A study on the effect of nutrient intake on the body mass index of mothers of children with food allergies.

BACKGROUND: No previous studies have reported the effect of the presence of children with food allergies (FAs) on the diet and body mass index (BMI) of mothers. Therefore, we conducted a dietary survey and considered nutrients that influenced BMI of mothers. OBJECTIVE: Subjects included 554 mothers-305 mothers of children with FAs (FA mothers; aged 38.4 ± 5.1 years, FA group) and 249 mothers of children without FAs (non-FA mothers; aged 37.7 ± 5.5 years, NFA group). METHODS: We extracted dietary patterns from dietary survey results and investigated the correlation between nutrient intake and BMI. We divided the FA group into two groups (one containing 181 mothers whose children were allergic to ≤ 1 of the three major allergenic foods-eggs, milk and wheat-and another containing 124 mothers whose children were allergic to ≥ 2 of these foods) and conducted a comparative analysis. RESULTS: BMI was significantly lower in the FA group than in the NFA group (20.7 vs. 21.4 kg/m2). There was a significant negative correlation between BMI and vegetable protein intake (ß = -0.196, SE = 0.05). Vegetable protein intake was higher in the group that was allergic to ≥ 2 of the allergenic foods. CONCLUSIONS: BMI of FA mothers is affected by a diet that strictly follows their FA child's allergen-free state-a diet dominated by vegetable protein. These observations suggested that the degree to which an FA mother is affected depends on the number of the three major allergenic foods to which her FA child is allergic.

Awareness, use and information sources of folic acid supplementation to prevent neural tube defects in pregnant Japanese women.

OBJECTIVE: Folic acid supplementation and folate-rich diets are recommended for women of childbearing age worldwide to prevent congenital anomalies. We aimed to determine the current status of folic acid supplementation among pregnant Japanese women and identify means to increase the intake of these supplements. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: A total of 1862 pregnant women who consulted the perinatal centre from September 2014 to December 2015 completed a questionnaire concerning knowledge about folic acid, sources of information and the use of folic acid supplements. SETTING: Osaka Medical Center and Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health (Japan). RESULTS: In our study population, only 20·5 % of pregnant women took folic acid supplements periconceptionally even though 70·4 % knew about the protective effect of folic acid. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that age ≥35 years (OR=2·80; 95 % CI 1·24, 6·29) and knowledge of the benefits of folic acid (OR=2·64; 95 % CI 1·92, 3·62) were associated with periconceptional folic acid use, and multiparity was negatively associated with such use. Compared with those who took folic acid supplements periconceptionally, women who did not take supplements received information through passive and less interactive media. CONCLUSIONS: Although folic acid awareness was relatively high among pregnant Japanese women, folic acid supplementation before conception was insufficient. To increase the intake of folic acid supplements in countries in which foods are not fortified with folic acid, an effective public health approach promoting behavioural change is necessary for women of reproductive age.

Microtubule formation and activities of antioxidative enzymes in PC12 cells exposed to phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxides.

Aging increases free radical generation and lipid oxidation and, thereby, mediates neurodegenerative diseases. As the brain is rich in lipids (polyunsaturated fatty acids), the antioxidative system plays an important role in protecting brain tissues from oxidative injury. The changes in microtubule formation and antioxidative enzyme activities have been investigated in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells exposed to various concentrations of phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxides (PCOOH). We measured three typical antioxidative enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT). The microtubule assembly system was dependent on the antioxidative enzyme system in cells exposed to oxidative stress. The activities of the three enzymes increased in a PCOOH exposure-dependent manner. In particular, the changes in the activity as a result of PCOOH exposure were similar in the three antioxidative enzymes. This is the first report indicating the compatibility between the tubulin-microtubule and antioxidative enzyme systems in cells that deteriorate as a result of phospholipid hydroperoxide administration from an exterior source. The descending order of sensitivity of the three enzymes to PCOOH is also discussed.

A Study of Dietary and BMI Changes Over Time in Mothers of Children with Food Allergies.

Few follow-up surveys have been conducted with regard to the changes in diet of mothers of children with food allergy. We examined changes in food and BMI over time in the mothers of children with food allergies. A total of 146 mothers completed a diet survey twice, with the first conducted in 2013-2016 and the second in 2018, and the dietary changes were examined. Furthermore, among the 120 mothers who eliminated eggs from their diet in the first survey, 98 continued to eliminate eggs and 22 reintroduced eggs during the second survey, and the change over time was examined. Additionally, factors related to BMI were analyzed. We observed a change in the amount of egg intake over time within each group. As the number of children who consumed eggs as the causative food declined, the amount of eggs consumed by the concerned mothers significantly increased (median: 7.8 g/1,000 kcal→12.7 g/1,000 kcal) (p<0.01), even in children who continued to not consume eggs. We found a negative correlation between BMI in mothers of children with FA and vegetable protein. The mothers indicated that their awareness on food allergy improved, which we believe led to increased consumption of foods that had been restricted thus far. BMI was believed to be related to synchronization with the elimination-substitution diet.

Association Between Lifestyle Characteristics and Body Mass Index of Mothers of Children With Allergic Diseases.

BACKGROUND: For mothers of children with allergic diseases, the amount of physical activity involved in childcare increases owing to factors, such as the need for diet therapy and environmental improvements. Reportedly, the body mass index (BMI) of mothers of children with food allergies (FAs) is significantly lower than that of those of children without allergies (non-FA mothers). The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of diet and physical activity in FA mothers and to clarify their effects on BMI. METHODS: To investigate the association between lifestyle characteristics and BMI in 69 mothers of children with FA, bronchial asthma and atopic dermatitis, their diets and physical activity pattern (using a three-axis accelerometer) were investigated; dietary and physical activity patterns (every hour) were extracted using principal component analysis, and multiple regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Multiple regression analyses revealed a significant positive correlation (P = 0.037) between BMI and the third principal component of dietary patterns (positive correlation with cereals and negative correlation with sweets), a significant negative correlation (P = 0.004) between BMI and FA and the total daily duration of performing low- and moderate-intensity physical activity (P = 0.031) and a significant positive correlation (P = 0.008) between FA and the first principal component of physical activity expenditure patterns (patterns of ongoing physical activity throughout the day). In FA mothers (n = 51), a significant positive correlation (P = 0.042) was observed between the third principal component of dietary patterns and BMI. CONCLUSION: Low BMI in FA mothers may be related to reduced cereal intake, increased sweets intake and prolonged and continuous low- and moderate-intensity physical activity.

Relationship between Food-Intake Trends and Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate in Elderly Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

The aim of this study is to investigate how vegetable and fruit intake trends affect the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) by analyzing therapeutic diet status in elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. The study included 59 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (mean age: 70.1±7.8 y) who had previously received therapeutic education for type 2 diabetes mellitus from a clinical team and were subsequently receiving outpatient treatment. Blood examination data were retrospectively collected from medical records and diet status was investigated using a simplified self-administered diet history questionnaire. Dietary patterns were extracted using principal component analysis, and the relationships with each blood examination data were investigated. Linear regression analysis was then used to examine the intake food groups related to eGFR. Energy intake was 27±9 kcal/kg. Overall, these results were in line with the Guidelines for the Treatment of Diabetes in Japan 2016. As a result of principal component analysis, seven dietary patterns were extracted, and the cumulative contribution ratio of the seven components was 74.0%. Among the dietary patterns, the 6th factor (positive weighting with fruit) for eGFR was a negative prognostic factor (p=0.010). Analysis of food group intake and eGFR indicated that green and yellow vegetables were positive prognostic factors, whereas fruits were negative prognostic factors (both p<0.05). The dietary patterns dependent on green and yellow vegetables and fruit intake appeared to influence eGFR positively and negatively, respectively.

Trans fatty acid accumulation in the human placenta.

Trans fatty acid may impair fetal growth and infant neurodevelopment, but the quantity in a placenta and human tissues remains unknown. To address the issue, a simple and reliable method of quantification is needed. We established a method of quantifying trans-octadecenoic acids (trans-6,8,9,11 18:1 fatty acids, TOAs), a major component of trans fatty acid, in human tissue samples, and then determined the TOAs level in the placenta. Oleic acid (OA) (C18:1(9c)) was measured by isotope dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the TOAs level was subsequently calculated based on the ratio of the peak areas for TOAs and OA (TOAs/OA) in the mass chromatogram. Lipids were extracted from 28 human placentas at different gestational ages from 28 to 41 weeks, and the TOAs and OA levels were measured. In method validation, the limit of detection for elaidic acid (trans-9,18:1 fatty acid), a major component of TOAs, was 0.57 ng, and linearity of calibration ranging from 7.7 to 68.0 µg/g placenta for TOAs. In human placenta analysis, the TOAs level was significantly higher in term (n = 15, 40.2 ± 9.7 µg/g placenta) than in preterm placentas (n = 13, 18.9 ± 7.4 µg/g placenta) (p < 0.001), while OA levels were similar in term (n = 15, 863 ± 132 µg/g placenta) and preterm (n = 13, 743 ± 283 µg/g placenta) placentas (p = 0.15). TOAs accumulate in the placenta as pregnancy progresses and have a fate different from that of OA in vivo. To our knowledge, this is the first report of TOA quantification in human tissue samples. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Efficient DNA extraction from nail clippings using the protease solution from Cucumis melo.

Owing to the increasing importance of genomic information, obtaining genomic DNA easily from biological specimens has become more and more important. This article proposes an efficient method for obtaining genomic DNA from nail clippings. Nail clippings can be easily obtained, are thermostable and easy to transport, and have low infectivity. The drawback of their use, however, has been the difficulty of extracting genomic material from them. We have overcome this obstacle using the protease solution obtained from Cucumis melo. The keratinolytic activity of the protease solution was 1.78-fold higher than that of proteinase K, which is commonly used to degrade keratin. With the protease solution, three times more DNA was extracted than when proteinase K was used. In order to verify the integrity of the extracted DNA, genotype analysis on 170 subjects was performed by both PCR-RFLP and Real Time PCR. The results of the genotyping showed that the extracted DNA was suitable for genotyping analysis. In conclusion, we have developed an efficient extraction method for using nail clippings as a genome source and a research tool in molecular epidemiology, medical diagnostics, and forensic science.

An N-glycosylation site on the beta-propeller domain of the integrin alpha5 subunit plays key roles in both its function and site-specific modification by beta1,4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III.

Recently we reported that N-glycans on the beta-propeller domain of the integrin alpha5 subunit (S-3,4,5) are essential for alpha5beta1 heterodimerization, expression, and cell adhesion. Herein to further investigate which N-glycosylation site is the most important for the biological function and regulation, we characterized the S-3,4,5 mutants in detail. We found that site-4 is a key site that can be specifically modified by N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GnT-III). The introduction of bisecting GlcNAc into the S-3,4,5 mutant catalyzed by GnT-III decreased cell adhesion and migration on fibronectin, whereas overexpression of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (GnT-V) promoted cell migration. The phenomenon is similar to previous observations that the functions of the wild-type alpha5 subunit were positively and negatively regulated by GnT-V and GnT-III, respectively, suggesting that the alpha5 subunit could be duplicated by the S-3,4,5 mutant. Interestingly GnT-III specifically modified the S-4,5 mutant but not the S-3,5 mutant. This result was confirmed by erythroagglutinating phytohemagglutinin lectin blot analysis. The reduction in cell adhesion was consistently observed in the S-4,5 mutant but not in the S-3,5 mutant cells. Furthermore mutation of site-4 alone resulted in a substantial decrease in erythroagglutinating phytohemagglutinin lectin staining and suppression of cell spread induced by GnT-III compared with that of either the site-3 single mutant or wild-type alpha5. These results, taken together, strongly suggest that N-glycosylation of site-4 on the alpha5 subunit is the most important site for its biological functions. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that site-specific modification of N-glycans by a glycosyltransferase results in functional regulation.