Nutritional status and functional capacity of hospitalized elderly

Background  

The nutritional status of the aging individual results from a complex interaction between personal and environmental factors. A disease influences and is influenced by the nutritional status and the functional capacity of the individual. We asses the relationship between nutritional status and indicators of functional capacity among recently hospitalized elderly in a general hospital.     

Nutritional status of marginated children of the Madrid's autonomous community, Spain

The nutritional status of 101 institutionalized students aged 6 to 13 was assessed from the dietary and biochemical points of view. The children were pupils of a Youth Care Boarding School. The dietary survey revealed an adequate nutrient intake which met the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) in most cases as well as a high protein intake (250% of RDA). A slight deficiency in energy, zinc, magnesium and vitamins B2 and C was found in some cases in the eldest group. Blood parameters (erythrocyte counts, hematocrit, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular values, serum proteins, albumin, globulins, albumin/globulin ratio, urea and cholesterol) showed slightly lower values, mainly on hemoglobin, than those obtained from other similar groups. Nevertheless, urine parameters (nitrogen, urea, uric acid and creatinine) were higher, may be due to the high protein intake, energy deficiency and non-dietary factors such as lack of affection, socioeconomic problems, etc. All of these factors cause a rise in the students' catabolism. Correlations between dietary and biochemical data seem to corroborate that there is a shortage of energy, zinc, riboflavin, magnesium and vitamin C intakes in some cases, which limits the build up of several blood elements.     

Selection of the more adequate prediction index to estimate the frame size a group of institutionalized and free living elderly in Venezuela. (Preliminary study)

The objective of the study was to identify an easy to measure indicator of body frame size to allow refinement of anthropometric nutritional evaluation. Body dimensions and frame indices related to height, which might be potential frame size predictors in the elderly, were studied. In 307 subjects (163 women, 144 men) aged 60-99 years of whom 187 were institutionalized and 120 free-living outpatients, weight, height, mid-arm circumference; triceps, subscapular, midthigh and calf skinfolds; elbow, wrist, femur and biacromial widths, were measured. Body mass index, upper arm muscle area, upper arm fat area, fat percentage, sum of skinfolds and frame indices were calculated. Results were calculated in function of age, sex and life-style. Biacromial breadth, biacromial/height index, wrist breadth and wrist/height index gave variable correlations with indices of body mass and body fat. Femur breadth and femur/height index were significantly correlated with body fat indices. Elbow breadth, humerus/height index were not correlated to body fat indices, but were significantly correlated with weight, height and fat free mass. Elbow breadth and humerus/height index fulfilled most of the criteria of good predictors of body frame size in the group pf elderly studied.     

Structure of an antioxidant from fermented soybeans (tempeh)

In an exhaustive investigation of the antioxidative properties of tempeh constituents, the substance at R _f 0.58 (cyclohexane/ethyl ether, 9:1) was isolated and purified. Until now, only the ultraviolet and fluorescence data of the substance were known, and the presence of an OH group was indicated. In the present paper, the structure of the substance at R _f 0.58 was elucidated by the application of spectroscopic methods and found to be 5-(δ-tocopheroxy)-δ-tocopherol. That previous researchers did not confirm antioxidant activity in tempeh oil has been related to the way the tempeh oil was prepared. Previous suggestions regarding the substance at R _f 0.58 as being one of the main tempeh antioxidants could not be proved. The antioxidative effect of tempeh oil seems to be the result of a synergistic effect of tocopherols (present in the soybeans) and amino acids (liberated during the fermentation process with Rhizopus oligosporus).     

Determinants of antioxidant status in humans

Antioxidant status in humans reflects the dynamic balance between the antioxidant system and prooxidants and has been suggested as a useful tool in estimating the risk of oxidative damage. This paper reviews determinants of antioxidant status such as diet including antioxidant nutrient and nonnutrient intake, absorption and bioavailabilty, dietary components such as polyunsaturated fatty acids and transition metals, food storage and processing, chemical form, chirality and formulation of supplemental compounds and alcohol intake; environmental factors such as pollutants, ultraviolet radiation and smoking; injury and disease, medications and other medical treatments such as radiation; strenuous exercise; and physiological stage or conditions such as those in premature babies and the elderly. It is proposed that, in addition to current focus on tissues, the antioxidant status of digesta should be considered because of its effect on specific tissues and potential health implications.     

Nutritional status and clinical evolution of hospitalized Chilean infants with infection by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Respiratory syncycial virus (RSV) is the first cause of acute lower respiratory tract infection in Chilean infants. A significant impact of nutrition on clinical course of these infections has been described. In order to analyze the association between nutritional status (NS) and clinical course of infants hospitalized with acute lower respiratory tract infection due to RSV, 130 infants (mean age 5.8 +/- 4.9 m) without chronic diseases, admitted to hospital with confirmed RSV infection, were studied. Clinical course of disease was assessed (hospitalization days and days with oxygen therapy) according to nutritional status on admission (weight/length (W/L), ratio, arm muscle area, lymphocyte count and albumin), antropometrics changes, and hospital dietary intake. On admission prevalence of malnutrition by W/L (z score) was 1%, 14% overweight and 8% were obese. Median value of hospitalization days was 5 d (2-29 d) and days receiving oxygen was 3 d (0-19 d). Longer admission were observed in fasted patients than in those who were fed everyday (Wilcoxon and Log-rank test, 8 d vs 5 d; P < 0.01). Obese children (Wilcoxon and Log-rank test, 5 d vs. 3d in normal patients; P < 0.05), and patients not fed enterally (Wilcoxon and Log-rank test, 7 d vs. 3 d; P < 0.01) required oxygen for longer time. Fasting and severity of illness (Tal score) were correlated variables (X2 0.001). The multivariate analysis showed an association of Tal score and NS on admission, with days receiving oxygen therapy. We conclude that obesity is a risk factor for worse clinical course of acute lower respiratory tract infection in Chilean infants with RSV infection and without chronic disease.     

Associations between fruit and vegetable,and antioxidant nutrient intake and age-related macular degeneration by smoking status in elderly Korean men

Background

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the major causes of irreversible blindness. The objective of this study was to determine whether there is any relationship between dietary intake of fruits and vegetables (F&V) and antioxidant nutrients including carotenoids and AMD according to smoking status in elderly men.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional analysis using nationally representative samples of elderly aged ≥?65 years (n?=?1414) from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2010–2012).

Results

The current smokers consumed less food in total, and, in particular, less cereals/potatoes/sugar products, fruits and vegetables than the nonsmokers and former smokers (p?<?0.05). Intake of energy, thiamin, vitamin C, vitamin A, and β-carotene were significantly lower in the current smokers than in the nonsmokers and the former smokers. For current smokers, the ORs of the highest tertile compared with the lowest tertile were 0.36 (95% CI: 0.14–0.96, p for trend?=?0.0576) for F&V, 0.32 (95% CI: 0.12–0.85, p for trend?=?0.0561) for vitamin C, 0.23 (95% CI: 0.08–0.67, p for trend?=?0.0038) for α-carotene, 0.13 (95% CI: 0.04–0.46, p for trend?=?0.0003) for β-carotene after adjusting for confounding factors. In contrast, there was no association between antioxidant nutrient intake and AMD among the nonsmokers and former smokers.

Conclusions

These results suggest that increased consumption of fruits and vegetables containing antioxidant components such as vitamin C, α-carotene, and β-carotene may have a protective effect on AMD. These effects may be more evident among current smokers.

     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(terphenylenevinylene) derivative with electron withdrawing CN group and an electron donating alkoxy group

New poly(terphenylenevinylene) derivative with an alkoxy group and an electron withdrawing cyano group, poly(1,4-phenylene-2′-methoxy-5′-ethylhexyl-1′,4′-phenylene-1″,4″-phenylene-α-cyanovinylene), was synthesized via the Suzuki coupling reaction. The polymer was completely soluble in common organic solvent and showed good thermal stability up to 380 °C. The presence of the electron withdrawing cyano group lowered LUMO energy level and the presence of the electron donating alkoxy group increased HOMO energy level of the polymer relative to those of poly(terphenylenevinylene). Light emitting diodes (LEDs) with the configuration ITO/PTPCNV/Al and ITO/PPV/PTPCNV/Al were fabricated. ITO/PTPCNV/Al device showed turn on voltage of 5 V (0.005 mA), however, ITO/PPV/PTPCNV/Al exhibited turn on voltage of 2.5 V (0.003 mA). The maximum brightness of the ITO/PPV/PTPCNV/Al device is about 5200 cd/m² at 8 V with a maximum efficiency of 1.243 lm/W. The EL spectrum of the ITO/PPV/PTPCNV/Al device, which was consistent with PL spectrum of PTPCNV, had a maximum peak at 491 nm with a shoulder peak at around 520 nm.     

S-nitrosocysteine (RSNO), an effective antioxidant in cured meat

S-nitrosocysteine (RSNO), a compound which has been shown to be generated during the curing process of meat, was found to act as an antioxidant. The antioxidative activity of RSNO in an aqueous linoleate model system, in the presence of myoglobin, was compared with that of other known antioxidants, such as BHT and α-tocopherol. The results indicated that RSNO has an antioxidative activity only slightly lower than that of BHT. During the initial stage of the reaction, RSNO acted not only as an inhibitor of linoleic acid oxidation, but also as a hydroperoxide decomposer. The high inhibitory effect of added RSNO (1mM/kg meat) on lipid oxidation in ground cooked turkey meat was demonstrated in the product itself.     

Synthesis and characterization of thermosensitive poly(organophosphazene) gels with an amino functional group

Thermosensitive poly(organophosphazene) gels have been synthesized with a host of side groups, including α‐amino‐ω‐methoxy‐poly(ethylene glycol), hydrophobic amino acid esters (PheOEt, LeuOEt, and IleuOEt), depsipeptide ethyl ester (GlyGlycOEt), and lysine ethyl ester (lysOEt). The fraction of the last side group, lysOEt, which possesses two amine functional groups, was designed to be in the range of 0.1–0.3 mol per polymer unit. The poly(organophosphazenes) have been characterized via ¹H‐ and ³¹P‐NMR spectroscopies, GPC, and elemental analysis. The phase transition behavior of the poly(organophosphazenes) in aqueous solution has been determined via viscometry. Some of the poly(organophosphazenes) with amino functional groups exhibit reversible sol–gel transitions at temperatures near those of the human body, when in aqueous solution. These polymers form a sol at lower temperatures, and become gels at higher temperatures. Also, these polymer solutions have been found to behave generally like Newtonian fluids in the sol state, but appear to exhibit pseudoplastic qualities in the gel state. The polymers possessing depsipeptide ethyl esters (ethyl‐2‐(O‐glycyl)glycolate) as a side group tend to exhibit much higher degradation rates under physiological conditions than do those which lack the depsipeptide ethyl ester group. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 120:998–1005, 2011     

Synthesis of heterobifunctional poly(ethy1ene glycol) containing an acryloyl group at one end and an isocyanate group at the other end

Summary A New heterobifunctional poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) having a polymerizable acryloyl group at one end and an isocyanate group at the other end was prepared in three efficient steps from commercially available t–Boc–PEG–NH₂. The end groups were characterized by ¹H NMR and MALDI–TOF–MS spectroscopy. Conjugation of the resulting PEG onto dextran via stable urethane linkage gave the PEG graft polymer with an acryloyl group at the free end of the graft chain.     

Nutritional status, lifestyle and cardiovascular risk in lacto-ovo vegetarians and omnivore

The aim of the present study was to assess socioeconomic characteristics, dietary intake, nutritional status and cardiovascular risk (using anthropometric indicators of central obesity) in lacto-ovo vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Two non-vegetarians were selected for each vegetarian (paired for gender and age) in order to increase the power of the statistical tests. The sample was made up of 87 individuals (58.6% males; 29 vegetarians and 58 non-vegetarians) with a mean age of 40 +/- 13 years. Among the socioeconomic characteristics, only the number of residents per household differed between groups, with a greater percentage of homes with five or more residents in the vegetarian group. Concerning lifestyle, the groups differed with regard to smoking habits (p < 0.001), with a higher proportion of smokers among the non-vegetarians. There were no significant differences between groups in any of the anthropometric variables studied. Concerning dietary intake, no difference between groups was found with regard to total calorie intake, but the consumption of proteins, total lipids, saturated fat and cholesterol was higher among the non-vegetarians, whereas carbohydrate and fiber intake was higher among the vegetarians. The results of the present study suggest that, although a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet is considered healthier due to the lower consumption of total fat, saturated fatty acids and cholesterol, there are no significant differences in nutritional status or anthropometric indicators of cardiovascular risk when lifestyle and total calorie intake are similar.     

复合（混）肥专用调理剂（营养胶水）的研究

针对黏土矿物在复合（混）肥造粒工艺中存在的问题,开发了复合（混）肥专用调理剂.试验结果表明：在复合（混）肥中加入该调理剂,可使肥料成粒率由50％提高至70％,返料比下降;可以提高土壤对NH4＋,NO3-,K＋和PO43-的吸附量,其效果优于传统的保水剂聚丙烯酰胺及聚丙烯酸钠;可以起到养分缓释和防止肥料结块的作用.     

Nutritional quality of detoxified karanja (Pongamia glabra) oil

Fatty acid composition of crude karanja (Pongamia glabra) oil resembles groundnut oil but it contains some toxic phenolic compounds, like karanjin and pongamol. Removal of these phenolic compounds prior to edible use is therefore important. Nutritional quality of the refined karanja oil (detoxified by isopropanol extraction, bleaching and deodorization) has been investigated in rats by feeding this oil where groundnut oil has been used as control. These two oils were fed at a 20% level in each group in an 18% protein and 55% starch diet for six weeks. The refined karanja oil was observed to be utilized in an identical manner to that of groundnut oil as revealed by growth of rats, food efficiency ratio and the lipid profile of serum and liver tissues.     

A flavonoid antioxidant in Spanish peanuts(Arachia hypogoea)

Hot methanol extracts of Spanish peanuts were found to possess antioxidant activity. Thin layer (TLC) and paper chromatography of the methanolic peanut extracts yielded 6 fluorescent bands of which one exhibited potent antioxidant activity. Further separation by TLC showed this band to be a complex mixture of 3 components that were tested for antioxidant activity. One component demonstrated all of the antioxidant activity associated with the parent band. Analysis of this antioxidant by paper chromatography and TLC, chromatographic spray reagents and spectral analysis demonstrated that the compound was dihydroquercetin.     

Nutritional evaluation of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) in albino mice and their descendants

The Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a Peruvian hypocotyl that grows exclusively between the 3700 and 4500 masl at the Peruvian Andes. Traditionally it is attributed nutritional, energizing, fertilizing properties among others. With the purpose of evaluate scientifically the nutritional property of Maca, we carried out a controlled study in two generations of albino Swiss mice (parents and breeding). The parents were aleatorily assigned to one of three nutritional schedules. The food of each group was prepared based on powder from a commercial balanced food (CBF) of which 30% was replaced by raw or cooked Maca according to the corresponding group or pure CBF in the control group. The groups were this way: 1) Raw Maca Group; 2) Cooked Maca Group; and, 3) Control Group. The results showed that the curves of growth were similar and adequate for the three groups. However, the cooked Maca group showed the best curve. These data were better observable in the second generation of animals, with significant statistical difference (p < 0.05). The CBF group had a better growth than raw Maca group. No signs of malnutrition nor overweight were observed in none of the groups. The serum values of total proteins and albumin were statistically superior for the mice group eating cooked Maca than that of the raw Maca and CBF groups. This study demonstrates, in a scientifical evaluation, one of the traditionally attributed properties of Maca, the nutritional capability.     

Nutritional supplements and infection in the elderly: why do the findings conflict?

Background  

Most of the randomized placebo-controlled trials that have examined the clinical effects of multivitamin-mineral supplements on infection in the elderly have shown no significant effect. The exceptions are three such trials, all using a supplement with the same composition, and all claiming dramatic benefits: a frequently cited study published in 1992, which reported a 50% reduction in the number of days of infection (NDI), and two 2002 replication studies. Questions have been raised about the 1992 report; a second report in 2001 based on the same trial, but describing effects of the supplement on cognitive functions, has been retracted by Nutrition. The primary purpose of the present paper is to evaluate the claims about the effects of supplements on NDI in the two replication reports.     

Nutritional composition and vitamin C stability in stored camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) pulp

Camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia), a native fruit of the Amazon region, is one of the richest sources of vitamin C (2.4 to 3.0 g/100 g in the pulp) found in Brazil. The purpose of this work was the physical-chemical characterization of some nutrients and the valuation of vitamin C stability in stored camu-camu pulp, produced by the Agronomic Institute of Paraná (IAPAR), Paraná State, Brazil. The vitamin C determination was made by titration with potassium iodate. The fruit produced in Paraná State, presented a lower content of vitamin C than the one native of the amazon region, possibly due to the different development conditions of the plant, and consequently of the fruit, as well as the climatic variation, the humidity and the characteristics of the soil. Regarding the vitamin C stability in stored (-18 degrees C) camu-camu pulp, a considerable decrease in its concentration until the 28th day was observed lost 23% (from 1.57 to 1.21 g/100 g), staying approximately the same until the end of the experiment. After 335 days of storage, the content found was of approximately 1.16 g/100 g of pulp, the ascorbic acid losses amounted to 26%. This content was still higher than the one found for most fruits that are good sources of this vitamin.