Nutrition
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The effects on breast milk composition of advanced maternal age and maternal dietary habits during pregnancy and lactation have not, to our knowledge, been investigated in southeastern Europe and the Balkans. The aim of this study was to compare the content of retinol and β-carotene in colostrum and mature milk samples obtained from different maternal age (MA) groups and to assess the potential relationship with maternal and demographic characteristics, dietary patterns, and lifestyle habits during pregnancy and lactation. ⋯ PCA analysis used in the study clearly confirmed that MA, total lipids, retinol, and β-carotene levels might serve as a good criterion for delimitation of breast milk samples collected in different stages of lactation from mothers of various ages. The present findings could represent key basis for further investigations.
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The aim of this study was to investigate nutritional status in older patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) to determine the prevalence of nutritional markers indicating protein-energy wasting (PEW) as assessed by subjective global assessment (SGA) and other methods, and to explore which nutritional markers can best predict clinical outcomes. ⋯ Among older MHD patients, the prevalence of nutritional markers indicating PEW varies substantially depending on methods applied. SGA, MIS, BMI, GNRI, calf circumference, and HGS predicted worse outcomes. SGA and MIS showed the strongest association with hospitalization and mortality risk in the adjusted models.
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The aim of this study was to examine the reproducibility and relative validity of a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) in assessing food group estimates. ⋯ Moderately good reproducibility and low-moderate relative validity of the FFQ used in preschool children was observed. Relative validity, however, varied by food and beverage group; for some of the "key" foods/drinks targeted in the ToyBox intervention (e.g., biscuits), the validity was good. The findings should be considered in future epidemiologic and intervention studies in preschool children.
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The incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in menopausal women is one of the main health care concerns. MetS clusters are related to an imbalance in pro- and anti-inflammatory adipokines such as secreted frizzled-related protein 5 (SFRP5) and wingless-type mammary tumor virus integration site family, member 5A (WNT5A). WNT5A induces an inflammatory state to induce insulin resistance and further pathologic consequences. Recent strategies to prevent progression of MetS to diabetes have focused on conservative treatments such as exercise and herbal medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanistic effects of cotreatment with cinnamon extract and 12-wk high-intensity endurance training on MetS components considering the non-canonical WNT5A signaling. ⋯ The present study indicated that high-endurance training combined with aqueous cinnamon extract supplementation for 12 wk more efficiently alleviated insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunctions via reduction in noncanonical WNT signaling in ovariectomized rats.