Showing papers by "Duo Li published in 2017"
TL;DR: The review revealed no single production factor causing dark cutting, but that a range of factors or a combination of factors and interactions lead to its occurrence.
Abstract: Dark cutting in beef and sheep meat has been the subject of extensive research with numerous associations established between it and various production practices. Despite these associations, dark cutting still occurs and causes significant financial losses globally in the fresh meat market. Consumers tend to reject dark meat as it is perceived to be from old or poorly-handled animals and is described as being tough, having an undesirable flavor, and having a short shelf-life. There is no universal system to categorize dark cutting carcasses and meat across countries, although various methods are used to determine the phenomenon. Classifying carcasses as dark cutters on the basis of ultimate pH or color using one muscle, such as the m. longissimus thoracis can lead to mis-description of other muscles within the same carcass and loss of income across the supply chain. The purpose of this review was to identify the factors predisposing animals to dark cutting and to provide recommendations and directions for future research. The review revealed no single production factor causing dark cutting, but that a range of factors or a combination of factors and interactions lead to its occurrence. Dark cutting is a complex condition that can be resolved through comprehensive management of animals, and management of human involvement, and clear guidelines to minimize the incidence of “dark cutting” meat and to improve the profitability of all sectors in the supply chain are provided here.
140 citations
TL;DR: Dietary fat manipulation has a significant influence on blood lipid levels in people with overweight or obesity without metabolic disturbance in the present study.
Abstract: Randomised controlled trials comparing low- v. high-fat diets on cardiometabolic risk factors in people with overweight or obesity have shown inconsistent results, which may be due to the mixed metabolic status of people with excess adiposity. The role of dietary fat manipulation in modifying cardiometabolic indicators in people with overweight or obese without metabolic disturbance is unclear. Thus, meta-analysis was conducted to compare low- v. high-fat diets on cardiometabolic indicators in people who are overweight or obese without metabolic disturbance in the present study. Databases were searched until October 2016. The pooled effects of outcomes with heterogeneity were calculated with a random-effects model, heterogeneities were analysed by subgroup and meta-regression. As a result, twenty studies with 2106 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels were lower following low-fat diets compared with high-fat diets: weighted mean difference (WMD) was -7·05 mg/dl (-0·18 mmol/l; 95 % CI -11·30, -2·80; P=0·001) and -4·41 mg/dl (-0·11 mmol/l; 95 % CI -7·81, -1·00; P=0·011), respectively. Conversely, significant higher level of TAG (WMD: 11·68 mg/dl (0·13 mmol/l), 95 % CI 5·90, 17·45; P<0·001) and lower level of HDL-cholesterol (WMD: -2·57 mg/dl (-0·07 mmol/l); 95 % CI -3·85, -1·28; P<0·001) were found following low-fat diets compared with high-fat diets. In conclusion, dietary fat manipulation has a significant influence on blood lipid levels in people with overweight or obesity without metabolic disturbances.
64 citations
TL;DR: Substantial evidence is provided of a higher circulating n-3 PUFAs associated with a lower MetS risk, especially DPA and DHA, which can be regarded as biomarkers indicating MetSrisk.
Abstract: The associations between n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk have demonstrated inconsistent results. The present study aimed to investigate whether higher circulating n-3 PUFAs and dietary n-3 PUFAs intake have a protective effect on MetS risk. A systematic literature search in the PubMed, Scopus, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases was conducted up to March 2017. Odd ratios (ORs) from case-control and cross-sectional studies were combined using a random-effects model for the highest versus lowest category. The differences of n-3 PUFAs between healthy subjects and patients with MetS were calculated as weighted mean difference (WMD) by using a random-effects model. Seven case-control and 20 cross-sectional studies were included. A higher plasma/serum n-3 PUFAs was associated with a lower MetS risk (Pooled OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.49, 0.81). The plasma/serum n-3 PUFAs in controls was significantly higher than cases (WMD: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.43), especially docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). However, no significant association was found between dietary intake of n-3 PUFAs or fish and MetS risk. The present study provides substantial evidence of a higher circulating n-3 PUFAs associated with a lower MetS risk. The circulating n-3 PUFAs can be regarded as biomarkers indicating MetS risk, especially DPA and DHA.
62 citations
TL;DR: DPA and DHA seem to exert similar effects in cardio-metabolic protection against the high-fat diet and these effects seem to be different to those of EPA.
Abstract: The aim of the present study was to assess and compare the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation on lipid metabolism in 4 month-old male C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet. The high-fat fed mice showed evidence of fatty liver, obesity and insulin resistance after being on the high-fat diet for 6 weeks compared with the control low-fat diet fed mice. Supplementation of the high-fat diet with either EPA, DPA or DHA prevented the fatty liver, prevented high serum cholesterol and serum glucose and prevented high liver cholesterol levels. DPA (but not EPA or DHA) was associated with a significantly improved homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) compared with the high-fat fed mice. Supplementation with DPA and DHA both prevented the decreased serum adiponectin levels, compared with EPA and the high-fat diet. In addition, supplementation with DPA and DHA both prevented the increased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels compared with EPA and the high-fat group, which can be attributed to down-regulation of TLR-4/NF-κB signaling pathway and decreasing lipogenesis in the liver. Therefore, DPA and DHA seem to exert similar effects in cardio-metabolic protection against the high-fat diet and these effects seem to be different to those of EPA.
57 citations
TL;DR: A lower fat, relatively higher carbohydrate diet, similar in macronutrient composition to that traditionally eaten in China appears to be less likely to promote excessive weight gain and be associated with a lower cardiometabolic risk profile than a diet more typical of that eaten in Western countries in healthy non-obese Chinese.
49 citations
TL;DR: The present meta-analysis provides substantial evidence that n-3 PUFA supplementation, especially DHA, has a favorable effect in treatment of NAFLD.
48 citations
TL;DR: There is significant evidence of an inverse association between apple and pear consumption and T2DM risk, and a restricted cubic spline regression model was performed to examine the dose-response relationship.
Abstract: The conclusions from epidemiological studies are controversial between apple and pear consumption and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk. The present study aimed to investigate whether apple and pear consumption was inversely associated with T2DM risk, and to evaluate the potential dose–response relationship. The Cochrane library, Embase and PubMed databases were searched up to Nov 2016. Prospective cohort studies, which reported the association of apple and pear consumption with incidence of T2DM, were included. Multivariate-adjusted relative risks (RRs) for the highest versus lowest category were combined by using a random-effects model. A restricted cubic spline regression model was performed to examine the dose–response relationship. A total of 5 independent prospective cohort studies were included (14 120 T2DM incident cases and 228 315 participants). The summary estimate showed that consumption of apples and pears was associated with 18% reduction in T2DM risk (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.75, 0.88; I2 = 0.00%). Dose–response analysis showed that one serving per week increment of apple and pear consumption was associated with a 3% (95% CI: 0.96, 0.98; p for trend <0.001) reduction in T2DM risk. The present meta-analysis provides significant evidence of an inverse association between apple and pear consumption and T2DM risk.
41 citations
TL;DR: Current meta-analysis indicates that both fish and long chain n-3 PUFA consumption are inversely associated with risk of all-cause mortality.
Abstract: Background and Objectives: The consumption of fish and long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) may influence the risk of all-cause mortality, but the findings have been inconsistent. The current systematic review and meta-analysis is to clarify the association between fish and long chain n-3 PUFA consumption with risk of all-cause mortality. Methods and Study Design: Studies published before March 2017 were identified through electronic searches using PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science database. We included prospective cohort studies that reported relative risks with 95% CI of all-cause mortality for fish and long chain n-3 PUFA consumption. Results were combined using a random effects model. Results: Twenty-three prospective cohorts with a total of 1,035,416 participants were included. Twenty-two pooled studies involving 985,126 participants indicated that fish intake was associated with 6% (RR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.90, 0.98) reduction in risk of all-cause mortality. Six studies with 430,579 participants investigated the association between long chain n-3 PUFA and all-cause mortality risk, the relative risk for highest versus lowest category was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.80, 0.93). Dose-response analysis suggested that the risk of all-cause mortality was reduced by 7% (RR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.88, 0.99) for every 0.2 g per day increment in long chain n-3 PUFA consumption. Conclusions: Current meta-analysis indicates that both fish and long chain n-3 PUFA consumption are inversely associated with risk of all-cause mortality. These findings could have public health implications with regard to lowering risk of all-cause mortality through dietary interventions.
29 citations
TL;DR: Cardio-protective effects of sea buckthorn intake may be attributed to its content of phytochemicals, especially flavonoids and β-sitosterol.
Abstract: The effect of sea buckthorn on serum/plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol (TAG), LDL and HDL-cholesterol was evaluated. We systematically searched and identified relevant literatures in China National Knowledge Infrastructure, EMBASE, PubMed, and Wan Fan databases updated to Nov 2016. The intervention effects were calculated as weighted mean differences for net changes in total cholesterol, TAG, LDL and HDL-cholesterol, respectively. Eleven independent RCTs were included. Supplementation with sea buckthorn berries/extracts significantly reduced total cholesterol (−0.63 mmol/L; 95% CI: −1.12, −0.14 mmol/L; I2 = 84.8%), TAG (−0.46 mmol/L; 95% CI: −0.70, −0.22 mmol/L; I2 = 40.4%), LDL-cholesterol (−0.62 mmol/L; 95% CI: −0.95, −0.29 mmol/L; I2 = 75.5%) and significantly increased HDL-cholesterol (0.27 mmol/L; 95% CI: 0.21, 0.33 mmol/L; I2 = 26.8%) in subjects with cardiovascular risks, but not in healthy subjects. Cardio-protective effects of sea buckthorn intake may be attributed to its content of phytochemicals, especially flavonoids and β-sitosterol.
28 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that rise in maternal blood pressure during pregnancy and hypertension during pregnancy, independent of maternal body size before pregnancy, are risk factors for offspring childhood obesity.
Abstract: Context Maternal hypertensive disorders during pregnancy are suggested to affect obesity risk in offspring. However, little is known about the prospective association of rise in maternal blood pressure within normal range during pregnancy with this risk for obesity. Objective To clarify the associations of diastolic and systolic blood pressure during pregnancy among normotensive women with the risk for obesity in offspring. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Southeast China. Participants Up to 2013, a total of 88,406 mother-child pairs with anthropometric measurements of offspring age 4 to 7 years were included in the present analysis. Main outcome measures Overweight/obesity risk in offspring. Results Among normotensive women, second- and third-trimester diastolic and systolic blood pressures were positively associated with risk for overweight/obesity in offspring: odds ratios per 10-mm Hg higher second- and third-trimester diastolic blood pressure were 1.05 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01 to 1.09] and 1.05 (95% CI, 1.02 to 1.10), respectively, and for systolic blood pressure were 1.08 (95% CI, 1.05 to 1.11) and 1.06 (95% CI, 1.03 to 1.09). Each 10-mm Hg greater rise in blood pressure between first and third trimesters was associated with a higher risk for offspring overweight/obesity: diastolic, 1.06 (95% CI, 1.01 to 1.10); systolic, 1.05 (95% CI, 1.02 to 1.07). Among all women (combining normotensive and hypertensive women), maternal hypertension in the second and third trimesters was associated with 49% and 14% higher risks for overweight/obesity in offspring, respectively. Conclusions These results suggest that rise in maternal blood pressure during pregnancy and hypertension during pregnancy, independent of maternal body size before pregnancy, are risk factors for offspring childhood obesity.
18 citations
TL;DR: There is some evidence that supplemental L. barbarum might have favourable effect on glucose control and total cholesterol levels, and no benefit was found in relation to bodyweight and blood pressure.
Abstract: The effects of Lycium barbarum L. (L. barbarum) on the cardiometabolic risk factors from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown inconsistent results. The present meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of L. barbarum supplementation on the cardiometabolic risk factors. A systematic literature search was performed in Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), PubMed, Scopus, and Wanfang databases updated to March 2017. The mean changes in cardiometabolic risk factors were calculated as the weighted mean difference (WMD) using a random-effects model. Seven RCTs with a total of 548 subjects were included. The pooled estimate showed that L. barbarum intervention significantly reduced the fasting glucose concentrations (−0.36 mmol L−1/−6.5 mg dL−1; 95% confident interval (CI): −0.62, −0.10 mmol L−1/−11.3, −1.8 mg dL−1). In addition, L. barbarum supplementation marginally reduced the concentrations of total cholesterol (TC) (−0.30 mmol L−1/−11.6 mg dL−1; 95% CI: −0.75, 0.15 mmol L−1/−29.0, 5.8 mg dL−1; P = 0.189) and triglyceride (TG) (−0.20 mmol L−1/−17.7 mg dL−1; 95% CI: −0.46, 0.05 mmol L−1/−40.7, 4.4 mg dL−1; P = 0.122), but the summary estimates did not reach statistical significance. No benefit was found in relation to bodyweight and blood pressure. The present meta-analysis provides some evidence that supplemental L. barbarum might have favourable effect on glucose control.
TL;DR: Histological analysis showed that the wild-type groups fed the HFS diets developed hepatic lipid accumulation and steatosis, compared with the fat-1 groups, and gene and protein expression levels involved in fatty acid synthesis and the toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 signaling pathway were significantly inhibited.
Abstract: High-fat and high-sugar (HFS) diets have been suggested to play a causal role in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed to investigate whether fat-1 transgenic mice with a higher tissue content of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) could prevent HFS diet-induced NAFLD, compared with wild-type mice. The fat-1 and wild-type littermates had free access to a 15% fructose solution plus high-fat diet, a 15% glucose solution plus high-fat diet, or a 15% sucrose solution plus high-fat diet, respectively. Caloric intake, weight gain, biochemical parameters, histology, and gene and protein expression levels were measured after 8 weeks of intervention. Liquid intake in glucose- or sucrose-fed mice was about 2-fold compared with that in fructose-fed mice. The wild-type mice given glucose showed the highest total caloric intake and weight gain compared to the other groups. The serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and alanine transaminase (ALT) were significantly lowered in fat-1 groups compared with their paired wild-type groups. Histological analysis showed that the wild-type groups fed the HFS diets developed hepatic lipid accumulation and steatosis, compared with the fat-1 groups. The gene and protein expression levels involved in fatty acid synthesis and the toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 signaling pathway were significantly inhibited in the fat-1 groups compared with the wild-type groups. The endogenously synthesized n-3 PUFAs of the three fat-1 groups, which inhibit fatty acid synthesis and the TLR-4 signaling pathway, prevent HFS diet-induced NAFLD.
TL;DR: Metabolic syndrome prevalence was significantly and positively correlated with the total white blood cell count in this Chinese population.
Abstract: Background and Objectives: The aim was to investigate the association between peripheral circulating white blood cell count (WBC) and the metabolic syndrome among populations in central China. Methods and Study Design: In the present study, 5,278 subjects (2,412 women, 2,866 men) aged 18-75 years were recruited through a health check program in Wuhan, China. Biochemical and haematological parameters were measured by standard methods and the metabolic syndrome diagnosed as defined by the Chinese Diabetes Society criteria for Chinese. Results: Both WBC counts and prevalence of metabolic syndrome were significantly higher in men than in women (p＜0.01). Participants in the highest quartile of white blood cell count had significantly higher odds ratio of metabolic syndrome (3.79, 95% CI: 2.64, 5.44), compared with subjects in the lowest quartile. The trend remained significant after adjustment for confounding factors and in further subgroup-analyses. Conclusions: Metabolic syndrome prevalence was significantly and positively correlated with the total white blood cell count in this Chinese population.
TL;DR: The Optimal Dietary Macronutrient Distribution in China trial will have implications for nutrition policy in regard to weight control and related cardiometabolic disturbances among otherwise healthy non-obese Chinese.
Abstract: Background and Objectives: Findings from observational studies in China show that increased dietary fat consumption might be a contributor to the developing obesity epidemic. However, some cohort studies suggest that carbohydrate intake, especially from white rice, is a risk factor for obesity, type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease in China. Our study aims to determine whether the traditional lower-fat, higher-carbohydrate Chinese or the Western higher-fat, lower-carbohydrate dietary pattern is more effective for weight control and the related cardiometabolic profiles increasingly found among contemporary Chinese. Methods and Study Design: The Optimal Dietary Macronutrient Distribution in China (ODMDC) trial is a 6-month, multi-centre, three-arm controlled feeding study. Based on the macronutrient transition in the past 30 years in China, three isoenergetic diets with a spectrum of fat and carbohydrate intake, but same protein contents, have been formulated. Percentages of fat, carbohydrate, and protein energy are one of 20, 66 and 14%; 30, 56 and 14%; 40, 46 and 14%, respectively. Participants will be provided with all their food and most beverages for 6 months. Results: The study population is planned to be 300 healthy non-obese adults aged 18 to 35 years. The primary outcome is body weight and the secondary variables are waist circumference and cardiometabolic risk factors. Conclusions: The ODMDC trial will have implications for nutrition policy in regard to weight control and related cardiometabolic disturbances among otherwise healthy non-obese Chinese.
TL;DR: Circulating LC n-3 PUFAs were linearly associated with reduced risk of stroke, especially 22:5n-3 and 22:6n- 3 and 23:3-3, and highlight the importance of circulating LC n -3 PUFA in the development of ischemic stroke.
Abstract: // Bo Yang 1, 2, * , Xiao-Li Ren 3, * , Hong Huang 2, * , Xiao-Juan Guo 2 , Ai-Guo Ma 1 and Duo Li 1 1 School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China 2 Key Laboratory of Watershed Science and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China 3 The Laboratory of Animal Center, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China * These authors contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Ai-Guo Ma, email: magfood@126.com Duo Li, email: duoli@qdu.edu.cn Keywords: biomarker, circulation, meta-analysis, PUFA, stroke Received: February 27, 2017 Accepted: July 12, 2017 Published: July 25, 2017 ABSTRACT Background: Circulating long-chain (LC) n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) can provide objective measures that reflect both dietary consumption and relevant biological processes. Nevertheless, prospective cohort studies on circulating LC n-3 PUFA in relation to incidence of stroke have yielded inconsistent results. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis to quantitatively evaluate the association. Results: A total of 2,836 stroke events occurred among 20,460 individuals aged 35–79 yr from 10 prospective cohort studies. Circulating LC n-3 PUFA was significantly associated with reduced risk of stroke (RR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.76, 0.98; I 2 = 0.00%), especially 22:5n-3 (RR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.60, 0.92) and 22:6n-3 (RR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.65, 0.94). The associations were more pronounced with ischemic stroke (RR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.68, 0.96), but not with hemorrhagic stroke (RR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.60, 1.49). A 1% increment of 22:5n-3 and 22:6n-3 proportions in circulating blood was associated with 25% (RR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.64, 0.87) and 11% (RR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.83, 0.95) reduced risk of stroke, respectively. Materials and Methods: Pertinent studies were identified from Cochrane Library, PubMed and EMBASE database through June 2017. Multivariate-adjusted risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for incident stroke when comparing the top with the bottom tertiles of baseline LC n-3 PUFA proportions in blood were pooled using a random-effect model. Conclusions: Circulating LC n-3 PUFAs were linearly associated with reduced risk of stroke, especially 22:5n-3 and 22:6n-3. Such findings highlight the importance of circulating LC n-3 PUFA in the development of ischemic stroke.
TL;DR: It is suggested that higher erythrocyte ALA levels are inversely associated with type 2 diabetes risk only among participants with low T2D genetic risk, with high genetic risk abolishing the ALA-T2D association.
Abstract: Modulation of n-3 fatty acids on genetic susceptibility to type 2 diabetes (T2D) is still not clear. In a case-control study of 622 Chinese T2D patients and 293 healthy controls, a genetic risk score (GRS) was created based on nine T2D genetic variants. Logistic regression was used to examine the interaction of the GRS with erythrocyte phospholipid n-3 fatty acids for T2D risk. Every 1-unit (corresponding to 1 risk allele) increase in GRS was associated with 12% (Odds ratio (OR): 1.12; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.04–1.20) higher risk of T2D. Compared with the lowest quartile, participants had lower T2D risk in the 2nd (OR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.36–0.84), 3rd (OR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.38–0.88) and 4th (OR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.44–1.03) quartile of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) levels. Significant interaction (p-interaction = 0.029) of GRS with ALA for T2D risk was observed. Higher ALA levels were associated with lower T2D risk only among participants within the lowest GRS tertile, with ORs 0.51 (95% CI: 0.26–1.03), 0.44 (95% CI: 0.22–0.89) and 0.49 (95% CI: 0.25–0.96) for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th ALA quartile, compared with the 1st. This study suggests that higher erythrocyte ALA levels are inversely associated with T2D risk only among participants with low T2D genetic risk, with high genetic risk abolishing the ALA-T2D association.
TL;DR: Odds ratio of metabolic syndrome was significantly positively associated with serum uric acid concentration among the present sample of 5,628 subjects in Wuhan.
Abstract: Objective: The objective was to determine whether serum uric acid concentrations were associated with metabolic syndrome in a population from Wuhan. Methods and Study Design: 5628 subjects (2838 men, 2790 women) aged 18-80 years were recruited in Wuhan, China. Biochemical parameters of venous blood were measured by standard methods and metabolic syndrome was defined by Chinese Diabetes Society criteria. Association analysis was performed by logistic regression. Results: 8.2% of the included subjects were confirmed as having metabolic syndrome and 14.4% were confirmed as having hyperuricemia. After multivariable adjustment, logistic regression showed the odds ratios of metabolic syndrome for subjects in the highest quartile of serum uric acid concentration was 2.84 (95% CI: 2.09-3.86) compared with those in the lowest quartile and no gender difference was found. For each component of metabolic syndrome, subjects in the highest quartile of serum uric acid concentrations had increased multivariable odds ratios for high BMI (OR: 3.29, 95% CI: 2.71-3.98), for hypertension (OR: 3.54, 95% CI: 2.93-3.86), for dyslipidemia (OR: 2.49, 95% CI: 1.98-3.14), but not for hyperglycemia(OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 0.87-1.67). Conclusions: Odd ratio of metabolic syndrome was significantly positively associated with serum uric acid concentration among the present sample of 5628 subjects in Wuhan.
TL;DR: Investigation of the postprandial metabolic and endocrine responses following an acute ingestion of fructose and glucose in healthy subjects found that NO was negatively associated with UA and the 3-h AUC (area under curve) of NO was significantly lower after fructose ingestion than after glucose.
TL;DR: Early introduction of all plant-based foods was associated with increased anemia risks and lower hemoglobin concentrations, while early introduction of most animal-based Foods was not, and may be informative regarding the appropriate time to introduce complementary foods in infants.
Abstract: Age of complementary foods introduction is associated with childhood anemia, but the ideal age for the introduction of complementary foods to infants is a continuing topic of debate. We examined the longitudinal association between complementary foods introduction age and risk of anemia in 18,446 children from the Jiaxing Birth Cohort, who had detailed complementary feeding records at 3 and 6 months of age and had hemoglobin concentrations measured at 4–6 years. Early introduction of complementary foods at 3–6 months of age was significantly associated with a higher risk of anemia (odds ratio = 1.14; 95% confidence interval: 1.01–1.28) and a lower hemoglobin concentration of −0.84 g/L (95% confidence interval: −1.33 to −0.35) in children aged 4–6 years, compared with those fed complementary foods starting at 6 months of age. When it comes to the specific type of complementary foods, early introduction of all plant-based foods was associated with increased anemia risks and lower hemoglobin concentrations, while early introduction of most animal-based foods was not. These findings may be informative regarding the appropriate time to introduce complementary foods in infants.
TL;DR: The aim of the present study was to determine the concentrations of estradiol (E2), estriol (E3) and progesterone in breast milk over different lactation periods, and to assess their relationship with the mother's diet.
Abstract: The aim of the present study was to determine the concentrations of estradiol (E2), estriol (E3) and progesterone in breast milk over different lactation periods, and to assess their relationship with the mother's diet. Ninety-six breast milk samples as well as 24-hour dietary records from 32 lactating mothers were collected on day 1 (colostrum), day 14 (transitional milk) and day 42 (mature milk) after delivery in Hangzhou, China. The concentrations of E2, E3 and progesterone differed significantly through different periods of lactation (p < 0.001). The content of E2 in colostrum, transitional milk and mature milk was 1.60 ± 0.96 μg L−1, 0.83 ± 0.36 μg L−1 and 1.26 ± 0.48 μg L−1, respectively. The concentrations of E3 were 2.09 ± 1.66 μg L−1, 2.23 ± 1.74 μg L−1 and 4.64 ± 2.15 μg L−1, respectively. The concentrations of progesterone were 6.10 ± 8.30 μg L−1, 4.25 ± 4.76 μg L−1 and 1.70 ± 2.42 μg L−1, respectively. The concentration of progesterone in breast milk was significantly negatively correlated with the intake of protein (p = 0.015), fat (p = 0.008), vegetables (p = 0.012), and meat and eggs (p = 0.036), while the concentration of E3 was significantly positively correlated with the intake of soy products (p = 0.025). This information indicates that the concentrations of E2, E3 and progesterone in breast milk varied over the lactating period. Dietary intake will to some extent affect the contents of E3 and progesterone in breast milk.
TL;DR: High placental ratios of C20:4n-6/C20:5n-3 and TXB2 /6-keto-PGF1α are risk factors for neural tube defects in a Chinese population with highly incident NTDs.
Abstract: Background
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are severe congenital malformations. Folate supplementation can reduce the risk, but cannot prevent all NTDs, suggesting other reasons for folate-resistant NTDs. The present study assesses placental fatty acid composition, eicosanoids, and cytokines as risk factors for NTDs in a Chinese population with highly incident NTDs.
Methods
Seventy-seven aborted fetuses with NTDs during the third trimester were cases and 142 healthy newborns were controls. Placental fatty acid composition, eicosanoids, and cytokines were determined by standard methods.
Results
The placental C20:4n-6/C20:5n-3 and thromboxane B2 (TXB2)/6-keto-prostaglandin F1α (6-keto-PGF1α) ratios were significantly higher for cases than controls (p < 0.001 and 0.05, respectively). For the top versus the lowest tertiles of placental C20:4n-6/C20:5n-3 and TXB2/6-keto-PGF1α, odds ratios for NTD occurrence were 3.79 (95% confidence interval, 1.60–8.96) (p for trend < 0.01) and 5.52 (95% confidence interval, 2.07–14.74) (p for trend < 0.001), respectively, adjusted for fetal sex as well as maternal age, occupation, parity, smoking, passive smoking, periconceptional folate supplementation, conception season, and tea drinking. The C20:4n-6/C20:5n-3 and TXB2/6-keto-PGF1α ratios were positively correlated (r = 0.14; p < 0.05). The proportions of C18:2n-6, C18:3n-6, C20:3n-6, C18:3n-3, C20:3n-3, C20:5n-3, and C22:5n-3 were significantly lower in cases than controls, and all negatively associated with NTD occurrence (tertile-specific odds ratios); after adjustment for the potential confounders, these associations remained significant (p for trend < 0.05) except for C20:3n-3.
Conclusion
High placental ratios of C20:4n-6/C20:5n-3 and TXB2/6-keto-PGF1α are risk factors for neural tube defects.Birth Defects Research 00:000–000, 2017.© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
TL;DR: Findings indicate that DAG oils can significantly reduce BG levels and the deposition of AGEs in renal tissue, as well as regulate the levels of transforming growth factor-β1 and connective tissue growth factor, thus delaying the progression of nephropathy.
Abstract: Diacylglycerol (DAG) has been reported to reduce the serum lipid and glucose levels more effectively compared with triacylglycerol (TAG). The present study examined the long-term effects of dietary DAG on rats with type 2 diabetic nephropathy (DN). The type 2 DN model was established by administering a high-fat and high-calorie diet along with an intraperitoneal injection of 35 mg/kg body weight streptozocin, and the disease developed over the following 8 weeks. Sprague-Dawley rats were then randomly divided into the control, TAG, low-dose DAG (Low-DAG) and high-dose DAG (High-DAG) groups. Blood glucose (BG), lipid levels and renal function parameters were then measured. The results revealed that the body weight in the High-DAG group was significantly reduced compared with the TAG group, while there was no significant difference in the food intake between TAG and DAG groups. BG, advanced glycation end products (AGEs), TAG, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, urine protein and urine albumin levels were significantly reduced, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly increased in the two DAG groups. In addition, hematoxylin-eosin stained glomeruli presented decreased glomerular enlargement and mesangial expansion in the DAG groups. Immunohistochemical detection revealed that the levels of transforming growth factor-β1 and connective tissue growth factor in renal tissues of the DAG groups were also significantly reduced compared with the TAG group. These findings indicate that DAG oils can significantly reduce BG levels and the deposition of AGEs in renal tissue, as well as regulate the levels of transforming growth factor-β1 and connective tissue growth factor, thus delaying the progression of nephropathy.
TL;DR: The prevalence of childhood overweight/obesity has increased substantially within a decade in southeast China and a better appetite and greater eating frequency were associated with the increased prevalence.
Abstract: Background and objectives Childhood obesity is increasing. However, little is known about the changes in di-etary factors and supportive facilities associated with childhood obesity. We aimed to document the changes in various dietary factors and supportive facilities and their associations with obesity among pre-school children. Methods and study design Among 42,531 children 4-5 years old, recruited between 2004 and 2013 in the Jiax-ing Birth Cohort, we examined the changes in the prevalence of various dietary factors and supportive facilities and overweight/obesity over 10 years. We used logistic regression to investigate the cross-sectional association between these factors and childhood overweight/obesity risk, adjusting for potential confounders. Results The prevalence of childhood overweight/obesity increased steadily from 11.8% (boy: 14.8%; girl: 9%) during 2004-2005 to 18% (boy: 21.4%%; girl: 15%) during 2012-2013. The prevalence of meal/snack frequency 3 times /day decreased substantially from 23% during 2004-2005 to 8% during 2012-2013, with more children having 5 times /day: from 32% to 45.6%. Children with a fair/bad appetite, compared with those with a good appetite, had a 45% (OR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.49, 0.62) lower risk of overweight/obesity. Children with a meal frequency >=6 times/day (compared with 3 times/day) had a 0.12 (95% CI: 0.03, 0.2) higher BMI-z-score. Conclusions The prevalence of childhood overweight/obesity has increased substantially within a decade in southeast China. A better appetite and greater eating frequency were associated with the increased prevalence.