bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Population Living in the Red Sea State of Sudan May Need Urgent Intervention to Correct the Excess Dietary Iodine Intake
Authors: Izzeldin H.S. , Crawford M.A. , Jooste P.L. 
Published: January 2012

Background — Both inadequate and high intakes of iodine are associated with thyroid disease and associated abnormalities. Consumption of foods deficient in iodine induces hypothyroidism. Conversely, excessive intake of the nutrient precipitates hyperthyroidism. Iodine deficiency causes impairment of thyroid hormonogenesis resulting in goiter (struma), cretinism which is associated with increased prenatal and infant mortality, deafness, motor disabilities and mental retardation due to damage during fetal and neonatal brain development. We have assessed the iodine status of school children from the locality of Port Sudan, Red Sea State of Eastern Sudan. The primary sources of iodine of the children are mainly iodized salt and rations supplied by local donors and various aid agencies operating in the Sudan. Methods — Male and female children (n=141), aged 6 to 12 years (median age 9.8 years), were selected for the survey using a multistage random sampling technique, between May 22 and August 25, 2006. All the children were assessed for urinary iodine and visible goiter. In addition, the iodine content of twenty salt samples was determined using the Iodometric titration method and spot test kits. The components of other foods that are routinely consumed by the children and households were noted using a questionnaire form. Findings — Urinary iodine concentration exceeded 300µg/l and 1000µg/l in 65% and 9.9% of the children, respectively. The highest urinary iodine level was 1470µg/l. The prevalence of visible goiter was 17%. All the salt samples collected from the schools had more than 150mg potassium iodate per kg of salt. Conclusions — The results of this pilot survey reveal that excessive intake of iodine in children exists in Port Sudan. Inappropriate and unregulated local fortification of salt and lack of monitoring of the imported and donated salt is the primary reason for the excessive intake. There is an urgent need for a regulatory mechanism during the process of iodine fortification and at the point of entry of imported and donated iodized salt as well as the mode of delivery in order to avoid hyperthyroidism and associated disorders. In addition, independent professionals should critically evaluate the health impact of excessive consumption of the nutrient.
'New Parenting', Psychotherapy, Prenatal and Perinatal Care
Authors: Dowling Terence 
Published: January 2012

The health of future generations, both physical and psychological, depends upon good parental and early environment, free particularly from malnutrition, toxins and undue stress. Education about these negative influences is urgent, especially to encourage childbearing women in a healthy diet and lifestyle. The detrimental effects of cigarette smoking in pregnancy have been known since the 1970s, yet in Germany, for example, 60% of all children are conceived, carried, born into a household where at least one adult smokes. Even if the father desists from smoking at home, the nicotine in his body tissues is transmitted to anyone near him, for example his wife when they sleep near each other. More than one glass of beer, wine or spirits per week during the pregnancy can be detected at birth. Alcohol in early in the pregnancy – just when many mothers are unaware they are pregnant – can produce significant physical malformation, especially in the face. Prenatal exposure to alcohol has significant effects on the intelligence and behaviour of the child. Many of these children are very restless. Even slight amounts of poisoning during the pregnancy are related to the development of a negative seli-image and the compensatory behaviour of the Narcissistic Personality Disorder in later life. The Prenatal Deprivation and Poisoning Syndromes have not only been related to heart disease and eating disorders in the area of general health but also in the area of psychological health to the Borderline Personality Disorder. Undue stress of any kind during the pregnancy leads to problems for the developing child.
The Origins of Diversity: Darwin's Conditions and Epigenetic Variations
Authors: Marsh David E. 
Published: January 2012

This short history of evolutionary thought during the last few centuries describes how some of our foremost thinkers have debated – and still do – the precise mechanisms at the roots of evolutionary change. Commentators frequently contradicted themselves, as well as each other. The popularity of Christian fundamentalism waned following the World Wars. Eventually the rug was pulled from beneath it – till a more recent reaction. Amidst all this babble coming from numerous towers of Babel over centuries, we failed to see Charles Darwin as the great environmentalist: who said environmental conditions, whilst working hand in glove with natural selection, constituted the more important 'law.' A bird's eye view of 18th and 19th century evolutionary thought is considered against the climate of those times (politics, industrial revolution, trade, religious expansionism, etc). Darwinism superseded Lamarckism helped by the neo-Darwinism of Weismann, higher mathematics, population genetics – the 'Modern Synthesis' of 1935 – culminating in the discovery of the double helix by Watson, Crick et al, assuring us of the correctness of 'primacy of DNA theory'. Stimulation and challenge is currently fuelled by exciting nascent knowledge of epigenetic variations and Cairnsian 'adaptive mutations'. The work of Marcus Pembrey and Barry Keverne tracking human and animal variation back generationally describing how 'genomic imprinting' causes reversible heritable change from slight variations in the chromosomes of parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and parents to be. The purpose of this thesis is to put forward a new theme proposed neither by Lamarck or Darwin. We stand on the threshold of the first paradigm change for 150 years.
The Significance of Genomic Imprinting for Brain Development and Behaviour
Authors: Keverne Barry 
Published: January 2012

Professor Barry Keverne FRS, FMedSci – Behavioural Neuroscience, King's College, Cambridge, described how genomic imprinting provides for co-adaptation of mother and fetus, for maternal provision and fetal use of resources. On the other hand it is open to genetic transmission of clinical disorders, for instance Prada-Willli syndrome leading to obesity, and Angelman's syndrome with mental retardation. Among vertebrates, genomic imprinting only evolved in mammals and the placenta is a primary target for expression of imprinted genes. There are certain autosomal genes in mammals that are only expressed if inherited from one parent rather than from the other. More often the paternal gene – allele – is expressed which means that the maternal allele is silenced, usually by methylation, bonding of a CH3 group. Genomic imprinting, distinct from epigenesis, occurs in germ-line cells, ensuring transgenerational effects. Epigenesis, in somatic cells, is usually restricted to one generation, although if it causes a change of behaviour – better mothering say – that can have consequences in the next generation by social transmission. Imprinting is reversible according to parent of origin and there is no change in the gene sequence, as occurs by mutation. Genomic imprinting acts primarily through key regulatory genes which in turn have a cascade effect through other genes. Possible effects vary widely, for instance the mother's food intake and weight gain; maternal fat and blood glucose; letdown of milk and post-natal pup growth. Other affects include her maternal behaviour, nest-building, and placental hormones, placental blood flow and nutrient transfer, fetal growth, and early weaning and puberty onset. In these ways the placenta enables the fetus to regulate its own destiny, mainly by genomic co-adaptation affecting hormonal action on receptors in the maternal hypothalamus. The two genomes, infant and maternal, are co-adaptive for infant wellbeing and reproductive success. Offspring that have extracted “good” maternal nurturing through imprinted genes will themselves be genetically predisposed towards good mothering. Through imprinting, a gene contributing to fitness is established in the population more quickly, especially when paternally expressed due to the greater reproductive fitness of males expressing this allele. Although genomic imprinting affects hormonal activity and nutrient metabolism, there is no evidence for hormones or nutrients affecting genomic imprinting. Hormones and nutrients can, particularly in early life, epigenetically affect the individual's future life for better or for worse, and significantly contribute to “foetal programming”.
Into the Future; Avoiding the Cost of Folly – Introducing a Discussion
Authors: Winkler Jack 
Published: January 2012

386 Billion Euros is Europe's annual cost of brain and mental health disorders. Malnourishment of women is recognised by African politicians as retarding brain development of their offspring to the extent of retarding economic development – an important lesson yet to be learnt by governments of the developed world. To bring this home to Western governments, we have to call in agronomists and economists. We are all robustly challenged with the question: 'What action will each of us be taking to reduce these dire effects on the human race? Contrasting with speakers' brilliance within their own specialty was some naivety speaking outside it; particularly in trivialising some well-established evidence on effects of prenatal and infant nutrition on brain development and particularly of omega-3s. Quoted in response were two powerful studies in 1973 involving animal trials and pathology, then corroborated by human studies, showing powerful effects of prenatal nutrition on brain development. These studies led to combined World Health and Food & Agriculture Organisations' (WHO-FAO) recommendations on reducing the omega6/3 ratio. Being against current industrial policy, however, these recommendations were never acted on. Decades have been wasted and the problem has multiplied. Would this evidence, fortified further by much since, yet bring governments now to act?
Salt Fortification with Iodine: Sudan Situation Analysis
Authors: Izzeldin S.H. , Crawford M.A. , Ghebremeskel K. 
Published: January 2012

Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) constitute a severe public health problem in Sudan. IDD affects children and women throughout life. More than 2 out of 10 school age children have goiter. The prevalence reaches 40% in some regions of the country. Several interventional measures were introduced to control the IDD problem. While the situation with regard to production and supply of iodized salt was thus deteriorating, an Emergency Food Security and Nutrition Assessment Survey (EFSNA) revealed that the prevalence of IDD among adult women, as reflected in the presence of visible goiter, was as high as 25.5%. We have conducted a situation analysis survey in the Republic of Sudan to review the prevailing situation and suggest a benchmark that would help in developing effective control measures and in monitoring their implementations. SWOT analysis, questionnaire, focus groups discussion beside a combination of rapid assessment approach and qualitative method were used to critically evaluate the salt iodization situation in the country and assess the prevailing IDD situation in and propose a plan of action to overcome the bottlenecks. The survey concluded that Iodine deficiency affects children and women all through Sudan. The prevalence is even greater in some regions of the country and there is no supportive policy environment for successful universal salt iodization. To overcome this aggravated situation Sudan will need to conduct a baseline study to provide data on the prevalence of IDD, geographic distribution, knowledge, attitudes and practices relating to iodine deficiency. This will provide a benchmark that will help in developing effective control measures and in monitoring their implementation. The study recommended a set of actions to the government to overcome the prevailing situation and strengthening the current policy and implementation.
The Supercourse of Fisheries: Importance of Sharing Educational Materials and Implications for Cancer and Chronic Disease Research
Authors: Linkov Faina , Hussein Izzeldin S. , Taioli Emanuela , Laporte Ronald , Al-Oufi Hamed Said 
Published: January 2012

Epidemiologic research has demonstrated that fish is an important component of human nutrition. Existing information for the public about the benefits vs dangers of fish consumption is often contradictory and unclear. Education in the field of human nutrition, especially in the area of fish consumption could be markedly enhanced if there were better mechanisms for the development of customized high quality, low cost educational lectures Researchers from the Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, in collaboration with the members of the Global Health Network Supercourse project are developing a library of lectures on nutrition, environmental health, and fisheries, for the use and share among the scientists of the world. With the growing demand for environmental health/nutrition awareness, there is an escalating demand for easily accessible and inexpensive teaching materials on nutritional information, including fish and fisheries. The Supercourse has a network of 45,000 faculty members from 171 countries who have contributed more than 3400 public health lectures, providing forum for sharing the latest research developments in the areas of nutrition. This article outlines the importance of creating easily accessible educational modules on the issues of nutrition, environmental health challenges, and fisheries.
Fish Oil and the Management of Hypertriglyceridemia
Authors: Mattar Melanie , Obeid Omar 
Published: January 2012

Hypertriglyceridemia, regarded as one of the independent clinical markers of metabolic syndrome, is a frequently observed disorder that has been shown to be common in the Arab region. Epidemiologic and clinical trials demonstrated that omega-3 fatty acids have the potential to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD); one of the mechanisms by which this effect is achieved is through reducing plasma triglyceride levels. There is strong scientific evidence from human trials that omega-3 fatty acids from either fish or fish oil supplements significantly reduce blood triglyceride levels and these benefits appear to be dose-dependent. The active ingredients of fish oils include the long chain fatty acids EPA and DHA. The ideal amount of omega-3 fatty acid that should be incorporated into the diet without provoking detrimental effects on other lipid components such as decreasing HDL-C and/or increasing LDL-C has not yet been elucidated. Presently, a prescription form of omega-3 fatty acid has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) as an adjunct to the diet for the treatment of very high triglyceride levels (~ 500 mg/dl) in adults. Patients with hypertriglyceridemia have been shown to respond well to the use of omega-3 fatty acids even when used in conjunction with statins where greater improvements in the lipid profile were found as compared to treatment with statins alone. A determinant of the responsiveness to fish oil could be attributed to the ApoE genotype of individuals.
Schoolchildren, Maternal Nutrition and Generating Healthy Brains: the importance of lifecycle education for fertility, health and peace
Authors: House Simon H. 
Published: January 2012

In order to generate healthy brains, the earlier in life that children develop a healthy lifestyle the better. At home and at school, with a good diet and physical activity, children need to experience and to understand the value of healthy metabolism. Continuous education is needed in lifecycle health, with awareness that the most vulnerable phase relates to reproduction. This is the way that most people can become parents of healthy children. Nutrient deficits, toxins, or uro-genital disease, often unnoticed, affect quality of sperm or ovum, and subsequent development. Early errors can have the most pronounced effect. Gene-switches are being set early in life. Any early flaw can be magnified by growth. Moreover children's habits become set and young couples are too busy to learn and adapt. Many are liable to unintended pregnancy. Adoption of a healthy lifestyle at a young age is the most reliable route to producing healthy babies. The mother's state throughout pregnancy, emotions/hormones included, naturally continues to powerfully affect her child's development, therefore future physical and mental health, behaviour and ability. There has recently been a serious increase in babies conceived by schoolchildren, as well as a shift by working women towards childbearing in their late thirties or more. A return towards childbearing in the twenties and early thirties can reduce risks for the child. The mother needs to build her appropriate body-stores — vitamins and minerals, proteins, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and other essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) — to ensure optimal development of her child. Replenishment of reserves is important for maternal health and before bearing another child. A restorative time of three years is desirable. Governments and school teachers need to guide and encourage parents in this health education and practice, and to use their authority to achieve it in schools. Empowerment with knowledge is the one way to fend off the growing pandemic of mental ill health and related disorders, and to make the most of a nation's genetic potential. There could be no better investment financially, let alone in enhancing people's lives.
Modified Egg as a Nutritional Supplement During Peak Brain Development: A New Target for Fortification
Authors: Shapira Niva 
Published: January 2012

Background: Though eggs have the unique capacity, like breastmilk, to concentrate essential nutrients required for early growth and brain development of offspring — i.e. n-3 PUFA, increasingly deficient and sources contaminated — cholesterol and allergy concerns often exclude them from perinatal recommendations. Objective: Egg's potential contribution of key nutrients required for peak brain development are re-evaluated vis-à-vis fortification, accessibility, and risks. Methods: Contributions of standard (USDA) and fortified (selected market-available) egg compositions to perinatal requirements for critical brain-supporting nutrients were compared to human and cow milks, and risks and recommendations evaluated. Results: Standard egg has already higher concentrations/kcal of iron, selenium, zinc, choline, vitamins B12 and E, and essential amino acids (plus taurine) than human milk. Fortified egg could further yield significant n-3 PUFA %recommendations for pregnancy-lactation (total n-3 69.6–75.0% [DRI=1400−1300mg/day]), including DHA (120.1–129.3%, mostly ≈80% [calculated DRI=140−130mg/day]), plus antioxidant vitamins A (9.0–15.2%) and E (51.6–65.3%), and minerals iodine (33.6–44.5%) and selenium (33.7–39.3%); %recommendations for children (1–3 y) even more. Cholesterol, important for nerve membranes and learning, may not be generally contraindicated in childbearing-aged women (≈10.5% hypercholesterolemia), and early-life egg exposure may increase tolerance. Egg-inclusive perinatal nutrition programs have shown significant contributions. Conclusions: Eggs, especially target-fortified, may provide a unique nutritional supplement for peak brain development continously during pregnancy, nursing, and infancy (from 6 months), especially vs. insufficiencies. Missing nutritional opportunities by egg exclusion vs. concerns of hypercholesterolemia or allergy could be addressed individually, rather than as general recommendations, warranting further research and targeted egg design.
Nutrition, Health and the Future
Authors: Yellowlees Walter 
Published: January 2012

The health of the Scottish Highlander appears to be no better than that of the town dwelling Scotsman. Beautiful scenery, tranquility and freedom from the stress of the city do not prevent common degenerative diseases such as peptic ulcer or coronary heart disease. The researches of T. L. Cleave and others strongly suggests that the increasing consumption of refined, processed food is the cause of these degenerative diseases. Changing food consumption in the Scottish Highlands and throughout the World has been accompanied by changing patterns of disease and by changing agriculture. In many countries imported canneed or preserved food has replaced home grown produce. The small-scale farmer is fast disappearing and is being combined in “collectives”; this results in massive depopulation and causes an imbalance between town and country. In this country we have not solved this problem of land use which will ensure a sane future. Until our people can enjoy food which is fresh, varied, unrefined and grown on fertile soil our health is not likely to improve.
Strategies for Nutritional Fitness in Pregnancy: Selections from Canadian Experience
Authors: Bonham G. H. 
Published: January 2012

Selected Canadian experiences directed to the improvement of maternal health and better birth outcome through nutritional enhancement are outlined. These experiences range from a pioneering food supplementation program in a clinical setting first reported from Toronto in 1942 to a combined pregnancy and pre-conception program about to begin in Calgary. The long-standing Canadian program for legislated food enrichment, the strategy of physician education by means of the adoption of an official position paper by organized medicine, and a trial use of television media supported by the issuance of a free attractive publication, are all described. Intensive educational programs using computerized nutritional analysis in Vancouver designed to complement clinical care, outreach programs in urban and rural settings, using non-professional staff selected from immigrant groups and low income sectors of society, are described as useful and effective strategies and a new program planned for Calgary, Canada, is outlined embodying all the foregoing strategies.
Hypersensitivity to Mains Tap Water in Children: Its Clinical Features and Treatment
Authors: Wilson C. W. M. 
Published: January 2012

Clinical ecology is concerned with the relationship between human requirements and the human habitat in terms of the specific reaction of the patient to the environment as a biological unit. One of the most basic requirements of the human organism is for water. This paper is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of sensitivity of children to contaminants in domestic water. The clinical features of domestic water sensitivity are described. Procedures for the diagnosis of water sensitivity have been developed and applied clinically to samples of children and adults. The clinical features of water sensitivity are related closely to the body tissues with which the water antigen principally comes into contact, namely the alimentary canal, the skin and the urinary system. The water antigen also produces symptoms in the peripheral and central nervous systems. As in the case of other allergens, water contaminants produce initial stimulation and subsequent depression of cellular activity during the development of cellular sensitivity. Recognition of this chain alteration in cell responses is of importance in the diagnosis of water contaminant sensitivity. Treatment of the symptoms in children can be successfully carried out by complete exclusion from contact with domestic water. Water exclusion is followed by a typical withdrawal syndrome in children and adults.