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Curtis Dillon posted an update 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Food production substantially depletes the environment in different ways, but little is known about how overall dietary patterns relate to these environmental impacts. The objective of this study was to evaluate the environmental performance of different dietary patterns among U.S. adults using life cycle assessment (LCA). A “typical” dietary pattern was compared with those recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, including “healthy U.S.”, Mediterranean and lacto-ovo vegetarian. Supplemental functional units (FUs) were applied to incorporate the functions of food to provide nutrition and satiety, namely Nutrient Rich Foods Index 9.3 (NRF9.3), Nutritional Quality Index (NQI), and Fullness Factor™ (FF). Life cycle inventory data was collected for 14 food categories consisting of 76 component foods, and their midpoint environmental impacts were calculated, with particular focus on global warming potential. Diets in accordance with different patterns were constructed from selected component foods at a reference energy amount of 2000 kcal. Vegetarian diets on average generated the lowest carbon footprint regardless of the FU. However, large possible variations in the environmental profiles of the compared diets were identified due to the wide range of food choices within a pattern, which showed highly different nutrition and satiety scores even within the same food category. Animal products, including meat and dairy especially, and discretionary foods were identified as the specific food categories that contributed the most to the global warming potential. Discretionary foods consistently exhibited higher impacts on the basis of nutritional FUs due to their low nutrient density. The results can be implied as practical guidelines to help reduce the carbon footprint associated with current U.S. diets without compromising their nutritional adequacy and satiety. Degraded ecosystems refer to systems that deviate from their natural state as a result of natural or anthropogenic disturbances. Alpine swamp meadows on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau have dramatically degraded owing to climate change, overgrazing, and rodents. Understanding the influence of meadow degradation on soil water availability is essential for the development of hydrological models and alpine swamp meadows restoration, which has been poorly explored in the eastern Tibetan Plateau. In this study, we analyzed how degradation affects variation in soil water availability with a series of parameters derived from soil moisture content and soil water retention curves. Our results showed that (1) soil moisture content consistently decreased with degradation and increased with soil depth; (2) soil water retention curves decreased with increasing degradation due to coarser soils and organic matter loss. Field water capacity and the permanent wilting point decreased, whereas the air entry value increased with the severity of degradation; and (3) soil water availability, as represented by soil water potential, available soil water content and fraction was less responsive to degradation than individual soil moisture content or soil water retention curves, which showed similar decreasing trends. However, soil water potential, available soil water content and fraction under moderate and severe degradation were relatively lower than those under light degradation, especially in deep soil layers (>20 cm). Thus, swamp meadow degradation negatively influences soil water availability, which might impede water absorption by deeply rooted species, thereby inducing soil-water stress and possibly increasing drought vulnerability. INTRODUCTION A synergistic effect of the combination therapy tadalafil plus L-Arginine is conceivable in patients affected by erectile dysfunction (ED). AIM To evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of tadalafil 5 mg and L-Arginine 2.5 grams in monotherapy and combination therapy. METHODS Recruited patients completed the International Index of Erectile Function – Erectile Function domain (IIEF-EF) and Sexual Encounter Profile diaries completed at baseline and after treatment. The survey was randomized into 3 groups with an equal allocation ratio. Group A received daily L-Arginine 2,500 mg, group B received daily tadalafil 5 mg, and group C received both daily L-Arginine 2,500 mg plus daily tadalafil 5 mg. The duration of therapy in all 3 groups was 12 weeks. Safety was assessed by evaluating all reported treatment-emergent adverse events. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The main outcome measure was the change in IIEF-EF score and in per-patient percentage of “yes” responses to Sexual Encounter Profile Question 3 from baseline to after treatment. RESULTS 300 eligible patients were enrolled, and 100 subjects for each group were allocated. Based on the IIEF-EF score, the participants were divided into 3 categories severe, moderate, and mild ED. IIEF-EF score increased in group A from 15 ± 7 to 18.1 ± 9.2, in group B from 14.8 ± 6.9 to 20.8 ± 7.3, and in group C from 14.9 ± 7.1 to 22 ± 7.5. In mild ED group, the mean IIEF-EF score increased from 22.1 ± 2.2 to 27.5 ± 2.3 in group A; from 22.1 ± 2.2 to 27.8 ± 2 in group B, and from 22.2 ± 2.2 to 29.3 ± 0.9 in group C. We report a total of 11, 53, and 67 cases of adverse events in group A, B, and C respectively. CONCLUSIONS Combination therapy was superior to monotherapies. Gallo L, Pecoraro S, Sarnacchiaro P, et al. The Daily Therapy With L-Arginine 2,500 mg and Tadalafil 5 mg in Combination and in Monotherapy for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction A Prospective, Randomized Multicentre Study. CX3543 Sex Med 2020;XXXXX-XXX. INTRODUCTION There is a lack of theoretical and empirical knowledge on how sexual desire functions and interacts in a relationship. AIM To present an overview of the current conceptualization and operationalization of sexual desire discrepancy (SDD), providing clinical recommendations on behalf of the European Society of Sexual Medicine. METHODS A comprehensive Pubmed, Web of Science, Medline, and Cochrane search was performed. Consensus was guided by a critical reflection on selected literature on SDD and by interactive discussions between expert psychologists, both clinicians and researchers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Several aspects have been investigated including the definition and operationalization of SDD and the conditions under which treatment is required. RESULTS Because the literature on SDD is scarce and complicated, it is precocious to make solid statements on SDD. Hence, no recommendations as per the Oxford 2011 Levels of Evidence criteria were possible. However, specific statements on this topic, summarizing the ESSM position, were provided.
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