Study protocol of “From Science 2 School”—prevalence of sports and physical exercise linked to omnivorous, vegetarian and vegan, diets among Austrian secondary schools

The increasing prevalence of unhealthy lifestyle choices contribute to almost all chronic conditions negatively affecting individual and public health. As the most beneficial preventative solution, a healthy lifestyle focusing on the dual approach of physical activity (PA) and a healthful diet is highly recommended. Considering the growing number of people interested in sustainable, plant-based diets, it seems crucial to analyze lifestyle behaviors with a special focus on diet type to delve deeper into the unenthusiastic health status among young populations. Therefore, this multidisciplinary study aims to survey and scale health behaviors with a special focus on the prevalence of traditional and vegetarian diets in connection with PA levels among Austrian pupils (10–19 years), teachers and principals in secondary education levels I and II. Following a cross-sectional design, sociodemographic and school-related data along with a complete profile of lifestyle behaviors, including detailed information regarding diet, PA, sports & exercise, and other health-related behaviors, were collected using online-based questionnaires. A total number of 8,845 children/adolescents (~1.2% of the eligible 771,525 Austrian secondary school pupils) and 1,350 adults (~1.5% of total eligible 89,243 Austrian teachers/principals) participated in the study. As this is the first investigation to explore the prevalence of veganism/vegetarianism amongst a large group of pupils, the present study will add an important contribution to overcome the lack of knowledge on PA, sports & exercise linked to healthy alternative diets. With a sustainable healthy lifestyle, a healthy transition from childhood to adulthood occurs, which can result in growing healthier functioning generations at all social levels. As a study protocol, the present article is intended to present comprehensive details of the study design, objectives, and the associated analytical procedures of the “From Science 2 School” study

Primary school children's health and its association with physical fitness development and health-related factors

The health status (HS) of children is influenced by a variety of factors, including physical fitness (PF) or social and environmental characteristics. We present a 4-year longitudinal study carried out with 263 primary school children. PF was assessed yearly using the German Motor Performance Test 6–18. Demographic data, leisure time behavior and socioeconomic factors were collected using questionnaires for children and parents. Based on parents' ratings in year 4, children were categorized as either “very good health status” (VGHS) or “good health status or below” (GHSB). Children with VGHS (73%) showed a larger improvement of global PF (p 2 h (p = 0.033) compared to children with GHSB. Regarding socio-economic factors, children with VGHS revealed significantly fewer parents with lower education (p = 0.002), lower physical activity levels (p = 0.030) and lower migration background (p < 0.001). Physical fitness (p = 0.019) and outdoors exercising (p = 0.050) were the only variables to provide significantly higher chances of perceiving one's own health as very good when tested within a complex model including all the variables studied in this work. Considering the little focus on PF in the current Austrian physical education curriculum and the favorable environmental features of the Tyrolean region, more emphasis should be given to promoting didactical and pedagogical approaches that allow schoolers to be active in the nature

Adaptative Potential of the Lactococcus Lactis IL594 Strain Encoded in Its 7 Plasmids

The extrachromosomal gene pool plays a significant role both in evolution and in the environmental adaptation of bacteria. The L. lactis subsp. lactis IL594 strain contains seven plasmids, named pIL1 to pIL7, and is the parental strain of the plasmid-free L. lactis IL1403, which is one of the best characterized lactococcal strains of LAB. Complete nucleotide sequences of pIL1 (6,382 bp), pIL2 (8,277 bp), pIL3 (19,244 bp), pIL4 (48,979), pIL5 (23,395), pIL6 (28,435 bp) and pIL7 (28,546) were established and deposited in the generally accessible database (GeneBank). Nine highly homologous repB-containing replicons, belonging to the lactococcal theta-type replicons, have been identified on the seven plasmids. Moreover, a putative region involved in conjugative plasmid mobilization was found on four plasmids, through identification of the presence of mob genes and/or oriT sequences. Detailed bioinformatic analysis of the plasmid nucleotide sequences provided new insight into the repertoire of plasmid-encoded functions in L. lactis, and indicated that plasmid genes from IL594 strain can be important for L. lactis adaptation to specific environmental conditions (e.g. genes coding for proteins involved in DNA repair or cold shock response) as well as for technological processes (e.g. genes encoding citrate and lactose utilization, oligopeptide transport, restriction-modification system). Moreover, global gene analysis indicated cooperation between plasmid- and chromosome-encoded metabolic pathways

The Pleiotropic CymR Regulator of Staphylococcus aureus Plays an Important Role in Virulence and Stress Response

We have characterized a novel pleiotropic role for CymR, the master regulator of cysteine metabolism. We show here that CymR plays an important role both in stress response and virulence of Staphylococcus aureus. Genes involved in detoxification processes, including oxidative stress response and metal ion homeostasis, were differentially expressed in a ΔcymR mutant. Deletion of cymR resulted in increased sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide-, disulfide-, tellurite- and copper-induced stresses. Estimation of metabolite pools suggests that this heightened sensitivity could be the result of profound metabolic changes in the ΔcymR mutant, with an increase in the intracellular cysteine pool and hydrogen sulfide formation. Since resistance to oxidative stress within the host organism is important for pathogen survival, we investigated the role of CymR during the infectious process. Our results indicate that the deletion of cymR promotes survival of S. aureus inside macrophages, whereas virulence of the ΔcymR mutant is highly impaired in mice. These data indicate that CymR plays a major role in virulence and adaptation of S. aureus for survival within the host

Cellular mechanisms by which proinsulin C-peptide prevents insulin-induced neointima formation in human saphenous vein

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) play key roles in the development of intimal hyperplasia in saphenous vein (SV) bypass grafts. In diabetic patients, insulin administration controls hyperglycaemia but cardiovascular complications remain. Insulin is synthesised as a pro-peptide, from which C-peptide is cleaved and released into the circulation with insulin; exogenous insulin lacks C-peptide. Here we investigate modulation of human SV neointima formation and SV-EC and SV-SMC function by insulin and C-peptide. METHODS: Effects of insulin and C-peptide on neointima formation (organ cultures), EC and SMC proliferation (cell counting), EC migration (scratch wound), SMC migration (Boyden chamber) and signalling (immunoblotting) were examined. A real-time RT-PCR array identified insulin-responsive genes, and results were confirmed by real-time RT-PCR. Targeted gene silencing (siRNA) was used to assess functional relevance. RESULTS: Insulin (100 nmol/l) augmented SV neointimal thickening (70% increase, 14 days), SMC proliferation (55% increase, 7 days) and migration (150% increase, 6 h); effects were abrogated by 10 nmol/l C-peptide. C-peptide did not affect insulin-induced Akt or extracellular signal-regulated kinase signalling (15 min), but array data and gene silencing implicated sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (SREBF1). Insulin (1-100 nmol/l) did not modify EC proliferation or migration, whereas 10 nmol/l C-peptide stimulated EC proliferation by 40% (5 days). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Our data support a causative role for insulin in human SV neointima formation with a novel counter-regulatory effect of proinsulin C-peptide. Thus, C-peptide can limit the detrimental effects of insulin on SMC function. Co-supplementing insulin therapy with C-peptide could improve therapy in insulin-treated patients

Phenotype Enhancement Screen of a Regulatory spx Mutant Unveils a Role for the ytpQ Gene in the Control of Iron Homeostasis

Spx is a global regulator of genes that are induced by disulfide stress in Bacillus subtilis. The regulon that it governs is comprised of over 120 genes based on microarray analysis, although it is not known how many of these are under direct Spx control. Most of the Spx-regulated genes (SRGs) are of unknown function, but many encode products that are conserved in low %GC Gram-positive bacteria. Using a gene-disruption library of B. subtilis genomic mutations, the SRGs were screened for phenotypes related to Spx-controlled activities, such as poor growth in minimal medium and sensitivity to methyglyoxal, but nearly all of the SRG mutations showed little if any phenotype. To uncover SRG function, the mutations were rescreened in an spx mutant background to determine which mutant SRG allele would enhance the spx mutant phenotype. One of the SRGs, ytpQ was the site of a mutation that, when combined with an spx null mutation, elevated the severity of the Spx mutant phenotype, as shown by reduced growth in a minimal medium and by hypersensitivity to methyglyoxal. The ytpQ mutant showed elevated oxidative protein damage when exposed to methylglyoxal, and reduced growth rate in liquid culture. Proteomic and transcriptomic data indicated that the ytpQ mutation caused the derepression of the Fur and PerR regulons of B. subtilis. Our study suggests that the ytpQ gene, encoding a conserved DUF1444 protein, functions directly or indirectly in iron homeostasis. The ytpQ mutant phenotype mimics that of a fur mutation, suggesting a condition of low cellular iron. In vitro transcription analysis indicated that Spx stimulates transcription from the ytpPQR operon within which the ytpQ gene resides. The work uncovers a link between Spx and control of iron homeostasis

Prevention 1st by state mandate – Health promotion as an overarching educational goal and teaching principle in primary school curricula: A comparison between Austria, Germany and Switzerland

Introduction &amp; Purpose Health is a basic prerequisite in leading a fulfilled life; thus, it is one of the major topics of our time. In line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG’s), especially Goals #3 “Good Health and Well-Being” and #4 “Quality Education” (United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 2022), the link between health and education is emerging as a focal point for the future of mankind. According to the World Health Organization (WHO; 2023), non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cardio-vascular disease, cancer, or diabetes type 2 cause 74% of all deaths worldwide; the main risk factors promoting NCD development include unhealthy lifestyles, such as insufficient physical activity (PA) and/or poor dietary patterns. According to the WHO Health Behaviour of School-aged Children study, only 19% of all girls and boys in Europe and Canada meet the WHO’s physical activity recommendations (at least 60 min/day; WHO 2020). In addition, 1 in 5 adolescents are overweight/obese, and the diet of most adolescents does not meet current recommendations (Inchley et al., 2020). Since exercise and food are each considered medicine, regular PA &amp; exercise permanently linked to a healthy diet serves as the most promising and basic dual approach to sustainable and lifelong health from childhood into old age. Given that lifestyles (for better or worse) and inherited habits track from childhood to old age, the power of informed lifestyle choices shall be applied early in life to prevent people from developing NCDs and their risk factors, rather than being applied to patients and in old age. Children are considered the future and are therefore key drivers of a global shift towards healthier and more sustainable lifestyles. Considering that children and adolescents spend a significant amount of their wake and activity time in formal educational settings, the school environment is key in learning, understanding, applying and implementing health-related knowledge as well as promoting healthy behaviors. Compulsory school time covers 9 years for Austrian pupils, while European children have to attend school over a range of compulsory schooling of 8-13 years. Therefore, schools are ideal places to implement health-promoting measures. The aim of this study was to systematically (quantitatively) and contextually (qualitatively) review and compare the primary school curricula of the DACH (D-Germany; A-Austria; CH-Switzerland) region for the first time regarding a 1-dimensional versus a dual health approach in the context of PA &amp; exercise and/or nutrition. This contribution (1) further identifies the remaining gaps between schools and university/college education and training for future development and (2) spans from the gap between the curricular state mandate and the huge potential of school health promotion for better public health left untapped so far by providing potential hands-on solutions in order to contribute to addressing today’s health paradox. The contribution is related to the German-language publication (Troppe et al. 2024). Methods A (quantitative) systematic review with contextual-qualitative fractions and a comparative analysis of the primary school level curricula of the German-speaking DACH region was conducted (01-12/2023); however, representative for the 16 federal states all over Germany the Bavarian curriculum was selected as best match for socio-cultural and geographical characteristics. Within 4 specific umbrella term-categories (a – PA &amp; exercise; b – nutrition; c – health; d – sustainability), related keywords were searched for in the respective documents. The basic data or hits were processed by using a didactical tool with distinct inclusion and exclusion criteria (“Ampelsystem”; Troppe et al. 2024). By applying this matrix, the basic data were refined one step at a time (number of hits, quantitative matches, qualitative matches via contextual verification) with the results matching from red over yellow to green categorization. Results (1) All primary school curricula analyzed for the DACH region include a 1-dimensional health approach with a main focus on the lifestyle factor PA &amp; exercise (N = 1,050). In addition, the entrenchment of health and health promotion in all the DACH curricula was predominantly found in the compulsory subject Physical Education, which contains the majority of results (range: 116-346 or 42-82%), with 89-93% of the subject’s matches identified within the search category PA &amp; exercise. (2) Health as a category total (N = 177) ranks second, followed by Sustainability ranked top-3 (N = 119), while the search category nutrition was found in the last rank with the least keyword matches found for the green results category (N = 38; Figure 1). (3) Only the German primary school curriculum contains at least one mention regarding a dual health approach. Discussion The most important finding of this study is that by state mandate, the compulsory subject Physical Education backed up by PA &amp; exercise terminology is in the lead for health promotion and health literacy based on the primary school curricula of the DACH region. Far ahead, this subject interestingly outperformed more closely related health terminology, such as health, sustainability, or even nutrition, which is not often prioritized in any of the curricula. With regard to a dual approach to sustainable health, the DACH primary level curricula mentions only one single provision (respectively in the German curriculum for the subject Heimat- und Sachunterricht), with one specific wording identified with a clear formulation considering the dual approach to sustainable health: “The pupils ... explain the connection between nutrition, leisure time behaviour, exercise, well-being and health”. This evidence underlines not only that there is a huge potential left to be tapped for improving Child Public Health and thus better future Public Health, but also that school health promotion is under the lead of Physical Education and, as by state mandate, defined at the center of a sustainable teaching-learning process. Health promotion – starting with PA &amp; exercise – is therefore relevant to implement at all compulsory school subjects by competence- and action-oriented measures. Due to the great potential identified for school health promotion for the prevention of NCDs (cf. Child Public Health) and better future Public Health of nations like Austria, further research seems necessary. Practical implications/future perspectivesThe contribution of any single individual to positively influence one’s own health - and to improve public health as a result - is enormous, but insufficient on its own. This underlines the urgency of prioritizing the educational goal of health promotion/education at national, international, and global levels. In view of the impending consequences, all political and educational actors must work together to safeguard human health. At the same time, however, there still remain gaps to overcome by policy and decision makers in governmental and educational settings and levels. One such central gap is the lack of systematic (basic and advanced) education and training by standard tertiary curricula of future teachers and doctors with health-related qualifications and empowerment considering the power of lifestyle. With the promising dual approach as a minimum recommendation (still left to be addressed), the next generation of teachers, doctors and health professionals will qualify to fulfill the curricular state mandate of health promotion in any single compulsory school subject. Health promotion and health education must therefore be used as a central measure (interdisciplinary educational goal) since entrenched in the Austrian curricula in order to act in an evidence-based manner concerning sustainable development. Potential approaches for much needed change include: (1) appropriate educational measures regarding the enormous benefits of lifestyle medicine emerging from 6 interwoven areas on a curricular basis, in particular (a) teaching from primary to upper secondary level, (b) basic, further, and advanced training at universities/colleges (medicine, health professions, teaching/education, etc.), and (2) communal catering (university, hospital, retirement home, etc.). The creation of the necessary educational structures to promote sustainable development, especially with regard to the UN SGDs #3 (health) and #4 (education), can only succeed through united political and societal efforts and joint forces. Conclusion Primary school curricula in the DACH region seem the most powerful Public Health tool with the compulsory subject Physical Education in the lead; while the latter holds enormous potential left untapped and often neglected (not only to promote an active lifestyle but rather to empower the young for lifelong healthy lifestyles based on the 6 interwoven and related lifestyle areas), a 1-dimensional approach to health in the long-term seems insufficient to maintain health over the lifespan since health is rather a complex state. Therefore, the promising dual approach to sustainable health is recommended as a minimum and starting point in educational settings up to the tertiary level. Thus, the implementation of the dual approach as a minimum recommendation for sustainable health and health promotion ­is to be advocated in view of the health benefits of combined lifestyle factors (Troppe, 2024; Wirnitzer, n.d.). References Inchley, J., Currie, D., Budisavljevic, S., Torsheim, T., Jåstad, A., Cosma, A., Kelly, C., &amp; Arnarsson, Á. M. (2020b). Spotlight on adolescent health and well-being: Findings from the 2017/2018 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey in Europe and Canada. International report. Volume 1. Key findings. WHO Regional Office for Europe. https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/9789289055000 Troppe, I., Tanous, D. R., &amp; Wirnitzer, K. C. (2024). Bewegung &amp; Sport im Lead der schulischen Gesundheitsförderung – Ein systematischer Review der Primarstufen-Curricula in der D-A-CH Region im Kontext des Pflichtfächerkanons [Physical activity &amp; sport in the lead of school health promotion - A systematic review of primary school curricula in the D-A-CH region in the context of the compulsory subject canon]. Bewegung &amp; Sport, 2024(2), 7-12. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (2022). The sustainable development goals report 2022. United Nations. https://doi.org/10.18356/9789210018098 Wirnitzer, K. C. (n.d.). From science 2 school. https://www.science2.school/en/ World Health Organization. (2020). WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/337001/9789240014886-eng.pdf World Health Organization. (2023). Noncommunicable diseases. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-disease