Factores asociados a la incidencia y la mortalidad por COVID-19 en las comunidades autónomas / Factors associated with the incidence and mortality from COVID-19 in the autonomous communities of Spain

OBJETIVO: Analizar la evolución de la epidemia de COVID-19 después del estado de alarma e identificar factores asociados a las diferencias entre las comunidades autónomas. MÉTODO: Estudio ecológico que utilizó variables epidemiológicas, demográficas, ambientales y sobre la estructura de los servicios sanitarios como variables explicativas. El periodo de análisis fue desde el 15 de marzo (inicio del estado de alarma) hasta el 22 de abril de 2020. Las tasas de incidencia y de mortalidad fueron las variables respuesta principales. La magnitud de las asociaciones se ha estimado mediante el coeficiente de correlación de Spearman y el análisis de regresión múltiple. RESULTADOS: Las tasas de incidencia y de mortalidad en el momento del decreto del estado de alarma se asocian con las tasas de incidencia, mortalidad y demanda hospitalaria actuales. Las temperaturas medias más altas se asocian significativamente con una menor incidencia actual de COVID-19. Asimismo, una mayor proporción de personas mayores en residencias se asocia significativamente a una mortalidad actual más elevada. CONCLUSIÓN: Es posible predecir la evolución de la epidemia a través del análisis de la incidencia y de la mortalidad. Las temperaturas más bajas y la elevada proporción de personas mayores en residencias son factores asociados a un peor pronóstico. Estos parámetros deben ser considerados en las decisiones sobre el momento y la intensidad de la implantación de las medidas de contención. En este sentido, fortalecer la vigilancia epidemiológica es esencial para mejorar las predicciones

OBJECTIVE: Analyze the evolution of the epidemic of COVID-19 after the alarm state and identify factors associated with the differences between the autonomous communities. METHOD: Ecological study that used epidemiological, demographic, environmental and variables on the structure of health services as explanatory variables. The analysis period was from March 15th (the start of the alarm state) until April 22nd, 2020. Incidence and mortality rates were the main response variables. The magnitude of the associations has been estimated using the Spearman correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Incidence and mortality rates at the time of decree of alarm status are associated with current incidence, mortality and hospital demand rates. Higher mean temperatures are significantly associated with a lower current incidence of COVID-19 in the autonomous communities. Likewise, a higher proportion of older people in nursing homes is significantly associated with a higher current mortality in the autonomous communities. CONCLUSION: It is possible to predict the evolution of the epidemic through the analysis of incidence and mortality. Lower temperatures and the proportion of older people in residences are factors associated with a worse prognosis. These parameters must be considered in decisions about the timing and intensity of the implementation of containment measures. In this sense, strengthening epidemiological surveillance is essential to improve predictions

α-Tocopherol influences glycaemic control and miR-9-3 DNA methylation in overweight and obese women under an energy-restricted diet: a randomized, double-blind, exploratory, controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Excess weight is a strong risk factor for the development of dysglycaemia. It has been suggested that changes in the metabolism microRNAs, small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression, could precede late glycaemic changes. Vitamin E in turn may exert important functions in methylation and gene expression processes. This study aimed to determine the effect of α-tocopherol on glycaemic variables and miR-9-1 and miR-9-3 promoter DNA methylation in overweight women. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, exploratory, placebo-controlled study was conducted in overweight and obese adult women (n = 44) who ingested synthetic vitamin E (all-rac-α-tocopherol), natural source vitamin E (RRR-rac-α-tocopherol) or placebo capsules and were followed up for a period of 8 weeks. Supplemented groups also received dietary guidance for an energy-restricted diet. An additional group that received no supplementation and did not follow an energy-restricted diet was also followed up. The intervention effect was evaluated by DNA methylation levels (quantitative real-time PCR assay) and anthropometric and biochemical variables (fasting plasma glucose, haemoglobin A1C, insulin, and vitamin E). RESULTS: Increased methylation levels of the miR-9-3 promoter region (P < 0.001) and reduced haemoglobin A1C (P < 0.05) were observed in the natural source vitamin E group after intervention. Increased fasting plasma glucose was observed in the synthetic vitamin E group, despite the significant reduction of anthropometric variables compared to the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: α-Tocopherol from natural sources increased methylation levels of the miR-9-3 promoter region and reduced haemoglobin A1C in overweight women following an energy-restricted diet. These results provide novel information about the influence of vitamin E on DNA methylation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02922491. Registered 4 October, 2016.

Prevalência e fatores associados ao baixo nível de atividade física entre estudantes universitários de uma universidade pública da região Nordeste - Brasil / Prevalence and factors related to low level physical activity among university students in a public university in the northeast region of Brazil

Os baixos níveis de atividade física estão relacionados com o aumento da ocorrência de doenças crônicas e a redução da qualidade de vida da população. Este estudo buscou estimar a prevalência de baixo nível de atividade física entre estudantes de graduação da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, bem como encontrar fatores associados a esta condição. Trata-se de um estudo seccional estratificado por Centro, com partilha proporcional em função do ano de ingresso, do curso e do turno de estudo. A coleta de dados ocorreu no período no primeiro semestre de 2007, com a participação de 1.503 estudantes. Foram investigadas questões relativas a dados pessoais, caracterização socioeconômica, estilo de vida e saúde, avaliação nutricional e atividade física. Para mensurar nível de atividade física utilizou-se a versão longa IPAQ. A prevalência observada de baixo nível de atividade física foi de 31,2 por cento. Os estudantes com maior tempo de ingresso na universidade, os que estudam no período noturno e aqueles que passam menos tempo na universidade tiveram maior prevalência de baixo nível de atividade física. Também maior renda e classe social mostraram-se associados a maior prevalência de baixa atividade física. Considerando os riscos do baixo nível de atividade física para saúde e a importância da fase universitária como uma transição da etapa adolescente para a vida adulta, faz-se necessário o incentivo à prática de atividades físicas na universidade como medida preventiva para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis e para a melhoria da qualidade de vida na fase adulta e na velhice.

Low levels of physical activity are related to an increase in chronic diseases and a decrease in the population's quality of life. This study aimed to estimate insufficient physical activity among undergraduate students of Universidade Federal da Paraíba (Federal University of Paraíba), and to find factors associated with such condition. A center-stratified cross-sectional sampling study was carried out, using a proportionate share as a function of the year they started the program, type of program chosen, and time of the day they attended classes. Data were collected along the first semester of 2007 and 1,503 students were enrolled in the study. Issues concerning personal data, socioeconomic condition, lifestyle and health, nutritional assessment, and physical activity were investigated. The long version IPAQ was used to measure the level of physical activity. The prevalence observed for low level physical activity was 31.2 percent. Students who entered university much earlier, those who attended classes in the evening, and students who spent less time at the university showed the highest prevalence of low level physical activity. Also, family income and social class were associated with a high prevalence of low level physical activity. Taking into account the risks to health resulting from insufficient physical activity and the significance of the college years as a transition from adolescence to adulthood, physical activities at the university should be encouraged as a preventive measure against non-transmissible chronic diseases and to improve quality of life along adult and senior life.