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Ismail S, Eljazzar S, Ganji V. Intended and Unintended Benefits of Folic Acid Fortification-A Narrative Review. Foods 2023; 12:foods12081612. [PMID: 37107407 PMCID: PMC10137700 DOI: 10.3390/foods12081612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Inadequate folate intake during pregnancy is the leading cause of the development of neural tube defects (NTDs) in newborns. For this reason, mandatory fortification of folic acid, a synthetic, easily bioavailable form, in processed cereals and cereal products has been implemented in the US since 1 January 1998 to reduce the risk of NTD in newborn children. This report aimed to review the literature related to the impact of mandated folic acid fortification on the intended and unintended benefits to health. Potential adverse effects were also discussed. We searched Pubmed, Google Scholar, Embase, SCOPUS, and Cochrane databases for reports. About 60 reports published between January 1998 and December 2022 were reviewed, summarized, and served as background for this review. The intended benefit was decreased prevalence of NTDs, while unintended benefits were reduction in anemia, blood serum homocysteine, and the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Potential issues with folic acid fortification are the presence of unmetabolized folic acid in circulation, increased risk of cancer, and the masking of vitamin B-12 deficiency. From a health perspective, it is important to monitor the impact of folic acid fortification periodically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shrooq Ismail
- Human Nutrition Department, College of Health Science, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Sereen Eljazzar
- Human Nutrition Department, College of Health Science, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Vijay Ganji
- Human Nutrition Department, College of Health Science, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
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Li A, Wang M, Zhang Y, Lin Z, Xu M, Wang L, Kulyar MFEA, Li J. Complete genome analysis of Bacillus subtilis derived from yaks and its probiotic characteristics. Front Vet Sci 2023; 9:1099150. [PMID: 36713867 PMCID: PMC9875379 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1099150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Probiotics have attracted attention due to their multiple health benefits to the host. Yaks inhabiting the Tibetan plateau exhibit excellent disease resistance and tolerance, which may be associated with their inner probiotics. Currently, research on probiotics mainly focuses on their positive effects on the host, but information regarding their genome remains unclear. To reveal the potential functional genes of Bacillus subtilis isolated from yaks, we sequenced its whole genome. Results indicated that the genomic length of Bacillus subtilis was 866,044,638 bp, with 4,429 coding genes. The genome of this bacteria was composed of one chromosome and one plasmid with lengths of 4,214,774 and 54,527 bp, respectively. Moreover, Bacillus subtilis contained 86 tRNAs, 27 rRNAs (9 16S_rRNA, 9 23S_rRNA, and 9 5S_rRNA), and 114 other ncRNA. KEGG annotation indicated that most genes in Bacillus subtilis were associated with biosynthesis of amino acids, carbon metabolism, purine metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, and ABC transporters. GO annotation demonstrated that most genes in Bacillus subtilis were related to nucleic acid binding transcription factor activity, transporter activity, antioxidant activity, and biological adhesion. EggNOG uncovered that most genes in Bacillus subtilis were related to energy production and conversion, amino acid transport and metabolism, carbohydrate transport and metabolism. CAZy annotation found glycoside hydrolases (33.65%), glycosyl transferases (22.11%), polysaccharide lyases (3.84%), carbohydrate esterases (14.42%), auxiliary activities (3.36%), and carbohydrate-binding modules (22.59%). In conclusion, this study investigated the genome and genetic properties of Bacillus subtilis derived from yaks, which contributed to understanding the potential prebiotic mechanism of probiotics from the genetic perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aoyun Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Meng Wang
- College of Animal Science, Wenzhou Vocational College of Science and Technology, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhengrong Lin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Mengen Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lei Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Muhammad Fakhar-e-Alam Kulyar
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China,Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiakui Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China,College of Animals Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry University, Linzhi, China,*Correspondence: Jiakui Li ✉
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Chouraqui JP. Dietary Approaches to Iron Deficiency Prevention in Childhood—A Critical Public Health Issue. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14081604. [PMID: 35458166 PMCID: PMC9026685 DOI: 10.3390/nu14081604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron is an essential nutrient, and individual iron status is determined by the regulation of iron absorption, which is driven by iron requirements. Iron deficiency (ID) disproportionately affects infants, children, and adolescents, particularly those who live in areas with unfavorable socioeconomic conditions. The main reason for this is that diet provides insufficient bioavailable iron to meet their needs. The consequences of ID include poor immune function and response to vaccination, and moderate ID anemia is associated with depressed neurodevelopment and impaired cognitive and academic performances. The persistently high prevalence of ID worldwide leads to the need for effective measures of ID prevention. The main strategies include the dietary diversification of foods with more bioavailable iron and/or the use of iron-fortified staple foods such as formula or cereals. However, this strategy may be limited due to its cost, especially in low-income countries where biofortification is a promising approach. Another option is iron supplementation. In terms of health policy, the choice between mass and targeted ID prevention depends on local conditions. In any case, this remains a critical public health issue in many countries that must be taken into consideration, especially in children under 5 years of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Pierre Chouraqui
- Pediatric Nutrition and Gastroenterology Unit, Woman, Mother and Child Department, University Hospital of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
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