Search Results (11,215)

Background/Objectives: The Mediterranean Diet (MD) is a lifestyle offering numerous health benefits. Nevertheless, the adherence to the MD is moderate even in Mediterranean countries. While sociodemographic factors influence MD adherence, additional impacts occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional longitudinal study with three cohorts of Portuguese adults analyzes MD adherence before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and explores the effect of sociodemographic variables. Methods: Sociodemographic factors, lifestyle habits, and MD adherence were assessed in the years 2019, 2021, and 2024 with an online self-filled questionnaire. MD adherence was measured with the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS). Results: MEDAS score increased significantly (p < 0.05) from 2019 to 2021 (6.2 ± 0.7 to 7.7 ± 0.1), followed by a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in 2024 (7.2 ± 0.1) relative to 2019, which was more pronounced in participants with higher income. Accordingly, a trend in healthier food choices was observed followed by a decline in 2024. Of note is the significant increase in red meat consumption (p < 0.05) in 2024 relative to 2021. Respondents who consumed more red meat were mostly men, employed, or in a stable relationship. Most respondents practiced sport “Never or occasionally” in 2019 and 2021 (59.4 and 55.2%, respectively); in 2024, this category was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced (40.9%); men or higher-income participants were more likely to meet the recommended activity levels. Conclusions: This study reveals that the improvements in MD lifestyle during the pandemic were not sustained in 2024, as healthier habits formed during confinement were not fully integrated into long-term behavior. These findings strengthen the need for targeted public health interventions to promote the MD. Full article

Background: Telenursing comprises a set of tools and interventions enabling nurses to provide remote care. This study aims to assess the impact of telenursing interventions on the supportive care needs of patients with melanoma and lung cancer who are receiving targeted therapies. Methods: This six-month monocentric, double-arm, randomised, controlled trial study protocol will assess the effect of telenursing on the supportive care needs (primary outcome) in 40 patients (20 in each group) after one month. The secondary outcomes will be monitored at baseline, one, three and six months: supportive care needs (at three and six months), therapeutic adherence, quality of life, usability and satisfaction, performance status, patient-reported outcomes and main adverse events. The SPIRIT guidelines will be used for the reporting. Results: The results from this trial will assess the impact of a telenursing intervention on cancer care. Conclusions: This trial could be a starting point for more extensive studies on telenursing interventions to promote nurses’ skills, as well as the quality and safety of care in patients with cancer, highlighting the impact of more outstanding nursing contributions on cancer care. Trial and Protocol Registration: The study protocol was approved by the relevant Italian Ethics Committee Lazio Area 5 (RS1851/23, 2773; 6 September 2023) and was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (trial registry number NCT06254196). Full article

Wild fruit species offer significant nutritional, environmental, and economic benefits. Among them, Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. (myrobalan) stands out for its resilience and nutrient-rich fruits, traditionally consumed fresh or dried. This study aimed to assess the morphological and biochemical diversity of 21 wild P. cerasifera accessions from Slovenia, focusing on 18 fruit and stone traits, including size, shape, color, and phenolic compounds such as total monomeric anthocyanins and total phenolic content (TPC). The objective was to identify genotypes with potential for cultivation and food production or as parental components in breeding programs. The results showed variability in fruit length (2.19–2.82 cm), width (2.18–2.99 cm), weight (67.98–150.30 g), firmness, and juiciness, with notable differences in stone characteristics. Phytochemical analysis revealed a wide range of TPC (277–1756 mg/100 g) and anthocyanin levels (0–710 mg/100 g), with higher concentrations in darker fruits. Statistical analysis compared PAM and AGNES clustering methods, finding that PAM with five clusters and AGNES with two clusters provided similar insights. The study emphasized variability in morphological and chemical traits among clusters, with specific accessions showing particularly valuable traits, such as accession RK13, which had high TPC and anthocyanins and a non-adherent stone. Full article

Background: Plant-based formulas have become increasingly popular due to their health benefits, environmental concerns, cultural beliefs, improved palatability, and decreased cost. A retrospective chart review of medically stable children transitioning from a hypoallergenic formula to a yellow pea protein plant-based formula (PPPBF) was included. This study aimed to assess gastrointestinal tolerance, weight changes, and adherence to receiving a unique PPPBF. Methods: Healthcare providers (HCPs) from pediatric clinics across the United States who requested increased PPPBF samples between the dates of 1 November 2021and 31 January 2022 and again from 1 February 2022 to 15 April 2022 inputted survey data. The HCPs selected participants based on the inclusion criteria. Results: Seventy-three completed patient surveys were included of children (ages 1–18 years old, 41% females, 59% males). After the transition to PPPBF, 38.4% experienced improvement in GI tolerance, 56.2% experienced no change, and 5.5% reported worsening GI tolerance. There was a 95% adherence rate, and 98.9% reported no adverse reactions or allergic manifestations after formula transition. Conclusions: Transitioning from a hypoallergenic formula to a PPPBF showed a trend toward stable GI tolerance, weight gain or stability, and adherence. A PPPBF offers a first-choice option for children who are on hypoallergenic formulas due to intolerance. Full article

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a significant public health threat due to its ability to cause severe gastrointestinal diseases in humans, ranging from diarrhea to life-threatening conditions such as hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). As the primary reservoir of STEC, cattle play a crucial role in its transmission through contaminated food and water, posing a considerable risk to human health. This comprehensive review explores host–pathogen interactions during STEC colonization of the bovine gut, focusing on the role of gut microbiota in modulating these interactions and influencing disease outcomes. We integrated findings from published transcriptomics, proteomics, and genomics studies to provide a thorough understanding of how STEC adheres to and colonizes the bovine gastrointestinal tract. The insights from this review offer potential avenues for the development of novel preventative and therapeutic strategies aimed at controlling STEC colonization in cattle, thereby reducing the risk of zoonotic transmission. Full article

Background/Objectives: The Mediterranean diet (MD) is one of the most studied dietary patterns to date and is associated with multiple benefits for health and sustainability. However, paradoxically, adherence to the MD (AMD) has been gradually decreasing in native regions. It is necessary to identify the factors that influence AMD to reverse this trend and to mitigate the negative outcomes (for health and the environment) associated with westernized diets. The objective of this study was to assess how self-perception of dietary behavior influences AMD. Methods: During the 28-day repeated measurement cross-sectional study, participants’ dietary information was obtained from an initial form which established the self-perception of dietary behavior and the e12HR application to establish actual food consumption by individuals. Using the dietary information from both sources, the AMD index was calculated (specifically, the Mediterranean diet Serving Score (MDSS) index). Two categories of self-perception of dietary behavior were defined: Normal/underestimation: difference (MDSS index from initial form—MDSS index from e12HR application) ≤0; and Overestimation: difference >0 (with three subcategories: low (difference = 1–5), moderate (difference = 6–10), high (difference = 11–15)). Results: 139 (111, women; 28, men) Spanish university students were studied, with 98.6% (99.1%, women; 96.4%, men) falling into the overestimation category (they overestimated their dietary behavior); these students had significantly lower MDSS indexes, mean = 6.7, than students in the normal/underestimation category, mean = 12.0. Within the overestimation category, there were significant differences in the MDSS index: low (mean = 8.1), moderate (mean = 6.7), and high (mean = 4.9) subcategories and also differences that were significant in women but not in men. Conclusions: Overestimation of dietary behavior could be associated with lower AMD in all Spanish university students and women. Full article

Background/Objectives: Adherence to pediatric obesity treatment can be challenging. Monetary incentives improve adherence to lifestyle interventions, with incentives framed as loss often more effective than those framed as gain. The objectives of this study were to determine if monetary incentives in the form of gift cards would improve adherence to an obesity treatment intervention and whether framing the incentive as either loss or gain affected adherence. Methods: Sixty adolescents with obesity (body mass index of ≥95th percentile for age and sex) were recruited from our pediatric obesity treatment program. They were randomized into one of three groups and given a monthly adherence score (AS) of up to 100 points. These points were based on completing a medical visit, reporting on diet intake, and measuring daily steps on a wearable tracker. The Gain Group (GG), N = 20, started each month with USD 0 in a virtual account and increased their monetary reward up to USD 100 depending on AS. The Loss Group (LG), N = 21, began each month with USD 100 in their virtual account, which decreased based on adherence. The Control Group (CG), N = 19, received USD 10 monthly. Results: Adherence was highest in the GG, with 66.0 points, compared to the LG, with 54.9 points, and CG, with 40.6 points, with p < 0.01. The GG had greater adherence to their step goal (14.6) and dietary reporting (18.7) compared to the LG (10.0 and 13.9) and the CG (3.9 and 8.1), p < 0.005. Conclusions: Gain-framed incentives are superior to loss-framed ones in improving adherence to pediatric obesity treatments. Full article

The Ti₃SiC₂TiSi_x ceramic composite was synthesized in situ from a mixture of 3Ti:1.5Si:1.2C powders under pressures ranging from 2 to 5 GPa and temperatures of 1150 °C to 1400 °C. At medium and high temperatures (4–5 GPa and 1400 °C), Ti₃SiC₂ dissolves into the cubic TiC phase. SEM analysis revealed that the high-pressure-produced multilayer structure of Ti₃SiC₂ remained intact. The friction properties of Ti₃SiC₂-TiSi_x composites combined with copper and aluminum were studied under both dry and lubricated conditions. After the break-in period, the Ti₃SiC₂-TiSi_x/Al combination exhibited the lowest friction coefficient: approximately 0.2. In dry-sliding conditions, the friction coefficient varies between 0.5 and 0.8. The wear mechanisms for Ti₃SiC₂-TiSi_x composites paired with aluminum primarily involve pear groove wear and adhesive wear during dry friction. Irregularly shaped aluminum balls accumulate in the pear grooves and adhere to each other. With increasing sintering pressure, the average friction coefficient of Ti₃SiC₂-TiSi_x composites against Cu ball pairs first increases and then decreases. The wear rate of the samples did not vary significantly as the sintering pressure increased, whereas the wear rate of Cu balls decreased with increasing sintering pressure. The adhesive wear of the Ti₃SiC₂-TiSi_x composite with its Cu counterpart is stronger than that of the Al counterpart. Abrasive chips of Cu balls appeared in flake form and adhered to the contact interface. Full article

Background/Objectives: We have previously described that low adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) in elderly patients admitted in internal medicine wards is linked to poorer clinical outcomes. This investigation was designed to explore whether adherence to the MD is related to circulating markers of redox balance and inflammation in this clinical scenario. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 306 acute old patients hospitalized in internal medicine wards. Adherence to the MD was estimated by the Italian Mediterranean Index (IMI). The circulating markers of redox balance were assessed in serum and erythrocytes and correlated with inflammatory markers across different MD adherence groups. Results: Compared to the patients with high adherence, those with low adherence to the MD exhibited severely impaired redox balance, as evidenced by a higher GSSG/GSH ratio and increased serum hydroxynonenal/malondialdehyde–protein adducts. No modifications were described in the expression of antioxidant enzymes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Patients with low adherence to the MD exhibited a higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and markers of systemic inflammation, as well as raised levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor, compared to those with high MD adherence. A strong association was observed between the circulating markers of redox balance and inflammation/immune response, with the highest regression coefficients found in the low adherence group. Conclusions: Old patients admitted to internal medicine wards with low adherence to the MD display unfavorable profiles of the circulating markers of redox balance and inflammation. It is conceivable that such effects on redox balance can be linked to the high polyphenol content of MD. This study supports the rationale for intervention trials that attest to the effectiveness of MD as a nutritional strategy for disease prevention. Full article

Background/Objectives: Despite the importance of resistance exercise in older adults, factors associated with participation remain unclear, especially regarding sex differences. This study investigated sociodemographic, behavioral, and comorbidity factors associated with insufficient resistance exercise participation among community-dwelling older adults in Korea, with analyses stratified by sex. Methods: Nationally representative cross-sectional data from 8671 participants aged ≥65 years (3758 men and 4913 women; mean age 72.8) were analyzed using the 6th-8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2014–2019). Complex-sample multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with insufficient resistance exercise overall and by sex. Results: Women had a higher prevalence of insufficient resistance exercise than men (91.27% vs. 71.04%, p < 0.001). Older age groups, particularly those aged ≥80 years (OR: 2.39; 95% CI: 1.86–3.07), and those with lower education (OR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.33–1.82), rural residence (OR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.49–2.38), low household income, (OR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.13–1.88), insufficient aerobic exercise (OR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.46–1.94), current smoking (OR: 1.70; 95% CI: 1.26–2.29), and diabetes (OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.09–1.51) were independently associated with a higher likelihood of insufficient resistance exercise. The association of household income, current smoking, hypertension, and diabetes with resistance exercise adherence showed differences in sex-stratified analyses. Conclusions: Multiple sociodemographic, behavioral, and comorbid factors are linked to resistance exercise adherence among older Koreans. Tailored, sex-specific interventions are needed to promote resistance exercise in this population, informing public health strategies and further research on effective approaches for diverse older adults. Full article

Background/Objectives: Phenylketonuria is a hereditary metabolic disorder characterized by a deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase. The main treatment for PKU is a phenylalanine-restricted diet. The exclusion of protein rich natural foods and inclusion of low-Phe substitutes may give rise to an imbalanced diet, and the increased risk of overweight and obesity in PKU is a cause for concern. We aimed to evaluate the body composition and nutritional biochemical biomarkers in adult PKU patients who are on Phe-restricted and essential amino acid-supplemented nutrition therapy and to investigate the relationships between these parameters and patient gender, adherence to dietary therapy, and disease type, defined as mild or classic PKU. Methods: The study group comprised 37 PKU patients and 26 healthy siblings as controls. The participants were assessed based on an analysis of anthropometric parameters, body composition, and biochemical test results. Results: PKU patients do not have a higher incidence of overweight and obesity than healthy controls, the proportion of energy derived from carbohydrates in their diets was below the recommended level, and their total energy intake was below the recommended daily allowance. It was remarkable that patients with a treatment adherence ratio of <50% displayed a higher prevalence of overweight and abdominal obesity in comparison to those with a more favorable treatment adherence ratio. Conclusions: In view of the growing prevalence of overweight in the general population, PKU patients should be kept under close long-term follow-up. Particularly in the group with low treatment compliance, more caution should be taken in terms of adverse outcomes. Full article

Background: Stress has been shown to be associated with poor nutrition among young women. However, studies around the topic have major limitations in their methodologies and the role of confounding factors within this association remains unclear in the literature. Objective: To investigate the associations between stress and dietary quality/patterns in a culturally diverse population of childbearing-aged women. Methods: A secondary analysis of data from two studies conducted in UK and Lebanon was performed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to explore the role of country context, socio-economic status, and physical variables. Participants were healthy women of childbearing age (n = 493). Variables measured were dietary intake, stress, physical activity, sociodemographic variables, and Body Mass Index. These were included in the SEM analysis to examine the mediating effect of stress. Results: The results showed that, among all variables, only country had a significant effect on dietary quality and patterns through the mediatory effect of stress. Participants from Lebanon were found to have higher stress levels compared to participants from the UK, and this contributed to a lower adherence to a Mediterranean diet. Conclusion: This study shows that for women of childbearing age, having a good diet quality/pattern is dependent on stress levels and country context. Full article

Background: Despite the benefits of physical activity (PA), Italy ranks low in leisure-time PA among European countries. Integrating virtual (VR)/enhanced (ER) reality with exercise equipment could boost PA engagement. Limited studies have explored how VR/ER-integrated cycling activity, compared to outdoor settings, influences PA among university students. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the acute effects of a brief cycling session outdoors and indoors on psychological and physiological outcomes, and secondly, investigate the potential of VR/ER-mediated nature experiences as a tool to promote green exercise. Methods: In February 2024, thirty-one subjects (20 M and 11 F; age 24.3 ± 3.2 years; BMI 23.5 ± 3.6 kg/m²) were involved in this randomized crossover-controlled trial, where they were assigned to three different conditions: ER cycling (ERC), VR cycling (VRC), and outdoor cycling (OUTC). Heart rate (HR), Physical Activity Enjoyment (PACE), Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI), and Intention to Perform Green Exercise (INT-GE) were assessed at the end of each condition. Results: The OUTC condition showed significantly greater PACE, IMI, and INT-GE than ERC/VRC (p < 0.001), lower HR_mean than ERC/VRC (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively), and lower HRmax than ERC (p < 0.05). Conclusions: VRC and ERC enhanced engagement and physiological responses during indoor cycling, but outdoor cycling offered superior benefits in motivation, enjoyment, and future engagement intentions. No significant differences were found between VRC and ERC in promoting intentions for outdoor activities, suggesting both technologies could be equally effective. Full article

Post-traumatic headache (PTH) is a common and debilitating consequence of traumatic brain injury (TBI), often resembling migraine and tension-type headaches. Despite its prevalence, the optimal treatment for PTH remains unclear, with current strategies largely extrapolated from other headache disorders. This review evaluates the use of onabotulinumtoxin A (ONA) and anti-calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in the treatment of PTH. A comprehensive literature search was conducted on PubMed, including studies published up to September 2024, focusing on the efficacy, safety, and mechanisms of onabotulinumtoxin A and anti-CGRP mAbs in PTH. Both clinical trials and observational studies were reviewed. ONA, widely recognized for its efficacy in chronic migraine, has shown limited benefits in PTH with only one trial involving abobotulinumtoxin A in a cohort of 40 subjects. A phase 2 trial with fremanezumab, an anti-CGRP monoclonal antibody, failed to demonstrate significant efficacy in PTH, raising questions about the utility of targeting CGRP in this condition. ONA may offer advantages over anti-CGRP mAbs, not only in terms of its broader mechanism of action but also in cost-effectiveness and higher patient adherence. Both ONA and anti-CGRP mAbs are potential options for the management of PTH, but the current evidence is insufficient to establish clear guidelines. The negative results from the fremanezumab trial suggest that CGRP inhibition may not be sufficient for treating PTH, whereas onabotulinumtoxin A’s ability to target multiple pain pathways may make it a more promising candidate. Full article

Urea is the primary source of nitrogen (N) used in agriculture. However, it has a high N loss potential through volatilization. Various mechanisms can be employed to reduce N volatilization losses by inhibiting urease. When added to urea, iodine (I) has high potential for this purpose. Thus, this study aimed to determine whether adding I to urea reduces volatilization losses and increases N uptake in maize plants. Maize plants were cultivated in greenhouse conditions for 36 days. Urea treatments were applied at 15 days of testing, including iodine-enriched urea, conventional urea, and no urea application. Additionally, a study concerning N volatilization from urea was conducted using the same treatments under the same environmental conditions. Iodine was incorporated and adhered to urea, at an I concentration of 0.2%, using potassium iodate (KIO₃). Under controlled conditions and over a short period of time, it was observed that the application of iodine-enriched urea increased the chlorophyll b content, root N accumulation, and total N accumulation in maize plants compared with conventional urea. Moreover, iodine-enriched urea reduced N losses from volatilization by 11% compared with conventional urea. The reduction in N volatilization correlated positively with the increased chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, root N accumulation, and total N accumulation favored by the iodine-enriched urea treatment. Our findings demonstrated that adding I to urea is an efficient and promising strategy to reduce N losses and increase N uptake in plants. Full article