Denver Papillae Protocol for Objective Analysis of Fungiform Papillae

The goal of the Denver Papillae Protocol is to use a dichotomous key to define and prioritize the characteristics of fungiform papillae (FP) to ensure consistent scoring between scorers. This protocol builds off of a need that has arisen from the last two decades of taste research using FP as a proxy for taste pore density. FP density has historically been analyzed using Miller & Reedy’s 1990 characterizations of their morphology: round, stained lighter, large, and elevated. In this work, the authors forewarned that stricter definitions of FP morphology needed to be outlined. Despite this call to action, follow up literature has been scarce, with most studies continuing to cite Miller & Reedy’s original work. Consequently, FP density reports have been highly variable and, combined with small sample sizes, may contribute to the discrepant conclusions on the role of FP in taste sensitivity. The Genetics of Taste Lab explored this apparent inconsistency in counting and found that scorers were individually prioritizing the importance of these characteristics differently and had no guidance for when a papilla had some, but not all, of the reported qualities of FP. The result of this subjectivity is highly variable FP counts of the same tongue image. The Denver Papillae Protocol has been developed to remedy this consequence through use of a dichotomous key that further defines and prioritizes the importance of the characteristics put forth by Miller & Reedy. The proposed method could help create a standard way to quantify FP for researchers in the field of taste and nutritional studies.     

Trace elements in rock salt and their bioavailability estimated from solubility in acid

In this study, 18 partly commercially available samples of rock salt from Austria, Germany, Pakistan, Poland, Switzerland, and Ukraine were investigated with respect to their content of trace elements using instrumental neutron activation analysis. Elements detected were Al, Ba, Br, Ca, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, La, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, and Zn, some of them only in individual cases. An estimation of the bioavailability of these trace elements was performed by dissolving an equivalent of the sodium chloride samples in diluted hydrochloric acid (simulating stomach acid), filtering off the insoluble components, and analyzing the evaporated filtrate. It could be shown that in most cases bioactive trace elements like Fe can be found in rock salt in the form of almost insoluble compounds and are therefore not significantly bioavailable, whereas thorium, for example, was partly bioavailable in two cases. A significant contribution to the recommended daily intake of metal trace elements by using rock salt for nutrition can be excluded.     

Status of nutrition and health claims in Europe

Functional foods are closely associated with claims on foods. There are two categories of claims on foods: nutrition claims and health claims. Health claims on (functional) foods must be scientifically substantiated. In December 2006, the European Union published its Regulation 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods. As concerns scientific evaluation, the EU-project PASSCLAIM resulted in a set of criteria for the scientific substantiation of health claims on foods. The European Food Safety Authority provides the scientific advise to the European Commission for health claims submitted under Regulation 1924/2006 and has hitherto published several hundreds of opinions on health claims, part of which are positive, part which are negative and a few with insufficient evidence. Antioxidant claims have been approved for the general function of vitamins but not for direct health effects in humans. Another issue with claims is consumer understanding. Consumers can hardly distinguish between graded levels of evidence, and they do make only little or no distinction between nutrition and health claims. Consumers understand nutrition and health claims different from scientists and regulators. Therefore, innovation in industry can readily proceed via approved nutrition claims and approved health claims. The market and the shelves in the stores will not be empty; rather they will look different in the years to come.     

Neoaplectana glaseri: essential amino acids

Required for a nematode's reproduction in a chemically defined medium are the nine mammalian essential amino acids (sensu strictu). Needed in addition to lysine, tryptophane, histidine, phenylalanine, leucine, isoleucine, threonine, methionine, and valine is arginine which is marginally essential for mammals. Tyrosine, nonessential for mammals, is not absolutely required by the nematode but is beneficial in terms of onset time and quantity of reproduction. Aspartic acid, nonessential for the nematode and mammals, is toxic for adult nematodes at and above 4.8 mg/ml medium. The nematode, Neoaplectana glaseri, is parasitic in insect grubs but the strain used has been cultivated in species isolation on kidney slices continuously since (1944).     

孕期营养与早发型子痫前期的关系

目的:探讨早发型子痫前期与孕期营养的关系,为早发型子痫前期的预防提供参考依据。方法:选择2011年10月~2013年10月我院收治的早发型子痫前期患者(发病孕周34周)60例为A组,晚发型子痫前期患者(发病孕周≥34周)58例为B组,以及同时期门诊产检孕周34周的正常孕妇40例为C组,产检孕周≥34周的正常孕妇40例为D组,检测和比较各组孕妇的血清总蛋白、血红蛋白含量、血细胞压积水平。结果:A组血清总蛋白、血红蛋白含量、血细胞压积均显著低于B和C组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);而C组血清总蛋白、血红蛋白含量、血细胞压积与D组比较无明显统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:早发型子痫前期的发生可能与孕期低蛋白血症、贫血相关,加强孕妇孕期的营养可能有助于预防早发型子痫前期的发生。     

Trace elements under the spotlight: A powerful nutritional tool in cancer

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Research on the relationships between trace elements (TE) and the development of cancer or its prevention is a field that is gaining increasing relevance. This review provides an evaluation of the effects of TE (As, Al, B, Cd, Cr, Cu, F, I, Pb, Li, Mn, Hg, Mo, Ni, Se, Si, Sn, V and Zn) intake and supplementation in cancer risk and prevention, as well as their interactions with oncology treatments. Advancements in the knowledge of TE, their dietary interactions and their main food sources can provide patients with choices that will help them to improve their quality of life and therapy outcomes. This approach could open new opportunities for treatments based on the integration of conventional therapies (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy) and dietary interventions that provide advanced personalized treatments.     

Clinical applications of physical anthropology

In recent decades physical anthropology has moved from its more traditional confines into many areas of clinical interest including growth and development, nutrition, clinical medicine, dysmorphology, and physical fitness. The “clinical applications” of physical anthropology is a broad topic, given the space limitations of a review. Hence, selected clinical applications, emphasizing anthropometry at the expense of physiology and genetics, are considered. Since the author is a pediatrician, the review concentrates largely on areas dealing with children.     

Prevalence and possible etiology of dental enamel hypoplasia

Two hundred black and white adult human skeletons and 200 living black and white children from the greater Cleveland area were examined for evidence of enamel hypoplasia. Enamel hypoplasia, present in varying expressings (pits, lines and grooves), was found to be more prevalent in both skeletal samples, than in the living groups. In the majority of cases, sex differences between white and black males and females through time and space are highly significant for all tooth catagories. Regardless of the mechanisms behind it, prevalence of enamel hypoplasia for both white and black group has significantly declined through time. No evidence suggesting specific etiologies responsible for enamel hypoplasia can be found. In the majority of previously published reports, the etiology is still idiopathic. The reduction in the prevalence of enamel hypoplasia in the groups examined through time may be related to improved nutritional conditions and the elimination or decline of childhood diseases that have been implicated in this condition.     

益生菌联合早期肠内营养干预对 重症脑卒中患者营养状态及肠道菌群的影响

目的探讨益生菌联合早期肠内营养干预对重症脑卒中患者营养状态及肠道菌群的影响。方法选取2014年1月至2018年6月于我院住院治疗的重症脑卒中患者70例,随机分为观察组和对照组各35例。两组患者均予控制颅内压、营养神经细胞、抗生素预防感染、保护胃黏膜和维持水电解质酸碱平衡等基础治疗。对照组患者留置鼻饲管行常规肠内营养治疗,观察组患者在对照组治疗基础上加用双歧杆菌四联活菌片水化后鼻饲管注入,1.5 g/次,3次/d,连用10 d。观察两组患者治疗前和治疗10 d后营养状态指标[血清总蛋白(TP)、转铁蛋白(TF)、上臂三头肌肌围(MAMC)]的变化,并比较治疗后肠道菌群(双歧杆菌、乳杆菌、拟杆菌、肠球菌、大肠埃希菌)数量变化。结果治疗10 d后,两组患者血清TP、TF水平和MAMC较治疗前显著下降(P0.05),且治疗后观察组患者TP、TF水平和MAMC高于对照组(P0.05);同时治疗后观察组患者粪便中双歧杆菌、乳杆菌和拟杆菌数量高于对照组,肠球菌和大肠埃希菌数量低于对照组(P0.05)。结论益生菌联合早期肠内营养干预不仅可显著减缓重症脑卒中患者的营养状态恶化;而且能有效地纠正肠道菌群失调,维持肠道微生态的稳定。