Copper-Zinc ratio and nutritional status in colorectal cancer patients during the perioperative period

PURPOSE : This study aimed to determine Cu/Zn ratio, nutritional and inflammatory status in patients during the perioperative period for colorectal cancer. METHODS: The study included patients with histological diagnosis of colorectal adenocarcinoma (Cancer Group, n=46) and healthy volunteers (Control Group, n=28). We determined habitual food intake, body composition, laboratory data of nutritional status, serum calprotectin and plasma Cu and Zn concentrations. Mann-Whitney U-test was performed between-group comparisons and Spearman correlation test for correlations between the variables. RESULTS: Individuals in the Cancer Group presented significantly lower BMI, fat mass, plasma hemoglobin, total protein and albumin as compared with the Control Group. Serum calprotectin[70.1 ng/mL (CI95% 55.8-84.5) vs.53.3 ng/mL (40.3-66.4), p=0.05], plasma Cu concentrations [120 µg/dL(CI95% 114-126) vs. 106 µg/dL(CI95% 98-114), p 0.01] and the Cu/Zn ratio [1.59 (CI95% 1.48-1.71)vs. 1.35 (CI95% 1.23-1.46), p=0.01]were higher in patients with colorectal cancer than in controls. Additionally, the Cancer Group showed negative correlations between the Cu/Zn ratio and Zn intake, hemoglobin, serum albumin, and positive correlation between the Cu/Zn ratio and serum calprotectin. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that an increased plasma Cu/Zn ratio and serum calprotectin, and decreased protein values may be a result of the systemic inflammatory response to the tumor process.(AU)

Image analysis software versus direct anthropometry for breast measurements

PURPOSE: To compare breast measurements performed using the software packages ImageTool(r), AutoCAD(r) and Adobe Photoshop(r) with direct anthropometric measurements. METHODS: Points were marked on the breasts and arms of 40 volunteer women aged between 18 and 60 years. When connecting the points, seven linear segments and one angular measurement on each half of the body, and one medial segment common to both body halves were defined. The volunteers were photographed in a standardized manner. Photogrammetric measurements were performed by three independent observers using the three software packages and compared to direct anthropometric measurements made with calipers and a protractor. RESULTS: Measurements obtained with AutoCAD(r) were the most reproducible and those made with ImageTool(r) were the most similar to direct anthropometry, while measurements with Adobe Photoshop(r) showed the largest differences. Except for angular measurements, significant differences were found between measurements of line segments made using the three software packages and those obtained by direct anthropometry. CONCLUSION: AutoCAD(r) provided the highest precision and intermediate accuracy; ImageTool(r) had the highest accuracy and lowest precision; and Adobe Photoshop(r) showed intermediate precision and the worst accuracy among the three software packages. .(AU)

Avaliação antropométrica e do risco para desenvolvimento de doenças cardiovasculares em funcionários de uma unidade de alimentação e nutrição

o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o estado nutricional e fatores de risco para desenvolvimento de doenças cardiovasculares entre 25 funcionários de uma unidade de alimentação e nutrição no interior do Rio Grande do Sul. Foram estudadas as variáveis: idade, tempo de empresa, peso, altura, Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC), circunferência abdominal e Razão Cintura-Quadril (RCQ). Observou-se sobrepeso e obesidade em 28% e 56% da amostra, respectivamente, com associação significativa entre o estado nutricional e a circunferência abdominal e RCQ, mas não entre estado nutricional e idade, nem entre o estado nutricional e tempo de empresa. Verificaram-se valores de circunferência abdominal elevado em 68% dos funcionários e RCQ apresentando risco elevado para desenvolvimento de doenças cardiovasculares em 68% dos funcionários. Estes resultados permitiram verificar a necessidade de acompanhamento nutricional destes funcionários, visando melhorar a sua qualidade de vida e aumentar a produtividade.(AU)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status and risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases among 25 employees of a Food and Nutrition Unit in the countryside of Rio Grande do Sul. The following variables were studied: age, working period in the company, weight, height, Body Mass lndex (BMI), Waist Circumference, and Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR). Overweight and obesity were observed in 28% and 56% of the sample, respectively, with its association between the nutritional status and waist circumference and WHR, but not between nutritional status and age, nor between nutritional status and workin period in the company. A high waist circumference value was observed in 68% of the employees and the waisthip ratio showed a high risk for the development of cardiovascular diseases in 68% of the employees. These results allowed us to verify the need of nutritional monitoring of these employees, in order to improve the quality of life and increase productivity.(AU)