Effects of n-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation on Plasma Phospholipids Fatty Acid Composition in Patients with Obstructive Jaundice- a Pilot Study

Nutritional and immunological status of patients with obstructive jaundice is usually severely altered, with high mortality rates. The n-3 polyunsaturate fatty acids (PUFA), particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 n-3), posess potent immunomodulatory activities. Thus, our aim was to compare the plasma phospholipid fatty acid (FA) composition of these patients with healthy subjects, as well as before and after 7 days preoperative supplementation with high doses of EPA (0.9 g per day) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3, 0.6 g per day). We found impaired FA status in obstructive jaundice patients, especially EPA, DHA and PUFA, but significantly increased content of total n-3 FA, 22:5 n-3 FA and particularly EPA, which increased more than 3 fold, after 7 days supplementation. In addition, the n6/n3 ratio significantly decreased from 14.24 to 10.24, demonstrating severely improved plasma phospholipid profile in these patients after the intervention

Tillage and Soil Amendments Effect on Soil Physical Properties and Yield of Oats (Avena sativa L.) in Organic Farm in Mediterranean Croatia

Organic agriculture represents sustainable and environmentally friendly soil management. Nevertheless, this kind of management requests high level of knowledge due to limitations in use of agrochemicals. Proper agro-technical measures are especially important on organic farms on degraded saline-sodic soils in Mediterranean. In this paper, we study the impact of two tillage managements (disc-harrow – DH and disc-harrow with ripping – DH+RIP) and three selected treatments on soil physical properties in saline-sodic soils of River Raša valley, Croatia. Treatments were: control, G6+OM (6 t ha-1 gypsum + 40 t ha-1 farmyard manure) and G6S2 (6 t ha-1 gypsum + 2 t ha-1 sulphur). Results show that DH+RIP treatment recorded lower bulk density, penetration resistance and higher air filled porosity compared to DH treatment. Soil amendments also show implications on soil physical properties. Lowest compaction was noted at G6+OM, while control treatment recorded the highest. Yields of oat were generally low due weed infestation. DH+RIP treatments showed 15% higher yields compared to DH treatments. Amendments also recorded different response on oat yield. G6+OM treatment recorded 34% higher yields of oats compared to control, while G6S2 treatment recorded 82% of grain yields compared to control. This can be justified by the period between sulphur application into this treatment and sowing date, which was too short. Research should be continued with expanded monitoring of soil hydraulic properties, carbon dynamics, soil structure and aggregate stability in order to find most appropriate and sustainable soil management on saline-sodic soils under organic production in Mediterranean

Dietary assessment methods used for low-income populations in food consumption surveys: a literature review

In order to assess nutritional adequacy, reliable estimates of nutrient intake are required. Specifically, the EURopean micronutrient RECommendations Aligned (EURRECA) Network of Excellence needs clear guidelines oil methods suitable for assessing micronutrient intakes among vulnerable population groups. The objective of this project was to collect, evaluate data and review the suitability of methods used to assess dietary intake of low-income groups across Europe. A comprehensive literature review methodology was employed, which involved structured search MEDLINE, from 1990 to 2008, oil (nutrient intake methods) and (validity terms) and (human Studies) and finally (low-income terms). In addition, manual searches were conducted for published books and national studies. Seven Studies satisfied the selection criteria for inclusion in the review in which four dietary intake methods had been described and validated. Three other studies found in (lie grey literature used similar methods. Only one Study tested a variety of methods to assess reliability and the method preferred by those having low incomes. Preferred methods were 24 h recalls and a FFQ which, compared with the weighed inventory, also yielded higher estimates of energy and nutrient intakes. Many of the methods used in low-income populations have not been subjected to evaluation and consequently may not demonstrate sensitivity and/or Specificity When used in this population. Based oil One Study only, four multiple-pass 24 h recalls are recommended as the most appropriate method for the evaluation of nutritional adequacy in low-income households

Some Aspects of Natural Resources Management Based On Cost-Benefit Analysis

The strategy of managing natural resources must take into account all assets and resources, human, physical and natural capital, and financial and monetary assets. There are benefits and costs associated with changing the capital stock of natural resources.natural resources management, cost-benefit analysis, sustainable development

Relationship Between Socio-Demographic Characteristics, Reproductive Health Behaviors, and Health Literacy of Women in Serbia

Introduction: Health literacy of women can significantly affect different aspects of reproductive health. The aim of this study was the assessment of relationship of health literacy, socio-demographic characteristics and reproductive health behaviors of women in Serbia. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study on a random sample of women aged 18 and over from the territories of three Serbian regions, stratified according to age groups, region and type of settlement. A standardized version of the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q47) was used in assessing health literacy of women. Results: Based on the calculated index of health literacy, 9.6% of respondents had inadequate health literacy. Inadequate levels of health literacy were more common in women living in rural areas (OR = 1.111) and the poorer classes (OR = 5.122). Employed women (OP = 1.249), with good health (OR = 1.512) with a degree (OR = 1.535) had bigger odds to have adequate health literacy. Multivariate regression analysis showed the following significant predictors: commitment to the chosen gynecologist (OR = 1.530), contraceptive use (OR = 1.020), knowledge of the damages that could be caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) (OR = 1.578), awareness of vaccine availability against HPV infection (OR = 1.217) and following the health-related topics (OR = 2.350). Conclusion: Limited levels of health literacy were significantly higher among middle-aged women, among those living in rural areas, among women who rated their health as poor or very poor, and who exhibited more negative patterns of reproductive health behavior, indicating the need for implementation of prevention programs and strategies with the aim of increasing the level of health literacy

Adverse plasma fatty acid composition in patients with femoral neck fracture

© 2020, Canadian Science Publishing. All rights reserved. Our study aimed to examine the status of plasma fatty acids (FAs), inflammatory markers, and lipid peroxidation in patients with femoral neck fractures. The study included 20 patients (64–86 years) with femoral neck fractures indicated for surgery and a control group of 17 elderly subjects without fractures or serious chronic diseases. Plasma was obtained during the first 12 h postfracture and presurgery and 7 days postop. Compared to the control, patients had significantly higher saturated FA (SFA) and monounsaturated FA as well as increased TNF-α and IL-6. Opposite to that, levels of individual and total n-6 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA), individual and total n-3 PUFA, n-6/n-3 ratio, and levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were markedly lower in the patient than in the controls. On the seventh day after the surgery, we showed a further rise in the SFA, oleic acid, and TNF-α and reductions of n-6 PUFA and IL-6. Taken together, our results suggest that altered FA status, especially reduced PUFA, may influence hip fracture repair and even contribute to femoral fracture susceptibility in the elderly. A potential benefit from nutritional intervention with PUFA in prevention and (or) fracture healing should be considered

Effects of different pufa supplementation on inflammatory response markers in young soccer players

© 2015, University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Science. All rights reserved. Considering the limited knowledge regarding the effects of n-3 and n-6 PUFAs on the inflammatory response during physical activity, we aimed to evaluate the level of pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines in young soccer players before and after a maximal physical load test at the beginning and end of a two-month training process. The study included 75 young footballers from Football School “Kragujevac,” who were followed during the two-month training programme. The subjects were divided into the following groups: 1) control group (consumed a standard diet); 2) group that consumed fish oil (2500 mg of n-3 PUFAs per day); 3) group that consumed nutritional sunflαower oil (2500 mg of n-6 PUFAs daily). The maximal progressive exercise test was performed using a treadmill belt. Venous blood samples were drawn 4 times for the determination of cytokine levels (IL-6 and TNF-α): before and after the exercise load test before the two-month training programme (initial measurement) and immediately before and after the exercise load test after the two-month training programme (control measurement). Supplementation with fishoil (n-3) has been associated with reduced levels of IL-6 compared with the initial values. After an acute bout of exercise, n-3 PUFAs did not show a significant effect on inflammatory marker dynamics, whereas n-6 PUFAs slightly stimulated the production of TNF-α

Neuroinflammation in autism and supplementation based on omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: A narrative review

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests and activities. The maternal status of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) regulates microglial activity and neuroinflammatory pathways during a child’s brain development. In children with ASD, the metabolism of PUFA is thought to be deficient or abnormal, leading to increased production of proinflammatory cytokines, increased oxidative stress and an imbalance in the formation and action of neurotransmitters. In addition, nutritional deficits in omega-3 PUFA may affect gut microbiota and contribute to ASD by the gut–brain axis. The aim of this study was to review the possible role of neuroinflammation in ASD development and the effect of omega-3 PUFA supplementation in children with ASD. Due to a wide heterogeneity across RCTs, no definitive conclusion about omega-3 PUFA effects in ASD can be drawn. Supplemen-tation with PUFA could be considered as one of the aspects in regulating the biological status of the organism and could provide added value to standard medical and psychological interventions for reducing behavioral deficits

Adverse plasma fatty acid composition in patients with femoral neck fracture

Our study was aimed to examine the status of plasma fatty acids (FAs), inflammatory markers and lipid peroxidation in patients with femoral neck fractures. Study included 20 patients (64-86 years) with femoral neck fractures, indicated for surgery, and control group of 17 elderly subjects, without fractures or serious chronic diseases. Plasma was obtained during the first 12 hours postfracture and presurgery, and 7 days postop. Compared to control, patients had significantly higher saturated FA (SFA) and monounsaturated FA, as well as increased TNF-α and IL-6. In opposite, levels of individual and total n-6 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA), individual and total n-3 PUFA, n-6/n-3 ratio and levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were markedly lower in the patient than controls. On the 7th day after the surgery we showed a further rise in the SFA, oleic acid and TNF-α, and reductions of n-6 PUFA and IL-6. Taken together our results suggest that altered FA status, especially reduced PUFA, may influence hip fracture repair and even contribute to femoral fractures susceptibility in the elderly. Potential benefit from nutritional intervention with PUFA in prevention and/or fracture healing should be considered.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author