29 research outputs found
Antithrombotiques dans le syndrome des anticorps antiphospholipides thrombotique
No full textThe thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome is defined by persistent antiphospholipid antibodies and vascular thrombosis. Recommendations for the secondary thrombotic prevention in the thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome are weak, based on a low-to-moderate quality of evidence. When the initial event leading to diagnosis is a venous thrombosis, the prevention of recurrence of a thrombotic event is based on anticoagulation with a vitamin K antagonist. When the initial event is an arterial thrombosis, the optimal antithrombotic regimen is more controversial and the role of aspirin is debated. Recent data suggest not to use direct oral anticoagulant in the -setting of the thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome. The identification of patients with low risk of thrombotic recurrence could help in tailoring antithrombotic therapy
Studying the Role of Vegetarianism as a Potential Strategy for Cancer Prevention and Treatment, a Bibliometric Analysis
No full textVegetarianism, as a dietary pattern, is characterized by animal product avoidance and increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. It has been associated with health benefits, both physical and psychological, and has raised interest as a potential strategy for cancer prevention and treatment, which remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, demanding continual exploration of novel approaches. Background/Objectives: This study aims to describe trends in scientific publications about the relationship between vegetarianism and cancer and to highlight research gaps using bibliometric analysis. Methods: The methodology includes comprehensive research of three literature databases. After combining and cleaning these data, a final sample of 3427 studies was obtained that was analyzed using the Bibliometrix-R package. Results: The results indicate a continuously growing production of scientific publications. The most impactful sources, authors and their collaborations were identified. Author keywords, their co-occurrence network, and thematic trends were studied. Conclusions: Through synthesizing and critically evaluating insights from the scientific literature, we aim to contribute to the understanding of the potential benefits of vegetarianism in cancer prevention and management. However, due to the complexity of the topic, the results are often contradictory and could be used as a starting point for further research
Thermal Degradation Mechanism and Decomposition Kinetic Studies of Poly(Lactic Acid) and Its Copolymers with Poly(Hexylene Succinate)
No full textΙn this work, new block poly(lactic acid)-block-poly(hexylene succinate) (PLA-b-PHSu) copolymers, in different mass ratios of 95/05, 90/10 and 80/20 w/w, are synthesized and their thermal and mechanical behavior are studied. Thermal degradation and thermal stability of the samples were examined by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), while thermal degradation kinetics was applied to better understand this process. The Friedman isoconversional method and the “model fitting method” revealed accurate results for the activation energy and the reaction mechanisms (nth order and autocatalysis). Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) was used to provide more details of the degradation process with PHSu’s mechanism being the β-hydrogen bond scission, while on PLA the intramolecular trans-esterification processes domains. PLA-b-PHSu copolymers decompose also through the β-hydrogen bond scission. The mechanical properties have also been tested to understand how PHSu affects PLA’s structure and to give more information about this new material. The tensile measurements gave remarkable results as the elongation at break increases as the content of PHSu increases as well. The study of the thermal and mechanical properties is crucial, to examine if the new material fulfills the requirements for further investigation for medical or other possible uses that might come up
Naturally Occurring Compounds Targeting Peroxisome Proliferator Receptors: Potential Molecular Mechanisms and Future Perspectives for Promoting Human Health
No full textBackground: Peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) constitute nuclear transcription factors controlling gene expression associated with cell growth and proliferation, diverse proteins, lipids, and glucose metabolism, being related to several other pathophysiological states such as metabolic disorders, atherogenesis, carcinogenesis, etc. The present survey aims to analyze the natural compounds that can act as agonists for the PPAR-α, PPAR-β/δ, and PPAR-γ system targeting, highlighting how the amazing biochemical diversity of natural compounds can yield new insights into this “hotspot” of the scientific field. Methods: A narrative review was performed by searching the recent international literature for the last two decades in the most authoritative scientific databases, like PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase, using appropriate keywords. Results: Several natural compounds and/or their synthetic derivatives can act as ligands of PPARs, stimulating their transcriptional activity and enabling their use as preventive and/or therapeutic agents for several disease states, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, metabolic disturbances, atherogenesis, and carcinogenesis. Although synthetic compounds are increasingly used as drugs to manage health problems, serious side effects have been observed, while their natural analogues exhibit only few minor side effects. Conclusions: Further clinical studies on natural compounds such as ligands of PPARs and the evaluation of the related molecular mechanisms are needed to implement an effective strategy concerning the pharmaco-technology, food chemistry, and nutrition to introduce them as part of clinical and dietary practice
Quantifying Earth system interactions for sustainable food production via expert elicitation
No full textSeveral safe boundaries of critical Earth system processes have already been crossed due to human perturbations; not accounting for their interactions may further narrow the safe operating space for humanity. Using expert knowledge elicitation, we explored interactions among seven variables representing Earth system processes relevant to food production, identifying many interactions little explored in Earth system literature. We found that green water and land system change affect other Earth system processes strongly, while land, freshwater and ocean components of biosphere integrity are the most impacted by other Earth system processes, most notably blue water and biogeochemical flows. We also mapped a complex network of mechanisms mediating these interactions and created a future research prioritization scheme based on interaction strengths and existing knowledge gaps. Our study improves the understanding of Earth system interactions, with sustainability implications including improved Earth system modelling and more explicit biophysical limits for future food production.Water Resource
Nutritional interventional studies in patients with multiple sclerosis: a scoping review of the current clinical evidence
No full textA good nutritional status appears to slow down disease progression and ameliorate symptoms’ intensity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Up to date, there are several interventional studies, which have explored the potential beneficial effects of specific dietary patterns as well as specific bioactive nutrients against disease progression and symptomatology of MS patients. This is a thorough, scoping review, which aims to critically summarize and scrutinize the currently available clinical evidence of the potential beneficial effects of nutritional interventional studies against MS progression and symptomatology. This review was conducted to systematically map the research done in this area, as well as to identify gaps in knowledge. For this purpose, we thoroughly explored the most accurate scientific web databases, e.g., PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to achieve the most relevant clinical human studies applying effective and characteristic keywords. There are currently several dietary patterns and specific bioactive nutrients that show promising results by slowing down disease progression and by improving MS symptoms. However, there are also certain conflicting results, while most of the existing studies enrolled a small number of MS patients. Nutritional interventions may exert substantial protective effects against MS progression and symptomatology. However, large, long-term, randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trials with a prospective design are strongly recommended to delineate whether such nutritional intervention may attenuate disease progression, and improve symptomatology in MS patients. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany 2023
Food system by-products upcycled in livestock and aquaculture feeds can increase global food supply
No full textOptimizing biomass use by reducing food-feed competition is paramount to achieving sustainable food systems. This study assesses global food systems in terms of livestock and aquaculture feed use and the availability of food system by-products and residues to quantify the potential for replacing food-grade feeds with food system by-products. Many livestock and aquaculture feeds compete for resources with food production. Increasing the use of food system by-products and residues as feed could reduce this competition. We gathered data on global food system material flows for crop, livestock and aquaculture production, focusing on feed use and the availability of by-products and residues. We then analysed the potential of replacing food-competing feedstuff-here cereals, whole fish, vegetable oils and pulses that account for 15% of total feed use-with food system by-products and residues. Considering the nutritional requirements of food-producing animals, including farmed aquatic species, this replacement could increase the current global food supply by up to 13% (10-16%) in terms of kcal and 15% (12-19%) in terms of protein content. Increasing the use of food system by-products as feed has considerable potential, particularly when combined with other measures, in the much-needed transition towards circular food systems.Peer reviewe
Thermal Degradation Mechanism and Decomposition Kinetic Studies of Poly(Ethylene Succinate)/Hemp Fiber Composites
No full textThe continuous depletion of natural resources coupled with plastics pollution, has prompted the scientific community to explore alternative biobased and/or biodegradable polymers. Poly(ethylene succinate) (PESu) is a promising substitute due to its high processability and controllable biodegradation rate. Meanwhile, hemp possesses interesting properties such as being lightweight, exhibiting excellent long-term mechanical stability, and having low carbon emissions, making it an ideal option for wood replacement. Thus, PESu/hemp fiber composites (with and without compatibilizer) were prepared novel sustainable materials with improved properties. The present study aims to investigate the thermal degradation of PESu/hemp fiber composites. More specifically, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py–GC/MS) were employed to examine the degradation mechanism and identify decomposition products. The isoconversional methods of Vyazovkin and Friedman, as well as the model free methods, provided comparable results. Samples without compatibilizer were characterized by a two-step Cn autocatalytic mechanism, while those with compatibilizer showed a triple Cn mechanism. The main thermal degradation pathway of the composites was the β-hydrogen scission of the polymeric backbone. In conclusion, this study provides information about the thermal behavior of PESu/hemp fiber composites useful for their application as alternative “wood plastic composites (WPCs)”
Childhood Obesity and Overweight Are Associated with Higher Risk of Perceived Stress and Poor Sleep Quality: A Cross-Sectional Study in Children Aged 6–9 Years
No full textBackground/Objectives: The number of children with overweight and obesity is gradually increasing worldwide. This is an emergent public health problem as overweight and obesity persist through the next stages of human life, being associated with high risk of morbidity and mortality. In this respect, the purpose of the current cross-sectional survey is to explore whether the overweight/obesity of children aged 6–9 years may be related to the risk of developing perceived stress and poor sleep quality symptoms. Methods: This study recruited 4350 primary school children from diverse Greek rural and urban regions. The mothers of the enrolled children completed relevant questionnaires on children and maternal sociodemographics, anthropometric parameters, perinatal outcomes, breastfeeding practices, and lifestyle factors. The enrolled mothers also completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to evaluate the perceived stress and sleep quality of their matched children, respectively. Results: Our analysis reveals independently significant associations between diverse factors and children’s overweight/obesity such as child’s gender, family economic status, maternal gestational weight gain, childbirth weight, kind of delivery, exclusive breastfeeding, and children physical activity. Childhood overweight and obesity were independently associated with a more than three-fold higher risk of perceived stress and a more than two-fold higher likelihood of poor sleep quality after adjustment for multiple confounding factors. Conclusions: Obesity and overweight are related to enhanced risk of perceived stress and poor sleep quality in children aged 6–9 years. Public policies and dietary counseling interventions should be applied to inform new mothers about the harmful effects of childhood overweight/obesity and to direct them to adopt healthy dietary practices for their children
Association of Pregnant Women’s Perinatal Depression with Sociodemographic, Anthropometric and Lifestyle Factors and Perinatal and Postnatal Outcomes: A Cross-Sectional Study
No full textBackground: In recent decades, the incidence of depression has gradually increased in the general population globally. Depression is also common during gestation and could result in detrimental gestational complications for both the mother and the fetus. The survey presented aimed to evaluate whether pregnant women’s perinatal depression could be associated with socio-demographic, anthropometry and lifestyle factors, and perinatal and postnatal outcomes. Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey conducted on 5314 pregnant women. Socio-demographic and lifestyle factors were recorded by relevant questionnaires via face-to-face interviews. Anthropometric parameters were measured by qualified personnel. Perinatal depressive symptomatology status was evaluated by Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI-II) questionnaire. Results: Depressive symptoms throughout gestation were found in 35.1% of the enrolled women. Perinatal depression was significantly associated with lower educational and economic level, pre-pregnancy regular smoking and reduced levels of Mediterranean diet adherence levels, a higher prevalence of gestational diabetes and preterm birth, as well as a higher incidence of delivering by caesarean section and abnormal childbirth weight. Perinatal depression was also significantly associated with a higher prevalence of maternal postpartum depression and lower prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding practices, as well as with a higher incidence of childhood asthma. Conclusions: Pregnant women’s perinatal depression appears to be associated with various socio-demographic, anthropometry, and lifestyle characteristics and with a higher frequency of several adverse pregnancy complications. The present findings emphasize the importance of pregnant women’s perinatal mental health, highlighting the need to develop and apply public strategies and policies for psychological counseling and support of future mothers to minimize probable risk factors that may trigger perinatal depression. Novel well-organized, follow-up surveys of enhanced validity are highly recommended to establish more definitive conclusions
