Associations of smoking with cardiometabolic profile and renal function in a Romanian population-based sample from the PREDATORR cross-sectional study

Background: The impact of smoking on morbidity is well known, but in Romania, limited data are available regarding the smoking prevalence and relationship with cardiometabolic profile and kidney function.

Objectives: To assess the association of smoking with cardiometabolic traits and kidney function, in a Romanian population-based sample from the PREDATORR study.

Methods: PREDATORR was an epidemiological cross-sectional study. Between 2012 and 2014, participants were randomly selected from the lists of general practitioners and enrolled if they were aged 20 to 79 years, born and living in the past 10 years in Romania. Sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires.

Results: Overall, 2704 participants were included in the analysis, 18% of them being current smokers and 30.8% former smokers. Current smokers compared to non-smokers had higher total cholesterol (220.6?±?50.4 versus 213.9?±?86.8?mg/dl, P?=?0.017), LDL-cholesterol (137.8?±?45.2 versus 130.7?±?83.7?mg/dl, P?=?0.004) and glomerular filtration rate (96.9?±?16.8 versus 90.7?±?19.1?ml/min/1.73?m², P?<0.001) in women and higher triglycerides (170.7?±?129.8 versus 144.3?±?94.2?mg/dl, P?=?0.007), glomerular filtration rate (97.6?±?17 versus 90.3?±?18?ml/min/1.73?m², P?P?=?0.002) in men. Active smoking was associated with hypercholesterolaemia [OR: 1.40 (95% CI: 1.01–1.96), P?=?0.04] and low HDL-cholesterolaemia [OR: 1.39 (95% CI: 1.01–1.91), P?=?0.04] and negatively associated with overweight/obesity [OR: 0.67 (95% CI: 0.48–0.94), P?=?0.02]. Male former smokers had higher prevalence of abdominal obesity (82.4% versus 76.4%, P?=?0.02), hypertriglyceridaemia (43.6% versus 35.6%, P?=?0.01), hypertension (64% versus 56.4%, P?=?0.01) and ischaemic vascular disease (40.5% versus 30.9%, P?=?0.003) than male non-smokers.

Conclusion: The PREDATORR study showed a high prevalence of smoking in the adult Romanian population providing data on the association of smoking with cardiometabolic traits.     

Effect of vitamin D supplementation as adjunctive therapy to methylphenidate on ADHD symptoms: A randomized,double blind,placebo-controlled trial

Objectives: Previous studies have shown that serum levels of vitamin D were lower in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) children compared to healthy controls. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of vitamin D supplementation as adjunctive therapy to methylphenidate on symptoms of children with ADHD.

Methods: Sixty-two children aged 5–12 years with a diagnosis of ADHD based on DSM-IV criteria were randomly assigned into two groups to receive either 2000IU vitamin D or placebo in addition to methylphenidate for 8 weeks. Symptoms severity was assessed by Conner's Parent Rating Scale-Revised[S] (CPRS), ADHD rating scale-IV (ADHD-RS), and Weekly Parent Ratings of Evening and Morning Behavior (WPREMB) at weeks 0, 4, and 8. Serum levels of 25(OH)D were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks. Anthropometric variables, dietary intake, physical activity, sun exposure, and side effects were assessed.

Results: Fifty-four participants completed the trial. After 8 weeks of supplementation, serum levels of 25(OH)D significantly increased in the vitamin D group. ADHD symptoms decreased significantly in both groups (P?P?=?0.013, 0.016, respectively), but no differences were found in symptoms by CPRS and ADHD-RS scales.

Discussion: Vitamin D supplementation as adjunctive therapy to methylphenidate improved ADHD evening symptoms. Future research is needed to clarify vitamin D effects as monotherapy in ADHD and its mechanism.

The trial was registered in www.irct.ir is (IRCT201404222394N10).     

Serum Albumin at Diagnosis is an Independent Predictor of Early Mortality in Veteran Patients with Esophageal Cancer

Aims: To identify independent factors that could predict mortality within 6 months in a cohort of patients with esophageal cancer.

Methods: Esophageal cancer patients were grouped into early (≤6 months, n?=?41) and late (>6 months, n?=?81) mortality groups. 52 variables were analyzed by univariable analysis (UA). A multivariable (MVA) regression model was created to identify predictors of early mortality.

Results: When comparing early and late mortality groups, there was no difference in age, BMI, race, histology, or anatomic location between the two groups. UA demonstrated that the early mortality group had a lower mean albumin level (3.3?±?0.1?g/dl vs. 3.8?±?0.1?g/dl; P?<?0.001), poorer ECOG performance status (1.9?±?0.2 vs. 1.1?±?0.1, P?=?0.02), higher WBC count (9.6?±?0.7 K/µL vs. 8.2?±?0.3 K/µL, P?=?0.04), and were less likely to receive surgery (2.4% vs. 22.2%; P?=?0.003), neoadjuvant treatment (4.9% vs. 28.4%; P?=?0.009) and definitive chemoradiation (7.3% vs. 27.2%; P?=?0.01). MVA revealed that only low albumin at diagnosis was an independent predictor of survival (P?=?0.016).

Conclusion: Albumin level at diagnosis is an independent predictor of early mortality and might be used with other variables to provide prognostic information for patients and to guide treatment.     

Oxidative stress-induced cognitive impairment in obesity can be reversed by vitamin D administration in rats

Background: There is evidence that obesity leads to cognitive impairments via several markers of oxidative stress including glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the hippocampus. Increased inflammatory markers in the brain have obesity triggering effects. In the current study we aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin D on cognitive function, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α concentration and markers of oxidative stress in the hippocampus of high-fat diet-induced obese rats.

Methods and materials: Forty male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: control diet (CD) and high-fat diet (HFD) for 16 weeks; then each group subdivided into two groups including: CD, CD?+?vitamin D, HFD and HFD?+?vitamin D. Vitamin D was administered at 500?IU/kg dosage for 5 weeks. Four weeks after supplementation, Morris water maze test was performed. NF-κB and TNF-α concentration in the hippocampus were determined using ELISA kits. Moreover, oxidative stress markers in the hippocampus including GPx, SOD, MDA and CAT concentrations were measured by spectrophotometry methods.

Results: HFD significantly increased TNF-α (P?=?0.04) and NF-κB (P?=?0.01) concentrations in the hippocampus compared with CD. Vitamin D treatment led to a significant reduction in hippocampus NF-κB concentrations in HFD?+?vitamin D group (P?=?0.001); however, vitamin D had no effect on TNF-α concentrations. Moreover, HFD significantly induced oxidative stress by reducing GPx, SOD and increasing MDA concentrations in the hippocampus. Vitamin D supplementation in HFD group also significantly increased GPx, SOD and reduced MDA concentrations.

Conclusion: Vitamin D improved hippocampus oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in HFD-induced obese rats and improved cognitive performance. Further studies are needed to better clarify the underlying mechanisms.     

Feasibility of Intravenous Iron Isomaltoside to Improve Anemia and Quality of Life During Palliative Chemotherapy for Esophagogastric Adenocarcinoma

Background: Anemia is common with esophagogastric adenocarcinoma, increasing mortality, blood transfusions, and reducing quality of life (QOL). No clear evidence exists for safe and effective treatment.

Methods: Anemic patients (Hb <12?g/dl women, <13?g/dl men) with esophagogastric adenocarcinoma were recruited before initiation of palliative chemotherapy. Patients were randomized to standard care or single dose of intravenous iron isomaltoside (IVI) before chemotherapy. Post-chemotherapy changes in hemoglobin (Hb), ferritin, transferrin saturations (TSAT), blood transfusions, and QOL were recorded for three cycles of chemotherapy.

Results: Twenty-seven patients were randomized to standard care (n?=?13) or IVI (n?=?14). No significant change in Hb was seen (standard care MD –0.6?g/dl 95% CI –0.1–1.1?g/dl, P?=?0.336; IVI MD +0.5?g/dl 95% CI –0.1–1.1?g/dl, P?=?0.903). An increase in ferritin was seen with IVI after cycle one of chemotherapy (standard care 116?ng/ml; IVI 770?ng/ml, P?<?0.05). No difference in blood transfusions was seen between groups (P?=?0.851). IVI improved QOL with physical well-being, emotional well-being, anemia-specific QOL, trial outcome index, and total scores all exceeding minimum clinically important difference. No improvement was seen with standard care.

Conclusions: This feasibility study suggests IVI improves quality of life and ferritin. Larger adequately powered studies are required to definitively conclude if hemoglobin and blood transfusion changes with IVI.     

Metabolomic analysis of CSF indicates brain metabolic impairment precedes hematological indices of anemia in the iron-deficient infant monkey

Objectives: Iron deficiency (ID) anemia leads to long-term neurodevelopmental deficits by altering iron-dependent brain metabolism. The objective of the study was to determine if ID induces metabolomic abnormalities in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the pre-anemic stage and to ascertain the aspects of abnormal brain metabolism affected.

Methods: Standard hematological parameters [hemoglobin (Hgb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), transferrin (Tf) saturation, and zinc protoporphyrin/heme (ZnPP/H)] were compared at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 months in iron-sufficient (IS; n?=?7) and iron-deficient (ID; n?=?7) infant rhesus monkeys. Five CSF metabolite ratios were determined at 4, 8, and 12 months using ¹H NMR spectroscopy at 16.4?T and compared between groups and in relation to hematologic parameters.

Results: ID infants developed ID (Tf saturation?P?P?=?0.02). ZnPP/H, an established blood marker of pre-anemic ID, was positively correlated with the CSF citrate/glutamine ratio (marginal correlation, 0.34; P?Discussion: Metabolomic analysis of the CSF is sensitive for detecting the effects of pre-anemic ID on brain energy metabolism. Persistence of a lower PCr/Cr ratio at 8 months, even as hematological measures demonstrated recovery from anemia, indicate that the restoration of brain energy metabolism is delayed. Metabolomic platforms offer a useful tool for early detection of the impact of ID on brain metabolism in infants.     

Vitamin D insufficiency in obese children and relation with lipid profile

Abstract

Vitamin D (25OHD) deficiency is reported in obese children. Low 25OHD levels are associated with dyslipidemia and increased risk of cardiovascular complication in adulthood. Within an observational study, 120 obese subjects in pediatric age were enrolled: 59 had 25OHD <20?ng/ml (group A) while 61 had 25OHD >20?ng/ml (group B). Group A versus Group B showed elevated total cholesterol (TC), p?=?0.017, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), p?=?0.045, and parathormone (PTH), p?=?0.008. Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) showed a similar trend, p?=?0.074. Negative correlations were found between 25OHD and the following parameters: TC (ρ?=??0.22, p?=?0.01), LDL (ρ?=??0.22; p?=?0.03), ApoB (ρ?=??0.20; p?=?0.03), and PTH (ρ?=??0.33, p?=?0.003). No differences in High Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) were found. In multivariate regression the most powerful predictor for explaining 25OHD variation were TC (p?=?0.048) and PTH (p?=?0.055). Within a pediatric obese population an association between 25OHD low levels and unfavourable lipid patterns has been found.     

Docosahexaenoic acid biostatus is associated with event-related functional connectivity in cortical attention networks of typically developing children

Objective: Although extant preclinical evidence suggests that the long-chain omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is important for neurodevelopment, little is known about its role in human cortical structural and functional maturation. In the present cross-sectional study, we investigated the relationship between DHA biostatus and functional connectivity in cortical attention networks of typically developing children.

Methods: Male children (aged 8–10 years, n?=?36) were divided into ‘low-DHA’ (n?=?18) and ‘high-DHA’ (n?=?18) biostatus groups by a median split of erythrocyte DHA levels. Event-related functional connectivity during the performance of a sustained attention task (identical pairs continuous performance task (CPT-IP)) was conducted using functional magnetic resonance imaging. A voxelwise approach used the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) as the seed-region.

Results: Erythrocyte DHA composition in the low-DHA group (2.6?±?0.9%) was significantly lower than the high-DHA group (4.1?±?1.1%, P?≤?0.0001). Fish intake frequency was greater in the high-DHA group (P?=?0.003) and was positively correlated with DHA levels among all subjects. The low-DHA group exhibited reduced functional connectivity between the ACC and the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, insula, precuneus, superior parietal lobule, middle occipital gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus, and lingual gyrus compared with the high-DHA group (P?P?=?0.03) which was inversely correlated with erythrocyte DHA among all subjects.

Discussion: These data suggest that low-DHA biostatus is associated with reduced event-related functional connectivity in cortical attention networks of typically developing children.     

学龄儿童维生素D营养状况与跟骨骨密度关系的前瞻性队列研究

目的探讨学龄儿童维生素D营养状况与跟骨骨密度的关系。方法研究对象来自“儿童青少年心血管与骨健康促进项目”,于2017年采用分层整群抽样的方法在北京市对15391名6~16岁儿童开展基线调查,2019年对其进行随访调查。进行问卷调查,测量血清25(OH)D和跟骨超声骨密度(BMD)。采用多因素线性回归和logistic回归分析基线维生素D营养状况与随访期跟骨BMD及其变化的关系。结果纳入分析的10914名儿童的年龄为(11.5±3.3)岁,男童占49.6%,基线25(OH)D水平为(35.4±12.0)nmol/L,缺乏率为36.1%。多因素回归分析显示,校正年龄、性别、BMI、吸烟、饮酒、奶制品摄入、维生素D补充、钙剂补充、体力活动、青春期发育状态和基线跟骨BMD Z值后,25(OH)D每增加10 nmol/L,随访时点跟骨BMD Z值增加0.01(P=0.041),2年间发生跟骨BMD Z值下降的OR=0.96(95%CI:0.93~1.00),P=0.030;相对于维生素D充足,维生素D不足和缺乏的儿童随访时点跟骨BMD Z值下降0.03(P=0.307)和0.06(P=0.046),2年间跟骨BMD Z值下降的风险分别增加15%(P=0.037)和21%(P=0.006),趋势P值均<0.05。结论维生素D营养状况与跟骨BMD密切相关,维生素D充足的儿童倾向于获得更高的BMD水平。倡导儿童青少年维持充足的维生素D水平,加强营养与运动,促进骨骼健康。     

Use of Vitamin D Supplements in Osteoarthritis: An Observational Study in a Tertiary Health Care Facility

Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess impact of vitamin D supplements on the disease progression and overall health of osteoarthritis (OA) patients.

Methodology: A cohort study was carried out for 8?months (August 2017–March 2018) in the Orthopedics Department of Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, India, a tertiary care hospital. One hundred and forty-two patients who were diagnosed with OA (grades 1–3) with low serum 25(OH)D levels (severely deficient, deficient, or insufficient) were selected for the study. These patients were categorized into two cohorts: a control cohort (CC) and a study cohort (SC). CC members were patients (n?=?71) who had not received vitamin D supplements, and SC members were patients (n?=?71) who had received vitamin D supplements. Severity grading of OA, pain score, and health assessment were performed using the Kellgren–Laurence grading score, visual analogue scale (VAS), and WOMAC, respectively, at baseline and after 3?months of follow-up.

Results: Subjects in the both CC and SC reported no statistically significant difference (similar in both group) in severity grade (p?=?0.303), pain score (p?=?0.099), parathyroid hormone (PTH) (p?=?0.083), and health status (p?=?0.76) at baseline. After 3?months of follow-up (post vitamin D supplementation), OA patients have shown statistically significant difference in severity grades, serum 25(OH)D status, PTH level (p?<?0.001), and overall health status (p?=?0.001) in the SC with respect to baseline. Likewise, percentage distribution of positive changes was significantly higher in severity grade, pain score, serum 25(OH)D level, overall health status (p?<?0.001), and PTH (p?=?0.040) of SC as compared to CC at follow-up.

Conclusion: Vitamin D supplements have significantly improved serum 25(OH)D levels, PTH, severity grade, and pain score of OA patients. Most importantly, vitamin D supplements have shown improvement in the overall health of OA patients, emphasizing the place of vitamin D supplements in the management of OA.

Clinical Trial Registry-India (CTRI) registration no: CTRI/2017/12/011031     

The Impact of the Disease Trend on the Macro and Micro-Nutrients Intake in Patients with Gastric Cancer

Abstract

Background: Disease-related malnutrition, as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients, is very common in patients with gastric cancer (GC). Malnutrition in cancer patients was reported to have important adverse effects, including a decreased response and tolerance to treatment, a decrease of performance, shorter survival, and lower quality of life. The treatment approaches involving chemotherapy is known to develop various acute and chronic symptoms that restrict eating and, thereby, exert a profound impact on nutritional status.

Method: In this study, 82 patients with GC with an average age of 48.33?±?10.74 were enrolled. Patients were followed up for 6 months without any nutritional intervention and/or education. A 168 item semi-quantities food frequency questioner was completed by a trained nutritionist at the beginning of the study and six months after the start of chemotherapy.

Results: Intake of vitamin A (T₀:585.52?±?203.34 vs. T₆:529.48?±?138.91, t?=?2.96), Thiamin (T₀:2.09?±?0.76 vs. T₆:1.80?±?0.72, t?=?2.81), vitamin B6 (T₀:2.03?±?0.53 vs. T₆:2.29?±?0.73, t?=?2.56), and vitamin B12 (T₀:5.79?±?3.96 vs. T₆:4.48?±?2.20, t?=?2.43) significantly decreased after 6 months of receiving chemotherapy. On the other intake of beef (T0:17.79?±?25.48 vs. T6:12.58?±?16.66, t?=?2.06), low-fat milk (T0:52.57?±?69.80 vs. T6:29.18?±?45.89, t?=?2.95), cream (T0:2.42?±?4.16 vs. T6:1.06?±?1.68, t?=?2.88), and raw vegetable (T0:6.54?±?9.55 vs. T6:3.85?±?5.23, t?=?2.54) significantly decreased.

Conclusion: Nutritional deterioration is an important part of the pathogenesis of cancer and its treatment that can occur at any point in the timeline of cancer diagnosis, treatment or support. Therefore nutritional counseling and supportive services are needed for cancer patients, especially when their disease is diagnosed.     

Risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in women aged 20–50 years consulting in general practice: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: Vitamin D deficiency is often unidentified, although treatment is simple and inexpensive. Our objective was to estimate the influence of concealing clothes and other risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in women aged 20 to 50 years consulting general practitioners. Methods: 13 GPs in the Rhone Alps area planned to recruit 300 women (100 veiled and 200 non-veiled) from January to March 2008. Serum 25(OH)D and PTH were measured in one single laboratory (Biomnis^®) by a radio-immunoassay method. A survey was administered about dietary habits, sun exposure, and quality of life. Results: Among 247 women enrolled, 196 were analysed: 61 wearing concealing clothes (31.2%) and 135 without (68.8%). As expected, 25(OH)D serum level was significantly lower in covered women (20.1 versus 38.9 nmol/l P < 0.001). Of women who did not wear concealing clothing, 39.3% had severe hypovitaminosis D (25(OH)D concentration < 30 nmol/l). Women wearing concealing clothes had more often other known risk factors such as dark skin (P < 0.001), less sunlight exposure, or a higher Body Mass Index (P = 0.009). Besides concealing clothing (OR 6.37, 95% CI: 1.35–30.09), multivariate analyses revealed two independent risk factors for vitamin D deficiency: no full-body sun exposure (OR: 3.06, 95% CI: 1.18–7.94) and no outdoor sports (OR: 2.81, 95% CI: 1.11–7.12) for threshold 52 nmol/l.

Conclusion: Young women consulting their GP had hypovitaminosis D more often than expected. Besides concealing clothing, absence of full body sun exposure during summer and of outdoor sports practice could suggest a possible vitamin D deficiency.     

Vitamin D deficiency in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: association with disease activity and quality of life

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of vitamin D deficiency in an IBD cohort. It was hypothesized that vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased disease activity and lower health‐related quality of life (HRQOL). Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. Harvey‐Bradshaw index and ulcerative colitis disease activity index were used to assess disease activity. Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire scores were used to assess HRQOL. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of vitamin D deficiency and its association with disease activity and HRQOL. Results: The study included 504 IBD patients (403 Crohn's disease [CD] and 101 ulcerative colitis [UC]) who had a mean disease duration of 15.5 years in CD patients and 10.9 years in UC patients; 49.8% were vitamin D deficient, with 10.9% having severe deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with older age (P = .004) and older age at diagnosis (P = .03). Vitamin D deficiency was associated with lower HRQOL (regression coefficient –2.21, 95% confidence interval [CI], –4.10 to –0.33) in CD but not UC (regression coefficient 0.41, 95% CI, –2.91 to 3.73). Vitamin D deficiency was also associated with increased disease activity in CD (regression coefficient 1.07, 95% CI, 0.43 to 1.71). Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is common in IBD and is independently associated with lower HRQOL and greater disease activity in CD. There is a need for prospective studies to assess this correlation and examine the impact of vitamin D supplementation on disease course.     

Acute effects of theanine,caffeine and theanine–caffeine combination on attention

Objective: l-theanine is a constituent of tea which is claimed to enhance cognitive functions. We aimed to determine whether theanine and theanine–caffeine combination have acute positive effects on cognitive and neurophysiological measures of attention, compared to caffeine (a positive control) and a placebo in healthy individuals.

Design: In a placebo-controlled, five-way crossover trial in 20 healthy male volunteers, we compared the effects of l-theanine (200?mg), caffeine (160?mg), their combination, black tea (one cup) and a placebo (distilled water) on cognitive (simple [SVRT] and recognition visual reaction time [RVRT]) and neurophysiological (event-related potentials [ERPs]) measures of attention. We also recorded visual (VEPs) and motor evoked potentials (MEPs) to examine any effects of treatments on peripheral visual and motor conduction, respectively.

Results: Mean RVRT was significantly improved by theanine (P?=?0.019), caffeine (P?=?0.043), and theanine–caffeine combination (P?=?0.001), but not by tea (P?=?0.429) or placebo (P?=?0.822). VEP or MEP latencies or SVRT did not show significant inter-treatment differences. Theanine (P?=?0.001) and caffeine (P?=?0.001) elicited significantly larger mean peak-to-peak N2-P300 ERP amplitudes than the placebo, whereas theanine–caffeine combination elicited a significantly larger mean N2-P300 amplitude than placebo (P?P?=?0.029) or caffeine (P?=?0.005). No significant theanine?×?caffeine interaction was observed for RVRT or N2-P300 amplitude.

Discussion: A dose of theanine equivalent of eight cups of back tea improves cognitive and neurophysiological measures of selective attention, to a degree that is comparable with that of caffeine. Theanine and caffeine seem to have additive effects on attention in high doses.     

The effects of probiotics on mental health and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis: A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled trial in petrochemical workers

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine effects of probiotic yogurt and multispecies probiotic capsule supplementation on mental health and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis in petrochemical workers.

Methods: The present randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 70 petrochemical workers. Subjects were randomly divided into three groups to receive 100?g/day probiotic yogurt?+?one placebo capsule (n?=?25) or one probiotic capsule daily?+?100?g/day conventional yogurt (n?=?25) or 100?g/day conventional yogurt?+?one placebo capsule (n?=?20) for 6 weeks. Mental health parameters including general health questionnaire (GHQ) and depression anxiety and stress scale (DASS) scores were measured. Fasting blood samples were obtained at the beginning and 6 weeks after the intervention to quantify hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis.

Results: After 6 weeks of intervention, a significant improvement of GHQ was observed in the probiotic yogurt (18.0?±?1.5 vs. 13.5?±?1.9, P?=?0.007) and in the probiotic capsule group (16.9?±?1.8 vs. 9.8?±?1.9, P?=?0.001), as well as a significant improvement in DASS scores in the probiotic yogurt (23.3?±?3.7 vs. 13.0?±?3.7, P?=?0.02) and the probiotic capsule group (18.9?±?3.2 vs. 9.4?±?4.0, P?=?0.006). However, there was no significant improvement in the conventional yogurt group (P?=?0.05 for GHQ and P?=?0.08 for DASS).

Discussion: The consumption of probiotic yogurt or a multispecies probiotic capsule had beneficial effects on mental health parameters in petrochemical workers.     

Macular pigment optical density is positively associated with academic performance among preadolescent children

Objective: Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) – a non-invasive indicator of retinal xanthophylls and correlate of brain lutein – has been associated with superior cognitive function among adult populations. Given that lutein accumulation in the brain occurs in early life, it is possible that the cognitive implications of greater MPOD may be evident in childhood.

Methods: Participants aged 8–9 years (n?=?56) completed MPOD measurements via heterochromatic flicker photometry. Academic performance was assessed using the Kaufman Test of Academic and Educational Achievement II (KTEA). Habitual dietary intake of L and Z was measured among a subsample of participants (n?=?35) using averaged 3-day food records. Stepwise hierarchical regression models were developed to determine the relationship between MPOD and academic achievement tests, following the adjustment of key covariates including sex, aerobic fitness, body composition, and intelligence quotient (IQ).

Results: The regression analyses revealed that MPOD improved the model, beyond the covariates, for overall academic achievement (ΔR²?=?0.10, P?R²?=?0.07, P?=?0.02), and written language composite standard scores (ΔR²?=?0.15, P?Discussion: This is the first study to demonstrate that retinal L and Z, measured as MPOD, is positively related to academic achievement in children, even after accounting for the robust effects of IQ and other demographic factors. These findings extend the positive associations observed between MPOD and cognitive abilities to a pediatric population.

Trail registration: The Fitness Improves Thinking in Kids 2 (FITKids2) trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01619826.     

Coenzyme Q10 as a treatment for fatigue and depression in multiple sclerosis patients: A double blind randomized clinical trial

Objectives: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the chronic inflammatory and demyelinating disorder of central nervous system which is accompanied with disability and negative life style changes such as fatigue and depression. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on fatigue and depression in patients with MS.

Methods: We performed a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effect of CoQ10 supplement (500?mg/day) vs. placebo for 12?weeks. Fatigue symptoms were quantified by means of fatigue severity scale (FSS) and the Beck depression inventory (BDI) was used to assess depressive symptoms.

Results: A significant decrease of FSS was observed in CoQ10 group during the intervention (P?=?0.001) and significant increase of FSS change was observed within placebo group (P?=?0.001). Repeated measure analysis of variance showed a significant time-by-treatment interaction for FSS (baseline 41.5?±?15.6 vs. endpoint 45?±?13.6; F_1,45?=?55.23, P?<?0.001, η²?=?0.56) and BDI (baseline 17.8?±?12.2 vs. endpoint 20.4?±?11.4; F_1,45?=?40.3, P?<?0.001, η²?=?0.48), indicating significant decrease of FSS and BDI in CoQ10 group compared to placebo group.

Conclusion: Our study suggests that CoQ10 supplementation (500?mg/day) can improve fatigue and depression in patients with multiple sclerosis.     

Body Composition,Serum Biomarkers of Inflammation and Quality of Life in Clinically Stable Women with Estrogen Receptor Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer

Limited data exist regarding body composition and associated patient-reported outcomes for women with metastatic BC. Demographic, clinical, blood, and questionnaire data were collected to quantify body composition and explore associations with symptoms, inflammation, and quality of life (QOL) in 41 women with ER?+?metastatic BC. Diagnostic/surveillance computed tomography (CT) images including the third lumbar region (L3) were obtained to evaluate skeletal muscle (SM) quantity and quality, and abdominal adipose tissue. Frequencies, medians and interquartile ranges are presented, stratified by sarcopenia and obesity (Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30.0?kg/m²). Overall, 34% (n?=?14/41), 49% (n?=?20/41), and 34% (n?=?14) of women had sarcopenia, myosteatosis, and obesity, respectively. Handgrip strength was compromised in 24% of subjects (n?=?10/41). Women with sarcopenia had significantly lower body weight (P?=?0.01), BMI (P?≤?0.001), and whole body SM (P?<?0.001), yet reported greater engagement in leisure time exercises (P?=?0.05) vs. nonsarcopenic women. Women with obesity had significantly higher levels of abdominal obesity (all values P?<?0.0001) and serum biomarkers of inflammation (P values <0.06), yet lower QOL (P?=?0.02) vs. women without obesity. The abPGSGA did not differentiate women with sarcopenia. Future interventions should test if improvements in body composition are associated with better outcomes for this vulnerable, emerging population.