Assessement of Nutritional Status of Households Using Weighed Food Intake in North West Region of Cameroon

This study determined the nutritional status of households in North western region of Cameroon using weighed food intake. Twenty–two rural and 106 urban households were randomly selected for weighed food intake Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze collected data and significance at p < 0.05 accepted. Corn fufu with huckleberry was the most frequently consumed meal with little or no animal-source protein. Protein and B group vitamins intake of respondents in both communities were below the FAO/WHO recommended values while energy, iron, and vitamins A and C were in excess for most age groups. Adolescents 10 - 19 years and adults 20 years and above failed to meet at least 85% of RNI for calcium.

J-shaped association between dietary thiamine intake and the risk of cognitive decline in cognitively healthy,older Chinese individuals

Background The prospective association of dietary thiamine intake with the risk of cognitive decline among the general older adults remains uncertain.Aims To investigate the association between dietary thiamine intake and cognitive decline in cognitively healthy,older Chinese individuals.Methods The study included a total of 3106 participants capable of completing repeated cognitive function tests.Dietary nutrient intake information was collected through 3-day dietary recalls and using a 3-day food-weighed method to assess cooking oil and condiment consumption.Cognitive decline was defined as the 5-year decline rate in global or composite cognitive scores based on a subset of items from the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status-modified.Results The median follow-up duration was 5.9 years.There was a J-shaped relationship between dietary thiamine intake and the 5-year decline rate in global and composite cognitive scores,with an inflection point of 0.68 mg/day(95%confidence interval(Cl):0.56 to 0.80)and a minimal risk at 0.60-1.00 mg/day of dietary thiamine intake.Before the inflection point,thiamine intake was not significantly associated with cognitive decline.Beyond the inflection point,each unit increase in thiamine intake(mg/day)was associated with a significant decrease of 4.24(95%Cl:2.22 to 6.27)points in the global score and 0.49(95%Cl:0.23 to 0.76)standard units in the composite score within 5 years.A stronger positive association between thiamine intake and cognitive decline was observed in those with hypertension,obesity and those who were non-smokers(all p<0.05).Conclusions This study revealed a J-shaped association between dietary thiamine intake and cognitive decline in cognitively healthy,older Chinese individuals,with an inflection point at 0.68 mg/day and a minimal risk at 0.60-1.00 mg/day of dietary thiamine intake.

Excess dietary Lys reduces feed intake, stimulates jejunal CCK secretion and alters essential and non‑essential blood AA profile in pigs

Background Commercial diets are frequently formulated to meet or exceed nutrient levels including those of lim-iting essential amino acids(AA)covering potential individual variations within the herd.However,the provision of dietary excess of AA,such as Lys,may lead to reduced appetite and growth in pigs.The mechanisms modulat-ing these responses have not been extensively investigated.This study evaluated the effect of Lys dietary excesses on performance and satiety biomarkers in post weaning pigs.Methods Twenty-four pigs aged 21 d and weighing 6.81±0.12kg(mean±SEM)were individually housed and offered 1 of 4 dietary treatments for 3weeks:a diet containing a standardized ileal digestible Lys reaching 100%(T0),120%(T1),150%(T2)or 200%(T3)of the NRC(2012)requirements.At the end of the experiment,blood samples from the cephalic vein of the T0 and T3 groups were obtained for AA analysis.In addition,primary intestinal cultures from T0 pigs were used,following their humane killing,to evaluate the effect of Lys on gut hormone secretion and AA sensors gene expression under ex vivo conditions.Results Feed intake was linearly reduced(P<0.001)and the weight gain to feed ratio reduced(P<0.10)with increased dietary levels of Lys during the third-and first-week post weaning,respectively.Cholecystokinin con-centration(P<0.05)and the metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 and the solute carrier family 7 member 2(P<0.10)gene expression was enhanced in proximal jejunum tissues incubated with Lys at 20mmol/L when compared to the control(Lys 0mmol/L).Plasma Lys and Glu(P<0.05)concentration increased in the T3 compared to T0 pigs.In contrast,plasma levels of His,Val,Thr,Leu(P<0.05)and Gln(P<0.10)were lower in T3 than T0 pigs.Conclusion The present results confirm that excess dietary Lys inhibits hunger in pigs.Moreover,the results provide evidence of pre-and post-absorptive mechanisms modulating these responses.Lys dietary excesses should be nar-rowed,when possible,to avoid negative effects of the AA on appetite in pigs.

Barriers and Motivators of Young Dutch Elite Athletes for Optimizing Their Nutritional Intake

Many young elite athletes do not meet their daily energy and nutrient requirements. However, little research has been done on why these athletes do not meet their daily needs. The aim was to research the barriers and motivators of young Dutch elite athletes to optimize their nutritional intake. Quantitative and qualitative research was conducted among 8 handball and 4 volleyball players at the Dutch National Sports Center (17.2 ± 0.8 years). First, the nutritional intake was tracked through food diaries and analyzed in Nutritics. Thereupon, five semi-structured interviews based on the COM-B model were carried out. The interviews were transcribed and coded. The athletes had a reduced intake of energy, carbohydrates, vitamins A, C, E, D, calcium, potassium, zinc, and iron compared to their requirements. Seven themes for optimizing their nutritional intake emerged in the interviews: needs assessment, practical translation, portion size, lack of time, involvement, individuality, and food distribution. Barriers that the athletes experienced were that they did not know what their total daily nutritional needs were and how this translates into practice. In addition, the portion size at dinner was too small. They also had little time to eat a full meal due to time pressure from training and school. On the other hand, motivators were receiving meal options to translate their needs into practice with a distribution of moments when they need to eat. Covering these topics in nutritional workshops where athletes actively participate with more individual focus, could contribute to the optimization of their nutritional intake.

Mendelian randomization analysis of causal relationship between cheese intake and diabetic retinopathy

AIM:To assess whether there is a possible causal link between the intake of cheese and the risk of diabetic retinopathy(DR)utilizing a two-sample Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis.METHODS:The research data were obtained from summary statistics of genome-wide association studies(GWAS).Genetic loci closely related to cheese intake were extracted as instrumental variables(IVs),and DR was the outcome variable.The data were extracted from individuals of European ethnicity.The data of cheese intake consisted of 451486 samples with 9851867 single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs),while the DR data consisted of 206234 samples with 16380446 SNPs.Sixty-one genetic loci closely related to cheese intake were selected as IVs.MR analysis was performed by inverse-variance weighted(IVW)method and MR-Egger regression respectively.The causal relationship between cheese intake and DR was evaluated using odds ratios(ORs)and 95%confidence intervals(CIs).Egger-intercept test was used to test horizontal pleiotropy and sensitivity analysis was performed by leave-one-out test.RESULTS:The P value of the IVW method was less than 0.05,indicating a significant negative correlation between cheese intake and DR.MR-Egger regression showed that the intercept was 0.01 with a standard error of 0.022,and a P-value of 0.634,indicating no evidence of horizontal pleiotropy affecting the IVs related to the exposure factors.Besides,heterogeneity tests confirmed the absence of heterogeneity,and the“leave-one-out”sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the results were stable.CONCLUSION:Cheese intake is causally negatively correlated with the occurrence of DR,and cheese intake could reduce the risk of DR.

Reducing Effect of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R. Br. ex G. Don Fruit Pulp on Food Intake in Healthy NMRI Mice

Obesity is a chronic condition characterised by excess body fat that leads to increased body weight. One of the most effective ways to treat obesity is to use appetite suppressants to reduce food intake. This study aimed to evaluate in vivo reduction of food intake and weight gain caused by Parkia biglobosa (Pb) fruit pulp. Twenty-four healthy NMRI mice divided into four groups were used for the experiment. Group 1, considered the negative control, received distilled water. Groups 2, 3, and 4 were administered daily with 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight of Pb fruit pulp powder suspension, respectively. The reduction in food intake was assessed in two phases: acute food intake for one day (24 h) and long-term food intake for seven weeks. Nutrient parameters and phenolic compounds in Pb fruit pulp were quantified. The results showed that Pb fruit pulp had a significant effect on reducing acute food intake. At a dose of 250 mg/kg, Pb had the best activity in reducing acute food intake, with an overall reduction rate of approximately 47.98% ± 1.17% compared to the control. Repeated daily administration inhibited food intake with all three doses for 13 days compared to control. Food intake was significantly decreased for up to 31 days by taking a 100 mg/kg dose of Pb (p = 0.0174). Weight gain was significantly lower (p = 0.0003) in mice treated with 100 mg/kg Pb than in controls at the end of 7 weeks. According to the nutritional composition study, Pb fruit pulp contains an abundance of total carbohydrates (68.81% ± 0.32%) and crude fiber (14.35% ± 0.21%). This study demonstrated that Pb fruit pulp effectively reduces food intake in healthy mice. Pb pulp’s richness in crude fiber and phenolic compounds makes it a potential aid in managing obesity.

Hydrodynamic characteristics and particle tracking of 90° lateral intakes at an inclined river slope

Lateral intakes are common in rivers.The pump effciency and sediment deposition are determined by the local hydrodynamic characteristics and mainstream division width.The hydraulic characteristics of lateral withdrawal from inclined river slopes at different intake elevations should be investigated.Meanwhile,the division width exhibits significant vertical non-uniformity at an inclined river slope,which should be clarified.Hence,a three-dimensional(3-D)hydrodynamic and particle-tracking model was developed with the Open Source Field Operation and Manipulation(Open FOAM),and the model was validated with physical model tests for 90°lateral withdrawal from an inclined side bank.The flow fields,withdrawal sources,and division widths were investigated with different intake bottom elevations,withdrawal discharges,and main channel velocities.This study showed that under inclined side bank conditions,water entered the intake at an oblique angle,causing significant 3-D spiral flows in the intake rather than two-dimensional closed recirculation.A lower withdrawal discharge,a lower bottom elevation of the intake,or a higher main channel velocity could further strengthen this phenomenon.The average division width and turbulent kinetic energy were smaller under inclined side bank conditions than under vertical bank conditions.With a low intake bottom elevation,a low withdrawal discharge,or a high main channel velocity,the sources of lateral withdrawal were in similar ranges near the local inclined bank in the vertical direction.Under inclined slope conditions,sediment deposition near the intake entrance could be reduced,compared to that under vertical slope conditions.The results provide hydrodynamic and sediment references for engineering designs for natural rivers with inclined terrains.

Despite being negative, the indicators for business situation and order intake improved in January 2024

The last ITMF Global Textile Industry Survey(GTIS) was conducted in January 2024.It revealed a significant improvement in the business climate,signaling a potential turning point driven by better inflation rates,increased real wages,and consumer sentiment in the USA,alongside expectations of interest rate cuts.Business expectations for July 2024 reached a peak unmet since late 2021,fueled by improved order intakes and a more optimistic consumer demand outlook,despite ongoing cost concerns.Order intake began showing recovery signs,with notable increases across regions except East Asia,particularly in North&Central America and South America.

Lack of a causal relationship between tea intake and sleep disorders: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study

Background:The relationship between tea intake(TI)and sleep disorders(SDs)has been a topic of interest for some time,but there remains a lack of data showing a causal relationship.We aimed to use a two-sample Mendelian randomization study to determine whether there is a causal link between TI and SDs.Methods:We collected data regarding TI,with a focus on green tea intake(GTI),herbal tea intake(HTI),and rooibos tea intake(RTI);and data regarding SDs and insomnia from genome-wide association studies.We analyzed these data using an inverse variance-weighted two-sample Mendelian randomization study,by means of the TwoSampleMR package in R4.2.3 software.Results:We found no genetic causal relationships of TI,GTI,HTI,or RTI with insomnia.The odds ratios(ORs)for these relationships were as follows:TI:OR=0.61,95%confidence interval(CI):0.29–1.28;GTI:OR=1.04,95%CI:0.95–1.14;HTI:OR=0.98,95%CI:0.82–1.17;and RTI:OR=1.04,95%CI:0.99–1.09.In addition,there were no genetic causal relationships of TI,GTI,HTI,or RTI with SDs.The OR values for these relationships were as follows:TI:OR=0.6,95%CI:0.34–1.06;GTI:OR=1,95%CI:0.93–1.07;HTI:OR=0.89,95%CI:0.66–1.2;and RTI:OR=1.02,95%CI:0.98–1.06.Conclusion:We found no causal relationships of TI with SDs or insomnia,irrespective of the type of tea consumed.However,additional Mendelian randomization studies are required to further explore the relationships of the timing and quantity of tea consumption with SDs and insomnia.

Laser Measurement and Intensity Evaluation of Intake Swirl in Engine Using a Water Analog

The intake swirl in the cylinder was induced by a swirler which was fixed in one of two intake ports. In order to understand the characteristics of the intake swirl, a transparent water analog was designed which simulated 150 type single cylinder engine. At the same time, the particle image velocimetry was used to measure the flow fields induced by various swirlers in the analog. After measurement, a new method was presented to evaluate the intensity of the intake swirl. Then, when the measured sections, the lifts of valve and the swirlers were different, the calculated results of the flow field were compared.

From Input to Output-Exploring the Role of Intake in English Learning

This paper aims to explore the role of intake in second language learning.Based on her literature review and the case of an English lesson in a Chinese secondary school,the author argues that L2 acquisition does not take place directly from input to output.In each sqecific part of L2 acquisition process,intake plays various important roles such as filtering,facilitating in comprehensible input and processing in pushed output.In the Chinese foreign language teaching context,it is also found that L2 acquisition is an arduous task for learners to extract information from the input,utilize it in forming a grammar and produce target language forms accurately and fluently.It is the same with L2 teachers who need to play their roles of a controller,a corrector,an organizer and a prompter in the learning process.

The Association of Maternal Body Composition and Dietary Intake with the Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus during the Second Trimester in a Cohort of Chinese Pregnant Women

Objective To investigate the association of maternal body composition and dietary intake with the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus （GDM）. Methods A total 154 GDM subjects and 981 controls were enrolled in a prospective cohort study in 11 hospitals from May 20, 2012 to December 31, 2013. Bioelectrical impedance analysis and dietary surveys were used to determine body composition and to evaluate the intake of nutrients in subjects at 21-24 weeks＇ gestation （WG）. Logistic regression analysis was applied to explore the relationships of maternal body composition and dietary intake with the risk of GDIVl morbidity. Results Age, pre-pregnant body weight （BW）, and body mass index （BMI） were associated with increased risk of GDM. Fat mass （FM）, fat mass percentage （FMP）, extracellular water （ECW）, BMI, BW, energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrates at 21-24 WG were associated with an increased risk of GDM. In contrast, fat free mass （FFM）, muscular mass （MM）, and intracellular water （ICW） were associated with a decreased risk of GDM. Conclusion Maternal body composition and dietary intake during the second trimester of pregnancy were associated with the risk of GDM morbidity.

Gating system optimization of low pressure casting A356 aluminum alloy intake manifold based on numerical simulation

To eliminate the shrinkage porosity in low pressure casting of an A356 aluminum alloy intake manifold casting, numerical simulation on fi lling and solidifi cation processes of the casting was carried out using the ProCAST software. The gating system of the casting is optimized according to the simulation results. Results show that when the gating system consists of only one sprue, the fi lling of the molten metal is not stable; and the casting does not follow the sequence solidifi cation, and many shrinkage porosities are observed through the casting. After the gating system is improved by adding one runner and two in-gates, the fi lling time is prolonged from 4.0 s to 4.5 s, the fi lling of molten metal becomes stable, but this casting does not follow the sequence solidifi cation either. Some shrinkage porosity is also observed in the hot spots of the casting. When the gating system was further improved by adding risers and chill to the hot spots of the casting, the shrinkage porosity defects were eliminated completely. Finally, by using the optimized gating system the A356 aluminum alloy intake manifold casting with integrated shape and smooth surface as well as dense microstructure was successfully produced.

Intake of Volatile N-nitrosamines and Their Ability to Exogenously Synthesize in the Diet of Inhabitants from High-risk Area of Esophageal Cancer in Southern China

Objective Nan'ao County in Guandong Province is a high-risk area of esophageal cancer in Southern China. Of the suspected etiological factors in the environment, N-nitrosamines and their precursors have received the greatest attention. Methods Sixty samples of the diet ingested by the inhabitants were collected and detected for volatile N-nitrosamines and their precursors. Five N-nitrosamines detected by Gas Chromatography-Thermal Energy Analyzer were N-nitrosodimethylamine, N-nitrosodiethylamine, N-nitrosopyrrolidine, N-nitrosopiperidine and N-nitrosomethyl-benzylamine. Results The average content of 5 volatile N-nitrosamines in the diet was 312.0 μg/kg (median). The daily intake of the nitrosamines was 286.5 μg/head/day. Only the ability to exogenously synthesize N-nitrosopiperidine was powerful among 5 volatile N-nitrosamines. By a computerized stepwise regression analysis and curve fitting, we studied the correlation among the nitrosamines, the precursors and the major food items in the samples. Conclusion It demonstrated that a relatively high content of volatile N-nitrosamines was present in the diet collected in the area.

Use of the N-alkanes to Estimate Intake, Apparent Digestibility and Diet Composition in Sheep Grazing on Stipa brevifl ora Desert Steppe

The application of n-alkane as markers to estimate herbage intake, apparent digestibility and species composition of diet consumed by grazing sheep was studied. Six local Mongolian sheep were used to determine dry matter （DM） intake, apparent DM digestibility and species composition of diet during summer, autumn and winter. Animals were orally dosed twice daily with n-alkane gelatin capsules containing 60 mg C32-alkane as an external marker. Diet composition was estimated by comparing the odd-chain n-alkanes pattern profile （C27-C31） of the consumed plant species with the n-alkanes fecal concentrations of grazing animals, using a non-negative least squares algorithm called EATWHAT software package. The alkane pair C32：C33 and C33 alkane were used to estimate DM intake and diet apparent DM digestibility, respectively. The results showed that daily dry matter intake of the sheep were 1.77, 1.61 and 1.18 kg d-1 in summer, autumn and winter, respectively. Apparent DM digestibility, crude protein （CP）, metabolizable energy （ME） and neutral detergent fiber （NDF） intake of diet consumed by sheep decreased significantly （P〈0.01） from summer to winter, with no evident changes in ADF and ADL intake. Diet composition indicated Artemisia frigida Willd was the most dominant diet component, contributed 79.68, 68.12 and 86.26% of sheep＇s diets in summer, autumn and winter, respectively. Cleistogenes songorica Ohwi and Convolvulus arnmannii Desr were the important components of the diet. Although Stipa breviflora Griseb is one of the main plant species in the study area, the sheep rarely choosed it. The study indicated that CP and ME in diet consumed by sheep were deficient in winter. Therefore, appropriate supplementation strategies should be indispensable during this period.

Association of Dietary Carotenoids Intake with Skeletal Fluorosis in the Coal-burning Fluorosis Area of Guizhou Province

Objective To explore whether the intake of dietary carotenoids could protect against skeletal fluorosis in Guizhou province in which coal-burning fluorosis is endemic. Methods A case-control study of 196 patients with skeletal fluorosis and 196 age and gender-matched controls was conducted in Zhijin, Guizhou Province. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to assess habitual dietary intake using a 75-item food frequency questionnaire and various covariates with structured questionnaires. Urinary fluoride was measured using an ion-selective electrode method. The genotype of superoxide dismutase 2（SOD2） rs11968525 was detected by Taq Man method. Results We observed significant dose-dependent inverse associations of skeletal fluorosis with intake of β-carotene, lutein/zeaxanthin, lycopene, and total carotenoids（P-trend = 0.002 to 0.018）, whereas α-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin intakes were not found to be related to skeletal fluorosis, after adjustment for potential confounders. The adjusted ORs and 95% CI of skeletal fluorosis for the highest versus lowest quartile were 0.30（0.10, 0.86） for β-carotene, 0.23（0.08, 0.66） for lycopene, 0.26（0.10, 0.75） for lutein/zeaxanthin and 0.34（0.14, 0.74） for total carotenoids（all P-trend ＆lt; 0.05）. Stratified analyses showed that the protective effects of lutein/zeaxanthin and total carotenoids on skeletal fluorosis were more evident for individuals with the AG＋AA genotypes of SOD2（rs11968525）. Conclusion Increased intakes of β-carotene, lutein/zeaxanthin, lycopene, and total carotenoids are independently associated with a lower risk of coal-burning skeletal fluorosis. SOD2（rs11968525） polymorphisms might modify the inverse associations between dietary carotenoids and skeletal fluorosis.

Relatively High Bone Mineral Density in Chinese Adolescent Dancers Despite Lower Energy Intake and Menstrual Disorder

Objective The effect of dietary restriction, intense exercise and menstrual dysfunction on bone mineral density remains controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the skeletal health status and relationship between bone mineral density and nutrient intake, menstrual status, estrogen level and other factos in Chinese adolescent dancers. Methods Sixty dancers and 77 healthy controls underwent measurements of bone density, body composition, and estrogen level. Nutrient intake, menstrual status and physical activity were assessed with questionnaires. The correlation between these factors were analyzed. Results The dancers under study had a significantly lean body mass index （18.3±1.4 kg/m^2 vs. 21.7±3.1 kg/m^2）, lower percentage of body fat （0.25±0.05 vs. 0.34±0.04） and later age at menarche （14.0±0.9 y vs. 13.0±1.3 y）, and the estrogen level, daily calorie and fat intake in them were also lower than in the controls. All the dancers undertook intensive physical activity every day and up to 69% of them suffered from irregular menarche. Yet they had relatively high BMD and BMC of the total body and legs than the controls after adjusting for BM1 and age. Site-specific BMD was positively correlated to BMI, body composition and training hours per week and negatively correlated to the age at menarche and menstrual frequency. Conclusions The relatively high BMD and BMC of the dancers at the total body and legs were probably caused by high levels of weight-bearing physical activity. To ameliorate disordered eating, especially low energy intake might be helpful to prevent the Triad and to improve the bone health in adolescent dancers.

Nitrogen partitioning and microbial protein synthesis in lactating dairy cows with different phenotypic residual feed intake

Background: Residual feed intake(RFI) is an inheritable measure of feed efficiency that is independent on level of production. However, physiological and metabolic mechanisms underlying divergent RFI are not fully elucidated.This study was conducted to investigate dietary nitrogen(N) partitioning and microbial protein synthesis in lactating dairy cows divergent in phenotypic RFI.Results: Thirty Holstein dairy cows(milk yield = 35.3 ± 4.71 kg/d;milk protein yield = 1.18 ± 0.13 kg/d;mean ± standard deviation) were selected for the experiment to derive RFI. After the RFI measurement period of 50 d, the 10 lowest RFI cows and 8 highest RFI cows were selected. The low RFI cows had lower dry matter intake(DMI, P < 0.05) than the high RFI cows, but they produced similar energy-corrected milk. The ratios of milk to DMI(1.41 vs. 1.24, P < 0.01) and energy-corrected milk to DMI(1.48 vs. 1.36, P < 0.01) were greater in low RFI cows than those in the high RFI cows. The low RFI cows had lower milk urea nitrogen than that in the high RFI cows(P = 0.05). Apparent digestibility of nutrients did not differ between two groups(P > 0.10). Compared with high RFI animals, the low RFI cows had a lower retention of N(5.72 vs. 51.4 g/d, P < 0.05) and a higher partition of feed N to milk N(29.7% vs. 26.5%, P < 0.05).Conclusions: The results suggest that differences in N partition, synthesis of microbial protein, and utilization of metabolizable protein could be part of the mechanisms associated with variance in the RFI.

Association of Red Meat Usual Intake with Serum Ferritin and the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in Chinese Adults: A Longitudinal Study from the China Health and Nutrition Survey

Objective The present study aimed to investigate the association of red meat usual intake with metabolic syndrome(Met S),and explore the contribution of red meat usual intake to serum ferritin.Methods Based on the data from the longitudinal China Health and Nutrition Survey(CHNS),2,797 healthy adults aged 18–75 years without hypertension,diabetes,and Met S were selected in 2009 as subjects and follow-up studies were carried out till 2015.We used the National Cancer Institute(NCI)method to estimate the usual intake of foods.Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to evaluate the association between red meat usual intake and the risk of Met S.Quantile regression analysis was used to study the relationship between red meat consumption and serum ferritin levels.Results After adjusting for potential confounders,red meat,and fresh red meat were positively associated with the risk of Met S(RR=1.41,95%CI:1.05–1.90 and RR=1.37,95%CI:1.02–1.85,respectively).These relationships showed increasing trend(P<0.05).The level of serum ferritin increased significantly with the number of Met S components(P<0.05).The quantile regression analysis showed that red meat and fresh red meat usual intake had a significant positive association with serum ferritin levels across the entire conditional serum ferritin distribution(P<0.05).Processed red meat did not exhibit a similar association.Conclusion Higher red meat usual intake was associated with an increased risk of Met S and elevated serum ferritin levels.

Nitrosamine and related food intake and gastric and oesophageal cancer risk: A systematic review of the epidemiological evidence

AIM： To study the association between nitrite and nitrosamine intake and gastric cancer （GC）, between meat and processed meat intake, GC and oesophageal cancer （OC）, and between preserved fish, vegetable and smoked food intake and GC. METHODS： In this article we reviewed all the published cohort and case-control studies from 1985-2005, and analyzed the relationship between nitrosamine and nitrite intake and the most important related food intake （meat and processed meat, preserved vegetables and fish, smoked foods and beer drinking） and GC or OC risk. Sixty-one studies, 11 cohorts and 50 case-control studies were included. RESULTS： Evidence from case-control studies supported an association between nitrite and nitrosamine intake with GC but evidence was insufficient in relation to OC. A high proportion of case-control studies found a positive association with meat intake for both tumours （11 of 16 studies on GC and 11 of 18 studies on OC）. A relatively large number of case-control studies showed quite consistent results supporting a positive association between processed meat intake and GC and OC risk （10 of 14 studies on GC and 8 of 9 studies on OC）. Almost all the case-control studies found a positive and significant association between preserved fish, vegetable and smoked food intake and GC. The evidence regarding OC was more limited. Overall the evidence from cohort studies was insufficient or more inconsistent than that from case-control studies.CONCLUSION： The available evidence supports a positive association between nitrite and nitrosamine intake and GC, between meat and processed meat intake and GC and OC, and between preserved fish, vegetable and smoked food intake and GC, but is not conclusive.