Friday, February 28, 2020

Coronavirus Outbreak: Study Finds Ebola Drug May Help Fight Deadly Disease

This study has identified a medication used to treat Ebola may work on the coronavirus (COVID-19): remdesivir



Coronavirus Outbreak: Study Finds Ebola Drug May Help Fight Deadly Disease:

Coronavirus test tubes
EDMONTON, Alberta — The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that first appeared in China has dominated headlines in 2020, and for good reason. The virus has taken thousands of lives already, and to the entire world’s dismay, appears to be showing no signs of slowing down. In a potential bit of good news for a change, researchers at…

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Sunday, February 23, 2020

Aspirin and fracture risk: a systematic review and exploratory meta-analysis of observational studies.

This review found an association between aspirin and a decreased fracture risk. 





Aspirin and fracture risk: a systematic review and exploratory meta-analysis of observational studies.:

Related Articles
Aspirin and fracture risk: a systematic review and exploratory meta-analysis of observational studies.

BMJ Open. 2020 Feb 20;10(2):e026876

Authors: Barker AL, Soh SE, Sanders KM, Pasco J, Khosla S, Ebeling PR, Ward SA, Peeters G, Talevski J, Cumming RG, Seeman E, McNeil JJ

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This review provides insights into the potential for aspirin to preserve bone mineral density (BMD) and reduce fracture risk, building knowledge of the risk-benefit profile of aspirin.

METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and exploratory meta-analysis of observational studies. Electronic searches of MEDLINE and Embase, and a manual search of bibliographies was undertaken for studies published to 28 March 2018. Studies were included if: participants were men or women aged ≥18 years; the exposure of interest was aspirin; and relative risks, ORs and 95% CIs for the risk of fracture or difference (percentage or absolute) in BMD (measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) between aspirin users and non-users were presented. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklists for observational studies. Pooled ORs for any fracture and standardised mean differences (SMDs) for BMD outcomes were calculated using random-effects models.

RESULTS: Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Aspirin use was associated with a 17% lower odds for any fracture (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.99; I2=71%; six studies; n=511 390). Aspirin was associated with a higher total hip BMD for women (SMD 0.03, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.07; I2=0%; three studies; n=9686) and men (SMD 0.06, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.13, I2=0%; two studies; n=4137) although these associations were not significant. Similar results were observed for lumbar spine BMD in women (SMD 0.03, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.09; I2=34%; four studies; n=11 330) and men (SMD 0.08; 95% CI -0.01 to 0.18; one study; n=432).

CONCLUSIONS: While the benefits of reduced fracture risk and higher BMD from aspirin use may be modest for individuals, if confirmed in prospective controlled trials, they may confer a large population benefit given the common use of aspirin in older people.

PMID: 32086348 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Monday, February 17, 2020

Association Between Ultraprocessed Food Consumption and Risk of Mortality Among Middle-aged Adults in France.

No surprises here: ultraprocessed foods were not found to be as healthy as whole foods.



Association Between Ultraprocessed Food Consumption and Risk of Mortality Among Middle-aged Adults in France.:

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Association Between Ultraprocessed Food Consumption and Risk of Mortality Among Middle-aged Adults in France.

JAMA Intern Med. 2019 04 01;179(4):490-498

Authors: Schnabel L, Kesse-Guyot E, Allès B, Touvier M, Srour B, Hercberg S, Buscail C, Julia C

Abstract

Importance: Growing evidence indicates that higher intake of ultraprocessed foods is associated with higher incidence of noncommunicable diseases. However, to date, the association between ultraprocessed foods consumption and mortality risk has never been investigated.

Objective: To assess the association between ultraprocessed foods consumption and all-cause mortality risk.

Design, Setting, and Participants: This observational prospective cohort study selected adults, 45 years or older, from the French NutriNet-Santé Study, an ongoing cohort study that launched on May 11, 2009, and performed a follow-up through December 15, 2017 (a median of 7.1 years). Participants were selected if they completed at least 1 set of 3 web-based 24-hour dietary records during their first 2 years of follow-up. Self-reported data were collected at baseline, including sociodemographic, lifestyle, physical activity, weight and height, and anthropometrics.

Exposures: The ultraprocessed foods group (from the NOVA food classification system), characterized as ready-to-eat or -heat formulations made mostly from ingredients usually combined with additives. Proportion (in weight) of ultraprocessed foods in the diet was computed for each participant.

Main Outcomes and Measures: The association between proportion of ultraprocessed foods and overall mortality was the main outcome. Mean dietary intakes from all of the 24-hour dietary records available during the first 2 years of follow-up were calculated and considered as the baseline usual food-and-drink intakes. Mortality was assessed using CépiDC, the French national registry of specific mortality causes. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs were determined for all-cause mortality, using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models, with age as the underlying time metric.

Results: A total of 44 551 participants were included, of whom 32 549 (73.1%) were women, with a mean (SD) age at baseline of 56.7 (7.5) years. Ultraprocessed foods accounted for a mean (SD) proportion of 14.4% (7.6%) of the weight of total food consumed, corresponding to a mean (SD) proportion of 29.1% (10.9%) of total energy intake. Ultraprocessed foods consumption was associated with younger age (45-64 years, mean [SE] proportion of food in weight, 14.50% [0.04%]; P < .001), lower income (<€1200/mo, 15.58% [0.11%]; P < .001), lower educational level (no diploma or primary school, 15.50% [0.16%]; P < .001), living alone (15.02% [0.07%]; P < .001), higher body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared; ≥30, 15.98% [0.11%]; P < .001), and lower physical activity level (15.56% [0.08%]; P < .001). A total of 602 deaths (1.4%) occurred during follow-up. After adjustment for a range of confounding factors, an increase in the proportion of ultraprocessed foods consumed was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR per 10% increment, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.04-1.27; P = .008).

Conclusions and Relevance: An increase in ultraprocessed foods consumption appears to be associated with an overall higher mortality risk among this adult population; further prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings and to disentangle the various mechanisms by which ultraprocessed foods may affect health.

PMID: 30742202 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Friday, February 14, 2020

Happy Wife, Happy Life! A Positive Life Partner Fosters Strong Mental Health In Old Age

This age old wisdom now has been scientifically proven!



Happy Wife, Happy Life! A Positive Life Partner Fosters Strong Mental Health In Old Age:

Couple laying in grass
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Marriages and long-term relationships are rarely ever smooth sailing 100% of the time. A life-long partnership between two people is very much a journey that will inevitably experience peaks and valleys. That being said, as anyone who has been in such a relationship can attest, life is usually a whole lot more…

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