Alcohol Use as a Function of Physical Activity and Golfing Motives in a National Sample of United States Golfers

Alcohol and physical inactivity are risk factors for a variety of cancer types. However, alcohol use often co-occurs with physical activity (PA), which could mitigate the cancer-prevention benefits of PA. Alcohol is integrated into the culture of one of the most popular physical activities for adults in the United States (U.S.), golf. This study examined how alcohol use was associated with total PA, golf-specific PA, and motives for golfing in a national sample of golfers in the U.S. Adult golfers (n = 338; 51% male, 81% White, 46 ± 14.4 years) self-reported alcohol use, golfing behavior and motives, and PA. Most (84%) golfers consumed alcohol, averaging 7.91 servings/week. Golf participation, including days/week, holes/week, and practice hours/week, was not associated with alcohol use. Golfers with stronger social motives were 60% more likely to consume alcohol. Weekly walking (incident risk ratio (IRR) = 7.30), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA; IRR = 5.04), and total PA (IRR = 4.14) were associated with more alcohol servings/week. Golfers’ alcohol use may be higher than the general adult population in the U.S. and contributes 775 extra kilocalories/week, a surplus that may offset PA-related energy expenditure and cancer-protective effects. Alcohol use interventions targeting golfers may facilitate weight loss and reduce cancer risk, especially for golfers motivated by social status.     

Primary Prevention of Food Allergy—Environmental Protection beyond Diet

A food allergy is a potentially life-threatening disease with a genetic and environmental background. As its prevalence has increased significantly in recent years, the need for its effective prevention has been emphasized. The role of diet modifications and nutrients in food allergy reduction has been extensively studied. Much less is known about the role of other environmental factors, which can influence the incidence of this disease. Changes in neonates gut microbiome by delivery mode, animal contact, inhalant allergens, oral and then cutaneous allergen exposure, air pollution, smoking, infections and vaccinations can be the potential modifiers of food allergy development. There is some data about their role as the risk or preventive factors, but yet the results are not entirely consistent. In this paper we present the current knowledge about their possible role in primary prevention of food allergies. We discuss the mechanisms of action, difficulties in designing accurate studies about food allergy and the potential biases in interpreting the connection between environmental factors and food allergy prevention. A better understanding of the role of environmental factors in food allergies development may help in implementing practical solutions for food allergy primary prevention in the future.     

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Their Role in Pediatric Cancer

Background: Malnutrition is common in children with cancer and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. The need for supportive care is becoming ever more evident and the role of nutrition in oncology is still not sufficiently understood. In particular, the consequences of macro- and micronutrient deficiencies require further research. As epidemiological data suggest anti-tumoral properties of omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), we reviewed the role of nutrition and n-3 supplementation in pediatric oncology. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted on PubMed through 5 February 2021 to select meta-analyses, systematic reviews, observational studies, and individual randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on macro- and micronutrient supplementation in pediatric oncology. The search strategy included the following medical subject headings (MeSH) and keywords: “childhood cancer”, “pediatric oncology”, “nutritional status”, “malnutrition”, and “omega-3-fatty-acids”. The reference lists of all relevant articles were screened to include potentially pertinent studies. Results: We summarize evidence about the importance of adequate nutrition in childhood cancer and the role of n-3 PUFAs and critically interpret findings. Possible effects of supplementation on the nutritional status and benefits during chemotherapy are discussed as well as strategies for primary and secondary prevention. Conclusion: We here describe the obvious benefits of omega-3 supplementation in childhood cancer. Further large scale clinical trials are required to verify potential anti-cancer effects of n-3 fatty acids.     

Morbidity and Mortality Associated with Typhoid Fever Among Hospitalized Patients in Hyderabad District,Pakistan, 2017-2018: Retrospective Record Review

BackgroundHyderabad, Pakistan, was the first city to witness an outbreak of extensively drug resistant (XDR) typhoid fever. The outbreak strain is resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, fluoroquinolones, and third-generation cephalosporin, thus greatly limiting treatment options. However, despite over 5000 documented cases, information on mortality and morbidity has been limited.ObjectiveTo address the existing knowledge gap, this study aimed to assess the morbidity and mortality associated with XDR and non-XDR Salmonella serovar Typhi infections in Pakistan.MethodsWe reviewed the medical records of culture-confirmed typhoid cases in 5 hospitals in Hyderabad from October 1, 2016, to September 30, 2018. We recorded data on age, gender, onset of fever, physical examination, serological and microbiological test results, treatment before and during hospitalization, duration of hospitalization, complications, and deaths.ResultsA total of 1452 culture-confirmed typhoid cases, including 947 (66%) XDR typhoid cases and 505 (34%) non-XDR typhoid cases, were identified. Overall, ≥1 complications were reported in 360 (38%) patients with XDR typhoid and 89 (18%) patients with non-XDR typhoid (P<.001). Ileal perforation was the most commonly reported complication in both patients with XDR typhoid (n=210, 23%) and patients with non-XDR typhoid (n=71, 14%) (P<.001). Overall, mortality was documented among 17 (1.8%) patients with XDR S Typhi infections and 3 (0.6%) patients with non-XDR S Typhi infections (P=.06).ConclusionsAs this first XDR typhoid outbreak continues to spread, the increased duration of illness before hospitalization and increased rate of complications have important implications for clinical care and medical costs and heighten the importance of prevention and control measures.     

Infection Control Citations in Nursing Homes: Compliance and Geographic Variability

ObjectivesTo report the initial compliance with new infection control regulations and geographic disparities in nursing homes (NHs) in the United States.DesignRetrospective cohort study from November 27, 2017 to November 27, 2019.Setting and ParticipantsIn total, 14,894 NHs in the continental United States comprising 26,201 inspections and 176,841 deficiencies.MethodsWe measured the cumulative incidence of receiving F880: Infection Prevention and Control deficiencies, geographic variability of F880 citations across the United States, and the scope and severity of the infection control deficiencies.ResultsA total of 6164 NHs (41%) in the continental United States received 1 deficiency for F880, and 2300 NHs (15%) were cited more than once during the 2-year period. Geographic variation was evident for F880 deficiencies, ranging from 20% of NHs in North Carolina to 79% of NHs in West Virginia. Between 0% (Vermont) and 33% (Michigan) of states’ NHs were cited multiple times over 2 years. Facilities receiving 2 or more F880 deficiencies were more reliant on Medicaid, for-profit, and served more acute residents. Infection Prevention and Control deficiencies were of similar severity but of greater scope in NHs that were cited multiple times.Conclusions and ImplicationsAs the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic challenges hospitals with an increased surge of patients from the community, NHs will be asked to accept convalescing patients who were previously infected with the virus. NHs will need to rely on infection control practices to mitigate the effects of the virus in their facilities. Particular attention to NHs that have fared poorly with repeat infection control practices deficiencies might be a good first step to improving care overall and preventing downstream morbidity and mortality among the highest-risk patients.     

Antihypertensive Medication Classes and the Risk of Dementia: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

ObjectivesTo systematically review and synthesize the evidence on differential associations between antihypertensive medication (AHM) classes and the risk of incident dementia.DesignSystematic review and random effects frequentist network meta-analysis. Embase, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane library were searched from origin to December 2019.Setting and participantsRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective cohort studies that compared associations of different AHM classes with incident all-cause dementia and/or Alzheimer's disease over at least 1 year of follow-up.MeasuresAll cause dementia and/or Alzheimer's disease.ResultsFifteen observational studies and 7 RCTs were included. Data on AHM classes were available for 649,790 participants and dementia occurred in 19,600 (3.02%). Network meta-analysis showed that in observational studies, treatment with either calcium channel blockers (CCBs) or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) was associated with lower dementia risks than treatment with other antihypertensives: CCBs vs angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) (HR=0.84, 95% CI 0.74-0.95), beta blockers (HR=0.83, 95% CI 0.73-0.95) and diuretics (HR=0.89, 95% CI 0.78-1.01) and ARBs vs ACE inhibitors (HR=0.88, 95% CI 0.81-0.97), beta blockers (HR=0.87, 95% CI 0.77-0.99), and diuretics (HR=0.93, 95% CI 0.83-1.05). There were insufficient RCTs to create a robust network based on randomized data alone.Conclusions and ImplicationsRecommending CCBs or ARBs as preferred first-line antihypertensive treatment may significantly reduce the risk of dementia. If corroborated in a randomized setting, these findings reflect a low-cost and scalable opportunity to reduce dementia incidence worldwide.     

血液透析室丙型肝炎病毒暴发事件的分析与防控

丙型肝炎病毒感染后可引起多种疾病,血液透析室丙型肝炎病毒感染暴发事件在多个国家都有报道,主要原因在于感染预防与控制出现了漏洞。回顾丙型肝炎病毒感染暴发事件的文献并结合国内外影响较大的相关管理文件进行分析,有助于更科学地防控丙型肝炎病毒在血液透析室内的传播,将其感染暴发的风险降到最低。     

泰州市居民慢性病防治健康素养水平及其影响因素

目的分析泰州市居民慢性病防治健康素养水平及其影响因素。方法在2018年6月—2019年5月间经多阶段分层整群随机抽样选取泰州市2022名常住居民开展慢性病防治健康素养相关问卷调查,分析调查结果。结果2022份问卷回收有效问卷2010份;以“儿童青少年也可能发生抑郁症”正确率89.0%、“超重或肥胖者易患的病”正确率80.3%占据前两名;慢性病防治健康素养水平相关因素包括地区,年龄,文化等,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),性别方面差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);经Logistic回归分析显示,影响慢性病防治健康素养影响因素主要包括地区、年龄、学历、职业及家庭收入,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论泰州市居民慢性病防治健康素养在蔬菜水果、儿童抑郁症及肥胖者易患病等方面水平较高,而在骨质疏松相关知识了解程度则较低,影响因素包括地区、年龄、学历、职业及家庭收入。     

异基因造血干细胞移植后乙型病毒性肝炎防治新进展

 异基因造血干细胞移植（allo-HSCT）是治愈恶性血液病的有效手段,但移植患者因接受感染乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）的移植物、免疫功能严重受损等原因,术后并发乙型病毒性肝炎的风险增加。恩替卡韦和替诺福韦是目前公认用于预防allo-HSCT后乙型病毒性肝炎的有效药物,显著减少移植后患者的肝损伤。移植后患者的免疫重建时间长且重建规律存在异质性,导致术后监测和预防性抗HBV治疗的最佳持续时间尚未能明确。本文对allo-HSCT后HBV再激活的发生机制、乙型病毒性肝炎的特点及防治的最新研究进展进行综述。     

新型冠状病毒肺炎预防与营养治疗方案汇总分析

目的:全面检索国内新型冠状病毒肺炎(以下简称:COVID-19)疫情发生以来预防与营养治疗的专家建议、指南及相关文献,就COVID-19预防与营养治疗策略做一分析总结,以期为临床应用提供参考。方法:检索国家卫生健康委、中医药管理局官方网站以及中国知网、万方、维普等相关数据库,纳入有关COVID-19预防与营养治疗的推荐方案(截止日期到2020年4月1日),分类汇总分析。结果:共检索出中文文献20篇,发表时间为2020年1月至3月。其中膳食营养预防5篇、营养治疗专家建议6篇、指南1篇、危重症病人规范化营养治疗路径1篇、营养评估1篇、个体化1篇、呼吸系统疾病营养支持系统评价1篇及特殊人群4篇。结论:合理的营养膳食以及时机恰当、方案个体化、监护常态化的营养支持是COVID-19预防及治疗过程中必不可少的手段之一,临床应在规范的前提下推广应用。