Changing Trends in Nutritional Behavior among University Students in Greece, between 2006 and 2016.

The objective of the present survey was to study the dietary behavior of university students residing away from the family home. In this context, we (a) compared their dietary habits in two time periods, namely 2006 and 2016; and (b) explored the possible impact of gender on the behavioral changes in nutritional choices. A total of four hundred and five university students (2006, n = 242; 2016, n = 163) participated in the study. Dietary assessment was carried out using a qualitative Food Frequency Questionnaire, while data about demographic and lifestyle factors were also collected. Students' dietary habits have been modified in a generally desirable direction, as reflected, e.g., in the elevated consumption of several plant-based foods. Gender was also significantly associated with Body Mass Index (BMI) and changes in dietary attitudes. Possible reasons for the transition towards healthier and more balanced dietary habits could involve the budgetary constraints facing Greece in the last decade, as well as increasing nutritional awareness and other socio-cultural factors characterizing this target group. A deeper understanding of these relations would be crucial to foster nutritional education and further enhance the effectiveness of health promotion campaigns.

Second trimester amniotic fluid uric acid, potassium, and cysteine to methionine ratio levels as possible signs of early preeclampsia: A case report.

OBJECTIVE: The precise etiopathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE) still remains enigmatic. In recent published work, there is a scientific trend aiming to unveil early biomarkers of PE based on amniotic fluid compositional changes before the development of clinical symptoms. CASE REPORT: We describe a case of an apparently clinically healthy woman, whose amniotic fluid, retrieved after amniocentesis at 222/7 gestational week, had elevated uric acid and potassium concentration, as well as cysteine to methionine ratio. At the time of amniocentesis, conventional clinical signs of PE were absent. The woman developed severe PE and intrauterine growth restriction, at the 280/7 week of gestation. CONCLUSION: Although the limitation of such studies lies in the fact that amniocentesis is an invasive procedure, and thus employed only under specific indications, our scientific observations might be useful for future research towards unraveling the causes of PE.

Second trimester amniotic fluid glucose, uric acid, phosphate, potassium, and sodium concentrations in relation to maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and birth weight centiles.

OBJECTIVE: To study the evolution profile of amniotic fluid (AF) glucose, uric acid, phosphate, potassium, and sodium, in the second trimester of pregnancy, and explore the possible relations between the concentration of these components and maternal, as well as neonatal characteristics. METHODS: AF of 52 pregnant women was analyzed using an automatic multichannel analyzer. Maternal age, pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI), inter-pregnancy intervals, and smoking status were derived from questionnaires. Information on pregnancy and delivery was collected from medical records. RESULTS: Uric acid increased (r = 0.423, p < 0.01), while phosphate and glucose concentrations decreased during the period of 16-26th week of pregnancy (r = -0.590, p < 0.001 and r = -0.314, p < 0.05, respectively). Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI was significantly correlated with AF uric acid concentration (r = 0.460, p < 0.01) and marginally with AF glucose (r = 0.274, p = 0.052) and sodium (r = 0.254, p = 0.070) levels. Multiple linear regression indicated that mid-trimester AF uric acid and phosphate levels were significantly related to birth weight centiles (R(2)( )= 0.345, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that: (a) AF phosphate levels reflect gestational age to a satisfactory extent, (b) maternal pre-pregnancy BMI is significantly correlated with AF uric acid concentration, and (c) in appropriate for gestational age infants, AF phosphate and uric acid levels may serve as potential biomarkers of birth weight centiles. Further studies on AF composition may help to unravel the biochemical pathways underlying fetal development and could offer insight on the potential impact of maternal nutritional management on fetal growth regulation.

Correlation of 2nd trimester amniotic fluid amino acid profile with gestational age and estimated fetal weight.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to identify and quantitate free amino acids in human amniotic fluid (AF) specimens collected during 2nd trimester amniocentesis and determine the correlation between amino acid concentrations, gestational age, and estimated fetal weight. METHODS: Seventy-eight AF samples were retrieved between 18 and 22 weeks of gestation. Fetal weight estimation was based on fetal biometric measurements. RESULTS: Twenty-one amino acids were quantified. The concentration of glutamine exhibited the greatest correlation with gestational age (r = 0.477, p < 0.01). Additionally, significant negative correlations were recorded between gestational age and levels of alanine, proline, lysine, valine, taurine, leucine, glutamic acid, tyrosine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, ornithine, methionine, and tryptophane (p < 0.05). After adjusting for maternal age, fetal gender, intervals between consecutive pregnancies, pre-pregnancy body mass index, and smoking during pregnancy the strength of the correlation for proline and lysine decreased. A stepwise multiple linear regression model including gestational age as a first level predictor of fetal weight indicated that lysine and cysteine concentrations were additional predictors. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that AF amino acids are crucial for fetal growth. Our purpose was not to establish an immediate diagnostic application. However, further exploration is likely to be fruitful, especially in high-risk pregnancies.