Excess dietary sodium and inadequate potassium intake in Italy: Results of the MINISAL study

ObjectiveAs excess sodium and inadequate potassium intake are causally related to hypertension and cardiovascular disease, the MINISAL-GIRCSI Program aimed to provide reliable estimates of dietary sodium and potassium intake in representative samples of the Italian population.Design and methodsRandom samples of adult population were collected from 12 Italian regions, including 1168 men and 1112 women aged 35–79 yrs. Electrolyte intake was estimated from 24 hour urine collections and creatinine was measured to estimate the accuracy of the collection. Anthropometric indices were measured with standardised procedures.ResultsThe average sodium excretion was 189 mmol (or 10.9 g of salt/day) among men and 147 mmol (or 8.5 g) among women (range 27–472 and 36–471 mmol, respectively). Ninety-seven % of men and 87% of women had a consumption higher than the WHO recommended target of 5g/day. The 24 h average potassium excretion was 63 and 55 mmol, respectively (range 17–171 and 20–126 mmol), 96% of men and 99% of women having an intake lower than 100 mmol/day (European and American guideline recommendation). The mean sodium/potassium ratio was 3.1 and 2.8 respectively, i.e. over threefold greater than the desirable level of 0.85. The highest sodium intake was observed in Southern regions. Sodium and potassium excretion were both progressively higher the higher the BMI (p < 0.0001).ConclusionsThese MINISAL preliminary results indicate that in all the Italian regions thus far surveyed dietary sodium intake was largely higher and potassium intake lower than the recommended intakes. They also highlight the critical association between overweight and excess salt intake.     

Gentamicin and leucine inhalable powder: What about antipseudomonal activity and permeation through cystic fibrosis mucus?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the permeation properties of gentamicin (G) in a novel dry powder form for inhalation through an artificial mucus model. Moreover, since respiratory infections sustained by Pseudomonas are a major cause of sickness and death in CF patients, the susceptibility of P. aeruginosa to engineered G powders was investigated.     

Current utilization of breast FNA in a cytology practice

Over the past decade, core biopsy rapidly replaced fine needle aspiration (FNA) in evaluation of diseases of the female breast in many centers in the USA. The inability to diagnose invasive cancer by FNA, and the general feeling of unease in interpretation of cytologic specimens among pathologists who are not trained in cytopathology are among factors leading to decline in the use of FNA. At our institution, we continue to rely heavily on FNA for evaluation of breast masses. In this article, we discuss our multidisciplinary team approach which is essential in sustaining a successful breast cancer screening program. We also review the general utility of breast FNA and core biopsy in a comparative fashion. In the second part of this article which will appear in an upcoming issue, we will review the use of FNA and core biopsy in challenging breast lesions focusing on the pitfalls and limitations of both modalities in selected specific lesions. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Bio-psychosocial determinants of time lost from work following non life threatening acute orthopaedic trauma

Background  

To determine factors predicting the duration of time away from work following acute orthopaedic non life threatening trauma     

SEOM clinical guidelines for the treatment of anal cancer

Anal carcinoma is an uncommon disorder accounting for less than 2% of large bowel malignancies and 1–6% of anorectal tumours. Its incidence ranges between 0.5 and 1% per 100,000. Local staging should be done with MR imaging using an external pelvic phased-array coil. Treatment strategy should be optimally discussed in a multidisciplinary team. HIV-positive patients seem to achieve similar response rate and overall survival to HIV-negative patients but with increased toxicity and higher local recurrences. Combined modality treatment with irradiation and chemotherapy has resulted in complete response over 90% and local control over 85%. This guide gives recommendations for diagnosis, staging and treatment.