Supplementation for Performance and Health in Patients with Phenylketonuria: An Exercise-Based Approach to Improving Dietary Adherence.

Supplementation is crucial for improving performance and health in phenylketonuria (PKU) patients, who face dietary challenges. Proteins are vital for athletes, supporting muscle growth, minimizing catabolism, and aiding muscle repair and glycogen replenishment post-exercise. However, PKU individuals must limit phenylalanine (Phe) intake, requiring supplementation with Phe-free amino acids or glycomacropeptides. Tailored to meet nutritional needs, these substitutes lack Phe but fulfill protein requirements. Due to limited supplement availability, athletes with PKU may need higher protein intake. Various factors affect tolerated Phe levels, including supplement quantity and age. Adhering to supplement regimens optimizes performance and addresses PKU challenges. Strategically-timed protein substitutes can safely enhance muscle synthesis and sports performance. Individualized intake is essential for optimal outcomes, recognizing proteins' multifaceted role. Here, we explore protein substitute supplementation in PKU patients within the context of physical activity, considering limited evidence.

Longitudinal Changes in the Body Composition of Non-Institutionalized Spanish Older Adults after 8 Years of Follow-Up: The Effects of Sex, Age, and Organized Physical Activity.

Aging leads to physiological changes affecting body composition, mediated by lifestyle. However, the effectiveness of organized physical activities (OPAs) in attenuating or delaying these age-related transformations remains an area of limited understanding. The primary objectives of this study were threefold: (I) to comprehensively assess the evolution of body composition in a cohort of Spanish older adults over an 8-year period; (II) to compare this evolution in the different age groups; and (III) to investigate the influence of active engagement in OPAs on these age-related changes. From a sample of 3136 Spanish older adults recruited in 2008, 651 agreed to participate in the 8-year follow-up. Anthropometric and bioelectrical impedance data were included for 507 females (70.3 ± 4.4 years) and 144 males (77.8 ± 4.5 years). Age groups were categorized as follows: youngest (65-69 years), mid (70-74 years), and oldest (≥75 years). The engagement in OPA was recorded before and after the follow-up. A repeated measures ANOVA was performed to evaluate the 8-year changes. Males increased in hip (98.1 ± 9.3 vs. 101.5 ± 10.2 cm) and waist circumferences (101.2 ± 6.6 vs. 103.2 ± 6.1 cm), specifically in the youngest group (p < 0.05). Females decreased in weight (67.6 ± 10.0 vs. 66.6 ± 10.5 kg) and fat mass percentage (39.3 ± 5 vs. 38.8 ± 5.4%) and increased in hip circumference (104.4 ± 9.0 vs. 106.5 ± 9.7 cm); these effects were the most remarkable in the oldest group (all p < 0.05). OPA engagement seemed to slow down fat-free mass loses in males, but not in females (grouped by time, p < 0.05). Body composition changes caused by aging seem to happen earlier in males than in females. Moreover, participating in OPAs does not prevent fat-free mass due to aging.

High muscular fitness level may positively affect bone strength and body composition in children with overweight and obesity.

Muscular fitness plays a major role in bone health and body composition in overweight and obese children. It is key that the development of this muscle fitness is affected by absolute isometric strength and dynamic strength. PURPOSE: To compare bone health and body composition between overweight/obese children considering muscular fitness (MF) levels, and to investigate whether weight-bearing dynamic or absolute isometric strength, both involved in the development of this muscular fitness, are more related with bone health. METHODS: MF of 59 overweight or obese children (10.1 ± 0.9 years, 27 females) was measured by a countermovement jump (CMJ), handgrip, and maximal isometric strength of knee extension. Participants were divided into four groups depending on their MF level performing a cluster analysis: 16 children with high MF (HMF) in all tests, 18 with high performance in isometric strength (HIS), 15 with high performance in CMJ (HCMJ) and 10 low isometric and low dynamic force values (LMF). Body composition values were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and bone strength values were assessed by peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Motor skills were evaluated using TGMD-3. Multivariate analysis of covariance test was applied to analyse bone strength differences between children in the different MF groups, using maturity offset, height and weight as covariates, and correlations were investigated. RESULTS: HMF excelled in bone health. HIS had higher cortical bone area, periosteal circumference, bone mass, polar strength strain index and fracture load than LMF, while HCMJ only showed better results in trabecular bone area than LMF. HMF had significantly better values of fracture load and periosteal and endosteal circumferences than HCMJ, but not than HIS. CONCLUSIONS: High MF level shows positive effects on bone health in overweight/obese children. Those with highest isometric strength had better bone health compared to those with higher dynamic strength. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The research project was registered in a public database Clinicaltrials.gov in June 2020 with the identification number NCT04418713.

Proteomic profiling of human plasma extracellular vesicles identifies PF4 and C1R as novel biomarker in sarcopenia.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia, the gradual and generalized loss of muscle mass and function with ageing, is one of the major health problems in older adults, given its high prevalence and substantial socioeconomic implications. Despite the extensive efforts to reach consensus on definition and diagnostic tests and cut-offs for sarcopenia, there is an urgent and unmet need for non-invasive, specific and sensitive biomarkers for the disease. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are present in different biofluids including plasma, whose cargo reflects cellular physiology. This work analysed EV proteome in sarcopenia and robust patients in the search for differentially contained proteins that can be used to diagnose the disease. METHODS: Plasma small EVs (sEVs) from a total of 29 robust controls (aged 73.4 ± 5.6 years; 11 men and 18 women) and 49 sarcopenic patients (aged 82.3 ± 5.4 years; 15 men and 34 women) aged 65 years and older were isolated and their cargo was analysed by proteomics. Proteins whose concentration in sEVs was different between sarcopenic and robust patients were further validated using ELISA. The concentration of these candidates was correlated to the EWGSOP2 sarcopenia tests for low muscle strength and low physical performance, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were carried out to evaluate their diagnostic power, sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: Proteomic analysis identified 157 sEVs proteins in both sarcopenic and robust samples. Among them, 48 proteins had never been reported in the ExoCarta nor Vesiclepedia databases. Statistical analysis revealed eight proteins whose concentration was significantly different between groups: PF4 (log2 FC = 4.806), OIT3 (log2 FC = -1.161), MMRN1 (log2 FC = -1.982), MASP1 (log2 FC = -0.627), C1R (log2 FC = 1.830), SVEP1 (log2 FC = 1.295), VCAN (FC = 0.937) and SPTB (log2 FC = 1.243). Among them, platelet factor 4 (PF4) showed the lowest concentration while Complement C1r subcomponent (C1R) increased the most in sarcopenic patients, being these results confirmed by ELISA (P = 1.07E-09 and P = 0.001287, respectively). The concentrations of candidate proteins significantly correlated with EWGSOP2 tests currently used. ROC curve analysis showed an area under the curve of 0.8921 and 0.7476 for PF4 and C1R, respectively. Choosing the optimal for PF4, 80% sensitivity and 85.71% specificity was reached while the optimal cut-off value of C1R would allow sarcopenia diagnosis with 75% sensitivity and 66.67% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the determination of EV PF4 and C1R as plasma diagnostic biomarkers in sarcopenia and open the door to investigate the role of the content of these vesicles in the pathogeny of the disease.

Effects of a multicomponent training followed by a detraining period on metabolic syndrome profile of older adults.

AIMS: The present study sought to analyze the effects of 6-month multicomponent training (MCT) combined with a 4-month detraining on metabolic syndrome (MetS) profile among older adults with decreased functional capacity. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study included a total of 104 older adults (80.5 ± 6.0 years) and the sample was divided into a training (TRAIN, n = 55) or control group (CON). Harmonized definition was used to diagnose the MetS. Functional capacity, blood biochemical parameters, blood pressure, body composition and anthropometric measurements were assessed 3 times. Analysis of variance for repeated measures and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to check the differences within groups. RESULTS: TRAIN decreased diastolic blood pressure (DBP), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and total fat mass during training period, whereas CON did not show any significant changes. During detraining, TRAIN increased HDLC, systolic blood pressure (SBP), waist circumference (WC) and total fat mass; and decreased glucose and fat free mass, whereas CON increased the concentration of glucose and HDLC. From baseline to post-detraining assessment, CON increased the concentration of triglycerides and the WC, while TRAIN only increased the WC (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Exercise can be a key component in the treatment of the MetS, since MCT seems to be effective to decrease DBP and total fat mass. Nevertheless, 4-months of detraining could cause a drop of total fat mass, but no in DBP. To avoid reversibility of the benefits obtained, it could be beneficial to promote continuing exercise programs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrial.gov identifier: NCT03831841.

Prácticas en enfermería para prevenir la mortalidad materna de la mujer en edad fértil / Nursing Care to Women in Fertile Age: Practices to Prevent Maternal Mortality

Introducción: En el sector salud es conocido que las enfermeras son las profesionales que mayor contacto tienen con la mujer en los momentos de atención de su vida fértil. Esta circunstancia les permite llevar a cabo diversas prácticas que buscan prevenir la muerte materna desde la preconcepción y garantizar el nacimiento seguro. Objetivo: Describir las prácticas realizadas en torno a la prevención de la mortalidad materna desde el ejercicio profesional de la enfermera, en tres instituciones de salud en Bogotá, Colombia. Métodos: Estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo transversal. El muestreo fue no probabilístico por conveniencia. Durante la recolección de la información 60 enfermeras diligenciaron un cuestionario constituido de cuatro módulos (conocimiento del sujeto de cuidado, trabajo mutidisciplinario, gestión y fundamentación normativa, y educación continuada) que fue diseñado y validado para el presente estudio. Resultados: Se identificó una correlación moderada entre el conocimiento del sujeto de cuidado y el trabajo multidisciplinario (rs=0,631, p= <0,01), el trabajo multidisciplinario y la gestión del cuidado (rs=0,648, p= <0,01), la gestión del cuidado y la educación continuada (rs=, 665, p =<0,01), y una asociación estadísticamente significativa (χ²= <0,05) entre el servicio y nivel de complejidad de la institución donde se trabaja, con respecto a la implementación de estas prácticas. Conclusiones: La ejecución de prácticas que contrarrestan la mortalidad materna es mayor cuando las enfermeras tienen un conocimiento actualizado, que las lleva a desarrollar un mejor trabajo multidisciplinario; y por ende una mayor gestión del cuidado(AU)

Introduction: Professional nurses have more contact with women during the assistance moments of their fertile life. These circumstances allow carrying on diverse practices to prevent the maternal mortality since the preconception and to guarantee a secure birth. Objective: To describe practices developed on prevention of maternal mortality from the nursing professional praxis in three health institutions in Bogotá, Colombia. Methods: It corresponds to a quantitative, descriptive, transversal design. Sixty nurses took part. We gathered information by means a questionnaire conformed in four modules (knowledge of the subject of care, multidisciplinary work, care management and normative foundation and continuing education) designed and valid for this study. Results: This study identified moderate correlation between the knowledge of the subject of care and the multidisciplinary work (rs=, 631, p=<0, 01). We also found correlation between the multidisciplinary work and the nursing care management (rs=, 648, p=<0, 01), the nursing care management and the continuing education (rs=, 665, p=<0, 01), and one meaningful statistical association (?²=<0, 05) between the service and complexity level where they work and fulfil these practices. Conclusions: The implementation of practices that counteract maternal mortality is better when nurses have updated knowledge that leads to develop better multidisciplinary work; and therefore better care management(AU)

Evidencia del aporte proporcionado desde el cuidado de enfermería a la salud materna / Evidence of contributions made by the nursing care to maternal health

Introducción: La enfermera es esencial en la detección temprana de riesgos que pueden llegar a comprometer la vida de la mujer. Objetivo: Determinar la evidencia del aporte proporcionado desde el cuidado de enfermería a la salud materna. Fuente de datos: Se revisaron las bases de datos PubMed, Science Direct y Scielo entre los años 2010-2016. Se realizó además, rastreo manual de estudios en revistas indexadas que no estaban integradas a las fuentes mencionadas. Se encontraron 110 artículos y se seleccionaron 20 que cumplían con los criterios de inclusión establecidos. Síntesis de los datos: Se identificaron tres áreas temáticas: I. Los beneficios en la salud de la mujer con el cuidado de enfermería, II. La relevancia de fortalecer la formación relacionada con la atención materna. III. Los efectos de la regulación en el ejercicio profesional. En ellas se destaca la educación y asistencia prenatal en la adolescente embarazada y las visitas domiciliarias a las mujeres con riesgo antenatal. Se enfatiza la necesidad de robustecer las competencias relacionadas con el parto y las dirigidas al entendimiento de la cultura de la mujer gestante así como la permanencia de las enfermeras en su área de trabajo para proporcionar un cuidado de calidad a las madres y la necesidad de regular su carga de trabajo. Conclusiones: Desde la enfermería se genera evidencia para el manejo de la salud materna. Es indiscutible que el cuidado especializado incide de forma positiva en la disminución de la mortalidad materna en los diversos contextos de la práctica laboral(AU)

Introduction: Nurses are essential in the early detection of risks which can affect women's life. Objective: To determine the evidence of the given contribution from the nursing care to maternal health. Data source: PubMed, Science Direct and Scielo data bases were reviewed from 2010 to 2016.In addition, it was done manual searching of studies of indexed magazines that were not integrated to the above mentioned sources. 110 articles were found and 20 articles that fulfilled the established inclusion criteria were selected. Data synthesis: Three thematic areas were identified: I. Benefits of woman's health with nursing care; II. The relevance of strengthening the training related to maternal health; III. The effect of regulation on the professional practice. In these areas are highlighted the education and the prenatal care in the pregnant adolescent, and the home visit to the women with antenatal risk. It emphasizes the need to foster the competences which has to do with the birth aimed to understand the culture of the pregnant woman; and the continuance of the nurses in their working area to provide a qualified care to the mothers, and the need to regulate their work burden. Conclusions: Nursing generates evidence to the management of maternal health. It is undeniable that the specialized care influences in a positive way in the decrease of maternal mortality in the different contexts of the professional practice(AU)