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The Journal of Nutrition Sep 2023Micronutrient deficiency is a common global health problem, and accurately assessing micronutrient biomarkers is crucial for planning and managing effective intervention...
Micronutrient deficiency is a common global health problem, and accurately assessing micronutrient biomarkers is crucial for planning and managing effective intervention programs. However, analyzing micronutrient data and applying appropriate cutoffs to define deficiencies can be challenging, particularly when considering the confounding effects of inflammation on certain micronutrient biomarkers. To address this challenge, we developed the Statistical Apparatus of Micronutrient Biomarker Analysis (SAMBA) R package, a new tool that increases ease and accessibility of population-based micronutrient biomarker analysis. The SAMBA package can analyze various micronutrient biomarkers to assess status of iron, vitamin A, zinc, and B vitamins; adjust for inflammation; account for complex survey design when appropriate; and produce reports of summary statistics and prevalence estimates of micronutrient deficiencies using recommended age-specific and sex-specific cutoffs. In this study, we aimed to provide a step-by-step procedure for how to use the SAMBA R package, including how to customize it for broader use, and made both the package and user manual publicly available on GitHub. SAMBA was validated by comparing results by analyzing 24 data sets on nonpregnant women of reproductive age from 23 countries and 30 data sets on preschool-aged children from 26 countries with those obtained by an independent analyst. SAMBA generated identical means, percentiles, and prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies to those calculated by the independent analyst. In conclusion, SAMBA simplifies and standardizes the process for deriving survey-weighted and inflammation-adjusted (when appropriate) estimates of the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies, reducing the time from data cleaning to result generation. SAMBA is a valuable tool that facilitates the accurate and rapid analysis of population-based micronutrient biomarker data, which can inform public health research, programs, and policy across contexts.
Topics: Male; Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Female; Micronutrients; Nutritional Status; Malnutrition; Trace Elements; Biomarkers; Inflammation; Prevalence
PubMed: 37354979
DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.06.024 -
Nutrients Aug 2023The influence of the diet and nutritional status of milk donors on the nutritional composition of donor human milk (DHM) is unknown. The present study aimed to determine...
The influence of the diet and nutritional status of milk donors on the nutritional composition of donor human milk (DHM) is unknown. The present study aimed to determine the nutritional profile of DHM and the associations between donors' dietary intake and nutritional status and the micronutrient and lipid composition in DHM. For this purpose, 113 donors completed a food frequency questionnaire, provided a five-day weighed dietary record, and collected milk for five consecutive days. Nutrient determinations in donors' erythrocytes, plasma, urine, and milk were performed. Multiple linear regressions were conducted for the evaluation of the associations. We highlight the following results: DHM docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was positively associated with donors' plasma DHA content and donors' DHA intake (R 0.45, < 0.001). For every 1 g/day DHA intake, an increase of 0.38% in DHA content and 0.78% in total omega-3 content was observed in DHM (R 0.29, < 0.001). DHM saturated fatty acids were positively associated with erythrocyte dimethyl acetals, plasma stearic acid, fatty acids intake, and breastfeeding duration and negatively associated with erythrocyte margaroleic acid (R 0.34, < 0.01). DHM cholecalciferol was associated with plasma cholecalciferol levels and dairy intake (R 0.57, < 0.01). Other weaker associations were found for free thiamin, free riboflavin, pyridoxal, dehydroascorbic acid, and the lipid profile in DHM. In conclusion, the diet and nutritional status of donors influence the fatty acid profile and micronutrient content of DHM.
Topics: Female; Humans; Milk, Human; Micronutrients; Eating; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Fatty Acids; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Nutrients; Trace Elements
PubMed: 37571421
DOI: 10.3390/nu15153486 -
Nutrients Mar 2023Stroke is currently the second most common cause of death worldwide and a major cause of serious long-term morbidity. Selenium is a trace element with pleotropic effects... (Review)
Review
Stroke is currently the second most common cause of death worldwide and a major cause of serious long-term morbidity. Selenium is a trace element with pleotropic effects on human health. Selenium deficiency has been associated with a prothrombotic state and poor immune response, particularly during infection. Our aim was to synthesize current evidence on the tripartite interrelationship between selenium levels, stroke, and infection. Although evidence is contradictory, most studies support the association between lower serum selenium levels and stroke risk and outcomes. Conversely, limited evidence on the role of selenium supplementation in stroke indicates a potentially beneficial effect of selenium. Notably, the relationship between stroke risk and selenium levels is bimodal rather than linear, with higher levels of serum selenium linked to disturbances of glucose metabolism and high blood pressure, morbidities which are, in turn, substrates for stroke. Another such substrate is an infection, albeit forming a bidirectional relationship with both stroke and the consequences of impaired selenium metabolism. Perturbed selenium homeostasis leads to impaired immune fitness and antioxidant capacity, which both favor infection and inflammation; specific pathogens may also contend with the host for transcriptional control of the selenoproteome, adding a feed-forward loop to this described process. Broader consequences of infection such as endothelial dysfunction, hypercoagulation, and emergent cardiac dysfunction both provide stroke substrates and further feed-forward feedback to the consequences of deficient selenium metabolism. In this review, we provide a synthesis and interpretation of these outlined complex interrelationships that link selenium, stroke, and infection and attempt to decipher their potential impact on human health and disease. Selenium and the unique properties of its proteome could provide both biomarkers and treatment options in patients with stroke, infection, or both.
Topics: Humans; Selenium; Trace Elements; Antioxidants; Stroke; Gene Expression Regulation
PubMed: 36986135
DOI: 10.3390/nu15061405 -
International Journal of Environmental... Dec 2022Deficiencies of micronutrients in calcareous soils have been reported in different areas of China's Loess Plateau. The objective of this research was to study the...
Deficiencies of micronutrients in calcareous soils have been reported in different areas of China's Loess Plateau. The objective of this research was to study the influence of the continuous application of micronutrient fertilizers on soil properties and micronutrient availability in this region. The micronutrient fertilizer field plot experiment began in 1984. It included Zn, Mn and Cu fertilizer treatments and the control treatment. The crop system was continuously cropped winter wheat. The soil properties and available Zn, Mn, Cu and Fe were measured. Their relationships were analyzed through correlation and path analysis. After 31 years, the soil pH, CaCO and available P levels decreased; in contrast, the organic matter, fulvic acid, reducing substances and soil moisture levels in the surface soil increased in the micronutrient fertilized treatments compared to the control treatment. Cu and Zn fertilizers promoted the available Cu and Zn levels in the surface and deep soil, but available Mn was not significantly affected by Mn fertilizer. It can be seen from the interaction between the micronutrient availability and micronutrient fertilizers that Zn, Cu and Mn fertilizers can increase the available Fe level; Mn fertilizer can increase the available Cu level, and Cu and Mn fertilizers can increase the available Zn level. This means that Fe, Cu and Zn availability were easy to implement, whereas the soil-available Mn was difficult to improve in calcareous soils on the Loess Plateau. Fulvic acid and organic matter showed a significant and direct effect on the available Zn; the available Mn and Fe were mainly affected by the soil CaCO and moisture; the available Cu was mainly affected by the soil organic matter, available P and reducing substances. These results indicate the importance of organic matter in calcareous soils; it can not only directly affect the availability of micronutrients but also indirectly affect their availability through the indirect interaction with fulvic acid, reducing substances, available P and CaCO. The above conclusions suggest that the long-term micronutrient fertilizers changed some important soil properties and increased the micronutrient availability in the loess-derived soil.
Topics: Fertilizers; Soil; Micronutrients; Trace Elements; Soil Pollutants
PubMed: 36498430
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192316358 -
Nutrients Mar 2023To analyze the nutritional status and plasma levels of vitamins and minerals in a cohort of Chilean children between 4 and 14 years old from three cities in Chile...
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the nutritional status and plasma levels of vitamins and minerals in a cohort of Chilean children between 4 and 14 years old from three cities in Chile (Santiago, Antofagasta, and Concepcion).
DESIGN
This is a descriptive analysis of micronutrient levels in Chilean children as it relates to obesity and food consumption.
SETTING
This study included 1235 children from schools in Santiago (central area), Antofagasta (northern area), and Concepcion (southern area) in Chile.
RESULTS
Plasma levels of micronutrients revealed deficiencies in children from all these cities. Copper (26.4%) and calcium (33.0%) deficiencies were found in the children from Antofagasta, whereas iron (26.7%) and zinc (20.8%) deficiencies were found in the children from Concepcion and Santiago, respectively. The percentage of children with vitamin D deficiencies was exceptionally high in all cities (over 78%). The analysis of micronutrients and nutritional status revealed that vitamin D deficiencies were significantly higher ( = 0.02) in overweight children, particularly in Antofagasta. In the analysis of the nutritional status of children and their food consumption habits, the proportion of overweight and obesity was significantly higher ( = 0.001) in children that skipped breakfast compared to children that did not. Finally, children from low socioeconomic levels were significantly more overweight and obese compared to children from high socioeconomic levels ( < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
this is the first study to describe plasma levels of micronutrients in Chilean children and adolescents. High percentages of obesity, overweight, and vitamin D deficiency were detected in children. These results are of significant relevance to future public health policies in Chile.
Topics: Adolescent; Humans; Child; Child, Preschool; Micronutrients; Chile; Pediatric Obesity; Overweight; Trace Elements; Nutritional Status; Vitamin D Deficiency; Prevalence
PubMed: 37049547
DOI: 10.3390/nu15071707 -
Journal of Nutritional Science and... 2024Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a major global public health challenge. The World Health Organization's data shows that CKD affects about 10% of the world's... (Review)
Review
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a major global public health challenge. The World Health Organization's data shows that CKD affects about 10% of the world's population, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Due to limited access to diagnosis and treatment, CKD has become the 12th leading cause of death worldwide. The advanced stage of CKD can lead to kidney failure, which is clinically referred to as end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In such cases, patients can only sustain life through dialysis or kidney transplantation. However, the long-term affordability of these treatments remains low. Moreover, the effectiveness of kidney transplantation is modest, posing a significant treatment barrier in resource-limited settings, and significantly impacting patient survival. To address this issue, we suggest using dietary supplementation of the trace element zinc to impede CKD development and prolong patient survival.
Topics: Humans; Zinc; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Dietary Supplements; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Trace Elements; Kidney Transplantation; Renal Dialysis
PubMed: 38684391
DOI: 10.3177/jnsv.70.98 -
International Journal of Environmental... Feb 2023This study aimed to evaluate the content of 11 inorganic elements (Al, Cr, Co, Ni, As, Mo, Cd, Sb, Ba, Hg, and Pb) in commercial plant-based and animal-based yogurts for...
This study aimed to evaluate the content of 11 inorganic elements (Al, Cr, Co, Ni, As, Mo, Cd, Sb, Ba, Hg, and Pb) in commercial plant-based and animal-based yogurts for comparison purposes. The samples were mineralized using a simple and fast ultrasound-assisted acid digestion method at 80 °C for 35 min, and the determination of inorganic elements was performed by ICP-MS. The method was validated according to the INMETRO guide, obtaining recoveries from 80 to 110%, precision from 6 to 15%, and a limit of quantification (LOQ) ranging from 200 µg/kg (Al) to 4 µg/kg (other elements). The element concentrations in the plant-based yogurts were Al(
Topics: Animals; Cadmium; Brazil; Lead; Yogurt; Plants; Mercury; Trace Elements
PubMed: 36834399
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043707 -
Anatomical Record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007) May 2020Trace elements have been implicated in cancer, since the levels differ between cancerous and noncancerous tissue, different cancer types, and different malignancy... (Review)
Review
Trace elements have been implicated in cancer, since the levels differ between cancerous and noncancerous tissue, different cancer types, and different malignancy grades. However, few studies have been conducted on trace element concentrations in brain tumors. Thus, this study aims to review the available literature on trace element changes related to brain tumors, and to identify gaps in the literature. A literature search was done on Google Scholar and PubMed from their start date to January 2018, using terms related to trace element concentration and brain tumors. All brain tumor types were included, and articles could be published in any year. From this search, only 11 articles on this topic could be found. Tumors had significantly higher concentrations of arsenic, thorium, lanthanum, lutetium, cerium, and gadolinium compared to control brain samples. Compared to adjacent tissue, tumor tissue indicated increased magnesium, decreased copper, and contradicting results for zinc. Furthermore, the higher the malignancy grade, the lower the calcium, cadmium, iron, phosphorus and sulfur concentration, and the higher the mercury, manganese, lead, and zinc concentrations. In conclusion, altered trace element levels differ amongst different tumor types, as well as malignancy grades. Consequently, it is impossible to compare data from these studies, and available data are still considerably inconclusive. Ideally, future studies should have a sufficient samples size, compare different tumor types, and compare tumors with adjacent healthy tissue as well as with samples from unaffected matched brains. Anat Rec, 303:1293-1299, 2020. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy.
Topics: Brain Chemistry; Brain Neoplasms; Humans; Trace Elements
PubMed: 31509337
DOI: 10.1002/ar.24254 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2020Ionomics is a novel multidisciplinary field that uses advanced techniques to investigate the composition and distribution of all minerals and trace elements in a living... (Review)
Review
Ionomics is a novel multidisciplinary field that uses advanced techniques to investigate the composition and distribution of all minerals and trace elements in a living organism and their variations under diverse physiological and pathological conditions. It involves both high-throughput elemental profiling technologies and bioinformatic methods, providing opportunities to study the molecular mechanism underlying the metabolism, homeostasis, and cross-talk of these elements. While much effort has been made in exploring the ionomic traits relating to plant physiology and nutrition, the use of ionomics in the research of serious diseases is still in progress. In recent years, a number of ionomic studies have been carried out for a variety of complex diseases, which offer theoretical and practical insights into the etiology, early diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy of them. This review aims to give an overview of recent applications of ionomics in the study of complex diseases and discuss the latest advances and future trends in this area. Overall, disease ionomics may provide substantial information for systematic understanding of the properties of the elements and the dynamic network of elements involved in the onset and development of diseases.
Topics: Humans; Ions; Models, Biological; Trace Elements
PubMed: 33212764
DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228646 -
Nutrients Apr 2022To evaluate the effect of the SARS-CoV-2 lockdown on dietary habits, body weight, left hepatic lobe volume, use of micronutrient supplements, micronutrient status,...
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the effect of the SARS-CoV-2 lockdown on dietary habits, body weight, left hepatic lobe volume, use of micronutrient supplements, micronutrient status, frequency of physical activity, and evolution of comorbidities in patients undergoing preoperative care for BS.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We prospectively evaluated the dietary habits (including use of micronutrient supplements and frequency of physical activity) of 36 patients who were candidates for BS from March to May 2020; 7-day food dietary records, body weight, left hepatic lobe volume by ultrasound, micronutrient status, and evolution of comorbidities were assessed.
RESULTS
All patients completed the study. Of the participants, 44.4% (16/36), 47.2% (17/36), and 27.8% (10/36) followed the preoperative indications for vegetables, fruits, and legumes, respectively, whereas over 50% did not. Furthermore, 30.6% (11/36) and 55.6% (20/36) of participants followed the prescribed recommendations for carbohydrates/sweets products and alcohol, respectively. A total of 61.1% (22/36) of participants experienced new foods and new culinary preparations. In addition, at the time of the study, we found that only 11.1% (4/36) were engaged in prescribed physical activity and only 36.1% (13/36) were taking prescribed micronutrient supplements. Compared to the initial weight, we observed an increased body weight and body mass index (+4.9%, = 0.115; +1.89%, = 0.0692, respectively), and no improvement in left hepatic lobe volume, micronutrient status, or comorbidities was recorded for any patient in the anamnesis.
CONCLUSIONS
Lockdown determined by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has negatively affected the preoperative program of BS candidates, resulting in a postponement to the resumption of bariatric surgical activity.
Topics: Bariatric Surgery; COVID-19; Communicable Disease Control; Humans; Micronutrients; Obesity, Morbid; Preoperative Care; SARS-CoV-2; Trace Elements
PubMed: 35406101
DOI: 10.3390/nu14071488