R Saulle

Seasonality of food groups and total energy intake: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background/Objectives:The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the effect of season on food intake from selected food groups and on energy intake in adults.Subjects/Methods:The search process was based on selecting publications listed in the following: Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase and Agris. Food frequency questionnaires, 24-h dietary recalls and food records as methods for assessment of dietary intake were used to assess changes in the consumption of 11 food groups and of energy intake across seasons. A meta-analysis was performed.Results:Twenty-six studies were included. Articles were divided into those reporting data on four seasons (winter, spring, summer and autumn) or on two seasons (pre-and post-harvest). Four of the studies could be utilized for meta-analysis describing changes in food consumption across four season scheme: from winter to spring fruits decreased, whereas vegetables, eggs and alcoholic beverages increased; from spring to summer vegetable consumption further increased and cereals decreased; from summer to autumn fruits and cereals increased and vegetables, meat, eggs and alcoholic beverages decreased; from autumn to winter cereals decreased. A significant association was also found between energy intake and season, for 13 studies reporting energy intake across four seasons (favors winter) and for eight studies across pre- and post-harvest seasons (favors post-harvest).Conclusions:The winter or the post-harvest season is associated with increased energy intake. The intake of fruits, vegetables, eggs, meat, cereals and alcoholic beverages is following a seasonal consumption pattern and at least for these foods season is determinant of intake.

Human papillomavirus and cancerous diseases of the head and neck: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The increasing incidence of head and neck cancer (HNSCC) highlights the need to better understand the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the development of these cancers. The aims of this study were to conduct a systematic review and a meta-analysis concerning observational studies on the association between HPV infection and HNSCC and to quantify this association, thereby obtaining a reliable estimation of the risk of HPV infection in the development of head and neck cancer. Literature searches were performed using PubMed and Scopus databases. StatsDirect 2.7.8 program was used for the analysis. We found 15 case-control studies, 63 prevalence studies, and no cohort studies. The pooled odds ratio (OR) for all the included case-control studies resulted in a value of 1.63 (95% CI 1.27-2.09; P < 0.0001). The highest pooled OR resulted from the analysis of all the studies that examined HPV 16 genotype in association oral cavity (OR 5.36; 95% CI 1.4-20). The strong evidence of association between HPV infection and HNSCC highlights the importance of the introduction of specific tests in the cancer prevention practices to evaluate the presence of the virus, especially in the oral cavity, and the possibility of an extension of the vaccine anti-HPV in the male population too.

Association between oral habits, mouth breathing and malocclusion

SUMMARY The ratio of bad habits, mouth breathing and malocclusion is an important issue in view of prevention and early treatment of disorders of the craniofacial growth. While bad habits can interfere with the position of the teeth and normal pattern of skeletal growth, on the other hand obstruction of the upper airway, resulting in mouth breathing, changes the pattern of craniofacial growth causing malocclusion. Our crosssectional study, carried out on 3017 children using the ROMA index, was developed to verify if there was a significant correlation between bad habits/mouth breathing and malocclusion. The results showed that an increase in the degree of the index increases the prevalence of bad habits and mouth breathing, meaning that these factors are associated with more severe malocclusions. Moreover, we found a significant association of bad habits with increased overjet and openbite, while no association was found with crossbite. Additionally, we found that mouth breathing is closely related to increased overjet, reduced overjet, anterior or posterior crossbite, openbite and displacement of contact points. Therefore, it is necessary to intervene early on these aetiological factors of malocclusion to prevent its development or worsening and, if already developed, correct it by early orthodontic treatment to promote eugnatic skeletal growth.

Comment on Elangovan H et al. Vitamin D in liver disease: Current evidence and potential directions. Biochim Biophys Acta 2017;1863(4):907-916

Please cite this article as: I. Barchetta, M. Del Ben, F. Angelico, M. Di Martino, A. Fraioli, G. La Torre, R. Saulle, L. Perri, S. Morini, C. Tiberti, L. Bertoccini, F.A. Cimini, F. Panimolle, C. Catalano, M.G. Baroni, M.G. Cavallo, Comment on Elangovan H et al. Vitamin D in liver disease: Current evidence and potential directions. Biochim Biophys Acta 2017;1863(4):907-916, BBA Molecular Basis of Disease (2017), doi:10.1016/j.bbadis.2017.04.023

Health Technology Assessment: bisogni formativi teorici e pratici nelle Scuole di Specializzazione in Igiene e Medicina Preventiva

AbstractObjective: The aim of our study was to perform a survey of Italian graduate students (medical doctors) attending Public Health Schools, in order to assess the importance and training needs concerning Health Technology Assessment (HTA) during their public health postgraduate education. Methods: In July 2010, we sent by e-mail a questionnaire to all graduate medical students attending Public Health Schools from four Italian Regions (representing Northern, Center and Southern Italy). The questionnaire included two sections: 1) knowledge on HTA; 2) assessment of the importance of HTA training during academic public health education. Main results: Eighty-two Public Health graduate students from every course year answered the survey (94%): the level of knowledge on HTA features (89%) and HTA field applications (93,9%) was high. Knowledge and learning degree on HTA varied widely: 15.4% of fourth-year students gave a misdescription or an incomplete HTA definition vs 10.7% of first-year students; wide heterogeneity resulted in HTA training and learning (p < 0.001): only 7.7% of fourth-year students declared that an integrated HTA course was offered vs 35.7% of those attending first-year (42.9% and 25.0% of students attending second- and third-year, respectively); a HTA teaching program was completely lacking according to 26.8% of students from all years, whilst 42.7% declared not to be informed about provision of an educational HTA program. Wide heterogeneity in HTA educational programs was shown between the four Regions (p < 0.001). 100% of responders assigned a rating of good or great importance to a structured HTA teaching during a public health course; 100% of the sample rated as ‘very important’ (59.7%) or ‘extremely important’ (40.2%) the presence of a HTA Unit for healthcare governance (ASL/Hospital). Conclusion: According to our survey results, HTA is a tool of great value. Given its huge impact in every aspect of public health and its dissemination at all political levels for decision-making, it should be integrated into public health postgraduate educational programs, consistent with the new (2 years ago) organization of postgraduate schools. Our results support HTA teachers’ efforts, as public health students express the need for HTA learning and training, being aware of the emphasis given worldwide to this issue.