Nutrition and health最新文献

Background: Recently, there has been an increase in the number of respiratory therapy programs. However, a national consensus is lacking in intended learning objectives, appropriate teaching methods, and suitable assessment tools. Consequently, variations in outcomes among these programs are expected. Aim: To evaluate the performance of respiratory therapy programs in the Saudi Respiratory Care Licensure Examination (SRCLE). Methods: The SRCLE data were retrieved from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) database as of 18 March 2024. The datasets included the number of applicants, overall passing rates, maximum scores, and average scores. Data were categorized based on academic institution, including the type of university (governmental or private), nationality, gender, passing status, number of exam attempts, and year of examinations. Performance comparisons were conducted based on gender and year of examinations. Results: The database from the SCFHS shows that 1305 examinees underwent the SRCLEs from the second quarter of 2021 to the first quarter of 2024. Females accounted for 46% of the total, while Saudi examinees made up 97% of all applicants. The overall passing rate stood at 96%. The average score was 613, with the highest score recorded being 740. Notably, there was no significant difference in performance between males and females (p = 0.299). However, there was a considerable variance in performance based on the year of examination (p = 0.024). Conclusion: The existing data demonstrates that most respiratory therapy programs perform well in SRCLE. We found no significant differences based on gender or the type of school attended. Additionally, the performance of these programs has remained consistent over the years.

Background: Pancreatic cancer has an increasing incidence and prevalence trend. Its prognosis is negatively affected by poor/altered nutritional status. Therefore, nutritional interventions play a critical/pivotal role at any stage. Despite being included in the prehabilitation items of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols for pancreatic surgery, nutritional recommendations concerning early post-discharge period are lacking. Aim: To assess the acceptability and feasibility of a personalized and standardized food plan for patients following pancreatic surgery. A secondary aim is to determine if adherence to a personalized food plan is linked to improved postoperative outcomes. Methods: A prospective monocentric cohort study will be performed, including 180 patients undergoing pancreatic surgery. Body composition, nutritional, muscular, and hydro-electrolyte status will be assessed with bio-impedance analysis (BIA). Patients will receive a personalized nutritional plan after discharge for the following 45 days. Summary: Detailed nutritional indications have been formulated with broad consensus for the pre-operative (prehabilitation) and postoperative period. No previous study has specifically formulated or validated a nutritional intervention focused on the early post-discharge period. The results of this study might contribute to paving the way for future research and to broaden nutritional recommendations within the ERAS protocol.

Background & Aims: Iron-folic acid (IFA) supplementation is widely recommended as both a preventive and therapeutic measure for pregnant women. Despite its widespread use, there is limited research exploring adherence to IFA supplementation during pregnancy and its impact on maternal and neonatal outcomes. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of IFA supplementation in improving pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. Methods: A comprehensive search on PubMed, Google Scholar, EMbase and Trip databases was conducted for relevant studies published up to May 31, 2024. Outcomes measured were preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW), neonatal mortality, perinatal mortality, small for gestational age (SGA) and stillbirth. Pooled risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), sensitivity analysis, publication bias, trial sequential analysis and quality assessment of the included studies were performed. Results: Eleven studies involving a total of 42,458 pregnant women who received IFA supplementation and 16,351 women who received folic acid (FA) alone or Control (no supplementation) were included. A significant reduction in overall neonatal mortality (RR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.61-0.87) as well as in subgroup analyses (IFA vs. control and IFA vs. FA) was observed. However, a decrease in incidence of LBW was noted only in IFA vs. control group (RR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.69-0.90). No significant association was found for overall LBW (RR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.08-2.76), PTB (RR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.09-3.50), perinatal mortality (RR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.69-1.04), SGA (RR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.86-1.12) and stillbirth (RR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.48-1.16) when comparing to IFA vs. control and IFA vs. FA group. Conclusions: Our findings provide strong evidence supporting the effectiveness of IFA supplementation in reducing neonatal mortality and LBW among pregnant women, highlighting its importance in prenatal care.

Background: Nutrition at midlife and beyond influences how an individual ages. Nutrition risk, the risk of poor nutritional health, is highly prevalent in community-dwelling adults in these age groups. As the factors associated with nutrition risk may vary between different age groups, research is needed on the differences in nutrition risk between age groups.

Aim: To examine the social, demographic, and health factors associated with high nutrition risk, determined using SCREEN-8, using data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), stratified by 10-year age groups.

Methods: Using the baseline and first follow-up waves of the CLSA, bivariate multivariable logistic regression was conducted to examine the variables associated with high nutrition risk (SCREEN-8 score < 38) by 10-year age group.

Results: Higher levels of social support, higher social standing, more frequent participation in community activities, screening negative for depression, and higher levels of self-rated general health, healthy aging, and oral health were consistently associated with lower odds of being at high nutrition risk across all age groups at both baseline and follow-up.

Conclusion: Individuals with low levels of social support, low social standing, infrequent participation in community activities, poor general health, poor healthy aging, poor oral health, or who screen positive for depression should be screened proactively for nutrition risk. Programs and policies designed to address social support, social standing, participation in community activities, depression, health, healthy aging, and oral health may also help reduce the prevalence of high nutrition risk.

Background: Preclinical studies have suggested that dietary creatine may affect sleep quality yet no studies have explored the potential association between creatine consumption and sleep patterns or disorders in the general population. Aim: This cross-sectional study aims to examine the association between creatine consumption and sleep habits and disorders among individuals aged 16 years and older, using data from the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Methods: The analysis included 5988 individuals (50.5% females) with a mean age of 47.4 ± 19.5 years. Daily creatine intake was assessed through individual in-person 24-h food recall interviews, categorizing respondents into two groups: those with suboptimal creatine intake (<1.00 g per day) and those meeting recommended intake (dietary creatine ≥ 1.00 g per day). Sleep was evaluated during household interviews using questions on sleep habits and disorders from the NHANES Sleep Disorders component. Results: The average daily creatine intake among participants was 0.88 ± 0.85 g (95% CI, 0.86 to 0.90), while the mean nightly sleep duration was 6.8 ± 1.5 h (95% CI, 6.8 to 6.9). Additionally, 1331 respondents (22.2%) reported consulting a doctor or health professional for sleep-related issues. Participants with suboptimal creatine intake had a significantly higher prevalence of trouble sleeping compared to those consuming recommended amounts (23.7% vs 19.3%; P < 0.01), with an odds ratio of 1.30 (95% CI: 1.13 to 1.48) for experiencing sleep disturbances. However, the prevalence of more severe sleep disorders did not differ significantly between the two creatine sub-populations (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that participants meeting recommended creatine intake levels had a reduced risk of experiencing mild sleeping difficulties. These findings may serve as a basis for future interventional studies aimed at validating and confirming the potential benefits of dietary creatine in the field of sleep medicine.

Background: While the anti-inflammatory effects of specific nutrients are well established, there is limited research on the relationship between overall dietary patterns and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, we aimed to assess the association between dietary inflammatory index (DII) scores and biochemical and body composition parameters in pre-dialysis CKD patients.

Methods: The DII scores of 143 pre-dialysis CKD subjects were calculated using 24-h recalls. Body composition was measured using bioelectric impedance-based InBody 770. Oxidative stress and total antioxidant capacity were measured using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and uric acid-independent FRAP (FRAP_UA) assays respectively. C-reactive protein (CRP) was selected as an inflammatory marker while other biochemical parameters were analysed using diagnostic kits.

Results: Subjects were categorized into early-stage CKD (ES; eGFR: 30 to 59 ml/min/1.73 m²) and late-stage CKD (LS; eGFR: < 30 ml/min/1.73 m²). The ES group had a lower extracellular to total body water ratio (p < 0.01) and higher levels of whole-body phase angle (p < 0.01) compared to the LS group. However, FRAP_UA was higher in the LS group (p < 0.05). For each increase in DII score by 1, eGFR decreased by 2.31 ml/min/1.73 m² (p < 0.01) and phase angle by 0.11 degrees (p < 0.05). Consuming cereals and millets, other vegetables, roots and tubers, spices, poultry, oils and fats significantly contributed to the anti-inflammatory potential of the diet (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: A pro-inflammatory diet was associated with disease progression and decreased cell integrity, underscoring the importance of its consideration in CKD management.

Background: Preliminary studies suggest that creatine and guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) may function as moderate vasodilators, enhancing tissue oxygen saturation. However, the potential effects of this combination on brain oxygenation in humans remain unknown. Aim: The primary objective of this randomized controlled pilot trial was to assess cerebral blood oxygenation indices following a 7-day administration of a mixture containing creatine and GAA in healthy adults. Methods: Nineteen apparently healthy young adults (mean age 21.2 ± 0.4 years; 9 females) were randomly assigned to receive either a mixture (consisting of 2 g of creatine and 2 g of GAA) or a placebo in a crossover design. Oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and hemoglobin index (tHb) in the prefrontal cortex were assessed at rest (REST), during meditation that focused on mindful breathing (MED), during a three-component cognitive task (TASK), and during a post-task recovery (REC) before and after 7 days of supplementation. Results: Two-way ANOVA with repeated measures revealed statistically significant differences (treatment vs. time interaction) between interventions for SpO₂ during the REST (F = 5.733, P = 0.028), MED (F = 5.897, P = 0.026), and REC phases (F = 6.715, P = 0.018), indicating that the creatine-GAA mixture was more effective than placebo in enhancing oxygen saturation in the prefrontal brain both before, during, and after a cognitive task. Conclusion: These promising findings are of considerable interest for nutritional neuroscience but require validation through well-designed longitudinal trials with larger sample sizes. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06371651).

Background: Estimating the actual impact of eating out on calorie intake poses challenges due to the potential endogeneity of eating out. Controlling for endogeneity is essential to obtain more precise estimates. Aim: This study estimates the effect of eating out on calorie intake, specifically focusing on dinner among the three daily meals. Methods: The endogenous treatment effect model is employed, utilizing restricted-access data from the 2017 to 2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. To aid model identification, daily precipitation is used as an instrumental variable influencing the decision to eat dinner out. Results: Eating dinner out results in an additional intake of 388.39 Kcal compared to eating at home, whereas the model that does not control for the endogeneity estimates a 261 Kcal increase. The increase in calorie intake from eating dinner out varies significantly depending on individual characteristics. Conclusion: Eating out leads to a substantial amount of calorie intake. Managing the frequency of eating out at a reasonable level could play a crucial role in preventing obesity.

Background: Although literature demonstrates controversial results regarding the association between selenium and glucose metabolism, no studies have specifically targeted a population with obesity even though this group is vulnerable to insulin resistance.

Aim: To evaluate the association between selenium biomarkers and insulin resistance in women with obesity.

Methods: This case-control study recruited 84 women with obesity and 129 with healthy weight (control). Selenium intake was assessed by 3-day food record. Selenium concentration in plasma, erythrocyte, and urine was assessed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Serum glucose, insulin, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were assessed in a fasting blood sample. Homeostasis Model Assessment of Beta Cell Function (HOMA-β) and Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance were calculated according to standard methods.

Results: Women with obesity had higher dietary selenium intake in comparison to the control group (p < 0.001). Further, the plasma and erythrocyte concentrations were lower in individuals with obesity (p < 0.001), while selenium in urine was higher (p < 0.001) than in controls. No significant differences in insulin resistance markers were observed between groups. Selenium intake was positively associated with HOMA-β in both groups. In women with obesity, selenium intake was also positively associated with insulin and HbA1c, while in the controls the clearance of selenium was negatively associated with insulin and HbA1c. There was a positive correlation between dietary selenium intake, fasting insulin, HbA1c, and HOMA-β (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Women with obesity present impaired selenium metabolism. Further, we observed an association between dietary selenium and markers of insulin resistance, which may reflect the possible negative action of selenium on insulin signaling.

Introduction: Lifestyle interventions aiming to reduce excess body weight have been focusing on individuals living with overweight or obesity. However, many health-related behaviors including eating are concordant in couples indicating they might share an obesity risk or support each other's weight loss efforts. Aim: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was to assess the weight change effects of lifestyle interventions targeting couples in a romantic relationship regardless of marital status or sexual preference compared to individuals or no intervention. Methods: Four databases (MEDLINE Ovid, Scopus, CINHAL, and mySearch: EBSCO-Discovery-Service-Tool) were systematically searched from inception until 26^th April 2021 with further email alerts. The risk of bias was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. Meta-analysis was conducted using the random-effect model to estimate the weighted mean difference with 95% confidence interval. Results: Seventeen studies were eligible for this review and 11 of them were included in the meta-analysis for weight change. Significant intervention effects were identified for body weight in couples' intervention vs. individual intervention (-2.25 kg, 95% CI-3.63 to-0.88), and vs. no intervention (-4.5 kg, 95% CI-6.62 to-2.38). Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis was the first to investigate the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions targeting couples on weight loss, compared to interventions focused on individuals or standard care. The findings suggest that interventions aimed at couples lead to greater weight loss, though the results should be interpreted with caution due to the wide heterogeneity among the studies. Further research is needed with evidence-based study designs, targeting younger participants, and incorporating longer intervention durations and follow-up periods.