Nutritional Improvement Research Articles

Women’s empowerment and nutritional status of children in the Gambia: further analysis of the 2020 Gambia demographic and health survey

Empowering women and the promotion of children’s health are key components of the Sustainable Development Goals targeted for achievement by 2030. The survival of young children, which depends on their nutrition, is influenced by an interaction of factors at the household level. This study aims to investigate the association between women’s empowerment and undernutrition among children under age 5 using The Gambia Demographic Health Survey (GDHS) 2019–20.Children’s undernutrition was measured with two indicators: stunting and underweight. The women’s empowerment indicators were educational status, employment, decision making, age at first sex and age at first birth, and acceptance of wife beating. StataSE software Version 17 was used for data analysis. Analyses were cluster-adjusted, sample-weighted, with confounding/moderating variables. Descriptive statistics and cross-tabulations were computed for all variables. Bivariate and multivariate analysis of the outcomes and women’s empowerment were conducted.The prevalence of stunting and underweight among the children under age 5 was 17% and 12%, respectively. The results of the multiple logistic regression show that women with no education had 51% (OR = 1.51; 95% CI = 1.11–2.07; p = 0.009), and 52% (OR = 1.52; 95% CI = 1.06–2.14; p = 0.022) greater odds of having children under age 5 who were stunted or underweight compared to those women with primary and higher level of education, respectively. Mothers with a body mass index classified as thin were associated with an increased odds of having stunted (OR = 1.44; 95% CI 1.01–2.05; p = 0.033) and underweight (OR = 1.69; 95% CI = 1.58–3.52; P < 0.001) children. In addition, women who reported accepting wife beating had 69% (OR = 1.69; 95% CI 1.22–2.35; p = 0.002) and 66% (OR = 1.66; 95% CI 1.15–2.40; p = 0.006) greater odds of having stunted and underweight children respectively compared to those who did not accept wife beating.In conclusion, the result of this study shows that women’s empowerment is associated with undernutrition among children under age 5 in The Gambia. This is suggesting that implementing policies and interventions that increase the empowerment of women will contribute to the improvement of child nutrition in the country.

ASSOCIATION OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS WITH MENARCHE : A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Menarche is the process that takes place when the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis matures. This maturation is dependent on adequate hypothalamic and pituitary function, normal female reproductive anatomy, normal nutrition, and the absence of other long-term disorders. When a woman's reproductive health and overall wellbeing are normal, it is a sign that they are not abnormal. However, the substantial decline in the age at menarche that occurred between the early 19th century and the middle of the 20th century was associated with a significant improvement in nutrition and living conditions brought about by the process of modern civilization. Although genetic factors are responsible for approximately 50–80% of the variation in puberty onset age and milestones, environmental factors also play a role. This article demonstrates that individuals with a poor dietary level reach menarche at a later age. Girls have a greater chance of gaining weight if the foods they consume are high in fat and the nutrients that originate from animal products. It is possible for it to enhance levels of the hormone estrogen, which then supports elevated levels of cholesterol. This cycle continues until the desired effect is achieved.

Mathematical Modeling Methods Application in the Development of Diets of a Given Nutritional Value

Diets menu development for organized groups is a complex process requiring compliance with the principles of healthy nutrition, physiological needs, and regulatory document re quirements. The study aims at developing an algorithm for scheming a diet with a given nutritional value. The article identifies the main problems associated with the technical documentation development for the product range based on the process analysis of com piling rations. The thesis presents the practical experience results, and describes the main disadvantages of modern approaches. The researchers developed and described the daily rations formulation process as a promising direction for the nutrition improvement of var ious citizen categories; presented initial parameters for calculations and a mathematical model. A man developed specialized computer program. Its basis is a food products da tabase (array) with the chemical composition and other parameters (glycemic index) in dication. The authors used computer program in the diet formulation of therapeutic and preventive nutrition for the copper industry workers contacting with heavy metals in their work course. One of the tasks was to optimize the amino acid composition. As a result, the researchers formulated diets with tryptophan, lysine and methionine ratio of 1:5.9:1.6 and 1:4.9:1.6. Diet formulation by selecting the individual foods quantity from the main food basket enables to create an optimal diet. A man can use the developed mathematical model both for individual products (dishes) and the recommended food set for various population groups, which is of particular relevance when formulating diets for people with allergies or food intolerance.

Protein, Amino Acids and Yield of Lentil (Lens culneris L.) Expressed Differential Response to Incremental Doses of Sulphur and Boron in Rice Fallow Soil of Mirzapur

Background: Lentil is an important legume crop and plays an important role in human nutrition and soil fertility improvement. It contains 57-60% carbohydrate, 24-26% protein, 3.2% fiberand only 1.3% fat with the full complement of amino acids. It is a potential crop for about 10 million hectares of rice-fallow areas of eastern India. This study aimed to standardized Sulphur and Boron requirements of Lentil in Eastern India. Methods: The experiment was conducted in a glass house during 2018-19 and 2019-20 in a factorial completely randomized design with three replications and 16 treatment combinations of sulphur and boron. The treatment combinations were product of 4 levels each of sulphur and boron as 0, 15, 30 and 45 kg ha-1 (0, 0.067, 0.134 and 0.201 g pot-1) and 0, 1, 2 and 3 kg ha-1 (0, 0.004, 0.009 and 0.013 g pot-1), respectively. Lentil grain yield was observed at harvest and sulphur-containing amino acids, as well as seed nutrient content, were analyzed followingstandard operating procedures. Result: Lentil grain yield was enhanced by 1.85 times with a combined application of 45 kg S and 2 kg B ha-1 with a recommended dose of NPK. The sulphur-containing amino acids namely methionine, cystine and cysteine content showed significant improvement with increasing levels of sulphur application however were not significantly affected with boron levels. The protein content in lentil seed increased considerably with application of sulphur levels as compared to boron levels and it was highest with 30kg S ha-1 + 2kg B ha-1 along with recommended dose of NPK fertilizers.

Nutritional Status and Frailty Improvement through Senior-Friendly Diet among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in South Korea

Considering that Korea's aging population is rapidly increasing, health serves as an indicator of older adults' quality of life, and dietary life directly affects their health. For health maintenance and improvement, preventive healthcare measures including safe food selection and nutritional supply are needed. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of senior-friendly diet on nutrition and health status improvement in older adults receiving community care. A total of 180 older adults were analyzed, with 154 and 26 in the senior-friendly diet intervention group and the general diet group, respectively. Surveys, blood tests, and frailty evaluations were conducted before and after the study. After 5 months of intervention, the blood status, nutrient intake, and frailty level were evaluated. The participants' mean age was 82.7 years, and 89.4% of them were living alone. In both groups, energy, protein, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin C, calcium, and magnesium intake were insufficient initially but generally improved after the intervention. Especially in the intervention group, energy, protein, vitamin D, vitamin C, and folic acid intake significantly increased. The frailty level also slightly improved, and the malnutrition rate was reduced. Even after the passage of time, the improvement effect size significantly differed between the groups. Therefore, resolving and supporting meals corresponding to the physiological needs of the older adults has a great impact on improving their quality of life, and such special consideration is a reasonable way to respond to a super-aged society.

ETIOLOGY, TREATMENT, AND OUTCOME OF POST-OPERATIVE ENTEROCUTANEOUS FISTULAE: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Background: Approximately 75% of enterocutaneous stula (ECF) occur following surgery. Due to the high morbidity and mortality associated with ECF, prompt and effective treatment is important. Objectives: To study the outcome and management of patients with enterocutaneous stula. Methods: Total 50 patients developing the enterocutaneous stula following surgery were included. All patients were treated either conservatively or operatively by various means and varying period of time. Treatment was focused on the correction of dehydration, controlling sepsis, management of electrolyte imbalance and nutritional support. Results: out of 50 patients mean age was 39.20±20 years. The study was male preponderance (70%). Around 62% of patients had small bowel stula (20 ileal, 6 duodenal, 5 jejunal) and 38% were large bowel stula. 72% patients had High-output stula. the most common complication was skin excoriation seen in 36% of patients followed by Intra-Abdominal Abscess (24%). 24% of skin excoriation was seen in high-output stula which was not signicant (p=0.33). 14% IAAwas seen in low output stula which was also not signicant. out of 50 patients 8 patients were died during follow up and 42 were recovered. Conclusions: Conservative management with emphasis on improvement of nutrition, control of sepsis, management of uid and electrolyte balance and control of stula output is rst line of management.

ABOUT NON-TRADITIONAL FEED ADDITIVES INFLUENCE ON SAFETY OF THE YAKUT BREED HORSES LIVE WEIGHT

Horse breeding is one of the rapidly developing branches of animal husbandry in Yakutia. Horses of the Yakut breed are only type of farm animals that are kept year-round in harsh conditions of the sharply continental climate of Yakutia. In winter, animals experience a significant lack of nutrients and minerals. This is due to fact that basic diet consists of natural feed winter pasture and hay. Therefore, the goal was to study the effect of complex feed additives from local natural raw materials on the change in live weight and biochemical composition of the blood of animals. This study used standard animal research methods. The use of non-traditional feed additives in feeding of horses contributed to an increase in the supply of nutrients and minerals to the rations. Improving feeding conditions affected the live weight of horses (live weight loss was 5.75 % и 5.45 %). The change caused by inclusion of non-traditional feed additives in the diets of horses had a positive effect on the morphological and biochemical composition of the blood animals. In horses from the experimental groups, an increase was found in the blood in total protein by 0.50 % and 0.30 %, albumin by 0.36 and 0.20 %, globulin by 0.13 and 0.10 %, hemoglobin by 2.91 and 1.33 %, calcium by 3.56 and 1.29%, phosphorus by 5.71 and 1.90 %. Thus, use of experimental non-traditional feed additives in feeding horses in winter contributes to the best preservation of live weight. This is due to the improvement of mineral and vitamin nutrition in a difficult period of deficiency of macro- and microelements, vitamins in the diets of horses. This improves metabolism, which is reflected in the morphological and biochemical composition of blood of horses.

Genome editing for improving nutritional quality, post-harvest shelf life and stress tolerance of fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals.

Agricultural production relies on horticultural crops, including vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants, which sustain human life. With an alarming increase in human population and the consequential need for more food, it has become necessary for increased production to maintain food security. Conventional breeding has subsidized the development of improved verities but to enhance crop production, new breeding techniques need to be acquired. CRISPR-Cas9 system is a unique and powerful genome manipulation tool that can change the DNA in a precise way. Based on the bacterial adaptive immune system, this technique uses an endonuclease that creates double-stranded breaks (DSBs) at the target loci under the guidance of a single guide RNA. These DSBs can be repaired by a cellular repair mechanism that installs small insertion and deletion (indels) at the cut sites. When equated to alternate editing tools like ZFN, TALENs, and meganucleases, CRISPR- The cas-based editing tool has quickly gained fast-forward for its simplicity, ease to use, and low off-target effect. In numerous horticultural and industrial crops, the CRISPR technology has been successfully used to enhance stress tolerance, self-life, nutritional improvements, flavor, and metabolites. The CRISPR-based tool is the most appropriate one with the prospective goal of generating non-transgenic yields and avoiding the regulatory hurdles to release the modified crops into the market. Although several challenges for editing horticultural, industrial, and ornamental crops remain, this new novel nuclease, with its crop-specific application, makes it a dynamic tool for crop improvement.

Metallic nanoparticles photodegraded antibiotics and co-application improved wheat growth and nutritional quality through stress alleviation

Antibiotics are now considered as emerging environmental pollutants due to their persistent nature and continuous exposure through irrigation with wastewater contaminated with antibiotics. The aim of present study was to assess the potential of nanoparticles for the photodegradation of antibiotics and subsequent stress alleviation via Titania oxide (TiO2) application for improvement in crop productivity and quality in terms of the nutritional composition. In the first phase, different nanoparticles, TiO2, Zinc oxide (ZnO), and Iron oxide (Fe2O3) with varying concentrations (40–60 mg L−1) and time–periods (1–9 days) were tested to degrade amoxicillin (Amx) and levofloxacin (Lev) @ 5 mg L−1 under the visible light. Results indicated that TiO2 nanoparticles (50 mg L−1) were the most effective nanoparticles for the removal of both antibiotics with maximum degradation of 65% and 56% for Amx and Lev, respectively, on the 7th day. In the second phase, a pot experiment was conducted in which TiO2 (50 mg L−1) was applied individually and along with antibiotics (5 mg L−1) in order to evaluate the effect of nanoparticles on stress alleviation for growth promotion of wheat exposed to antibiotics. Plant biomass was reduced by Amx (58.7%) and Lev (68.4%) significantly (p < 0.05) when compared to the control. However, co-application of TiO2 and antibiotics improved the total iron (34.9% and 42%), carbohydrate (33% and 31%), and protein content (36% and 33%) in grains under Amx and Lev stress, respectively. The highest plant length, grain weight, and nutrient uptake were observed upon application of TiO2 nanoparticles alone. Total iron, carbohydrates, and proteins in grains were significantly increased by 52%, 38.5%, and 40%, respectively compared to the control (with antibiotics). The findings highlight the potential of TiO2 nanoparticles for stress alleviation, growth, and nutritional improvement under antibiotic stress upon irrigation with contaminated wastewater.

INOVASI LIGHT GELATO KELOR UNTUK TAMBAHAN TERAPI DAN PREVENTIF STUNTING

Labuhan Haji Village is a village located in Labuhan Haji District, East Lombok Regency, NTB. This village is one of the villages where there are several infants and toddlers experiencing stunting. Based on data from the Posyandu of Labuhan Haji Village, there are more than 3 babies and toddlers aged 0-23 months and toddlers aged 24-59 months in every hamlet in Labuhan Haji Village experiencing stunting. The Community Service Group at Labuhan Haji Healthy Village, University of Mataram, through the Moringa Light Gelato Innovation work program, wants to help the community problems of Labuhan Haji Village, namely stunting, by providing education in the form of training in making Moringa Light Gelato. The Moringa Light Gelato Innovation is a work program from the Thematic KKN University of Mataram in Labuhan Haji Village which aims to provide information related to the processing of Moringa leaves (Moringa oleifera) as an additional therapy for stunting sufferers and stunting prevention efforts in Labuhan Haji Village and want to see the community's response to the work program which is conducted. Moringa leaves are functional food ingredients that contain protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which have potential as a therapy and nutritional improvement for pregnant women and children who experience malnutrition. The work program of the Moringa Light Gelato Innovation as an additional therapy for stunting sufferers and stunting prevention is in demand by the community and has received a positive response which can be seen through wanting to make Moringa Light Gelato a healthy drink for daily consumption, as well as increasing interest in community entrepreneurship by wanting to make it Moringa Light Gelato as a business idea.

Evaluating the Relationship Between Nutrition and Post-colectomy Pouchitis in Pediatric Patients with Ulcerative Colitis.

Pouchitis is the most frequent complication following restorative proctocolectomy and ileal pouch anal anastomosis (RP-IPAA) in patients with Ulcerative colitis (UC). Pediatric data on nutritional status during RP-IPAA and in patients with pouchitis are limited. We aimed to delineate nutritional changes in children undergoing 2-stage and 3-stage surgeries and to evaluate the association between nutrition and the development of recurrent or chronic pouchitis. This single-center retrospective study involved 46 children with UC who underwent a RP-IPAA. Data were collected at each surgical stage and for up to 2-year post-ileostomy takedown. We used Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test to evaluate the differences in nutritional markers across surgical stages and logistic regression to identify the factors associated with recurrent or chronic pouchitis. Twenty patients (43.5%) developed recurrent or chronic pouchitis. Children who underwent a 3-stage procedure had improvements in albumin, hematocrit, and body mass index (BMI)-for-age Z-scores (p < 0.01) between the first two stages. A positive trend in BMI-for-age Z-scores (p = 0.08) was identified in children with 2-stage procedures. All patients showed sustained nutritional improvement during the follow-up period. Among patients who underwent 3-stage surgeries, BMI worsened by 0.8 standard deviations (SDs) (p = 0.24) between the initial stages in those who developed recurrent or chronic pouchitis and improved by 1.1 SDs (p = 0.04) in those who did not. Early improvement in BMI-for-age Z-scores following the initial stage was associated with lower rates of recurrent or chronic pouchitis. Larger prospective studies are needed to validate these findings.

Analysis of Seed Amino Acids in Vegetable Soybeans Dried by Freeze and Thermal Drying

Vegetable soybean (Glycine max), known as edamame, has a high nutritional and market value. It is a relatively new crop in North America and Africa. The amino acid profile is important for the nutritional quality of edamame, and a challenge facing its genetic improvement is evaluating its amino acids rapidly. To explore a drying method suitable for the fast evaluation of edamame nutritional profiles, fresh seed samples of 20 soybean genotypes were dried using freeze, low- and high-heat drying methods, and their amino acid contents were analyzed by near-infrared reflectance (NIR) technology. Three-year results indicated that there were significant differences between the years of samplings and among genotypes for all amino acids. Significant differences existed between the drying methods for most amino acids except for leucine and the total amino acid. Low-heat drying at 65 °C and freeze drying showed similar results and were highly comparable to each other for ANOVA and repeatability estimation. The estimates of repeatability under the individual drying methods were 73–94%, except for tryptophan, cysteine and methionine; meanwhile, higher estimates (85–99%) were computed using the combined data of all three drying methods, with few exceptions. Two sulfur-containing amino acids were showed to be more sensitive to high temperature than the others. Six genotypes exhibited higher contents of all the 18 major amino acids and are recommended to be used for the nutritional quality improvement of edamame and other food-grade specialty soybeans. In conclusion, the low-heat drying method can serve as an alternative to freeze drying, and can be used in the large-scale drying of fresh edamame and in the evaluation of seed amino acids in research.

Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis for Nutritional Assessment in Children with Chronic Kidney Disease

Background: Malnutrition and growth failure are major problems among children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). No single metric can describe their nutritional status; therefore, a series of indices and methods are required for evaluation.&#x0D; Aim of the Work: Evaluation of the nutritional status of children with CKD using dietetic history, anthropometric measurements, biochemical parameters and BIA.&#x0D; Methods: This case-control study was conducted on forty CKD children (stages 3-5) from those attending Pediatric Department, Tanta University Hospitals between March 2021 and February 2022 in comparison to forty healthy control children. All were subjected to: dietetic history, anthropometric measurements including (weight, height, body mass index, mid-arm circumference, skin fold thickness), BIA using TANITA Body Composition Analyzer MC-980 MA-N plus III device and laboratory investigations: (CBC, urea, creatinine, ABG, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, alkaline phosphatase, parathormone hormone, serum proteins, albumin and 24hrs urinary proteins).&#x0D; Results: CKD children had significantly lower caloric intake and other nutrient consumption including protein, carbohydrate and fat intake (p &lt; 0.05), significantly lower anthropometric measurements including weight, height, body mass index, skinfold thickness and mid-arm circumference than controls (p &lt; 0.05) and significantly lower in BIA measurements including fat mass (FM), fat free mass (FFM), muscle mass (MM), total body water (TBW) and bone mass (BM) than controls. There was significant positive correlation between caloric intake and protein intake with FFM, MM, SMM, BM, TBW and BMR, also there was significant positive correlation between serum albumin and FFM, MM, SMM, BM and TBW in CKD patients.&#x0D; Conclusions: CKD children had low caloric and protein intake, low body composition parameters, so good nutritional assessment and improvement of their nutritional status is very important. BIA could be used with dietary assessment and anthropometric measurements to achieve more accurate nutritional evaluation in CKD children.

Potential of moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaf powder for functional food ingredients: A review

One of the efforts to produce functional foods is using ingredients containing health-beneficial bioactive compounds. Another way to produce functional foods is fermentation generating bioactive compounds or fortification with the bioactive compound extract. An ingredient historically believed to have benefits on health is moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaf powder. Moringa leaf powder is a valuable source of functional ingredients, including protein, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients such as carotenoids, tocopherols, polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and tannins. However, moringa is a plant that is distributed in various tropical countries in the world. Its quality depends on geographical differences, cultivars, environmental conditions, seasons, genotypes, and varieties. This article reviews the bioactive compounds of moringa leaf powder and the characteristics of moringa leaf powder extract. The effect of moringa leaf powder fortification on food product characteristics is also discussed. Moringa leaf powder possesses many pharmacological properties, such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, and antioxidant ones. The bioactivity of leaf extract is extracting solvent dependent. Therefore, fortification results in nutritional improvement and increasing health benefits of food products. However, the adverse effect is found in sensory. Thus properties, thus the moringa leaf powder fortification level usually is less than 10%. Changes in the functional properties of foods due to moringa leaf powder fortification have been studied to a limited extent. A low level of fortification might not affect the properties of food products. Therefore, moringa leaf powder is potentially used as a functional food ingredient. Some studies reported the toxicological effects of moringa leaf powder and the use of this ingredient, should be below the harmful doses.

Genome wide association analysis for grain micronutrients and anti-nutritional traits in mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek] using SNP markers.

Mungbean is an important food grain legume for human nutrition and nutritional food due to its nutrient-dense seed, liked palatability, and high digestibility. However, anti-nutritional factors pose a significant risk to improving nutritional quality for bio-fortification. In the present study, genetic architecture of grain micronutrients (grain iron and zinc concentration) and anti-nutritional factors (grain phytic acid and tannin content) in association mapping panel of 145 diverse mungbean were evaluated. Based on all four parameters genotypes PUSA 1333 and IPM 02-19 were observed as desired genotypes as they had high grain iron and zinc concentration but low grain phytic acid and tannin content. The next generation sequencing (NGS)-based genotyping by sequencing (GBS) identified 14,447 genome-wide SNPs in a diverse selected panel of 127 mungbean genotypes. Population admixture analysis revealed the presence of four different ancestries among the genotypes and LD decay of ∼57.6 kb kb physical distance was noted in mungbean chromosomes. Association mapping analysis revealed that a total of 20 significant SNPs were shared by both GLM and Blink models associated with grain micronutrient and anti-nutritional factor traits, with Blink model identifying 35 putative SNPs. Further, this study identified the 185 putative candidate genes. Including potential candidate genes Vradi07g30190, Vradi01g09630, and Vradi09g05450 were found to be associated with grain iron concentration, Vradi10g04830 with grain zinc concentration, Vradi08g09870 and Vradi01g11110 with grain phytic acid content and Vradi04g11580 and Vradi06g15090 with grain tannin content. Moreover, two genes Vradi07g15310 and Vradi09g05480 showed significant variation in protein structure between native and mutated versions. The identified SNPs and candidate genes are potential powerful tools to provide the essential information for genetic studies and marker-assisted breeding program for nutritional improvement in mungbean.

Heat Treatment by Boiling Conserved the Nutritional, Physical, Microbiological and Sensory Properties of Tigernut (&lt;i&gt;Cyperus esculentus&lt;/i&gt;) Milk: Implication for Improving Rural Health in Nigeria

The health and income of households is important to national development. Sequel to the inadequate and poor electricity supply especially in many low income countries, many small and medium scale enterprises are adversely affected and the household as well as commercial production and consumption of tigernut milk is not exempted. Also, the possibility of preserving the nutritional quality of tigernut milk after production using easy, safe, affordable, available, and cost effective measure other than refrigeration is yet to be ascertained. These are part of the limitations for the adequate utilization of the nutritious tuber towards improvement of public health nutrition among rural dwellers in Nigeria. This experimental study was therefore designed to determine the effect of boiling twice a day for three days after production on the nutritional, physical, microbiological and sensory properties of tigernut milk with a view of encouraging the household and commercial production and consumption of the imitation milk. Tigernut milk was prepared using appropriate method. Sample was taken on the day of production and designated TM0. On the first, second and third day after production the remaining portions of the milk was subjected to boiling (without fully covering the cooking pot) for 5 minutes twice a day and the samples were designated as TM1, TM2 and TM3 respectively. Samples were subjected to proximate, vitamins, minerals analyses while the physical, microbiological and sensory properties were assessed using standard procedures. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare means at p≤ 0.05. The boiling sessions in the course of the 3-day ambient temperature storage of the tigernut milk samples did not adversely alter the proximate, vitamins, mineral composition, as well as the microbiological, physical and sensory properties. As the moisture content decreased significantly with storage period all other components increased. The nutritional quality, physical parameters, microbiological status and sensory properties of tigernut milk were conserved by boiling twice a day for three days and storage at ambient temperature. Household and commercial production and consumption of tigernut milk is hereby encouraged and unavailability of refrigeration facility is no longer a deterring factor.

Chitosan based encapsulation of Valeriana officinalis essential oil as edible coating for inhibition of fungi and aflatoxin B1 contamination, nutritional quality improvement, and shelf life extension of Citrus sinensis fruits

In this study, a novel chitosan nanoemulsion coating embedded with Valeriana officinalis essential oil (Ne-VOEO) was synthesized in order to improve the postharvest quality of Citrus sinensis fruits against infesting fungi, and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) mediated nutritional deterioration. The developed nanoemulsion was characterized through SEM, FTIR, XRD, and DLS analyses. The nanoemulsion showed controlled delivery of VOEO responsible for effective inhibition of Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, A. versicolor, Penicillium italicum, and Fusarium oxysporum growth at 6.5, 5.0, 4.0, 5.5, and 3.5 μL/mL, respectively and AFB1 production at 5.0 μL/mL. The biochemical and molecular mechanism of aflatoxigenic A. flavus inhibition, and AFB1 diminution was associated with impairment in ergosterol biosynthesis, methylglyoxal production, and stereo-spatial binding of valerianol in the cavity of Ver-1 protein. During in vivo investigation, Ne-VOEO coating potentially restrained the weight loss, and respiratory rate of C. sinensis fruits with delayed degradation of soluble solids, titrable acidity, pH, and phenolic contents along with maintenance of SOD, CAT, APX activities (p < 0.05) and sensory attributes under specific storage conditions. Based on overall findings, Ne-VOEO nanoemulsion could be recommended as green, and smart antifungal coating agent in prolonging the shelf-life of stored fruits with enhanced AFB1 mitigation.

Evaluating IoT-Based Services to Support Patient Empowerment in Digital Home Hospitalization Services.

Hospitals need to optimize patient care, as, among other factors, life expectancy has increased due to improvements in sanitation, nutrition, and medicines. Hospitalization-at-home (HaH) could increase admission efficiency, moderate costs, and reduce the demand for beds. This study aimed to provide data on the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of the integration of IoT-based technology to support the remote monitoring and follow-up of patients admitted to HaH units, as well as the acceptability of IoT-based solutions in healthcare processes. The need for a reduction in the number of admission days, the percentage of admissions after discharge, and the actions of the emergency services during admission were the most relevant findings of this study. Furthermore, in terms of patient safety and trust perception, 98% of patients preferred this type of digitally-supported hospitalization model and up to 95% were very satisfied. On the professional side, the results showed a reduction in work overload and an increase in trust when the system was adopted.

Comparisons of nutritional status and complications between patients with and without postoperative feeding jejunostomy tube in gastric cancer: a retrospective study.

Feeding jejunostomy tube (FJT) enables early postoperative nutritional supply for gastric cancer patients undergoing surgery. However, the nutritional benefit of FJT may be accompanied by potential risk of increased complications, so both the nutritional improvement and the complication rates associated with FJT should be assessed. From January 2009 to December 2014, 715 consecutive patients underwent gastric cancer resection at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital in China. The perioperative nutritional index and incidence of complications in patients with FJT placement were retrospectively compared to those in patients without FJT placement. Nutritional data including albumin, prealbumin, hemoglobin, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and Onodera's prognostic nutrition index (OPNI) were recorded at the following 3 timepoints: preoperatively, 1-week postoperatively, and 1-month postoperatively. Postoperative complications including surgical site infection, intra-abdominal infections, anastomotic leaks and gastroparesis were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to study the association between FJT and complications. A total of 715 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 60.4 years and 72.2% were male. The overall characteristics between FJT and no-FJT groups were comparable. Of the 247 total gastrectomy cases, 98 (39.7%) had a FJT placed. Compared to the total gastrectomy patients without a FJT, the 98 patients with a FJT had a lower hemoglobin level (P=0.048) and NLR (P=0.030) preoperatively, and higher albumin (P=0.005), prealbumin (P<0.001), and hemoglobin (P=0.014) levels, a higher OPNI (P=0.027), and a lower NLR (P=0.005) 1-month postoperatively. Of the 468 subtotal gastrectomy cases, 87 (18.6%) had a FJT placed. Compared to the subtotal gastrectomy patients without a FJT, these 87 patients had a lower NLR (P=0.006) 1-week postoperatively, and a higher albumin level (P=0.009) 1-month postoperatively. In the multivariate analysis, FJT placement was not associated with postoperative adverse outcomes, including surgical site infection [odds ratio (OR) =1.21, P=0.79], intra-abdominal infection (OR =0.38, P=0.11), anastomotic leak (OR =0.58, P=0.53), reoperation (OR =0.22, P=0.23), gastroparesis (OR =6.35, P=0.08), or hospitalization for more than 30 days (OR =0.58, P=0.32). Early enteral nutritional support by FJT after gastrectomy tended to improve the nutritional status of patients, while it did not appear to increase the incidence rate of postoperative complications.

Soil-Agrochemical Aspects of Remediation of Nickel-Contaminated Soil Using Growth-Promoting Rhizosphere Bacteria

In pot experiments, the effect of introducing rhizospheric bacteria promoting plant growth on the yield and chemical composition of spring wheat when grown in humus horizon of the Luvic Retic Greyzemic Phaeozems (Loamic) soil artificially contaminated with a water-soluble nickel compound was studied. Application of P. fluorescens 20, P. fluorescens 21, and P. putida 23 bacteria increased plant resistance to elevated nickel concentration and increased yields, significantly reducing or completely eliminating heavy metal phytotoxicity. The resistance of plants to impact of nickel stress when using bacteria is due to: a) stimulation of root growth and an increase in the accumulation of nickel in the root system, b) improvement in the mineral nutrition of plants – an increase in uptake of biophilic elements from contaminated soil due to an increase in yield, in general, without significant changes in the content of the most elements in plants, including grain. Application of bacteria increased uptake of nickel from the soil by above-ground organs of plants, thereby enhancing phytoextraction – purification from heavy metal and, consequently, soil remediation. The distribution of nickel in soil in fractions isolated by the method of consecutive selective extractions has been established. In the first half of the growing season, application of bacteria increased the content of nickel in the soil, mainly in the exchangeable and specifically sorbed fractions and, to a lesser extent, in fractions associated with organic matter and ferruginous minerals, and decreased content of the metal in the residual fraction. Increase of nickel accumulation in plants in application of bacteria corresponded to increased heavy metal content in soil, mainly in the composition of compounds associated with exchangeable and specifically bound fractions. At full maturity of plants, no significant changes were found in fractional composition of Ni in the soil. Application of bacteria can be recommended in the development of strategies for remediation of nickel-contaminated soils based on environmentally friendly technologies.