Early taste experiences and later food choices

Background. Nutrition in early life is increasingly considered to be an important factor influencing later health. Food preferences are formed in infancy, are tracked into childhood and beyond, and complementary feeding practices are crucial to prevent obesity later in life. Methods. Through a literature search strategy, we have investigated the role of breastfeeding, of complementary feeding, and the parental and sociocultural factors which contribute to set food preferences early in life. Results. Children are predisposed to prefer high-energy, -sugar, and -salt foods, and in pre-school age to reject new foods (food neophobia). While genetically determined individual differences exist, repeated offering of foods can modify innate preferences. Conclusions. Starting in the prenatal period, a varied exposure through amniotic fluid and repeated experiences with novel flavors during breastfeeding and complementary feeding increase children\u2019s willingness to try new foods within a positive social environment

Hormones in breast milk and effect on infants’ growth : A systematic review

Breast milk is characterized by a dynamic and complex composition which includes hormones and other bioactive components that could influence infant growth, development, and optimize health. Among the several beneficial effects associated with prolonged breastfeeding, a 13% decrease in the risk of overweight and obesity has been reported. Recent research has focused on breast milk hormones contributing to the appetite and energy balance regulation and adiposity. Accordingly, we conducted a literature systematic review with the aim to provide an update on the effect of leptin, ghrelin, Insulin Growth Factor 1, adiponectin, and insulin on infants\u2019 and children\u2019s growth and body composition. The revised literature reveals contrasting findings concerning the potential role of all these hormones on modeling growth and fat mass apposition and health outcomes later in life. Further studies are needed to gain further insight into the specific role of these bioactive components in metabolic pathways related to body composition. This could help gain a further insight on infants\u2019 growth, both in physiological and pathological settings

Factors influencing children’s eating behaviours

Relevant factors involved in the creation of some children\u2019s food preferences and eating behaviours have been examined in order to highlight the topic and give paediatricians practical instruments to understand the background behind eating behaviour and to manage children\u2019s nutrition for preventive purposes. Electronic databases were searched to locate and appraise relevant studies. We carried out a search to identify papers published in English on factors that influence children\u2019s feeding behaviours. The family system that surrounds a child\u2019s domestic life will have an active role in establishing and promoting behaviours that will persist throughout his or her life. Early-life experiences with various tastes and flavours have a role in promoting healthy eating in future life. The nature of a narrative review makes it difficult to integrate complex interactions when large sets of studies are involved. In the current analysis, parental food habits and feeding strategies are the most dominant determinants of a child\u2019s eating behaviour and food choices. Parents should expose their offspring to a range of good food choices while acting as positive role models. Prevention programmes should be addressed to them, taking into account socioeconomic aspects and education

External Validation of Equations to Estimate Resting Energy Expenditure in 2037 Children and Adolescents with and 389 without Obesity : a Cross-Sectional Study

We performed an external cross-validation study of 10 equations to estimate resting energy expenditure (REE) in 2037 children with and 389 without obesity. Inclusion criteria were Caucasian ethnicity, age 64 18 years, and availability of REE. REE was measured using indirect calorimetry. The correct classification fraction (CCF) of an equation was defined as the fraction of subjects whose estimated REE was within 10% of measured REE. The Moln\ue1r equation was the most accurate REE prediction equation with CCFs of 0.70 (95% CI 0.65 to 0.76) in girls without obesity, 0.64 (95% CI 0.61 to 0.66) in girls with obesity, 0.76 (95% CI 0.67 to 0.83) in boys without obesity, and 0.66 (95% CI 0.63 to 0.69) in boys with obesity. The Mifflin equation was the second most accurate equation with CCFs of 0.67 (95% CI 0.61 to 0.73) in girls without obesity, 0.61 (95% CI 0.58 to 0.64) in girls with obesity, 0.75 (95% CI 0.66 to 0.82) in boys without obesity, and 0.66 (95% CI 0.63 to 0.69) in boys with obesity

Increased levels of polychlorobiphenyls in Italian women with endometriosis

Endometriosis has been hypothesised to be linked to persistent and toxic organochlorinated chemicals. Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds have in particular been associated with the disease, mainly on the basis of experimental studies. Data in women are conflicting. A case-control study on 80 Italian nulliparous women of reproductive age was carried out to assess whether there is a correlation between the presence of endometriosis and blood levels of polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), a family of ubiquitary environmental pollutants which comprises congeners with dioxin-like activity. Higher levels of PCBs were found in women with endometriosis. A mean cumulative value of 410 ng g(-1), lipid base, was found in cases versus the value of 250 ng g(-1) observed in the control group (odds ratio for upper tertile 4.0, CI 95% 1.3-13; p = 0.0003). PCB increase involved both dioxin-like (PCBs 105, 118, 156, and 167) and non-dioxin-like congeners (PCBs 101, 138, 153, 170, 180). (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

The Metabolic Response to Stress and Infection in Critically Ill Children: The Opportunity of an Individualized Approach.

The metabolic response to stress and infection is closely related to the corresponding requirements of energy and nutrients. On a general level, the response is driven by a complex endocrine network and related to the nature and severity of the insult. On an individual level, the effects of nutritional interventions are highly variable and a possible source of complications. This narrative review aims to discuss the metabolic changes in critically-ill children and the potential of developing personalized nutritional interventions. Through a literature search strategy, we have investigated the importance of blood glucose levels, the nutritional aspects of the different phases of acute stress response, and the reliability of the available tools to assess the energy expenditure. The dynamics of metabolism during stressful events reveals the difficult balance between risk of hypo- or hyperglycemia and under- or overfeeding. Within this context, individualized and accurate measurement of energy expenditure may help in defining the metabolic needs of patients. Given the variability of the metabolic response in critical conditions, randomized clinical studies in ill children are needed to evaluate the effect of individualized nutritional intervention on health outcomes

The role of lipids in human milk and infant formulae

The quantity and quality of dietary lipids in infant formulae have a significant impact on health outcomes, especially when fat storing and/or absorption are limited (e.g., preterm birth and short bowel disease) or when fat byproducts may help to prevent some pathologies (e.g., atopy). The lipid composition of infant formulae varies according to the different fat sources used, and the potential biological effects are related to the variety of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. For example, since lipids are the main source of energy when the normal absorptive capacity of the digestive tract is compromised, medium-chain saturated fatty acids might cover this requirement. Instead, ruminant-derived trans fatty acids and metabolites of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids with their anti-inflammatory properties can modulate immune function. Furthermore, dietary fats may influence the nutrient profile of formulae, improving the acceptance of these products and the compliance with dietary schedules

Alcohol intake and semen variables: cross-sectional analysis of a prospective cohort study of men referring to an Italian Fertility Clinic

BACKGROUND: The association between alcohol intake and male reproductive function is still controversial. In the frame of a prospective cohort study, designed to investigate the relation between life style and fertility, we performed a cross-sectional analysis of semen quality. METHODS: Men of subfertile couples, referring to an Italian Infertility Unit and eligible for assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs), were asked about their lifestyle: BMI, smoking, caffeine intake, occupational and leisure physical activity (PA) and alcohol intake in the last year before ART procedure. Semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count and sperm motility were determined. Age, risk factors for impaired male fertility, caffeine, smoking, leisure PA, days of abstinence and daily calories intake were accounted for in the analyses. RESULTS: Between September 2014 and December 2016, we enrolled 323 male patients, mean age 39.3 years. Thirty-one (9.6%) were abstainers, 97 (30.0%) drank <1-3, 98 (30.3%) 4-7 and 97 (30.0%) 658 alcohol units per week. As compared to men drinking <1-3 units per week, median semen volume was higher in the 4-7 units/week group (3.0 mL, interquartile range, IQR, 2.0-4.0 vs. 2.4 mL, IQR 1.7-3.5), as well as total sperm count (87.9 mil/mL, IQR 20.2-182.1 vs. 51.5 mil/mL, IQR 15.2-114.7). Association with sperm concentration was also significant, with a U-shaped trend in groups of alcohol intake. After adjusting for potential confounders, these relations were confirmed. Similar patterns were observed in subgroups of leisure PA and risk factors for impaired male fertility, although these estimates often lacked statistical significance, presumably because of low sample size. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate alcohol intake appears positively associated to semen quality in male partners of infertile couples undergoing ART

D-dimer testing, with gender-specific cutoff levels, is of value to assess the individual risk of venous thromboembolic recurrence in non-elderly patients of both genders: a post hoc analysis of the DULCIS study

Male patients, especially the young, are at a higher risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism (RVTE) than females. Recent scientific reports show the use of D-dimer does not help predict RVTE risk in males. In the present report, we reviewed the data obtained in the DULCIS study (main report published in Blood 2014), focusing on D-dimer results recorded in non-elderly patients of both genders included in the study, and their relationship with RVTE events occurring during follow-up. Using specifically designed cutoff values for positive/negative interpretation, serial D-dimer measurements (performed during warfarin treatment and up to 3&nbsp;months after discontinuation of anticoagulation) in 475 patients (males 57.3%) aged 64 65&nbsp;years were obtained. D-dimer resulted positive in 46.3% and 30.5% of males and females, respectively (p = 0.001). Following management procedure, anticoagulation was stopped in 53.7% of males and 69.5% of females, who had persistently negative D-dimer results. The rate of subsequent recurrent events was 1.7% (95% CI 0.5\u20134.5%) and 0.4% (95% CI 0\u20132.5%) patient-years in males and females, respectively, with upper limits of confidence intervals always below the level of risk considered acceptable by international scientific societies for stopping anticoagulation (&lt; 5%). In conclusion, using sensitive quantitative assays with specifically designed cutoff values and serial measurements during and after discontinuation of anticoagulation, D-dimer testing is useful to predict the risk of RVTE and is of help in deciding the duration of anticoagulation in both male and female adult patients aged up to 65&nbsp;years

Eomes controls the development of Th17-derived (non-classic) Th1 cells during chronic inflammation

It is well accepted that Th17 cells are a highly plastic cell subset that can be easily directed towards the Th1 phenotype in vitro and also in vivo during inflammation. However, there is an ongoing debate regarding the reverse plasticity (conversion from Th1 to Th17). We show here that ectopic ROR-\u3b3t expression can restore or initiate IL-17 expression by non-classic or classic Th1 cells, respectively, while common pro-Th17 cytokine cocktails are ineffective. This stability of the Th1 phenotype is at least partially due to the presence of a molecular machinery governed by the transcription factor Eomes, which promotes IFN-\u3b3 secretion while inhibiting the expression of ROR-\u3b3t and IL-17. By using a mouse model of T cell-dependent colitis we demonstrate that Eomes controls non-classic Th1 cell development also in vivo and promotes their pathogenic potential. Eomes expression associates to a highly inflammatory phenotype also in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Indeed, it favors the acquisition of a cytotoxic signature, and promotes the development of IFN-\u3b3+ GM-CSF+ cells that have been described to be pathogenic in chronic inflammatory disorders