Micronutrient Levels Research Articles

Comprehensive analysis of Trichoderma ressei mediated CO2 stress attenuating responses and de novo transcriptome sequencing of rice flag leaf

AbstractThe objective of this study was to investigate the alterations in physiological, biochemical, and transcriptional reactions in the flag leaf of rice following the application of Trichoderma as a biofertilizer (BF) at both ambient (aCO2; 395 ppm) and enhanced (eCO2; 550 ppm) carbon dioxide levels. A comparatively smaller percentage change was observed in the photosynthetic parameters, including photosynthetic rate, respiration, and stomatal conductance, subsequent to the introduction of BF in the elevated carbon dioxide (eCO2) environment. Furthermore, biochemical analysis revealed a noteworthy elevation in photosynthetic pigments, total sugar, proline, and ascorbate peroxidase concentration levels in plants treated with BF under ambient and increased carbon dioxide conditions. The buildup of indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA) was shown to be increased in rice treated with BF under both conditions. Moreover, ICP‐MS analysis demonstrated an augmentation in the levels of vital micronutrients in the experimental group while observing no alterations in the carbon‐to‐nitrogen ratio within the flag leaf. The examination of transcriptional responses in the flag leaf demonstrated an increase in the expression of genes associated with the photosynthetic system, amino acid metabolism, several transporters, including aquaporin, and the phosphate pathway, as well as carbon and nitrogen metabolism. Hence, our work elucidates the effective role of Trichoderma in mitigating the adverse consequences associated with elevated levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (eCO2).

Serum glutathione peroxidase is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children and adolescents.

oxidative stress is an important factor in the pathophysiology of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed to compare the serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and antioxidant micronutrients in children and adolescents with and without NAFLD. a cross-sectional study with patients between 8-18 years old, of both sexes. Diagnosis of NAFLD: presence of steatosis on ultrasound and absence of history of ethanol consumption and other liver diseases. Anthropometric measures, MDA, GPx, Interleukin-6, serum levels of vitamins A, C and E, selenium, zinc, and copper were evaluated. eighty-nine children with mean age of 12 (3) years, 57.3 % female and 24 % with NAFLD were evaluated. Those with NAFLD had more frequent abdominal obesity (high waist-height ratio: 81.0 % x 48.5 %; p = 0.009). After logistic regression NAFLD was associated with high body mass index/age (p-adjusted = 0.021) and with reduced serum GPx (p-adjusted = 0.034). There was a positive correlation between MDA and copper (r = 0.288; p = 0.006), IL-6 (r = 0.357; p = 0.003) and a negative one with vitamin A (r = -0.270; p = 0.011). oxidative stress is present in children with NAFLD and non-invasive markers such as GPx and BMI can be used in clinical practice and help in the early screening of NAFLD.

Recognizing and Predicting the Risk of Malnutrition in the Elderly Using Artificial Intelligence: A Systematic Review

The global population is aging at an alarming rate, endangering conventional care models that have always relied on in-person supervision. Elderly malnutrition has been found to be a serious health problem associated with health deterioration, which has several, immediate effects on everyday activities and standard of living. Deficiency in nutrients is a frequent and serious concern in older adults and might have an impact on the emergence of geriatric diseases. The two most obvious indicators of malnutrition in the elderly include unintentional weight loss and a lower value of the body mass index (BMI). However, non-symptomatic or unnoticed insufficiencies, such as lower than expected level of different crucial micronutrients, which are quite challenging to diagnose and are typically disregarded among older residents of their communities. Artificial intelligence (AI) permeates every aspect of human existence. The current systematic review looks at how AI-based technology is currently being used and how it affects elderly malnutrition. Using the following keywords, computerized literature searches of many reliable data bases were used to compile relevant published articles: malnutrition, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), elderly nutrition, risk factors of malnutrition among the elderly, chronic diseases, elderly. Prospective studies with original data were chosen, and their significant findings were integrated into the analysis of the state of malnutrition at the moment. In conclusion, it is challenging to deploy AI-based food and nutrient intake monitoring data because no single program is suitable for all international cuisines and eating customs. Geographic variations in the dietary habits of the population make it challenging to compile the necessary data sets for deep learning. Furthermore, even within a same region, hospital menus differ from patient to patient. It is suggested that meals served in hospitals under the same management be standardized to facilitate the procedure.

Micronutrient status in patients with diabetic foot ulcers: A cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia.

Patients with diabetes are at risk for developing diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). It is recognized that type 2 diabetes (T2D) is distinguished by the loss of vitally important micronutrients because of the metabolic nature of this disease and its associated complexities. This study was performed to determine the level of micronutrients in patients with DFUs in Saudi Arabia. From February to May 2022, this descriptive study was conducted, adopting the cross-sectional design and a group of 88 patients with T2D. Applying the convenience sampling method, this study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data collection was conducted through a standard questionnaire, and details regarding the demographic variables and micronutrient deficiency were collected. Among the nutritional deficiencies identified, the one with the highest frequency was vitamin D, observed in 43.2% of the patient population; after vitamin D, in order of descent, were low ferritin levels (29.5%), B12 (13.6%), and the folic acid deficiency (12.5%). Folic acid showed a statistically significant difference among patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) (P = 0.041). Moreover, vitamin B12 showed a significant association among patients who have charcot foot (P = 019) and previous amputation (P = 0.029). Vitamin B12 deficiency is significantly associated with patients who had an amputation; having charcot foot and folic acid revealed a vital relationship among patients with DFUs having CVD. Comprehensive research is a pressing need to enable deeper awareness of micronutrient deficiencies in patients with diabetes.

Circulating micronutrient levels and respiratory infection susceptibility and severity: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis.

Limited and inconclusive data from observational studies and randomized controlled trials exist on the levels of circulating micronutrients in the blood and their association with respiratory infections. A Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted to assess the impact of 12 micronutrients on the risk of three types of infections [upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI), and pneumonia] and their 14 subtypes. This study utilized a bidirectional MR approach to evaluate causal relationships and included a range of sensitivity analyses and multivariable MR to address potential heterogeneity and pleiotropy. The threshold for statistical significance was set at p < 1.39 × 10-3. Meta-analysis revealed that higher levels of circulating copper were significantly associated with a reduced risk of URTI (odds ratio (OR) = 0.926, 95% CI: 0.890 to 0.964, p = 0.000195). Additionally, copper demonstrated a suggestive association with a reduced risk of LRTI (p = 0.0196), and Vitamin B6 was nominally associated with a reduced risk of pneumonia (p = 0.048). Subtype analyses further indicated several suggestive associations: copper reduces the risk of acute pharyngitis (p = 0.029), vitamin C increases the risk of critical care admissions for pneumonia (p = 0.032) and LRTI (p = 0.021), and folate reduces the risk of viral pneumonia (p = 0.042). No significant connections were observed for other micronutrients. We observed a genetically predicted potential protective effect of copper in susceptibility to upper respiratory infections. This provides new insights for further research into the role of micronutrients in the prevention and treatment of infection.

Residual Effect of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Growth Indices of Chickpea under Soybean-Chickpea System in Vertisol of Central India

A field experiment was conducted at ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Regional Station, Bhopal to evaluate the residual effect of the fertilizer with organic manure on the growth indices of chickpea in soybean-chickpea system in Vertisol of central India. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design comprising two levels of farm yard manure (5 t FYM ha-1 or No FYM) in the main plots and six micronutrient management levels (control, 25 kg ZnSO4 ha-1, 12.5 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 + zinc solubilizer, ammonium molybdate (AM) 1 g kg-1 seed treatment + 25 kg ZnSO4 ha-1, ammonium molybdate (AM) 1 kg ha-1 soil application + 25 kg ZnSO4 ha-1, and ammonium molybdate (AM) 1 g kg-1 seed treatment + 0.5% foliar spray of ZnSO4 at 30 and 60 days after sowing) in sub-plots with three replications. The results revealed that the application of 5 t FYM ha-1 resulted in significantly higher values of plant height, dry matter accumulation, branches plant-1, leaf area index, leaf area duration, absolute growth rate, crop growth rate, and relative growth rate than no application of FYM. Furthermore, ammonium molybdate (AM) at 1 kg ha-1 as a basal application with 25 kg ha-1 ZnSO4 significantly improved all the growth parameters, viz. plant height, dry matter accumulation (DMA), branches plant-1, leaf area index, leaf area duration, absolute growth rate, crop growth rate, and relative growth rate over the control, 25 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 and 12.5 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 + zinc solubilizer. However, it was statistically on par with the AM 1 g kg-1 seed treatment + 25 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 + 25 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 and AM 1 g kg-1 seed treatment + 0.5% foliar spray of ZnSO4 with respect to all growth parameters. Thus, the application of farmyard manure 5 t ha-1 with AM at 1 kg ha-1 as a basal application with 25 kg ha-1 ZnSO4 could be used to sustain chickpea production and maintain soil fertility. The results highlight the importance of using plant nutrients from various sources and methods of application for realizing high chickpea productivity.

Micronutrient Deficiencies in Older Adults in Latin America: A Narrative Review.

The population in Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) has experienced a major demographic transition with increased numbers of older adults (OA). This change brings opportunities in the public health sector to implement health prevention interventions and delay the onset of geriatric syndromes. Micronutrients play an important role in the maintenance of biological function which contributes to longevity. Micronutrient deficiencies (MD) in OA increase the risk for onset of chronic comorbidities and geriatric syndromes. To review and summarize the existing data on micronutrient status in OA in the LAC region and discuss the gaps and challenges in public health approaches to address deficiencies. Literature review in Medline for records describing nutritional biomarkers in older adults (≥ 60y) from community dwelling and population-based studies in LAC. Few countries (including Chile, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Brazil, and Mexico) have documented one or more nutritional deficiencies for OA in national health surveys, however across the entire region, evidence of micronutrient levels is scarce. Some surveys have documented a high prevalence and large heterogeneity in the prevalence of vitamin D followed by B12 deficiency, being the 2 MDs most studied due their effects on cognition, frailty, and bone mineral density in the OA population. Other MD including C, E, A, copper, zinc, iron, and selenium have also been reported. Information on the micronutrient status in OA from LAC is poorly documented. Research and capacity building initiatives in the region are crucial to develop tailored strategies that address the specific nutritional needs and challenges faced by the ageing population in Latin America.

The impact of terroir on barley and malt quality – a critical review

Why was the work done: With respect to terroir, ‘To be or not to be,’ (Hamlet, Shakespeare) is a key question for maltsters and brewers for malt and beer quality. Terroir is a sparsely studied aspect of malt quality, despite it being an important component of added market-value in wine since ancient times. The ‘sense of place’ imbued by terroir is an expression of the growth of a grape variety in a specific region with respect to local climate, soil, microbiome, elevation/aspect of the vineyard, viticultural and wine making methods. Similar corollaries to wine terroir can be drawn for hops and malting barley. How was the work done: A comprehensive review of the literature was undertaken to identify reports of terroir in barley/malt quality. Where possible, the discussion was extended by consideration of appropriate unpublished data. What are the main findings: The primary influence of terroir on malt is grain protein content (GPC). This appears, in part, to be controlled by the daylength during grain maturation. Increasing day length typical of grain maturation in Australia tends to be associated with a lower GPC, while decreasing daylength during grain maturation in Canada is associated with a higher protein content. GPC is positively correlated with diastatic power, beta-amylase activity and foam positive proteins such as protein Z4 and hordeins. Conversely, GPC is inversely correlated with extract and Kolbach Index (KI). Interestingly, lower protein barley tends to produce higher KI malts that result in wort with greater flavour complexity and desirability. The level of ionic micronutrients (cations, anions) including calcium and zinc are understudied aspects of malt quality. It is evident that there is significant variation in the ionic micronutrient content of malt produced from different international regions and between regions of the same country which would be an expression of terroir. Lastly, the microbiome of barley/malt shows influences of terroir such as the deleterious impacts of Fusarium head blight on malt quality including gushing and mycotoxins. Variation in terroir will also have more subtle impacts, both desirable and undesirable, on malt quality for the contribution of beneficial enzymes (e.g., cell wall degrading enzymes) or for the propensity of barley to impart malt components into wort (e.g., arabinoxylan) that have been implicated in premature yeast flocculation (PYF) and undesirable beer quality. Why is the work important: The concept of terroir in malt quality has important implications for the efficiency of mashing, lautering, fermentation and beer quality.

Impacts of Biochar Treatments on Some Soil Properties and Micronutrient Availability

The application of biochar as a soil amendment has been recognized as an environmentally friendly and highly efficient strategy for restoring the fertility of the soil and increasing agricultural productivity. In this study, the impacts of Senna tora biochar treatments on soil properties and micronutrient availability in the farmlands of Misau, Bauchi State, Nigeria, were investigated. A complete randomized design replicated three times, which included control soil (no biochar/0 day), 30 days, and 60 days of biochar treatments, was adapted based on the fact that incubation time affects biochar application in soil. After treatments, the biochar was removed and the soil samples from each treatment were analyzed for pH, soil bulk density (BD), cation exchange capacity (CEC), organic carbon (OC) and micronutrient levels using various analytical methods. The results of the analysis show pH, OC and CEC values increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) from 6.66 to 7.89, 3.40 to 3.90 g/kg and 5.16 to 7.29 cmol/kg respectively, while BD decreased significantly from 1.56 to 1.48 g/cm3 after 60 days of biochar treatment. The levels of Mn, Cu and Zn increased from 188.25 to 286.12 mg/kg, 14.38 to 41.88 mg/kg and 68.63 to 140.19 mg/kg respectively, while levels of Fe decreased from 9460.00 to 4782.73 mg/kg after 60 days of biochar treatments. Application of Senna tora biochar has generally led to a significant improvement in the fertility of the soil. It is therefore recommended that Senna torabiochar be used in the field to demonstrate its practical application.

Effects of Various Micronutrient Levels on the Biochemical and Organoleptic Attributes of Guava cv. 27

A field experiment entitled “Effects of various micronutrient levels on the biochemical and organoleptic attributes of guava cv. 27” was carried out at Agrotechnology Park, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, College of Agriculture, Gwalior (M.P.) during 2016-2017. The experiment was consisting of 9 treatments having two levels of each Borax (0.2 per cent and 0.4 per cent) and Zinc sulphate (0, 0.4 and 0.6 per cent). The experiment was laid out in Factorial randomized block design with three replications. Among different doses of foliar spray of nutrients, borax @ 0.4 per cent and zinc sulphate @ 0.6 per cent were found significantly superior over control with respect bio chemical parameters and organoleptic attributes of guava.

Effect of Micronutrients and Biofertilizer Treatments on Yield and it`s Attributes of Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) cv. RCR-41

The current study, named "effect of micronutrients and biofertilizer on yield parameters of coriander Coriandrum sativum (L.) cv. RCR-41," is planned to be carried out in the Research Field, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Gwalior, M.P., during Rabi 2020-21 and 2021-22. The experiment was designed in a Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD) with two factors concepts i.e., Micronutrients (ZnSO4 (0.5%), FeSo4 (0.5%), CuSo4 (0.5%), Biofertilizers (Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB), Azotobacter, Potassium Solubilizing Bacteria (KSB) and replicated three times and included three replications. At the time of coriander seeding, treatments combinations including RDF doses of fertilisers and biofertilizers were used. The results showed that treatment M1 (ZnSO4 @ 0.5%) was the optimum micronutrient level treatment for coriander production. Treatment B2 (Azotobacter) was shown to be the optimal biofertilizer level for coriander production. The treatment combination M1B2 (ZnSO4 @ 0.5% x Azotobacter) was shown to be considerably better among all treatment combinations, yielding the highest coriander yield characteristics.

DETERMINATION OF MICRONUTRIENTS IN DIABETIC WOMEN: A SERUM ANALYSIS OF SEVEN ELEMENTS

Background: The human body needs minerals and micronutrients. It is important to estimate the micronutrients (Fe+2, Mg+2, Mn+2, Zn+2, Cu+2, K+, Na+) in the serum of female patients with diabetes mellitus (T2DM) as needed for insulin and glucose metabolism, especially zinc, manganese, and magnesium, which activate insulin receptor sites. Aim: Estimate the micronutrient concentrations by (µg/mL) and determine their effects on insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus. Methods: The study was conducted at Maysan Province Endocrinology and Diabetes Center from January to April 2023. It included 120 women aged (20 – 65) years separated into two groups. The control group included 40 healthy women, and the patient group included 80 women with diabetic mellitus (T2DM). The IBM SPSS Statistics and the t-test were used to compare the two groups. Results: The results showed a statistically significant difference at the level (P?0.05) for the average concentration of Magnesium, Manganese, Zinc, Copper, Potassium, and Sodium, while Iron concentration was a non-significant decrease at (P?0.05) in the patients with (T2DM) compared with the control group. The concentration of micronutrients in diabetes mellitus and healthy groups was Na+ &gt; Cu+2 &gt; Zn+2 &gt; Mn+2 &gt; Fe+2 &gt; K+ &gt; Mg+2 and Na+ &gt; Cu+2 &gt; K+ &gt; Mg+2 &gt; Fe+2 &gt; Zn+2 &gt; Mn+2 respectively. In the T2DM group, the trace element with the highest observed concentration was the Sodium ion, while Manganese (Mn+2) had the lowest concentration. Conversely, in the control group, Sodium (Na+) showed the highest concentration and Magnesium (Mg+2) the lowest. Discussion: Sodium had the greatest micronutrient content in both the control and T2DM groups. Micronutrient differences may affect insulin resistance and diabetes. Conclusions: The variation in the micronutrient concentration was statistically significant between the diabetes mellitus and control groups, except for Iron, demonstrating the complex relationship between micronutrient levels and metabolic disorders

Evaluation of Micronutrients and Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines Levels in Nutritionally Deprived Children—A Tertiary Care Hospital-Based Study

Background: Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is a significant public health problem in developing countries, including India, where a significant proportion of children suffer from malnutrition. Objective: This research aims to investigate the factors contributing to severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Additionally, the study seeks to explore the relationship between micronutrient levels and pro-inflammatory cytokines in SAM children with and without clinical complications. Furthermore, the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment in SAM children without complications is evaluated. Methods: The study involved three groups comprising 66 subjects each: a healthy control group, SAM children with complications, and SAM children without complications. Blood samples were collected, and various analyses were conducted, including biochemical, hematological, micronutrient, and pro-inflammatory marker quantification. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Results: The results indicate that the levels of IL-6, CRP, and TNF-α were significantly higher in the SAM group with complications compared to both the control group and the SAM group without complications. Zinc and copper levels were significantly lower in both SAM groups compared to the control group, and a negative correlation was observed between zinc levels and inflammatory markers. The study also assessed the efficacy of antibiotic treatment in SAM children without complications by comparing their weight, height, weight-for-height, and weight-for-age at baseline and after a 15-day follow-up period. Significant improvements in these parameters were observed in both the group receiving antibiotic treatment and the group not receiving antibiotic treatment. Conclusion: The findings suggest that a combination of antibiotic treatment and nutritional support can lead to significant clinical improvements in SAM children without complications. This study has important implications for the management and treatment of SAM in India and other developing countries.

The Association of Physical Activity Level with Micronutrient and Health Status of Austrian Bank Employees

Background: Favorable health benefits of an active lifestyle have been clearly documented within the context of occupational health. However, a knowledge gap exists regarding the monitoring and comparison of micronutrient status across varying levels of physical activity (PA). This study aimed to investigate the association of PA level with micronutrient status and the associated health biomarkers among a cohort of Austrian bank employees. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, this study involved the participation of bank employees (n = 123; average age: 43 years; 49% males) from the federal state of Tyrol, located in the western part of Austria. To assess PA levels and sedentary behavior, the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ; developed by the WHO) was administered. Accordingly, participants were categorized into three groups: low PA, moderate PA, and high PA. Participants’ blood samples were obtained to measure blood levels of micronutrients, homocysteine, and CoQ10. The values of vitamins and minerals in whole-blood were compared to sex-specific reference ranges and grouped into three categories: below, within, or exceeding the reference range. Results: The prevalence of a high PA level was 61%, while 18% of participants had a low PA level. Overweight/obesity was significantly less prevalent among participants with high PA levels (22%) compared to those with moderate (50%) and low (50%) PA levels (p = 0.045). No significant differences between PA levels were found for sex, age, diet type, homocysteine, or CoQ10 markers (p &gt; 0.05). There was no significant PA-based difference in blood concentrations of most vitamins and minerals (p &gt; 0.05), except for vitamin D (p = 0.001) among females, as well as selenium (p = 0.040) and vitamin B12 (p = 0.048) among males. Conclusion: The present findings offer initial insights into the link between PA behaviors, micronutrient status, and health, highlighting potential implications in occupational health and lifestyle, specifically in developing tailored approaches based on PA levels.

BS P02 Equitable access to bariatric surgery: an exploration of trends in health inequalities and patient profiles over the last 15-years

Abstract Background Bariatric surgery is a safe and effective treatment for obesity and associated co-morbidities. Equality of access to bariatric surgery in the NHS has long posed a serious challenge with significant variation in eligibility criteria between different regions. Obesity disproportionately affects more deprived groups and some ethnic minorities, who have also been shown to experience a worse quality of healthcare and poorer health outcomes. This study aimed to understand the profile of patients accessing bariatric surgery and explore changes in trends over a 15-year period to identify important areas of development for obesity-related healthcare services in our region. Methods This was a retrospective study of all patients undergoing primary and revisional bariatric surgery (gastric band, sleeve gastrectomy, RNY and single anastomosis bypass) for weight loss at our regional bariatric surgical centre since its inception in 2008 until the end of 2022. Data was extracted from a combination of electronic records and a surgical database. Variables included gender demographic and procedure related data, baseline characteristics including height, weight, deprivation scores, co-morbidities, bloods, and micronutrient levels. Changes in patient profiles were mapped over the 15-year period and compared to population-level data derived from the national census and other publicly available sources. Results 2062 (mean age 47) patients were included. 11 (0.5%) patients were aged over 70 and 155 (7.5%) were less than 30 years of age. 75% patients were women; 42% of patients in 2013 were men which steadily decreased to 17% in 2022 (p &amp;lt; 0.05). The mean BMI of patients undergoing surgery was 54 in 2010 and gradually decreased to 48 in 2022 (p&amp;lt;0.05). White British patients represented 93% of all patients. This decreased from 96.5% in 2009 to 86% in 2022. White British ethnicity was estimated to make up 81% of patients with obesity in the NW of England. Conclusions Several major groups who are likely to significantly benefit from bariatric surgery are disproportionately under-represented by patients accessing treatments for obesity. This includes those at the extremes of ages, men, lower BMI patients and ethnic minority groups. Trends over the last 15 years have either worsened or have insufficiently improved to bridge the gap in health inequalities. The findings from our study underscore the urgent need for wider-scale targeted approaches which aim to address obesity and increase more equitable access to these life-changing treatments.

Association between Diabetes and Levels of Micronutrients in Qatar-A Case-Control Study.

The objectives of this study were to investigate associations between micronutrient levels and diabetes and to explore the association in individuals with controlled and uncontrolled diabetes. A case-control study, matched on age and gender, was performed on participants with (cases) and without diabetes (controls), who were Qatari or long-term residents (≥15 years of residence). Participants with diabetes were divided into those with controlled and uncontrolled diabetes using an HbA1c cutoff of 7%. Levels of micronutrients were measured from serum and categorized into normal and abnormal levels. A total of 1118 participants (374 cases and 744 controls) were included with a mean age of 41.7 years (SD 9.9), of whom 53.9% were female. Of those with diabetes, 229 had controlled diabetes and 145 had uncontrolled diabetes. Compared to those without diabetes, participants with diabetes had significantly lower mean magnesium (0.80 mmol/L (SD 0.07) vs. 0.84 mmol/L (SD 0.06), respectively, p < 0.001). Lower magnesium and iron were observed in participants with uncontrolled compared to participants with controlled diabetes. After multivariable logistic regression, diabetes was associated with hypomagnesemia (OR 3.2, 95% CI 3.4-213.9) and low iron (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.03-2.15). Uncontrolled diabetes showed stronger odds of association with hypomagnesemia (OR 5.57, 95% CI 3.65-8.52). In an affluent setting in the MENA region, diabetes was associated with low magnesium and low iron, and this association was stronger in individuals with uncontrolled diabetes.

Evaluation of the Serum Levels of Minerals (Zinc, Selenium, Iron) and Thyroid Hormones (TSH, T3, T4) and Nutritional Intakes and Length of Stay in the Intensive Care Unit Among Burn Patients

Background: According to recent statistics, the rate of burns in Iran is higher than the world’s average. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the treatment protocols as much as possible. Objectives: This study investigated the level of mineral intake (iron, zinc, selenium) and thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4) serum levels among burn patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 24 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Taleghani Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to check the normality of the distribution of quantitative variables. Blood samples were taken on the first, third, and fifth days of hospitalization. Serum levels of zinc, selenium, iron, T3, T4, and TSH were measured. The correlation of qualitative variables was examined using the chi-square test, and the correlation of quantitative variables was examined using Spearman's correlation analysis. The t-test was used to compare the means in two different groups with the standard value. The generalized estimating equation (GEE) test was used to investigate the effect of time and compare the two groups. Statistical analysis of the data was performed in SPSS v. 22. Results: The levels of iron, zinc, selenium, and thyroid hormones changed during the examined days, but these changes were not statistically significant. The amount of the analyzed elements in some cases was lower than their standard serum average, but this difference was significant only for selenium. Besides, there was no significant relationship between iron, zinc, T3, TSH, and the length of stay at the ICU; this relationship was positive and significant only for T4. Conclusions: Burn patients in the ICU have insufficient intake of minerals. Changes occur in the serum levels of micronutrients in these patients, affecting their physiological conditions and reducing the speed of recovery.

Micronutrients and nutritional status among children living with HIV with and without severe acute malnutrition: IMPAACT P1092

BackgroundMicronutrient deficiencies from malabsorption, gut infections, and altered gut barrier function are common in children living with the human immunodeficiency virus (CLHIV) and may worsen with severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Exploratory data of baseline zinc and selenium levels and changes over 48 weeks in children living with HIV by nutritional status are presented.MethodsZinc, selenium, serum protein and albumin levels measured at study entry and over 48 weeks were compared between children aged 6 to < 36 months who were living with HIV and had SAM or mild malnutrition-normal nutrition. Children with SAM were enrolled after 10–18 days of nutritional rehabilitation. Two-sided t-tests were used to compare levels and changes in levels of micronutrients and proteins by nutritional status.ResultsFifty-two participants, 25 with and 27 without SAM, of median (Q1,Q3) age 19 (13,25) and 18 (12,25) months respectively, were enrolled. Zinc deficiency was present at entry in 2/25 (8%) of those who had SAM. Mean (SD) baseline zinc levels were [52.2(15.3) and 54.7(12.0) µg/dL] for the SAM and non-SAM cohorts respectively while selenium levels were similar [92.9(25.0), 84.3(29.2) µg/L]. Mean changes of zinc and selenium from study entry to week 48 were similar between the children with and without SAM. There was no significant difference between baseline protein levels [75.2(13.2), 77.3(9.4) g/L] and the mean change from study entry to 48 weeks was also similar between the two groups; with a mean difference of 4.6 g/L [95% CI, (-2.4,11.6)].Children with SAM compared to those without had significantly lower serum albumin levels at study entry with similar levels at 48 weeks.ConclusionsChildren with severe malnutrition who were initiated/switched to zidovudine/lamivudine/boosted lopinavir following 10 to 18 days of nutritional rehabilitation showed normal baseline levels of selenium and zinc, and had comparable selenium levels after 48 weeks. There was a strong positive correlation in entry and week 48 selenium levels within each cohort and for zinc in the non-SAM cohort. These data support the current WHO recommended approach to management of severe malnutrition in CLHIV who are initiated on combination antiretroviral treatment.Trial registrationRegistered with ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01818258 26/03/2013.

Effects of foliar selenium application on Se accumulation, elements uptake, nutrition quality, sensory quality and antioxidant response in summer-autumn tea

Summer-autumn tea is characterized by high polyphenol content and low amino acid content, resulting in bitter and astringent teast. However, these qualities often lead to low economic benefits, ultimately resulting in a wastage of tea resources. The study focused on evaluating the effects of foliar spraying of glucosamine selenium (GLN-Se) on summer-autumn tea. This foliar fertilizer was applied to tea leaves to assess its impact on plant development, nutritional quality, elemental uptake, organoleptic quality, and antioxidant responses. The results revealed that GlcN-Se enhanced photosynthesis and yield by improving the antioxidant system. Additionally, the concentration of GlcN-Se positively correlated with the total and organic selenium contents in tea. The foliar application of GlcN-Se reduced toxic heavy metal content and increased the levels of macronutrients and micronutrients, which facilitated adaptation to environmental changes and abiotic stresses. Furthermore, GlcN-Se significantly improved both non-volatile and volatile components of tea leaves, resulting in a sweet aftertaste and nectar aroma in the tea soup. To conclude, the accurate and rational application of exogenous GlcN-Se can effectively enhance the selenium content and biochemical status of tea. This improvement leads to enhanced nutritional quality and sensory characteristics, making it highly significant for the tea industry.

Maternal dietary habit influences fetal life

Diet and nutrition have a tremendous influence on health and disease. Dietary constituents can affect health and have been known to supplement with essential nutrients, minerals, and calories for physiological homeostasis. However, diet can also affect gene expression through epigenetic reprogramming or by altering the level of micronutrients. While a nutrigenomics study has delineated this causal link, a recent study published in EMBO Molecular Medicine by Grant et al. went a step further to establish that maternal intake of dietary fibers can alter the fetal gut microbiome, influencing the diversity of the intestinal bacterial flora, thereby affecting the gut-brain axis. Although the relationship between diet and fertility in males and females has been reported, the effect on postnatal life is not well documented. In this study by Grant et al. at the (Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg), the authors reported that selected feeding of fiber-free diets to pregnant mice alters the gut microbiome composition of their neonate pups depriving them of protective and beneficial commensal, Akkermansia muciniphila, a mucin-foraging bacterium. Further, these animals exhibited heightened immune activity by enriching defense response pathways and IL-22 expression. Therefore, the protective role of A. muciniphila is associated with its protection against chronic inflammation through TLR4 signaling. The author’s study has far-reaching conclusions on improving human health outcomes by the rational choice of food, drugs, and lifestyle to prevent gut dysbiosis and colonization of the right microbiome.