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Nutrients Feb 2019Gluten free (GF) products have been reported to be more expensive and less available than their gluten containing counterparts. We examined the current U.S. cost and...
Gluten free (GF) products have been reported to be more expensive and less available than their gluten containing counterparts. We examined the current U.S. cost and availability of GF products and made comparisons to the marketplace over a decade ago. Cost, determined by price per ounce and availability of a "market basket" of regular and GF products across four venues and five geographic regions was compared using a student's test. GF products were more expensive (overall 183%), and in all regions and venues ( < 0.001). GF products from mass-market producers were 139% more expensive than the wheat-based version of the same product. Availability of GF products was greatest (66%) in the health food and upscale venues. In contrast to the results of the 2006 study, the cost of GF products has declined from 240% to 183% (adjusted for inflation). The introduction of mass-market production of GF products may have influenced the increase in availability and overall reduction of cost since 2006. The extent to which the cost of GF products impacts dietary adherence and quality of life for those on a GFD warrants exploration.
Topics: Celiac Disease; Cost of Illness; Diet, Gluten-Free; Food; Food Labeling; Foods, Specialized; Humans; Nutritive Value
PubMed: 30769836
DOI: 10.3390/nu11020399 -
Surgical Infections Aug 2015Modern day burn care continues to wage an uphill battle against an enemy that evolves faster than we can develop weapons. Bacteria (bioburden) are everywhere and can... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Modern day burn care continues to wage an uphill battle against an enemy that evolves faster than we can develop weapons. Bacteria (bioburden) are everywhere and can infiltrate anywhere within our susceptible population of burn patients. This is why prevention of infection is key to improving their survival and outcome.
PURPOSE
To reduce the incidence of infection in the burn patient population.
MATERIALS
Review of pertinent recent literature regarding infection prevention and control in the intensive care unit setting.
RESULTS
We propose that bioburden is one of the central elements in the infectious cycle that is ever-present in burn units. The mechanism of bacterial entry into the unit and subsequent transmission and infection are delineated. Recommendations for mitigating this risk are provided to guide future clinicians in their care of burn patients.
CONCLUSIONS
The treatment of infection and sepsis against highly adaptable bacteria is often insurmountable by ill patients. In this process, bioburden needs to be corralled to have any success. Thus, preventing organisms from entering the unit and transferring onto other patients, and eliminating the bacteria dwelling in the unit are all necessary actions in this battle. Ultimately, maintaining a culture that is constantly wary of this risk only can achieve this goal.
Topics: Bacterial Infections; Bacterial Load; Burn Units; Burns; Humans; Wound Infection
PubMed: 26207399
DOI: 10.1089/sur.2013.135 -
Nutrients Jun 2023The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) recommends consuming a variety of "Protein Foods" based on "ounce-equivalent" (oz-eq) portions. No study has assessed the same... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of Consuming Ounce-Equivalent Portions of Animal- vs. Plant-Based Protein Foods, as Defined by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans on Essential Amino Acids Bioavailability in Young and Older Adults: Two Cross-Over Randomized Controlled Trials.
BACKGROUND
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) recommends consuming a variety of "Protein Foods" based on "ounce-equivalent" (oz-eq) portions. No study has assessed the same oz-eq portions of animal- vs. plant-based protein foods on essential amino acid (EAA) bioavailability for protein anabolism in young and older adults.
OBJECTIVES
We assessed the effects of consuming two oz-eq portions of pork, eggs, black beans, and almonds on postprandial EAA bioavailability in young and older adults.
METHODS
We conducted two investigator-blinded, randomized crossover trials in young ( = 30; mean age ± SD: 26.0 ± 4.9 y) and older adults ( = 25; mean age ± SD: 64.2 ± 6.6 y). Participants completed four testing sessions where they consumed a standardized meal with two oz-eq of either unprocessed lean pork, whole eggs, black beans, or sliced almonds. Blood samples were taken at baseline and 30, 60, 120, 180, 240, and 300 min postprandially. Plasma EAA bioavailability was based on postprandial integrated positive areas under the curve.
RESULTS
Participant age did not affect EAA bioavailability among the four protein foods tested. Two oz-eq portions of pork (7.36 g EAA) and eggs (5.38 g EAA) resulted in greater EAA bioavailability than black beans (3.02 g EAA) and almonds (1.85 g EAA) in young and older adults, separately or combined ( < 0.0001 for all). Pork resulted in greater EAA bioavailability than eggs in young adults ( < 0.0001), older adults ( = 0.0007), and combined ( < 0.0001). There were no differences in EAA bioavailability between black beans and almonds.
CONCLUSIONS
The same "oz-eq" portions of animal- and plant-based protein foods do not provide equivalent EAA content and postprandial bioavailability for protein anabolism in young and older adults.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Amino Acids, Essential; Biological Availability; Eggs; Nutrition Policy; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; United States; Cross-Over Studies
PubMed: 37447197
DOI: 10.3390/nu15132870 -
Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Innovations,... Apr 2021The sudden outbreak and global spread of COVID-19 demanded a tremendous amount of attention for viral respiratory infections (VRIs) in modern times. Evidence accumulated... (Review)
Review
The sudden outbreak and global spread of COVID-19 demanded a tremendous amount of attention for viral respiratory infections (VRIs) in modern times. Evidence accumulated over the past few decades increasingly suggests the importance of recognizing the background and context of lifestyle factors in the prevention of VRIs recurrence. The focus of attention has specifically been on how to optimize respiratory barrier function and immune function during the period of the pandemic outbreak. This viewpoint discusses the impact of a healthy lifestyle on VRIs and demonstrates a practical approach to preventing the occurrence of VRIs based on contemporary evidence.
PubMed: 33585798
DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2020.12.008 -
JAMA Dermatology Nov 2017Because moisturizer use is critical for the prevention and treatment of numerous dermatological conditions, patients frequently request product recommendations from...
IMPORTANCE
Because moisturizer use is critical for the prevention and treatment of numerous dermatological conditions, patients frequently request product recommendations from dermatologists.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the product performance characteristics and ingredients of best-selling moisturizers.
DESIGN AND SETTING
This cohort study involved publicly available data of the top 100 best-selling whole-body moisturizing products at 3 major online retailers (Amazon, Target, and Walmart). Products marketed for use on a specific body part (eg, face, hands, eyelids) were excluded.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Pairwise comparisons of median price per ounce on the basis of marketing claims (eg, dermatologist recommended, fragrance free, hypoallergenic) and presence of ingredients represented in the North American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG) series were conducted using Wilcoxon rank sum tests. The effect of vehicle type (eg, ointment, lotion, cream, butter) was assessed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Cross-reactors and botanicals for fragrances were derived from the American Contact Dermatitis Society's Contact Allergen Management Program database.
RESULTS
A total of 174 unique best-selling moisturizer products were identified, constituting 109 713 reviews as of August 2016. The median price per ounce was $0.59 (range, $0.10-$9.51 per ounce) with a wide range (9400%). The most popular vehicles were lotions (102 [59%]), followed by creams (22 [13%]), oils (21 [12%]), butters (14 [8%]), and ointments (3 [2%]). Only 12% (n = 21) of best-selling moisturizer products were free of NACDG allergens. The 3 most common allergens were fragrance mix (n = 87), paraben mix (n = 75), and tocopherol (n = 74). Products with the claim "dermatologist recommended" had higher median price per ounce ($0.79; interquartile range [IQR], $0.56-$1.27) than products without the claim ($0.59; IQR, $0.34-$0.92). Products with the claim "phthalate free" had higher median price per ounce ($1.38; IQR, $0.86-$1.63) than products without the claim ($0.59; IQR, $0.35-$0.91). Lotions (median, $0.49; IQR, $0.31-0.68) were statistically less expensive per ounce than butters (median, $1.20; IQR, $0.76-$1.63), creams (median, $0.80; IQR, $0.69-$1.25) and oils (median, $1.30; IQR, $0.64-$2.43). For products with a claim of "fragrance free," 18 (45%) had at least 1 fragrance cross-reactor or botanical ingredient. Products without any ingredients in the NACDG (median, $0.83; IQR, $0.47-$1.69) were not statistically more expensive per ounce than products with 1 or more allergens (median, $0.60; IQR, $0.35-$1.06).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Best-selling moisturizers vary widely by price and product characteristics. Given the lack of readily available comparison data on moisturizer efficacy, dermatologists should balance consumer preference, price, and allergenicity in their recommendations.
Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Allergens; Cohort Studies; Commerce; Consumer Behavior; Emollients; Humans; Perfume; Statistics, Nonparametric
PubMed: 28877310
DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2017.3046 -
Anesthesiology Jan 2013
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Monitoring, Intraoperative; Postoperative Complications; Preoperative Care; Respiratory Distress Syndrome; Surgical Procedures, Operative
PubMed: 23208520
DOI: 10.1097/ALN.0b013e3182794853 -
Addiction (Abingdon, England) Apr 2020Washington Initiative 1183 (I-1183), a 2012 law that privatized liquor retail sales and distribution in Washington State, USA, has had two opposing effects on liquor...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Washington Initiative 1183 (I-1183), a 2012 law that privatized liquor retail sales and distribution in Washington State, USA, has had two opposing effects on liquor purchases: it has increased access to liquor and imposed new fees on retailers and distributors. This study aimed to estimate the effect of I-1183 on monthly alcohol purchases during the post-I-1183 period (June 2012-December 2014) compared with the pre-I-1183 period (January 2010-May 2012).
DESIGN
DIFFERENCES-IN-DIFFERENCES STUDY: Setting and participants The study included households participating in the Nielsen Consumer Panel Dataset living in metropolitan and surrounding areas in Washington State and 10 control states. Measurements Outcomes were alcohol purchases by type (ounces of liquor, wine, beer and total alcohol or ethanol). Findings I-1183 was associated with a 6.34-ounce (P < 0.001) and a 2.01-ounce (P < 0.001) increase in monthly liquor and ethanol purchases, respectively, per household in the post-policy period spanning 31 months compared with monthly purchases in control states. In a longitudinal subgroup analysis, low and moderate alcohol purchasers increased monthly purchases of ethanol and high purchasers decreased purchases of ethanol. Conclusions Enacting 'Washington Initiative 1183', a law that privatized sale and distribution of liquor and imposed new fees on retailers and distributors, appears to have been associated with an approximate 82% increase in monthly liquor purchases and 26% increase in monthly ethanol purchases by households in metropolitan and surrounding areas in Washington State, USA.
Topics: Alcoholic Beverages; Commerce; Consumer Behavior; Family Characteristics; Humans; Privatization; Washington
PubMed: 31670853
DOI: 10.1111/add.14875 -
The New England Journal of Medicine Dec 2020
Topics: BNT162 Vaccine; COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; Humans; RNA, Messenger; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccination; Viral Vaccines
PubMed: 33301245
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMe2034717 -
Annals of Oncology : Official Journal... Sep 2014The late effects of cancer treatment have recently gained a worldwide interest among reproductive endocrinologists, oncologists, and all health-care providers, and the... (Review)
Review
The late effects of cancer treatment have recently gained a worldwide interest among reproductive endocrinologists, oncologists, and all health-care providers, and the protection against iatrogenic infertility caused by chemotherapy assumes a high priority. Here, we summarize the case for and against using GnRH-agonist for fertility preservation and minimizing chemotherapy-induced gonadotoxicity. The rationale and philosophy supporting its use is that preventing premature ovarian failure (POF) is preferable to treating it, following the dictum: 'an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure'. Despite many publications on this subject, there are many equivocal issues necessitating summary. Until now, 20 studies (15 retrospective and 5 randomized, controlled trials) have reported on 1837 patients treated with GnRH-a in parallel to chemotherapy, showing a significant decrease in POF rate in survivors versus 9 studies reporting on 593 patients, with results not supporting GnRH-a use. Patients treated with GnRH-a in parallel to chemotherapy preserved their cyclic ovarian function in 91% of cases when compared with 41% of controls, with a pregnancy rate of 19-71% in the treated patients. Furthermore, seven meta-analyses have concluded that GnRH-a are beneficial and may decrease the risk of POF in survivors. However, controversy still remains regarding the efficiency of GnRH-a in preserving fertility. Since not all the methods involving fertility preservation are unequivocally successful and safe, these young patients deserve to be informed of all the various modalities to minimize gonadal damage and preserve ovarian function and future fertility. Combining several methods for a specific patient may increase the odds for minimally invasive fertility preservation.
Topics: Adult; Antineoplastic Agents; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Female; Fertility; Fertility Preservation; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Ovary; Pregnancy; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency; Young Adult
PubMed: 24651411
DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdu036 -
Netherlands Heart Journal : Monthly... Jan 2024
PubMed: 38085508
DOI: 10.1007/s12471-023-01839-3