ORCID Profile
0000-0003-0385-4995
Current Organisations
Northumbria University
,
CSIRO
Does something not look right? The information on this page has been harvested from data sources that may not be up to date. We continue to work with information providers to improve coverage and quality. To report an issue, use the Feedback Form.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 18-04-2023
DOI: 10.3390/NU15081937
Abstract: A large proportion of children are at risk of food insecurity during school holidays in the UK. The government-funded Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme provides free holiday clubs offering at least one healthy meal/day to eligible children and adolescents. This study aims at evaluating the nutritional quality of food provision at HAF holiday clubs, particularly hot/cold and vegetarian/non-vegetarian meals. Menu variants (n = 2759) from 49 HAF holiday clubs were assessed for adherence to School Food Standards (SFS) and their notional compositional quality, which was scored utilising a novel nutrient-based meal quality index. The median adherence to SFS across all available menus was 70% (IQR 59–79%). Overall, hot variants scored statistically higher menu quality scores than cold variants for both 5–11y (92.3 (80.7–102.7) vs. 80.4 (69.3–90.6)) and 11–18y (73.5 (62.5–85.8) vs. 58.9 (50.0–70.7)) criteria. Cold and hot menu variants tended to score differentially for quality sub-components. These findings highlight areas for potential future improvement in HAF holiday club provision with a tendency for food provision to appear less ideal for attendees for those aged 11–18. Ensuring that children from low-income households have access to a healthy diet is crucial to reduce UK health inequalities.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2014
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 03-2010
DOI: 10.1017/S0954422410000028
Abstract: The most widely used pharmacological therapies for obesity and weight management are based on inhibition of gastrointestinal lipases, resulting in a reduced energy yield of ingested foods by reducing dietary lipid absorption. Colipase-dependent pancreatic lipase is believed to be the major gastrointestinal enzyme involved in catalysis of lipid ester bonds. There is scant literature on the action of pancreatic lipase under the range of physiological conditions that occur within the human small intestine, and the literature that does exist is often contradictory. Due to the importance of pancreatic lipase activity to nutrition and weight management, the present review aims to assess the current body of knowledge with regards to the physiology behind the action of this unique gastrointestinal enzyme system. Existing data would suggest that pancreatic lipase activity is affected by intestinal pH, the presence of colipase and bile salts, but not by the physiological range of Ca ion concentration (as is commonly assumed). The control of secretion of pancreatic lipase and its associated factors appears to be driven by gastrointestinal luminal content, particularly the presence of acid or digested proteins and fats in the duodenal lumen. Secretion of colipase, bile acids and pancreatic lipase is driven by cholecystokinin and secretin release.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 12-09-2018
Abstract: Previous studies have suggested that carbonated beverages may cause gastro-oesophageal reflux. Pepsin (the major enzyme secreted by the stomach) has been suggested to be an objective, acute marker of a reflux event. This pilot study aimed to investigate whether intake of carbonated beverages could affect pepsin concentration in saliva or reflux symptoms. This was assessed by a randomised, crossover trial where participants consumed 330 mL of beverage (carbonated cola, degassed cola or water) at separate visits. Saliva s les and symptom questionnaires were collected at baseline and over the 30 min postprandial period. Pepsin was detected in all saliva s les. No difference was found in the salivary pepsin concentrations between treatments at all time points. There were significantly higher scores (p 0.05) for feelings of fullness, heartburn, urge to belch and frequency of belches after ingestion of carbonated cola than degassed cola and water. The ingestion of carbonated beverages did not appear to increase postprandial pepsin concentration in saliva compared to other beverages but did evoke higher levels of reflux-related symptoms such as fullness, heartburn and belching. This suggests carbonated beverages may cause symptoms associated with reflux but do not drive detectable levels of gastric juice to reach the oral cavity.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2012
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 09-2005
DOI: 10.1080/10408390500285673
Abstract: Alginate, an algal polysaccharide, is widely used in the food industry as a stabilizer, or as a thickening or emulsifying agent. As an indigestible polysaccharide, alginate may also be viewed as a source of dietary fiber. Previous work has suggested that dietary fibres may protect against the onset and continuation of a number of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases. This article aims to examine what is currently understood about the fiber-like activities of alginate, particularly its effects on intestinal absorption and the colon, and therefore aims to gauge the potential use of alginate as a dietary supplement for the maintenance of normal health, or the alleviation of certain cardiovascular or gastrointestinal diseases.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2015
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-01-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2015
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 07-05-2021
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 22-03-2010
DOI: 10.1002/LARY.20665
Abstract: Exposure of pig laryngeal mucosa to pepsin and acid will have a differential damaging effect depending on the anatomical site, mirroring the effects seen in the human larynx in laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). This study aims to quantitate damage caused to laryngeal tissue by acid alone, and acid and pepsin, and also to determine if the extent of this damage depends on the tissue site. Prospective translational research study. An excised porcine laryngeal damage model in a small Ussing chamber was used to measure the effect of pepsin and acid on five sites (ventricles, vocal folds, posterior commissure, supraglottic, and subglottic mucosa). The tissue s les were incubated on the lumenal side for 1 hour with pH 2 and 4 HCl, pH 2 plus 1 mg/mL pepsin, and pH 4 plus 1 mg/mL pepsin. Damage was assessed by changes in absorbance of the bathing solution at optical density (OD) 260 nm and OD 280 nm and by measurement of released DNA compared to tissues bathed in pH 7.4 buffer. Damage was also assessed histologically. Based on histology, all the tissues were resistant to pH 4.0 except the subglottic mucosa. Only the posterior commissure was not damaged by pH 2.0 plus pepsin. Similar patterns were observed with absorbance changes and DNA release. The subglottic mucosa was the most susceptible to damage and the posterior commissure the least. Laryngeal tissues are essentially resistant to damage at pH 4.0, but are damaged when pepsin is present. This suggests that in LPR, pH 4.0 or above refluxate would only be damaging if it contains pepsin.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 2016
DOI: 10.1017/JNS.2016.25
Abstract: Public health bodies in many countries are attempting to increase population-wide habitual consumption of whole grains. Limited data on dietary habits exist in Singaporean children. The present study therefore aimed to assess whole grain consumption patterns in Singaporean children and compare these with dietary intake, physical activity and health parameters. Dietary intake (assessed by duplicate, multipass, 24-h food recalls), physical activity (by questionnaire) and anthropometric measurements were collected from a cross-section of 561 Singaporean children aged 6–12 years. Intake of whole grains was evaluated using estimates of portion size and international food composition data. Only 38·3 % of participants reported consuming whole grains during the dietary data collection days. Median intake of whole grains in consumers was 15·3 (interquartile range 5·4–34·8) g/d. The most commonly consumed whole-grain food groups were rice (29·5 %), wholemeal bread (28·9 %) and ready-to-eat breakfast cereals (18·8 %). A significantly lower proportion of Malay children (seven out of fifty-eight P 0·0001) consumed whole grains than children of other ethnicities. Only 6 % of all children consumed the amount of whole grains most commonly associated with improved health outcomes (48 g/d). There was no relationship between whole grain consumption patterns and BMI, waist circumference or physical activity but higher whole grain intake was associated with increased fruit, vegetable and dairy product consumption ( P 0·001). These findings demonstrate that consumption of whole grain foods is low at a population level and infrequent in Singaporean children. Future drives to increase whole-grain food consumption in this population are likely to require input from multiple stakeholders.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 06-2018
Publisher: Elsevier
Date: 2005
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2020
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 23-03-2010
DOI: 10.1017/S0007114510000644
Abstract: Recommendations for whole-grain (WG) intake are based on observational studies showing that higher WG consumption is associated with reduced CVD risk. No large-scale, randomised, controlled dietary intervention studies have investigated the effects on CVD risk markers of substituting WG in place of refined grains in the diets of non-WG consumers. A total of 316 participants (aged 18–65 years BMI kg/m 2 ) consuming 30 g WG/d were randomly assigned to three groups: control (no dietary change), intervention 1 (60 g WG/d for 16 weeks) and intervention 2 (60 g WG/d for 8 weeks followed by 120 g WG/d for 8 weeks). Markers of CVD risk, measured at 0 (baseline), 8 and 16 weeks, were: BMI, percentage body fat, waist circumference fasting plasma lipid profile, glucose and insulin and indicators of inflammatory, coagulation, and endothelial function. Differences between study groups were compared using a random intercepts model with time and WG intake as factors. Although reported WG intake was significantly increased among intervention groups, and demonstrated good participant compliance, there were no significant differences in any markers of CVD risk between groups. A period of 4 months may be insufficient to change the lifelong disease trajectory associated with CVD. The lack of impact of increasing WG consumption on CVD risk markers implies that public health messages may need to be clarified to consider the source of WG and/or other diet and lifestyle factors linked to the benefits of whole-grain consumption seen in observational studies.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 08-04-2017
DOI: 10.3390/NU9040371
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 25-01-2013
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2012
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 09-2006
Abstract: The mucus that lines the airway epithelium provides a barrier against pathogenic and noxious agents and participates in the innate mucosal response to inflammation and infection. Mucins are the major components of mucus and the macromolecules that impart rheologic properties to airway mucus. Airway mucus is overproduced in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Biochemical and biophysical characterization of mucus in CRS and in normal airways will elucidate important aspects of CRS pathophysiology and allow the design of targeted medical treatments. The aim of this study was to estimate secretion of sinus mucus mucins in healthy in iduals and CRS and correlate them with mucus biophysical properties. Twenty-seven sinus mucus s les from 21 patients were collected (14 subjects with CRS undergoing sinus surgery as part of their treatment and 7 control subjects undergoing hypophysectomy without sinonasal disease). Biophysical properties of the mucus were measured by rheometry. ELISA was done to estimate MUC5AC and MUC5B mucin content in comparison with standards, i.e., porcine gastric mucin (MUC5AC) and human salivary mucin (MUC5B). MUC5B secretion ± SEM was 0.49 ± 0.16 μg/mL (n = 14) and 0.17 ± 0.05 μg/mL (n = 7) and MUC5AC secretion ± SEM was 1.26 ± 0.26 μg/mL (n = 14) and 1.46 ± 0.61 μg/mL (n = 7) in chronic sinusitis and control subjects, respectively. There was linear correlation between viscosity and mucin content in the control group but not in the CRS group. MUC5B secretion is significantly up-regulated in CRS compared with control subjects (p = 0.04). Correlation between viscosity and mucin content was lost in CRS. This is likely to have important implications for future therapies in CRS.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 11-2019
DOI: 10.3390/NU11112615
Abstract: Dietary habits in children may not only impact current health status but could also shape future, lifelong dietary choices. Dietary intake data in Singaporean children are limited. The current study aimed to define the overall diet quality of Singaporean children using an existing cross-sectional dataset and to consider how demographic factors (i.e., body mass index (BMI) status, ethnicity, age, and sex) were associated with these scores. Existing, cross-sectional dietary data (n = 561 children aged 6–12 years, collected in 2014–2015) from duplicate 24-h recalls were assessed for diet quality using an index based on the Singaporean Health Promotion Board dietary guidelines. Total diet quality scores were calculated from ten different components (frequencies of rice and alternatives, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, meat and alternatives, dairy and alternatives, total fat, saturated fat, sodium intake, and added sugars). Association with demographic factors and BMI category was evaluated by one-way multivariate ANOVA (MANOVA) tests, with Bonferroni post hoc analyses. Median (interquartile range) total diet quality scores were 65.4 (57.1–73.0). Median scores for whole grains (0.0, 0.0–33.4), fruits (24.1, 0.0–65.3), vegetables (36.5, 10.4-89.8), and sodium (58.4, 0.0–100.0) intake were frequently sub-optimal. Children of Malay ethnic origin had statistically lower total diet quality scores ((55.3, 47.5–60.3) vs. other ethnic groups (combined median 65.4 (57.1, 73.0) p 0.001). These findings highlight the need for continuing efforts to improve dietary intake in young Singaporeans and for longitudinal dietary monitoring in this group.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2023
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 21-06-2017
Abstract: Dragon boat racing requires high physical activity levels during competition and training. The female athletic triad refers to a number of negative health consequences (e.g., amenorrhoea, low bone mineral density, and low energy availability) that may result from high physical activity in female athletes in parallel with inadequate dietary intake. This study aimed to estimate energy expenditure and dietary adequacy in female competitive dragon boat athletes. Following ethical approval, energy expenditure was assessed by use of SensewearTM armbands (which measure movement as well as galvanic heat loss) on nine dragon boat athletes preparing for the Southeast Asian Games 2013. The mean estimated energy expenditure for the athletes was 2226 ± 711 kJ/day. Mean total energy, recorded using three-day food diaries (6715 ± 2518 kJ/day) and energy availability (99 ± 56 kJ/kg/day), were low. Estimated micronutrient intake (calcium 699.3 ± 328.7 mg/day and iron 10.6 ± 4.7 mg/day) did not meet recommended daily allowances of 800 mg/day and 19 mg/day, respectively. The low intake of energy, calcium, and iron noted within this study could have negative effects on performance and short- and long-term health in female dragon boat athletes.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 2018
Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Date: 08-2006
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 18-01-2019
DOI: 10.3390/NU11010191
Abstract: It is currently unclear how the process of fat digestion occurs in the mouth of humans. This pilot study therefore aimed to quantify the levels of lipolytic activity at different sites of the mouth and in whole saliva. S les of whole saliva and from 4 discrete sites in the oral cavity were collected from 42 healthy adult participants. All s les were analyzed for lipolytic activity using two different substrates (olive oil and the synthetic 1,2-o-dilauryl-rac-glycero-3-glutaric acid-(6’-methylresorufin) ester (DGGR)). Bland–Altman analyses suggested that the two assays gave ergent results, with 91% and 23% of site-specific and 40% and 26% of whole-saliva s les testing positive for lipolytic activity, respectively. Non-parametric multiple comparisons tests highlighted that median (IQR) of lipolytic activity (tested using the olive oil assay) of the s les from the parotid 20.7 (11.7–31.0) and sublingual 18.4 (10.6–47.2) sites were significantly higher than that of whole saliva 0.0 (0.0–35.7). In conclusion, lipolysis appears to occur in the oral cavity of a proportion of in iduals. These findings give a preliminary indication that lipolytic agent activity in the oral cavity may be substrate-specific but do not discount that the enzyme is from sources other than oral secretions (e.g., microbes, gastric reflux).
Publisher: AME Publishing Company
Date: 09-2022
DOI: 10.21037/AOE-20-95
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2006
DOI: 10.1016/J.FOODCHEM.2013.11.070
Abstract: To assess the efficacy of alginate as a modifier of enzyme activity, a suitable method to quantify its release must be developed. This paper develops and assesses the ability of the Periodic Acid Schiffs (PAS) assay to quantify alginate, and its release from bread during digestion in a model gut. Control and alginate enriched (4% w/w wet dough) bread were used. A model gut replicating the mouth, stomach and small intestines was used. Standard curves were created for alginate in deionised H2O and model gut solutions using a modified PAS to remove interference. The PAS assay quantified alginate with excellent linearity (R(2)=0.99), and optical density range (0.02-0.5). There was a significant difference in alginate release at 180 min compared to 0 and 60 min. The data indicate the modified PAS assay is a simple method for quantifying alginate release and release rate from alginate enriched products.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 22-12-2021
Abstract: Child poverty rates are rising, particularly in London, putting more children at risk of experiencing food insecurity. Holiday programmes in the UK provide children who receive free schools meals during term time with access to free/low-cost holiday clubs offering nutritious food and enriching activities during the school holidays. This study aimed to investigate whether children’s dietary intake was more adherent to the UK Eatwell Guide throughout the day and meets School Food Standards (SFS) for the lunchtime meal on a club attendance versus a non-attendance day. A repeated measures design was used to assess data on the food and drink intake of children (n = 57) aged 7–16 years old using a 24 h recall method on two separate occasions: once based on an attending club day and once based on a non-attending club day. The results showed children’s diet quality improved (p = 0.007) on an attending club day (mean: 58.0 ± SD 12.6) versus a non-attending club day (51.8 ± 15.0). Children also more closely adhered to the SFS (p = 0.001) on an attending club day (median = 9, interquartile range = 8–9) versus a non-attending club day (median = 7, interquartile range = 6–8). This suggests that holiday programmes targeting children who receive free school meals during term time have the potential to improve children’s dietary behaviours during the school holidays, underlining the importance of holiday programmes to support food security.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 02-2003
DOI: 10.1079/PNS2003206
Abstract: The colon is subjected to a myriad of potentially damaging agents that may reside within the lumen for 1–2 d. Its first line of defence against these agents is the protective mucus bilayer that lines the entire colonic mucosa. This bilayer acts as a physical barrier to mucosal aggressors and also reduces shear stress to the mucosa. These actions are dependent on the unstimulated (‘resting’) colonic mucus thickness, and also on the rate that this layer can be replenished. The colonic mucus layer is altered in a number of colonic diseases that have been linked to a deficiency of fibre in the diet. The action of fibre intake on colonic mucus thickness and secretion is unknown. Using an in vivo rat model it has been demonstrated that: (1) fibre deficiency leads to a decreased protective potential of the mucus layer (e.g. the mean resting mucus thickness of the fibre-deficient group (429 μm) was significantly lower than its respective control (579 μm P 0.001), as was its total mucus secretion over 6 h (270 μm v . 541 μm P .01) (2) specific fibre types in the diet alter the secretion dynamics of colonic mucus (e.g. a cellulose-based diet reduces total mucus secretion over 6 h compared with its control (175 μm v . 463 μm). Analysis of the diets suggested a necessity for both soluble and insoluble fibre types in the diet to increase mucosal protection.
Publisher: PAGEPress Publications
Date: 19-01-2016
Abstract: The airways are poorly protected from potentially damaging agents contained within gastric contents. While digestive factors are obvious damaging agents, gastric aspiration may also deliver microbial agents, cytokines or food antigens to airway tissues. Direct damage or the triggering of the inflammatory cascade by gastric aspiration is believed to drive airways disease onset and/or progression. Evidence exists from experimental models demonstrating direct instillation of damaging factors to a range of airways epithelia causes damage and/or an inflammatory response. Clinical longitudinal studies have also noted an association between the presence of biomarkers of reflux in airways s les and disease progression. A shared pathophysiology of many chronic airways diseases is a more negative intrathoracic pressure. Such changes would drive an increased abdominothoracic pressure gradient. These changes in respiratory mechanics mean that chronic lung disease patients may be predisposed to reflux and subsequent aspiration. Therefore, it appears that gastric aspiration and airways disease progression may be linked not solely as cause and effect, but seemingly within a vicious cycle. A range of physiological factors govern both occurrence of gastric reflux into the pharynx/larynx and could also increase the susceptibility of certain in iduals to disease progression. A range of long-term surgical and pharmacological intervention studies are necessary to test the benefit of such therapies in reducing disease progression or driving symptom improvement. Such studies may be h ered by the reliability of available therapies in halting gastric aspiration and the difficulty in the clinical or biochemical assessment of gastric aspiration.
Publisher: MDPI
Date: 21-03-2013
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 11-06-2015
DOI: 10.1017/S0029665115002104
Abstract: Cereal-based foods are key components of the diet and they dominate most food-based dietary recommendations in order to achieve targets for intake of carbohydrate, protein and dietary fibre. Processing (milling) of grains to produce refined grain products removes key nutrients and phytochemicals from the flour and although in some countries nutrients may be replaced with mandatory fortification, overall this refinement reduces their potential nutritional quality. There is increasing evidence from both observational and intervention studies that increased intake of less-refined, whole-grain (WG) foods has positive health benefits. The highest WG consumers are consistently shown to have lower risk of developing CVD, type 2 diabetes and some cancers. WG consumers may also have better digestive health and are likely to have lower BMI and gain less weight over time. The bulk of the evidence for the benefits of WG comes from observational studies, but evidence of benefit in intervention studies and potential mechanisms of action is increasing. Overall this evidence supports the promotion of WG foods over refined grain foods in the diet, but this would require adoption of standard definitions of ‘whole grain’ and ‘whole-grain foods’ which will enable innovation by food manufacturers, provide clarity for the consumer and encourage the implementation of food-based dietary recommendations and public health strategies.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2012
DOI: 10.1016/J.APPET.2012.04.014
Abstract: This qualitative study explored the concept of acceptance of wholegrain foods in an adult population in the UK. Data was generated via focus groups with volunteers from a randomised controlled wholegrain based dietary intervention study (the WHOLEheart study). WHOLEheart volunteers, who did not habitually eat wholegrain foods, were randomised to one of three experimental regimes: (1) incorporating 60 g/day whole grains into the diet for 16 weeks (2) incorporating 60 g/day whole grains into the diet for 8 weeks, doubling to 120 g/day for the following 8 weeks (3) a control group. Focus groups to examine factors relating to whole grain acceptability were held one month post-intervention. For participants incorporating whole grains into their diet, acceptance was dependent upon: (a) 'trial acceptance', relating to the taste, preparation and perceived impact of the wholegrain foods on wellbeing, and (b) 'dietary acceptance' which involved the compatibility and substitutability of whole grains with existing ingredients and meal patterns. Barriers to sustained intake included family taste preferences, cooking skills, price and availability of wholegrain foods. Although LDL lowering benefits of eating whole grains provided the impetus for the WHOLEheart study, participants' self-reported benefits of eating wholegrain foods included perceived naturalness, high fibre content, superior taste, improved satiety and increased energy levels provided a stronger rationale for eating whole grains.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 10-2005
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2011
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 07-02-2013
DOI: 10.1017/S0007114512006034
Abstract: Previous (mainly population-based) studies have suggested the health benefits of the elective, lifelong inclusion of whole-grain foods in the diet, forming the basis for public health recommendations to increase whole grain consumption. Currently, there is limited evidence to assess how public health recommendations can best result in longer-term improvements in dietary intake. The present study aimed to assess the impact of a previous 16-week whole-grain intervention on subsequent, elective whole grain consumption in free-living in iduals. Participants completed a postal FFQ 1, 6 and 12 months after the end of the whole-grain intervention study period. This FFQ included inputs for whole-grain foods commonly consumed in the UK. Whole grain consumption was significantly higher (approximately doubled) in participants who had received whole-grain foods during the intervention ( P 0·001) compared with the control group who did not receive whole-grain foods during the intervention. This increased whole grain consumption was lower than whole grain intake levels required by participants during the intervention period between 60 and 120 g whole grains/d. Aside from a significant increase ( P 0·001) in NSP consumption compared with control participants (mean increase 2–3 g/d), there were no obvious improvements to the pattern of foods of the intervention group. The results of the present study suggest that a period of direct exposure to whole-grain foods in non-habitual whole-grain food consumers may benefit subsequent, elective dietary patterns of whole grain consumption. These findings may therefore aid the development of future strategies to increase whole grain consumption for public health and/or food industry professionals.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2013
DOI: 10.1016/J.HEALUN.2012.12.008
Abstract: Microaspiration after gastroesophageal reflux has been implicated in the chronic loss of allograft function in lung transplant patients. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) assessment for pepsin and bile salts is a common method to document reflux and aspiration. Clinically used methods for bile salt analysis include tandem mass spectrometry and diagnostic enzymatic kits designed to measure bile salts in serum. In clinical research, the enzymatic kits have been commonly used for BALF assays in lung transplant recipients, with reports of detection limits of 0.2 μmol/liter, and the levels used to inform clinical decisions. This study assessed the sensitivity of detection by 2 enzymatic assay kits compared with tandem mass spectrometry. These 2 kits were used to measure (1) the absorbance changes for 0 to 50 μmol/liter bile salts, (2) levels in gastric juice (10-10,010 μmol/liter), and (3) bile salt levels of 40 BALF s les that were also measured using tandem mass spectrometry (0.01-1.19 μmol/liter). Measurements of pH/impedance were done in 14 of 15 patients. Neither kit had detection limits as low as claimed in previous BALF studies. The kits could be made more sensitive with a longer incubation time, (5 μmol/liter). All patients had detectable lavage bile acids using mass spectroscopy, 71% had pathologic distal gastroesophageal reflux, and 43% had pathologic proximal reflux. The enzymatic kits are not sensitive enough for use in situations where bile salt levels are much below 5 μmol/liter, which is the case in BALF. In addition, reports in the literature of levels significantly below 5 μmol/liter need reassessing. Tandem mass spectrometry with a lower limit of detection of 0.01 μmol/liter should be the method of choice.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2017
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 30-09-2020
DOI: 10.3390/NU12102995
Abstract: There are currently limited data on the dietary habits of young Singaporeans. This study aimed to evaluate the adherence of 17–21 year olds attending different educational institutions using a novel diet-quality scoring method. Dietary data were collected using a single weekday 24 h dietary recall in a cross section of 536 Singaporeans aged 17–21 years. An 11 category scoring system (0.0–100.0) was used to define adherence to food based dietary guidelines. Demographic and self-reported data were also collected via a questionnaire, BMI status, and using Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis (non-parametric) tests, with post-hoc Bonferroni-corrected tests. The median diet quality score was 48.5 (IQR 40.5, 56.4) for this cohort, with component scores for “Total fruit”, “Whole fruit”, “Total vegetables”, “Dark green leafy & orange vegetables”, “Whole grains”, “Dairy products”, and “Sodium” frequently scoring the minimum value. Median diet quality scores were statistically different for groups by ethnic origin (p 0.001) and by educational institution (p 0.001). Intake of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains is minimal, while sodium intake is frequently too high in young Singaporeans. Differences across ethnic groups and types of educational institutions suggest the need for targeted interventions to improve dietary habits in this population.
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 2018
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-2010
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2019
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 11-06-2018
DOI: 10.3390/NU10060752
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 11-07-2022
Abstract: A “balanced, adequate, and varied diet” is recommended as the basis of nutritionally sound diet by the World Health Organisation and national public health agencies. Huel is a proprietary, on-the-go, powdered, plant based food, providing all 26 essential vitamins and minerals, protein, essential fats, carbohydrate, fibre, and phytonutrients. Assessing the effect of solely consuming Huel on micronutrient status, dietary intake and markers of health was achieved through a 4-week intervention of solely Huel powder. Habitual energy intake was assessed through a one-week lead in period with healthy adult participants (aged 18 or over) logging their food intake, after which only Huel was consumed for 4 weeks. Blood s les and body composition was assessed before and after the lead in week as well the end of the intervention. Thirty participants were recruited with 20 (11 females, median age 31, range 22–44) completing the study, 19 sets of blood s les were collected. 22 blood markers were analysed along with weight, BMI, waist circumference, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and body composition. All blood micronutrients, except for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone and choline were sent to Royal Victoria Infirmary NHS, Newcastle Laboratory (Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom) for analysis. Fourteen of the parameters significantly changed over the course of the study with circulating haemoglobin, iron, vitamins B12 and D as well as selenium significantly increasing ( p & 0.05). HbA1c, total and non-HDL cholesterol, vitamins A and E, potassium, BMI, VAT, and waist circumference all significantly decreased ( p & 0.05) post intervention. Although energy intake decreased during the intervention period, the adherence to recommended micronutrient intake, as quantified by the dietary Total Adherence Score, significantly increased which tallies with the preservation or improvement of micronutrient status. This study potentially demonstrates that consuming only Huel for 4 weeks does not negatively affect micronutrient status.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2015
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 17-08-2015
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 17-04-2021
DOI: 10.3390/NU13041335
Abstract: Pattern analysis of children’s diet may provide insights into chronic disease risk in adolescence and adulthood. This study aimed to assess dietary patterns of young Singaporean children using cluster analysis. An existing dataset included 15,820 items consumed by 561 participants (aged 6–12 years) over 2 days of dietary recall. Thirty-seven food groups were defined and expressed as a percentage contribution of total energy. Dietary patterns were identified using k-means cluster analysis. Three clusters were identified, “Western”, “Convenience” and “Local/hawker”, none of which were defined by more prudent dietary choices. The “Convenience” cluster group had the lowest total energy intake (mean 85.8 ± SD 25.3% of Average Requirement for Energy) compared to the other groups (95.4 ± 25.9% for “Western” and 93.4 ± 25.3% for “Local/hawker”, p 0.001) but also had the lowest calcium intake (66.3 ± 34.7% of Recommended Dietary Allowance), similar to intake in the “Local/hawker” group (69.5 ± 38.9%) but less than the “Western” group (82.8 ± 36.1%, p 0.001). These findings highlight the need for longitudinal analysis of dietary habit in younger Singaporeans in order to better define public health messaging targeted at reducing risk of major noncommunicable disease.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2007
DOI: 10.1016/J.FREERADBIOMED.2007.05.023
Abstract: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of many colonic diseases. Mucus is the colon's first line of defence against luminal agents. This study has therefore characterised ROS action on colonic mucus secretions. ROS were produced using peroxide-based systems of different concentrations. The effects of these systems were tested on native colonic mucus gels, isolated colonic mucins, and in vivo models. Colonic mucus gels were resistant to ROS breakdown. Mucins were susceptible to ROS attack, causing loss of terminal sugars and protein and mucin fragmentation. The in vivo thickness of the mucus barrier was reduced by up to 50% by ROS (above 5 mM peroxide). A 5 mM peroxide caused a significant increase in resting mucus thickness of ca. 15%. All ROS-generating systems caused mucosal damage once the loosely adherent mucus had been removed. As native mucus gel is more resistant to ROS damage than purified mucin, nonmucin components of mucus may have extensive ROS-scavenging properties. Low levels of luminal colonic ROS increase the protection afforded by the mucus barrier in vivo. Higher levels of ROS significantly reduce this protection. In vitro modeling of mucus degradation by ROS does not necessarily correlate with the dynamic, in vivo situation.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2014
Location: Australia
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
No related grants have been discovered for Iain Brownlee.