The Role of a Plant-Only (Vegan) Diet in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Online Survey of the Italian General Population.

The relationship between food and the pathophysiological mechanisms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is unclear. There are few data on the impact of dietary habits on GERD symptoms and on the incidence of GERD in subjects undergoing plant-based diets. In this study, we investigated the association between diet and GERD, using data collected through an online survey of the Italian general population. In total, 1077 subjects participated in the study. GERD was defined according to the Montreal Consensus. For all subjects age, gender, body mass index (BMI), marital status, education, occupation, alcohol consumption, and smoking habits were recorded. All participants also completed the SF-36 questionnaire on Quality of Life. A total of 402 subjects (37.3%) were vegans and 675 (62.7%) non-vegans. The prevalence of GERD in the total population was 9%. Subjects with GERD-related symptoms recorded a worse quality of life according to SF-36 analysis (p < 0.05 for all dimensions). In multivariate analysis, after adjusting for confounders, participants undergoing a vegan diet had a significantly lower risk of GERD (OR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.28-0.81, p = 0.006). These findings should be taken into account to inform the lifestyle management of GERD.

His-Purkinje Conduction System Pacing Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Feasibility and Safety.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the feasibility and success rates of permanent His-Purkinje conduction system pacing (HPCSP) in patients requiring pacing after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). BACKGROUND: TAVR is associated with increased risk for atrioventricular block. HPCSP has the potential to reduce electromechanical dyssynchrony associated with right ventricular pacing. The feasibility and safety of HPCSP in this population are unknown. METHODS: Consecutive patients requiring pacemakers after TAVR in whom His bundle pacing (HBP) and/or left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) was attempted at 5 centers were included in the study. Implant success rates, pacing characteristics, QRS duration, and left ventricular ejection fraction were assessed. Any procedure-related complications, lead revisions, heart failure hospitalizations, and deaths were documented. RESULTS: HPCSP was successful in 55 of 65 (85%) patients studied. HBP was successful in 29 of 46 patients (63%), and LBBAP was successful in 26 of 28 (93%) patients in whom it was attempted. HBP was more successful in patients with Sapien valves than in those with CoreValves (69% vs. 44%; p < 0.05). LBBAP was associated with lower pacing thresholds and higher R-wave amplitudes at implantation compared with HBP (0.64 ± 0.3 at 0.5 ms vs. 1.4 ± 0.8 at 1 ms; p < 0.001; 14 ± 8 mV vs. 5.5 ± 5.6 mV; p < 0.001). Pacing thresholds remained stable and left ventricular ejection fraction remained unchanged during a mean follow-up of 12 ± 13.7 months. CONCLUSIONS: HPCSP is feasible in the majority of patients requiring pacemakers post-TAVR. Success rates of HBP were lower in patients with CoreValves compared to Sapien valves. LBBAP was associated with higher success rates and lower pacing thresholds compared with HBP.

Parent-child relationship associated with the development of borderline personality disorder: A systematic review.

The parent-child relationship (PCR) is considered as a central factor in most contemporary theories on the aetiology of borderline personality disorder (BPD). This systematic review aimed to answer the three following questions: (1) How is the PCR described by BPD participants and their parents in comparison to other normative and clinical groups? (2) Which aspects of the PCR are specifically associated with a BPD diagnosis in adulthood? (3) How can the facets of the PCR identified in the reviewed studies shed light on the general aetiological models of BPD? Forty studies were retained and divided into three categories: perspective of BPD probands, perspective of their parents and perspective of family. Borderline personality disorder participants consistently reported a much more dysfunctional PCR compared to normal controls. Comparisons with participants presenting DSM-IV Axis-I and Axis-II disorders were a lot less consistent. BPD probands rated more negatively the PCR compared to their parents. Low parental care and high parental overprotection may represent a general risk factor for psychopathology, different from normal controls but common to BPD and other mental disorders. An interesting candidate for a specific PCR risk factor for BPD appears to be parental inconsistency, but further studies are necessary to confirm its specificity. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.