Socio-economic inequalities in childhood can determine dietary patterns, and therefore future health. This study aimed to explore associations between social vulnerabilities and dietary patterns assessed at two time points, and to investigate the association between accumulation of vulnerabilities and dietary patterns. A total of 9301 children aged 2–9 years participated at baseline and 2-year follow-up examinations of the Identification and prevention of Dietary- and lifestyle-induced health EFfects In Children and infantS study. In all, three dietary patterns were identified at baseline and follow-up by applying the K-means clustering algorithm based on a higher frequency of consumption of snacks and fast food (processed), sweet foods and drinks (sweet), and fruits and vegetables (healthy). Vulnerable groups were defined at baseline as follows: children whose parents lacked a social network, children from single-parent families, children of migrant origin and children with unemployed parents. Multinomial mixed models were used to assess the associations between social vulnerabilities and children’s dietary patterns at baseline and follow-up. Children whose parents lacked a social network (OR 1·31; 99 % CI 1·01, 1·70) and migrants (OR 1·45; 99 % CI 1·15, 1·83) were more likely to be in the processed cluster at baseline and follow-up. Children whose parents were homemakers (OR 0·74; 99 % CI 0·60, 0·92) were less likely to be in the processed cluster at baseline. A higher number of vulnerabilities was associated with a higher probability of children being in the processed cluster (OR 1·78; 99 % CI 1·21, 2·62). Therefore, special attention should be paid to children of vulnerable groups as they present unhealthier dietary patterns.

The failure mechanism of lead-free solder interconnections of chip scale package–sized Ball Grid Array (BGA) component boards under thermal cycling was studied by employing cross-polarized light microscopy, scanning electronic microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, and nanoindentation. It was determined that the critical solder interconnections were located underneath the chip corners, instead of the corner most interconnections of the package, and the highest strains and stresses were concentrated at the outer neck regions on the component side of the interconnections. Observations of the failure modes were in good agreement with the finite element results. The failure of the interconnections was associated with changes of microstructures by recrystallization in the strain concentration regions of the solder interconnections. Coarsening of intermetallic particles and the disappearance of the boundaries between the primary Sn cells were observed in both cases. The nanoindentation results showed lower hardness of the recrystallized grains compared with the non-recrystallized regions of the same interconnection. The results show that failure modes are dependent on the localized microstructural changes in the strain concentration regions of the interconnections and the crack paths follow the networks of grain boundaries produced by recrystallization.

Xanthophylls have attracted a lot of interest since their health benefits were documented. Unfortunately, studying their intestinal absorption is often affected by high baseline levels present in the fasting plasma. As α-cryptoxanthin is rarely found in the traditional European diet, its concentration in human plasma is extremely low. A pilot human intervention study was designed using α-cryptoxanthin for the first time as a marker xanthophyll in a minimally formulated cellulose-based supplement. α-Cryptoxanthin was administered in gelatin soft-gel capsules in multiple doses of 156μg/d to three male volunteers (age 27·3 (sd 4·7) years; BMI 21·6 (sd 0·3) kg/m2) for 16d after a 2-week carotenoid depletion period. Fasting blood samples were taken before the intervention and after 3, 6, 9, 13 and 16d. Plasma HPLC analyses allowed for determination of the concentration; liquid chromatography–MS in the single ion monitoring mode was used to confirm peak assignment. The concentrations of α-cryptoxanthin increased significantly after only 3d of supplementation. The concentration-time plots showed a characteristic shape with a first maximum after day 6, a decline until day 9 and a gradual second rise until the end of the study. Standardisation of plasma α-cryptoxanthin concentrations to triacylglycerol or total cholesterol did not influence the characteristics. The maximum concentrations reached at the end of the intervention period ranged from 0·077 to 0·160μmol/l. These results suggest a high intestinal absorption and an enrichment of α-cryptoxanthin in the plasma even from a minimally formulated cellulose-based supplement.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the most common eye diseases of elderly individuals. It has been suggested that lutein and zeaxanthin may reduce the risk for AMD. Information concerning the absorption of non-esterified or esterified zeaxanthin is rather scarce. Furthermore, the formation pathway of meso (3R,3′S)-zeaxanthin, which does not occur in plants but is found in the macula, has not yet been identified. Thus, the present study was designed to assess the concentration of 3R,3R′-zeaxanthin reached in plasma after the consumption of a single dose of native 3R,3′R-zeaxanthin palmitate from wolfberry (Lycium barbarum) or non-esterified 3R,3′R-zeaxanthin in equal amounts. In a randomised, single-blind cross-over study, twelve volunteers were administered non-esterified or esterified 3R,3′R-zeaxanthin (5 mg) suspended in yoghurt together with a balanced breakfast. Between the two intervention days, a 3-week depletion period was inserted. After fasting overnight, blood was collected before the dose (0 h), and at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 h after the dose. The concentration of non-esterified 3R,3′R-zeaxanthin was determined by chiral HPLC. For the first time, chiral liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation-MS was used to confirm the appearance of 3R,3′R-zeaxanthin in pooled plasma samples. Independent of the consumed diet, plasma 3R,3′R-zeaxanthin concentrations increased significantly (P=0·05) and peaked after 9–24 h. Although the concentration curves were not distinguishable, the respective areas under the curve were distinguishable according to a two-sided F and t test (P=0·05). Thus, the study indicates an enhanced bioavailability of 3R,3′R-zeaxanthin dipalmitate compared with the non-esterified form. The formation of meso-zeaxanthin was not observed during the time period studied.

Many orange-coloured fruits contain β-cryptoxanthin in its non-esterified as well as its esterified form. Information concerning the absorption of β-cryptoxanthin, especially with regard to the metabolism of its fatty acid esters, is rather scarce. The present study assessed the plasma concentration reached after consumption of a single dose of native β-cryptoxanthin esters from papaya (Carica papaya L.) or non-esterified β-cryptoxanthin in equal total amounts. In a randomized, single-blind crossover study, twelve subjects were served a portion of yoghurt containing esterified or non-esterified β-cryptoxanthin (1.3 mg absolute) together with a balanced breakfast. Between the two intervention days, there was a 2-week depletion period. After a fasting blood sample had been taken, futher samples were taken from the subjects at 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 h. The concentration of non-esterified β-cryptoxanthin in the whole plasma was determined by HPLC; β-cryptoxanthin identification was confirmed by liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure chemical ionization–MS analyses. Irrespective of the consumed diet, the plasma β-cryptoxanthin concentrations increased significantly (P=0·05) and peaked after 6–12 h. The concentration curves, as well as the areas under the curves, were not distinguishable according to two-sided F and t tests (P=0·05). Standardization of β-cryptoxanthin concentrations to plasma triacylglycerol and cholesterol had no impact on the results. Thus, the present study indicates comparable bioavailability of both non-esterified β-cryptoxanthin and mixtures of β-cryptoxanthin esters. The results support the existence of an effective enzymatic cleavage system accepting various β-cryptoxanthin esters.