«Un aleph en el callejón del gato. Espacio, cuerpo y ritual: una antropología de los tratamientos de heroína para la adicción a opiáceos en la biopolítica de la reducción de daños».

Desde los años noventa, ha habido un intenso debate médico, legal, político y mediático alrededor del uso de heroína como tratamiento de mantenimiento según el paradigma de reducción de daños, llegando a ensayarse en varios países de Europa y Norteamérica e institucionalizarse en algunos de ellos. En mi investigación, en primer lugar analizo los discursos científicos orientados a legitimar la prescripción de heroína para usuarios de drogas refractarios a los tratamientos de metadona. Después de una visión crítica sobre los modelos epistemológicos hegemónicos en este ámbito, justifico mi marco teórico para analizar los programas de heroína como una tecnología de poder. Así, mediante un sistema de tropos articulado en torno al espacio, el cuerpo y el ritual, en correspondencia con los conceptos de heterotopia (Foucault), ‘esperpento’ yonqui (Valle-Inclán) y ‘carnavalización’ (Bajtin), respectivamente, describo una cartografía y una anatomía del control de uso de drogas y la anormalidad de yonqui, que servirán de coordenadas para localizar políticamente los tratamientos de heroína. A raíz de mi propuesta interpretativa, presento un enfoque etnográfico en el centro de Prescripción Experimental de Estupefacientes de Andalucía (PEPSA) para estudiar la microfísica del poder dentro de esta estrategia de gubernamentalidad. A través de la estructura ritual que conforma este dispositivo clínico, analizo los procesos de subjetivación, incorporación y las resistencias experimentadas por los usuarios, de acuerdo a la perspectiva dialógica del encuentro terapéutico. Como conclusión, a pesar de los conflictos asociados a la liminaridad de esta tecnología, el ritual asistencial sirve de mecanismo performativo para transformar las identidades sociales de la mayoría de los usuarios, cumpliendo una función “re-generadora”.Since the nineties, there has been an intense medical, legal, political and media debate around the use of heroin as a maintenance treatment according to the harm reduction paradigm, reaching tested in several countries in Europe and North America and institutionalized in some of them. In my research, firstly I analyze the scientific discourses oriented to legitimate heroin prescription to methadone refractory drug users. After a critical view about the hegemonic epistemological models in this area, I justify my theoretical framework to analyze the heroin addiction treatments as a technology of power. So, through a system of tropes around the space, the body and ritual, in correspondence with the concepts of ‘heterotopia’ (Foucault), ‘esperpento’ junkie (Valle-Inclán) and ‘carnivalization’ (Bakhtin), respectively, I describe both a cartography and an anatomy of drug use control and yonqui abnormality, which will serve as coordinates to locate politically the heroin treatments. Following my interpretative proposal, an ethnographic approach to the Andalusian narcotics prescription centre (PEPSA) is presented to study the microphysics of power performed through this governmentality strategy. Though a ritual structure which shapes this clinical device, I analyze the processes of subjectivation, embodiment and resistances experienced by the users, framed within a dialogic perspective of the therapeutic encounter. In conclusion, despite the conflicts associated to the liminality of this technology, the ritual of care works as performative mechanism to transform the social identities for most users, accomplishing a “re-generative” function

Associations Between the Modified Food Standard Agency Nutrient Profiling System Dietary Index and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in an Elderly Population

Background: Helping consumers to improve the nutritional quality of their diet is a key public health action to prevent cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The modified version of the Food Standard Agency Nutrient Profiling System Dietary Index (FSAm- NPS DI) underpinning the Nutri-Score front-of-pack label has been used in public health strategies to address the deleterious consequences of poor diets. This study aimed to assess the association between the FSAm-NPS DI and some CVD risk factors including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, plasma glucose levels, triglyceride levels, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and diastolic and systolic blood pressure. Materials and Methods: Dietary intake was assessed at baseline and after 1 year of follow-up using a 143-item validated semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Dietary indices based on FSAm-NPS applied at an individual level were computed to characterize the diet quality of 5,921 participants aged 55–75 years with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome from the PREDIMED-plus cohort. Associations between the FSAm-NPS DI and CVD risk factors were assessed using linear regression models. Results: Compared to participants with a higher nutritional quality of diet (measured by a lower FSAm-NPS DI at baseline or a decrease in FSAm-NPS DI after 1 year), those participants with a lower nutritional quality of diet (higher FSAm-NPS DI or an increase in score) showed a significant increase in the levels of plasma glucose, triglycerides, diastolic blood pressure, BMI, and waist circumference (b coefficient [95% confidence interval]; P for trend) (1.67 [0.43, 2.90]; <0.001; 6.27 [2.46, 10.09]; <0.001; 0.56 [0.08, 1.05]; 0.001; 0.51 [0.41, 0.60]; <0.001; 1.19 [0.89, 1.50]; <0.001, respectively). No significant associations in relation to changes in HDL and LDL-cholesterol nor with systolic blood pressure were shown. Conclusion: This prospective cohort study suggests that the consumption of food items with a higher FSAm-NPS DI is associated with increased levels of several major risk factors for CVD including adiposity, fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, and diastolic blood pressure. However, results must be cautiously interpreted because no significant prospective associations were identified for critical CVD risk factors, such as HDL and LDL-cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure.official Spanish InstitutionsEuropean Commission PI13/00673 PI13/00492 PI13/00272 PI13/01123 PI13/00462 PI13/00233 PI13/02184 PI13/00728 PI13/01090 PI13/01056 PI14/01722 PI14/00636 PI14/00618The European Regional Development Fund PI16/01120 PI17/00764 PI17/01183 PI17/00855 PI17/01347 PI17/00525 PI17/01827 PI17/00532 PI17/00215 PI17/01441 PI17/00508Especial Action Project entitled: Implementacion y evaluacion de una intervencion intensiva sobre la actividad fisica Cohorte PREDIMED-PlusEuropean Research Council (ERC) European Commission 340918La Caixa Foundation 2013ACUP00194Junta de Andalucia PI0458/2013 PS0358/2016 PI0137/2018Center for Forestry Research & Experimentation (CIEF)European CommissionSEMERGEN grantICREA under the ICREA Academia programAgencia de Gestio d'Ajuts Universitaris de Recerca (AGAUR FI) 2021FI_B 00145Sara Borrell CD21/00045 PI20/00138 PI20/01532 PI20/00456 PI20/00339 PI20/00557 PI20/00886 PI20/01158 PI17/01732 PI17/00926 PI19/00957 PI19/00386 PI19/00309 PI19/01032 PI19/00576 PI19/00017 PI19/01226 PI19/00781 PI19/01560 PI19/01332 PI20/01802 PI14/00696 PI14/01206 PI14/01919 PI14/00853 PI14/01374 PI14/00972 PI14/00728 PI14/01471 PI16/00473 PI16/00662 PI16/01873 PI16/01094 PI16/00501 PI16/00533 PI16/00381 PI16/00366 PI16/0152

In Vivo Measurement of Cervical Elasticity on Pregnant Women by Torsional Wave Technique: A Preliminary Study

A torsional wave (TW) sensor prototype was employed to quantify stiffness of the cervix in pregnant women. A cross-sectional study in a total of 18 women between 16 weeks and 35 weeks + 5 days of gestation was performed. The potential of TW technique to assess cervical ripening was evaluated by the measurement of stiffness related to gestational age and cervical length. Statistically significant correlations were found between cervical stiffness and gestational age (R2 = 0.370, p = 0.0074, using 1 kHz waves and R2 = 0.445, p = 0.0250, using 1.5 kHz waves). A uniform decrease in stiffness of the cervical tissue was confirmed to happen during the complete gestation. There was no significant correlation between stiffness and cervical length. A stronger association between gestational age and cervical stiffness was found compared to gestational age and cervical length correlation. As a conclusion, TW technique is a feasible approach to objectively quantify the decrease of cervical stiffness related to gestational age. Further research is required to evaluate the application of TW technique in obstetric evaluations, such as prediction of preterm delivery and labor induction failure.This research was funded by the Ministry of Education grant numbers DPI2017-83859-R, DPI2014-51870-R and UNGR15-CE-3664, Ministry of Health grant numbers DTS15/00093 and PI16/00339, and Junta de Andalucía grant numbers, PI-0107-2017 and PIN-0030-2017

A systematic review and meta‑analysis of weight loss in control group participants of lifestyle randomized trials

Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of lifestyle modification have reported beneficial effects of interventions, compared to control. Whether participation in the control group has benefits is unknown. To determine whether control group participants experience weight loss during the course of RCTs. After prospective registration (PROSPERO CRD42021233070), we conducted searches in Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane library and Clinicaltrials.gov databases from inception to May 2021 without language restriction to capture RCTs on dietary advice or physical activity interventions in adults with overweight, obesity or metabolic syndrome. Data extraction and study quality assessment was performed by two independent reviewers. Weight loss in the control group, i.e., the difference between baseline and post-intervention, was pooled using random effects model generating mean difference and 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistical test. Subgroup meta-analysis was performed stratifying by follow-up period, type of control group protocols and high-quality studies. Among the 22 included studies (4032 participants), the risk of bias was low in 9 (40%) studies. Overall, the controls groups experienced weight loss of − 0.41 kg (95% CI − 0.53 to − 0.28; I2 = 73.5% p < 0.001). To identify a result that is an outlier, we inspected the forest plot for spread of the point estimates and the confidence intervals. The magnitude of the benefit was related to the duration of follow-up (− 0.51 kg, 95% CI − 0.68, − 0.3, for 1–4 months follow-up; − 0.32 kg, 95% CI − 0.58, − 0.07, 5–12 months; − 0.20 kg, 95% CI − 0.49, 0.10, ≥ 12 months). In high-quality studies we found an overall weight loss mean difference of − 0.16 (95% CI − 0.39, 0.09) with a considerable heterogeneity ( I2 = 74%; p < 0.000). Among studies including control group in waiting lists and combining standard care, advice and material, no heterogeneity was found ( I2 = 0%, p = 0.589) and ( I2 = 0%, p = 0.438); and the mean difference was − 0.84 kg (95% CI − 2.47, 0.80) and − 0.65 kg (95% CI − 1.03, − 0.27) respectively. Participation in control groups of RCTs of lifestyle interventions had a benefit in terms of weight loss in meta-analysis with heterogeneity. These results should be used to interpret the benefits observed with respect to intervention effect in trials. That control groups accrue benefits should be included in patient information sheets to encourage participation in future trials among patients with overweight and obesity.Spanish Government PI20/01532Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red-Epidemiologia y Salud Publica CIBERESP/CB06/02/101

Benefits of Participation in Clinical Trials: An Umbrella Review

Participation in randomised clinical trials (RCTs) entails taking part in the discovery of effects of health care interventions. The question of whether participants’ outcomes are different to those of non-participants remains controversial. This umbrella review was aimed at assessing whether there are health benefits of participation in RCTs, compared to non-participation. After prospective registration (PROSPERO CRD42021287812), we searched the Medline, Scopus,Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases from inception to June 2022 to identify relevant systematic reviews with or without meta-analyses. Data extraction and study quality assessment (AMSTAR-2) were performed by two independent reviewers. Of 914 records, six systematic reviews summarising 380 comparisons of RCT participants with non-participants met the inclusion criteria. In two reviews, the majority of comparisons were in favour of participation in RCTs. Of the total of comparisons, 69 (18.7%) were in favour of participation, reporting statistically significant better outcomes for patients treated within RCTs, 264 (71.7%) comparisons were not statistically significant, and 35 (9.5%) comparisons were in favour of non-participation. None of the reviews found a harmful effect of participation in RCTs. Our findings suggest that taking part in RCTs may be beneficial compared to non-participation.Ministry of Science and Innovation, Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIFEDER co-funding from European Union PI20/01532Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red-Epidemiologia y Salud Publica CIBERESP/CB06/02/101

Associations Between the Modified Food Standard Agency Nutrient Profiling System Dietary Index and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in an Elderly Population

Background: Helping consumers to improve the nutritional quality of their diet is a key public health action to prevent cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The modified version of the Food Standard Agency Nutrient Profiling System Dietary Index (FSAm-NPS DI) underpinning the Nutri-Score front-of-pack label has been used in public health strategies to address the deleterious consequences of poor diets. This study aimed to assess the association between the FSAm-NPS DI and some CVD risk factors including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, plasma glucose levels, triglyceride levels, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and diastolic and systolic blood pressure. Materials and Methods: Dietary intake was assessed at baseline and after 1 year of follow-up using a 143-item validated semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Dietary indices based on FSAm-NPS applied at an individual level were computed to characterize the diet quality of 5,921 participants aged 55-75 years with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome from the PREDIMED-plus cohort. Associations between the FSAm-NPS DI and CVD risk factors were assessed using linear regression models. Results: Compared to participants with a higher nutritional quality of diet (measured by a lower FSAm-NPS DI at baseline or a decrease in FSAm-NPS DI after 1 year), those participants with a lower nutritional quality of diet (higher FSAm-NPS DI or an increase in score) showed a significant increase in the levels of plasma glucose, triglycerides, diastolic blood pressure, BMI, and waist circumference (beta coefficient [95% confidence interval]; P for trend) (1.67 [0.43, 2.90]; <0.001; 6.27 [2.46, 10.09]; <0.001; 0.56 [0.08, 1.05]; 0.001; 0.51 [0.41, 0.60]; <0.001; 1.19 [0.89, 1.50]; <0.001, respectively). No significant associations in relation to changes in HDL and LDL-cholesterol nor with systolic blood pressure were shown. Conclusion: This prospective cohort study suggests that the consumption of food items with a higher FSAm-NPS DI is associated with increased levels of several major risk factors for CVD including adiposity, fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, and diastolic blood pressure. However, results must be cautiously interpreted because no significant prospective associations were identified for critical CVD risk factors, such as HDL and LDL-cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure

Ultra-processed foods consumption as a promoting factor of greenhouse gas emissions, water, energy, and land use: A longitudinal assessment

Background: Dietary patterns can produce an environmental impact. Changes in people's diet, such as the increased consumption of ultra-processed food (UPF) can not only influence human health but also environment sustainability. Objectives: Assessment of the impact of 2-year changes in UPF consumption on greenhouse gas emissions and water, energy and land use. Design A 2-year longitudinal study after a dietary intervention including 5879 participants from a Southern European population between the ages of 55-75 years with metabolic syndrome. Methods Food intake was assessed using a validated 143-item food frequency questionnaire, which allowed classifying foods according to the NOVA system. In addition, sociodemographic data, Mediterranean diet adherence, and physical activity were obtained from validated questionnaires. Greenhouse gas emissions, water, energy and land use were calculated by means of the Agribalyse® 3.0.1 database of environmental impact indicators for food items. Changes in UPF consumption during a 2-year period were analyzed. Statistical analyses were conducted using computed General Linear Models. Results: Participants with major reductions in their UPF consumption reduced their impact by −0.6 kg of CO2eq and −5.3 MJ of energy. Water use was the only factor that increased as the percentage of UPF was reduced. Conclusions: Low consumption of ultra-processed foods may contribute to environmental sustainability. The processing level of the consumed food should be considered not only for nutritional advice on health but also for environmental protection

Associations Between the Modified Food Standard Agency Nutrient Profiling System Dietary Index and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in an Elderly Population

BackgroundHelping consumers to improve the nutritional quality of their diet is a key public health action to prevent cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The modified version of the Food Standard Agency Nutrient Profiling System Dietary Index (FSAm-NPS DI) underpinning the Nutri-Score front-of-pack label has been used in public health strategies to address the deleterious consequences of poor diets. This study aimed to assess the association between the FSAm-NPS DI and some CVD risk factors including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, plasma glucose levels, triglyceride levels, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and diastolic and systolic blood pressure.Materials and MethodsDietary intake was assessed at baseline and after 1 year of follow-up using a 143-item validated semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Dietary indices based on FSAm-NPS applied at an individual level were computed to characterize the diet quality of 5,921 participants aged 55–75 years with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome from the PREDIMED-plus cohort. Associations between the FSAm-NPS DI and CVD risk factors were assessed using linear regression models.ResultsCompared to participants with a higher nutritional quality of diet (measured by a lower FSAm-NPS DI at baseline or a decrease in FSAm-NPS DI after 1 year), those participants with a lower nutritional quality of diet (higher FSAm-NPS DI or an increase in score) showed a significant increase in the levels of plasma glucose, triglycerides, diastolic blood pressure, BMI, and waist circumference (β coefficient [95% confidence interval]; P for trend) (1.67 [0.43, 2.90]; &lt;0.001; 6.27 [2.46, 10.09]; &lt;0.001; 0.56 [0.08, 1.05]; 0.001; 0.51 [0.41, 0.60]; &lt;0.001; 1.19 [0.89, 1.50]; &lt;0.001, respectively). No significant associations in relation to changes in HDL and LDL-cholesterol nor with systolic blood pressure were shown.ConclusionThis prospective cohort study suggests that the consumption of food items with a higher FSAm-NPS DI is associated with increased levels of several major risk factors for CVD including adiposity, fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, and diastolic blood pressure. However, results must be cautiously interpreted because no significant prospective associations were identified for critical CVD risk factors, such as HDL and LDL-cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure

Experiencias etnográficas acerca del tratamiento de manetnimiento con heroína

El artículo plantea una discusión sobre la epidemiología de la diversificación de tratamientos, y justifica la necesidad de un análisis antropológico para llegar donde no llega el paradigma biomédico. Una vez realizada esta introducción teórica pasa a describir las características del programa PEPSA y de la vida cotidiana del centro donde se realiza, focalizando la atención en una relación muy importante en estos contextos, como es la de los profesionales con los usuarios

Cartografía de heterotopías psicoactivas: una mirada a los discursos médicos, jurídicos y sociales sobre los usos de drogas

This article traces a map of the social control of drugs through the politics of space, according to the Foucaultian concept of "heterotopia." Firstly, a brief genealogy of the use of psychotropic substances in different times and cultures is described, up to the introduction of the prohibitionist paradigm. Attention is paid to the way in which power has marked, separated and enclosed certain rituals and uses of pleasure in physical and symbolic sites. The itinerary is focused on the Spanish context to establish a dialogue between the various policies of space that have come into being and have overlapped in the construction and management of a problem which has been rendered an object to the gazes, mechanics and discourses of the medical, legal, and social fields. In this way, the intersections between the liminal spaces of drug use and the harm reduction paradigm are analyzed, including therapeutic strategies with prescribed drugs, from methadone programs to the new heroin programs.Este artículo traza un mapa del control social de las drogas a partir de las políticas del espacio, de acuerdo al concepto foucaultiano de heterotopía. En primer lugar, se describe una breve genealogía de los usos de sustancias psicotrópicas en los diversos tiempos y culturas hasta la llegada del paradigma prohibicionista, atendiendo al modo en que el poder ha señalado, separado y encerrado determinados rituales y usos del placer en emplazamientos físicos y simbólicos. Este itinerario se centra en el contexto español para establecer un diálogo entre las distintas políticas del espacio que se han sucedido y superpuesto en la construcción y gestión de un problema que deviene objeto de la mirada, la mecánica y los discursos médicos, jurídicos y sociales. Así, se analizan las intersecciones de los emplazamientos liminares de consumo con el paradigma de la reducción de daños, así como las estrategias terapéuticas con prescripción farmacológica, desde los programas de metadona hasta los más recientes de heroína