Trace Element and Mineral Content in Medicinal Plants Collected in the Altai Mountains Foothills.

The objective of the present study was to assess the patterns of trace element and mineral accumulation in 21 medicinal plants collected in the Altai Mountains foothills. The levels of trace elements and minerals in Hippophae rhamnoides, Aronia melanocarpa, Sorbus aucuparia, Viburnum opulus, Rosa canina, Crataegus sanguinea (fruits), Chamaenerion angustifolium, Echinacea purpurea, Fagopyrum esculentum, Trifolium pratense, Origanum vulgare, Achillea millefolium, Mentha piperita (herbs), Plantago major, Salvia officinalis, Urtica dioica (leaves), Panax ginseng, Rhaponticum carthamoides, Eleuterococcus senticosus, and Taraxacum officinale (roots), and Matricaria recutita flowers were assessed using inductively-coupled plasma mass-spectrometry. Comparative analysis revealed that R.

Associations of dietary patterns with serum 25(OH) vitamin D and serum anemia related biomarkers among expectant mothers: A machine learning based approach.

Background: Machine learning algorithms (MLA) gained prominence in nutritional epidemiology for analyzing dietary associations and uncovering intricate patterns within data. We explored dietary patterns associated with serum iron biomarkers and vitamin D among pregnant women, utilizing MLA to perform predictive analyses.

Methods: The cross-sectional study utilized a secondary dataset from the Nationwide Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan, and 1,423 expectant mothers were recruited.

Association of nutrient intake and dietary patterns with serum folate and anemia-related biomarkers in Taiwanese pregnant women with pre-pregnancy overweightness or obesity.

Pre-pregnancy overweightness or obesity affects nutritional status and micronutrient imbalance such as folate and iron during pregnancy. We studied the relationships between micronutrient intake and dietary patterns with serum folate and iron biomarkers among pregnant population with pre-pregnancy overweightness or obesity. This cross-sectional study utilized data from 2017-2019 Nationwide Nutrition and Health Survey.

Effectiveness of diet modification on dietary nutrient intake, aspiration, and fluid intake for adults with dysphagia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objectives: To determine and explore the effectiveness of diet modification on dietary nutrient intake, aspiration, and fluid intake in adults with dysphagia.

Participants: Adults with dysphagia.

Design: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Ginsenosides, salidroside, and syringin complex exhibits anti-fatigue in exhaustive exercise rats.

Excessive exercise can lead to fatigue, consequently affect exercise performance, and further have an adverse impact to human health. The synergistic effects of ginsenosides, salidroside, and syringin on improving exercise performance remain unknown. Hence, the effects of Chinese herb powder (CHP) which consisted of bioactive compounds such as ginsenosides (Rg1, Re, and Rb1), salidroside, and syringin on exercise performance, energy metabolism, tissue damage, antioxidant activity, and inflammatory cytokine were investigated in exhaustive exercise rats.

A ferritin-related dietary pattern is positively associated with iron status but negatively associated with vitamin D status in pregnant women: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Vitamin D supplementation positively impacts anemia, but the relationship between a ferritin-related dietary pattern, iron parameters, and vitamin D in anemia is unclear.

Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the 2017-2019 National Nutrition and Health Survey, including 1423 pregnant women over 15 years old. Dietary intake was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and a 24-hour dietary recall.

Punicalagin from pomegranate ameliorates TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced inflammatory responses in HaCaT cells via regulation of SIRT1/STAT3 axis and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Punicalagin (PUN) was isolated from the peel of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), is a polyphenol with anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and antioxidant activities. However, it remains unclear whether PUN alleviates the inflammation and anti-inflammatory mechanisms in pro-inflammatory cytokines-induced human keratinocyte HaCaT cells.

Role of vitamins beyond vitamin D in bone health and osteoporosis (Review).

The objective of the present review was to summarize the molecular mechanisms associated with the effects of the vitamins A, C, E and K, and group B vitamins on bone and their potential roles in the development of osteoporosis. Epidemiological findings have demonstrated an association between vitamin deficiency and a higher risk of developing osteoporosis; vitamins are positively related to bone health upon their intake at the physiological range. Excessive vitamin intake can also adversely affect bone formation, as clearly demonstrated for vitamin A.

Combined Polysaccharides with Plasmon-Activated Water Affect IFN-γ/TNF-α Induced Inflammation in Caco-2 Cells.

The effects of polysaccharides (LBP) and plasmon-activated water (PAW) against IFN-γ/TNF-α induced inflammation in human colon Caco-2 cells were investigated. Cells were divided into the control, induction, LBP treatment (100-500 μg/mL), and combination groups with PAW. Inflammation was induced 24 h with 10 ng/mL IFN-γ when cell confluency reached >90%, and various doses of LBP with or without PAW were treated for 3 h, and subsequently 50 ng/mL TNF-α was added for another 24 h to provoke inflammation.

Relationships between Dietary Patterns and Erythropoiesis-Associated Micronutrient Deficiencies (Iron, Folate, and Vitamin B) among Pregnant Women in Taiwan.

Globally, anemia affects 56 million pregnant women, especially women with a low household income. Functional erythropoiesis requires a constant supply of micronutrients, and the demands significantly increase during fetal development. This study aims to identify dietary patterns for preventing gestational erythropoiesis-associated micronutrient deficiencies (e.

Associations of Dietary Patterns and Vitamin D Levels with Iron Status in Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Study in Taiwan.

Vitamin D is involved in the pathophysiology of anemia. This cross-sectional study was conducted using the Nationwide Nutrition and Health Survey in Pregnant Women in Taiwan database. We investigated associations among dietary patterns (DPs), vitamin D, and iron-related biomarkers in pregnant women.

Effects of Climate, Sun Exposure, and Dietary Intake on Vitamin D Concentrations in Pregnant Women: A Population-Based Study.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is a global micronutrient issue that commonly occurs in pregnant women, leading to adverse health outcomes. We examined the role of sunlight-related factors and dietary vitamin D intake on vitamin D concentrations among pregnant women in different climate zones.

Methods: We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional survey in Taiwan between June 2017 and February 2019.

Interactive Effects of Obesity and Hypertension on Patterns of Hair Essential Trace Element and Mineral Content in Adult Women.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate potential similar patterns and interactive effects of obesity and hypertension on hair essential trace element and mineral content in adult women. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 607 adult women divided into controls (n = 101), groups with obesity without hypertension (n = 199), hypertension without obesity (n = 143), and both obesity and hypertension (n = 164) were included in the study. Assessment of hair mineral and trace element levels was performed by inductively-coupled plasma mass-spectrometry.

C-Phycocyanin and Polysaccharides Protect against Aspirin-Induced Inflammation and Apoptosis in Gastric RGM-1 Cells.

Aspirin causes gastrotoxicity and damaged epithelial defense via cyclooxygenase inhibition. C-phycocyanin (CPC) and polysaccharides (LBP), an active ingredient of and wolfberry, respectively, exerted antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and/or immunoregulation. The actions of CPC and/or LBP on gastric damage induced by aspirin were explored in rat gastric mucosal RGM-1 cells.

polysaccharides and capsaicin modulate inflammatory cytokines and colonic microbiota in colitis rats induced by dextran sulfate sodium.

Active ingredients in the natural products have been considered to be used for alleviating the symptoms of ulcerative colitis, hence the effects of polysaccharides (LP) and capsaicin on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in rats were investigated. Rats were grouped into normal, DSS induced colitis, and colitis treated with 100 mg LP/kg body weight, 12 mg capsaicin/kg body weight, or combined 50 mg LP/kg body weight and 6 mg capsaicin/kg body weight. Treatment with LP or capsaicin was orally fed by gavage for 4 weeks, and 5% DSS was fed via drinking water for 6 days during week 3.

Polymorphisms of haptoglobin modify the relationship between dietary iron and the risk of gestational iron-deficiency anemia.

Purpose: To assess whether polymorphisms of haptoglobin (Hp) modify the relationship between dietary iron and the risk of gestational iron-deficiency anemia (IDA).

Methods: This study analyzed 1430 singleton pregnant women aged 20 ~ ≤ 48 years from the 2017-2019 National Nutrition and Health Survey of Pregnant Women in Taiwan. Sociodemographic, blood biochemical, Hp phenotype, and 24-h dietary recall data were collected.

Oleuropein attenuates inflammation and regulates immune responses in a 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis mouse model.

Background: Olive (Olea europaea Linn) leaves contain a phenolic compound oleuropein (Ole) has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities. However, whether Ole might be an effective treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD) remains unknown.

Objective: This study investigated the functional role of oleuropein in a 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced AD-like mouse model, with a focus on allergic inflammation.

Association of Dietary Pattern with Cardiovascular Risk Factors among Postmenopausal Women in Taiwan: A Cross-Sectional Study from 2001 to 2015.

Unhealthy diet and inappropriate lifestyle contribute to an imbalance in cardiometabolic profiles among postmenopausal women. This research aimed to analyze the association between dietary pattern and changes in cardiovascular risk factors among postmenopausal Taiwanese women using binary logistic regression. This cross-sectional study involved 5689 postmenopausal Taiwanese women aged 45 years and above, and the data were obtained from Mei Jau Health Management Institution database between 2001 and 2015.

An Intelligent Cardiopulmonary Training System and Adherence to Training Intensity: A Feasibility Study.

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility of our developed intelligent cardiopulmonary training system (ICTS) and of the percentage of time spent within the target HR range (%time) as an indicator of adherence to training intensity. Methods: In this noncontrolled trial, nine participants with sedentary lifestyles were recruited from the outpatient rehabilitation department of a teaching hospital. All participants received twelve 30 min sessions of cycling ergometer exercises (5 min warm up, 20 min training phase, and 5 min cool down) with the ICTS three times per week.

Combined Low Plant and High Animal Dietary Pattern Is Associated with a Lower Risk of Anemia among Dyslipidemic Adult Women in Taiwan: A Retrospective Study from 2001 to 2015.

Anemia and dyslipidemia often occurs in premenopausal women. This study investigated the association between dietary patterns and anemia among dyslipidemic women in Taiwan. This study recruited 22,631 dyslipidemic women aged 20-45 years between 2001 and 2015.

Urolithin A Inactivation of TLR3/TRIF Signaling to Block the NF-κB/STAT1 Axis Reduces Inflammation and Enhances Antioxidant Defense in Poly(I:C)-Induced RAW264.7 Cells.

Urolithin A is an active compound of gut-microbiota-derived metabolites of polyphenol ellagic acid that has anti-aging, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the effects of urolithin A on polyinosinic acid-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C))-induced inflammation remain unclear. Poly(I:C) is a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) similar to a virus and is recognized by Toll-like receptor-3 (TLR3), inducing an inflammatory response in immune cells, such as macrophages.

Polysaccharides and Capsaicin Inhibit Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory Responses, and Pain Signaling in Rats with Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory disease with chronic relapsing symptoms. This study investigated the effects of polysaccharides (LBP) and capsaicin (CAP) in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC rats. Rats were divided into normal, DSS-induced UC, and UC treated with 100 mg LBP/kg bw, 12 mg CAP/kg bw, or 50 mg LBP/kg bw and 6 mg CAP/kg bw.

Association of Two Indices of Insulin Resistance Marker with Abnormal Liver Function Tests: A Cross-Sectional Population Study in Taiwanese Adults.

Insulin resistance (IR) is frequently associated with chronic low-grade inflammation and has an important role as a mediator in the development of liver disease. Thus, this study aimed to explore the relationship between two indexes of IR and abnormal liver function parameters. This cross-sectional study obtained data of 41,510 men and 92,357 women aged ≥30 years from a private health screening institute in Taiwan.

Gut Microbiota as a Mediator of Essential and Toxic Effects of Zinc in the Intestines and Other Tissues.

The objective of the present study was to review the existing data on the association between Zn status and characteristics of gut microbiota in various organisms and the potential role of Zn-induced microbiota in modulating systemic effects. The existing data demonstrate a tight relationship between Zn metabolism and gut microbiota as demonstrated in Zn deficiency, supplementation, and toxicity studies. Generally, Zn was found to be a significant factor for gut bacteria biodiversity.

Reproducibility and Validity of a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) Developed for Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Semarang, Indonesia.

We assessed the reproducibility and validity of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) among middle-aged and older adults in Semarang, Indonesia. A total of 259 subjects aged 40-80 years completed two FFQs (nine-month apart) and nine 24 h dietary recalls (24HDRs, as a reference method). The reproducibility of the FFQ was analyzed using correlation coefficient, intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), weighted kappa statistics and misclassification analysis.