Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis is different according to the comorbidity burden in post-acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of a high comorbidity burden in patients who suffered an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is increasing with the aging population, and the nutrition status also may be a predictor of clinical outcomes for these patients. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the comorbidity burden and the characteristics of the bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) in patients post-AMI. METHODS: This prospective observational cohort study was conducted with adult patients who were hospitalized with AMI. Pre-existing comorbidities were assessed by the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) adjusted by age, and anthropometric and BIVA characteristics were evaluated after the hemodynamic stabilization. All patients were followed-up until hospital discharge, and their length of stay was observed. RESULTS: A total of 184 patients (75% were males; mean age, 60.2 ± 12.3 years) were included. The most common comorbidities were dyslipidemia (73.9%), hypertension (62%), and type 2 diabetes (34.2%). A higher CCI (≥3) was associated with sex (P = 0.008) and age (P < 0.001). Regarding BIVA, statistically significant differences were detected between sex (P < 0.001), age (P < 0.001), and CCI (P = 0.003), with longer vectors in female, older adults, and those with CCI ≥ 3. CONCLUSION: Finding a relationship between BIVA and CCI suggests the first identified coherent differences, potentially correlated with diseases, representing a first contribution to support this type of assessment. Therefore, with BIVA, healthcare professionals may monitor abnormalities and adopt preventive nutrition care measures on patients post-AMI to improve their clinical status.

Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Body Composition of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Patients: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Background: The study hypothesized that zinc supplementation would increase or preserve lean body mass in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the body composition of DMD patients before and after zinc supplementation. Materials and Methods: The study is a clinical trial comprising 21 boys diagnosed with DMD. Dietary intake parameters were evaluated before zinc supplementation. Serum zinc levels, anthropometry, and body composition were measured in three moments, four months apart. The patients received 5, 10, or 15 mg of zinc bis-glycine supplementation according to age as an oral solution daily for four months. The sample was distributed into two groups according to serum zinc status: zinc deficiency (G1) or adequate zinc (G2). Results: There was a significant difference in lean body mass between the groups: zinc deficiency (G1) or adequate zinc (G2), at three times (p=0.041, 0.016, and 0.009, respectively). After oral zinc supplementation, serum zinc levels were not different between groups. We did not observe differences when associating the parameters between times and groups. Conclusion: Zinc supplementation was able to maintain lean body mass and fat mass in patients with DMD with previous deficiencies. Therefore, it is necessary to have a prior screening of serum zinc levels to observe changes after supplementation.

The Effect of Different Packaging Systems on the Shelf Life of Refrigerated Ground Beef.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different packaging systems on the shelf life of refrigerated ground beef. The ground beef samples were packaged as follows: AA (100% ambient air), 90O2:10CO2 (90% O2 and 10% CO2), 80O2:20CO2 (80% O2 and 20% CO2), 70O2:30CO2 (70% O2 and 30% CO2), 60O2:40CO2 (60% O2 and 40% CO2), 50O2:50CO2 (50% O2 and 50% CO2), 100O2 (100% O2), and VP (vacuum packaging). All treatments were analyzed daily for O2 and CO2 levels, pH, filtration time, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), aerobic mesophilic heterotrophic bacteria (AMHB), and aerobic psychrotrophic heterotrophic bacteria (APHB) over 20 days at 2 °C. All MAP systems had a decrease of O2 and an increase of CO2 levels during storage period (p < 0.05). Overall, the MAP systems were similarly able to decrease the pH and retard the increase of TVB-N and filtration time over the storage period (p > 0.05). Moreover, the MAP systems increased the lag phase and/or the generation time of both AMHB and APHB, extending the shelf life by 3 (90O2:10CO2), 4 (70O2:30CO2 and 100O2), and 5 days (80O2:20CO2, 60O2:40CO2, 50O2:50CO2, and VP). All MAP systems were equally effective in retarding physicochemical degradation; however, 80O2:20CO2, 60O2:40CO2, 50O2:50CO2, and VP were the most effective in impairing bacterial growth and extending the shelf life of ground beef stored under refrigeration.

Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis and phase angle in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

BACKGROUND: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a disease characterized by progressive loss of functional muscle mass followed by changes in body composition. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe and evaluate bioimpedance parameters in boys with DMD. DESIGN: This cross-sectional, descriptive study investigated children and adolescents diagnosed with DMD. Age, weight, height, resistance, and reactance data were collected. Phase angle and bioelectrical impedance vector analysis were calculated based on resistance and reactance values. RESULTS: We analyzed 43 boys aged between 2.7 and 19.8 years. Low-phase angle values were observed during the investigation of bioimpedance parameters. Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis showed that approximately 87% of the subjects presented vectors outside the tolerance ellipses, and only one patient presented vectors located within the 50% tolerance ellipse, indicating normally hydrated and a good body cell mass. Compared with the reference population, boys with DMD had lower levels of body cell mass. CONCLUSION: Based on the evidence, compared with the reference population, patients with DMD had lower levels of body cell mass. This evidence points to bioimpedance parameters as useful tools for the nutritional evaluation and clinical management of patients with DMD.

Efeito da embalagem em atmosfera modificada sobre a conservação de lingüiça frescal de frango / Effect of the atmosphere packaging modified about the conservation of fresh poultry chicken

A embalagem de alimentos em atmosfera modificada consiste na substituição do ar que rodeia o produto que pretende conservar, por um gás ou uma mistura de gases que ofereça as melhores condições para a manutenção da qualidade física e microbiológica do produto, por um período de tempo maior. Sendo assim, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da embalagem de lingüiça frescal de frango em atmosfera modificada. Depois de elaboradas, as amostras foram introduzidas em embalagens plásticas de baixa permeabilidade. Foram divididas em 6 lotes, embaladas com aproximadamente 1,5 L de ar (100 por cento), N2 (100 por cento), CO2 (100 por cento), 20/80, 40/60 e 80/20 CO2/N2 e termo-seladas. As amostras foram armazenadas a 4±1ºC durante 21 dias. Durante este período, tomaram-se amostras determinando o pH, contagem total de microrganismos heterotróficos aeróbios mesófilos e psicrotróficos, contagem de bactérias. Os parâmetros de crescimento (fase de latência e tempo de duplicação) dos microrganismos foram determinados mediante a equação de Baranyi. Durante o período de armazenamento, não foi observado o crescimento de enterobactérias, demonstrando assim, a inocuidade da matéria-prima, bem como a aplicação das boas práticas de fabricação durante o processo de elaboração da lingüiça. De acordo com as análises realizadas, pôde-se observar que a lingüiça embalada em 80/20 CO2 /N2 apresentou o maior tempo de vida útil, atingindo ao final dos 21 dias de estocagem, o limite quanto á contagem de microrganismos heterotróficos mesófilos (107 UFC/g). De um modo geral, pode-se afirmar que as lingüiças embaladas com CO2 apresentaram maior vida útil, com exceção das embaladas com 20/80 CO2 /N2 , que ao final da primeira semana de estocagem já apresentaram sinais de deterioração. Tal fato também foi observado nas lingüiças embaladas com N2 (100 por cento), que apresentaram vida útil de 6 dias. Nestas mesmas atmosferas, detectou-se um maior desenvolvimento das bactérias láticas, o que provavelmente contribuiu para a aceleração da deteriora. Quanto aos valores de pH, observou-se que ao final do período de estocagem, as atmosferas N2 (100 por cento) e 20/80 CO2 /N2 apresentaram os menores valores, quando comparadas às demais atmosferas. Este fato pode ser explicado pelo maior crescimento das bactérias láticas, que acarretaram a acidificação do meio.