Search

We provide comprehensive insights into the peer review process and guide potential reviewers through the steps of reviewing scientific manuscripts. We discuss essential aspects such as the reviewer's responsibility in responding to invitations and maintaining confidentiality throughout the process, the criteria for accepting or rejecting papers, and efficient review of resubmissions. We emphasize the importance of prioritizing the review responsibility within other commitments, communication using professional and courteous language, and adherence to deadlines. We also offer practical tips on evaluating the abstract, introduction, materials and methods, results, and discussion section and summarizing the critiques in the review report., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023 European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) might improve muscle function and maintain its mass in critically ill patients. We aimed to investigate whether the administration of HMB influenced the plasma levels of growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), C-peptide, and 25-OH vitamin-D., Methods: Post-hoc analysis of the study HMB-ICU, a randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind trial., Inclusion Criteria: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients depending on mechanical ventilation on day 3 with functional gastrointestinal tract. Patients were randomized to HMB (3 g/day) or placebo (maltodextrin) from day 4 on, for 30 days. Blood samples were collected on days 4 and 15. We determined the GH, C-peptide, 25-OH vitamin-D, and IGF-1. Statistics by ANCOVA., Results: Blood samples of 26 patients were available on day 4, and 23 on day 15. While age and severity of disease did not differ, diabetes was more frequent in the HMB group (p = 0.041), and obesity was more frequent in the placebo group (p = 0.021). Glucose intake, blood glucose (BG) and amount of insulin to maintain blood glucose between 6 and 8 mM did not differ between groups. There was no difference between groups for C-peptide, GH, IGF-1, and 25-OH vitamin-D. IGF-1 increased significantly from day 4-15 (p = 0.026) in both groups., Conclusion: Subject to possible insufficient power of the study, we did not reach conclusive results. HMB intervention does not affect significantly the plasma concentrations of insulin, GH/IGF axis activity, C-peptide, and 25-OH vitamin-D., Gov Identifier: NCT03628365., (Copyright © 2022 European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Severe muscle mass (MM) loss is a defining feature of cancer observed across all types and stages of disease and is an independent predictor of poor clinical outcomes including higher incidences of chemotherapy toxicity and decreased survival. Protein is essential to build MM, yet the optimal amount for preventing or treating muscle loss in patients with cancer remains undefined., Methods: The Protein Recommendation to Increase Muscle (PRIMe) study is a single-center, two-armed, parallel, randomized, controlled pilot trial that assesses the feasibility of utilizing a high protein (HP) diet to positively impact clinical outcomes in people undergoing chemotherapy to treat colorectal cancer. Forty patients with newly diagnosed stage II-IV colorectal cancer who are scheduled to receive chemotherapy will be included. Participants are randomly assigned to a HP or normal protein (NP) diet for twelve weeks. The HP and NP groups receive nutrition recommendations to achieve 2.0 g of protein per kilogram of body weight per day (g∙kg -1 ∙d -1 ) and 1.0 g⋅kg -1 ⋅d -1 , respectively. These values refer to the upper and lower recommended range of protein intake for people with cancer. Energy recommendations are based on measured energy expenditure. Assessments are completed within two weeks of starting chemotherapy (baseline), at week 6, and at week 12. Changes to skeletal MM, physical function, anthropometrics, body composition, muscle strength, physical activity, energy metabolism, metabolic markers, nutritional status, quality of life, readiness to change and psychosocial determinants of behavioural change are assessed between the HP and NP groups. Feasibility of the nutritional intervention is assessed by change in MM as a surrogate marker., Conclusions: This evidence-based study investigates the feasibility of increasing protein intake following a diagnosis of cancer on clinical outcomes during treatment for colorectal cancer. This study will inform larger trials assessing the impact of increasing protein intake in cancer to determine their importance and integration into standard clinical care for people with cancer., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Olymel, Cargill, Nestle Health Sciences have had nor will have no role in the design of the study, in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, in the writing of the report, and in the decision to submit the article for publication. CMP reports receiving honoraria and/or paid consultancy from Abbott Nutrition, Nutricia, Nestle Health Science, Fresenius Kabi, Pfizer, and Helsinn. KNPS has received compensation from Abbott Nutrition Health Institute for speaking and consultation services provided. IRD is currently employed by Danone Nutricia., (Copyright © 2020 European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background and Aims: Children undergoing cardiac surgery with cardio pulmonary bypass often receive glucocorticoids to reduce the systemic inflammatory response. Glucocorticoids stimulate protein breakdown and increase amino acid availability. We studied whether glucocorticoid treatment influences the availability of amino acids, specifically those involved in the nitric oxide pathway., Methods: We prospectively studied 49 children with congenital heart disease undergoing cardiac surgery. Serum cortisol and amino acid levels were measured in arterial blood sampled before surgery (t = -5 min), directly after surgery (t = 0 h) and at t = 12 h and t = 24 h after surgery. Serum cortisol and amino acid levels were compared between children who had received glucocorticoids (G+) and children who had not (G-)., Results: Of 49 patients included ((49% male, age 1.7 (0.5-8.7) y)), 33 (67%) received glucocorticoids. Baseline characteristics were not different between groups, except a higher weighted inotropic score in the G+ group. At t = 0 h, serum cortisol levels in the G+ group were significantly higher than in the G- group (7218 vs. 660 nmol/L; (p < 0.05)), but not different at the other time points. The levels of plasma amino acids had dropped after surgery. Compared to the G- group, in the G+ group the total amount of amino acids was significantly higher at t = 12 and t = 24; citrulline levels were higher at t = 12 and t = 24; and glutamine and arginine levels were higher at t = 12., Conclusions: Glucocorticoid treatment during cardiac surgery in children preserves serum amino acid levels post-surgery. The preservation of glutamine, citrulline and arginine levels might have a beneficial effect on the related NO metabolism., (Copyright © 2017 European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)