit sensory alterations relevant to human spinal cord injuries.
Sleep Disorders in Sanfilippo Syndrome: A Polygraphic Study
Authors: Mariotti P. , Marca G. Delia , Iuvone L. , Vernacotola S. , Ricci R. , Mennunl G. F. , Mazza S.
Published: November 2015

Objective:

A high prevalence of sleep disorders is reported in patients affected by Mucopolysaccharidosis III (Sanfilippo syndrome). These disorders have never been investigated by prolonged, objective, and instrumental evaluations. The present work is based on sleep duration and structure in Sanfilippo patients.

Study design:

The features of sleep/wake cycle in 6 Sanfilippo patients and 6 healthy controls were evaluated by means of sleep diaries and 48 hour ambulatory EEG and polygraphic recordings. Statistical analysis was performed by means of the U-test (Mann-Whitney).

Results:

Four out of six Sanfilippo patients, the oldest patients in our sample, showed an extremely irregular sleep pattern, with several sleep episodes of inconstant duration, irregularly distributed along 24 hours. The two younger patients showed sleep maintenance insomnia with several nocturnal awakenings.

Conclusions:

These results suggest that sleep disruption in Sanfilippo syndrome consists of an irregular sleep/wake pattern, which at its onset might appear as a disorder of initiating or maintaining sleep. This could explain why some patients do not respond to conventional hypnotics. The present observation might suggest attempting therapies aimed at resynchronization, such as behavioral treatment, light therapy or melatonin.
Lithium Intoxication Mimicking Clinical and Electrographic Features of Status Epilepticus: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Gansaeuer M. , Alsaadi T. M.
Published: November 2015

A 58-year-old patient who was somnolent, distractible and confused is presented. She was previously treated with lithium, and a plasma level was mildly elevated at 1.7 mmol/l (normal 0.5–1.5 mmol/l). The EEG was suggestive of electrographic status epilepticus. Following treatment with i.v. lorazepam, neither mental status nor EEG abnormalities improved. She had a full recovery of mental function and markedly improved EEG findings following discontinuation of lithium. The EEG is an effective tool for diagnosing lithium neurotoxicity in patients with normal or mildly elevated lithium plasma levels. However, caution is needed before making an assumption of status epilepticus.
Quantitative EEG Effects of Topiramate
Authors: Wang W. W. , Li J. C. , Wu X.
Published: November 2015

Objective:

The study is to invesigate the effect of topiramate (TPM) on EEG by means of quantitative pharmacoelectroencephalography (QPEEG).

Methods:

One dose of TPM was administrated to epileptics and healthy adults. The EEG samples were obtained prior to and at regular intervals within the 24 hours following the administration of TPM. The EEG activity was processed with power spectral analysis.

Results:

The power of slow wave, alpha 1 bands and total power increased after the administration of TPM, the power or slow wave in both occipital areas, and the total power of all scalp areas also increased. The percent of power increased at the theta band and alpha 1 band (healthy adults) or delta band, theta band (patients).

Conclusion:

TPM can change the EEG background activity. These changes are different from other antiepileptic drugs.
Quantitative Electroencephalographic Studies of Cue-Induced Cocaine Craving
Authors: Reid Malcolm S. , Prichep Leslie S. , Ciplet Debra , O'Leary Siobhan , Tom MeeLee , Howard Bryant , Rotrosen John , John E. Roy
Published: November 2015

Quantitative electroencephalographic (qEEG) profiles were studied in cocaine dependent patients in response to cocaine cue exposure. Using neurometric analytical methods, the spectral power of each primary bandwidth was computed and topographically mapped. Additional measures of cue-reactivity included cocaine craving, anxiety and related subjective ratings, and physiological measures of skin conductance, skin temperature, heart rate, and plasma Cortisol and HVA levels. Twenty-four crack cocaine-dependent subjects were tested for their response to tactile, visual and audio cues related to crack cocaine or neutral items. All measures were analyzed for significant difference by comparing cocaine versus neutral cue conditions. An increase in cocaine craving, anxiety and related subjective ratings, elevated plasma Cortisol levels, and a decrease in skin temperature, were induced by cocaine cue exposure.

Distinct qEEG profiles were found during the paraphernalia handling and video viewing (eyes-open), and guided imagery (eyes-closed), phases of cocaine cue exposure. During paraphernalia handling and video viewing, there was an increase in beta activity accompanied by a drop in delta power in the frontal cortex, and an increase in beta mean frequency in the occipital cortex. In contrast, during guided imagery there was an increase in theta and delta power in the frontal cortex, and an increase in beta power in the occipital cortex. Correlation analyses revealed that cue-induced anxiety during paraphernalia handling and video viewing was associated with reduced high frequency and enhanced low frequency EEG activity. These findings demonstrated that EEG activation during cue-induced cocaine craving may be topographically mapped and subsequently analyzed for functional relevance.
The Usefulness of Quantitative EEG (QEEG) and Neurotherapy in the Assessment and Treatment of Post-Concussion Syndrome
Authors: Duff Jacques
Published: November 2015

Mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with damage to frontal, temporal and parietal lobes. Post-concussion syndrome has been used to describe a range of residual symptoms that persist 12 months or more after the injury, often despite a lack of evidence of brain abnormalities on MRI and CT scans. The core deficits of post-concussion syndrome are similar to those of ADHD and mood disorders, and sufferers often report memory, socialization problems and frequent headaches. While cognitive rehabilitation and psychological support are widely used, neither has been shown to be effective in redressing the core deficits of post-concussion syndrome. On the other hand, quantitative EEG has been shown to be highly sensitive (96%) in identifying post-concussion syndrome, and neurotherapy has been shown in a number of studies to be effective in significantly improving or redressing the symptoms of post-concussion syndrome, as well as improving similar symptoms in non-TBI patients.
Full-Band EEG (FbEEG): A New Standard for Clinical Electroencephalography
Authors: Vanhatalo Sampsa , Voipio Juha , Kaila Kai
Published: November 2015

A variety of neuroimaging techniques, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetoencephalography (MEG), have been established during the last few decades, with progressive improvements continuously taking place in the underlying technologies. In contrast to this, the recording bandwidth of the routine clinical EEG (typically around 0.5–50 Hz) that was originally set by trivial technical limitations has remained practically unaltered for over half a decade. An increasing amount of evidence shows that salient EEG signals take place and can be recorded beyond the conventional clinical EEG bandwidth. These physiological and pathological EEG activities range from 0.01 Hz to several hundred Hz, and they have been demonstrated in recordings of spontaneous activity in the preterm human brain, and during epileptic seizures, sleep, as well as in various kinds of cognitive tasks and states in the adult brain. In the present paper, we will describe the practical aspects of recording the full physiological frequency band of the EEG (Full-band EEG; FbEEG), and we review the currently available data on the clinical applications of FbEEG.

Recording the FbEEG is readily attained with commercially available direct-current (DC) coupled amplifiers if the recording setup includes electrodes providing a DC-stable electrode-skin interface. FbEEG does not have trade-offs that would favor any frequency band at the expense of another. We present several arguments showing that elimination of the lower ( infraslow) or higher ( ultrafast) bands of the EEG frequency spectrum in routine EEG has led, and will lead, to situations where salient and physiologically meaningful features of brain activity remain undetected or become seriously attenuated and distorted. With the currently available electrode, amplifier and data acquisition technology, it is to be expected that FbEEG will become the standard approach in both clinical and basic science.
Visualizing a Time-Space Constraint Increases Performance in a Dynamic Search Task
Authors: Waldenström Christofer
Published: November 2015

This article presents a display manipulation designed to support search tasks in which the location of the target is unknown and changes over time. The problem is analogous to that of a naval search task when there is an initial sighting and then the naval force must guide its search vehicles to reestablish contact with the fleeing target. The display manipulation visualizes a dynamic constraint on the area where a fleeing target can be found and adjusts its shape to the environment and to the search efforts. Forty participants without prior knowledge of search tactics completed 12 trials in an experiment that compared performance with and without the visualization aid and controlled for learning effects. The results suggest that this visualization improves performance in the dynamic search task. They further suggest that the visualization was easy to learn but that the learning effect did not transfer to a condition without visualization. The results have practical utility for both military and civil search tasks, and they are consistent with other research that emphasizes that control interfaces should make constraints in the task environment perceptually available.
Implicit Learning, Tacit Knowledge, Expertise Development, and Naturalistic Decision Making
Authors: Patterson Robert Earl , Pierce Byron J. , Bell Herbert H. , Klein Gary
Published: November 2015

Implicit learning involves the largely unconscious learning of dynamic statistical patterns and features, which leads to the development of tacit knowledge. This kind of learning is a ubiquitous, robust phenomenon that likely occurs in most, if not all, tasks in which individuals engage throughout their lives. In this paper, we argue that implicit learning and its end state, tacit knowledge, may assist in the acquisition, retention, and transfer of expertise and thus provide a form of tacit scaffolding for expertise development. The notion of tacit scaffolding represents a novel and interesting area of future research for the field of naturalistic decision making and naturalistic cognition.
Lifestyle and the Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes: A Status Report
Authors: Galaviz Karla I. , Narayan K. M. Venkat , Lobelo Felipe , Weber Mary Beth
Published: November 2015

Diabetes is a costly disease affecting 387 million individuals globally and 28 million in the United States. Its precursor, prediabetes, affects 316 and 86 million individuals globally and in the United States, respectively. People living with elevated blood glucose levels are at high risk for all-cause mortality and numerous cardiometabolic ailments. Fortunately, diabetes can be prevented or delayed by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a healthy body weight. In this review, we summarize the literature around lifestyle diabetes prevention programs and provide recommendations for introducing prevention strategies in clinical practice. Overall, evidence supports the efficacy and effectiveness of lifestyle diabetes prevention interventions across clinical and community settings, delivery formats (eg, individual-, group-, or technology-based), and implementers (eg, clinicians, community members). Evidence-based diabetes prevention strategies that can be implemented in clinical practice include brief behavior change counseling, group-based education, community referrals, and health information technologies. These strategies represent opportunities where practitioners, communities, and health care systems can work together to provide individuals with education, support and opportunities to maintain healthy, diabetes-free lifestyles.
Complementary Feeding, the Code, and the Codex
Authors: Clark David , Shrimpton Roger
Published: November 2015

The principal international instruments regulating the composition and marketing of processed complementary foods are the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes, adopted by the World Health Assembly in 1981, subsequent relevant World Health Assembly Resolutions, and the Codex Alimentarius Standards for Canned Baby Foods and for Processed Cereal-Based Foods for Infants and Children. The Code and Resolutions emphasize the use of a variety of locally available foods in addition to breastmilk in ensuring a balanced diet for infants from around the age of six months. Complementary foods should not be marketed in ways that interfere with breastfeeding, and governments should support education for parents in the appropriate feeding of infants.
Engaging Communities in a Sustainable Dietary Approach: A Thai Perspective
Authors: Smitasiri Suttilak
Published: November 2015

Lessons learned from developing countries indicate that various development attempts, including nutrition, are not sustained because of inadequate community participation. Although technologies can be introduced, their sustainability will depend almost entirely on the local population. More than a decade of experience in promoting consumption of vitamin A–rich foods in Thailand points to the understanding of contexts and trends of overall national development, strategic positioning of the change process, effective social mobilization, and importance of policy communication as being essential for engaging communities in sustainable endeavours. Information technology, current diet, and the health movement as well as future development approaches will lead to improved opportunities for a sustainable dietary approach. However, the need to reconsider the current nutrition science paradigm and the new market system remains a challenge.
Impact of Red Palm Oil on Human Nutrition and Health
Authors: Kritchevsky David
Published: November 2015

The oil that is first obtained in harvesting the fruit of the oil palm is red because it contains carotenes, tocopherols, and tocotrienols. in the past, this fraction was separated from the palm olein and used separately. However, the presence of the palm oil tocopherol-rich fraction (TRF) is what makes red palm oil unique. Red palm oil has been shown to increase retinol levels in populations with marginal vitamin A deficiency. Red palm oil also reduces the severity of cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis in rabbits (compared with palm olein). There has been considerably more work done with TRF than with red palm oil per se. Some authors find it to be hypocholesterolaemic, whereas others do not. Many, but not all, studies show TRF to have antitumorigenic properties as well. More data concerning the health effects of red palm oil are needed.
Breeding for Trace Minerals in Wheat
Authors: Monasterio Ivan , Graham Robin D.
Published: November 2015

In the search for genetic material with high iron and zinc concentration in wheat grain, a significant positive correlation has been found between iron and zinc concentrations, suggesting that these two traits may be combined relatively easily during breeding. In future research, the very high values of iron and zinc in the grain seen in wild types and landraces need to be confirmed in trials in which all the best material is planted in the same location and year. In addition, it is important to determine if these high levels of iron and zinc in the grain can be maintained in high-yielding material.

The production of semi-dwarf wheat through the introduction of the rht genes has resulted in substantial yield increases. However, this is associated with a reduction in iron and zinc concentrations in some bread wheat genotypes, but not in durum wheat. The presence of the 1B/1R translocation in the wheat germplasm of the Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maiz y Trigo (CIMMYT) to increase leaf rust resistance may have had a positive effect on the concentration of iron and zinc, but a negative effect was ruled out. There is a strong positive correlation between grain yield and year of release in the CIMMYT wheat varieties. There is a small negative but statistically significant relationship between the time of release and the concentrations of iron, zinc, total phosphorus, and phytate. The positive effect of nitrogen applications on iron and zinc concentrations is more important than declines in these concentrations due to breeding during the last 42 years
Genetic Variation in Total Carotene, Iron, and Zinc Contents of Maize and Cassava Genotypes
Authors: Maziya-Dixon B. , Kling J. G. , Menkir A. , Dixon A.
Published: November 2015

Deficiencies of vitamin A, iron, and zinc are widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, where the diets are mainly plant-based and the intakes of animal products are low. The overall objective of this investigation was to determine the extent of genetic variation of these micronutrients in 16 yellow-seeded improved maize varieties, 109 maize inbred lines (60 from mid-altitude and 49 from lowland/savannah agroecologies), and 162 cassava clones resistant to the cassava mosaic disease. The yellow-seeded improved maize varieties were analysed for physical and chemical characteristics and total carotene content; the maize inbred lines and cassava clones were analysed for iron and zinc content. The results showed statistically significant and large genotypic differences in total carotene content among the 16 yellow-seeded improved, open-pollinated maize varieties. The total carotene content ranged from 143 to 278 μg/g. Significant genotypic variation was also observed for iron and zinc concentrations in maize inbred lines and cassava storage roots. Iron concentration ranged from 15 to 159 ppm for mid-altitude and from 14 to 134 ppm for lowland maize inbred lines; zinc concentration ranged from 12 to 96 ppm for mid-altitude inbreds and from 24 to 96 ppm for lowland inbred lines. For cassava storage roots, the range was 4 to 95 ppm for iron and 4 to 18 ppm for zinc. A strong and positive relationship was observed between iron and zinc concentrations for both mid-altitude and lowland maize inbred lines, but this relationship was weak for the cassava clones. The potential exists for improving carotene, iron, and zinc contents in maize and cassava genotypes through plant-breeding.
Low-phytic-acid Grains
Authors: Raboy Victor
Published: November 2015

As one approach to the improvement of the nutritional quality of crops for both foods and feeds, low-phytic-acid (lpa) mutants of maize and other cereals have been isolated. An important advantage of lpa mutants is that the bioavailability of a range of minerals may be improved, although phytic acid can also function as an antioxidant. Livestock producers are primarily concerned with excretion of feed phytic acid phosphorus by livestock and fish. This contributes to water pollution and is a major environmental issue in developed countries. In these mutants, phytic acid phosphorus is reduced by 55% to 66%, which is matched by an equal increase in inorganic phosphorus. Greater reductions in phytic acid, as high as 95% to 99%, may be desirable and are possible. The first two studies of an lpa maize in human nutrition found increased fractional absorption of iron and zinc in the lpa maize as compared with the control maize.

Yields of the best lpa lines, first developed in the mid-1990s, now range between 5% and 15% below those of the highest-yielding commercial varieties. Because of benefits for animal nutrition, lpa crops could become highly profitable for use as animal feeds. All lpa lines to date have been developed using classical genetic methods; these classically obtained mutants affect the expression of a given gene throughout the tissues and organs of a plant. BY using a biotechnology approach, it may be possible to achieve optimal levels of phytic acid reduction and target the desired effect to the seed, thereby reducing any undesirable agronomic effects of whole-plant mutants.
The Quality Protein Maize Story
Authors: Vasal S. K.
Published: November 2015

The paper describes the sequence of breeding stages that led to the development of acceptable quality protein maize (QPM) germplasm at the Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maiz y Trigo ( CIMMYT). Initial emphasis was on the development of soft opaque-2 (o2) maize varieties, but these had undesirable consumer characteristics, among other problems. Research then shifted to the development of hard-textured QPM germplasm. Several breeding approaches were explored and tested in early 1970. The combined use of two genetic systems involving the o2 gene and the genetic modifiers of the o2 locus appeared to be the most promising approach. This strategy first involved the development of donor stocks from which a large volume of QPM germplasm was generated through a modified backcross programme and various recurrent selection procedures. Later merging and reorganization of QPM germplasm was undertaken, which resulted in a definite number of QPM populations and pools to meet germplasm needs for various agroclimatic conditions. This was a turning point in the breeding strategy that permitted work with homozygous o2 genetic backgrounds. In the mid-1980s, a hybrid development initiative was started. Basic information on combining ability and heterotic pattern(s) of QPM germplasm was generated. Later emphasis was shifted to development efforts for inbred and hybrid QPM. Several superior QPM germplasm products are now spreading commercially in several developing countries of Asia, Central and South America, and Africa
Decision to Fluoridate. 1. Fluoride Levels in Herbal Teas Used in Lebanese Communities
Authors: Jurdi Mey , Said Dima Abi , Kambris Mona Al Kouatly
Published: November 2015

This study assessed fluoride levels in herbal teas available in the Lebanese market, taking into consideration methods of preparation and time. The fluoride contents of two-minute decoctions prepared from 25 different brands of herbal teas were measured. Only tea and maté were prepared as infusions, and decoctions were prepared from tea, anise, mint, and mixed herbs (0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10 minutes). For two-minute decoctions, fluoride concentrations ranged from 0.620 to 1.680 mg/L for tea (mean, 0.955 mg/L), 0.056 to 0.060 mg/L for anise (mean, 0.058), 0.030 to 0.037 mg/L for mint (mean, 0.033), 0.010 to 0.068 mg/L for mixed herbs (mean, 0.039), and 0.143 to 0.185 mg/L for maté (mean, 0.160). More fluoride was leached in tea decoctions than in infusions with the same preparation time. Leaching of fluoride reached a maximum after boiling for 10 minutes for tea, mint, and mixed herbs; boiling for 3 minutes for anise; and five runs for maté. Fluoride levels were highest in tea decoctions, followed by mixed herbs, anise, and mint. These findings point to the importance of considering fluoride levels from herbal teas in the overall determination of fluoride intake. In addition, such studies enrich databases required when considering fluoridation as a policy issue.
Nonglyceride Components of Edible Oils and Fats. 1. Chemistry and Distribution
Authors: Rao B. S. Narasinga
Published: November 2015

Dietary fats and oils are essentially glycerides of fatty acids (triglycerides), which account for 90% to 98% of their mass. The remaining 2% to 10% consists of fat-soluble phytochemicals derived from oil-bearing seeds, nuts, or fruits. These nonglyceride components of fats and oils represent a wide range of chemical classes, such as sterols, terpene alcohols, tocopherols, hydrocarbons, long-chain alcohols including waxes, carotenoid pigments, and sulfur- and nitrogen-containing flavor compounds. Each of these classes of chemicals consists of a number of different compounds. Their number and type and the quantity present vary from one oil to another. Modern analytical tools developed in recent decades have enabled separation and identification of the individual chemicals of each class in a number of oils. The nonglyceride chemical components of oils pass into the unsaponifiable fraction as such or in a modified form. There is still a gap in our knowledge concerning the identity and nature of several of these chemicals in the nonglyceride components, particularly in some of the unconventional edible oils. Earlier, these nonglyceride components were considered adventitious chemicals. For the past two decades, however, it has been recognized that many of them have nutritional and physiological functions that have been proved by animal and human studies to be useful in preventing noncommunicable diseases and promote health. The nonglyceride components of edible oils (i.e., palm, rice bran, and sesame oils) are particularly rich in such health-promoting chemicals.
Diagnosis of Zinc Deficiency and Excess in Individuals and Populations
Authors: Sandström Brittmarie
Published: November 2015

Efficient regulation of zinc homeostasis makes the diagnosis of zinc deficiency and excess difficult, and no single measurement is sufficiently specific or sensitive on its own for this purpose. Dietary zinc content and availability, the prevalence of stunting, and average plasma zinc concentrations in a population could give an estimate of the risk of zinc deficiency. In individuals, plasma zinc concentration, urinary zinc excretion, and the response to an increased zinc intake can provide information about the metabolic state with regard to zinc. Zinc has a low toxicity, but an excessive intake could interfere with copper metabolism.
Community-based Study of Obesity among Children and Adults in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Shammari S. A. , Khoja T. , Gad A.
Published: November 2015

Nowadays obesity is a major public health problem. It is a main risk factor for many fatal diseases. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of obesity among children and adults in Riyadh and to investigate the associated sociodemographic factors. A cross-sectional, population-based sample of Riyadh was selected through the two-stage cluster sampling technique. All participants attended the local primary health-care center, and a questionnaire interview to obtain sociodemographic data was completed for each. Anthropometric measurements of weight and height were performed. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated, and children having a BMI ≥ 95th age- and sex-specific percentile and adults with a BMI ≥ 30 were considered obese. There were 4,775 participants: 1,848 children and 2,927 adults. Among the children, 10.5% were overweight and 8.7% were obese. Among the adults, 32.4% were overweight and 21% were obese. Among children, a multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age 6 to 10 years (odds ratio, 2.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.4–3.5) and non-Saudi nationality (odds ratio, 2.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.31–3.7) were associated with childhood obesity. Among adults, urban residence (odds ratio, 1.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.23–1.83), female sex (odds ratio, 2.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.64–2.53), and marriage (odds ratio, 2.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.57–2.82) were associated with obesity in adults, as was Saudi nationality and age above 30 years. Obesity is an important public health problem in Riyadh.
Vitamin A Requirements of Infants under Six Months of Age
Authors: Allen Lindsay H. , Haskell Marjorie
Published: November 2015

Infants are born with negligible liver stores of vitamin A. to enable some storage of the vitamin, the infant needs to be predominantly breastfed with milk containing at least 30 μg/dl. Where vitamin A in breastmilk is low, maternal supplementation with a single postpartum high dose increases milk vitamin A for three to eight months. the current cutoff levels for serum retinol and the modified relative dose response (MRDR) ratio probably need to be revised for young infants. Kinetic analyses of infants’ retention of vitamin A from breastmilk and supplements indicate that the doses of vitamin A given with immunizations in the World Health Organization (WHO) multicenter trial were inadequate to maintain adequate normal stores for more than a few months. the recommendation to double the doses currently given to mothers and infants in the Expanded Program in Immunization should prevent the depletion of liver vitamin A stores for most of the first year of life.
Safety and Toxicity of Vitamin A Supplements in Pregnancy
Authors: Dibley Michael J. , Jeacocke David A.
Published: November 2015

Vitamin A plays an essential role during fetal development; however, if consumed at high doses it can produce teratogenic effects. Synthetic retinoids are potent teratogens and are contraindicated during pregnancy. β-Carotene is free of toxic effects. Intakes of vitamin A less than 10,000 IU per day during pregnancy have not been associated with birth defects. However, there are conflicting results for intakes of 10,000 IU to 30,000 IU per day. Intakes of vitamin A greater than 10,000 IU per day are not recommended for well-nourished pregnant women. Intakes of 30,000 IU per day of vitamin A in nonpregnant women produce only minor increases in the primary teratogen of vitamin A embryopathy. in vitamin A–deficient populations, doses of vitamin A less than 10,000 IU per day or 25,000 IU per week are considered beneficial to pregnant women without risk to the fetus. in these populations, the risks of teratogenicity from high vitamin A intake may need to be balanced against those from a deficiency.
Experience of World Vision Ethiopia Micronutrient Program in Promoting the Production of Vitamin A–Rich Foods
Authors: Balcha Haile Meskel
Published: November 2015

Deficiencies of micronutrients are major health problems in Ethiopia. According to a national survey conducted by the former Ethiopian Nutrition Institute in 1985, the prevalence of Bitot's spots exceeded 1%, and low serum vitamin A levels were found in 16% of preschool children. In a 1997 baseline study by World Vision Ethiopia, the prevalence of Bitot's spots was 6.4% and 7.5% in preschoolchildren and schoolchildren, respectively. In October 1998, World Vision Ethiopia launched a comprehensive Micronutrient Program with the goal of improving the micronutrient and health status of mothers and children. Promoting the production of vitamin A–rich foods was adopted as one of the strategies to reduce vitamin A deficiency in the target population. Intensive nutritional education was given in the project areas, focusing on community leaders, women's groups, teachers, and students. Vegetable seeds and hand tools were made available for demonstration purposes, and production of vitamin A–rich foods (dark-green leafy vegetables, carrot, beet root, cabbage, and kale) was started in community demonstration plots and schools. Community members began replicating vegetable gardens at the household level. In areas where the climate is suitable, production of vitamin A–rich fruits, such as mango, papaya, and avocado, was also demonstrated to the communities. Seedlings grown in community plots were distributed to households. At the end of the second year (1999), 11,708 backyard gardens, 275 school gardens, and 77 community gardens had developed with the full participation of the community. In addition to improved micronutrient status, vegetable production contributed to household food security and income generation of the community. Our experience shows that production of vitamin A–rich vegetables is well accepted by the community. It is sustainable and cost-effective. The challenge ahead is the need to develop local vegetable seed production, since the availability and cost of imported seeds are a hindrance, particularly for very poor community members. A food-based approach, and particularly production of vitamin A–rich vegetables and fruits, should be the mainstay in designing a sustainable micronutrient program in poor developing countries.
An Integrated Primary Health-Care and Provitamin a Household Food-Production Program: Impact on Food-Consumption Patterns
Authors: Faber Mieke , Venter S. , Phungula M. A. S. , Benadé A. J. S.
Published: November 2015

Food diversification is a long-term food-based strategy to address vitamin A deficiency. In order to improve the vitamin A status of preschool children in a rural South African community, a home-based food-production program targeting provitamin A–rich foods was integrated with a community-based growth-monitoring system. This integrated system provided the infrastructure needed for nutritional education and promotion of the food-production program. Dietary intake was collected by 24-hour recall at baseline and 12 and 20 months after implementation of the food-production program. At baseline, the median intake of vitamin A was 150 μg RE. One year after implementation, the vitamin A intake increased to 1,133 μg RE in children from households with a project garden and to 640 μg RE in control children. Eight months later, vitamin A intake was 493 μg RE in children from households with a project garden and 129 μg RE in control children. We concluded that a home-based food-production program resulted in a significant increase in vitamin A intake. Home gardens should therefore be promoted, but they should focus on foods needed to address specific nutrient deficiencies.
Food Fortification with Vitamin A: The Potential for Contributing to the Elimination of Vitamin A Deficiency in Africa
Authors: Bégin France , Cervinskas Jenny , Mannar Venkatesh
Published: November 2015

The control of vitamin A deficiency is a realizable goal that needs to be addressed through a combination of interventions. Among these, fortification of commonly eaten foods and condiments has great potential to help realize this goal. Fortification offers a number of strategic advantages, because it is cost effective, builds on existing food processing and delivery systems, and enhances sustainability. Proven vehicles for vitamin A fortification that are relevant for Africa include sugar, oils and fats, and cereal flours. Fortified foods cannot be expected to reach all deficient populations. However, for the large and expanding populations of all socioeconomic classes that regularly purchase and consume commercially processed foods, fortification can make an enormous difference. For those who do not have easy access to commercially processed foods, fortification at community-level mills and the use of encapsulated micronutrient sprinkles are promising technologies. Although most technologies described in this paper are ready for scale-up and large-scale application, there are a number of steps to be undertaken in order to ensure effective programs, including appropriate advocacy and communication, collaboration among several sectors, food regulations and standards, and quality assurance and monitoring.
Public-Private Partnerships for Combating Micronutrient Malnutrition
Authors: Chopra Mickey
Published: November 2015

Micronutrient malnutrition remains an important public health problem. Public-private partnerships have been promoted as a cornerstone in combating micronutrient malnutrition. Most developing countries are struggling to establish successful partnerships. Traditionally, the difficulties have been put down to misunderstandings due to poor communication. However, this paper will argue that more fundamental issues need to be addressed before the widespread acceptance of public-private partnerships can be achieved. This paper outlines the recent impetus towards public-private partnerships in nutrition and looks at some models of partnerships. The potential benefits of public-private partnerships are examined for three different role-players: the United Nations, recipient countries, and private business. Thorny issues for public-private partnerships, such as values, governance, resources, and equity, are explored. There are fundamental questions around these issues that need to be addressed before public-private partnerships can be promoted as the solution to the elimination of micronutrient malnutrition.
Nuclear and Isotopic Techniques for Addressing Nutritional Problems, with Special Reference to Current Applications in Developing Countries
Authors: Iyengar Venkatesh
Published: November 2015

Nuclear and isotopic techniques are valuable tools in human nutritional research studies. Isotopes, both radioactive and nonradioactive, enable detailed evaluations of nutrient intake, body composition, energy expenditure, status of micronutrients, and nutrient bioavailability. in recent times, isotopic methods have been widely used in a number of coordinated research projects and technical cooperation projects of the International Atomic Energy Agency's Nutrition Programme. the doubly labeled water technique combines the use of the stable isotopes oxygen-18 and hydrogen-2 (deuterium) to measure total energy expenditure in free-living human subjects, and to investigate the magnitude and causes of both undernutrition and the emergence of obesity in developing countries. the deuterium dilution technique is a reliable tool to measure breastmilk intake and thereby infant growth and development. in collaboration with the World Health Organization's Growth Monitoring Program, this technique is being used to generate new data on growth standards for children in developing countries. This technique is also used in the measurement of body composition by the estimation of lean body mass and fat mass in individuals. Stable isotopes of iron and zinc have been successfully used to assess the nutritional impact of several nationwide food supplementation-programs conducted on pregnant and lactating women and children in both industrialized and developing countries. Isotopic techniques are especially suitable for monitoring changes in body composition, energy metabolism, and mineral status (with particular reference to osteoporosis) in the elderly. Nuclear methods have also served to develop models for a physiological reference man in Asia in support of radiological health and safety issues, for establishing elemental composition of foods, and for measurement of pollutants in the environment.
Effect of Amylase-Rich Flour (Arf) Treatment on the Viscosity of Fermented Complementary Foods
Authors: Uvere Peter O. , Ngoddy Patrick O. , Nnanyelugo Dickson O.
Published: November 2015

Grains of cowpea and maize and slices of fresh cassava, cocoyam, plantain, and yam were steep-fermented in water, while flours from the same plant materials were fermented by backslopping for 24 to 30 hours. the pH and apparent viscosity of the gruels from the resulting flours were determined. Loss in weight due to fermentation was higher in fresh tubers than in dry grains. the pH of the flours decreased during fermentation. Measurements showed that the apparent viscosity only of gruels from flours produced by backslopping decreased after 24 hours. the apparent viscosity of gruels from steep-fermented flours was higher than that of the unfermented flours and those produced by backslopping. the apparent viscosity reduction of gruels from steep-fermented flours using amylase-rich flour (ARF) from five-day white sorghum malt was better with the prepared gruels than when applied to the flour-in-tap-water suspension before it was used to prepare gruels. Viscosity reduction using ARF was also better with the fermented gruels than with gruels from unfermented flours. the implications of these results for the formulation of complementary flour blends for infant feeding are discussed.
Iodine Stability in Salt Double-Fortified with Iron and Iodine
Authors: Diosady L. L. , Alberti J. O. , Ramcharan K. , Mannar M. G. Venkatesh
Published: November 2015

Deficiencies in small quantities of micronutrients, especially iodine and iron, severely affect more than a third of the world's population, resulting in serious public health consequences, especially for women and young children. Salt is an ideal carrier of micronutrients. the double fortification of salt with both iodine and iron is an attractive approach to the reduction of both anemia and iodine-deficiency disorders. Because iodine is unstable under the storage conditions found during the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of salt in most developing countries, the effects of packaging materials and environmental conditions on the stability of salt double-fortified with iron and iodine were investigated.

Salt was double-fortified with potassium iodide or potassium iodate and with ferrous sulfate or ferrous fumarate. the effects of stabilizers on the stability of iodine and iron were followed by storing the salt under three conditions that represent the extremes of normal distribution and sale for salt in developing countries: room temperature (25°C) w ith 50%–70% relative humidity, 40° C with 60% relative humidity, and 40° C with 100% relative humidity. the effects of stabilizers, such as sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP), calcium carbonate, calcium silicate, and dextrose were investigated.

None of the combinations of iron and iodine compounds was stable at elevated temperatures. Essentially all of the iodine was lost over a period of six months. SHMP effectively slowed down the iodine loss, whereas magnesium chloride, a typical hygroscopic impurity, greatly accelerated this process. Calcium carbonate did not have a sparing effect on iodine, despite contrary indications in the literature.

Ferrous sulfate–fortified salts generally turned yellow and developed an unpleasant rusty flavor. Salt fortified with ferrous fumarate and potassium iodide was reasonably stable and maintained its organoleptic properties, making it more likely to be acceptable to consumers.

We confirmed that application of the iodine compounds as solutions resulted in a more even distribution of the iodine throughout the sample. the effect of the packaging materials was overshadowed by the other variables. None of the packaging materials was clearly better than any other. This may have been due to the fact that the polymer bags were not heat sealed, and thus some moisture penetration was possible. the results indicate that with careful control of processing, packaging, and storage conditions, a double-fortified salt could be stabilized for the six-month period required for distribution and consumption. Unfortunately, the processing and storage required are difficult to attain under typical conditions in developing countries.