Correlation between branched-chain amino acids intake and total lymphocyte count in head and neck cancer patients: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Cellular immunity as reflected by total lymphocyte count (TLC) has been proven to be related to overall survival rate cancer patients. Lymphocyte proliferation is regulated, to some extent, by nutritional factor. Branched chain amino acid (BCAA) is documented as one of numerous nutrients that play important role in lymphocyte proliferation through its effect on protein synthesis and DNA replication. Many studies describe the correlation between BCAA and TLC in hepatic cancer patients. This study emphasized the observation of that links in head and neck cancer patients. METHODS: Eighty-five subjects were included in final analysis, aged 18-75, mostly male, with head and neck cancer who had not received treatment participated in this cross-sectional study at the Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital's radiation and medical haematology oncology clinic. The BCAAs intake was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Flow cytometry method was used to quantify TLC. RESULTS: Overall, the subjects' nutritional status mostly was considered normal, with the median intake of 1505 (800-3040) kcal/day of energy and mean of 73.96 ± 23.39 g/day of protein. Moreover, subjects' average BCAA intake was 10.92 ± 0.48 g/day. Meanwhile, 17.6% of subjects were found to have low TLC level. From thorough analysis, we did not find a strong correlation between BCAA level and TLC (r = 0.235, p = 0.056). CONCLUSION: In participants with head and neck cancer who had not received chemoradiotherapy, there is no correlation between BCAA intake and TLC. The contribution of non-BCAA amino acids from dietary sources to lymphocyte proliferation requires further investigation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively registered, with clinical trial number NCT05226065 on February 7th 2022.

Health effects of alkaline, oxygenated, and demineralized water compared to mineral water among healthy population: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: There are many water types available on the market. They are widely known in public with health claims. The questions are, are those claims are scientifically proven or those are just testimonies from the consumers or overclaimed by the producers. This study aims to systematically review evidences on the health effects of alkaline, oxygenated, and demineralized water in comparison with mineral water among healthy population. CONTENTS: Data were obtained from databases PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, EBSCO, dan Science Direct since January 2000 until July 2022. There were 10 eligible articles, consisted of two articles on alkaline, four articles on oxygenated, and four articles on demineralized water, that furtherly being analyzed. SUMMARY: Compared to consumption of mineral water, consumption of alkaline and oxygenated water did not show any significant difference on gut microbiota, urine pH, blood parameter, or fitness parameter. While, consumption of demineralized water in the long term resulted in lower quality of certain nutrient intake. OUTLOOK: Recent evidences do not prove any additional health effects of alkaline, oxygenated, or demineralized water compared to mineral water. In contrast, demineralized water consumption in the long run was proven to lead to adverse effect.

Assessment of water consumption during Ramadan intermittent fasting: Result from Indonesian cross-sectional study.

During Ramadan fasting, people are likely to consume water and beverages lower than recommended intake due to the limited time. However, it is necessary to achieve the recommended daily water intake to maintain the hydration status, as well as productivity during fasting. Unfortunately, there is a lack of data on drinking patterns during Ramadan. This study aims to investigate water and beverage intake and drinking patterns to help achieve water requirements during Ramadan among Indonesian adults. This is a cross-sectional study conducted during the Ramadan period from April to May 2021 (Ramadan 1442 Hijri). We used a self-administered questionnaire on drinking habits during Ramadan and utilized a 7-day fluid record (Liq.In 7) to assess water and beverage intake among participants who were managed through online procedure. There were 380 participants from five universities across Indonesia who completed the questionnaire accordingly and then analyzed it. The result shows that total water and beverage intake during Ramadan among participants was below the recommendation [1,670 (1,326-2,034) ml/day]. Among the type of beverages, water is the highest level of consumption [1,262 (983-1,666) ml/day] then followed by sugar-sweetened beverages [200 (91-350) ml/day]. We found a significant difference in water and beverages consumption between time of iftar [474 (375-590) ml/day], nighttime [574 (414-810) ml/day], and suhoor [560 (423-711) ml/day]. From this study, we found that during Ramadan the most common drinking pattern is 2-4-2, but a drinking pattern of 4-2-2 glasses (sequence of four glasses at iftar, two glasses at nighttime, two glasses at suhoor) had a significantly higher chance to adhere with the recommendation of fluid intake compared to other patterns. Therefore, based on this research on water and beverage intake, it is necessary and important to make improvements among Indonesian adults during Ramadan, and the drinking pattern of 4-2-2 glasses may help to achieve the recommended daily water consumption.

Water and Beverages Intake Among Workers Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic in Indonesia.

As the COVID-19 pandemic hit worldwide in the early 2020, people were urged to alter their behavior to prevent disease spread, thus, led to change water intake. This study aimed to analyze water and beverage intake among health workers and general workers during COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. This study was a comparative descriptive study where the participants were 20-45-year-old health workers and general workers in Indonesia. Data collected included demographic, water and beverage intake, physical activity, nutrient intake, and body weight and height. All data collection was obtained online using self-reported questionnaire. Water intake data was collected for 7 days consecutively using a 7-day fluid record. There were 246 participants comprised of 102 (41.5%) general workers and 144 (58.5%) health workers who were analyzed in this study. All participants showed barely adequate intake of daily total fluid 1,882 (1,473-2,433) ml/day. Total fluid intake among general workers was 1,759 (1,447-2,396) ml/day, whereas in health workers it was slightly higher 1,939 (1,516-2,446) ml/day (p-value = 0.378). Among health workers who were highly exposed to patients with COVID-19 showed the highest percentage in drinking water adequately (20 participants, 60.6%) compared to health workers who worked under moderate (29 participants, 48.3%) and low (24 participants, 47.2%) level of exposure to patients with COVID-19. In conclusion, workers need to improve their daily fluid intake. This study also showed better behavior of water consumption among health workers compared to general workers despite of their strict personal protection equipment during working hour.

Psychosocial, Eating Behavior, and Lifestyle Factors Influencing Overweight and Obesity in Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent overweight and obesity (AOO) is a global public health problem and risk for noncommunicable diseases. Understanding context-specific risks is crucial for interventions. OBJECTIVE: Determine the prevalence of AOO in the Indonesian National Health Survey (INHS) 2013, assess the 5-year trend from 2013 to 2018, and identify risks. METHODS: We selected adolescents aged 10 to 19 years (n = 174 290) from the INHS 2013 and used hierarchical logistic regression to identify gender-specific risks for those aged 15 to 19 years (n = 77 534). Change in AOO was assessed by comparison to INHS 2018 reports. RESULTS: The national AOO prevalence increased over 5 years by 48% in young adolescents (13-15 years) and 85% in older ones (16-18 years). High prevalence areas included the urban location of Jakarta (20.9%) and the remote rural region of Papua (19.4%). Overall, AOO risks were being sedentary, male, lower education, married, younger adolescent, and school enrollment, with urban residence and higher wealth being persistent risks for all analyses. Data for depressive symptoms were available for older adolescents whose additional risks were being sedentary, depressive symptoms, and high-fat diet. Male risks were being sedentary and lower education, and female risks were being married, depressive symptoms, high-fat intake, and lower education. Higher intake of fruits and vegetables and fewer sweets did not protect against AOO if a high-fat diet was consumed. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent overweight and obesity in Indonesia is rapidly increasing, especially in older adolescents and males, and with gender-specific risks. Customized multisectoral interventions to identify strategies for lifestyle change are urgently needed.

Proportion of malnourished ambulatory hospitalized patients based on international criteria at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Indonesia.

OBJECTIVE: Malnutrition is quite prevalent in hospitalized patients, and its diagnosis is particularly important for doctors in order to treat it accordingly. This study aims in finding the frequency of malnutrition in ambulatory hospitalized patients based on three international criteria. METHODS: The subjects of this study were hospitalized patients at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia. The subjects were investigated for malnutrition using World Health Organization (WHO), American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN), and the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) criteria for malnutrition. Two hundred and twenty-nine ambulatory hospitalized patients were subject to accurate anthropometry measurements. They were analyzed for their height using Seca-360 and their weight using Seca-869, from which their body mass index could be measured. They were also examined for their handgrip strength using Jamar® Handgrip Dynamometer. The rest of the criteria were fulfilled through subjective history taking. RESULTS: The proportion of malnutrition at Cipto Mangunkusumo hospital was 20.1% when assessed using WHO malnutrition criteria. Meanwhile, about 48.5% of the subjects had malnutrition when assessed using ASPEN criteria. About 42.8% of subjects were categorized as malnutrition according to ESPEN criteria. CONCLUSIONS: The highest proportion of hospital malnutrition is based on ASPEN, followed by ESPEN, and the latter is WHO. ESPEN is more likely to capture malnutrition in chronic conditions, whereas ASPEN is more suitable in acute conditions rather than in chronic ones. ESPEN data would be more accurate when done appropriately according to its guidelines (with the use of a validated instrument).