Mediterranean diet, cardiovascular health and longevity: Strategies to improve the assessment and interpretation of this dietary pattern in nutritional epidemiology

Introduction - Adherence to the Mediterranean diet, could reduce the risk of mortality and CVD across the life course. However, its epidemiological instrumentation needs to be contextualized and adapted to local cultures. Moreover, there is evidence that typical dairy products should be disaggregated in the MDS due to divergent health properties. Methods - The Västerbotten Intervention Program (VIP), the Northern Sweden MONICA, the H70 elderly study, the Copenhagen MONICA study, and the IDEFICS EU children study were included. A refined version of the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) was calculated from diet histories (H70), FFQs (VIP), and food records (MONICA-Copenhagen) by including foods that better describe the context of a genuine Mediterranean diet (e.g., wholegrain instead of total cereals) and ingredients from mixed dishes. Cox models, adjusted for potential confounders, were used to compare the original and refined MDS and their associations with mortality, CVD incidence, and mortality. Adjusted Cox models were also used to test the association between dairy intakes and the risk of mortality in the VIP and H70 cohorts. Adherence among children was assessed using both FFQ and recall data, and its association with BMI, waist circumference, WtHR, and % fat mass was assessed crosssectionally and longitudinally. Results – The refined MDS, but not the original score, inversely predicted the risk of allcause mortality in the MONICA-Copenhagen (HR = 0.93) and VIP (HR = 0.95) studies, as well as with CVD incidence and CVD mortality in all cohort studies. Stroke incidence and stroke mortality were not associated with both scores. Milk intakes directly predicted all-cause mortality (HR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.05) whereas cheese intakes showed an inverse association with all-cause mortality (HR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.91, 0.97). Fermented milk intakes showed a borderline significant inverse association with all-cause mortality. The MDS was inversely associated with the risk of overweight and obesity in children with low prevalence of high-adherent children in all countries (< 30%) except Sweden. Discussion and conclusions - The adoption of a Mediterranean-like diet is protective for CVD across the lifespan, and adherence should be increased among children. The sensitivity of assessments evaluating adherence to this pattern can be increased. The results on dairy product intakes suggest differences between milk and cheese, but they should be interpreted cautiously

The three-body recombination of a condensed Bose gas near a Feshbach resonance

In this paper, we study the three-body recombination rate of a homogeneous dilute Bose gas with a Feshbach resonance at zero temperature. The ground state and excitations of this system are obtained. The three-body recombination in the ground state is due to the break-up of an atom pair in the quantum depletion and the formation of a molecule by an atom from the broken pair and an atom from the condensate. The rate of this process is in good agreement with the experiment on $^{23}$Na in a wide range of magnetic fields.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures, to be published in Phys. Rev.

Analysis of caesarean section and neonatal outcome using the Robson classification in a rural district hospital in Tanzania: An observational retrospective study

OBJECTIVE: Caesarean section (CS) rates have increased worldwide in recent decades. In 2015, the WHO proposed the use of the 10-group Robson classification as a global standard for assessing, monitoring and comparing CS rates both within healthcare facilities over time and between them. The aim of this study was to assess the pattern of CS rates according to the Robson classification and describe maternal and perinatal outcomes by group at the Tosamaganga Hospital in rural Tanzania. DESIGN: Observational retrospective study. SETTING: St. John of the Cross Tosamaganga Hospital, a referral centre in rural Tanzania. PARTICIPANTS: 3012 women who gave birth in Tosamaganga Hospital from 1 January to 30 June 2014 and from 1 March to 30 November 2015. RESULTS: The overall CS rate was 35.2%, and about 90% of women admitted for labour were in Robson groups 1 through 5. More than 40% of the CS carried out in the hospital were performed on nulliparous women at term with a single fetus in cephalic presentation (groups 1 and 3), and the most frequent indication for the procedure was previous uterine scar (39.2%). The majority of severe neonatal outcomes were observed in groups 1 (27.7%), 10 (24.5%) and 3 (19.1%). CONCLUSION: We recorded a high CS rate in Tosamaganga Hospital, particularly in low-risk patients groups (Robson groups 1 and 3). Our analysis of Robson classification and neonatal outcomes suggests the need to improve labour management at the hospital and to provide timely referrals in order to prevent women from arriving there in critical conditions

Unique features of the mode of action of ET-743

This paper describes the current knowledge of the primary mode of action of a natural product, ecteinascidin 743 (ET-743), derived from the marine tunicate Ecteinascidia turbinata. ET-743 was initially selected for preclinical development because of its potent antitumor activity observed against several human solid tumor types. In vitro, the drug is cytotoxic in the nanomolar range, and in the case of some very sensitive cell lines, in the picomolar range. The large potency differences observed among several solid tumor types indicate that this compound possesses some tumor selectivity, but the molecular basis of these differential effects remains to be elucidated. The present studies were undertaken to evaluate the mechanism of action of ET-743 in this context. The available information on ET-743 binding to DNA and its effects on transcriptional regulation point to a unique behavior of this drug, as it independently affects specific gene transcription in a promoter-dependent way. In addition, ET-743 shows a peculiar pattern of selectivity in cells with different defects in their DNA-repair pathways. These results highlight a unique property of ET-743, possibly explaining why it possesses antitumor activity against tumors that are refractory to standard anticancer drugs, all of which certainly act by mechanisms that are different from that of ET-743

Adherence to a Mediterranean-like dietary pattern in children from eight European countries : the IDEFICS study

BACKGROUND: Despite documented benefits of a Mediterranean-like dietary pattern, there is a lack of knowledge about how children from different European countries compare with each other in relation to the adherence to this pattern. In response to this need, we calculated the Mediterranean diet score (MDS) in 2-9-year-old children from the Identification and prevention of dietary-and lifestyle-induced health effects in children and infants (IDEFICS) eight-country study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Using 24 h dietary recall data obtained during the IDEFICS study (n = 7940), an MDS score was calculated based on the age- and sex-specific population median intakes of six food groups (vegetables and legumes, fruit and nuts, cereal grains and potatoes, meat products and dairy products) and the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fats. For fish and seafood, which was consumed by 10% of the population, one point was given to consumers. The percentages of children with high MDS levels (43) were calculated and stratified by sex, age and by having at least one migrant parent or both native parents. Demographic (sex and age) and socioeconomic characteristics (parental education and income) of children showing high (43) vs low (<= 3) MDS levels were examined. RESULTS: The highest prevalence of children with MDS 43 was found among the Italian pre-school boys (55.9%) and the lowest among the Spanish school-aged girls (26.0%). Higher adherence to a Mediterranean-like dietary pattern was not associated with living in a Mediterranean country or in a highly educated or high-income family, although with some exceptions. Differences in adherence between boys and girls or age groups varied between countries without any general pattern. CONCLUSIONS: With the exception of Italian pre-schoolers, similar adherence levels to a Mediterranean-like dietary pattern have been observed among European children

Olfactometric techniques in feed analysis: preliminary calibration of DON in durum wheat

Approcci olfattometrici nell\u2019analisi dei mangimi: calibrazione preliminare per il rilievo di DON nel grano duro. Le analisi olfattometriche, attraverso l\u2019uso del naso elettronico, trovano sempre pi\uf9 spazio nella valutazione della qualit\ue0 e sicurezza in campo alimentare. I principali vantaggi di tale approccio risiedono nella sua flessibilit\ue0 di impiego. Una volta messi a punto adeguati protocolli d\u2019analisi e modelli statistici di tipo multivariato, infatti, il naso elettronico si pu\uf2 rivelare uno strumento adatto alle realt\ue0 di campo in quanto caratterizzato da rapidit\ue0 e basso costo d\u2019esercizio. Lo scopo di questo lavoro \ue8 stato quello di verificare, a livello preliminare, l\u2019efficienza del naso elettronico nel riconoscere la presenza di micotossina deossinivalenolo (DON) in 10 campioni di grano duro (Triticum durum) di diversa provenienza geografica. I risultati hanno dimostrato che il protocollo applicato consente di riconoscere la presenza di DON nonch\ue9 di discriminare i diversi campioni in funzione del loro livello di contaminazione

Associations between energy intake, daily food intake and energy density of foods and BMI z-score in 2-9-year-old European children

The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between proxy-reported energy intake, daily food intake and energy density of foods and body mass index (BMI) z-score in 2-9-year-old European children. From 16,225 children who participated in the identification and prevention of dietary- and lifestyle-induced health effects in children and infants (IDEFICS) baseline examination, 9,782 children with 24-h proxy dietary information and complete covariate information were included in the analysis. Participating children were classified according to adapted Goldberg cutoffs: underreports, plausible energy reports and overreports. Energy intake, daily food intake and energy density of foods excluding noncaloric beverages were calculated for all eating occasions. Effect of energy intake, daily food intake and energy density of foods on BMI z-score was investigated using multilevel regression models in the full sample and subsample of plausible energy reports. Exposure variables were included separately; daily food intake and energy intake were addressed in a combined model to check for interactions. In the group of plausible energy reports (N = 8,544), energy intake and daily food intake were significantly positively associated with BMI z-score. Energy density of foods was not associated with BMI z-score. In the model including energy intake, food intake and an interaction term, only energy intake showed a significantly positive effect on BMI z-score. In the full sample (N = 9,782), only energy intake was significantly but negatively associated with BMI z-score. Proxy-reporters are subject to misreporting, especially for children in the higher BMI levels. Energy intake is a more important predictor of unhealthy weight development in children than daily food intake

Methylglyoxal, Glycated Albumin, PAF, and TNF-&#945;: Possible Inflammatory and Metabolic Biomarkers for Management of Gestational Diabetes

Background: In gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), pancreatic \u3b2-cell breakdown can result from a proinflammatory imbalance created by a sustained level of cytokines. In this study, we investigated the role of specific cytokines, such as B-cell activating factor (BAFF), tumor necrosis factor \u3b1 (TNF-\u3b1), and platelet-activating factor (PAF), together with methylglyoxal (MGO) and glycated albumin (GA) in pregnant women affected by GDM. Methods: We enrolled 30 women whose inflammation and metabolic markers were measured at recruitment and after 12 weeks of strict dietetic therapy. We compared these data to the data obtained from 53 randomly selected healthy nonpregnant subjects without diabetes, hyperglycemia, or any condition that can affect glycemic metabolism. Results: In pregnant women affected by GDM, PAF levels increased from 26.3 (17.4-47.5) ng/mL to 40.1 (30.5-80.5) ng/mL (p &lt; 0.001). Their TNF-\u3b1 levels increased from 3.0 (2.8-3.5) pg/mL to 3.4 (3.1-5.8) pg/mL (p &lt; 0.001). The levels of methylglyoxal were significantly higher in the women with GDM (p &lt; 0.001), both at diagnosis and after 12 weeks (0.64 (0.46-0.90) \u3bcg/mL; 0.71 (0.47-0.93) \u3bcg/mL, respectively) compared to general population (0.25 (0.19-0.28) \u3bcg/mL). Levels of glycated albumin were significantly higher in women with GDM (p &lt; 0.001) only after 12 weeks from diagnosis (1.51 (0.88-2.03) nmol/mL) compared to general population (0.95 (0.63-1.4) nmol/mL). Conclusion: These findings support the involvement of new inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers in the mechanisms related to GDM complications and prompt deeper exploration into the vicious cycle connecting inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic results

Serum IgG antibodies from pregnant women reacting to mimotopes of simian virus 40 large T antigen, the viral oncoprotein

Simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen (LT) coding sequences were revealed in different human samples, whereas SV40 antibodies (Ab) were detected in human sera of cancer patients and healthy individuals, although with a lower prevalence. Previous studies carried out by the neutralization assay gave a SV40 seroprevalence, in the general population, up to 8%, although higher rates, 12%, were detected in kidney transplant children, in a group of HIV-positive patients, and in healthy females. In this study, serum samples from pregnant women, together with those from non-pregnant women, were analyzed to check the prevalence of IgG Ab reacting to SV40 LT antigens. Serum samples were collected from pregnant and non-pregnant women, with the same mean age. Women were in the range of 15-48 years old. Samples were assayed by an indirect ELISA employing specific SV40 LT mimotopes as antigens, whereas functional analysis was performed by neutralization of the viral infectivity in cell cultures. As a control, sera were analyzed for Ab against BK polyomavirus (BKPyV), which is a human polyomavirus homologous to SV40. Statistical analyses employed chi-square with Yates' correction, and Student's t tests. Indirect ELISAs indicated that pregnant women tested SV40 LT-positive with a prevalence of 17% (23/134), whereas non-pregnant women had a prevalence of 20% (36/180) (P > 0.05). Ab against BKPyV were detected with a prevalence of 80% in pregnant women and with a prevalence of 78% in non-pregnant women. These data indicate that SV40 infects at a low prevalence pregnant women. We may speculate that SV40, or a close human polyomavirus still undetected, could be transmitted from mother to fetus

Sequential adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy in endometrial cancer--results from two randomised studies.

INTRODUCTION: Endometrial cancer patients with high grade tumours, deep myometrial invasion, or advanced stage disease have a poor prognosis. Randomized studies have demonstrated prevention of loco-regional relapses with radiotherapy with no effect on overall survival. The possible additive effect of chemotherapy remains unclear. Two randomized clinical trials (NSGO-EC-9501/EORTC-55991 and MaNGO ILIADE-III) were undertaken to clarify if sequential combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy improves progression-free survival in high-risk endometrial cancer. The two studies were pooled. METHODS: Patients (n=540; 534 evaluable) with operated endometrial cancer FIGO stage I-III with no residual tumour and prognostic factors implying high-risk were randomly allocated to adjuvant radiotherapy with or without sequential chemotherapy. RESULTS: In the NSGO/EORTC study, combined modality treatment was associated with a 36 % reduction in the risk for relapse or death (HR 0.64, 95 % CI 0.41-0.99; P=0.04); two-sided tests were used. The result from the MaNGO-study pointed in the same direction (HR 0.61), but was not significant. In combined analysis, the estimate of risk for relapse or death was similar but with narrower confidence limits (HR 0.63, CI 0.44-0.89; P=0.009). Neither study showed significant differences in overall survival. In combined analysis, overall survival approached statistical significance (HR 0.69, CI 0.46-1.03; P = 0.07) and cancer-specific survival was significant (HR 0.55, CI 0.35-0.88; p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Addition of adjuvant chemotherapy to radiation improves progression-free survival in operated endometrial cancer patients with no residual tumour and high risk profile. A remaining question for future studies is if addition of radiotherapy to chemotherapy improves the results