Tolerability of glutamine supplementation in older adults: a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial.

In this double-blind placebo-controlled randomized investigation, we assessed the tolerability of glutamine in older adults recruited from three daycare centers. The relevance of studying glutamine supplementation in elderly patients lies in its potential to provide a well-tolerated intervention. Glutamine, a crucial amino acid, plays a vital role in various physiological processes, including immune function and protein synthesis. Understanding its impact on older adults is essential, given the potential implications for their health and well-being. Participants received a daily dose of 12.4 g of oral effervescent glutamine (EGln group) or maltodextrin (placebo group) for 60 days. Fifteen patients from each group completed the study. The mean ages were 77.0±9.1 and 79.0±6.9 years for the EGln and placebo groups, respectively. We evaluated body mass index, aminogram, hemogram, plasma levels of glucose, prealbumin, albumin, urea, creatinine, uric acid, C-reactive protein, vitamin D, calcium, sodium, potassium, and the plasma activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. Notably, we quantified a broad array of inflammatory markers and growth factors providing a holistic understanding of the potential effects of glutamine supplementation. The results demonstrated that oral glutamine did not induce significant changes in any evaluated parameters, and no adverse effects were reported. This finding suggested that the dosage of glutamine used in this study was well-tolerated and safe. This information contributes to the broader understanding of glutamine supplementation, emphasizing its safety and supporting its potential as a viable intervention for maintaining health in aging individuals.

Yield and centesimal characterization of collagen extracted from the skin of peacock bass Cichla monoculus.

Fish processing provides waste of around 50.0% to 70.0% of the animal's initial weight, especially the skin. Thus, this residue contains the by-product that allows biopolymers to be obtained, highlighting collagen, which can be widely used in different areas. The present study aimed to evaluate the yield of collagen extracted from peacock bass Cichla monoculus skin and to characterize them physicochemically. Twenty-five peacock bass with an average weight of 646 ± 175 g were used. The skin samples were removed by manual filleting and weighed, with an average yield of 3.7%. Subsequently, such models were analyzed for chemical composition, showing 61.8% for moisture, 29.3% for crude protein, 1.5% for ash, 6.3% for total lipids, and 1.2% for non-nitrogenous extract (NNE). Acid-soluble collagen (ASC) presented an average yield of 8.2%, presenting in its analysis of centesimal composition 12.5% ​​of moisture, 82.6% of crude protein, 1.1% of ash, 2.6% of total lipids, and 1.2% NNE. The skin and collagen extracted from the tucunaré skin have technological potential for use in the preparation of products, adding value to these by-products from fish processing.

Tolerability of glutamine supplementation in older adults: a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial

In this double-blind placebo-controlled randomized investigation, we assessed the tolerability of glutamine in older adults recruited from three daycare centers. The relevance of studying glutamine supplementation in elderly patients lies in its potential to provide a well-tolerated intervention. Glutamine, a crucial amino acid, plays a vital role in various physiological processes, including immune function and protein synthesis. Understanding its impact on older adults is essential, given the potential implications for their health and well-being. Participants received a daily dose of 12.4 g of oral effervescent glutamine (EGln group) or maltodextrin (placebo group) for 60 days. Fifteen patients from each group completed the study. The mean ages were 77.0±9.1 and 79.0±6.9 years for the EGln and placebo groups, respectively. We evaluated body mass index, aminogram, hemogram, plasma levels of glucose, prealbumin, albumin, urea, creatinine, uric acid, C-reactive protein, vitamin D, calcium, sodium, potassium, and the plasma activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. Notably, we quantified a broad array of inflammatory markers and growth factors providing a holistic understanding of the potential effects of glutamine supplementation. The results demonstrated that oral glutamine did not induce significant changes in any evaluated parameters, and no adverse effects were reported. This finding suggested that the dosage of glutamine used in this study was well-tolerated and safe. This information contributes to the broader understanding of glutamine supplementation, emphasizing its safety and supporting its potential as a viable intervention for maintaining health in aging individuals.

National audit on maternal mortality in Guinea-Bissau, West-Africa: A retrospective observational study of 2020.

Guinea-Bissau has particularly alarming indicators of maternal health, with one of the highest maternal mortality (MM) worldwide. According to UNICEF-2014, this ratio (MMR) was 900/100,000 live births, mostly due to preventable and treatable causes. In 2013, the European Union developed an Integrated Programme to reduce Maternal and Infant Mortality (EU/PIMI),** the largest project of this kind, implemented in Guinea-Bissau. This study performed a national audit of MM over 2020, with the aim to analyse its numbers, characteristics, and causes. We used data of local and regional hospitals where EU/PIMI-II was operating. These hospitals showed lower MMR than previous national figures; however, the exclusion of the main obstetrical referral hospitals, and the unknown number of community-based deliveries make it difficult to compare. Guinea-Bissau still faces enormous challenges in reducing MM. Despite the slow progresses, this study gives us hope, as EU/PIMI-IÍs interventions appeared to have a positive impact in MM reduction.

Clinicopathological evaluation and survival of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.

BACKGROUND: Early detection of oral cancer is the most effective means of reducing morbidity, complexity, and extent of treatment. This study evaluated the clinicopathological profile of epidermoid carcinoma of the tongue, including treatment and survival. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This observational, retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue treated at the Dr. Luiz Antônio Hospital, Natal, Brazil, from January 2001 to December 2011. Survival variables were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by log rank tests. RESULTS: Of the 412 patients diagnosed in this period, 298 (72.3%) were men; their mean age was 60.5 years, and 69.2% were diagnosed with stage III/IV tumours. Improved survival was associated with early stage diagnosis, absence of affected lymph nodes at diagnosis, and treatment with surgery alone. CONCLUSIONS: Late stage diagnosis of oral cancer negatively affects patient survival. In addition, the general public should be made aware of the prognostic factors for oral SCC of the tongue and of the importance of periodic examinations of the oral cavity.

Clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical characterization of 14 cases of angioleiomyomas in oral cavity.

BACKGROUND: Angioleiomyoma (ALM) is a benign neoplasm that originates from vascular smooth muscle. It is extremely rare in oral cavity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of all oral angioleiomyomas registered in a Center of Diagnosis of Oral Diseases from 1959 to 2017. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Slides from 14 cases of ALM stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) were analyzed to confirm the diagnosis. Moreover, an immunohistochemical panel with alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), desmin, AE1/AE3, CD68, S-100, and CD34 antibodies was performed to evaluate semi-quantitatively the positive cells. RESULTS: ALM correspond to 0.08% of all benign oral tumors analyzed during the 57-year period. The mean age of the patients was 45 years with a predilection to males (58%). The most frequently reported site was lips (50%). Microscopic analysis on H&E sections revealed similar pattern in all cases, showing well-circumscribed and encapsulated tumors, characterized by a proliferation of smooth muscle cells and wide vascular spaces of varying sizes. The predominant immuno profiles were: alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) positive (strong immunoreactivity); positive variable pattern for desmin, negative immunoprofile for AE1/AE3, CD68, and S-100. The endothelial cells of vascular spaces were CD34+. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results, the alpha-SM actin can be elected as a good marker for angioleiomyomas and can help the confirmation of the morphologic diagnosis of this lesion.

Reversible perfusion defects on exercise tomographic thallium imaging in patients with and without collateral flow.

A consecutive series of patients underwent exercise thallium imaging and coronary angiography that identified single-vessel right coronary artery disease. Redistribution in the left anterior descending territory was significantly associated with the presence of left-to-right collaterals, whereas collaterals were significantly less frequent in individuals who did not exhibit redistribution.

Giant coronary artery aneurysms and myocardial infarction in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

A 26-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus and end-stage renal disease presented for renal transplantation. She had no findings of cardiac disease. Radiologic evaluation, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and coronary angiography showed giant aneurysms of the right and left anterior descending coronary arteries. Despite therapy, acute anterior myocardial infarction developed during follow-up. Giant coronary artery aneurysms associated with systemic lupus erythematosus are unusual and their management is controversial. Antithrombotic therapy probably should be considered for giant coronary artery aneurysms.

Two-dimensional echocardiographic calculation of left ventricular mass as recommended by the American Society of Echocardiography: correlation with autopsy and M-mode echocardiography.

The American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) has recommended diastolic area length and truncated ellipsoid methods for estimating left ventricular (LV) mass by two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography. The major goals of this retrospective study were to (1) assess the correlation between ASE-recommended 2D and M-mode echo-derived measurements of LV mass, (2) compare the two ASE-recommended 2D echocardiography methods, and (3) compare the echo-derived LV mass with anatomic LV mass. The study included 2D echocardiograms obtained within 30 days of death from 34 patients who subsequently underwent autopsy and 2D echocardiograms of 56 normal subjects. The formula used for measurement of M-mode echo-derived LV mass was LV mass = 0.8 (ASE-cube LV mass) + 0.6 gm. For 2D echo-derived LV mass, the ASE-recommended area length and truncated ellipsoid methods in systole and diastole were used, with and without incorporating the papillary muscles into the myocardial shell. LV mass derived by M-mode echocardiography was comparable to that derived by 2D methods, and it is reasonable to use this technique for normally shaped ventricles. When the papillary muscles were included into the myocardial shell, diastolic 2D methods overestimated autopsy LV mass. Both diastolic area length and truncated ellipsoid methods were comparable to autopsy LV mass. When the papillary muscles were excluded, the systolic area length method showed the best agreement with autopsy LV mass.

Correlation between membrane potential changes and proliferation of murine peritoneal lymphocytes stimulated by Nocardia water soluble mitogen.

A comparative study of Nocardia water soluble mitogen (NWSM) action on membrane potential and proliferation rate of murine peritoneal lymphocytes was performed at various incubation times. The membrane surface charge was evaluated by laser doppler velocimetry (LDV) through the measurement of the cell electrophoretic mobility at different pH values (from pH 5 to 9). We demonstrated that NWSM treatment decreases the lymphocyte membrane potential. This variation reached a maximal level after 24 hrs. at pH 7 and remained unchanged during the 72 hrs. observation. A significant stimulation of lymphocyte proliferation was noted after a 24 hrs. incubation. However, the highest rate of [3H]-thymidine incorporation was observed at 48 hrs. with a subsequent decrease at 72 hrs. On the basis of these data, it is suggested, that membrane potential changes may represent an early important step in the mechanism of lymphocyte activation by NWSM, as it has been shown for some mitogenic compounds.