Nutritional and Health-Related Environmental Studies
Completed Co-ordinated Research Projects
CRP Number: E4.30.15
CRP Title: The application of isotopic and nuclear techniques in studies related to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) issues in populations from developing countries
Objective: The overall objective of the CRP is to understand the basic causes of IUGR in developing countries. The results of the project will contribute to the new WHO strategy to reduce IUGR and low birth weight in developing countries. Research will be based on the application of isotopic and nuclear techniques, particularly isotopic dilution and double labeled water methods, to determine the association between maternal energy accumulation as fat tissue, and foetal growth during pregnancy. The techniques will also be used to understand how maternal energy expenditure affects energy needs and energy transfer to the foetus. Additional research objectives are to achieve the standardisation of methodology and measurements for body composition during pregnancy in participating countries, and to determine the association between maternal energy accumulation as fat tissue and foetal growth.
Number of RCMs: 3
Year of Commencement: 2003
Number of Contract Holders: 9
Details
CRP Number: E4.30.16
CRP Title: Assessment of total energy expenditure and body composition for older adult subjects with different lifestyles
Objective: The CRP will concentrate on the assessment of total energy expenditure and body composition for older adults in a variety of societies with different lifestyles. Results of this study will contribute to the WHO Global strategy on diet, physical activity and health in order to help prevent death and disability from major nutrition-related chronic diseases.
Number of RCMs: 3
Year of Commencement: 2003
Number of Contract Holders: 9
Details
CRP Number: E4.30.17
CRP Title: Assessment of nutrient uptake from biofortified crops in populations from developing countries
Objective: To evaluate nutrition impact of consumption of biofortified crops using stable isotope technique, to determine the bioavailability of iron and zinc from improved crop varieties and to determine the bioefficacy of provitamin A carotenoids from improved crop varieties
Number of RCMs: 2
Year of Commencement: 2003
Number of Contract Holders: 6
Details
CRP Number: E4.30.13
CRP Title: Doctoral CRP on isotopic and complementary tools for the study of micronutrient status and interactions in developing country populations exposed to multiple nutritional deficiencies
Objective: To devise approaches for sustainable focus on micronutrient malnutrition in chronically undernourished populations by evaluating micro-nutrient interactions (Fe, folic acid, Zn, Vitamin A, I, Se, Cu, among others) using isotopic and complementary tools for assessing micronutrient status and; to support capacity building (e.g. leading to PhD degrees) in the area of food and nutrition in developing countries.
Number of RCMs: 3
Year of Commencement: 2002
Number of Contract Holders: 6
Details
CRP Number: E4.30.14
CRP Title: Application of isotopic and nuclear techniques in the study of nutrition-pollution interactions and their impact on the nutritional status of human subjects in developing country populations
Objective: To understand and to evaluate how environmental pollution affects the nutritional status of human subjects already exposed to marginal malnutrition. Results of this study will contribute to better knowledge of the deleterious effects of nutrition-pollution interactions and to develop remedial strategies to alleviate such ill effects.
Number of RCMs: 3
Year of Commencement: 2002
Number of Contract Holders: 8
Details
CRP Number: E4.10.13
CRP Title: Use of nuclear and related analytical techniques in studying human health impacts of toxic elements consumed through foodstuffs contaminated by industrial activities
Objective: To determine the extend to which toxic element levels in foods are affected by surrounding industrial activities and assess the human exposure to such contaminated foodstuffs.
Number of RCMs: 3
Year of Commencement: 2001
Number of Contract Holders: 12
Details
CRP Number: E4.30.10
CRP Title: Isotopics evaluations in infant growth monitoring a collaboration with WHO (partly RCA)
Objective: To measure nutrient intake from breast milk, and body composition in children from different parts of the world who are growing normally. The intention is to provide standards for growth and nutrient intake that can be used subsequently, with the application of the same methods, in specific sites and situations. The acquisition of these standards will allow better detection and explanation of growth failure and provide information for suitable advice to be given in the treatment of malnutrition in infancy.
Number of RCMs: 2
Year of Commencement: 2000
Number of Contract Holders: 6
Details
CRP Number: E4.30.12
CRP Title: Use of isotopic techniques to examine the significance of infections and other insults in early childhood to diarrhoea morbidity, mal-assimilation and failure to thrive
Objective: The general aim of this CRP is to apply Carbon-13 isotopes and mass spectrometry: 1) to examine the causes of diarrhoea disease by using Carbon-13-urea breath test for H. pylori (bacterial colonisation); and 2) to study its impact on macro-nutrient assimilation by using Carbon-13-labelled substrate breath tests for digestion, absorption or metabolism in developing areas.
Number of RCMs: 2
Year of Commencement: 2000
Number of Contract Holders: 9
Details
CRP Number: E4.30.11
CRP Title: Application of nuclear techniques in the prevention of degenerative diseases (obesity and non-insulin dependent diabetes) in ageing
Objective: To further define the magnitude of the non-insulin dependent diabetes/obesity problem in developing countries; to identify vulnerable groups and; to describe the physiological and biochemical mechanisms involved.
Number of RCMs: 3
Year of Commencement: 1999
Number of Contract Holders: 8
CRP Number: E4.10.12.
CRP Title: Health impacts of mercury cycling in contaminated environments studied by nuclear techniques
Objective: To study and assess the factors influencing the dynamics of Hg mercury cycling and its impact on human health in mercury contaminated eco-systems, especially in tropical environments, using radioisotopes and enriched stabled isotope tracers and/or complementary analytical techniques.
Number of RCMs: 3
Year of Commencement: 1999
Number of Contract Holders: 11
Details
CRP Number: E4.10.10
CRP Title: Assessment of levels and health-effects of airborne particulate matter in mining, metal refining and metal working industries using nuclear and related analytical techniques
Objective: The project objective is to demonstrate the practical use of nuclear and related analytical techniques (mainly NAA, XRF, PIXE and ICP-MS) in studies of non-radioactive environmental pollutants that may impact on human health.
Number of RCMs: 3
Year of Commencement: 1998
Number of Contract Holders: 11
CRP Number: E4.10.11
CRP Title: Validation and application of plants as biomonitors of trace element atmospheric pollution, analyzed by nuclear and related techniques
Objective: To identify suitable bioindicators of atmospheric pollution for local and/or regional application (e.g. moss and/or lichen). Whenever possible these bioindicators should be validated for general environmental monitoring.
Number of RCMs: 3
Year of Commencement: 1997
Number of Contract Holders: 14