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The objective of this study is to expand the understanding of the family influence on children's nutrition and physical activity patterns in Oman. A cross-sectional research design was used in this study. We recruited 204 dyads (a mother with a child) conveniently. Research data were collected in public cycle one schools, nongovernmental community centers, and home visits from five provinces in Oman. Study measures included a general information survey, anthropometric measurements, electronic children and family nutrition and physical activity questionnaires, and a single-day dietary recall for children. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were used. Children's nutrition intake was significantly associated with parental education level, family income, and family nutrition and physical activity patterns, while children's physical activity patterns were significantly associated with maternal BMI and parental education level. Children's nutrition and physical activity patterns are associated with maternal BMI, family's sociodemographic characteristics, and family's nutrition and physical activity pattern. Family is a key element in shaping and influencing children's lifestyle-related behaviors. School-health programs that actively involve the families hold promise in promoting children's nutrition and physical activity pattern. Future research should be directed toward understanding the moderating and mediating factors. • Higher maternal BMI is associated with more moderate to vigorous physical activity time and sleeping time among children • Higher parent education level is linked to more children's intake of dairy, fruits and vegetables, but less physical activity • Higher family income is associated with more children's intake of dairy and fruits, but less carbohydrates and grain intake • Family nutrition and physical activity patterns strongly associate with the nutrition intake of their 6-10 years old children [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The aggravating effects of DEP on CP-induced toxicity in HEK-293 cells were investigated. [•] DEP potentiated the decrease of cellular viability and oxidative stress induced by CP. [•] DEP, but not CP, significantly suppressed cysteine uptake. [•] Curcumin prevented DEP and CP-induced cellular toxicity through its anti-antioxidant action. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder of early childhood. Dietary supplementation of the ω-3 fatty acid (docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) during prenatal and postnatal life is considered a protective dietary intervention strategy to minimize the risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To our knowledge, no relevant studies have been conducted in the Middle East investigating the status of DHA among children with autism during early childhood. The aim of this study was to investigate the serum levels and dietary intake status of DHA among Omani children recently diagnosed with ASD. Methods: The present case--control study involved 80 Omani children (<5 y), 40 cases and 40 controls matched for age and sex. A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake of all the participants, while serum levels of DHA were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: Our results showed that children with ASD had lower dietary consumption of foodstuff containing DHA, as well as lower serum levels of DHA than controls. Conclusion: The present finding from Oman supports the view of other studies that there are low serum levels of DHA among children with ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Arab populations lack data related to nutritional assessment in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), especially micronutrient deficiencies such as folate and vitamin B12. Methods: To assess the dietary and serum folate and vitamin B12 statuses, a hospital-based case-control study was conducted in 80 Omani children (40 children with ASDs versus 40 controls). Results: The ASD cases showed significantly lower levels of folate, vitamin B12, and related parameters in dietary intake and serum levels. Conclusion: These data showed that Omani children with ASDs exhibit significant deficiencies in folate and vitamin B12 and call for increasing efforts to ensure sufficient intakes of essential nutrients by children with ASDs to minimize or reverse any ongoing impact of nutrient deficiencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To assess prevalence of malnutrition indicators among preschool children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) a cross-sectional study was conducted among 128 Omani autistic children 3–5 years of age. Based on standardized z-scores, the overall prevalence of malnutrition was 9.2 per 100 preschool ASD children (95% CI 4.1, 11.6). The most common type of malnutrition was underweight (3.9; 95% CI 0.5, 7.3), followed by wasting (3.1; 95% CI 0.1, 6.1) and stunting (2.3; 95% CI 0.3, 5.0). Among boys, underweight and stunting were significantly higher than in girls, while wasting was more prevalent among girls. None of the participants showed evidence of overweight or obesity. The study indicates an overall tendency among autistic Omani children towards being malnourished. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The author comments on the paper which examined the epigenetic effect of folic acid supplementation on the expression of various hepatic proteins or proteome during maternal life using pregnant gilts and newborn piglets as experimental models for the study. Information is presented on the changes in the expression of certain hepatic proteins induced by folic acid supplementation during pregnancy on the newborn piglets.

Abstract: Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the status of folate and vitamin B12 (B12) in relation to serum homocysteine (HCY) and oxidative stress indices in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Methods: This case–control study involved 100 Omani adults (50 patients newly diagnosed with T2DM and 50 age- and gender-matched healthy controls). Several parameters were investigated, including dietary intake and biochemical assessments of folate, B12, HCY, oxidative stress markers (glutathione and total antioxidant status), and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase). Results: Low serum levels of folate, B12, and hyperhomocysteinemia were prevalent in patients with T2DM compared with controls. Oxidative stress was evident in patients with T2DM as indicated by low serum levels of glutathione, total antioxidant status, and impaired antioxidant enzymatic activities (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase). Conclusion: The low intake of folate and B12 is associated with low serum levels of these two nutrients and hyperhomocysteinemia in Omani adults with T2DM. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Adenine in the diet caused chronic renal failure in rats with histological changes, oxidative stress, increased uremic toxins. [•] Administration of activated charcoal to the adenine-supplemented diet ameliorated kidney function. [•] Further, oxidative stress markers in the kidney were decreased by the dietary administration of activated charcoal. [•] Activated charcoal might be useful as a nephroprotective agent in human kidney disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Introduction: This study aimed at comparing the effects of feeding mice and rats with adenine to induce a state of chronic renal failure (CRF), and to assess the effect of treatment with gum acacia (GA) thereon. Methods: We compared the outcome, in mice, of feeding adenine at three different doses (0.75%, 0.3%, and 0.2%, w/w). Biochemical and histopathological studies were conducted in plasma, urine and renal homogenates from both species. Results: When mice and rats were fed adenine (0.75%, w/w), all treated rats survived the treatment, but all treated mice died within 1–2days. The dosage in mice was reduced to 0.3%, w/w, for 4weeks, but again all treated mice died within 3–4days. A further reduction in the dosage in mice to 0.2%, w/w, for 4weeks resulted in no mortality, and produced alterations similar to those observed in rats fed adenine at a dose of 0.75%,w/w, for 4weeks. Plasma creatinine, urea and urinary protein were significantly increased (P <0.001) in adenine-treated mice and rats, and this action was incompletely, but significantly (P <0.05), reversed by GA. Adenine significantly (P <0.001) reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration in renal homogenates from both species, and these reductions were significantly (P <0.05) ameliorated by GA. Discussion: Our data suggest that mice are more sensitive to adenine than rats, and that a dose of adenine of 0.2%, w/w, for 4weeks in mice is suggested as a model for CRF. In both models, GA (15%, w/v, in the drinking water for 4weeks) given concomitantly with adenine ameliorated the severity of CRF to a similar extent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the association between suboptimal breast-feeding practices and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Methods: A case–control study was conducted in 102 ASD cases and 102 matched healthy controls. Results: Based on adjusted odds ratios from logistic regression models, ASD was found to be associated with the late initiation of breast-feeding (odds ratio 1.48, 95% confidence interval 1.01–3.1), a non-intake of colostrum (odds ratio 1.7, 95% confidence interval 1.03–4.3), prelacteal feeding, and bottle-feeding. The risk of ASD was found to decrease in a dose–response fashion over increasing periods of exclusive breast-feeding (P for trend = 0.04) and continued breast-feeding (P for trend = 0.001). Conclusion: The study indicates that increased ASD risk is generally associated with suboptimal breast-feeding practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]