Background and Objective: Refeeding syndrome (RFS) is a potentially life-threatening metabolic complication that can develop following the reintroduction of nutrition in malnourished patients. It is characterized by shifts in fluid and electrolyte balance, particularly involving phosphorus, potassium and magnesium. Patients with upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancers may be particularly vulnerable to RFS because of inadequate nutritional intake, gastrointestinal obstruction, cancer-related cachexia and treatment-associated complications. This study was designed to evaluate changes in anthropometric and biochemical parameters associated with nutritional repletion in patients with upper GI cancer undergoing postoperative nutritional support between January 2022 and January 2025. Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center, Peshawar and included 97 adults with upper GI cancer who underwent surgery and received postoperative enteral or parenteral nutritional support. Weight, BMI and serum concentrations of sodium, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus were assessed before and after nutritional repletion. Paired t-tests were used to evaluate pre- and post-repletion changes, while Pearson correlation analysis was performed to assess relationships between pre- and post-repletion values. Results: Following nutritional repletion, significant decreases were observed in weight (−2.77 kg, p<0.001), BMI (-1.21 kg/m², p<0.001), serum potassium (-0.19 mmol/L, p<0.05) and phosphorus (-0.51 mmol/L, p<0.001). Serum sodium and magnesium levels remained stable. Strong positive correlations were observed between pre- and post-repletion measurements for weight (r = 0.95, p<0.001) and BMI (r = 0.96, p<0.001), while a moderate positive correlation was observed for phosphorus (r = 0.55, p<0.001). Conclusion: Patients with upper GI cancer demonstrated significant anthropometric and biochemical changes following nutritional repletion, particularly reductions in body weight, BMI, serum potassium and phosphorus concentrations. These findings highlight the importance of careful assessment of refeeding risk, gradual advancement of nutritional support and close monitoring of electrolyte levels in this vulnerable population.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the nutritive composition and anti-nutritional factors of Ocimum gratissimum (scent leaf) to assess its nutritional quality and potential health implications when consumed as a vegetable. Materials and Methods: Fresh leaves of Ocimum gratissimum were analyzed using standard analytical procedures to determine their proximate composition, mineral content and anti-nutritional constituents, including oxalate, nitrate and cyanide. Results: The proximate analysis revealed that Ocimum gratissimum leaves contained 77.70% moisture, 3.14% ash, 4.09% crude fat, 5.36% crude protein, 5.48% crude fibre, 4.23% carbohydrate and an energy value of 314.36 kJ. Mineral analysis showed calcium and magnesium contents of 15.00 mg/100 g and 23.00 mg/100 g, respectively. The low sodium-to-potassium (Na/K) ratio suggests that consumption of the leaves may not predispose individuals to hypertension. Furthermore, the levels of oxalate, nitrate and cyanide were found to be below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limits. Conclusion: The findings indicate that Ocimum gratissimum leaves are a nutritionally valuable vegetable with low levels of anti-nutritional factors. The consumption of scent leaf is therefore unlikely to pose health risks and may contribute beneficially to dietary mineral and nutrient intake.
Background and Objective: In ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, low zinc levels can worsen gastrointestinal symptoms. However, there is ongoing debate regarding zinc levels in individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between dietary habits and serum zinc levels in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) during remission and to identify potential factors contributing to zinc deficiency in this population. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at two hospitals, including 60 patients with IBD and 30 healthy controls. All participants completed a dietary questionnaire and serum zinc levels were measured. Results: Patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis had significantly lower serum zinc levels compared to the control group. Regression analysis identified two significant determinants of lower zinc levels: being female and having any form of IBD. Conclusion: The study found that female sex and the presence of any form of IBD were associated with lower serum zinc levels. Dietary intake did not significantly influence zinc levels. It may be crucial to monitor zinc levels in IBD patients, particularly women, for proper management.
Objective: This study was carried out to evaluate the proximate composition and microbial assessment of bread produced from composite flours of wheat, mung bean and watermelon rind. Materials and Methods: The wheat, mung bean and watermelon rind were blended in the ratios of 90:5:5, 80:10:10, 70:15:15, 60:20:20 and 50:25:25 used for the production of bread while 100% wheat bread was made and use as a control. The proximate and storage condition of bread samples were determined using standard methods. Results: Based on the proximate composition it was observed that the samples increased from 8.11-8.61%, the moisture content increased from 2.18-2.69%, ash content increased from 3.37-4.19%, crude fibre increased from 3.60-4.43% and fat increased from 9.18-18.42%, respectively with increased substitution of mung bean and watermelon rind flours, while carbohydrate and energy content decreased. The control (100% wheat bread) had the highest carbohydrate (73.57%) and energy (363.98 KJ/100 g). There was a rise in total viable count from 0.62-1.80 cfu/g along with no increase in coliform and fungal. Conclusion: The proximate contents of bread could be enhanced by substituting wheat flour with malted mung bean and watermelon rind flour at different graded levels in the production of breads.
Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the fodder yield and nutritive values of maize and wheat under hydroponic conditions as affected by sources of water and days to harvest. Materials and Methods: A randomized complete block design with a 2×3 factorial arrangement was used to study the three sources of water [nutrient solution (NS), borehole water (BW) and fish hatchery wastewater (FHW)] and three days to harvest [8, 10 and 12] after sowing with five replicates. At harvest, fodder samples were oven-dried at 70°C for 48 hours, milled and subjected to chemical analyses. The Crude protein (CP) content recorded from both fodders varied (p<0.05) from 9.31-11.43%. Neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre from both fodders also ranged from 55-62 and 33-39%, respectively. Results: Organic matter digestibility (OMD) declined with delayed harvesting for both fodders. The OMD ranged from 65-81% for maize and from 53-71% for wheat fodder. The highest metabolizable energy was recorded at 10 and 8 days after sowing (DAS) using FHW and BW for maize and wheat, respectively. Conclusion: It can be concluded from this study that hydroponic fodder production from maize and wheat is possible between 8-12 DAS but for fodder optimum yield and nutritive value, the fodder is best harvested at 8-10 DAS, using NS for maize, as well as BW and FHW for wheat.
Background and Objective: The problem of food insecurity and malnutrition, although international in scope, affects poor countries located mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and more importantly, rural populations, without concealing the consequences of these scourges. The nutritional situation of Beninese children in rural areas is not at its best. It is at the root of low enrolment rates, including its negative impact on local development. The results of this research had shown that school canteens can help to improve living conditions, thus contributing to local development. In this way, the introduction of canteens aims to combat school wastage and thus encourage children to stay in school. Assessing the nutritional status of children benefiting from school canteens aims to ensure that they receive adequate nutrition to support their health, well-being and academic success. The aim of this study was to help improve the health of children in elementary school through their catering by assessing the nutritional status of elementary school children in the Atlantic department. Materials and Methods: The equipment used to carry out this study consisted of scales, a metre for measuring anthropometric parameters in accordance with WHO standard practice and a survey form. To measure weight, a Seca mechanical scale accurate to 0.01 kg was used and the children wore their khaki outfits but removed their shoes. For height, a portable stadiometer accurate to 0.001 m was used. Pupils' ages were obtained from their birth certificates and, if these were not available, the date of birth was reported either by the parents, teachers or principals, or by the pupils themselves. It is therefore possible that the data collected may contain errors, These included errors in reading measurements, non-compliance with certain rules for proper measurement and age estimation in children without birth certificates. The parameters studied were: Weight, height, median cranial and gill circumference of schoolchildren. Results: It was observed that the median of all parameters from the start of the canteens onwards increased significantly after the resumption of school canteens (p<0.05). This study has shown the important role played by school canteens in local development. School canteens are more than just strategic instruments, they are a lever for development. School canteens help to improve conditions of physical and mental well-being and hence learning, for schoolchildren. In fact, the provision of food in schools has a dual effect: On the one hand, the nutrition and health of pupils is improved; on the other, canteens make a major contribution to keeping pupils, especially young girls, in the classroom. Conclusion: Canteens improve academic performance and reduce school dropouts. The advantages of school canteens are well known and in order to supply agricultural products to the canteens, the supply mechanism must be defined clearly and formally.
Background and Objective: Women's quality of life can be affected by biological and social changes during menopause. This study was undertaken to assess the nutritional status of women in the pre and post-menopausal stage among teaching staff of Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State. Methodology: A total of 120 menopausal women were stratified using age (30 years and above) and were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Data on socio-economic and demographic profiles, physical activity and incidence of non-communicable diseases were collected using a well semi-structured questionnaire. The nutritional status of the respondents was determined using anthropometric indices (height, weight, waist and hip circumference) while BMI and waist-hip ratio was calculated using standard procedures. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. All statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20.0 for windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: Results showed that majority of the respondents (87.70%) were between 30-45 years, while 13.30% were between 46 years and above. Most of the respondents (62.24%) do not engage in any exercise activity, while 37.76% engaged in moderate exercise. The BMI of the respondents revealed that 13.3, 33.41 and 52.5% were normal, overweight and obese, respectively. The mean BMI of the respondents was 27.474.35, mean waist-hip ratio (WHR) of the respondents was 0.830.04. Conclusion: A high prevalence of abdominal obesity was observed. There is a need to sensitize the women on the intake of nutrient-dense foods (calories) and also involved in physical activity in order to prevent non-communicable diseases.
Background and Objective: Acute ischemic stroke induces metabolic and biomolecular changes, resulting in brain functional disorders and morphological damage as well as increased production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The antioxidant defense system in stroke includes glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and nuclear erythroid-related factor 2 (Nrf2), with glutathione playing a vital role in reducing ROS levels. This study aimed to assess the correlation between serum GPx and Nrf2 levels and clinical improvement in acute ischemic stroke patients receiving glutathione supplementation. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at Dr. Kariadi Hospital, Semarang, from September 2021 to January 2022, with acute ischemic stroke patients diagnosed through head CT as the study population. Serum GPx and Nrf2 levels were collected within <72 hrs of stroke onset and clinical outcomes were evaluated using National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Data normality was examined using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Correlation and association were tested using Spearman correlation and Mann-Whitney U test, respectively. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: From a total of 40 subjects, serum GPx and Nrf2 levels were significantly elevated in the treatment group compared to controls (p = 0.000 and p = 0.030, respectively). A significant positive correlation was observed between elevated serum GPx levels and clinical improvement (r = 0.464, p = 0.039), while no significant correlation was found between Nrf2 levels and clinical improvement (r = -0.033, p = 0.889). Conclusion: In conclusion, there was a positive correlation between elevated serum GPx levels and clinical improvement in acute ischemic stroke patients receiving glutathione supplementation. The same could not be said regarding Nrf2 levels. These findings emphasize the potential of GPx as a therapeutic target in stroke management.
Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant properties of watermelon juice preserved with citric acid extracted from June plum. Materials and Methods: The Box-Behnken experimental design of response surface methodology was employed in the experimental design. The independent variables for watermelon juice preserved with citric acid were citric acid concentration (0.5-10 g), pasteurization time (10-20 sec), storage temperature (0-30°C) and pasteurization temperature which was kept constant at 75°C. To make watermelon juice, the fruit was washed, diced, juiced and pasteurized (75°C) to ensure safety and extend shelf life. As part of the production process for citric acid crystals from June plum, pH was adjusted, filtration was performed, CaCl2 was added, heating, acidification and evaporative crystallization occurred. Results: The dependent variables: phenolic acid, flavonoid, vitamin A, Vitamin C and E and lycopene ranged from 0.54-1.14 mg GAE/100 mL, 3.15-3.84 μg QE mL–1, 1.71-1.87 mg, 8.10-9.66 mg, 3.06-3.37 mg, 3.80-4.56 mg L–1, respectively. Conclusion: The research findings revealed that the antioxidant properties of the watermelon juice were strongly affected by citric acid extracted from June plum.
