Relationship between Furocoumarin Intake and Melanoma History among US Adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2012.

Furocoumarins are a group of phototoxic compounds found in numerous edible plants. Data from cohort studies have suggested that consumption of certain furocoumarin-rich foods may increase skin cancer risk. However, no study has specifically tested this hypothesis by estimating furocoumarin intake and assessing its relationship with skin cancer. This study aimed to estimate average daily furocoumarin intake of US adults using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2012 and to examine the relationship between furocoumarin intake and melanoma history. A database of the contents of seven furocoumarins in 29 popular foods was linked to dietary data in NHANES 2003-2012. Mean total intake of the selected furocoumarins among US adults was 81.4 µg/day (standard error = 5.5). A total of 75 participants reported a history of melanoma. Using non- and low consumers (<50th percentile) as a reference, and after adjusting for potential confounders, OR (with 95% confidence interval) of melanoma history for the top 10 percent, 80-90th percentiles, and 50-80th percentiles were 1.75 (0.43-7.20), 1.66 (0.39-7.16), and 0.90 (0.45-1.78), respectively. Furocoumarins are widely consumed among US adults, and a trend towards higher odds of melanoma history was observed among those with higher furocoumarin intake, although this relationship was not statistically significant.

Dietary total antioxidant capacity is inversely associated with all-cause and cardiovascular disease death of US adults.

PURPOSE: Although evidence strongly supports that antioxidant-rich diets reduce risk of chronic disease and mortality, findings from the previous studies on the effect of individual antioxidants on mortality have been inconsistent. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and all-cause and disease-specific mortality in a representative sample of the US population. METHODS: A total of 23,595 US adults aged 30 years and older in NHANES 1988-1994 and 1999-2004 were selected for this study. Dietary TAC was calculated from 1-day 24-h diet recall data at baseline and all-cause, cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality was assessed through December 31, 2011. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 13 years, deaths from all-cause, cancer and CVD were 7157, 1578, and 2155, respectively. Using cause-specific Cox proportional hazards models, inverse associations and linear trends were observed between dietary TAC and all-cause mortality [highest quartile (Q4) versus Q1 ref. HR 0.78; 95% CI 0.71-0.86], cancer mortality (Q4 versus Q1 ref. HR 0.75; 95% CI 0.60-0.93), and CVD mortality (Q4 versus Q1 ref. HR 0.83; 95% CI 0.69-0.99), respectively, after adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, and total energy intake. The inverse association and linear trend still remained between dietary TAC and all-cause mortality (Q4 versus Q1 ref. HR 0.79; 95% CI 0.71-0.87) and CVD mortality (Q4 versus Q1 ref. HR 0.74; 95% CI 0.61-0.89) when further adjusted for relevant covariates. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support that antioxidant-rich diets are beneficial to reducing risk of death from all-cause and CVD.

Greater flavonoid intake is associated with improved CVD risk factors in US adults.

Epidemiological studies have reported that diets high in flavonoids are associated with a reduced risk of CVD. However, evidence on the association of dietary flavonoid intake with CVD risk factors is still scarce. The present study aimed to investigate the association of dietary flavonoid intake with CVD risk factors among US adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2012. A total of 4042 US adults aged 19 years and older from the NHANES 2007-2012 participated in this cross-sectional, population-based study. Intakes of total and individual flavonoids were estimated from 2-d 24-h diet recall data by matching with the expanded US Department of Agriculture flavonoid, isoflavone and proanthocyanidin databases. After adjusting for covariates, increased HDL-cholesterol was associated with higher total flavonoid intake (0·54 % change). TAG and TAG:HDL-cholesterol ratio were inversely associated with anthocyanidin (-1·25 % change for TAG; -1·60 % change for TAG:HDL-cholesterol ratio) and total flavonoid intakes (-1·31 % change for TAG; -1·83 % change for TAG:HDL-cholesterol ratio), respectively. Insulin and homoeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were inversely associated with flavone (for insulin, -3·18 % change; 95 % CI -5·85, -0·44; for HOMA-IR, -3·10 % change; 95 % CI -5·93, -0·19) and isoflavone intakes (for insulin, -3·11 % change; 95 % CI -5·46, -0·70; for HOMA-IR, -4·01 % change; 95 % CI -6·67, -1·27). BMI was negatively associated with anthocyanidin intake (-0·60 % change). This study showed that higher flavonoid intake was associated with improved CVD risk factors. Further research is warranted to confirm the findings from this study as these associations were moderate in strength.

A Randomized Comparison of Remifentanil Target-Controlled Infusion Versus Dexmedetomidine Single-Dose Administration: A Better Method for Smooth Recovery From General Sevoflurane Anesthesia.

Remifentanil target-controlled infusion and dexmedetomidine single-dose administration are known to reduce airway response and hemodynamic stimulation during anesthetic recovery. We compared the effects of 2 drugs on the prevention of cough during emergence. We enrolled 70 female patients aged 20-60 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I-II who underwent general anesthesia for elective thyroidectomy. The patients were randomly assigned to remifentanil (group R) or dexmedetomidine (group D). Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane and effect-site target-controlled infusion of remifentanil. In group D, remifentanil was discontinued, and dexmedetomidine 0.5 µg/kg was given 10 minutes before the end of surgery. In group R, remifentanil target-controlled infusion at an effective-site concentration of 2.0 ng/mL was maintained during emergence until extubation. The cough grade, hemodynamic values, respiration, and other recovery profiles were evaluated during the periextubation period. The proportion of patients with no cough or just a single cough during extubation was significantly higher in group R than in group D (96.8% vs. 55.9%). The change of mean arterial pressure and heart rate were not significantly different during extubation in both groups. Respiratory rate and the incidence of residual sedation after extubation were lower in group R. There were no desaturation events and no differences in time to extubation or duration of postanesthesia care unit stay in both groups. Remifentanil target-controlled infusion reduces emergence cough from general anesthesia more effectively than single-dose dexmedetomidine. However, a single-dose of dexmedetomidine has the effect with respect to respiratory and hemodynamic stability during emergence.

Estimated intake and major food sources of flavonoids among US adults: changes between 1999-2002 and 2007-2010 in NHANES.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to: (1) demonstrate an updated method for estimating flavonoid intake of US adults by combining USDA flavonoid databases and NHANES food consumption data; (2) document the intake and major food sources of flavonoids among US adults; and (3) determine whether the intake and major sources of dietary flavonoids have changed during the past decade in the USA. METHODS: A cross-sectional population-based study. Differences over time in the average daily intake and food sources of flavonoids were estimated using food consumption data from NHANES 1999-2002 (n = 8833) and 2007-2010 (n = 9801). RESULTS: The total flavonoid intake of US adults aged 19 years and older remained unchanged between 1999-2002 (201.9 mg/d) and 2007-2010 (200.1 mg/d), with tea being the top food source of flavonoids. However, intake of anthocyanidins increased during this period, mainly due to greater consumption of berries and wine, which was consistent with the increase in per capita consumption of these foods based on USDA food availability data. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide updated information on flavonoid intake and food contributors and warrant further studies on the health implications of flavonoid intake.

Development of a comprehensive analytical method for furanocoumarins in grapefruit and their metabolites in plasma and urine using UPLC-MS/MS: a preliminary study.

To develop a comprehensive analytical method for photoactive furanocoumarins, grapefruit (whole, flesh, peel and juice) was extracted using QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) method. Seven furanocoumarins: bergaptol, psoralen, 8-methoxypsoralen, bergapten, 6',7'-dihydroxybergamottin (6',7'-DHB), epoxybergamottin and bergamottin were determined in grapefruit using UPLC-MS/MS. The concentrations of furanocoumarins in the plasma and urine of six healthy young adults before and after ingestion of grapefruit or grapefruit juice were also determined. Recovery rates of furanocoumarins by QuEChERS method from matrix spike sample and laboratory calibrate sample were 125.7 ± 25.4% and 105.7 ± 6.3%, respectively. Bergamottin and 6',7'-DHB were predominant compounds in grapefruit flesh, juice and plasma, while bergaptol and 6',7'-DHB were major compounds detected in the urine. The results demonstrated that bergamottin and 6',7'-DHB were metabolized to bergaptol. Overall, the analytical methods developed in the present study can be applied to the analysis of various furanocoumarins in plant sources and biological samples.

Changes in Intake and Major Food Sources of Carotenoids among U.S. Adults between 2009-2018.

Large epidemiologic studies suggest that diets rich in total or specific carotenoids are associated with a reduced risk of many chronic diseases. However, there are few studies characterizing trends in dietary carotenoid sources and intake among subgroups of the US adult population in the previous decade. This study aimed to assess these trends using data from 22,339 adults who participated in NHANES 2009-2018 cycles. Carotenoid intake and major food sources were calculated by linking food consumption data from the 24 h diet recall to an FNDDS 2009-2018 and the USDA's National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (Release 28). Among US adults, mean (SE) dietary carotenoid intake was 9687.1 (158.0) mcg/day, and total intake was highest in men, non-smokers, moderate alcohol consumers, supplement users, and those with normal BMI, a PIR ≥ 1.85, and whose physical activity level was considered vigorous (p < 0.05). Carotenoid intake has gradually decreased over the past decade (p-trend: 0.097), especially among White adults (p-trend < 0.05), males (p-trend: 0.062), and those with a PIR of 1.0-1.3 (p-trend: 0.051), as have estimated rates of vitamin A adequacy. Tomatoes, carrots, and spinach were major food sources of carotenoids, and consumption of carrots and tomatoes decreased, while the consumption of lettuce, spinach, and salsa increased from 2009 to 2018. Our results warrant further studies investigating the consequences of the decreased tendencies of carotenoid intake on chronic disease risk, especially focusing on population subgroups exhibiting low or decreasing trends of carotenoid intake status.

Identification of the Visually Prominent Gait Parameters for Forensic Gait Analysis.

Walking patterns can be used as a key parameter in identifying individuals, as it varies visually depending on one's body size as well as their habits, gender, and age group. In this study, we measure the gait characteristics of a large number of subjects using 34 visual parameters to identify significant parameters that can be used to distinguish individual walking features. We recorded 291 subjects' walking on a constructed footpath using four video cameras, and data on parameters was calculated at the points of double support, toe-off, and heel-strike. K-means Clustering Analysis and ANOVA were conducted to determine the difference between age, gender, and BMI. As a result, we confirm that parameters related to the spine, neck, and feet are useful for identifying individuals. In the comparative analysis between age groups, the older the age, the more significant variables appeared in the upper body. The difference between genders showed significant parameters in both the upper and lower bodies of males. Similarly, among the large BMI groups, we also derived significant results in the upper and lower bodies. The key parameters derived from this study can be used more effectively in the real-world visual analysis of gait, as the walking characteristics of a large number of subjects have been measured with a similar view as real-world CCTV. This study will be effectively utilized as a foundation for future research attempting to identify people through their gait by distinguishing major gait characteristic differences.

Effects of Ginger Intake on Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials.

Nausea and vomiting are the most common side effects of chemotherapy. They must be managed because they can increase the risk of malnutrition in patients, which can adversely affect treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of ginger supplementation as an adjuvant treatment for alleviating chemo We checked. therapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). This study searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to ginger supplement intake for CINV in three electronic databases (i.e., Medline (PubMed), Embase, and Web of Science). The search period ranged from each database's first date of service to 5 November 2021. Two investigators independently performed abstract screenings, full-text screenings, data extraction, and risk of bias analyses (ROB). The Cochrane ROB tool was used for the assessment of ROB. This study systematically reviewed 23 RCTs. The effects of ginger supplementation were compared to those of placebo or antiemetic agents. This study conducted a meta-analysis after classifying the effects of ginger supplementation on acute and delayed CINV into subgroups due to the clinical heterogeneity between these RCTs. The results showed that the incidence of acute nausea (p = 0.53), the incidence of delayed nausea (p = 0.31), the incidence of acute vomiting (p = 0.09), and the incidence of delayed vomiting (p = 0.89) were not significantly different between the ginger supplement intake group and the control group. However, it was found that the ginger supplement intake group, which took not more than 1 g of ginger supplementation per day for above four days, had significantly less acute vomiting than the control group (OR 0.30; 95% CI 0.12 to 0.79; p = 0.02; I2 = 36%). Ginger supplementation may reduce the incidence of acute chemotherapy-induced vomiting. However, this study could not confirm the effects of ginger supplementation on the incidence of chemotherapy-induced nausea and delayed vomiting. Therefore, it will be necessary to conduct additional studies with sufficient sample sizes using high-quality RCTs to evaluate the effects of ginger supplementations based on the results of this study.

Usual intake of dietary isoflavone and its major food sources in Koreans: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016-2018 data.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Accumulating evidence has shown the beneficial effects of isoflavone on health. There is limited information on the usual isoflavone intake for Koreans. This study examined the usual intake of total isoflavone and its major food sources in Koreans according to age and gender. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The dietary intake data of 21,271 participants aged 1 yrs and older from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) VII 2016-2018 were analyzed. The average isoflavone intake was estimated based on the 24-h dietary recall data in KNHANES and the isoflavone database from the Korea Rural Development Administration (RDA) and literatures. The usual isoflavone intake was estimated by applying the ratio of within- and between-participant variance estimated from the 2009 KNHANES data to the 7th KNHANES (2016-2018) data. The variance of the isoflavone intake was calculated using MIXTRAN macro with intake data for two days in the 2009 KNHANES. Complex sample analysis with stratified variables and integrated weights was conducted. RESULTS: The mean total isoflavone intake in the Korean population aged 1 yrs and older (n = 21,271) was 139.27 mg/d, which was higher than the usual intake of 47.44mg/d. Legumes were a major contributing food group (91%), with arrowroot being a major individual contributor to the isoflavone intake (67.2%), followed by 21.3% of soybean, 5.4% of bean sprouts, and 2.1% of tofu. The usual isoflavone intake was highest in the participants aged 50 to 64 yrs old and increased with age until 50 to 64 yrs and then decreased with further increases in age. The usual isoflavone intake of participants aged 65 yrs and older was higher for men than for women, showing gender differences. CONCLUSIONS: The usual dietary intake of isoflavone varied according to age and gender in the Korean population. This study showed that the usual isoflavone intake was lower than the average isoflavone intake. The difference between percentiles of the usual isoflavone intake was similarly smaller than the average intake. An estimation of average intake can be hindered by the occasional consumption of foods high in isoflavones, suggesting that the usual intake estimation method can be more appropriate. Further research will be needed to establish isoflavone dietary guidelines regarding the effects of isoflavone intake on health outcomes.

Blackcurrants Reduce the Risk of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: A Pilot Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Beneficial effects of blackcurrant supplementation on bone metabolism in mice has recently been demonstrated, but no studies are available in humans. The current study aimed to examine the dose-dependent effects of blackcurrant in preventing bone loss and the underlying mechanisms of action in adult women. Forty peri- and early postmenopausal women were randomly assigned into one of three treatment groups for 6 months: (1) a placebo (control group, n = 13); (2) 392 mg/day of blackcurrant powder (low blackcurrant, BC, group, n = 16); and (3) 784 mg/day of blackcurrant powder (high BC group, n = 11). The significance of differences in outcome variables was tested by repeated-measures ANOVA with treatment and time as between- and within-subject factors, respectively. Overall, blackcurrant supplementation decreased the loss of whole-body bone mineral density (BMD) compared to the control group (p < 0.05), though the improvement of whole-body BMD remained significant only in the high BC group (p < 0.05). Blackcurrant supplementation also led to a significant increase in serum amino-terminal propeptide of type 1 procollagen (P1NP), a marker of bone formation (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that daily consumption of 784 mg of blackcurrant powder for six months mitigates the risk of postmenopausal bone loss, potentially through enhancing bone formation. Further studies of larger samples with various skeletal conditions are warranted to confirm these findings.

Nutritional Adequacy and Diet Quality Are Associated with Standardized Height-for-Age among U.S. Children.

Nutritional status affects linear growth and development. However, studies on the associations between nutritional status, diet quality, and age-standardized height in children are limited. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between macro- and micronutrient intake and food consumption and height-for-age Z score (HAZ) among US children in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). This cross-sectional population-based study included 6116 US children aged 2-18 years. The usual dietary intake of nutrients and food groups was estimated by the multiple source method (MSM) using two-day food consumption data from NHANES 2007-2014. After adjusting for covariates, HAZ was positively associated with intakes of energy, protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamins A, D, E, B6, and B12, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, and iron. Children in the highest tertile of HAZ were less likely to consume lower than the EAR for vitamin E and calcium. Major foods consumed by children with lower HAZ were soft drinks, high-fat milk products, cakes, cookies, pastries, and pies, whereas children with higher HAZ tended to consume low-fat milk products, tea, and low-calorie fruit juice. These findings suggest that adequate nutritional intake, diet quality, and nutrient-dense food are important factors for height in children.

Identification for antitumor effects of tramadol in a xenograft mouse model using orthotopic breast cancer cells.

In our previous research showed that tramadol having potential anti-tumor effect was associated with enhancement of oncological prognosis in patients with breast cancer surgery. As these effects have not been confirmed by clinical dose-regulated animal or prospective human studies, we investigated the anti-tumor effect of tramadol in vivo. Female nude mice orthotopically inoculated with luciferase-expressing MCF-7 cells, were randomly divided into the control (saline), tramadol group 1 (1.5 mg kg-1 day-1), tramadol group 2 (3 mg kg-1 day-1), and morphine (0.5 mg kg-1 day-1) (n = 5/group). Bioluminescence signals after D-luciferin injection, tumor size, and tumor weight were compared among groups after 4 weeks. Estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV)-1 expression, natural killer (NK) cell activity, and serum interleukin (IL)-1ß, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, and interleukin (IL)-6 were then examined. Tumour growth was attenuated in tramadol-treated groups (P < 0.05). NK cell activity was significantly decreased only in the morphine treated group not in sham, control, and tramadol groups. The expression levels of ERα, PRα and ß, and TRPV1 were decreased in tramadol group 2 compared with those in the morphine group, but not compared to the control group. Serum levels of IL-6 and TNFα were reduced in both tramadol-treated group 1 and 2 compared to the control group. Overall, clinical dose of tramadol has anti-tumour effects on MCF-7 cell-derived breast cancer in a xenograft mouse model.

Relative Validity of Dietary Total Antioxidant Capacity for Predicting All-Cause Mortality in Comparison to Diet Quality Indexes in US Adults.

While traditionally diet quality index scores (DQIS) as noted later in this abstract have been used to predict health outcomes, dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC), a useful tool for assessing total antioxidant power in the diet, may also be a novel predictor. This study evaluated the associations between dietary TAC and DQIS and all-cause mortality. Based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1988-1994 and 1999-2006, 23,797 US adults were followed-up until 2015. Dietary TAC and DQIS including the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015), Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010), alternate Mediterranean Diet (aMED), and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) were calculated using a 1-day 24 h dietary recall. US adults in the highest quintiles of DQIS had lower rates of all-cause mortality compared to those in the lowest quintiles (HEI-2015 hazard ratio (HR): 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.77-0.98; AHEI-2010 HR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.74-0.94; aMED HR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.69-0.90; DASH HR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.70-0.92). Similarly, those in the highest quintile of dietary TAC also had a lower all-cause mortality than those in the lowest quintile (HR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.79-0.98). These findings suggest that dietary TAC might be a relatively valid predictor of all-cause mortality in the US population compared to the DQIS.

The relationship between zinc intake and cadmium burden is influenced by smoking status.

A preliminary study by our group suggested that the absorption and accumulation of cadmium may be affected by zinc intake. Tobacco smoke is one major source of cadmium exposure that highly influences cadmium burden among smokers, but it is unclear whether this zinc-cadmium relationship differs by smoking status. The objective of this study was to examine whether the association between zinc intake and cadmium burden differs by smoking status using data from 3900 US adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2012. In an adjusted regression model, dietary cadmium was positively associated with blood and urinary cadmium. There was a significant interaction between zinc intake and smoking status, so we analyzed associations within smoking status subgroups. In an adjusted regression model, zinc intake was inversely associated with urinary cadmium only among non-smokers. Failure to meet the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for zinc was more common among current smokers than non-smokers, and among those in the highest quintile of blood and urinary cadmium than those in lower quintiles. Zinc intake was inversely associated with urinary cadmium only among subjects meeting the zinc RDA, suggesting that the relationship between zinc intake and cadmium burden differs by smoking status.

Association between Urinary Cadmium to Zinc Intake Ratio with Adult Mortality in a Follow-Up Study of NHANES 1988-1994 and 1999-2004.

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal associated with increased mortality, but the effect of zinc (Zn) intake on the association between Cd and mortality is unknown. The objective of this study was to examine the association of urinary Cd to Zn intake ratio (Cd/Zn ratio) and mortality risk. In total, 15642 US adults in NHANES 1988-1994 and 1999-2004 were followed until 2011 (15-year mean follow-up). Of the 5367 total deaths, 1194 were attributed to cancer and 1677 were attributed to CVD. After adjustment for potential confounders, positive associations were observed between urinary Cd and all-cause mortality (HR for highest vs. lowest quartile: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.14-1.68) and cancer mortality (HR: 1.54; CI: 1.05-2.27). Urinary Cd was positively associated with cancer mortality among the lowest Zn consumers, and the association diminished among the highest Zn consumers. Positive relationships were observed between the Cd/Zn ratio and all-cause mortality (HR: 1.54; CI: 1.23-1.93), cancer mortality (HR: 1.65; CI: 1.11-2.47) and CVD mortality (HR: 1.49; CI: 1.18-1.88). In conclusion, these findings indicate that Zn intake may modify the association between Cd and mortality. Furthermore, the Cd/Zn ratio, which was positively associated with mortality from all causes, cancer, and CVD, may be an important predictor of mortality.

Seasonal variations of monoterpene emissions from Pinus densiflora in East Asia.

The emission rates and compositions of monoterpene from Pinus densiflora were investigated in the Gumsung (GM) and Worak (WM) mountains. The standard emission rates (ERs: ERs is the monoterpene emission rate at standard temperature, 30 degrees C) from P. densiflora ranged from 0.817 to 1.704 (microgC/gdw-h). The ERs and beta-values of total monoterpene were measured at the two study sites (GM and WM). In the spring and summer, the ERs were the highest, while relatively low values (<0.058microgC/gdw-h) were measured in the autumn and winter. In GM and WM sites the beta-value obtained for the different seasons ranged from 0.047 to 0.179, with an average of 0.09. The major monoterpene compounds from P. densiflora were alpha-pinene, myrcene, beta-phellandrene, d-limonene and alpha-terpinene. The fractional compositions of individual monoterpene compounds were significantly different between the two test sites in the summer and winter. The ERs of the older group (31-40 years) were higher than those in the younger group (21-30 years). However, the monoterpene compositions were similar between the two age groups.

Differential association of dietary carbohydrate intake with metabolic syndrome in the US and Korean adults: data from the 2007-2012 NHANES and KNHANES.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The risk factors for metabolic syndrome may differ between Western and Asian countries due to their distinct dietary cultures. However, few studies have directly compared macronutrient intake and its association with the risk of metabolic syndrome in the US and Korean adults using national survey data. SUBJECT/METHODS: Based on the data from the US and Korean versions of the 2007-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, KNHANES), a total of 3,324 American and 20,515 Korean adults were included. In both countries, dietary intake was measured using a 24-h dietary recall method and metabolic syndrome was defined using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. RESULTS: The percentages of energy intake from carbohydrate, protein, and fat were 50:16:33 in the US adults and 66:15:19 in the Korean adults. Regarding metabolic abnormalities, Korean adults in the highest quintile of carbohydrate intake showed an increased risk of metabolic syndrome in men and women, with abnormalities of reduced HDL cholesterol and elevated triglyceride levels. In contrast, the US men showed no significant association with metabolic syndrome and its abnormalities, while the US women showed an increased risk of reduced HDL cholesterol and elevated triglycerides. CONCLUSIONS: A high carbohydrate intake is associated with metabolic abnormalities. As Korean adults consume more carbohydrate than American adults, stronger associations of dietary carbohydrate with metabolic syndrome were observed. Thus, further studies are necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of different contributors to developing metabolic disease in Western and Asian populations.

Dietary Cadmium Intake and Sources in the US.

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal that can contribute to numerous diseases as well as increased mortality. Diet is the primary source of Cd exposure for most individuals, yet little is known about the foods and food groups that contribute most substantially to dietary Cd intake in the US. Therefore, the objective of this study was to estimate dietary Cd intake and identify major food sources of Cd in the US population and among subgroups of the population. Individuals aged 2 years and older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007⁻2012 were included in this study (n = 12,523). Cd intakes were estimated from two days of 24-h dietary recalls by matching intake data with the Cd database of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s Total Diet Study 2006 through 2013. The average dietary Cd consumption in the population was 4.63 µg/day, or 0.54 µg/kg body weight/week, which is 22% of the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of 2.5 µg/kg body weight/week. Greater daily Cd intakes were observed in older adults, males, those with higher income, higher education, or higher body mass index. The highest Cd intakes on a body weight basis were observed in children 10 years and younger (38% of TWI), underweight individuals (38% of TWI), and alcohol non-consumers (24% of TWI). The food groups that contributed most to Cd intake were cereals and bread (34%), leafy vegetables (20%), potatoes (11%), legumes and nuts (7%), and stem/root vegetables (6%). The foods that contributed most to total Cd intake were lettuce (14%), spaghetti (8%), bread (7%), and potatoes (6%). Lettuce was the major Cd source for Caucasians and Blacks, whereas tortillas were the top source for Hispanics, and rice was the top contributor among other ethnic subgroups including Asians. This study provides important information on the dietary Cd exposure of Americans, and identifies the groups with the greatest dietary Cd exposure as well as the major sources of dietary Cd among sociodemographic subgroups.

Identification and Quantitation of Furocoumarins in Popularly Consumed Foods in the U.S. Using QuEChERS Extraction Coupled with UPLC-MS/MS Analysis.

Furocoumarins are a class of photoactive compounds found in several plant species and may be responsible for the observed association between consumption of citrus products and the risk of skin cancer. Furocoumarin contents of several foods have been reported previously, but no comprehensive database of furocoumarin content of foods is currently available. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the distribution of furocoumarins in popularly consumed foods in the U.S. Samples of three varieties of each of 29 foods known or suspected to contain furocoumarins were purchased, prepared for analysis using a solid phase extraction method, and analyzed using UPLC-MS/MS for the presence of seven major furocoumarins. Most foods measured contained more than one furocoumarin, and some contained all seven of the furocoumarins examined. Total furocoumarin concentration was greatest in fresh parsley (23215 ng/g), grapefruits (21858 ng/g), lime juice (14580 ng/g), grapefruit juice (95341 ng/g), and limes (9151 ng/g). Bergamottin was found in the greatest proportion of foods sampled (23 of 29), followed by bergapten (19 of 29) and 6'7'-dihydroxybergamottin (16 of 29). These measurements will enable more accurate estimation of dietary furocoumarin exposure and will strengthen future epidemiological work investigating the relationships between furocoumarin intake and health outcomes.