Evaluation of vitamin D supplementation intake among children; cross-sectional observational study [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess  the vitamin D supplementation intake status among children from different nationalities in the UAE,  to determine vitamin D intake practices through diet and lifestyle, and the barriers that parents in the UAE  face with providing vitamin D supplementation to their children.   Methods: A cross-sectional observational questionnaire-based survey study design was used.. The study was conducted in the U.A.E and the study participants were parents of children from ages 4-15 years. The questionnaire used in this study was both self-administered and interviewer-administered while inquiring the questions from the parents. A convenience sampling technique was used to collect the data. The response rate of participants was expected to be 63%, the margin of error was 5% and the level of confidence was 95%.   Results: A total of 248 participants (203 mothers, 39 fathers and 6 caregivers) completed the study. Participants reported that the supplements used the most by children were vitamin D supplements (21.85%), followed by multivitamins (21.8%) and calcium supplements (5.6%) and 27.8% of participants in this study reported  to  no  supplementation at all. The rate of vitamin D supplementation among children was higher in those families with higher income levels, parents/caregivers who were more educated, those families who attained health insurance. However, there was no statistical significance between these correlations. Conclusion: The study concluded that challenges like the educational and financial background of parents, family-income level, and health insurance status could help aid in addressing the overall burden of vitamin D deficiency among young children in the UAE. Pediatricians and health care professionals could use our study and use it as an aid to provide screening on lifestyle, sun light exposure, and dietary modifications and also educate parents why and how vitamin D is crucial for their children

Improvement electronic and magnetic properties of Cr impurity doped PbSe for optoelectronic devices applications: a first-principles proposal

To produce innovative spintronics components, we are now looking for ferromagnetic semiconductors at room temperature. The aim of this work is to study the electronic structures and the magnetic properties is to trigger ferromagnetism and to improve the band gap of PbSe The study of the electronic structure and the magnetic properties of diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMS) type IV–VI PbSe doped Cr is investigated in detail. Our results are as follows. We then calculated the sp-d exchange couplings between electrons (holes) of the conduction (valence) band and magnetic impurities. The topology of the band structure shows that our material is half metal, which has a direct gap in the minority channel due to the nature of sp–d coupling. The values of N$$\alpha$$ ferromagnetic and N$$\beta$$ antiferromagnetic obtained in the mean-field approximation are of the order of 0.551 and $$-0.445$$ eV respectively. The Thermoelectric Conversion Efficiency focuses on a single dimension parameter, the figure of merit ZT. We have seen that doping with Cr can also have a beneficial effect on thermal conductivity and consequently on ZT. This leads our material among the best compounds to thermoelectric applications

Erratum to: Improvement electronic and magnetic properties of Cr impurity doped PbSe for optoelectronic devices applications: a first-principles proposal

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/s10051-021-00106-

Evaluation of vitamin D supplementation intake among children; cross-sectional observational study

Background: The purpose of this study was to review the vitamin D supplementation intake status among children in the general public, determine the vitamin D supplements practices, and the barriers that parents and children face with supplementation.   Methods: A cross-sectional observational questionnaire-based survey study design was used. A convenience sampling technique was used to collect the data. An online Rao soft sample size calculator was applied to determine the sample size of 319. The response rate of participants was expected to be 63%, the margin of error was 5% and the level of confidence was 95%.   Results: A total of 248 parents (89.1% mothers (n =203)) and 15.7% fathers (n=39) with a mean ± SD age of 35.4 ± 7.04 years, completed the study (77.7% response rate). Parents reported that the supplements used the most by children were vitamin D supplements (21.85%) and multivitamins (21.8%) followed by calcium supplements (5.6%). However, 27.8% of children in this study did not take any supplements. Of all the parents, 65% (162) of them reported sending their child outside to play while 34.67% (86) of parents had reported no outdoor activity. Approximately 184 (74.2%) parents reported the child’s diet to contain multiple natural sources of vitamin D. However, 69 (27.8%) parents reported giving none of the natural sources of vitamin D to their children through the diet. Parents with higher education about 62.9% (n=156) had a higher frequency of providing vitamin D supplements to their children. Children in high-income families (43.63%) were more likely to take vitamin D supplements than those in middle- or low-income families.     Conclusion: The study concluded that challenges like the educational and financial background of parents, family-income level, and health insurance status could help aid in addressing the overall burden of vitamin D deficiency among young children

Synthèse des composés de type imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine, imidazo[1,5-a]quinoxaline et pyrazolo [1,5-a] quinoxaline comme inhibiteurs d'IKK1 et IKK2

International audienceThe transcription nuclear factor NF-κB plays a pivotal role in chronic and acute inflammatory diseases. Among the several and diverse strategies for inhibiting NF-κB, one of the most effective approach considered by the pharmaceutical industry seems to be offered by the development of IKK inhibitors. In a former study, two potential IKK2 inhibitors have been highlighted among a series of imidazo[1,2-a]quinoxaline derivatives. In order to enhance this activity, we present herein the synthesis of twenty-one new compounds based on the imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine, imidazo[1,5-a]quinoxaline or pyrazolo[1,5-a]quinoxaline structures. Their potential to inhibit IKK1 and IKK2 activities is also tested.Le facteur de transcription nucléaire NF-κB joue un rôle important dans les maladies inflammatoires chroniques et aiguës. Parmi les nombreuses stratégies d'inhibition de NF-KB, l'une des approches les plus efficaces envisagées par l'industrie pharmaceutique est le développement d'inhibiteurs d'IKK. Dans une étude antérieure, deux inhibiteurs potentiels de l'IKK2 ont été mis en évidence parmi une série de composés de type imidazo[1,2-a]quinoxaline. Afin d’améliorer cette activité, nous présentons ici la synthèse de 21 nouveaux composés de type imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine, imidazo[1,5-a]quinoxaline et pyrazolo[1,5-a]quinoxaline. Leurs activités biologiques en tant qu’inhibiteurs potentiels de I'KK1 et I'KK2 sont également décrites

Food traceability 4.0 as part of the fourth industrial revolution: key enabling technologies

International audienceFood Traceability 4.0 (FT 4.0) is about tracing foods in the era of the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) with techniques and technologies reflecting this new revolution. Interest in food traceability has gained momentum in response to, among others events, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, reinforcing the need for digital food traceability that prevents food fraud and provides reliable information about food. This review will briefly summarize the most common conventional methods available to determine food authenticity before highlighting examples of emerging techniques that can be used to combat food fraud and improve food traceability. A particular focus will be on the concept of FT 4.0 and the significant role of digital solutions and other relevant Industry 4.0 innovations in enhancing food traceability. Based on this review, a possible new research topic, namely FT 4.0, is encouraged to take advantage of the rapid digitalization and technological advances occurring in the era of Industry 4.0. The main FT 4.0 enablers are blockchain, the Internet of things, artificial intelligence, and big data. Digital technologies in the age of Industry 4.0 have significant potential to improve the way food is traced, decrease food waste and reduce vulnerability to fraud opening new opportunities to achieve smarter food traceability. Although most of these emerging technologies are still under development, it is anticipated that future research will overcome current limitations making large-scale applications possible