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1.
The Ongoing Impact of COVID-19 on Pediatric Obesity.
Iacopetta, D, Catalano, A, Ceramella, J, Pellegrino, M, Marra, M, Scali, E, Sinicropi, MS, Aquaro, S
Pediatric reports. 2024;(1):135-150
Abstract
In the developed world, pediatric obesity (PO) has been a major health concern since the last century, and this condition may lead to detrimental life-long physical and mental comorbidities. Currently, its prevalence has increased in low- and middle-income countries and in many high-income countries. Thus, the provision of effective and tailored care for children and their families has become vital. The social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are known everywhere, and among these, it has been argued that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on PO. Overall, the growth of PO over the last decade has been enhanced by the pandemic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, children, adolescents and young adults gained weight as the pediatric population dealt with sedentary lifestyles and changes in food habits. In this review, we want to highlight the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on PO.
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2.
CGRP Antagonism and Ketogenic Diet in the Treatment of Migraine.
Finelli, F, Catalano, A, De Lisa, M, Ferraro, GA, Genovese, S, Giuzio, F, Salvia, R, Scieuzo, C, Sinicropi, MS, Svolacchia, F, et al
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania). 2024;(1)
Abstract
The study of migraine is based on the complexity of the pathology, both at the pathophysiological and epidemiological levels. Although it affects more than a billion people worldwide, it is often underestimated and underreported by patients. Migraine must not be confused with a simple headache; it is a serious and disabling disease that causes considerable limitations in the daily life of afflicted people, including social, work, and emotional effects. Therefore, it causes a daily state of suffering and discomfort. It is important to point out that this pathology not only has a decisive impact on the quality of life of those who suffer from it but also on their families and, more generally, on society as a whole. The clinical picture of migraine is complex, with debilitating unilateral or bilateral head pain, and is often associated with characteristic symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and phonophobia. Hormonal, environmental, psychological, dietary, or other factors can trigger it. The present review focuses on the analysis of the physiopathological and pharmacological aspects of migraine, up to the correct dietary approach, with specific nutritional interventions aimed at modulating the symptoms. Based on the symptoms that the patient experiences, targeted and specific therapy is chosen to reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks. Specifically, the role of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the pathogenesis of migraine is analyzed, along with the drugs that effectively target the corresponding receptor. Particularly, CGRP receptor antagonists (gepants) are very effective drugs in the treatment of migraine, given their high diffusion in the brain. Moreover, following a ketogenic diet for only one or two months has been demonstrated to reduce migraine attacks. In this review, we highlight the diverse facets of migraine, from its physiopathological and pharmacological aspects to prevention and therapy.
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3.
Antibiotic-Resistant ESKAPE Pathogens and COVID-19: The Pandemic beyond the Pandemic.
Catalano, A, Iacopetta, D, Ceramella, J, Pellegrino, M, Giuzio, F, Marra, M, Rosano, C, Saturnino, C, Sinicropi, MS, Aquaro, S
Viruses. 2023;(9)
Abstract
Antibacterial resistance is a renewed public health plague in modern times, and the COVID-19 pandemic has rekindled this problem. Changes in antibiotic prescribing behavior, misinformation, financial hardship, environmental impact, and governance gaps have generally enhanced the misuse and improper access to antibiotics during the COVID-19 pandemic. These determinants, intersected with antibacterial resistance in the current pandemic, may amplify the potential for a future antibacterial resistance pandemic. The occurrence of infections with multidrug-resistant (MDR), extensively drug-resistant (XDR), difficult-to-treat drug-resistant (DTR), carbapenem-resistant (CR), and pan-drug-resistant (PDR) bacteria is still increasing. The aim of this review is to highlight the state of the art of antibacterial resistance worldwide, focusing on the most important pathogens, namely Enterobacterales, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, and their resistance to the most common antibiotics.
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4.
Haemophilia and Fragility Fractures: From Pathogenesis to Multidisciplinary Approach.
Alito, A, Bellone, F, Portaro, S, Leonardi, G, Cannavò, V, Coppini, F, Leonetti, D, Catalano, A, Squadrito, G, Fenga, D
International journal of molecular sciences. 2023;(11)
Abstract
Haemophilia A (HA) and haemophilia B (HB) are X-linked inherited bleeding disorders caused by the absence or deficiency of coagulation factors VIII (FVIII) and IX (FIX), respectively. Recent advances in the development of effective treatments for haemophilia have led to a significant increase in life expectancy. As a result, the incidence of some comorbidities, including fragility fractures, has increased in people with haemophilia (PWH). The aim of our research was to perform a review of the literature investigating the pathogenesis and multidisciplinary management of fractures in PWH. The PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane Library databases were searched to identify original research articles, meta-analyses, and scientific reviews on fragility fractures in PWH. The mechanism underlying bone loss in PWH is multifactorial and includes recurrent joint bleeding, reduced physical activity with consequent reduction in mechanical load, nutritional deficiencies (particularly vitamin D), and FVIII and FIX deficiency. Pharmacological treatment of fractures in PWH includes antiresorptive, anabolic and dual action drugs. When conservative management is not possible, surgery is the preferred option, particularly in severe arthropathy, and rehabilitation is a key component in restoring function and maintaining mobility. Appropriate multidisciplinary fracture management and an adapted and tailored rehabilitation pathway are essential to improve the quality of life of PWH and prevent long-term complications. Further clinical trials are needed to improve the management of fractures in PWH.
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5.
Ultra-processed foods, adiposity and risk of head and neck cancer and oesophageal adenocarcinoma in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study: a mediation analysis.
Morales-Berstein, F, Biessy, C, Viallon, V, Goncalves-Soares, A, Casagrande, C, Hémon, B, Kliemann, N, Cairat, M, Blanco Lopez, J, Al Nahas, A, et al
European journal of nutrition. 2023
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Free full text
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Expert Review
Conflicts of interest:
None
Take Home Message:
UPF intake influences incidence of cancers of the head, neck and oesophagus, this impact appears to be regardless of their impact on adiposity.
Evidence Category:
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X
A: Meta-analyses, position-stands, randomized-controlled trials (RCTs)
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B: Systematic reviews including RCTs of limited number
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C: Non-randomized trials, observational studies, narrative reviews
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D: Case-reports, evidence-based clinical findings
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E: Opinion piece, other
Summary Review:
Introduction
This study evaluated the relationship between consumption of ultra-processed foods and risk of developing cancer of the head and neck (HNC) and oesophagus (OAC), and the role of adiposity in this relationship.
Methods
- Data from the EPIC study including 450111 participants from 10 countries with a mean follow-up duration 14.13 + 3.98 years
- Dietary intakes evaluated using validated questionnaires
- Dietary intakes analysed by firstly identifying ingredients from meals, whether home-made or elsewhere. These components then analysed using NOVA classification of food by extent of processing. NOVA 1 - minimally processed natural foods; NOVA 2 - culinary ingredients e.g. oil, butter, salt, derived from NOVA1 foods with minimal processing; NOVA 3 - industrial products, containing both processed and unprocessed or minimally processed components; NOVA 4 - processed foods not normally used in domestic kitchens, additives intended to enhance taste and/or attractiveness to consumers
- NOVA 3 and 4 foods considered ultra-processed foods (UPF)
- Cancers of the oesophagus, oral cavity, larynx, and pharynx identified from registries, insurance records, and direct follow up
- Participant age, level of education and physical activity were also collected. Height, weight, waist and hip circumference used to calculate BMI and waist to hip ratio (WHR)
- Cox proportional hazards models used to calculate Hazard Ratios (HR. for associations between food intake, cancer incidence and participant characteristics
- Data adjusted for alcohol intake and smoking status.
Results
- 70.8% participants female, mean age at recruitment 51.1 years
- . Mean UPF consumption (g/d) and percentage of total dietary intake varied between countries, from 13.7% (363 g/d) in Spain to 18.6% (520.5 g/d) in the UK
- Male participants had higher mean UPF intake than females, 14.7% versus 13.3% of diet
- Higher UPF intake was associated with increased risk of cancer. For HNC 10% increase in UPF = HR 1.23 (95% CI 1.14-1.34). For OAC HR =1.24 (95% CI = 1.05-1.47
- Greatest effect was seen for cancers of the hypopharynx
- Increased risk was not explained by adiposity: only 5% increased risk for HNC was associated with WHR and 13% increased OAC risk attributable to BMI and WHR.
Conclusion
UPF consumption is associated with increased risks of HNC and OAC, by mechanisms other than increased adiposity.
Clinical practice applications:
- People at risk of HNC or OAC should be made aware of the evidence here of additional risks of consuming UPF
- Although increased adiposity, smoking and consumption of alcohol have some impact on incidence of these cancers, UPF consumption appears to act through some other mechanisms
- Clear definitions of degrees of food processing are provided by this study.
Considerations for future research:
Further areas are worth exploring:
- The impact on UPF intake on the intake of other food groups, for example was UPF intake associated with decreased intake of fruit and vegetables?
- The impact of UPF intake on oral and oesophageal microbiome composition could be considered.
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the role of adiposity in the associations between ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and head and neck cancer (HNC) and oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort. METHODS Our study included 450,111 EPIC participants. We used Cox regressions to investigate the associations between the consumption of UPFs and HNC and OAC risk. A mediation analysis was performed to assess the role of body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in these associations. In sensitivity analyses, we investigated accidental death as a negative control outcome. RESULTS During a mean follow-up of 14.13 ± 3.98 years, 910 and 215 participants developed HNC and OAC, respectively. A 10% g/d higher consumption of UPFs was associated with an increased risk of HNC (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-1.34) and OAC (HR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.05-1.47). WHR mediated 5% (95% CI 3-10%) of the association between the consumption of UPFs and HNC risk, while BMI and WHR, respectively, mediated 13% (95% CI 6-53%) and 15% (95% CI 8-72%) of the association between the consumption of UPFs and OAC risk. UPF consumption was positively associated with accidental death in the negative control analysis. CONCLUSIONS We reaffirmed that higher UPF consumption is associated with greater risk of HNC and OAC in EPIC. The proportion mediated via adiposity was small. Further research is required to investigate other mechanisms that may be at play (if there is indeed any causal effect of UPF consumption on these cancers).
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6.
Natural Products for the Prevention, Treatment and Progression of Breast Cancer.
Svolacchia, F, Brongo, S, Catalano, A, Ceccarini, A, Svolacchia, L, Santarsiere, A, Scieuzo, C, Salvia, R, Finelli, F, Milella, L, et al
Cancers. 2023;(11)
Abstract
In this review, we summarize the most used natural products as useful adjuvants in BC by clarifying how these products may play a critical role in the prevention, treatment and progression of this disease. BC is the leading cancer, in terms of incidence, that affects women. The epidemiology and pathophysiology of BC were widely reported. Inflammation and cancer are known to influence each other in several tumors. In the case of BC, the inflammatory component precedes the development of the neoplasm through a slowly increasing and prolonged inflammation that also favors its growth. BC therapy involves a multidisciplinary approach comprising surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. There are numerous observations that showed that the effects of some natural substances, which, in integration with the classic protocols, can be used not only for prevention or integration in order to prevent recurrences and induce a state of chemoquiescence but also as chemo- and radiosensitizers during classic therapy.
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7.
Effects of genistein aglycone in glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis: A randomized clinical trial in comparison with alendronate.
Squadrito, F, Imbalzano, E, Rottura, M, Arcoraci, V, Pallio, G, Catalano, A, Atteritano, M, Irrera, N, Mannino, F, Squadrito, G, et al
Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie. 2023;:114821
Abstract
Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO) complicates the clinical management of patients subjected to long-term glucocorticoid use. This study explored the effects of genistein on bone loss in a randomized double-blind alendronate-controlled trial in postmenopausal women with GIO. 200 postmenopausal women (taking at least 5 mg of prednisone equivalents) since 3 months, or more, and expected to continue for at least other 12 months, were randomized to receive genistein (54 mg/day daily) or alendronate (70 mg once a week) for 24 months. Both groups received also Calcium and Vitamin D3 supplementation. Median bone mineral density (BMD) at the antero-posterior lumbar spine significantly increased from 0.75 g/cm2 at baseline to 0.77 g/cm2 at 1 year and 0.79 g/cm2 at 2 years in alendronate-treated patients and from 0.77 g/cm2 at baseline to 0.79 g/cm2 at 12 months and to 0.80 g/cm2 at 24 months in genistein recipients. No difference was observed between the two treatments. Median BMD at the femoral neck increased from 0.67 g/cm2 at baseline to 0.68 g/cm2 at 1 year and 0.69 g/cm2 at 2 years in alendronate-treated patients and from 0.68 g/cm2 at baseline to 0.70 g/cm2 at 12 months and to 0.71 g/cm2 at 24 months in genistein recipients. No difference was observed between alendronate and genistein groups in BMD. Regarding bone markers genistein and alendronate statistically decreased c-terminal telopeptide, while osteocalcin, bone-ALP, and sclerostin showed greater changes in genistein treated patients. This randomized clinical trial suggests that genistein aglycone represents an additional therapeutic option for patients with GIO.
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An Update on Recent Studies Focusing on the Antioxidant Properties of Salvia Species.
Iacopetta, D, Ceramella, J, Scumaci, D, Catalano, A, Sinicropi, MS, Tundis, R, Alcaro, S, Borges, F
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland). 2023;(12)
Abstract
Nutrition has crucial effects and a significant role in disease prevention. Recently, nutraceuticals have attracted much attention in scientific research due to their pleiotropic effects and relatively non-toxic behavior. Among the biological effects displayed by plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family, such as antibacterial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and anticholinesterase, sage is well known for its antioxidant properties and is a rich source of numerous compounds that are biologically active, amongst them polyphenols, with more than 160 types identified. In this review we summarized some of the significant studies published in the last decade reporting the most employed extraction methods and the different assays that are useful for establishing the antioxidant properties of some sage species. Even though the scientific literature contains plenty of data regarding the antioxidant properties of many sage species, further studies are needed in order to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanism of action and the compounds responsible for their antioxidant activity. Finally, it should be taken into account that the data on the antioxidant properties of sage extracts are often difficult to compare with each other, since a series of variables in the extraction procedures, the type of assay used, and standardization may affect the final result.
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9.
Ancient Wheat as Promising Nutraceuticals for the Prevention of Chronic and Degenerative Diseases.
Basile, G, De Maio, AC, Catalano, A, Ceramella, J, Iacopetta, D, Bonofiglio, D, Saturnino, C, Sinicropi, MS
Current medicinal chemistry. 2023;(30):3384-3403
Abstract
In the context of a balanced diet, wheat, mainly used as whole grains, is a good source of nutrients, including fibers and bioactive compounds. Cereals belong to the Poaceae family and are crucial for maintaining a healthy status, granted by their nutritional and chemical properties. Recent studies have demonstrated that the intake of whole grains and grain-based products may reduce the risk of oxidative stress, thus lowering chronic and age-related disorders, such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes and cancer. Indeed, several studies report that regular whole grain consumption is associated with lower levels of total and LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose, blood pressure and body mass index. Moreover, ancient wheat species have become increasingly interested in human health, containing several nutraceutical compounds, such as vitamins and minerals. The numerous phytochemicals present in ancient wheat (polyphenols, carotenoids, phytosterols and phenolic compounds) provide, in fact, antioxidant properties, which are essential in the prevention of various chronic and degenerative diseases. This review aims to report information on ancient wheat species, discussing their composition and nutraceutical properties compared with modern varieties and highlighting the beneficial impact on human health.
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10.
Mediating Role of Lifestyle Behaviors in the Association between Education and Cancer: Results from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition.
Macciotta, A, Catalano, A, Giraudo, MT, Weiderpass, E, Ferrari, P, Freisling, H, Colorado-Yohar, SM, Santiuste, C, Amiano, P, Heath, AK, et al
Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology. 2023;(1):132-140
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many studies have shown that socioeconomic position (SEP) is associated with the incidence of malignant tumors at different sites. This study aims to estimate the association between educational level (as proxy for SEP) and cancer incidence and to understand whether the observed associations might be partially explained by lifestyle behaviors. METHODS The analyses were performed on data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study, globally and by sex. We used Cox proportional hazards models together with mediation analysis to disentangle the total effect (TE) of educational level [measured through the Relative Index of Inequality (RII)] on cancer incidence into pure direct (PDE) and total indirect (TIE) effect, unexplained and explained by mediators, respectively. PDE and TIE were then combined to compute the proportions mediated (PM). RESULTS After an average of 14 years of follow-up, 52,422 malignant tumors were ascertained. Low educated participants showed higher risk of developing stomach, lung, kidney (in women), and bladder (in men) cancers, and, conversely, lower risk of melanoma and breast cancer (in post-menopausal women), when compared with more educated participants. Mediation analyses showed that portions of the TE of RII on cancer could be explained by site-specific related lifestyle behaviors for stomach, lung, and breast (in women). CONCLUSIONS Cancer incidence in Europe is determined at least in part by a socioeconomically stratified distribution of risk factors. IMPACT These observational findings support policies to reduce cancer occurrence by altering mediators, such as lifestyle behaviors, particularly focusing on underprivileged strata of the population.