Nutrition
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We propose an automated nutritional assessment algorithm that provides a method for malnutrition risk prediction with high accuracy and reliability. ⋯ The problem of rapidly identifying risk and severity of malnutrition is crucial for minimizing medical and surgical complications. These are not easily performed or adequately expedited. We characterized for each patient a unique profile and mapped similar patients into a classification. We also found that the laboratory parameters were sufficient for the automated risk prediction.
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To analyze the effect of the fatty acid-binding protein (FABP2) gene Ala54Thr polymorphism on anthropometric and biochemical variables in response to a moderate-fat diet in overweight or obese subjects. ⋯ This study showed that the Thr54 allele carriers responded better to a moderate-fat diet.
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We analyzed the interferon-α (IFN-α), IFN-β, and proinflammatory responses induced by Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from obese subjects and their association with suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS1) and SOCS3 expression. ⋯ These data suggest that obesity is related to impaired IFN-α and IFN-β responses and increased SOCS3 basal mRNA expression and that a signaling pathway by TLR-3 may be involved. These results could explain, at least in part, the inadequate response of obese people against viral infections, such as influenza.
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Vitamin D deficiency, diagnosed when the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD(3)) concentration is less than 20 ng/mL, has joined vitamin A deficiency as two of the most common nutrition-responsive medical conditions worldwide. There have been more scientific articles published about vitamin D in the 21st century than about any other vitamin, reflecting the massive expansion of the field of vitamin D research. Adequate vitamin D status has been linked to decreased risks of developing specific cancers, including cancers of the esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, gallbladder, pancreas, lung, breast, uterus, ovary, prostate, urinary bladder, kidney, skin, thyroid, and hematopoietic system (e.g., Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma); bacterial infections; rheumatoid arthritis; Crohn's disease; periodontal disease; multiple sclerosis; asthma; type 2 diabetes; cardiovascular disease; stroke; peripheral artery disease; hypertension; chronic kidney disease; muscle weakness; cognitive impairment; Alzheimer's disease; clinical depression; and premature death. ⋯ An individual's serum 25-OHD(3) concentration may appear to be "low" for reasons totally independent of sunlight exposure or vitamin D intake. Serum 25-OHD(3) concentration is only poorly responsive to increases in vitamin D intake, and the prolonged routine consumption of thousands of international units of vitamin D may interfere with the regulation of phosphate homeostasis by fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) and the Klotho gene product, with consequences that are detrimental to human health. In light of these counterbalancing observations, curbing excessive enthusiasm for universally increasing vitamin D intake recommendations may be in order.