Nutrition
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Association of urinary caffeine and caffeine metabolites with cardiovascular disease risk in adults.
Studies have shown that the consumption of a moderate amount of caffeine is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and may even be protective against CVD. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the association between urinary caffeine and its related metabolites and CVD risk in a national representative sample of US adults. ⋯ Urinary 1,3-dimethylxanthine and 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine were significantly and inversely associated with CVDs in women. Additional studies are needed to further confirm the results of this study and explore the underlying mechanisms.
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The use of easily accessible methods to estimate skeletal muscle mass (SMM) in patients with cirrhosis is often limited by the presence of edema and ascites, precluding a reliable diagnosis of sarcopenia. The aim of this study was to design predictive models using variables derived from anthropometric and/or biochemical measures to estimate SMM; and to validate their applicability in diagnosing sarcopenia in patients with cirrhosis. ⋯ Our simple and inexpensive models provided a practical and safe approach to diagnosing sarcopenia patients with cirrhosis along with an estimate of their mortality risk when other reference methods are unavailable.
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The role of skeletal muscle mass in modulating immune response and supporting metabolic stress has been increasingly confirmed. Patients with sarcopenia, characterized by reduced muscle mass and muscle strength, were reported to have poor immune response and metabolic stress when facing acute infection, major surgeries, and other attacks. Based on empirical data, patients with sarcopenia are speculated to have increased infection rates and dismal prognoses amid the current 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic. ⋯ Patients with sarcopenia and COVID-19 infection need intensive care and aggressive treatments. The provision of at-home physical activities together with protein supplementation is anticipated to reverse sarcopenia and promote the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. The recommended protocols on nutritional support and physical activities are provided in detail.
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Lower extremity (LE) muscle strength is an important factor for functional outcome in patients with stroke. However, to our knowledge, the factors influencing LE muscle strength in older patients with acute stroke have not been studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between prestroke sarcopenia risk and comorbidities with LE muscle strength in older patients with acute stroke. ⋯ Prestroke sarcopenia and diabetes mellitus are associated with LE muscle strength in older patients with acute stroke, and these assessments would be useful for clinicians.
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Liver cirrhosis is often accompanied by portal hypertension and malnutrition, two common complications that seriously affect treatment efficacy and quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the effect of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) on body mass index (BMI) and metabolism in individuals with cirrhotic portal hypertension, and the risk factors that affect changes of BMI. ⋯ This study suggests that individuals with cirrhosis treated with TIPS may see improvement in overall clinical and physical status, as measured by increased weight and BMI. Our data also indicate that pre-TIPS blood ammonia is positively associated with post-TIPS BMI.