Genetic variants in novel pathways influence blood pressure and cardiovascular disease risk.

Blood pressure is a heritable trait influenced by several biological pathways and responsive to environmental stimuli. Over one billion people worldwide have hypertension (≥140 mm Hg systolic blood pressure or  ≥90 mm Hg diastolic blood pressure). Even small increments in blood pressure are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. This genome-wide association study of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, which used a multi-stage design in 200,000 individuals of European descent, identified sixteen novel loci: six of these loci contain genes previously known or suspected to regulate blood pressure (GUCY1A3-GUCY1B3, NPR3-C5orf23, ADM, FURIN-FES, GOSR2, GNAS-EDN3); the other ten provide new clues to blood pressure physiology. A genetic risk score based on 29 genome-wide significant variants was associated with hypertension, left ventricular wall thickness, stroke and coronary artery disease, but not kidney disease or kidney function. We also observed associations with blood pressure in East Asian, South Asian and African ancestry individuals. Our findings provide new insights into the genetics and biology of blood pressure, and suggest potential novel therapeutic pathways for cardiovascular disease prevention

Multi-messenger observations of a binary neutron star merger

On 2017 August 17 a binary neutron star coalescence candidate (later designated GW170817) with merger time 12:41:04 UTC was observed through gravitational waves by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor independently detected a gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) with a time delay of ~1.7 s with respect to the merger time. From the gravitational-wave signal, the source was initially localized to a sky region of 31 deg2 at a luminosity distance of 40+8-8 Mpc and with component masses consistent with neutron stars. The component masses were later measured to be in the range 0.86 to 2.26 Mo. An extensive observing campaign was launched across the electromagnetic spectrum leading to the discovery of a bright optical transient (SSS17a, now with the IAU identification of AT 2017gfo) in NGC 4993 (at ~40 Mpc) less than 11 hours after the merger by the One- Meter, Two Hemisphere (1M2H) team using the 1 m Swope Telescope. The optical transient was independently detected by multiple teams within an hour. Subsequent observations targeted the object and its environment. Early ultraviolet observations revealed a blue transient that faded within 48 hours. Optical and infrared observations showed a redward evolution over ~10 days. Following early non-detections, X-ray and radio emission were discovered at the transient’s position ~9 and ~16 days, respectively, after the merger. Both the X-ray and radio emission likely arise from a physical process that is distinct from the one that generates the UV/optical/near-infrared emission. No ultra-high-energy gamma-rays and no neutrino candidates consistent with the source were found in follow-up searches. These observations support the hypothesis that GW170817 was produced by the merger of two neutron stars in NGC4993 followed by a short gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) and a kilonova/macronova powered by the radioactive decay of r-process nuclei synthesized in the ejecta

Association of genetic variation with systolic and diastolic blood pressure among African Americans: the Candidate Gene Association Resource study

The prevalence of hypertension in African Americans (AAs) is higher than in other US groups; yet, few have performed genome-wide association studies (GWASs) in AA. Among people of European descent, GWASs have identified genetic variants at 13 loci that are associated with blood pressure. It is unknown if these variants confer susceptibility in people of African ancestry. Here, we examined genome-wide and candidate gene associations with systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) using the Candidate Gene Association Resource (CARe) consortium consisting of 8591 AAs. Genotypes included genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data utilizing the Affymetrix 6.0 array with imputation to 2.5 million HapMap SNPs and candidate gene SNP data utilizing a 50K cardiovascular gene-centric array (ITMAT-Broad-CARe [IBC] array). For Affymetrix data, the strongest signal for DBP was rs10474346 (P= 3.6 × 10−8) located near GPR98 and ARRDC3. For SBP, the strongest signal was rs2258119 in C21orf91 (P= 4.7 × 10−8). The top IBC association for SBP was rs2012318 (P= 6.4 × 10−6) near SLC25A42 and for DBP was rs2523586 (P= 1.3 × 10−6) near HLA-B. None of the top variants replicated in additional AA (n = 11 882) or European-American (n = 69 899) cohorts. We replicated previously reported European-American blood pressure SNPs in our AA samples (SH2B3, P= 0.009; TBX3-TBX5, P= 0.03; and CSK-ULK3, P= 0.0004). These genetic loci represent the best evidence of genetic influences on SBP and DBP in AAs to date. More broadly, this work supports that notion that blood pressure among AAs is a trait with genetic underpinnings but also with significant complexit

Association of genetic variation with systolic and diastolic blood pressure among African Americans: the Candidate Gene Association Resource study.

The prevalence of hypertension in African Americans (AAs) is higher than in other US groups; yet, few have performed genome-wide association studies (GWASs) in AA. Among people of European descent, GWASs have identified genetic variants at 13 loci that are associated with blood pressure. It is unknown if these variants confer susceptibility in people of African ancestry. Here, we examined genome-wide and candidate gene associations with systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) using the Candidate Gene Association Resource (CARe) consortium consisting of 8591 AAs. Genotypes included genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data utilizing the Affymetrix 6.0 array with imputation to 2.5 million HapMap SNPs and candidate gene SNP data utilizing a 50K cardiovascular gene-centric array (ITMAT-Broad-CARe [IBC] array). For Affymetrix data, the strongest signal for DBP was rs10474346 (P= 3.6 × 10(-8)) located near GPR98 and ARRDC3. For SBP, the strongest signal was rs2258119 in C21orf91 (P= 4.7 × 10(-8)). The top IBC association for SBP was rs2012318 (P= 6.4 × 10(-6)) near SLC25A42 and for DBP was rs2523586 (P= 1.3 × 10(-6)) near HLA-B. None of the top variants replicated in additional AA (n = 11 882) or European-American (n = 69 899) cohorts. We replicated previously reported European-American blood pressure SNPs in our AA samples (SH2B3, P= 0.009; TBX3-TBX5, P= 0.03; and CSK-ULK3, P= 0.0004). These genetic loci represent the best evidence of genetic influences on SBP and DBP in AAs to date. More broadly, this work supports that notion that blood pressure among AAs is a trait with genetic underpinnings but also with significant complexity

New genetic loci link adipose and insulin biology to body fat distribution.

Body fat distribution is a heritable trait and a well-established predictor of adverse metabolic outcomes, independent of overall adiposity. To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of body fat distribution and its molecular links to cardiometabolic traits, here we conduct genome-wide association meta-analyses of traits related to waist and hip circumferences in up to 224,459 individuals. We identify 49 loci (33 new) associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and an additional 19 loci newly associated with related waist and hip circumference measures (P < 5 × 10(-8)). In total, 20 of the 49 waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI loci show significant sexual dimorphism, 19 of which display a stronger effect in women. The identified loci were enriched for genes expressed in adipose tissue and for putative regulatory elements in adipocytes. Pathway analyses implicated adipogenesis, angiogenesis, transcriptional regulation and insulin resistance as processes affecting fat distribution, providing insight into potential pathophysiological mechanisms

Causal effect of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 on coronary heart disease

Background--Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) plays an essential role in the fibrinolysis system and thrombosis. Population studies have reported that blood PAI-1 levels are associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). However, it is unclear whether the association reflects a causal influence of PAI-1 on CHD risk. Methods and Results--To evaluate the association between PAI-1 and CHD, we applied a 3-step strategy. First, we investigated the observational association between PAI-1 and CHD incidence using a systematic review based on a literature search for PAI-1 and CHD studies. Second, we explored the causal association between PAI-1 and CHD using a Mendelian randomization approach using summary statistics from large genome-wide association studies. Finally, we explored the causal effect of PAI-1 on cardiovascular risk factors including metabolic and subclinical atherosclerosis measures. In the systematic meta-analysis, the highest quantile of blood PAI-1 level was associated with higher CHD risk comparing with the lowest quantile (odds ratio=2.17; 95% CI: 1.53, 3.07) in an age- and sex-adjusted model. The effect size was reduced in studies using a multivariable-adjusted model (odds ratio=1.46; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.88). The Mendelian randomization analyses suggested a causal effect of increased PAI-1 level on CHD risk (odds ratio=1.22 per unit increase of log-transformed PAI-1; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.47). In addition, we also detected a causal effect of PAI-1 on elevating blood glucose and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Conclusions--Our study indicates a causal effect of elevated PAI-1 level on CHD risk, which may be mediated by glucose dysfunction

Multi-messenger Observations of a Binary Neutron Star Merger

On 2017 August 17 a binary neutron star coalescence candidate (later designated GW170817) with merger time 12:41:04 UTC was observed through gravitational waves by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor independently detected a gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) with a time delay of ∼ 1.7 {{s}} with respect to the merger time. From the gravitational-wave signal, the source was initially localized to a sky region of 31 deg2 at a luminosity distance of {40}-8+8 Mpc and with component masses consistent with neutron stars. The component masses were later measured to be in the range 0.86 to 2.26 {M}ȯ . An extensive observing campaign was launched across the electromagnetic spectrum leading to the discovery of a bright optical transient (SSS17a, now with the IAU identification of AT 2017gfo) in NGC 4993 (at ∼ 40 {{Mpc}}) less than 11 hours after the merger by the One-Meter, Two Hemisphere (1M2H) team using the 1 m Swope Telescope. The optical transient was independently detected by multiple teams within an hour. Subsequent observations targeted the object and its environment. Early ultraviolet observations revealed a blue transient that faded within 48 hours. Optical and infrared observations showed a redward evolution over ∼10 days. Following early non-detections, X-ray and radio emission were discovered at the transient’s position ∼ 9 and ∼ 16 days, respectively, after the merger. Both the X-ray and radio emission likely arise from a physical process that is distinct from the one that generates the UV/optical/near-infrared emission. No ultra-high-energy gamma-rays and no neutrino candidates consistent with the source were found in follow-up searches. These observations support the hypothesis that GW170817 was produced by the merger of two neutron stars in NGC 4993 followed by a short gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) and a kilonova/macronova powered by the radioactive decay of r-process nuclei synthesized in the ejecta.</p

Global attitudes in the management of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 pandemic: ACIE Appy Study

676sinoneBackground: Surgical strategies are being adapted to face the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations on the management of acute appendicitis have been based on expert opinion, but very little evidence is available. This study addressed that dearth with a snapshot of worldwide approaches to appendicitis. Methods: The Association of Italian Surgeons in Europe designed an online survey to assess the current attitude of surgeons globally regarding the management of patients with acute appendicitis during the pandemic. Questions were divided into baseline information, hospital organization and screening, personal protective equipment, management and surgical approach, and patient presentation before versus during the pandemic. Results: Of 744 answers, 709 (from 66 countries) were complete and were included in the analysis. Most hospitals were treating both patients with and those without COVID. There was variation in screening indications and modality used, with chest X-ray plus molecular testing (PCR) being the commonest (19·8 per cent). Conservative management of complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis was used by 6·6 and 2·4 per cent respectively before, but 23·7 and 5·3 per cent, during the pandemic (both P &lt; 0·001). One-third changed their approach from laparoscopic to open surgery owing to the popular (but evidence-lacking) advice from expert groups during the initial phase of the pandemic. No agreement on how to filter surgical smoke plume during laparoscopy was identified. There was an overall reduction in the number of patients admitted with appendicitis and one-third felt that patients who did present had more severe appendicitis than they usually observe. Conclusion: Conservative management of mild appendicitis has been possible during the pandemic. The fact that some surgeons switched to open appendicectomy may reflect the poor guidelines that emanated in the early phase of SARS-CoV-2.noneIelpo B.; Podda M.; Pellino G.; Pata F.; Caruso R.; Gravante G.; Di Saverio S.; Ielpo B.; Podda M.; Pellino G.; Pata F.; Caruso R.; Gravante G.; Di Saverio S.; Gallo G.; Lui R.; Orengia A.; Chowdary A.; Kulkarni A.; Kuvvetli A.; Navarro A.; Pisanu A.; Smith A.; Ibiricu A.C.; Nacion A.J.D.; Alsaleh A.; Alhazmi A.; Elmabri A.; Wani A.; Rencuzogullari A.; Lasarte A.S.; Rubio A.V.; Bavikatte A.; Kumar A.; Jamiri A.-R.; Padilla A.M.A.; Cacurri A.; de San Ildefonso A.; Porcu A.; Sartori A.; Rocca A.; Yanez A.P.; Becaria A.; Solis-Pena A.; Sretenovic A.; Urbistondo A.; Bandin A.; Najar A.; De Luca A.; Boddy A.; Charalabopoulos A.; Tzivanakis A.; Amendola A.; de Velasco A.R.-G.; Yildirim A.C.; Frontali A.; Toure A.O.; Garcia-Granero A.; Roldan A.M.; Larrainzar A.S.; Ratnayake A.S.; Gonzalez-Ganso A.M.; Minaya-Bravo A.M.; Das A.; Bondurri A.; Costanzi A.; Lucchi A.; Mazzari A.; Musig A.; Peloso A.; Piano A.; Police A.; Mihailescu A.; Pouy A.; Romano A.; Iossa A.; Leonetti A.C.; Guariniello A.; Isaac A.; Bovi A.P.D.; Chessa A.; Tromba A.; Martinez A.A.; Brillantino A.; Caira A.; Castaldi A.; Ferronetti A.; Giuliani A.; Prestera A.; la Medina A.R.-D.; Tarasconi A.; Tornambe A.; Picciariello A.; Ioannidis A.; Leppaniemi A.; Khan A.; Rashid A.; Perez-Sanchez A.L.E.; Mittal A.; Mitul A.R.; Mehraj A.; Laharwal A.; Dorisme A.; Marinis A.; Iqbal A.; Moncada A.; Braccio B.; Alkhafaji B.; de Andres Asenjo B.; Martin-Perez B.; Perez B.S.; Creavin B.; Cali B.; Cali B.; Pascotto B.; Stubbs B.; Retes B.Z.; Jovanovic B.; Goh B.K.P.; Sensi B.; Biddau C.; Gazia C.; Vallicelli C.; Fagundes C.A.; Santacruz C.C.; Chirico C.; Diaz C.J.G.; Petrola C.; Rodriguez C.S.; Benitez C.Y.; Dammaro C.; Faro C.L.; Reinke C.; Paez C.D.; Oliva C.; Paranjape C.; Thomas C.; Chia C.F.; Kong C.K.; De Lucia C.; Chao C.O.; Arcudi C.; Guerci C.; Chia C.; Parise C.; Folliero C.; Varela C.; Ferguson D.M.; Camacho D.; Popowich D.; Lima D.S.; Rega D.; Delogu D.; Zigiotto D.; Vinci D.; D'Antonio D.; Parini D.; Merlini D.A.; Zimmerman D.D.E.; Moro-Valdezate D.; Pertile D.; Giusti D.M.; Keller D.S.; Tarik D.; Kalivaci D.; Mazingi D.; Maldonado-Pintado D.G.; Sasia D.; Linardoutsos D.; Osilli D.; Murrone D.; Russello D.; Rodas E.; Roa E.A.A.; Ricciardi E.; Rosso E.; Saladino E.; Flores-Villalba E.; Ajs E.R.; Smith-Singares E.; Baili E.; Kouroumpas E.; Bourmpouteli E.; Douka E.; Martin-Perez E.; Guaitoli E.; Samadov E.; Francone E.; Vaterlini E.; Morales E.; Pena E.; Zhao E.; Andres E.D.P.; Benzoni E.; Erdas E.; Pinotti E.; Colas-Ruiz E.; Aytac E.; Laterza E.; Agastra E.; Foianini E.; Moscoso E.; Laviano E.; Marra E.; Cardamone E.; Licardie E.; Mpaili E.; Pinna E.; Varo E.; Navarro F.M.; Marino F.; Medas F.; Romano F.; Maraska F.; Saliu F.; Madrid F.; Rosa F.; Mastella F.; Gheza F.; Luvisetto F.; Alconchel F.; Vieira F.M.; Pareja F.; Agresta F.; Luna F.; Bonilla F.; Cordera F.; Burdio F.; Mendoza-Moreno F.; Flores F.M.; Aranda F.P.; Taylor F.; Ramos F.L.; Fernandes F.; Tropeano F.P.; Balestra F.; Bianco F.; Ceci F.; Colombo F.; Di Marzo F.; Ferrara F.; Lancellotti F.; Lazzarin F.; Litta F.; Martini F.; Pizza F.; Roscio F.; Virdis F.; Antona F.B.; Ramirez F.C.; Fernandez F.M.; Llinares F.O.; Quezada F.; Schlottmann F.; Quezada F.; Herrera-Almario G.; Massaferro G.; Bislenghi G.; van Ramshorst G.; Gallo G.; Luglio G.; Bointas G.; Kampouroglou G.; Papadopoulos G.; Manrique G.A.; Calini G.; Nastri G.; Formisano G.; Galiffa G.; Palini G.M.; Colucci G.; Pagano G.; Pellino G.; Vanni G.; Pattacini G.C.; Gravante G.; De Paola G.; Lisi G.; Partida G.; Bellanova G.; De Nobili G.; Necchi G.S.; Sinibaldi G.; Tebala G.; Bagaglini G.; Izzo G.; Argenio G.; Brisinda G.; Candilio G.; Di Grezia G.; Esposito G.; Faillace G.; Frazzetta G.; La Gumina G.; Nigri G.; Romeo G.; Amatriain G.C.; Ortega G.; Martin-Martin G.; Stavrou G.A.; Gunadi; Ugon G.A.; Machain G.; Marcucci G.; Martinez-Mier G.; Machain G.M.; Nari G.; Calvo H.; Fathy H.; Hamilto; Ahmed H.; Faraj H.; Nava H.; Macias H.O.; Nikaj H.; Solano H.; Khan H.A.; Alarcon H.S.; Ebied H.; Giani I.; Ateca I.V.; Neri I.; Roman I.A.S.; Fidoshev I.; Rodriguez I.M.; Negoi I.; Ortega I.; Bernescu I.; Russo I.S.; Rodriguez I.V.; Palomares I.; Baltazar I.; Torrejimeno I.J.; Jurado I.M.C.; Reccia I.; Hussain I.; Toledo I.B.; Mora-Guzman I.; Dogaru I.; Romic I.; Balciscueta I.; Kenington J.C.; Sagolsem J.; Jang J.Y.; Olivier J.; Lammel-Lindemann J.; Dziakova J.; Villavicencio J.I.R.; Salinas J.; Parreira J.P.J.G.; Jovanovic; Perez J.R.; Reyes J.A.S.; Luque J.A.M.; Mak J.; Rodriguez J.S.; Kok J.H.H.; Krook J.; Diaz-Elizondo J.A.; Castell J.; Garcia-Flores J.E.; Navalon J.M.J.; Rodrigues J.M.S.; Pereira J.; Gomez J.T.C.; Luque J.B.; del Olmo J.C.M.; Salamea J.C.; Olivier J.F.C.; Laina J.L.B.; Ordonez J.M.; Gutierrez J.; Abba J.; Sofi J.A.; Sherafgan K.; Sahnan K.; Yanaga K.; Beatson K.; Asim L.; Alvarez L.; Siragusa L.; Farber L.; Ong L.; Athanasios L.; Garcia-Bruna L.; De Martino L.; Ferrario L.; Giordano L.; Gordini L.; Pio L.; Ponchietti L.; Moletta L.; Curella L.; Poggi L.; Taglietti L.; Bonavina L.; Conti L.; Goffredi L.; Ruiz L.A.G.; Barrionuevo L.; Fregoso L.E.; Cabrera L.F.; Rodriguez L.G.; Grande L.; Osoria L.G.; Gonzalez L.J.K.; Sanchez-Guillen L.; Tallon-Aguilar L.; Tresierra L.; Giavarini L.; Hasabelnabi M.; Odovic M.; Uemura M.; Khan M.; Artiles-Armas M.; David M.; Di Martino M.; Spampinato M.G.; Ribeiro M.A.F.; Viola M.; Angrisani M.; Calussi M.; Cannistra M.; Catarci M.; Cereda M.; Conte M.; Giordano M.; Pellicciaro M.; Marino M.V.; Vaterlini M.E.; Jimenez M.F.; Lolli M.G.; Bellini M.I.; Lemma M.; Chiarello M.M.; Nicola M.; Arrigo M.; Mejia M.C.; Manrique M.M.; Rodriguez-Lopez M.; Serradilla-Martin M.; Lara M.Z.; Martinez M.; Bagnall M.; Peter M.; Lara M.C.; Gomez M.J.; Paniagua-Garcia-Senorans M.; Gonzalez M.P.; Rutegard M.; Salo M.; Franceschilli M.; Silveri M.; Veroux M.; Pezzulo M.; Nardi M.; Rottoli M.; Tolonen M.; Ciro M.P.; Zuluagua M.; Cannavo M.; Cervellera M.; Iacobone M.; Montuori M.; Podda M.; Dominguez M.G.; Bingol-Kologlu M.; Tahir M.; Lim M.; Wilson M.S.; Wilson M.; Campanelli M.; Bisaccia M.; De Rosa M.; Maruccia M.; Paterno M.; Pisano M.; Torre M.; Trevino M.; Zuolo M.; Hernandez Bartolome M.A.; Farina M.; Pera M.; Calvo M.P.; Sotelo M.; Thway M.M.; Hassan M.; Hassan M.S.E.; Azfar M.; Bouhuwaish M.; Taha M.; Zaieem M.; Korkoman M.; Guraieb M.; Shalaby M.; Raza M.A.; Younis M.U.; Elhadi M.; Ali M.Z.; Quazi N.; Dudi-Venkata N.N.; Alselaim N.; Loria N.; Ramirez N.V.; Than N.W.; Smart N.; Trelles N.; Pinto N.; Allievi N.; Petrucciani N.; Antonacci N.; Cillara N.; Gica N.; Cristiana N.D.; Krystek N.; Falco N.; Pecorelli N.; Tamini N.; Dallas N.A.; Machairas N.; Brito N.; Fieturi N.A.; Ortega N.; Mercado O.A.; Irkorucu O.; Alsherif O.; Valles O.; Ioannidis O.; Palmas O.H.; Palmas O.I.H.; Guadarrama O.S.; Bozbiyik O.; Omelanczuk P.; Ottolino P.; Rodrigues P.; Ruiz P.; Campenni P.; Chiarade P.; Olivares P.P.; Baroffio P.; Panaccio P.; Wintringer P.; Di Fronzo P.; Talento P.; Favoriti P.; Sendino P.; Marsanic P.; Mifsut P.; Andrade P.; Ajawin P.; Abadia-Barno P.; Castaneda P.A.N.; Arevalos P.O.S.; Bellver P.P.; Koh P.S.; Souza P.; Major P.; Bali R.S.; Khattar R.M.; Melo R.B.; Ebrahiminia R.; Azar R.; Murga R.L.; Caruso R.; Pirolo R.; Brady R.; Davies R.J.; Dholakia R.; Rattan R.; Singhal R.; Lim R.; Angelico R.; Isernia R.M.; Tutino R.; Faccincani R.; Peltrini R.; Carrera-Ceron R.; Tejos R.; Kashyap R.; Fajardo R.; Lozito R.; Pareja R.M.; Garbarino S.; Di Saverio S.; Morales-Conde S.; Benli S.; Mansour S.; Flores S.; Suarez S.L.; Ben S.L.; Fuentes S.; Napetti S.; de Guzman S.O.; Awad S.; Weckmann Lujan S.A.; Gentilli S.; Grimaldi S.; Pizarro S.O.; Tayar S.; Nabi S.; Chan S.M.; Junaid S.; Rojas S.; Monetti S.; Garcia S.; Salvans S.; Tenconi S.; Shaw S.; Santoni S.; Parra S.A.; Cardenas S.; Perez-Bertolez S.; Chiappetta S.; Dessureault S.; Delis S.; Bonapasta S.A.; Rausei S.; Scaringi S.; Keswani S.; Ali S.M.; Cetinkunar S.; Fung T.L.D.; Rawashdeh T.; Lopez T.N.; De Campos T.; Duque T.C.; Perra T.; Liakakos T.; Daskalakis T.; Liakakos T.; Barnes T.; Koeter T.; Zalla T.; Gonzalez T.E.; Elosua T.; Campagnaro T.; Brown T.; Luoto T.; Oumar T.A.; Giustizieri U.; Grossi U.; Bracale U.; Rivas U.; Sosa V.; Testa V.; Andriola V.; Tonini V.; Balassone V.; Celentano V.; Progno V.; Raju V.; Carroni V.; Cavallaro V.; Katta V.R.; De Simone V.; Romaguera V.P.; Orozco V.H.G.; Luraschi V.; Rachkov V.; Turrado-L V.; Visag-Castillo V.; Dowling V.; Graham V.; Papagni V.; Vigorita V.; Fonseca V.C.; Carneros V.J.; Bellato V.; Goncalves W.; Powers W.F.; Grigg W.; Bechstein W.O.; Lim Y.B.; Altinel Y.; Golubovic Z.; Balciscueta Z.Ielpo, B.; Podda, M.; Pellino, G.; Pata, F.; Caruso, R.; Gravante, G.; Di Saverio, S.; Ielpo, B.; Podda, M.; Pellino, G.; Pata, F.; Caruso, R.; Gravante, G.; Di Saverio, S.; Gallo, G.; Lui, R.; Orengia, A.; Chowdary, A.; Kulkarni, A.; Kuvvetli, A.; Navarro, A.; Pisanu, A.; Smith, A.; Ibiricu, A. C.; Nacion, A. J. D.; Alsaleh, A.; Alhazmi, A.; Elmabri, A.; Wani, A.; Rencuzogullari, A.; Lasarte, A. S.; Rubio, A. V.; Bavikatte, A.; Kumar, A.; Jamiri, A. -R.; Padilla, A. M. A.; Cacurri, A.; de San Ildefonso, A.; Porcu, A.; Sartori, A.; Rocca, A.; Yanez, A. P.; Becaria, A.; Solis-Pena, A.; Sretenovic, A.; Urbistondo, A.; Bandin, A.; Najar, A.; De Luca, A.; Boddy, A.; Charalabopoulos, A.; Tzivanakis, A.; Amendola, A.; de Velasco, A. R. -G.; Yildirim, A. C.; Frontali, A.; Toure, A. O.; Garcia-Granero, A.; Roldan, A. M.; Larrainzar, A. S.; Ratnayake, A. S.; Gonzalez-Ganso, A. M.; Minaya-Bravo, A. M.; Das, A.; Bondurri, A.; Costanzi, A.; Lucchi, A.; Mazzari, A.; Musig, A.; Peloso, A.; Piano, A.; Police, A.; Mihailescu, A.; Pouy, A.; Romano, A.; Iossa, A.; Leonetti, A. C.; Guariniello, A.; Isaac, A.; Bovi, A. P. D.; Chessa, A.; Tromba, A.; Martinez, A. A.; Brillantino, A.; Caira, A.; Castaldi, A.; Ferronetti, A.; Giuliani, A.; Prestera, A.; la Medina, A. R. -D.; Tarasconi, A.; Tornambe, A.; Picciariello, A.; Ioannidis, A.; Leppaniemi, A.; Khan, A.; Rashid, A.; Perez-Sanchez, A. L. E.; Mittal, A.; Mitul, A. R.; Mehraj, A.; Laharwal, A.; Dorisme, A.; Marinis, A.; Iqbal, A.; Moncada, A.; Braccio, B.; Alkhafaji, B.; de Andres Asenjo, B.; Martin-Perez, B.; Perez, B. S.; Creavin, B.; Cali, B.; Cali, B.; Pascotto, B.; Stubbs, B.; Retes, B. Z.; Jovanovic, B.; Goh, B. K. P.; Sensi, B.; Biddau, C.; Gazia, C.; Vallicelli, C.; Fagundes, C. A.; Santacruz, C. C.; Chirico, C.; Diaz, C. J. G.; Petrola, C.; Rodriguez, C. S.; Benitez, C. Y.; Dammaro, C.; Faro, C. L.; Reinke, C.; Paez, C. D.; Oliva, C.; Paranjape, C.; Thomas, C.; Chia, C. F.; Kong, C. K.; De Lucia, C.; Chao, C. O.; Arcudi, C.; Guerci, C.; Chia, C.; Parise, C.; Folliero, C.; Varela, C.; Ferguson, D. M.; Camacho, D.; Popowich, D.; Lima, D. S.; Rega, D.; Delogu, D.; Zigiotto, D.; Vinci, D.; D'Antonio, D.; Parini, D.; Merlini, D. A.; Zimmerman, D. D. E.; Moro-Valdezate, D.; Pertile, D.; Giusti, D. M.; Keller, D. S.; Tarik, D.; Kalivaci, D.; Mazingi, D.; Maldonado-Pintado, D. G.; Sasia, D.; Linardoutsos, D.; Osilli, D.; Murrone, D.; Russello, D.; Rodas, E.; Roa, E. A. A.; Ricciardi, E.; Rosso, E.; Saladino, E.; Flores-Villalba, E.; Ajs, E. R.; Smith-Singares, E.; Baili, E.; Kouroumpas, E.; Bourmpouteli, E.; Douka, E.; Martin-Perez, E.; Guaitoli, E.; Samadov, E.; Francone, E.; Vaterlini, E.; Morales, E.; Pena, E.; Zhao, E.; Andres, E. D. P.; Benzoni, E.; Erdas, E.; Pinotti, E.; Colas-Ruiz, E.; Aytac, E.; Laterza, E.; Agastra, E.; Foianini, E.; Moscoso, E.; Laviano, E.; Marra, E.; Cardamone, E.; Licardie, E.; Mpaili, E.; Pinna, E.; Varo, E.; Navarro, F. M.; Marino, F.; Medas, F.; Romano, F.; Maraska, F.; Saliu, F.; Madrid, F.; Rosa, F.; Mastella, F.; Gheza, F.; Luvisetto, F.; Alconchel, F.; Vieira, F. M.; Pareja, F.; Agresta, F.; Luna, F.; Bonilla, F.; Cordera, F.; Burdio, F.; Mendoza-Moreno, F.; Flores, F. M.; Aranda, F. 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Evolving Trends in the Management of Acute Appendicitis During COVID-19 Waves: The ACIE Appy II Study

Background: In 2020, ACIE Appy study showed that COVID-19 pandemic heavily affected the management of patients with acute appendicitis (AA) worldwide, with an increased rate of non-operative management (NOM) strategies and a trend toward open surgery due to concern of virus transmission by laparoscopy and controversial recommendations on this issue. The aim of this study was to survey again the same group of surgeons to assess if any difference in management attitudes of AA had occurred in the later stages of the outbreak. Methods: From August 15 to September 30, 2021, an online questionnaire was sent to all 709 participants of the ACIE Appy study. The questionnaire included questions on personal protective equipment (PPE), local policies and screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection, NOM, surgical approach and disease presentations in 2021. The results were compared with the results from the previous study. Results: A total of 476 answers were collected (response rate 67.1%). Screening policies were significatively improved with most patients screened regardless of symptoms (89.5% vs. 37.4%) with PCR and antigenic test as the preferred test (74.1% vs. 26.3%). More patients tested positive before surgery and commercial systems were the preferred ones to filter smoke plumes during laparoscopy. Laparoscopic appendicectomy was the first option in the treatment of AA, with a declined use of NOM. Conclusion: Management of AA has improved in the last waves of pandemic. Increased evidence regarding SARS-COV-2 infection along with a timely healthcare systems response has been translated into tailored attitudes and a better care for patients with AA worldwide