Day 1 :
Keynote Forum
Mario Ciampolini
University of Florence, Italy
Keynote: Learning the recognition of Initial Hunger (IH)
Time : 09:35-10:05
Biography:
Mario Ciampolini is a retired professor from Università di Firenze, Dept Pediatrics, directed the Gastroenterology Research Unit, a third level referral center in the department of Pediatrics of the University of Florence (Meyer hospital) for 40 years. He worked at the Cornell University for a joined research with the University of Florence on energy expenditure in children. Three students came from Amsterdam Medical Center to learn “Recognizing Hunger” he made the first diagnoses of celiac disease in Tuscany and published 130 scientific articles, about 40 in international Press.
Abstract:
Background: The will to eat is a decision associated with conditioned responses and with unconditioned body sensations that reflect changes in metabolic biomarkers. The body feelings described as hunger have often components that are conditioned by time, social behavior and sight of food. Blood glucose is a biomarker of current energy availability and of hunger. Extensive rat and human studies showed that blood glucose declines coincided with spontaneous feelings of hunger, with metabolic insufficiency and meal initiation. Objectives: Investigating whether the decision to eat can be delayed until blood glucose is allowed to fall to low levels, when feeding behavior is (mostly) unconditioned. Methods: 7-week pilot study was carried out. 158 adults suffering from diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dyspepsia were recruited and randomized to experimental (trained; n=80) and control (untrained; n=78) groups. Subjects of experimental group were trained to ignore meal times and to pay attention to their earliest sensations of hunger or discomfort, so to measure glucose concentrations (blood glucose, BG) with glucometer. They were instructed to associate their sensations of hunger with BG value. The control group followed their normal routine. In the final investigative session (after compilation of a 7 days dairy) all patients were asked to estimate their preprandial BG and a blood sample was taken to measure BG through a glucose autoanalyzer. Results: At the end of the 7-week training period, estimated and measured glycemic values were found to be linearly correlated in the trained group (r=0.82; p=0.0001) but not in the control (untrained) group (r=0.10; p=0.40). Fewer subjects in the trained group were hungry than those in the control group (p=0.001). The 18 hungry subjects of the trained group had significantly lower glucose levels (80.1±6.3 mg/dL) than the 42 hungry control subjects (89.2±10.2 mg/dL; p=0.01). Moreover, the trained hungry subjects estimated their BG (78.1±6.7 mg/dL; estimation error: 3.2±2.4% of the measured BG) more accurately than the control group (75.9±9.8 mg/dL; estimation error: 16.7±11.0%; p=0.0001). In addiction the estimation error of the entire trained group (4.7 ± 3.6%) was significantly lower than that of the control subjects (17.1±11.5%; p=0.0001). Conclusion: Patients could be trained to accurately estimate their blood glucose and to recognize their sensations of initial hunger at low glucose concentrations. These results suggest that it is possible to learn a behavioral distinction between unconditioned and conditioned hunger, and to modulate intake to achieve three IH arousals per day.
Keynote Forum
Martyn Caplin
Royal Free Hospital, UK
Keynote: Diet and cancer: Can superfoods or dietary supplements help?
Time : 10:25-10:55
Biography:
Martyn Caplin is a Professor of Gastroenterology & GI Neuroendocrinology at the Royal Free Hospital and University College London. He has published over one hundred and fifty peer review papers, written multiple book chapters and co-authored two books. He regularly lectures both nationally and internationally. From 2006-2012, he was the Clinical Lead for “NHS Evidence” for Gastroenterology and Liver diseases. He was a Member of the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) upper-G.I. Cancer Committee 2006-2014. He is an international expert in Neuroendocrine Tumours and is the Chair of the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society. He has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the UK & Ireland Neuroendocrine Tumour Society in recognition of his Clinical Leadership and Research in the field of NETs.
Abstract:
The recent press has highlighted that our lifetime chance of developing cancer is almost 1 in 2. The World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research suggest that most cancer is preventable, through a combination of smoking/tobacco avoidance, appropriate diet, regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy body weight. We know there is a strong link between diet and cancer, although it is very complex. Expert consensus suggests 9-40% of cancers are directly linked to diet and this risk is even greater if you are obese. Eating a healthy balanced diet that is high in fibre, fruit and vegetables and low in red and processed meat and salt can reduce cancer risk. ‘Superfoods’ with anti-cancer properties have hit the headlines and while there may be some evidence that the chemicals in these foods have positive health benefits, most of the studies have been conducted in a laboratory with limited large scale studies. The World Health Organization (WHO) the EPIC study, involving more than half a million people in 10 European countries followed for almost 15 years. The study found strong evidence that higher levels of vitamin D are associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer and better survival outcomes; dietary fibre protects against colon cancer; high intake of fat predisposes to breast cancer; diets high in flavonoids can reduce the risk of primary liver cancer and bladder cancer; and many more similar conclusions related to vitamin levels, diet and cancer. Other smaller studies point to the potential anti-cancer properties of a variety of diet derived chemicals including lycopene (from tomatoes), curcumin (from turmeric) and catechins (from green tea). Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that has been linked to a reduced risk of prostate cancer, breast cancer and liver disease/cancer. Studies suggest that curcumin inhibits many of mechanisms responsible for the development of cancer and may reduce the risk of a range of different cancers including those of the breast, bowel, pancreas and liver. There are also for example clinical trials of curcumin being added to chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced bowel cancer as previous experimental studies had shown benefit of the combination over chemotherapy alone. Green tea contains high levels of catechins, which have been shown in the laboratory to prevent the activation of oncogenic pathways and block the growth of tumour cells. Consumption of green tea has been linked with a reduction in the risk of bowel, prostate and pancreatic cancers. However not all vitamins are good for you. For example selenium which may be good for pancreatic conditions can be bad for you in combination with vitamin E if you have advanced prostate cancer. People who understand the importance of good nutrition on reducing their cancer risk often seek to augment their diets by eating specific foods or taking vitamins or supplements. However if going down the route of supplementation then the appropriate dosage and bioavailability are just two of the key factors. The message that most cancer is preventable has not as yet stimulated a population reaction or political agenda.
Keynote Forum
Eileen Kennedy
Tufts University, USA
Keynote: Nutrition programs: Solution to or cause of obesity
Time : 10:55-11:25
Biography:
Eileen Kennedy is the Dean of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University and was the first Director of USDA's Centre for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. She holds an undergraduate degree from Hunter College, two Master's degrees from Pennsylvania State University and a Doctor of Science in Nutrition from Harvard's School of Public Health. She has long been involved in the academic arena of nutrition conducting research and teaching at Tufts, Columbia University, Cornell University and Johns Hopkins University. In 2008, he was named President of the "Smart Choices" Board.
Abstract:
Three nutrition assistance programs in the United States: SNAP (formerly Food Stamps), WIC and the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) serves as the backbone of the nutrition safety net in the USA. These programs have been successful in achieving many of their initial goals of improving food purchases, food intake and/or nutritional status of low-income, vulnerable Americans. The emphasis in these programs has now broadened to also include an obesity prevention focus. Recent changes in program components demonstrate the revised objectives of the program. SNAP, WIC and the NSLP increase economic access to an adequate diet but access alone is unlikely to be the total solution to obesity prevention. An ecological approach, incorporating the nutrition programs, appears to be a more promising strategy to leverage the impact of SNAP, WIC and NSLP.
- Track 01: Clinical Nutrition & Sports Nutrition
Track 02: Malnutrition and Nutritional Disorders
Track 03: Plant Nutrition, Nutrition- Health and Choice
Track 04: Diet in Obesity & Gastrointestinal Disorders
Location: Olimpica 3 & 4
Chair
John Ellis Agens
Florida State University, USA
Co-Chair
Marica Bakovic
Marica Bakovic
Session Introduction
Pedro Javier Siquier Homar
Hospital Comarcal de Inca, Spain
Title: Development of integrated support software for clinical nutrition
Time : 11:25-11:45
Biography:
Pedro Javier Siquier Homar has completed his Pharmacy degree from Santiago de Compostela University and Hospital Pharmacist studies from Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo. He is the Hospital Pharmacist of compounding area at Hospital Comarcal de Inca and the Director of Salutic Developments, a premier Bio-Soft service organization.
Abstract:
Objectives: To develop an integrated computer software application for specialized nutritional support, integrated in the electronic clinical record, which detects automatically and early those undernourished patients or at risk of developing undernourishment, determining points of opportunity for improvement and evaluation of the results. Methods: The quality standards published by the Nutrition Work Group of the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy (SEFH) and the recommendations by the Pharmacy Group of the Spanish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (SENPE) have been taken into account. According to these quality standards, the nutritional support has to include the following healthcare stages or sub-processes: Nutritional screening, nutritional assessment and plan for nutritional care, prescription, preparation and administration. Results: This software allows conducting in an automated way, a specific nutritional assessment for those patients with nutritional risk, implementing, if necessary, a nutritional treatment plan, conducting follow up and traceability of outcomes derived from the implementation of improvement actions and quantifying to what extent our practice is close to the established standard. Conclusions: This software allows standardizing the specialized nutritional support from a multidisciplinary point of view, introducing the concept of quality control per processes and including patient as the main customer.
Teruyoshi Amagai
Mukogawa Women’s University, Japan
Title: Energy intake in the first week in an emergency intensive care unit did not influence clinical outcomes in critically ill, overweight Japanese patients
Time : 11:45-12:05
Biography:
Teruyoshi Amagai has completed his MD and PhD from University of Tsukuba, Japan and Clinical Practice from the Birmingham Children’s Hospital in UK during 1993 and 1994. He is the Professor of Mukogawa Women’s University since 2007 and has been In-charge of drawing up member, “Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese (2015), developed by the Ministry of Health Labor and Welfare, Japanese Government. He is the Editorial Member, Nutrition in Clinical Practice, academic journal of American Society for Parent and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN).
Abstract:
Background: The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition recommends hypocaloric, high protein feeding for critically ill patients with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30.0 kg/m2. However, Asians have a high prevalence of type-2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular risk factors even with a BMI of <25.0 kg/m2. Therefore, the optimal energy intake for critically ill, overweight/obese Asian patients remains unclear. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted in mechanically ventilated patients with a BMI of ≥25.0 kg/m2 in an emergency intensive care unit (EICU). Patients were categorized into two groups according to the percentage of energy intake/requirement during the first week in EICU: Group L, <50%; Group M, ≥50%. Energy requirement was estimated using the Penn State equation. Results: A total of 72 patients were included in the study. The median age and BMI of all patients was 66.2 years and 27.5 kg/m2, respectively. No significant differences were observed between the two groups for all-cause mortality, ICU-free days or length of hospital stay. Ventilator-free days (VFDs) were significantly higher in Group L than in Group M (20.0 [15.5-24.5] vs. 17.0 [2.0-21.0] days; P=0.042). However, when a multivariate regression analysis was performed to adjust for primary diagnosis, we found that % energy intake/requirement was not independently associated with VFDs (regression coefficient=0.019; 95% confidence interval, −0.115–0.076). Conclusion: Energy intake in the first week in EICU did not influence clinical outcomes in critically ill, overweight Japanese patients. Further large sample randomized trials are needed to confirm the results of this study.
Marica Bakovic
University of Guelph, Canada
Title: The effect of dietary choline on lipid partitioning and protection from metabolic syndrome
Time : 12:05-12:25
Biography:
Marica Bakovic has completed her BSc in Chemistry and PhD in Biological Chemistry at the University of Alberta. She has received Postdoctoral awards from Medical Research Council and Alberta Heritage Foundation. Before coming to the University of Guelph, she has worked in the area of molecular and cell biology of lipid metabolism at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta. Currently, she is a Professor in the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Guelph. She has a long lasting interest in nutrition and metabolism, especially in the area of regulation of membrane phospholipids, fatty acids and methyl group donors.
Abstract:
It is well known that it is beneficial to reduce fatty acid availability in obesity however there is an unmet need for discovering new dietary compounds that can reduce fat accumulation and stimulate fatty acid oxidation under conditions of elevated obesity. We established that dietary choline could inhibit fatty acid formation by lipogenesis and stimulate mitochondrial oxidation. Metabolomic analysis of plasma and tissues established that choline supplementation stimulates one carbon cycle, membrane phospholipid turnover and adipose tissues triglyceride degradation by lipolysis, strongly directing fatty acids towards oxidation in a Pcyt2 deficient mouse model of metabolic syndrome. The extensive metabolic studies as well as analyses of the gene expression and insulin signaling pathways provided strong evidence for a direct stimulation of fatty acid metabolism with dietary choline. The impact of this work is not only how to expand the future use of choline but also to continue to investigate the regulation of the membrane phospholipid turnover and the basic function of the lipid regulator Pcyt2. This is the first time to be demonstrated that choline stimulates membrane biogenesis and mitochondrial metabolism under pathological conditions of metabolic syndrome.
John Ellis Agens
Florida State University, USA
Title: Fourth year medical students’ required patient care reflections in patients with advanced illness and complete functional assessment: Are they including nutritional status
Time : 12:25-12:45
Biography:
John Ellis Agens has received his MD degree from Rutgers Medical School in 1986. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics. He began in solo Internal Medicine Practice in his hometown in New Jersey and then served 10 years as Geriatrician at Mayo Health System. In 2003, he has moved to Tallahassee, Florida as a Director of the Center for Chronic Care at Capital Health Plan while serving as Clinical Assistant Professor at Florida State University College of Medicine. In 2008, he became an Associate Professor and Geriatrics Clerkship Director for the required fourth year medical student experience.
Abstract:
Recent surveys of US medical schools suggest the number of hours dedicated to nutrition continue to be inadequate. Our fourth year medical students take a required geriatrics clerkship under the supervision of our faculty and write separate patient summaries in each of three areas: Complete functional assessment, comprehensive medication review and advanced illness/palliative care. They are increasingly asked to comment on nutritional status and plan on their complete functional assessment and advanced illness/palliative care patient care assignments with recent emphasis in the syllabus. After graduation, consenting students had their written reports studied in research approved by the IRB of Florida State University. Research Question: We hypothesized that over three academic years all students would make more comments on their selected patient’s nutritional status. 73 students comprised of three cohorts consented to have their assignments reviewed. These cohorts represented each of three academic years spanning 2013-2016. Assignments essentially represented 73 patients having a complete functional assessment and 73 patients with an advanced illness reflection by the students. Patients were of mean age 78 years. Almost half had cognitive impairment or dementia. Well over half were in a skilled nursing facility or assisted living facility. In the advanced illness patients, nutritional status was addressed by students in 52%, 39% and 56% of the cases with the greatest percentage in the most recent academic year. In the complete functional assessment, nutritional status was addressed by students in 13%, 24% and 50% of the cases with the greatest percentage in the most recent academic year.
Martyn Caplin
Royal Free Hospital, UK
Title: The role of diet and supplementation in inflammatory bowel disease
Time : 13:35-13:55
Biography:
Martyn Caplin is a Professor of Gastroenterology & GI Neuroendocrinology at the Royal Free Hospital and University College London. He has published over one hundred and fifty peer review papers, written multiple book chapters and co-authored two books. He regularly lectures both nationally and internationally. From 2006-2012, he was the Clinical Lead for “NHS Evidence” for Gastroenterology and Liver diseases. He was a Member of the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) upper-G.I. Cancer Committee 2006-2014. He is an international expert in Neuroendocrine Tumours and is the Chair of the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society. He has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the UK & Ireland Neuroendocrine Tumour Society in recognition of his Clinical Leadership and Research in the field of NETs.
Abstract:
Background & Aims: Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) is chronic immune disorders of unclear etiology, in which the gastrointestinal tract is inflamed. Diet may be a potential pathogenic factor in the development of IBD and patients often take food supplements with no evidence base. We have thus assessed the evidence for food supplements in the management of IBD. Methods: A PubMed search was performed for the terms: Inflammatory bowel disease; nutritional deficiencies; dietary supplements; curcumin; green tea; vitamin D and other vitamins; folic acid; iron; zinc; probiotics; Andrographis paniculata and Boswellia serrate. PubMed was used to search for all relevant articles published during 1975-2015. Results: The most evidence was for curcumin, green tea, vitamin D and probiotics. Curcumin supplementation has been reported to be effective in reducing both the symptoms and the inflammatory indices in IBD patients. Similar results have been observed for green tea, however pertinent studies are limited. Vitamin D supplementation may help to both increase bone mineral density in patients with IBD and to reduce disease activity. IBD patients with ileal resections >20 cm may develop vitamin B12 deficiency which requires parenteral supplementation. Conversely, there is no current evidence to support fat soluble vitamin supplementation in IBD patients. Probiotics, particularly VSL#3, appears to reduce disease activity in IBD patients with pouchitis. Complementary and alternative medicines are used by IBD patients and some in vitro and animal studies have showed promising results. Conclusion: Attention to dietary factors such as curcumin, green tea and vitamins, including vitamin D and vitamin B12, appears to be beneficial and, if necessary, supplementation may be appropriate.
Kaj Winther
University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Title: A randomized, parallel, double blinded and placebo controlled study of liquid rose hip in volunteers during the winter season with special reference to the occurrence and symptoms of colds
Time : 13:55-14:15
Biography:
Kaj Winther has specialized in Clinical Biochemistry. After working on the circadian variation of myocardial infarction at the Harvard Medical School, he showed more interest in herbal remedies and their impact on inflammation. He was the Director of the Department of Clinical Biochemistry at University Hospitals in Copenhagen. Since 2015 he serves as an Affiliated Professor at the Institute of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen.
Abstract:
The common cold is a widespread disease worldwide with great social and economic implication. The goal of this study was to test if a liquid form of a standardized rose hip preparation-Hyben-Vital, based mainly on shells of selected sub-species of Rosa canina L. (Rosacea), might reduce the incidence and symptoms of the common cold. A number of 120 middle-aged to elderly volunteers, mean age 61.5±7.3 years, were randomly allocated to daily treatments with either 2 g of the liquid rose hip preparation (RH) or placebo (P) for six months during the winter. Effect variables were the frequency of colds registered, the occurrence and severity of reported symptoms and general stiffness of muscles. In the RH-group 43% of volunteers reported cold as compared to 53% in the P group (p=0.348). After two month of treatment the numbers of volunteers (% incidence) who reported the different symptoms of cold in RH-group vs. P-group were: Pain in throat: 4% vs. 16%, (p=0.051); Muscus in nose: 8% vs. 20% (p=0.091); Headaches: 6% vs. 18%, p=0.072); and Fatigue: 8% vs. 21%, p=0.054); similar trend after 6 month treatment. Stiffness of muscles, evaluated over 6 month changed from initially: 2.40±2.32 to 2.02±2.15 in the RH group and from 2.37±2.40 to 2.93±2.50 in the P group, p=0.043 comparing groups. Our data suggests that administration of liquid rose hip might reduce the incidence of colds and lower the number of patients reporting the different symptoms of cold.
Ernst Vermaak
Central University of Technology, South Africa
Title: Nutritional status of HIV naïve individuals in Central South Africa and the effect of nutritional supplementation on their viral load and immune status
Time : 14:15-14:35
Biography:
Ernst Vermaak begins his professional career in 1973, working at the Academic Hospital in Bloemfontein, South Africa till 1999 and also received degree M.Med.Sc. He has then worked as Senior Lecturer at the Central University of Technology, Free State and obtained a Research Doctorate for work done on HIV, Nutrition, Immunology and Pulmonary Function.
Abstract:
To maintain good health a person needs to consume a well balanced diet. This is even more relevant regarding HIV infection and AIDS. Nutritional status of HIV infected individuals is important as malnutrition is associated with an increased death rate. Chronic inflammation caused by HIV infection increases the metabolic needs of the human body and may lead to the depletion of essential nutrients resulting in a malnourished person with reduced immunity (PubMed). The study determined the baseline dietary intake of 40 HIV infected individuals living in Central South Africa. Dietary intake was determined using a validated Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire with a 90% reliability to determine types and quantities of food and drinks consumed by participants during six months prior to data collection. Macro and micronu¬trient intake was assessed with an analytical program (FoodFinder, Medical Research Counsel, South Africa). The median and mean energy and macronutrient intake for both male and female HIV infected individuals were higher than the Estimated Energy Requirement (EER) and Recommended Dietary Intake (RDA) or Adequate Intake (AI). Inadequate intakes of calcium, selenium, folate and iodine were demonstrated. Vitamin A, D, E and K were also compromised with inadequate intakes. The results emphasize the need for nutritional intervention to ensure adequate dietary intake in these HIV infected individuals. Participants received daily selected nutritional supplementation with monthly visits to the clinic. The results show statistical significant decreases (p<0.0001) in the median viral load values of the study population and a stable CD4/CD8 count. Therefore nutritional supplementation may delay the onset of AIDS.
Neeta Singh
University of the Incarante Word, USA
Title: A sustainable approach to nutrition intervention: Addressing the role of proximal determinants of undernutrition, Bukoba rural, Republic of Tanzania
Time : 14:35-14:55
Biography:
Neeta Singh has completed his PhD from Oregon State University followed by MBA in International Affairs and she is a Registered Dietitian. She serves as Chair of Nutrition Program with School of Mathematics, Science & Engineering at University of Incarnate, San Antonio, Texas. Her initial research was in artificial intelligence applications in areas of food aid distribution. From past 7 years she has been working on various food sustainability projects as means of improving nutritional status among rural population in the Republic of Tanzania. She has presented her work at various international venues, published in books and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of several international journals.
Abstract:
Today, close to 1.2 billion people, approximately a fifth of the world’s population continues to live in conditions of abject poverty and almost 800 million people in the developing world are chronically hungry. A basic right to adequate and nutritious food, which most people take for granted, remains a distant dream for those who struggle with food shortages every day of their lives. The presence of extreme poverty and hunger on such a vast scale in a world of apparent opulence is a moral outrage. Evidence-based strategies for nutrition intervention commonly address direct determinants such as food/nutrient intake, whereas community-based intervention tends to take more holistic approach resulting in greater efficacy when combined with other proximal determinants such as women’s economic and social empowerment. We need to address not simply the immediate causes of malnutrition, but also their underlying and basic factors if we are to achieve nutritional well-being and reach full potential for functional and productive capacity in a population. It is thus imperative that food and nutrition programs succeed and that success is sustained. In the case of Bukoba rural, Republic of Tanzania identified direct determinants of undernutrition were lack of availability, accessibility and utilization of food whereas identified proximal determinants were women’s lack of sustainable purchasing power, decision making power, business acumen and horticultural and technical assistance. The proximal determinants imply the lack of women person and social empowerment in their family and community context. These data lead to a cooperative farming project creating a collective way to cultivate soybean crops to improve the quality of the existing diet (direct determinants) and an infrastructure to effect the women’s economic sustainability and empowerment (proximal determinants). The success of ongoing programs suggests when feeding programs and food-based safety nets are supplied from local production, there is a double benefit; not only are the hungry fed but local markets for food expand, opening income-earning and employment opportunities for the poor thereby creating sustainability. The body of evidence clearly suggests that nutrition interventions work best when it is designed with long-term sustainability as an explicit goal.
Jasminka Z Ilich
Florida State University, USA
Title: Evidence for the role of low-fat dairy foods in decreasing body fat compared to calcium alone or a control group in overweight/obese early-postmenopausal women over a 6-months weight loss intervention
Time : 14:55-15:15
Biography:
Jasminka Z Ilich is the Hazel Stiebeling Professor of Nutrition at the Florida State University. She has earned her PhD at the Ohio State University and the University of Zagreb, Croatia in Medicinal Sciences and her MS at the University of Utah in Foods and Nutrition. Her research includes clinical studies in older women with nutritional interventions incorporating behavioral modification and modes of physical activity for augmentation of bone and body composition. She has recently identified a triad incorporating bone loss, muscle loss and adipose tissue expansion and termed it “osteosarcopenic obesity syndrome”. Recently, she started investigating the newly discovered hormone irisin, in connection with brown-fat, beige-fat activation. Her research also includes outreach to underserved communities for education and health promotion interventions to foster obesity prevention, improvement in cardiovascular risk factors and overall healthier lifestyle. On the molecular level, she investigates nutritional influences on mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into osteoblasts and adipocytes lineages and cross-talk with myocytes.
Abstract:
The causes of overweight/obesity are numerous. Besides energy intake, various foods and nutrients have been implicated to impede or facilitate body weight/fat accumulation. Our objective was to investigate whether weight loss could be achieved easier with calcium (Ca) supplements or low-fat dairy products both as complements to the underlying hypocaloric diets. A special emphasis was placed on assessing body composition, fat distribution and changes in visceral fat. The study followed overweight/obese early-postmenopausal women over a 6 month-period, divided into 3 groups: Supplement (pills containing 630 mg Ca+400 IU of vitamin D/day); Dairy (low-fat dairy consumption, 4-5 servings/day); and Control (placebo pills). Each group included moderate energy restriction (~85% of energy needs). Anthropometry, including circumferences was measured by standard methods. Body composition of total body as well as android and gynoid regions, including fat and lean tissue was measured by lunar iDXA densitometer. A total of n=97 participants completed the 6 months follow-up and had complete data-sets. Overall, the participants lost 4.0% of body weight and 3.5% of body fat. The decrease in android and total body fat was the highest in the Dairy group, while the decrease in gynoid fat was significantly higher in Supplement and Dairy group compared to the Control group. The decrease of android and total body lean mass was significantly lower in Dairy group compared to two other groups, while the loss in gynoid lean mass was significantly higher in Dairy group. In conclusion, the hypocaloric diets with increased Ca intake either via low-fat dairy products or via Ca supplements was associated with greater body weight and fat loss supporting a healthier body composition, in comparison to the control group, with the best outcomes in a low-fat dairy group.
Elena T Carbone
University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA
Title: Fast food, slow food and Botteghe storiche – How the changing face of Rome’s culinary traditions have influenced nutrition, health and cultural heritage
Time : 15:15-15:35
Biography:
Elena T Carbone is a health education/nutrition communications researcher. Her mixed methods work with communities integrates behavioral interventions to promote health and prevent complications related to obesity, diabetes and cancer. She is Associate Professor/Graduate Program Director of Nutrition and Founding Director of the Community-Engaged Research Program at UMass Amherst. She is a Registered Dietitian, a Gustolab Institute Visiting Professor and Editorial Board Member of several journals. She has made over 100 presentations nationally/internationally and authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications. She has received multiple awards for her contributions to the field of nutrition, most recently from Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior.
Abstract:
Although still relatively low as compared to the US, Italy’s obesity rates and diet-related health problems are rising. Concurrent with this has been an increase in fast food restaurants and an influx of Westernized eating and work habits. Italy in general and Rome in particular, has a long and fascinating food history. Italy is the birthplace of the Slow Food movement (established in response to the opening of McDonald’s in Rome in 1986); it is also where artisanal foods and culinary traditions are part of the fabric of everyday life. Long before food was categorized as “fast” or “slow,” Rome’s cobblestone streets were lined with Botteghe Storiche -public places in ancient Rome where food was sold and Romans could eat, drink or sleep and hear news of the day. These shops are fast-disappearing, but there is a movement to preserve them. Today, an estimated 120 sites have obtained the title of Bottegastorica from the municipality of Rome. In their 2003 article “Return to traditional values? A case study of Slow Food” Jones and colleagues conclude that, “while slow food provides a valuable contrast to the seemingly all powerful fast food industry it seems unlikely to be able to promote widespread changes in the modern world’s eating habits.” In this presentation, we reexamine this conclusion by exploring Rome’s culinary traditions and how its food preparation methods, eating habits and cultural heritage have both shaped and been challenged by the passage of time.
Teruyoshi Amagai
Mukogawa Women’s University, Japan
Title: “Disaster Nutrition†as a novel nomenclature to save a lives from successively coming numerous disaters
Time : 15:55-16:20
Biography:
Teruyoshi Amagai has completed his MD and PhD from University of Tsukuba, Japan and Clinical Practice from the Birmingham Children’s Hospital in UK during 1993 and 1994. He is the Professor of Mukogawa Women’s University since 2007 and has been In-charge of drawing up member, “Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese (2015), developed by the Ministry of Health Labor and Welfare, Japanese Government. He is the Editorial Member, Nutrition in Clinical Practice, academic journal of American Society for Parent and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN).
Abstract:
Backgrounds: Human beings lives in 21st century have been struck by numerous disasters, such as earthquake, Tsunami, typhoon and nuclear accidents. However, to our knowledge, no common concepts to save victims’ health from nutritional standing points exist. Aim: To propose a novel nomenclature “Disaster Nutrition” (DN). Methods: Defining “Disaster Nutirion” DN as nutrition status and nutritional supports around disaster. Then, the validity of this novel concept in the latest disaster struck Japan in 11, Mar,2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster” (GEJED) were examined with data reported by mainly Japanese Government. Facts: Nutritional surveys have been poorly conducted; although relatively abundant nutritional interventions had been undertaken. The victims of GEJED were the older adults, children and handicapped persons as disaster challenged so that disaster related death (DRD) defined as death from indirect death after the disaster attack was mainly observed in these victims. The novel nomenclature of DN might save these disaster challenged. Proposal: The establishment of DN and to educate this in the non disaster times must be started as soon as possible all over the world to save the number of DRD.
Zahra Alizadeh
Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran
Title: Comparison between the effect of six weeks morning or evening aerobic exercise on appetite and anthropometric indices
Time : 16:20-16:40
Biography:
Zahra Alizadeh has completed her Sports Medicine Specialty from School of Medicine in Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. She has founded Obesity Clinic in the Sports Medicine Department at related hospital, the first multidisciplinary obesity clinic in the Tehran University. She is also the Director of sports nutrition research group in Sports Medicine Research Center. She has published more than 10 papers about obesity and exercise.
Abstract:
In recent decades, obesity has become a major health problem. So far, several studies have showed that physical activity is related to creating negative energy balance and changes in appetite directly. However, few of the studies examined the effect of exercise time during the day on these factors. The main aim of the present study was demonstrating the effect of 6 weeks morning and evening aerobic exercise on appetite and anthropometric indices. Forty eight overweight females were recruited in this clinical trial. By the time of exercise, they were divided into two groups (morning or evening) and performed 6 weeks of aerobic exercise with the target heart rate on the ventilatory threshold. Appetite change, calorie intake and anthropometric indices were assessed. All of the variables were compared between two groups and within groups at baseline in the third and sixth week. Some parameters of appetite indices were changed significantly in morning and evening exercise groups in time point’s measurements. However, consistent changes in the appetite scores were not found along the 6 weeks (P>0.05). Calorie consumption of the morning group decreased along the 6 weeks significantly greater than evening group (P=0.02). In addition, significant changes in weight, BMI, abdominal skin fold thickness and abdominal circumference were seen in the morning group (P<0.05). It seems that moderate to high intensity aerobic exercise in the morning along 6 weeks could be considered as a more effective program than evening exercise on appetite control, calorie intake and weight loss.
N Arlappa
Indian Council of Medical Research, India
Title: Magnitude of multiple micro-nutrient malnutrition among the rural children in India
Time : 16:40-17:00
Biography:
N Arlappa has completed his MD in Community Medicine from NTR University of Medical Sciences, India. He has been working as Nutrition Scientist in the Division of Community Studies, National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad, India, since 1997. He has 18 years research of experience in the field of Public Health Nutrition and published more than 50 scientific papers in peer-reviewed national and international journals. He has also published 4 book chapters, completed more than 40 research studies and published more than 250 technical reports. He has attended and presented more than 25 scientific papers in national and international conferences/workshops. He is the Faculty Member for the Courses of MPH (NIE), MSc (Nutrition) and PG Certificate course in Applied Nutrition at NIN and currently working as a Deputy Director.
Abstract:
Introduction: In spite of the green revolution and implementation of several national nutrition programs for more than four decades, the prevalence of undernutrition continues to be a major public health problem in India. Almost all the age and physiological groups in general and below five and school-age children, in particular are most vulnerable to malnutrition. India has the highest percent of undernourished and stunted children in world. The burden of hidden hunger i.e., multiple micro-nutrient malnutrition among the children of below five and school-age (7-12 years) children is a major nutritional problem of public health concern in India. Objective: To assess the magnitude of micro-nutrient deficiencies among the rural pre-school and school-age children in India. Materials & Methods: A community based cross sectional study was carried out by the National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau (NNMB) during 2011-12 in 10 major states constituting two third geographical area of India by covering 12,004 (5,810 children of 1-6 years and 6,194) rural children. A one day (24 hour) recall diet survey was carried out to assess their dietary consumption and the median nutrient intakes were calculated and compared them with the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs). The deficit intake of each Nutrient (Against their RDAs) and Adequacy (consumption≥70% of RDA) status of various nutrients were assessed. Results: In general, the rural children were subsisting on inadequate diets and the intakes of all the nutrients except for proteins were below the RDAs. The proportion of children consuming adequate (≥70% of RDA) amounts of nutrients was poor with respect to vitamin A (10-12%) followed by calcium (15-16%), riboflavin (19.4-32.8), iron (27.8-34.8%) and vitamin C (14.6-31.8%). Similarly, the deficit intake of micro-nutrients as against their RDAs was highest for vitamin A (81.5-86.4%) followed by calcium (66-72%), iron (45-53%), riboflavin (50-53%) and vitamin C (49-63%). Likewise, the proportion of the rural children not meeting even 50% of their RDAs was 80-87% for vitamin A, 71-74% for Calcium, 51-59% for Riboflavin and 50-77% for Vitamin C and this proportion is significantly high among the children of marginalized communities, illiterate parents, laborers and those residing in the household where the facility of sanitary latrine is absent (p<0.001). Conclusions: In general, the rural children in India were subsisting on in adequate diets with gross deficit in multiple micronutrients. Hence, appropriate nutrition interventions to be initiated to meet suggested levels of all micronutrients and nutrition education to be imparted to the community.
Masako Itoh
Kikai Tokushukai Hospital, Japan
Title: Collagen peptide enteral formula might shorten healing days in older adult hospitalized patients with pressure ulcer
Time : 17:00-17:20
Biography:
Masako Itoh has completed her Bachelor of Home Economics at Showa Women’s University and she is currently working as a Director of Department of Nutrition, Kikai Tokushukai Hospital, Japan.
Abstract:
Aim: To examine an effect of novel enteral formula with collagen peptide (CP) on outcome in patients with pressure ulcer (PU). Methods: All consecutive patients with PU treated in a single institute, between January 2013 and September 2015, were enrolled. The present study was conducted in a retrospective chart-review fashion. To examine an impact of CP formula on outcome in PU patients, the following data were collected: Demographics: Sex, age and actual body weight measured on admission. Nutritional supports: Actual energy and protein intake between treatment days which was defined as days between start (T1) and healing (T2) of individual PU, then cumulative energy and protein deficit were calculated, where deficit was defined that actual minus target values during treatment days. PU severity: DESIGN-R scoring, higher score means severity. Outcome indicators: Treatment days, difference of DESIGN-R score between T1 and T2. Then after subjects were divided into two groups with and without CP, collected data were compared. Results: To focus on quick improvement for PU to save medical budget, subject was limited them with 14 days to examine direct CP impact. As the results, 36 subjects were enrolled out of 75. Compared all data between two groups, iPU was more severe and longer period were required to heal significantly in CP group (p=0.002, <0.001, respectively). Conclusion: The present study could not draw definitive conclusion to prove effectiveness of CP formulae to treat PU. However, CP might treat to heal relatively severe PU within 14 days.
Homira Agah
Iranian National Institute for Oceanography and Atmospheric Science, Iran
Title: Major fatty acids and biochemical compositions of Ulva fasciata macro algae from Qeshm Island
Time : 17:20-17:40
Biography:
Homira Agah has completed her PhD from VUB University (Brussels, Belgium). She is currently working as an Assistant Professor at Iranian National University, Vice President of Research and Technology of Tabarsi Science and Technology University and Managing Director of the NGO “Association of Women and Children Supporting Environmental and Sustainable Development”. She has more than 20 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of repute.
Abstract:
The human body is unable to synthesize essential poly-saturated fatty acids (PUFA), which should be taken in through diet. In this study obtaining these essential fatty acids from algae as one of the novel dietary sources of PUFA was investigated. The green alga Ulva fasciata, which is spread in intertidal zone of the Hormozgan Province at Persian Gulf, was collected from Qeshm Island (26° 58' 0'' N, 56°17'0''E), Iran. As there is limited information about this macro alga in this region, hence in addition to major fatty acid (FA) compositions, biochemical composition of Ulva fasciata were determined to obtain an oil rich in α-linolenic (ALA) essential fatty acid with a low ω6:ω3 ratio and its nutritional value. The biochemical compositions were consisted of moisture, ash, total lipid, Crude Protein (CP), Crude Fiber (CF), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Gross Energy (GE), Phosphorus (P), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Iron (FE), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn) and Manganese (Mn). The moisture content in the alga was 76.6±0.28%. Total lipid contents of lyophilized Ulva sp. alga, extracted by Soxhlet using methanol for 6 hours was 3.6±0.6%, while lipid content using ethyl ether (EE) in two hours (0.35% dry weight) was much lower due to using different solvent and extraction time. Subsequently the extracted lipid was analyzed by Gas Chromatography with Mass detector (GC-MS). Although the total lipid content in this study was lower than that in comparing with other algae reported in literatures but the composition of fat is certainly interesting because of the high levels of PUFAs (53%). The results revealed that there were 38.9% Ash, 8.5% CP, 0.95% CF, 0.25% ADF, 16.9 % NDF, 1520 cal GE, 0.13 % P, 1.6 % Ca, 4.98% Mg, 3218 ppm Fe, 4.9 ppm Cu, 32 ppm Zn, 70.1 ppm Mn in the Ulva macro alga. The major fatty acids in total lipid were palmitic acid C16:0>Stearic acid C18:0>α-linolenic acid C18:3>Eicosadienoic acid C 20:5>Myristic acid C14:0>Arachidonic acid C18:1>Nervonic acid C24:1>Oleic acid>Heptadecanoic acid>Pentadecanoic acid. According to the results, in addition to the presence of two kinds of omega fatty acids in lipid content of Ulva, the ratio of ω-6 ω-3 was lower than one, which indicates that extracted oil from Ulva fasciata macro-algae is a good candidate for human consumption.
Syed Haris Omar
Charles Sturt University, Australia
Title: Olive: A Therapeutic Agent Against Alzheimer's Disease
Biography:
Dr. Syed Haris Omar has more than 4 years’ teaching with research experience in pharmacology and is the author of over 16 peer-reviewed scientific publications, including research, reviews, book chapters and conference papers. Furthermore, he has been serving as an editorial board member of repute. He has completed his PhD from the School of Biomedical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Australia. His research interest lies in the area of pharmacology, neuropharmacology, and nutrition related neurodegenerative diseases. Currently, he is member of various scientific society including, The Australian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologist (ASCEPT), Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), American Chemical Society (ACS), American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Phytochemical Society of Europe (PSE), and European Brain and Behaviour Society (EBBS).
Abstract:
Neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) can quite often be due to a deficiency or abnormality in the diet. AD is a huge global burden, affecting 44 million people worldwide and that this will grow to more than 100 million cases by 2050. There are 342,000 Australians living with dementia and expected to soar to almost 900,000 by 2050. Currently, no treatment and cure for AD, while the available US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medication delay the condition's development. Due to the severity in side effect and narrow therapeutic effect, recent studies suggested dietary recommendation for AD including the minimize intake of saturated fats and trans fats, and increase the intake of vegetables, legumes, fruits, and whole grains. Olive (Olea europaea) fruit, leaves and extra virgin oil are a good sources of unsaturated fatty acids and phenolic compounds, offering a number of health beneficial activities mainly attributed to their antioxidant and free radical-scavenging activity. Studies have shown that people who closely follow a Mediterranean diet (contains olive) are less likely to experience cognitive decline. The evidence continues to climb showing olive oil, particularly the phenolic compounds have multiple benefits for the aging brain. Despite the huge and increasing amount of the in vitro studies trying to unravel the mechanisms of action of biophenols, bioavailability, biotransformation, synergism, and finally the mechanisms of antioxidant activity are still unanswered. The neuroprotective effects of these olive biophenols in the various in vitro and preclinical models of AD are highlighted.
Martyn Caplin
Royal Free Hospital, UK
Title: Diet and cancer: Can superfoods or dietary supplements help?
Biography:
Martyn Caplin is a Professor of Gastroenterology & GI Neuroendocrinology at the Royal Free Hospital and University College London. He has published over one hundred and fifty peer review papers, written multiple book chapters and co-authored two books. He regularly lectures both nationally and internationally. From 2006-2012, he was the Clinical Lead for “NHS Evidence” for Gastroenterology and Liver diseases. He was a Member of the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) upper-G.I. Cancer Committee 2006-2014. He is an international expert in Neuroendocrine Tumours and is the Chair of the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society. He has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the UK & Ireland Neuroendocrine Tumour Society in recognition of his Clinical Leadership and Research in the field of NETs.
Abstract:
The recent press has highlighted that our lifetime chance of developing cancer is almost 1 in 2. The World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research suggest that most cancer is preventable, through a combination of smoking/tobacco avoidance, appropriate diet, regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy body weight. We know there is a strong link between diet and cancer, although it is very complex. Expert consensus suggests 9-40% of cancers are directly linked to diet and this risk is even greater if you are obese. Eating a healthy balanced diet that is high in fibre, fruit and vegetables and low in red and processed meat and salt can reduce cancer risk. ‘Superfoods’ with anti-cancer properties have hit the headlines and while there may be some evidence that the chemicals in these foods have positive health benefits, most of the studies have been conducted in a laboratory with limited large scale studies. The World Health Organization (WHO) the EPIC study, involving more than half a million people in 10 European countries followed for almost 15 years. The study found strong evidence that higher levels of vitamin D are associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer and better survival outcomes; dietary fibre protects against colon cancer; high intake of fat predisposes to breast cancer; diets high in flavonoids can reduce the risk of primary liver cancer and bladder cancer; and many more similar conclusions related to vitamin levels, diet and cancer. Other smaller studies point to the potential anti-cancer properties of a variety of diet derived chemicals including lycopene (from tomatoes), curcumin (from turmeric) and catechins (from green tea). Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that has been linked to a reduced risk of prostate cancer, breast cancer and liver disease/cancer. Studies suggest that curcumin inhibits many of mechanisms responsible for the development of cancer and may reduce the risk of a range of different cancers including those of the breast, bowel, pancreas and liver. There are also for example clinical trials of curcumin being added to chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced bowel cancer as previous experimental studies had shown benefit of the combination over chemotherapy alone. Green tea contains high levels of catechins, which have been shown in the laboratory to prevent the activation of oncogenic pathways and block the growth of tumour cells. Consumption of green tea has been linked with a reduction in the risk of bowel, prostate and pancreatic cancers. However not all vitamins are good for you. For example selenium which may be good for pancreatic conditions can be bad for you in combination with vitamin E if you have advanced prostate cancer. People who understand the importance of good nutrition on reducing their cancer risk often seek to augment their diets by eating specific foods or taking vitamins or supplements. However if going down the route of supplementation then the appropriate dosage and bioavailability are just two of the key factors. The message that most cancer is preventable has not as yet stimulated a population reaction or political agenda.
Mario Ciampolini
University of Florence, Italy
Title: Learning the recognition of Initial Hunger (IH)
Biography:
Mario Ciampolini directed the Gastroenterology Research Unit, a third level referral center in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Florence (Meyer hospital) for 40 years. He worked at the Cornell University for a joined research with the University of Florence on energy expenditure in children.
Abstract:
Background: The will to eat is a decision associated with conditioned responses and with unconditioned body sensations that reflect changes in metabolic biomarkers. The body feelings described as hunger have often components that are conditioned by time, social behavior and sight of food. Blood glucose is a biomarker of current energy availability and of hunger. Extensive rat and human studies showed that blood glucose declines coincided with spontaneous feelings of hunger, with metabolic insufficiency and meal initiation. Objectives: Investigating whether the decision to eat can be delayed until blood glucose is allowed to fall to low levels, when feeding behavior is (mostly) unconditioned. Methods: 7-week pilot study was carried out. 158 adults suffering from diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dyspepsia were recruited and randomized to experimental (trained; n=80) and control (untrained; n=78) groups. Subjects of experimental group were trained to ignore meal times and to pay attention to their earliest sensations of hunger or discomfort, so to measure glucose concentrations (blood glucose, BG) with glucometer. They were instructed to associate their sensations of hunger with BG value. The control group followed their normal routine. In the final investigative session (after compilation of a 7 days dairy) all patients were asked to estimate their preprandial BG and a blood sample was taken to measure BG through a glucose autoanalyzer. Results: At the end of the 7-week training period, estimated and measured glycemic values were found to be linearly correlated in the trained group (r=0.82; p=0.0001) but not in the control (untrained) group (r=0.10; p=0.40). Fewer subjects in the trained group were hungry than those in the control group (p=0.001). The 18 hungry subjects of the trained group had significantly lower glucose levels (80.1±6.3 mg/dL) than the 42 hungry control subjects (89.2±10.2 mg/dL; p=0.01). Moreover, the trained hungry subjects estimated their BG (78.1±6.7 mg/dL; estimation error: 3.2±2.4% of the measured BG) more accurately than the control group (75.9±9.8 mg/dL; estimation error: 16.7±11.0%; p=0.0001). In addiction the estimation error of the entire trained group (4.7 ± 3.6%) was significantly lower than that of the control subjects (17.1±11.5%; p=0.0001). Conclusion: Patients could be trained to accurately estimate their blood glucose and to recognize their sensations of initial hunger at low glucose concentrations. These results suggest that it is possible to learn a behavioral distinction between unconditioned and conditioned hunger, and to modulate intake to achieve three IH arousals per day.
Biography:
Eileen Kennedy is the Dean of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University and was the first Director of USDA's Centre for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. She holds an undergraduate degree from Hunter College, two Master's degrees from Pennsylvania State University and a Doctor of Science in Nutrition from Harvard's School of Public Health. She has long been involved in the academic arena of nutrition conducting research and teaching at Tufts, Columbia University, Cornell University and Johns Hopkins University. In 2008, he was named President of the "Smart Choices" Board.
Abstract:
Three nutrition assistance programs in the United States: SNAP (formerly Food Stamps), WIC and the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) serves as the backbone of the nutrition safety net in the USA. These programs have been successful in achieving many of their initial goals of improving food purchases, food intake and/or nutritional status of low-income, vulnerable Americans. The emphasis in these programs has now broadened to also include an obesity prevention focus. Recent changes in program components demonstrate the revised objectives of the program. SNAP, WIC and the NSLP increase economic access to an adequate diet but access alone is unlikely to be the total solution to obesity prevention. An ecological approach, incorporating the nutrition programs, appears to be a more promising strategy to leverage the impact of SNAP, WIC and NSLP.
Maurizio Simmaco
Sapienza University of Roma, Italy
Title: Personalized medicine strategies for long life health maintenance
Biography:
Maurizio Simmaco has completed his MD from Sapienza University and Postdoctoral studies from Molecular Biology Institute of Salzburg, Austria. He is the Director of Laboratory Medicine and Advanced Molecular Diagnostics Units at IDI-IRCCS of Rome. He has published more than 118 papers in reputed journals (H-index 39). He is also a Board Member of European Society of Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Therapy and has been serving as an Editorial Board of Drug Metabolism and Personalized Therapy (DMPT).
Abstract:
Personalized Medicine (PM) harbors the inbuilt ambition to develop Personalized Wellness and to shift from curative purposes to lifelong health maintenance. Pharmacogenomics, though being the propeller by which the PM concept spread out is not long enough to depict the real molecular fingerprint of our health state. It is time to look up to other information embedded in our genome as the way we react to the exposure to the actual environment we live in. That environment includes food; chemicals, pollutants and the way we interact with the environment rely on the symbiotic organism formed by ourselves and the microbiota leaving in ourselves. An approach looking at the interaction among our genomic make-up, the microbiota and the external stimuli is like to hit the challenge of depicting personal phenomics and find novel solutions to improve and maintain health.
Biography:
Ruqaiya Moosa Al Balushi is currently an Assistant Professor in Clinical Nutrition at the Nutrition and Health Department, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU). She serves as the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Professional Development. She has received her PhD in Clinical Nutrition from School of Medicine from University of Queensland in 2013. She has obtained her MSc degree in Nutrition and Food Science from Sultan Qaboos University and her BSc degree from the University of Jordan. She has worked as a Clinical Dietitian from 2003-2005 and the Head of the Dietetics Department at Royal Hospital in Oman from 2005-2014. She was an active Member in the Nutrition Support Committee at Royal Hospital and helped in planning the Enteral Nutrition Support protocols at Royal Hospital. Her main research interests include enteral and parenteral nutrition support. She is specifically interested in the field of immunonutrition and pharmaconutrition and the therapeutic effect of glutamine supplementation in critically ill patients and other patient populations. She is also interested in Hospital Malnutrition. She has a number of publications in peer reviewed journals and two book chapters. Her main goal is to increase the awareness about the importance of Nutrition Support in UAE and Oman.
Abstract:
Introduction: Despite the numerous clinical trials that have investigated the beneficial effects of glutamine supplementation in patients receiving enteral nutrition1, the results are conflicting and inconclusive. This study aimed to determine the effect of intravenous alanyl-glutamine (Ala-Gln) supplementation on improving organ dysfunction and reducing infectious complications in multiple trauma patients receiving enteral nutrition. Methods: A triple-blinded, randomized clinical trial was conducted in multiple trauma patients. Participants were randomized to receive either intravenous Ala-Gln (0.5 g/kg body weight; n=15) or intravenous placebo (n=15). Results: The primary outcome, which was the pattern of change in total Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score over 10 days was not significantly different between groups (intention-to-treat: Regression coefficient 0.4938, 95% CI=-0.8113-1.7988, p=0.46). Although there was no significant difference reported in infectious complications with Ala-Gln supplementation, there was a slight reduction in ventilator-associated pneumonia cases (2 vs. 6; p=0.21). Similarly, there were no significant differences in other secondary outcome measures (e.g. ICU and hospital length of stay). However, there was a significant increase in urea (p=0.001) and creatinine (p=0.01) levels in the Ala-Gln group. There was no significant difference in fat-free mass percentage (p=0.12) or fat mass percentage (p=0.12) between groups. Although there was a significant overall decrease in fat-free mass percentage over time in both groups (p=0.002), the rate of decline in the Ala-Gln group was slower, suggesting a beneficial effect. Conclusion: The benefits of intravenous Ala-Gln were not confirmed in this trial. A rigorous, multicentre trial is needed to confirm the efficacy of intravenous Ala-Gln in preserving lean-body mass in multiple trauma patients. Furthermore, the significant increase in urea and creatinine levels suggests further investigation about the safety of glutamine on renal function.
Francesco Menichini
University of Calabria, Italy
Title: Healthy foods: The case of Salvia officinalis L flowers
Biography:
Francesco Menichini is full Professor in Phytopharmacy at Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Italy. He has published more than 200 papers in international journals and 115 communications at national and international congress and 6 chapters in book series. He is a Referee of several international journals and Institutions.
Abstract:
The genus Salvia belongs to the Lamiaceae family and comprises numerous species that have been used since ancient times for the treatment of several disorders. Edible flowers are receiving renewed interest as rich sources of bioactive compounds. Salvia officinalis flowers were extracted by and investigated for their phytochemical content and in vitro bioactivity. Rutin, quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol and myricetin were selected as standards and quantified by HPLC. DPPH, ABTS and β-carotene bleaching test were applied to screen the antioxidant potential. The hypoglycemic effects were investigated via the inhibition of α-amylase. S. officinalis showed a promising protection of lipids peroxidation with IC50 values 2.3 and 4.2 µg per mL after 30 and 60 minutes of incubation, respectively. The extract is able also to scavenge both DPPH and ABTS radicals with IC50 values 19.7 and 26.4 µg/mL, respectively. In type-2 diabetic patients, oxidative stress is closely associated with chronic inflammation that may play a role in the development of complications. The α-Amylase enzyme breaks down large insoluble starch molecules into absorbable molecules. This enzyme is found in the pancreatic juice and saliva. S. officinalis showed a percentage of inhibition of 28.2% at maximum concentration tested (1 mg/mL). These findings support the consumption of edible flowers as functional food.
Biography:
Anna Maria Aloisi has obtained her degree in Medicine at Siena University in 1985 and spent all her academic career in the Institute of Human Physiology at the University of Siena. Her research activity is characterized by a continuous interaction with many national and international groups and was focused on the study of pain mechanisms with particular attention on the sex differences in the pain-induced responses and on the role of gonadal hormone-induced effects in pain mechanisms in humans and rodents. Her further interest is on the role of the limbic system in feeding and behavior.
Abstract:
Background: In physiological conditions, the oxidation of glucose to water and carbon dioxide is practically the only mechanism that the brain possesses for the production of ATP. Hence glucose is its primary source of energy. When the glucose concentration falls below a critical level (hypoglycemia), there is a deterioration of cognitive skills, mental confusion, lethargy, clouding of consciousness and in more severe cases, coma. Aim: To investigate the relationship between blood glucose variations and cognitive performances and consequently the best integration for open skill sports. Methods: Neurophysiological parameters were recorded to evaluate cognitive performances: electroencephalography, electromyography, electrocardiography for heart rate variability. Glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load were considered for the classification of carbohydrates. Results: In a comparison of low-GI and high-GI carbohydrates, the latter cause a greater rise in blood glucose and insulin, followed by a sharp fall in blood glucose that leads, in the immediate post-absorption period, to a reduced concentration of the two main sources of energy in our body: blood glucose and free fatty acids (FFA). High blood glucose variation seems to be correlated with difficult of concentration and in the end, with low performance levels. On the other hand, blood glucose stability leads to a reduction of high electroencephalography frequencies like beta-2, which are correlated with low performance levels. Conclusion: The best kind of integration involves low-GI carbohydrates and a low glycemic load.
Lynnette R Ferguson
The University of Auckland, New Zealand
Title: New technologies: Nutrigenomics and disease management in gastrointestinal disorders
Biography:
Lynnette R Ferguson has completed her DPhil (Oxon.) from the University of Oxford, UK, then returned to a Post-doctoral position at In University of Auckland, she had done her undergraduate degrees. She successfully competed for several grants before being offered a tenured position with the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre at The University of Auckland. In 1990, she was seconded to establish a new Discipline of Nutrition at the University, where she retains a half time position alongside her Research Centre appointment, She has successfully supervised more than 50 Postgraduate students to thesis completion
Abstract:
Recent advances in genomic medicine have opened up the possibility that nutrition tailored to the individual and informed by various OMICs technologies may eventually replace traditional “one size fits all†approaches to disease control. In addition to exploring the interactions between hosts and microbes, a variety of strategies can be tailored to an individual. The recent descriptions of epigenetic alterations in particular alterations in DNA methylation and microRNAs that have been observed during the development of a number of chronic diseases, encourage us to explore nutritional interventions as a means of targeting and correcting early evidence of disease susceptibility. These include genomic screening of patients at risk of developing disease complications and the discovery of proteome biomarkers to diagnose or predict disease risks. Collectively, these new technologies are leading to the development of early biomarkers for disease that target specific pathogenic mechanisms involved in disease susceptibility and progression. Importantly, they enable short term and highly sensitive studies that are strongly indicative of clinically relevant endpoints. Inflammatory bowel disease has been used as proof of principle in our studies.