Macronutrient signals for adaptive modulation of intestinal digestive enzymes in two omnivorous Galliformes

According to the adaptive modulation hypothesis, digestive enzyme activities are matched to their respective dietary substrate level so that ingested nutrients are not wasted in excreta due to insufficient digestive capacity, and so membrane space or expenditures building/maintaining the intestinal hydrolytic machinery are not wasted when substrate levels are low. We tested predictions in juvenile northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) and juvenile and adult domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) by feeding them on diets varying in starch, protein, and lipid composition for 7-9 d (bobwhites) or 15 d (chickens). Birds were euthanized, intestinal tissue harvested, and enzyme activities measured in tissue homogenates from proximal, medial and distal small intestine. We found that (1) α-glucosidase (AG; maltase and sucrase) activities were induced by dietary starch in both juvenile and adult chickens but not in northern bobwhites; (2) aminopeptidase-N (APN) activities were induced by dietary protein in both bobwhites and juvenile but not adult chickens; (3) AG activities were suppressed by an increase in dietary lipid in both bobwhites and juvenile but not adult chickens; and (4) APN activities were not suppressed by high dietary lipid in any birds. We review findings from 35 analogous trials in 16 avian species. 100% of avian omnivores modulate at least one enzyme in response to change in dietary substrate level. AG induction by dietary carbohydrate occurs in more members of Galloanserae than in Neoaves, and all omnivorous members of Neoaves tested so far increase APN activity on high dietary protein, whereas fewer of the Galloanserae do.

Belastungen, positive Veränderungen und Ressourcen von Familien in der COVID-19-Pandemie

Zusammenfassung. Theoretischer Hintergrund: Die Maßnahmen zur Eindämmung der COVID-19-Pandemie stellten Familien vor Herausforderungen. Es fehlt an Studien, welche die umfassende Vielfalt der subjektiven Erfahrungen abbilden. Fragestellung: Ziel ist, Belastungen, positive Veränderungen und Ressourcen in Familien zu erfassen. Methode: 4 967 Eltern (87.6 % weiblich, 86.7 % mit Hochschulreife) minderjähriger Kinder (0 – 17 Jahre) nahmen an einer Online-Erhebung im August 2020 teil. Belastungen, positive Veränderungen und Ressourcen während der Pandemie wurden durch offene Fragen erfasst. Auf Basis der Freitextantworten wurde ein Kategoriensystem entwickelt und ausgewertet. Ergebnisse: Die Vereinbarkeit von Beruf und Privatleben (12 %), Sorgen um die Entwicklung der Pandemie (11 %) und eingeschränkte Betreuung und schulische Bildung (9 %) wurden am häufigsten als Belastungen genannt. Positive Veränderungen waren vermehrte Wertschätzung, Dankbarkeit und neue Einstellungen (16 %), engere Beziehungen innerhalb der Familie (13 %) und mehr Zeit mit Menschen (11 %). Wichtige Ressourcen für Familien waren das soziale Miteinander innerhalb der Familie (19 %) und positive Aktivitäten (13 %). Diskussion und Schlussfolgerung: Ansatzpunkte für familienzentrierte Präventionsmaßnahmen sind die Offenhaltung von Betreuungseinrichtungen, eine Flexibilisierung der Arbeitssituation, eine fortlaufende Aufklärung über notwendige Maßnahmen, Stärkung digitaler Unterstützungsangebote einschließlich der Verbesserung der Medienkompetenz, die Ermöglichung von Freizeitaktivitäten, sowie die Verbesserung psychosozialer Unterstützungsmaßnahmen.

Optimizing Patient Education of Oncology Medications: A Patient Perspective

The medication information needs of patients with cancer have been primarily studied using quantitative methods and little qualitative research on this topic exists. The purpose of this study was to explore patients' perspectives of optimal oncology medication education provided to patients at the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA). Adult (≥ 18 years) outpatients in medical, gynecological and hematology oncology at NSHA were invited to participate in focus groups, which were audio-recorded, transcribed and analyzed thematically. Three focus groups, including 21 outpatients, were conducted. Four major themes were identified: (1) preparing for what lies ahead consisted of: readiness to receive information, anxiety over the unknown, setting expectations and patients supporting one another; (2) bridging the information gaps was made up of gap in provision of patient education, gap in continuity of patient education, and gap in trustworthy information; (3) understanding the education needs of the patients was comprised of sources of information, education timing and setting, prioritizing information needs, and individuality; and (4) experience within the health care system encompassed: interactions with health care professionals, willingness to ask questions, patient satisfaction, and financial implications. This study identified previously unknown patient education needs and also supported ideas reported in the literature. This data will guide the strategies that will be used to optimize the delivery of oncology medication education at our facility and other health care institutions.

Food supplements: survey of the ASL TO3

INTRODUCTION

In recent years, the increase of the consumption of supplements reveals problems concerning the safety of use. Current legislation states that supplements must be free of any therapeutic purpose and must have quality guarantees for the users' safety. The operators of the of Hygiene, Food and Nutrition Service (SIAN) of ASL TO 3 (province of Turin) conducted a surveillance in order to asses the situation on the territory, to know the use and consumption in local gyms. During the official control at the manufacturers / packers of supplements, located on the territory of the ASL TO 3, labels of supplement produced / packed were acquired, to analyze the components indicated, to carry out a deep evaluation of the individual product .

METHODS

Updating of the register of companies located in the territory of the ASL TO 3 was carried out; and during the period October 2011-March 2013 the labels of the products of these companies have been found and analyzed. The detailed content of the labels (ingredients, dose, method of recruitment, composition, etc. ..) was written in a database. It was also checked how many local gyms marketed supplements, and, in a small sample, a questionnaire was administered to visitors, in order to assess consumption.

RESULTS

355 labels were acquired and loaded on the database. 80% of them falls within the category of supplements based on ingredients derived from plants or similar. For these products was evaluated the presence on the label of not allowed plant extracts (according to the Ministerial Decree of 9 July 2012): only 2 products (of the same company) contained an ingredient not allowed. In all the examined labels was evaluated the presence of the substances for which there are specific warnings: 97% of the label is compliant and 3% are not in compliance. In the analyzed products the indications for use mainly found on the labels are related to increased demand and/or reduced intake, followed by antioxidant action. The study also evaluated the sale of supplements at gyms located on the territory of ASLTO3: 59 gyms are available on territory, but only in one of them supplements are sold. Some customers of these gyms have filled a questionnaire concerning the consumption of supplements. The processing of the questionnaires showed that 27% of respondents in the past 2 years used only occasionally food supplements. For 42% of the subjects the use of these products was to achieve weight loss, for 33% for athletes and 17% have used specific products in the case of particular physiological situations such as pregnancy and lactation. The reasons that lead to the use of dietary supplements, in all cases, are attributed to the improvement of health status. In addition, in 50% of cases the pharmacist has led to the use of these products or, alternatively, friends and relatives. The general practitioner is often not informed even in case of disturbances introduced after their use (seen in 8% of our sample). The majority of the sample (58%) said that they had benefited from the use of supplements and they are aware (68%) that there could be contraindications.

CONCLUSIONS

A greater knowledge of the topic, with attention focused on the entire supply chain of the product, is essential to ensure the safety of consumers in the use of food supplements. For these reasons a more detailed check on the procedure is essential: selection and verification of suppliers (especially for raw materials coming from Eastern countries, because they are not subjected to a thorough inspection); traceability of products marketed; correspondence between manufactured and authorized products. Finally, promote an awareness campaign at all levels is necessary, including general practitioners for a conscious purchase.

Comparative analyses of bone marrow micrometastases in breast and gastric cancer

This study is a comparative analysis of the prevalence, absolute number and aggregation status of bone marrow micro-metastases (BMM) between breast (n=234) and gastric (n=102) cancer patients based on a standardized number of 1 X 10(6) bone marrow-derived cells per patient. Additionally, expression of the epithelial cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin was analyzed on disseminated tumor cells. A positive BMM status was demonstrated in 88/234 breast and 45/102 gastric cancer patients. The presence of CK18+ cells positively correlated with parameters of advanced tumor progression in breast, but not in gastric cancer. Interestingly, 25.2% of the node-negative patients already had micrometastatic cells in the bone marrow at diagnosis. Regarding the absolute number of CK18+ cells and the frequency of CK18+ cell clusters, no significant difference was found between the 2 tumor types. However, clusters consisting of more than 10 CK18+ cells (type II clusters) were present exclusively in breast cancer patients. Additionally, co-expression of CK18 and E-cadherin was detectable in 15/21 micrometastases-positive breast but in only 1/9 gastric cancer patients. While prevalence of micrometastatic cells in bone marrow is discussed as an early indicator for systemic disease, aggregation status and a certain antigen profile might be indicative for site-specific differences in the manifestation pattern of solid metastases.

Porcine lactic dehydrogenase in the serum of patients treated by extracorporeal porcine liver perfusion

Porcine lactic dehydrogenase (L.D.H.) has been found in the serum of four patients in hepatic coma treated by extracorporeal porcine liver perfusion. A comparison between the porcine L.D.H. isoenzyme pattern in the patients' serum and that in porcine serum and liver extract indicates that the porcine L.D.H. is derived from the pig liver. This finding reflects damage to the pig liver cells sustained during porcine hepatectomy and subsequent perfusion. Possibly patients might develop immune reactions against porcine substances when these entered the circulation, especially if perfusion was repeated after an interval of some time.