Alexandra-Maria Michaelidou

Fermented Milks Fortified with B-group Vitamins: Vitamin Stability and Effect on Resulting Products:

Four fermented milks were made from cows milk fortified with B-group vitamins (thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), pyridoxine, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine and folic acid) inoculated with different mixed probiotic cultures. Fermented milks made from non-fortified milk were used as controls. Some vitamins were partly lost during heating of the milk and fermentation but the level of all vitamins remained stable during storage for 16 days at 4°C. Species and strain of the culture were clearly found to affect the vitamin level throughout fermentation and storage of the products. Fortification was observed as having no impact on the composition or sensory properties of the products, attributes that were found to be mainly dependent on the culture. At the fortification level applied, fermented products could be a good alternative to dietary supplements, because they are readily consumed and combine the beneficial effects of probiotic microorganisms with important amounts of valuable vitamins.

Polyamine profile in ovine and caprine colostrum and milk.

The objective of this study was to monitor the post-partum variation of polyamine content, in ovine and caprine milk, from indigenous Greek breeds. Twenty samples of ewe and 20 samples of goat colostrum and milk were collected at the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 15th day post-partum. Putrescine, spermidine and spermine were measured as dansylated derivatives by high-performance liquid chromatography. Putrescine was the least concentrated of these substances in both milk types. Spermidine was the prevailing polyamine in caprine samples, reaching levels up to 4.41 μmol/l on the 3rd day post-partum. In ovine milk, the profile of the mean concentrations showed greater levels of spermine than spermidine, except for the 5th day post-partum. These data suggest that goat colostrum and ewe milk (15th day) could be considered as good natural sources for these bioactive growth factors, and may become useful raw materials for designing tailored dairy products for specific population groups.

Correlation of 2nd trimester amniotic fluid amino acid profile with gestational age and estimated fetal weight

Objectives. Our aim was to identify and quantitate free amino acids in human amniotic fluid (AF) specimens collected during 2nd trimester amniocentesis and determine the correlation between amino acid concentrations, gestational age, and estimated fetal weight. Methods. Seventy-eight AF samples were retrieved between 18 and 22 weeks of gestation. Fetal weight estimation was based on fetal biometric measurements. Results. Twenty-one amino acids were quantified. The concentration of glutamine exhibited the greatest correlation with gestational age (r = 0.477, p < 0.01). Additionally, significant negative correlations were recorded between gestational age and levels of alanine, proline, lysine, valine, taurine, leucine, glutamic acid, tyrosine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, ornithine, methionine, and tryptophane (p < 0.05). After adjusting for maternal age, fetal gender, intervals between consecutive pregnancies, pre-pregnancy body mass index, and smoking during pregnancy the strength of the correlation for proline and lysine decreased. A stepwise multiple linear regression model including gestational age as a first level predictor of fetal weight indicated that lysine and cysteine concentrations were additional predictors. Conclusions. Our results suggest that AF amino acids are crucial for fetal growth. Our purpose was not to establish an immediate diagnostic application. However, further exploration is likely to be fruitful, especially in high-risk pregnancies.

Development and Validation of a Mediterranean Oriented Culture-Specific Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire

The objectives were to develop a Mediterranean oriented semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and evaluate its validity in measuring energy and nutrient intakes. For FFQ development, the main challenge was to merge food items and practices reflecting cultural Mediterranean preferences with other food choices ensuing from diet transition to more westernized dietary patterns. FFQ validity was evaluated by comparing nutrient intakes against the average of two 24-h dietary recalls for 179 pregnant women. Although the mean intake values for most nutrients and energy tended to be higher when determined by the FFQ, the Cohen’s d was below 0.3. Bland-Altman plots confirmed the agreement between the two methods. Positive significant correlations ranged from 0.35 to 0.77. The proportion of women classified correctly was between 73.2% and 92.2%, whereas gross misclassification was low. Weighted kappa values were between 0.31 and 0.78, while intraclass correlation coefficients were between 0.49 and 0.89. Our methodological approach for the development and validation of this FFQ provides reliable measurements of energy, macro- and micronutrient intakes. Overall, our culture-specific FFQ could serve as a useful assessment tool in studies aiming at monitoring dietary intakes, especially in the Mediterranean region, where countries share common cultural dietary habits.

Glycoproteins in the heat- and acid-stable fraction of ovine milk

Affinity chromatography on a concanavalin A-Sepharose support was used to isolate two glycoprotein fractions from a heat- and acid-stable fraction of ovine milk. One of these glycoprotein fractions was purified by rechromatography on DEAE-cellulose to essentially a pure protein yielding a single band on gel electrophoresis. The apparent Mr of this glycoprotein (GP2) as estimated by electrophoresis was 5,500. It contained 8.88% carbohydrate and 0.61% P. The other glycoprotein fraction (GP3) contained 0.53% P and 17.76% carbohydrate including sialic acid, mannose, galactose, fucose, galactosamine and glucosamine. It appeared on electrophoresis in acrylamide gels as a slow-moving broad band. On similar treatment in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate it revealed four glycoprotein zones with apparent Mr of 15,200, 18,300, 23,500 and 25,300. Both GP2 and GP3 contained low amounts of aromatic and sulphur-containing amino acid residues and large amounts of Asp, Glu, Ser and Leu. GP3 is similar in some respects to the bovine milk heat-and acid-stable fraction constituent, component 3.

An exploratory study of dietary intake patterns among adults diagnosed with cardiovascular risk factors

Abstract The objective of the present exploratory study was to assess compliance with the nutrient recommendations among a convenience sample of adults diagnosed with cardiovascular risk factors in northern Greece and evaluate their dietary intake patterns. Ninety-two people participated in this cross-sectional study. Dietary assessment was carried out using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Principal components analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were adopted to obtain dietary patterns and classify individuals with similar dietary behaviour. HCA, performed on the factorial scores obtained from PCA, revealed a 4-group interpretable and statistically significant clustering of participants. For all clusters, the mean daily intake for saturated fatty acids was more than 10% of total calories, while the mean sodium intake was above 1500 mg; additionally, a relatively low mean Mediterranean diet score was recorded. Dietary interventions should be considered to raise awareness and expand knowledge on the nutritional and functional benefits of heart-healthy foods.

1 H NMR-based metabolomics reveals the effect of maternal habitual dietary patterns on human amniotic fluid profile

Maternal diet may influence offspring’s health, even within well-nourished populations. Amniotic fluid (AF) provides a rational compartment for studies on fetal metabolism. Evidence in animal models indicates that maternal diet affects AF metabolic profile; however, data from human studies are scarce. Therefore, we have explored whether AF content may be influenced by maternal diet, using a validated food-frequency questionnaire and implementing NMR-based metabolomics. Sixty-five AF specimens, from women undergoing second-trimester amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis, were analysed. Complementary, maternal serum and urine samples were profiled. Hierarchical cluster analysis identified 2 dietary patterns, cluster 1 (C1, n = 33) and cluster 2 (C2, n = 32). C1 was characterized by significantly higher percentages of energy derived from refined cereals, yellow cheese, red meat, poultry, and “ready-to-eat” foods, while C2 by higher (P < 0.05) whole cereals, vegetables, fruits, legumes, and nuts. 1H NMR spectra allowed the identification of metabolites associated with these dietary patterns; glucose, alanine, tyrosine, valine, citrate, cis-acotinate, and formate were the key discriminatory metabolites elevated in C1 AF specimens. This is the first evidence to suggest that the composition of AF is influenced by maternal habitual dietary patterns. Our results highlight the need to broaden the knowledge on the importance of maternal nutrition during pregnancy.

Changing Trends in Nutritional Behavior among University Students in Greece, between 2006 and 2016

The objective of the present survey was to study the dietary behavior of university students residing away from the family home. In this context, we (a) compared their dietary habits in two time periods, namely 2006 and 2016; and (b) explored the possible impact of gender on the behavioral changes in nutritional choices. A total of four hundred and five university students (2006, n = 242; 2016, n = 163) participated in the study. Dietary assessment was carried out using a qualitative Food Frequency Questionnaire, while data about demographic and lifestyle factors were also collected. Students’ dietary habits have been modified in a generally desirable direction, as reflected, e.g., in the elevated consumption of several plant-based foods. Gender was also significantly associated with Body Mass Index (BMI) and changes in dietary attitudes. Possible reasons for the transition towards healthier and more balanced dietary habits could involve the budgetary constraints facing Greece in the last decade, as well as increasing nutritional awareness and other socio-cultural factors characterizing this target group. A deeper understanding of these relations would be crucial to foster nutritional education and further enhance the effectiveness of health promotion campaigns.

Second trimester amniotic fluid uric acid, potassium, and cysteine to methionine ratio levels as possible signs of early preeclampsia: A case report

OBJECTIVE The precise etiopathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE) still remains enigmatic. In recent published work, there is a scientific trend aiming to unveil early biomarkers of PE based on amniotic fluid compositional changes before the development of clinical symptoms. CASE REPORT We describe a case of an apparently clinically healthy woman, whose amniotic fluid, retrieved after amniocentesis at 222/7 gestational week, had elevated uric acid and potassium concentration, as well as cysteine to methionine ratio. At the time of amniocentesis, conventional clinical signs of PE were absent. The woman developed severe PE and intrauterine growth restriction, at the 280/7 week of gestation. CONCLUSION Although the limitation of such studies lies in the fact that amniocentesis is an invasive procedure, and thus employed only under specific indications, our scientific observations might be useful for future research towards unraveling the causes of PE.