Search

Author(s): Oliver M. Shannon [sup.1] , Ammar W. Ashor [sup.2] , Filippo Scialo [sup.3] [sup.4] , Gabriele Saretzki [sup.3] , Carmen Martin-Ruiz [sup.5] , Jose Lara [sup.6] , Jamie Matu [...], Ageing is a multifactorial process associated with reduced function and increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Recently, nine cellular and molecular hallmarks of ageing have been identified, which characterise the ageing process, and collectively, may be key determinants of the ageing trajectory. These include genomic instability, telomere attrition, epigenetic alterations, loss of proteostasis, deregulated nutrient sensing, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, stem cell exhaustion and altered intercellular communication. Healthier dietary patterns reduce the risk of age-related diseases and increase longevity and may influence positively one or more of these hallmarks. The Mediterranean dietary pattern (MedDiet) is a plant-based eating pattern that was typical of countries such as Greece, Spain, and Italy pre-globalisation of the food system and which is associated with better health during ageing. Here we review the potential effects of a MedDiet on each of the nine hallmarks of ageing, and provide evidence that the MedDiet as a whole, or individual elements of this dietary pattern, may influence each hallmark positively--effects which may contribute to the beneficial effects of this dietary pattern on age-related disease risk and longevity. We also highlight potential avenues for future research.

Background and Aims: Worldwide, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remains as the main cause of mortality. Observational studies supports an association between intake of tomato products or lycopene with a reduced CVDs risk. Our aim was to undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis of the evidence on the topic.Methods: Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched from inception until July 2017. We included longitudinal and cross-sectional studies reporting associations between lycopene and tomato consumption and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among adult subjects. Random-effects models were used to determine the pooled effect sizes.Results: Twenty-eight publications met our inclusion criteria and 25 studies provided quantitative data for meta-analysis. Results showed that individuals in the highest consumption category of, or with the highest serum concentration of, lycopene had significantly lower risk of stroke (hazard ratio (HR) 0.74, 0.62-0.89, p = 0.02; I2 = 32) and CVDs (HR 0.86, 0.77-0.95, p = 0.003; I2 = 0). In addition, individuals categorised in the highest serum concentration of lycopene also had significantly lower risk of mortality (HR 0.63, 0.49-0.81, p<0.001; I2 = 46). Lycopene was not significantly associated with myocardial infarction, while scarce evidence on the association of lycopene with atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, or atrial fibrillation was evident. Evidence from three studies suggested that higher intakes of tomato were associated with non-significantly lower stroke, CVDs and CHD.Conclusions: This comprehensive meta-analysis suggests that high-intakes or high-serum concentration of lycopene are associated with significant reductions in the risk of stroke (26%), mortality (37%) and CVDs (14%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Exploring the variable effect of the degree of smoking dependence on the level of anxiety and depression symptoms among medical students. Methodology: This cross-section study, conducted in the Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Al-Mustansiriya University, Baghdad-Iraq from December 2010 to May 2011, involving 300 medical students selected by cluster random sampling techniques. Those students completed the Hamilton rating scale for anxiety, Zung self-report depression scale and the Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence with a value of six or more regarded as heavy smokers, and a value less than six considered as light smokers. Results: The response rate was 89%, heavy smokers were significantly older and start smoking at an earlier age than non- and light smokers (p=0.001). Heavy smokers associated with high chance of depressive symptoms in comparison with non-smokers (OR=4.8, C.I.=1.752-13.677) and light smokers (OR=4.2, C.I.=1.042-17.161). Regarding anxiety symptoms, heavy smokers demonstrate high chance of anxiety symptoms in comparison with non-smokers (OR=5.2, C.I.=1.826-15.176), and light smokers (OR=4.5, C.I.=1.318-15.526). Conclusions: Heavy smokers differ from non- and light smokers, associated with high risk of anxiety and depression, therefore heavy smoking tends to deteriorate rather than ameliorate these symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To demonstrate the differences in the patterns of adult attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms among non, light, and heavy smokers., Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 400 medical students (representing first to sixth year students) was conducted in the Department of Pharmacology, University of Al-Mustansiriya, Baghdad, Iraq from March to June 2011. The medical students completed a questionnaire containing the adult ADHD self-report scale (ASRS-screener) and the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). An ADHD score ≥14 was considered positive. An FTND score ≥6 signifies heavy smokers, and an FTND score ≤5 signifies light smokers., Results: Three hundred and sixty-one medical students completed the questionnaire, 16.6% reported ADHD symptoms (19.8% male, 12.1% females). Forty-five percent of ADHD adults were smokers; more than half of them were categorized as heavy smokers (51.8%). In comparison with non-smokers, heavy smokers displayed significant deterioration in their inattentive and total ASRS score (p=0.0001). Light smokers show significantly higher hyperactive symptoms in comparison with non-smokers (p=0.041). A high FTND score was associated with severer deterioration in inattentive (r=0.391, p=0.001) but not hyperactive symptoms (r=0.153, p=0.117)., Conclusion: The ADHD symptoms are highly prevalent among Iraqi medical students, and smoking among ADHD students is higher and heavier than non-ADHD controls. Heavy smoking tends to deteriorate rather than ameliorate (self-medicate) ADHD symptoms.

Objective: Exploration of the variable effect of the degree of smoking dependence on psychomotor performance and working memory capacity., Methods: This is a randomized, controlled, prospective study conducted in the Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Al-Mustansiriya University, Baghdad, Iraq from 15 January 2011 to 25 February 2011. After third stage male medical students completed the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence questionnaire, we randomly selected a sample of 32 students and divided them into 3 groups: 10 participants with zero score (non-smokers), 11 participants with a score of 5 or less (light smokers), and 11 participants with a score of 6 or more (heavy smokers). Choice reaction time and flicker fusion were measured by the Leeds psychomotor performance test battery, and working memory capacity was measured by the N-back working memory test., Results: We found significant improvement in ascending flicker fusion test in heavy smokers in comparison with non-smokers (p=0.005, confidence interval [CI] 0.99-6), and light smokers (p=0.053, CI 0.39-4.5). Heavy smokers significantly deteriorated in the 3-back task in comparison with non-smokers (p=0.006, CI 4-25.8), and light smokers (p=0.009, CI 3-24.4). No significant changes were seen between groups in the descending critical flicker fusion, the components of choice reaction time, and in 1-, 2- back working memory tests., Conclusion: Heavy smoking (high nicotine) enhances arousal, but impairs working memory capacity.