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Seaweed (edible algae) is not a staple food in the Western diet, despite occasional use as a traditional ingredient in coastal areas. High nutritional value, combined with the expansion of the health-food industry, has led to a resurgence of seaweed in the British diet. While seaweed could be useful in tackling dietary iodine insufficiency, consumption of some species and sources of seaweed has also been associated with risks, such as toxicity from high iodine levels, or accumulation of arsenic, heavy metals and contaminants. The current retail level of seaweed and edible algae in the UK market, either as whole foods or ingredients, was evaluated with particular focus on labelling and iodine content. Seaweed-containing products (n = 224) were identified. Only 22 products (10%) stated information regarding iodine content and another 40 (18%) provided information sufficient to estimate the iodine content. For these products, the median iodine content was 110 μg/g (IQR 21-503) and 585 μg per estimated serving (IQR 105-2520). While calculations for iodine exposure per serving relied on assumptions, 26 products could potentially lead to an iodine intake above the (European) tolerable adult upper level of 600 μg/day. In the context of the data presented, there is scope to improve product labelling (species, source, processing, content).

Bread and tea are usually consumed separately, but there may be different food-matrix interactions and changes in starch characteristics when they are combined in bread. This study developed breads (white bread, WF; black tea, BT; beta glucan, βG; beta glucan plus black tea, βGBT) and determined their starch functionalities. Breads were developed using a standard baking recipe and determined their starch characteristics. There was no significant difference in starch hydrolysis between BT and WF but βGBT reduced early (10 min) starch hydrolysis compared with βG. The starch granules in βG and βGBT were elliptical and closely packed together. These results suggest that the addition of beta glucan and black tea to bread preserved the elliptical starch granules and lowered short-term starch hydrolysis.

Background: Olive oil (OO) consumption is associated with cardiovascular disease prevention because of both its oleic acid and phenolic contents. The capacity of OO phenolics to protect against low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation is the basis for a health claim by the European Food Safety Authority. Proteomic biomarkers enable an early, presymptomatic diagnosis of disease, which makes them important and effective, but understudied, tools for primary prevention. Objective: We evaluated the impact of supplementation with OO, either low or high in phenolics, on urinary proteomic biomarkers of coronary artery disease (CAD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and diabetes. Design: Self-reported healthy participants (n = 69) were randomly allocated (stratified block random assignment according to age and body mass index to supplementation with a daily 20-mL dose of OO either low or high in phenolics (18 compared with 286 mg caffeic acid equivalents per kg, respectively) for 6 wk. Urinary proteomic biomarkers were measured at baseline and 3 and 6 wk alongside blood lipids, the antioxidant capacity, and glycation markers. Results: The consumption of both OOs improved the proteomic CAD score at endpoint compared with baseline (mean improvement: ‐0.3 for low-phenolic OO and 20.2 for high-phenolic OO; P , 0.01) but not CKD or diabetes proteomic biomarkers. However, there was no difference between groups for changes in proteomic biomarkers or any secondary outcomes including plasma triacylglycerols, oxidized LDL, and LDL cholesterol. Conclusion: In comparison with low-phenolic OO, supplementation for 6 wk with high-phenolic OO does not lead to an improvement in cardiovascular health markers in a healthy cohort. This trial was registered at www.controlled-trials.com as ISRCTN93136746. Am J Clin Nutr doi: 10.3945/ajcn.114.094219.

A high‐fibre diet and one rich in fruit and vegetables have long been associated with lower risk of chronic disease. There are several possible mechanisms underpinning these associations, but one likely important factor is the production of bioactive molecules from plant‐based foods by the bacteria in the colon. This links to our growing understanding of the role of the gut microbiome in promoting health. Polyphenolic‐rich plant foods have been associated with potential health effects in many studies, but the bioavailability of polyphenol compounds, as eaten, is often very low. Most of the ingested molecules enter the large intestine where they are catabolised to smaller phenolic acids that may be the key bioactive effectors. Dietary fibres, present in plant foods, are also fermented by the bacteria to short‐chain fatty acids, compounds associated with several beneficial effects on cell turnover, metabolism and eating behaviour. Polyphenols and fibre are often eaten together, but there is a lack of research investigating the interaction between these two groups of key substrates for the colonic bacteria. In a project funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Diet and Health Research Industry Club, we are investigating whether combining different fibres and polyphenol sources can enhance the production of bioactive phenolic acids to promote health. This could lead to improved dietary recommendations and to new products with enhanced potential health‐promoting actions.

Background: Iodine deficiency is one of the three key micronutrient deficiencies highlighted as major public health issues by the World Health Organisation. Iodine deficiency is known to cause brain structural alterations likely to affect cognition. However, it is not known whether or how different (lifelong) levels of exposure to dietary iodine influences brain health and cognitive functions. Methods: From 1091 participants initially enrolled in The Lothian Birth Cohort Study 1936, we obtained whole diet data from 882. Three years later, from 866 participants (mean age 72 yrs, SD ±0.8), we obtained cognitive information and ventricular, hippocampal and normal and abnormal tissue volumes from brain structural magnetic resonance imaging scans (n=700). We studied the brain structure and cognitive abilities of iodine-rich food avoiders/low consumers versus those with a high intake in iodine-rich foods (namely dairy and fish).Results: We identified individuals (n=189) with contrasting diets, i) belonging to the lowest quintiles for dairy and fish consumption, ii) milk avoiders, iii) belonging to the middle quintiles for dairy and fish consumption, and iv) belonging to the middle quintiles for dairy and fish consumption. Iodine intake was secured mostly though the diet (n=10 supplement users) and was sufficient for most (75.1%, median 193 µg/day). In individuals from these groups, brain lateral ventricular volume was positively associated with fat, energy and protein intake. The associations between iodine intake and brain ventricular volume and between consumption of fish products (including fish cakes and fish-containing pasties) and white matter hyperintensities (p=0.03) the latest being compounded by sodium, proteins and saturated fats, disappeared after type 1 error correction.Conclusion: In this large Scottish older cohort, the proportion of individuals reporting extreme (low vs. high)/medium iodine consumption is small. In these individuals, low iodine-rich food intake was associated with increased brain volume shrinkage, raising an important hypothesis worth being explored for designing appropriate guidelines.

Purpose To investigate whether age influences colonic polyphenol metabolism. Methods Healthy participants, younger (n = 8; 23–43 years) and older (n = 13; 51–76 years), followed a 3-day low-polyphenol diet (LPD) and a 3-day high-polyphenol diet (HPD). Urinary phenolic acids (PA), short chain fatty acids (SCFA), pH and gas were monitored, alongside selected colonic bacteria. Human faecal in vitro fermentations of rutin with or without raftiline were used to evaluate the gut microbiota capacity in a subset of both groups. Results Total urinary PA were higher in the older group after HPD compared to the younger group (1.5-fold; p = 0.04), with no difference between groups in terms of a change between diets (Δ high-low diet). While 17 PA were detected in all younger participants after HPD, a narrower range (n = 8 to 16 PA) was detected in most (n = 9/13) older participants, with lower level of benzoic acid (19-fold; p = 0.03), vanillic acid (4.5-fold; p = 0.04) but higher hippuric acid (2.7-fold; p = 0.03). Faecal SCFA concentration did not change after HPD within group, with similar differential excretion (Δ high-low diet) between groups. There were no differences between groups for faecal pH, total, faecal bacteria including Flavonifractor plautii, bifidobacteria, and bacteroides. In human in vitro faecal fermentations, seven PAs were detected in both groups after 24 h of rutin fermentation, with no quantitative and modest qualitative differences between groups. Total SCFA in faecal fermentation did not differ between groups, except for butyric acid (twofold higher in the older group; p = 0.009) when rutin was fermented with raftiline over 24 h. Conclusions Urinary phenolic acids were less diverse in older participants despite limited difference in functional capacity of in vitro faecal fermentations. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00394-018-1625-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Several epidemiological studies have linked flavonols with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, some heterogeneity in the individual physiological responses to the consumption of these compounds has been identified. This meta‐analysis aimed to study the effect of flavonol supplementation on biomarkers of CVD risk such as, blood lipids, blood pressure and plasma glucose, as well as factors affecting their inter‐individual variability. Data from 18 human randomized controlled trials were pooled and the effect was estimated using fixed or random effects meta‐analysis model and reported as difference in means (DM). Variability in the response of blood lipids to supplementation with flavonols was assessed by stratifying various population subgroups: age, sex, country, and health status. Results showed significant reductions in total cholesterol (DM = −0.10 mmol/L; 95% CI: −0.20, −0.01), LDL cholesterol (DM = −0.14 mmol/L; Nutrients 2017, 9, 117 2 of 21 95% CI: −0.21, 0.07), and triacylglycerol (DM = −0.10 mmol/L; 95% CI: −0.18, 0.03), and a significant increase in HDL cholesterol (DM = 0.05 mmol/L; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.07). A significant reduction was also observed in fasting plasma glucose (DM = −0.18 mmol/L; 95%CI: −0.29, −0.08), and in blood pressure (SBP: DM = −4.84 mmHg; 95% CI: −5.64, −4.04; DBP: DM = −3.32 mmHg; 95% CI: -4.09, -2.55). Subgroup analysis showed a more pronounced effect of flavonol intake in participants from Asian countries and in participants with diagnosed disease or dyslipidemia, compared to healthy and normal baseline values. In conclusion, flavonol consumption improved biomarkers of CVD risk, however, country of origin and health status may influence the effect of flavonol intake on blood lipid levels

Iodine is an essential nutrient for the formation of thyroid hormones, which are relevant to lifelong health. Iodine deficiency is a global issue, affecting mostly children and women around pregnancy. In absence of prophylaxis, securing iodine through the diet can be challenging. Main dietary sources are milk, dairy, and seafood, which are often excluded in vegetarian and vegan diets. In this chapter, we review the evidence available regarding iodine intake and status in vegetarian populations, as well as other nutrients important for thyroid health. The prevalence of thyroid diseases in vegetarians, including vegans, is also reviewed, alongside consideration of other dietary factors potentially affecting thyroid health.

Nutrient profiling ranks foods based on their nutrient composition, with applications in multiple aspects of food policy. We tested the capacity of a category-specific model developed for product reformulation to improve the average nutrient content of foods, using five national food composition datasets (UK, US, China, Brazil, France). Products (n = 7183) were split into 35 categories based on the Nestlé Nutritional Profiling Systems (NNPS) and were then classified as NNPS ‘Pass’ if all nutrient targets were met (energy (E), total fat (TF), saturated fat (SFA), sodium (Na), added sugars (AS), protein, calcium). In a modelling scenario, all NNPS Fail products were ‘reformulated’ to meet NNPS standards. Overall, a third (36%) of all products achieved the NNPS standard/pass (inter-country and inter-category range: 32%-40%, 5%-72%, respectively), with most products requiring reformulation in two or more nutrients. The most common nutrients to require reformulation were SFA (22%-44%) and TF (23%-42%). Modelled compliance with NNPS standards could reduce the average content of SFA, Na and AS (10%, 8% and 6%, respectively) at the food supply level. Despite the good potential to stimulate reformulation across the five countries, the study highlights the need for better data quality and granularity of food composition databases.

Background Widespread subclinical iodine insufficiency has recently been reported in Europe, based on urinary iodine using World Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization criteria, in particular among young women. Although urinary iodine concentration (UIC) is a useful measurement of the iodine status in a population, it does not provide an insight into the habitual iodine intake of this population. This is compounded by the fact that very few iodine-specific food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) have been validated so far. The present study aimed to develop and validate a new, simple, rapid survey tool to assess dietary iodine exposure in females of childbearing age. Methods Iodine was measured in a duplicate 24-h urine collection. Iodine intake was measured with duplicate 4-day semi-quantitative food diaries and the FFQ. Correlation, cross-classification and Bland–Altman analyses were used to estimate agreement, bias and the reliability of the method. The triangular (triad) method was used to calculate validity coefficients. Results Forty-three women, aged 19–49 years, took part in the validation of the 17-items FFQ. Median (interquartile range) UIC was 74 (47–92) μg L−1, which is indicative of mild iodine insufficiency. The FFQ showed good agreement with food diaries with respect to classifying iodine intake (82% of subjects were classified in the same or adjacent quartile). The FFQ was moderately correlated with the food diaries (rs = 0.45, P = 0.002) and urinary excretion in μg L−1 (rs = 0.34, P = 0.025) but not in μg day−1 (P = 0.316). The validity coefficients were 0.69, 0.66 and 0.52 for the food diaries, FFQ and urinary iodine excretion, respectively. Conclusions The FFQ provides a rapid and reliable estimate of dietary iodine exposure to identify those population subgroups at risk of iodine deficiency.

This article is based upon work from COST Action FA1403-POSITIVe "Interindividual variation in response to consumption of plant food bioactives and determinants involved" supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology, http://www.cost.eu/). The authors thank the financial support of the COST Action FA1403 "POSITIVe" to conduct two short-term scientific missions to P.P. and A.G.-S. at the University of Glasgow (E.C.) during which the data analysis was performed, and to M.G.-A at the University College Dublin (E.G.) during which the protocol was developed. A.G.-S. is holder of a "Juan de la Cierva" contract from MINECO (Spain). S.P.-D. is in receipt of a CONACyT scholarship. T.R. and V.M. are supported by the Fund for scientific research of Goce Delcev University, Stip. RM acknowledges iNOVA4Health Research Unit (LISBOA-01-0145-FEDER-007344), which is cofunded by Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia/Ministerio da Ciencia e do Ensino Superior, through national funds, and by FEDER under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement. C.A.-L. thanks the grant PCIN-2014-133 (FoodBAll project) from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) within the Joint Programming Initiative Healthy Diet for Healthy Life (JPI-HDHL); Several epidemiological studies have linked flavonols with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, some heterogeneity in the individual physiological responses to the consumption of these compounds has been identified. This meta‐analysis aimed to study the effect of flavonol supplementation on biomarkers of CVD risk such as, blood lipids, blood pressure and plasma glucose, as well as factors affecting their inter‐individual variability. Data from 18 human randomized controlled trials were pooled and the effect was estimated using fixed or random effects meta‐analysis model and reported as difference in means (DM). Variability in the response of blood lipids to supplementation with flavonols was assessed by stratifying various population subgroups: age, sex, country, and health status. Results showed significant reductions in total cholesterol (DM = −0.10 mmol/L; 95% CI: −0.20, −0.01), LDL cholesterol (DM = −0.14 mmol/L; Nutrients 2017, 9, 117 2 of 21 95% CI: −0.21, 0.07), and triacylglycerol (DM = −0.10 mmol/L; 95% CI: −0.18, 0.03), and a significant increase in HDL cholesterol (DM = 0.05 mmol/L; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.07). A significant reduction was also observed in fasting plasma glucose (DM = −0.18 mmol/L; 95%CI: −0.29, −0.08), and in blood pressure (SBP: DM = −4.84 mmHg; 95% CI: −5.64, −4.04; DBP: DM = −3.32 mmHg; 95% CI: -4.09, -2.55). Subgroup analysis showed a more pronounced effect of flavonol intake in participants from Asian countries and in participants with diagnosed disease or dyslipidemia, compared to healthy and normal baseline values. In conclusion, flavonol consumption improved biomarkers of CVD risk, however, country of origin and health status may influence the effect of flavonol intake on blood lipid levels

Cas d’une anemie hemolytique immunologique induite par l’oxaliplatine (OXA) chez un patient de 55 ans traite pour adenocarcinome differencie du moyen rectum metastatique. Septembre 2018 : reaction d’allure anaphylactique avec fievre et frissons 4 heures apres la perfusion d’OXA. Devant la bonne reponse au traitement, celui-ci est maintenu avec augmentation de la premedication (corticotherapie + anti-histaminique). Janvier 2019 : nouvelle cure avec apparition d’un ictere clinique (urines foncees, selles de stomie decolorees) et biologique (Hb = 114 g/L perte d’un point d’hb, haptoglobine

Nous rapportons le cas d’une jeune femme d’origine caucasienne pour laquelle un allo-anticorps anti-I1 a ete decouvert lors du 1er bilan immuno-hematologique (IHE) de sa 1re grossesse. Bilan IHE a Rennes Femme de 21 ans, primigeste. Groupe sanguin O RH :1,−2,3,4,5 ; KEL :−1. RAI positive : pan-agglutination 3+, homogene sur hematies natives ou papainees, sur tous les panels testes. Temoins autologues et examen direct a l’antiglobuline (TDA) negatifs. Absence de particularite lors du phenotypage dans les systemes etendus et d’anticorps de specificite courante associe apres alloadsorption. Antecedents : transfusion de 2 concentres erythrocytaires (CGR) en contexte perinatal. Cataracte congenitale bilaterale. Etude CNRGS Mise en evidence d’un anticorps anti-I1 fortement reactif en toutes les techniques, essentiellement de classe IgM, mais de grande amplitude thermique. Diagnostic de specificite difficile du fait d’une faible reactivite sur la majorite des hematies de phenotype I :−1 de la biotheque nationale. L’etude moleculaire du gene GCNT2 permet de conclure a une absence probable d’enzyme fonctionnelle aussi bien dans l’erythroblaste que dans les autres tissus. Ce deficit total explique le phenotype I :−1, l’immunisation anti-I1 particulierement severe et la cataracte congenitale. Support transfusionnel et accouchement En l’absence de donneur potentiel reellement sero-compatible, un recueil de 2 CGR autologues a ete preconise en fin de grossesse (avec supplementation en fer et folate) mais non realise (taux d’hemoglobine

Background:\ud \ud Adiposity and health risks are better indicated by waist circumference than body mass index (BMI). Patterns of change with age are incompletely documented.\ud Methods:\ud \ud Adults aged 18–92 years in the Scottish and English Health Surveys of 1994–96 and 2008–10 were divided into fifteen 5-year age bands. Sex-specific prevalences of overweight/obesity and of increased/high waist circumference against age were compared using analysis of covariance. \ud Results:\ud \ud Data available for 7932 Scottish and 55 925 English subjects in 1994–96, and for 27 391 Scottish and 30 929 English in 2008–10, showed generally similar patterns of change in the two countries. Prevalences of both elevated BMI and waist circumference rose with age for longer in 2008–10 than in 1994–96, reaching higher peaks at greater ages, particularly among men. Between 1994–96 and 2008–10, maximum prevalences of BMI >30 increased from 25 to 38% (larger increases in men than women), reaching a peak at age 60–70 years in both sexes. This peak prevalence was 5–10 years later than in 1994–96 for men and remained unchanged for women. Between 1994–96 and 2008–10, maximum prevalences of high waist circumference (men>>102 cm, women>88 cm) increased from 30 to –70% in both sexes, peaking in 2008–10 at ages 80–85 years (men) and 65–70 years (women). In 2008–10, proportions of adults with ‘normal’ BMI (18.5–25) fell with age to 15–20% at age 60–70 years (men) and 75 years (women). Among all those with BMI=18.5–25, aged>65 years, the proportions with unhealthily elevated waist circumference were 30 (men>94 cm) and 55% (women>80 cm). \ud Conclusions:\ud \ud Almost 40% of men and women are now becoming obese. People are growing fatter later in life, with waist circumference rising more persistently than BMI, which may indicate increased loss of muscle mass and sarcopenia in old age. Among older people, few now have ‘normal’ BMI, and of these up to half have elevated waist circumference, raising questions for the suitability of BMI as a measure of adiposity in this age group.

ObjectiveTo document iodine status in Indian pregnancies, associations with maternal diet and demographics, and offspring developmental measures.DesignLongitudinal study following mothers through pregnancy and offspring up to 24 months.SettingRural health-care centre (Vadu) and urban antenatal clinic (Pune) in the Maharashtra region of India.SubjectsPregnant mothers at 17 (n132) and 34 weeks’ (n151) gestation and their infants from birth to the age of 24 months.ResultsMedian urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was 203 and 211 μg/l at 17 and 34 weeks of pregnancy, respectively (range 26–800 μg/l). Using the UIC distribution adjusted for within-person variation, extreme UIC quartiles were compared for predictors and outcomes. There was no correlation between UIC at 17 and 34 weeks, but 24 % of those with UIC in the lowest quartile at 17 weeks had UIC in the same lowest quartile at 34 weeks. Maternal educational, socio-economic status and milk products consumption (frequency) were different between the lowest and highest quartile of UIC at 34 weeks. Selected offspring developmental outcomes differed between the lowest and highest UIC quartiles (abdominal circumference at 24 months, subscapular and triceps skinfolds at 12 and 24 months). However, UIC was only a weak predictor of subscapular skinfold at 12 months and of triceps skinfold at 24 months.ConclusionsMedian UIC in this pregnant population suggested adequate dietary provision at both gestational stages studied. Occasional high results found in spot samples may indicate intermittent consumption of iodine-rich foods. Maternal UIC had limited influence on offspring developmental outcomes.

With the obesity epidemic, and the effects of aging populations, human phenotypes have changed over two generations, possibly more dramatically than in other species previously. As obesity is an important and growing hazard for population health, we recommend a systematic evaluation of the optimal measure(s) for population-level excess body fat. Ideal measure(s) for monitoring body composition and obesity should be simple, as accurate and sensitive as possible, and provide good categorization of related health risks. Combinations of anthropometric markers or predictive equations may facilitate better use of anthropometric data than single measures to estimate body composition for populations. Here, we provide new evidence that increasing proportions of aging populations are at high health-risk according to waist circumference, but not body mass index (BMI), so continued use of BMI as the principal population-level measure substantially underestimates the health-burden from excess adiposity.

Polyphenols have been extensively studied for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Recently, their antiglycative actions by oxidative stress modulation have been linked to the prevention of diabetes and associated complications. This article assesses the evidence for polyphenol interventions on glycohemoglobin (HbA1c) in non-diabetic, pre-diabetic, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) subjects. A systematic review of polyphenols' clinical trials on HbA1c in humans was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Thirty-six controlled randomized trials with HbA1c values were included. Polyphenols (extracts, supplements, and foods) were supplemented (28 mg to 1.5 g) for 0.7 to 12 months. Combining all subjects (n = 1954, mean baseline HbA1c = 7.03%, 53 mmol/mol), polyphenol supplementation significantly (P < 0.001) lowered HbA1c% by –0.53 ± 0.12 units (–5.79 ± 0.13 mmol/mol). This reduction was significant (P < 0.001) in T2DM subjects, specifically (n = 1426, mean baseline HbA1c = 7.44%, 58 mmol/mol), with HbA1c% lowered by –0.21 ± 0.04 units (–2.29 ± 0.4 mmol/mol). Polyphenol supplementation had no significant effect (P > 0.21) in the non-diabetic (n = 258, mean baseline HbA1c = 5.47%, 36 mmol/mol) and the pre-diabetic subjects (n = 270, mean baseline HbA1c = 6.06%, 43 mmol/mol) strata: –0.39 ± 0.27 HbA1c% units (–4.3 ± 0.3 mmol/mol), and –0.38 ± 0.31 units (–4.2 ± 0.31 mmol/mol), respectively. In conclusion, polyphenols can successfully reduce HbA1c in T2DM without any intervention at glycemia, and could contribute to the prevention of diabetes complications.

Preclinical studies demonstrate that pro-inflammatory cytokines increase serotonin transporter availability and function, leading to depressive symptoms in rodent models. Herein we investigate associations between circulating inflammatory markers and brainstem serotonin transporter (5-HTT) availability in humans. We hypothesised that higher circulating inflammatory cytokine concentrations, particularly of tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α), would be associated with greater 5-HTT availability, and that TNF-α inhibition with etanercept (sTNFR:Fc) would in turn reduce 5-HTT availability. In 13 neurologically healthy adult women, plasma TNF-α correlated significantly with 5-HTT availability (rho=0.6; p=0.03) determined by [123I] -beta-CIT SPECT scanning. This association was replicated in an independent sample of 12 patients with psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis (rho=0.76; p=0.003). Indirect effects analysis, showed that there was a significant overlap in the variance explained by 5-HTT availability and TNF-α concentrations on BDI scores. Treatment with etanercept for 6-8 weeks was associated with a significant reduction in 5-HTT availability (Z= 2.09; p=0.03; r=0.6) consistent with a functional link. Our findings confirm an association between TNF-α and 5-HTT in both the basal physiological and pathological condition. Modulation of both TNF-α and 5-HTT by etanercept indicate the presence of a mechanistic pathway whereby circulating inflammatory cytokines are related to central nervous system substrates underlying major depression.

Commercial whole coffee fruit extracts and powder samples were analyzed for chlorogenic acids (CGA), caffeine and antioxidant activities. CGA and caffeine were characterized by LC-MS(n) and HPLC accordingly, and quantified by UV absorbance. ORAC, HORAC, NORAC, SORAC and SOAC (antioxidant capacities) were assessed. Three caffeoylquinic acids, three feruloylquinic acids, three dicaffeoylquinic acids, one p-coumaroylquinic acid, two caffeoylferuloylquinic acids and three putative chlorogenic lactones were quantified, along with a methyl ester of 5-caffeoylquinic acid (detected in one sample, the first such report in any coffee material). Multistep whole coffee fruit extracts displayed higher CGA content than single-step extracts, freeze-dried, or air-dried whole raw fruits. Caffeine in multistep extracts was lower than in the single-step extracts and powders. Antioxidant activity in whole coffee fruit extracts was up to 25-fold higher than in powders dependent upon the radical. Total antioxidant activity of samples displayed strong correlation to CGA content.

We prospectively evaluated the Bio-Rad nonstructural 1 (NS1) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and lateral flow immunochromatographic assay (LFIA) in comparison to an in-place reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction for dengue diagnosis. Among 537 consecutive samples from patients with acute febrile disease, 264 (49.2%) tested positive in reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), 156 (29.1%) in NS1-antigen (Ag) ELISA, and 125 (23.3%) in NS1-Ag LFIA. Compared to the RT-PCR status, the specificity was 100% for the NS1-Ag ELISA and LFIA, but their respective sensitivities were 61.2% [95% confidence interval (CI), 55.2−67.2] and 49.4% (95% CI, 43.2−55.6), with nadirs of 37.9% and 24.1% on day 6 of illness. The NS1-Ag ELISA and LFIA were positive, respectively, for 48.0% and 40.7% of the secondary infections versus 85.0% and 66.7% of the primary infections. For patients

Acid-catalyzed nitrosation and production of potentially carcinogenic nitrosative species is focused at the gastroesophageal junction, where salivary nitrite, derived from dietary nitrate, encounters the gastric juice. Ascorbic acid provides protection by converting nitrosative species to nitric oxide (NO). However, NO may diffuse into adjacent lipid, where it reacts with O(2) to re-form nitrosative species and N-nitrosocompounds (NOC). In this way, ascorbic acid promotes acid nitrosation. Using a novel benchtop model representing the gastroesophageal junction, this study aimed to clarify the action of a range of water-soluble antioxidants on the nitrosative mechanisms in the presence or absence of lipids. Caffeic, ferulic, gallic, or chlorogenic and ascorbic acids were added individually to simulated gastric juice containing secondary amines, with or without lipid. NO and O(2) levels were monitored by electrochemical detection. NOC were measured in both aqueous and lipid phases by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In the absence of lipids, all antioxidants tested inhibited nitrosation, ranging from 35.9 + or - 7.4% with gallic acid to 93 + or - 0.6% with ferulic acid. In the presence of lipids, the impact of each antioxidant on nitrosation was inversely correlated with the levels of NO they generated (R(2) = 0.95, p0.01): gallic, chlorogenic, and ascorbic acid promoted nitrosation, whereas ferulic and caffeic acids markedly inhibited nitrosation.

Nitrite has long been considered a potential pre-carcinogen for gastric cancer. Acidification of salivary nitrite, derived from dietary nitrate, produces nitrosative species such as NOSCN, NO+ and N2O3, which can form potentially carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds. Ascorbic acid inhibits nitrosation by converting the nitrosative species into nitric oxide (NO). However, NO diffuses rapidly to adjacent lipids, where it reacts with oxygen to reform nitrosative species. Nitrosation has been studied in vitro in aqueous systems and less frequently in organic systems; however, there is a need to investigate acid-catalysed nitrosation in a system combining aqueous and lipid environments, hence providing a physiologically relevant model. Here, we describe a two-phase system, which can be used as a tool to understand acid-catalysed nitrosation. Using gas chromatography/ion trap tandem mass spectrometry, we investigated the nitrosation of secondary amines as a function of the lipid phase composition and reaction mixing. An increased interface surface area was a driver for nitrosation, while incorporation of unsaturated fatty acids affected morpholine and piperidine nitrosation differently. Linoleic acid methyl esters did not affect morpholine nitrosation and only had a limited effect on N-nitrosopiperidine formation, while incorporation of free linoleic acid to the lipid phase significantly reduced N-nitrosopiperidine formation, but increased N-nitrosomorpholine formation at low levels. The mechanisms driving these effects are thought to involve amine partitioning, polarity and unsaturated fatty acids acting as scavengers of nitrosating species, findings relevant to the nitrosative chemistry occurring in the stomach, where the gastric acid meets a range of dietary fats which are emulsified during digestion. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Background: The major potential site of acid nitrosation is the proximal stomach, an anatomical site prone to a rising incidence of metaplasia and adenocarcinoma. Nitrite, a pre-carcinogen present in saliva, can be converted to nitrosating species and N- nitroso compounds by acidification at low gastric pH in the presence of thiocyanate. Aims: To assess the effect of lipid and ascorbic acid on the nitrosative chemistry under conditions simulating the human proximal stomach. Methods: The nitrosative chemistry was modelled in vitro by measuring the nitrosation of four secondary amines under conditions simulating the proximal stomach. The N- nitrosamines formed were measured by gas chromatography–ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry, while nitric oxide and oxygen levels were measured amperometrically. Results: In absence of lipid, nitrosative stress was inhibited by ascorbic acid through conversion of nitrosating species to nitric oxide. Addition of ascorbic acid reduced the amount of N- nitrosodimethylamine formed by fivefold, N- nitrosomorpholine by >1000-fold, and totally prevented the formation of N- nitrosodiethylamine and N- nitrosopiperidine. In contrast, when 10% lipid was present, ascorbic acid increased the amount of N- nitrosodimethylamine, N- nitrosodiethylamine and N- nitrosopiperidine formed by approximately 8-, 60- and 140-fold, respectively, compared with absence of ascorbic acid. Conclusion: The presence of lipid converts ascorbic acid from inhibiting to promoting acid nitrosation. This may be explained by nitric oxide, formed by ascorbic acid in the aqueous phase, being able to regenerate nitrosating species by reacting with oxygen in the lipid phase.