• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.259-268
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• 2016

Purpose: Zinc deficiency can induce serious clinical problems in the gastrointestinal (GI) system and immune system and can affect growth and development. It is more severe in younger patients. Chronic zinc deficiency is reflected more precisely in hair than in serum. We studied hair zinc levels and other hair and serum micronutrients in chronic malnourished children to identify which micronutrients are affected or correlated with the other ones. Methods: Hair mineral analyses were performed in 56 children (age, 1-15 years) presenting with malnutrition, poor growth, poor appetite, anorexia, with/without other GI symptoms (diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation) from August 2012 to March 2015. Biochemical studies for macronutrients and major micronutrients were also conducted. Results: Hair zinc deficiency was diagnosed in 88%, and serum zinc deficiency was diagnosed in 55% of the children. There was no statistical correlation between serum and tissue zinc level. Hair zinc levels were highly correlated with serum vitamin D (r=-0.479, p=0.001), which also showed correlation with hair levels of magnesium and calcium. (r=0.564, 0.339, p=0.001, 0.011). Hair calcium level was correlated with serum pre-albumin (r=0.423, p=0.001). These correlations may explain the phenomenon that the major clinical manifestation of zinc deficiency is poor body growth. Clinical symptoms were resolved in most children after zinc supplementation. Conclusion: Hair zinc and mineral analyses are useful as a therapeutic guide in the clinical investigation of children with malnutrition and poor growth.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.5-11
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• 2000

Populations both in the US and worldwide are aging. It is projected that by the year 2030 the population of Americans over 65 will increase to 70 million, more than twice their number in 1998. About one-third of elderly over the age of 65 have debilitating chronic health conditions that greatly impede their activities. Age-associated chronic diseases are believed to be associated with free radicals and the imbalance in antioxidant and oxidative stress contributes to development of several chronic health conditions. Diet and nutrients can have great impact in the health status of elderly. Several factors may contributor to the inadequate consumption of nutrients in elderly, including an inability to chew food adequately, polypharmacy, living along and limited income. Low intake of energy and several micronutrients are common among the elderly. Although overt deficiency of nutrients among the elderly is not common. a recent study showed that while elderly consume more fat, the total energy intake is low among the elderly. Inadequate intake of antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin E in elderly may contribute to the development of chronic health problems. Intake of higher than normal RDA levels of vitamin E for long periods of time has been shown to reduce the risk of many degenerative diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases(CVD) and cancer, and improve immune response in elderly. High intake of other antioxidants is also associated with reduced risk chronic diseases. Dietary antioxidants are abundant in fruits and vegetables. However, due to variety of factors, the elderly may not be able to receive these and other micronutrients through diet. Therefore, supplemental intake of micronutrients in the form of multi vitamins/minerals and/or specific micronutrients is a more practical approach to the maintenance of health status in the elderly.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.33-37
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• 2021

Background: Children with cleft lip and/or palate can be undernourished due to feeding difficulties after birth. A vicious cycle ensues where malnutrition and low body weight precludes the child from having the corrective surgery, in the absence of which the child fails to gain weight. This study aimed to identify the proportion of malnutrition, including the deficiency of major micronutrients, namely iron, folate and vitamin B12, in children with cleft lip and/or palate and thus help in finding out what nutritional interventions can improve the scenario for these children. Methods: All children less than 5 years with cleft lip and/or cleft palate attending our institute were included. On their first visit, following were recorded: demographic data, assessment of malnutrition, investigations: complete blood count and peripheral blood film examination; serum albumin, ferritin, iron, folate, and vitamin B12 levels. Results: Eighty-one children with cleft lip and/or palate were included. Mean age was 25.37±21.49 months (range, 3-60 months). In 53% of children suffered from moderate to severe wasting, according to World Health Organization (WHO) classification. Iron deficiency state was found in 91.6% of children. In 35.80% of children had vitamin B12 deficiency and 23.45% had folate deficiency. No correlation was found between iron deficiency and the type of deformity. Conclusion: Iron deficiency state is almost universally present in children with cleft lip and palate. Thus, iron and folic acid supplementation should be given at first contact to improve iron reserve and hematological parameters for optimum and safe surgery.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.36-39
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• 2003

Many defined cell culture media were formulated over 3() years ago and may be deficient in certain micronutrients whose essentiality has only subsequently been recognised. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether alpha-minimal essential medium (MEM) supplemented with 10% foetal bovine serum contained sufficient selenium for optimal activity of the selenium containing enzymes cytosolic glutathione peroxidase (cGPx) and phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) in cultured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Additionally, the effect of zinc deficiency and metallothionein (MT) overexpression on cGPx and PHGPx activity was studied. The addition of 100 nM of selenous acid to the culture medium increased cGPx expression by 10-fold and PHGPx by about 2-fold in both wild-type CHO-K1 cells and CHO-K1 cells overexpressing mouse MT-1. Zinc deficiency had no significant effect on enzyme activity, but cells overexpressing mouse MT-1 had higher levels of cGPx activity. Zinc deficiency decreased cell survival but overexpression of MT-1 was partially protective, probably because its presence in quantity favoured the uptake, sequestration and cellular retention of any remaining zinc. This study demonstrates that selenium in complete alpha-MEM is insufficient for optimal cGPx and PHGPx activity and may compromise the cellular response to oxidative stress.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.82-88
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• 2013

Cancer is the first leading cause of death in Korea and the second leading cause of death in the USA. There is extensive research into prevention of cancer and the support of oncology patients with diet or dietary supplements. In vitro and in vivo animal studies have indicated that antioxidants, including beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, and ascorbic acid, can yield anti-cancer effects in addition to providing protection against oxidative damage. Although many observational studies have shown that consuming fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of some cancers, the results of several large-scale human intervention trials testing the benefits of a single or combined higher-dose of individual micronutrients have been inconsistent. Cancer can cause profound metabolic and physiological changes which may affect patients' nutrient requirements. Although the optimal route of nutrient delivery is through diet, cancer patients often suffer symptoms that disrupt their food intake, including anorexia, premature satiety, altered taste and smell, and changes in bowel mobility. In particular, micronutrient deficits can slow postoperative healing, contribute to depression symptoms, and decrease immune competence. Cancer patients are generally motivated to take dietary supplements to improve responses to treatment and quality of life. The Physician's Health Study II (PHS II) randomized controlled trial reported recently that daily multivitamin supplementation significantly, albeit modestly, reduced the risk of total cancer. Although evidence of multivitamin use benefits is limited in cancer patients, taking dietary supplements with constituents in the range of the recommended daily allowance according to the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) recommendation is generally considered to be safe.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.50-59
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• 2006

This study was initiated to investigate soil chemical properties under different soil systems. Data such as soil acidity(pH), electrical conductivity(EC), organic matter content(OMC), and cation exchange capacity(CEC) were analyzed with samples from multi-layer, USGA, and mono-layer systems. N, P, K and micronutrients were also measured. Multi-layer system was built up to 60-cm depth with rootzone layer, intermediate layer and two drainage layers. USGA system 45 centimeters deep was constructed with rootzone layer, intermediate layer and drainage layer. Mono-layer system, however, was made only with a 30-cm rootzone layer. Differences were observed in soil pH, EC, OMC, CEC and micronutrients. Soil pH was acceptable for turfgrass growth a year after establishment, being 5.5 to 6.5 in the study. Differences were greatly observed for EC among soil systems. Values of EC for multi-layer, USGA, and mono-layer systems were 39.79, 31.26 and 103.54 uS/em, respectively. The increase rate was approximately 4 to 8 times greater with mono-layer system than those with other two systems. Therefore, it was necessary to avoid micronutrient deficiency such as Fe, Mn etc. through an effective management program in mono-layer system because of its faster potential feasibility of salt accumulation. The greatest OMC was associated with USGA system, being 0.97% which was 11% over that of the other systems. Slight differences were observed for CEC among them. Mono-layer system produced 1.45 me/100g, 10.3% and 8.9% lower in CEC than those of multi-layer and USGA system, respectively. Micronutrients such as Fe, Zn, and Mn etc. were below the level required for turf growth, regardless of soil systems. It was considered that one year after turf establishment was not enough to build up micronutrients in sand-based soil systems to the normal level for a turf growth. These results demonstrate that intensive management program including grow-in concept fertilization should be integrated into sand-based soil systems, even after a year in establishment. Regular nutrient monitoring by soil analyses is a strong necessity to decide the kinds and amount of fertilizer. Also, strategic management program must be selectively employed according to sports turf soil systems.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.533-538
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effect of Pycnogenol (Pyc) on survival and immune dysfunction of C57BL/6 mice induced by low micronutrient supplementation. MATERIALS/METHODS: Female C57/BL/6 mice were fed a diet containing 7.5% of the recommended amount of micronutrients for a period of 12 wks (immunological assay) and 18 wks (survival test). For immunological assay, lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine regulation, and hepatic oxidative status were determined. RESLUTS: Pyc supplementation with 50 and $100mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}{\cdot}bw{\cdot}d^{-1}$ resulted in partial extension of the median survival time. Pyc supplementation led to increased T and B cell response against mitogens and recovery of an abnormal shift of cytokine pattern designated by the decreased secretion of Th1 cytokine and increased secretion of Th2 cytokine. Hepatic vitamin E level was significantly decreased by micronutrient deficiency, in accordance with increased hepatic lipid peroxidation level. However, Pyc supplementation resulted in a dose-dependent reduction of hepatic lipid peroxidation, which may result from restoration of hepatic vitamin E level. CONCLUSION: Findings of this study suggest that Pyc supplementation ameliorates premature death by restoring immune dysfunction, such as increasing lymphocyte proliferation and regulation of cytokine release from helper T cells, which may result from the antioxidative ability of Pyc.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2022.10a
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• pp.297-297
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• 2022

Wheat is the staple food crop in the word, but wheat products have a low bioavailability of iron and zinc. So in the developing world, where wheat is a staple food, it suffers from micronutrients deficiency. This study was conducted to generate wheat varieties with enhanced grain Zn and Fe contents. Sixty wheat resource were cultivated over 2 years (2019-2021) in the field of NICS, Jeonju, Republic of Korea, to identify agronomic traits. Wheat grains were ground using grinder and analyzed whole wheat flour protein contents and Fe and Zn contents using ICP-OES. The average contents of Zn and Fe grain were 4.6 mg/100g (2.4~8.8 mg/100g) and 4.5 mg/100g (2.4~7.9 mg/100g), respectively. The contents of Fe and Zn in the wheat grain had a positive correlation with the protein content of whole wheat flour, but there was no correlation with heading date (4.22~5.27) and the thousand kernel weight (21.3~57.5 g). Although there was year variation, six resources with high contents of Fe (>5.2 mg/100 g) and Zn (>5.3 mg/100 g) grain in 2 years were selected. These results provide information for selecting breeding materials for biofortified wheat, and further studies on germplasms genetic variations and bioavailability are needed.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.329-334
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• 2008

Kwashiorkor is a syndrome of severe protein malnutrition, which manifests itself in hypoalbuminemia, diarrhea, dermatitis, and edema. It can be life-threatening due to associated immune deficiency and an increased susceptibility to infections. Kwashiorkor should be treated early with nutritional support and the control of infection. Dilated cardiomyopathy may develop during the treatment and in such cases a poor prognosis is expected. Kwashiorkor has been known as a common disease of poor countries. To date, in fact, there has been no report of kwashiorkor leading to death in technically advanced countries. We here report a fatal case of a baby girl admitted with kwashiorkor. She had been fed only with cereal grain mixed with juice, without any protein supplement, for 2 months. This diet was deficient not because of poverty, but due to the illiteracy of her parents. The patient suffered from diarrhea, whole body edema, hypothermia, and dermatitis. Laboratory findings revealed an immune-deficient state featuring leukopenia and decreased immunoglobulin. Blood and urine cultures revealed Alcaligenes Xylosoxidans growth. The patient was fed frequent small amounts of protein-containing formula and intravenous albumin and micronutrients were administered for nutritional support. She was also treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and antibiotics in order to control infection. Nevertheless, she developed dilated cardiomyopathy and multi-organ failure and died. We review this case in light of the literature.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.217-227
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• 2006

Micronutrient status in soils and crops of plastic film house and their relationship were investigated. Total 203 plastic film houses were selected (red pepper, 66; cucumber, 63; tomato, 74) in Yeongnam region and soil and leaf samples were collected. Hot-water extractable B and 0.1 N HCl extractable Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn in soil samples and total micronutrients in leaf samples were analyzed. Contents Zn, Fe, and Mn in most of the investigated soils were higher than the upper limits of optimum level for general crop cultivation. Contents of Cu in most soils of cucumber and tomato cultivation were higher than the upper limit of optimum level, but Cu contents in about 30% of red pepper cultivation soils were below the sufficient level. Contents of B in most soils of cucumber and tomato were above the sufficient level but in 48% of red pepper cultivation soils B were found to be deficient. Micronutrient contents in leaf of investigated crops were much variable. Contents of B, Fe, and Mn were mostly within the sufficient levels, while in 71% of red pepper samples Cu was under deficient level and in 44% of cucumber samples Cu contents were higher than the upper limit of sufficient level. Contents of Zn in red pepper and cucumber samples were mostly within the sufficient level but in 62% of tomato samples Zn contents were under deficient condition. However, any visible deficiency or toxicity symptoms of micronutrients were not found in the crops. No consistent relationships were found between micronutrient contents in soil and leaf, and this indicates that growth and absorption activity of root and interactions among the nutrients in soil might be important factors in overall micronutrient uptake of crops. For best management of micronutrients in plastic film house, much attention should be focused on the management of soil and plant characteristics which control the micronutrient uptake of crops.