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Severe acne, the mode of hair follicle formation may be at the root

22 February 20246 January 2024 by Renato Torlaschi

Why do some people suffer from severe acne? A large genetic study reveals that hair follicle formation may be the key: published in Nature Communications, it examined 26,722 individuals, of whom 5,602 suffered from severe acne.

The study was conducted by a team of British researchers, who identified 15 regions of the genome linked to the development of acne, 12 of which had not previously been linked to the condition. Many variants have been seen to influence hair follicle formation, a previously unknown risk factor.

Acne is one of those conditions that still has no perfect treatment, with expensive creams and pills providing some benefits but often not completely solving the problem. The large British study suggests that we may have overlooked an important factor in determining its development. “Applying these genetic approaches to acne is something totally innovative and a significant step forward,” said one of the authors, Jonathan Barker of King’s College London.

The researchers were surprised by the fact that there are numerous genetic variants that seem to affect the structure and function of hair follicles and hypothesized that some of them make this structure more prone to inflammation and bacterial infection, which are typical manifestations of acne.

One of these variants, called WNT10A, is related to ectodermal dysplasia, a condition that causes sparse, thin hair as well as physical abnormalities of the nails, teeth, skin, and glands. About 22 percent of the variability in characteristics observed in acne patients was explained by the genetic variants examined in the study, but the researchers believe that other regions of the genome also contribute to the disorder, the mechanisms of which remain largely unknown. Some genetic variants point to interesting mechanisms that could be good targets for new drugs or treatments that are more effective and have fewer side effects than current ones, such as those associated with isotretinoin, now widely used to treat severe forms of acne that do not respond to other therapies.

Italy in the top 20 most sedentary countries in the world

22 February 20246 January 2024 by Alessia Giannino

Following a study done globally and published in the British journal The Lancet Global Health, Italy ranks 19th in the top 20 most sedentary countries in the world. The research involved as many as 1.9 million people from 168 countries and found that more than 40 percent of Italians do not engage in regular exercise.

In total, there are 1.4 billion people worldwide who do not engage in physical activity above the recommended 150 minutes per week. This issue particularly affects women: in 2016, 32 percent of women do not move enough, compared to men who stop at 23 percent. Italy also shows the same trend, in fact women touch 46.2 percent and men 36.2 percent. Experts from the World Health Organization by physical activity they also mean home work, as well as walking and general leisure time pursuits.

Overall, 16 percent of low-income countries underperformed compared to 37 percent of high-income countries. The laziest countries were Kuwait, Samoa Islands, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq where more than half of the adults are not sufficiently active. Even in the United States, the United Kingdom and China, the results are demoralizing, as their people also move little.

According to theWHO, this is the correct definition of sedentary: “Any exertion exerted by the musculoskeletal system that results in energy consumption exceeding that of resting conditions.” Those who do not, therefore, reach 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of high intensity activity are considered sedentary. Physical activity not only helps us feel better about ourselves and our bodies, but also prevents cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Stress: 40% of Italian workers would like to change jobs

23 February 20246 January 2024 by Alessia Giannino

According to WorkForce Europe 2018 research conducted by the company Adp, 40 percent of workers are stressed and would like to change jobs or leave them, due to an inability to manage stress.

The research was conducted by interviewing more than 10,000 workers on the European continent, including 1,300 employees in Italy, and apparently the figure of workers suffering from stress is growing. Stress could become a major problem for thousands of workers and lead to negative consequences on the countries’ income and economy.

16% of workers, mostly those over 55, those who are beginning to feel the effects of their working years, think that companies do not care about their mental and physical well-being.

“Stress and mental health issues are a major cause of employee absences and staff turnover – says Virginia Magliulo, general manager ADP Italy – which means that supporting employees is not only the right thing to do, but also a worthwhile investment“.

As for the younger age group, those between 25 and 34, they perceive this condition at only 11 percent, but 44.8 percent of them would like a less demanding job and would be willing to leave everything to turn their lives upside down. It’s unclear whether it’s a need for leisure or a desire to escape, but according to a recent Istat report, Italians are the ones who would devote the most time to leisure.

The overstressed workers are the 45-year-olds, and according to the research, women are the most affected, compared to men. In addition to work, in fact, they have to manage family commitments, children and home, and this would put a greater emotional burden on them.

Which regions have the most stressed workers?

The region with
most stressed workers
is Basilicata with 40 percent, followed by Aosta Valley (25 percent) and Piemonte (20.4 percent). On the other hand, as far as the most relaxed workers are concerned, in the lead are the people of Abruzzo (22.7 percent), followed by Molise and Trentino in a tie (20 percent). Financial services, retail, catering, leisure, and business, media and marketing were also among the hardest hit sectors.

Weight loss and decreased anxiety with probiotics

23 February 20246 January 2024 by Alessia Giannino

An Italian research conducted by professors from the University of Tor Vergata, Sapienza and Policlinico Gemelli in Rome the
probiotics
contribute to weight loss and decreased anxiety.

The study focused on the gut microbiota, which is the set of microorganisms that inhabit the human gut. Several experiments were carried out on both healthy subjects and people with degenerative diseases by administering supplements containing 120 billion probiotics composed of 8 different bacterial strains. Probiotics are microorganisms that when administered in adequate amounts benefit the health of the host. Among the best known is Bacillus clausii, a soil-dwelling bacterium that is the basis of Enterogermine, the popular drug that restores intestinal flora and counteracts diarrhea to abdominal pain.

“Therapy with specially chosen probiotics brought effects to those affected by overweight or metabolic syndrome: in the absence of dieting there was a slight modulation of body composition, with weight loss and a reduction in adipose tissue. The most interesting finding was in anxious subjects, with a reduction in anxiety state.” explained Laura Di Renzo, professor of clinical nutrition and nutrigenomics at Tor Vergata University.

The goal of the research was to demonstrate the positive impact of probiotics on the human microbiota, along with the microorganisms living inside us. The mix of bacteria administered to participants caused those who were overweight to lose weight and also reduced anxiety. This is the most important finding, as

“The innovation of this study, ” stresses the director of the graduate school of food science, Professor Antonino De Lorenzo . is that instead of the usual pursuit research in this case, we have been able to carry out initiative research, choosing ourselves a process to follow, which, for two years now, we have been delving into… We only know 10 percent of the effects of bacterial flora. Together with Professor Antonio Gasbarrini of Policlinico Gemelli, we have formed a network to address this major research issue-we need to know the remaining 90 percent.”

Smokers are increasing among young people : here’s the data

23 February 20246 January 2024 by Alessia Giannino

According to recent research, it appears that since the 1990s there has been a sharp increase in the number of young smokers between the ages of 11 and 15 in both Italy and much of Europe.

The alarm was raised by a team of researchers involved in the ALEC (Ageing lungs in European cohorts) project, a study aimed at testing risk factors on respiratory diseases, paying particular attention to smoking. The scholars, coordinated by Professor Deborah Jarvis of the National heart and lung Institute at the influential Imperial College London, obtained such a high percentage from data on some 120,000 European citizens from 17 countries involved in six separate epidemiological studies conducted between 1970 and 2009. The researchers, through the number of nations and participants, obtained a rather detailed overview. In fact, they divided Europe into four parts (North, South, East and West), in which there are major differences.

Scientists are most concerned about the number of adolescent smokers, in fact from what was indicated by Alessandro Marcon, professor of the Department of Diagnostics and Health at the University of Verona, a +50% relative to very young smokers has been recorded.

“In the 11-15 age group – said the scholar – an increase in new smokers has been observed since 1990, with rates reaching 40 new smokers per 1,000 young people per year in Western Europe, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland, and about 30 per 1,000 per year in Southern Europe: Italy, Spain and Portugal.”. For the 16-20 age group, however, there has been a decrease throughout Europe, except in the South, which includes Italy. For Marcon, it is crucial to reduce the number of young people exposed to nicotine addiction, as health problems such as cancer and cardiovascular disease also result.

Sedentary work: it is necessary to get up every half hour

23 February 20246 January 2024 by Alessia Giannino

According to research conducted at the University of Otega, New Zealand, and published in “Sports Medicine,” sitting for too long in the office is not good for you.

Scientists recommend getting up for at least two minutes every half hour to lower blood sugar and fat levels. Office workers actually have to sit for so many hours a day, and this compromises health, increasing the likelihood of heart attack by 64 percent and shortening life by about 7 years.

“Most of us spend about 75 percent of our days sitting, and this behavior has been linked to increased rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, some cancers and mortality in general. We should all find ways to avoid sitting for too long and instead increase the amount of movement we do throughout the day. Even a few minutes but frequently.”

The team of researchers examined data collected in 44 international studies regarding the impact on metabolism and the vascular system when forced to sit for a long time. This showed that getting up at a regular pace reduces blood insulin concentration for up to 9 hours after a meal. The same applies to the amount of fat in the blood, but it would be reduced more slowly, from 12 to 16 hours later.

The researchers‘ advice, therefore, is to get up a couple of minutes every half hour to relax your muscles and take advantage of phone conversations to stretch your legs. Also, if you need to send work e-mails to colleagues in neighboring offices, it is best to do it in person. Just moving a little more can solve some health problems.

Electronic cigarettes: increasingly used by teenagers

22 February 20246 January 2024 by Alessia Giannino

Teens who smoke e-cigarettes are the most likely to smoke traditional cigarettes. Two U.S. studies have pointed out the critical nature of the relationship between e-sigs and adolescents.

Adam Leventhal and colleagues, from the department of preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine at Los Angeles, they conducted a survey through which they asked a group of more than 3,000 students between the ages of 14 and 16 how many of them used e-cigarettes or traditional cigarettes. After six months, the professor met with them again, and it turned out that those using electronic cigarettes switched to traditional cigarettes.

“The study indicates an association between the two behaviors- vaping and smoking-but it does not definitively clarify whether it was really e-cigarettes that induced some kids to smoke, or whether they would have started anyway.” these are the words of John Britton, director of the Center for Alcohol and Tobacco Studies at the University of Nottingham.

An association between these two phenomena has also emerged through other studies conducted in the past. Many people think that vaping is less harmless than cigarettes, but this is actually not the case. It is not certain that e-cigs lead, then, young people to traditional ones, but there is no doubt that they can be addictive.

According to another study conducted on more than 2,000 young people by another research group at the Keck School of Medicine, those who use e-cigarettes are at risk for respiratory disorders such as coughs and bronchitis.

“This is not surprising,” Britton lets us know, ” because we know that the vapor emitted by these products can be irritating to the airways.

Roberta Pacifici, head of the Smoking Observatory, chimes in: “E-cigs certainly do not emit mountain air, but they do evaporate aromas–chocolate, strawberry, vanilla–of food origin. However, it’s one thing to eat a piece of chocolate, it’s another to inhale a cocoa flavor-we have no idea of the possible long-term consequences of depositing these microparticles on the lungs. Clearly, from a harm reduction perspective, it is better for a heavy smoker who is trying to quit to inhale these substances than combusted tobacco. But why would a kid put himself from scratch in a condition of breathing something potentially unhealthy?”

Unfortunately, although purchase by minors is prohibited in Italy, it is not impossible to find ways around the ban on the Internet.

Helping independent and nonprofit research alongside Fadoi

23 February 20246 January 2024 by MinnieLuongo

Starting today, you can help independent, nonprofit research alongside Fadoi, the National Federation of Associations of Hospital Leaders Internists. “We believe that long-term investments and quality interventions that enhance research are essential,” says Andrea Fontanella, president of Fadoi. In particular, the role of nonprofit research is fundamental, but well-calibrated organizational models are needed to optimize it and remain competitive at the European and international level.”

A conference to present the initiative

The project was presented at the Fifth Fadoi conference, which has now become a traditional event for the Federation to analyze critical issues and perspectives of clinical research in Italy. In addition to exhibiting some virtuous models active in our country, this meeting proposed a wide-ranging discussion with top representatives of pharmaceutical companies, with a view to dialogue, collaboration and synergy between independent and industrial research.

And it is precisely because of great strides in research that life expectancy worldwide has increased. However, the Aifa (Italian Medicines Agency) 2017 Report shows that over the past seven years. nonprofit research in Italy has seen a 47 percent reduction in the number of drug clinical trials. This is a symptom of a lackluster situation; more generally, as research investment in the broadest sense, we are far from the set by the European Council, which is to raise investment in research and development to 3 percent of GDP.

Our country invests about 1.5 percent in the sector, compared with the EU average of more than 2 percent. These percentage fractions actually correspond to tens of billions of euros. The coming years will be marked by major challenges, and Italy must reassert its rightful role in the international clinical research landscape.

The activities of the federation

As part of the theme on nonprofit research in Italy, in the 5th Fadoi Conference-which this year was held at the Ministry of Health-there was ample emphasis on the patient associations present and the centrality of the individual in research, highlighting in particular the fundamental role of independent research. This year, the Federation awarded the award Fadoi national award to Prof. Silvio Garattini for his commitment to research.

The congress is part of the activities of the Federation, which also periodically organizes seminars open to experts and other popular meetings for patients. It also has a study and documentation center; has a widespread presence in the territory; promotes and implements research projects in the field of health; and also organizes refresher and training courses. Fadoi’s goals also include dialogue with institutions to emphasize the figure of the physician and researcher, as well as to develop projects for the benefit of patients and their families.

For all the info on Fadoi, you can consult the website
www.fadoi.org
.

Pictured: Andrea Fontanella on the right presents the 2017 Fadoi National Award to Silvio Garattini on the left.

Bowel cancers: extra virgin olive oil helps fight and prevent them

17 February 20246 January 2024 by Alessia Giannino

Following research conducted by Antonio Moschetta of the University of Bari, it was found that daily consumption of extra virgin olive oil helps prevent and fight intestinal cancers. The work, which lasted five years, involved an American scientist, three colleagues from Toulouse and a group from Cambridge. The findings were published in the journal Gastroenterology.

“Extra virgin olive oil is rich in oleic acid, a substance that can regulate cell proliferation. In preclinical studies, we were able to simulate altered genes and states of intestinal inflammation, demonstrating that the administration of an oleic acid-enriched diet can provide significant health benefits. These positive effects also appear to be due to the presence of the enzyme SCD1 in the intestinalepithelium, which functions as the main regulator of oleic acid production in our body.” These are Moschetta’s words.

The researchers were focused on a molecule contained in extra virgin olive oil: oleic acid. They inactivated the gene encoding for SCD1 and showed that in the absence of this molecule in the diet and under conditions of decreased endogenous production, inflammation and then the development of tumors in the gut is first created.

Moschetta concludes.: “If oleic acid is added to the diet instead, normal intestinal physiology is restored with reduction of inflammation and protection against tumor formation. By taking advantage of the beneficial properties of oleic acid, it will be possible in the future to reduce tumor occurrence especially in patients with intestinal inflammation or already previously affected by this disease, and to slow its growth and improve the anti-cancer treatments already in use by enhancing their effect.”

The solution, therefore, is to use one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil at lunch and one tablespoon at dinner, in addition to the one used for dressing. They need to be especially careful for patients with an inherited predisposition to colon cancer or for those with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.