Nutrition
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The number of chronic diseases is associated with the reduction in muscle mass and strength in older people (≥60 y of age). The purpose of this study was to asses the association between multimorbidities and handgrip strength in older community-dwelling individuals from a city in southern Brazil, identifying potential differences according to sex and loss of muscle mass. ⋯ Results from the present study indicated an association between manual grip strength and multimorbidity among this population, and the effect measures were greater in men. Manual grip strength proved to be a good marker of health in this population, especially in those who did not present with myopenia.
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The aim of this study was to examine the effect of improved nutritional status on activities of daily living (ADLs) and dysphagia in elderly patients with pneumonia who were admitted to acute care hospitals. ⋯ Nutritional improvement is associated with improvements in ADL and dysphagia in patients with pneumonia and malnutrition.
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Case Reports
Effect of l-carnitine supplementation on muscle cramps induced by stroke: A case report.
l-carnitine, a compound responsible for transportation of acyl groups across cell membranes and modulating intracellular acyl-coenzyme A levels, is reported to reduce muscle cramps in patients with liver cirrhosis and diabetes and those on dialysis. A 79-y-old man with right-sided paralysis was admitted to our hospital and diagnosed with cerebral infarction. Nocturnal leg cramps appeared in the affected side and caused sleep disturbance. ⋯ Patients with stroke-induced paralysis experience muscle wasting, which might reduce pooled carnitine in the affected side. This case suggests that stroke may cause localized carnitine deficiency, and l-carnitine supplementation might be effective for muscle cramps induced by stroke. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of l-carnitine supplementation for muscle cramps triggered by cerebral infarction.
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The aim of this study was to examine the quantitative features of intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps and their association with gait independence in older inpatients. ⋯ The results from the present study suggested that intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps of older inpatients was increased to ~1.7 times that of healthy older individuals matched for demographic characteristics. More intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps was observed among older inpatients who were unable to walk independently compared with older inpatients who were able to walk independently.
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The aim of this study was to review the association of dietary intake of oleic and linoleic acids (OA and LA, respectively) with depressive symptoms in perimenopausal women. ⋯ Intake of OA and LA may be positively associated with depressive symptoms in perimenopausal women.