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Snacking was reported to provide nutritional benefits among older adults, but the association between such dietary behavior and health outcomes has not been clearly established. The purpose of this study is to examine the associations between snacking and gait speed, a performance-based measure of physical function. Cross-sectional population-based survey. The 1999–2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). A nationally representative sample of Americans aged 60 and older n = 2,333). Participants were classified by snacking frequency (0, 1, 2, 3, ≥4 snacks/d) and by the contribution of snacking to their daily energy intake (0 to <10%, 10% to <20%, 20% to <30%, ≥30%). Physical function was assessed by measurement of gait speed over 20 feet. After adjusting for age, gender, education, race/ethnicity, smoking status, and marital status, older adults who snacked four times or more daily had a faster gait speed (P = 0.033) than non-snackers. Snacking that contributed 20% to <30% (P = 0.017) of energy was associated with a faster gait speed than snacking that contributed 0 to <10% of energy. Similar associations were observed after further adjustment for potential confounders. Both snacking frequency and percentage of energy from snacking are positively associated with gait speed among older adults. The benefits of snacking on older adults' physical function may warrant their inclusion in this population's diet.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of influenza virus co-infections in humans and changes in the genetic variability of A(H3N2) virus strains in southern Italy from 1999 to 2009. A partial sequence of the haemagglutinin (HA) gene by human influenza H3N2 strains identified in oropharyngeal swabs from patients with influenza-like illness was analysed by DNA sequencing and a phylogenetic analysis was performed. During the seasons 1999–2000, 2002–2003, 2004–2005 and 2008–2009, the influenza viruses circulating belonged to subtype H3N2. However, A(H1N1) subtype virus and B type were respectively prevalent during the 2000–2001, 2006–2007, 2007–2008 and 2001–2002, 2003–2004, 2005–2006 seasons. The HA sequences appeared to be closely related to the sequence of the influenza A vaccine strain. Only the 2002–2003 season was characterized by co-circulation of two viral lineages: A/New York/55/01(H3N2)-like virus of the previous season and A/Fujian/411/02(H3N2)-like virus, a new H3 variant. In this study, over the decade analysed, no significant change was seen in the sequences of the HA gene of H3 viruses isolated.

Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) is a disease of unknown cause, the hallmark of which is induration of the skin. This bad condition of the skin influences negatively the quality of life of patients with scleroderma. The aim of the study was to verify the efficacy of two formulations, specifically designed to wash, moisturize and soothe the scleroderma skin. An independent, randomized, double blind, controlled trial was conducted in the Department of Rheumatology of \"A. Galateo\" Hospital in San Cesario di Lecce. Forty-six women affected by scleroderma, and treated with Iloprost every month, were divided into two groups: group 1 followed a specific treatment with cleansing formulation only, group 2 followed a combined treatment with the cleansing solution and the moisturizing solution. In addition, a third group was evaluated: 14 women, who did not undergo intravenous Iloprost therapy, were treated simultaneously with the cleansing formulation and the moisturizing formulation. The three treatments lasted for 4 weeks. Reduction in trans epidermal water loss (TEWL), increase in moisturization of the stratum corneum, reduction in Skin Score and improvement in quality of life were assessed. Very significant improvement in quality of life occurred in each group. Group 2 obtained very significant improvement in hydration and reduction in skin score and TEWL. The study showed that the daily use of both formulations proved to be effective in washing, hydrating and soothing the skin of patients with scleroderma, especially in association with Iloprost therapy.

The present study examined the associations between adult food insecurity (FI) and percentage body fat (%BF) and BMI, stratified by height (HT). %BF, HT and BMI of 2117 men and 1909 women in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002 were analysed in relation to adult food security status using multiple regression procedures. Compared with the fully food-secure, men's %BF, BMI and HT were lower as FI intensified. Marginal food security among women was associated with 1.3 cm shorter HT, P = 0.016. Marginal food security among women who were below median HT was associated with about 2.0 kg/m2 higher BMI, P = 0.042. %BF was not associated with FI among women. FI is associated with shorter HT and lower %BF and BMI in men. Women's HT should be considered in the reported associations between FI and higher BMI.

Fourteen percent of households in the United States faced some level of food insecurity in 2014. This study provides a review of the state of knowledge on food insecurity in the United States and the programs designed to combat the problem. A household decision-making model is used to frame the discussion. The study also provides suggestions for future research.

The adrenergic drug ephedrine inhibits Na + current in cultured cells expressing Na + channels and provides dose-dependent reversible rat sciatic nerve blockade. The dosage required for peripheral nerve blockade in humans would cause unacceptable cardiovascular side effects. We therefore hypothesized that either lidocaine or bupivacaine would show synergy with ephedrine in a rat sciatic nerve block model, allowing a dose reduction and limiting side effects while improving efficacy. Sciatic nerves of anesthetized rats were exposed by lateral incision of the thighs; 0.2 mL of different concentrations of the following drugs was injected subfascially: bupivacaine, lidocaine, and ephedrine alone and bupivacaine or lidocaine combined with ephedrine (n = 8 per group). After animals recovered from anesthesia, a blinded investigator evaluated motor blockade (push against a balance) and sensory/nociceptive blockade (to pinch of the fifth toe) at predefined time intervals. Ephedrine combined with bupivacaine interacted additively for both motor and sensory blockade, and ephedrine combined with lidocaine interacted antagonistically (subadditive) for sensory blockade and additively for motor blockade. A combination of ephedrine with either lidocaine or bupivacaine is unlikely to allow a significant dose reduction because of a lack of synergy. Furthermore, the cardiovascular side effects will limit the maximal tolerable dosage of ephedrine.

Noncoding RNAs are widely known for their various essential roles in the development of central nervous system. It involves neurogenesis, neural stem cells generation, maintenance and maturation, neurotransmission, neural network plasticity, formation of synapses, and even brain aging and DNA damage responses. In this review, we will discuss the biogenesis of microRNA, various functions of noncoding RNA's specifically microRNAs (miRNAs) that act as the chief regulators of gene expression, and focus in particular on misregulation of miRNAs which leads to several neurodegenerative diseases as well as its therapeutic outcome. Recent evidences has shown that miRNAs expression levels are changed in patients with neurodegenerative diseases; hence, miRNA can be used as a potential diagnostic biomarker and serve as an effective therapeutic tool in overcoming various neurodegenerative disease processes.

7‐11 November 2010, Tenth International Congress on Drug Therapy in HIV Infection, Glasgow, UK

Eating out experiences can project different images, desires and expectations among consumers. Depending on the overall outcome of these experiences, consumers may have a positive impact on a business through continued patronage or word-of-mouth advertising, while in the case of dissatisfying experiences their response may even harm an establishment's image. From a group of 305 participants, this study explores consumers' viewpoint of the ideal eating out experience and in the process seeks to identify

7‐11 November 2010, Tenth International Congress on Drug Therapy in HIV Infection, Glasgow, UK