TY  - JOUR
A1  - Abebe, Zeweter
A1  - Haki, Gulelat Desse
A1  - Schweigert, Florian J.
A1  - Henkel, Ina M.
A1  - Baye, Kaleab
T1  - Low breastmilk vitamin A concentration is prevalent in rural Ethiopia
JF  - European journal of clinical nutrition
N2  - Background There is scant information on the breastmilk vitamin A (BMVA) concentration of lactating women in developing countries, partly due to lack of methods applicable in-field. Objective To assess BMVA concentrations of samples collected from lactating women of children aged 6-23 months, in Mecha district, Ethiopia. Subjects/methods Data on socio-demographic and anthropometric characteristics were collected from randomly selected lactating women (n = 104). Breast milk samples were collected and vitamin A concentrations were analyzed using HPLC and iCheck FLUORO then the two measurements were compared. Results The prevalence of underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m(2)) among lactating women was 17%. Seventy six percent of the BMVA values were < 1.05 mu mol/l and 81% were < 8 mu g/g fat. The mean BMVA concentration accounted to 41% of the estimated average value for mothers in developing countries. The BMVA values from HPLC and iCheck were correlated (r = 0.59, p = < 0.001), but it was not strong. Conclusions The result indicates the low vitamin A status of the lactating women and their children. It further indicates that intake assessments should not use average BMVA composition. The possibility of using iCheck for monitoring interventions designed to improve vitamin A status of lactating women with low BMVA requires further investigation.
Y1  - 2019
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-018-0334-4
SN  - 0954-3007
SN  - 1476-5640
VL  - 73
IS  - 8
SP  - 1110
EP  - 1116
PB  - Nature Publ. Group
CY  - London
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Alicke, Marie
A1  - Boakye-Appiah, Justice K.
A1  - Abdul-Jalil, Inusah
A1  - Henze, Andrea
A1  - van der Giet, Markus
A1  - Schulze, Matthias Bernd
A1  - Schweigert, Florian J.
A1  - Mockenhaupt, Frank P.
A1  - Bedu-Addo, George
A1  - Danquah, Ina
T1  - eAdolescent health in rural Ghana: A crosssectional study on the co-occurrence of infectious diseases, malnutrition and cardiometabolic risk factors
JF  - PLoS one
N2  - In sub-Saharan Africa, infectious diseases and malnutrition constitute the main health problems in children, while adolescents and adults are increasingly facing cardio-metabolic conditions. Among adolescents as the largest population group in this region, we investigated the co-occurrence of infectious diseases, malnutrition and cardio-metabolic risk factors (CRFs), and evaluated demographic, socio-economic and medical risk factors for these entities. In a cross-sectional study among 188 adolescents in rural Ghana, malarial infection, common infectious diseases and Body Mass Index were assessed. We measured ferritin, C-reactive protein, retinol, fasting glucose and blood pressure. Socio-demographic data were documented. We analyzed the proportions (95% confidence interval, CI) and the cooccurrence of infectious diseases (malaria, other common diseases), malnutrition (underweight, stunting, iron deficiency, vitamin A deficiency [VAD]), and CRFs (overweight, obesity, impaired fasting glucose, hypertension). In logistic regression, odds ratios (OR) and 95% CIs were calculated for the associations with socio-demographic factors. In this Ghanaian population (age range, 14.4-15.5 years; males, 50%), the proportions were for infectious diseases 45% (95% CI: 38-52%), for malnutrition 50% (43-57%) and for CRFs 16% (11- 21%). Infectious diseases and malnutrition frequently co-existed (28%; 21-34%). Specifically, VAD increased the odds of non-malarial infectious diseases 3-fold (95% CI: 1.03, 10.19). Overlap of CRFs with infectious diseases (6%; 2-9%) or with malnutrition (7%; 3-11%) was also present. Male gender and low socio-economic status increased the odds of infectious diseases and malnutrition, respectively. Malarial infection, chronic malnutrition and VAD remain the predominant health problems among these Ghanaian adolescents. Investigating the relationships with evolving CRFs is warranted.
Y1  - 2017
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0180436
SN  - 1932-6203
VL  - 12
SP  - 4463
EP  - 4477
PB  - PLoS
CY  - San Fransisco
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Andert, Christoph U.
A1  - Sanchaisuriya, Pattara
A1  - Sanchaisuriya, Kanokwan
A1  - Schelp, Frank P.
A1  - Schweigert, Florian J.
T1  - Nutritional status of pregnant women in Northeast Thailand
N2  - A comparative study on the nutritional status of primiparous and multiparous women in the first trimester of pregnancy was conducted in the northeastern province of Thailand, Khon Kaen, to investigate differences in protein- energy-mal nutrition, iron deficiency anaemia, vitamin A deficiency and carotenoid status between both parity groups. 94 subjects were recruited at first attendance of antenatal clinic. Data about weight, height, haemoglobin and haematocrit were obtained from hospital records. Anthropometric measurements of mid-upper arm circumference and triceps skinfold were done on a sub sample. Retinol, carotenoids and alpha-tocopherol were analysed using a reversed-phase high- performance liquid chromatography method. Ferritin, transthyretin and retinol-binding protein were determined by enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay. Primiparous women showed lower body mass index, mid-upper arm circumference, corrected arm muscle area (P <0.001) as well as lower retinol, cholesterol and triceps skinfold (P <0.05). After adjusting for age and socio-economical status the significant difference persisted for all parameters but triceps skinfold. No significant differences of alpha-tocopherol, serum proteins, carotenoids and iron indices could be observed, even though a tendency to higher values for ferritin, haemoglobin and haematocrit was shown in multiparous women. Prevalence of protein-energy- malnutrition (body mass index <18.5 kg/m(2)) in the primiparous group was significantly higher compared to the multiparous group (P<0.05). Prevalence of protein-energy-malnutrition, iron deficiency anaemia and vitamin A deficiency were 15.1%, 6.3% and 3.3%, respectively, in the total study population. No differences between parity groups could be observed for prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia and vitamin A deficiency
Y1  - 2006
UR  - http://www.healthyeatingclub.com/APJCN/
SN  - 0964-7058
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Baldermann, Susanne
A1  - Blagojevic, Lara
A1  - Frede, Katja
A1  - Klopsch, R.
A1  - Neugart, Susanne
A1  - Neumann, A.
A1  - Ngwene, Benard
A1  - Norkeweit, Jessica
A1  - Schroeter, D.
A1  - Schroeter, A.
A1  - Schweigert, Florian J.
A1  - Wiesner, M.
A1  - Schreiner, Monika
T1  - Are Neglected Plants the Food for the Future?
JF  - Critical reviews in plant sciences
N2  - Malnutrition, poor health, hunger, and even starvation are still the world's greatest challenges. Malnutrition is defined as deficiency of nutrition due to not ingesting the proper amounts of nutrients by simply not eating enough food and/or by consuming nutrient-poor food in respect to the daily nutritional requirements. Moreover, malnutrition and disease are closely associated and incidences of such diet-related diseases increase particularly in low- and middle-income states. While foods of animal origin are often unaffordable to low-income families, various neglected crops can offer an alternative source of micronutrients, vitamins, as well as health-promoting secondary plant metabolites. Therefore, agricultural and horticultural research should develop strategies not only to produce more food, but also to improve access to more nutritious food. In this context, one promising approach is to promote biodiversity in the dietary pattern of low-income people by getting access to nutritional as well as affordable food and providing recommendations for food selection and preparation. Worldwide, a multitude of various plant species are assigned to be consumed as grains, vegetables, and fruits, but only a limited number of these species are used as commercial cash crops. Consequently, numerous neglected and underutilized species offer the potential to diversify not only the human diet, but also increase food production levels, and, thus, enable more sustainable and resilient agro- and horti-food systems. To exploit the potential of neglected plant (NP) species, coordinated approaches on the local, regional, and international level have to be integrated that consequently demand the involvement of numerous multi-stakeholders. Thus, the objective of the present review is to evaluate whether NP species are important as “Future Food” for improving the nutritional status of humans as well as increasing resilience of agro- and horti-food systems.
KW  - Fruits
KW  - malnutrition
KW  - orphan crops
KW  - underutilized species
KW  - vegetables
Y1  - 2016
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1080/07352689.2016.1201399
SN  - 0735-2689
SN  - 1549-7836
VL  - 35
SP  - 106
EP  - 119
PB  - Institut d'Estudis Catalans
CY  - Philadelphia
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Bathe, Katharina
A1  - Chen, Frank
A1  - Büscher, Ulrich
A1  - Dudenhausen, Joachim W.
A1  - Schweigert, Florian J.
T1  - Veränderung der Carotinoidkonzentration im Serum und in der Milch im Verlauf der Laktation der Frau
Y1  - 2000
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Baumane, Anita
A1  - Buchholz, Ingeborg
A1  - Schweigert, Florian J.
T1  - Einfluss unterschiedlicher Fette auf die Akkumulation von ß-Carotin bei der Ratte
Y1  - 1997
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Baumane, Anita
A1  - Wahren, M.
A1  - Gürtler, H.
A1  - Schweigert, Florian J.
T1  - Einfluß einer Eisenapplikation auf den Gehalt an Vitamin A, E und C im Plasma von Ferkeln
Y1  - 1997
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Bechir, Mahamat
A1  - Schelling, E.
A1  - Krämer, K.
A1  - Schweigert, Florian J.
A1  - Bonfoh, Bassirou
A1  - Crump, L.
A1  - Tanner, M.
A1  - Zinsstag, J.
T1  - Retinol assessment among women and children in sahelian mobile pastoralists
JF  - EcoHealth : conservation medicine, human health, ecosystem sustainability
N2  - Micronutrient deficiencies are widespread in developing countries, particularly in remote communities such as mobile pastoralists. The nutritional and vitamin A status of this population is not well-documented in Chad. This study assessed serum retinol levels among women and children under five-year-old in nomadic and semi-nomadic pastoralist and rural-settled communities, who are similarly exposed to risk factors such as gastrointestinal parasitic infection, anaemia and emaciation. The novel method of portable fluorometry was used for the first time to measure beta-carotene and retinol levels in a pastoral nomadic area. Moderate level blood retinol deficiency (< 0.7 mu mol/L) was observed in 5% (CI 1-11) of nomadic, 29% (CI 13-45) of semi-nomadic and 22% (CI 8-35) of sedentary women. In children, 1% (CI 0.1-4), 17% (CI 9-25) and 28% (CI 18-39), respectively, had moderate level blood retinol deficiency. In nomadic communities, women and children had blood retinol levels close to normal. Deficiency of retinol was strongly linked with lifestyle (nomadic, semi-nomadic and settled) among women and lifestyle and age among children. The results support an ecological linkage between human retinol levels and livestock milk retinol. This study shows the feasibility of portable retinol and beta-carotene measurement in human blood as well as human and animal milk under remote field conditions, but the approach requires further validation.
KW  - vitamin A
KW  - retinol
KW  - nomadic pastoralist
KW  - Chad
Y1  - 2012
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-012-0781-7
SN  - 1612-9202
VL  - 9
IS  - 2
SP  - 113
EP  - 121
PB  - Springer
CY  - New York
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Bobbert, Thomas
A1  - Raila, Jens
A1  - Schwarz, Franziska
A1  - Mai, Knut
A1  - Henze, Andrea
A1  - Pfeiffer, Andreas F. H.
A1  - Schweigert, Florian J.
A1  - Spranger, Joachim
T1  - Relation between retinol, retinol-binding protein 4, transthyretin and carotid intima media thickness
N2  - Objective: Retinol is transported in a complex with retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and transthyretin (TTR) in the circulation. While retinol is associated with various cardiovascular risk factors, the relation between retinol, RBP4, TTR and carotid intima media thickness (IMT) has not been analysed yet. Methods: Retinol, RBP4 and TTR were measured in 96 individuals and their relation to mean and maximal IMT was determined. Results: Mean IMT correlated with RBP4 (r = 0.335, p < 0.001), retinol (r = -0.241, p = 0.043), RBP/TTR ratio (r = 0.254, p = 0.025) and retinol/RBP4 ratio (r = -0.549, p < 0.001). Adjustment for age, sex, BMI, blood pressure, HDL/total cholesterol ratio, triglyceride, diabetes and smoking revealed that the retinol/RBP4 ratio was strongly and independently associated with mean IMT. Similar results were found for maximal IMT, which included the measurement of plaques. Conclusion: The data support that the transport complex of vitamin A is associated with the IMT, an established parameter of atherosclerosis. Changes in RBP4 saturation with retinol may link renal dysfunction and insulin resistance to atherosclerosis.
Y1  - 2010
UR  - http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00219150
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2010.07.063
SN  - 0021-9150
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Bok, V.
A1  - Schweigert, Florian J.
T1  - Untersuchungen zum Einfluß unterschiedlicher Vitamin A-Gehalte im Futter auf die Konzentration von Vitamin A im Plasma und die Ausscheidungen von Vitamin A über den Harn von Hunden
Y1  - 1997
ER  -