Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency in 2015: The Impact of Novel Intravenous Lipid Emulsions.

The fatty acids, linoleic acid (18:2ω-6) and α-linolenic acid (18:3ω-3), are essential to the human diet. When these essential fatty acids are not provided in sufficient quantities, essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD) develops. This can be suggested clinically by abnormal liver function tests or biochemically by an elevated Mead acid and reduced linoleic acid and arachidonic acid level, which is manifested as an elevated triene/tetraene ratio of Mead acid/arachidonic acid.

Energy requirements and the use of predictive equations versus indirect calorimetry in critically ill patients.

Nutrition support has been shown to have a positive impact on critically ill patients who meet their defined goals of nutrition therapy. However, inappropriate energy assessment can contribute to under- or overfeeding resulting in deleterious effects. Thus, assessment of energy expenditure in critically ill patients is crucial to prevent negative impacts from inappropriate feeding.

Amoebic liver abscess in USA: a population-based study of incidence, temporal trends and mortality.

Background: Amoebic liver abscess (ALA) may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality, but nationwide American data is unavailable. Our objective was to describe ALA epidemiology and outcomes in USA from a population-based perspective.

Methods: Patients hospitalized with ALA between 1993 and 2007 were identified using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample.

A population-based study of pyogenic liver abscesses in the United States: incidence, mortality, and temporal trends.

Objectives: Few population-based studies have evaluated pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) in North America. We assessed the incidence of PLA and evaluated predictors of mortality.

Methods: We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample to identify all patients with discharges for PLA (ICD-9 572.

Secreted bioactive factors from Bifidobacterium infantis enhance epithelial cell barrier function.

Live probiotic bacteria are effective in reducing gut permeability and inflammation. We have previously shown that probiotics release peptide bioactive factors that modulate epithelial resistance in vitro. The objectives of this study were to determine the impact of factors released from Bifidobacteria infantis on intestinal epithelial cell permeability and tight junction proteins and to assess whether these factors retain their bioactivity when administered to IL-10-deficient mice.