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Background and Aims: Fish oil and krill oil are primary sources of Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), differing in their molecular forms and bioavailability. Understanding these differences can optimize their therapeutic use. This study aims to compare the bioavailability of Omega-3 PUFAs in fish oil and krill oil using a network meta-analysis approach. By evaluating various molecular forms and dosages, the study seeks to identify the most effective Omega-3 sources and dosing regimens to maximize health benefits.Methods: The study adhered to the explanation of the PRISMA network meta-analysis 2015 (registered PROSPERO ID: CRD42024532536). The risk of bias was evaluated using the PEDro scale. This network meta-analysis incorporated data from studies published between 2003 and 2023, sourced from five databases: ClinicalTrials.gov, PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform-World Health Organization, and Embase. Statistical analysis was conducted using advanced models in R software to ensure a rigorous evaluation of bioavailability.Results: Out of 26 high-quality studies, findings reveal superior bioavailability of krill oil compared to fish oil. Specifically, fish oil above 3000 mg, in re-esterified triacylglycerol or ethyl ester formulations (100–2900 mg), and krill oil (100–1900 mg) significantly enhanced the Omega-3 index. At lower dosages (under 2000 mg), krill oil shows superior Omega-3 absorption compared to fish oil. Using fish oil ethyl ester at doses between 2000 and 2900 mg may be the most effective for reducing Tmax. However, this finding should be interpreted with caution due to high heterogeneity and limited statistical significance. The highest AUC values were observed in krill oil phospholipid/free fatty acid formulation. Emulsion forms of fish oil are more effective in increasing Cmax than other formulations. These results were supported by robust statistical evidence (Egger's test, p > 0.05), highlighting the effectiveness of specific formulations and doses in optimizing Omega-3 absorption.Conclusion: The research highlights the importance of understanding the bioavailability of Omega-3 PUFAs from fish oil and krill oil. The findings suggest that low-dose krill oil and fish oil emulsions (under 2000 mg) are effective and potentially safer alternatives to high-dose fish oil, potentially minimizing the risk of adverse effects. more...

Background & Aim: Nursing professional values and job satisfaction are two significant concepts that are influenced by culture and working conditions, and therefore their evaluation in different societies may provide different results. This study explores the relationship between five factors of nursing professional values (i,e, caring, activism, trust, professional, and justice) and job satisfaction among nurses in Vietnam a developing country. Methods & Materials: A cross-sectional survey is conducted with a total of 669 Vietnamese nurses through the Vietnamese Nursing Association network by purposive convenience sampling. The main questionnaire with 32 items was used to measure nurses' professional values and job satisfaction. The data is analyzed by using IBM SPSS 26 and Smart PLS 3 software. A structural equation model of partial least squares (SEM-PLS) was utilized. Results: Among five factors of professional value, activism is the most influential factor on job satisfaction, followed by justice. Caring, professionalism, and justice did not show significant influence, which could be explained by the structure and organization of healthcare systems in Vietnam context characterized by hierarchical structures, resource constraints, high patient-to-nurse ratios, limited professional development opportunities, and cultural factors. Conclusion: This study explores the relationship between nursing professional values and job satisfaction among Vietnamese nurses, revealing that activism and justice significantly influence job satisfaction. more...

The study aimed to compare the cardiovascular benefits of fish oil (FO) and krill oil (KO) in various molecular forms/variants. These included ethyl ester (EE), triglyceride (TG), re-esterified triacylglycerol (rTAG), phospholipid/free fatty acid (PL/FFA), high concentration phospholipid (HPL), low concentration phospholipid (LPL), and emulsion (EM), across diverse dosages. A network meta-analysis approach adhering to PRISMA guidelines was used. Sixty studies from databases including Embase, PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, ICTRP-WHO, and Cochrane (1993–2023) were analyzed with RStudio (PROSPERO ID: CRD42024502338). Key findings included KO-PL/FFA 2000–2900 mg effectively lowering triglycerides, FO-EE above 3000 mg reducing total cholesterol, FO-EE above 3000 mg and FO-TG below 2000 mg notably reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and FO-TG 2000–2900 mg improving high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The study confirmed high reliability with no publication bias (p > 0.05, Egger’s test). In conclusion, KO-PL/FFA, FO-EE above 3000 mg, FO-TG 2000–2900 mg, and FO-rTAG 300–1900 mg effectively reduce cardiovascular risk factors. more...

Pediatric upper respiratory infections (URIs) and otitis media (OM) significantly impact the health of children globally. Echinacea purpurea, known for its immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, has been historically used to treat various ailments, suggesting its potential as an adjunctive treatment in pediatric respiratory conditions. This narrative review synthesizes literature from January 2000 to December 2023 on the efficacy and safety of E. purpurea in treating pediatric URIs, including OM. It focuses on clinical trials and empirical studies that explore the mechanisms of action, such as the modulation of cytokine production, inhibition of NF-κB signaling, and antimicrobial effects. The analysis reveals mixed outcomes regarding the efficacy of E. purpurea in pediatric populations, attributed partly to variability in study designs and lack of standardized treatment protocols. While some studies report reduced severity and duration of respiratory symptoms, others indicate minimal or no significant difference compared to placebo. The review also highlights the need for specifically designed products that cater to the unique physiological and metabolic needs of children. Rigorous, well-designed clinical trials are crucial for establishing clear guidelines on the use of E. purpurea in pediatric respiratory care, ensuring its safe and effective application in improving health outcomes for children. more...

Background: Antioxidant therapy is gaining traction in managing sepsis and septic shock, owing to its perceived positive impact on patient outcomes. This study sought to compare the efficacy of five antioxidant therapies (melatonin, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and N-acetylcysteine, both individually and in combination with other compounds such as vitamin B1, hydrocortisone, propolis, and glutamine) in treating sepsis or septic shock in the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: The study involved randomized and multi-arm trials with sepsis or septic shock patients using melatonin, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, or N-acetylcysteine. Studies were sourced from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and WHO - Clinical Trials Registry Platform for the frequentist network meta-analysis on 28-day mortality and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores. The risk of bias was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. Therapies were compared directly and indirectly using R software. Results: The study of 56 trials involving 9,366 patients was included. Bias assessment revealed that 89.3 % of trials achieved excellent or good quality. Based on treatment ranking and pairwise comparisons, melatonin with propolis (SUCRA = 93.29 %) is effective in improving SOFA scores, statistically significant, with no publication bias (p= 0.73). High-dose vitamin C (SUCRA = 83.97 %), vitamin C with vitamin B1 (SUCRA = 78.72 %), and melatonin (SUCRA = 67.03 %) are potential therapies for organ dysfunction. Melatonin (SUCRA = 88.22 %) and high-dose vitamin C (SUCRA = 80.75 %) were the most effective in reducing 28-day mortality rates. However, analysis indicated that the results for 28-day mortality rates were not statistically significant. Also, these results contained publication bias (p= 0.02). Conclusion: The study offers fresh perspectives on antioxidant therapy treatments for sepsis or septic shock in ICU, emphasizing the combination of melatonin and propolis notably reduces SOFA scores for those patients. more...

This paper presents a systematic literature review focused on the use of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) combined with PCA, a multivariate technique, for determining the geographical origin of plant foods. Recent studies selected and applied the ICP-MS analytical method and PCA in plant food geographical traceability. The collected results from many previous studies indicate that ICP-MS with PCA is a useful tool and is widely used for authenticating and certifying the geographic origin of plant food. The review encourages scientists and managers to discuss the possibility of introducing an international standard for plant food traceability using ICP-MS combined with PCA. The use of a standard method will reduce the time and cost of analysis and improve the efficiency of trade and circulation of goods. Furthermore, the main steps needed to establish the standard for this traceability method are reported, including the development of guidelines and quality control measures, which play a pivotal role in providing authentic product information through each stage of production, processing, and distribution for consumers and authority agencies. This might be the basis for establishing the standards for examination and controlling the quality of foods in the markets, ensuring safety for consumers. more...