Acid Deficiency Research Articles

Adherence and Associated Factors of Prenatal Iron Folic Acid Supplementation among Pregnant Women Who Attend Ante Natal Care in Health Facility at Mizan-Aman Town, Bench Maji Zone, Ethiopia, 2015

Background: Globally, more than 25% of population is highly affected by anaemia. At least half of anaemia worldwide is because of Iron Folic Acid (IFA) deficiency, which is due primarily to a lack of dietary iron bioavailability or increased requirements such as pregnancy. IFA is also responsible for 95% of anaemia during pregnancy. Objective: To assess Adherence And Associated Factors Of Prenatal Iron Folic Acid Supplementation Among Pregnant Women Who Attend Ante Natal Care In Health Facility At Mizan-Aman Town, Bench Maji Zone, Ethiopia, 2015. Methods: A cross sectional facility based quantitative study complemented by in-depth interview of key informants was implemented. A total of 462 pregnant women from Ante natal clinics were studied from May 29, 2015-June 23, 2015. Results: Among 462 pregnant women, the adherence level of IFA supplement was 326 (70.6%). The most reasons for adherence were clinician counselling, 280 (95.6%), believe that adherence increase their blood volume 56 (19%) and fear of illness 53 (18%). Conclusion and recommendation: Adherence rate to iron-folic acid supplementation were medium. Comprehensive counselling should focus on the importance of adherence to iron folic acid supplements and duration of supplement utilization.

A study on prevalence and causative factors of megaloblastic anaemia in Hadoti region.

Background: Anaemia is the most common problems encountered by clinicians in Hadoti Region. The affected population includes male, female as well as children. Over the last two decades, it has been found that incidence of megaloblastic anaemia is increasing. Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 deficiency are the most common cause of megaloblastic anemia. Of these two micronutrients, Vitamin B12 deficiency is more common now, due to vegetarian life style of people. At present, Anemia control or prophylaxis program give only Iron and Folic acid. This study has been chosen to focus on this issue. The cases for increasing incidences of Folate / Vit. B12 deficiency needs to be elucidated. Objectives – To focus on the incidence of megaloblastic anaemia in Hadoti Region. & Probable Causative factors will be analysed Methods: All patients presenting to our hospital over a period of 2 months with a haemoglobin <10 g/dl and peripheral smear findings consistent with megaloblastic anaemia will be included in the study. Diet, drug intake, previous blood transfusion, presenting symptoms and other relevant history will be taken into consideration. Complete blood counts, peripheral film examination, reticulocyte count and cobalamin and folate assays will be recorded. Patients with chronic disease like renal disease, cancer, tuberculosis, liver disease etc will be excluded from the study. All data will be collected and evaluated statistically. Result: In the present study, total 500 patients who were admitted in medicine, paediatric and gynaecology ward were evaluated. All these patients met the inclusion criteria. Depending on the MCV value, serum assay and peripheral smear finding, they were categorised into 3 groups- Macrocytic, normocytic and microcytic anaemia. The normal MCV value but with megaloblastic blood film or low serum markers were considered into macrocytic anaemia. Total 100 patients were diagnosed as macrocytic anaemia. The sex distribution were-70(male), 30(female). Fifty five per cent of patients with cobalamin deficiency and 08% of patients with folate deficiency were found. All the patients were vegetarian and from middle class and low socio economic group. Conclusion: Cobalamin deficiency was responsible for megaloblastic anaemia in the majority of our patients. The supplementation program for Anemia control and prophylaxis should vary according to the regional requirements. Vitamin B12 should be included in the nutritional programme along with iron and folic acid. Awareness camp and Education program about megaloblastic anemia can be implemented for the prevention. DOI: 10.21276/AABS.2017.1313

Screening for late‐onset Pompe disease in undiagnosed myopathies

AbstractBackgroundPompe disease is caused by a deficiency of acid alpha‐glucosidase. Its prevalence varies depending on ethnicity, and is less prevalent in Japan as compared with other countries. Because of the wide spectrum of clinical features in late‐onset cases, some patients might be misdiagnosed with another myopathy, thus the actual prevalence in Japan might not be accurately reported.AimTo clarify the actual prevalence of late‐onset Pompe disease, we investigated acid alpha‐glucosidase activity in patients with undiagnosed myopathies.MethodsOf 42 patients with undiagnosed myopathies, 41 underwent assessment of acid alpha‐glucosidase enzyme activity using dried blood spot analysis. As a second step, reassessment of acid alpha‐glucosidase activity was carried out using cultured skin fibroblasts. We also determined acid alpha‐glucosidase activity in biopsied muscle tissue obtained from the one other patient, who had previously undergone a muscle biopsy. Finally, gene analysis was carried out to confirm diagnosis.ResultsFour patients showed reduced acid alpha‐glucosidase activity in dried blood spot findings, of whom one possessed a pseudo‐deficiency allele. Furthermore, one patient who showed reduced acid alpha‐glucosidase activity in a biopsied muscle specimen was diagnosed with late‐onset Pompe disease based on gene analysis.ConclusionsOf the present 42 patients, only one patient was diagnosed with late‐onset Pompe disease. The prevalence of Pompe disease in Japan does not seem to be as high as in other countries, though a certain number of patients might exist among those with undiagnosed myopathies. A larger and more systematic survey is necessary to elucidate the actual prevalence of late‐onset Pompe disease in Japan.

Abstract # 1762 Essential fatty acids intake associated with delay aversion and temporal processing in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

The aim of the study is to investigate the association between intake of fatty acids, or omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3-PUFAs), and cognitive functions in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Twenty-one drug-naive children diagnosed with DSM-IV ADHD, and 21 non-ADHD controls were enrolled in the study. The parents were asked to record the n3-PUFAs diet intake of their children by using the Food Frequency Questionnaire. Essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency severity of the children was defined by the EFA deficiency scale scores. The children were also assessed by cognitive tasks, including Go-No-Go Task, Delayed Reaction Time Task, and Finger Tapping Task for inhibitory control, delay aversion, and temporal processing. The findings showed that the ADHD group had a greater severity in EFA deficiency (7.24 + 4.56, p = .02), and poorer performance in delay aversion (−177.88 + 280.40, p = .02) and temporal processing (85.34 + 10.96, p

Prevalence of potential underlying aetiology of macrocytic anaemia in Dutch general practice.

BackgroundMacrocytic anaemia (MCV ≥ 100 fL) is a relatively common finding in general practice. However, literature on the prevalence of the different causes in this population is limited. The prevalence of macrocytic anaemia and its underlying aetiology were analysed in a general practice population. The potential effect of the different aetiology on survival was also evaluated.MethodsBetween the 1st of February 2007 and the 1st of February 2015, patients aged 50 years or older and presenting to their general practitioner with a newly diagnosed anaemia, were included in the study. Anaemia was defined as haemoglobin level below 13.7 g/dL in men and below 12.1 g/dL in women. A broad range of laboratory tests was performed for each patient. The causes of anaemia were consequently determined by two independent observers based on the laboratory results.ResultsOf the 3324 included patients, 249 (7.5 %) displayed a macrocytic anaemia and were subsequently analysed. An underlying explanation could be established in 204 patients (81.9 %) with 27 patients (13.2 %) displaying multiple causes. Classic aetiology (i.e. alcohol abuse, vitamin B12/folic acid deficiency, haemolysis and possible bone marrow disease) was found in 115 patients. Alternative causes (i.e. anaemia of chronic disease, iron deficiency, renal anaemia and other causes) were encountered in 101 patients. In addition, a notable finding was the median gamma GT of 277 U/L in patients diagnosed with alcohol abuse (N = 24, IQR 118.0-925.5) and 23 U/L in the remaining cohort (N = 138, IQR 14.0-61.0). The distribution of gamma GT values was statistically different (P < 0.001).Five year survival rates were determined for six categories of causes, ranging from 39.9 % (95 % CI 12.9-66.9) for renal anaemia to 76.2 % (95 % CI 49.4-103.0) for the category multiple causes.ConclusionIn addition to classic explanations for macrocytosis, alternative causes are frequently encountered in patients with macrocytic anaemia in general practice.

Factors Influencing the Amino Acid and Peptide Transporter Proteins mRNA Expression in Avian Species.

The commercial strains of broiler chickens have genetically selected to reach market weight at younger ages. In order to sustain increased growth rate requires an efficient assimilation of nutrients from the intestinal lumen, which is permitted through nutrient assimilation through the enterocytes that is facilitated by many nutrient transporter proteins. These trans-membrane proteins have specific action, well known kinetics and assist in the partitioning of nutrients among tissues. Amino acids are transported across the plasma membrane as free amino acids or short chain peptides through several independent systems encoded by various nutrient transporter gene products, and these systems may act on multiple substrates. Any deficiency in amino acid and peptide transportation results in metabolic disorders, illustrating crucial roles being played by the body's ability to maintain amino acid homeostasis. The ability of tissues to adapt to changes in input of amino acids related to numerous external factors that negatively affect amino acids utilization appears to result from responses that alter nutrient transporter protein mRNA expression mandated for to maintain amino acid and protein homeostasis. This review summarizes the results of some recently published scientific articles on the effects of different factors that influence intestinal amino acid and peptide transporter proteins mRNA expressions in domestic fowl. Understanding the regulatory effects of diet on amino acid and peptide transport systems in tissues offers insight that ostensibly will help nutritionists to improve the efficiency of dietary protein utilization in poultry.

A Case Series of Acute Methanol Poisoning from Northern Kerala

Background: Methanol is a cheap, potent adulterant widely used in illicit liquor. There have been several episodes of mass methanol poisoning in our country with varying mortality and morbidity rates. Serious attempts to study the profile and common variables of such patients have not been attempted from Kerala. Aim: To study the clinical profile and prognostic factors in patients who were victims of the methanol poisoning admitted in a teaching hospital. Methodology: Twenty four cases of methanol poisoning from adulterated toddy admitted to Calicut Medical College Hospital in September 2010 during a single outbreak of a hooch tragedy were studied. Results: Out of total 24 admissions, 4 died and 4 developed permanent blindness. Of the 4 patients who died, 3 were brought in a critical condition, and succumbed to the toxic effects of methanol even before starting any form of treatment and the fourth died before receiving hemodialysis. Four patients with initial complete visual loss did not regain vision even after correction of acidosis and hemodialysis. Fourteen patients who had blurring of vision and other symptoms completely improved after intensive alkalinisation therapy and hemodialysis. The latent period between the alleged consumption of adulterated toddy and development of symptoms was variable. Minimum fatal period was 10 hours and maximum was 2 days. All patients who were subjected to haemodialysis had short period of hospital stay. Conclusion: This observational study shows that all those patients who received prompt and early alkalinisation therapy, 10% ethanol infusion, folinic acid injections and hemodialysis had striking recovery, except those who had initial complete loss of vision. The blood pH value was found to have direct correlation with visual outcome. Poor nutritional status indicated by a low BMI was suspected to have a role in increased susceptibility to toxic effects of methanol, possibly suggesting coexisting folic acid and other multiple vitamin deficiencies in such patients.

Utilization of processedVigna mungoL. flour in cookies

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is a study designed to utilizeVigna mungoL. (black gram) flour to improve the protein quality of wheat through supplementation. Wheat is utilized as a cereal crop all over the world, but its protein quality is inferior owing to the deficiency of amino acids like lysine.Design/methodology/approach– Black gram seeds were roasted and germinated and then incorporated at 10, 15 and 20 per cent level in wheat flour. The composite flour was evaluated for its chemical composition, physiochemical properties and rheological characteristics, and cookies were developed from the composite flour.Findings– Chemical composition of composite flour revealed significant results (p&lt; 0.05). The level of crude protein increased from 9.69 to 11.79 per cent, while ash and crude fat content enhanced from 0.33 to 1.80 per cent and 1.13 to 2.40 per cent, respectively. There was a significant effect (p&lt; 0.05) on the sedimentation value by the addition of black gram in wheat flour. Water absorption of composite flour was higher than control (52.21 per cent), as maximum value was observed in flour having 15 per cent germinated black gram flour (69.45 per cent). Dough development time also increased from 2.90 min to 4.80 min. The pasting properties revealed significant results for all the parameters. Cookies were developed from composite flour, and sensory evaluation has shown that addition of pulse flour at 15 per cent yields cookies with better hedonic response.Originality/value– The black gram is a locally grown legume crop, but there is a lack of systematic approach for its chemical composition and product development. Scientists are in urge to explore such economical and assessable food ingredients to cope with the nutritional deficiencies prevailing in the developing societies. In this regard, black gram has been recognized as a rich source of nutrients, so it can be exploited to improve wheat protein quality.

Equilibrium of nitrogen-rich spring waters of the Baikal Rift Zone with host rock minerals as a basis for determining mechanisms of their formation

This paper presents calculations of equilibria between nitrogenrich hot springs of the Baikal Rift Zone (BRZ) and a secondary mineral assemblage (carbonate, fluoride, clay, zeolite, and other minerals). The results confirm the equilibrium–nonequilibrium character of the nitrogen spring water–rock system. Unlike other water types, the system evolves under conditions of continuous incorporation of chemical elements released from the host minerals into the newly formed secondary minerals. This allows the system to remain dynamically stable with no increase in salinity, despite continued water–rock interaction. The main factor responsible for this state of the system is a deficiency of acids, i.e., high pH. As a result, the disturbance of relationships between concentrations of aqueous species compared to the starting composition of dissolved solids produces a deficiency of some elements (Ca, Mg, Fe, Al, etc.) and an excess of other elements (Na, Si, F, etc.).

EPS05.9 Benefits of long-term supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in cystic fibrosis

Clinical symptoms and lung function of CF may be influenced by correcting essential fatty acids (EFA) deficiency. Nevertheless, the value of EFA supplementation in CF remains controversial. Objectives The aim of this longitudinal randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was to assess the benefits of an oral supplementation with omega-3 on clinical and nutritional status, lung function and exercise tolerance. Methods A supplementation with a triglyceride source of omega-3 (Omega 3 Premium®, Laboratoires Ponroy, France) at a daily dose of 60 mg/kg during 1 year was administered to ΔF508 homozygous CF patients above 5 years of age. Patients were assessed at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Lung function was performed at each visit and an exercise test before and at the end of study. Results Of the 16 patients included, 13 completed the study. Six received omega-3 and 7 the placebo. Compared to the control group the cumulative duration of antibiotic therapy decreased in the intervention group at 9 months (24.5 days vs 46.0 days, p=0.02) and at 12 months (26.5 days vs 65.0 days, p Conclusions This longitudinal randomized placebo-controlled study shows some clinical benefits of long-term omega-3 supplementation in CF patients. However, additional studies with larger populations are needed. Supported by a grant from the Belgian Cystic Fibrosis Association.

PTH-220 Pregnancy in established home parenteral nutrition (HPN)

Introduction There are few case reports of successful pregnancy in patients on Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN). Most of the available literature focuses on acute, short-term PN use in hyperemesis gravidarum. We report five successful pregnancies on established HPN patients over a 30-year period in a national Intestinal Failure Unit. Method HPN macronutrient and fluid regimes during pregnancy were determined by resting energy requirements with additional alterations influenced by maternal stressors, underlying medical condition, maternal weight gain and foetal growth measurements. Micronutrient alterations were guided by recommended daily allowances (RDA) already precedent in obstetric care, adjusted according to biochemical and haematological indices checked regularly throughout gestation. Results The median time on HPN before pregnancy was 18 months (range 4–72). Two pregnancies presented late at 12 and 25 weeks gestation. Both were unplanned and one patient was on warfarin until 12 weeks gestation. No antenatal or postnatal anomalies were reported in this infant. Four out of five pregnancies reached full term, with one pre-term delivery at 30 weeks gestation. There were no documented cases of essential fatty acid or fat-soluble vitamin deficiency. In two cases, placentas were examined post-partum and showed no evidence of lipid deposition. Subsequent growth and development of all infants have been satisfactory. Median maternal weight gain was 5kg (range 1–5.5kg). Foetal measurements were deemed satisfactory in all pregnancies with birth-weights ranging between 10 th and 75 th centile for gestational age. All patients received a portion of their energy requirement from lipid emulsion. There were no documented catheter related infections during gestation or in the post-partum period. Two patients developed worsening liver enzymes on a background of Intestinal Failure Associated Liver Disease (IFALD). The first was attributed to increasing energy requirements during pregnancy and the second due to cholestasis of pregnancy. Both improved post-partum. Conclusion All women of child-bearing age on HPN should be counselled about pregnancy. Ideally, it should be planned to allow appropriate monitoring. With appropriate support, pregnancy and delivery can occur uneventfully with minor adjustments needed in established HPN regimes to ensure adequate foetal growth. Disclosure of interest None Declared.

Simple and rapid determination of unsaturated fatty acids in 1 µl of rat plasma by LC-MS/MS.

Deficiency or imbalance of unsaturated fatty acids will promote the pathogenesis of many diseases. In order to monitor the exposure of unsaturated fatty acids, the method based on LC-MS/MS was developed. Standard calibration curves for α-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, palmitoleic acid and oleic acid were linear (r ≥0.99). The intra-and interbatch accuracy (RE%) ranged from -4.5 to 8.6%, while the intra- and interbatch precisions (RSD%) were ≤8.7%. The extraction recovery varied from 85.4 to 99.6%, and no obvious matrix effect was observed. The method offers a simple approach for measuring 4 unsaturated fatty acids in 1 μl rat plasma within 3.95 min.

Antisense oligonucleotide-mediated suppression of muscle glycogen synthase 1 synthesis as an approach for substrate reduction therapy of Pompe disease

Pompe disease is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a deficiency of acid α -glucosidase (GAA; EC 3.2.1.20) and the resultant progressive lysosomal accumulation of glycogen in skeletal and cardiac muscles. Enzyme replacement therapy using recombinant human GAA (rhGAA) has proven beneficial in addressing several aspects of the disease such as cardiomyopathy and aberrant motor function. However, residual muscle weakness, hearing loss, and the risks of arrhythmias and osteopenia persist despite enzyme therapy. Here, we evaluated the relative merits of substrate reduction therapy (by inhibiting glycogen synthesis) as a potential adjuvant strategy. A phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligonucleotide (PMO) designed to invoke exon skipping and premature stop codon usage in the transcript for muscle specific glycogen synthase (Gys1) was identified and conjugated to a cell penetrating peptide (GS-PPMO) to facilitate PMO delivery to muscle. GS-PPMO systemic administration to Pompe mice led to a dose-dependent decrease in glycogen synthase transcripts in the quadriceps, and the diaphragm but not the liver. An mRNA response in the heart was seen only at the higher dose tested. Associated with these decreases in transcript levels were correspondingly lower tissue levels of muscle specific glycogen synthase and activity. Importantly, these reductions resulted in significant decreases in the aberrant accumulation of lysosomal glycogen in the quadriceps, diaphragm, and heart of Pompe mice. Treatment was without any overt toxicity, supporting the notion that substrate reduction by GS-PPMO-mediated inhibition of muscle specific glycogen synthase represents a viable therapeutic strategy for Pompe disease after further development.

Catatonia induced by disulfiram

Catatonia is a clinical syndrome with varieties of psychomotor abnormalities of retardation and excitement. It can occur both in psychiatric and medical conditions. The aetiology of catatonia has not been fully described. Many researchers suggest that catatonia can occur due to deficiency of cortical gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Disulfiram is an agent that is being used in the treatment of alcohol dependence by its aversive effect. It has been seen that disulfiram is one of the causes of catatonia. This paper aimed to report a case of catatonia induced by disulfiram with no past history of any psychiatric or medical illness.

“Imiglucerase Treatment Associated with Reduction of Bone Claims in Gaucher Patients: Analysis of US Claims Data”

BACKGROUNDGaucher disease type 1 (GD1) is a rare, genetic, multisystemic disorder caused by a deficiency of acid ß-glucosidase and characterized by an accumulation of lipid glucosylceramide in organs such as the spleen, liver and bone marrow. The key clinical features include anemia, thrombocytopenia, hepatosplenomegaly, and skeletal disease. Bone involvement is one of the most frequent, debilitating complications of GD1 that can have significant negative impact on patients’ quality of life due to pain, disability, and need for orthopedic intervention. Several studies have shown that treatment with imiglucerase improves bone density, decreases the occurrence of bone crisis, and ameliorates bone pain. OBJECTIVETo examine the impact of treatment with imiglucerase on bone claims in Gaucher patients before and after initiation of treatment using US administrative claims data. METHODSA retrospective study of medical claims data was conducted using Optum’s Clinformatics Data Mart database. Gaucher patients treated with imiglucerase between January 1, 1997 and June 30, 2013 were identified. Adult and pediatric patients were eligible for this study and were required to have at least 3 months continuous insurance coverage prior to their first treatment with imiglucerase (index date), at least 3 months follow-up post-index date, and at least 4 imiglucerase administrations within the first 3 months. The number of claims associated with bone disease and number of patients reporting these claims before and after treatment initiation with imiglucerase were assessed. The percentage of patients with bone claims and the average bone claims per patient were used to compare pre- and post-treatment data. Bone claims with the following treatment diagnoses were included: osteoporosis, pathological fracture, joint pain, necrosis, and unspecified bone problems. RESULTSA total of 107 GD patients were evaluated in the pre-treatment period; 59 (55%) were male and 48 (45%) were female; there were 85 (79%) adults (18 years and older) and 22 (21%) pediatric patients. Among the 107 GD patients, 31 patients (29%) reported bone claims within 3 months prior to treatment initiation with imiglucerase. During the first year of post-treatment initiation, a significant reduction in the number of patients with bone claims was observed in all 3-month intervals when compared to the pre-treatment period. The same results were observed for the average bone claims per patient, except it did not reach statistical significance for the 6-9 month period.Results for all patients are presented in the Table below.Table:Bone Claims Before and After Treatment Initiation with ImigluceraseTime intervalN evaluatedN (%) of patients with bone claimsTotal # of bone claimsAverage # of bone claims per patient (SD)Baseline/3 months prior to treatment10731 (29%)990.93 (1.922)0-3 months after treatment10510 (9.5%*)32*0.3 (1.161)*3-6 months after treatment9812 (12.2%)*30*0.31 (1.04)*6-9 months after treatment807 (8.8%)*49*0.61 (2.447)9-12 months after treatment727 (9.7%)*14*0.19 (0.685)*N = Number of patients* Statistically significant compared to baseline at a cumulative probability level > 0.95.Note: Statistical significance for % of patients is evaluated as a difference in proportions. Data has been adjusted for outliers.When data were analyzed separately for adult and pediatric populations, similar trends were observed with more pronounced results among pediatric patients. For pediatric patients, 5 patients reported bone claims prior to initiation of treatment and no bone claims in the first 6 months after treatment initiation. CONCLUSIONA reduction in the number of bone claims and number of patients with bone claims was observed after initiation of treatment with imiglucerase in Gaucher patients in the US. These results suggest that imiglucerase treatment is associated with a reduction of bone complaints in both adult and pediatric patients. Differences in bone claim frequencies between adult and pediatric patients after treatment initiation with imiglucerase also suggest that early treatment can mitigate the development of chronic bone disease and can result in a reduction of associated medical claims. DisclosuresNalysnyk:Genzyme, a Sanofi Company: Employment. Selzer:Genzyme, a Sanofi Company: Employment. Hamed:Genzyme, a Sanofi Company: Employment. Weinreb:Genzyme, A Sanofi Company: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau.

Theoretical and Practical Aspects of the Development of a Balanced Lipid Complex of Fat Compositions

In the paper, the effect of the lipid complex in fats and oils on human organism and their role in physiology of nutrition are reviewed. Aspects of impairment of the nutritional status upon fat consumption, in particular, the excess consumption of saturated fats, trans-isomers of fatty acids, and cholesterol and the deficiency of polyunsaturated fatty acids and phospholipids, are discussed. Data on oil and fat in modern structure of nutrition are described. Aspects of the development of balanced fat compositions, accounting for normal physiological needs of modern people for lipids and their structural components, are reviewed. Data on the construction of fatty bases from milk fat, natural, and modified vegetable oils and fats providing for predetermined consumer properties of functional fatty milk products are presented.

Studies on the Nutrition Component of Fresh Shoots of Large-Sized Cluster Bamboo from Yunnan, China

Nutrition components of bamboo shoots sampled from 6 large-sized and shoots-based bamboo species in Yunnan were analyzed in this paper. The results showed that bamboo shoots were naturally green food with merits of high protein, fiber, ash content, low sugar and low fat, however with defects of sulfur-containing amino acid and calcium deficiency, consisting of essential amino acid such as aspartic acid, phenylalanine, tryptophan and lysine, also including other important microelements as iron, zinc and manganese, and vitamin E.

Prebiotics supplementation improves the endothelial dysfunction in n-3 PUFA-depleted ApoE-/-mice

Background Our previous studies demonstrated that dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) deficiency promotes the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice, and that modification of gut microbiota composition by prebiotics (non-digestible fructans) can improve the hepatic steatosis and serum lipids in this model [1, 2]. The present study has been designed to analyze the potential involvement of prebiotic supplementation on endothelial dysfunction in n-3 PUFA-depleted ApoE knock-out mice. Material and methods Wild-type (WT, n=6) and ApoE-/- (KO, n=6) mice were fed with a n-3 PUFA-depleted diet for 12 weeks. Fifteen days before the end, WT (n=3) and KO (n=3) mice were supplemented with fructans as prebiotics (PRE). Second and third generation mesenteric arteries were isolated and mounted on a wire myograph. After normalization, arteries were contracted with a KCl-enriched (50mM) solution. The endothelial-dependent relaxation was evaluated after addition of increasing doses of acetylcholine. Results The analysis of morphological parameters showed that mesenteric micro-arteries isolated from n-3 PUFA depleted-KO mice supplemented with PRE (KO-DEF-PRE) present an significant increasing by 20% in mean diameter and develop also an significant increasing by 35% in the basal tone compared to vessels from other groups (KO-DEF or WT-DEF). Similarly, KO-DEF-PRE micro-arteries contracted significantly more to KCl-enriched solution than vessels isolated from other groups. Finally, we measured the relaxation evoked by acetylcholine: KO-DEF-PRE micro-arteries relaxed significantly more compared to KO-DEF mice isolated micro-arteries (61.27±0.343 %KCl max vs 80.513±2.542 %KCl max, p<0.01). This effect was blunted in the presence of COX inhibitor, indomethacin. Conclusion Our results suggest that fifteen days of prebiotic supplementation is sufficient to alter morphological and contractile parameters in the mesenteric bed. Importantly, prebiotic supplementation is also able to prevent the endothelial dysfunction observed in KO-DEF mice, independently of the contractile modifications. Results obtained in the presence of indomethacin appoint prostanoids as possible molecular targets, in addition to the NO/NOS pathway. Further analyses are now performed to relate changes in gut functions to cardiovascular alterations.

Emulsifying Properties of Cross-Linking Between Proteins Extracted from Cold/Hot Pressed Peanut Meal and Hydrolysed Fish (Decapterus Maruadsi) Proteins

The peanut proteins were extracted from cold pressed and hot pressed peanut meal in this work. Emulsifying properties of cross-linking between cold pressed peanut/hot pressed peanut and fish (Decapterus maruadsi) protein hydrolysates catalyzed by transglutaminase were investigated. Electrophoresis indicated that cross-linked proteins were formed in all the transglutaminase-treated samples, and the susceptibility of cold pressed peanut or hot pressed peanut subunits to transglutaminase was enhanced by addition of the (Decapterus maruadsi) protein hydrolysates. For the cross-linked cold pressed peanut-(Decapterus maruadsi) protein hydrolysates and hot pressed peanut-(Decapterus maruadsi) protein hydrolysates protein conjugates, the surface area mean diameter d32, volume mean diameter d43, creaming index, and instability decreased after TGase treatment. Besides, the addition of (Decapterus maruadsi) protein hydrolysates could remedy the disadvantage of essential amino acids (e.g., Thr, Met, and Lys) deficiency in cold pressed or hot pressed peanut. For cold pressed peanut or hot pressed peanut, transglutaminase treatment had no effect on the emulsifying activity but the emulsion stability was improved.

Increased Eosinophilic Precursors in Megaloblastic Bone Marrow — An Interesting Observation

Megaloblastic maturation of erythroid precursors is seen in cases of vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency and needs a thorough evaluation. In the present study we have evaluated 342 bone marrow aspiration smears by doing a thorough differential count and findings were recorded. In addition to giant metamyelocytes we have observed that eosinophilic precursors were significantly increased in 78% of the cases. Interestingly, none of them had eosinophilia in peripheral blood. Such finding was not reported in megaloblastic marrow till date to the best of our knowledge. All the patients had deficiency of cobalamine and folic acid either both or one of them with a characteristic megaloblastic maturation of the erythroid precursors. The reason for such finding can be hypothesized to be a result of various interleukins (IL-5, IL-3) and growth factors that play a major role in hemopoietic cell maturation. The awareness of this finding of eosinophilic precursors in increased percentages in a megalobalstic marrow is important because megaloblasts are also found in marrows with increased eosinophils like chronic eosinophilic leukemia and hypereosinophilic syndrome but they have peripheral eosinophilia in addition, which is absent in megaloblastic anemia.