Consumption of energy drinks among Italian University students : a cross-sectional multicenter study

Purpose The aim of the study was to evaluate the caffeinated Energy Drinks (EDs) consumption among a large sample of Italian undergraduates and its association with some of the major lifestyle risk factors. Methods Students attending twelve public Italian universities were involved between October 2021 and May 2022. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, ED consumption, and on health-related behaviors of participants was collected by the use of a web-based questionnaire. Results A total of 2165 students participated in the study and 15.2% of them reported having used caffeinated EDs in the last six months, mainly once a month (41.5%). In comparison with non-users, ED users showed a higher proportion of males (p < 0.001) and a higher father’s educational level (p = 0.003), came mainly from Northern universities (p = 0.004) and life sciences degree courses (p < 0.001). Besides, ED users reported higher BMI values (p = 0.003), more particular dietary regimens (p < 0.001), higher levels of weekly moderate–vigorous physical activity (p < 0.001) and participation in sports (p < 0.001) and in team sports (p = 0.003), and higher proportion of smokers (p < 0.001) and alcohol drinkers (p = 0.005). ED use was negatively related with female gender (OR 0.546; 95% CI 0.374–0.798), the Mediterranean diet (OR 0.587; 95% CI 0.362–0.951) and coming from the center of Italy (OR 0.500; 95% CI 0.275–0.909) and positively associated with tobacco smoke (OR 1.712; 95% CI 1.176–2.492) and participation in a team sport (OR 1.686; 95% CI 1.051–2.707). Conclusion These findings could encourage figures engaged in education to increase the students’ awareness on this issue in order to prevent the excessive use of EDs and associated unhealthy behaviors, especially in the most interested subgroups

Non-Standard Errors

In statistics, samples are drawn from a population in a data-generating process (DGP). Standard errors measure the uncertainty in estimates of population parameters. In science, evidence is generated to test hypotheses in an evidence-generating process (EGP). We claim that EGP variation across researchers adds uncertainty: Non-standard errors (NSEs). We study NSEs by letting 164 teams test the same hypotheses on the same data. NSEs turn out to be sizable, but smaller for better reproducible or higher rated research. Adding peer-review stages reduces NSEs. We further find that this type of uncertainty is underestimated by participants

A Metabolic Signature of Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis: A Pilot Study

Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis is the most common form of hereditary amyloidosis, with an autosomal dominant inheritance and a variable penetrance. ATTRv amyloidosis can present as a progressive, axonal sensory autonomic and motor neuropathy or as an infiltrative cardiomyopathy. The definition of biomarkers for the early diagnosis of ATTRv is particularly important in the current era of emerging treatments. In this sense, metabolomics could be an instrument able to provide metabolic profiles with their related metabolic pathways, and we would propose them as possible fluid biomarkers. The aim of this study is to identify altered metabolites (free fatty acids and amino acids) in subjects with a confirmed pathogenic TTR variant. Out of the studied total free fatty acids and amino acids, the serum values of palmitic acid are significantly lower in the ATTRv patients compared to the recruited healthy subjects. The metabolic remodeling identified in this neurogenetic disorder could be the manifestation of pathophysiological processes of the disease, such as mitochondrial dysfunction and neuroinflammation, and contribute to explaining some of its clinical manifestations

Assessment of Dietary Supplement Consumption among Italian University Students: the Multicenter DiSCo Study

Objective: To analyze the consumption of dietary supplements (DSs) and related sociodemographic characteristics or behaviors among Italian undergraduates. Research Methods & Procedures: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was carried out between October 2021 and May 2022 involving undergraduates from twelve public universities. The use of DSs in the previous six months, the aim and the reason for use, the purchasing channel and related adverse effects were explored and compared by gender. A logistic regression was performed to highlight possible associations between sociodemographic, anthropometric and behavioral characteristics of participants and supplement consumption. Results: The use of DSs was reported by 71.5% of the 2,165 respondents. Supplementation was related with greater age (OR 1.266, CI95% 0.965-1.660), gender (OR 1.266, CI95% 0.965-1.660 for males), particular diet regimens (OR 3.559, CI95% 1.247-10.159), sport (OR 1.713, CI95% 1.138-2.581) and type of sport (0.608, CI95% 0.411-0.899 for team sports). Women were more keen to use DSs following a doctor’s prescription and to buy them in a pharmacy (p<0.001) but reported more adverse effects (p=0.018) than men. The main aim pursued was general health; proteins, amino acids and non-caffeinated energy supplements were consumed to improve physical performance, and caffeinated energy supplements for mental performance. Conclusions: Diet supplementation was common in the sample examined, especially among females, and associated with particular dietary regimens and sport, especially individual sports. Female consumers follow specialists’ indications more than males. These results highlight the need of educational interventions about diet supplementation for this category of users

Statins, ACE/ARBs drug use, and risk of pneumonia in hospitalized older patients: a retrospective cohort study

: The aims of this study is to evaluate the association between angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I), angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARBs) and/or statin use with the risk of pneumonia, as well as and with in-hospital and short-term outpatient mortality in hospitalized older patients with pneumonia. Patients aged 65 years or older hospitalized in internal medicine and/or geriatric wards throughout Italy and enrolled in the REPOSI (REgistro Politerapuie SIMI-Società Italiana di Medicina Interna) register from 2010 to 2019 were screened to assess the diagnosis of pneumonia and classified on whether or not they were prescribed with at least one drug among ACE-I, ARBs, and/or statins. Further study outcomes were mortality during hospital stay and at 3 months after hospital discharge. Among 5717 cases included (of whom 18.0% with pneumonia), 2915 (51.0%) were prescribed at least one drug among ACE-I, ARBs, and statins. An inverse association was found between treatment with ACE-I or ARBs and pneumonia (OR = 0.79, 95% CI 0.65-0.95). A higher effect was found among patients treated with ACE-I or ARBs in combination with statins (OR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.52-0.85). This study confirmed in the real-world setting that these largely used medications may reduce the risk of pneumonia in older people, who chronically take them for cardiovascular conditions

Non-Standard Errors

In statistics, samples are drawn from a population in a data-generating process (DGP). Standard errors measure the uncertainty in estimates of population parameters. In science, evidence is generated to test hypotheses in an evidence-generating process (EGP). We claim that EGP variation across researchers adds uncertainty: Non-standard errors (NSEs). We study NSEs by letting 164 teams test the same hypotheses on the same data. NSEs turn out to be sizable, but smaller for better reproducible or higher rated research. Adding peer-review stages reduces NSEs. We further find that this type of uncertainty is underestimated by participants

Non-Standard Errors

In statistics, samples are drawn from a population in a data-generating process (DGP). Standard errors measure the uncertainty in sample estimates of population parameters. In science, evidence is generated to test hypotheses in an evidence-generating process (EGP). We claim that EGP variation across researchers adds uncertainty: non-standard errors. To study them, we let 164 teams test six hypotheses on the same sample. We find that non-standard errors are sizeable, on par with standard errors. Their size (i) co-varies only weakly with team merits, reproducibility, or peer rating, (ii) declines significantly after peer-feedback, and (iii) is underestimated by participants

Observation of New Ξc0\Xi_c^0 Baryons Decaying to Λc+K−\Lambda_c^+ K^-

International audienceThe Λc+K- mass spectrum is studied with a data sample of pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.6  fb-1 collected by the LHCb experiment. Three Ξc0 states are observed with a large significance and their masses and natural widths are measured to be m[Ξc(2923)0]=2923.04±0.25±0.20±0.14  MeV, Γ[Ξc(2923)0]=7.1±0.8±1.8  MeV, m[Ξc(2939)0]=2938.55±0.21±0.17±0.14  MeV, Γ[Ξc(2939)0]=10.2±0.8±1.1  MeV, m[Ξc(2965)0]=2964.88±0.26±0.14±0.14  MeV, Γ[Ξc(2965)0]=14.1±0.9±1.3  MeV, where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic, and due to the limited knowledge of the Λc+ mass. The Ξc(2923)0 and Ξc(2939)0 baryons are new states. The Ξc(2965)0 state is in the vicinity of the known Ξc(2970)0 baryon; however, their masses and natural widths differ significantly

Measurement of the Λb0→J/ψΛ\Lambda^0_b\rightarrow J/\psi\Lambda angular distribution and the Λb0\Lambda^0_b polarisation in pppp collisions

International audienceThis paper presents an analysis of the ${\Lambda}_b^0$→ J/ψΛ angular distribution and the transverse production polarisation of ${\Lambda}_b^0$ baryons in proton-proton collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 7, 8 and 13 TeV. The measurements are performed using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.9 fb$^{−1}$, collected with the LHCb experiment. The polarisation is determined in a fiducial region of ${\Lambda}_b^0$ transverse momentum and pseudorapidity of 1 < p$_{T}$< 20 GeV/c and 2 < η < 5, respectively. The data are consistent with ${\Lambda}_b^0$ baryons being produced unpolarised in this region. The parity-violating asymmetry parameter of the Λ → pπ$^{−}$ decay is also determined from the data and its value is found to be consistent with a recent measurement by the BES III collaboration.[graphic not available: see fulltext

Precision measurement of the Bc+B_{c}^{+} meson mass

International audienceA precision measurement of the ${B}_c^{+}$ meson mass is performed using proton- proton collision data collected with the LHCb experiment at centre-of-mass energies of 7, 8 and 13 TeV, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 9.0 fb$^{−1}$. The ${B}_c^{+}$ mesons are reconstructed via the decays ${B}_c^{+}$→ J/ψπ$^{+}$, ${B}_c^{+}$→ J/ψπ$^{+}$π$^{−}$π$^{+}$, ${B}_c^{+}\to J/\psi p\overline{p}{\pi}^{+}$, ${B}_c^{+}\to J/\psi {D}_s^{+}$, ${B}_c^{+}$→ J/ψ D$^{0}$K$^{+}$ and ${B}_c^{+}\to {B}_s^0{\pi}^{+}$. Combining the results of the individual decay channels, the ${B}_c^{+}$ mass is measured to be 6274.47 ± 0.27 (stat) ± 0.17 (syst) MeV/c$^{2}$. This is the most precise measurement of the ${B}_c^{+}$ mass to date. The difference between the ${B}_c^{+}$ and ${B}_s^0$ meson masses is measured to be 907.75 ± 0.37 (stat) ± 0.27 (syst) MeV/c.[graphic not available: see fulltext