The American journal of clinical nutrition
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To determine nutrient requirements by the carbon oxidation techniques, it is necessary to know the fraction of carbon dioxide produced during the oxidative process but not excreted. This fraction has not been described in critically ill children. By measuring the dilution of (13)C infused by metabolically produced carbon dioxide, the rates of carbon dioxide appearance can be estimated. Energy expenditure can be determined by bicarbonate dilution kinetics if the energy equivalents of carbon dioxide (food quotient) from the diet ingested are known. ⋯ The 2001 World Health Organization and Schofield predictive equations overestimated and underestimated, respectively, energy requirements compared with those obtained by bicarbonate dilution kinetics. Bicarbonate kinetics allows accurate determination of energy needs in critically ill children.
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Selenium, an essential micronutrient, has received considerable attention for its antioxidant properties. In addition, selenium may affect several cardiometabolic risk factors, such as glucose homeostasis and lipid concentrations. However, the effects of selenium intake on the lipid profile in selenium-replete populations, such as the United States, are largely unknown. ⋯ Elevated serum selenium was associated with elevated serum concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triacylglycerols, apo B, and apo A-I among US adults, a selenium-replete population. Experimental studies are needed to determine cause and effect relations and the potential mechanisms underlying these associations.
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Multiple sclerosis (MS) risk is determined by both genes and environment. One of the most striking features of MS is its geographic distribution, particularly the pattern of high MS frequency in areas with low sunlight exposure, the main inducer of vitamin D synthesis. Recent epidemiologic, experimental, and clinical evidence support an effect for low environmental supplies of vitamin D in mediating an increased susceptibility to MS. ⋯ The findings indicate important genetic influences on regulation of seasonal circulating 25(OH)D concentrations in MS twins.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Acute dark chocolate and cocoa ingestion and endothelial function: a randomized controlled crossover trial.
Studies suggest cardioprotective benefits of dark chocolate containing cocoa. ⋯ The acute ingestion of both solid dark chocolate and liquid cocoa improved endothelial function and lowered blood pressure in overweight adults. Sugar content may attenuate these effects, and sugar-free preparations may augment them.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Bolus tube feeding suppresses food intake and circulating ghrelin concentrations in healthy subjects in a short-term placebo-controlled trial.
Previous investigations suggest continuous tube feeding (TF) schedules do not suppress appetite and food intake, but bolus TF has been little studied. ⋯ In this short-term study, subjects maintained appetite ratings during bolus TF by a significant reduction in food intake and changes in ghrelin and some appetite mediators related to subsequent daily food intake. Longer-term studies are required to fully ascertain the effect of TF on appetite, food intake, and appetite mediators.