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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2026

An expanded breakfast buffet increases daily energy and protein intakes in hospitalised patients: A prospective crossover quality improvement study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Inadequate dietary intake remains common during hospitalisation. Ordinary hospital meals are central to nutritional intake, but their contribution depends on what is offered and what patients are able and willing to eat. We evaluated whether a preference-informed, limited expansion of the hospital breakfast buffet could increase total daily energy and protein intakes. METHODS: This prospectively structured, ward-based crossover quality-improvement study was conducted in seven inpatient wards at a tertiary university hospital. Each ward was observed for four consecutive days and randomly allocated to begin with standard or expanded breakfast, after which conditions alternated daily. The expanded buffet consisted of standard breakfast supplemented with familiar energy- and protein-rich foods selected from previous patient-choice data. Twenty-four-hour intake was registered using component-level weighed food records during the day and nursing registration overnight. Primary outcomes were total daily energy and protein intakes. Linear mixed-effects models adjusted for observation day and ward-level starting sequence and accounted for repeated patient observations and ward-level clustering. Analyses used data from patients who consumed breakfast and contributed analysable observations under both breakfast conditions. RESULTS: The primary crossover population included 71 patients contributing 188 analysable patient-days. Compared with standard breakfast, the expanded breakfast increased total daily energy intake by +198 kcal/day (95% CI 44 to 352) and protein intake by +6.8 g/day (95% CI 1.0 to 12.5), without a statistically significant increase in total food weight. Daily energy and protein adequacy increased by +8.7 and + 6.8 percentage points, respectively. The increase was driven mainly by breakfast intake, with no measurable reduction in non-breakfast intake. CONCLUSIONS: A limited expansion of the ordinary hospital breakfast buffet increased total daily energy and protein intakes in the primary crossover population of hospitalised adults who consumed breakfast. This increase occurred without a statistically significant increase in total food weight or a measurable reduction in non-breakfast intake. Small, preference-informed additions of familiar energy- and protein-rich foods at breakfast may improve daily intake by increasing the nutrient yield of foods patients are able or willing to eat.

Humans↗
PubMed1977

Improved quality control of blood acid-base equilibrium using the daily mean of patients' results: a validation study.

The efficiency of the daily mean of patients' results as a quality control tool for acid-base equilibrium has been studied in three one-month periods. Results for the first two periods were obtained in a stable patient population using tonometry in one period, direct measurement of PCO2 in the other; the third period corresponded to another patient population in which PCO2 was determined by direct measurement. These comparisons allowed demonstration that both methodology and patient populations influenced the optimal truncation limits used to exclude extreme values. Furthermore, the efficiency of the daily mean in itself was poor. Using a cusum plot of the differences of each daily mean from the monthly mean of the daily means, however, dramatically improved this efficiency. So modified, quality control using the daily mean of patients' results represents a useful tool, since the whole analytic process, from blood sampling to result, is checked.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed2025

Genetic basis and role of exotic accessions in cultivated cotton fiber quality improvement.

Exotic Gossypium accessions still harbor QTL&#x2011;validated alleles that, combined with CRISPR pyramiding and genomic selection, can break the entrenched fiber length-strength trade&#x2011;off. Cotton's four independent domestications twice in diploids and twice in allotetraploids offer a natural experiment in fiber improvement. Synthesizing three decades of data, we chart how polyploidy, selection and modern breeding have repeatedly reshaped the Gossypium genome. More than 15,000 quantitative trait locus (QTL) and genome wide association mapping studies (GWAS) hits converge on a handful of chromosomal "hotspots"; new MAGIC, NAM, NIL and long-read resources now narrow these peaks to&#x2009;<&#x2009;200&#xa0;kb, resolving causal genes such as GhHOX3, GhZF14 and GhMYB7. Multi-omics evidence links auxin, ethylene, gibberellin, brassinosteroid and strigolactone signaling to HDZIP IV, MYB, bHLH/HLH and ERF networks that drive fiber initiation, extreme cell elongation and cellulose deposition. Population genomics shows that&#x2009;~&#x2009;40% of favorable fiber alleles are fixed in elite Gossypium hirsutum, yet wild diploids and landraces still harbor variants that could break the length strength trade-off. We propose a three-step roadmap genomic selection, CRISPR gene pyramiding and accelerated introgression to expand cotton's genetic base and deliver fibers suited to sustainable textile demands.

Gossypium↗
PubMed2026

Improved quality of life and prolonged survival with add-on homeopathic treatment in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, three-arm, multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Alongside conventional anticancer treatment, add-on homeopathy might help to alleviate adverse effects of conventional therapy. AIM: The aim of this study was to replicate previous studies on the effect of adjunctive homeopathy on quality of life (QoL) and survival in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. METHOD: In this prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, three-arm multicenter phase III study with quadruple-checked data analysis, we investigated the potential effects of an add-on homeopathic treatment compared to placebo in patients with stage IV NSCLC in terms of QoL. Ninety-eight received either individualized homeopathic medicinal products (HMPs; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;51) or placebo (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;47) in a double-blinded fashion. Fifty-two control patients without homeopathic treatment were only observed in terms of their survival rate. The ingredients of the various HMPs were mainly prepared of plant, mineral, or animal origin. The data entry and statistical analysis were subject to an exceptional quadruple-checked data analysis process. The analysis presented in this article was inspired by our earlier report of this trial published in The Oncologist in 2020, which was retracted by that journal in November 2025 after two corrections; a majority of the co-authors disagreed with this decision. The present article is based on the same trial dataset but was deliberately designed to highlight the unique research methodology: design and preparation by a lead statistician, data entry, data clearing and independent statistical evaluation were performed in four mutually independent steps, reporting follows the CONSORT statement, and the interpretation of the findings has been reframed conservatively. RESULTS: Global health status (QoL) was higher in the homeopathy group than in the placebo group after 9&#xa0;weeks and after 18&#xa0;weeks (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). With the exception of cognitive functioning at 9&#xa0;weeks and of pain, diarrhea and financial difficulties at 9&#xa0;weeks, all functional and symptom scales of the EORTC QLQ-C30 favored the homeopathy group (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001 for the multivariate comparisons), with between-group differences exceeding the threshold of 10 points that is generally regarded as clinically meaningful. Median survival time over the 730-day observation period was 435&#xa0;days in the homeopathy group, 257&#xa0;days in the placebo group (p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.010), and 228&#xa0;days in the non-randomized control group (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001); the corresponding 2-year survival rates were 45.1%, 23.4%, and 13.5% (homeopathy vs. placebo p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.020; homeopathy vs. control p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). The difference between the placebo group and the non-randomized control group was not statistically significant (p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.154). CONCLUSION: In this trial, add-on homeopathy was associated with better quality of life across most functional and symptom domains, with clinically meaningful effect sizes congruently to a previous open study. Survival time was significantly longer in the homeopathy group compared to both the placebo and control groups. Independent replication, ideally within contemporary immuno-oncological treatment regimens is required. TRIALS REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT01509612; January 7, 2012.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Improving quality control of microbial agri-inputs by confirming strain identity with an easy and low-cost PCR-multiplex: A study case with Azospirillum brasilense.

The first commercial product containing the Azospirillum brasilense elite strains Ab-V5 and Ab-V6 was launched in Brazil in 2009. These strains have demonstrated agronomic efficiency in grasses and in legume co-inoculation, accounting for approximately 43 million doses in 2024. Official identification of these strains is currently performed by rep-PCR, a reliable but time-consuming and laborious method. In this study, a multiplex PCR assay was developed for the simultaneous identification of Ab-V5 and Ab-V6 in a single reaction using strain-specific SNPs. Forward primers were designed so that the terminal nucleotide at the 3' end corresponded to a strain-specific SNP unique to each target strain. To further enhance specificity, artificial mismatches were introduced at the fourth nucleotide from the 3' end of the forward primers. SNPs were identified using Snippy based on genomic alignments between Ab-V5 and Ab-V6 and confirmed by local BLASTn against the genomes of other Azospirillum species. In the multiplex assay, simultaneous and specific amplification of both strains was observed in a single reaction, without non-specific amplification. Primer specificity was also experimentally evaluated against other A. brasilense strains (Ab-V1, Ab-V2, Ab-V4, Ab-V7, Ab-V8, and Sp7T), in silico against bacteria from different genera associated with agricultural inoculants, and in commercial inoculant samples containing Ab-V5 and Ab-V6. The results confirmed the high specificity of the primers for Ab-V5 and Ab-V6 and demonstrated that the assay was capable of identifying the strains in commercial inoculants. This assay facilitates inoculant quality control by enabling strain confirmation using a simple, rapid, and low-cost method.

Azospirillum↗
PubMed1978

[A comparison of various mammographic techniques using freshly amputated breasts (author's transl)].

In order to compare the performance of various mammographic techniques, xeroradiograms were obtained of sixteen freshly amputated breasts using tungsten and molybdenum rotating anodes. A film without screens (Kodak Definix Medical) and a film-screen system (screens: MR50, film Mammoray RP 3 PE FW) were employed. Exposures during xeroradiography were varied in that, when using the tungsten tube, a 2.5 mm. aluminium filter was added to the 0.5 mm. aluminium filtration inherent in the tube; when using the molybdenum tube, there was a choice between 0.03 mm. Mo. and 0.5 mm. aluminium filtration. The xeroradiograms obtained with the molydenum tube and molybdenum filter were of good quality, as were those obtained with this type of tube and nonscreen film. In view of the carcinogenetic risk of mammography, it is open to discussion whether one should aim at optimal film quality, since improved quality is associated with a higher radiation dose to the breast, or whether one should be satisfied with "adequate" quality. In our series the quality produced by the film-screen combination was, in general, acceptable. Compared with all other procedures, this system produces the lowest radiation dose of any mammographic technique. For this reason further improvements in technique, such as automatic exosure devices, film-screen packs suitable for routine use and improved quality of image are of practical interest.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed2026

Cost-Effectiveness of Electronic Patient-Reported Outcome Measure Interventions in Cancer: Systematic Review and Parameter Extraction for Economic Modeling.

BACKGROUND: Complex digital interventions that integrate electronic patient-reported outcome measures (ePROM) into clinical practice in cancer have the potential to improve quality of life, increase survival, and reduce health resource use and costs. Such systems can help patients with cancer self-manage chemotherapy symptoms, reduce clinicians' workloads through automated decision support, and resolve problems earlier. However, more research on the cost-effectiveness of ePROM monitoring is needed. OBJECTIVE: This paper comprises two complementary components: (1) a systematic literature review summarizing and evaluating the quantitative and qualitative evidence related to the cost-effectiveness of ePROM monitoring and (2) a health economic model parameter extraction. We also conducted supplementary targeted searches and scoping to provide context to our findings. METHODS: We searched Ovid (including MEDLINE and Embase), Scopus, and the International Health Technology Assessment Database for original English-language papers published on or before March 2025 using search strings that combined terms related to ePROMs, health economics, and cancer/oncology. We included papers reporting health economic-related outcomes for ePROM interventions designed for adult cancer populations and excluded screening tools and conference abstracts. RESULTS: We included 34 publications from 27 unique studies and identified and analyzed 26 ePROM-integrated interventions within these. Most (23/26) of the included interventions explicitly described some form of alert handling and automated decision support based on remote ePROM monitoring. Of the 34 publications, 5 presented full cost-effectiveness analysis results, of which 3 were highly uncertain and lacked clear differences in costs and health outcomes between ePROMs and standard care; conversely, 2 presented strong evidence of cost-effectiveness due to quality-of-life improvements, reduced hospitalizations, and potentially more autonomy in health-related travel (eg, ePROM-monitored patients can drive or walk to the hospital instead of using taxis or ambulances). A further 5 publications reported partial health economic results (eg, cost-consequence and budget impact), of which 1 detected no difference in strategies; in contrast, 4 reported lower health resource use and costs of ePROMs, mainly due to hospitalization reductions. Overall, 12 of the 27 studies included a qualitative component but mostly focused on user experience and design-related themes; only 2 of these addressed economic-specific themes (eg, changes in workflow and resource use due to ePROM implementation and integration), indicating some potential for time saving due to ePROM monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: Some ePROM-integrated interventions demonstrated cost-effectiveness in cancer care, but the evidence base remains limited. Where evidence does exist, cost-effectiveness appears driven by reduced hospitalization and improved quality of life. Qualitative research within the included studies rarely addressed economic questions. We provide a detailed parameter extraction for use in future economic modeling and recommend research priorities, including quantitative mapping of ePROM symptom data onto health resource use patterns, and qualitative work exploring how ePROM implementation affects clinical workloads and patient-perspective costs.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Effectiveness of Auricular Acupressure in Improving Sleep Quality and Reducing Insomnia Severity in Middle-Aged and Older Women in Taiwan.

Poor sleep quality impacts cognition, emotions, and immunity. This study evaluated the efficacy of auricular acupressure in improving sleep conditions. Eighty-eight women aged &#x2265;40 years with insomnia were randomly assigned to acupoint, sham, or comparison groups. Magnetic pellets were applied to heart, liver, and shenmen acupoints for the acupoint group and were offset by 1 to 2&#x2009;cm for the sham group. Participants pressed pellets thrice daily for 1 month. In the acupoint and sham groups, insomnia was reduced and sleep quality improved dramatically in the acupoint group at 4 weeks. Auricular acupressure may improve sleep and support equitable, cultural patient-centered care.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Improving protein quality of bread - nutritional benefits and realities.

The bases for improving bread protein quality are critically examined. Protein consumption is shown to be directly related to total calorie intake in many countries, with a correlation coefficient (r) of greater than or equal to 0.90. Concentration of protein in bread, % kilocalories, is similar to that of mixed diets in many parts of the world. Quality of bread protein, when evaluated by male weanling rats, may be improved by supplementation with lysine and threonine, as well as with many protein sources. Human adults, on bread diets, may be maintained in nitrogen equilibrium or slightly positive nitrogen balance. Increases, however, in nitrogen retention have been reported when lysine was added to bread. Laboratory studies with infants and young children, often hospitalized and recovering from severe malnutrition, show that lysine supplementation of wheat flour and gluten diets enhanced nitrogen retention and weight gain. No effect was observed when whole wheat diets were supplemented with lysine. Several field studies with children indicate that the addition of lysine to either supplemental breads provided at school, or to all wheat products consumed, resulted in no observed beneficial effects. Other field studies report an increase in either weight or height with addition of lysine to breads. A laboratory study with human adults suggests that a wheat flour: soy flour mixture has a higher biological value than wheat flour alone. The role, in human nutrition, of breads with improved protein quality remains somewhat obscure.

Adolescent↗