Plasma and red blood cell n3 fatty acids correlate positively with the WISC-R verbal and full-scale intelligence quotients and inversely with Conner's parent-rated ADHD index t-scores in children with high functioning autism and Asperger's syndrome.

Findings of the fatty acid status of people with autism spectrum disorders have been incongruent perhaps because of the diversity of the condition. A cross-sectional design study was used to  investigated fatty acid levels and relationships between fatty acids, and cognition and behaviour in a homogenous group of children with autism spectrum disorder. Children with Asperger's syndrome (AS) /high functioning autism (n = 44) and healthy siblings (n = 17) were recruited from the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Centre for Children with Autism, Warsaw, Poland.

Randomized open-label trial of docosahexaenoic acid-enriched fish oil and fish meal on cognitive and behavioral functioning in Omani children.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-enriched fish oil supplement and meal of grilled fish on cognitive and behavioral functioning manifested as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in primary school students 9 to 10 y of age in Muscat, Oman.

Methods: This randomized open-label trial involved two types of interventions: fish oil supplement or one serving (100 g) of grilled fish per day (Sunday through Friday) for 12 weeks. Red cell total lipid DHA levels were assessed.

Phosphorylation of protein kinase B, the key enzyme in insulin-signaling cascade, is enhanced in linoleic and arachidonic acid-treated HT29 and HepG2 cells.

Objectives: Defects in the insulin-signaling pathway have been implicated in the pathogenesis of impaired glucose uptake, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. However, the specific defects that precipitate these abnormalities are yet to be fully elucidated. After binding to insulin, the plasma membrane-embedded insulin receptor transmembrane protein initiates a cascade of phosphorylation that leads to the activation of protein kinase B (AKT) and subsequently to the initiation of some metabolic actions of insulin.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Parental Factors in School Children Aged Nine to Ten Years in Muscat, Oman.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and specific parental risk factors that may contribute to the development of ADHD in children.

Methods: The study was conducted in Oman among fourth-grade students (aged nine to 10 years). A standardized Arabic version of the National Initiative for Children's Health Quality Vanderbilt Assessment Scale (Teachers questionnaire) was used to determine the presence of ADHD.

Physical fitness characteristics of Omani primary school children according to body mass index.

Background: There is evidence that children with high cardiorespiratory fitness and normal body mass index (BMI) have less risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), however limited research was undertaken in Omani children. Therefore the aims of the present study were to describe body composition and physical fitness of a large cohort of Omani school children of both genders, and to investigate the effects of weight status on physical fitness.

Methods: Three hundred and fourteen Omani school children aged 9 to 10 years old took part in anthropometric assessments, body composition and fitness tests, including handgrip strength, the basketball chest pass, broad jump, 20-m sprint, four 10-m shuttle agility, 30-s sit-up, and multistage fitness test (MSFT).

Lipid-soluble nutrient status of healthy Omani school children before and after intervention with oily fish meal or re-esterified triacylglycerol fish oil.

Objectives: Over the past two decades, the Omani diet has changed considerably to resemble a high calorie and a low nutrient density Western diet. We investigated the fat soluble nutrient status of children before and after intervention with fish diet or fish oil.

Methods: Children ages 9 and 10 y (n = 314) were recruited from three randomly selected schools.

Efficacy of docosahexaenoic acid-enriched formula to enhance maternal and fetal blood docosahexaenoic acid levels: Randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Background & Aims: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) compromises the level of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in phospholipids of maternal and fetal red blood cells and fetal plasma. This is of some concern because of the importance of DHA for fetal neuro-visual development. We have investigated whether this abnormality could be rectified by supplementation with DHA-enriched formula.

Regular consumption of Nile river fish could ameliorate the low milk DHA of Southern Sudanese women living in Khartoum City area.

We have reported that milk of Northern Sudanese women contained very low level of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). This was puzzling since the mothers were not malnourished and some had claimed to eat fish from time to time. War-displaced Southern Sudanese live in Khartoum City and its vicinity.

Iodine status and fish intake of Sudanese schoolchildren living in the Red Sea and White Nile regions.

Objective: To investigate iodine status and fish consumption of schoolchildren living in the Red Sea and White Nile regions of Sudan.

Design: Cross-sectional study to determine urinary iodine concentration, visible goitre rate, iodine content of salt and fish consumption.

Setting: Port Sudan (Red Sea) and Jabal Awliya (White Nile), Sudan.

Effectiveness of and Adherence to Dietary and Lifestyle Counselling: Effect on metabolic control in type 2 diabetic Omani patients.

Objectives: The Nutritional Advice Protocol, established by the Department of Health to combat diabetes, has been implemented in primary health care throughout Oman since 2003. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of dietary and lifestyle advice and determine the perception and attitudes of Omani adults with type 2 diabetes to diabetes management.

Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiological survey was conducted on 98 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in Al-Buraimi Governorate, Oman.

Effect of storage temperature and length on fatty acid composition of fingertip blood collected on filter paper.

We have compared the fatty acids of the capillary and venous whole blood samples collected on the commercially developed blood collection paper and standard grade filter paper extracted by either the direct methylation or conventional method (including various blood lipids fractions). Also, reproducibility of fatty acids extracted from dried blood on the filter paper after storing at room temperature up to 2 months and at 4°C up to 6 months was assessed. In conclusion, the direct methylation of fingertip blood collected on both brand of papers produced fatty acids that reflected venous blood fatty acids extracted by the conventional method.

A distinctive fatty acid profile in circulating lipids of Korean gestational diabetics: a pilot study.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a transient metabolic disorder that is a strong predictor of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Previously, GDM was associated with reduced red cell long-chain omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in population (British) with high intake of total and saturated fat. The aim of the study was to examine blood fatty acids status of GDM patients (n=12) and normoglycaemic women (control, n=12) from South Korea where typical diet retains high omega-3 fat with low total fat intake.

Unfavorable effect of type 1 and type 2 diabetes on maternal and fetal essential fatty acid status: a potential marker of fetal insulin resistance.

Background: Pregestational maternal diabetes increases obesity and diabetes risks in the offspring. Both conditions are characterized by insulin resistance, and diabetes is associated with low membrane arachidonic (AA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids.

Objective: We investigated whether type 1 and type 2 diabetes in pregnancy compromise maternal and fetal membrane essential fatty acids (FAs).

Type 1 diabetes compromises plasma arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids in newborn babies.

The activity of delta6- and delta5-desaturase, enzymes required for the synthesis of AA and DHA, are impaired in human and experimental diabetes. We have investigated whether neonates of type 1 diabetic women have compromised plasma AA and DHA at birth. Cord blood was obtained from healthy babies born to mothers with (n = 31) and without (n = 59) type 1 diabetes.