Educating and training a workforce for nutrition in a post-2015 world.

Nearly all countries in the world today are burdened with malnutrition, manifesting as undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and/or overweight and obesity. Despite some progress, efforts to alleviate malnutrition are hampered by a shortage in number, skills, and geographic coverage, of a workforce for nutrition. Here, we report the findings of the Castel Gandolfo workshop, a convening of experts from diverse fields in March 2014 to consider how to develop the capacity of a global cadre of nutrition professionals for the post-2015 development era.

Inventory on the dietary assessment tools available and needed in africa: a prerequisite for setting up a common methodological research infrastructure for nutritional surveillance, research, and prevention of diet-related non-communicable diseases.

Objective: To carry out an inventory on the availability, challenges, and needs of dietary assessment (DA) methods in Africa as a pre-requisite to provide evidence, and set directions (strategies) for implementing common dietary methods and support web-research infrastructure across countries.

Methods: The inventory was performed within the framework of the "Africa's Study on Physical Activity and Dietary Assessment Methods" (AS-PADAM) project. It involves international institutional and African networks.

In black South Africans from rural and urban communities, the 4G/5G PAI-1 polymorphism influences PAI-1 activity, but not plasma clot lysis time.

Data on genetic and environmental factors influencing PAI-1 levels and their consequent effect on clot lysis in black African populations are limited. We identified polymorphisms in the promoter area of the PAI-1 gene and determined their influence on PAI-1act levels and plasma clot lysis time (CLT). We also describe gene-environment interactions and the effect of urbanisation.

Common and rare single nucleotide polymorphisms in the LDLR gene are present in a black South African population and associate with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.

The LDL receptor has an essential role in regulating plasma LDL-C levels. Genetic variation in the LDLR gene can be associated with either lower or moderately raised plasma levels of LDL-C, or may cause familial hypercholesterolemia. The prevalence of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the LDLR in the black South African population is not known and therefore, we aimed to determine the genotypic variation of the LDLR in the study population as well as to define the association of the different genotypes with plasma LDL-C levels.

The use of predefined diet quality scores in the context of CVD risk during urbanization in the South African Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study.

Objective: Urbanization is generally associated with increased CVD risk and accompanying dietary changes. Little is known regarding the association between increased CVD risk and dietary changes using approaches such as diet quality. The relevance of predefined diet quality scores (DQS) in non-Western developing countries has not yet been established.

Association between iron status and white blood cell counts in African schoolchildren of the North-West Province, South Africa.

Iron deficiency with or without anemia is associated with increased susceptibility to infection owing to impaired immune function; this study aimed to examine the associations between markers of iron status and white blood cell counts in African schoolchildren. This cross-sectional study is part of the larger BeForMi study done in the North-West province of South Africa. A total of 556 African schoolchildren (aged 7-10 years) were recruited from the three schools participating in the BeForMi multiple micronutrient intervention study.

Effects of a multi-micronutrient-fortified beverage, with and without sugar, on growth and cognition in South African schoolchildren: a randomised, double-blind, controlled intervention.

Little is known about the effects of combined micronutrient and sugar consumption on growth and cognition. In the present study, we investigated the effects of micronutrients and sugar, alone and in combination, in a beverage on growth and cognition in schoolchildren. In a 2 × 2 factorial design, children (n 414, 6-11 years) were randomly allocated to consume beverages containing (1) micronutrients with sugar, (2) micronutrients with a non-nutritive sweetener, (3) no micronutrients with sugar or (4) no micronutrients with a non-nutritive sweetener for 8.

Evidence that fibrinogen γ' regulates plasma clot structure and lysis and relationship to cardiovascular risk factors in black Africans.

Fibrinogen γ' is known to influence fibrin clot structure in purified experimental models, but little is known regarding its influence on clot structure in plasma. Furthermore, the environmental and biological factors that affect its concentration are poorly described. We analyzed fibrinogen γ', total fibrinogen concentration, and fibrin clot structure in 2010 apparently healthy black South Africans and related them to traditional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.

Field-testing of guidance on the appropriate labelling of processed complementary foods for infants and young children in South Africa.

There is a lack of formal guidance from international normative bodies on the appropriate marketing of processed complementary foods. Such guidance is necessary to protect and promote optimal infant and young child feeding practices. The aim of this study was to field-test, in South Africa, the interim guidance provided by the Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition Working Group's Draft Guide for Marketing Complementary Foods as a potential tool for use by manufacturers and national governments for guiding the appropriate labelling (as a subset of appropriate marketing practices) of complementary foods.

Plasma clot lysis time and its association with cardiovascular risk factors in black Africans.

Studies in populations of European descent show longer plasma clot lysis times (CLT) in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) than in controls. No data are available on the association between CVD risk factors and fibrinolytic potential in black Africans, a group undergoing rapid urbanisation with increased CVD prevalence. We investigated associations between known CVD risk factors and CLT in black Africans and whether CLTs differ between rural and urban participants in light of differences in CVD risk.

Fibrinogen concentration and its role in CVD risk in black South Africans--effect of urbanisation.

The aim of this study was to investigate correlates of fibrinogen concentration in black South Africans, as well as its association with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and whether urbanisation influences this association. A total of 1,006 rural and 1,004 urban black South Africans from the PURE study were cross-sectionally analysed. The association of fibrinogen with CVD risk was determined by investigating the association of fibrinogen with other CVD risk markers as well as with predicted CVD risk using the Reynolds Risk score.

Point-of-use micronutrient fortification: lessons learned in implementing a preschool-based pilot trial in South Africa.

This current pilot trial assessed the feasibility of implementing a point-of-use (PoU) micronutrient fortification in preschool settings. Preschool children (n = 151) aged 36-79 months were randomized into intervention (n = 76) and control (n = 75) groups, both receiving breakfast maize-porridge with added micronutrient or placebo powder for 52 school days. Process evaluation and early childhood development indicators were used to assess trial feasibility.

The effect of ethanol and its metabolism on fibrinolysis.

The role of ethanol metabolism in possible haemostatic cardioprotective effects has not yet been determined. To this end, we investigated the effect of a moderate dose of ethanol (35 g) and its metabolism, on haemostatic variables over 14 hours (h). Eighteen Caucasian males participated in a placebo-controlled, randomised, cross-over study.

Glycaemic control improves fibrin network characteristics in type 2 diabetes - a purified fibrinogen model.

Diabetic subjects have been shown to have altered fibrin network structures. One proposed mechanism for this is non-enzymatic glycation of fibrinogen due to high blood glucose. We investigated whether glycaemic control would result in altered fibrin network structures due to decreased fibrinogen glycation.

Measuring the glycemic index of foods: interlaboratory study.

Background: Many laboratories offer glycemic index (GI) services.

Objective: We assessed the performance of the method used to measure GI.

Design: The GI of cheese-puffs and fruit-leather (centrally provided) was measured in 28 laboratories (n=311 subjects) by using the FAO/WHO method.

Beliefs of South Africans regarding food and cardiovascular health.

Objectives: To investigate the beliefs of South African metropolitan adults regarding the importance of influencing cardiovascular health by eating certain food types, and to compare these beliefs between different race, living standards, age and gender groups.

Design: Randomised cross-sectional study. Trained fieldworkers administered questionnaires by conducting face-to-face interviews with consumers.

Effects of a high walnut and high cashew nut diet on selected markers of the metabolic syndrome: a controlled feeding trial.

We investigated the effects of a high walnut diet and a high unsalted cashew nut diet on selected markers of the metabolic syndrome. In a randomized, parallel, controlled study design, sixty-four subjects having the metabolic syndrome (twenty-nine men, thirty-five women) with a mean age of 45 (sd 10) years and who met the selection criteria were all fed a 3-week run-in control diet. Hereafter, participants were grouped according to gender and age and then randomized into three groups receiving a controlled feeding diet including walnuts, or unsalted cashew nuts or no nuts for 8 weeks.

The effects of high walnut and cashew nut diets on the antioxidant status of subjects with metabolic syndrome.

Background: Nut consumption is associated with a protective effect against coronary heart disease, partly due to its high antioxidant content. It is hypothesized that the inclusion of nuts in the diet will improve the antioxidant status of subjects with metabolic syndrome who may be vulnerable to impaired antioxidant status.

Aim: The effects of high cashew nut and high walnut diets on the antioxidant status of subjects with metabolic syndrome are investigated.

Glycation of fibrinogen in uncontrolled diabetic patients and the effects of glycaemic control on fibrinogen glycation.

Introduction: Evidence exists for a relationship between glycaemic control and macrovascular disease. Non-enzymatic glycation of proteins may explain this relationship in part. We investigated the effect of blood glucose control, under out-patient conditions, on fibrinogen glycation as well as the relationship between glycated fibrinogen and glycaemic control using a new sensitive method for the measurement of glycated fibrinogen.

The effect of glycaemic control on fibrin network structure of type 2 diabetic subjects.

Diabetic subjects have been shown to have altered fibrin network structures. One possible cause may be fibrinogen glycation resulting in altered structure/function properties. We investigated the effect of glucose control on fibrinogen glycation and fibrin network structure in type 2 diabetes.

Modulation of baroreflex sensitivity by walnuts versus cashew nuts in subjects with metabolic syndrome.

Background: Impaired baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) is associated with cardiovascular diseases and the metabolic syndrome. Because lipid abnormalities have been associated with impaired BRS, this study aimed to determine whether diets known to improve the lipid profile, namely a diet high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (walnuts) or monounsaturated fatty acids (cashew nuts), would improve BRS in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MS).

Methods: A controlled feeding trial with a randomized, controlled, parallel study design was undertaken, which involved 62 subjects with MS.

Polyphenol composition and antioxidant activity of Kei-apple (Dovyalis caffra) juice.

The polyphenolic and ascorbate (ASC) components as well as the antioxidant capacity of Kei-apple (Dovyalis caffra) juice were analyzed and compared to three other fruit juices. The Kei-apple juice had significantly the highest total polyphenolic concentrations (1013 mg gallic acid equivalent/L), and solid phase (C(18)) fractionation identified the majority of these polyphenols to be phenolic acids. The Kei-apple juice also had significantly the highest ASC concentrations (658 mg/L), which showed exceptional heat stability with very little conversion to dehydroascorbate (DHA).

A systematic review of the effects of nuts on blood lipid profiles in humans.

The inverse association of nut consumption and risk markers of coronary heart disease (lipids) has sparked the interest of the scientific and lay community. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review to investigate the effects of nuts on the lipid profile. Medline and Web of Science databases were searched from the start of the database to August 2004 and supplemented by cross-checking reference lists of relevant publications.

Clustering of haemostatic variables and the effect of high cashew and walnut diets on these variables in metabolic syndrome patients.

We investigated the effect of a high walnut and cashew diet on haemostatic variables in people with the metabolic syndrome. Factor analysis was used to determine how the haemostatic variables cluster with other components of the metabolic syndrome and multiple regression to determine possible predictors. This randomized, control, parallel, controlled-feeding trial included 68 subjects who complied with the Third National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol criteria.

Rosa roxburghii supplementation in a controlled feeding study increases plasma antioxidant capacity and glutathione redox state.

Background: Rosa roxburghii (RR) is a plant of which the fruit juice has been used as a medicinal remedy for a variety of diseases. It has been proposed that the putative beneficial properties are related to its antioxidant potential.

Aim Of Study: We investigated the contribution of a supplemented RR fruit sample on the antioxidant status in a cohort of healthy humans.