Nutrition
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The aim of this study was to assess the vitamin A and anthropometric status of South African preschool children from four areas with known distinct eating patterns. ⋯ Prevalence of vitamin A deficiency was lower than national figures, and did not differ across areas despite differences in socioeconomics, dietary intake, and vitamin A supplementation coverage. Rural children benefited more from the national food fortification program in terms of vitamin A intake. Large variations in anthropometric status highlight the importance of targeting specific nutrition interventions, taking into account the double burden of overnutrition and undernutrition.
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Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) and phase angle (PA) have been shown previously to indicate relative nutritional status in patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the application of BIVA and PA assessments in a cohort of frail older hospital patients and compare these assessments with malnutrition risk screening by MUST (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool), and the MNA-SF(®) (Mini-Nutritional Assessment-Short Form). ⋯ The significant reduction in xC component and PA is consistent with other studies and is indicative of a reduced body cell mass and nutritional status with aging and illness. The general trend in MNA-SF scoring was more consistent with these patterns as a group; but requires clarification in larger cohorts. Future studies are necessary with an aim to improve and optimize care of frail older people.
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Although dementia and nutritional status have been shown to be strongly associated, differences in body composition (BC) among older people with dementia have not yet been firmly established. The aim of this study was to assess BC through conventional and vector bioimpedance analysis (BIA and BIVA, respectively) in a sample of institutionalized older men with and without dementia, in order to detect dementia-related BC changes. ⋯ Conventional BIA showed no significant differences in BC between DG and CG, although reactance and ratio of reactance to height were about 21% lower in DG. Nevertheless, a body cell mass depletion and an increase in the ratio of extracellular to intracellular water were identified in DG using BIVA. BIVA reflects dementia-related changes in BC better than BIA.
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Bone protective effects of withaferin A (WFA) from leaves of Withania somnifera (L.) were evaluated in preventive model of Balb/c mice with 17 β-estradiol (E2) and alendronate (ALD). ⋯ It is surmised that WFA in preclinical setting is effective in preserving bone loss by both inhibition of resorption and stimulation of new bone formation before onset of osteoporosis with no uterine hyperplasia.
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The aim of this study was to determine the association between iron parameters and inflammation in obese individuals with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). ⋯ Elevated hsCRP and hepcidin levels, and increased gene expression of TNF-α, IL-6, NF-κB, and TLR-2/4 in patients with diabetes, obesity, or both exacerbate and perpetuate the insulin resistance and inflammatory state.