Discussion on protein recommendations for supporting muscle and bone health in older adults: a mini review.

Muscle and bone tissues are interconnected, and both rely on an adequate protein intake. Recommendations for protein intake for older adults specifically vary across countries. The purpose of this narrative review is to discuss the existing evidence for protein recommendations for supporting muscle and bone health in older adults and to evaluate if a protein intake above the current population reference intake (PRI) for older adults would be scientifically justified.

The Nutritional Benefit of UV-Exposed Mushrooms for the Dutch Population: Modeling the Addition of UV-Exposed Mushrooms to the Diet.

Background: Mushrooms are rich in fiber and vitamins B and vitamin D when exposed to UV light and are sometimes used as a meat substitute. A modeling study showed that adding a mushroom portion (84 g/d) to the diet of an American population caused a significant improvement in the intake of several nutrients.

Objective: To study the association between habitual intake of mushrooms and nutrient intake and to assess the change in micronutrient intake with the modeled addition of 60 or 84 grams of UV-exposed mushrooms to the diet of the Dutch population, with a subanalysis on subjects with a low animal: plant protein ratio.

Protein intake and bone mineral density: Cross-sectional relationship and longitudinal effects in older adults.

Background: There are several mechanisms via which increased protein intake might maintain or improve bone mineral density (BMD), but current evidence for an association or effect is inconclusive. The objectives of this study were to investigate the association between dietary protein intake (total, plant and animal) with BMD (spine and total body) and the effects of protein supplementation on BMD.

Methods: Individual data from four trials that included either (pre-)frail, undernourished or healthy older adults (aged ≥65 years) were combined.

[Dairy products help aged care residents to maintain strong bones].

A well-performed and large intervention study by Iuliano et al. showed that protein and calcium supplementation via regular dairy products reduces the risk of fractures and falls in vitamin D replete older adults in aged care facilities. The study was performed in Australia, which raises the question whether their intervention might also be effective in aged care facilities in the Netherlands.

Validation of the Dutch-Language Version of the Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction Score in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD), like fecal incontinence and constipation, is a common symptom of disease in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The NBD score is a validated symptom-based questionnaire consisting of 10 multiple-choice questions. The aim of this study was to validate the Dutch version of the NBD score in patients with MS, creating an objective measuring tool of bowel dysfunction.

The Association between Malnutrition and Physical Performance in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.

In recent years the focus of healthcare and nutritional science in older adults has shifted from mortality towards physical performance and quality of life. The aim of this review was to summarize observational studies on physical performance in malnourished (MN) or at risk of malnutrition (RMN) older adults compared with well-nourished (WN) older adults. Eligible studies had to report on nutritional status and objectively measured physical performance in older adults (≥60 y).

Impact of magnesium on bone health in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Magnesium plays a key role in bone health and may, therefore, represent an interesting nutrient for the prevention of bone loss and osteoporosis. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the impact of magnesium intake from any source on bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), bone turnover markers, and fracture risk in older adults.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted using Embase, Medline Ovid and Cochrane Central from database inception to October 2020.

Neurogenic bowel dysfunction score in spinal cord-injured patients: translation and validation of the Dutch-language NBD score.

Study Design: This is a prospective validation study.

Objectives: The neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) score is a widely used symptom-based questionnaire evaluating bowel dysfunction and its impact on quality of life (QoL) in spinal cord-injured patients. This study aimed to translate and validate a Dutch-language NBD score in patients with SCI.

A systematic review and activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis of the central innervation of the lower urinary tract: Pelvic floor motor control and micturition.

Purpose: Functional neuroimaging is a powerful and versatile tool to investigate central lower urinary tract (LUT) control. Despite the increasing body of literature there is a lack of comprehensive overviews on LUT control. Thus, we aimed to execute a coordinate based meta-analysis of all PET and fMRI evidence on descending central LUT control, i.

Hip Fracture Patients in Geriatric Rehabilitation Show Poor Nutritional Status, Dietary Intake and Muscle Health.

The aim of this study was to gain insight into the nutritional status, dietary intake and muscle health of older Dutch hip fracture patients to prevent recurrent fractures and to underpin rehabilitation programs. This cross-sectional study enrolled 40 hip fracture patients (mean ± SD age 82 ± 8.0 years) from geriatric rehabilitation wards of two nursing homes in the Netherlands.

A Combined Nutrition and Exercise Intervention Influences Serum Vitamin B-12 and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Bone Turnover of Healthy Chinese Middle-Aged and Older Adults.

Background: Hong Kong faces several public health problems including malnutrition and osteoporosis. Considering the typical Chinese diet and overall low physical activity levels of Chinese adults, timely interventions to improve nutritional status and bone health are needed.

Objectives: We examined the effects of a nutrition plus exercise intervention on serum vitamin B-12 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], bone turnover markers, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations in apparently healthy Chinese middle-aged and older adults.

Recent advances in neuroimaging of bladder, bowel and sexual function.

Purpose Of Review: In this review, we summarize recent advances in the understanding of the neural control of the bladder, bowel and sexual function, in both men and women.

Recent Findings: Evidence of supraspinal areas controlling the storage of urine and micturition in animals, such as the pontine micturition centre, emerged in the early 20th century. Neurological stimulation and lesion studies in humans provided additional indirect evidence for additional bladder-related brain areas.

Single subject and group whole-brain fMRI mapping of male genital sensation at 7 Tesla.

Processing of genital sensations in the central nervous system of humans is still poorly understood. Current knowledge is mainly based on neuroimaging studies using electroencephalography (EEG), magneto-encephalography (MEG), and 1.5- or 3- Tesla (T) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), all of which suffer from limited spatial resolution and sensitivity, thereby relying on group analyses to reveal significant data.

Acute effect of sacral neuromodulation for treatment of detrusor overactivity on urodynamic parameters.

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the acute effects of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) on various urodynamic parameters.

Methods: Patients with overactive bladder and detrusor overactivity (DO) who were planned for percutaneous nerve evaluation (PNE) were included. Directly after the PNE, a urodynamic study (UDS) was performed.

Whole brain 7T-fMRI during pelvic floor muscle contraction in male subjects.

Aim: The primary aim of this study is to demonstrate that 7-tesla functional magnetic resonance imaging (7T-fMRI) can visualize the neural representations of the male pelvic floor in the whole brain of a single subject.

Methods: In total, 17 healthy male volunteers (age 20-47) were scanned in a 7T-MRI scanner (Philips Achieva). The scanning protocol consisted of two functional runs using a multiband echo planar imaging sequence and a T1-weighted scan.

High Versus low Dietary Protein Intake and Bone Health in Older Adults: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Protein may play a beneficial role in the prevention of bone loss and in slowing down osteoporosis. The effect of dietary protein may be different in older adults compared to younger adults, since this population has a greater need for protein. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the impact of a dietary protein intake above the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of 0.

The validation of the Dutch OAB-q SF: An overactive bladder symptom bother and health-related quality of life short-form questionnaire.

Aims: The overactive bladder quality of life short-form questionnaire (OAB-q SF) evaluates both symptom bother and health-related quality of life in patients with OAB, a highly prevalent disease. The objective of this study was to translate and validate a Dutch version of the OAB-q SF.

Methods: The translation into Dutch and validation process of the OAB-q SF was performed according to standardized guidelines.

Long-term results of continent catheterizable urinary channels in adults with non-neurogenic or neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction.

To evaluate the long-term results after the construction of a Continent Catheterizable Urinary Conduit (CCUC) in adults. This study retrospectively reviewed the charts of 41 adults from two tertiary centers who received a CCUC. The demographics, underlying diseases, indications for a CCUC and outcomes such as the reoperation rate and the occurrence of complications were extracted.

Paediatric tracheostomy and ventilation home care with challenging socio-economic circumstances in South Africa.

Background: Children discharged home with a tracheostomy need a safe home environment and access to health care. We described the indications, clinical characteristics, socio-economic circumstances and outcomes of children enroled in a tracheostomy home care programme in South Africa.

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of children receiving a tracheostomy and enroled in the Breatheasy programme at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town.

Measurement and interpretation of skin prick test results.

Background: There are several methods to read skin prick test results in type-I allergy testing. A commonly used method is to characterize the wheal size by its 'average diameter'. A more accurate method is to scan the area of the wheal to calculate the actual size.

The effectiveness of stenting of coarctation of the aorta: a systematic review.

Aims: Stent placement as treatment for coarctation of the aorta (CoA) has become a more common choice in the last 20 years. Clinical results of CoA stenting are usually reported in small retrospective case series. This systematic review provides an overview of clinical experience with stenting for CoA.