Nephrolithiasis: nutrition as cause or therapeutic tool

Nephrolithiasis is a very common disease with an increasing prevalence among industrialized populations. Kidney stone formation is a complex phenomenon, involving genetic and metabolic patterns, and nutrition can play an important role in this match both as a promoter or as a protective factor. To promote a deeper knowledge of such a challenging disease, clinicians and researchers have met in Rome, Italy, last March 2013, at the International Congress “Nephrolithiasis: a systemic disorder” to discuss patho-physiology and possible treatment of kidney stones. During the meeting, a whole session was dedicated to nutrition, seen both as a cause or a therapeutic tool for nephrolithiasis. Due to its etiopathogenesis, nephrolithiasis is also an ideal model for a nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics approach. Nutrigenomics and nutrigenetic respectively study the effects of a dietary treatment on gene expression and, on the other hand, the impact of an inherited trait on the response to a specific dietary treatment

The establishment of the gut microbiota in 1-year-aged infants: from birth to family food

none12noAbstract Purpose With the aim of characterizing the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota and contextually determine how different prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal factors affected its composition in early childhood, infants were enrolled in a longitudinal-prospective study named “A.MA.MI.” (Alimentazione MAmma e bambino nei primi MIlle giorni; NCT04122612, October 2019). Methods Forty-five fecal samples were collected at 12 months of infants’ age, identified as the 3rd follow-up (T3). The evaluated variables were pre-gestational weight and weight gain during pregnancy, delivery mode, feeding, timing of weaning, and presence/absence of older siblings. Fecal alpha and beta-diversities were analyzed. Noteworthy, to determine the impact of the influencing factors, multivariate analyses were conducted. Results At T3, all prenatal and perinatal variables did not result to be significant whereas, among the postnatal variables, type of milk-feeding and weaning showed the greatest contribution in shaping the microbiota. Although aged 1 year, infants exclusively breastfed until 6 months were mainly colonized by Lactobacillaceae and Enterobacteriaceae. Differently, Bacteroidaceae characterized the microbiota of infants that were never breastfed in an exclusive way. Moreover, although an early introduction of solid foods determined higher values of Faith’s PD, high abundances of Ruminococcaceae and Faecalibacterium mainly associated with infants weaned after the 4th month of age. Conclusion The microbial colonization during the first year of life is likely affected by a simultaneous effect of multiple variables playing a significant role at different times. Therefore, these data contribute to add evidence concerning the complex multifactorial interaction between GI microbiota and various stimuli affecting infants during the early stages of life.openMirco Vacca; Benedetta Raspini; Francesco Maria Calabrese; Debora Porri; Rachele De Giuseppe; Marcello Chieppa; Marina Liso; Rosa Maria Cerbo; Elisa Civardi; Francesca Garofoli; Hellas Cena; Maria De AngelisVacca, Mirco; Raspini, Benedetta; Maria Calabrese, Francesco; Porri, Debora; De Giuseppe, Rachele; Chieppa, Marcello; Liso, Marina; Maria Cerbo, Rosa; Civardi, Elisa; Garofoli, Francesca; Cena, Hellas; De Angelis, Mari

Early life microbiota colonization. The A.MA.MI Study

ABSTRACT Background. The intestinal microbiome is relatively dynamic during the first years of life, becoming relatively stable throughout a lifetime, thus dictating adult life's future health. There are many factors influencing gut microbiome composition, including maternal pre-pregnancy, body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain (WG), type of feeding, weaning timing, and birth/family environment. Objectives. The study aims to investigate the intestinal microbiome development of infants (ages 0-12 months) and to analyze how prenatal and postnatal factors, including maternal BMI and weight gain during pregnancy, type of feeding, time and type of weaning, and the presence of siblings in the family, could influence the infant gut microbiome composition at one year of age. Methods. 63 dyads were enrolled at Neonatal Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia. Anthropometric parameters were assessed before discharge (T0), at 30 days from birth (T1), at 6 months (T2) and 1 year (T3); validated questionnaires were used to evaluate mother’s dietary habits and physical activity at each time. Mothers were interviewed about family environment and infants feeding/supplementation at each time. For each child a stool sample was collected at each time and analyzed using metagenomics 16s ribosomal RNA gene sequence-based methods. Cluster and correlation analysis were used to assess changes in the microbial composition across different follow-up times. Results. At one years of age, pre- and perinatal variables were not significantly associated with any bacterial taxon, while postnatal variables showed the major contribution in shaping microbiota. Feeding and weaning were the main influencing factors. Conclusion. Our findings highlighted that microbial colonization during the first year of life is likely affected by various factors resembling a simultaneous effect of multiple variables. Mainly, different variables play a significant role at different time. Thus, these data contribute to add evidence concerning the complex multifactorial interaction of GI-microbiota depending on the various stimuli during the early stages of life. This study will provide the starting point for a future prospective and observational study assessing the potential association between maternal diet and life-style with newborns microbiome composition, their influence on childhood obesity development and the associated increased risk of NCDs in adulthood.ABSTRACT Background. The intestinal microbiome is relatively dynamic during the first years of life, becoming relatively stable throughout a lifetime, thus dictating adult life's future health. There are many factors influencing gut microbiome composition, including maternal pre-pregnancy, body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain (WG), type of feeding, weaning timing, and birth/family environment. Objectives. The study aims to investigate the intestinal microbiome development of infants (ages 0-12 months) and to analyze how prenatal and postnatal factors, including maternal BMI and weight gain during pregnancy, type of feeding, time and type of weaning, and the presence of siblings in the family, could influence the infant gut microbiome composition at one year of age. Methods. 63 dyads were enrolled at Neonatal Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia. Anthropometric parameters were assessed before discharge (T0), at 30 days from birth (T1), at 6 months (T2) and 1 year (T3); validated questionnaires were used to evaluate mother’s dietary habits and physical activity at each time. Mothers were interviewed about family environment and infants feeding/supplementation at each time. For each child a stool sample was collected at each time and analyzed using metagenomics 16s ribosomal RNA gene sequence-based methods. Cluster and correlation analysis were used to assess changes in the microbial composition across different follow-up times. Results. At one years of age, pre- and perinatal variables were not significantly associated with any bacterial taxon, while postnatal variables showed the major contribution in shaping microbiota. Feeding and weaning were the main influencing factors. Conclusion. Our findings highlighted that microbial colonization during the first year of life is likely affected by various factors resembling a simultaneous effect of multiple variables. Mainly, different variables play a significant role at different time. Thus, these data contribute to add evidence concerning the complex multifactorial interaction of GI-microbiota depending on the various stimuli during the early stages of life. This study will provide the starting point for a future prospective and observational study assessing the potential association between maternal diet and life-style with newborns microbiome composition, their influence on childhood obesity development and the associated increased risk of NCDs in adulthood

Studio dei geni Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor CDKN1B/p27 e CDKN2A/p16 e del gene Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor-Interacting Protein (AIP) negli adenomi paratiroidei sporadici

In questa tesi è stato valuto il possibile interessamento di nuovi geni nela patogenesi molecolare degli adenomi paratiroidei sporadici. I tre geni studiati, CDKN1B/p27, CDKN2A/p16 ( della famiglia degli inibitri delle ciclina-chinasi-dipendenti)e il gene oncosoppressore Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Interacting Protein sono stati studiati attraverso l'analisi di sequenza del DNA codificante

Nutritional management of lactose intolerance: the importance of diet and food labelling

AbstractWorldwide, 70% of the adult population has limited expression of lactase enzyme with a wide variation among different regions and countries. Lactase deficiency may lead to lactose intolerance (LI). Depending both on the amount of lactose ingested and on the lactase activity, people who suffer from lactose malabsorption might experience numerous gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms and manifestations. Treatment of LI mainly consists of reducing or eliminating lactose from the diet until the symptoms disappear as well as supplementing lactase, and inducing colon microbiome adaptation by probiotics. Cow’s milk is one of the major source of calcium and several other vitamins and minerals. Thus, a complete exclusion of dairy products may favor the development of bone diseases such as osteopenia and osteoporosis. Therefore, the dietetic approach has a crucial role in the management of LI patients. Additionally, the use of lactose and milk-derived products in non-dairy products (e.g., baked goods, breakfast cereals, drinks, and processed meat) has become widespread in the modern industry (the so-called “hidden lactose”). In this regard, a strict adherence to the lactose-free diet becomes challenging for LI patients, forced to continuous check of all products and food labels. In fact, lactose-free product labeling is still controversial. Considering that nowadays a specific cut-off value establishing “lactose-free” labeling policy is lacking and that there is no universal law regulating the production and commercialization of “delactosed” products, identification of specific safe and suitable products with a well-recognized lactose-free logo might help consumers. This narrative review aims to identify the dietary management for lactose intolerant people, avoiding symptoms and nutrients deficiencies, helped by the use of specific labelling to guide them to choose the safer product on the market.</jats:p

Dietary Patterns and Weight Status in Italian Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Typically Developing Children

Atypical eating habits are more common in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) than typically developing (TD) peers. Feeding problems may lead to the double burden of specific nutrient deficiencies and excessive weight gain, with a consequent increase in obesity prevalence. The dietary intake of Italian preschoolers with ASD compared to their TD peers and the impact of their dietary choices on their weight status and relationship to food selectivity (FS) were investigated. Dietary patterns and their associations with body mass index (BMI) were evaluated in 65 children with ASD and 82 peers with TD aged 1.3–6.4 years. Eating habits were assessed with a modified version of a parent-rated semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire. Moreover, the prevalence of FS and possible links with dietary patterns and BMI were investigated in the ASD group. Children with ASD consumed significantly higher amounts of simple sugars, processed and ultra-processed carbohydrates, both low- and high-fat animal proteins, and lower amounts of vegetables and fruits compared to peers with TD. The obesity rate was 1.5% in children with TD and more than fourfold (6.2%) in children with ASD, although the difference between groups was not statistically significant. FS was significantly more frequent in children with ASD than in peers with TD. Children with ASD and FS showed significantly lower annual intakes of vegetable proteins and fiber (considered essential nutrients for a healthy diet) than children with ASD without FS. Our results showed that children with ASD showed different dietary habits than those with TD, with the higher consumption of energy-dense foods and lower amounts of food-sourced fibers, which could place them at increased risk to develop overweight, obesity, and micronutrient deficiencies later in life.</jats:p