UNASSIGNED: Sleep problems challenge overall wellbeing. Magnesium has been implicated to benefit sleep, although the clinical evidences varied based on the magnesium source used. Magnesium L-threonate (MgT) is a promising intervention due to its brain bioavailability and effects on cognition, memory and mood. We investigated MgT supplementation on sleep quality and daily function.
UNASSIGNED: Eighty 35-55-year-olds with self-assessed sleep problems participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm study, taking 1 g/day of MgT or placebo for 21 days. Sleep and daily behaviors were measured subjectively using standardized questionnaires including the Insomnia Severity Index, Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire, and Restorative Sleep Questionnaire, and objectively using an Oura ring. The Profile of Mood States questionnaire and a daily diary were used to evaluate mood, energy and productivity, and record any safety concerns.
UNASSIGNED: The MgT group maintained good sleep quality and daytime functioning, while placebo declined. From objective Oura ring measurements, MgT significantly (p < 0.05) improved vs placebo deep sleep score, REM sleep score, light sleep time, and activity and readiness parameters activity score, activity daily movement score, readiness score, readiness activity balance, and readiness sleep balance. From subjective questionnaires, MgT significantly (p < 0.05) improved vs placebo behavior upon awakening, energy and daytime productivity, grouchiness, mood and mental alertness. MgT was safe and well tolerated.
UNASSIGNED: This showed MgT improved sleep quality, especially deep/REM sleep stages, improved mood, energy, alertness, and daily activity and productivity. These are consistent with how MgT works in neuron cells and animal models, suggesting broader positive impacts on overall brain health.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the effects of nutritional therapy in adult patients with severe burns.
METHODS: Sixty adult patients with severe burns were enrolled. Data on nutritional intake through enteral nutrition (EN) or parenteral nutrition (PN) on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 post-injury were collected. Patients were divided into target and non-target groups according to whether their energy or protein intake reached the target. Age, length of ventilation, and total bilirubin (TBIL), albumin (ALB), prealbumin (pALB), and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations of patients were recorded.
RESULTS: The percentage of protein targets with protein delivery was lower than that of energy target with energy delivery. The ratio of PN protein to total protein was lower than that of PN energy to total energy on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 (p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.001, and p=0.003, respectively). Compared to the non-target group on day 21, the target group was younger, had lower TBIL on day 7, higher ALB and pALB on day 21, and lower CRP on day 14 (p=0.025, p=0.021, p=0.028, p=0.029, and p=0.049, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that older age and longer ventilation were independent risk factors in patients who did not meet the nutritional target on day 21 (p=0.026 and p=0.043, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: The protein intake of adult patients with severe burns was low. Compared to the non-target group, the target group had better laboratory test results. Older age and longer ventilation were independent risk factors for patients not meeting the nutritional target.

This study investigates the feasibility of implementing a solar-assisted adsorption chiller in an industrial building at the Oriental Weavers International factory located in 10th of Ramadan City, Cairo, Egypt. The objective is to replace an inefficient split air conditioning system currently used to cool the Jacquard units during carpet manufacturing. The research begins by analyzing the performance of the existing cooling system to establish a baseline. It then explores the potential energy savings achievable by replacing the current system with a solar-assisted adsorption chiller. The existing oversized boiler will serve as an auxiliary heater for the new system. TRNSYS simulation tools are employed to model the building, simulate its thermal performance, and develop a solar-assisted cooling system. A parametric analysis investigates the impact of varying collector area and hot/cold-water storage tank volumes on key energy performance indicators. This analysis aims to determine the optimal component sizes needed for efficient system operation. Results indicate that a collector area of 90 m2 offers the optimal balance between performance and cost. There are minimal benefits to increasing the collector area beyond 100 m2. Larger hot water storage tanks demonstrate reduced outlet temperatures, reaching a maximum solar fraction at a capacity of 4 m³. The impact of cold-water storage tank volume on the system is minimal. The economic assessment reveals a payback period of 7.6 years, an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 14.3 %, and a Return on Investment (ROI) of 34.5 % over a 10-year period, indicating the financial viability of the proposed system. Furthermore, the solar-assisted adsorption chiller system has the potential for substantial environmental benefits. The system has the capacity to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 7200 metric tons. This highlights not only the technical feasibility of the system but also its economic and environmental advantages.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the differences in estimated food, energy, and nutrient intakes between the consecutive 3 days 24-hour dietary recall(24HR)(referred to as the 3-day method) and consecutive 2 days 24HR(referred to as the 2-day method) to provide a basis for the use of consecutive 2 days 24HR in China nutrition surveillance.
METHODS: Using objective sampling to select participants in northern and southern provinces, dietary data were obtained through consecutive 3 days 24HR, and the average intakes of food, energy and nutrients were calculated for three days from Thursday to Saturday and two days on Friday and Saturday, respectively. The 3-day method was considered as the reference standard method to evaluate the performance of the 2-day method for estimating food, energy and nutrient intakes.
RESULTS: Among 778 participants aged 18-60 years in urban and rural areas of two provinces, the errors of the mean and median of 2-day method for estimating the intake of four major food categories less than 6% compared with the 3-day method, and there were significant equivalencies(P<0.025) and no significant differences in four major food categories group(P>0.05). Of the 24 food groups estimated by the 2-day method, 17 had mean errors within 5%, the largest error was in animal offal(13.45%) and the smallest in fruit(0.15%), and there were significant equivalencies(P<0.025) and no significant differences in seven food groups(P>0.05). For energy and nutrients, the mean and median errors of energy were less than 0.5% and there were significant equivalencies(P<0.025) and no significant differences for energy(P>0.05). Among the 25 nutrients, except sodium, iodine and vitamin E, the mean and median errors of the other 22 nutrients were less than 5%, and there were significant equivalencies(P<0.025) and no significant differences in 16 nutrients(P>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: There was little difference between the two survey method in assessing the intake of high consumption frequency foods, energy and most nutrients at group level, the 2-day method can be used as an alternative to the 3-day method to collect dietary intake data with high consumption rates in the population.

BACKGROUND: In intensive care units, it is noticeable that there is intensive use of resources in the treatment and care process, leading to a significant amount of waste generation. In addition, the demand for intensive care, increasing life expectancy and surgical interventions, complex comorbidities and ecological crisis make it necessary to make critical care more sustainable.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the perspectives of nurses working in surgical intensive care units regarding responsible medical waste management, energy and medication consumption.
METHODS: This qualitative descriptive study was conducted in surgical intensive care units of a university hospital in Turkey in November 2023. Twenty-three nurses filled in an introductory form and participated in a semi-structured interview. Data were analysed using inductive content analysis.
RESULTS: Three main themes were determined: environmentally sustainable intensive care, prevention of waste in intensive care; responsible consumption and recycling; suggestions for institutional and individual behavioural change regarding environmental sustainability.
CONCLUSIONS: The majority of nurses lack knowledge about sustainable development goals. However, in the intensive care unit, they provided effective and creative solutions for medical waste management, energy and medication consumption and individual and institutional behavioural change regarding environmental sustainability.
CONCLUSIONS: Sustainability strategies should be created in institutions to ensure responsible medical waste management, energy and medicine consumption and reduce carbon footprint. In accordance with this purpose, \'Green teams\' including unit-based doctors, nurses and paramedics should be established. Training should be provided and awareness should be raised to reduce energy use resulting from heating, lighting, ventilation and air conditioning.

UNASSIGNED: The multinational, open-label COMPLETE study (NCT03835715) investigated the effectiveness of vortioxetine in alleviating emotional blunting in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) experiencing inadequate response and emotional blunting while being treated with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). This paper presents results for the subgroup of patients enrolled in Spain.
UNASSIGNED: Patients with MDD (n = 67) experiencing partial response and emotional blunting during monotherapy with an SSRI or SNRI were switched to vortioxetine (10-20 mg/day) for 8 weeks. The primary study outcome was emotional blunting, assessed by the Oxford Depression Questionnaire (ODQ).
UNASSIGNED: After 8 weeks of vortioxetine, the mean (SE) change in ODQ total score from baseline was -26.0 (2.9) (P < 0.001). Respective changes in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Motivation and Energy Inventory, Digit Symbol Substitution Test, and Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) total scores were -14.9 (0.8), +34.2 (4.5), +6.3 (1.6), and ‒9.0 (1.3) (all P < 0.001 vs baseline). At week 8, 70.4% of patients no longer reported emotional blunting and 53.7% had achieved remission from their depressive symptoms (defined as a MADRS total score ≤10). Mediation analysis showed 77.1% of the change in SDS total score to be a direct effect of the improvement in ODQ total score after switching to vortioxetine. Adverse events were reported by 35 patients (52.2%), most commonly nausea (14 patients, 20.9%). At week 8, 33/54 patients (61.1%) were receiving vortioxetine 20 mg/day.
UNASSIGNED: In this study investigating the effectiveness of vortioxetine in Spanish patients with MDD who experienced inadequate response and emotional blunting on SSRI/SNRI monotherapy, significant improvements in emotional blunting, core depressive symptoms (including anhedonia), sleep duration, motivation and energy, cognitive performance, and overall patient functioning were observed during the 8 weeks of treatment. Two-thirds of patients no longer reported emotional blunting and over half were in remission from their depressive symptoms at week 8.

This study focuses on enhancing the pozzolanic activity of bentonite through heat treatment to improve its compressive strength, while also considering its expansion properties for applications. Sodium bentonite was subjected to various temperatures and analyzed using thermogravimetric-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The results indicated that at 100 °C, adsorbed and interlayer water in montmorillonite was lost, and constitution water was eliminated at 700 °C. With further temperature increases, montmorillonite decomposes into an amorphous phase at 900 °C. At 1100 °C, the amorphous phase recrystallized into magnesium-aluminum silicate, which further decomposed into cristobalite. The study concludes that bentonite heat-treated at 800-900 °C can be effectively used as an additive in mining backfill materials to enhance compressive strength while maintaining its expansion properties.

This study aimed to determine changes in energy and nutrient intakes over three consecutive days, including the day of the shift, and the days before and after the shift, in healthcare workers working in a 24 h shift system. This study is an observational follow-up study conducted with a total of 500 volunteer healthcare professionals. Food consumption records were taken over 3 consecutive days: pre-shift (off day), shift day (24 h shift), and post-shift (off day). Mean daily intakes of energy, carbohydrate, protein, fat, saturated fat, caffeine, vitamins B1, B2, niacin, B6, folate, and B12, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc are listed from highest to lowest as shift day > pre-shift > post-shift (p < 0.05 for all pairwise comparisons). While fiber, vitamin C, and calcium intakes were similar on the shift day and pre-shift day, they were significantly lower on the post-shift day (p < 0.05). The lowest dietary reference intake percentages on the post-shift day were calcium, fiber, and folate, respectively. In the present study, significant differences were detected in the energy, micronutrient-intake, and macronutrient-intake levels between the pre-shift day, shift day, and post-shift day of healthcare workers. Awareness should be increased regarding the decreased nutrient intake seen especially on the first day after a 24 h shift, and appropriate precautions should be taken to increase calcium, fiber, and folate intake levels.

UNASSIGNED: When examining the underlying processes of obesity, evaluation of gut flora and energy homeostasis can be crucial since disruption of the normal gut microbiota community and energy imbalances are significant factors in the development of obesity. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the relative abundance of important obesity modulator gut microbiota (including Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Bifidobactrium spp., Lactobacillus spp., Bacteroides fragilis, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Akkermansia muciniphila, and Escherichia coli) in fecal samples of normometabilic and hypometabolic overweight/obese individuals.
UNASSIGNED: This matched case-control study conducted on 36 healthy women aged 18-50 years old. An indirect calorimeter and impedance body analyzer were used to assess resting metabolic rate (RMR) and body composition, respectively. Dietary intake and physical activity were assessed using questionnaires. To determine the abundance of the abovementioned gut microbiota, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method was performed. Moreover, ELISA kits were used to assess leptin, ghrelin, and insulin hormones.
UNASSIGNED: The results highlighted higher load of Firmicutes (p = 0.02), F. prausnitzii (p < 0.001), and B. fragilis (p = 0.02) in the normometabolic individuals compared to the hypometabolic ones. Besides, the positive correlation between the abundance of Firmicutes (β = 7.76 × 10-1, p = 0.01), F. prausnitzii (β = 1.29 × 10-5, p = 0.01), and B. fragilis (β = 4.13 × 10-6, p = 0.04) with the RMR have been shown. Whereas the abundance of Bacteroidetes, A. muciniphila, Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobactrium spp., and E. coli showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) and no significant correlation with the RMR except Lactobacillus spp. (β = 1.73 × 10-4, p = 0.01).
UNASSIGNED: It seems that gut microbiota can be a potential target for refining host energy homeostasis and treating obesity and its consequences.

OBJECTIVE: Lifestyle modification involving active engagement of specialised dietitian with diet and exercise education, can be effective as first-line treatment for diabetes.
METHODS: 192 patients were enrolled with diabetes in a randomised controlled trial and followed up for one year. Ninety-four patients in the intervention group participated in a comprehensive structured diet and exercise education conducted by a specialised dietitian at ambulatory centre in the United Arab Emirates.
RESULTS: The mean difference in the change in body mass index between study groups at study exit and baseline was statistically significant (BMI difference = -1.86, 95 % CI -2.68 - -1.04, P < 0.01). The intervention group reported significant decrease in total carbohydrate and daily energy intake compared to baseline (173.7 g vs 221.1 g and 1828.5 kcal vs 2177.9 kcal, respectively). Moreover, the mean metabolic equivalents (METs) in the intervention group increased significantly at study exit from baseline compared to control group METs, with mean difference between all between-group differences after baseline of 0.63 (95 % 0.29 - 0.97, P < 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: Structured diet and exercise counselling by specialised dietitian in ambulatory settings significantly reduced carbohydrate and daily energy intake, with improved anthropometric measurements and physical activity.