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Topic Review
Deadly Helminthiasis
Helminthiasis is an expensive management problem in sheep and goat industry, because the gastrointestinal parasites develop resistance against all anthelmintic chemical products which are discovered and produced by the pharmaceutical industry. The use of natural tannin containing forages such as Sericea Lespedeza is highly promising. Helminthiasis is the invasion of internal parasites into the GI tract of domestic animals, even in humans, causing serious deadly consequences. Sheep and goats are more seriously afflicted than other farm animals. Helminthiasis results in high mortality rate, and poor growth rates, low reproductive performances and low quality products produced from infected animals, which increase high production costs. Anthelmintic drug has been used as the most common control method against gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) infection. Overuse and misuse of these drugs caused significant GIN resistance against the drugs, especially in sheep and goat production.  
  • 775
  • 18 Jan 2021
Topic Review
The Health Effects Effects of Colorful Bioactive Pigments
Inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables (FV) is a leading modifiable dietary risk factor for mortality and contributes to the increasing burden of both communicable and non-communicable diseases. Despite the unequivocal health benefits of eating FV, 78% of adults worldwide do not consume the daily recommended servings, leading to a ‘phytonutrient gap’. Naturally occurring and pigmented phytonutrients (herein referred to as bioactive pigments) give FV their vibrant colors and correspond to one or more phytonutrient categories; e.g., red corresponds to lycopene, yellow to alpha-carotene, orange to beta-carotene, green to chlorophyll, purple and blue to anthocyanins, and white to flavones.
  • 774
  • 19 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Dietary Factors and Metabolic Endotoxemia
Metabolic endotoxemia is a condition in which blood lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels are elevated, regardless of the presence of obvious infection. It has been suggested to lead to chronic inflammation-related diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), pancreatitis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease.
  • 774
  • 25 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Cocoa/Dark Chocolate and Obesity
Obesity remains a major public health problem due to its increasing prevalence and the role it plays in contributing to the occurrence of chronic disease. Natural products have become common as adjunct therapeutic agents for treating obesity and preventing metabolic diseases. Cocoa and its products are a rich source of polyphenols are commonly consumed worldwide and recently received attention in the management of obesity.  This entry also depicts the relation between cocoa polyphenols and dark chocolate and obesity.
  • 770
  • 11 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Nutritional Assessment in Preterm Infants
A practical approach for nutritional assessment in preterm infants under intensive care, based on anthropometric measurements and commonly used biochemical markers, is suggested. 
  • 770
  • 03 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Adults
Cardiometabolic risk (CMR) factors increase the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In Qatar, 24% of the total deaths are attributed to CVDs. Several nutritional disturbances have been linked to high risk of CVD. Many studies have discussed the effects of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) on CMR factors; however, evidence has been controversial. This investigated the association between CMR factors and the status of Zn and Cu, in addition to Zn/Cu ratio. A total of 575 Qatari men and women aged 18 years and older were obtained from Qatar Biobank. Plasma levels of Zn and Cu were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Anthropometric data and CMR factors were determined using standard methods. Adjusted associations between trace minerals and CMR were estimated by logistic regression. Partial correlation was performed to test the strength of the associations. Zn was not strongly correlated (p-value ˃ 0.01) or significantly associated with CMR factors and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Cu levels correlated positively with body mass index (BMI) (0.23; p ˂ 0.001), pulse rate (PR) (0.18; p ˂ 0.001), total cholesterol (0.13; p = 0.01), and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) (0.27; p ˂ 0.001); and negatively with diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (−0.13; p = 0.01). High plasma Cu significantly decreased the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) (0.121; p ˂ 0.001). Furthermore, Zn/Cu ratio positively correlated with waist circumference (0.13; p = 0.01), systolic blood pressure (0.13; p ˂ 0.01), and DBP (0.14; p ˂ 0.01); and negatively with BMI (−0.19; p ˂ 0.001), PR (−0.17; p ˂ 0.001), and HDL (−0.27; p ˂ 0.001). High Zn/Cu ratio increased the prevalence of low HDL (4.508; p ˂ 0.001) and MetS (5.570; p ˂ 0.01). These findings suggest that high plasma Cu levels are associated with a protective effect on DBP, HDL and MetS and that high plasma Zn/Cu ratio is associated with the risk of having low HDL and MetS.
  • 769
  • 15 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Antioxidants in Hops
Hop plant (Humulus lupulus L.) has been used by humans for ages, presumably first as a herbal remedy, then in the manufacturing of different products, from which beer is the most largely consumed. Female hops cones have different useful chemical compounds, an important class being antioxidants, mainly polyphenols.
  • 766
  • 10 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Bioavailability of Sprout against Different Diseases
With the intake of plant sprouts, bioavailability has long been regarded as crucial. The bioavailability of phytochemicals in various sprout diets varies substantially depending on several parameters. Interindividual factors, including delivery mode, and even intraindividual biochemical variances and the makeup and function of the gut microbiota are all factors to consider.
  • 766
  • 11 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Gut-Brain Axis in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex behavioral syndrome that is characterized by speech and language disorders, intellectual impairment, learning and motor dysfunctions. Several genetic and environmental factors are suspected to affect the ASD phenotype including air pollution, exposure to pesticides, maternal infections, inflammatory conditions, dietary factors or consumption of antibiotics during pregnancy.  Many children with ASD shows abnormalities in gastrointestinal (GI) physiology, including increased intestinal permeability, overall microbiota alterations, and gut infection. Moreover, they are “picky eaters” and the existence of specific sensory patterns in ASD patients could represent one of the main aspects in hampering feeding. GI disorders are associated with an altered composition of the gut microbiota. Gut microbiome is able to communicate with brain activities through microbiota-derived signaling molecules, immune mediators, gut hormones as well as vagal and spinal afferent neurons. Since the diet induces changes in the intestinal microbiota and in the production of molecules, such as the SCFA, we wanted to investigate the role that nutritional intervention can have on GI microbiota composition and thus on its influence on behavior, GI symptoms and microbiota composition and report which are the beneficial effect on ASD condition.
  • 764
  • 23 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Vitamin K2 in “Bone-Vascular Crosstalk”
Osteoporosis (OP) and vascular calcification (VC) represent relevant health problems that frequently coexist in the elderly population. Traditionally, they have been considered independent processes, and mainly age-related. However, an increasing number of studies have reported their possible direct correlation, commonly defined as “bone-vascular crosstalk”. Vitamin K2 (VitK2), a family of several natural isoforms also known as menaquinones (MK), has recently received particular attention for its role in maintaining calcium homeostasis.
  • 763
  • 14 Apr 2021
Topic Review
NAFLD and Nutrition
NAFLD is the world’s most common chronic liver disease, and its increasing prevalence parallels the global rise in diabetes and obesity. It is characterised by fat accumulation in the liver evolving to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), an inflammatory subtype that can lead to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.  An unhealthy diet rich in calories, sugars and saturated fats, and low in polyunsaturated fatty acids, fibre, and micronutrients plays a critical role in the development and progression of this disease. Currently, there is no effective pharmacotherapeutic treatment for NAFLD. Treatment is therefore based on lifestyle modifications including changes to diet and exercise, although it is unclear what the most effective form of intervention is.
  • 763
  • 06 May 2021
Topic Review
Diet, Microbiota in Brain Health
The central nervous system (CNS) is a highly energy demanding organ, as it uses about 20% of the total oxygen and glucose consumed by the body, despite representing only 2% of the total body mass. Neurons heavily rely on glucose as the main energy substrate, but in stressful conditions, other resources, such as ketone bodies and lactate, provided by glial cells, may be used. Fatty acids (FA) are poorly used by the CNS as a fuel due to a low expression of the β-oxidation enzyme machinery, an evolutionarily acquired feature necessary to limit excessive oxygen consumption and consequent reactive oxygen species generation in mitochondria generally associated with FA catabolism . Furthermore, the CNS has a limited ability to build internal energy stores, as only astrocytes have been shown to synthesize glycogen in small amounts. Cholesterol is essential for brain function. It is involved in cell maintenance, neuronal transmission, and synaptic formation. Its metabolism in the CNS relies on local de novo synthesis and catabolism, as the blood–brain barrier (BBB) blocks the passage of diet-derived cholesterol into the CNS. Thus, to maintain a constant delivery of energy substrates for neuronal activity, the CNS engages in intensive crosstalk with organs involved in metabolism, such as the gut, adipose tissue and liver, regulating several functions such as food behavior, hormonal status and commence of adaptive responses to dietary changes. Due to its metabolic setting, the maintenance of glucose homeostasis is essential for proper neuronal functioning. Receptors for insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) are present throughout the CNS, mostly concentrated on the hypothalamus and hippocampus, where local production of these hormones has also been demonstrated, especially during growth. Insulin and IGF-1 exert an important role in neuronal development and survival by stimulating synaptic plasticity and long-term potentiation, which aid in learning and memory. Interestingly, insulin modulates phosphorylation of tau protein, supporting a potential involvement of insulin metabolism in AD. Furthermore, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), a hepatocyte-derived hormone, signals protein and glucose status to the brain, allowing the refinement of food choice and metabolism according to dietary changes. On the other hand, CNS insulin sensitivity modulates adiposity and body fat accumulation. Along the brain-periphery signaling network, diet and microbiota deeply influence these communication pathways through several mechanisms.
  • 762
  • 12 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Lycopene as Antioxidant for Type II Diabetes Mellitus
Nutrition is of utmost importance in chronic disease management and has often been described as the cornerstone of a variety of non-communicable diseases. In particular, type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents a prevalent and global public health crisis. Lycopene, a bright red carotenoid hydrocarbon found in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables, has been extensively studied for its biological activities and treatment efficiency in diabetes care. Epidemiological investigations indicate that lycopene has potential antioxidant properties, is capable of scavenging reactive species, and alleviates oxidative stress in T2DM patients.
  • 762
  • 01 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Treatment of Vitamin D Deficiency with Calcifediol
Calcifediol (25-OH-vitamin D3) is the prohormone of the vitamin D endocrine system. It is used to prevent and treat vitamin D deficiency. Calcifediol, as well as cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), is efficient and safe in the general population, although calcifediol has certain advantages over cholecalciferol, such as its rapid onset of action and greater potency. 
  • 761
  • 20 May 2022
Topic Review
Brain processing: sugar and sweeteners
This entry aimed to reveal the differential brain processing of sugars and sweeteners in humans. Functional magnetic resonance imaging studies published up to 2019 were retrieved from two databases and were included into the review if they evaluated the effects of both sugars and sweeteners on the subjects’ brain responses, during tasting and right after ingestion. Twenty studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The number of participants per study ranged from 5 to 42, with a total number of study participants at 396. Seven studies recruited both males and females, 7 were all-female and 6 were all-male. There was no consistent pattern showing that sugar or sweeteners elicited larger brain responses. Commonly involved brain regions were insula/operculum, cingulate and striatum, brainstem, hypothalamus and the ventral tegmental area. Future studies, therefore, should recruit a larger sample size, adopt a standardized fasting duration (preferably 12 h overnight, which is the most common practice and brain responses are larger in the state of hunger), and reported results with familywise-error rate (FWE)-corrected statistics. Every study should report the differential brain activation between sugar and non-nutritive sweetener conditions regardless of the complexity of their experiment design. These measures would enable a meta-analysis, pooling data across studies in a meaningful manner.
  • 760
  • 19 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Polymorphisms in Vitamin D-Related Genes
Vitamin D deficiency represents a major healthcare problem. Vitamin D status is influenced by genetic and environmental determinants. Several observational studies have evaluated the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in vitamin D-related genes and vitamin D levels. Nevertheless, little is known about the role of these SNPs in the response to vitamin D supplementation. We conducted an interventional study to define the association between SNPs in vitamin D-related genes and the response to vitamin D supplementation in 100 self-reported healthy women of Arab ancestry for the majority. Methods. A total of 100 healthy female subjects received a weekly oral dose of 50,000 IU vitamin D for 12 weeks. Serum vitamin D concentration and metabolic profiles were measured at baseline and 12 weeks post-vitamin D supplementation. The genotypes of 37 SNPs selected from previously reported vitamin D-related genes have been assessed by Fluidigm genotyping assay. Results. Rs731236 (VDR gene) and rs7116978 (CYP2R1 gene) showed a significant association with vitamin D status. The rs731236 GG genotype and the rs7116978 CC genotype were associated with a “vitamin D sufficiency” state. Rs731236 GG and rs7116978 CC genotypes showed a higher response to vitamin D supplementation. Transcription factor binding site prediction analysis showed altered binding sites for transcription factors according to the different rs7116978 alleles. Interestingly, the 37 SNPs previously established to play a role in vitamin D-related pathways explained very little of the response to vitamin D supplementation in our cohort, suggesting the existence of alternative loci whose number and effect size need to be investigated in future studies. Conclusion. In this paper, we present novel data on vitamin D-related SNPs and response to vitamin D supplementation demonstrating the feasibility of applying functional genomic approaches in interventional studies to assess individual-level responses to vitamin D supplementation.
  • 759
  • 31 Aug 2020
Topic Review
Gut Microbiota in the Elderly
Gut microbiota is involved in the maintenance of physiological homeostasis, thus the alteration of its composition and functionality, called dysbiosis, has been associated with many pathologies, and could also be linked with the progressive degenerative process in aging. Specific gut microbiota taxa could be associated to the development of inflammation underlying aging, but also it has been identified some beneficial profiles related to a healthy status in the elderly. Thus, gut microbiota emerges as a therapeutic target with a double impact in the elderly, counteracting both aging itself and associated diseases. 
  • 759
  • 12 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Functional Food Ingredients for Viral Diseases
A complex network of processes within the human immune system provides resistance to a variety of disease states. This defense forms innate and adaptive immunity, with specific immune components working together to combat infection. In addition to genetic variables, susceptibility to disease can be influenced by factors such as lifestyle, age and environmental factors. Certain food chemicals have been shown to modulate signaling and cell morphology. This has implications for pathophysiology. Eating some functional foods can increase the activity of immune cells and protect us from various diseases, including those caused by viruses as discussed below. 
  • 759
  • 07 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Nutritional Strategies in Prediabetes
The risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) increases with existence of one of two precursor states—impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). IFG is defined as a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) concentration of ≥6.1 but <7.0 mmol/L, whereas IGT is defined as an FPG concentration of <7.0 mmol/L and a 2-h post-load plasma glucose concentration of ≥7.8 but <11.1 mmol/L following an oral glucose challenge . A glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level of 5.7–6.4% has been included in the existing American Diabetes Association (ADA)’s criteria for high diabetes risk since 2010 .Prediabetes is broadly defined as blood glucose levels above normal but below that of diabetes . Prediabetes is typically an umbrella term encompassing IGT, IFG as well as elevated HbA1c levels—all of which are considered substantial risk factors for progression to overt diabetes.
  • 758
  • 16 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Devices Manipulating Eating Rate
Eating rate, as well as food texture and habitual characteristics, are considered important factors that affect an individual’s food intake. A novel way of manipulating eating rate and thereby potentially decreasing energy intake is via the use of specially made devices and cutlery. The aforementioned slow eating rate by decreasing oral volume and bite size, by modifying their shape (vibrating or deflating) when eating rate is accelerated or by special recordings of eating events and eating speed and then training the subject to modify them.
  • 754
  • 05 Nov 2020
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