Analysis of Dietary Habits and Nutritional Status of Children with Down Syndrome in the Context of Lipid and Oxidative Stress Parameters

Introduction: The risk of obesity in children with Down syndrome is high. Undoubtedly, proper nutrition plays an important role in the prevention of excess body weight and is associated with a reduction of metabolic complications. The aim of the study was to assess the problem of disturbances in the nutritional status and eating habits of children with DS. Methods: A total of 39 patients were included in the study. The nutritional status was assessed by anthropometric tests and Dual X-ray Absorptiometry. Eating habits were assessed using the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire and the Food Frequency Questionnaire. Blood samples were taken to determine the oxidative stress and lipid parameters. Results: Obesity was recognized in 15% of subjects and 23% were overweight. Children that were overweight were characterized by higher levels of triglycerides, atherogenic index of plasma, and apoA2 and apoE levels. Fat mass, fat mass/height² index, and visceral fat mass correlated with thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and advanced oxidative protein product level. The analysis of the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire showed that children struggling with being overweight were more interested in food compared to those with normal body weight. A positive correlation was identified between waist circumference and food interest categories. Insufficient consumption of dairy products, vegetables, whole grain products, as well as fruits, seeds, nuts, and fatty fish was noted. Patients were less likely to consume products that are a good source of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Conclusions: In children with Down syndrome and obesity, disturbances in lipid and oxidative stress parameters are observed. Abnormal eating habits in all children with Down syndrome regardless of their nutritional status were noted. Proper nutritional education, nutritional control, and management of metabolic problems are essential in this group of patients.     

Computational and Experimental Studies of Selected Types of Biomass Combustion in a Domestic Boiler

The paper analyzes the suitability of four types of biomass pellets as a fuel for heating purposes. Three types of waste biomass (sunflower husks, rapeseed cake, and corn straw) and one type of biomass grown for energy purposes (willow) were selected. After appropriate preparation, the selected starting materials were subjected to the pelletization process. Selected physical and chemical properties of the studied biomass pellets were determined. All four types of the analyzed pellets met the EN-ISO-17225-2:2014 standard in terms of bulk density, dimensions, as well as nitrogen and moisture content. The highest calorific value was pellets made of sunflower husk (17.27 MJ/m³) and willow (16.81 MJ/m³), while the calorific value of pellets made of corn straw and rapeseed cake did not exceed 16.5 MJ/m³ and did not meet the standard. In addition, the ash content for these two types of pellets was well above the standard. A 10 kW domestic biomass boiler was employed for burning the tested pellets. The consumption of analyzed fuels during boiler operation was determined. The concentration of CO, CO₂, and NO_x in exhaust gases was also examined. The obtained experimental results were compared with the numerical calculations with the use of ANSYS Chemkin-Pro using two mechanisms. The highest concentrations of CO₂ and CO were observed during the combustion of sunflower and willow husk pellets, which probably resulted from the highest carbon content and, thus, the highest calorific value when compared to cake and straw pellets. For all analyzed pellets, the value of NO and NO₂ concentration was similar and did not exceed 368 ppm and 18 ppm, respectively. The results closest to the experiment were obtained for calculations using the mechanism developed by Glarborg et al. The research carried out in the article shows that out of the four analyzed types of pellets, only sunflower and willow husk pellets can be burned in a domestic boiler adapted to burning wood pellets, which is a cheap alternative to wood pellets.     

Modelling of the Flow in the Process of Washing Out Automotive Catalyst Carriers with the PbLi Alloy

The process of platinum recovery from used car catalysts is highly desirable for both economic and environmental reasons. From the many available methods of processing used car catalysts, the article conducted both numerical and experimental studies using a device based on the collector metal method with lead as a modified medium through a magnetohydrodynamic pump for washing platinum from the channels of the ceramic catalyst carrier. It was assumed that lead alloys with the addition of lithium increase the extraction of platinum from thin catalytic layers and accelerate the platinum dissolution reaction in the Pb-Li alloy, which is the result of a greater affinity of lithium for platinum compared to lead. This assumption was verified by numerical simulations as well as laboratory tests. Tests were carried out for the secondary supply voltage range between 40 and 60 V and the catalyst flushing time between 240 and 480 s. Graphical results of the research were discussed.     

The Concept of Intrauterine Programming and the Development of the Neonatal Microbiome in the Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 Infection

The process of intrauterine programming is related to the quality of the microbiome formed in the fetus and the newborn. The implementation of probiotics, prebiotics, and psychobiotics shows immunomodulatory potential towards the organism, especially the microbiome of the pregnant woman and her child. Nutrigenomics, based on the observation of pregnant women and the developing fetus, makes it possible to estimate the biological effects of active dietary components on gene expression or silencing. Nutritional intervention for pregnant women should consider the nutritional status of the patient, biological markers, and the potential impact of dietary intervention on fetal physiology. The use of a holistic model of nutrition allows for appropriately targeted and effective dietary prophylaxis that can impact the physical and mental health of both the mother and the newborn. This model targets the regulation of the immune response of the pregnant woman and the newborn, considering the clinical state of the microbiota and the pathomechanism of the nervous system. Current scientific reports indicate the protective properties of immunobiotics (probiotics) about the reduction of the frequency of infections and the severity of the course of COVID-19 disease. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that intrauterine programming influences the development of the microbiome for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection based on a review of research studies.     

ARFID—Strategies for Dietary Management in Children

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a relatively new disease entity in DSM-5 and ICD-11. This disorder continues to pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for many professionals. This disorder can affect people of all ages. The most characteristic pattern is considered to be a lack of interest in eating or avoidance of food intake, which may result in nutritional deficiencies, weight loss or lack of expected weight gain, dependence on enteral feeding or dietary supplements, and impaired psychosocial functioning. This disorder cannot be explained by a current medical condition or co-occurring other psychiatric disorders, but if ARFID co-occurs with another disorder or illness, it necessarily requires extended diagnosis. Its treatment depends on the severity of the nutritional problem and may include hospitalization with multispecialty care (pediatrician, nutritionist, psychologist, psychiatrist, neurologist). The nutritional management strategy may include, inter alia, the use of Food Chaining, and should in the initial stage of therapy be based on products considered “safe” in the patient’s assessment. The role of the dietitian in the management of a patient with ARFID is to monitor weight and height and nutritional status and analyze the foods that should be introduced into the food chain first.     

Correction: Synthesis and characterizations of YZ-BDC:Eu3+,Tb3+ nanothermometers for luminescence-based temperature sensing

Correction for ‘Synthesis and characterizations of YZ-BDC:Eu³⁺,Tb³⁺ nanothermometers for luminescence-based temperature sensing’ by Lam Thi Kieu Giang et al., RSC Adv., 2022, 12, 13065–13073, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2RA01759H.

The authors regret the omission of a funding acknowledgement in the original article. This acknowledgement is given below.Karolina Trejgis is supported by the Foundation for Polish Science (FNP).The Royal Society of Chemistry apologises for these errors and any consequent inconvenience to authors and readers.     

Is the “farm effect” hypothesis still current? Atopy and allergic diseases in rural and urban children in Poland

Objective: The prevalence of allergic diseases has reached epidemic proportions in the Western world. Although farm-living has been associated with a lower prevalence of asthma and atopy, a marked increase in atopy among rural populations after accession to the European Union has been recently reported in Poland. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect of living environment on the prevalence of atopy and allergic diseases in Polish children. Methods: 400 schoolchildren aged 10–14 years from the capital city (223) and from traditional rural part of the country (177) were recruited from June to November 2011. Data on allergic diseases and symptoms were collected by means of questionnaire and physical examination. Atopy was assessed based on skin prick tests (SPTs) reactivity to inhalant allergens in 350 children. Results: A high discrepancy between the prevalence of allergic symptoms (46.7%) and doctor-diagnosed allergic diseases (25%) was demonstrated (p < 0.0001). Urban children had a higher overall prevalence of allergic diseases and atopy than children living in rural areas, 29.3% versus 17.1% (p = 0.007) and 33.5% versus 20% (p = 0.0045), respectively. However, no significant differences in the rates of particular allergic diseases were noted (p > 0.05). There was higher SPT positivity to trees, grass, corn, weeds, animal dander, and molds in urban children (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our data support the protective effect of farm-living on the prevalence of atopy and overall allergic diseases, albeit not on particular allergic diseases, in children in Poland. The underlying mechanisms are not identified, but current socioeconomic changes may be responsible.     

Genetic background of ADHD: genes of the serotonergic system, other candidate genes, endophenotype

Recent studies have shown that in the aetiology of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) genetic factors may be of importance. Biochemical and pharmacological studies reveal a connection between abnormalities of dopaminergic, adrenergic and serotonergic system and ADHD. Therefore genes for enzymes synthesizing or degrading proper neurotransmitters, genes for adequate transporters and receptors and genes for other substances, which altered the level of neurotransmitters, are studied. Many authors describe the connection between ADHD development and the synaptosomal-associated protein 25 (SNAP-25) gene. This protein plays a role in catecholamine secretion. Its higher expression is specific for neurones. SNAP-25 gene mutation may change this protein level, function of synapse and neurotransmitters storage. Acetylcholine receptor alpha4 subunit gene stimulation increases the dopamine level. Therefore this receptor gene may be important in the aetiology of ADHD studies. Other possible factors in ADHD background are substance influence on brain maturation, including N-methyl-D aspartate glutamate receptor 2A gene polymorphism (GRIN2A) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene. One of the greatest challenges in studying the genetic basis of psychiatric disorders is to find appropriate ways to define the relevant endophenotype. ADHD often coexists with other psychiatric disorders, including specific developmental disorders, conduct disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder and early onset of bipolar disorder.