Optimal Nutrition Research Articles

Effect of oral nutrition supplement on growth in preschool children – a systems physiology-based in silico analysis

Introduction: Optimum nutrition is the cornerstone of child growth and development. Childhood is a period of rapid growth and development. Children of preschool age have higher nutritional needs and are often at risk of nutrient deficiencies. Objective: The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of an oral nutritional supplement (ONS) on growth parameters in a representative population. Methods: We used the systems-biology-based mathematical model for child growth to analyze the effect of ONS on growth in a representative in silico population of preschool children. The analysis included changes in average growth velocities of weight, height, muscle mass, fat mass, fat-free mass, and bone mass. We used meta-data analysis for evaluating the absorption of micronutrients present in the ONS that affects growth in preschool children. Results: The results of the analysis showed one serving of ONS in milk/day improved the weight gain velocity by 1.7 times in preschool children. The linear growth was 1.04 times higher than the control. The absorption of micronutrients such as iron, vitamin K, calcium, and magnesium was higher in the ONS group. Conclusions: This study indicates that the ONS containing macro and micronutrients, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and prebiotics can potentiate growth and development in preschool children. It provides micronutrients that can be readily absorbed which are essential for other vital functions in the body.

P719 Vitamin and micronutrient excess in patients with Crohn’s disease under oral ambulatory exclusive enteral nutrition

Abstract Background Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) is recommended for preoperative nutritional optimization (PNO) in adult Crohn's disease (CD) patients. However, during ambulatory oral EEN, a lack of routine monitoring for vitamins may occur, with a potential risk of hypervitaminosis-related toxicity, which remains unexplored. This study aims to assess the serum levels of vitamins and micronutrients in CD patients undergoing EEN and to examine its potential impact. Methods Complicated phenotype CD patients followed at a University Tertiary Hospital who were started on oral EEN June 2021 - June 2023 were prospectively included. EEN composition was determined and modified by an IBD nutritionist according to patients’ nutritional status and needs and laboratory values. Compliance was monitored daily, both for in- and outpatients. Patients’ weight and serum values (albumin, C-reactive protein [CRP], iron, folic acid, and vitamins B1, B6, B12, A, D, E and K) were monitored weekly. Results Nine patients (median age 29 years, 55.6% female) received a median of 24 (IQR 14.5-25.0) days of EEN, for PNO of symptomatic stricturing (7, 77.8%) or abdominal penetrating disease (2, 22.2%). All patients were discharged while on EEN, which was maintained until elective surgery (4, 44.4%) or the planned start of advanced medical therapy (5, 55.6%), with EEN successfully avoiding emergent surgeries. Patients were started on a combination of hypercaloric-hyperproteic and hypercaloric-normoproteic ready-to-drink concentrated polymeric formulas, providing 30 kcal/kg/d and 1.2-1.5g/kg/d of protein. EEN daily volume ranged from 1000 to 1400mL. Compliance was 100%, requiring flavour adjustments for tolerance. Table 1 illustrates changes over time in patients' weight and serum levels of interest. Resolution of anaemia and hypoalbuminemia was achieved, while weight was maintained . Hypervitaminosis cases were remarkably detected: 5 (55.6%) for vitamin B1, 4 (44.4%) for A, 2 (22.2%) for E, and 3 (33.3%) for K, with increasing trends over time. However, no symptoms related to hypervitaminosis were reported. Conclusion Our study on PNO EEN in CD uncovered a gap in routine monitoring for essential vitamins during EEN. While achieving significant clinical improvement, our findings revealed subtle and asymptomatic cases of hypervitaminosis in short-term EEN courses. These results underscore that vitamin monitoring is advisable during EEN, especially in prolonged EEN protocols due to possible hypervitaminosis-related toxicity.

Оценка пригодности почв для возделывания картофеля

Abstract. The purpose of the study is to assess the suitability of soils for growing potatoes according to the requirements for the crop under study. Conduct a grouping of soil types in the study area according to fertility indicators. To form an optimization model in terms of fertility indicators relative to the requirements for the cultivation of potatoes. Methods. The object of the study is the territory of the northern forest-steppe of the Tyumen region. The studies were carried out on the basis of an analytical method using the following tools: at the first stage, the technology for creating a digital soil map of the South of the Tyumen region was carried out; at the second stage, a modeling method was used to develop an optimization model of soil fertility indicators; data of long-term research of the Department of Soil Science and Agrochemistry of the State Agrarian University of the Northern Trans-Urals. Scientific novelty. Work has been carried out to create a digital soil map of the south of the Tyumen region. 52 genetic types of soils were identified, the maximum area in the region falls on bog high-moor peat soils – 32.1 %, the minimum meadow-chernozem solonetsous and podzolized chernozems – 0.1 %. Taking into account the parameters of soil fertility, using the modeling method, an optimization model has been developed in the context of soil grouping by fertility. Results. The most favorable in terms of fertility for the cultivation of potatoes are the following types of soils - gray forest podzolized, dark gray forest solodized, ordinary solonetzic chernozems, podzolized chernozems, leached chernozems and meadow chernozem soils, since their initial fertility indicators are closer to the required conditions for potato cultivation. With regard to the content of nutrients in the soil, here it is necessary to take into account through laboratory studies. However, when selecting soils from the presented model, one can understand how much nutrients need to be added to the soil with fertilizers in order to provide optimal nutrition for potatoes.

Preoperative Exclusive Enteral Nutrition Is Associated With Reduced Skin and Soft Tissue and Intra-abdominal Infections in Patients With Crohn's Disease Undergoing Intestinal Surgery: Results from a Meta-Analysis.

Malnutrition is an independent risk factor for adverse postoperative outcomes and is common among patients with Crohn's disease (CD). The objective of this meta-analysis was to precisely quantify the association of preoperative exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) with surgical outcomes in patients undergoing intestinal surgery for CD. PubMed, Embase, and Scopus were queried for comparative studies evaluating the impact of preoperative nutritional support on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for CD. Random effects modeling was used to compute pooled estimates of risk difference. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2. Fourteen studies, all nonrandomized cohort studies, met inclusion criteria for studying EEN. After pooling data from 14 studies (874 EEN treated and 1044 control patients), the relative risk of intra-abdominal septic complications was decreased 2.1-fold in patients receiving preoperative EEN (relative risk 0.47, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.35-0.63, I2 = 0.0%). After pooling data from 9 studies (638 EEN treated and 819 control patients), the risk of skin and soft tissue infection was decreased 1.6-fold (relative risk 0.63; 95% CI, 0.42-0.94, I2 = 42.7%). No significant differences were identified in duration of surgery, length of bowel resected, or operative blood loss. Among the 9 studies investigating TPN, no significant differences were identified in infectious outcomes. Preoperative nutritional optimization with EEN was associated with reduced risk of infectious complications in CD patients undergoing intestinal surgery. Preoperative nutritional support with EEN should be considered for optimizing outcomes in CD patients requiring bowel resection surgery.

Optimization of Plant Nutrition in Aquaponics: The Impact of Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus mojavensis on Lettuce and Basil Yield and Mineral Status.

The present study aims to test the effect of a nutrient solution, with the addition of microbial inoculum, on the growth and mineral composition of 'Hilbert' and 'Barlach' lettuce cultivars (Lactuca sativa var. crispa, L.) and basil (Ocimum basilicum, L.) cultivated in a vertical indoor farm. These crops were grown in four different variants of nutrient solution: (1) hydroponic; (2) aquaponic, derived from a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) with rainbow trout; (3) aquaponic, treated with Trichoderma harzianum; (4) aquaponic, treated with Bacillus mojavensis. The benefits of T. harzianum inoculation were most evident in basil, where a significantly higher number of leaves (by 44.9%), a higher nitrate content (by 36.4%), and increased vitamin C (by 126.0%) were found when compared to the aquaponic variant. Inoculation with T. harzianum can be recommended for growing basil in N-limited conditions. B. mojavensis caused a higher degree of removal of Na+ and Cl- from the nutrient solution (243.1% and 254.4% higher, in comparison to the aquaponic solution). This is desirable in aquaponics as these ions may accumulate in the system solution. B. mojavensis further increased the number of leaves in all crops (by 44.9-82.9%) and the content of vitamin C in basil and 'Hilbert' lettuce (by 168.3 and 45.0%) compared to the aquaponic solution. The inoculums of both microbial species used did not significantly affect the crop yield or the activity of the biofilter. The nutrient levels in RAS-based nutrient solutions are mostly suboptimal or in a form that is unavailable to the plants; thus, their utilization must be maximized. These findings can help to reduce the required level of supplemental mineral fertilizers in aquaponics.

Effectiveness of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation in Improving the Metabolic and Inflammatory Profiles of Mexican Adults Hospitalized with COVID-19.

The development of severe COVID-19 is related to the preexistence of comorbidities and an inadequate nutritional status. The latter is a critical factor for the development of infection and the progression of the disease. Notably, optimal nutrition impacts immune system function, as malnutrition is related to high cytokine levels in the late phase of the disease, correlating with a poor prognosis. In this sense, omega-3 fatty acids (O3FAs) have anti-inflammatory properties that may reduce morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 infection. O3FAs are linked to a better prognosis in COVID-19 patients. In this randomized, double-blind clinical trial, we evaluate the administration of O3FAs to unvaccinated Mexican patients for two weeks starting after the first two hours of hospitalization. The findings support the notion that O3FAs (in a dose high enough to satisfy human physiological requirements in a short time, one capsule of 1.4 g O3FAs daily) exert a comprehensive multi-systemic modulatory influence, affecting inflammatory and metabolic pathways. Significant perturbations in biomarkers, including absolute neutrophil count, hematocrit, and platelet indices, underscore the compound's anti-inflammatory effect. Concurrently, the intervention modulates pivotal metabolic and hepatic parameters, attenuating cardiovascular risk profiles and expediting patient convalescence. These multifarious effects are likely orchestrated through intricate biochemical mechanisms and are subject to individual variations predicated on metabolic factors. The results of this trial support the notion that O3FA supplementation has beneficial effects on COVID-19 patients with moderate presentation by regulating metabolism and limiting inflammation.

The Future for the Children of Tomorrow: Avoiding Salt in the First 1000 Days.

It is widely known that optimal nutrition in the first 1000 days of life positively impacts the child's development throughout adulthood. In this setting, salt should not be added to complementary feeding. In developed countries, salt intake is generally higher than recommended for children. Excessive salt intake is the major determinant of hypertension and is associated with several cardiovascular outcomes. Therefore, pediatricians have a key role in raising awareness among parents to avoid salt consumption in the first 1000 days of life to ensure better health for their children. Starting from a review of the literature published in PubMed/MedLine regarding the short- and long-term consequences of salt consumption during the first 1000 days of life, our comprehensive review aims to analyze the beneficial effects of avoiding salt at such a vulnerable stage of life as the first 1000 days. Obesity, hypertension, increased salt sensitivity, high sweet drink consumption, increased mortality, and morbidity persisting in adult age represent the principal consequences of a higher salt intake during the first 1000 days of life.

Reframing interventions for optimal child nutrition and childhood obesity: the importance of considering psychological factors.

This review aims to emphasise the impact of poor nutrition on children's health and psychological well-being, urging those involved in childhood obesity or nutrition services to broaden their intervention approach. Poor nutrition and childhood obesity affect physical and psychological health. The stress of living with obesity further impacts quality of life, well-being and self-esteem. Children living with obesity may experience adverse childhood events and stress, and young people are able to recall the impact of psychosocial issues such as experiencing stigma and discrimination. Food is often a coping mechanism for managing negative emotions, perpetuating cycles of emotional coping and unhealthy eating behaviours. UK guidelines recommend family-based, multi-component weight management interventions for children living with obesity. Interventions mainly target health behaviours and utilise behaviour change techniques attempting to directly improve diet and physical activity as behavioural outcomes. Whilst these interventions may show some improvements in psychological well-being, there is limited consideration or understanding of the underlying mechanisms of action which indirectly influence engagement and the sustainability of the behaviour change. Lack of attention and inclusion of psychosocial variables in intervention implementation may help explain the variable effectiveness reported across childhood obesity interventions. In conclusion, enhancing the effectiveness of childhood obesity interventions requires a broader approach that fully incorporates psychosocial factors. Those responsible for commissioning, designing and implementing these interventions should adopt a holistic approach that addresses psychological and emotional needs while incorporating underlying mechanisms of action. This shift in focus could result in more sustainable and comprehensive treatment for childhood obesity.

Cat caregivers' perceptions, motivations, and behaviours for feeding treats: A cross sectional study.

There is an abundance of research focusing on the nutritional needs of the cat, though aspects surrounding treat feeding have received far less attention. Feeding practices have the potential to cause nutrient imbalances and adverse health outcomes, including obesity. The objective of this study was to identify and describe the perceptions, motivations, and behaviours surrounding treats, and factors that influence treat feeding by cat caregivers. A 56-question online survey was disseminated to cat caregivers (n = 337) predominantly from Canada and the USA to collect data regarding caregiver and cat demographics, the pet-caregiver relationship, perceptions surrounding treats, and feeding practices and behaviours. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, and multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyze the survey data. Caregivers had varying interpretations of the term 'treat' and how treats relate to the primary diet, and these perceptions appeared to influence the quantity of treats provided. Aspects relating to the human-animal bond were highlighted as an important factor in decisions and behaviours surrounding treat feeding in our results. Though the majority (224/337, 66%) of respondents indicated they monitor their pet's treat intake, using an eyeball estimate was the most frequent (139/337, 41%) method reported to measure treats. Multivariable logistic regression results revealed feeding jerky, bones, dental treats, and table scraps in select frequencies were predictive of caregivers perceiving their cat as overweight/obese. Results provide valuable new insights to cat caregiver feeding practices and perceptions of treats and can be used to inform veterinary nutrition support to caregivers. More research is warranted to further our understanding and ensure that cats receive optimal nutrition and care.

Association Between Caregiver’s Nutrition Knowledge and Nutrition Status of Children 6 to 23 Months: A Case Study of Narok County Referral Hospital

In Narok County, Kenya, where the challenge of achieving optimal child nutrition persists, particularly in the context of its arid and semi-arid climate, the prevalence of stunting among children is alarmingly high compared to other regions. Addressing this critical issue necessitates an enhancement of caregivers’ nutrition knowledge. However, scant information is available on the nutritional knowledge of caregivers responsible for children aged 6 to 23 months, a gap that extends beyond Narok County to encompass broader regions in Africa, including Kenya. Consequently, this study was designed to examine the nutritional knowledge of caregivers within Narok County for children in this age group. All approvals including ethical clearance from the Kabarak University Research and Ethics Committee (KUREC), a research permit from NACOSTI, and a permit from Narok County Referral Hospital were sought before the commencement of the study. This research adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design, and Fisher’s formula was used to calculate a sample size of 108 caregivers to children aged 6 to 23 months who were purposively recruited. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 and ENA SMART software. The results indicate a variation in caregivers’ nutrition knowledge levels, with 37.0% demonstrating a high level of knowledge, while 27.8% exhibited low knowledge. Moderate knowledge levels were observed in 14.8% of caregivers, while 9.3% had very low knowledge. Furthermore, there was a low positive correlation observed between nutrition knowledge and Height-for-Age Z-score (HAZ), with a correlation coefficient of r=0.235 and a p-value of 0.014. Significantly, HAZ exhibited a higher percentage of normal scores when compared to stunted children (p-value: 0.05*). In conclusion, the study found significant variation in caregivers’ nutrition knowledge across the region, which in turn had an impact on the nutritional outcomes of the children. Therefore, we recommend targeted and continuous nutrition education to caregivers of children in Narok County. Caregivers with better nutrition knowledge tend to provide better nutrition to their children. There is a need to train and capacity-build community health workers to have the necessary knowledge and skills for effective nutrition education.

Views and preferences of food-insecure pregnant women regarding food insecurity screening and support within routine antenatal care.

Food insecurity is a public health concern that has profound impact on physical and mental health, and on social well-being. Pregnancy is a period in which food insecurity is likely to be particularly deleterious, due to the serious impact on both mother and child. Food insecurity is not routinely screened in antenatal healthcare settings, and the preferences of pregnant women regarding food insecurity screening and support are poorly understood. This study aimed to determine the views and preferences of food-insecure pregnant women regarding food insecurity screening and support within antenatal healthcare. This qualitative descriptive study used face-to-face semi-structured interviews, conducted in February and March 2023, to gain the views of purposively sampled food-insecure, pregnant women in Melbourne, Australia. Food insecurity was evidenced by an affirmative response to at least one of three assessment items in a screening questionnaire. Qualitative content analysis was conducted to summarise the views and preferences of women. Nineteen food-insecure pregnant women were interviewed. Three themes were identified: (1) acceptability of being screened for food insecurity, (2) concerns about the consequences of disclosure and (3) preferences regarding food insecurity screening and supportive strategies that could be offered within an antenatal healthcare setting. Women were accepting of food insecurity screening being conducted within routine healthcare. Women identified potential benefits of routine screening, such as feeling supported by their clinician to have a healthy pregnancy and less pressure to voluntarily ask for food assistance. Women gave suggestions for the implementation of food insecurity screening to optimise their healthcare experience, maintain their dignity and feel able to disclose within a safe and caring environment. These results indicate that food insecurity screening in the antenatal setting is likely to have support from pregnant women and is urgently needed in the interest of promoting optimal nutrition for women and children. Pregnant women with lived experience of food insecurity were purposively sampled to obtain their insights regarding screening and support within a pregnancy healthcare setting. Member-checking occurred following data collection, whereby all participants were offered the opportunity to review their interview transcript to ensure trustworthiness of the data.

Comparative Analysis of Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition Impact on Outcomes in Esophageal Cancer Patients: A Paradigm for Nutritional Optimization in Oncology

Background: Individuals diagnosed with esophageal cancer face a pronounced risk of malnutrition, primarily attributed to the early onset of gastrointestinal obstruction. This risk persists and may even intensify following therapeutic interventions and the subsequent reconstruction of gastrointestinal passages. The current study focuses on elucidating the differential impact of enteral vs. parenteral nutrition on outcomes in patients hospitalized with esophageal cancer. Methods: The study analyzed adult discharges related to esophageal cancer from 2019 and 2020 using data from the National Inpatient Sample. Exclusion criteria included discharges involving minors and mixed nutritional regimens. Enteral nutrition and parenteral nutrition subgroups were identified using International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision codes. Outcome variables were determined through ICD-10 codes in the NIS dataset. Multivariable regression analyses were used to investigate associations between mode of nutrition and specified outcomes. Results: In this study involving 28,015 hospitalizations for esophageal cancer, 756(2.7%) received enteral nutrition, and 1064(3.8%) received parenteral nutrition. After adjusting for confounding variables, parenteral nutrition emerged as an independent predictor of mortality (OR 1.75, P=0.023), while enteral nutrition showed no association with higher mortality (OR 0.56, P=0.162). Both nutrition modes were associated with increased length of stay, with patients on parenteral nutrition having significantly longer stays (+9.07 days, P<0.001 vs 3.07 days, P=0.001). While both nutrition modes were linked to high total hospitalization charges, patients with parenteral nutrition experienced a significantly more significant increase in total treatment cost compared to those on enteral nutrition (112,093 USD, P<0.001 vs 54,953 USD, P=0.01) patients on enteral nutrition had lower odds of pneumonia compared to the parenteral nutrition group. The parenteral nutrition group had higher odds of various complications, including esophageal perforation, constipation, diarrhea, acute kidney injury, ICU admission, and acute respiratory failure, than those on enteral nutrition. Both forms of nutrition were associated with increased odds of malnutrition, fluid and electrolyte disorders, and septic shock. Conclusion: Parenteral nutrition has a higher risk of mortality compared to enteral nutrition. Both types are linked to longer hospital stays, increased treatment costs, and other adverse outcomes, with parenteral nutrition leading to more complications than enteral nutrition.

Medicine of the future: the role of artificial intelligence in optimizing nutrition for the health of the Russian population

One of the most pressing medical, social and government tasks is to ensure health saving, improve the quality of life and increase the life expectancy of the Russian population. The most important lever to ensure the solution of these issues is the optimization of nutrition and the use of methods of artificial intelligence (AI) and new information technologies to support decision-making in this area. The purpose of the study was to familiarize specialists with the Scientific Instrument for Nutrition Analysis (SINA), created on the basis of AI technologies to optimize nutrition and prevent alimentary diseases in order to preserve the health of the population of the Russian Federation. Results. A patent was created and received for a scientific web tool (SINA) based on AI technologies for actual nutrition analyzing with subs equent assessment of health status and generation of recommendations, including a personalized diet, which is formed based on individual human needs for energy, nutrients and bioactive compounds, taking into account genome, gender characteristics, age, food preferences, profession, diseases, medication treatment, clinical blood parameters, individual morphological and constitutional characteristics, his physical activity, etc. Conclusion. The results of using SINA can reduce the labor costs of doctors; personalize diets as much as possible taking into account many factors; increase patient adherence to the prescribed diet and recommendations; increase public awareness of nutrition issues, reduce morbidity rates and improve public health. The high-tech approach using AI is advanced and is capable of solving many key challenges in the field of health care, prevention and medicine in general, and improve the quality of life of the population.

Host genetics and nutrition.

Optimal nutrition is essential for health and physiological performance. Nutrition-related diseases such as obesity and diabetes are major causes of death and reduced quality of life in modern Western societies. Thanks to combining nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics, genomic nutrition allows the study of the interaction between nutrition, genetics and physiology. Currently, interrelated multi-genetic and multifactorial phenotypes are studied from a multiethnic and multi-omics approach, step by step identifying the important role of pathways, in addition to those directly related to metabolism. It allows the progressive identification of genetic profiles associated with specific susceptibilities to diet-related phenotypes, which may facilitate individualised dietary recommendations to improve health and quality of life.

To study awareness of breastfeeding practices among mothers in a rural practice area of Andhra Pradesh

Background: Breastfeeding patterns influence the beneficial effects on the physical growth and development of children. Breastfeeding provides optimal nutrition and immunity and reduces the incidents of several insidious diseases in the future. However, breastfeeding practices vary with country-specific and inter-country factors, especially in rural areas. Hence, the current study aimed to find breastfeeding practices among mothers in different rural population of Andhra Pradesh. Aim and Objective: The aim of the study is to investigate breastfeeding practices among mothers in different rural population of Andhra Pradesh. Materials and Methods: A community-based observational study was carried out in the Rural Health Training Centre of Nellore, Andhra Pradesh. The study was carried out on 395 mothers with children aged between 0 and 24 months. The pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was executed and collected demographic, breastfeeding patterns, and anthropometric variables from all participants. Results: The children aged between 0 and 24 months were 395 children, 199 (50.4%) were males, and 196 (51.4%) were females. The maximum was 12–24 months 230 (58.2%), whereas 62% of mothers were aged between 20 and 24 years. Among them, 148 (37.5%) were illiterate and 126 (31.9%) were literate and 370 (93.7%) were homemakers. About 99% of children were breastfed, of which 19.89% were exclusively breastfed and 70.1% of mothers started giving complementary feeding earlier. The prevalence of underweight is 24.8%, whereas stunting is 31.9%. There is significant association was found between good breastfeeding with better nutritional status. Conclusion: The current study reveals that breastfeeding patterns have an immense effect on the nutritional status of children. Breastfeeding practices are not similar in rural and urban areas. The education of breastfeeding improves the quality of life for children in rural areas.

ГИДРОПОННАЯ УСТАНОВКА С ПРИМЕНЕНИЕМ СВЕТИЛЬНИКОВ РАЗЛИЧНОГО СПЕКТРА ИЗЛУЧЕНИЯ

Hydroponics allows you to regulate the growing conditions of plants – to create a nutrition regime for the root system that fully meets the needs of plants for nutrients, humidity, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air most favorable for photosynthesis, as well as to regulate the temperature and humidity of the air and the root habitat, the intensity and duration of lighting. As a result of the research, lamps of various radiation spectra were installed in a hydroponic installation. The purpose of this article is to analyze the effect of different radiation spectra on the cultivation of various plant crops. As a result of the experiment, the lamps of the white and red-blue radiation spectrum, which were used for growing clover, were analyzed in the periodic switching mode. Hydroponics is an effective method of producing microgreens. It allows you to grow plants without using soil, use resources efficiently and improve product quality. In the future, the use of hydroponics for growing microgreens can become an important element of sustainable agriculture that can provide people with nutritious and delicious products. It allows you to grow more plants per unit area, as the roots of the plants are immersed in a nutrient solution that provides optimal nutrition. This makes it possible to obtain a higher yield of microgreens. The automatic system provides optimal conditions for plant growth, which leads to higher-quality and tasty microgreens. In addition, in hydroponics, it is possible to control the level of nutrients and influence their concentration, which allows you to obtain microgreens with certain properties.

The Potential Value of Prehabilitation for Preventing Delirium in Elective Surgery for Aneurysms of the Abdominal Aorta.

Delirium is a common and serious postoperative complication in elderly patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair and is associated with a variety of adverse outcomes. Multimodal prehabilitation aims to identify and minimize potential risk factors for delirium and improve overall health. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of multimodal prehabilitation on delirium incidence in elderly patients undergoing elective repair for AAA. A single-centre cohort analysis was performed in the Netherlands for patients aged ≥70 years, undergoing elective repair for AAA (open surgery and endovascular aortic repair). Prehabilitation was gradually introduced between 2016 and 2019 and offered as standard care from 2019. The program was constructed to optimize overall health and included delirium risk assessment, home-based tailor-made exercises by a physical therapist, nutritional optimization by a dietician, iron infusion in case of anaemia and a comprehensive geriatric assessment by a geriatrician in case of frailty. The primary outcome was incidence of delirium within 30 days after surgery. A total of 81 control and 123 prehabilitation patients were included. A reduction in incidence of delirium was found (11.1% in the control group to 4.9% in the prehabilitation group), with too small numbers to reach statistical significance (p=0.09). Also, patients in the prehabilitation group had a small, non-significant decreased length of hospital stay (4 days) compared to the control group (5 days) (p=0.07). Although no significant differences were found, we carefully conclude that this study provides some support for implementing multimodal prehabilitation for delirium prevention in elderly patients undergoing AAA repair. Further research with larger cohorts is necessary to identify and select patients that would most benefit from prehabilitation.

ВЛИЯНИЕ ДОБАВКИ «КАУФИТ АКТИВ ПРО» НА РОСТ И РАЗВИТИЕ РЕМОНТНОГО МОЛОДНЯКА КРУПНОГО РОГАТОГО СКОТА

At modern agriculture conditions, the reliable food’s providing task has a priority meaning. One of the critical tasks at livestock intensification is feeding qualitative organization, since this area disadvantages can lead to severe pathologies. To achieve adult cows’ high production, it is necessary optimal microclimate and nutrition conditions at all growth’s stages creating. It is important to take into account that young animals require a vitamin and mineral additions’ special selection, since they are not able to compensate these nutrients deficiency of their body's resources, as adults it doing. Currently, the animals genetic potential realization is impossible without various balanced biologically active additives in their rations using. This study purpose was feasibility of new improved recipes of "Kaufit active pro" protein-vitamin-mineral feed additive (BVMD) at feeding of repair young black-and-white Holstein breed studying. For this purpose, in the period 2023-2024, on (SHPC) "New Way" agricultural production cooperative of Chuvash Republic’s Alikovsky district basis this effect of an improved feed additive on repair calves up to 6 months aged the growth and development’s studying were conducted. During this experiment, the positive effect of the tested feed additive on the young cattle’s growth and development was established. Starting from the first month of new feed additive’s application, an advantage of experimental group’s young animals on the control group’s ones has been defined there. The experimental group calves’ live weight by the end of the experiment was 186,96 kg, or in 12,59 kg or 7,22% more in comparison with the control one. At the same time, the difference in average daily growth was at the level of 71,16 g or 9,31% in favor of the young animals receiving the studying feed additive.

Improving complementary feeding practices, programs and policies for optimal early childhood nutrition in Kenya: What would work?

Complementary feeding practices are greatly influenced by local contexts. Therefore, national home-grown evidence, policiesand guidelines are critical to improving infant and young children's diets. This Special Issue has provided a comprehensive, evidence-based analysis of the situation, gapsand context-specific opportunities for improving young children's diets in Kenya. The primary research findings of the Special Issue supported the identification of a set of recommendations articulated across the four systems (food, health, water, sanitation and hygiene[WASH]and social protection) to improve food availability and accessibility in Kenya at the national and subnational levels. It is anticipated that the decentralised government functions seen in Kenya provide a strong opportunity to develop and mainstream context-specific recommendations into action. This Special Issue recommends adopting a multi-sectoral systems approach, including a shared vision, joint planning, implementationand monitoring, towards improving young children's diets with a focus on service delivery as well as scaled-up community social behaviour change interventions. In particular, the approach should entail advocacy for policy revisions for service delivery that support complementary feeding and development of costed implementation strategies in support of the same, across four critical systems-food, health, WASHand social protection, along with, the strengthening of national coordination, monitoringand accountability structures as per the Kenya Nutrition Action Plan. Finally, the development of a legal framework for enhanced accountability from all relevant sectors towards sustainable, nutritious, safeand affordable children's diets. These recommendations provide a clear direction in addressing the complementary feeding challenges, which the primary research of this Special Issue has presented.

Fertigacija borovnice gajene u saksijama - primer slučaja fertigacije borovnice u Nemenikućama

The aim of this research is to present the technology of blueberry cultivation, especially from the aspect of fertilization and irrigation (fertigation), and the water use efficiency obtained in blueberry plantations grown in pots. In order to obtain optimal yields, irrigation and nutrition of the plants must be well coordinated, which is shown in this work. The experiment was located in Nemenikuća, Sopot municipality. The location is suitable for blueberry cultivation due to topography, altitude, climatic factors and water supply. Blueberries were planted in 45-liter pots, which was sufficient to obtain high yields. The substrate used was "Legro" with 25% perlite. Dripper with a flow rate of 4 L and a divided sub-dropper for uniform distribution of water in the pot was used. The irrigation system was also equipped with devices that extract the appropriate amount of fertilizer from the tank over the set of pH and EC values. This way of water distribution enables precise control of the quality and parameters of the irrigation water, such as pH and electrical conductivity (EC). Good drainage of the pot is ensured by perforations of the bottom and sides of the pot with several openings of different sizes and shapes. It is desirable that the bottom of the pot is separated from the substrate. The amount of water used for vegetation was 2,817,700 L or 2817.7 m3 of water for 9,000 plants. A yield of 14,000 kg of blueberries was obtained in second year and 38.000 kg in the third growing year. This means that 201.21 L of water was used for the yield of 1 kg of blueberries or 4.96 kg of blueberry can be produced using 1 m3 of water. Most of the water was applied in July (92 L per pot). The EC of the solution was variable from day to day, depending on the amount of nutrients consumed by blueberry. Water consumption was determined partly by the duration of irrigation and by the amount of drained water. The pH and EC values of the water were measured daily. The pH in the irrigation water was maintained in the range of 5.0-5.5 and the ES of 1.3-2.5 dS/m, in the drainage water 0.6 to 2.3 dS/m. In the year of replanting 77 g of yield per plant wwas obtained. Very high yields, as high as 1.5 kg per plant were obtained in the first year of production and as high as 4.2 kg per plant in the second year of production. The average water consumption during the growing season was 3 L per plant, and total water consumption during first yielding year was 313 L.