Population aging is a global demographic trend showing continuous growth and among its consequences is a rise in malnutrition that is characteristic for the elderly. The objective of this study was ...to evaluate nutritional status of elderly home care patients immediately after hospital discharge and to determine factors that affect nutritional status using questionnaires based on validated tools (NRS-2002, DETERMINE checklist) and basic medical history data. The study involved 76 elderly individuals (51.3% of them older than 70) living in the City of Zagreb. The nutritional status assessment using the NRS-2002 tool showed that 57.6% of the subjects were at nutritional risk. The findings of the assessment by use of the DETERMINE tool were also unfavorable, indicating that 82.1% of persons older than 70 were categorized as being at a high nutritional risk, while 17.9% were at moderate risk. The DETERMINE checklist elements (illness; reduced intake of fruits, vegetables or dairy products; alcohol consumption; oral health problems; and weight loss) were linked to a higher NRS score. The mean number of hospital days in subjects at nutritional risk was 14.27 (the mean number in the Republic of Croatia is 8.56 days). Although the study involved a small number of subjects, the results showed a substantial presence of malnutrition among the elderly. A timely -intervention by the healthcare system and training of healthcare personnel can be a step towards achieving a better nutritional status.
Starenje stanovništva je globalni demografski trend u stalnom porastu, a time je u porastu i malnutricija karakteristična za osobe starije životne dobi. Cilj ovoga rada bio je procijeniti nutritivni ...status osoba starije životne dobi na kućnoj njezi neposredno nakon otpusta iz bolnice te utvrditi čimbenike koji utječu na nutritivni status. Korišten je upitnik sastavljen na temelju validiranih instrumenata (NRS-2002, upitnik DETERMINE) i osnovnih anamnestičkih podataka. Istraživanjem je obuhvaćeno 76 osoba starije životne dobi (51,3% stariji od 70 godina) na području grada Zagreba. Procjenom nutritivnog statusa upitnikom NRS-2002 u 57,6% ispitanika utvrđen je nutritivni rizik. Rezultati utvrđeni procjenom pomoću upitnika DETERMINE također su bili nepovoljni: 82,1% osoba starijih od 70 godina imalo je visok nutritivni rizik, dok ih je 17,9% imalo umjeren rizik. Elementi upitnika DETERMINE (prisutnost bolesti, smanjen unos voća, povrća ili mliječnih proizvoda, konzumacija alkoholnih pića, problemi s oralnim zdravljem i gubitak tjelesne mase) povezani su s višim rezultatom NRS. Prosječan broj dana hospitalizacije u ispitanika s nutritivnim rizikom bio je 14,27 dana (prosjek u Republici Hrvatskoj je 8,56 dana). Iako je istraživanjem obuhvaćen mali broj ispitanika, već i ovakvi rezultati ukazuju na to da je problem mal-nutricije u velikoj mjeri prisutan među osobama starije životne dobi. Pravodobna intervencija sustava zdravstvene zaštite i izobrazba zdravstvenog osoblja može biti korak prema postizanju boljeg nutritivnog statusa.
Abstract
We report the results of a search for long-period (100 <
P
< 600 days) periodic variability in the SDSS Stripe 82 standards catalog. The SDSS coverage of Stripe 82 enables such a search ...because there are on average 20 observations per band in
ugriz
bands for about one million sources, collected over about 6 yr, with a faint limit of
r
∼ 22 mag and precisely calibrated 1%–2% photometry. We calculated the periods of variable source candidates in this sample using the Lomb–Scargle periodogram and considered the three highest periodogram peaks in each of the
gri
filters as relevant. Only those sources with
gri
periods consistent within 0.1% were later studied. We use the Kuiper statistic to ensure uniform distribution of data points in phased light curves. We present five sources with the spectra consistent with quasar spectra and plausible periodic variability. This SDSS-based search bodes well for future sensitive large-area surveys, such as the Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time, which, due to its larger sky coverage (about a factor of 60) and improved sensitivity (∼2 mag), will be more powerful for finding such sources.
Cereals are a valuable source of biologically active compounds. Phenolic compounds, of which the phenolic acids (PA) found in cereal grains constitute a significant proportion, are characterized by ...health-promoting properties largely due to their antioxidant capacity. PA, located mainly in the outer parts of the grain, play an important role in preventing environmental stresses. Triticale is a cereal species of increasing economic value, and also value for human consumption. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effect of conventional (CONV) and integrated (INTEG) cropping systems on antioxidant activity and content of selected PA in triticale cultivars (Meloman, Panteon, Belcanto) grain. The experiment was conducted in seasons from 2019/2020 to 2021/2022. Among the PA tested, ferulic acid (FER) had the highest contribution to total PA content (TPAs), with 519, 99, and 1115 μg g−1 in whole grain, flour, and bran, respectively. The unfavorable hydrothermal conditions occurring in the seasons (rainfall deficit) increased TPA, mainly in whole grain. Grain cv. Meloman had the highest PA content in whole grain, flour, and bran and cv. Belcanto had the lowest, with differences of 22.7, 18.2, and 15.7% respectively. Cultivation of triticale under the CONV vs. INTEG cropping system resulted in reduced amounts of TPAs in flour and bran and PA: p-hydroxybenzoic acid (p-HB) in flour, syringic acid (SYR) in whole grain and bran, and ferulic acid (FER) and sinapic acid (SIN) in bran. The CONV cropping system also caused a decrease in antioxidant activity (AOA) in flour and bran. In most of the cases analyzed, the highest antioxidant activity and content of PA were found in bran, and the lowest were found in flour. The high presence of PA in triticale grain indicates that this cereal, especially when grown under the INTEG cropping system, can be destined for consumption and provide a source of valuable antioxidants for various food and nutraceutical purposes.
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•Recovery of bioactive compounds and steviol glycosides from Stevia is discussed.•Innovative extraction techniques of phytochemicals from Stevia are explained.•MAE, UAE, HPAE, PLE, ...SFE, PEF, HVED, cold plasma, and RSLDE.
Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni has gained increased industrial and scientific interests in the last 20 years, representing a suitable nutritional alternative to sucrose and artificial sweeteners. Moreover, this plant contains polyphenols, chlorophylls, and carotenoids that may be extracted for production of nutraceuticals and functional foods. Because of nutritional and technological advantages over sucrose, innovative approaches for the extraction of highly valued compounds from Stevia leaves have been developed and optimized. In contrast to conventional alternatives, innovative extraction methods allow higher yields in a shorter time, less usage of organic solvents, and reduced energy consumption. In this paper, the use of innovative extraction techniques: MAE, UAE, HPAE, PLE, SFE, PEF, HVED, cold plasma, and RSLDE for the recovery of non-nutrients with putative health benefits from Stevia leaves is discussed.
The Mediterranean Sea has been sampled irregularly by research vessels in the past, mostly by national expeditions in regional waters. To monitor the hydrographic, biogeochemical and circulation ...changes in the Mediterranean Sea, a systematic repeat oceanographic survey programme called Med-SHIP was recommended by the Mediterranean Science Commission (CIESM) in 2011, as part of the Global Ocean Ship-based Hydrographic Investigations Program (GO-SHIP). Med-SHIP consists of zonal and meridional surveys with different frequencies, where comprehensive physical and biogeochemical properties are measured with the highest international standards. The first zonal survey was done in 2011 and repeated in 2018. In addition, a network of meridional (and other key) hydrographic sections were designed: the first cycle of these sections was completed in 2016, with three cruises funded by the EU project EUROFLEETS2. This paper presents the physical and chemical data of the meridional and key transects in the Western and Eastern Mediterranean Sea collected during those cruises.
Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) represents a class I indication in symptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). However, indications for early SAVR in asymptomatic patients with ...severe AS and normal left ventricular function remain debated.
The AVATAR trial (Aortic Valve Replacement Versus Conservative Treatment in Asymptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis) is an investigator-initiated international prospective randomized controlled trial that evaluated the safety and efficacy of early SAVR in the treatment of asymptomatic patients with severe AS, according to common criteria (valve area ≤1 cm
with aortic jet velocity >4 m/s or a mean transaortic gradient ≥40 mm Hg), and with normal left ventricular function. Negative exercise testing was mandatory for inclusion. The primary hypothesis was that early SAVR would reduce the primary composite end point of all-cause death, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, or unplanned hospitalization for heart failure compared with a conservative strategy according to guidelines. The trial was designed as event-driven to reach a minimum of 35 prespecified events. The study was performed in 9 centers in 7 European countries.
Between June 2015 and September 2020, 157 patients (mean age, 67 years; 57% men) were randomly allocated to early surgery (n=78) or conservative treatment (n=79). Follow-up was completed in May 2021. Overall median follow-up was 32 months: 28 months in the early surgery group and 35 months in the conservative treatment group. There was a total of 39 events, 13 in early surgery and 26 in the conservative treatment group. In the early surgery group, 72 patients (92.3%) underwent SAVR with operative mortality of 1.4%. In an intention-to-treat analysis, patients randomized to early surgery had a significantly lower incidence of primary composite end point than those in the conservative arm (hazard ratio, 0.46 95% CI, 0.23-0.90;
=0.02). There was no statistical difference in secondary end points, including all-cause mortality, first heart failure hospitalizations, major bleeding, or thromboembolic complications, but trends were consistent with the primary outcome.
In asymptomatic patients with severe AS, early surgery reduced a primary composite of all-cause death, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, or unplanned hospitalization for heart failure compared with conservative treatment. This randomized trial provides preliminary support for early SAVR once AS becomes severe, regardless of symptoms. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02436655.
L. is a wild relative of garlic, and it is abundant in many antioxidant compounds. Sulfur compounds, primarily cysteine sulfoxides (CSOs), are converted through several reactions into various ...volatile molecules, which are considered the principal flavor compounds of Alliums. In addition to secondary metabolites, wild garlic is abundant in primary compounds, such as amino acids, which serve not only as building blocks for the health-promoting sulfur compounds but also as antioxidants. The aim of this study was to investigate the link between individual amino acid contents, the total phenolic content, and the profile of volatile compounds as well as their influence on the antioxidant capacity of both the leaves and bulbs of wild garlic populations in Croatia. Both univariate and multivariate methods were used to study the differences in the phytochemical compositions among the wild garlic plant organs and the link between individual compounds and antioxidant capacity. Both the plant organ and location, as well as their interaction, have a significant impact on the content of total phenolic content, amino acids, volatile organic compounds, and the antioxidant capacity of wild garlic.
The main aim of this pilot project was to introduce multimodal smoking cessation intervention in the hospital setting and to analyze users' satisfaction and efficacy of the intervention within six ...months post-discharge. Multimodal intervention for smoking cessation was used and it consisted of the "5 A's" model (Ask, Advice, Assess, Assist, Arrange) for behavior change, printed self-help materials for smoking cessation, and telephone counseling (one, three and six months after discharge from the hospital). The main outcome of the study was smoking status at six months. A total of 103 participants were included in this pilot project. At six-month follow-up, 49% of participants self-reported continuous non-smoking. Among the remaining participants, 20 reported smoking reduction, 19 were still smoking, and 16 participants were unable to make contact with. In the logistic regression, among all analyzed variables, only two of them were positively associated with smoking cessation after six months: participants' response that they would like to quit smoking within the next six months (B=4.688; p=0.018) and answering that they did not smoke when they were ill and bed-ridden due to illness (B=3.253; p=0.020). Satisfaction with the intervention was very high; 70% of participants rated the intervention as 'excellent'. Therefore, multimodal smoking cessation intervention can be successfully introduced at hospital setting yielding high smoking abstinence rates at six months post-discharge and high level of user satisfaction. Healthcare workers who work in hospitals should be educated so they can provide such intervention on a regular basis.
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