Effects of immersing Japanese quail eggs in various doses of riboflavin on reproductive, growth performance traits, blood indices and economics.

This investigation aimed to evaluate the impact of immersion (IM) riboflavin treatment on the hatchability, production efficiency, and carcass characteristics of Japanese quail eggs. A total of 260 eggs of Japanese quail birds were used for hatching and were randomly divided into 4 treatments with 5 replicates (13 eggs/replicate) in a fully randomized design. Hatching eggs were immersed in riboflavin for 2 min before incubation. The experiment treatments were designed as follows: G1 control group with no treatment, G2 treated with 3 g/L vit. B2 (IM), G3 treated with 4 g/L vit. B2 (IM) and G4 were treated with 5 g/L vit. B2 (IM). After hatching, 128 Japanese quail chicks, aged 7 d, were randomly grouped into 4 treatment groups, with 32 birds in each group. When quails were given vitamin B2 via immersion, they demonstrated significant enhancements in live body weight, body weight gain, feed consumption, and feed conversion ratio at different stages compared to the control group. Compared to control and other groups, the carcass parameters of Japanese quails given a 4 g/L immersion solution showed a significant improvement (P < 0.05). Hatchability and fertility (%) were considerably raised by Vit.B2 treatments of 3, 4, and 5g; the group immersed in 5 g/L had the highest percentages compared to the other groups. Furthermore, treated chickens with all concentrations of vitamin B2 had significantly higher blood indices than the controls. During the exploratory phase (1-6 wk) of age, the highest returns were reported in G4 treated with 5g/L vit. B2 (IM). Treating Japanese quail eggs with different dosages of vitamin B2 by immersion may be recommended to improve their productive and reproductive performance, blood indices, carcass traits, and economic efficiency.

Crosslinking del colágeno corneal con riboflavina en queratocono / Corneal Collagen Crosslinking with Riboflavin in Keratoconus

CONTEXTO CLÍNICO: El queratocono es un trastorno degenerativo no inflamatorio caracterizado por un incremento progresivo y bilateral de la curvatura corneal con adelgazamiento apical que resulta en astigmatismo corneal irregular. Afecta a niños y jóvenes con una frecuencia reportada en los Estados Unidos de Norteamérica (EE.UU.) de 54,5 cada cien mil personas, afectando indistintamente hombres y mujeres. Su diagnóstico en la infancia se relaciona con mayor probabilidad de presentar queratocono progresivo y grados más avanzados que la detección en la edad adulta (27,8% versus 7,8%) y representa una de las causas más comunes de trasplante de córnea pediátrico (aproximadamente el 15% al 20% de todos los trasplantes de córnea en niños). Dicha progresión disminuye a medida que aumenta la edad, tendiendo a la estabilización después de los 30 años. La etiología del queratocono no se encuentra definida. Se lo asocia a ciertas enfermedades sistémicas como síndrome de Apert, síndrome de Rieger, osteogénesis imperfecta, prolapso de la válvula mitral, síndrome de Crouzon, enfermedades atópicas, enfermedades del colágeno, patologías oculares, anomalías cromosómicas como síndrome de Down, alteraciones metabólicas como síndrome de Thalasselis o deficiencia al zinc, entre otras. El frotado del ojo, muy común en la infancia y en pacientes con atopía, también es considerado una posible causa de queratocono. Los parámetros diagnósticos más utilizados para la detección del queratocono son la topografía corneal y la agudeza visual (AV). El primero evalúa el radio de curvatura corneal en múltiples puntos de forma simultánea en búsqueda irregularidades, lo que permite identificar etapas iniciales de la enfermedad y vigilar su evolución de forma detallada. La AV, por su parte, suele presentar altos valores de astigmatismo irregular y valores moderados a altos de miopía como consecuencia de las aberraciones ópticas derivadas de la anomalía topográfica de la córnea. El principal signo refractivo presente en pacientes con queratocono es la imposibilidad de compensar completamente la ametropía con lentes esférico­cilíndricas, por lo que la AV corregida estará disminuida con respecto a pacientes sin patología corneal. Dado que la disminución de la AV se encuentra directamente relacionada con el grado de irregularidad corneal, su medición permite determinar el grado de severidad del queratocono. El diagnóstico se puede complementar con la paquimetría (medición del espesor de la córnea), la cual puede ser ultrasónica u óptica: un espesor menor a 550 micras puede ser indicador de queratocono. TECNOLOGÍA: El crosslinking es un término que se utiliza en las ciencias biológicas para expresar la formación de puentes químicos que pueden producirse a partir de reacciones iniciadas por calor, presión o radiación y que generan cambios en las propiedades físicas del material afectado. Su principio básico es la estimulación con rayos de luz ultravioleta tipo A (UVA) de una sustancia fotosensible. En el caso del crosslinking, se utiliza la riboflavina, la cual gracias a su sensibilidad característica a los rayos UVA alcanza un estado de excitación que produce fotooxidación y liberación de O2 y radicales libres. Este proceso genera la fotopolimerización del estroma corneal con la consiguiente formación de enlaces covalentes dentro de las fibras de colágeno. Se ha comprobado que el crosslinking genera varios efectos a nivel corneal, como el incremento en la rigidez, cambios en la conducta biomecánica y bioelástica del tejido y diferentes cambios visuales, refractivos, topográficos y aberrométricos en el paciente. Si bien existe más de una técnica de crosslinking, la única aprobada por la Administración Estadounidense de Alimentos y Medicamentos (FDA, del inglés Food and Drugs Administration) es la denominada crosslinking­off. Dicha técnica consiste en la eliminación del epitelio cornea para permitir la saturación del estroma corneal con una solución de riboflavina al 0,1% isotónica y dextrano al 20% y su posterior irradiación con UVA. Dado que este procedimiento genera un daño controlado que puede fluctuar entre 250 y 350 micras, se debe realizar una paquimetría previo a su realización. Su indicación y realización debe ser realizada por oftalmólogos expertos en cornea, y los equipos deben tener un mantenimiento y control, realizado por el oftalmólogo que los utiliza. OBJETIVO El objetivo del presente informe es evaluar la evidencia disponible acerca de la eficacia, seguridad y aspectos relacionados a las políticas de cobertura del uso de crosslinking de colágeno corneal con riboflavina para pacientes con queratocono progresivo. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda en las principales bases de datos bibliográficas, en buscadores genéricos de internet, y financiadores de salud. Se priorizó la inclusión de revisiones sistemáticas (RS), ensayos clínicos controlados aleatorizados (ECAs), evaluaciones de tecnologías sanitarias (ETS), evaluaciones económicas, guías de práctica clínica (GPC) y políticas de cobertura de diferentes sistemas de salud. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron dos ECAs, tres RS, un estudio observacional, tres GPC, tres evaluaciones de tecnología sanitaria, una evaluación económica y nueve informes de políticas de cobertura de crosslinking de colágeno corneal con riboflavina en queratocono progresivo. CONCLUSIONES: Evidencia de moderada calidad muestra que el crosslinking con riboflavina del colágeno corneal en pacientes con queratocono progresivo, probablemente produce un beneficio neto considerable, comparado con el uso de lentes duros o implante de anillos corneales, debido a que estabiliza la progresión de la enfermedad y se asocia a una mejoría modesta de la agudeza visual a 12 meses. Evidencia de moderada calidad muestra que el crosslinking en pacientes jóvenes con queratocono progresivo, produce una mejoría clínicamente significativa del poder corneal a cinco años en relación con el uso de lentes duras o implante de anillos corneales. En Estados Unidos, el sector público no ofrece cobertura para esta tecnología, pero sí lo hacen los financiadores privado Aetna, Anthem y Cigna. El sistema nacional de salud del Reino Unido ofrece cobertura para este procedimiento. Otros financiadores relevados no mencionan esta tecnología. No se encontró mención acerca la cobertura de crosslinking con riboflavina del colágeno corneal en los financiadores relevados de Latinoamérica, incluyendo Argentina. No se encontraron evaluaciones de tecnologías sanitarias realizadas en Argentina sobre el uso de crosslinking en queratocono. Evaluaciones económicas realizadas en Estados Unidos y Canadá determinaron que el crosslinking con riboflavina fue costo­efectivo en relación con el uso de lentes duras.

Methyl-Donor and Cofactor Nutrient Intakes in the First 2-3 Years and Global DNA Methylation at Age 4: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: During the early postnatal period, the impact of nutrition on DNA methylation has not been well studied in humans. The aim was to quantify the relationship between one-carbon metabolism nutrient intake during the first three years of life and global DNA methylation levels at four years. DESIGN: Childhood dietary intake was assessed using infant feeding questionnaires, food frequency questionnaires, 4-day weighed food records and 24-h food records. The dietary records were used to estimate the intake of methionine, folate, vitamins B2, B6 and B12 and choline. The accumulative nutrient intake specific rank from three months to three years of age was used for analysis. Global DNA methylation (%5-methyl cytosines (%5-mC)) was measured in buccal cells at four years of age, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) commercial kit. Linear regression models were used to quantify the statistical relationships. RESULTS: Data were collected from 73 children recruited from the Women and their Children's Health (WATCH) study. No association was found between one-carbon metabolism nutrient intake and global DNA methylation levels (P > 0.05). Global DNA methylation levels in males were significantly higher than in females (median %5-mC: 1.82 vs. 1.03, males and females respectively, (P < 0.05)). CONCLUSION: No association was found between the intake of one-carbon metabolism nutrients during the early postnatal period and global DNA methylation levels at age four years. Higher global DNA methylation levels in males warrants further investigation.

Eficacia y seguridad de coenzoma Q10, carnitina y riboflavina en pacientes con enfermedades mitocondriales / Efficacy and safety of coenzyme Q10, carnitine and riboflavin in patients with mitochondrial diseases

INTRODUCCIÓN: Antecedentes: El presente dictamen expone la evaluación de tecnología de la eficacia y seguridad de la coenzima Q10, carnitina y riboflavina respecto a su uso en pacientes con enfermedades mitocondriales. Aspectos Generales: Las mitocondrias son organelas complejas de doble membrana que cuentan con un ADN propio, heredado de la madre. Subojetivo es producir energia a partir de los nutrientes en fora de calor y ATP, mediante la respiración. El proceso por el cual se produce la energía es conocido como fosforilación oxidativa y se lleva a cabo en la cadena respiratoria de las mitocondrias, también llamada cadena transportadora de electrones. Tecnologia Sanitária de Interés: Coenzima Q10: La coenzima Q10, también conocida como ubiquinona, es una quinona soluble en grasas , sintetizada en la mitocondria y que se encuentra presente en la membranas celulares. La coenzima Q'0 endógena es producida por el organismo como parte de la vía de producción del colestereol, mientras que la exógena es ingerida por la dieta como ubiquinona (forma oxidada) y ubuquinol (forma reducida). Esta molécula se encuentra presente en todas las células del organismo, en mayor concentración en el tejido del cerebro, corazón, riñones, e hígado. Carnitina: La carnitina, presente en el organismo y en los alimentos como I-carnitina, es un aminoácido sintetizado en el tejido muscular, renal y hepático a partir de los aminoácidos l-lisina yl-metionina. Existen fuentes exógenas de l-carnitina como las carnes rojas, el pescado, el pollo e la leche. Esta molécula cumple una función importante en el metabolismo de ácidos grasos, ya que promueve la utilización de la grasa almacenada en el organismo como fuente de energia. Especificamente, la L-carnitina es un transportador de lípidos que permite el ingreso de las cadenas de ácidos grasos a la matriz mitocondrial para ser convertidos en energía a través del proceso de la beta-oxidación. Riboflavina: La riboflavina (vitamina B2) es una vitamina hidrosolubre que se encuentra la manera natural en los alimentos de origen animal y vegetal, y puede ser producida también por la microbiota intestinal. Esta vitamina se absorve en el intestino delgado proximal y, cuando es consumida en exceso, es excretada por la orina y/o almacenada en concetraciones reducidas en el hígado, riñones, y corazón. METODOLOGÍA: Estrategia de Búsqueda: Se realizó una búsqueda de literatura científica en relación a la eficacia y seguridad del uso de la coenzima Q10, carnitina y riboflavina en pacientes con enfermedades mitocondriales (EM). Sedio preferencia a guías de práctica clínica, revisiones sistemáticas con o sin meta-análisis y ensayos clínicos aleatrorizados. RESULTADOS: Sinopsis de la Evidencia: Se realizó la busqueda bibliográfica y de evidencia científica que sustente el uso de coenzima Q10, carnitina y riboflavina en pacientes con diganóstico de enfermedades mitocondriales (EM). CONCLUSIONES: En la presente evaluación de tecnología sanitária se presenta a la evidencia recabada sobre el beneficio de la coenzima Q10, carnitina y riboflavina en pacientes con enfermedades mitocondriales. La evidencia encontrada que evalúa el uso de estos compuestos en pacientes con enfermedades mitocondriales es escasa. Se ha identificado evidencia proveniente de tres ensayos clínicos y un estudio obervacional. Ninguno de los estudios evaluó los tres suplementos en conjunto como una sola intervención. El Instituto de evaluación en Salud e Investigación-IETSI, aprueba el uso de la coenzima Q10, carnitina y riboflavina en pacientes con enfermedades mitocondriales. El presente Dictamen Preliminar tiene una vigencia de dos años a partir de la fecha de publicación.

[Assessment of postoperative pain after corneal collagen cross-linking by iontophoresis vs the rapid epithelium-off technique in progressive keratoconus patients]. / Évaluation de la douleur en postopératoire de cross-linking du collagène cornéen en comparant la procédure par iontophorèse à la technique épithélium-off rapide chez des patients atteints de kératocône évolutif.

INTRODUCTION: Cross-linking (CXL) increases corneal biomechanical strength in progressive keratoconus. Since riboflavin cannot penetrate intact corneal epithelium, removal of epithelium is necessary for the classic CXL procedure (epi-off), but can cause severe postoperative pain. To avoid this problem, a method preserving the epithelium (epi-on) is used. In this study, we aimed to evaluate and compare postoperative pain after epi-off CXL and epi-on CXL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present a retrospective study assessing the level of pain postoperatively in 38 patients between the age of 12 and 53 years who underwent CXL procedures at the University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand from July 2013 to May 2014. Epi-off consisted of manual corneal de-epithelialization and riboflavin instillation for 20minutes, followed by UVA exposure for 9minutes. The epi-on technique used an applicator on the eye, filled with riboflavin, and a generator delivered a continuous low-level current for 5minutes. The duration of light exposure was similar in both groups. Postoperative medications were the same for both techniques. Assessment of pain and analgesic intake were reported by the patient on paper questionnaires. Pain was evaluated from preoperatively up until the end of the month. Statistical analyses were performed in bilateral formulation to an alpha type I and error risk of 5%. RESULTS: Twenty-three epi-off patients and 15 epi-on patients. Twenty-nine men and 9 women (76.3%/23.7%). Mean age: 28 years. Reference base time was the return from the operating room. In the epi-off group, pain increased significantly until the morning of D2 and did not return to its intraoperative level until noon D2, 1.8±2.0 vs 2.5±2.5 (P=0.12). Pain remained stable until the morning of D4. From noon D4 until D30, it was significantly less than intraoperatively 1.8±2.0 vs 0.7±1.4 (P=0.01). In the epi-on group, pain was significantly higher than intraoperatively until noon of D1 2.5±2.2 vs 3.8±2.5 (P=0.01). From the evening of D1, it returned to its intraoperative level until the evening of D2 2.5±2.2 vs 2±1.7 (P=0.34). From the morning of D3 it was significantly less than intraoperatively 2.5±2.2 vs 0.8±0.9 (P=0.001). Considering all measurement times, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.75), except from evening of D2 until evening of D3 in favor of iontophoresis: 1.9±2.3 vs 1.0±1.3 (P=0.038). DISCUSSION: Epi-on seems less painful in the short term (up to noon of D1 for epi-on vs morning of D2 for epi-off) and with a shorter duration than epi-off. This can be explained by the absence of corneal de-epithelialization. However, the reduction in pain is not significant at all postoperative times, and a risk of epithelial abrasion during placement and removal of the corneal applicator may exist. CONCLUSION: Iontophoresis maintains the corneal epithelium, decreases pain and improves patient comfort. A new study involving more patients and strict monitoring of medication intake would strengthen the validity of these results.

Poor Socioeconomic and Nutritional Status Are Associated with Osteoporosis in Korean Postmenopausal Women: Data from the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2009.

OBJECTIVE: As the population ages, osteoporosis is a growing global public health problem. This study examined potential risk factors associated with osteoporosis in a nationally representative sample of Korean postmenopausal women. METHODS: This study used data from a nationally representative sample of Korean menopausal women participating in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey KNHANES 2009 (n = 1467; mean age ± SE = 65.2 ± 0.3 years). Bone mineral density of total femur, femoral neck, and spine was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Osteoporosis was determined as t-score of -2.5 or below in at least 1 of the 3 sites. Menopausal status was confirmed by self-reports. RESULTS: About 41% of the study sample met the criteria for osteoporosis. Poor socioeconomic status, lower BMI, and shorter estrogen exposure duration were significantly associated with osteoporosis in the study sample. Poor dietary intake was also related to osteoporosis. In the age- and energy-adjusted logistic regression models, participants consuming less protein, vitamin B2, or vitamin C than the estimated average requirement (EAR) showed higher odds of having osteoporosis than their counterparts. Participants consuming no milk or milk products had 45% increased odds of having osteoporosis than those consuming milk or milk products. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest several risk factors associated with osteoporosis, which can be addressed in the development and implementation of tailored nutritional interventions to promote the bone health of Korean postmenopausal women.

Improving women's diet quality preconceptionally and during gestation: effects on birth weight and prevalence of low birth weight--a randomized controlled efficacy trial in India (Mumbai Maternal Nutrition Project).

BACKGROUND: Low birth weight (LBW) is an important public health problem in undernourished populations. OBJECTIVE: We tested whether improving women's dietary micronutrient quality before conception and throughout pregnancy increases birth weight in a high-risk Indian population. DESIGN: The study was a nonblinded, individually randomized controlled trial. The intervention was a daily snack made from green leafy vegetables, fruit, and milk (treatment group) or low-micronutrient vegetables (potato and onion) (control group) from ≥ 90 d before pregnancy until delivery in addition to the usual diet. Treatment snacks contained 0.69 MJ of energy (controls: 0.37 MJ) and 10-23% of WHO Reference Nutrient Intakes of ß-carotene, riboflavin, folate, vitamin B-12, calcium, and iron (controls: 0-7%). The primary outcome was birth weight. RESULTS: Of 6513 women randomly assigned, 2291 women became pregnant, 1962 women delivered live singleton newborns, and 1360 newborns were measured. In an intention-to-treat analysis, there was no overall increase in birth weight in the treatment group (+26 g; 95% CI: -15, 68 g; P = 0.22). There was an interaction (P < 0.001) between the allocation group and maternal prepregnant body mass index (BMI; in kg/m(2)) [birth-weight effect: -23, +34, and +96 g in lowest (<18.6), middle (18.6-21.8), and highest (>21.8) thirds of BMI, respectively]. In 1094 newborns whose mothers started supplementation ≥ 90 d before pregnancy (per-protocol analysis), birth weight was higher in the treatment group (+48 g; 95% CI: 1, 96 g; P = 0.046). Again, the effect increased with maternal BMI (-8, +79, and +113 g; P-interaction = 0.001). There were similar results for LBW (intention-to-treat OR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.66, 1.05; P = 0.10; per-protocol OR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.59, 0.98; P = 0.03) but no effect on gestational age in either analysis. CONCLUSIONS: A daily snack providing additional green leafy vegetables, fruit, and milk before conception and throughout pregnancy had no overall effect on birth weight. Per-protocol and subgroup analyses indicated a possible increase in birth weight if the mother was supplemented ≥ 3 mo before conception and was not underweight. This trial was registered at www.controlled-trials.com/isrctn/ as ISRCTN62811278.

Assessment of riboflavin as a tracer substance: comparison of a qualitative to a quantitative method of riboflavin measurement.

BACKGROUND: Noncompliance with medications may have major impacts on outcomes measured in research, potentially distorting the validity of controlled clinical trials. Riboflavin is frequently used in trials as a marker of adherence. It can be combined with study medication and is excreted in urine where it fluoresces under UV light. This study compares qualitative visual inspection of fluorescence to quantitative fluorometric analysis of riboflavin concentration in its ability to detect the presence of riboflavin in urine. METHODS: Twenty-four volunteers received 0mg, 25mg, and 50mg doses of riboflavin under single-blind conditions, with 20 also receiving a 100mg dose. Five serial urine samples were collected over the following 36h. Quantitative measurement of riboflavin by fluorometric analysis and qualitative assessment of each sample using visual inspection were performed. RESULTS: The overall false positive rate for qualitative assessment was 53%. For quantitative assessment, a riboflavin concentration of 900ng/mL was established to classify positive samples. More than 80% of samples were positive 2-24h following ingestion of 25mg and 50mg, and less than 80% were positive at 36h. At least 95% of observations for the 100mg dose were above 900ng/mL at all timepoints. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative fluorometric assessment is superior to qualitative visual inspection alone in determining medication adherence. The combination of 25-50mg of daily riboflavin and a cut-off level of 900ng/mL allows for the acceptable sensitivity of missing detection of non-compliant participants while preserving a high level of power to detect all cases of medication compliance.

What linear programming contributes: world food programme experience with the "cost of the diet" tool.

BACKGROUND: Linear programming has been used for analyzing children's complementary feeding diets, for optimizing nutrient adequacy of dietary recommendations for a population, and for estimating the economic value of fortified foods. OBJECTIVE: To describe and apply a linear programming tool ("Cost of the Diet") with data from Mozambique to determine what could be cost-effective fortification strategies. METHODS: Based on locally assessed average household dietary needs, seasonal market prices of available food products, and food composition data, the tool estimates the lowest-cost diet that meets almost all nutrient needs. The results were compared with expenditure data from Mozambique to establish the affordability of this diet by quintiles of the population. RESULTS: Three different applications were illustrated: identifying likely "limiting nutrients," comparing cost effectiveness of different fortification interventions at the household level, and assessing economic access to nutritious foods. The analysis identified iron, vitamin B2, and pantothenic acid as "limiting nutrients." Under the Mozambique conditions, vegetable oil was estimated as a more cost-efficient vehicle for vitamin A fortification than sugar; maize flour may also be an effective vehicle to provide other constraining micronutrients. Multiple micronutrient fortification of maize flour could reduce the cost of the "lowest-cost nutritious diet" by 18%, but even this diet can be afforded by only 20% of the Mozambican population. CONCLUSIONS: Within the context of fortification, linear programming can be a useful tool for identifying likely nutrient inadequacies, for comparing fortification options in terms of cost effectiveness, and for illustrating the potential benefit of fortification for improving household access to a nutritious diet.

Autism rates associated with nutrition and the WIC program.

OBJECTIVES: Autism rates in the United States are increasing at a rate of 15% per year. Autistic children are diagnosed by age 3 when they have problems communicating and interacting socially. This study uses nutritional epidemiology and an ecologic study design to link the possible cause of autism to nutrition by creating autism rates for the 50 states of America and comparing them with published measures of infant nutrition such as duration of exclusive breast-feeding and participation in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. The percentage of infants with measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) inoculations was also compared with the autism rates. Study DESIGN: Autism rates for each state were established. The percentage of infants who participate in the WIC program for low-income families was calculated for each of the 50 states as well as 21 New Jersey and 30 Oregon counties and compared with their autism rates. An ecologic study design with correlation coefficients is limited, but it is useful for generating hypotheses to be tested. RESULTS: The states with the highest WIC participation have significantly lower autism rates (p < 0.02). A similar pattern was observed in 21 New Jersey counties (p < 0.02) and 30 Oregon counties (p < 0.05). In contrast, there was a direct correlation with the increasing percentage of women exclusively breast-feeding from 2000-2004 (p < 0.001). Infants who were solely breast-fed had diets that contained less thiamine, riboflavin, and vitamin D than the minimal daily requirements (MDR). There was no correlation of MMR inoculations with the autism rate. CONCLUSION: The mothers who are exclusively breast-feeding should also continue their prenatal vitamins or their equivalent and make better dietary choices. These results suggest that autism may be nutritionally related to a possible deficiency of riboflavin or the cognitive vitamins such as thiamine or vitamin D. However, due to an ecologic study design there is a potential for fallacy because individuals were not examined. The results suggest the need for a robust observational study in advance of, and to confirm the need for, an intervention study.

A comprehensive in vitro and in vivo evaluation of thiolated matrix tablets as a gastroretentive delivery system.

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of thiolated matrix tablets for gastroretentive delivery systems. Poly(acrylic acid)-cysteine (PAA-Cys) and chitosan-4-thiobuthylamidine (chitosan-TBA) were evaluated as anionic and cationic thiolated polymers and riboflavin was used as a model drug. Tablets were prepared by direct compression and each formulation was characterized in terms of disintegration, swelling, mucoadhesion, and drug release properties. Thereafter, the gastric residence times of tablets were determined with in vivo study in rats. The resulting PAA-Cys and chitosan-TBA conjugates displayed 172.80 ± 30.33 and 371.11 ± 72.74 µmol free thiol groups, respectively. Disintegration studies demonstrated the stability of thiolated tablets up to 24 h, whereas tablets prepared with unmodified PAA and chitosan disintegrated within a time period of 1 h. Mucoadhesion studies showed that mucoadhesion work of PAA-Cys and chitosan-TBA tablets were 1.341- and 2.139-times higher than unmodified ones. The mucoadhesion times of PAA, PAA-Cys, chitosan, and chitosan-TBA tablets were 1.5 ± 0.5, 21 ± 1, 1 ± 0.5, 17 ± 1 h, respectively. These results confirm the theory that thiol groups react with mucin glycoproteins and form covalent bonds to the mucus layer. Release studies indicated that a controlled release was provided with thiolated tablets up to 24 h. These promising in vitro results of thiolated tablets were proved with in vivo studies. The thiolated tablets showed a gastroretention time up to 6 h, whereas unmodified tablets completely disintegrated within 1 h in rat stomach. Consequently, the study suggests that thiolated matrix tablets might be promising formulations for gastroretentive delivery systems.

Intake of B vitamins in childhood and adult life in relation to psychological distress among women in a British birth cohort.

BACKGROUND: Lower levels of B vitamins (particularly folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6) may be associated with psychological distress. Little is known about the impact of childhood nutrition on psychological distress in adult life. OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether prospectively measured childhood and adult dietary intakes of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 were related to the psychological distress of women in mid-age, taking into account socio-economic, behavioural and lifestyle factors. DESIGN: Prospective data were collected from a cohort of 636 British women followed up since their birth in 1946. Participants completed a 28-item, scaled version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) to measure psychological distress at age 53 years. Dietary intakes in childhood (at age four) were determined by 24h recall and in adulthood (at age 36, 43 and 53 years) by a 5d food record. RESULTS: Low dietary vitamin B12 intake at age 53 was associated with higher psychological distress at that age. Women in the lowest third of vitamin B12 intake in adulthood had a higher GHQ-28 score compared with those in the highest third (percentage change, adjusted regression coefficient, 21 (95% CI 3, 39)). There were no other significant associations between dietary B vitamin intake in childhood or adulthood and psychological distress in the cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, there is evidence that intake of vitamin B12 at age 53 is related to adult psychological distress but there is no evidence for the effects of other adult B vitamin intakes or childhood intakes on psychological distress.

Dietary folate and depressive symptoms are associated in middle-aged Finnish men.

Several cross-sectional studies have focused on the low blood folate levels of depressed patients. However, no published studies have examined the association between dietary folate and current symptoms of depression in a general population. We investigated the association between dietary folate, cobalamin, pyridoxine and riboflavin and current symptoms of depression in a cross-sectional general population study. We recruited 2682 men aged between 42 and 60 y from eastern Finland. Those who had a previous history of psychiatric disorder were excluded (n = 146, 5.6% of the cohort). Depressive symptoms were assessed with the 18-item Human Population Laboratory Depression Scale. Those who scored 5 or more at baseline were considered to have elevated depressive symptoms (n = 228, 9.3% of the cohort). The participants were grouped into thirds according to their dietary folate intake. Those in the lowest third of energy-adjusted folate intake had a higher risk of being depressed [odds ratio (OR) 1.67, 95% CI = 1.19-2.35, P = 0.003] than those in the highest folate intake third. This increased risk remained significant after adjustment for smoking habits, alcohol consumption, appetite, BMI, marital status, education, adulthood socioeconomic status and total fat consumption (OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.01-2.12, P = 0.044). There were no associations between the intake of cobalamin, pyridoxine or riboflavin, and depression. These results indicate that nutrition may have a role in the prevention of depression.

Assessment of thiamin (vitamin B1) and riboflavin (vitamin B2) status in an adult Mediterranean population.

The aim of the present study was to assess the nutritional status for thiamin (vitamin B1) and riboflavin (vitamin B2) in an adult Mediterranean population, in order to identify patterns of intake, groups at risk for deficiency and factors that might influence this risk. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in Andalusia, a western Mediterranean region in southern Spain. Nutrient intakes were studied in a random sample of 3390 subjects (1746 men, 1644 women) who were between 25 and 60 years of age. Blood samples were obtained for biochemical assays in a random subsample of 372 subjects (181 men, 191 women). Food consumption was assessed by 48 h recall. Vitamin B1 and B2 were measured as erythrocyte transketolase and as erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficients, respectively. Energy and vitamin intakes were significantly higher in men than in women. Intakes were below two-thirds of the recommended dietary allowance for vitamin B1 in 7.80 % of the men and 4.50 % of the woman, and were below this level for vitamin B2 in 18.00 % of the men and 11.70 % of the women. Age, educational level, alcohol use and smoking were also associated with differences in the intake of these nutrients. Biochemical analyses showed that vitamin B1 and B2 status was deficient in 6.40 and 5.30 % of the population, respectively. Although factors such as gender, age, level of education, drinking and smoking can have an effect on the risk of inadequate intake of these nutrients, these factors did not affect biochemical indices of nutritional status in the present study.

Frequency-domain photon migration measurements for quantitative assessment of powder absorbance: A novel sensor of blend homogeneity.

The measurement and analysis of frequency-domain photon migration (FDPM) measurements of powder absorbance in pharmaceutical powders is described in the context of other optical techniques. FDPM consists of launching intensity-modulated light into a powder and detecting the phase delay and amplitude modulation of the re-emitted light as a function of the modulation frequency. From analysis of the data using the diffusion approximation to the radiative transport equation, the absorption coefficient can be obtained. Absorption coefficient measurements of riboflavin in lactose mixtures are presented at concentrations of 0.1 to 1% (w/w) at near-infrared wavelengths where solution absorption cross sections are difficult to accurately measure using traditional transmission measurements in nonscattering solutions. FDPM measurements in powders enabled determinations of absorption coefficients that increase linearly with concentration (w/w) according to Beer-Lambert relationship. The extension of FDPM for monitoring absorbance of low-dose and ultralow-dose powder blending operations is presented.

Assessment of vitamin B2 status in performance athletes of various types of sports.

To determine the vitamin B2 supply, 62 athletes in various types of sports and 16 non-athletes were examined, using a weighed food record (7-day), alpha-EGR determination, microbiological blood, and HPLC urinary measurements. If the guidelines of 1.5 or 1.7 mg/day vitamin B2 or 0.6 mg/4,184 kJ (GRDA) are defined for adequate status, all sports groups (M +/- SEM) are above this level. The vitamin B2 blood concentrations show a range (mean) from 303-372 nmol/liter, which indicates that more than 90% of the athletes are above the reference value of 327 nmol/liter (mean). There is a correlation of r = 0.49 between the vitamin B2 intake (mean over 7 days) and the vitamin B2 blood level. Determination of vitamin B2 blood concentration is characterized by good precision (C.V. +/- 3.2%) and recovery (95.7%). The enzyme activation measurement (alpha-EGR) shows that all of the athletes are below the alpha-EGR reference value of < 1.50 (good supply). No significant correlations could be determined between alpha-EGR and vitamin B2 intake, blood concentrations, and urinary excretion. The measurement also shows high precision (C.V. 1.7%). The Vitamin B2 excretion in urine (mumol/g Cr.) was higher than the reference values for non-athletes in more than 90% of the athletes. There is a correlation of r = 0.89 between the vitamin B2 intake on the last day (Day 7) of the food record and the riboflavin excretion, and between vitamin B2 in blood and urinary excretion of r = 0.52. The C.V. of vitamin B2 urinary measurement using HPLC is 2.5%, with recovery of 98.2%. Combined measurement of vitamin B2 intake, blood concentration, and urine excretion appears to be a suitable procedure for determining the vitamin B2 status. Most of the performance athletes were sufficiently supplied with vitamin B2, compared to the reference values for non-athletes.

Anthropometric indices and measurements on primary school children of contrasting parental occupations.

The nutritional status in relation to parental occupation is a useful undertaking in predicting requirement of population groups. The investigation reported here was conducted to document the nutritional status of children 6-15 years of age of contrasting parental occupations living in Anambra State Community, Nigeria. The main weights of Anambra State boys at 6 years of age were 20.2 kg compared with teachers 19.5 kg and traders 15.7 kg. The weight achievement of the trader's at 15 years of age was 84% those of farmers' children. Similar conclusion may be drawn for height of both boys and girls for the contrasting occupation groups. The arm size of the farmers' children was initially low but hereafter it was similar to that of boys of other occupation groups, however the arm size of other civil servants (girls) was 26.3 cm compared with 21.1 cm for other businessmen's girls. On the other hand, the skinfold estimate of the teachers' boys (3.8 mm) and girls (3.8 mm) aged 10 years was statistically different (p less than 0.01) from the highest values (7.1 mm) for boys and (8.4 mm) girls at same age. Household diets were 90% of safe level of intake for civil servants and most farmers' children; that was accompanied by low dietary intake of riboflavin--81.3% for civil servants and 84% for farmers; thiamin 100% for civil servants and 79.3% for farmers. The Vitamin A intake of civil servants were also 85.7% safe level of adequacy. The information obtained was assessed from the point of view of its usefulness in the area surveyed for both the nutritionists and the clinicians and its long term benefit for Nigeria in National food policy and planning. These can be applied for other countries.