Associations of medicine use and ejection fraction with the coexistence of frailty and sarcopenia in a sample of heart failure outpatients: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Frailty and sarcopenia have been extensively studied in heart failure (HF) patients, but their coexistence is unknown. The aim of this work is to describe the coexistence of these conditions in a sample of HF outpatients and its association with the use of medication and left-ventricular ejection fraction. METHODS: Participants in this cross-sectional study were recruited from a HF outpatients' clinic in northern Portugal. Frailty phenotype was assessed according to Fried et al. Sarcopenia was evaluated according to the revised consensus of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. RESULTS: A total of 136 HF outpatients (33.8% women, median age 59 years) integrated this study. Frailty and sarcopenia accounted for 15.4% and 18.4% of the sample, respectively. Coexistence of frailty and sarcopenia was found in 8.1% of the participants, while 17.6% had only one of the conditions. In multivariable analysis (n = 132), increasing age (OR = 1.13;95%CI = 1.06,1.20), being a woman (OR = 65.65;95%CI = 13.50, 319.15), having heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) (OR = 5.61; 95%CI = 1.22, 25.76), and using antidepressants (OR = 11.05; 95%CI = 2.50, 48.82), anticoagulants (OR = 6.11; 95%CI = 1.69, 22.07), furosemide (OR = 3.95; 95%CI = 1.07, 14.55), and acetylsalicylic acid (OR = 5.01; 95%CI = 1.10, 22.90) were associated with increased likelihood of having coexistence of frailty and sarcopenia, while using statins showed the inverse effect (OR = 0.06; 95%CI = 0.01, 0.30). CONCLUSIONS: The relatively low frequency of coexistence of frailty and sarcopenia signifies that each of these two conditions still deserve individual attention from health professionals in their clinical practice and should be screened separately. Being a woman, older age, having HFpEF, using anticoagulants, antidepressants, loop diuretics and acetylsalicylic acid, and not using statins, were associated with having concomitant frailty and sarcopenia. These patients can potentially benefit from interventions that impact their quality of life such as nutritional and mental health interventions and exercise training.

First babies conceived with Automated Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Can an automated sperm injection robot perform Automated Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSIA) for use in human IVF? DESIGN: The ICSIA robot automated the sperm injection procedure, including injection pipette advancement, zona pellucida and oolemma penetration with piezo pulses, and pipette removal after sperm release. The robot was first tested in mouse, hamster and rabbit oocytes, and subsequently using discarded human oocytes injected with microbeads. A small clinical pilot trial was conducted with donor oocytes to study the feasibility of the robot in a clinical setting. The ICSIA robot was controlled by engineers with no micromanipulation experience. Results were compared with those obtained with manual ICSI conducted by experienced embryologists. RESULTS: The ICSIA robot demonstrated similar results to the manual procedure in the different animal models tested as well as in the pre-clinical validations conducted in discarded human oocytes. In the clinical validation, 13 out of 14 oocytes injected with ICSIA fertilized correctly versus 16 out of 18 in the manual control; eight developed into good-quality blastocysts versus 12 in the manual control; and four were diagnosed as chromosomally normal versus 10 euploid in the manual control. Three euploid blastocysts from the ICSIA robot group have been transferred into two recipients, which resulted in two singleton pregnancies and two babies born. CONCLUSIONS: The ICSIA robot showed high proficiency in injecting animal and human oocytes when operated by inexperienced personnel. The preliminary results obtained in this first clinical pilot trial are within key performance indicators.

Iodine Availability through Iodized Salt in Portugal: 2010-2021 Sales Evolution and Distribution.

Salt iodization programs are considered the most cost-effective measures to ensure adequate iodine intake in iodine-deficient populations. Portuguese women of childbearing age and pregnant women were reported to be iodine-deficient, which led the health authorities, in 2013, to issue a recommendation for iodine supplementation during preconception, pregnancy and lactation. In the same year, iodized salt became mandatory in school canteens. Of note, no regulation or specific programs targeting the general population, or the impact of iodized salt availability in retailers, are known. The present study analyzed iodized salt supermarket sales from 2010 to 2021 from a major retailer, identifying the proportion of iodized salt in total salt sales and its distribution in mainland Portugal. Data on iodine content were collected through the nutritional label information. Of a total of 33 salt products identified, 3 were iodized (9%). From 2010 to 2021, the weighted sales of iodized salt presented a growing tendency, reaching the maximum of 10.9% of total sales (coarse plus fine salt) in 2021. Iodized salt reached a maximum of 11.6% of total coarse salt in 2021, a maximum of 2.4% of the total fine salt in 2018. The overall sales of iodized salt and their contribution to iodine intake are extremely low, prompting additional studies to understand the consumer's choice and awareness of the benefits of iodized salt.

First pilot study of maternal spindle transfer for the treatment of repeated in vitro fertilization failures in couples with idiopathic infertility.

OBJECTIVES: To gain insights into the technical feasibility of maternal spindle transfer (MST) applied in the context of repeated in vitro fertilization (IVF) failures for the treatment of idiopathic infertility. DESIGN: A prospective pilot study. SETTING: IVF center. PATIENT(S): Twenty-five infertile couples with multiple previous unsuccessful IVF cycles (range, 3-11), no previous pregnancy, and no history of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) disease participated. The study focused on women <40 years, with previous IVF attempts characterized by a pattern of low fertilization rates and/or impaired embryo development. Couples with severe male-factor infertility were not eligible. Oocyte donors with previous successful IVF outcomes were matched with patients according to standard practice. INTERVENTION(S): We performed MST by transferring metaphase II spindles from the patients' oocytes into the previously enucleated donor oocytes, followed by intracytoplasmic sperm injection, in vitro embryo culture, blastocyst biopsy, and vitrification. Only euploid blastocysts were considered for embryo transfer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Outcome measures included oocyte fertilization, blastocyst development, clinical pregnancy and live birth, incidence of mitochondrial carryover and potential mtDNA reversal, as well as general health of the children born. RESULT(S): Twenty-eight MST cycles produced 6 children (19 embryo transfers, 7 clinical pregnancies). Pediatric follow-up of the children, performed at intervals from birth to 12-24 months of age, revealed their development to be unremarkable. DNA fingerprinting confirmed that the nuclear DNA of MST children was inherited from both parents, without any contribution from the oocyte donor. For 5 of the children, mtDNA was derived almost exclusively (>99%) from the donor. However, 1 child, who had similarly low mtDNA carryover (0.8%) at the blastocyst stage, showed an increase in the maternal mtDNA haplotype, accounting for 30% to 60% of the total at birth. CONCLUSION(S): This pilot study provides the first insights into the feasibility of applying MST for patients with idiopathic infertility and repeated IVF failures. Reconstructed oocytes produced embryos capable of implanting, developing to term and producing apparently healthy newborns/children. However, claims concerning the efficacy of MST with respect to infertility treatment would be premature considering the limitations of this study. Importantly, mtDNA reversal was detected in one child born after MST, a finding with possible implications for mitochondrial replacement therapies. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Pilot trial registry number, ISRCTN11455145. The date of registration: 20/02/2018. The date of enrolment of the first patients: 18/03/2018.

Frailty phenotype in heart failure: A condition that transcends age.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Studies on younger frail and pre-frail subjects suffering from heart failure (HF) are scarce, except for those focusing on the critically ill. This work aims to describe differences between younger (<65 years) and older (≥65 years) pre-frail and frail HF outpatients regarding their nutritional, functional and clinical statuses. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a sample of 99 HF frail and pre-frail patients (aged 24-81 years, 38.4% women, 21.2% frail, 59.6% <65 years) was recruited from an HF outpatients' clinic in northern Portugal. Muscle mass was estimated from mid-upper arm muscle circumference. Weight status was assessed using body mass index. Hand grip strength and gait speed were measured. Medical records were reviewed. Associations between participants' characteristics and age were calculated using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Age was associated with hand grip strength (OR=0.90), gait speed (OR=0.01) and diabetes (OR=4.95). Obesity, muscle mass or heart failure functional classes were not associated with age categories. CONCLUSION: There is an overall lack of differentiation between younger and older HF patients with the frailty phenotype. Therefore, frailty phenotype should be assessed in all patients, regardless of age. Hand grip strength seems to be a good predictor for older age and more studies are needed to define age-specific hand grip strength cut-offs for HF populations.

Statins are associated with reduced likelihood of sarcopenia in a sample of heart failure outpatients: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is prevalent in heart failure (HF) patients, contributing to its poor prognosis. Statin use is postulated as a probable risk for developing sarcopenia, but little is known regarding this association in HF patients. This work aims at classifying and characterising sarcopenia and at describing the association of statin use with sarcopenia in a sample of Portuguese HF outpatients. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a sample of 136 HF patients (median age: 59 years, 33.8% women) was recruited from an HF outpatients' clinic of a University Hospital in Portugal. Sarcopenia was defined according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2. Clinical, nutritional, and dietary data were collected. RESULTS: A total of 25 (18.4%) individuals were categorised as sarcopenic, ranging from 12.2% in younger (< 65 years) participants vs. 30.4% in older ones and from 3.3% in men vs. 47.8% in women. Severe sarcopenia accounted for 7.4% of the sample and sarcopenic obesity was identified in 5.1% of the individuals. A total of 65.4% of the participants were statin users. In multivariable analysis (n = 132, 25 sarcopenic), the use of statins was inversely associated with sarcopenia (OR = 0.03; 95% CI = 0.01, 0.30). Each additional age year was associated with a 9% increase in the likelihood of being sarcopenic (OR = 1.09; 95% CI = 1.01, 1.17), and each Kg.m-2 increment in body mass index was associated with a 21% decrease in the likelihood of sarcopenia (OR = 0.79; 95% CI = 0.65, 0.96). The daily use of five or more medicines was also directly associated with sarcopenia (OR = 26.87; 95% CI = 2.01, 359.26). On the other hand, being a man and being physically active were inversely associated with sarcopenia (OR = 0.01; 95% CI = 0.00, 0.07 and OR = 0.09; 95% CI = 0.01, 0.65, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to what was expected, patients medicated with statins were less likely to be sarcopenic. Although this finding deserves further research, we hypothesise that this might be related to the pleiotropic effects of statins on endothelial function, contributing to better neuromuscular fitness.

Polymedication and its association with individual factors in Portuguese older adults-a cross-sectional study.

Population aging is a reality resulting in polymedication and its harmful consequences. Therefore, determining polymedication state in Portugal and identifying its associated characteristics is vital. Methods: Among the cross-sectional study Nutrition UP 65, information on socio-demographic data, cognitive performance, lifestyle, health, and nutritional status was collected in the Portuguese older population. Frequency of polymedication (self-reported concomitant administration of ≥5 medications and/or supplements) was calculated. Associated factors were determined. Results: A total of 1317 individuals were included in the sample and the frequency of polymedication was 37.1%. Characteristics associated with higher odds of polymedication were living in an institution (OR: 1.97; CI: 1.04-3.73); being overweight (OR: 1.52; CI: 1.03-2.25) or obese (OR: 1.57; CI: 1.06-2.34); perceiving health status as reasonable (OR: 1.68; CI: 1.25-2.27) or bad/very bad (OR: 2.04; CI: 1.37-3.03); having illnesses of the circulatory system (OR: 2.91; CI: 2.14-3.94) or endocrine, metabolic, and nutritional diseases (OR: 1.79; CI: 1.38-2.31). Conclusions: A 3 to 4 out of 10 Portuguese older adults are polymedicated. Intervention in modifiable factors and the monitorization of others is an important strategy in the care of the elderly.

Production and Purification of Phosphatidylinositol Mannosides from Mycobacterium smegmatis Biomass.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the etiological agent of tuberculosis, is regarded as the most successful pathogen of humankind and a major threat to global health. The mycobacterial cell wall is vital for cell growth, virulence, and resistance to antibiotics, and thus constitutes a unique target for drug development. To characterize the enzymes catalyzing the synthesis of the cell wall components, considerable amounts of substrates are required. Since many mycobacterial cell wall lipids, particularly phosphatidylinositol mannosides (PIMs), are not commercially available, isolation from cell biomass is the most straightforward way to obtain these compounds. In this study, we optimized a protocol to extract and purify PIM species, in particular Ac1 PIM2 and Ac1 PIM4 , which can be further used for the identification and characterization of target enzymes. PIMs were extracted from Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2 155 ΔPimE using organic solvents, and purified through three consecutive chromatography steps. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was used in-between purification steps to evaluate the success of lipid separation, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was used for product quantification and to assess purity. Typically, from a 60 g batch of M. smegmatis biomass we were able to isolate approximately 9 mg of Ac1 PIM2 and 1.8 mg of Ac1 PIM4 . This is the first time the purification of phosphatidylinositol tetramannoside has been reported. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Growth of M. smegmatis mc2 155 ∆PimE Basic Protocol 2: Extraction of lipids from M. smegmatis mc2 155 ∆PimE Basic Protocol 3: Treatment of the lipid extract for isolation of phospholipids Basic Protocol 4: Isolation of phosphatidylinositol mannosides Basic Protocol 5: Quantification of phosphatidylinositol mannosides.

Vitamin d-fortified bread: Systematic review of fortification approaches and clinical studies.

Vitamin d-fortified bread has been proposed as a strategy to increase the average daily intake and serum status of this nutrient. This review aimed to bring together the different types of scientific articles on vitamin d-fortified bread. The databases used for the research were PUBMED, WEB of SCIENCE and SCOPUS; all original indexed studies written in English, published between January 2000 and March 2021, were considered. Three important points were identified: i) theoretical models of fortification; ii) stability, bioaccessibility, and bioavailability studies of vitamin d-fortified breads; and iii) clinical effects of vitamin d-fortified breads. This review showed that vitamin d-fortified bread is a promising vehicle for fortification strategy effects, leading to increased serum concentrations of 25(OH)D and decreased parathyroid hormone. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the effects and effectiveness of this fortification strategy in the prevention/treatment of vitamin D deficiency.

Prognostic Value of the Malnutrition-inflammation Score in Hospitalization and Mortality on Long-term Hemodialysis.

OBJECTIVE: Since its development, cumulative evidence has accumulated regarding the prognostic value of the Malnutrition-Inflammation Score (MIS/Kalantar score) prognostic value; however, there is a shortage of recent and large studies with comprehensive statistical methodologies that contribute to support a higher level of evidence and a consensual cutoff. The aim of this study was to assess the strength of MIS association with hospitalization and mortality in a nationwide cohort. METHODS: This was a historical cohort study of hemodialysis patients from 25 outpatient centers followed up for 48 months. Univariable and multivariable Cox additive regression models were used to analyze the data. The C-index was estimated to assess the performance of the final model. RESULTS: Two thousand four hundred forty-four patients were analyzed, 59.0% males, 32.0% diabetic, and median age of 71 years (P25 = 60, P75 = 79). During a median period of 45-month follow-up, with a maximum of 48 months (P25 = 31; P75 = 48), 875 patients presented an MIS <5 (35.8%) and 860 patients (35.2%) died. The proportion of deaths was 23.1% for patients with the MIS <5 and 41.9% if the MIS ≥5 (P < .001). A total of 1,528 patients (62.5%) were hospitalized with a median time to the first hospitalization of 26 months (P25 = 9; P75 = 45). A new cutoff point regarding the risk of death, MIS ≥6, was identified for this study data set. In multivariable analysis for hospitalization risk, a higher MIS, higher comorbidity index, and arteriovenous graft or catheter increased the risk, whereas higher Kt/V and higher albumin had a protective effect. In multivariable analysis for mortality risk, adjusting for age, albumin, normalized protein catabolic rate, Charlson comorbidity index, interdialytic weight gain, Kt/V, diabetes, hematocrit, and vascular access, patients with the MIS ≥6 showed a hazard ratio of 1.469 (95% confidence interval: 1.262-1.711; P < .001). Higher age, higher interdialytic weight gain, higher comorbidity index, and catheter increased significantly the risk, whereas higher Kt/V, higher albumin, and higher normalized protein catabolic rate (≥1.05 g/kg/d) reduced the risk. CONCLUSION: The MIS maintains its relevant and significant association with hospitalization and mortality.

Unveiling the Metabolic Effects of Glycomacropeptide.

For many years, the main nitrogen source for patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) was phenylalanine-free amino acid supplements. Recently, casein glycomacropeptide (GMP) supplements have been prescribed due to its functional and sensorial properties. Nevertheless, many doubts still persist about the metabolic effects of GMP compared to free amino acids (fAA) and intact proteins such as casein (CAS). We endeavour to compare, in rats, the metabolic effects of different nitrogen sources. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were fed equal energy density diets plus CAS (control, n = 8), fAA (n = 8) or GMP (n = 8) for 8 weeks. Food, liquid intake and body weight were measured weekly. Blood biochemical parameters and markers of glycidic metabolism were assessed. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) was analysed by ELISA and immunohistochemistry. Food intake was higher in rats fed CAS compared to fAA or GMP throughout the treatment period. Fluid intake was similar between rats fed fAA and GMP. Body weight was systematically lower in rats fed fAA and GMP compared to those fed CAS, and still, from week 4 onwards, there were differences between fAA and GMP. None of the treatments appeared to induce consistent changes in glycaemia, while insulin levels were significantly higher in GMP. Likewise, the production of GLP-1 was higher in rats fed GMP when compared to fAA. Decreased urea, total protein and triglycerides were seen both in fAA and GMP related to CAS. GMP also reduced albumin and triglycerides in comparison to CAS and fAA, respectively. The chronic consumption of the diets triggers different metabolic responses which may provide clues to further study potential underlying mechanisms.

Frailty phenotype and associated nutritional factors in a sample of Portuguese outpatients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Frailty phenotype (FP) is very common in heart failure (HF) and both syndromes worsen one another. The aim of this study is to first describe FP in a sample of Portuguese patients with HF, and to analyse its association with nutritional and clinical statuses, namely, muscle mass, obesity and functional class. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this cross-sectional study, a sample of 136 outpatients with HF (24-81 years, 33.8% women) were randomly selected from the appointments' listings of a HF and Transplant clinic in a Portuguese University Hospital. FP was assessed according to Fried et al. muscle mass was estimated from the mid-upper arm muscle circumference; weight status was assessed using the body mass index; HF functional classes were registered. The association between participants' characteristics and FP categories was analysed using logistic ordinal regression. The frequency of pre-frailty and frailty is 57.4% and 15.4%, respectively. Within frail individuals, 52.4% were under the age of 65. In multivariable analysis, frailty was positively associated with age 70 or older (OR = 3.44) and obesity (OR = 2.66), and negatively associated with muscle mass (OR = 0.77) and HF functional classes I (OR = 0.14) or II (OR = 0.29). CONCLUSION: Muscle mass seems to be an important predictor of frailty in patients with HF and should be taken into account when designing intervention plans that allow for reverting or modifying frailty and pre-frailty. Younger patients should be monitored for the presence and evolution of FP.

Prediction equations for estimating body weight in older adults.

BACKGROUND: Assessing body weight in older adults may be challenging. Hence, the present study aimed to develop and cross-validate updated and reproducible equations to estimate body weight in a large sample of older adults, namely among the older-old. METHODS: In total, 1456 individuals aged ≥ 65 years, from the Nutrition UP 65 study, were included in the present analysis. The participants were randomly assigned to one of two sub-samples: development (n = 991) and validation samples (n = 465). Prediction equations using height, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), waist circumference (WC), calf circumference (CC) and triceps skinfold thickness (TST) were generated for the development sample using multiple regression analysis and then validated using the validation sample. RESULTS: The model with five predictor variables generated the following equations: females 65-79 years: -114.682 + 0.522 × height (cm) + 0.620 × MUAC (cm) + 0.517 × WC (cm) + 0.893 × CC (cm) + 0.111 × TST (mm) (adjusted r2  = 0.883, standard error of the estimate (SEE) = 4.4); females ≥ 80 years: -110.806 + 0.494 × height (cm) + 0.637 × MUAC (cm) + 0.500 × WC (cm) + 0.986 × CC (cm) + 0.021 × TST (mm) (adjusted r2  = 0.890, SEE = 3.9); males 65-79 years: -114.875 + 0.558 × height (cm) + 0.073 × MUAC (cm) + 0.671 × WC (cm) + 0.717 × CC (cm) + 0.182 × TST(mm) (adjusted r2  = 0.820, SEE=5.0); and males ≥ 80 years: -128.789 + 0.546 × height (cm) + 0.202 × MUAC (cm) + 0.612 × WC (cm) + 1.236 × CC (cm) + 0.093 × TST (mm) (adjusted r2  = 0.906, SEE = 3.5). CONCLUSIONS: Body weight can be estimated with good accuracy in older adults using these sex- and age-specific equations generated from regression models using three to five anthropometric predictor variables.

Resting energy expenditure in cancer patients: Agreement between predictive equations and indirect calorimetry.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Disorders of energy metabolism is a common phenomenon in cancer patients. Changes in resting energy expenditure (REE) combined with inadequate nutrition support appear to be causes of nutritional depletion in cancer patients. In clinical practice, REE is typically calculated using predictive equations. The aim of this study was to determine the agreement between REE estimated by predictive equations and REE measured by IC in Portuguese cancer patients. Differences in measured REE between patients with different types of digestive cancers were also assessed. SUBJECTS/METHODS: REE was measured by indirect calorimetry (IC) in 61 patients with cancer diagnosis (gastric cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer and colorectal cancer). Measured REE values were compared with those estimated by equations of Harris-Benedict, Schofield, Ireton-Jones, Mifflin-St.Jeor and Barcellos I and II. RESULTS: Mean Respiratory Quotient (RQ) was 0.77 ± 0.09, which indicates high lipids utilization as substrate. No statistically significant differences between REE or RQ from patients with different cancer types were observed. All equations underestimate REE: Harris-Benedict, mean difference -648 kcal (limits of agreement +627 to -1923 kcal); MifflinSt.Jeor, mean difference -694 kcal (limits of agreement +544 to -193 kcal); Schofield, mean difference -531 kcal (limits of agreement +662 to -1723 kcal); and Ireton-Jones, mean difference -556 kcal (limits of agreement +774 to -1887 kcal). Barcellos I and II showed lower mean difference when compared to measured REE, +59 and + 52 kcal, respectively, although presenting wide limits of agreement, +1542 to -1424 kcal and +1429 to -1326, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although Barcellos Equations underestimate less and enable more accurate average REE prediction in cancer patients, still present wide limits of agreement and therefore clinically important differences in REE estimation may be found at individual level. Our results support the appropriateness of measuring REE by IC to better adequate the nutrition support to cancer patients. Further research is needed to improve the current knowledge base of energy expenditure in cancer patients, and to improve the accuracy of existing predictive equations.

Can an intradialytic snack model compensate the catabolic impact of hemodialysis?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Hemodialysis (HD) has a catabolic effect caused by alterations in protein metabolism, increase in resting energy expenditure (REE) and protein needs due to inflammation, HD circuit blood and heat losses, protein losses to dialysate and HD filter membrane biocompatibility. We aim to determine, as a proof of concept, whether a standardized intradialytic snack model is adequate to compensate the catabolic impact of HD. METHODS: Cross sectional analysis of patients' chosen intradialytic intake according to a snack model, at the day of blood sample collection of three different months. As targets for the compensation of the catabolic impact of HD, we considered 316.8kCal (1.32 (±0.18) kcal/min - 240' of HD) for the estimated increase in REE and at least 7 g of protein losses/HD treatment. RESULTS: A total of 448 meals were analyzed, with 383 given during daytime shifts. No intolerances were registered. The mean nutritional profile of the daytime shifts intakes was 378.8 (±151.4) kcal, 13.5 (±7.2) g of protein, 676 (±334) mg of sodium (Na), 361.0 (±240.3) mg of potassium (K) and 249.3 (±143.0) mg of phosphates (P). We found that 68% of the meals provided an intake ≥316.8kCal and 82% a protein intake ≥ 7 g, with a significant association found between treatment shift and energy (p < 0.028), protein (p < 0.028), lipids (p < 0.004), Na (p < 0.004), K (p < 0.009) and P (p < 0.039) intakes. CONCLUSIONS: We found that this intradialytic snack model meets the target for the treatment-related increases in protein and energy needs. Although sodium intake was found to be high, potassium and phosphate intake was considered adequate.

Continuous use of glycomacropeptide in the nutritional management of patients with phenylketonuria: a clinical perspective.

BACKGROUND: In phenylketonuria (PKU), modified casein glycomacropeptide supplements (CGMP-AA) are used as an alternative to the traditional phenylalanine (Phe)-free L-amino acid supplements (L-AA). However, studies focusing on the long-term nutritional status of CGMP-AA are lacking. This retrospective study evaluated the long-term impact of CGMP-AA over a mean of 29 months in 11 patients with a mean age at CGMP-AA onset of 28 years (range 15-43) [8 females; 2 hyperphenylalaninaemia (HPA), 3 mild PKU, 3 classical PKU and 3 late-diagnosed]. Outcome measures included metabolic control, anthropometry, body composition and biochemical parameters. RESULTS: CGMP-AA, providing 66% of protein equivalent intake from protein substitute, was associated with no significant change in blood Phe with CGMP-AA compared with baseline (562 ± 289 µmol/L vs 628 ± 317 µmol/L; p = 0.065). In contrast, blood tyrosine significantly increased on CGMP-AA (52.0 ± 19.2 µmol/L vs 61.4 ± 23.8 µmol/L; p = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Biochemical nutritional markers remained unchanged which is an encouraging finding in adults with PKU, many of whom are unable to maintain full adherence with nutritionally fortified protein substitutes. Longitudinal, prospective studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to fully understand the metabolic impact of using CGMP-AA in PKU.

Frailty status is related to general and abdominal obesity in older adults.

The association between frailty and obesity may differ according to the heterogeneity of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) phenotypes in older adults. We hypothesized that the use of simple indicators of general and abdominal obesity combined, may more accurately represent obesity and allow to further elucidate on how frailty status and its criteria are related to obesity. A sample of 1444 older adults, aged ≥65 years (Nutrition UP 65 study) was included in a cross-sectional analysis. General and abdominal obesity were defined according to World Health Organization BMI and WC cut-offs, and frailty by Fried et al. phenotype. A cluster analysis defined groups according to BMI and WC levels. Overweight (BMI between 25.0 and 29.9 kg/m2; 44.6%), general obesity (BMI ≥30.0 kg/m2; 39.0%), and abdominal obesity (WC >102 cm for men and >88 cm for women) were highly frequent (66.5%). Prefrailty (odds ratio [OR]: 2.33; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.52-3.57) and frailty (OR: 2.87; 95% CI: 1.58-5.22) were directly associated with the "general and abdominal obesity" cluster. Regarding frailty criteria, low handgrip strength (OR: 2.29; 95% CI: 1.55-3.38) and weight loss (OR: 0.27; 95% CI: 0.14-0.52) were also associated with this cluster. In this sample of older adults presenting a high frequency of overweight and obesity, prefrailty and frailty are linked to higher levels of adiposity, but only when both general and abdominal obesity are present. Present results emphasize the importance of the evaluation of both BMI and WC in the geriatric clinical practice and suggest that older adults presenting both general and abdominal obesity should be routinely screened for frailty.

Are older adults with excessive sodium intake at increased risk of hypohydration?

BACKGROUND: Sodium intake is expected to affect water needs, although compensation mechanisms may not work efficiently particularly in older adults. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to quantify the association between sodium excretion and hydration status in a representative sample of Portuguese older adults. METHODS: A cluster sampling approach was used, representing Portuguese older adults (≥65 years) according to sex, education level and region. From a sample size of 1500 participants, 1318 were eligible for the present analysis. A 24-h urine sample was collected, and volume, osmolality, creatinine and sodium were quantified. Free water reserve (FWR) was used to assess hydration status. Excessive sodium intake was defined as above 2000 mg day-1 as recommended by the World Health Organization. A multivariable binary logistic regression model was used to estimate the association between FWR and sodium excretion. Odds ratios (OR) and respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. RESULTS: Excessive sodium excretion was observed in 80.0% of women and 91.5% of men, whereas hypohydration affected 10.9% of women and 23.6% of men. After adjusting for confounders, excessive sodium excretion was associated with an increased risk of hypohydration among men (OR = 2.75; 95% CI = 1.06-7.15). CONCLUSIONS: These results stress the positive association between excessive sodium intake and hypohydration in men and highlight the need for implementing strategies regarding the reduction of salt consumption and the promotion of water intake.

Evaluation of the impact of laser-assisted hatching techniques on the hatching process of mouse blastocysts using time-lapse microscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of zona opening (ZO) and 2 zona thinning (ZT) techniques on the hatching process of mouse embryos using a last-generation laser system and time-lapse microscopy (TLM). DESIGN: Prospective randomized study. SETTING: Private research center. ANIMALS: A total of 267 F1 hybrid (B6/CBA) mice embryos were included. INTERVENTION(S): Morulae were randomly selected and the zona pellucida (ZP) manipulated using a laser system according to 4 experimental groups: control (ZP intact, n = 59), ZO (25 µm hole, n = 70), ZT25 (25% perimeter thinned, n = 71), and ZT35 (35% perimeter thinned, n = 67). Embryo development was monitored by TLM until day 6. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Time to first breach the ZP, hatching time, time to complete hatching, multiple breaching, multiple hatching, loss of cells, hole size, and embryo quality were analyzed. RESULT(S): No significant differences in the proportion of completely hatched embryos were found among groups. However, the time (average hours ± SD) to complete hatching was significantly delayed in the control group compared with all laser-treated groups: 118.3 ± 9.5 hours in the ZT25 group, 116.6 ± 8.7 hours in the ZT35 group, and 120.4 ± 9.9 hours in the ZO group. The applied laser techniques did not interfere with the quality of the blastocysts at day 5/6 of culture. CONCLUSION(S): ZO, ZT25, and ZT35 embryos hatched significantly earlier than the zona intact group without increasing the multiple hatching rates, suggesting an improvement of the hatching process. This study found that the pattern of the hatching process after ZT and ZO differs.

Urinary Sodium Excretion and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Older Adults.

Despite the well-known benefits of the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet), data on the sodium intake is scarce. This study aimed to quantify the association between sodium excretion and the adherence to the MedDiet in the elderly. A representative sample of 1500 Portuguese adults (≥65 years) was assessed (1321 were eligible for the present analysis). A 24 h urine sample was collected and analysed for creatinine and sodium. Excessive sodium intake was defined as above 2000 mg/day. The adherence to the MedDiet was assessed by the PREDIMED. A binary logistic regression model was conducted to evaluate the association between urinary sodium excretion and the adherence to the MedDiet. Odds Ratios (OR) and respective 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI) were calculated. Excessive sodium excretion was observed in 80.0% of men and 91.5% of women whereas a high adherence to the MedDiet was reported by 42.2% of women and 46.4% of men. After adjusting for confounders, excessive sodium excretion was associated with a high adherence to the MedDiet in men (OR = 1.94; 95% CI: 1.03-3.65) but not in women. These results show that the MedDiet can be an important source of sodium and highlight the need for implementing strategies to reduce sodium intake when following a MedDiet.