Impacts of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the dietary practices of university students in Germany

PurposeThe dietary practices (DPs) of university students are influenced by many external factors. Therefore, we investigate how the DPs of students in Germany changed during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, what the main motivations were for those changes, and what effect the closure of university catering had on the DPs of students.MethodsA total of 560 students from two universities in Lübeck (Germany) were surveyed online during a pilot phase. The final online questionnaire was subsequently administered at 10 other German universities (399 respondents). The questionnaire surveyed sociodemographic factors, dietary habits, food consumption frequencies, and the relevance of university catering before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.ResultsRegarding changes in DPs, similarities to previous studies were found, especially positive eating behaviors and an increasing interest in health- and nutrition-related sustainability. Students prepared meals freshly more often during the pandemic; consumed legumes, plant-based meats and dairy alternatives more often; and reduced their consumption of meat and milk compared to before the pandemic. The consumption frequency of sweets also decreased. It was observed that students consider eating communal in the university canteen to be highly relevant for their social interactions, which was only possible to a limited extent during the pandemic.ConclusionIn Germany, the DPs of university students as well as criteria regarding health and sustainability changed during the first 2 years of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The social aspect of DPs became evident due to closed university catering. Still, changes in dietary patterns and eating habits were positively related to health and revealed some differences in the cross section of the population

Inadequate Choline Intake in Pregnant Women in Germany

Choline is an essential nutrient that is involved in various developmental processes during pregnancy. While the general adequate choline intake (AI) for adults has been set at 400 mg/day by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), an AI of 480 mg/day has been derived for pregnant women. To date, the choline intake of pregnant women in Germany has not been investigated yet. Therefore, in this survey, the total choline intake from dietary and supplementary sources in pregnant women was estimated using an online questionnaire. A total of 516 pregnant women participated in the survey, of which 283 met the inclusion criteria (13 to 41 weeks of gestational age, 19–45 years). 224 (79%) of the participants followed an omnivorous diet, 59 (21%) were vegetarian or vegan. Median choline intake was 260.4 (±141.4) mg/day, and only 19 women (7%) achieved the adequate choline intake. The median choline intake of omnivores was significantly higher than that of vegetarians/vegans (269.5 ± 141.5 mg/day vs. 205.2 ± 101.2 mg/day; p < 0.0001). 5% (13/283) of pregnant women took choline-containing dietary supplements. In these women, dietary supplements provided 19% of the total choline intake. Due to the importance of choline for the developmental processes during pregnancy, the study results prove the urgent need for an improved choline supply for pregnant women

App-Based Lifestyle Intervention (PINK! Coach) in Breast Cancer Patients—A Real-World-Data Analysis

Introduction: Overweight and a lack of physical activity not only increase the risk of recurrence in breast cancer patients but also negatively impact overall and long-term survival, as well as quality of life. The results presented here are the first real-world data from the DiGA PINK! Coach examining the physical activity and BMI of app users. Based on the literature, an approximate weight gain of 10% over 6 months and a decrease in physical activity can be expected. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively investigate the effects of the PINK! Coach in a real-world setting on patients’ BMI and physical activity level during acute therapies. such as chemotherapy (CHT) and antihormone therapy (AHT). Material and Methods: The PINK! Coach app accompanies breast cancer patients during and after acute therapy to bring about a sustainable lifestyle change. The patients are encouraged to establish a healthy diet, become physically active, and make informed decisions. In this study, real-world data from the app were analyzed over 6 months from baseline to T1 (after 12 weeks) and T2 (after 24 weeks). The patients were under acute therapy or in follow-up care receiving either CHT or AHT. Results: The analyzed data indicate that all patients were able to maintain a consistent BMI over 6 months independent of pre-defined subgroups such as AHT, CHT, or BMI subgroups. In the subgroup of patients undergoing AHT, overweight patients were even able to significantly reduce their BMI by 1-score-point over 6 months (p p = 0.01). All patients were also able to significantly increase their daily step count as well as their physical activity minutes per day. After the first 12 weeks, 41.4% of patients experienced weight gain, 33.4% were able to maintain their weight, and 24.2% reduced their weight. Conclusion: The presented data provides intriguing insights into the users of the PINK! Coach app and the impact of this usage in regards to BMI and physical activity. At the current time, there are only a few effective concepts for encouraging all breast cancer patients to engage in moderate physical activity and reduce body weight. Often, these concepts apply to selected patient groups. The data presented here include all age groups, tumor stages, and therapies, providing an initial insight into a comprehensive approach. Data over an even longer period would be one way to better contextualize the results in current research

How prepared are we for cross-border outbreaks? An exploratory analysis of cross-border response networks for outbreaks of multidrug resistant microorganisms in the Netherlands and Germany

Background The emergence and spread of multidrug resistant microorganisms is a serious threat to transnational public health. Therefore, it is vital that cross-border outbreak response systems are constantly prepared for fast, rigorous, and efficient response. This research aims to improve transnational collaboration by identifying, visualizing, and exploring two cross-border response networks that are likely to unfold during outbreaks involving the Netherlands and Germany. Methods Quantitative methods were used to explore response networks during a cross-border outbreak of carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae in healthcare settings. Eighty-six Dutch and German health professionals reflected on a fictive but realistic outbreak scenario (response rate 70%). Data were collected regarding collaborative relationships between stakeholders during outbreak response, prior working relationships, and trust in the networks. Network analysis techniques were used to analyze the networks on the network level (density, centralization, clique structures, and similarity of tie constellations between two networks) and node level (brokerage measures and degree centrality). Results Although stakeholders mainly collaborate with stakeholders belonging to the same country, transnational collaboration is present in a centralized manner. Integration of the network is reached, since several actors are beneficially positioned to coordinate transnational collaboration. However, levels of trust are moderately low and prior-existing cross-border working relationships are sparse. Conclusion Given the explored network characteristics, we conclude that the system has a promising basis to achieve effective coordination. However, future research has to determine what kind of network governance form might be most effective and efficient in coordinating the necessary cross-border response activity. Furthermore, networks identified in this study are not only crucial in times of outbreak containment, but should also be fostered in times of non-crisis

High-Dose Spermidine Supplementation Does Not Increase Spermidine Levels in Blood Plasma and Saliva of Healthy Adults: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Pharmacokinetic and Metabolomic Study

(1) Background: Spermidine is a biogenic polyamine that plays a crucial role in mammalian metabolism. As spermidine levels decline with age, spermidine supplementation is suggested to prevent or delay age-related diseases. However, valid pharmacokinetic data regarding spermidine remains lacking. Therefore, for the first time, the present study investigated the pharmacokinetics of oral spermidine supplementation. (2) Methods: This study was designed as a randomized, placebo-controlled, triple-blinded, two-armed crossover trial with two 5-day intervention phases separated by a washout phase of 9 days. In 12 healthy volunteers, 15 mg/d of spermidine was administered orally, and blood and saliva samples were taken. Spermidine, spermine, and putrescine were quantified by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The plasma metabolome was investigated using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics. (3) Results: Compared with a placebo, spermidine supplementation significantly increased spermine levels in the plasma, but it did not affect spermidine or putrescine levels. No effect on salivary polyamine concentrations was observed. (4) Conclusions: This study’s results suggest that dietary spermidine is presystemically converted into spermine, which then enters systemic circulation. Presumably, the in vitro and clinical effects of spermidine are at least in part attributable to its metabolite, spermine. It is rather unlikely that spermidine supplements with doses <15 mg/d exert any short-term effects

Table_2_A nutritional supplement based on a synbiotic combination of Bacillus subtilis DSM 32315 and L-alanyl-L-glutamine improves glucose metabolism in healthy prediabetic subjects – A real-life post-marketing study.docx

IntroductionImpaired glucose homeostasis is a significant risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases, whereas the efficacy of available standard therapies is limited, mainly because of poor adherence. This post-marketing study assessed the glucose-lowering potential of a synbiotic-based formulation.MethodsOne hundred ninety-two participants were enrolled in a digital nutrition program with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and received a study product comprising Bacillus subtilis DSM 32315 and L-alanyl-L-glutamine. Participants underwent a first sensor phase without supplementation, followed by a 14-day supplementation phase without sensor, and completed by a second sensor phase while continuing supplementation. Fasting glucose levels were determined before and after supplementation by CGM. In addition, the postprandial glycemic response to an oral glucose challenge, body weight, HbA1c concentrations, and BMI was analyzed. Subgroup analyses of subjects with elevated glucose and HbA1c levels vs. normoglycemic subjects were performed.ResultsSupplementation with the study product resulted in significant improvements in glucose parameters (delta values: fasting glucose –2,13% ± 8.86; iAUC0–120 –4.91% ± 78.87; HbA1c: –1.20% ± 4.72) accompanied by a significant weight reduction (−1.07 kg ± 2.30) in the study population. Subgroup analyses revealed that the improvements were mainly attributed to a prediabetic subgroup with elevated fasting glucose and HbA1c values before supplementation (delta values: fasting glucose −6.10% 4± 7.89; iAUC0–120 –6.28% ± 115.85; HbA1c −3.31% ± 4.36; weight: −1.47 kg ± 2.82).ConclusionThis study indicates that the synbiotic composition is an effective and convenient approach to counteract hyperglycemia. Further placebo-controlled studies are warranted to test its efficacy in the treatment of cardiometabolic diseases.</p