Multi-criteria Mapping of Stakeholders' Viewpoints in Five Southeast Asian Countries on Strategies to Reduce Micronutrient Deficiencies Among Children and Women of Reproductive Age: Findings from the SMILING Project.

BACKGROUND: Despite scientific evidence on the potential impact or importance of specific interventions to improve micronutrient status of vulnerable groups, political commitment and extensive support from national stakeholders is paramount to support introduction and implementation of these interventions at national level. In order to develop efficient nutritional strategies to improve the micronutrient status of children < 5 years of age and women of reproductive age that will be supported by a wide range of stakeholders, a better understanding of viewpoints on the nutrition politics and strategies is necessary. Multi-criteria mapping (MCM) was successfully used to assess the stakeholder's viewpoint in a wide variety of contexts since the late 1990s. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to assess the viewpoints of stakeholders on a wide range of potential nutritional interventions in the five Southeast Asian countries participating in the SMILING project. METHOD: MCM methodology was used to appraise the stakeholder's viewpoints in five countries. RESULTS: The results show that the overall stakeholders' preference was for actions already implemented in their country rather than for new, innovative options, even for supplementation. Indirect interventions such like food fortification (except in Indonesia), delayed cord clamping or food-based approaches were generally less favored by the stakeholders. However, the majority of stakeholders agreed that new approaches should be considered and put in place in the future provided that evidence of their impact was demonstrated, that they received adequate technical support for their implementation and their monitoring, and that they will be accompanied by strong advocacy among decision-makers, civil society and beneficiaries. CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: To conclude, for the introduction of new, innovative strategies to reduce micronutrient deficiencies in South-East Asia, convincing stakeholders appears to be the first hurdle to be taken.

Chemopreventive Effects of Eryngium foetidum L. Leaves on COX-2 Reduction in Mice Induced Colorectal Carcinogenesis.

To investigate the potential effects of Eryngium foetidum Linn. leaves (EF) in colitis-induced colorectal carcinogenesis in mice by azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), 39 ICR male mice were studied and divided into 6 groups. The mice were received a modified AIN-76 diet in Group 1, whereas Group 2 was given an AOM, DSS, and AIN-76 diet. Groups 3 and 4 were fed with 0.8% and 3.2% freeze-dried EF with AIN-76 diets, for 5 wk. Groups 5 and 6 were fed with 0.8% and 3.2% EF diets for 5 wk during AOM/DSS administration. The mice were necropsied at Week 20 and their colons were collected. The results indicated that the incidences of tumors in Groups 2, 5, and 6 was 100%, 75%, and 88%, with multiplicities (mean ±SE) of 3.75 ±0.92, 2.38 ± 0.96 and 4.25 ± 0.79, respectively. Interestingly, there was a significant difference in COX-2 expression in mice received 3.2% EF in their diet, but the proliferative cell nuclear antigen index and iNOS protein expression were not significantly different. We concluded that EF at a dose level of 3.2% in their diet had a preventive effect on colorectal carcinogenesis via the proinflammatory cytokine, COX-2.

Effect of Thermal Processes on S-Allyl Cysteine Content in Black Garlic.

As a key component of black garlic (BG) products, S-allyl cysteine (SAC) is useful in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. Several BG products with a high SAC content have been developed by thermal processing; however, the optimum conditions for thermal treatment for producing Thai garlic (multicloves) with a high SAC content compared to Chinese garlic (single clove) are still unknown. Moreover, the mechanism underlying the increase in SAC content in BG is unclear. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the optimum thermal condition for developing Thai BG with high SAC content base on methods A (70 °C and 80% RH) and B (60-75 °C and 80-85% RH). The total phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of Thai fresh garlic, Thai BG, and their powder forms were also compared. Method A worked the best for both types of garlic. The results indicated that the SAC content increased significantly after 7 days of fermentation and decreased drastically afterward with prolonged heat treatment. The optimum thermal condition for producing Thai fresh garlic and Chinese fresh garlic with high SAC content was 70 °C and a relative humidity of 80% for 12 days in an industrial fermentation chamber. The SAC content of Thai BG and Chinese BG increased approximately 139- and 122-fold, respectively. Furthermore, significant antioxidant capabilities determined by ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity assays were 34-, 6-, and 3-fold higher, respectively, than those of fresh garlic.

Use of mobile app to monitoring growth outcome of children: A systematic literature review.

Advances in knowledge and technology have created opportunities to help monitor child growth. Thus, we conducted a systematic review to determine if the use of mobile apps resulted in improved growth outcomes for children. We include articles published related to children's growth with poor nutritional status. The relevant articles were searched from PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, ProQuest, and Google Scholar. Twelve studies were identified, which is the use of the mobile app to monitor growth in undernutrition and obesity in children. Six studies found that the use of mobile apps improved undernutrition child growth and improved parents' and/or front health workers' knowledge to prevent, treat, and monitor children with undernutrition. Six studies stated that the use of mobile app helps overweight/obese children lose weight and motivate them to achieve ideal body weight. Mobile apps for monitoring the growth of children with various standards are likely a promising means for early detection of growth failure and guiding overweight/obese children in gaining normal weight. Studies with large sample sizes and long-term interventions and follow-ups are needed to help assess the effectiveness of mobile app intervention programs and their impact on multiple growth outcomes more comprehensively and accurately.

Protein expression profiles that underpin the preventive and therapeutic potential of Moringa oleifera Lam against azoxymethane and dextran sodium sulfate-induced mouse colon carcinogenesis.

Previous studies in a mouse model have indicated the anticancer potential of boiled Moringa oleifera pod (bMO)-supplemented diets; however, its molecular mechanisms are still unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the protein expression profiles responsible for the suppressive effect of bMO supplementation on azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced mouse colon carcinogenesis. Analysis by gel electrophoresis and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrophotometry demonstrated that there were 125 proteins that were differentially expressed in mouse colon tissues between 14 experimental groups of mice. The differentially expressed proteins are involved in various biological processes, such as signal transduction, metabolism, transcription and translation. Venn diagram analysis of the differentially expressed proteins was performed in six selected mouse groups, including negative control, positive control mice induced by AOM/DSS, the AOM/DSS groups receiving preventive or therapeutic bMO diets and their bMO-supplemented control groups. This analysis identified 7 proteins; 60S acidic ribosomal protein P1 (Rplp1), fragile X mental retardation, cystatin 9, round spermatids protein, zinc finger protein 638, protein phosphatase 2C (Ppm1g) and unnamed protein product as being potentially associated with the preventive and therapeutic effects of bMO in AOM/DSS-induced mouse colon cancer. Analysis based on the search tool for interactions of chemicals (STITCH) database predicted that Rplp1 interacted with the apoptotic and inflammatory pathways, whereas Ppm1g was associated only with inflammatory networks. This proteomic analysis revealed candidate proteins that are responsible for the effects of bMO supplementation, potentially by regulating apoptotic and inflammatory signaling networks in colorectal cancer prevention and therapy.

Effect of processing on the flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity of Citrus hystrix leaf.

The objective of the present study was to compare fresh (F) use and the effects of boiling (B) and deep-fat frying (DF) on the leaf of Citrus hystrix on total phenolic content, the types and amounts of flavonoids and their total antioxidant capacities (TAC), as measured by three different assays: oxygen radical absorption capacity, ferric reducing/antioxidant power, and scavenging effect on the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical. Boiling decreased TAC values on the three assays. The amount of total flavonoids calculated as aglycone equivalents of eight identified flavonoids (cyanidin, myricetin, peonidin, quercetin, luteolin, hesperetin, apigenin and isorhamnetin) determined by high-performance liquid chromatography was 1,129 (DF), 1,104 (F) and 549 (B) mg/100 g freeze-dried weight (dry matter exclude fat). Hesperetin was the predominant flavonoid. The total phenolic content expressed as grams of gallic acid equivalents/100 grams fresh weight (excluding fat) was 2.0, 1.9 and 1.8 in F, DF and B samples, respectively. These results suggest that method of processing can significantly affect the content of flavonoids and their TAC values.

Exfoliated buccal mucosa cells as a source of DNA to study oxidative stress.

The extent of oxidative DNA damage is considered a biomarker of carcinogenic process and could be investigated in population studies using easily obtained cells. The oxidized DNA base adduct 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) released by enzymatic hydrolysis of DNA is commonly assayed by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. It is expressed as a ratio of 8-OHdG to unoxidized deoxyguanosine. We modified and improved this method, determined the optimal time for harvesting buccal mucosa cells (BMC), assessed whether they mirror peripheral circulating blood cell DNA damage, and compared the anticoagulants, heparin, and EDTA for consistency in measurement of leukocyte 8-OHdG. Thirty-one healthy participants, randomized into two groups, donated BMC and blood samples. Samples were collected at baseline and either 3 or 7 days after baseline. Results showed no correlation between 8-OHdG/deoxyguanosine ratios in BMC and peripheral blood leukocytes at any time point regardless of harvest time. BMC had much higher oxidative DNA damage, but displayed a 25.6% reduction in the oxidized DNA adduct level (P < 0.04) at 3 days after baseline. Leukocytes collected in heparin and EDTA had similar 8OHdG/deoxyguanosine ratios; however, EDTA was preferred, as it produced a clean nuclear pellet without hemoglobin contamination, and the results were less variable. This improved assay shows within subject stability over time in both leukocyte and BMC DNA damage, increasing the probability that small intervention differences can be detected in healthy subjects. Buccal cells provide an accessible pool of epithelial cells that represents higher levels of DNA damage than circulating leukocytes.

A 24-Weeks Toxicity Study of Eryngium foetidum Linn. Leaves in Mice.

Eryngium foetidum Linn. leaves (EF) are widely used in Thailand and many countries throughout Asia as a culinary seasoning and a traditional medicine. However, adverse effect of high dose consumption in long duration has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to investigate chronic toxicity of EF in mice. Thirty-two ICR male mice were divided into 4 groups of 8 mice each. The mice were fed AIN-76 rodent diet, or AIN-76 rodent diet supplemented with ground freeze-dried EF at 0.8%, 1.6% and 3.2% that is equivalent to approximately 35, 73 and 155 times that of human consumption, respectively, at 97.5 percentile for a period of 24 weeks. At the end of experiment, the mice were euthanized and blood samples were collected for hematological and biochemical evaluations. Necropsy was performed while visceral organs such as lung, liver, kidneys, spleen etc. were collected, weighed and histopathologically examined. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) results of mice in 1.6% and 3.2% EF diet groups were significantly higher than the BUN of control group. No significant difference was noted in other biochemical and hematological properties between the treatment groups and control; all results were within normal range. Histopathology of almost all visceral organs showed no significant changes. However, tubulonephrosis and chronic interstitial nephritis were observed in the groups treated with 1.6% and 3.2% EF diet. Body weight was reduced significantly at week 12 to week 20 when compared to the control group while relative kidney weights were significantly increased. In conclusion, the consumption of EF in diet at high doses illustrated the adverse effect on some biochemical parameters and histopathology in mice. Our findings suggested that EF daily consumption for 24 weeks, at higher doses than the 0.8% EF diet (35 times of human consumption), might cause adverse effect on kidney function in mice.

Anticlastogenic effect of Eryngium foetidum L. assessed by erythrocyte micronucleus assay.

The aim of this study was to investigate the anticlastogenicity as well as the clastogenicity of Eryngium foetidum leaf (EF) using the in vivo mouse peripheral blood erythrocyte micronucleus assay. Eighty ICR male mice were fed AIN-76 diet supplemented with ground freeze-dried EF at 0.0%, 0.8%, 1.6% and 3.2% for 2 weeks prior to the administration of both direct-acting, mitomycin C (MMC), and indirect-acting, 7, 12-dimethylbenz(a) anthracene (DMBA) clastogens. Peripheral blood samples were collected from mice just before administration of clastogen and at 24 and 48 h thereafter for MMC. Blood samples were collected at the same times and after 72 h for DMBA. Then, reticulocytes in blood samples were counted using fluorescent microscopy. The results indicated that EF had no clastogenic effect in mice. All doses of diets supplemented with EF decreased the number of micronucleated peripheral reticulocytes in all the MMC-treated groups in a dose dependent manner, but significant reduction was found only at 1.6% and 3.2% EF in the DMBA-treated groups. It can be concluded that EF has no clastogenicity, but possesses anticlastogenic potential against both direct- and indirect-acting types of clastogen in mice.

Bladder cancer documentation of causes: multilingual questionnaire, 'bladder cancer doc'.

There is a considerable discrepancy between the number of identified occupational-related bladder cancer cases and the estimated numbers particularly in emerging nations or less developed countries where suitable approaches are less or even not known. Thus, within a project of the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centres in Occupational Health, a questionnaire of the Dortmund group, applied in different studies, was translated into more than 30 languages (Afrikaans, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Czech, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Georgian, German, Greek, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Kannada, Kazakh, Kirghiz, Korean, Latvian, Malay, Persian (Farsi), Polish, Portuguese, Portuguese/Brazilian, Romanian, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Slovak, Spanish, Spanish/Mexican, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese). The bipartite questionnaire asks for relevant medical information in the physician's part and for the occupational history since leaving school in the patient's part. Furthermore, this questionnaire is asking for intensity and frequency of certain occupational and non-occupational risk factors. The literature regarding occupations like painter, hairdresser or miner and exposures like carcinogenic aromatic amines, azo dyes, or combustion products is highlighted. The questionnaire is available on www.ifado.de/BladderCancerDoc.

Suppressive effects of Moringa oleifera Lam pod against mouse colon carcinogenesis induced by azoxymethane and dextran sodium sulfate.

Moringa oleifera Lam (horseradish tree; tender pod or fruits) is a major ingredient in Thai cuisine and has some medicinal properties. Previous studies have shown potentially antioxidant, antitumor promoter, anticlastogen and anticarcinogen activities both in vitro and in vivo. The present study was conducted to investigate chemopreventive effects on azoxymethane (AOM)-initiated and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-promoted colon carcinogenesis in mice. Male ICR mice were divided into 8 groups: Group 1 served as a negative control; Group 2 received AOM/DSS as a positive control; Groups 3-5 were fed boiled freeze-dried M. oleifera (bMO) at 1.5%, 3.0% and 6.0%, respectively supplemented in basal diets for 5 weeks; Groups 6-8 were fed with bMO diets at the designed doses above for 2 weeks prior to AOM, during and 1 week after DSS administration. At the end of the study, colon samples were processed for histopathological examination. PCNA indices, and iNOS and COX-2 expression were assessed by immunohistochemistry. The results demonstrated the incidences and multiplicities of tumors in Groups 6-8 to be decreased when compared to Group 2 in a dose dependent manner, but this was significant only in Group 8. The PCNA index was also significantly decreased in Group 8 whereas iNOS and COX-2 protein expression were significantly decreased in Groups 7 and 8. The findings suggest that M. oleifera Lam pod exerts suppressive effects in a colitis-related colon carcinogenesis model induced by AOM/DSS and could serve as a chemopreventive agent.

Nutritive evaluation and effect of Moringa oleifera pod on clastogenic potential in the mouse.

Moringa oleifera Lam (horseradish tree; tender pod or fruits) has been consumed as a vegetable and utilized as a major ingredient of healthy Thai cuisine. Previous studies have shown that M. oleifera pod extracts act as bifunctional inducers along with displaying antioxidant properties and also inhibiting skin papillomagenesis in mice. This study was aimed to determine the nutritive value, and clastogenic and anticlastogenic potentials of M. oleifera pod. The nutritive value was determined according to AOAC methods. The clastogenic and anticlastogenic potentials were determined using the in vivo erythrocyte micronucleus assay in the mouse. Eighty male mice were fed semi-purified diets containing 1.5%, 3.0% and 6.0% of ground freeze-dried boiled M. oleifera pod (bMO) for 2 weeks prior to administration of both direct-acting (mitomycin C, MMC) and indirect-acting (7, 12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene, DMBA), clastogens. Blood samples were collected at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h, dropped on acridine orange-coated slides, and then counted for reticulocytes both with and without micronuclei by fluorescence microscopy. The nutritive value of 100 g bMO consisted of: moisture content, 8.2 g; protein, 19.2 g; fat, 3.9 g; carbohydrate (dietary fiber included), 60.5 g; dietary fiber, 37.5 g; ash, 8.1 g and energy, 354 kcal. Freeze-dried boiled M. oleifera had no clastogenic activity in the mouse while it possessed anticlastogenic activity against both direct and indirect-acting clastogens. Freeze-dried boiled M. oleifera pod at 1.5%, 3.0% and 6.0% in the diets decreased the number of micronucleated peripheral reticulocytes (MNRETs) induced by both MMC and DMBA. However, the effect was statistically significant in the dose dependent manner only in the MMC-treated group. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that bMO has no clastogenicity and possesses anticlastogenic potential against clastogens, and particularly a direct-acting clastogen in the mouse.