Diet Quality and Nutritional Risk Based on the FIGO Nutrition Checklist among Greek Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Routine Antenatal Care Study.

The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) nutrition checklist is a tool for everyday antenatal clinical practice, easy to use by most healthcare professionals, aiming to initiate a conversation regarding gestational weight gain (GWG) and nutrition and identify women who might require further assessment. The present cross-sectional study aimed to apply the FIGO nutrition checklist to pregnant women attending routine antenatal care and identify nutritional risk factors. Pregnant women (n = 200) were recruited from the outpatient pregnancy clinics of two hospitals in Thessaloniki and completed the checklist. The FIGO-diet quality score and the FIGO-nutritional risk score (NRS) were calculated. The results revealed that 99% of the women exhibited at least one nutritional risk factor based on the checklist. The median FIGO diet quality score of the sample was 4.0 (3.0-5.0), with 95% of the participants responding negatively to at least one question, indicating the need for improving diet quality. Improved diet quality was noted in cases of hyperemesis gravidarum and among those receiving vitamin D supplements. A large percentage of the participants (36%) exhibited five or more nutritional risk factors, as indicated by a total FIGO-NRS below 5. Women with low middle-upper arm circumference, indicative of protein-energy malnutrition (20.6% of the sample), exhibited more nutritional risk factors compared with the rest. On the other hand, being in the third trimester of pregnancy was associated with lower nutritional risk and, subsequently, better diet quality.

The Role of Vitamin D in Kidney Transplantation Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

The aim of this systematic review is to assess the impact of vitamin D on the outcomes of kidney transplantation and investigate whether its deficiency is associated with a negative impact. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane databases, as well as gray literature. Ultimately, 16 articles with an average of 255.75 patients were included in this review. These articles compared the long-term outcomes of vitamin D deficiency and/or vitamin D supplementation therapy on kidney transplant recipients by assessing various parameters. Results: Most of the included studies showed a negative effect of vitamin D deficiency on kidney transplantation by being associated with a worse graft function, higher incidence of acute rejection episodes, higher incidence of proteinuria and lower overall graft and patient survival rate. Conclusions: We suggest that patients awaiting kidney transplantation have a careful evaluation in order to assess their vitamin D status and the optimal supplementation therapy. Regular follow-up of vitamin D levels post-transplant is also suggested. Prospective studies will be needed to establish the positive effects of vitamin D supplementation therapy on kidney transplant outcomes.

Primary gastric non-Hodgkin lymphomas: Recent advances regarding disease pathogenesis and treatment.

Primary gastric lymphomas (PGLs) are distinct lymphoproliferative neoplasms described as heterogeneous entities clinically and molecularly. Their main histological types are diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) or mucosa-associated lymphoma tissue. PGL has been one of the main fields of clinical research of our group in recent years. Although gastric DLBCLs are frequent, sufficient data to guide optimal care are scarce. Until today, a multidisciplinary approach has been applied, including chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy or a combination of these treatments. In this minireview article, we provide an overview of the clinical manifestations, diagnosis and staging of these diseases, along with their molecular pathogenesis and the most important related clinical published series. We then discuss the scientific gaps, perils and pitfalls that exist regarding the aforementioned studies, in parallel with the unmet need for future research and comment on the proper methodology for such retrospective studies. Aiming to fill this gap, we retrospectively evaluated the trends in clinical presentation, management and outcome among 165 patients with DLBCL PGL who were seen in our institutions in 1980-2014. The study cohort was divided into two subgroups, comparing the main 2 therapeutic options [cyclophosphamide doxorubicin vincristine prednisone (CHOP) vs rituximab-CHOP (R-CHOP)]. A better outcome with immunochemotherapy (R-CHOP) was observed. In the next 2 mo, we will present the update of our study with the same basic conclusion.

Peanut consumption in adolescents is associated with improved weight status.

Studies have shown an association between nut consumption and health benefits in adults such as lower lipid levels, lower body mass indices, and reduced risk of coronary artery disease. Few studies have demonstrated these health benefits in children. To determine the association between peanut consumption and weight, intake of nutrients of concern, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and cholesterol in Mexican American children, baseline data from 262 sixth-grade students (48% female) in a school-based weight management program were analyzed to compare differences between peanut and non-peanut eaters. It was hypothesized that Mexican American children who consume peanuts will be less overweight and have a better nutrient and lipid profile when compared to those who do not eat peanuts. Participants completed a food frequency questionnaire as a baseline dietary assessment before beginning the program. Children were identified as either a peanut consumer (n = 100) or non-peanut consumer (n = 162). Body mass index measurements were taken on all participants. A smaller sample of participants submitted blood for lipid analysis. Analyses revealed that children in the peanut consumer group were less likely to be overweight or obese than children in the non-peanut consumer group (χ(2) = 13.9, P = .001), had significantly higher intakes of several vitamins and micronutrients (i.e., magnesium, vitamin E), and had lower low-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol levels. These results illustrate that consumption of peanuts and/or peanut butter is associated with lower weight status, improved diet, and lipid levels among Mexican American children. Future research is needed to clarify the role of peanut consumption in children's overall health.

NBBS isolated from Pygeum africanum bark exhibits androgen antagonistic activity, inhibits AR nuclear translocation and prostate cancer cell growth.

Extracts from Pygeum africanum are used in the treatment of prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa). The ligand-activated human androgen receptor (AR) is known to control the growth of the prostate gland. Inhibition of human AR is therefore a major goal in treatment of patients. Here, we characterize the compound N-butylbenzene-sulfonamide (NBBS) isolated from P. africanum as a specific AR antagonist. This antihormonal activity inhibits AR- and progesterone receptor- (PR) mediated transactivation, but not the related human glucocorticoid receptor (GR) or the estrogen receptors (ERα or ERß). Importantly, NBBS inhibits both endogenous PSA expression and growth of human PCa cells. Mechanistically, NBBS binds to AR and inhibits its translocation to the cell nucleus. Furthermore, using a battery of chemically synthesized derivatives of NBBS we revealed important structural aspects for androgen antagonism and have identified more potent AR antagonistic compounds. Our data suggest that NBBS is one of the active compounds of P. africanum bark and may serve as a naturally occurring, novel therapeutic agent for treatment of prostatic diseases. Thus, NBBS and its derivatives may serve as novel chemical platform for treatment prostatitis, BPH and PCa.

Activity-guided isolation of an antiandrogenic compound of Pygeum africanum.

Inactivation of the androgen receptor (AR) through androgen ablation and treatment with antiandrogens is a major goal in the therapy for prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer. Bioactivity-directed fractionation of a selective dichloromethane extract from the stem bark of Pygeum africanum led to the isolation of the antiandrogenic compound atraric acid. Its activity was examined by an androgen receptor responsive reporter gene assay. For lead structure optimization we transformed the natural occurring compound atraric acid into its ethyl, N-propyl and N-butyl esters and their antiandrogenic activities were examined as well. In addition, benzoic acid was isolated. The structures of all compounds were determined and characterized by means of 1H- and 13C-NMR, HR-EI-mass, IR and UV spectroscopy.

Extracts from Pygeum africanum and other ethnobotanical species with antiandrogenic activity.

Extracts from Pygeum africanum, Serenoa repens and Cucurbita pepo are used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa). The activity of the androgen receptor (AR) is known to control growth of the prostate. Here, we examined extracts of these plants for their antiandrogenic activity using an AR responsive reporter gene assay for drug discovery. A selective dichloromethane extract from the stem barks of Pygeum africanum revealed the highest antiandrogenic effect. Bioactivity-directed fractionation of this extract led to the isolation of N-butylbenzenesulfonamide (NBBS) indicating that extracts of the stem bark of P. africanum harbour androgen antagonistic activity. This compound may provide a novel approach for the prevention and treatment of BPH and human PCa.

The effect of diet enriched with alpha-linolenic acid on soluble cellular adhesion molecules in dyslipidaemic patients.

BACKGROUND: Leukocyte adhesion and transendothelial migration, the critical pathogenic components in the development of atherosclerotic lesions, are largely mediated by cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs). We examined whether dietary supplementation with alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3) affects the levels of soluble forms of CAMs in dyslipidaemic patients. METHODS: We recruited 90 male dyslipidaemic patients (mean age=51+/-8 years) following a typical Greek diet. They were randomly assigned either to 15 ml of linseed oil (rich in ALA) per day (n=60) or to 15 ml of safflower oil (rich in linoleic acid [LA, 18:2n-6]) per day (n=30). The ratio of n-6:n-3 in linseed oil supplemented group was 1.3:1 and in safflower oil supplemented group 13.2:1. Dietary intervention lasted for 12 weeks. Blood lipids, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin) were measured. RESULTS: Dietary supplementation with ALA significantly decreased sVCAM-1 levels (median decrease 18.7% [577.5 ng/ml versus 487 ng/ml, P=0.0001]). In the LA supplemented group, sVCAM-1 was also significantly decreased but to a lesser extent (median decrease 10.6% [550.5 ng/ml versus 496 ng/ml, P=0.0001]). After controlling for smoking habits, no significant difference was observed in the reduction of sVCAM-1 levels between the two treatment arms (P=0.205). The decrease of sVCAM-1 was independent of lipid changes in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary supplementation with ALA for 12 weeks significantly decreases sVCAM-1 levels in dyslipidaemic patients. This effect presents a potential mechanism for the beneficial effect of plant n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the prevention of coronary artery disease. In addition, dietary supplementation with LA significantly decreases sVCAM-1 levels, an effect which requires further investigation.