Comparison of 24-Hour Recall and 3-Day Food Records during the Complementary Feeding Period in Thai Infants and Evaluation of Plasma Amino Acids as Markers of Protein Intake.

BACKGROUND: An accurate and reliable measurement of nutrient intake is the first and foremost step in order to optimise infant nutrition and evaluate its impact on health outcomes. However, research on the validity of dietary assessment tools used during the weaning period is limited, especially in lower-middle income countries. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate relative validity of a 24-h recall method (24-HR) using a 3-day food record (3-DFR). A secondary aim was to investigate association between protein intake from 3-DFR and plasma amino acids as a potential protein biomarker. Methods A multicentre, prospective cohort study was conducted in Chiang Mai, Thailand from June 2018 to May 2019. Food consumption data were collected in healthy infants using 24-HR and 3-DFR at 9 and 12 months of age. Blood samples were obtained at 12 months (M). Plasma amino acids were analysed using high performance liquid chromatography. Results Of 145 infants, 49% were female. At group level, paired t-tests/Wilcoxon signed rank tests did not show significant differences between average nutrient intakes from the 2 dietary assessment methods, except for vitamin A and vitamin C. Weighted kappa (Kw) was acceptable for all nutrients, except for vitamin A intake at 9 M (Kw = 0.15). The Bland-Altman analyses were unbiased for most nutrients with variable limits of agreement. At individual level, correlation coefficients (r) ranged from acceptable to excellent (r = 0.37-0.87) while cross-classifications showed acceptable outcomes, except for vitamin A. Multivariate analyses showed significant associations between protein intake at 12 M from the 3-DFR and plasma concentrations of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) and essential amino acids (EAA), even after adjusting for gender, milk feeding type and energy intake. Conclusions For infants aged 9-12 M, a 24-HR can be used as a more practical alternative to a 3-DFR for most nutrients although caution is required for some micronutrients, especially vitamin A. A repeated interview might further improve the accuracy. Furthermore, protein intake, particularly animal-based protein, significantly predicted plasma BCAA and EAA concentrations regardless of gender, type of milk feeding and energy consumption.

Dietary Intake and Milk Micronutrient Levels in Lactating Women with Full and Partial Breastfeeding.

BACKGROUND: Micronutrient intake and status in lactating women may impact micronutrient levels in milk. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the micronutrient intake and status in lactating women, and their association with micronutrient levels in human milk. METHODS: Lactating women were enrolled at 4-6 months postpartum. A 24h food recall was examined and nutrient intakes were analyzed using INMUCAL software. Human milk samples were collected to analyze calcium, copper, iron, and zinc levels. Plasma zinc and serum ferritin levels were determined. RESULTS: Thirty-four women participated; 19 were classified as full breastfeeding and 15 as partial breastfeeding. Mean levels of calcium, copper, iron, and zinc in human milk were 243, 0.2, 0.2, and 1.56 mg/L, respectively. The prevalence of zinc deficiency (plasma zinc < 10.7 µmol/L) was 11.8%. No lactating women had iron deficiency. Nutrient intakes were lower than the recommended amounts in 38%-70% of participants, and were not correlated with corresponding nutrient levels in human milk. Multiple linear regression showed significant association between zinc levels in human milk and plasma for lactating women with full breastfeeding (ß = 0.034, 95% confidence interval [0.003, 0.067], p = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS: Lactating women were at risk of micronutrient deficiency. There was an association between zinc levels in human milk and plasma of lactating women with full breastfeeding. As the nutritional status of lactating women influences the quality of human milk, we should encourage good nutrient intake for lactating women.

High Urinary Iodine Concentration Among Breastfed Infants and the Factors Associated with Iodine Content in Breast Milk.

Iodine deficiency in infants leads to delayed growth and development. Some studies have reported iodine deficiency among infants and lactating women. We assessed iodine status in infants and lactating women, as well as the iodine content in breast milk. A cross-sectional study enrolled mother-infant pairs (infants aged 4-6 months), who visited Well Child Clinic at Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. Infants were classified by feeding type as breastfed (BF), mixed breastfed and formula-fed (MF), and formula-fed (FF). Demographic and perinatal data were collected. The urinary iodine concentration (UIC) of infants and lactating women, and breast milk iodine concentration (BMIC) were analyzed. Seventy-one infants were enrolled. The median UIC of infants was 282 mcg/L. Breastfed infants had higher median UIC than formula-fed infants (553 vs. 192 mcg/L; p = 0.002). Forty-eight percent of infants had a UIC more than 300 mcg/L. The median UIC and BMIC of lactating women were 149 and 255 mcg/L, respectively. Among the BF group, the infant UIC was correlated with maternal UIC (rs = 0.857, p = 0.014). Multiple linear regression showed the BMIC to be associated with maternal UIC (ß = 4.03, 95% CI [1.34, 6.71]) and maternal weight (ß = 8.26, 95%CI [2.76, 13.77]). Iodine nutrition among our study population was adequate. The median UIC of infants and lactating mothers were 282 and 149 mcg/L, respectively. Breastfed infants had a significantly higher median UIC than formula-fed infants. The BMIC was associated with maternal UIC and maternal weight.

Evolution of the Sterol Biosynthetic Pathway of Pythium insidiosum and Related Oomycetes Contributes to Antifungal Drug Resistance.

Pythiosis is a life-threatening infectious disease caused by the oomycete Pythium insidiosum Direct exposure to Py. insidiosum zoospores can initiate infections of the eye, limb, gastrointestinal tract, or skin/subcutaneous tissue. Treatments for pythiosis have mostly relied on surgery. Antifungal drugs are generally ineffective against Py. insidiosum However, one patient with an invasive Py. insidiosum infection recovered completely following treatment with terbinafine and itraconazole. Additionally, the drug target sterol biosynthetic enzymes have been identified in the oomycete Aphanomyces euteiches It remains an open question whether Py. insidiosum is susceptible to the antifungal drugs and harbors any of the known drug target enzymes. Here, we determined the in vitro susceptibilities of terbinafine and itraconazole against 30 isolates of Py. insidiosum We also analyzed endogenous sterols and searched for genes encoding the sterol biosynthetic enzymes in the genomes of Py. insidiosum and related oomycetes. The susceptibility assay showed that the growth of each of the Py. insidiosum isolates was inhibited by the antifungal agents, but only at difficult-to-achieve concentrations, which explains the clinical resistance of the drugs in the treatment of pythiosis patients. Genome searches of Py. insidiosum and related oomycetes demonstrated that these organisms contained an incomplete set of sterol biosynthetic enzymes. Gas chromatographic mass spectrometry did not detect any sterol end products in Py. insidiosum In conclusion, Py. insidiosum possesses an incomplete sterol biosynthetic pathway. Resistance to antifungal drugs targeting enzymes in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway in Py. insidiosum was due to modifications or losses of some of the genes encoding the drug target enzymes.

Simple and fast analysis of iohexol in human serums using micro-hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with monolithic column.

A simple and rapid method based on micro-liquid chromatography using a synthetic monolithic capillary column was developed for determination of iohexol in human serums, a marker to evaluate the glomerular filtration rate. A hydrophilic methacrylic acid-ethylene dimethacrylate monolith provided excellent selectivity and efficiency for iohexol with separation time of 3 min using a mobile phase of 40:60 v/v 50 mM phosphate buffer pH 5/methanol. Four serum protein removal, methods using perchloric acid, 50% acetonitrile, 0.1 M zinc sulfate, and centrifuge membrane filter were examined. The method of zinc sulfate was chosen due to its simplicity, compatibility with the mobile phase system, nontoxicity, and low cost. Interday calibration curves were conducted over iohexol concentrations range of 2-500 mg/L (R(2) = 0.9997 ± 0.0001) with detection limit of 0.44 mg/L. Intra- and interday precisions for peak area and retention time were less than 2.8 and 1.4%, respectively. The method was successfully applied to serum samples with percent recoveries from 102 to 104. The method was applied to monitor released iohexol from healthy subject. Compared with the commercially available reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method, the presented method provided simpler chromatogram, faster separation with higher separation efficiency and much lower sample and solvent consumption.

Maternal zinc status is associated with breast milk zinc concentration and zinc status in breastfed infants aged 4-6 months.

Breast milk provides adequate nutrients during the first 6 months of life. However, there are some reports of zinc deficiency in breastfed infants. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of zinc deficiency in infants aged 4-6 months and the associated factors. Healthy infants aged 4-6 months and their mothers were enrolled. They were classified by feeding types as breastfed (BF), formula-fed (FF), and mixed groups (MF). Data collection included demographic data, perinatal data, given diets, and anthropometric measurement. Blood from infants and lactating mothers, and breast milk samples were collected to assess plasma and breast milk zinc concentrations. From 158 infants, the prevalence of zinc deficiency (plasma level below 10.7 mol/L) was 7.6%, and according to feeding groups 14.9%, 5.3%, and 2.9% in the BF, the FF, and the MF groups, respectively. Breastfed infants with zinc deficiency had significantly lower maternal zinc concentrations compared with those without zinc deficiency. There was a higher proportion of maternal zinc deficiency in zinc-deficient infants than those without zinc deficiency (66.7% vs 16.2%, p=0.02). There was a positive correlation between zinc concentrations in breast milk and plasma zinc concentrations of infants (r=0.62, p=0.01) and plasma zinc concentrations of lactating mothers (r=0.56, p=0.016). Using the regression analysis, infant zinc status was associated with maternal plasma zinc concentrations among breastfed infants. The results of this study suggest that breastfed infants aged 4-6 months may have a risk of zinc deficiency and that risk is associated with maternal zinc status and breast milk zinc concentrations.

Simple in-house flow-injection capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity method for the determination of colistin.

An in-house flow-injection capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection method was developed for the direct measurement of colistin in pharmaceutical samples. The flow injection and capillary electrophoresis systems are connected by an acrylic interface. Capillary electrophoresis separation is achieved within 2 min using a background electrolyte solution of 5 mM 2-morpholinoethanesulfonic acid and 5 mM histidine (pH 6). The flow-injection section allows for convenient filling of the capillary and sample introduction without the use of a pressure/vacuum manifold. Capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection is employed since colistin has no chromophore but is cationic at pH 6. Calibration curve is linear from 20 to 150 mg/L, with a correlation coefficient (r(2) ) of 0.997. The limit of quantitation is 20 mg/L. The developed method provides precision, simplicity, and short analysis time.

Direct injection of human serum and pharmaceutical formulations for glucosamine determination by CE-C(4)D method.

A simple CE-C(4)D method has been developed for the determination of glucosamine by direct injection of human serum and pharmaceutical samples. Glucosamine was electrokinetically injected and analysed in its protonated form using 20mM MES/His (pH 6) as background electrolyte in order to separate it from the matrix and to provide a better response to the C(4)D detector. Separation of glucosamine in human serum and pharmaceutical samples was performed in 3 min without the need for protein precipitation or matrix removal. Good precision in terms of %RSD for the migration time and peak area were less than 1.91% (n = 10). The conductivity signal was linear with glucosamine concentration in the range 0.10-2.50mg/mL, with a detection limit of 0.03 mg/mL. Recoveries of glucosamine in serum and pharmaceutical samples were 86.5-104.78%. The method was successfully applied for the determination of the glucosamine content in pharmaceutical formulations and validated with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Good agreements were observed between the developed method, label values and the HPLC method. Glucosamine could be detected in spiked serum sample by direct injection. This was not possible by HPLC due to co-eluting interferences.

The effects of sericin cream on wound healing in rats.

Sericin has good hydrophilic properties, compatibility, and biodegradation, it can be used as a wound-healing agent. We evaluated the effects of sericin on wound healing and wound size reduction using rats by generating two full-thickness skin wounds on the dorsum. Group 1 animals were treated with Betadine on left-side (control) wounds and, with 8% sericin cream on right-side (treated) wounds. Group 2, cream base (formula control) and 8% sericin cream (treated) were topically applied to left-, and right-side wounds respectively. Sericin-treated wounds had much smaller inflammatory reactions, and wound-size reduction was much greater than in the control throughout the inspection period. Mean time in days for 90% healing from sericin-treated wounds was also much less than for cream base-treated wounds. Histological examination after 15 d of treatment with 8% sericin cream revealed complete healing, no ulceration, and an increase in collagen as compared to cream base-treated wounds, which showed some ulceration and acute inflammatory exudative materials.

Relationship between serum antioxidant vitamins A, E, and C and lipid profiles in priest subjects at the Priest Hospital.

The serum vitamins A, E, and C (antioxidant vitamins) of 112 priest subjects, compared with 90 males and 119 females in a control group, were investigated. Subjects for the study were Thai volunteers who attended the Outpatient Department, Priest Hospital, Bangkok, for a physical check-up from July to September 2003. There was no age difference between the priest group and the controls. All serum vitamins, A, E, and C, of the priest group were significantly lower than the control group. Statistically significantly higher levels of total cholesterol, LDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio were found in the priest subjects compared with the controls. The median serum retinol concentration in the priest subjects was 3.02 micromol/l (range 1.47-4.01 micromol/l) compared with 3.23 micromol/l (range 1.74-4.57 micromol/l) in the controls (p<0.01). The median serum a-tocopherol concentration in the priest subjects was 18.1 mmol/l (range 5.8-27.3 micromol/l) compared with 19.6 mmol/l (range 7.3-37.7 micromol/l) in the controls (p<0.01). The median serum ascorbic acid concentration in the priest subjects was 3.74 mg/l (range 0.0-17.0 mg/l) compared with 6.37 mg/l (range 0.0-18.0 mg/l) in the controls. The median values for retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and ascorbic acid serum concentrations in the male priests were lower than the control males. A total of 28% and 65% of the priest subjects had decreased alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid levels, while the controls had decreased alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid levels of 20% and 31.5%, respectively. A total of 67.8% and 54.4% of priest and control subjects, respectively, had cholesterol concentrations of > or = 5.18 mmol/l. However, a prevalence of low HDL-C (HDL-C < or = 0.91 micromol/l) was found in 1.8% of priest subjects and 1.4% of controls. Statistically significant associations were found between alpha-tocopherol, cholesterol, LDL-C, triglyceride, and serum retinol. A positive correlation was found between age, retinol, and serum alpha-tocopherol. A negative correlation was found between cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, and the serum alpha-tocopherol/cholesterol ratio. In addition, negative correlations were found between weight, cholesterol, LDL-C, triglyceride, and the serum alpha-tocopherol/(cholesterol + triglyceride) ratio in priest and control subjects. The results suggest more research should be conducted into the health and nutritional problems of both healthy and diseased priest subjects concerning vitamins and oxidative stress.