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Background:
Fatty acid measurements especially trans fatty acid has gained interest in recent times. Among the various available biomarkers, adipose tissue is considered to be the best for the long term dietary intake but the invasive nature of tissue aspiration reduces its utility. Phlebotomy is a much less invasive method of sample collection when a large number of participants are involved in the study and therefore is an alternative, most suitable for large population based studies. In the present study fatty acid (with special emphasis on trans fatty acid) extraction from blood spotted and dried on filter paper was carried out to simplify the sample collection procedure and transportation.
Methods:
Blood samples were collected from 19 healthy volunteers. The blood was spotted (30 spots of 10 ?l each) on filter paper, dried at room temperature and stored at 4C in zip-lock poly bags. For comparison whole blood stored at -70C was simultaneously analyzed.
Results:
A good agreement was seen between trans fatty acid values obtained in dried blood and whole blood as evident from the pearson correlation coefficients (’r’ for monounsaturated (trans) 0.70 and for polyunsaturated (trans) 0.692 respectively). The intraclass correlation coefficient for monounsaturated trans was 0.805 and for polyunsarurated trans was 0.776.
Conclusion:
Dried blood spots can be used for trans fatty acid analysis.

Change in diet, physical activity, and body weight among young-adults during the transition from high school to college.
Background:
The freshmen year of college is likely a critical period for risk of weight gain among young-adults.
Methods:
A longitudinal observational study was conducted to examine changes in weight, dietary intake, and other health-related behaviors among first-year college students (n = 186) attending a public University in the western United States. Weight was measured at the beginning and end of fall semester (August ? December 2005). Participants completed surveys about dietary intake, physical activity and other health-related behaviors during the last six months of high school (January ? June 2005) in August 2005 and during their first semester of college (August ? December 2005) in December 2005.
Results:
159 students (n = 102 women, 57 men) completed both assessments. The average BMI at the baseline assessment was 23.0 (standard deviation (SD) 3.8). Although the average amount of weight gained during the 15-week study was modest (1.5 kg), 23% of participants gained ? 5% of their baseline body weight. Average weight gain among those who gained ? 5% of baseline body weight was 4.5 kg. Those who gained ? 5% of body weight reported less physical activity during college than high school, were more likely to eat breakfast, and slept more than were those who did not gain ? 5% of body weight.
Conclusion:
Almost one quarter of students gained a significant amount of weight during their first semester of college. This research provides further support for the implementation of education or other strategies aimed at helping young-adults entering college to achieve or maintain a healthy body weight.

From functional food to medicinal product: Systematic approach in analysis of polyphenolics from propolis and wine
Background:
In the last decade we have been working on standardization of propolis extract and determination of active constituents of wine which are rich in polyphenolics and have nutritional as well as therapeutic value. Here we are summarizing our results and providing overview on systematic approach how to analyse natural products rich in flavonoids and phenolic acids.
Methods:
Chromatographic methods (TLC and HPLC) were used for identification, quantification and characterization of individual flavonoid or phenolic acid. Total content of active constituents and antioxidant activity were determined by spectrophotometry. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined by HPLC and using appropriate software. QSAR study of antioxidant activity was conducted, as well as assessment of prolonged propolis supplementation on antioxidative status of organism.
Results:
TLC densitometry has been proven as quick and reliable method for standard analysis of propolis and wine; the best mobile phase being chloroform – methanol – formic acid (98-100%) in ratio 44.1 : 3 : 2.35 (v/v). Higher number of polyphenolics was determined by HPLC; 15 compared to 9 by TLC. Interactions in situ with acetylsalicylic acid were detected with most of polyphenolics analysed. Plasma protein binding and blood-barrier penetration was greatest for flavone. The interactions with HSA have been grater than 95% for all flavonoids analysed. The prolonged propolis consumption increased SOD activity.
Conclusions:
The necessity of standardization of natural products and their registration as functional nutraceuticals demand easy, quick and inexpensive methods of analysis. In this work we provided overview of analytical part for polyphenolics that could be used as data for possible registration of final products either as functional food or medicinal product.

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