Percepção do peso corporal e dificuldades encontradas pelas pessoas com deficiência visual na aquisição, na preparação e no consumo dos alimentos / Perception of body weight and difficulties encounteredby people with visual impairment in acquiring, preparing and consuming food

Objetivo: investigar a percepção do peso corporal e as dificuldades encontradas pelas pessoas com deficiência visual na aquisição, na preparação e no consumo dos alimentos. Metodologia: estudo observacional transversal, com adultos e idosos com deficiência visual em Pelotas/RS, realizado no período de abril a maio de 2023. Foi utilizado um questionário composto de 42 itens. Os dados coletados foram analisados por análise descritiva e analítica, e apresentados como média ± desvio padrão ou percentual. Resultados: a amostra contou com 20 pessoas, predominantemente do sexo feminino e idosas. Em relação ao consumo alimentar, 50% dos participantes consomem feijão, 75% frutas e hortaliças, 50% bebidas adoçadas, biscoitos recheados e doces. Referente à percepção do peso corporal, percebeu-se que a maior parte do grupo sente que está acima do peso adequado e se sentem "insatisfeitos(as)". Sobre as dificuldades encontradas, 85% dos participantes relataram dificuldade extrema para identificar a validade dos alimentos, 70% para comprar alimentos frescos e perecíveis e 40% para usar a faca para cortar e descascar os alimentos. Conclusão: verificou-se que a maior parte do grupo sente que está acima do peso adequado e estão "insatisfeitos(as)" em relação ao peso corporal. Além disso, dependem de outra pessoa para escolher os alimentos a serem comprados, saber o prazo de validade, preparar alimentos que precisam ser porcionados, servir refeições no prato, cortar carnes, descascar vegetais e frutas, utilizar faca, entre outros. Esta dependência pode influenciar diretamente no seu consumo alimentar quando essas pessoas se encontram sozinhas, optando por consumir alimentos industrializados de fácil preparo ou prontos.

Objective: to investigate the perception of body weight and the difficulties encountered by people with visual impairments in acquiring, preparing and consuming food. Methodology: cross-sectional observational study, with adults and elderly people with visual impairment in Pelotas/RS, carried out from April to May 2023. A questionnaire composed of 42 items was used. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical analysis, and presented as mean ± standard deviation or percentage. Results: the sample included 20 people, predominantly female and elderly. Regarding food consumption, 50% of participants consume beans, 75% fruits and vegetables, 50% sweetened drinks, stuffed cookies and sweets. Regarding the perception of body weight, it was noticed that the majority of the group feels that they are overweight and feel "dissatisfied". Regarding the difficulties encountered, 85% of participants reported extreme difficulty in identifying the expiration date of food, 70% in purchasing fresh and perishable foods and 40% in using a knife to cut and peel food. Conclusion: it was found that the majority of the group feels that they are overweight and are "dissatisfied" with their body weight. Furthermore, they depend on someone else to choose the food to be purchased, know the expiration date, prepare food that needs to be portioned, serve meals on the plate, cut meat, peel vegetables and fruits, use a knife, among others. This dependence can directly influence their food consumption when these people are alone, choosing to consume easily prepared or ready-made processed foods.

An Appraisal of Nonmicrobial Biostimulants' Impact on the Productivity and Mineral Content of Wild Rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC.) Cultivated under Organic Conditions.

Modern agriculture urgently requires viable alternatives to synthetic chemical substances, such as pesticides and fertilizers, to comply with new and stringent international regulations and meet the growing demands of consumers who prefer chemical-free food. Consequently, organic agriculture has garnered increasing interest over time. To compensate for yield reduction resulting from opting out of the use mineral fertilizers, research has focused on the use of biostimulants to sustain the productivity of horticultural crops. To this end, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to assess the effects of three nonmicrobial biostimulants (a plant extract, vegetable protein hydrolysate, and a seaweed extract) and an untreated control on the production and mineral content of wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC.) cultivated under organic conditions and harvested three times during the growth cycle. In general, the nitrate content, which defines the commercial quality of wild rocket, was not influenced by the application of biostimulants. At each harvest, the application of biostimulants resulted in improved production performance, although this was not always accompanied by an increase in mineral content. Specifically, the best results were obtained with the use of plant-derived protein hydrolysate and plant extract, which led to an improvement in total yield of 32.1% and 27.2%, respectively compared to that of control plants. These results reconfirm that biostimulants represent a valid and indispensable tool for organic growers.

Assessing Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as a Nutritional Indicator in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: In an aging population, there is an increasing need for easily accessible nutritional markers. AIMS: To determine whether the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) can serve as an effective nutritional indicator compared to the Mini-Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF) or other common markers such as albumin and body mass index (BMI). METHODS: Data were obtained from the SABE study in Ecuador, which included participants aged 60 years or older. This cross-sectional study collected comprehensive data, including demographics, health-related factors, and physical assessments. Neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were measured by complete blood count. Nutritional status was assessed by MNA-SF, and BMI was calculated. Several physical tests were performed to evaluate the participants' functional status. Confounding variables such as age, sex, and comorbidities were considered. RESULTS: The final sample consisted of 1790 subjects (48.9% male). The overall median age was 68 years (IQR 64,76). BMI and lymphocytes were higher in females, while NLR was higher in males. MNA-SF showed a negative association with NLR. Similarly, lymphocyte count shows a positive association with MNA-SF. Physical tests, such as the Romberg test and the Five Times Sit-to-Stand test, also showed correlations with NLR and lymphocyte count, respectively. CONCLUSION: The study results suggest a significant relationship between NLR and lymphocytes, and nutritional status. The correlation with albumin is stronger with NLR than with BMI. The simplicity and affordability of NLR may make it suitable for routine use in several medical fields, improving our understanding of the complex relationship between nutrition, inflammation, and overall health.

Nutritional status and clinical outcomes of brain tumor surgery in pediatric intensive care unit: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: To determine whether nutritional status affects mortality and length of stay in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) after brain tumor surgery. METHODS: Subjects aged 2 months to 13 years with brain tumor surgery were included in the study. Z-scores of BMI for age, weight for age, and weight for length were calculated at admission. Undernutrition was defined as Z-score < -2. Nutritional intake was measured daily by a clinical nutritionist. Outcomes to be measured included duration of hospitalization and mortality. Regression analyses was used to investigate the relationship between nutritional variables and outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 63 patients met the inclusion criteria. Undernutrition at admission was found in 33% of subjects based on Z-scores of BMI and weight for length. The mortality rate was 17.5%. Calorie and protein intake was <50% of the target in 50.7% and 42.8 % of children, respectively. Undernutrition by weight for age Z-score, BMI for age and weight for length Z-scores, and low protein intake increased mortality risk by 5, 5.9 and 4.7 times, respectively. The risk of shorter PICU-free days was independently 80% and 90% lower in those receiving <50% of protein and calorie requirements. CONCLUSION: Undernutrition at admission is prevalent in children undergoing brain tumor surgery and is associated with a higher risk of mortality. Caloric and protein intake during hospitalization is generally low, leading to longer PICU stay.

Need for operational simplicity and timely disbursal of benefits-a qualitative exploration of the implementation of a direct benefit transfer scheme for persons with tuberculosis in India.

BACKGROUND: Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) is a direct benefit transfer scheme of the Government of India introduced in 2018 to support the additional nutritional requirements of persons with TB (PwTB). Our recent nationwide evaluation of implementation and utilization of NPY using programmatic data of PwTB from nine randomly selected Indian states, reported a 70% coverage and high median delay in benefit credit. We undertook a qualitative study between January and July 2023, to understand the detailed implementation process of NPY and explore the enablers and barriers to effective implementation and utilization of the NPY scheme. METHODS: We followed a grounded theory approach to inductively develop theoretical explanations for social phenomena through data generated from multiple sources. We conducted 36 in-depth interviews of national, district and field-level staff of the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) and NPY beneficiaries from 30 districts across nine states of India, selected using theoretical sampling. An analytical framework developed through inductive coding of a set of six interviews, guided the coding of the subsequent interviews. Categories and themes emerged through constant comparison and the data collection continued until theoretical saturation. RESULTS: Stakeholders perceived NPY as a beneficial initiative. Strong political commitment from the state administration, mainstreaming of NTEP work with the district public healthcare delivery system, availability of good geographic and internet connectivity and state-specific grievance redressal mechanisms and innovations were identified as enablers of implementation. However, the complex, multi-level benefit approval process, difficulties in accessing banking services, perceived inadequacy of benefits and overworked human resources in the NTEP were identified as barriers to implementation and utilization. CONCLUSION: The optimal utilization of NPY is enabled by strong political commitment and challenged by its lengthy implementation process and delayed disbursal of benefits. We recommend greater operational simplicity in NPY implementation, integrating NTEP activities with the public health system to reduce the burden on the program staff, and revising the benefit amount more equitably.

Association of Anthropometric Adiposity Indices and Hand Grip Strength among Male Industrial Workers in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Hand Grip Strength (HGS), a basic, non-invasive measure of musculoskeletal function is found to be a risk marker for cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cancer. Considering the importance and paucity of studies among industrial workers, we aim to study the association between anthropometric adiposity indices and the HGS of industrial workers. Materials and Methods: The study is a descriptive, cross-sectional study. Anthropometric measurements and HGS of 198 male industrial workers between 21 and 60 years of age, employed at metal manufacturing industries in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India were assessed. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive and inferential statistics were done using "R" statistical software. Results: The mean age of male industrial workers was 39.51 ± 12.20 years. The majority of the workers were found to be obese (64%) and the mean body fat percentage was 27.69 ± 5.13%. The mean HGS of the worker's dominant hand was found to be 35.80 ± 8.93 kg and of their non-dominant hand was 35.0 ± 8.67 kg. When compared to the normative values of HGS for Indians, results revealed significantly higher HGS of both dominant and non-dominant hands of workers between the age group of 21-30 years and 51-60 years. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that body weight [ß(s.e) =0.27 (0.05), P < 0.000], body fat [ß(s.e) = -0.52 (0.14), P < 0.000) and WHR [ß(s.e) = -28.81 (11.9), P = 0.017] independently predicted the HGS of dominant hand. In non-dominant hand, body weight [ß(s.e) = 0.26 (0.05), P < 0.000] and body fat [ß(s.e) = -0.60 (0.13), P < 0.000] independently predicted HGS. Conclusions: Body fat, body weight, and Waist-to-Hip ratio (WHR) were found to have a significant influence on the HGS of industrial workers. Strategies aimed to reduce overall body fat and abdominal obesity may prove beneficial in improving HGS and nutritional status thereby reducing the risk of non-communicable diseases.

Handgrip strength and mortality in a cohort of kidney failure patients: Comparative analysis of different normalization methods.

OBJECTIVES: Reduced handgrip strength (HGS) is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. We analyzed and compared associations of HGS with mortality risk in dialysis patients, using different normalization methods of HGS. METHODS: HGS and clinical and laboratory parameters were measured in a cohort of 446 incident dialysis patients (median age 56 y, 62% men). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to compare different normalization methods of HGS as predictors of mortality: absolute HGS in kilograms; HGS normalized to height, weight, or body mass index; and HGS of a reference population of sex-matched controls (percentage of the mean HGS value [HGS%]). Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to assess HGS predictors. Competing risk regression analysis was used to evaluate 5-year all-cause mortality risk. Differences in survival time between HGS% tertiles were quantitated by analyzing the restricted mean survival time. RESULTS: The AUROC for HGS% was higher than the AUROCs for absolute or normalized HGS values. Compared with the high HGS% tertile, low HGS% (subdistribution hazard ratio [sHR] = 2.36; 95% CI, 1.19-3.70) and middle HGS% (sHR = 1.79; 95% CI, 1.12-2.74) tertiles were independently associated with higher all-cause mortality and those with high HGS% tertile survived on average 7.95 mo (95% CI, 3.61-12.28) and 18.99 mo (95% CI, 14.42-23.57) longer compared with middle and low HGS% tertile, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: HGS% was a strong predictor of all-cause mortality risk in incident dialysis patients and a better discriminator of survival than absolute HGS or HGS normalized to body size dimensions.

Health Outcome Comparison Based on Dietary Inflammatory Levels among Sample of Korean Elderly.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a senior-friendly diet based on the dietary inflammatory index (DII) on the nutritional status and health indicators of older people. A total of 256 participants were classified into tertiles based on their DII values and split into intervention (n = 201) and control (n = 55) groups. The intervention group was provided with a senior-friendly diet, and the control group was allowed to eat their usual diet. Before and after the trial, anthropometric measurements, blood analyses, and questionnaires were completed for both groups. The mean age of the participants was 82.49 years, and 66.4% were female. On average, participants had 2.5 medical conditions, with a notable prevalence of cardiovascular disease. Following the intervention, the energy, carbohydrate, protein, and fat intakes significantly increased in the intervention group compared to pre-intervention levels. Tertile 3 exhibited substantial improvements in total nutrition score, NQ-E balance, and DII total score, as well as in triglycerides and blood glucose, attributed to this dietary intervention compared to other groups. In comparison with Tertile 1, nutrient intake and nutritional status in Tertile 3 were closely associated with significant influencing factors of the dietary intervention. For the group with the worst DII (Tertile 3), this dietary intervention greatly improved nutritional status, nutrient intake, and clinical indicators; thus, this senior-friendly diet appears to be beneficial for elderly people with nutritional vulnerabilities.

Nutritional Profiles and Their Links to Insulin Resistance and Anthropometric Variables in a Female Cohort.

This study investigates the relationship between dietary habits and metabolic health among women, emphasizing the role of anthropometric parameters as proxies for insulin resistance. We analyzed data from 443 women categorized into two groups based on the presence or absence of clinically diagnosed insulin resistance. Our assessments included dietary quality, socio-demographic characteristics, and a series of anthropometric measurements such as body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR), Abdominal Volume Index (AVI), and Body Adiposity Index (BAI). The results indicated significant disparities in these parameters, with the insulin-resistant group exhibiting higher average body weight (78.92 kg vs. 65.04 kg, p < 0.001), BMI (28.45 kg/m2 vs. 23.17 kg/m2, p < 0.001), and other related measures, suggesting a strong influence of dietary patterns on body composition and metabolic risk. The study underscores the importance of dietary management in addressing insulin resistance, advocating for personalized dietary strategies to improve metabolic health outcomes in women. This approach highlights the need for integrating dietary changes with lifestyle modifications and socio-demographic considerations to combat metabolic risks effectively.

Prevalence and Determinants of Undernutrition in Schoolchildren in the Kilombero District, South-Eastern Tanzania.

Childhood undernutrition is a major issue in low- and middle-income countries, affecting the health, well-being, and educational outcomes of schoolchildren. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of stunting, wasting, and underweight among schoolchildren in peri-urban areas in the south-eastern part of Tanzania. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 930 children aged 6-12 years from four primary schools from July to August 2019. The WHO Anthro Survey Analyzer was employed to estimate the prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight, while logistic regression analyses examined sociodemographic background, malaria infection, anaemia, anthropometric measures, and dietary diversity score as potential factors. The prevalence of stunting, wasting, underweight, overweight, and obesity was 11.8%, 4.3%, 3.9%, 11.1%, and 2.0%, respectively. Overall, 1.5% of the children had malaria, as determined by rapid diagnostic tests, and 0.4% had severe anaemia. Univariate analysis indicated higher odds of undernutrition among children aged 9-12 compared to their younger peers. Stunting was more common among children with low and medium dietary diversity. Anaemia was found in 11.2% of schoolchildren, and severe anaemia was associated with wasting. Multivariate analysis revealed that age and low dietary diversity were significantly associated with undernutrition. These findings emphasise the need for school-based health and nutrition programmes targeting children beyond the age of 5 to improve their nutritional status and mitigate potential adverse effects on health, cognition, and academic achievement. Regular assessment of the nutritional status of schoolchildren is warranted.

Gastric Cancer, Immunotherapy, and Nutrition: The Role of Microbiota.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized the treatment of gastric cancer (GC), which still represents the third leading cause of cancer-related death in Western countries. However, ICI treatment outcomes vary between individuals and need to be optimized. Recent studies have shown that gut microbiota could represent a key influencer of immunotherapy responses. At the same time, the nutritional status and diet of GC patients are also predictive of immunotherapy treatment response and survival outcomes. The objective of this narrative review is to gather recent findings about the complex relationships between the oral, gastric, and gut bacterial communities, dietary factors/nutritional parameters, and immunotherapy responses. Perigastric/gut microbiota compositions/functions and their metabolites could be predictive of response to immunotherapy in GC patients and even overall survival. At the same time, the strong influence of diet on the composition of the microbiota could have consequences on immunotherapy responses through the impact of muscle mass in GC patients during immunotherapy. Future studies are needed to define more precisely the dietary factors, such as adequate daily intake of prebiotics, that could counteract the dysbiosis of the GC microbiota and the impaired nutritional status, improving the clinical outcomes of GC patients during immunotherapy.

Role of composite objective nutritional indexes in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Malnutrition persists as one of the most severe symptoms in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) globally. It is a critical risk factor for cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in patients with CKD. Readily available objective indicators are used to calculate composite objective nutritional assessment indexes, including the geriatric nutritional risk index, prognostic nutritional index, and controlling nutritional status score. These indexes offer a straightforward and effective method for evaluating nutritional status and predicting clinical outcomes in patients with CKD. This review presents supporting evidence on the significance of composite nutritional indexes.

Prevalence and influencing factors of malnutrition in stroke patients with bulbar paralysis: a cross-sectional study in China.

Background: Although malnutrition has been shown to influence the clinical outcomes of Stroke Patients with Bulbar Paralysis (SPBP), the prevalence and influencing factors have yet to be uncovered. Objective: This study aims to assess the current prevalence and factors associated with malnutrition in SPBP. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional investigation was conducted among SPBP in China from 2019 to 2021. Information was collected on basic information, health condition, diagnosis, treatment, neurological function, activities of daily living, swallowing function, and nutritional status. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify the factors that influenced nutritional status. ROC analysis was used to assess the predictive value of each independent influencing factor and the logit model. Results: In total, 774 SPBP were enrolled, and the prevalence of malnutrition was 60.59%. Pulmonary infection [aOR:2.849, 95%CI: (1.426, 5.691)], hemoglobin [aOR: 0.932, 95%CI: (0.875, 0.982)], serum albumin [aOR: 0.904, 95%CI: (0.871, 0.938)], total protein [aOR: 0.891, 95%CI: (0.819, 0.969)], prealbumin [aOR: 0.962, 95%CI: (0.932, 0.993)], and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores [aOR: 1.228, 95%CI: (1.054, 1.431)] were independent factors associated with malnutrition in SPBP. ROC analysis revealed that the logit model had the best predictive value [area under the curve: 0.874, 95% CI: (0.812, 0.936); specificity: 83.4%; sensitivity: 79.3%; p < 0.05]. Subgroup analysis showed that the nutritional status in dysphagic SPBP was additionally influenced by swallowing function and nutrition support mode. Conclusion: The prevalence of malnutrition in SPBP was 60.59%. Pulmonary infection, hemoglobin level, and NIHSS score were the independent factors associated with malnutrition. Swallowing function and nutrition support mode were the factors associated with malnutrition in dysphagic SPBP.

Study on correlation between perioperative cognitive function and nutritional status in elderly patients with gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cognitive function and nutritional status of elderly patients with gastric cancer during perioperative period, and to analyze their correlation. METHODS: Aged patients undergoing gastric cancer surgery in The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Shandong First Medical University from March to October 2021 were selected as the subjects of this study. The monitoring data of cognitive function and nutritional status were retrospectively analyzed from 1 to 3 days before surgery, 1 and 3 days after surgery, 7 days after surgery (before discharge) and 30 days after surgery to analyze the correlation between cognitive function and nutritional status in elderly patients with gastric cancer. RESULTS: the incidence of mild cognitive impairment in elderly patients with gastric cancer was 52.43 %, the visual space of the two groups' (mild cognitive impairment) ability of execution, name, attention, language, abstract thinking, delayed memory and cognitive function scores were lower than 1 set of directional force (cognitive function in normal group), statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). The nutritional status of elderly patients with gastric cancer was lower than that of healthy elderly group at the same period (P < 0.05). The scores of visual spatial executive function, name, attention, delayed memory, orientation and total score of cognitive function in elderly gastric cancer patients were positively correlated with nutritional status (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The cognitive function and nutritional status of elderly patients with gastric cancer are both in a low state during treatment and a higher level of cognitive function can help patients maintain a more correct nutritional cognition, and the nutritional status of patients will be relatively better. There is a positive correlation between cognitive function and nutritional status in elderly patients with gastric cancer, which should be paid attention to in the treatment.

Assessment of infant and young child feeding practices and associated factors among less than two years' children in Leka Dullecha District, East Wollega, Ethiopia.

Background and Aim: Leka Dullecha District, situated in East Wollega, Ethiopia, represents a region where infant and young child feeding practices play a crucial role in the health and well-being of the population. Understanding the prevailing feeding practices among children under 2 years old is essential for devising effective interventions to improve child nutrition and reduce mortality rates. The context of this study involves examining various factors influencing infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices, including socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental determinants. The main aim of the study was conducted to investigate the infant and young child feeding practice and associated factors among mothers of children 0-23 months in Leka Dullecha District, East Wollega, and Ethiopia. Method: A community-based, cross-sectional study design was carried out using 590 sample sizes. A stratified sampling method was used with simple random sampling technique. Bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with infant and young child feeding practices. Results: The overall prevalence of appropriate infant and young child feeding practice was estimated to 62.3%. According to this finding, age of child, place of delivery, and knowledge of mother were positively associated factors for inappropriate Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices. Conclusion: The overall infant and young child feeding practices in this study is not meeting the WHO guidelines for appropriate feeding practices. To achieve better feeding practices among 0-23 months aged children, intervention should focus on encouraging institution delivery and capacitating all health workers providing health education focusing on infant and young child feeding practices.

Pre-Infection Nutritional Status, Oxidative Stress, and One-Year-Long COVID Persistence in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional status's role in long COVID is evident in the general population, yet unexplored in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD), posing a research gap. We hypothesized that pre-infection undernutrition in HD patients might impact long COVID persistence by accelerating oxidative stress. The present study aimed to investigate the association between pre-infection nutritional status, oxidative stress, and one-year-long COVID persistence in HD patients. METHODS: This prospective observational cohort study enrolled 115 HD patients with confirmed COVID-19. Nutritional status was assessed using the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score twice: before infection and three months post-infection. Oxidative markers included malondialdehyde (MDAs), ceruloplasmin, transferrin, and sulfhydryl groups. The endpoint was one-year-long COVID persistence. RESULTS: Moderate pre-infection CONUT scores were associated with heightened severe undernutrition risk (p < 0.0001), elevated MDAs (p < 0.0001), and reduced ceruloplasmin levels (p = 0.0009) at three months post-COVID-19 compared to light CONUT scores. Pre-infection CONUT score independently predicted post-COVID oxidative damage [OR 2.3 (95% CI 1.2; 4.6), p < 0.0001] and one-year-long COVID persistence [HR 4.6 (95% CI 1.4; 9.9), p < 0.0001], even after adjusting for potential confounders. CONCLUSION: Moderate pre-infection undernutrition heightens post-COVID oxidative stress and increases the risk of one-year-long COVID persistence in HD patients.

Evaluation of controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score in the prognosis of hyperemesis gravidarum.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the predictive value of the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score on hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) severity, hospitalization, and length of stay. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study, conducted between December 2022 and June 2023, involved two groups. Group 1 comprised 52 pregnant women diagnosed with HG in the first trimester, receiving hospitalization and treatment. Group 2 included 105 pregnant women diagnosed with HG in the first trimester, managed and treated as outpatients. The CONUT score was calculated with the formula: Serum albumin score + total lymphocyte score + total cholesterol score. This score is calculated with a number of points between 0 and 12. The interpretation of the score involves four categories: normal (0-1), light (2-4), moderate (5-8), and severe (9-12). RESULTS: The CONUT score differed significantly between the hospitalized (4, IQR: 2.25-5) and outpatient groups (2, IQR: 2-3) (p < 0.001). A CONUT score >3 was associated with the need for hospitalization, demonstrating a sensitivity of 60%, a specificity of 84% (p < 0.001). The CONUT score was the parameter with the highest odds ratio (OR) value among the parameters related to the need for hospitalization, and each unit increase in the CONUT score increased the need for hospitalization by 1.683 times [OR = 1.683 (95% CI: 1.042-2.718), p = 0.033]. A positive correlation was found between the CONUT score and the duration of hospital stay (r = 0.316, p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests CONUT score as a valuable tool for predicting HG severity, hospitalization need, and duration of hospital stay.

Micronutrient Status and Breast Cancer: A Narrative Review.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, at the same time being one of the most prevalent causes of women's death. Many factors such as alcohol, weight fluctuations, or hormonal replacement therapy can potentially contribute to breast cancer development and progression. Another important factor in breast cancer onset includes micronutrient status. In this narrative review, we analyzed 23 micronutrients and their possible influence on breast cancer onset and progression. Further, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of micronutrient status on the prevention of breast cancer and its possible influence on various therapeutic pathways. We researched meta-analyses, systemic and narrative reviews, retrospective studies, as well as original studies on human and animal models. The results of these studies indicate a possible correlation between the different levels of micronutrients and a decreased risk of breast cancer as well as a better survival rate. However, further studies are necessary to establish adequate doses of supplementation of the chosen micronutrients and the exact mechanisms of micronutrient impact on breast cancer therapy.

Dietary nutrient intake study among older adults: baseline Malaysian pure study.

INTRODUCTION: The older adults (OA) is vulnerable to malnutrition, which may affect their health and quality of life. This study assesses the prevalence of deficiencies in dietary nutrients among the Malaysian OA stratified by residency, genders, socioeconomic status (SES) and body mass index (BMI). METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted, utilizing purposive sampling, recruiting 2,299 Malaysian people aged 60 years old and above who agreed to be interviewed via a comprehensive semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The nutrients intake was calculated based on the Malaysian food composition and US Department of Agriculture food composition databases. Then, the nutrients intake was compared with the Malaysian Recommended Nutrients Intake guidelines, and the prevalence of deficiencies in dietary nutrients were calculated. The median (interquartile ranges) intakes of nutrients were compared between residency (urban and rural), genders (male and female), and SES (low and middle-high) using the Mann-Whitney U test. The differences in nutrient intake between BMI categories (underweight, normal, and overweight) were identified using the Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunn's post hoc test. RESULTS: The response rate was 70.3% (n = 2,299), predominantly were females (50.8%), received primary education (76.6%), were currently married (84.3%), were middle-high SES (57.7%), and had a normal BMI (59.8%). There was a notable inadequate intake prevalence of magnesium (100.0%), manganese (97.9%), zinc (95.6%), vitamin B6 (98.4%), potassium (91.0%), calcium (89.3%), vitamin B12 (80.2%), vitamin E (91.2%), and vitamin K (81.5%) among Malaysian OA. Additionally, significant differences were observed in nutrients intake levels across gender, residency, SES, and BMI within this population. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a high prevalence of dietary nutrients deficiency (> 80%) among the Malaysian OA, particularly for magnesium, manganese, potassium, zinc, vitamin B6, vitamin E, calcium, vitamin B12, and vitamin K. To improve the nutritional status of OA and safeguard against adverse health effects, it is necessary to formulate and execute strategies to enhance their dietary nutrient intakes. The strategies may involve intervention such as nutrient supplementation and promotion of consuming nutrient-rich foods.

Do nutritional assessment tools (PNI, CONUT, GNRI) predict adverse events after spinal surgeries? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional assessment tools are used to predict outcomes in cancer. However, their utility in patients undergoing spinal surgery is unclear. This review examined if prognostic nutritional index (PNI), controlling nutritional status (CONUT), and geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) can predict adverse events after spinal surgeries. METHODS: PubMed, CENTRAL, Scopus, and Embase were screened by two reviewers for relevant studies up to 26th January 2024. The primary outcome of interest was total adverse events after spinal surgery. Secondary outcomes were surgical site infections (SSI) and mortality. RESULTS: 14 studies were included. Meta-analysis showed that while reduced PNI was not associated with an increased risk of SSI there was a significant association between PNI and higher risk of adverse events. Meta-analysis showed that high CONUT was not associated with an increased risk of complications after spinal surgeries. Pooled analysis showed that low GNRI was associated with an increased risk of both SSI and adverse events. Data on mortality was scarce. CONCLUSIONS: The PNI and GNRI can predict adverse outcomes after spinal surgeries. Limited data shows that high CONUT is also associated with a non-significant increased risk of adverse outcomes. High GNRI was predictive of an increased risk of SSI. Data on mortality is too scarce for strong conclusions.