Nutrition
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Chronic substance abuse is recognized to affect nutritional status and is associated with nutrient deficiencies and malnutrition. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of malnutrition and nutritional risk factors using a spread of measurements in patients undergoing alcohol and drug treatment. ⋯ The prevalence of malnutrition in this patient population is likely to underestimate the prevalence of nutritional risk factors and micronutrient undernutrition. Multiple tools assessing nutritional status, appetite, diet quality, and blood test results have different advantages and can further identify the specific needs and appropriateness of nutritional education in patients during treatment for drug and alcohol use.
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Aronia melanocarpa fruits (Rosaceae) are one of the richest plant sources of phenolic substances, and it has been shown to have various biological activities. Berries of A. melanocarpa (chokeberry) have been supposed to be beneficial for the prevention of cardiovascular events. In this study the influence of aronia extract on the clot formation (using human plasma and purified fibrinogen) and the fibrin lysis during the model of hyperhomocysteinemia was investigated. ⋯ In the comparative studies, the extract from berries of A. melanocarpa and reseveratrol had similar protective properties. It gives hopes for development of diet supplements, which may be preventing thrombosis in pathological states where plasma procoagulant activity and oxidative stress are observed e.g. in hyperhomocysteinemia.
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The purpose of this study was to examine the status of folate and vitamin B12 (B12) in relation to serum homocysteine (HCY) and oxidative stress indices in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). ⋯ The low intake of folate and B12 is associated with low serum levels of these two nutrients and hyperhomocysteinemia in Omani adults with T2DM.
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To evaluate the association between suboptimal breast-feeding practices and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). ⋯ The study indicates that increased ASD risk is generally associated with suboptimal breast-feeding practices.
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We aimed to illustrate the histogenesis, lactic dehydrogenase isoenzymes electrophoresis, and DNA damage of cardiac muscles and blood vessels during prenatal life of maternal diabetic or hypercholesterolemic mother. ⋯ Maternal diabetes or hypercholesterolemia led to marked alterations in blood vessel differentiation as well as to cardiomyopathy during prenatal growth as assessed by the disruption of fine structures, abnormal lactic dehydrogenase isoenzymes electrophoresis, and an increase of DNA damage. These may be attributed to the marked oxidative stress and liberation of free oxygen radicals, which interrupted the myocardium structure and function during organogenesis.