Biography:

Dr. Zhao has her expertise in nutrition and chronic diseases. The inner layer of blood vessels is lined with endothelial cells, which act as the early responder to dietary factors. Her research focus on the effects of dietary factors on the endothelial functions and their roles in the development of chronic metabolic diseases including obesity, diabetes and atherosclerosis, and thus developing dietary intervention targeting disease prevention and management.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Iodine is an essential microelement for human health. Historically, iodine deficiency-caused disease (IDD) has been a global public health concern. Comprehensive studies on IDD led to the implementation of universal salt iodization (USI) policy in many countries. With rapid global progress in correcting iodine deficiency, excessive iodine intake is emerging as a new concern. The spectrum of iodine excess induced thyroid disorders has been reported Including hypothyroidism, autoimmune thyroiditis, endemic goiter and thyroid cancer. Whereas the extrathyroidal effects of iodine excess on health is less studied.  A comprehensive understanding of iodine excess on health will be of great benefit.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: We established a mouse model of excess iodine intake by adding different levels of iodine to drinking water for different period of time. Plasma lipid parameters and serum thyroid hormones were measured. Expressions of hepatic genes were detected by PCR and WB.

Findings: Dose-dependent hypercholesterolemic effects were detected in mice (TC, r = 0.615; p< 0.01). Drinking 1.2 ug/mL iodine water for 1 month had no significant effect on serum lipid metabolism, while prolonged exposure induced an increase of serum cholesterol. Serum thyroid hormones were not affected by excess iodine intake throughout the study. At the molecular levels, a dose-dependent attenuation of hepatic low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr)and thyroid hormone receptor β1 (TR β1) expression was detected in parallel to the change of serum cholesterol. 

Conclusion & Significance: Our findings demonstrated a dose and time dependent hypercholesterolemic effect of iodine excess. TRβ1-mediated down regulation of hepatic LDLr gene may play a critical role. This study further expanded our knowledge on the potential hazard effect of iodine on health and will be instructive for reasonable iodine intake for improving overall health. 

Biography:

Dominik Szwajgier has expertise in Food Analysis and Human Nutrition, especially in the analysis of poly-phenolic compounds. He focused on the role of natural plant extracts and individual phenolic compounds in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. He tested natural plant extracts using various models of cell lines. In his professional career, he worked for a long time on the elevation of the antioxidant status of various types of beer by the increase of the content of phenolic antioxidants.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Bilberry leaves decrease blood glucose and triglyceride levels and exert anti-diabetic effect. Here, we isolated new cholinesterase inhibitors (against Alzheimer’s disease) and examined anti-diabetic, pro-cognitive, and antimicrobial effect of bilberry fruit.

Methodology: Juice was ultra-filtered (5 kDa) and freeze-dried. Preparative and analytical HPLC was used for isolation of cholinesterase inhibitors, followed by confirmation by FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy and LC-MS. Diabetes mellitus was studied using Wistar male rats (feed enriched with 25% fruit, 2 months). Glucose, fructosamine, cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL), triglycerides, AspAT, AlAT i ALP levels as well as glucose receptors and β-amyloid plaques (in brains) were examined. Cognitive tests (elevated plus maze test, seven months old rats; 2, 5 or 10 g bilberry/kg b.m. for three months) were performed. The effect of selected compounds from bilberry on the growth of lactic acid bacteria was tested (cultivation of strains in micro-plates).

Findings: New cholinesterase inhibitors- derivatives of chlorogenic acid (4-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid or 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid) and benzoic acid (3-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-4-hydroxybenzoic acid or 4-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-3-methoxsybenzoic acid) were identified in bilberry. Brain mean weight was increased (p<0.05), alanine transaminase activity was decreased and creatinine levels were increased in animals fed bilberry, but no differences in blood parameters between normal and diabetic rats were observed. The administration of bilberry (5 g/kg b.w./day) to rats (for three months) improved short- and long-term memory (p<0.05).

Conclusion & Significance: Regular consumption of bilberry fruit can enhance the memory. Increased brain weight can be obtained, and liver functions can be normalized, but more biochemical markers should be studied to confirm these results. The hypoglycemic effect of the diet supplemented with bilberry pulp was not proved; therefore, it can be assumed that the consumption of bilberry fruit may not be helpful in the case of diabetes mellitus.

Biography:

Nicolas Sauvageot has expertise in Nutritional Epidemiology. In the previous years, he has been working on measurement errors in dietary assessment methods as well as statistical methods used to assess relationships between diet and health. His main research interests are dietary patterns as well as their relationships with other factors.

Abstract:

Background: In nutritional epidemiology, the traditional approach of studying relationships between a single food and a health outcome has been complemented by the use of dietary patterns that consider how foods are consumed together. Dietary pattern analysis has many advantages and is believed to represent more closely the real world.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of dietary patterns in the greater region (Luxembourg, Wallonia (Belgium), Lorraine (France)). Associations with several characteristics, namely cardiovascular risk factors, socio-demographics as well as lifestyle factors, were also explored.

Methods: The methods used to compute dietary patterns were dimension reduction techniques, cluster analysis as well as mixture models. We used data from the NESCaV survey (nutrition, environment and cardiovascular health), an interregional cross-sectional study of 3133 individuals living in the greater region. Cardiovascular health was assessed with self-administered questionnaire as well as clinical and anthropometric measurements. Dietary intakes were collected by using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) based on 134 food items.

Results: Although the different methods led to comparable results, obtained dietary patterns also showed some differences across methods. Briefly, non-prudent/convenient, convenient and animal protein and alcohol dietary patterns were associated with a higher cardiovascular risk. By contrast, prudent, breakfast and low starchy foods/high vegetables and dairy products patterns were associated with a lower cardiovascular risk. Finally, associations of dietary patterns with others factors showed that younger adults, men, less educated people, smokers, less physically active people as well as those living in Luxembourg and Wallonia are more likely to adopt unhealthy dietary patterns.

Conclusion: From a methodological standpoint, in order to have complementary insights, dietary patterns should be computed with both dimension reduction techniques and mixture models. From a public health perspective, these findings highlight the need for targeted health prevention campaigns promoting healthy diet and lifestyles.

Biography:

Dr. Amr I.M. Hawal has his expertise in evaluation and passion in improving the health and wellbeing. His open and contextual evaluation model based on responsive constructivists creates new pathways for  improving health care specially in Neonatology field. He has built this model after years of experience in research, evaluation, teaching and administration both in hospital and education institutions. Our case presentation was done in one of the biggest & modern of art & advanced NICU based on tertiary generation level in the region (Latifa Hospital, DHA, Dubai, UAE).

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: It’s a clinical case presentation of a male Preterm infant Newborn (+31 wks) who was delivered in our hospital & transferred to our NICU because of Prematurity, VLBW & need to respiratory support. Baby shortly undergo Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) on 5th day of life shortly after start of expressed milk feeding …! Which early detected by use of Near Infra red Abdominal spectroscopy (NIRS). Baby was deteriorated clinically in a couple of hours & undergo intestinal perforation with peritonitis, So, Abdominal exploration surgery with intestinal resection & end – to end anastomosis was done urgently. Baby improved gradually & early feedings was started & gradually increased up to full feedings with use of Human Fortified Milk (HMF) & probiotics, Prebiotics.

Findings: the Study stated the evidence-based Feeding Strategies guidelines for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) among very low birth weight infants & Role of trophic feedings, Probiotics, Prebiotics & micronutrients in Prophylaxis, Prevention & Management of NEC.

Recommendations: 1) -Prematurity is the single greatest risk factor for NEC & avoidance of premature birth is the best way to prevent NEC. 2)-The role of feeding in the pathogenesis of NEC is uncertain, but it seems prudent to use breast milk (when available) and advance feedings slowly and cautiously. 3)-NEC is one of the leading causes of mortality, and the most common reason for emergent GI surgery in newborns. 4)-NEC remains a major unsolved medical challenge, for which no specific therapy exists, and its pathogenesis remains controversial. 5)-A better understanding of the pathophysiology will offer new and innovative therapeutic approaches, and future studies should be focused on the roles of the epithelial barrier, innate immunity, and microbiota in this disorder. 6)-Bioinformatics modeling is a new emerging strategy aimed at understanding the dynamics of various inflammatory markers and their application in early diagnosis and treatment.

Biography:

Isabel M. Perez de Vargas Sansalvador received her B.Sc. in Chemistry (2005), M.Sc. (2008) and Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry (2011) from the University of Granada (Spain). Her postdoctoral experience started at Cranfield University (UK) and later at Dublin City University (Ireland). She is currently a Marie Curie Fellow at the University of Granada. Her research interests include chemical sensors for environmental and food analysis applications

Abstract:

We present Multisens, an innovative intelligent packaging platform that alerts the customer of packaged fresh meat quality.If the CO2 level changes during storage it is a clear indicator that bacteria are growing inside the package and / or the package is not well sealed and the modified atmosphere has been compromised. NH3 is a clear indicator of deterioration, as it is a product of microbial degradation and H2S is obtained by decomposition of cysteine, it is produced during meat spoilage. Therefore, these three gases have been selected as target gases for the development of the freshness sensors.

First, the correlation of meat freshness with the concentration of gases has been studied inside packages. Pseudomonas and TVC (Total Viable Count) are key parameters to evaluate this. It has been accepted that 10⁷ cfu/g /mL as threshold for meat spoilage. The correlation between bacteria count and gas release has been be studied in terms of time and hence the threshold of these gas concentrations for meat freshness has been established.

Sensors for each of the target gases have been developed by the use of water soluble inks containing pH indicators and ionic liquids, extending the lifetime of conventional organic-based sensors. Reproducibility, cross-sensitivity, lifetime, and dynamic response have been studied obtaining good results to transfer this platform to the market.

Since there is an increasing interest in the use of smartphones and similar devices such as tablets, the development of an Android/iOS application is being carried out. This implementation simplifies the whole system as no sophisticated expensive instruments shall be used, just a mobile phone, avoiding the necessity for specialised training

Biography:

Sima Hamadeh is an Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator of Nutrition & Dietetics Sciences at Haigazian University-Lebanon. Her interests lie in areas such as the dietary motivations and behaviors in communities; the evolution of nutrition; the epidemiology of obesity especially among youth; the health promotion and communication; and the nutrition policies. She has several publications in scientific refereed journals and book. She has also many oral communications on public health nutrition in international and national congresses. She works closely with different national ministries and organizations, and international institutions in projects, seminars, researches and community programs.

Abstract:

Culture and society are essential in shaping a person’s lifestyle. Precisely, food communication can influence, positively or negatively, youth’ food choices and patterns. Schools have proved a valuable setting to promote nutrition and health among youth. The primary aim of this study was to qualitatively explore the perceptions of multidisciplinary Lebanese key stakeholders on nutrition communication and school nutrition policies (SNP) impact on youth lifestyles in metropolitan contexts. In order to explore these perceptions, directed and semi-structures individual interviews with key stakeholders (n=64) in conjunction with focus groups (n=2) with parents and teachers from 2 schools (1 private and 1 public) in Beirut city were employed. Collected data have been submitted to a thematic qualitative analysis. All participants perceived the transformation of the global communications and information landscape raises new challenges including extensive food marketing to youth. This study helps local and national efforts: to improve the healthfulness of food choices in a variety of spots and points of sales in cities and; to inform regulatory options and, food communication and SNP implications. The major participants’ suggestions for improvement of youth dietary patterns in metropolitan contexts includes: Participants’ suggestions for improving youth lifestyles in metropolitan contexts; identify and analyze sociocultural, environmental, behavioral, economic and political determinants of youth lifestyles; identify appropriate areas for action in different sociocultural contexts; work with the multiple role models, decision makers and nutrition gatekeepers influencing youth lifestyles; build workforce capacity for effective SNP deployment and evaluation; assess of the internal and external school environments; deploy a strategy to layer and repeat nutrition messages through multiple channels (e.g. visual marketing materials linked to in-class nutrition education program); need for more stringent government regulations on food communication and marketing directed to youth (e.g. prohibition of direct corporate ads on school space). Such perceptions offer the potential for future enhancement of the effective food communication strategies and SNP, and improvements in their efficacy to be made. Sociocultural-based nutrition communication strategies and SNP that pay attention to specific health behavioral goals, target populations, communication activities and innovative techniques for feedback and evaluation can help to improve youth dietary patterns and prevent diseases in adulthood.

Biography:

Sheetal Kakade is an Aesthetic Physician & Obesity Consultant. She has completed her Graduation and Post-graduation from University of Mumbai. She was awarded a Gold medal in MBBS in Obstetrics & Gynecology by University of Mumbai in 2000. She has also done Specialist Certification in Obesity Professional Education from IASO (International Association for the Study of Obesity) and currently working as Managing Director at Define Aesthetics Clinics in Pune and has experience as Consultant Anesthesiologist and Intensivist from year 2004-2010.

Abstract:

Aim: To study and quantify the results of non-invasive obesity treatments i.e., ion magnum and high focalized ultrasound. Ion Magnum: The Ion Magnum is a device based on nanotechnology is used to deliver pure analog multiline waveform. This is FDA approved equipment for muscle conditioning on prescription of a qualified medical practitioner only. High focalized ultrasound: High focused ultrasound concentrates up to 1000 beams of ultrasound energy with extreme precision at a targeted depth in the body. It has a triple effect on problematic areas; separation of adipose tissue into individual cells and the gate opening of cell membranes; drainage of contents of fat cells in the interstitial tissue; reduction of fibrous partitions between fat cells.

Materials & Methods: 50 patients, 24 males and 26 females were selected randomly of different age groups ranging from 13 years to 70 years. The Body Mass Index (BMI) values of patients ranged from 20.3 to 43.3. For every patient three readings of abdominal girth were taken before and after the treatment; 2 cm above level of umbilicus; at umbilicus and; 2 cm below level of umbilicus.

Results: The study showed that the total reduction in abdominal girth was minimum of 13 cm and maximum of 65 cm with an average of 33.28 cm. There were no complications noted in the above study. The patients were segregated into groups of 10, 15 & 20 treatments and within each group the total reduction in abdominal girth was calculated.

Biography:

Preethi Kathirvel serves as an Assistant Professor in Department of Microbial Biotechnology at Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, India. She awarded PhD degree from Bharathiar University for her work on “Studies on antioxidant and pharmacological activities of Muntingia calabura fruits”. She has published 22 research articles, two book chapters and edited two books in antioxidants and waste management field.

Abstract:

Cancer is the major cause of death worldwide, claiming over six million lives every year. In the recent years, alternative therapies have gained importance over conventional cancer for the treatment of cancer. Natural antioxidants, particularly in fruits and vegetables have gained increasing interest among consumers and the scientific community since epidemiological studies has indicated that frequent consumption of natural antioxidants is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Muntingia calabura Linn is a plant that belongs to the family Elaeocarpaceae, commonly known as cherry tree. In the present study, the ripened fruits were collected and extracted with various solvents to detect its phytochemical constituents. The qualitative and quantitative phytochemical studies revealed the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins, ascorbic acid and vitamin E. The antioxidant activity of the fruits was studied in vitro with DPPH assay, superoxide radical, nitric oxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays. The in vivo studies such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer activity and anti-stress were also performed. From the experimental results it is clear that Muntingia calabura fruit is rich in antioxidant polyphenol and possess significant antioxidant activity, is an important and interesting finding because these fruits constitute part of the diet of weaning mothers in some countries. The work further exploits the potential of phytomedicine over chemotherapy in disease prevention and control. Thus, the incorporation of fruits into routine diet could prevent the risk of cardiovascular diseases, ageing, inflammations and cancers due to antioxidant compounds present in the fruits.

Biography:

Hunkyung Kim is the department head of the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Aging Research team (Research Team for Promoting Independence of the Elderly) at the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology. After graduating from Kyungpook National University (South Korea) in 1986, he pursued a doctorate in exercise prescription and gerontology at the University of Tsukuba (Tsukuba, Japan). His research focus has been on sarcopenia, frailty, urinary incontinence, falls, geriatric syndromes, locomotive syndrome, exercise, nutrition etc, with a particular interest in sarcopenic obesity in recent years. Publications and data based on exercise and nutrition interventions presented by Kim are especially valuable due to the general difficulty of conducting interventions. Consequently, Kim prioritizes research dissemination via academic journals and conferences, newspaper articles, and television.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Sarcopenic obesity (SO), or the coexistence of both sarcopenia and obesity among elderly people has been an area of interest in current geriatric and gerontological research. Recent research has shown that SO is closely associated with knee osteoarthritis, metabolic syndrome, arterial stiffness, instrumental activities of daily living disability, gait abnormalities, falls, and all-cause mortality, yet there are a very limited number of intervention studies published. The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of exercise and nutritional supplementation on body composition, blood components and physical function in community-dwelling elderly Japanese women with sarcopenic obesity. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 139 women defined with sarcopenic obesity, who were randomly assigned to one of four intervention groups. The exercise and nutrition (Ex+N), and exercise only (Ex) groups attended a 60-minute class twice a week for 3 months. The Ex+N and nutrition only (N) groups took essential amino acid and tea catechin supplementation daily for 3 months. Body composition measured by bioelectric impedance analysis, blood components such as albumin, cholesterol, vitamin D, etc, and physical function including grip strength, knee extension strength, and walking speed were analyzed. Findings: Significant group×time interactions were observed between the groups in usual walking speed (P=0.012), stride (P=0.004), and vitamin D (P<0.001). The Ex+N group showed significant decreases in body fat mass (P=0.036), increases in stride (P=0.038), and vitamin D levels (P<0.001). Further, both Ex+N and Ex groups were over four times as likely to reduce body fat mass that the HE group (OR=4.42, 95%CI=1.21-16.19; OR=4.50, 95%CI=1.13-17.9; respectively). Conclusion & Significance: Although no additive effects were found, the combination of exercise and nutrition had beneficial effects on body fat, blood components and physical function in sarcopenic obese elderly women.