Plasma lipid metabolites as potential biomarkers for identifying individuals at risk of obesity-induced metabolic complications.

Lipidomics studies have indicated an association between obesity and lipid metabolism dysfunction. This study aimed to evaluate and compare cardiometabolic risk factors, and the lipidomic profile in adults and older people. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 72 individuals, divided into two sex and age-matched groups: obese (body mass index-BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2; n = 36) and non-obese (BMI < 30 kg/m2; n = 36). The lipidomic profiles were evaluated in plasma using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy. Obese individuals had higher waist circumference (p < 0.001), visceral adiposity index (p = 0.029), homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p = 0.010), and triacylglycerols (TAG) levels (p = 0.018). 1H-NMR analysis identified higher amounts of saturated lipid metabolite fragments, lower levels of unsaturated lipids, and some phosphatidylcholine species in the obese group. Two powerful machine learning (ML) models-k-nearest neighbors (kNN) and XGBoost (XGB) were employed to characterize the lipidomic profile of obese individuals. The results revealed metabolic alterations associated with obesity in the NMR signals. The models achieved high accuracy of 86% and 81%, respectively. The feature importance analysis identified signal at 1.50-1.60 ppm (-CO-CH2-CH2-, Cholesterol and fatty acid in TAG, Phospholipids) to have the highest importance in the two models.

Are Phosphatidylcholine and Lysophosphatidylcholine Body Levels Potentially Reliable Biomarkers in Obesity? A Review of Human Studies.

Phosphatidylcholines (PCs) are the major components of biological membranes in animals and are a class of phospholipids that incorporate choline as a headgroup. Lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs) are a class of lipid biomolecules derived from the cleavage of PCs, and are the main components of oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDLs) that are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Since obesity is associated with a state of chronic low-grade inflammation, one can anticipate that the lipidomic profile changes in this context and both PCs and LPCs are gaining attention as hypothetically reliable biomarkers of obesity. Thus, a literature search is performed on PubMed, Latin American and Caribbean Health Science Literature (LILACS), and Excerpta Medica DataBASE (Embase) to obtain the findings of population studies to clarify this hypothesis. The search strategy resulted in a total of 2403 reports and 21 studies were included according to the eligibility criteria. Controversial data on the associations of PCs and LPCs with body mass index (BMI) and body fat parameters have been identified. There is an inverse relationship between BMI and most species of PCs, and a majority of studies exhibited negative associations between BMI and LPCs. Other findings regarding the differences between PCs and LPCs in obesity are presented, and the associated uncertainties are discussed in detail.

Concordância entre ferramentas de triagem nutricional pediátrica em indivíduos com síndrome nefrótica / Concordance between pediatric nutritional screening tools in individuals with nefrotic syndrome

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a concordância entre três ferramentas de triagem nutricional validadas para pediatria entre si e a correlação com os parâmetros antropométricos de pacientes hospitalizados com síndrome nefrótica. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com crianças e adolescentes de ambos os sexos internados na enfermaria pediátrica de um hospital universitário, com diagnóstico de síndrome nefrótica. Foram aplicados três instrumentos de triagens nutricionais: triagem de risco para estado nutricional e crescimento (STRONGkids), pontuação pediátrica de desnutrição de Yorkhill (PYMS) e ferramenta de rastreio para a avaliação da desnutrição em pediatria (STAMP). Foram coletados dados de peso, altura e perímetro do braço. A estimativa de concordância relativa entre os instrumentos foi analisada com o teste de Kappa ponderado e as correlações com os parâmetros antropométricos foram avaliadas com o teste de correlação de Spearman. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 11 pacientes, com idade mínima de 2 anos e máxima de 10 anos. As ferramentas de triagem detectaram prevalência de risco nutricional moderado e elevado. Foi observada concordância moderada (k=0,47) entre a PYMS e a STAMP e não houve correlação entre as triagens e os dados antropométricos. Com relação aos parâmetros antropométricos, 100% dos participantes tinham peso adequado para idade, 63,6% dos participantes foram diagnosticados com eutrofia pelo indicador IMC/idade e 81,8% tinham estatura adequada para idade de acordo com o indicador estatura/idade. Após a análise do perímetro do braço, 27,3% estavam em risco de desnutrição. CONCLUSÕES: A despeito de não haver recomendações para uso de triagens nutricionais pediátricas específicas para cada situação clínica, duas das três triagens analisadas neste estudo apresentaram moderada concordância entre elas. Contudo, as triagens testadas não refletiram o estado nutricional antropométrico da população avaliada.

AIMS: To evaluate the concordance between three validated nutritional screening tools for pediatrics among themselves and the correlation with the anthropometric parameters of patients hospitalized with nephrotic syndrome. METHOD: Cross-sectional study with children and adolescents of both sexes hospitalized in the pediatric ward of a university hospital and diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome. Three nutritional screening instruments were applied: Screening of Risk for Nutritional Status and Growth (STRONGkids), Paediatric Yorkhill Malnutrition Score (PYMS) and Screening Tool for the Assessment of Malnutrition in Paediatrics (STAMP). Data on weight, height and upper arm perimeter was collected, and three nutritional screening tools were applied: The estimate of relative agreement between the instruments was evaluated with the weighted Kappa test and the correlations with anthropometric parameters were assessed with the Spearman's Correlation Test. RESULTS: We evaluated 11 patients, with a minimum age of 2 years and a maximum of 10 years. Screening tools detected prevalence of medium and high nutritional risk. Moderate agreement (k=0.47) was observed between PYMS and STAMP and there was no correlation between the screening tools' result and the anthropometric data. Regarding the anthropometric parameters, 100% of the participants had adequate weight for age, 63.6% of the participants were diagnosed with normal weight by the BMI/Age index and 81.8% had adequate height for age according to the index Height/Age. After analysis of the upper arm perimeter, 27.3% were at risk of malnutrition. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that are no recommendations for use of pediatric nutritional screening tools specific to each clinical situation, two of the three screening tools analyzed in this study demonstrated moderate agreement between them. However, the tested tools did not reflect the anthropometric nutritional status of the evaluated population.

Evaluation of factors that may influence in the insufficient weight loss in patients after two years of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

INTRODUCTION: bariatric surgery is a favorable option for the treatment of obesity, resulting in long-term weight loss. OBJECTIVES: to analyze whether feeding behavior, evaluated by caloric intake, dietary preferences and tolerance, can be considered as a determinant factor for weight loss in obese patients submitted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). METHODS: cross-sectional study of 105 patients with at least two years post-RYGB surgery with a preoperative body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 35 kg/m². Caloric intake was evaluated by 24-hour dietary recall and 3-day dietary intake record; dietary habits, by a qualitative dietary frequency questionnaire; and food tolerance, with a validated questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: the majority of the 105 participants were female (84%). The mean age was 43.3 ± 11.4 years in the success group (n = 64) and 43.4 ± 10.7 years in the failure group (n = 41). Preoperative BMI was not associated with the outcome. Mean caloric intake did not show significant differences between groups: 24 hours recall, p = 0.27; 3-day record, p = 0.95. The frequency of weekly consumption of desserts was twice as high in the success group. Only two patients in the success group presented daily vomiting. CONCLUSION: the factors that determine the failure of weight loss have not yet been fully elucidated. Caloric intake was not a determining factor of failure, and insufficient weight loss was more prevalent in patients who ceased to lose weight earlier.

Evaluation of factors that may influence in the insufficient weight loss in patients after two years of roux-en-y gastric bypass / Evaluación de factores que pueden influenciar en la pérdida de peso insuficiente en pacientes después de dos años de bypass gástrico en Y de Roux

Introduction: bariatric surgery is a favorable option for the treatment of obesity, resulting in long-term weight loss. Objectives: to analyze whether feeding behavior, evaluated by caloric intake, dietary preferences and tolerance, can be considered as a determinant factor for weight loss in obese patients submitted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Methods: cross-sectional study of 105 patients with at least two years post-RYGB surgery with a preoperative body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 35 kg/m². Caloric intake was evaluated by 24-hour dietary recall and 3-day dietary intake record; dietary habits, by a qualitative dietary frequency questionnaire; and food tolerance, with a validated questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression was used for statistical analysis. Results: the majority of the 105 participants were female (84%). The mean age was 43.3 ± 11.4 years in the success group (n = 64) and 43.4 ± 10.7 years in the failure group (n = 41). Preoperative BMI was not associated with the outcome. Mean caloric intake did not show significant differences between groups: 24 hours recall, p = 0.27; 3-day record, p = 0.95. The frequency of weekly consumption of desserts was twice as high in the success group. Only two patients in the success group presented daily vomiting. Conclusion: the factors that determine the failure of weight loss have not yet been fully elucidated. Caloric intake was not a determining factor of failure, and insufficient weight loss was more prevalent in patients who ceased to lose weight earlier

Introducción: la cirugía bariátrica es una opción favorable para el tratamiento de la obesidad, resultando a largo plazo en pérdida de peso. Objetivos: analizar si el comportamiento alimentario, evaluado por la ingesta calórica, las preferencias y las tolerancias alimentarias, puede ser considerado un factor determinante de los resultados de pérdida de peso en pacientes obesos sometidos a bypass gástrico en Y de Roux (BPGYR). Métodos: se realizó un estudio de cohorte retrospectivo con 105 pacientes sometidos a cirugía de BPGYR, con índice de masa corporal (IMC) preoperatorio ≥ 35 kg/m² y, como mínimo, dos años de postoperatorio. La ingesta calórica fue evaluada por el recordatorio alimentario de 24 horas y el registro alimentario de tres días. Para la evaluación de los hábitos alimentarios se empleó un cuestionario cualitativo de frecuencia alimentaria y para la tolerancia alimentaria, un cuestionario validado. Resultados: la mayoría de los participantes eran del sexo femenino (84%). La edad promedio fue de 43,30 ± 11,39 años en el grupo éxito y de 43,39 ± 10,73 años en el grupo sin éxito. El IMC preoperatorio no presentó influencia sobre el resultado final. El promedio de ingesta calórica no mostró diferencia significativa entre los grupos estudiados (R 24 h, p = 0,27; registro del diario alimentario, p = 0,95). La frecuencia del consumo semanal de dulces fue dos veces mayor en el grupo éxito. Apenas dos pacientes del grupo éxito presentaban vómitos diarios. Conclusión: los factores que determinan la falta de éxito en la pérdida de peso aún no están bien esclarecidos. La ingesta calórica no fue un factor determinante para no obtener éxito y la pérdida de peso insuficiente fue más prevalente en los pacientes que dejaron de perder peso más temprano

Breast milk retinol concentration in mothers of preterm newborns.

BACKGROUND: Preterm newborns have low vitamin A reserves at birth, which increases their risk of morbidity and mortality. In the absence of supplementation, breast milk is the only source of this nutrient for exclusively breastfed infants. AIMS: To assess retinol concentration in preterm milk and the relationship between this retinol concentration and lactation phase, degree of prematurity, and maternal serum retinol level. STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal study. SUBJECTS: Fifty-eight preterm mothers. OUTCOME MEASURES: Colostrum (1-3d), transitional (7-15d), and mature human milk (30-55d) samples were collected. Maternal blood was collected once at postpartum. Retinol level was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Milk retinol concentration was statistically different between lactation phases (p<0.001): 2.84±1.05µmol/L in colostrum (58), 3.47±1.28µmol/L in transitional (58), and 2.03±0.61µmol/L in mature milk (30). No difference was found in milk retinol levels between groups with different degrees of prematurity (p>0.05). Maternal serum retinol (1.82±0.50µmol/L) did not correlate with milk levels (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Retinol level in preterm milk seems to be independent of the degree of prematurity and maternal serum status. A significant increase in micronutrient levels in transitional milk was observed, which is likely to contribute to reserves in the premature liver.

Influência do tempo de armazenamento sobre a concentração de alfa-tocoferol e gama-tocoferol em óleos vegetais / Influence of the storage time on the concentration of alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol in vegetable oils

O alfa- e o gama-tocoferol estão entre os homólogos da vitamina E, que possui importante papel como antioxidante. As fontes dietéticas mais ricas em vitamina E são os óleos vegetais. Este trabalho avaliou os níveis de alfa- e gama-tocoferol nos óleos de canola, girassol, milho e soja, e averiguou sua variação com o tempo de armazenamento. Os óleos vegetais foram adquiridos nos supermercados da cidade de Natal/RN, e mantidos sob temperatura ambiente e ao abrigo da luz. As análises foram realizadas em diferentes momentos durante o armazenamento (tempo 0 e após 30, 60 e 90 dias). Cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE) foi usada para determinar as concentrações dos analitos. A análise estatística foi realizada utilizando-se o teste de variância (ANOVA) e as diferenças foram consideradas estatisticamente significativas quando p < 0,05. Ao final do tempo de armazenamento (90 dias) foi verificada diminuição significativa nos níveis de alfa- e gama-tocoferolde 38,7 % e 36,0 %, no óleo de canola; 42,2 % e 22,2 %, no óleo de soja; 28,3 % e 29,2 %, no óleo de girassol;39,0 % e 17,9 %, no óleo de milho, respectivamente. As concentrações de alfa- e gama-tocoferol nos óleos vegetais reduziram significativamente após armazenamento, sob as condições empregadas no estudo.

The alpha- and gamma-tocopherol are among the homologues of vitamin E which plays a key role as anantioxidant. The richest dietary sources of vitamin E are vegetable oils. This study aimed at evaluating thealpha- and gamma-tocopherol contents in oils from canola, sunflower, corn and soybeans, and to verify their variations after storage time. The vegetable oils were purchased at supermarkets in Natal / RN, and they were keptat room temperature and protected from light. The tests was made at different times during storage (time 0 and after 30, 60 and 90 days). The high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determinetheir concentrations. The statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and thedifferences were considered statistically significant when p < 0.05. By the end of the storage time (90 days), thealpha- and gamma-tocopherol contents showed a significant decrease of 38.7 % and 36.0 % for canola oil; 42.2 %and 22.2 % in soybean oil; 28.3 % and 29.2 % in sunflower oil; 39.0 % and 17.9 % in corn oil, respectively.The concentrations of alpha- and gamma-tocopherol in vegetable oils significantly decreased after the storageperiod under the conditions used in this study.