Politics of Left Populism in Power. The Institutional Challenge of Podemos

This paper is inserted in the analytical framework that focuses on the participation of populist forces in governments. It aims to contribute to the scientific debate analysing the left-wing populist in power in Europe. One of the most exemplary case is undoubtedly ‘Podemos’that, since January 2020, has been part of the Sánchez II government in Spain. It is interesting to understand how this political subject that is born in response to the economic, political and social 2008 crisis and that defined itself as anti-system as to be the system. Further, starting from its integration into the institutional system, it will be analysed the role it covers within the government and the practical results achieved. Then, this will also allow the analysis of the change of left-wing forces in the European context. The analysis of the Podemos participation in government focuses on a particular moment of the European and world context, i.e., during and after the Covid-19 crisis. The aim is to show whether Podemos, once in government, carries out policies responsive to the main cleavages that characterise its discourse and what effects on the political context. The analysis will be carried out by comparing the most representative policies of Podemos’ ministries and through semi-structured interviews conducted between May and November 2022 with leading members of the party and Spanish government

Politics of Left Populism in Power. The Institutional Challenge of Podemos

This paper is inserted in the analytical framework that focuses on the participation of populist forces in governments. It aims to contribute to the scientific debate analysing the left-wing populist in power in Europe. One of the most exemplary case is undoubtedly ‘Podemos’that, since January 2020, has been part of the Sánchez II government in Spain. It is interesting to understand how this political subject that is born in response to the economic, political and social 2008 crisis and that defined itself as anti-system as to be the system. Further, starting from its integration into the institutional system, it will be analysed the role it covers within the government and the practical results achieved. Then, this will also allow the analysis of the change of left-wing forces in the European context. The analysis of the Podemos participation in government focuses on a particular moment of the European and world context, i.e., during and after the Covid-19 crisis. The aim is to show whether Podemos, once in government, carries out policies responsive to the main cleavages that characterise its discourse and what effects on the political context. The analysis will be carried out by comparing the most representative policies of Podemos’ ministries and through semi-structured interviews conducted between May and November 2022 with leading members of the party and Spanish government

Weight loss and asthma control in severely obese asthmatic females.

Background: Obesity is proposed to represent an important predisposing condition to serious respiratory disturbances including asthma. The effects of consistent weight loss on asthma control are not well known. We investigated the effect of weight reduction induced by bariatric surgery on asthma control in severely obese asthmatic patients. Patients and methods: A consecutive series of 12 asthmatic obese females who had laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (OB group) and 10 non-operated asthmatic obese females as control group (CG). Body mass index (BMI), Asthma Control Test (ACT), pulmonary function test (PFT), exhaled nitric oxide (NO) were evaluated at baseline and after 1 year. Results: Mean BMI (kg/m2) of OB group decreased from 45.274.7 before surgery to 34.874.2 post-operatively. After surgery the overall ACT score in OB group significantly improved from 18.7 to 22.2 (po0.001), while it remained unchanged in CG (from 18.8 to 18.6, p ¼ 0.73). In particular, in OB group the parameters of shortness of breath and rescue medication use were significantly improved respectively from 3.2 and 3.9 before surgery to 4.2 and 4.6 after surgery (always po0.05). Accordingly, none of the CG who did not experience any weight loss was able to obtain a full asthma control. In the OB group after the surgery PFT significantly improved as compared to CG. No significant difference in exhaled NO was found both in OB group after surgery as compared to before surgery. Conclusion: Consistent weight loss in severely obese patients with asthma is associated to improvement in respiratory symptoms and lung function. However, the mechanisms underlying the effect of large body mass changes on asthma would require further studies

Effect of bariatric surgery on the six-minute walk test in severe uncomplicated obesity

The six-minute walk test (6mWT) is a simple index of functional capacity in healthy people, and it has been used to estimate exercise capacity in obese subjects. The aim of this study was to determine whether weight reduction induced by laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) improves the functional capacity in the severely obese on the 6mWT

Exhaled nitric oxide in severe obesity: effect of weight loss

Exhaled nitric oxide (NO) is a recognized biomarker in the lower respiratory tract. The effect of large variation in body mass on exhaled NO in the same individuals is not well known. The aim of the study was to evaluate both the effect of severe obesity and the influence of weight reduction on exhaled NO. A consecutive series of 24 uncomplicated obese patients (OB), who had laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) and 15 healthy controls (HC) were studied. Body mass index (BMI), exhaled NO and respiratory function tests were assessed. Exhaled NO was lower in obese in comparison to HC (12.0+/-3.6ppb versus 15.8+/-4.0ppb, p=0.0035). A significant positive correlation was found between exhaled NO and BMI in HC, which was not evident in OB. Among the respiratory indexes, functional residual capacity was significantly associated to exhaled NO. After 1 year, 12 obese patients undergone to LAGB were re-evaluated. Mean BMI (kg/m(2)) decreased from 44.8 before surgery to 32.3 post-operatively. The exhaled NO increased from 11.8+/-3.2ppb before surgery to 14.9+/-3.1ppb 1 year post-operatively (p=0.0023, n=12). In conclusion exhaled NO is consistently reduced in severe obesity and it is restored after weight reduction. The relationship between exhaled NO, large body mass excess and decrease of resting lung volume in severe obesity deserves further studies

Internet and social media use among patients with colorectal diseases (ISMAEL): a nationwide survey

Aim: Social media are used daily by both healthcare workers and patients. Online platforms have the potential to provide patients with useful information, increase their engagement and potentially revolutionize the patient-physician relationship. This survey aimed to evaluate the impact of the Internet and social media (I&SM) on patients affected by colorectal and proctological diseases to define a pathway to develop an evidence-based communications strategy. Method: A 31-item anonymous electronic questionnaire was designed. It consisted of different sections concerning demographics and education, reason for the visit, knowledge of the diseases, frequency of I&SM use and patients' opinions about physicians' websites. Results: Over a 5-month period, 37 centres and 105 surgeons took part in the survey, and a total of 5800 patients enrolled. Approximately half of them reported using the Internet daily, and 74.6% of the study population used it at least once per week. There was a correlation (P < 0.001) between those who used the Internet for work and those who had knowledge of both symptoms and the likely diagnosis before consultation. Patients who used the Internet daily were more likely to request a consultation within 6 months of symptom onset (P < 0.0001). Patients with anorectal diseases were more likely to know about their disease and symptoms before the visit (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Colorectal patients use I&SM to look for health-related information mainly after their medical visit. Surgeons and hospital networks should plan a tailored strategy to increase patient engagement, delivering appropriate information on social medi