Nutrition
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Citrulline possesses a highly specific metabolism that bypasses splanchnic extraction because it is not used by the intestine or taken up by the liver. The administration of citrulline may be used to deliver available nitrogen for protein homeostasis in peripheral tissues and as an arginine precursor synthesized de novo in the kidneys and endothelial and immune cells. ⋯ Oral citrulline could be used to deliver arginine to the systemic circulation or as a protein anabolic agent in specific clinical situations, because recent data have suggested that citrulline, although not a component of proteins, stimulates protein synthesis in skeletal muscle through the mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway. Hence, citrulline could play a pivotal role in maintaining protein homeostasis and is a promising pharmaconutrient in nutritional support strategies for malnourished patients, especially in aging and sarcopenia.
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Comparative Study
Assessing long-chain ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: a tailored food-frequency questionnaire is better.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including the long-chain (LC) ω-3 PUFAs, are important for health. The aim was to assess if the Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria Dietary Questionnaire (ACC DQ) accurately determines PUFA intakes compared with the recently validated electronic PUFA food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ). ⋯ The validated electronic PUFA FFQ is better suited to determine ω-3 PUFA intakes than the ACC DQ.
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To assess whether monosodium glutamate (MSG) intake is associated with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). ⋯ The intake of MSG may increase the risk of SDB in Chinese adults with a normal body weight.
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Serum prealbumin has a prognostic value in several diseases, but its serum levels can be influenced by different factors. However, a multivariable analysis to test the independent effect of each has not yet, to our knowledge, been performed. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between prealbumin and several factors possibly affecting its serum levels to test the potential of using prealbumin as an indicator of nutritional status and short-term energy intake in patients newly diagnosed with immunoglobulin light-chain amyloidosis. ⋯ Serum prealbumin is associated with short-term energy intake independently of the presence of multiple-organ involvement and inflammation. Its serum levels should be always interpreted in light of its influencing factors, among which inflammation and liver and kidney functions appear predominant.
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To determine the association of in-hospital mortality in patients with enteral feeding to their glycemic status (normoglycemia, new hyperglycemia, or diabetes) and their levels of serum albumin. ⋯ The results of this study showed that newly diagnosed hyperglycemia can be considered an independent prognostic factor of in-hospital mortality in patients with enteral feeding and that there is no interaction between newly diagnosed hyperglycemia and serum albumin levels.