Beneficial Effects In Individuals Research Articles

Superficial Heat Therapy and Therapeutic Exercise in Individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis

Introduction: Knee Osteoarthritis is a major cause of pain and locomotor disability worldwide. Several physical therapy modalities have been recommended in reviewed clinical guidelines and systematic reviews, such as exercises, and electro and thermotherapy resources. Objective: This study evaluated the influence of the application of superficial heat therapy and/or therapeutic exercise on reducing pain and improving functional capacity in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: 30 patients were divided into three groups (superficial heat, exercises, superficial heat plus exercises) and underwent 10 treatment sessions. Pain intensity was assessed using the visual analog scale; muscle flexibility with Wells’ bank test; strength gain with testing of one maximum repetition; walking time was analyzed with a walking test over a distance of 10 meters; and the Lequesne functional questionnaire was used to assess the functional activities of patients. Results: All treatments performed reduced knee pain. The exercise group showed an improvement in flexibility and quadriceps muscle strength. And the group that received superficial heat and therapeutic exercise showed better performance in time over a fixed distance covered. Conclusions: Therapeutic exercise and superficial thermotherapy performed in isolation showed beneficial effects in individuals with knee osteoarthritis. However, the therapeutic intervention carried out in combination showed better results in all parameters evaluated, suggesting that the clinical treatment can improve the quality of life of these individuals.

Integration of Motivational Interviewing and Self-Affirmation Theory into a Culturally Adapted Motivational Interview: A Case Study

Annually, alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use are responsible for the 11.8 million deaths worldwide, exceeding the number of deaths from all cancers ( Ritchie & Roser, 2018 ). Motivational Interviewing (MI), a person-centered addiction counseling approach ( Miller & Rollnick, 2013 ), is designed for those with low motivation to change. MI is presumed to minimize client defensiveness by avoiding confrontation. Culturally adapting evidence-based treatments such as MI may reduce alcohol-related health disparities among Latinx adults. A completed randomized trial tested the relative efficacy of Culturally Adapted Motivational Interview (CAMI) compared to MI in Latinx drinkers. CAMI had beneficial alcohol use effects among persons who reported high discrimination and stigma ( Lee et al., 2019 ). Self-Affirmation Theory, which provides a mechanism where stigma effects can be buffered, was integrated into the CAMI. Augmenting affirmation in the CAMI is postulated to lower defensiveness and increase openness to information that pose a threat to self-image ( Sherman & Cohen, 2006 ). The purpose of this case example is to present the novel features of CAMI and to suggest how affirmation may have played in the CAMI’s beneficial effects for individuals with high discrimination. The case example illustrates how the CAMI addresses three conditions for self-affirmation associated with strongest effects on motivating behavior change ( Ferrer & Cohen, 2019 ): the presence of psychological threat, timing and availability of resources.

Efficacy of psychological therapies in people with inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

There is increasing evidence for an influence of the gut-brain axis on the natural history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Psychological therapies could, therefore, have beneficial effects in individuals with IBD, but data are conflicting. We aimed to update our previous systematic review and meta-analysis to assess whether the inclusion of more randomised controlled trials (RCTs) showed any beneficial effects and whether these effects varied by treatment modality. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, Embase Classic, PsychINFO, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from Jan 1, 2016, to April 30, 2023, for RCTs published in any language recruiting individuals aged 16 years or older with IBD that compared psychological therapy with a control intervention or treatment as usual. We pooled dichotomous data to obtain relative risks (RR) with 95% CIs of inducing remission in people with active disease or of relapse in people with quiescent disease at final follow-up. We pooled continuous data to estimate standardised mean differences (SMD) with 95% CIs in disease activity indices, anxiety scores, depression scores, stress scores, and quality-of-life scores at completion of therapy and at final follow-up. We pooled all data using a random-effects model. Trials were analysed separately according to whether they recruited people with clinically active IBD or predominantly individuals whose disease was quiescent. We conducted subgroup analyses by mode of therapy and according to whether trials recruited selected groups of people with IBD. We used the Cochrane risk of bias tool to assess bias at the study level and assessed funnel plots using the Egger test. We assessed heterogeneity using the I2 statistic. The updated literature search identified a total of 469 new records, 11 of which met eligibility criteria. 14 studies were included from our previous meta-analysis published in 2017. In total, 25 RCTs were eligible for this meta-analysis, all of which were at high risk of bias. Only four RCTs recruited patients with active IBD; there were insufficient data for meta-analysis of remission, disease activity indices, depression scores, and stress scores. In patients with active IBD, psychological therapy had no benefit compared with control for anxiety scores at completion of therapy (two RCTs; 79 people; SMD -1·04, 95% CI -2·46 to 0·39), but did have significant benefit for quality-of-life scores at completion of therapy (four RCTs; 309 people; 0·68, 0·09 to 1·26), although heterogeneity between studies was high (I2=82%). In individuals with quiescent IBD, RR of relapse of disease activity was not reduced with psychological therapy (ten RCTs; 861 people; RR 0·83, 95% CI 0·62 to 1·12), with moderate heterogeneity (I2=60%), and the funnel plot suggested evidence of publication bias or other small study effects (Egger test p=0·046). For people with quiescent IBD at completion of therapy, there was no difference in disease activity indices between psychological therapy and control (13 RCTs; 1015 people; SMD -0·01, 95% CI -0·13 to 0·12; I2=0%). Anxiety scores (13 RCTs; 1088 people; -0·23, -0·36 to -0·09; 18%), depression scores (15 RCTs; 1189 people; -0·26, -0·38 to -0·15; 2%), and stress scores (11 RCTs; 813 people; -0·22, -0·42 to -0·03; 47%) were significantly lower, and quality-of-life scores (16 RCTs; 1080 people; 0·31, 0·16 to 0·46; 30%) were significantly higher, with psychological therapy versus control at treatment completion. Statistically significant benefits persisted up to final follow-up for depression scores (12 RCTs; 856 people; -0·16, -0·30 to -0·03; 0%). Effects were strongest in RCTs of third-wave therapies and in RCTs that recruited people with impaired psychological health, fatigue, or reduced quality of life at baseline. Psychological therapies have beneficial, short-term effects on anxiety, depression, stress, and quality-of-life scores, but not on disease activity. Further RCTs in selected groups are needed to establish the place for such therapies in IBD care. None.

Creating the Conditions for Intergenerational Justice: Social Capital and Compliance

Creating the Conditions for Intergenerational Justice: Social Capital and Compliance

Impact of Omega-3 supplementation on homocysteine levels in humans: A systematic review and meta-regression analysis of randomized controlled trials

AimsAlthough some evidence suggests that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) supplementation influences enzymes involved in forming homocysteine (Hcy) and improving hyperhomocysteinemia, these findings are still contradictory in humans. The aim of this systematic and meta-analysis study was to investigate the effects of omega-3 supplementation on Hcy using existing randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Data synthesisAvailable databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Embase, were searched to find relevant RCTs up to June 2021. The effect size was expressed as weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). ConclusionA total of 20 RCT studies with 2676 participants were included in this article. Our analyses have shown that omega-3 supplementation significantly reduced plasma Hcy levels (WMD: 1.34 μmol/L; 95% CI: 1.97 to −0.72; P < 0.001) compared to the control group. The results of subgroup analysis showed that omega-3 supplementation during the intervention <12 weeks and with a dose ≥3 gr per day causes a more significant decrease in Hcy levels than the intervention ≥12 weeks and at a dose <3 gr. In addition, omega-3 supplements appear to have more beneficial effects in individuals with high levels of normal Hcy. This meta-analysis showed that omega-3 supplementation significantly improved Hcy. However, further studies are needed to confirm the findings.

Lack of Effect of Short-Term DHEA Supplementation on the Perimenopausal Ovary

(Abstracted from Biol Reprod 2020;103:1209–1216) Circulating levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfated ester (DHEAS) undergo marked age-associated decline and by the time a woman reaches menopause their levels may be less than half that observed in young adulthood. DHEA supplementation has been shown to improve oocyte quality in women with diminished ovarian function and has beneficial effects in individuals responding poorly in infertility clinics and women over the age of 40.

Acute Effects of Cinnamon Spice on Post-prandial Glucose and Insulin in Normal Weight and Overweight/Obese Subjects: A Pilot Study

Clinical studies and meta-analyses have supported the notion that consuming cinnamon spice long term can have beneficial effects in individuals with normal glucose homeostasis and varying degrees of glucose intolerance including type 2 diabetes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the acute effect of cinnamon on the post-prandial responses to a typical American breakfast in normal and overweight/obese participants (ClinicalTrials.gov registration No. NCT04686552). The consumption of a single dose of 6 g of cinnamon added to oatmeal prepared with milk resulted in a significant reduction of one of our primary outcomes post-prandial insulin response (niAUC0−180min) in overweight/obese participants compared to control consuming breakfast without cinnamon. We also performed exploratory analysis of secondary outcomes. In normal weight participants, we observed a decrease of post-prandial glucagon response (niAUC0−180min and glucagon levels at 60–120 min) and C-peptide response (30 min) comparing breakfast with to without cinnamon. Cinnamon consumption did not change post-prandial glycemic response in normal weight participants, but increased 60 min post-prandial glucose in overweight/obese participants compared to control. In summary, cinnamon consumption differentially affected post-prandial hormonal responses in normal and overweight/obese participants.

Pre-pubertal, low-intensity exercise does not require concomitant venlafaxine to induce robust, late-life antidepressant effects in Flinders sensitive line rats.

A significant number of adolescents are considered insufficiently active. This is of concern considering the negative association between physical activity and major depressive disorder (MDD). There is a lack of approved pharmacological treatment options in this population partly due to limited information on the risks associated with lasting effects during early life. Therefore, interest in non-pharmacological strategies is gaining popularity with low- to moderate-intensity exercise being especially attractive for its antidepressant-like effects and augmentation properties in combination with antidepressants. Early-life development might present a unique "window of opportunity" to induce long-term beneficial effects in individuals treated with central acting drugs, such as antidepressants. Therefore, we investigated the bio-behavioural effects of pre-pubertal, low-intensity exercise (EXE) and/or venlafaxine (VEN) on depressive-like behaviour in juvenile (postnatal day 35 (PND35)) and young adult (PND60) stress-sensitive Flinders sensitive line (FSL) rats. Interventions were introduced during pre-pubertal development, that is PND21-34, followed by a 26-day washout/sedentary period, when bio-behavioural analyses were performed in the early adulthood group. VEN, alone or in combination with EXE, proved ineffective in inducing any bio-behavioural changes in either age group. EXE did not induce early-life antidepressant-like effects, despite increasing frontal serotonin (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NA) levels. Later in life (PND60), pre-pubertal exercise reduced immobility and increased coping behaviours, together with increased cortical 5-HT levels, despite a significant reduction in locomotor activity. These findings emphasize a strong serotonergic basis to the observed delayed antidepressant effects of EXE later in life.

Long-term association of nut consumption and cardiometabolic risk factors

Background and aimsLong-term associations between nut consumption and cardiometabolic risk factors are not well known. We investigated the relationship between nut consumption and cardiometabolic risk factors including dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), and obesity in a cohort of Iranian adults. Methods and resultsThe study was conducted within the framework of the Isfahan Cohort Study on 1387 healthy participants. The participants were followed up for 12 years. A validated food frequency questionnaire was completed, and anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and fasting serum lipids and blood sugar were evaluated in three phases. Mixed-effects binary logistic regression was applied to examine the associations between nut consumption and cardiometabolic risk factors. The participants were classified according to the tertiles of nut consumption as cut-points, and associations were evaluated between the thirds of nut intake.Subjects in the last third were less likely to have hypercholesterolemia [OR (95% CI): 0.76 (0.60–0.97)], hypertriglyceridemia [OR (95% CI): 0.74 (0.58–0.93)], and obesity [OR (95% CI): 0.79 (0.50–0.98)] but more likely to have DM [OR (95% CI): 1.85 (1.27–2.68)] than those in the first third. However, after adjustment for various potential confounders, the associations remained significant only for obesity [OR (95% CI): 0.67 (0.48–0.94)] and DM [OR (95% CI): 2.23 (1.37–3.64)]. ConclusionAfter adjustment for potential confounders, we observed an inverse association for nut consumption and obesity but positive association for DM and nut intake. On the basis of our findings, it is suggested that incorporation of nuts into people's usual diet may have beneficial effects for individuals with lower risk such as subjects without DM.

Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis is Effectively Assuaged With an Essential Oil Inhaler (AromaStick®): Results From a Randomized, Controlled, Double-blind Effectiveness Trial

Background: There are effective pharmaceutical agents to treat seasonal allergic rhinitis, but more and more individuals resort to alternative forms of treatment. One possible alternative candidate is essential oils. Recently, an inhaler specifically designed to deliver essential oil scents has proven very effective in treating various medical parameters (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, cortisol, blood oxygenation, or pain). &lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt; Objective: This work investigates whether an inhaler (AromaStick&amp;#174; ‘Nasal Fresh’) designed to clear the nasal passageway and reduce congestion has beneficial effects in individuals suffering from seasonal allergic rhinitis. Methods: A two-armed, randomized, controlled, double-blind effectiveness trial involving individuals with medium to strong symptoms was conducted to investigate the inhaler’s specific treatment effects. Results: Over a period of two weeks, the odor inhaler strongly reduced allergic symptoms for both overall AR symptomatology (d = 1.2) and individual symptomatic allergic rhinitis burden (d = 1.7). Conclusion: The inhaler produced strong symptom relief. Effects were largest in individuals suffering primarily from nasal symptoms.

Oxytocin improves facial emotion recognition in young adults with antisocial personality disorder

Deficient facial emotion recognition has been suggested to underlie aggression in individuals with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). As the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) has been shown to improve facial emotion recognition, it might also exert beneficial effects in individuals providing so much harm to the society.In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial, 22 individuals with ASPD and 29 healthy control (HC) subjects (matched for age, sex, intelligence, and education) were intranasally administered either OT (24 IU) or a placebo 45min before participating in an emotion classification paradigm with fearful, angry, and happy faces. We assessed the number of correct classifications and reaction times as indicators of emotion recognition ability.Significant group×substance×emotion interactions were found in correct classifications and reaction times. Compared to HC, individuals with ASPD showed deficits in recognizing fearful and happy faces; these group differences were no longer observable under OT. Additionally, reaction times for angry faces differed significantly between the ASPD and HC group in the placebo condition. This effect was mainly driven by longer reaction times in HC subjects after placebo administration compared to OT administration while individuals with ASPD revealed descriptively the contrary response pattern.Our data indicate an improvement of the recognition of fearful and happy facial expressions by OT in young adults with ASPD. Particularly the increased recognition of facial fear is of high importance since the correct perception of distress signals in others is thought to inhibit aggression. Beneficial effects of OT might be further mediated by improved recognition of facial happiness probably reflecting increased social reward responsiveness.

Do we really need to differentiate mesenchymal stem cells into insulin-producing cells for attenuation of the autoimmune responses in type 1 diabetes: immunoprophylactic effects of precursors to insulin-producing cells

BackgroundType 1 diabetes (T1D) is a multifactorial autoimmune disorder where pancreatic beta cells are lost before the clinical manifestations of the disease. Administration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or MSCs differentiated into insulin-producing cells (IPCs) have yielded limited success when used therapeutically. We have evaluated the immunoprophylactic potentials of precursors to insulin-producing cells (pIPCs) and IPCs in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice to ask a basic question: do we need to differentiate MSCs into IPCs or will pIPCs suffice to attenuate autoimmune responses in T1D?MethodsBone marrow-derived MSCs from Balb/c mice were characterized following the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) guidelines. MSCs cultured in high-glucose media for 11 to 13 passages were characterized for the expression of pancreatic lineage genes using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Expression of the PDX1 gene in pIPCs was assessed using Western blot and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Triple-positive MSCs were differentiated into IPCs using a three-step protocol after sorting them for cell surface markers, i.e. CD29, CD44, and SCA-1. Nonobese diabetic mice were administered pIPCs, IPCs, or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) into the tail vein at weeks 9 or 10 and followed-up for 29–30 weeks for fasting blood glucose levels. Two consecutive blood sugar levels of more than 250 mg/dl were considered diabetic.ResultsMSCs grown in high-glucose media for 11 to 13 passages expressed genes of the pancreatic lineage such as PDX1, beta2, neurogenin, PAX4, Insulin, and glucagon. Furthermore, Western blot and FACS analysis for PDX-1, a transcription factor necessary for beta cell maturation, confirmed that these cells were precursors of insulin-producing cells (pIPCs). NOD mice administered with pIPCs were better protected from developing diabetes with a protective efficacy of 78.4% (p < 0.009); however, administration of IPCs gave protective efficacy of 55% at the end of 28–30 weeks.ConclusionsPrecursors to insulin-producing cells seem to have better potential to arrest autoimmune response in type 1 diabetes when administered before the onset of the disease in NOD mice. When translated to humans, autologous mesenchymal stem cells grown in high-glucose media for 10 to 13 passages may have beneficial effects in individuals at high risk of developing type 1 diabetes.

Biofeedback eletromiográfico no tratamento das disfunções orofaciais neurogênicas: revisão sistemática de literatura

RESUMO Objetivo Investigar se o uso do biofeedback eletromiográfico na terapia voltada às funções orofaciais (expressão facial, mastigação, deglutição, fonação e fala) produz efeitos benéficos para os indivíduos com doenças neurológicas. Estratégia de pesquisa Foi realizada busca nas bases de dados MEDLINE, LILACS e SciELO, por meio dos descritores “electromyographic biofeedback”, “swallowing”, “speech” “chewing”, “phonation”, e “facial expression”. A busca nas bases de dados e a seleção dos artigos foram realizadas independentemente, por duas pesquisadoras e, nos casos de não concordância, houve discussão fundamentada nos critérios de inclusão e exclusão para que chegassem a um consenso. Critérios de seleção Foram incluídos estudos experimentais em seres humanos, em inglês e português, que descreveram e discutiram a utilização do biofeedback eletromiográfico no tratamento das alterações das funções orofaciais provenientes de doenças neurológicas. Resultados Foram encontrados 175 artigos, sendo que somente 10 se adequaram aos critérios de inclusão. A maioria dos trabalhos relacionou-se a estudo de caso, seguido por estudos de série de casos, caso controle e ensaio clínico randomizado. A maior parte dos artigos abordou a aplicação da terapia com biofeedback eletromiográfico na função da deglutição, seguida da função da fala e apenas um artigo utilizou esta modalidade de tratamento na terapia para melhora da expressão facial. Não foram encontrados estudos que abordassem o tratamento fonoaudiológico utilizando o biofeedback eletromiográfico em pacientes com doenças neurológicas, nas funções de fonação e mastigação. Conclusão O uso do biofeedback eletromiográfico na terapia voltada às funções orofaciais pode produzir efeitos benéficos para os indivíduos com doenças neurológicas, nas funções de deglutição, fala e expressão facial.

RADIOLOGICAL SIGNS OF PULMONARY CONGESTION DO NOT PREDICT FAILED SPONTANEOUS BREATHING TRIAL

Both delayed and premature liberation from mechanical ventilation (MV) are associated with increased morbimortality. Positive pressure ventilation exerts beneficial effects in individuals with cardiogenic pulmonary edema; inspiratory fall in intra-thoracic pressure during spontaneous breathing trial (SBT), in its turn, may precipitate cardiac dysfunction through abrupt increase in venous return and in left ventricular afterload.

Efetividade de exercícios de estabilização segmentar sobre a dor lombar crônica mecânico-postural

INTRODUÇÃO: A prevalência ao longo da vida de lombalgias mecânico-posturais é estimada em 60-70% em países industrializados. Um dos principais fatores para dor lombar é a instabilidade segmentar, e para manter a estabilidade é necessária a interação de três subsistemas: passivo, ativo e controle neural. Exercícios específicos que promovem a contração independente dos músculos profundos do tronco (transverso do abdômen e multífido) têm demonstrado ter efeitos benéficos em indivíduos que sofrem de dor lombar inespecífica, sugerindo a estimulação desses subsistemas. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a efetividade de exercícios de estabilização segmentar sobre a dor e a capacidade funcional em indivíduos com lombalgia crônica. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Participaram da pesquisa 12 mulheres jovens com idade média de 20,66 ± 3,74 anos. Foram realizadas 12 sessões de um programa de estabilização segmentar com frequência de duas vezes semanais, sendo avaliadas quanto à dor (questionário McGILL-Br) e capacidade funcional (questionário Rolland-Morris Brasil) antes e depois do período de intervenção. RESULTADOS: Houve melhora significativa dos valores médios do índice de dor (p &lt; 0,0001), melhora do índice de dor sensitiva (p = 0,0024), afetiva (p = 0,048), avaliativo (p = 0,042) e miscelânea (p = 0,017) e melhora da capacidade funcional dos indivíduos (p &lt; 0,0001), após o período de intervenção. DISCUSSÃO: Vários estudos relataram a eficácia de exercícios dos músculos profundos do tronco, apresentando efeitos benéficos em indivíduos com lombalgia, corroborando com o estudo proposto. CONCLUSÃO: Pode-se concluir que o programa de estabilização segmentar foi efetivo na redução da dor e na melhora da função nestes pacientes, demonstrando assim ser um método eficaz de tratamento de lombalgias.

Why do Adolescents Gather Information or Stick to Parental Norms? Examining Autonomous and Controlled Motives Behind Adolescents’ Identity Style

Self-determination theory (SDT) distinguishes between autonomous and controlled reasons for people's behavior and essentially states that beneficial effects for individuals' psychosocial adjustment will accrue when behavior is guided by autonomous (rather than controlled) motives. The present study tested this assumption in the area of adolescents' identity styles. In a sample of mid-adolescents (N=247; 53% female), it was found that the motives for using an information-oriented or a normative identity style explained additional variance beyond the identity styles as such in two of the adjustment outcomes examined. Specifically, autonomous motives underlying these two identity styles were positively related to commitment and personal well-being, whereas controlled motives were negatively related to these same adjustment outcomes. Perceived autonomy-supportive parenting was examined as a possible antecedent of the motives behind identity styles. Consistent with hypotheses, it was found that autonomy-supportive parenting was positively related to autonomous motives and negatively to controlled motives underlying identity styles. Implications for future research on the motivational dynamics behind identity development are discussed.

The Role of Antioxidant Micronutrients in the Prevention of Diabetic Complications

Diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased production of reactive oxygen species and a reduction in antioxidant defenses. This leads to oxidative stress, which is partly responsible for diabetic complications. Tight glycemic control is the most effective way of preventing or decreasing these complications. Nevertheless, antioxidant micronutrients can be proposed as adjunctive therapy in patients with diabetes. Indeed, some minerals and vitamins are able to indirectly participate in the reduction of oxidative stress in diabetic patients by improving glycemic control and/or are able to exert antioxidant activity. This article reviews the use of minerals (vanadium, chromium, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper) and vitamins or cofactors (tocopherol [vitamin E], ascorbic acid [vitamin C], ubidecarenone [ubiquinone; coenzyme Q], nicotinamide, riboflavin, thioctic acid [lipoic acid], flavonoids) in diabetes, with a particular focus on the prevention of diabetic complications. Results show that dietary supplementation with micronutrients may be a complement to classical therapies for preventing and treating diabetic complications. Supplementation is expected to be more effective when a deficiency in these micronutrients exists. Nevertheless, many clinical studies have reported beneficial effects in individuals without deficiencies, although several of these studies were short term and had small sample sizes. However, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial showed that thioctic acid at an oral dosage of 800 mg/day for 4 months significantly improved cardiac autonomic neuropathy in type 2 diabetic patients. Above all, individuals with diabetes should be educated about the importance of consuming adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals from natural food sources, within the constraints of recommended sugar and carbohydrate intake.

Clinical significance of cardiovascular dysmetabolic syndrome.

Although diabetes mellitus is predominantly a metabolic disorder, recent data suggest that it is as much a vascular disorder. Cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of death and disability in patients with diabetes mellitus. A number of recent reports have emphasized that many patients already have atherosclerosis in progression by the time they are diagnosed with clinical evidence of diabetes mellitus. The increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications in diabetic patients is related to the frequently associated dyslipidemia, hypertension, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and endothelial dysfunction. The evolving knowledge regarding the variety of metabolic, hormonal, and hemodynamic abnormalities in patients with diabetes mellitus has led to efforts designed for early identification of individuals at risk of subsequent disease. It has been suggested that insulin resistance, the key abnormality in type II diabetes, often precedes clinical features of diabetes by 5–6 years. Careful attention to the criteria described for the cardiovascular dysmetabolic syndrome should help identify those at risk at an early stage. The application of nonpharmacologic as well as newer emerging pharmacologic therapies can have beneficial effects in individuals with cardiovascular dysmetabolic syndrome and/or diabetes mellitus by improving insulin sensitivity and related abnormalities. Early identification and implementation of appropriate therapeutic strategies would be necessary to contain the emerging new epidemic of cardiovascular disease related to diabetes.

The impact of programs for high-risk drinkers on population levels of alcohol problems.

Historically, treatment programs and related activities for alcoholics or high-risk drinkers have been viewed as not relevant to efforts to prevent alcohol problems, and in particular population-based prevention efforts. In this review we consider evidence that high-risk programs may have an impact on population or aggregate levels of these problems. We first summarize recent reviews of the clinical impact of programs for high-risk drinkers, since some level of effectiveness at the individual level is necessary for these programs to have an aggregate level impact. Following that, correlational evidence on the impact of high-risk programs on aggregate problem levels is examined. Estimates of the potential impact of high-risk programs on aggregate problem levels, based on available information on the impact of these programs and the numbers of individuals affected, are then considered, as are estimations of the comparative aggregate level impact of high-risk and consumption reduction strategies. There is increasing evidence that high-risk programs have beneficial effects for individuals. Available correlational evidence supports the proposal that increases in treatment and AA have contributed to the declines in alcohol-related morbidity and mortality observed in some countries in recent years. Studies estimating the recent impact of increases in levels of treatment and AA membership support that interpretation, and studies comparing estimated effects of high-risk and population strategies find similar potential for aggregate effects. Programs for high-risk drinkers can have beneficial aggregate-level effects and are thus a valuable component of population-based efforts to reduce alcohol problems.