Medicina
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Background and Objectives: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, with the risk of developing it attributed to non-modifiable and modifiable factors. Currently, there is no cure for AD. A plant-based diet may protect against cognitive decline, due to the effects of plant-based nutrients such as vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. ⋯ Fiber has been shown to prevent cognitive decline in animal studies. Vitamin D may contribute to cognitive health via anti-inflammatory processes. Several medical organizations have recommended a plant-based diet for optimizing cognitive health and potentially helping to prevent dementia.
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Background and Objectives: Extremely preterm infants were at increased risk of mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this study was to: (1) examine changes over time in perinatal management, mortality, and major neonatal morbidities among infants born at 250-286 weeks' gestational age and cared for at one Romanian tertiary care unit and (2) compare the differences with available international data. Material and Methods: This study consisted of infants born at 250-286 weeks in one tertiary neonatal academic center in Romania during two 4-year periods (2007-2010 and 2015-2018). ⋯ In logistic regression analyses, infants in the newer compared to the older cohort had a lower incidence of death (OR: 0.19; 95% CI: 0.11-0.35), a lower incidence of IVH (OR: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.15-0.46), and increased incidence of NEC (OR: 19.37; 95% CI: 2.41-155.11). Conclusions: Changes over time included higher use of antenatal antibiotics and cesarean delivery and no change in antenatal steroids administration. Overall mortality was lower in the newer cohort, especially for infants 250-266 weeks' gestation, NEC was higher while BPD and ROP were not different.
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Background and Objectives. Being an enterically transmitted pathogen with a growing prevalence in developed countries, hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection remains an underdiagnosed disease in Eastern Europe. As far as Romania is concerned, only a few studies address this issue. ⋯ Conclusions. The seroprevalence rate of HEV antibodies was similar to other previous reports from our area but higher than in most European countries. The fact that HEV antibodies were detected in patients without identifiable risk factors for hepatitis E is evidence of subclinical infection as a silent threat.
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Background and Objectives: The relation of dietary n-6 fatty acid to metabolic syndrome has not been examined and clearly defined. To improve health in the general population, this study was to investigate the role of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids in the reduction in metabolic syndrome and to observe changes in the effects of these fatty acids depending on the level of insulin resistance. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized national health and nutrition survey data from 2014 to 2016. ⋯ On the contrary, for both males and females, no statistically significant correlation was present when HbA1c was high. Conclusion: It was considered that consistent and regular dietary intakes of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids may contribute greatly to prevent or treat metabolic syndrome in healthy males with normal insulin sensitivity, but the effect of their dietary intakes was found to be limited in a group with strong insulin resistance. The conclusion of this study presents a valuable reference and knowledge to provide nutritional education to the general population.