Immune-enhancing formulas for patients with cancer undergoing esophagectomy: Systematic review protocol

In the paper by Astrid Naranjo et al, “Immune-Enhancing Formulas for Patients With Cancer Undergoing Esophagectomy: Systematic Review Protocol” (JMIR Res Protoc 2017;6(11):e214), mistakes were made when listing the authors’ degrees. Laisa Teleni’s highest qualification was incorrectly listed as PhD. The correct degrees for Laisa Teleni are “BBiomedSci (Hon), MND”. Elisabeth Isenring’s degrees were incorrectly listed as “BHSc (Nut &amp; Diet, Hons 1, GradCertHighEd)”. The correct degrees for Elisabeth Isenring are “BHSc (Nut &amp; Diet, Hons 1), PhD”. The affiliations of the authors have not been changed. The corrected article will appear in the online version of the paper on the JMIR website on April 27, 2018, together with the publication of this correction notice. Because this was made after submission to PubMed, Pubmed Central, and other full-text repositories, the corrected article also has been re-submitted to those repositories.</p

Glucose Metabolism in Sheep Fed Grass Supplemented with Gliricidia Sepium

The limiting factor on improving ruminant production for most of the available feed in developing countries are low in quality. Therefore high fibre diet must be supplemented by high nutritivefeed such as leguminous trees that much available in those regions. Gliricidia sepium was one of very potential candidates. Glucose as a major energy source in fed animals required precursor in form of propionat and amino acids from diet. Those precursors might be supplied by these legume leaves. The aim of this research was to investigate the glucose metabolism in the sheep fed grass supplemented by Gliricidia sepium. Fifteen sheeps (18 months old) were used in the experiment. Theseare were divided into three groups that fed by experimental diet of Mitchell grass (MG group), Gliricidia(GS group), and MG supplemented with GS (MGGS group). D-[U-14C]glucoseinfusate was infused continuously through the left jugular venous catheter of each animal to measure glucose metabolism in those sheeps. The measurements were done on feed utilisation and glucose metabolism. The results indicated that there was an improvement in efficiency of feed utilisation in the MGGS group as reflected by lower feed conversion ratio by the group. Plasma glucose concentration profile per unit of OM intake were similar for GS and MGGS groups, but higher than that in the MG group (P&lt;0.01). Glucose entry rate (GER) increased in MG group through GS to the MGGS group, while N retention accordingly was increased. It can be concluded that theutilization of GS by the ruminant animal could be improved by feeding it with a low quality feed at a ratio of 40:60 (GS:Low quality feed) to achieve an NI:DOMI ratio of 0.03 - 0.04. This improvement would be manifested in increasing DOMI, with subsequent increase in GER or net protein deposition as might be expressed in positive N retention. Received: 8 October 2014; Revised: 12 December 2014; Accepted: 24 December 2014 

Ovulation rate of ewes : role of energy and protein

Western Australia\u27s sheep farmers are familiar with the low ovulation rate of Merino ewes and how this limits the lambing performance of ewe flocks. One way in which ovulation rate and therefore lambing percentage may be increased is to feed seed of sweet lupin (Lupinus augustifolius) to ewes at mating. However, Department of Agriculture research has found that these increases do not show up consistently, and that there is considerable variability between farms. If improved nutrition is to be a useful way to increasing ovulation rate, the mechanism by which nutrition affects ovulation rate must first be understood. This article describes the initial stages of a Department of Agriculture research programme designed to investigate this biological phenomenon. The question asked first was which of the many nutrients provided by lupin seed was the one responsible for the increase in ovulation rate? This was tackled by measuring the amount of each major nutrient available to sheep when lupins were given as a supplementary feed. These nutrients were then given one by one, in a purified form, to sheep to determine which nutrients resulted in increased ovulation rate

Amino Acids Metabolism in the Muscle of Sheep fed with Mitchell Grass Hay Supplemented with Gliricidia sepium

Leaf of Gliricidia sepiumcontains high amino acid that required for protein synthesis in the muscle. Supplementation of the legume leaves to low quality basal diet would improves amino acids amount to obtain an optimum growth of animal. The aim of experiment was to investigate the effect of Gliricidia sepium leaves supplementation to low quality basal diet on protein synthesis in muscle of animal. Eighteen sheeps were divided into three groups based on live weight (27.6 ± 1.72, 27.1 ± 2.26 and 27.5 ± 1.56 kg) of feed treatment, namely Mitchell grass hay (MG), Gliricidia (GS),and haycombined with Gliricidia (MGGS). All the dietwas offered with the amount was determined to meet the maintenance metabolizable energy (ME) requirement of the animals. Feed utilization and amino acid metabolism in muscle of sheep was measured with radioactively labeled leucine, water and sodium bicarbonate. Results indicated that sheepin MG group had a negative energy balance, whereas sheep in MGGS group had the highest amount of ME available for growth. The rate of protein synthesis was higher in the MGGS group and tended to take up these amino acids in their hind-limb muscles, while animalsin MG and GS groups tended to have net outputs of amino acids from their hind-limb muscles. Animals in the MGGS group synthesised more protein in their muscle than those in the GS and MG groups. It was concluded that the supplementation of Gliricidia at a ratio of 40:60improved feed utilization of low quality basal diet. The improvement would be manifested in better digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) with subsequent better utilization of amino acids

Serum vitamin D decreases during chemotherapy: an Australian prospective cohort study

Background and Objectives: Vitamin D plays an important role in bone and muscle function, and cell prolifera-tion. The impact of chemotherapy and associated behavioural changes such as fatigue and sun avoidance on vit-amin D (25(OH) D) is unknown. This study aims to evaluate variations in serum vitamin D during chemotherapy and the predictive value of latitude, season and pre-existing vitamin D deficiency. Methods and Study Design: A 12-week prospective cohort study was conducted in chemotherapy-naïve patients in two Australian locations with different sun exposure. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as ≤ 25 nmol/L and insufficiency 26-50 nmol/L 25(OH) D. Demographics, chemotherapy regimen, nutritional status, sun exposure, geographic location, and sea-son were collected at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks after commencing chemotherapy. Results: Eighty-five patients (μ55.3±13.4 years of age; 49% female) were recruited, 96% Caucasian. Fifty-four patients were treated with cura-tive intent (mostly for breast [n=29] or colorectal [n=12] cancers). At baseline, 10 patients were vitamin D defi-cient and 33 were insufficient. Mean serum 25(OH) D (nmol/L) was higher at latitude -27.5o (Brisbane) than lati-tude -34.9o (Adelaide) (μ61.9±22.1 vs μ42.2±19.2, p < 0.001) and varied according to season (spring: μ46.9±20.3, summer: μ50.8±18.2, autumn: μ76.4±25.2, winter: μ36.5±15.7, p < 0.001). Serum 25(OH) D decreased with chemotherapy (baseline: μ49.2±22.3, 6-weeks: μ40.9±19.0, 12-weeks: μ45.9±19.7, p=0.05), with a significant and more rapid decline in winter and autumn (p=0.03). Conclusions: Chemotherapy is associated with a decrease in serum vitamin D, particularly during winter and autumn. Investigations into the underlying mechanism and as-sociated potential outcomes with this decrease requires further investigation

Clinical management of financial toxicity - identifying opportunities through experiential insights of cancer survivors, caregivers, and social workers

Perspectives of cancer survivors, caregivers, and social workers as key stakeholders on the clinical management of financial toxicity (FT) are critical to identify opportunities for better FT management. Semi-structured interviews (cancer survivors, caregivers) and a focus group (social workers) were undertaken using purposive sampling at a quaternary public hospital in Australia. People with any cancer diagnosis attending the hospital were eligible. Data were analysed using inductive-deductive content analysis techniques. Twenty-two stakeholders (n = 10 cancer survivors of mixed-cancer types, n = 5 caregivers, and n = 7 social workers) participated. Key findings included: (i) genuine concern for FT of cancer survivors and caregivers shown through practical support by health care and social workers; (ii) need for clarity of role and services; (iii) importance of timely information flow; and (iv) proactive navigation as a priority. While cancer survivors and caregivers received financial assistance and support from the hospital, the lack of synchronised, shared understanding of roles and services in relation to finance between cancer survivors, caregivers, and health professionals undermined the effectiveness and consistency of these services. A proactive approach to anticipate cancer survivors’ and caregivers’ needs is recommended. Future research may develop and evaluate initiatives to manage cancer survivors and families FT experiences and outcomes