Nutrition
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Zinc is a vital element in maintaining the normal structure and physiology of cells. The fact that it has an important role in states of cardiovascular diseases has been studied and described by several research groups. It appears to have protective effects in coronary artery disease and cardiomyopathy. ⋯ In such states, replenishing with zinc has been shown to improve cardiac function and prevent further damage. Thus, the area of zinc homeostasis is emerging in cardiovascular disease research. The goal of this report is to review the current knowledge and suggest further avenues of research.
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Controlled Clinical Trial
Perioperative tight glucose control with hyperinsulinemic-normoglycemic clamp technique in cardiac surgery.
Previous attempts to achieve tight glucose control in surgical patients were associated with a significant incidence of hypoglycemia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of perioperative glucose and insulin administration while maintaining normoglycemia using a hyperinsulinemic-normoglycemic clamp technique. ⋯ Perioperative use of a hyperinsulinemic-normoglycemic clamp technique established and maintained normoglycemia in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with little risk of hypoglycemia.
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Fish oil has anti-inflammatory actions that may benefit periodontal health. We investigated the longitudinal relation between dietary ω-3 fatty acids (FAs), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to periodontal disease in community-dwelling elderly. ⋯ The findings suggest there may be an inverse, independent relation of dietary DHA intake to the progression of periodontal disease in older people.
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Elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) is a risk factor for a variety of human diseases. Homocysteine is formed from methionine and has two primary metabolic fates: remethylation to form methionine or commitment to the transsulfuration pathway by the action of cystathionine β-synthase (CBS). We have examined the metabolic response in mice of a shift from a methionine-replete to a methionine-free diet. ⋯ Our results imply that methionine deprivation induces a metabolic state in which methionine is effectively conserved in tissue by shutdown of the transsulfuration pathway by an S-adenosylmethionine-independent mechanism that signals a rapid downregulation of CBS protein.
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To assess the iodine status and knowledge and practices related to iodine nutrition of Australian women during pregnancy. ⋯ Public health strategies, including nutritional education and supplementation, are urgently required to improve the iodine status of pregnant women. Currently, no readily accessible information on iodine is available to women attending antenatal clinics in Australia.