Evaluation of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis for Identifying Overweight Individuals at Increased Cardiometabolic Risk:A Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether bioelectrical impedance analysis could be used to identify overweight individuals at increased cardiometabolic risk, defined as the presence of metabolic syndrome and/or diabetes.DESIGN AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study of a Scottish population including 1210 women and 788 men. The diagnostic performance of thresholds of percentage body fat measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis to identify people at increased cardiometabolic risk was assessed using receiver-operating characteristic curves. Odds ratios for increased cardiometabolic risk in body mass index categories associated with values above compared to below sex-specific percentage body fat thresholds with optimal diagnostic performance were calculated using multivariable logistic regression analyses. The validity of bioelectrical impedance analysis to measure percentage body fat in this population was tested by examining agreement between bioelectrical impedance analysis and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in a subgroup of individuals.RESULTS: Participants were aged 16-91 years and the optimal bioelectrical impedance analysis cut-points for percentage body fat for identifying people at increased cardiometabolic risk were 25.9% for men and 37.1% for women. Stratifying by these percentage body fat cut-points, the prevalence of increased cardiometabolic risk was 48% and 38% above the threshold and 24% and 19% below these thresholds for men and women, respectively. By comparison, stratifying by percentage body fat category had little impact on identifying increased cardiometabolic risk in normal weight and obese individuals. Fully adjusted odds ratios of being at increased cardiometabolic risk among overweight people with percentage body fat ?25.9/37.1% compared with percentage body fat <25.9/37.1% as a reference were 1.93 (95% confidence interval: 1.20-3.10) for men and 1.79 (1.10-2.92) for women.CONCLUSION: Percentage body fat measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis above a sex-specific threshold could be used in overweight people to identify individuals at increased cardiometabolic risk, who could benefit from risk factor management

Verhaltensmedizin, Psychotherapie und Zahnheilkunde

Biological, psychological and social processes are of relevance in the development and treatment of dental disorders. However, knowledge about interactions among these factors has only few implications for clinical practice. Hence, the goal of this article is to provide an overview of the links between behavioral medicine, psychotherapy and dentistry. The biobehavioral implications of different dental illnesses and disorders (caries, gingivitis, periodontitis, burning-mouth syndrome, and halitosis) as well as biobehavioral characteristics of specific patient groups are presented. The existing scientific knowledge in the interdisciplinary field of behavioral medicine, psychotherapy and dentistry provides the basis for a variety of treatment approaches. Its efficacy has, in part, already been confirmed. The integration of knowledge on psychobiological processes underlying psychotherapy and dental illnesses may lead to new interventions, based on the concept of neuropsychotherapy. It can be expected that further studies on the efficacy and effectiveness of specific biobehavioral interventions will significantly contribute to an increase in oral health

Use of 0.1% chlorine dioxide to inhibit the formation of morning volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) Uso do enxaguatório de dióxido de cloro a 0,1% para inibir a formação matinal de compostos sulfurosos voláteis (CSV)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the VSC-inhibiting effect of a commercially available mouthrinse (0.1% chlorine dioxide) when compared to its placebo. A 2-step double blind, crossover, randomised study was conducted with 14 dental students with healthy periodontium, who refrained from any mechanical plaque and tongue coating control during two 4-day experimental periods. The subjects were instructed to rinse 3 times daily with the assigned product during each period. A 7-day washout interval was established. VSCs levels were measured by a sulphide monitor at the beginning (baseline) and at the end of each experimental period. Statistical analyses were performed using Wilcoxon's and Mann-Whitney's non-parametric tests. At baseline, intragroup analysis revealed that VSCs levels did not differ between groups (p > 0.05); at day 5, the use of the chlorine dioxide mouthrinse did not change the baseline VSCs scores in the control group (p > 0.05), while a 2-fold increase was observed with the use of the placebo mouthrinse (p < 0.05). Intergroup analysis showed a significant difference between the VSCs levels of the test and control groups (40.2 &plusmn; 30.72 and 82.3 &plusmn; 75.63 ppb, p < 0.001) at day 5. Within the limits of this study, the findings suggest that a mouthrinse containing chlorine dioxide can maintain VSCs at lower levels in the morning breath.<br>O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito inibitório do enxaguatório de dióxido de cloro a 0,1% sobre a formação dos CSVs, quando comparados a um placebo. Um estudo randomizado, cruzado, duplo cego foi conduzido com 14 estudantes de odontologia apresentando saúde periodontal, os quais se abstiveram dos hábitos de escovação dentária e limpeza da língua durante dois períodos experimentais de 4 dias. Os voluntários foram orientados a utilizar o enxaguatório designado 3 vezes ao dia conforme indicado no rótulo. Um intervalo de 7 dias foi estabelecido entre os períodos experimentais. No início ("baseline") e no final de cada período experimental, os níveis de CSVs foram medidos com o uso do monitor de sulfetos. Análise estatística foi realizada utilizando-se os testes não-paramétricos de Wilcoxon e Mann-Whitney. No "baseline", uma análise intragrupo revelou que os níveis de CSVs não diferiram entre os grupos (p > 0.05); no dia 5, o uso do dióxido de cloro não promoveu mudanças significativas nos níveis de CSVs em relação ao "baseline" no grupo controle (p > 0,05), entretanto os níveis de CSVs duplicaram com a utilização enxaguatório placebo (p < 0,05). Uma análise entre os grupos teste e controle revelou diferença significante para os níveis de CSVs (40,2 &plusmn; 30,72 e 82,3 &plusmn; 75,63 ppb, p < 0,001) no dia 5. Dentro dos limites deste estudo, os achados sugerem que o uso de enxaguatórios contendo dióxido de cloro pode promover a manutenção de baixos níveis de CSVs no hálito matinal

Poa pratensis L., current status of the longest-established non-native vascular plant in the Antarctic

A single colony of the non-native grass Poa pratensis L., which was introduced inadvertently to Cierva Point, Antarctic Peninsula, during the 1954–1955 season, was still present during a survey in February 2012, making it the longest surviving non-native vascular plant colony known in Antarctica. Since 1991, the grass cover has roughly tripled in size, with an annual increase in area of approximately 0.016 m2, and an estimated maximum radial growth rate of 1.43 cm y−1. However, it remains restricted to the original site of introduction and its immediate surroundings (c. 1 m2). Annual flowering of the plants occurred during the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 seasons; however, there has been no seed production and only incomplete development of the sexual structures. Current environmental conditions, including low temperatures, may inhibit sexual reproduction. Lack of effective vegetative dispersal may be influenced by the low level of human activity at the site, which limits opportunities for human-mediated dispersal. Although P. pratensis has existed at Cierva Point for almost 60 years, it has not yet become invasive. Scenarios for the potential future development of the species in Antarctica and the associated negative impacts upon the native vegetation from competition are discussed in the context of regional climate change. Finally, we describe the environmental risk presented by P. pratensis and argue that this non-native species should be eradicated as soon as possible in accordance with the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty