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Due to its importance for oil production in Brazil and worldwide, the 'Picual' olive trees deserves special attention of to its good climatic adaptation and high yield and stability in the oil produced. However, there is a need to generate more technical information to improve the propagation and production system for nursery plants. The use of slow-release fertilizer (SRF) affects the quality standard of the plants formed in the nursery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of doses (0, 1.5, 3.0, 6.0, and 12 g L−1) of the SRF, Osmocote® (NPK 14-14-14), on morphological, biochemical and nutritional parameters of 'Picual' olive plants. It was found that the average value of maximum technical efficiency dose (MTED) for several morphological variables (plant height, stem diameter, total plant dry weight and root volume) was 7.18 g L−1. Furthermore, an Osmocote® dose of 8.35 g L−1 resulted in optimal leaf number and area. For the carbohydrate concentration (sucrose, starch and Total Soluble Sugar) in leaves, the best average values were obtained at 4.51, 5.48 and 6.12 g L−1 of Osmocote®, respectively. Additionally, the best growth responses of plants may also be due to increased internal macronutrient concentration such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) after treatment with 7.87 g L−1 of Osmocote®. The use of SRF (Osmocote®) is a viable alternative in the production of 'Picual' plants, as it promotes good morphological characteristics, synthesis of photosynthetic products as well as satisfactory nutritional status and plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consumption of 100% orange juice (OJ) has been associated with nutrient adequacy and better diet quality. To date, there are few analyses exploring 100% OJ consumption patterns across populations, with no data from Brazil. We aimed to explore the associations between 100% OJ consumption, sociodemographic factors, and nutrient intake in a representative sample of the Brazilian general population aged 10 years or older. Data were obtained from the National Dietary Survey 2017–2018, a cross-sectional study including data on individual food intake of 46,164 subjects aged ≥10 years collected using two 24-h dietary recalls. 100% OJ was consumed by 11% of the population, with a mean intake of 43.0 ml/d. Males were more frequent consumers compared to females, and the percentage of consumers increased with education and income. 100% OJ consumption was associated with higher intakes of energy, vitamin C, folate, calcium, magnesium, potassium, polyphenols, and carotenoids. There is no significant difference in fiber intake between consumers and non-consumers. 100% OJ consumers had a higher percentage of the population meeting the Estimated Average Requirement for vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, folate, calcium, and magnesium. Our results suggest that 100% OJ could be a component of a healthy diet, helping individuals to achieve nutrient recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation requires individualized nutritional therapy, and the use of early enteral nutrition is beneficial. This study aims to analyze the use of enteral nutrition therapy in pediatric patients undergoing autologous transplantation. Methods: This is a descriptive cohort study conducted with data from electronic medical records of pediatric patients undergoing autologous transplantation from 2017 to 2022, using enteral nutrition. Nutritional and clinical variables and biochemical markers were assessed at four time points: day 0, day +5, day +10 and day +15. Results: The sample consisted of 50 patients. On average, the nasoenteral tube was inserted on D-4 and the enteral feeding started on D-3. On D0, most patients used a normocaloric polymeric enteral formula, but on D + 10, when diarrhea (p = 0.017) and mucositis (p < 0.001) worsened, the most commonly used enteral formula was a hypocaloric pediatric semi-elemental formula. On D + 15, 35% of patients were receiving parenteral nutrition. At discharge, the patient's nutritional status had worsened compared to admission (p < 0.001). Discussion: Early use of enteral nutrition was observed, as adopted in other transplant centers and recommended in the literature. Protocols and guidelines are needed to support enteral nutritional therapy in pediatric transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite those with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) being at increased risk of malnutrition, there is a notable absence of practical approaches for nutritional assessment in clinical practice. We investigated the usefulness of phase angle (PhA) and Total Psoas Area Index (TPAI) for indicating nutritional risk and HCC prognosis. Weight, height, body mass index (BMI), adductor pollicis muscle thickness (APMT), and handgrip strength (HGS) were assessed. The Nutritional Risk Index (NRI) was calculated. Body composition was assessed using bioimpedance spectroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging. The Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score and Barcelona-Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) classification determined the prognosis. Fifty-one males with HCC were enrolled (CTP C = 11.8%). PhA showed a moderate positive correlation with APMT (r = 0.450; p < 0.001) and HGS (r = 0.418; p = 0.002) and a weak positive correlation with TPAI (r = 0.332; p = 0.021). PhA had a strong positive correlation with NRI (r = 0.614; p < 0.001). Mean PhA values were significantly different according to disease severity (CTP C p = 0.001, and BCLC D p = 0.053). TPAI had no significant correlation with HGS, CTP, or BCLC. PhA was a superior approach for predicting nutritional risk and prognosis in HCC than TPAI. Lower PhA is associated with disease progression, lower muscle mass and function, greater severity of nutritional risk, and increased mortality in HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has posed unprecedented challenges to global health systems, particularly among vulnerable populations such as the elderly. Understanding the interplay between anthropometric markers, molecular profiles, and disease severity is crucial for effective clinical management and intervention strategies. We conducted a cohort study comprising 43 elderly COVID-19 patients admitted to São Lucas Hospital, PUCRS, Brazil. Anthropometric measurements, including calf circumference (CC) and abdominal circumference (AC), were assessed alongside molecular analyses of peripheral blood samples obtained within 48 h of hospital admission. Sociodemographic data were collected from electronic medical records for comprehensive analysis. Our findings revealed a possible relationship between overweight status, increased abdominal adiposity, and prolonged hospitalization duration, alongside heightened disease severity. We also found no significant correlations between BMI, vitamin D levels, and clinical outcomes. Elevated oxygen requirements were observed in both normal and overweight individuals, with the latter necessitating prolonged oxygen therapy. Molecular analyses revealed changes in the inflammatory profile regarding the outcome of the patients. Our study highlights the critical importance of both anthropometric and molecular markers in predicting disease severity and clinical outcomes in elderly individuals with COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mango is the fruit most exported by Brazil, with a significant increase in cultivated area in recent years. However, the orchards have been made up of seedlings produced by the grafting process, but without identifying the most suitable rootstock for each cultivar, which affects the competitiveness of mango farming, since the rootstock affects, among other factors, the growth and nutrient absorption from the canopy cultivar. The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status and mineral nutrition of 'Palmer,' 'Tommy Atkins,' 'Kent' and 'Keitt' mango seedlings grafted onto the polyembryonic rootstocks Capucho, Coquinho and Espada. The experiment was carried out between October 2019 and May 2020 at the Fruit Growing Nursery of the Agricultural Sciences Campus of the Federal University of Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF), in Petrolina-PE, in a 3 × 4 factorial scheme, corresponding to three polyembryonic rootstocks (Espada, Capucho and Coquinho) and four crown cultivars ('Palmer,' 'Keitt,' 'Kent' and 'Tommy Atkins'), with five replications of ten plants each. Leaf contents of macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca), micronutrients (Cu and Fe) and silicon depend on the scion (Tommy Atkins, Palmer, Keitt and Kent) x rootstock (Espada, Capucho and Conquinho) combination. The leaf contents of S, Mg, B, Mn and Mo in the scion are affected by the rootstock adopted for mango propagation In general, for macro and micronutrient absorption purposes, the sword rootstock and the 'Keitt' cultivar are the best combination for most of the variables analyzed in the research. The effect of rootstock on the nutritional status of scion cultivars (Tommy Atkins, Palmer, Keitt and Kent) must be taken into consideration when interpreting crop nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limestone is the most widely used agricultural input for soil acidity correction and calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) fertilization. However, other materials have the potential to fulfill these purposes, such as steel slags, also known as silicates. Silicates have higher solubility than limestone, serving as agents for increase pH in no‐till, in addition to being a source of Ca, Mg, and silicon (Si). This study aimed to compare the effects of surface application of dolomitic lime and calcium magnesium silicate on soil chemical properties, soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] nutritional status, and grain yield under no‐till. The experiment was installed in the northwest Paraná State, Brazil, on a Rhodic Eutrustox. Lime and silicate rates were applied by broadcasting before the sowing of soybean. Silicate treatment increases soil Ca2+, pH, and base saturation up to a depth of 0.10 m. By contrast, liming effects on soil chemistry were restricted to the 0.05 m top layer after 24 months of application. The acidity correction and Ca2+ supply to greater soil depths and the increased leaf Si as a beneficial element provided by silicate treatment contributed to increasing soybean yield in the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 seasons. Lime application, regardless of the rate, did not improve soybean yield. Waste from the steel industry can be used as acidity correctives and source of Si, Ca, and Mg, improving the agronomic performance of soybean. Core Ideas: Silicate is more efficient in maintaining soil fertility compared to lime.Changes in soil fertility were observed up to a depth of 0.10 m after 24 months.Silicate increases silicon content in soybean leaf.Surface application of silicate increased soybean yield up to 43%.Soybean yield did not improve with lime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study verified the diagnostic accuracy of the nutritional status classified by the international height and BMI references of the World Health Organization (WHO) (WHO/2007), International Obesity Task Force (IOTF/2012) and MULT (2023). The data pool was composed by 22 737 subjects aged five to 16 years from the Santos and Porto Alegre surveys. A correlation matrix between the z-scores of the BMI references and the skinfold measurements was calculated through the Pearson correlation coefficient (r), and the subject's nutritional status was classified according to the international growth references. The accuracy for diagnosing obesity was performed separately by sex and using the 95th percentile of the triceps and subscapular skinfold sum, while Lin's concordance coefficient, Bland–Altman method and the Cohen's Kappa coefficient (Kappa) were used to verify the concordance and reliability among the BMI references. The correlation matrix showed a high positive correlation among the BMI z-scores (r ≥ 0·99) and among the skinfold measurements (r ≥ 0·86). The prevalence of stunting was higher when applying the MULT reference (3·4 %) compared with the WHO reference (2·3 %). The Bland–Altman plots showed the lowest critical difference (CD) between the height references of WHO and MULT (CD = 0·22). Among the BMI references, the WHO obesity percentile presented lower performance than MULT for boys, presenting a lower +LR value (WHO = 6·99/MULT 18 years = 10·99; 19 years = 8·99; 20 years = 8·09) for the same −LR values (0·04). Therefore, MULT reference holds promise as a valuable tool for diagnosing childhood obesity, particularly when considering sex differences. This enhances its suitability for assessing the nutritional status of Brazilian schoolchildren. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Developmental models suggest that the phenotypes may arise from an immediate or mediated adaptive metabolic response of the perinatal growth. Evidence on the cumulative effects of growth and factors associated with risk of insulin resistance in adolescents is lacking. Objective: To investigate the association between birthweight, weight gain during infancy, childhood and adolescence and the triglyceride-glucose index in adolescents. Methods: This is a cohort of 217 children born at term, followed for the first six months, and reassessed at 8 and 18 years of age. The variables of interest were birthweight, postnatal growth defined as rapid postnatal growth when the weight gain from birth to six months of age was greater than 0.67 z-score, and the same criterion was used for high BMI gain from ages 6 months to 8 years, and from 8 to 18 years. Socioeconomic condition, nutritional status, practice of physical exercises and consumption of ultra-processed foods were verified. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to verify the effect of the variables on the triglyceride-glucose index. Results: Birthweight was not associated with triglyceride-glucose index in adolescence. Rapid postnatal growth during the first 6 months, higher BMI gain from 8 to 18 years and higher waist circumference contributed significantly to explain higher triglyceride-glucose index. Conclusion for Practice: Our findings suggest that rapid postnatal growth may be one of the first signs of a higher triglyceride-glucose index in adolescence and that attention should be paid to the greater gain in body mass between childhood and adolescence for the risk of a higher triglyceride-glucose index. Significance: What is Already Known on this Subject?: Metabolic disorders are associated with excess weight and body fat in adolescence, however, growth deviations in phases of rapid human development, for example, perinatal period, childhood and adolescence, may be the first signs of future metabolic changes. Less is known about the relationship between growth gains during infancy, childhood and adolescence and the risk of insulin resistance. What this Study Adds?: From longitudinal data, it was observed that higher TyG index levels were observed in adolescents who showed rapid weight gain in the first six months after birth and greater body mass gain between childhood and adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood cell biomarkers, such as the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), have been recently used as prognostic markers in tumors. In this study, we investigated the association between NLR and PLR with sociodemographic, clinical, anthropometric, and quality of life factors of hospitalized women with non-metastatic breast cancer. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at a reference center for oncological treatment in Southeast Brazil. Female participants aged over 18 years, with a histopathological diagnosis of stage I, II or III breast cancer, in any phase of antineoplastic treatment, were included. Our study revealed a high risk for participants, with high mean values of NLR and PLR, indicating low antitumor activity and worse prognosis. The binary logistic regression model showed that there was a significant association of the NLR marker and marital status (OR = 3.1; 95%CI = 1.06-8.57; p = 0.03) and, in relation to PLR, a trend was shown for a higher chance in women of black ethnicity to have increased PLR compared to white women (OR = 4.13; 95%CI = 0.96-17.70; p = 0.05). However, the inflammatory markers (NLR and PLR) did not show any significant association with nutritional factors. NLR and PLR are inflammatory biomarkers that can be easily obtained and measured in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the association between nutritional risk and functionality of children and adolescents hospitalized with COVID-19 at admission and discharge. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study with patients under 19 years old, positive for SARS-COV-2 by RT-PCR test, from February 2020 to May 2022. The STRONGKids screening (Screening Tool Risk On Nutritional Status and Growth) was used to assess nutritional risk on hospital admission and the Functional Status Scale (FSS-Brazil) to determine the functionality of patients on admission and discharge. Data was collected from hospital medical records. Poisson regressions with crude robust variance were used to test the association between nutritional risk and functional status at admission, with adjustments for the age, length of stay, and presence of complex chronic conditions. Results: Of the 217 patients, 55.7% (n = 121) were boys with a median age of 6 years (IQ 0–12), 58.5% (n = 127) had at least one complex chronic condition, 64% (n = 139) had medium/high nutritional risk, and 23.9% (n = 52) had some degree of dysfunctionality upon admission and 14.6% (n = 31) upon discharge. By associating STRONGKids and the FSS-Brasil of hospital admission, it was observed that children with low nutritional risk had a mean global FSS lower (6.4 ± 0.7) than children with medium/high nutritional risk (7. 7 ± 2.8; p < 0.001). Children with low nutritional risk on admission also had a lower mean (6.1 ± 0.59) on the FSS at hospital discharge than children with medium/high nutritional risk (7.1 ± 2.5; p < 0.001). After adjustments, it was identified that the addition of one STRONGKids point increases by 36% (PR 1.36; 95%CI 1.15–1.62) the probability of the patient presenting some degree of functional impairment on admission. Conclusion: The study found a positive association between nutritional risk and functional impairment in hospitalized children and adolescents with COVID-19 on admission, even after adjusting for age, length of stay, and complex chronic conditions. Furthermore, patients with medium/high nutritional risk at admission also had worse functionality, both on admission and at discharge. What is Known: • Children and adolescents infected with COVID-19 tend to exhibit milder symptoms and lower hospitalization rates compared to adults, although severe cases and complications can occur. • A paucity of targeted investigations exists regarding the correlation between nutritional risk and functionality in children and adolescents with COVID-19. What is New: • Children and adolescents with COVID-19 who presented with medium to high nutritional risk upon hospital admission demonstrated functional impairments, both at admission and hospital discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A diet based on ultra-processed food (UPF) does not meet nutritional needs, especially during pregnancy. The aim of this study is to assess the change in UPF consumption from preconception to pregnancy and associated factors. Our hypothesis is that women tend to adopt a healthier eating pattern during pregnancy, decreasing the intake of UPF and increasing the intake of unprocessed/minimally processed foods. A prospective cohort study with 326 participants was carried out from 2016 to 2019 in 2 health units in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Pregestational food consumption assessed using the food frequency questionnaire in the prenatal interview in women up to 20 gestational weeks and gestational consumption in the interview 2 months after delivery. Food items classified according to the NOVA system. For the mean variation from preconception to gestational UPF consumption, we used the generalized estimating equations model with linear distribution. Control of confounding variables was based on the literature on factors associated with UPF consumption, using a 3-level hierarchical model. The proportion of UPF energy consumption was 28.9% in preconception and 33% during pregnancy. Older and more educated women had a lower mean variation in the consumption of UPF during the pregnancy. A higher average consumption of UPF observed among women physically inactive before pregnancy, who smoked during pregnancy, were multiparous, and with had a low pregestational weight. These results reflect similar behavior to that of the general population, aggravated by a significant increase during pregnancy. However, older and more educated women and those with healthy behaviors showed lower UPF intake in pregnancy. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Understanding self‐rated health in young people can help orient global health actions, especially in regions of social vulnerability. The present study analysed individual and contextual factors associated with self‐rated health in a sample of Brazilian adolescents. Design and Methods: Cross‐sectional data from 1272 adolescents (aged 11–17; 48.5% of girls) in low human development index (HDI) neighbourhoods were analysed (HDI from 0.170 to 0.491). The outcome variable was self‐rated health. Independent variables relating to individual factors (biological sex, age and economic class) and lifestyle (physical activity, alcohol, tobacco consumption and nutritional state) were measured using standardised instruments. The socio‐environmental variables were measured using neighbourhood registered data where the adolescents studied. Multilevel regression was used to estimate the regression coefficients and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Good self‐rated health prevalence was of 72.2%. Being male (B: −0.165; CI: −0.250 to −0.081), age (B: −0.040; CI: −0.073 to −0.007), weekly duration of moderate to vigorous physical activity (B: 0.074; CI: 0.048–0.099), body mass index (B: −0.025; CI: −0.036 to −0.015), number of family healthcare teams in the neighbourhood (B: 0.019; CI: 0.006–0.033) and dengue incidence (B: −0.001; CI: −0.002; −0.000) were factors associated with self‐rated health among students from vulnerable areas. Conclusions/Practical Implications: Approximately three in every 10 adolescents in areas of social vulnerability presented poor self‐rated health. This fact was associated with biological sex and age (individual factors), physical activity levels and BMI (lifestyle) and the number of family healthcare teams in the neighbourhood (contextual). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although nitrogen is the nutrient most required by maize, doses of N lower than those recommended are applied to maize grown in semiarid environments, which limits the achievement of profitable yields. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in soil fertility, nutritional status and dry matter production of maize plants fertilized with organic and mineral fertilizers in a semiarid region. A factorial experiment was carried out in Sobral, Ceará state, Brazil, in a randomized block design. The factors were two N sources (organic compost and urea), and four N rates: 27.5, 55, 110 and 165 kg ha−1, with three replications. We assessed variables associated with soil fertility, plant nutritional status, chlorophyll content, grain yield and total dry matter production. The highest rates of organic compost resulted in the highest levels of P (17.7 mg dm−3) and K (102.2 mg dm−3) in soil when compared to the control (7.7 and 69.0 mg dm−3, respectively). However, organic compost rates below 110 kg ha−1 of N-equivalent fertilizer were not enough to supply the plants' demand for P and K. Low N rates promoted a decrease in soil inorganic N in the second year of application. Applying urea to maize plants led to greater dry matter production than organic compost in the second consecutive crop season. The use of organic compost at rates lower than 110 kg ha−1 of N-equivalent fertilizer decreases soil fertility and has no impact on maize dry matter production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Investigación e Innovación en Ciencias de la Salud (RIICS) is the property of Fundacion Universitaria Maria Cano and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: The decrease in physical activity after adolescence seems to be more related to biological age than to chronological age. The sexual maturation may explain this decline in physical activity in adolescents. Aims: This study aimed to verify the interaction of sexual maturation with sex, nutritional status, and socioeconomic condition in association with insufficient physical activity of 3979 students, of both sexes, aged between 11 and 19 years of public schools from two cities in southern Brazil adolescents. Methods: Measurements of body mass, height, sexual maturation, socioeconomic condition, and level of physical activity were collected. Poisson regression analyzed the association and interaction with insufficient physical activity providing prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence intervals and p < 0.05. Results: Girls regardless of the pubertal stage and students of middle and low economic classes were more likely to be insufficiently active. The likelihood of girls being insufficiently active increases with the pubertal stage. Conclusion: Special attention should be paid to girls and students of intermediate and low economic classes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin E is an important nutrient from the earliest stages of life. It plays key roles as an antioxidant and in the maintenance of the immune system, among others. Vitamin E deficiency (VED), which occurs more frequently in children, is rarely addressed in the literature. This narrative review aims to summarise the chemistry, biology, serum indicators and clinical trials that have evaluated the impact of fortification and other relevant aspects of vitamin E, in addition to the prevalence of its deficiency, in children worldwide. Vitamin E intake in recommended amounts is essential for this nutrient to perform its functions in the body. Serum α-tocopherol is the most widely used biochemical indicator to assess the prevalence of VED. VED has been associated with symptoms secondary to fat malabsorption and may lead to peripheral neuropathy and increased erythrocyte haemolysis. Reduced concentrations of α-tocopherol may be caused by the combination of diets with low amounts of vitamin E and inadequate consumption of fats, proteins and calories. The lowest prevalence of VED was found in Asia and the highest in North America and Brazil. High proportions of VED provide evidence that this nutritional deficiency is a public health problem in children and still little addressed in the international scientific literature. The planning, evaluation and implementation of health policies aimed at combatting VED in the paediatric population are extremely important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) is used to assess habitual food and nutrient intake. The choice of a FFQ should consider the study objectives, instrument particularities, target population, and geographic region. Over the past few years, FFQs have been constructed and validated in Brazil for children, adolescents, adults, athletes, and individuals with specific clinical conditions. The aim of this scoping review is to map the food frequency questionnaires developed and validated in Brazil. The Population-Concept-Context (PCC) framework was used for search strategy and defined as P—not applicable (open), C—food frequency questionnaire, and C—Brazil. FFQ validation studies performed with healthy or sick people will be included, regardless of clinical condition, age, sex, or region in the country. Studies with populations from other countries will be excluded. The review will be conducted in accordance with JBI (formerly known as Joanna Briggs Institute) methodology for scoping reviews. Search databases will include PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS, Embase, Web of Science (ISI), Scopus, and Google Scholar. Data extraction will be performed by two independent reviewers and discrepancies resolved by a third reviewer. In order to improve the understanding and contextualization of the studies, a description of the results and presentation in tables and figures will be provided. Applications and implications for future research, practices, and policies will be discussed. Our protocol is registered through the Open Science Framework (doi 10.17605/OSF.IO/G5J3K). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: to investigate the monocyte count and its association with nutritional status in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: a cross-sectional study carried out at a Neurodevelopmental Center in the south of Brazil, with 68 ASD patients aged 3 to 18 years. The number of monocytes (per mm3 ) was determined in blood samples. Nutritional status was defined as BMI-for-age according to WHO standards. The Children’s Eating Behaviour Questionnaire and a standard questionnaire to collect sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were administered to caregivers. Comparisons between sociodemographic, clinical, and eating behavior variables were performed with parametric tests. Linear regression was used to test the association between nutritional status and monocyte count. Results: mean age was 8.6 ± 3.3 years, 79 % were males and 66 % were overweight. In the unadjusted regression overweight was associated with higher monocyte counts compared to those non-overweight (B: 64.0; 95 % CI, 13.9 to 114.1; β: 0.30, p = 0.01). This association remained significant after adjustment for the subscale of “emotional overeating” (B: 37.0; 95 % CI, 17.1 to 91.3; β: 0.29; p = 0.02). The variability in monocyte count attributed to overweight was 14 %. Conclusions: overweight is associated with a higher monocyte count in children and adolescents with ASD. Nutritional intervention to control overweight is essential to mitigate the negative impact on inflammatory activity and immune dysfunction in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hereditary transthyretin (ATTRv) amyloidosis is a rare and autosomal dominant disorder associated with mutations in the transthyretin gene. Patients present with diverse symptoms related to sensory, motor, and autonomic neuropathy, as well as gastrointestinal, ocular, cardiac, renal and orthopedic symptoms, resulting from the deposition of transthyretin amyloid fibrils in multiple organs. The progressive nature of ATTRv amyloidosis necessitates pre- and post-onset monitoring of the disease. This review article is primarily based on a collation of discussions from a medical advisory board meeting in August 2021. In this article, we summarize the best practices in amyloidosis centers in three major endemic countries for ATTRv amyloidosis (Japan, Brazil, and Portugal), where most patients carry the Val30Met mutation in the transthyretin gene and the patients' genetic background was proven to be the same. The discussions highlighted the similarities and differences in the management of asymptomatic gene mutation carriers among the three countries in terms of the use of noninvasive tests and tissue biopsies and timing of starting the investigations. In addition, this article discusses a set of practical tests and examinations for monitoring disease progression applicable to neurologists working in diverse medical settings and generalizable in non-endemic countries and areas. This set of assessments consists of periodic (every 6 to 12 months) evaluations of patients' nutritional status and autonomic, renal, cardiac, ophthalmologic, and neurological functions. Physical examinations and patient-reported outcome assessments should be also scheduled every 6 to 12 months. Programs for monitoring gene mutation carriers and robust referral networks can aid in appropriate patient management in pre- to post-onset stages. For pre- and post-symptom onset testing for ATTRv amyloidosis, various noninvasive techniques are available; however, their applicability differs depending on the medical setting in each country and region, and the optimal option should be selected in view of the clinical settings, medical environment, and available healthcare resources in each region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with SARS-CoV generally require noninvasive treatments including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and appropriate nutritional therapy. Our hypothesis was that a higher body mass index (BMI) would result in greater respiratory difficulties during CPAP treatment and lead to a reduction in energy and protein intake. The study was conducted prospectively and retrospectively in a Brazilian public hospital. The sample comprised all patients (n = 70) hospitalized in COVID-19 wards and using the Elmo System (ELMO) helmet. To ensure proper nutritional support, the hospital established a standard ELMO diet and questionnaire for estimating dietary adherence. The median length of stay was 11 days (interquartile range, 9-20), and 84.3% of the patients received hospital discharge. The median duration of helmet use was 1.5 days (interquartile range, 1-4). From mid-upper arm circumference adequacy measurements, 35 patients (50%) were classified as being overweight or living with obesity and 36 adult patients (66.7%) were considered living with obesity based on their BMI. The prevalence of overweight elderly patients was 81.3%. The median energy and protein intake adequacy percentages were 65% and 72.5%, respectively. Patients with higher BMIs exhibited lower oxygen flows while wearing the ELMO helmet. Younger age and lower energy and protein intake characterized the obesity group. A correlation between oxygen therapy and food intake in COVID-19 patients undergoing CPAP treatment was observed. Patients with higher BMIs and/or mid-upper arm circumference adequacies were more susceptible to energy and protein intake declines, and patients with obesity presented the lowest intake values. This study analyzed how continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment affected COVID-19 patients' nutritional status and energy-protein intake. A standard Elmo System (ELMO) diet and monitoring protocol were used to ensure adequate nutritional support. Patients with higher body mass indexes (BMIs) used less oxygen and those living with obesity presented significantly decreased energy and protein intake. The median ELMO helmet time usage was 1.5 days. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low level of physical activity as well as overweight/obesity are associated with chronic diseases, which are the predominant causes of mortality, especially in developing countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status and the physical activity level of administrative collaborators in a private high education institution. A cross-sectional study was performed in 2023 in administrative collaborators of an university located in Niteroi, RJ. Collected data: personal information and health data (questionnaire), weight and height for nutrition status ("adequate body weight or overweight/obese" according to body mass index) and physical activity level ("low or adequate") according to international questionnaire (IPAQ, short version). Statistical analysis: SPSS, v.21. Results: A total of 54 administrative collaborators (female 70.4%), with means: 37.7 (10.9) years old, body weight 78.0 (22.3) kg, body mass index 28.2 (6.4) Kg/m², with no statistical difference in age by sex (p=0.78) and higher body mass index in men (p=0.012) compared to women. Overweight/obesity was observed in 61,1% (n=33) (CI: 46.9; 764.1%) of the sample. Low physical activity level in 37% (n=20) (CI: 24.3; 51.3%) and adequate in 63% (n=34) (CI: 48.7; 75.7%) of the administrative collaborators, with no statistical difference by nutritional status (p=0.89) nor by sex (p=0.96). It is necessary the development of actions to promote regular physical activity practices among administrative collaborators, including institutional programs for this purpose. These actions can minimize the risk of obesity/overweight, in addition to other complications associated with low level of physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preferable N source for tropical grasses and its effects on the nutritional status are still matters of priority investigation. This study aimed to explore the effects of N sources and N deprivation on growth and uptake of elements in a newly-released ruzigrass cultivar, BRS Integra. Plants were grown under controlled conditions in vermiculite and were supplied with nutrient solution containing either NH4+, NH4++NO3-, NO3- or no N added in solution making. Plant biomass, chlorophyll content, transpiration, N status, and levels of selected elements were evaluated. NH4+ improved biomass production and aboveground N contents. Other elements exhibited high (N, K and Na), medium (Mn), low (Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mg, Ni and Zn) or non-detected (Al and Fe) translocation. Cd was included in the study because of its hazardous concentrations in agricultural soils in Brazil and its influence on N uptake and translocation in the genus Urochloa. All N sources increased the uptake of whole plant Cu and K and Al, and root Fe and Mg. Other favorable relations prevailed in the roots, specifically of NO3- on Ca and Ni, NH4+ and NH4++NO3- on Cr, and NH4+ on Cd. Removal of N supply caused increases on Mn and Na aboveground and Zn in roots. Overall, the more evident N source-induced uptakes were, in order of decrease, of NO3- on Ca, NH4++NO3- on Ni, and NH4+ on Cr, Cu and Mn. It is concluded that NH4+ is more efficient for fertilizing ruzigrass by improving growth and N uptake compared to NH4++NO3- or NO3-. In addition, the diverse effects of varying N sources on the uptake of 12 elements indicate such interactions should be taken into account to further improve fertilizer formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pregnancy assistance occurs in the public and private spheres. In this care, there is a greater nutritional demand during pregnancy, for the mother and the fetus. Among the causes of infant mortality, the following stand out: low birth weight, prematurity, and inadequate prenatal care. In the low-income social setting, nutrition fails. Thus, food supplements are extremely important in prenatal care. The objective is to describe the most appropriate food supplementation for pregnant women, whether in the public or private sector, highlighting the national policy, after a bibliographic review, carried out from May to August 2022. In Brazil, more than 70% of pregnant women have gained weight, however with poor nutritional status. In public prenatal care in Brazil, folic acid and iron are offered. Maternal multivitamin supplementation, with nutrients other than iron and folate, such as vitamins D, A, E, C, zinc, magnesium, and others, is important. The public maternal nutritional problem encompasses socioeconomic factors, as well as failures in care. The divergence with private care, prevalent in developed countries, is notorious when observing maternal mortality. In peripheral countries, maternal death is 50 to 100 times higher than in central countries. In these, more than 90% of pregnant women receive multivitamin supplementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study is to translate and validate the Nutritional Pathway for Infants with Congenital Heart Disease before Surgery British nutritional protocol into Brazilian Portuguese and test its clinical feasibility for specialized clinicians in Brazilian hospitals. Method: The translation and validation process followed strict methodological standards over the following steps: 1) initial translation; 2) synthesis; 3) back-translation; 4) expert committee content validation, and pre-test clinical feasibility with 30 health professionals. Data were collected through the Research Electronic Data Capture software data system, and then extracted and analyzed through statistical analysis software. Results: The culturally adapted version was considered equivalent to the original. In the first round, 82% agreement was achieved, and after consensus, there was 100% agreement among the experts. Regarding the ease of use of the protocol in clinical practice, the instrument obtained a minimum agreement rate of 93.4% and a 0.92 content validity index. Conclusions: The results indicate that the instrument adapted to Brazilian Portuguese has high content validity, and high reliability among the experts, suggesting a high level of accuracy of the instrument and cultural adaptation for Brazilian culture and medical systems. It was easily understandable by health professionals, as well as simple to apply in clinical practice. The Nutritional protocol for preoperative infants with congenital heart disease can reproduce the outcomes found in the pilot of this instrument carried out in the United Kingdom, which may promote better pre-surgical nutritional status for infants with congenital heart disease in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nutritional status assessment commonly relies on body mass index (BMI), which overlooks lean mass and adipose tissue distribution. However, waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) provide additional insights into fat accumulation. By combining these indices, it may be possible to identify older adults needing weight management interventions. Objectives: To assess the WC and WHtR as strategies for identifying individuals requiring weight management. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 509 elderly individuals in Northeast Brazil. Weight, height, hip circumference, and waist circumference were measured, and combined with indices such as BMI WC, WHR, and WHtR to identify those who require weight management. The DeLong test compared areas under the curves using receiver operating characteristic curves and statistical significance. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated to verify usefulness for clinical application. A validation sample of 599 elderly individuals from the country's Southern region was used to confirm the results. Results: Both WC and WHtR showed adequate diagnostic accuracy with no statistically significant difference in AUCs. WHtR ≥ 0.50 had 92% sensitivity in identifying men and women requiring nutritional management. WC presented lower sensitivity but 93% specificity, useful for excluding elderly individuals from the nutritional risk category. These results were consistent in the validation sample. Conclusion: WHtR is a valuable index for screening nutritional risk management in the elderly population, applicable to men and women. Conversely, WC performs better in excluding individuals who do not need nutritional risk management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Changes in nutritional status are recognised as predictors of unfavourable outcomes in children and adolescents with cancer, particularly in developing countries. There have been no studies on children and adolescents with cancer from every region of Brazil or on the impact of nutritional status on clinical outcomes. The aim of this study is to assess the association between the nutritional status of children and adolescents with cancer and the prediction of clinical outcomes. Methods: This was a longitudinal, multicentre, hospital‐based study. An anthropometric nutritional assessment was performed, and the Subjective Global Nutritional Assessment (SGNA) was administered within 48 h of admission. Seven hundred and twenty‐three patients (aged 2–18 years) were included in the sample, undergoing cancer treatment. They were recruited in 13 reference centres in the five macro‐regions of Brazil between March 2018 and August 2019. The outcomes evaluated were readmission within 30 days and death within 60 days of admission. To identify predictors of 60‐day survival, Cox regression and log‐rank statistics were used to compare Kaplan–Meier curves between the strata. Results: About 36.2% (n = 262) of the samples were malnourished according to the SGNA. Severe malnutrition by the SGNA (relative risk [RR] = 8.44, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.35–21.3, P = 0.001) and living in the North region (RR = 11.9, 95% CI: 3.34–42.7, P = 0.001) were associated with the poorest survival. The North (RR = 5.77, 95% CI: 1.29–25.8, P = 0.021), Northeast (RR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.01–2.11, P = 0.041), Midwest (RR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.20–0.095, P = 0.036), age group 10–18 years (RR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.45– 0.94, P = 0.022) and haematologic malignancy (RR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.10–2.10, P = 0.011) were predictors of readmission within 30 days. Conclusions: The prevalence of malnutrition was high and related to death. These results highlight the need to use the SGNA in clinical practice alongside classic anthropometric methods for the diagnosis of malnutrition, and the need to standardise care across all Brazilian regions, which should include nutritional care for children and adolescents with cancer. Key points: Malnutrition, according to Subjective Global Nutritional Assessment (SGNA), was high and related to death in Brazilian children and adolescent with cancer.Patients from more economically disadvantaged regions of Brazil, aged 10–18 years and in haematological treatment, had higher readmission rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In socially vulnerable populations, evidence is needed regarding the role of maternal nutritional status on child weight during the first 2 years of life. Objectives: We aimed to assess the association of pre‐pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) with offspring BMI‐for‐age z‐scores (BAZs) during the first 2 years of life. Methods: A population‐based birth cohort study was conducted with 900 mother–child pairs. Pre‐pregnancy weight and weight at delivery were collected from medical records, and anthropometric data were measured at birth and at 6‐month, 1‐year and 2‐year follow‐up visits. Linear regression and linear mixed‐effect models assessed associations with pre‐pregnancy BMI, GWG and BAZ during the first 2 years of life. Results: Pre‐pregnancy overweight and obesity and excessive GWG were positively associated with BAZ at birth and at 1‐ and 2‐year follow‐up visits. There were no significant additional BAZ changes per year based on the exposures up to age 2 years. Conclusions: Elevated maternal pre‐pregnancy BMI and GWG were associated with a child's higher BAZ at birth, and these differences remained constant throughout the first 2 years of life in Amazonian children. These findings highlight the importance of promoting adequate maternal weight before pregnancy and during prenatal care also in socially vulnerable populations. Key points: Pre‐pregnancy overweight and obesity and excessive gestational weight gain were associated with child's higher BMI‐for‐age z at birth, and these differences remained constant throughout the first 2 years of life in Amazonian children.Strategies that promote adequate maternal weight before and during pregnancy are necessary in socially vulnerable populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hereditary Ataxias (HAs) comprise a wide spectrum of genetically determined neurodegenerative diseases with progressive ataxia as the main symptom. Few studies have evaluated nutritional profile in HA patients and most of these focused on specific ataxia subtypes. The objectives of this study were: (1) to investigate whether hereditary ataxias were associated with changes in energy expenditure, body composition and dietary intake; (2) to verify differences in these variables according to ataxia subtype, sex, age, and disease severity. Thirty-eight hereditary ataxia patients from two neurology centers in Northeastern Brazil and 38 controls were evaluated. Body composition was assessed with bio-impedance analysis and dietary intake was estimated with a validated questionnaire (24-hour dietary recall). Mean body mass index (BMI) was lower in HA compared to controls (p = 0.032). Hereditary ataxia patients showed lower protein intake, higher frequency of dysphagia and higher incidence of nausea and diarrhea. The difference in average estimated caloric intake did not reach statistical significance (2359kcal ± 622 in patients × 2713kcal ± 804 in controls, p = 0.08). Disease severity measured by the SARA scale was not associated with BMI, nor was ataxia subtype (autosomal dominant × non-autosomal dominant ataxias). Hereditary ataxia patients have lower BMI compared to healthy controls. There was no difference in this cohort between dominant or non-dominant ataxia regarding BMI. Weight loss may be a common finding among hereditary ataxias and may affect the quality of life in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our objective was to evaluate disordered eating and associated factors in university students in the early period of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. This is an analytical cross-sectional observational study, and data collection took place between May and June 2020, using an online semi-structured questionnaire. In total, 936 students were evaluated. Present signs/symptoms of the flu syndrome (OR = 1.605), negative mood changes (OR = 1.628), weight gain (OR = 1.739), obesity (OR = 3.089), follow fitness/health profile on social media (OR = 2.050), having inadequate body perception (OR = 2.416), and body dissatisfaction (OR = 2.612) increased the chances of presenting a higher score on the disordered eating scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of the global childhood obesity, it is essential to monitor the nutrition value of commercial foods. A cross-sectional study (November 2018 to April 2019) aimed to evaluate the nutritional adequacy of processed/ultra-processed food products targeted at 0–36-month-old children in Portugal and in Brazil. The nutrient profiling model developed by the Pan American Health Organization was used. A total of food 171 products were assessed (123 in Portugal and forty eight in Brazil). From the fifteen available meat- or fish-based meals in Brazil, 60 % exceeded the amount of Na and 100 % exceeded the target for total fat. Given the lack of specification of sugars within carbohydrates in the label of the foods in Brazil, it was not possible to calculate free sugars. In Portugal, from the seventeen fruit and vegetable purees and the six juice/smoothie/tea/drinks available, 82 % and 67 %, respectively, surpassed the level of free sugar, while total and saturated fat was excessive in all yogurt and yogurt-related products (n 21), 40 % of biscuit/wafer/crisps (two out of five) and 13 % meat- or fish-based meals (two out of sixteen). These findings demonstrate the relevance of improving the nutritional profile of some food products targeted to young children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing the usual food intake of para‐athletes enables knowledge and description of nutrient intakes, providing insight into the potential nutritional status of para‐athletes and may help tailor dietary intake to their specific training needs. This study aimed to evaluate the usual intake of macronutrients and food groups and meal food patterns of athletes with a disability. We also compared dietary intake data between team and individual sport para‐athletes. One hundred and one athletes with a disability from 13 Paralympic disciplines living in Brasília, Federal District, Brazil were included. Food intake was estimated from two or four non‐consecutive 24‐h food recalls in which para‐athletes reported all food, beverages, and supplements consumed in the previous 24‐h. Dietary intake analysis was performed by implementing the National Cancer Institute (NCI) method to calculate the macronutrient and food group usual intake. Macronutrient intakes were compared to Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges for the general population and food group intakes were compared to the 2008 Brazilian National Dietary Guidelines. Para‐athletes consumed a low‐carbohydrate, adequate protein, high‐fat diet. There was no significant difference in macronutrient intake distribution between team sport and individual sport para‐athletes. Most para‐athletes had three main meals during the day. The prevalence of inadequate fruit servings in the middle and highest energy intake tertiles was significantly higher in team sport para‐athletes (92.5% and 98.4%) than in individual sport para‐athletes (90.8% and 65.5%), respectively. The prevalence of inadequate vegetable servings was significantly higher between team and individual para‐athletes for the middle energy intake tertiles. Para‐athletes generally consumed an imbalanced diet, which is a cause for concern given their additional physiological demands and specific training needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding of the association between nutritional risk and clinical outcomes in hospitalised patients with overweight is still at an early stage. Given the lack of specific tools for the patient with overweight, the objective of this study was to compare two of the main general screening instruments for assessing nutritional risk in predicting clinical outcomes in a population of hospitalised patients with overweight. A retrospective study was carried out in a medium‐sized hospital in Brazil, with patients ≥20 years old admitted between July 2017 and December 2019. Patients who were overweight and had records of Nutritional Risk Screening‐2002 (NRS‐2002) and Mini‐Nutritional Assessment‐Short Form (MNA‐SF) in their medical files were included in the study. Clinical outcomes data (longer length of stay, readmission during the study period and mortality before the end of study or during hospitalisation) were obtained. The Kappa coefficient assessed agreement between both tools, and their performance for predicting outcomes was analysed using characteristic receiver operating curves (ROC). Data were collected from 643 patients. The prevalence of nutritional risk was 17.7% and 36.1% according to the NRS‐2002 and MNA‐SF (k = 0.390; p < 0.001), respectively. According to both tools, all clinical outcomes were significantly more common among individuals at nutritional risk (p < 0.05). Only the MNA‐SF showed a significant percentage of predictions for readmission (57.2%) and death during hospitalisation (65.7%). For mortality until the end of the study, the area under the ROC curve was similar for MNA‐SF (60.5%) and NRS‐2002 (60.7%; p = 0.057). The MNA‐SF detected a greater proportion of nutritional risk among hospitalised patients with overweight and better predicted all clinical outcomes compared to the NRS‐2002 and should be used to screen patients with overweight for nutritional risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genus Eucalyptus can be grown in different soils worldwide, although it is not always ready to fulfill plants' nutrient demands. Whenever such nutrient shortage happens, it is necessary applying the nutrients missing, which can be established based on the critical levels and sufficiency ranges (SRs) of nutrients in leaves or by multivariate mathematical models, such as the composition nutrient diagnosis (CND). This study aimed to investigate the nutritional status of Eucalyptus plantations in Brazil, based on the CND method. A total of 119 12-month-old Eucalyptus saligna (E. saligna) plantations were sampled in the Rio Grande do Sul State (RS), Southern Brazil. Nutrient concentration in leaves and the diameter at breast height (DBH) was measured. The E. saligna nutritional status was calculated through the CND method. High- and low-yield populations were set based on DBH of 4.2 cm. The SRs proposed by the CND method were narrower than the ones proposed by official recommendations for Eucalyptus, especially for magnesium (Mg), boron (B), and iron (Fe). The CND-r2 index recorded for each nutrient generated a limitation order for nutrients. The greater accuracy of the recommendations proposed by the CND method, compared with univariate and bivariate methods, contribute to reducing the use of fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composted sewage sludge (CSS) is an organic fertilizer that can be used as a source of micronutrients in agriculture. However, there are few studies with CSS to supply micronutrients for the bean crop. We aimed to evaluate micronutrient concentrations in the soil and their effects on nutrition, extraction, export, and grain yield in response to CSS residual application. The experiment was carried out in the field at Selvíria-MS, Brazil. The common bean cv. BRS Estilo was cultivated in two agricultural years (2017/18 and 2018/19). The experiment was designed in randomized blocks with four replications. Six different treatments were compared: (i) four increasing CSS rates, i.e., CSS5.0 (5.0 t ha−1 of applied CSS, wet basis), CSS7.5, CSS10.0, CSS12.5; (ii) a conventional mineral fertilizer (CF); (iii) a control (CT) without CSS and CF application. The available levels of B, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn were evaluated in soil samples collected in the 0–0.2 and 0.2–0.4 m soil surface horizons. The concentration, extraction, and export of micronutrients in the leaf and productivity of common beans were evaluated. The concentration of Cu, Fe, and Mn ranged from medium to high in soil. The available levels of B and Zn in the soil increased with the residual rates of CSS, which were statistically not different from the treatments with CF. The nutritional status of the common bean remained adequate. The common bean showed a higher requirement for micronutrients in the second year. The leaf concentration of B and Zn increased in the CSS7.5 and CSS10.0 treatments. There was a greater extraction of micronutrients in the second year. Productivity was not influenced by the treatments; however, it was higher than the Brazilian national average. Micronutrients exported to grains varied between growing years but were not influenced by treatments. We conclude that CSS can be used as an alternative source of micronutrients for common beans grown in winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) is a common allergy in infants and can affect proper growth and development. This study verified factors associated with the evolution of the nutritional status (NS) among infants with CMPA fed with hypoallergenic formulas (HF). Methods: This is a longitudinal study of infants (n = 1036) participating on a governmental program in Brazil. Researchers assessed Nutritional status before HF treatment (T1) and after HF treatment (T2). The causality of exposure variables on the evolution of NS was verified by Multinomial Logistic Regression (MLR). Results: We observed an increase in anthropometric indexes analyzed with statistically significant results (p < 0.01). The weight/age and height/age scores showed a significant reduction in infants with nutritional deficit. The Body Mass Index (BMI) showed a decrease in the number of infants with nutritional deficit (< -2 z-score). On the other hand, there was an increase in those classified as at risk of overweight, overweight and obese. MLR showed that those who remained < 12 months in the program had a lower odds ratio (95% CI = 0.355–0.906; p = 0.018) to have inadequate NS with increasing BMI. Preterm infants were 4 times more likely (CI 95% = 1.520–10.694; p = 0.005) to have their BMI decreased and those who received nutritional counseling had a lower odds ratio (CI 95% = 0.411–0.953; p = 0.029) to maintain adequate NS. Conclusion: The program has a significant impact on the NS of infants with CMPA. The constant management and implementation of differentiated criteria according to the evolution of NS for the supply of HF is fundamental in the continuity of this public policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Race and gender inequities in the incidence of hypertension (HTN) are well documented; however, few empirical investigations looked into these associations, considering the synergies and heterogeneous experiences of intersectional gender and race/skin colour groups. This study investigated the association of intersectional identities defined by gender and race/skin colour with HTN incidence, and verified whether they are affected by educational level in adulthood. We used the Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) data to estimate the incidence of HTN between visits 1 (2008–2010) and 2 (2012–2014), in 8528 participants without hypertension at visit 1. HTN was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg, or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg, or use of antihypertensive drugs. Generalized linear models with Poisson distribution and log link function were used to assess the associations. The incidence of HTN was 43.4/1000 person-years, ranging from 30.5/1000 in White women to 59.4/1000 in Black men. After adjusting by age and family history of HTN, the incidence rate ratio (IRR) was higher in Black men (2.25; 95%CI: 1.65–3.08), Brown (Pardo) men (1.89; 95%CI: 1.59–2.25), Black women (1.85; 95%CI: 1.50–2.30), Brown (Parda) women (1.47; 95%CI: 1.31–1.67) and White men (1.76; 95%CI: 1.49–2.08), compared to White women. These associations were maintained even after considering socioeconomic, behavioural and health mediators in the model. No interaction was found between education level and intersectional identities in the IRRs observed. By using an intersectional approach, we showed the complex relations between race/skin colour and gender inequities in the incidence of HTN, pointing not only that Black men have the highest risk of developing HTN, but also that the risk of HTN is greater in Black women than in White men, when compared to White women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phytonematode Aphelenchoides besseyi gained prominence in Brazil following its identification as the etiological agent of leaf and green stem retention in soybean plants. Thus, this study evaluated the effects of nutrient omission on the phytotechnical characteristics of soybean in the presence and absence of A. besseyi. The experiments were carried out in a completely randomized 2 × 11 factorial arrangement, with 11 treatments: control (no nutrients), complete nutrition, and individual -N, -P, -K, -S, -B, -Cu, -Fe, -Mn, and -Zn omission were applied to inoculated and uninoculated plants, and six replicates. The presence of A. besseyi adversely affected the growth characteristics, except when -P, -S, -B, -Mn, and -Zn were omitted. The nematode reduced the root length in treatments omitting -K, -S, -B, -Cu, -Fe, -Mn, and -Zn and root fresh weight when -N, -P, -K, and -Cu were omitted. In the absence of the pathogen, N assimilation did not differ significantly between the treatments; however, it was negatively influenced by the presence of the pathogen in the control and complete nutrition treatment. The leaf area index values were the lowest in inoculated plants with no nutrition, with complete nutrition, and with -N, -P, -K, and -Cu omissions. The micro- and macronutrients concentration and the shoot dry weight (SDW) were high in the presence of the nematode, except in treatments where -N, -S, and -Mn were omitted. The nutritional status does not affect infection by the nematode A. besseyi, but the application of nutrients is necessary for soybean development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The contrasting weather conditions throughout the sugarcane harvest period in south-central Brazil (April to November) influence fertilization management in sugarcane ratoon. Methods: Through field studies carried out over two cropping seasons, we aimed to compare the performance of sugarcane at sites harvested in the early and late periods of the harvest season as a function of fertilizer sources associated with application methods. The design used in each site was a randomized block in a 2 x 3 factorial scheme; the first factor consisted of fertilizer sources (solid and liquid), and the second factor consisted of application methods (above the straw, under the straw, and incorporated into the middle of the sugarcane row). Results: The fertilizer source and application method interacted at the site harvested in the early period of the sugarcane harvest season. Overall, the highest sugarcane stalk and sugar yields at this site were obtained with the incorporated application applying liquid fertilizer and under straw applying solid fertilizer, with increments of up to 33%. For the site harvested in the late period of the sugarcane harvest season, the liquid fertilizer promoted a 25% higher sugarcane stalk yield compared to the solid fertilizer in the crop season with low rainfall in the spring, while in the crop season with normal rainfall, there were no differences between treatments. Discussion: This demonstrates the importance of defining fertilization management in sugarcane as a function of harvest time, thereby promoting greater sustainability in the production system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high incidence of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in the period of 2015–2016 in Brazil may have affected linear height growth velocity (GV) in children exposed in utero to ZIKV. This study describes the growth velocity and nutritional status based on the World Organization (WHO) standards of children exposed to ZIKV during pregnancy and followed up in a tertiary unit, a reference for tropical and infectious diseases in the Amazon. Seventy-one children born between March 2016 and June 2018 were monitored for anthropometric indices: z-score for body mass index (BMI/A); weight (W/A); height (H/A) and head circumference (HC/A); and growth velocity. The mean age at the last assessment was 21.1 months (SD ± 8.93). Four children had congenital microcephaly and severe neurological impairment. The other 67 were non-microcephalic children (60 normocephalic and 7 macrocephalic); of these; 24.2% (16 children) had neurological alterations, and 28.8% (19 children) had altered neuropsychomotor development. Seventeen (24.2%) children had inadequate GV (low growth velocity). The frequencies of low growth among microcephalic and non-microcephalic patients are 25% (1 of 4 children) and 23.9% (16 of 67 children); respectively. Most children had normal BMI/A values during follow-up. Microcephalic patients showed low H/A and HC/A throughout the follow-up, with a significant reduction in the HC/A z-score. Non-microcephalic individuals are within the regular ranges for H/A; HC/A; and W/A, except for the H/A score for boys. This study showed low growth velocity in children with and without microcephaly, highlighting the need for continuous evaluation of all children born to mothers exposed to ZIKV during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Breast neoplasms have a high incidence and mortality rate in Brazil and worldwide. As a result, there are several important scenarios, such as the anthropometric profile, food consumption and analysis of nutritional status, which become allies to better understand this population and outline more individual measures and strategies that minimize the effects of breast cancer. Objective: To evaluate the nutritional profile, body composition and food consumption among patients with breast cancer. Materials and methods: This is an integrative literature review. The results were obtained by direct online access through the databases: PubMed, Google Scholar and Science Direct, using the combination of the following descriptors in English: Breast Neoplasms, Nutritional Status, Food Consumption and Anthropometry. The PICOS strategy was used to define the research question, and PRISMA for material selection. Results and Discussion: A total of eight studies were selected. Patients with breast cancer have a high Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference (WC) and WHR, indicating cardiovascular risk and mortality. Regarding food consumption, it was possible to observe the intake of industrialized products (processed and ultra-processed), which contain higher levels of sodium, fats and sugars. The consumption of these foods is justified by the patients' loss of appetite, and consequently these industrialized foods bring greater palatability. Conclusion: The vast majority of patients were overweight and obese, with low intake of fruits, vegetables, and foods rich in anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, highprotein diets can improve symptoms caused by chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Head and neck cancer (HNC) significantly impacts nutritional status because the tumor limits swallowing function. In this sense, it is important to monitor the nutritional status throughout the life of any individual. A multicenter case-control study was carried out to analyze the BMI at 30 years of age, two years before diagnosis and at the time of diagnosis of individuals with oral cavity, oropharynx, and larynx cancers. It was observed that a 5% reduction in BMI during the two years before enrollment was associated with an increased risk of the oral cavity (OR = 3.73), oropharyngeal OR = 5.25), and laryngeal (OR = 5.22). Reduced BMI of more than 5% over two years before diagnosis was associated with HNC. Weight loss remained significant at diagnosis, but it is not possible to exclude reverse causality since most cases are at an advanced stage. BMI monitoring of individuals at potential risk for HNC can promote early diagnosis and nutritional interventions for HNC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several materials have been characterized using proximal sensors, but still incipient efforts have been driven to plant tissues. Eucalyptus spp. cultivation in Brazil covers approximately 7.47 million hectares, requiring faster methods to assess plant nutritional status. This study applies portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometry to (i) distinguish Eucalyptus clones using pre-processed pXRF data; and (ii) predict the contents of eleven nutrients in the leaves of Eucalyptus (B, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, N, P, S, and Zn) aiming to accelerate the diagnosis of nutrient deficiency. Nine hundred and twenty samples of Eucalyptus leaves were collected, oven-dried, ground, and analyzed using acid-digestion (conventional method) and using pXRF. Six machine learning algorithms were trained with 70% of pXRF data to model conventional results and the remaining 30% were used to validate the models using root mean square error (RMSE) and coefficient of determination (R2). The principal component analysis clearly distinguished developmental stages based on pXRF data. Nine nutrients were accurately predicted, including N (not detected using pXRF spectrometry). Results for B and Mg were less satisfactory. This method can substantially accelerate decision-making and reduce costs for Eucalyptus foliar analysis, constituting an ecofriendly approach which should be tested for other crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to ascertain the level of occupational stress before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, how it changed and its association with health outcomes of hospital workers in the Recôncavo of Bahia, Brazil. A longitudinal study was conducted with 218 hospital workers over 18 years old. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for collecting sociodemographic, occupational, lifestyle, anthropometric and health data. The main exposures were occupational stress, assessed through Job Content Questionnaire and classified according to the Demand-Control Model and reported shift work. Health outcomes considered were nutritional status assessed by BMI, waist circumference and body fat percentage, health self-perception and cardiovascular risk factors. We used McNemar χ 2 or Wilcoxon tests to compare the levels of exposure and outcome variables before and during the pandemic, and OR to evaluate associations between changes in occupational stress and shift work with health outcomes. During the pandemic, participants reported increased occupational stress and shift work and lower self-perceived health and had higher BMI and cardiovascular risk factors, compared with before the pandemic. No association was observed between change in occupational stress and health outcomes. However, increased amount of shift work was related to increased BMI in the overall sample (OR 3·79, 95 % CI (1·40, 10·30)) and in health workers (OR 11·56; 95 % CI (2·57, 52·00)). These findings support calls to strengthen labour policies to ensure adequate working conditions for hospital workers in context of the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective: To evaluate the association between the consumption of NOVA food groups (classification based on the nature, extent and purpose of food processing) and the intake of energy, macro and micronutrients among school children. Design: Cross-sectional study. Food consumption was assessed by two 24-h dietary recalls on non-consecutive days. Energy from each NOVA food groups – ultra-processed foods, unprocessed or minimally processed foods, processed culinary ingredients and processed foods – was estimated. For analysis, the percentage of energy from ultra-processed foods and unprocessed or minimally processed foods were categorised into tertiles and associated with intake of energy, macro and micronutrients using analysis of covariance and linear regression. Setting: Public schools in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Participants: School children aged 8–12 years (n 797; 406 girls; 391 boys). Results: Mean energy intake was 2050·18 ± 966·83 kcal/d, 25·8 % was from ultra-processed foods, 56·7 % from unprocessed or minimally processed foods, 8·9 % from processed culinary ingredients and 8·6 % from processed foods. A higher energy contribution from ultra-processed foods was negatively associated with the intake of protein, fibre, vitamin A, Fe and Zn (P < 0·001) and positively associated with total energy, lipid and Na intake (P < 0·001). Concurrently, a higher energy contribution from unprocessed or minimally processed foods was positively associated with the consumption of protein, fibre, Fe and Zn (P < 0·001) and negatively associated with total energy (P = 0·002), lipid and Na intake (P < 0·001). Conclusions: In conclusion, higher ultra-processed food consumption presented a negative association with the nutrient intake profile of school children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ADS) is a group of highly complex disorders. Over the years, there has been a growing number of ADS-diagnosed persons. In Brazil, there are few studies on the nutritional profile of this population. Objective: To describe the socioeconomic, demographic, anthropometric characteristics and food consumption of children with ADS from a social movement in Macaé, Rio de Janeiro. Methods: An exploratory, descriptive, quantitative, primary research was carried out between March and June 2020, with 92 children aged 2 to 9 years and their respective mothers, members of the social movement in Macaé. Two questionnaires were used: the first was semi-structured containing socioeconomic, demographic clinical and anthropometric variables; the second, a structured questionnaire about foods consumption. The continuous variables were described as means, standard deviation, and the categorical variables as proportion (%). To determine the significance of the differences found in the responses by groups and categories, the chi-square test was used. P-value <0.05 was used for statistical significance. Results: Most children were male (81.5%) and illiterate (75.0%). It was found that 53.5% of the children were overweight, according to the BMI for age, and 91.1% had adequate height for age. Out of 59 children assessed for foods intake, 78.0% ate beans the day before the interview; 57.6% ate fresh fruits, and 54.2% vegetables; 59.3% consumed sweetened drinks and 37.3%, sweets. Conclusion: Overweight and markers of unhealthy eating habits were high for he assessed group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: to estimate the prevalence of overweight/obesity and analyze the associated factors in pregnant women assisted by family health teams. Methods: epidemiological observational study of populational, cross-sectional, and analytical base carried out with pregnant women at the Estratégia de Saúde da Família (Family Health Strategy) in the city of Montes Claros, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, between October 2018 and November 2019. Socioeconomic and demographic, obstetric characteristics, social and family support, emotional aspects and comorbidities. The presence of overweight/obesity was estimated by the initial Body Mass Index (up to the 13th gestational week) acquired from the pregnant woman's health booklet. Hierarchized Poisson regression with robust variance was carried out. Results: a total of 1,279 pregnant women participated in this study. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 45.3% and was associated with the following factors: having a partner (PR=1.52; CI95% =1.24-1.86), higher family income (PR=1.23; CI95% =1.04-1.46), presence of previous pregnancies (PR=1.65; CI95% =1.39-1.95%), higher age group (PR=2.26; CI95% =1.70-3.01), gestational diabetes mellitus (PR=1.43; CI95% =1.21-1.69) and systemic arterial hypertension (PR=1.29; CI95% =1.04-1.61). Conclusion: there was a high prevalence of overweight/obesity in the evaluated pregnant women and its association with sociodemographic and obstetric factors and chronic comorbidities. There is a necessity for monitoring and carrying out nutritional education in prenatal care provided by family health teams, with emphasis on strengthening multidisciplinary care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: to analyze the nutritional status and temporal trend of the coverage of Brazilian adolescents monitored in the Food and Nutritional Surveillance System in the period 2008-2019. Methods: ecological study of temporal series with SISVAN data collected from 2008 to 2019 with 45,869.266 registration. Body mass index data were collected and the registration coverage of adolescents monitored by the system was calculated. The percentage of annual variation in coverage and nutritional status was estimated using Prais-Winsten regression, with a significance level of 5%. Results: an increase in the prevalence of obesity was observed between 2008 and 2019, during this period thinness remained stable in Brazil. National coverage evolved from 9.3% in 2008 to 19.6% in 2019, with an annual variation of 9% and a statistically significant increase trend. In Brazil, obesity in this age group increased between 2008 and 2019, with an annual variation of 8.7% (CI95% = 7.8-9.6). Conclusion: modifications were observed in nutritional status suggest the occurrence of nutritional transition in the adolescents' population. The percentage of coverage available in the system has growth potential, however, the current scenario impacts on a possible insufficient analysis to support the elaboration and reorientation of public policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]