Single Intake Research Articles

Description of the mealtime of older adults with dementia in a long-term care facility: A video analysis

This study analyzed the mealtime structure of older adults with dementia in long-term care facilities. The study conducted video observations at 2 long-term care facilities with 10 residents and 24 staff members, resulting in 41 dyads. The average mealtime duration was 12.21 ± 5.16 minutes; the average time of a single intake was 0.21 ± 0.21 minutes; and the median of the eating interval was 0.17 minutes. The average verbal assistance time was 1.41 ± 1.31 minutes; the average verbal assistance frequency was short (23.92 ± 15.50 times). During mealtime, residents had an average of 5.00 ± 4.07 instances of failing to eat properly. The video analysis emphasized the necessity of implementing a mealtime assistance program that incorporates patient-centered education for the staff and ensures sufficient staffing to provide high-quality meals for residents in long-term care facilities.

Effect of Continuous Ingestion of Bifidobacteria and Dietary Fiber on Improvement in Cognitive Function: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis GCL2505 has been shown to have some positive effects on health, including improved defecation frequency and reduced visceral fat. These effects are thought to be due to GCL2505's unique ability to reach the intestine in a viable form and proliferate after a single intake. This leads to an increased number of intestinal bifidobacteria. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study was conducted to confirm that intake of GCL2505 and inulin (a prebiotic) improve cognitive function (n = 80). Participants consumed test drinks containing 1 × 1010 colony-forming units of GCL2505 per 100 g and 2.0 g of inulin per 100 g for 12 weeks. The change in cognitive function assessment scores was set as the primary endpoint. There were significant improvements in scores in the neurocognitive index domain, which is an assessment of overall cognitive function, in addition to overall attention, cognitive flexibility, and executive function domains. The intervention significantly increased the number of fecal bifidobacteria and affected the levels of several inflammatory markers. These results suggest that intake of GCL2505 and inulin improves cognitive function by improving the intestinal environment and alleviating inflammation.

Combined oral intake of short and long fructans alters the gut microbiota in food allergy model mice and contributes to food allergy prevention

BackgroundIt has become clear that the intestinal microbiota plays a role in food allergies. The objective of this study was to assess the food allergy-preventive effects of combined intake of a short fructan (1-kestose [Kes]) and a long fructan (inulin ([Inu]) in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced food allergy mouse model.ResultsOral administration of fructans lowered the allergenic symptom score and alleviated the decreases in rectal temperature and total IgA levels and increases in OVA-specific IgE and IgA levels induced by high-dose OVA challenge, and in particular, combined intake of Kes and Inu significantly suppressed the changes in all these parameters. The expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-4, which was increased in the allergy model group, was significantly suppressed by fructan administration, and the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was significantly increased upon Kes administration. 16 S rRNA amplicon sequencing of the gut microbiota and beta diversity analysis revealed that fructan administration may induce gut microbiota resistance to food allergy sensitization, rather than returning the gut microbiota to a non-sensitized state. The relative abundances of the genera Parabacteroides B 862,066 and Alloprevotella, which were significantly reduced by food allergy sensitization, were restored by fructan administration. In Parabacteroides, the relative abundances of Parabacteroides distasonis, Parabacteroides goldsteinii, and their fructan-degrading glycoside hydrolase family 32 gene copy numbers were increased upon Kes or Inu administration. The concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (acetate and propionate) and lactate were increased by fructan administration, especially significantly in the Kes + Inu, Kes, and Inu-fed (Inu, Kes + Inu) groups.ConclusionCombined intake of Kes and Inu suppressed allergy scores more effectively than single intake, suggesting that Kes and Inu have different allergy-preventive mechanisms. This indicates that the combined intake of these short and long fructans may have an allergy-preventive benefit.

The Effect of Hokkaido Red Wines on Vascular Outcomes in Healthy Adult Men: A Pilot Study.

Moderate red wine intake has been associated with lower cardiovascular mortality, due in part to the intake of polyphenols and anthocyanins, whose content can vary from varietal and year of harvest. This study assessed the vascular effects in response to a single intake of 2015 and 2018 Zweigelt red wines from Hokkaido, Japan. Healthy men were randomly assigned to consume 240 mL each of a red wine, or a sparkling white grape juice as a control in a randomized three-arm cross-over design with a 7 day washout between arms. The augmentation index (AI; a measure of arterial stiffness) and AI at 75 beats/min (AI75), reactive hyperemia index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP, respectively), and platelet reactivity were assessed at baseline and two and four hours after each beverage intake. Changes from the baseline were analyzed using a linear mixed model. Significant treatment effects (p = 0.02) were observed, with AI 13% lower after the intake of the 2015 or 2018 vintages compared to the control. Intake of the 2018 vintage reduced SBP and DBP (-4.1 mmHg and -5.6 mmHg, respectively; p = 0.02) compared to the 2015 wine and the control drink. The amount of hydroxytyrosol in the 2018 wine was almost twice the amount as in the 2015 wine, which may help explain the variable blood pressure results. Future studies exploring the vascular effects of the same red wine from different vintage years and different phenolic profiles are warranted.

Cellular and bioenergetic effects of polystyrene microplastic in function of cell type, differentiation status and post-exposure time

The ubiquity of microplastics (MPs) in food sources and personal care products increasingly raises concerns on human health. However, little is known about the duration of the effects of MPs and whether effects depend on cellular differentiation status. Herein, cellular and bioenergetic effects of MPs in different exposure scenarios on four types of human cell lines derived from lung (A549 and BEAS-2B), colon (Caco-2) and liver (HepG2) were investigated. These cell lines are models for the major exposure routes in the body (inhalation, ingestion and physiological transport through the liver by the portal vein). To this aim, different scenarios were implemented by exposing undifferentiated and differentiated cells to single dosing of 2-μm polystyrene (PS) (102-105 particles/mL) for 48 h and 12 days. The undifferentiated Caco-2 cells with short exposure (48 h) showed the highest uptake rate of PS yet without significant cellular and mitochondrial responses. The biological effects, with the exception of ROS production, were not influenced by differentiation states of A549 and Caco-2 cells although differentiated cells showed much weaker ability to internalize PS. However, PS had significantly long-term impacts on cellular and mitochondrial functions even after the initial exposure period. In particular, Caco-2 cells that were post-exposed for 12 days after single PS dosing suffered higher oxidative stress and exhibited mitochondrial dysfunction than that for short exposure. Correspondingly, we observed that PS particles still remained in cell membrane and even in nuclei with high retention rate by 14-d post exposure during which metabolism and exchange of internalization and release occurred in cells. This indicates PS could induce chronic stress and even harmful effects on human cells after single intake that persists for a long time. This study paves the way for assessing the influence of PS on human health at low particle concentrations and with multiple exposure scenarios.

Mathematical modeling of ethanol distribution in body fluids

The aim of the study is to build a kinetic model of ethanol distribution in biological body fluids, as well as its implementation in the format of computer programs. Analytical mathematical modeling of ethanol kinetics in body fluids after single and multiple oral alcohol intake was performed. An equation for the distribution of ethanol in internal media and other body fluids has been developed based on a kinetic model of zero-order elimination with absorption and irrevocable absorption deficiency, as well as achieving an equilibrium state with first-order blood plasma. On the basis of this kinetic model, computational algorithms are constructed for estimating the concentration of ethanol in body fluids at a given time, the peak concentration of ethanol and the time of its achievement, the time of complete removal of ethanol, the beginning and end of the false elimination period. Solutions to the problem of determining the amount of ethanol taken by its concentration in the biological fluid and the level of etholemia at this point in time with the possibility of calculating their maximum absolute errors are obtained. The constructed kinetic model is generalized to any number of ethanol receptions separated by time intervals of any duration. The developed computational algorithms are implemented in the format of the computer programs 'Alcohol Calculator V 7.0" and "Alcohol Calculator V 6.0", which are recommended for use in the forensic medical expert assessment of acute alcohol intoxication.

Preformulation and Long-Term Stability Studies of an Optimized Palatable Praziquantel Ethanol-Free Solution for Pediatric Delivery.

To date, the treatment for cysticercosis and neurocysticercosis consists of a single oral intake of praziquantel (5-10 mg/kg), which since it is only available as tablets, hinders its administration to pediatric patients. Praziquantel is a poorly water-soluble drug which represents a challenge for its formulation in solution, particularly for the pediatric population. Thus, this study aimed to develop a palatable solution for praziquantel using pharmaceutical-accepted co-solvent systems. A design of experiments approach was applied to identify the optimal conditions for achieving a suitable amount of praziquantel in solution using co-solvent mixtures. Thus, praziquantel solubility increased from 0.38 up to 43.50 mg/mL in the optimized system. A taste masking assay in healthy human volunteers confirmed a successful reduction of drug bitterness after the addition of selected flavors and a sweetener. Stability studies were also conducted at different temperatures (4, 25, and 40 °C) for 12 months Even though the presence of the three known impurities of praziquantel was observed, their amounts never exceeded the acceptance criteria of the USP. Thus, this novel approach should be considered a valuable alternative for further preclinical studies considering the high prevalence of this infection worldwide.

Pre-exercise isomaltulose intake affects carbohydrate oxidation reduction during endurance exercise and maximal power output in the subsequent Wingate test

BackgroundIngestion of low-glycemic index (GI) isomaltulose (ISO) not only suppresses subsequent carbohydrate (CHO) oxidation but also inversely retains more CHO after prolonged endurance exercise. Therefore, ISO intake may affect anaerobic power output after prolonged endurance exercise. This study aimed to clarify the time course of CHO utilization during endurance exercise after a single intake of ISO or sucrose (SUC) and the anaerobic power output at the end of endurance exercise.MethodsAfter an intake of either ISO or SUC, 13 athletes were kept at rest for 60 min. Thereafter, they performed a 90-min of treadmill running at their individual target level of % {rm{dot V}}{{rm{O}}_2}max. During the experimental session, the expired gas was recorded, and the energy expenditure (EE) and CHO oxidation rate were estimated. Immediately after 90 min of running, a 30-s Wingate test was performed, and the maximal anaerobic power output was compared between the ISO and SUC conditions.ResultsThe percentage of CHO-derived EE increased rapidly after CHO intake and then decreased gradually throughout the experiment. The slopes of the regression lines calculated from the time course in the CHO-derived EE were significantly (negatively) larger in the SUC condition (-19.4 ± 9.6 [%/h]) than in the ISO condition (-13.3 ± 7.5 [%/h]). Furthermore, the maximal power output in the Wingate test immediately after the endurance exercise was significantly higher in the ISO condition than in the SUC condition (peak power: 12.0 ± 0.6 vs. 11.5 ± 0.9 [W/kg]).ConclusionCompared with SUC intake, ISO intake does not produce an abrupt decline in the percentage of CHO-derived EE during prolonged endurance exercise; it remains relatively high until the final exercise phase. Additionally, anaerobic power output at the end of the exercise, largely contributed by anaerobic glycolysis, was greater after ISO intake than after SUC intake.

THU-470 - Impact of PNPLA3 rs738409 single nucleotide polymorphism and carbohydrate intake for the personalized management of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

THU-470 - Impact of PNPLA3 rs738409 single nucleotide polymorphism and carbohydrate intake for the personalized management of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Numerical Analysis of Temperature Separation and Exergy Analysis of a Dual-Inlet Section Convergent Vortex Tube

Abstract The present study deals with the optimization of a counter flow vortex tube with a straight single intake section, straight dual intake section, and convergent dual intake section vortex tube model for different physical and flow parameters. The effect of variation of convergent angles (θ), intake pressures, and a number of inlet sections on the flow separation has been analyzed in the present study. ANSYS FLUENT software has been used to simulate flow considering air as a working fluid. Moreover, some physical and flow parameters such as intake pressure, cold temperature gradient (ΔTc), pressure loss ratio, cold mass fraction, and hot temperature gradient (ΔTh) have been studied to optimize the vortex tube. The coefficient of performance has been compared for various convergent angles from 1 deg to 5 deg. The result has been validated by the experimental and numerical studies performed previously. Moreover, the exergy analysis has also been conducted for the convergent dual intake vortex tube for various convergent angles, cold mass fraction, and intake pressure. The study concludes that the convergent vortex tube having a dual inlet section, 5-deg angle shows the optimized result for all the mass fraction and intake pressure, compared to a straight single intake section and straight dual intake vortex tube.

A Bioequivalence Study of Allergostin® Compared to Administration of Kestin® in Healthy Volunteers

Relevance. International non-proprietary name (INN) Ebastin is widely used in medical practice in the treatment of urticaria and allergic rhinitis. It is an antiallergic drug, which belongs to the second generation of H1-histamine receptor blocker, it is necessary to emphasize that Ebastin is effective when taken orally. As part of the registration of trade name Allergostin, a clinical study of its bioequivalence with Kestin was conducted with the participation of 26 healthy volunteers.
 Aim. The aim of this publication is summarize results of the clinical study of the comparative pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence, safety and tolerability of Allergostin, film-coated tablets, 20 mg (NTFF POLYSAN LLC, Russia), and Kestin, film-coated tablets, 20 mg (Almiral S.A., Spain), in healthy volunteers after a single oral dose on an empty stomach.
 Materials and methods. To confirm bioequivalence, an open, randomized, two-period, cross-over study of comparative pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of drugs with a single oral intake on an empty stomach in adult healthy male and female volunteers was conducted. During the study, blood plasma samples were taken from volunteers. Each sample was tested by using a validated high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method, the concentrations of ebastine and the active metabolite carabastin were determined. Based on obtained data , pharmacokinetic and statistical analysis was carried out, 90% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for the ratio of the geometric mean values of the pharmacokinetic parameters Cmax and AUC0-72 for carabastin.
 Results. Based on results of statistical analysis, it was shown that the pharmacokinetic parameters of the test (Allergostin) and reference (Kestin) drug are characterized by high similarity. For the estimated pharmacokinetic parameters of carabastin, 90% CI ranged from 80-125% for AUC0-t and Cmax.
 Conclusion. Thus, according to the applied criteria, the drugs are recognized as bioequivalent.

HEARTS in the Americas clinical pathway. Strengthening the decision support system to improve hypertension and cardiovascular disease risk management in primary care settings.

HEARTS in the Americas is the regional adaptation of the WHO Global HEARTS Initiative. It is implemented in 24 countries and over 2,000 primary healthcare facilities. This paper describes the results of a multicomponent, stepwise, quality improvement intervention designed by the HEARTS in the Americas to support advances in hypertension treatment protocols and evolution towards the Clinical Pathway. The quality improvement intervention comprised: 1) the use of the appraisal checklist to evaluate the current hypertension treatment protocols, 2) a peer-to-peer review and consensus process to resolve discrepancies, 3) a proposal of a clinical pathway to be considered by the countries, and 4) a process of review, adopt/adapt, consensus and approval of the clinical pathway by the national HEARTS protocol committee. A year later, 16 participants countries (10 and 6 from each cohort, respectively) were included in a second evaluation using the HEARTS appraisal checklist. We used the median and interquartile scores range and the percentages of the maximum possible total score for each domain as a performance measure to compare the results pre and post-intervention. Among the eleven protocols from the ten countries in the first cohort, the baseline assessment achieved a median overall score of 22 points (ICR 18 -23.5; 65% yield). After the intervention, the overall score reached a median of 31.5 (ICR 28.5 -31.5; 93% yield). The second cohort of countries developed seven new clinical pathways with a median score of 31.5 (ICR 31.5 -32.5; 93% yield). The intervention was effective in three domains: 1. implementation (clinical follow-up intervals, frequency of drug refills, routine repeat blood pressure measurement when the first reading is off-target, and a straightforward course of action). 2. treatment (grouping all medications in a single daily intake and using a combination of two antihypertensive medications for all patients in the first treatment step upon the initial diagnosis of hypertension) and 3. management of cardiovascular risk (lower BP thresholds and targets based on CVD risk level, and the use of aspirin and statins in high-risk patients). This study confirms that this intervention was feasible, acceptable, and instrumental in achieving progress in all countries and all three domains of improvement: implementation, blood pressure treatment, and cardiovascular risk management. It also highlights the challenges that prevent a more rapid expansion of HEARTS in the Americas and confirms that the main barriers are in the organization of health services: drug titration by non-physician health workers, the lack of long-acting antihypertensive medications, lack of availability of fixed-doses combination in a single pill and cannot use high-intensity statins in patients with established cardiovascular diseases. Adopting and implementing the HEARTS Clinical Pathway can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of hypertension and cardiovascular disease risk management programs.

Formation of phosphatidylethanol and ethylglucuronide after low to moderate alcohol consumption in volunteers with a previous three-week alcohol abstinence.

Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is only formed when ethanol is present in blood. This direct alcohol marker has been widely discussed, including the minimum amount of ethanol being necessary to form as much PEth as to exceed the threshold of 20ng/mL in previously PEth negative subjects. In order to corroborate hitherto existing results, a drinking study including 18 participants after a 3-week alcohol abstinence was performed. They consumed a pre-calculated amount of ethanol to reach a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of at least 0.6g/kg. Blood was drawn before and periodically seven times after alcohol administration on day 1. Blood and urine were also collected the next morning. Dried blood spots (DBS) were prepared immediately from collected venous blood. BAC was determined by head space gas chromatography and the concentrations of both PEth (16:0/18:1, 16:0/18:2 and five additional homologues) and ethyl glucuronide (EtG) were analysed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Out of 18, 5 participants had concentrations of PEth 16:0/18:1 above the threshold of 20ng/mL, and 11 out of the 18 subjects had concentrations between 10 and 20ng/mL. In addition, four persons had PEth 16:0/18:2 concentrations above 20ng/mL the following morning. All test subjects tested positive for EtG in DBS (≥ 3ng/mL) and urine (≥100ng/mL) upon 20-21h after alcohol administration. By combining both a lower cutoff of 10ng/mL and the homologue PEth 16:0/18:2, the sensitivity to detect a single alcohol intake after a 3-week abstinence increases to 72.2%.

Chronotherapy of hypertension: current state of the problem and prospects

Chronotherapy for hypertension has been a topic of debate over the past decade. A number of studies up to 2019 suggested that prescribing drugs in the evening has advantages compared to morning, both in terms of normalization of blood pressure and its circadian rhythm, as well as in terms of the risk of adverse outcomes. Some of these studies were not designed for such an analysis, and some have significant limitations that make their interpretation difficult. The results of the HARMONY and TIME studies published in the last 2 years did not confirm any advantage of taking drugs in the evening compared to the morning, but showed its safety. Selection of antihypertensive therapy should be guided by antihypertensive efficacy, duration and stability of the effect, as well as medical adherence. Therefore, a single intake of double or triple fixed-dose combination of long-acting agents at hours convenient for the patient is optimal.

Natural Radioactivity and Associated Radiation Hazards in Samples of Maize Available to the People of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Ingestion of foods and drinking water is considered the leading cause of human exposure to radioactive elements that guide to internal radiation doses. The concentrations and distributions of natural radionuclides 238U, 232Th, and 40K in samples of yellow maize directly consumed in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa were determined to estimate possible radiological hazards to human health. Representative samples collected from towns in six regions of the province were analyzed using a Canberra-supplied broad energy hyper pure germanium (HPGe) detector. The mean activity concentrations were 21.3, 26.0, 21.0, 52.0, 53.3, and 80.7 Bq/kg for 238U, and 203.3, 386.7, 183.3, 336.7, 320.0, and 526.7 Bq/kg for 40K. 232Th was not detected in any of the maize samples from the studied locations. The estimated effective ingestion doses and the lifetime cancer risks due to 238U and 40K were within internationally recommended limits of 1 mSv and 10–3 for members of the public. However, the values obtained seem high in some locations, particularly for a single diet intake. This finding is part of the radiological baseline information of the KwaZulu-Natal province and, in general, South Africa from maize consumption.

Interpreting alignment to the EAT-Lancet diet using dietary intakes of lactating mothers in rural Western Kenya.

The EAT-Lancet reference diet intends to be good for planetary and human health. We compared single multiple pass method 24-h dietary intake of mothers (n = 242) from a cross-sectional study in Western Kenya to the recommended range of intake of 11 EAT-Lancet food groups (e.g., 0-100 g/day legumes; maximum score 11), defining alignment two ways: daily intake among food groups where a minimum intake of 0 g was either acceptable or unacceptable. Ordinal logistic regression models assessed associations between alignment and body mass index (BMI). Cost of mothers' diets and hypothetical diets within recommended ranges (lower bounds >0 g) were estimated using food price data from markets within the mothers' locality. Mean energy intake was 1827 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1731-1924) kcal/day. Relative to the EAT-Lancet diet, mothers' diets were on average higher for grains; within recommendations for tubers, fish, beef and dairy; closer to lower bounds for chicken, eggs, legumes and nuts; and lower for fruits and vegetables. Mean (95% CI) alignment scores were 8.2 (8.0-8.3) when 0 g intakes were acceptable and 1.7 (1.6-1.9) otherwise. No significant associations were found between alignment and BMI. Mothers' diets and hypothetical diets within recommended ranges averaged 184.6 KES (1.6 USD) and 357.5 KES (3.0 USD)/person/day, respectively. Lactating mothers' diets were not diverse and diverged from the reference diet when an intake of 0 g was considered unacceptable. Lower bound intakes of 0 g for micronutrient-dense food groups are inappropriate in food-insecure populations. It would likely cost more than mothers currently spend to tailor their diets to the EAT-Lancet reference diet.

Balneotherapy of epigastric pain syndrome: the meaning of motilin in the implementation of the therapeutic effect

Objective: to study the mechanism of action of low-mineralized sulfate-chloride-sodium mineral water on the clinical picture and motor function of the stomach in patients with epigastric pain syndrome using the regulatory peptide motilin as an example. Materials and methods: 113 people of both sexes were examined, the average age was 22.3±0.21 years. The observation group (57 people) included individuals with functional dyspepsia in the variant of epigastric pain syndrome, the comparison group included practically healthy individuals (56 people). The questionnaire method was used according to the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale questionnaire; ELISA method for determining the concentration of motilin in the blood. Mineral water in a volume of 200 ml was taken once by both groups of patients, patients with EPS additionally received a course. Results: in persons with epigastric pain syndrome, abdominal pain prevails. The course intake of mineral water provides a positive clinical trend, confirmed by a decrease in the syndromes of lesions of the upper gastrointestinal tract. A single and course intake of mineral water provides a stable increase in the level of motilin in functional dyspepsia. Conclusion: patients suffering from functional dyspepsia in the variant of epigastric pain syndrome have persistent disorders of motilin secretion compared with healthy individuals. Stimulation of the stomach on a drinking test model showed inadequacy of changes in the level of this hormone. Both a single and a course intake of low-mineralized sulfate-chloride-sodium mineral water contributes to an increase in the concentration of motilin, which should be considered as a physical adaptogenic factor leading to a stable ordering of the body’s functional relationships.

Fertile and Fruitful Frisson: Raising the School Starting Age in Scotland

Since devolution, the Scottish Government has had powers for education and child family policy (The Scotland Act, 1998) which sit apart from England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This is the Scottish Government's great strength. This article begins by exposing the Scottish early learning and childcare context across the spectrum of policy, curriculum developments, national improvements and the tensions that can exist when using a parochial lens to understand children's learning. It goes on to share a longstanding concern with the school starting age. In Scotland the school starting age remains the same today as it did in the 19th century. With a single annual intake in August, children in Scotland can begin primary school at anywhere between 4.5 years and 5.5 years. Drawing from my doctoral dissertation Rules, rules, rules and we're not allowed to skip: listening to children's voices about the transition to Primary One (McNair, 2016), I share data from interviews with parents about the age their child started school. This article ends by drawing from the Scottish Government's vision to raise the school starting age to six years old, rendering the earlier age, of 4.5 years, redundant.

Food Selectivity in Children with Autism: Guidelines for Assessment and Clinical Interventions

Autisms Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are characterized by core symptoms (social communication and restricted and repetitive behaviors) and related comorbidities, including sensory anomalies, feeding issues, and challenging behaviors. Children with ASD experience significantly more feeding problems than their peers. In fact, parents and clinicians have to manage daily the burden of various dysfunctional behaviors of children at mealtimes (food refusal, limited variety of food, single food intake, or liquid diet). These dysfunctional behaviors at mealtime depend on different factors that are either medical/sensorial or behavioral. Consequently, a correct assessment is necessary in order to program an effective clinical intervention. The aim of this study is to provide clinicians with a guideline regarding food selectivity concerning possible explanations of the phenomenon, along with a direct/indirect assessment gathering detailed and useful information about target feeding behaviors. Finally, a description of evidence-based sensorial and behavioral strategies useful also for parent-mediated intervention is reported addressing food selectivity in children with ASD.

Efficacy of Hydroxytyrosol-Rich Food Supplements on Reducing Lipid Oxidation in Humans.

In the present study we report the efficacy of two food supplements derived from olives in reducing lipid oxidation. To this end, 12 healthy volunteers received a single dose (25 mL) of olive phenolics, mainly hydroxytyrosol (HT), provided as a liquid dietary supplement (30.6 or 61.5 mg HT), followed by an investigation of two reliable markers of oxidative stress. Blood and urine samples were collected at baseline and at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, and 12 h post-intake. Plasma-oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) cholesterol levels were measured with ELISA using a monoclonal antibody, while F2-isoprostanes (F2-IsoPs) were quantified in urine with UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS. Despite the great variability observed between individuals, a tendency to reduce lipoxidation reactions was observed in the blood in response to a single intake of the food supplements. In addition, the subgroup of individuals with the highest baseline oxLDL level showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in F2-IsoPs at 0.5 and 12 h post-intervention. These promising results suggest that HT supplementation could be a useful aid in preventing lipoxidation. Additionally, people with a redox imbalance could benefit even more from supplementing with bioavailable HT.