Identifying biomarkers for tDCS treatment response in Alzheimer's disease patients: a machine learning approach using resting-state EEG classification.

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a promising treatment for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). However, identifying objective biomarkers that can predict brain stimulation efficacy, remains a challenge. The primary aim of this investigation is to delineate the cerebral regions implicated in AD, taking into account the existing lacuna in comprehension of these regions.

Nutritional status influences generic and disease-specific quality of life measures in haemodialysis patients.

Background: Poor nutritional status and worse healthrelated quality of life (QoL) have been reported in haemodialysis (HD) patients. The utilization of generic and disease specific QoL questionnaires in the same population may provide a better understanding of the significance of nutrition in QoL dimensions.

Objective: To assess nutritional status by easy to use parameters and to evaluate the potential relationship with QoL measured by generic and disease specific questionnaires.

[What is the relevance of nutrition in oncology?].

Cancer has an increasingly significant impact on society, being a highly destabilizing factor in the life of any patient. The disease as well as anti-neoplastic treatments can profoundly alter biological functions and, remarkably, the patients' nutritional status. Thus, Nutrition is a key factor in oncology, by influencing the development of the disease, cancer related symptoms, the response to, and recovery from treatment(s), and therefore determining the patients' Quality of Life and probably prognosis.

[Food for health: primary-care prevention and public health--relevance of the medical role].

Each individual is unique, with genetic factors that interact with a particular environment. Therefore, the daily energy requirements should be calculated individually and have to consider the several factors which influence them: basal metabolic rate, diet-induced thermogenesis, physical activity, specific diseases, among other factors. Food provides macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins and lipids, as well as micronutrients: vitamins, minerals and oligoelements, which should be eaten daily in the recommended amounts during the life cycle, e.

[The relevance of body composition in cancer patients: what is the evidence?].

In the past few years, there has been a growing interest on body composition changes of cancer patients. Muscle mass and fat mass are pointed out as the most important compartments from a physiological point of view, as their changes are the ones with the most impact on disease. The excess of fat mass is related with increased risk of incidence and recurrence of some types of cancer, and some studies identify it as a major contributing factor for increased morbidity and mortality in cancer patients.

[What is the nutrition and lifestyle profile in oncology patient? Cross-sectional study].

Background: Cancer aetiology is multifactorial and risk factors include: obesity, central adiposity, sedentarism, excessive or deficient intake of foods and/or nutrients with pro-carcinogenic effects vs protective ones.

Objectives: To evaluate the pattern of nutritional status, life styles, physical activity and diet in a cohort of cancer patients.

Methods: This pilot cross-sectional study was conducted in 64 patients referred for radiotherapy at the Radiotherapy Department of the University Hospital of Santa Maria (CHLN).

[Research training in nutrition: relevance for medical clinical pratice].

Introduction: In oncology, early and individualized nutritional intervention for each patient is essential to improve nutritional intake and status, to reduce morbidity during treatment, enhance tolerance to treatment and improve Quality of Life.

Objectives: For medical students to evaluate nutritional risk and status, analyse the prevalence of undernutrition in a population of patients with diverse types of tumours. We aimed to identify difficulties regarding the use of the MUST tool (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool) for nutritional risk by the students.

Does the simultaneous tumor necrosis factor receptor 2, tumor necrosis factor promoter gene polymorphism represent a higher risk for alcoholic liver disease?

Background And Aim: Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is a proinflammatory cytokine that seems to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). TNF-alpha exerts its effects by binding to specific receptors (TNFR); the polymorphism of TNFRII T587G has been associated with increased TNF apoptotic response and its presence may increase the risk to develop liver disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of the TNF-alpha G238A promoter and TNFRII polymorphisms, individually or simultaneously, in ALD.

Iron homeostasis and H63D mutations in alcoholics with and without liver disease.

Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of HFE gene mutation and indices of disturbed iron homeostasis in alcoholics with and without liver disease.

Methods: One hundred and fifty-three heavy drinkers (defined as alcohol consumption > 80 g/d for at least 5 years) were included in the study. These comprised 78 patients with liver disease [liver disease alcoholics (LDA)] in whom the presence of liver disease was confirmed by liver biopsy or clinical evidence of hepatic decompensation, and 75 subjects with no evidence of liver disease, determined by normal liver tests on two occasions [non-liver disease alcoholics (NLDA)], were consecutively enrolled.

Blood oxidative stress markers in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and how it correlates with diet.

Objective: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a common condition that can progress to endstage liver disease. The steatotic liver seems to be particularly susceptible to oxidative stress damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the redox state in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and its correlation with dietary intake.

Dietary intake adequacy and cognitive function in free-living active elderly: a cross-sectional and short-term prospective study.

Background & Aims: Adequate dietary intake might prevent cognitive decline among ageing subjects; hence, the relationships between dietary intake and cognitive function in a sample of non-institutionalized active elderly were assessed.

Methods: Total 187 subjects aged over 65. Dietary intake was assessed using a three-day record and cognitive function using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE).

[Quality of life in gastrointestinal cancer: what is the impact of nutrition?].

Introduction: Nutrition and Quality of Life (QoL) are key issues.

Aims: 1) to evaluate Quality of Life (QoL), nutritional status and dietary intake, taking into account the stage of disease and therapeutic interventions, 2) to determine potential inter-relations, 3) to quantify the relative contributions of cancer/nutrition/treatments on QoL.

Methods: In 184 oesophagus, stomach and colon/rectum cancer patients, the following were evaluated: QoL (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire), nutritional status (% weight loss over the previous 6 months), usual diet (diet history), current diet (24 hr recall) and a range of clinical variables.

Tube feeding in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients: a prospective clinical audit.

Background: When and whether early enteral nutrition (EN) benefits critically ill patients is debatable. This prospective clinical audit aimed to evaluate the feasibility of an early EN protocol and to identify factors that may hinder EN delivery in critically ill patients.

Methods: Thirty-six medical patients with severe respiratory failure under invasive ventilation and scheduled to receive early EN, with a length of ICU stay >72 hours, were included.

Impact of nutrition on outcome: a prospective randomized controlled trial in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy.

Background: We aimed to determine the effect of dietary counseling or oral supplements on outcome for patients with cancer, specifically, nutritional outcome, morbidity, and quality of life (QOL), during and 3 months after radiotherapy.

Methods: Seventy-five patients with head and neck cancer who were referred for radiotherapy (RT) were randomized to the following groups: group 1 (n = 25), patients who received dietary counseling with regular foods; group 2 (n = 25), patients who maintained usual diet plus supplements; and group 3 (n = 25), patients who maintained intake ad lib. Nutritional intake (determined by diet history) and status (determined by Ottery's Subjective Global Assessment), and QOL (determined by the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire version 3.

Dietary counseling improves patient outcomes: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial in colorectal cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.

Purpose: To investigate the impact of dietary counseling or nutritional supplements on outcomes in cancer patients: nutritional, morbidity, and quality of life (QoL) during and 3 months after radiotherapy.

Patients And Methods: A total of 111 colorectal cancer outpatients referred for radiotherapy, stratified by staging, were randomly assigned: group 1 (G1; n = 37), dietary counseling (regular foods); group 2 (G2; n = 37), protein supplements; and group 3 (G3; n = 37), ad libitum intake. Nutritional intake (diet history), status (Ottery's Subjective Global Assessment), and QoL (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire version 3.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NAFLD/NASH): diagnosis and clinical course.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a frequent syndrome encompassing fatty liver alone and steatohepatitis (NASH). Often asymptomatic, the suspicion arises because of abnormal aminotransferases or a bright liver on abdominal ultrasound. It should be suspected during evaluation of associated conditions as obesity, diabetes or dyslipidaemia.

Cancer: disease and nutrition are key determinants of patients' quality of life.

Goals Of Work: The aims of this study were (1) to evaluate quality of life (QoL), nutritional status and dietary intake taking into account the stage of disease and therapeutic interventions, (2) to determine potential interrelationships, and (3) to quantify the relative contributions of the cancer, nutrition and treatments on QoL.

Patients And Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study conducted in 271 head and neck, oesophagus, stomach and colorectal cancer patients, the following aspects were evaluated: QoL (EORTC-QLQ C30), nutritional status (percent weight loss over the previous 6 months), usual diet (comprehensive diet history), current diet (24-h recall) and a range of clinical variables.

Main Results: Usual and current intakes differed according to the site of the tumour ( P=0.

Survey on the current practice of nutritional therapy in Portugal.

Background & Aims: This survey aimed to provide a nationwide overview about the current practice of nutrition.

Methods: Questionnaires designed by the Portuguese Association of Parenteral Enteral Nutrition were sent, with postage-paid addressee envelopes, to all hospitals and primary-care institutions.

Results: Hospitals' response rate was 44/100 (44%), reaching 274/359 (60%) in primary care, P=0.

Increased homocysteine and S-adenosylhomocysteine concentrations and DNA hypomethylation in vascular disease.

Background: The pathogenic mechanism of homocysteine's effect on cardiovascular risk is poorly understood. Recent studies show that DNA hypomethylation induced by increases in S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy), an intermediate of Hcy metabolism and a potent inhibitor of methyltransferases, may be involved in homocysteine-related pathology.

Methods: We measured fasting plasma total Hcy (tHcy), AdoHcy, and S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) and methylation in leukocytes in 17 patients with vascular disease and in 15 healthy, age- and sex-matched controls.