Dietary patterns and metabolic syndrome factors in a non-diabetic Italian population

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the relationship between dietary patterns and metabolic syndrome.DesignPopulation-based cross-sectional study. The K-means clustering method was used to identify dietary patterns and logistic regression models were used to compare the adjusted prevalence rates of metabolic syndrome factors, stratifying by obesity status.SettingThe 1992–3 Italian Bollate Eye Study, a population-based survey carried out in the town of Bollate (Milan), Italy.SubjectsA total of 1052 non-diabetic Italian subjects, 527 men and 525 women, aged 42–74 years.ResultsFive dietary clusters were identified: common, animal products, starch, vegetal/fat and vitamin/fibre. After adjusting for potential confounders, the starch group showed the highest prevalence of metabolic syndrome (36 %) followed by the animal products group (30 %); the vitamin/fibre (20 %) and vegetal/fat groups (19 %) showed the lowest prevalence. The starch group had more dyslipidaemia (higher TAG and lower HDL cholesterol levels) and the animal products group had a higher prevalence of impaired fasting glucose. The vitamin/fibre group had the lowest prevalence of abdominal obesity. The beneficial effect of the vegetal/fat and vitamin/fibre dietary patterns seemed stronger among the obese.ConclusionsOur results confirm the deleterious effect of a very-low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet and also of high intakes of animal products. The consumption of a diet high in vegetal fats or rich in fruits and vegetables is associated with a healthier metabolic profile. Reducing obesity is essential to prevent metabolic syndrome, but even among the obese dietary habits are important for preserving healthy lipid and glycaemic profiles

Televisión Digital Abierta en Argentina en debate

Argentina ha desarrollado una historia tecnológica concentrada en la capital del país, Buenos Aires. Esto ha sucedido con el desarrollo de la telefonía fija, la radio y la televisión analógica como ejemplos evidentes. El proyecto TDA es el primero en romper esas lógicas y se ha pensado de modo federal (ver Mapa de medios antes de 2003. Pág. 28). Las clásica “mancha” de la televisión de los años ‘50 y ’60 muestra una clara concentración que guarda relación a la riqueza de las provincias y a su despliegue demográfico. No ha sido así en esta oportunidad. Los casi sesenta años de vigencia de la televisión argentina se encontraban a fines de la primera década del siglo XXI aún con el 30 % de la población sin acceso tanto a las opciones de repetidoras de aire, o a las opciones pagas de cable o satélite. De este modo, la situación planteaba que, en términos simbólicos, esa población había quedado aislada en un momento histórico cuyo principal recurso hacia el futuro es la acumulación de valor agregado tecnológico. La decisión, entonces, se situó en buscar alternativas para cubrir ese déficit y acortar la brecha digital y el analfabetismo simbólico.Facultad de Periodismo y Comunicación Socia

Diagnostic work-up and management of young patients with ulcer-like dyspepsia: A cost-minimisation study

Objective: We initiated a cost-minimisation modelling study to compare the costs of strategies based on initial endoscopy or initial non-invasive tests for the detection of Helicobacter (C13 UBT or serology) from the perspective of the Italian National Health Service. The secondary outcomes were the number of patients undergoing unnecessary Helicobacter pylori (HP) eradication treatment and the number of endoscopic examinations spared.Methods: The study was based on a decision analysis model referring to patients aged less than 45 years with ulcer-like dyspepsia and no alarming symptoms. The probabilities entered in the model were weighted means from published studies, and the costs were derived from the Italian NHS reimbursement schedule. Sensitivity analyses were conducted over a wide range of probability and cost estimates in order to test the robustness of the model.Results: Non-invasive tests (such as the preliminary work-up of patients with ulcer-like dyspepsia aged less than 45 years) were cheaper ..

Is there a role of statins in the prevention of aortic biological prostheses degeneration

It has been recently observed that statins might slow the progression of aortic stenosis or sclerosis. Preliminary reports suggested a similar positive effect in reducing the degeneration of aortic valve bioprostheses even though this hypothesis should be further proven and supported by new data. In this review the present evidences of the possible effects of statins in this field are discussed

Assessment of pediatric asthma drug use in three European countries; a TEDDY study.

Asthma drugs are amongst the most frequently used drugs in childhood, but international comparisons on type and indication of use are lacking. The aim of this study was to describe asthma drug use in children with and without asthma in the Netherlands (NL), Italy (IT), and the United Kingdom (UK). We conducted a retrospective analysis of outpatient medical records of children 0-18 years from 1 January 2000 until 31 December 2005. For all children, prescription rates of asthma drugs were studied by country, age, asthma diagnosis, and off-label status. One-year prevalence rates were calculated per 100 children per patient-year (PY). The cohort consisted of 671,831 children of whom 49,442 had been diagnosed with asthma at any time during follow-up. ß2-mimetics and inhaled steroids were the most frequently prescribed asthma drug classes in NL (4.9 and 4.1/100 PY), the UK (8.7 and 5.3/100 PY) and IT (7.2 and 16.2/100 PY), respectively. Xanthines, anticholinergics, leukotriene receptor antagonists, and anti-allergics were prescribed in less than one child per 100 per year. In patients without asthma, ß2-mimetics were used most frequently. Country differences were highest for steroids, (Italy highest), and for ß2-mimetics (the UK highest). Off-label use was low, and most pronounced for ß2-mimetics in children <18 months (IT) and combined ß2-mimetics + anticholinergics in children <6 years (NL). CONCLUSION: This study shows that among all asthma drugs, ß2-mimetics and inhaled steroids are most often used, also in children without asthma, and with large variability between countries. Linking multi-country databases allows us to study country specific pediatric drug use in a systematic manner without being hampered by methodological differences. This study underlines the potency of healthcare databases in rapidly providing data on pediatric drug use and possibly safety

estudos artísticos

O quarto número da Revista GAMA percorre, no campo dos Estudos Artísticos, instâncias de memória e de enraizamento, problematizando o futuro através das questões resgatadas, de ontem. Dá-se seguimento ao rumo inicial desta revista, onde artistas escrevem sobre obras de outros artistas, mas agora tem-se uma melhor delimitação e focagem no que respeita ao uso criativo ou acidental da diacronia e suas interligações potenciadoras: o arquivo, a obra recordada, o registo, o projeto, a reativação, a meta-linguagem, a identidade. A Revista GAMA segue um caminho prudente, como o de um alpinista que, ao subir, procura registar na memória os pontos de referência do seu caminho, pontos que lhe possam vir a ser úteis, mais tarde, na descida. Aqueles que sobem, nesta revista, podem ser uns, e os que descem, podem ser outros, de outra geração. Os pontos de referência permanecem, à espera da sua utilidade. Este conjunto de artigos traduz um posicionamento geral de grande atenção aos referentes históricos e técnicos, com uma sensível preocupação pela recuperação e preservação dos objetos e criadores interventivos. Através do olhar dos criadores de hoje, a criatividade mantém-se ativa e interventiva, para ser fonte de recomeços que se anunciam.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Omecamtiv mecarbil in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, GALACTIC‐HF: baseline characteristics and comparison with contemporary clinical trials

Aims: The safety and efficacy of the novel selective cardiac myosin activator, omecamtiv mecarbil, in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is tested in the Global Approach to Lowering Adverse Cardiac outcomes Through Improving Contractility in Heart Failure (GALACTIC‐HF) trial. Here we describe the baseline characteristics of participants in GALACTIC‐HF and how these compare with other contemporary trials. Methods and Results: Adults with established HFrEF, New York Heart Association functional class (NYHA) ≥ II, EF ≤35%, elevated natriuretic peptides and either current hospitalization for HF or history of hospitalization/ emergency department visit for HF within a year were randomized to either placebo or omecamtiv mecarbil (pharmacokinetic‐guided dosing: 25, 37.5 or 50 mg bid). 8256 patients [male (79%), non‐white (22%), mean age 65 years] were enrolled with a mean EF 27%, ischemic etiology in 54%, NYHA II 53% and III/IV 47%, and median NT‐proBNP 1971 pg/mL. HF therapies at baseline were among the most effectively employed in contemporary HF trials. GALACTIC‐HF randomized patients representative of recent HF registries and trials with substantial numbers of patients also having characteristics understudied in previous trials including more from North America (n = 1386), enrolled as inpatients (n = 2084), systolic blood pressure &lt; 100 mmHg (n = 1127), estimated glomerular filtration rate &lt; 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (n = 528), and treated with sacubitril‐valsartan at baseline (n = 1594). Conclusions: GALACTIC‐HF enrolled a well‐treated, high‐risk population from both inpatient and outpatient settings, which will provide a definitive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of this novel therapy, as well as informing its potential future implementation

A population study of the association between sexual function, sexual satisfaction and depressive symptoms in men.

Submitted by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2015-03-27T18:49:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Nicolosi A A population study....pdf: 254316 bytes, checksum: 8b7fc401a9b91ce15a0159b3a8275a01 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2015-03-27T19:02:10Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Nicolosi A A population study....pdf: 254316 bytes, checksum: 8b7fc401a9b91ce15a0159b3a8275a01 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-27T19:02:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Nicolosi A A population study....pdf: 254316 bytes, checksum: 8b7fc401a9b91ce15a0159b3a8275a01 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004National Research Council. Institute of Biomedical Technologies. Department of Epidemiology. Milan, Italy / School of Public Health. Columbia University. Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center. New York, NY, USAFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilNational Research Council. Institute of Biomedical Technologies. Department of Epidemiology. Milan, ItalyPfizer Inc. New York, NY, USABackground: Depression and erectile dysfunction (ED) have a complex and bi-directional relationship. We examined the relationships between erectile dysfunction and depressive symptoms or diagnosed depression, sexual activity and sexual satisfaction. Methods: A population survey of men aged 40–70 years was carried out in Brazil, Italy, Japan and Malaysia in 1997–1998. A questionnaire was used to collect life style, sexual behaviors and medical data. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. ED was classified as moderate or complete if the men reported they were ‘‘sometimes’’ or ‘‘never’’ able to achieve and maintain an erection satisfactory for sexual intercourse. Only men with a sexual partner and not taking psychoactive drugs were considered. Results: Diagnosed depression was reported by 2.0% of the men, depressive symptoms by 21.0%. The prevalence of moderate or complete ED was 17.8%. Sexual satisfaction related to the frequency of sexual intercourse and inversely related to depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms were positively associated with being single (odds ratio [OR] 1.7), widowed, separated or divorced (OR 2.2), moderate or complete ED (1.8), heart disease (1.6) and smoking (1.6), and negatively associated with age, physical activity and frequency of sexual intercourse. Limitations: Cross-sectional studies cannot establish a temporal cause–effect relationship. However, the confirmation of known associations reassures about the validity of the original findings. Conclusions: The findings suggest that depressive symptoms are linked to ED by the mediation of decreased sexual activity and the dissatisfaction generated by the inability to have a healthy sexual lif

Incidence of erectile dysfunction in men 40 to 69 years old: results from a population-based cohort study in Brazil.

Submitted by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2012-07-17T20:51:10Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Moreira ED Jr Incidence of erectile dysfunction....pdf: 108252 bytes, checksum: 24ee409165463980e2ca28cb87dbad6b (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2012-07-17T20:51:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Moreira ED Jr Incidence of erectile dysfunction....pdf: 108252 bytes, checksum: 24ee409165463980e2ca28cb87dbad6b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2003Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Hospital São Rafael. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Salvador, BA, Brasil.National Research Council. Milan, Italy.To estimate the incidence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in Brazilian men 40 to 69 years old at study entry during an average 2-year follow-up and study the effect of age, socioeconomic status, and medical conditions on the risk of developing ED. METHODS: We analyzed data from a randomly sampled cohort of men living in Salvador, Bahia (Brazil), a racially diverse city with a population of 2.3 million. A total of 602 men completed the baseline interview in 1998 and 501 completed follow-up in 2000. The analysis sample consisted of 428 (83.4%) of 513 men without ED at baseline. The men were interviewed in person, using a standardized questionnaire, and ED was assessed by a single global self-rating question. RESULTS: The crude incidence rate for ED was 65.6 cases per 1000 person-years (95% confidence interval 49.6 to 85.2). The incidence rate increased with age and was 33.3, 53.7, and 189.5 cases per 1000 person-years for men 40 to 49, 50 to 59, and 60 to 69 years old, respectively. The age-adjusted risk of developing new-onset ED was higher for men with lower education, diabetes, hypertension, and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Population projections for men 40 to 69 years old suggest that approximately 68,600 new cases of ED in Bahia and 1,025,600 in Brazil would be expected annually. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of ED in Brazilian men was 2.5-fold higher than that in the Massachusetts Male Aging Study (26/1000 person-years) and increased with age, lower education, diabetes, hypertension, and benign prostatic hyperplasia