Nutrition
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Chronic low-limb ulcers and pressure ulcers are a serious and costly issue. Malnutrition is a risk factor. Searching for intervention strategies in elderly patients referred for surgical closure of their ulcers, the trial aimed at investigating the micronutrient status, determining the food intake of such patients, and the role of oral liquid supplements. ⋯ Most patients with chronic skin ulcers suffered micronutrient status alterations, and borderline malnutrition. Meals did not cover energy requirements, while oral supplements covered basic micronutrient requirements and compensated for insufficient oral energy and protein intakes, justifying their use in hospitalized elderly patients.
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The immune system is dependent on purines and pyrimidines as building blocks for DNA and RNA synthesis to enable rapid cell proliferation and protein synthesis. Emerging evidence suggests that dietary nucleotides optimize immune function. We investigated whether growth and function of human immune cells were affected by an exogenous source of nucleotides during specific antigen challenge. ⋯ Nucleotide derivatives affect growth and function of specific virus antigen-stimulated human immune cells in vitro.