A Prospective, Observational Study of the Effect of a High-Calorie, High-Protein Oral Nutritional Supplement with HMB in an Old and Malnourished or at-Risk-of-Malnutrition Population with Hip Fractures: A FracNut Study.

BACKGROUND: Hip fractures are prevalent among older people, often leading to reduced mobility, muscle loss, and bone density decline. Malnutrition exacerbates the prognosis post surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a 12-week regimen of a high-calorie, high-protein oral supplement with ß-hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate (HC-HP-HMB-ONS) on nutritional status, daily activities, and compliance in malnourished or at-risk older patients with hip fractures receiving standard care. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 270 subjects ≥75 years of age, residing at home or in nursing homes, malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, and post hip fracture surgery, received HC-HP-HMB-ONS for 12 weeks. Various scales and questionnaires assessed outcomes. RESULTS: During the 12 weeks of follow-up, 82.8% consumed ≥75% of HC-HP-HMB-ONS. By week 12, 62.4% gained or maintained weight (+0.3 kg), 29.2% achieved normal nutritional status (mean MNA score +2.8), and 46.8% improved nutritional status. Biochemical parameters improved significantly. Subjects reported good tolerability (mean score 8.5/10), with 87.1% of healthcare providers concurring. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of HC-HP-HMB-ONS markedly enhanced nutritional status and biochemical parameters in older hip-fracture patients, with high compliance and tolerability. Both patients and healthcare professionals expressed satisfaction with HC-HP-HMB-ONS.

Efficacy of five human melanocytic cell lines in experimental rabbit choroidal melanoma.

This study was undertaken to compare the ability of five uveal melanocytic cell lines to produce primary and metastatic uveal melanomas in immunosuppressed rabbits and to determine whether animal survival was improved by antibiotic administration. One hundred albino rabbit eyes, five groups of 20, were implanted in the suprachoroidal space with four melanoma cell lines (MKT-BR, OCM-1, 92-1 and SP 6.5) and one melanocytic line (UW-1). Rabbits were immunosuppressed with cyclosporin A (CsA) at a dosage of 15 mg/kg/day, decreased to 10 mg/kg/day after the fourth week. Prophylactic penicillin G, 10 to 2 x 10 IU, was administered intramuscularly at 5-day intervals. Animals were followed for 12 weeks and the ophthalmoscopic findings, weight and general well-being were recorded weekly. Autopsies were performed to study the eyes, liver and lungs under light microscopy. The mean global survival time in the groups was 43+/-4 days. Ophthalmoscopic intraocular tumours developed in 37% of the MKT-BR group, 50% of the OCM-1 group, 100% of the 92-1 group, 23% of the UW-1 group and 75% of the SP 6.5 group; histologically, tumours appeared in 36.8%, 45%, 100%, 58.8% and 100%, respectively. The 92-1 and SP 6.5 cell lines were associated with the most aggressive local behaviour. Lung metastases developed in the OCM-1 group (5%), 92-1 group (61.1%), UW-1 group (7.1%) and SP 6.5 group (42.1%), but were not present in the MKT-BR group. The 92-1 and SP 6.5 cell lines were the most efficient in local and metastatic tumour production. Prophylactic antibiotic administration did not improve animal survival.