{"title":"The Role of Vegan Diets in Lipotoxicity-induced Beta-cell Dysfunction in Type-2-Diabetes: A Narrative Review.","authors":"Maximilian Andreas Storz","doi":"10.15586/jptcp.v27SP2.744","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15586/jptcp.v27SP2.744","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Type-2-diabetes is considered the new plague of the current century and its incidence and prevalence are rapidly increasing. Chronic insulin resistance and a progressive decline in beta-cell function are discussed as the root causes of type-2-diabetes. Both are associated with obesity and prolonged exposure to pathologically elevated concentrations of circulating free fatty acid (FFA) levels in the blood. Fatty acid derivatives may interfere with beta-cell function and ultimately lead to their death through lipoapoptosis. The harmful effects of chronically elevated FFA levels on glucose homeostasis and non-adipose tissues are generally referred to as lipotoxicity. Pancreatic beta-cells appear to be particularly vulnerable, and both dietary fat quantity and quality may impact their function. Diets high in saturated fat are especially harmful to beta-cells while (poly-)unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are associated with beta-cell protective effects. Therefore, this narrative review suggests that a dietary modification toward a low-fat vegan diet might help to prevent or reduce lipotoxicity-induced beta-cell dysfunction. By cutting the oversupply of saturated fat and reducing total calorie intake, and by improving both body weight and glycemic control, low-fat vegan diets may reduce the likelihood of lipotoxic events to occur. In light of the accumulating evidence that lipotoxic events are tightly coupled to excess glucose levels, improved glycemic parameters appear to be of utmost importance. These mechanisms are likely to contribute complementarily to improved beta-cell function in individuals with type-2-diabetes who choose a low-fat vegan diet. Physicians must consider these findings when counseling patients on lifestyle modifications and healthy nutrition.</p>","PeriodicalId":73904,"journal":{"name":"Journal of population therapeutics and clinical pharmacology = Journal de la therapeutique des populations et de la pharmacologie clinique","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39014492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Detection of serious adverse drug reactions using diagnostic codes in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems.","authors":"Ariane Gosselin, Claire Chabut, Amélie Duhamel, Isabelle Desjardins, Denis Lebel, Jean-François Bussières","doi":"10.15586/jptcp.v27i3.705","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15586/jptcp.v27i3.705","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Canadian hospitals are legally required to report serious adverse drug reactions (ADRs). This study aimed to assess the ability to detect serious ADRs from diagnostic codes and the potential benefit of adding stand-alone diagnostic codes to the regular process for detecting serious ADRs. In this descriptive study, clinical pharmacists and a reference work on drug-induced diseases allowed to identify diagnostic codes in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision, Canada (ICD-10-CA), reflecting clinical manifestations related to an ADR. Records for admissions to a large urban mother-child hospital in the fiscal year 2018-2019, as coded by medical archivists, were analysed. Of 69 ICD-10-CA diagnostic codes reflecting an ADR identified, 38 were included in the detailed analysis of patient records and 18 (which appeared in 130 admissions) deemed to indicate a serious ADR. Among the 130 admissions analysed, 70 serious ADRs were identified, of which 52 were previously detected by the regular process and 18 were not, increasing the detection of serious ADRs by 34.6% (18/52). These 18 serious ADRs were newly identified from 11 of the 18 codes reflecting clinical manifestation of a serious ADR. Adding ICD-10-CA diagnostic codes not associated with external cause codes can increase the capacity to detect serious ADRs in hospitals. Over a 12-month period, the use of 11 such diagnostic codes increased the detection capacity for serious ADRs by 34.6%.</p>","PeriodicalId":73904,"journal":{"name":"Journal of population therapeutics and clinical pharmacology = Journal de la therapeutique des populations et de la pharmacologie clinique","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38233503","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"For the future and possible ensuing waves of COVID-19: A perspective to consider when disseminating data.","authors":"Michael Kwok, Thi My Linh Tran","doi":"10.15586/jptcp.v27SP1.716","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15586/jptcp.v27SP1.716","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>During the COVID-19 pandemic, most citizens in North America receive daily updates, which highlight the number of new cases per day in a specified region. However, as this data metric is often presented alone on media and news platforms, the spread of the novel coronavirus may often be misinterpreted. Among these daily updates which are critical to informing the public, the authors emphasize the importance of controlling for variation attributed to changes in surveillance. The number of test results that have been analyzed each day along with the total number of tests being conducted in a region have a significant impact on capturing virus spread and should always be included in widespread data. Presenting these variables may help to differentiate increases or decreases of new cases attributed to the expansion of surveillance and testing, or rather other environmental and behavioral factors. Overall, to best inform politicians, healthcare workers, and all citizens of the progress against COVID-19, there is a need to constantly improve analyses and reporting of data.</p>","PeriodicalId":73904,"journal":{"name":"Journal of population therapeutics and clinical pharmacology = Journal de la therapeutique des populations et de la pharmacologie clinique","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38233505","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Paola Feraco, Francesca Incandela, Flavia Stallone, Francesca Alaimo, Laura Geraci, Francesco Bencivinni, Giuseppe La Tona, Cesare Gagliardo
{"title":"Hemorragic presentation of Listeria Monocytogenes rhombencephalic abscess.","authors":"Paola Feraco, Francesca Incandela, Flavia Stallone, Francesca Alaimo, Laura Geraci, Francesco Bencivinni, Giuseppe La Tona, Cesare Gagliardo","doi":"10.15586/jptcp.v27i3.704","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15586/jptcp.v27i3.704","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Listeria monocytogenes (LM)</i> bacterium is a cause of central nervous system (CNS) infection and the most common cause of rhombencephalitis in immunocompetent elderly.A prompt identification of this condition should be always desirable, since its clinical manifestations are often unspecific with prodromal symptoms leading to high rates of morbidity and mortality if underestimated.CNS listeriosis magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings are generally not specific. However, in the appropriate clinical setting, focal brainstem hyperintensity on T2-weighted pulse sequences associated with ring-enhancement pattern after i.v. contrast media injection should be suspicious of <i>LM</i> abscess. The diagnosis cannot exempt from anamnestic-clinical-investigation data correlation to exclude mimicking.</p>","PeriodicalId":73904,"journal":{"name":"Journal of population therapeutics and clinical pharmacology = Journal de la therapeutique des populations et de la pharmacologie clinique","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38233504","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mansfield Mela, Ana Hanlon-Dearman, A G Ahmed, Susan D Rich, Rod Densmore, Dorothy Reid, Alasdair M Barr, David Osser, Tara Anderson, Bola Suberu, Osman Ipsiroglu, Hasu Rajani, Christine Loock
{"title":"Treatment algorithm for the use of psychopharmacological agents in individuals prenatally exposed to alcohol and/or with diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).","authors":"Mansfield Mela, Ana Hanlon-Dearman, A G Ahmed, Susan D Rich, Rod Densmore, Dorothy Reid, Alasdair M Barr, David Osser, Tara Anderson, Bola Suberu, Osman Ipsiroglu, Hasu Rajani, Christine Loock","doi":"10.15586/jptcp.v27i3.681","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15586/jptcp.v27i3.681","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Psychotropic medication treatment of individuals who have experienced prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) has lagged behind psychosocial interventions. Multiple psychotropic medications are often prescribed for those diagnosed with a range of neurodevelopmental disabilities and impairments of PAE (neurodevelopmental disorder associated with prenatal alcohol exposure and/or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder [ND-PAE/FASD]). Despite the diverse comorbid mental disorders, there are no specific guidelines for psychotropic medications for individuals with ND-PAE/FASD. When prescribed, concerned family members and caregivers of individuals with ND-PAE/FASD reported that polypharmacy, which was typical and adverse effects render the psychotropic medications ineffective. The objective of this work was to generate a treatment algorithm for the use of psychopharmacological agents specifically for individuals with ND-PAE/FASD. The development of decision tree for use to prescribe psychotropic medications incorporated findings from previous research and the collective clinical experience of a multidisciplinary and international panel of experts who work with individuals with ND-PAE/FASD, including an algorithm specialist. After multiple meetings and discussions, the experts reached consensus on how best to streamline prescribing along neurodevelopmental clusters. These were subdivided into four ligand-specific, receptor-acting medication targets (hyperarousal, emotional dysregulation, hyperactive/neurocognitive, and cognitive inflexibility). Each cluster is represented by a list of common symptoms. The experts recommended that prescribers first ensure adequate psychosocial and environmental, including sufficient dietary, exercise, and sleep support before prescribing psychotropic medications. Treatment then progresses through three steps of psychotropic medications for each cluster. To support established treatment goals, the most function impairing clusters are targeted first.</p>","PeriodicalId":73904,"journal":{"name":"Journal of population therapeutics and clinical pharmacology = Journal de la therapeutique des populations et de la pharmacologie clinique","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38233509","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Handwashing in averting infectious diseases: Relevance to COVID-19.","authors":"Mainul Haque","doi":"10.15586/jptcp.v27SP1.711","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15586/jptcp.v27SP1.711","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>After officially declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), drastic measures to restrict human movements to contain the COVID-19 infection are employed by most of the countries. Maintaining high personal hygiene by frequent handwashing and be vigilant of clinical signs are widely recommended to reduce the disease burden. The national and international health agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the WHO, have provided guidelines for prevention and treatment suggestions. Here, in this brief article, based on available clinical information, the author discusses why handwashing could be protective of COVID-19 infections. Although a detailed and in-depth discussion of various preventive and protective measures is beyond the scope of this article, this review will focus on the utility of frequent handwashing in minimizing the risk of spreading COVID-19 infection.</p>","PeriodicalId":73904,"journal":{"name":"Journal of population therapeutics and clinical pharmacology = Journal de la therapeutique des populations et de la pharmacologie clinique","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-07-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38233507","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bruno Madeo, Chiara Diazzi, Antonio R M Granata, Marwan El Ghoch, Carla Greco, Stefania Romano, Sara Scaltriti, Vincenzo Rochira
{"title":"Effect of a standard schema of self-monitoring blood glucose in patients with poorly controlled, non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes mellitus: A controlled longitudinal study.","authors":"Bruno Madeo, Chiara Diazzi, Antonio R M Granata, Marwan El Ghoch, Carla Greco, Stefania Romano, Sara Scaltriti, Vincenzo Rochira","doi":"10.15586/jptcp.v27iSP2.680","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15586/jptcp.v27iSP2.680","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The effect of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) on glycemic control with regard to non-insulin-treated Type 2 diabetes mellitus (NIT-Type 2 DM) is still a controversial topic. Against this backdrop, we sought to compare the effect of a continuous short-term SMBG schema with as-usual treatment, based on changes in oral antidiabetic treatment in patients with poorly controlled Type 2 DM. We reviewed 492 NIT-Type 2 DM record charts, selecting 27 patients, with poor glycemic control, who were thought to self-monitor their blood glucose levels (SMBG group). We then compared them with 27 patients treated with modifying drugs or diets to achieve and maintain the glycemic target (Control Group). Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were evaluated at baseline, after 3 and 6 months. HbA1c values decreased after 3 and 6 months in the SMBG group (P < 0.001 on both occasions) and in the control group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively), but without a significant difference between the two groups when compared at the same time. The FPG progressively decreased in both groups, reaching a significant difference in the SMBG group after 3 months and in the control group after 6 months, and without a significant difference between the two groups. The SMBG schema used in our study could be adopted for target groups before proceeding to the next therapeutic enhancement drug step, representing a useful tool that can help diabetic patients in raising awareness of and treating their disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":73904,"journal":{"name":"Journal of population therapeutics and clinical pharmacology = Journal de la therapeutique des populations et de la pharmacologie clinique","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-07-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38233508","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Paola Feraco, Davide Donner, Cesare Gagliardo, Irene Leonardi, Silvia Piccinini, Anna Del Poggio, Rossana Franciosi, Benedetto Petralia, Luc van den Hauwe
{"title":"Cerebral abscesses imaging: A practical approach.","authors":"Paola Feraco, Davide Donner, Cesare Gagliardo, Irene Leonardi, Silvia Piccinini, Anna Del Poggio, Rossana Franciosi, Benedetto Petralia, Luc van den Hauwe","doi":"10.15586/jptcp.v27i3.688","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15586/jptcp.v27i3.688","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Brain abscesses (BAs) are focal infections of the central nervous system (CNS) that start as a localised area of weakening of the brain parenchyma (cerebritis) and develops into a collection of pus surrounded by a capsule. Pyogenic (bacterial) BAs represent the majority of all BAs; in some cases, the diagnostic and therapeutic management can be challenging. Imaging has a primary role in differentiating BAs from other lesions. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) is essential for the identification of the lesion, its localisation and its morphological features. However, cMRI does not allow to reliably differentiate BAs from other intracranial mass lesions such as necrotic tumours. Advanced sequences, such as diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) and proton MR spectroscopy (<sup>1</sup>H-MRS) are very useful in the differential diagnosis from other brain lesions, such as non-pyogenic abscesses or necrotic tumours, and provide essential information on structural, vascular and metabolic characteristics allowing greater neuroradiological confidence. The aim of this pictorial review is to provide a practical approach showing the added value of more advanced MRI techniques in their diagnostic management.</p>","PeriodicalId":73904,"journal":{"name":"Journal of population therapeutics and clinical pharmacology = Journal de la therapeutique des populations et de la pharmacologie clinique","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38233506","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rosanna Massabeti, Maria Stella Cipriani, Ivana Valenti
{"title":"Covid-19: A systemic disease treated with a wide-ranging approach: A case report.","authors":"Rosanna Massabeti, Maria Stella Cipriani, Ivana Valenti","doi":"10.15586/jptcp.v27iSP1.691","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15586/jptcp.v27iSP1.691","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>At the end of December 2019, the Health Commission of the city of Wuhan, China, alerted the World Health Organization (WHO) to a pneumonia cluster in the city. The cause was identified as being a new virus, later named SARS-CoV-2. We can distinguish three clinical phases of the disease with a distinct pathogenesis, manifestations and prognosis. Here, we describe the case of a 45-year-old male, successfully treated for Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The patient was feeling sick in early April 2020; he had a fever and pharyngodynia. When he came to our COVID hospital, his breathing was normal. The nasopharyngeal swab specimen turned out positive. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) showed mild interstitial pneumonia. The patient was admitted to our department and treated with hydroxychloroquine, ritonavir, darunavir, azithromycin and enoxaparin. On day seven of the disease, the patient's respiratory condition got worse as he was developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). He was given tocilizumab and corticosteroids and was immediately treated with non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV). His condition improved, and in the ensuing days, the treatment gradually switched to a high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC); after 18 days, the patient's clinical condition was good.The successful results we have been able to obtain are closely associated with avoidance of invasive ventilation that may lead to intensive care unit (ICU)-related superinfections. In our opinion, it is fundamental to understand that COVID-19 is a systemic disease that is a consequence of an overwhelming inflammatory response, which can cause severe medical conditions, even in young patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":73904,"journal":{"name":"Journal of population therapeutics and clinical pharmacology = Journal de la therapeutique des populations et de la pharmacologie clinique","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38139856","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alessandra Valerio, Enzo Nisoli, Andrea P Rossi, Massimo Pellegrini, Tiziana Todesco, Marwan El Ghoch
{"title":"Obesity and Higher Risk for Severe Complications of Covid-19: What to do when the two pandemics meet.","authors":"Alessandra Valerio, Enzo Nisoli, Andrea P Rossi, Massimo Pellegrini, Tiziana Todesco, Marwan El Ghoch","doi":"10.15586/jptcp.v27iSP1.708","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15586/jptcp.v27iSP1.708","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has spread around the globe, infecting more than ten million individuals, with more than 500,000 dead; about one half of the infected people have recovered. Despite this fact, a subgroup of individuals affected by COVID-19 is at greater risk of developing worse outcomes and experience a high rate of mortality. Data on the association between obesity and COVID-19 are growing; the available studies, have reported a high prevalence of overweight and obesity in patients experiencing a severe COVID-19 course, with serious complications requiring hospitalization and admission to intensive care units. This paper attempts to highlight potential mechanisms behind the greater vulnerability to COVID-19 of individuals with obesity. The presence of uncontrolled chronic obesity-related comorbidities, particularly pulmonary diseases, can present a primary fertile soil for respiratory tract infection. Combined with immune system impairments, such as alteration in the T-cell proliferation and macrophage differentiation, and the high pro-inflammatory cytokine production by the adipose organ, this may worsen the general condition toward a systemic diffusion of infection. Prevention remains the first line of intervention in these patients that can be achieved by adhering to social distancing and adopting hygiene precautions, combined with a healthy lifestyle. Patients with obesity require preferential access dedicated to primary care services to ensure they are regularly taking their medications for the treatment of any concurrent chronic diseases. Finally, their physicians must promptly manage any medical signs or symptoms in the case of suspected severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV2) infection to prevent the risk of severe outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":73904,"journal":{"name":"Journal of population therapeutics and clinical pharmacology = Journal de la therapeutique des populations et de la pharmacologie clinique","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38139853","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}