Wild and commercial mushrooms as source of nutrients and nutraceuticals

In order to promote the use of mushrooms as source of nutrients and nutraceuticals, several experiments were performed in wild and commercial species. The analysis of nutrients included determination of proteins, fats, ash, and carbohydrates, particularly sugars by HPLC-RI. The analysis of nutraceuticals included determination of fatty acids by GC-FID, and other phytochemicals such as tocopherols, by HPLC-fluorescence, and phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids and ascorbic acid, by spectrophotometer techniques. The antimicrobial properties of the mushrooms were also screened against fungi, Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. The wild mushroom species proved to be less energetic than the commercial sp., containing higher contents of protein and lower fat concentrations. In general, commercial species seem to have higher concentrations of sugars, while wild sp. contained lower values of MUFA but also higher contents of PUFA. alpha-Tocopherol was detected in higher amounts in the wild species, while gamma-tocopherol was not found in these species. Wild mushrooms revealed a higher content of phenols but a lower content of ascorbic acid, than commercial mushrooms. There were no differences between the antimicrobial properties of wild and commercial species. The ongoing research will lead to a new generation of foods, and will certainly promote their nutritional and medicinal use.     

Patterns of Small Intestinal Motor Activity During Intraluminal Infusion of Elementary Diets in Dogs

During continuous intraintestinal infusion of elementary diets, periodic fluctuation of the frequency of contractions has been observed. This study sought to characterize the temporospatial organization of this pattern and the influence of cholinergic input. Studies were performed on unanesthetized dogs with a duodenal cannula. Motor activity was recorded by means of infused catheters and external transducers. Nutrients were infused continuously at the duodenum and jejunal levels. Studies were repeated after administration of atropine. Six to 14 periodic variations of frequency of contractions during 10 basal infusion experiments were observed in random order. During duodenal infusion, atropine significantly increased the number of these events, associated with a synchronous pattern. Frequency and amplitude of contractions during jejunal infusion were significantly lower compared to duodenal infusion. Cyclic pattern elicited by nutrient infusion is related to a cholinergic mechanism; changes depend on the level of infusion.     

Effects of nutrients on immunomodulation in patients with severe COVID-19: Current knowledge

Recent research has demonstrated that critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) show significant immune system dysregulation. Due to that, some nutrients that influence immunomodulation have been suggested as a form of treatment against the infection. This review collected the information on the impact of vitamins on the prognosis of COVID-19, with the intention of facilitating treatment and prevention of the disease risk status in patients. The collected information was obtained using the PubMed electronic database by searching for articles that relate COVID-19 and the mechanisms/effects of the nutrients: Proteins, glucose, lipids, vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, iron, copper, zinc, and magnesium, including prospective, retrospective, and support articles. The findings reveal an optimal response related mainly to omega-3, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, calcium, and iron that might represent benefits in the treatment of critically ill patients. However, nutrient supplementation should be done with caution due to the limited availability of randomized controlled studies.     

Nutrient composition: effects on appetite in monkeys with oral factors held constant

The effects of macronutrients on appetite and total caloric intake in monkeys (Macaca mulatta) was studied using a new feeding and infusion system which yoked intragastric infusion of various nutrients to oral ad lib intake and removed the confounding factor of palatability from the assessment of nutrient effects on feeding behavior. A suction-activated liquid diet feeding system provided free access to a nutritionally complete diet, with 1 ml of diet delivered orally by pump with each discrete suck by the monkey. A second pump was yoked to the oral feeding pump and delivered various nutrients directly into the stomach via an implanted intragastric cannula. Thus, while oral diet composition remained constant, the net diet reaching the stomach varied over ranges of 28 to 77% carbohydrate, 16 to 65% fat and 7 to 36% protein. No significant differences in total caloric intake were observed between intakes of diets with net composition of high carbohydrate or high fat. When protein was increased to 36%, total caloric intake was generally reduced, and this effect was sustained for at least 3 weeks. Therefore, protein appears to have an increased specific satiating effect beyond the caloric content, when compared to carbohydrate or fat.     

Evaluación de la alimentación y consumo de nutrientes en menores de 3 años. Estudio piloto ALSALMA

ObjectiveThe present study evaluates energy and nutrient intake in Spanish children under three years of age, and compares the results with the current recommendations in order to identify possible inadequate nutrient intake.Patients and methodsA cross-sectional pilot study. The mothers completed a diet diary for four non-consecutive days, recording the products and amounts consumed by their children. Nutrient intake was calculated, and the results were compared with the dietary reference intakes (DRI) for each age group.ResultsA total of 188 children (93 boys and 95 girls) aged 0-6 (n = 41), 7-12 (n = 24), 13-24 (n = 57), and 25-36 months (n = 66) were included. Statistically significant differences in DRI were observed for most of the nutrients analyzed. Protein intake, in particular was 376% of DRI in children between 1-3 years of age. By age groups, 96% of the children aged 7-12 months, 88% of the children aged 13-24 months, and 97% of the children aged 25-36 months showed protein intakes more than two-fold DRI.ConclusionsNutrient intake differed from the DRI, particularly as regards proteins. A new study is required to determine whether the observed study deviations could be representative of the national population of this age group, as well as the possible effects on child health.     

喂饲泵应用的临床观察及护理

目的 探讨用喂饲泵行肠内营养摄入的临床应用价值。方法 实验组30例采用喂饲泵控制肠内营养液的滴入速度，对照组采用传统方法，用20ml或50ml注射器灌注营养液，观察两组并发症的发生情况，所得量化指标进行卡方检验。结果实验组其返流、呕吐、腹胀、吸入性肺炎的发生率明显低于对照组。结论应用喂饲泵行肠内营养的摄入，可有效预防并发症的发生。     

农村HIV感染者/AIDS病人膳食营养宣教效果评价

目的评价艾滋病（AIDS）疫情高发村,艾滋病病毒（HIV）感染者/AIDS病人膳食营养宣传教育的效果,探索适合AIDS病人较为集中的农村地区的营养宣教模式。方法对320名HIV感染者/AIDS病人实施以艾滋病治疗点诊疗人员指导为主、社区宣传为辅的膳食营养宣教活动,宣教前后对随机抽取的48名和43名对象,采用3天24小时膳食回顾法,调查营养素摄入情况并进行比较。结果调查对象能量、蛋白质、核黄素、铁、硒和锌平均每日摄入量,在宣教后有不同程度的提高,其中能量摄入量由宣教前的1 666.68 kcal提高到宣教后的1 843.79kcal,蛋白质由49.71g提高到58.53g,核黄素由0.68mg提高到0.92mg,铁由21.00mg提高到29.07mg,硒由45.78μg提高到57.62μg,锌由6.94mg提高到8.56mg。能量、蛋白质、维生素E、核黄素、铁和硒摄入量,未达到推荐摄入量人数所占的比例,在宣教后有不同程度的下降。结论营养宣教活动取得了较好的效果,目标人群几种重要营养素的摄入量有不同程度的提高。以艾滋病治疗点诊疗人员指导为主、社区宣传为辅的膳食营养宣教模式,在HIV感染者/AIDS病人较为集中的农村地区是可行的。     

Liver disease and COVID-19: The link with oxidative stress,antioxidants and nutrition

Varying degrees of liver injuries have been reported in patients infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). In general, oxidative stress is actively involved in initiation and progression of liver damage. The liver metabolizes various compounds that produce free radicals. Maintaining the oxidative/antioxidative balance is important in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Antioxidant vitamins, essential trace elements and food compounds, such as polyphenols, appear to be promising agents, with effects in oxidative burst. Deficiency of these nutrients suppresses immune function and increases susceptibility to COVID-19. Daily micronutrient intake is necessary to support anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects but for immune function may be higher than current recommended dietary intake. Antioxidant supplements (β-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium) could have a potential role in patients with liver damage. Available evidence suggests that supplementing the diet with a combination of micronutrients may help to optimize immune function and reduce the risk of infection. Clinical trials based on the associations of diet and SARS-CoV-2 infection are lacking. Unfortunately, it is not possible to definitively determine the dose, route of administration and best timing to intervene with antioxidants in COVID-19 patients because clinical trials are still ongoing. Until then, hopefully, this review will enable clinicians to understand the impact of micronutrient dietary intake and liver status assessment in COVID-19 patients.