The STOP project Sassi, F
European journal of public health,
09/2020, Letnik:
30, Številka:
Supplement_5
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Abstract
The STOP project aims at expanding and consolidating the multi-disciplinary evidence base upon which effective and sustainable policies can be built to prevent and manage childhood obesity. ...STOP also aims at creating the conditions for evidence to translate into policy and for policy to translate into impacts on the ground. The primary focus of STOP is on the cumulative impacts of multiple and synergistic exposures in vulnerable and socially disadvantaged children and their families, which must be a priority target for the fight against childhood obesity in Europe to reach a tipping point and succeed. STOP will identify critical stages in childhood at which interventions can be most effective and efficient.
STOP is covering the whole umbrella of different research disciplines, to be able to understand and produce useful policy recommendations for complex issues such as childhood obesity. It is providing basic clinic research insights, comprehensive epidemiological data, study and overview of different public health-oriented measurements, understanding of stakeholders networking and effective communication. It builds on the observation that many interventions deployed by governments have failed to improve health-related behaviours in a sustained way over the life cycle. Little has been done to combine and triangulate different sources of biological, socio-economic and behavioural data to look at the overall, long-term consequences of an intervention on nutrition and metabolic health. Therefore, among other things, STOP focuses on the core idea that obesity has multiple and diverse characterisations, and therefore that one-size-fits-all policy approaches to childhood obesity are bound to fail, and the scientific component of the project is designed to recognise diversity and support the development of tailored solutions.
Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) have been used in the assessment of health interventions for three decades. The popularity of the QALY approach has been constantly increasing, although the debate ...on its theoretical underpinnings and practical implications is still ongoing. Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), also widely debated, were shaped some 20 years later, broadly within the same conceptual framework but with a number of important differences. This paper provides a comprehensive formulation of QALY calculation methods, offering practical instruments for assessing the impact of health interventions, similar to those made available elsewhere for calculating DALYs. Systematic differences between QALYs and DALYs are explained by reference to two examples: the prevention of tuberculosis and the treatment of bipolar depression. When a health intervention is aimed at preventing or treating a non-fatal disease, the relationship between QALYs gained and DALYs saved depends on age of onset and duration of the disease, as well as the quality of life and disability weights. In the case of a potentially fatal disease, a larger number of factors may determine differences between outcomes assessed with the two metrics. The relative importance of some of these factors is discussed and illustrated graphically in the paper. Understanding similarities and differences between QALYs and DALYs is important to researchers and policy makers, for a sound interpretation of the evidence on the outcomes of health interventions.
We compare D and lower E region ionospheric model calculations driven by the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM) with a selection of electron density profiles made by sounding rockets ...over the past 50 years. The WACCM model, in turn, is nudged by winds and temperatures from the Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System‐Advanced Level Physics High Altitude (NOGAPS‐ALPHA). This nudging has been shown to greatly improve the representation of key neutral constituents, such as nitric oxide (NO), that are used as inputs to the ionospheric model. We show that with this improved representation, we greatly improve the comparison between calculated and observed electron densities relative to older studies. At midlatitudes, for both winter and equinoctal conditions, the model agrees well with the data. At tropical latitudes, our results confirm a previous suggestion that there is a model deficit in the calculated electron density in the lowermost D region. We then apply the calculated electron densities to examine the variation of HF absorption with altitude, latitude, and season and from 2008 to 2009. For low latitudes, our results agree with recent studies showing a primary peak absorption in the lower E region with a secondary peak below 75 km. For midlatitude to high latitude, the absorption contains a significant contribution from the middle D region where ionization of NO drives the ion chemistry. The difference in middle‐ to high‐latitude absorption from 2008 to 2009 is due to changes in the NO abundance near 80 km from changes in the wintertime mesospheric residual circulation.
Plain Language Summary
The study of the lowermost ionosphere (60‐100 km) is one of the classic problems in aeronomy and dates back to the dawn of the radio age. The practical motivation for this interest is that this atmospheric region can absorb HF radiowaves. Despite this long history, fundamental questions about what controls HF radio absorption still remain. Here we present the first global model study that uses a general circulation model of the whole atmosphere to capture the variation of key trace constituents such as nitric oxide and atomic oxygen. We show that with this new constraint, a model of the lower ionosphere is now in good agreement with a selection of rocket electron density profiles made as long as a half century ago. Our comparison also confirms a recent suggestion of a fundamental problem in our understanding of what governs the free electron density at tropical latitudes below 70 km altitude. Finally, we show how using the general circulation model allows us to simulate the seasonal and year to year variation of HF radio absorption by simulating the upward propagation of weather disturbances from the troposphere and stratosphere.
Key Points
Accurate representation of mesospheric neutral constituents important for D region simulations
Theoretical calculations reveal a tropical electron density deficit below 75 km
Absorption at 5 MHz peaks near 95 km in tropics; at higher latitudes there is a contribution near 80 km from nitric oxide ionization
Taxes, subsidies and welfare benefits may provide financial incentives to encourage healthy behaviors or discourage less healthy ones. Historically, taxes have been used in many countries to deter ...behaviors like tobacco smoking or harmful alcohol use. More recently, an increasing number of governments have sought to expand the scope for the use of fiscal measures in health promotion to foods and beverages high in fat, salt or sugar. A strong public health rationale, supported by a growing body of evidence of the health impacts of taxes and other fiscal measures, adds to the more traditional rationale for the use of commodity taxes, which hinges on their revenue-generating potential and their ability to address the costs imposed by consumers of health-related commodities on other individuals. Despite limitations in the existing evidence base, reviewed in this paper, taxes have been shown to generate significant health gains when applied to tobacco products and alcoholic beverages. In the case of foods and non-alcoholic beverages, the effects tend to build up over time and are stronger in people with lower socio-economic status. However, a number of potentially undesirable effects suggest that governments should exercise caution in planning and implementing taxes on health-related commodities. In particular, commodity taxes are generally regressive, and this is especially the case for taxes on tobacco, foods and non-alcoholic beverages, although the actual size of the tax burden involved is relatively modest. In addition, taxes may negatively impact on economic efficiency and social welfare, and may incentivize illicit activities.
The lower atmosphere contributes significantly to the day-to-day variability of the ionosphere, especially during solar minimum conditions. Ionosphere/atmosphere model simulations that incorporate ...meteorology from data assimilation analysis products can be critically important for elucidating the physical processes that have substantial impact on ionospheric weather. In this study, the NCAR Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model, extended version with specified dynamics (SD-WACCM-X) is coupled with an ionospheric model (Sami3 is Another Model of the Ionosphere) to study day-to-day variability in the ionosphere during January 2010. Lower atmospheric weather patterns are introduced into the SAMI3/SD-WACCM-X simulations using the 6-h Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System-Advanced Level Physics High Altitude (NOGAPS-ALPHA) data assimilation products. The same time period is simulated using the new atmospheric forecast model, the High Altitude Navy Global Environmental Model (HA-NAVGEM), a hybrid 4D-Var prototype data assimilation with the ability to produce meteorological fields at a 3-h cadence. Our study shows that forcing SD-WACCM-X with HA-NAVGEM better resolves the semidiurnal tides and introduces more day-to-day variability into the ionosphere than forcing with NOGAPS-ALPHA. The SAMI3/SD-WACCM-X/HA-NAVGEM simulation also more accurately captures the longitudinal variability associated with non-migrating tides in the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) region as compared to total electron content (TEC) maps derived from GPS data. Both the TEC maps and the SAMI3/SD-WACCM-X/HA-NAVGEM simulation show an enhancement in TEC over South America during 17–21 January 2010, which coincides with the commencement of a stratospheric warming event on 19 January 2010. Analysis of the SAMI3/SD-WACCM-X/HA-NAVGEM simulations indicates non-migrating tides (including DW4, DE2 and SW5) played a role during 17–21 January in shifting the phase of the wave-3 pattern in the ionosphere on these days. Constructive interference of wave-3 and wave-4 patterns in the E × B drifts contributed to the enhanced TEC in the South American longitude sector. The results of the study highlight the importance of high fidelity meteorology in understanding the day-to-day variability of the ionosphere.
•Modeled ionospheric variations during January 2010 due to the lower atmosphere.•Model captures increase in TEC over South America during several days in January.•High fidelity meteorology is important in understanding ionospheric variability.
ABSTRACT Histological analysis of bleached samples of Siderastrea stellata Verrill, 1868, with white plague disease and with alteration in the color pattern, revealed drastic tissue and cellular ...disturbances, such as lysis of the external epithelium, hyperplasia of gastrodermis, apoptosis of epithelial cells and zooxanthellae, and degradation of mesenteric filaments and reproductive cells. Fungal hyphae, diatoms, and cyanobacteria were present in diseased samples and colonies with alteration in the color pattern. Furthermore, bleached and diseased samples showed significant reductions in the number of zooxanthellae per 100 µm2 of gastrodermis and significant reductions in the diameters and volumes of stage V oocytes. We found that bleaching events, diseases, and colonies with alteration in the color pattern promoted degradation of reproductive cells, resulting in the consequent interruption of the reproduction of the coral S. stellata, which is one of the most common Brazilian coral species. The implications of these indirect effects of bleaching, disease, and changes in coral color patterns in the population dynamics of Brazilian reefs are discussed.
RESUMO Análises histológicas de amostras de Siderastrea stellata Verrill, 1868 branqueadas, doentes e com alteração no padrão de cloração, revelaram drásticas perturbações teciduais e celulares, como lise do epitélio externo, hiperplasia da mesogleia, apoptose das células epiteliais e das zooxantelas, e degradação dos filamentos mesentéricos e das células reprodutivas. Hifas fúngicas, diatomáceas e cianobactérias estavam presentes em amostras doentes e em tecidos de colônias com alteração no padrão de coloração. Além disso, amostras branqueadas e doentes apresentavam reduções significativas no número de zooxantelas por 100 µm2 da gastrodermis e, reduções significativas nos diâmetros e volumes dos oócitos de estágio V. Constatamos que eventos de branqueamento, doenças e colônias com alteração no padrão de cloração, promoveram degradação das células reprodutivas, resultando na consequente interrupção da reprodução do coral S. stellata, que é uma das espécies de corais brasileiro mais comuns. As implicações desses efeitos indiretos do branqueamento, doenças e das mudanças nos padrões de coloração dos corais na dinâmica populacional dos recifes brasileiros são discutidas.
Satellite drag data showing significant (20%) short‐term variations in atmospheric mass density are presented. These data, along with the Naval Research Laboratory SAMI3 (Sami3 is Also a Model of the ...Ionosphere) ionosphere/plasmasphere model and the WACCM (Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model) atmosphere model are used to estimate day‐to‐day variability in thermosphere composition, thermosphere winds, and exosphere temperatures and the effect of this variability on plasmasphere refilling rates. This assessment is guided by SAMI3 modeling showing that modest (20%) decreases in thermospheric density and exospheric temperature can lead to large (60%) increases in plasmaspheric refilling rates and that changes in the thermospheric wind pattern can have a similar effect. Results suggest that day‐to‐day variability in thermospheric wind and composition could affect plasmaspheric refilling rates by 50 to 100%.
Key Points
Thermosphere composition, temperature, and winds affect plasmasphere refilling rates
Orbit data and SAMI3/SD‐WACCM‐X modeling shows day‐to‐day variability in winds and composition
The thermosphere produces day‐to‐day variability in plasmasphere refilling rates of 50 to 100%
Summary
We evaluated the effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on Wnt10b production by immune system cells in humans. We showed that bone anabolic effect of intermittent PTH treatment may be amplified ...by T cells through increased production of Wnt10b. Chronic increase in PTH as in primary hyperparathyroidism does not increase Wnt10b expression.
Introduction
The aim of this study is to assess the effect of PTH on Wnt10b production by immune system cells in humans. We assessed both the effect of intermittent PTH administration (iPTH) and of chronic PTH hypersecretion in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP).
Methods
Eighty-two women affected by post-menopausal osteoporosis were randomly assigned to treatment with calcium and vitamin D alone (22) or plus 1-84 PTH (42), or intravenous ibandronate (18). Wnt10b production by unfractioned blood nucleated cells and by T, B cells and monocytes was assessed by real-time RT-PCR and ELISA at baseline, 3, 6, 12 and 18 months of treatment. The effect of chronic elevation of PTH was evaluated in 20 patients affected by PHP at diagnosis and after surgical removal of parathyroid adenoma.
WNT10b from both osteoporotic and PHP patients was compared to healthy subjects matched for age and sex.
Results
iPTH increases Wnt10b production by T cells, whereas PHP does not. After surgical restoration of normal parathyroid function, WNT10b decreases, although it is still comparable with healthy subjects’ level. Thus, chronic elevation of PTH does not significantly increase WNT10b production as respect to control.
Conclusions
This is the first work showing the effect of both intermittent and chronic PTH increase on Wnt10b production by immune system cells. We suggest that, in humans, T cells amplified the anabolic effect of PTH on bone, by increasing Wnt10b production, which stimulates osteoblast activity.
Evidence of inequalities in obesity and overweight is available mostly from national studies. This article provides a broad international comparison of inequalities by education level and ...socio-economic status, in men and women and over time.
Data from national health surveys of 11 OECD countries were used. The size of inequalities was assessed on the basis of absolute and relative inequality indexes. A regression-analysis approach was used to assess differences between social groups in trends over time.
Of the countries examined, USA and England had the highest rates of obesity and overweight. Large social inequalities were consistently detected in all countries, especially in women. Absolute inequalities were largest in Hungary and Spain with a difference of 11.6 and 10% in obesity rates in men, and 18.3 and 18.9% in women, respectively, across the education spectrum. Relative inequalities were largest in France and Sweden with poorly educated men 3.2 and 2.8 times as likely to be obese as men with the highest education (18 and 17 times for women in Spain and Korea, respectively). Pro-poor inequalities in overweight were observed for men in USA, Canada, Korea, Hungary, Australia and England. Inequalities remained virtually stable during the last 15 years, with only small variations in England, Korea, Italy and France.
Large and persistent social inequalities in obesity and overweight by education level and socio-economic status exist in OECD countries. These are consistently larger in women than in men.
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