Nutritional Supplements Research Articles

Dietary Supplementation on Physical Performance and Recovery in Active-Duty Military Personnel: A Systematic Review of Randomized and Quasi-Experimental Controlled Trials.

Warfighters, often called tactical athletes, seek dietary supplementation to enhance training and recovery. Roughly 69% of active-duty US military personnel have reported consuming dietary supplements. The objective of this systematic review was to examine the impact of dietary supplements on muscle-related physical performance and recovery in active-duty military personnel. Randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental controlled trials of oral dietary supplementation in active-duty military members were examined. A protocol was registered (PROSPERO CRD42023401472), and a systematic search of MEDLINE and CINAHL was undertaken. Inclusion criteria consisted of studies published between 1990-2023 with outcomes of muscle performance and recovery among active-duty military populations. The risk of bias was assessed with the McMaster University Guidelines and Critical Review Form for Quantitative Studies. Sixteen studies were included. Four were conducted on protein or carbohydrate; four on beta-alanine alone, creatine alone, or in combination; two on mixed nutritional supplements; two on probiotics alone or in combination with beta hydroxy-beta methylbutyrate calcium; and four on phytonutrient extracts including oregano, beetroot juice, quercetin, and resveratrol. Ten examined outcomes related to physical performance, and six on outcomes of injury or recovery. Overall, protein, carbohydrate, beta-alanine, creatine, and beetroot juice modestly improved performance, while quercetin did not. Protein, carbohydrates, beta-alanine, probiotics, and oregano reduced markers of inflammation, while resveratrol did not. Nutrition supplementation may have small benefits on muscle performance and recovery in warfighters. However, there are significant limitations in interpretation due to the largely inconsistent evidence of ingredients and comparable outcomes. Thus, there is inadequate practical evidence to suggest how dietary supplementation may affect field performance.

Growth performance, biochemical outcomes, and testicular histological features in male Japanese quails supplemented with milk thistle seeds

BackgroundDue to its rich content of active phytochemicals, milk thistle is regarded as a promising nutritional supplement for quails, particularly in regions with limited financial resources. Thus, our study aimed to evaluate the possible beneficial impact of aqueous extract of milk thistle seeds (MTS) at two graded concentrations (10 and 20 ml/L of drinking water) on male Japanese quails during their reproductive period.ResultsThe phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of 29 active compounds, including nine flavonoids and ten phenolic compounds. The supplemented groups showed significant improvements in body weight gain. MTS1 group exhibited a notable decrease in daily feed consumption, while MTS2 group showed a significant increase in daily water consumption. There was a dose-dependent increase in cecum length. The total count of intestinal bacteria decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Incorporating aqueous extract of MTS at concentration of 10 ml /L resulted in a significant increase in total protein and packed cell volume. Similar increases in globulin and decreases in the albumin/globulin ratio and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were observed with both doses of supplementation. A significant decrease in total cholesterol and AST was observed in the high-dose group. Significantly higher plasma testosterone and triiodothyronine levels were observed only in the high-dose group, while plasma thyroxine levels were similarly increased in both supplemented groups. Intervention with MTS resulted in dose-dependent increases in cloacal gland index and cloacal foam production. Both supplemented groups showed significant increases in the diameter of seminiferous tubules and the number of Sertoli cells.ConclusionMarked growth-promoting, antibacterial, and reproductive-enhancing effects were observed when incorporating aqueous extract of MTS into the quails’ drinking water, particularly at a dosage of 20 ml/L.

Effects of a Specialized Oral Nutritional Supplement with Dietary Counseling on Nutritional Outcomes in Community-Dwelling Older Adults at Risk of Malnutrition: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study investigated the effects of oral nutritional supplements (ONSs) along with dietary counseling (DC) in community-dwelling older adults at risk of malnutrition. In this randomized controlled trial, 196 older adults who were at risk of malnutrition, as identified by the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) were randomly assigned to receive ONSs twice daily with DC (intervention) or DC-only (control) for 60 days. Primary outcome was change in body weight from baseline to day 60. Nutritional status, energy, and macronutrient intakes were measured. A significant larger weight gain was observed in the intervention compared to the control from baseline to day 60 (1.50 ± 0.22 kg, p < 0.0001). The intervention group also showed a significantly greater increase in weight at day 30 (p < 0.0001). Intakes of energy and macronutrients were significantly higher in the intervention group compared to the control group at both days 30 and 60 (all p < 0.0001). The odds of achieving better nutritional status were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (OR:3.9, 95% CI: 1.9, 8.2, p = 0.0001). ONS supplementation combined with DC significantly improved body weight and nutritional outcomes in community-dwelling older adults at risk of malnutrition.

ASO Author Reflections: Prognostic Impact of Postoperative Oral Nutritional Supplements in Gastric Cancer.

ASO Author Reflections: Prognostic Impact of Postoperative Oral Nutritional Supplements in Gastric Cancer.

The Effects of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Nutritional Supplementation in the Management of Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, debilitating neurological condition for which current treatments often focus on managing symptoms without curing the underlying disease. Recent studies have suggested that dietary supplements could potentially modify disease progression and enhance quality of life. This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as a dietary supplement in patients with MS, with a specific focus on its impact on disease progression, symptom management, and overall quality of life. We conducted a comprehensive systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, utilizing an exhaustive search across the databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up to 23 February 2024. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials. Nine clinical trials involving 318 participants were analyzed, with dosages ranging from 600 mg to 1200 mg of EGCG daily, although most studies had only a 4-month follow-up period. Results indicated that EGCG supplementation, particularly when combined with coconut oil, led to significant improvements in metabolic health markers and functional abilities such as gait speed and balance. One trial observed significant improvements in the Berg balance scale score from an average of 49 to 52 after four months of treatment with 800 mg of EGCG daily. Additionally, interleukin-6 levels significantly decreased, suggesting anti-inflammatory effects. Measures of quality of life such as the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scale showed significant improvements after EGCG supplementation. However, primary outcomes like disease progression measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of lesion activities showed minimal or no significant changes across most studies. EGCG supplementation appears to provide certain symptomatic and functional benefits in MS patients, particularly in terms of metabolic health and physical functionality. However, it does not significantly impact the primary disease progression markers such as EDSS scores and MRI lesions. These findings underscore the potential of EGCG as a supportive treatment in MS management, though its role in altering disease progression remains unclear. Future research should focus on long-term effects and optimal dosing to further elucidate its therapeutic potential.

Preparation of a multiple interacting magnetic fluid for rapid and sensitive simultaneous extraction of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide metabolites in biological samples

Backgroundβ-nicotinamide mononucleotide stands out as an essential breakthrough in “anti-aging” and consistently leads the list of top-selling nutritional supplements in terms of quantity. As the metabolites of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide, the detection of nicotinamide and N1-methylnicotinamide is of great significance for evaluating the nutritional effect of dietary supplements of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide. However, due to the extremely low concentration of nicotinamide and N1-methylnicotinamide in vivo and the serious matrix interference in biological samples, there is an increasing demand for materials and methods of pre-treatment. ResultsIn this study, Fe3O4@hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose@dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid magnetic fluid was synthesized for the first time, and it was used as pretreatment material to detect nicotinamide and N1- methylnicotinamide in urine samples by high performance liquid chromatography. Compared with other adsorption materials, Fe3O4@hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose@dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid nanoparticles are a kind of uniform magnetic fluid. Furthermore, they have more types and quantities of interaction sites (electrostatic interactions, hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding interactions, and π-π interactions), so they own greater adsorption capacity. When the pH of the solution is 4, they can be adsorbed quickly within 10 s. The method successfully detected trace nicotinamide and N1-methylnicotinamide in urine samples in the linear range of 0.1–80 μg mL−1, the low detection limits were 0.30 ng mL−1 and 1.5 ng mL−1 respectively, and the quantification limits were 1.0 ng mL−1 and 5.0 ng mL−1, respectively. At the same time, the standard urine samples of nicotinamide and N1-methylnicotinamide showed satisfactory recovery rate 94.50–109.1 %. The results indicated that the established method can accurately and quantitatively determine trace nicotinamide and N1-methylnicotinamide in urine samples. SignificanceConsequently, low concentration of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide metabolites can be detected simultaneously, and the interference can be eliminated during the detection process, which provides an efficient and convenient pretreatment method and a rapid and sensitive detection method for the analysis of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide metabolites. What's more, it has a wide application prospect in the analysis of other similar metabolites in biological samples.

Functional integration of services during the antenatal period can potentially improve childhood growth parameters beyond infancy: findings from a post-interventional follow-up study in West Bengal, India

BackgroundDespite progress, the prevalence of childhood undernutrition in India remains amongst the highest globally.ObjectiveWe aimed to evaluate the impact of a functional integration interventional package during the antenatal period on childhood growth parameters.MethodsThis is a post-interventional follow-up study of a maternal nutrition interventional study conducted between 2018 and 2019 among women in their first trimester of pregnancy from three districts in West Bengal, India. Pregnant women received a package of augmented interventions from study staff which supplemented those provided to them under the state-run programmes, that included body-mass-index measurement at pregnancy registration, monthly weight monitoring, targeted dietary counselling, supervised supplementary nutrition intake and iron-folic acid supplementation during daily anganwadi center visits. In the current follow-up study conducted in 2021, age-matched pregnant women from the same areas who were pregnant during the same period as in the original study and had received standard-of-care under the state-run programmes were recruited into a comparison group. Study staff collected data regarding maternal height and serial weights that were recorded at antenatal visits in 2018-19, and birth and infant characteristics. Child height and weight were measured during the follow-up visit in 2021, which were used to calculate the relative risks of stunting, wasting and underweight using generalized linear models, to understand the sustained impact of the intervention beyond infancy. Eight-hundred-nine mother-child dyads (406 intervention; 403 comparison) were followed.ResultsMedian age of women in the intervention and comparison group was 23 (IQR 20–25) and 25 (IQR 24–27) years respectively. Median gestational-weight-gain was higher amongst intervention group women (9 vs. 8 kg, p = 0.04). Low-birth-weight prevalence was 29.3% (119/406) and 32.0% (129/403) in the intervention and comparison group. At 12–35 months of age, children born to women in the intervention group had significantly reduced risk of stunting (RR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.44–0.94), wasting (RR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.33–0.97) and underweight (RR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.42–0.88).ConclusionsThese results indicate that functional integration and strengthening of routine antenatal care services including targeted nutritional counselling to expectant mothers can have distal beneficial effects on childhood undernutrition beyond the immediate post-natal period.

Integrative therapeutics for ocular surface disorders.

Integrative medicine techniques are increasingly accepted into the treatment paradigm for many chronic disorders including eye disease. Over 71% of patients, including 67% of those with eye disorders, use some form of Integrative therapy. Physicians should be well versed in evidence-based therapies to know how to refer patients for the best complimentary care. We highlight the most effective integrative therapeutics from different complementary treatment paradigms to offer a framework for approaching therapy in patients with ocular surface disorders (OSDs). Lifestyle and behavioral modifications help a proportion of people with OSDs like dry eye disease and allergic conjunctivitis, which are interrelated disorders. Nutrition and supplementation can also play a role in addressing underlying inflammation and improving OSD symptoms. Acupuncture and traditional herbal medicine may also benefit some patients. New technologies offer innovative treatment pathways in the treatment of OSD but require referral to Ocular Surface Treatment Centers. Integrative treatment approach for OSD incorporates allopathic medicine, traditional remedies and lifestyle behavioral interventions, Ayurveda and herbal medicine, Nutritional Supplements, Homeopathy, Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. New cutting-edge technologies offer breakthroughs in difficult to treat ocular surface cases. Collaboration between allergy or otolaryngology offices, complementary practitioners, as well as optometrists and ophthalmologists in Ocular Surface Treatment Centers can offer patients new avenues of treatment.

A Dietary Supplement in the Management of Patients with Lumbar Osteochondrosis: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Various nutritional supplements are available over the counter, yet few have been investigated in randomized controlled trials. The rationale for using the specific mix of nutritional substances including collagen type II, hyaluronic acid, n-acetyl-glucosamine, bamboo extract, L-lysine, and vitamin C is the assumption that combining naturally occurring ingredients of the intervertebral disc would maintain spine function. This double-blinded, placebo-controlled randomized trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a nutraceutical supplement mix in the management of lumbar osteochondrosis. Fifty patients were randomly assigned to either the supplement or placebo group in a 1:1 ratio. Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) included the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the visual analogue scale for pain (pVAS), short form-12 (SF-12) physical and mental component summary subscale scores (PCS and MCS, respectively), and global physical activity questionnaire (GPAQ). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to evaluate degenerative changes of intervertebral discs (IVD) including Pfirrmann grades as well as three-dimensional (3D) volume measurements. Data were collected at baseline and after the 3-month intervention. None of the PROMs were significantly different between the supplement and placebo groups. Disc degeneration according to Pfirrmann classifications remained stable during the 3-month intervention in both groups. Despite no significance regarding the distribution of Pfirrmann grade changes (improvement, no change, worsening; p = 0.259), in the supplement group, one patient achieved a three-grade improvement, and worsening of Pfirrmann grades were only detected in the placebo group (9.1%). Furthermore, in-depth evaluations of MRIs showed significantly higher 3D-measured volume changes (increase) in the supplement (+740.3 ± 796.1 mm3) compared to lower 3D-measured volume changes (decrease) in the placebo group (-417.2 ± 875.0 mm3; p < 0.001). In conclusion, this multi-nutrient supplement might not only stabilize the progression of lumbar osteochondrosis, but it might also potentially even increase IVD volumes as detected on MRIs.

Cultivation of Medicinal Plants in Aquaponic Systems: a Systematic Review

Objective: The objective was to analyze peer-reviewed articles, published in journals, dealing with practical experiments that used medicinal plants in aquaponics. Methodology: Initially, from the search terms that associate aquaponics with scientific names of medicinal species, previously chosen for been known to be produced in aquaponic systems, and terms that refers to medicines, been 33 articles, which after an initial analysis, with the reading of the abstracts and, later, reading in full, decreased to 15 articles selected. The main research themes of the works were identified, such as the effect of plants nutritional supplementation; different water flow flows in aquaponic systems that use medicinal species; as well as the types of aquaponic systems used. Results and conclusions: The results showed that aquaponics is on the rise and that all associative conformations of animal and plant species must be analyzed in order to contribute effectively to the ecological and economic sustainability of producers, in addition to the aquaponic medicinal production could be able to add value to the products derived from this production, stimulating their adoption.

The implications of incorporating nutritional supplements into the treatment regimen for children aged 5-12 years with Visceral Leishmaniasis in Baringo and West Pokot counties in Kenya.

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to inform the Ministry of Health Management and all stakeholders in Kenya, the importance of the intervention, fills gaps, and provides guidance on future research direction to accelerate control and eventually eliminate Leishmaniasis. This will also shed new light on the importance of micronutrients and trace elements and their role in immunology, patient outcomes, and the physiology of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL). The results of this study will also pave way to explore possibilities to fill the research gaps and address challenges like the resistance and relapse of the infection, in patients with VL. Furthermore, this study may help in developing evidence-based strategies related to malnutrition and trace elements, which may be implemented in the eradication program of VL. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study design was conducted in Kenya from January 2022 to March 2022 in 204 VL-infected children aged 5-12 years. Demographic and clinical data were abstracted from questionnaires and lab forms. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted to determine the effect of the intervention on VL outcomes among the study children. Variables with a P-value &lt; 0.05 were considered statistically significant. A total of 204 VL study participants, 102 in each intervention and comparison group were included in this study. Baseline characteristics of the study participants were taken and recorded. The treatment and intervention were started and the trend of BMI, body temperature, vitamins A, B12, C, and D together with minerals Zinc, iron, and iodine levels were monitored weekly for four weeks to determine their effect on the treatment outcomes. Findings: The results showed that the outcome of administering the micronutrients is significant at 5% level, indicating that the intervention has a favorable effect. The micronutrients increased their levels in the body by increasing BMI, reducing spleen size, and controlling the body temperature of the study participants. In conclusion, the intervention accelerated the recovery from VL. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: This study was informed by the previous researchers' outputs (Mashayekhi Goyonlo V, 2020) indicating that administering the anti-leishmaniasis treatment alone will not yield a favorable treatment outcome in Visceral Leishmaniasis patients and also a study by Nweze JA, Nweze EI (2019) which indicated that malnourished patients with VL had an unfavorable outcome, which was recurrence in 21.4% and also that serum micronutrients levels favor good treatment outcome in Visceral Leishmaniasis. It is therefore important to note that Baringo and West-Pokot Counties, where the present study was conducted, are the Counties in Kenya with the highest percentage of VL patients. The study’s outcomes highlight the potential benefits of micronutrients to improve treatment outcomes in this regard, we recommend that the MOH should encourage the integration of micronutrients with the VL treatment in Baringo and West Pokot Counties. This research provides this new insight indicating that micronutrients affect the nutritional status and the treatment outcomes of VL by controlling body temperature, improving BMI, decreasing spleen size, negative VL tests, and therefore there is need to incorporate micronutrients to the treatment of children with VL. This study also raises several questions that warrant further investigation, such as the research on all the other micronutrients that were not analyzed in this study.

Different Nitrogen Consumption Patterns in Low Temperature Fermentations in the Wine Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Nowadays, the wine industry carries out fermentations at low temperatures because this oenological practice clearly improves the aromatic complexity of the final wines. In addition, nitrogen content of the must also influences the quality of the wine. In this study, we carried out a phenotypic and fermentative analysis of two industrial wine Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains (P5 and P24) at 15 and 28 °C and three nitrogen concentrations (60, 140 and 300 mg N/L) in synthetic must. Our results show that both parameters, temperature and nitrogen, are interrelated and clearly determine the competitiveness of the wine strains and their ability to adapt at low temperatures. The best adapted strain at low temperatures decreased its competitiveness at lower nitrogen concentrations. In addition, our results show that it is not only the quantity of nitrogen transported that is important but also the quality of the nitrogen source used for wine yeast adaptation at low temperatures. The presence of some amino acids, such as arginine, branched chain amino acids, and some aromatic amino acids can improve the growth and fermentation activity of wine yeasts at low temperatures. These results allow us to better understand the basis of wine yeast adaptation to fermentation conditions, providing important information for winemakers to help them select the most appropriate yeast strain, thus reducing the economic costs associated with long and sluggish fermentations. The correlation between some amino acids and better yeast fermentation performance could be used in the future to design inactive dry yeast enriched in some of these amino acids, which could be added as a nutritional supplement during low temperature fermentations.

Challenges in herbal-induced liver injury identification and prevention.

Herbal and dietary supplements (HDS) are being used worldwide at an increasing rate. Mirroring this trend, HDS-induced liver injury, also known as HDS-induced liver injury (HILI), has increased significantly over the past three decades in the Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network (DILIN), now accounting for 20% of cases of drug-induced liver injury (DILI). There are significant challenges in the identification and prevention of HILI due to varying presentations, ability to make clear diagnosis, identification of the responsible ingredient, lack of treatment, and lack of regulatory oversight of HDS products to confirm their ingredients and ensure safety. The major implicated agents include anabolic steroids, green tea extract, garcinia cambogia, kratom, ashwagandha, turmeric and multi-ingredient nutritional supplements. Fortunately, with the formation of major DILI consortiums across the world, the last decade has seen advances in the identification of at-risk genetic phenotypes, the use of chemical analysis on multi-ingredient nutritional supplements, and the publication of data/injury patterns of potentially risky HDS.

From wild ecosystem to the pharmaceutical use–exploring the traditional medicine and socio-cultural heritage of macrofungi from Pakistan

ABSTRACT Medicinal macrofungi, like prized plants and animals, have dietary, therapeutic and commercial significance. This knowledge, anchored in the traditional healthcare system, warrants the identification of the most prominent species harbouring novel natural products. A traditional ethnobiological approach was adopted to collect ethnomycological data by interviewing 110 informants (95 men and 15 women) inhabiting 10 settlements in Bannu District, Pakistan. Visiting the remote nomadic sites revealed the most unique data of its type. This data was assessed and correlated with previous studies, comparing the standard numerical indices: informant consensus factor, fidelity level, use value, relative frequency of citation and Jaccard index. Tradition medicinal uses of 30 species of wild macrofungi (belonging to 19 genera and 12 families) are documented here. Podaxis pistillaris macrofungi was preference ranked with priority therapeutic uses, medicinally for stomach problems, as an antipyretic, for erotic uses, as an immune booster and as an antidiabetic; it is also nutritionally significant. Temperature and humidity are key factors for the growth of macrofungi generally in Pakistan (in spring and during the monsoon season), while the dynamic frequency of rain in the rainy season due to the impact of climate change cannot be neglected. Indigenous communities divided the ethnomycological potential of macrofungi into three main clusters: (a) edible macrofungi, for treating various disorders and as nutritional supplements; (b) non-edible macrofungi, medicinally important or just poisonous; (c) unknown or unused, without any known utility. Importantly, eight novel species with traditional uses are reported here, and the present work is the first ethnomycological study of macrofungi from Pakistan. This research aims to trace the traditional knowledge related to the naturally occurring medicinal macrofungi in the Bannu District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Documentation of new medicinal species and novel uses of existing species reflect a healthy relationship between inhabitants of the Bannu District and wild medicinal macrofungi.

Impact of acute therapeutic toxicities on anxiety during radiotherapy among Chinese patients with newly diagnosed nonmetastatic head and neck cancer: A cross-sectional study.

147 Background: Head and neck cancer (HNC) poses a significant threat to both psychological and physical health. This study aimed to depict the anxiety status of Chinese newly diagnosed nonmetastatic HNC patients during radiotherapy (RT) and to examine predictors of anxiety symptoms. Methods: Newly diagnosed nonmetastatic HNC patients who received RT at the Radiation Therapy Center of Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from August 23,2023 to August 24,2023 were recruited into this study. Using Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (Zung SAS) to screen anxiety. Twenty-four common acute therapeutic toxicities (18 patient-reported and 6 clinician-rated) were assessed according to European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Head and Neck 35 (EORTC QLQ-HN35) and Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, fifth version (CTCAE V5.0). Chi-square ( χ2) test and multivariate binary logistic regression stepwise forward selection: likelihood ratio (LR) method were applied to identify factors associated with anxiety. Results: A total of 457 patients were included ultimately. Up to 29.10% of the patients showed varying degrees of anxiety and the average SAS standardized score was 45.66 ± 8.83. Chi-square test manifested that sex, annual household income, fatigue, anorexia, nausea, vomit, pain, dysphagia, sense problems (smell and taste), speech problems, trouble in social eating, trouble in social contact, sexual frustration, teeth problems, difficulty in opening mouth, xerostomia, sticky saliva, coughing, feeling ill, use of analgesics, use of nutritional supplements and weight loss were related to anxiety ( p &lt; 0.05). But multivariate logistic regression only demonstrated fatigue (OR = 3.696, 95% CI = 2.096-6.519), speech problems (OR = 3.247, 95% CI = 1.554-6.783), sexual frustration (OR = 2.029, 95% CI = 1.232-3.341), nausea (OR = 3.075, 95% CI = 1.807-5.234), feeling ill (OR = 2.283, 95% CI = 1.215-4.291), use of nutritional supplements (OR = 1.930, 95% CI = 1.136-3.280) and difficulty in opening mouth (OR = 3.007, 95% CI = 1.081-8.363) as independent predictive factors of anxiety. Conclusions: The Chinese newly diagnosed nonmetastatic HNC patients suffered greatly from anxiety during RT. This study identified the predictive contribution of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and 24 common acute therapeutic toxicities to the vulnerability to anxiety, which can provide evidence and reference for medical staff to carry out psychological intervention.

Nutritional Intervention for the Elderly during Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review.

This study aims to review existing literature on the effect of oral nutritional supplements (ONSs) during chemotherapy in older cancer patients. Electronic databases were searched for relevant studies up to March 2024. The risk of bias in the included studies was evaluated using the Cochrane tool. Eligible studies included randomized, prospective, and retrospective studies evaluating the effect of ONSs in elderly (median age > 65 years) cancer patients during chemotherapy. Data regarding chemotherapy adherence, toxicity, overall survival, and nutritional status were extracted. A total of ten studies, involving 1123 patients, were included. A meta-analysis of the results was not conducted due to the scarcity and heterogeneity of results. Some ONSs were associated with reduced incidence of chemotherapy side-effects, particularly oral mucositis, and improved nutritional status. There was limited or no evidence regarding the impact of ONSs on chemotherapy adherence or overall survival. Various types of ONS were investigated, including multimodal intervention with tailored nutritional counseling, whey protein supplements, amino acids supplements (including immune nutrition supplements), and fish oil omega-3-enriched supplements. ONSs showed promise in reducing chemotherapy side-effects and improving nutritional status in older cancer patients, but further studies are needed to explore their efficacy on chemotherapy adherence and overall survival. Future research should consider both chronological age and frailty criteria, account for dietary habits, and use specific nutritional assessment like Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis.

High-Protein Nutritional Supplements Improve Nutritional Status in Malnourished Patients with Systemic Sclerosis.

(1) Background: Impaired nutritional status in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is prevalent. (2) Objective: This study aimed to identify pre-cachexia and malnutrition in SSc patients and to estimate the effectiveness of a high-protein oral nutritional supplement (ONS) in improving their nutritional status. (3) Materials and methods: The SSc population comprised 56 patients and a control group of 49 healthy persons. After a baseline clinical evaluation, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and laboratory tests, SSc patients were divided into well-nourished, pre-cachectic, and malnourished categories. SSc patients with a nutritional disbalance received a high-protein ONS once daily for 3 months. Patients were reassessed at 3 and 12 months after inclusion in the study. (4) Results: SSc patients, in comparison to the control group, had a significantly lower seven-point SGA value [6(0) vs. 7(1), p < 0.001)], lean tissue mass [LTM, 35.1 (10.5) vs. 40.1 (10.10), p = 0.008], and lean tissue index [LTI, 13.5 (3) vs. 14.9 (4), p = 0.009]. Of the 56 SSc patients, 40 (71.4%) were well nourished, 5 (8.9%) had pre-cachexia, and 11 (19.7%) were malnourished. A high-protein ONS in the pre-cachexia group stabilized the SGA value, anthropometric measurements, and BIA after 3 and 12 months. In malnourished patients, it significantly improved the SGA value [5(0) vs. 6(0), p = 0.002], LTI [12.1 (2.1) vs. 12.7 (3.2), p = 0.021] and LTM [31.1 (7.7) vs. 35.1 (9.1), p = 0.021], and that effect remained stable at 12 months. (5) Conclusion: Malnutrition is a common complication of SSc that can be improved with nutritional intervention.

Selenium nanoparticle inclusion in broiler diets for enhancing sustainable production and health

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of nanoparticles of Selenium (Nano-Se) on productive performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass criteria, selenium retention, blood biochemistry, and histopathological examination of broiler chicken. A total of 192 1-day-old male broiler chickens (Cobb 500) were randomly assigned to one of four treatment diets, with each diet given to six replicates of eight chicks. The birds were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups, each of which included Nano-Se at levels of 0, 0.2, 0.3, or 0.4 mg/kg. The feeding experiment lasted 35 days. Nano-Se addition to broiler diets at 0.2 and 0.3 mg/kg enhanced body weight and body weight gain linearly compared to the control diet and 0.4 mg/kg. The apparent digestibility coefficient of ether extracts linearly increased with increasing Nano-Se levels up to 0.4 mg/kg. Increasing Nano-Se decreased serum cholesterol, triglycerides, alanine aminotransaminase, aspartate aminotransaminase, and creatinine in broiler chickens. Also, serum antioxidants showed a significant increase with increasing Nano-Se levels. As Nano-Se levels were supplemented, improvements in cooking loss, water-holding capacity, and antioxidants were observed as compared to the control. Additionally, a noticeable improvement in meat quality was observed regarding the obtained meat characters. It was preferred to use low doses of Nano-Se (0.3 mg/kg), as tissue retention of Se for both meat and liver was more comparable to the control. In conclusion, nutritional supplementation with Nano-Se increased growth performance, nutrient digestibility, selenium retention, meat quality, blood biochemistry, histological indices, and antioxidant activity of broiler chickens. Overall, the best performance of broilers was observed with Nano-Se supplementation at 0.3 mg/kg, highlighting its potential as a novel supplement for broiler diets.

Health Literacy in the Short Film Stunting “Konsumsi Bergizi Bikin Glowing”

Indonesia is a developing country with a low health index, one of which is indicated by the high prevalence of stunting. Stunting is a growth disorder in children due to chronic malnutrition that has an impact on long-term physical and cognitive health. This study aims to explore the messages in the short film "Nutritious Consumption Makes You Glowing" produced by the DIY Health Service in improving adolescent health literacy related to preventing stunting through the consumption of nutritious food and blood-boosting supplements. Using a qualitative approach, this study analyzed the content of the film and relevant literature. The results showed that this film succeeded in conveying health literacy effectively through direct socialization carried out by Bu Bidan. Messages about the importance of balanced nutrition and blood supplementation are conveyed in a way that is easy for adolescents to understand and accept. Scenes in the film depict changes in healthy lifestyles that are starting to be adopted by adolescents, showing that education through audiovisual media can influence people's nutritional behavior and awareness. Thus, this short film is an effective educational tool in improving health literacy and preventing stunting among adolescents.

Retinitis Pigmentosa and Therapeutic Approaches: A Systematic Review.

Background: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of hereditary retinal dystrophies characterized by progressive degeneration of photoreceptor cells, which results in debilitating visual impairment. This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of emerging treatment modalities for RP, including gene therapy, mesenchymal-cell-based approaches, and supplementary interventions. Methods: A comprehensive search of electronic databases was conducted to identify relevant studies published up to February 2024. Studies reporting outcomes of treatment interventions for RP, including randomized controlled trials, non-randomized studies, and case series, were included. Data extraction and synthesis were performed according to predefined criteria, focusing on assessing the quality of evidence and summarizing key findings. Results: The search yielded 13 studies meeting inclusion criteria, encompassing diverse treatment modalities and study designs. Gene therapy emerged as a promising therapeutic approach, with several studies reporting favorable outcomes regarding visual function preservation and disease stabilization. Mesenchymal-cell-based therapies also demonstrated potential benefits, although evidence remains limited and heterogeneous. Supplementary interventions, including nutritional supplements and neuroprotective agents, exhibited variable efficacy, with conflicting findings across studies. Conclusions: Despite the lack of definitive curative treatments, emerging therapeutic modalities promise to slow disease progression and preserve visual function in individuals with RP. However, substantial gaps in evidence and heterogeneity in study methodologies underscore the need for further research to elucidate optimal treatment strategies, refine patient selection criteria, and enhance long-term outcomes. This systematic review provides a comprehensive synthesis of current evidence and highlights directions for future research to advance the care and management of individuals with RP.