Iodine Status and Cognitive Function Of Mother-child Pairs in Sidama, Southern Ethiopia

Department of Nutritional Science

Sustainable management practices for durum wheat production: Analyzing specific agronomic interventions on productivity, grain micronutrient content, and quality

As compared with single agronomic crop management practices during grain formation, knowledge about integrated agronomic management practices on grain mineral composition and grain technological properties in durum wheat is limited. This knowledge is important for determining management strategies aimed at increasing grain yield without affecting grain nutritional quality. Integrated agronomic practices such as foliar nutrient application × seeding rate × varieties combined with growing locations were investigated to evaluate the dynamics of yield and grain quality traits. Two durum wheat varieties, three-level of micronutrients (i.e. control, FeSO4, and ZnSO4), and four levels of seeding rate (i.e. 100, 125, 150, and 175 kg ha−1) were arranged in split-split plot design under two different growing locations (environments). The main plots were assigned to the varieties, subplots to micronutrients, and sub-sub plots to the seeding rate treatments. Zinc and iron were applied in a form of ZnSO4 and FeSO4 at the early flowering stage, both at a rate of 25 kg ha−1. Results showed a linear increment in biomass (21.5%) and grain yield (23.5%) under a high seeding rate, even though the 1000-grain weight, the number of grains spike−1, spike length, and the number of grains spike−1 were decreased. Higher varietal and environmental response of seeding rate was observed between varieties. The grain protein content, gluten, and zeleyn index decreased as the seeding rate increased. Grain micronutrient content was significantly influenced by seeding rate and varietal difference. The grain protein content was higher in a dryland environment than in a wet environment. A combined use of density-tolerant varieties, high seeding rate, and foliar-based iron application can improve the grain yield from 2.01 to 3.20 t ha−1 under a potential environment. Hence, all stakeholders should consider the genotype (G), environment (E), management (M), and their synergies, as far as grain yield and quality are considered simultaneously

Early life risk factors of motor, cognitive and language development: a pooled analysis of studies from low/middle-income countries.

OBJECTIVE:To determine the magnitude of relationships of early life factors with child development in low/middle-income countries (LMICs). DESIGN:Meta-analyses of standardised mean differences (SMDs) estimated from published and unpublished data. DATA SOURCES:We searched Medline, bibliographies of key articles and reviews, and grey literature to identify studies from LMICs that collected data on early life exposures and child development. The most recent search was done on 4 November 2014. We then invited the first authors of the publications and investigators of unpublished studies to participate in the study. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES:Studies that assessed at least one domain of child development in at least 100 children under 7 years of age and collected at least one early life factor of interest were included in the study. ANALYSES:Linear regression models were used to assess SMDs in child development by parental and child factors within each study. We then produced pooled estimates across studies using random effects meta-analyses. RESULTS:We retrieved data from 21 studies including 20 882 children across 13 LMICs, to assess the associations of exposure to 14 major risk factors with child development. Children of mothers with secondary schooling had 0.14 SD (95% CI 0.05 to 0.25) higher cognitive scores compared with children whose mothers had primary education. Preterm birth was associated with 0.14 SD (-0.24 to -0.05) and 0.23 SD (-0.42 to -0.03) reductions in cognitive and motor scores, respectively. Maternal short stature, anaemia in infancy and lack of access to clean water and sanitation had significant negative associations with cognitive and motor development with effects ranging from -0.18 to -0.10 SDs. CONCLUSIONS:Differential parental, environmental and nutritional factors contribute to disparities in child development across LMICs. Targeting these factors from prepregnancy through childhood may improve health and development of children

Zinc Supplementation in a Randomized Controlled Trial Decreased and mRNA Abundance in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Adult Women

Zinc plays an integral role in numerous cellular processes including regulation of gene expression. This randomized placebo-controlled trial in adult women evaluated the effects of 20 mg Zn for 23 days. The mRNA abundance of zinc transporters ( ZnT1/ZIP3/ZIP4/ZIP8 ) and metallothionein ( MT1 ) from peripheral blood mononuclear cells was determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In paired samples ( n = 6-9), the ZIP4 ( P = 0.036) and ZIP8 ( P = 0.038) mRNA abundance decreased following zinc supplementation. ZnT1, ZIP3 , and MT1 mRNA abundance did not change significantly. The mean ± standard deviation plasma zinc concentration (by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) at baseline was 680 ± 110 μg/L for the zinc group ( n = 24) and 741 ± 92 μg/L for the placebo group ( n = 23). At endpoint, plasma zinc in the zinc group increased to 735 ± 80 μg/L ( P < 0.01) while in the placebo group (717 ± 100 μg/L) it did not change significantly from baseline. The change in mRNA abundance highlights the importance of further investigating ZIP4 and ZIP8 mRNA abundance as potential zinc status biomarkers

The Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum299v on Iron Status and Physical Performance in Female Iron-Deficient Athletes : A Randomized Controlled Trial

Iron is an essential micronutrient for oxygen transport and mitochondrial metabolism and is critical for physical performance. Compromised iron stores are more commonly found among athletes, and females are especially at risk. Iron deficiency is generally treated using oral iron supplements. However, only a small proportion of ingested iron is absorbed, necessitating higher intakes, which may result in adverse side effects, reduced compliance, and inefficient repletion of iron stores. The probiotic strainLactobacillus plantarum299v (Lp299v) significantly increases intestinal iron absorption in meal studies. The present study was conducted to explore the effects of 20 mg of iron with or without Lp299v on iron status, mood state, and physical performance. Fifty-three healthy non-anemic female athletes with low iron stores (ferritin &lt; 30 mu g/L) were randomized, and 39 completed the study. Intake of Lp299v with iron for four weeks increased ferritin levels more than iron alone (13.6 vs. 8.2 mu g/L), but the difference between the groups was not significant (p= 0.056). The mean reticulocyte hemoglobin content increased after intake of Lp299v compared to control (1.5 vs. 0.82 pg) after 12 weeks, but the difference between the group was not significant (p= 0.083). The Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire showed increased vigor with Lp299v vs. iron alone after 12 weeks (3.5 vs. 0.1,p= 0.015). No conclusive effects on physical performance were observed. In conclusion, Lp299v, together with 20 mg of iron, could result in a more substantial and rapid improvement in iron status and improved vigor compared to 20 mg of iron alone. A larger clinical trial is needed to further explore these findings as well as the impact of Lp299v on physical performance