Erasmus+sport let’s move Europa: learning units for health promotion among children and adolescents

Background School years are crucial for acquiring life-lasting healthy habits. However, an increasing rate of children and adolescents fail to maintain a healthy lifestyle. European Union has financed the Erasmus+ Sport Let’s Move Europa project to design an innovative digital tool for promoting healthy lifestyles among those age groups. University of Bologna, partner of the project, has developed 30 Learning Units (LUs) about Physical Activity, Sleep and Nutrition to be integrated in the school program by teacher

Bone marrow activation in response to metabolic syndrome and early atherosclerosis.

Experimental studies suggest that increased bone marrow (BM) activity is involved in the association between cardiovascular risk factors and inflammation in atherosclerosis. However, human data to support this association are sparse. The purpose was to study the association between cardiovascular risk factors, BM activation, and subclinical atherosclerosis. Whole body vascular 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (18F-FDG PET/MRI) was performed in 745 apparently healthy individuals [median age 50.5 (46.8-53.6) years, 83.8% men] from the Progression of Early Subclinical Atherosclerosis (PESA) study. Bone marrow activation (defined as BM 18F-FDG uptake above the median maximal standardized uptake value) was assessed in the lumbar vertebrae (L3-L4). Systemic inflammation was indexed from circulating biomarkers. Early atherosclerosis was evaluated by arterial metabolic activity by 18F-FDG uptake in five vascular territories. Late atherosclerosis was evaluated by fully formed plaques on MRI. Subjects with BM activation were more frequently men (87.6 vs. 80.0%, P = 0.005) and more frequently had metabolic syndrome (MetS) (22.2 vs. 6.7%, P < 0.001). Bone marrow activation was significantly associated with all MetS components. Bone marrow activation was also associated with increased haematopoiesis-characterized by significantly elevated leucocyte (mainly neutrophil and monocytes) and erythrocyte counts-and with markers of systemic inflammation including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, ferritin, fibrinogen, P-selectin, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1. The associations between BM activation and MetS (and its components) and increased erythropoiesis were maintained in the subgroup of participants with no systemic inflammation. Bone marrow activation was significantly associated with high arterial metabolic activity (18F-FDG uptake). The co-occurrence of BM activation and arterial 18F-FDG uptake was associated with more advanced atherosclerosis (i.e. plaque presence and burden). In apparently healthy individuals, BM 18F-FDG uptake is associated with MetS and its components, even in the absence of systemic inflammation, and with elevated counts of circulating leucocytes. Bone marrow activation is associated with early atherosclerosis, characterized by high arterial metabolic activity. Bone marrow activation appears to be an early phenomenon in atherosclerosis development.[Progression of Early Subclinical Atherosclerosis (PESA); NCT01410318].The PESA study is funded by the CNIC and Santander Bank. The present study was partially funded by an intramural grant CNIC-Severo Ochoa to D.S. and B.I. B.I. is supported by the European Commission (H2020-HEALTH 945118 and ERC-CoG 819775). The CNIC is supported by the ISCIII, the Ministry of Science and Innovation, and the Pro CNIC Foundation. CNIC is a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence (CEX2020-001041-S).S

Afección pericárdica y miocárdica tras infección por SARS-CoV-2: estudio descriptivo transversal en trabajadores sanitarios

[EN] Introduction and objectives The cardiac sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection are still poorly documented. We conducted a cross-sectional study in healthcare workers to report evidence of pericardial and myocardial involvement after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods We studied 139 healthcare workers with confirmed past SARS-CoV-2 infection. Participants underwent clinical assessment, electrocardiography, and laboratory tests, including immune cell profiling and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Clinically suspected pericarditis was diagnosed when classic criteria were present and clinically suspected myocarditis was based on the combination of at least 2 CMR criteria. Results Median age was 52 (41-57) years, 71.9% were women, and 16.5% were previously hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia. On examination (10.4 [9.3-11.0] weeks after infection-like symptoms), participants showed hemodynamic stability. Chest pain, dyspnea or palpitations were present in 41.7% participants, electrocardiographic abnormalities in 49.6%, NT-proBNP elevation in 7.9%, troponin in 0.7%, and CMR abnormalities in 60.4%. A total of 30.9% participants met criteria for either pericarditis and/or myocarditis: isolated pericarditis was diagnosed in 5.8%, myopericarditis in 7.9%, and isolated myocarditis in 17.3%. Most participants (73.2%) showed altered immune cell counts in blood, particularly decreased eosinophil (27.3%; P < .001) and increased cytotoxic T cell numbers (17.3%; P < .001). Clinically suspected pericarditis was associated (P < .005) with particularly elevated cytotoxic T cells and decreased eosinophil counts, while participants diagnosed with clinically suspected myopericarditis or myocarditis had lower (P < .05) neutrophil counts, natural killer-cells, and plasma cells. Conclusions Pericardial and myocardial involvement with clinical stability are frequent after SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with specific immune cell profiles.[ES] Introducción y objetivos Las secuelas cardiacas tras la infección por SARS-CoV-2 todavía están poco documentadas. Se realizó un estudio transversal en trabajadores sanitarios para estudiar la prevalencia de afección pericárdica y miocárdica tras la infección por SARS-CoV-2. Métodos Se estudió a 139 trabajadores sanitarios con infección previa confirmada por SARS-CoV-2. Los participantes se sometieron a evaluación clínica, electrocardiograma, laboratorio, incluido el perfil de células inmunitarias, y resonancia magnética cardiaca (RMC). El diagnóstico clínico de pericarditis se realizó ante la presencia de los criterios clásicos y el diagnóstico clínico de miocarditis ante la presencia de al menos 2 criterios de RMC. Resultados La mediana de edad fue de 52 (41–57) años, el 71,9% eran mujeres, y el 16.5% había sido hospitalizado previamente por neumonía por COVID-19. En la evaluación (10,4 [9,3–11,0] semanas después de los síntomas de infección), todos los participantes presentaban estabilidad hemodinámica. El 41,7% presentaba dolor torácico, disnea o palpitaciones; el 49,6%, alteraciones electrocardiográficas; el 7,9%, elevación de NT-proBNP; el 0,7%, elevación de troponina; y el 60,4%, alteraciones en la RMC. Un total de 30,9% de participantes cumplieron los criterios clínicos establecidos de pericarditis o miocarditis: pericarditis aislada en el 5,8%, miopericarditis en el 7,9% y miocarditis aislada en el 17,3%. La mayoría de los participantes (73,2%) mostraron recuentos de células inmunitarias alterados en sangre; en particular diminución de eosinófilos (27,3%; p < 0,001) y aumento del número de células T citotóxicas (17,3%; p < 0,001). La sospecha clínica de pericarditis se asoció (p < 0,005) particularmente con un elevado número de células T citotóxicas y recuento de eosinófilos disminuidos; mientras que los participantes con sospecha clínica de miopericarditis o miocarditis tenían recuentos de neutrófilos, células natural killer y células plasmáticas más bajos (p < 0,05). Conclusiones La afección pericárdica y miocárdica con estabilidad hemodinámica es frecuente después de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 y se asocia con perfiles de células inmunitarias específicas.This study was supported by CIBERCV (CB16/11/00374), CIBERONC (CB16/12/00400) and the COV20/00386 grant from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and FEDER, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Madrid, Spain, and by GRS COVID 26/A/20 from the Gerencia Regional de Salud, Junta de Castilla y León, Spain.Peer reviewe

Pericardial and myocardial involvement after SARS-CoV-2 infection: a cross-sectional descriptive study in healthcare workers

[ES] Introducción y objetivos Las secuelas cardiacas tras la infección por SARS-CoV-2 todavía están poco documentadas. Se realizó un estudio transversal en trabajadores sanitarios para estudiar la prevalencia de afección pericárdica y miocárdica tras la infección por SARS-CoV-2. Métodos Se estudió a 139 trabajadores sanitarios con infección previa confirmada por SARS-CoV-2. Los participantes se sometieron a evaluación clínica, electrocardiograma, laboratorio, incluido el perfil de células inmunitarias, y resonancia magnética cardiaca (RMC). El diagnóstico clínico de pericarditis se realizó ante la presencia de los criterios clásicos y el diagnóstico clínico de miocarditis ante la presencia de al menos 2 criterios de RMC. Resultados La mediana de edad fue de 52 (41–57) años, el 71,9% eran mujeres, y el 16,5% había sido hospitalizado previamente por neumonía por COVID-19. En la evaluación (10,4 [9,3–11,0] semanas después de los síntomas de infección), todos los participantes presentaban estabilidad hemodinámica. El 41,7% presentaba dolor torácico, disnea o palpitaciones; el 49,6%, alteraciones electrocardiográficas; el 7,9%, elevación de NT-proBNP; el 0,7%, elevación de troponina; y el 60,4%, alteraciones en la RMC. Un total de 30,9% de participantes cumplieron los criterios clínicos establecidos de pericarditis o miocarditis: pericarditis aislada en el 5,8%, miopericarditis en el 7,9% y miocarditis aislada en el 17,3%. La mayoría de los participantes (73,2%) mostraron recuentos de células inmunitarias alterados en sangre; en particular diminución de eosinófilos (27,3%; p < 0,001) y aumento del número de células T citotóxicas (17,3%; p < 0,001). La sospecha clínica de pericarditis se asoció (p < 0,005) particularmente con un elevado número de células T citotóxicas y recuento de eosinófilos disminuidos; mientras que los participantes con sospecha clínica de miopericarditis o miocarditis tenían recuentos de neutrófilos, células natural killer y células plasmáticas más bajos (p < 0,05). Conclusiones La afección pericárdica y miocárdica con estabilidad hemodinámica es frecuente después de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 y se asocia con perfiles de células inmunitarias específicas.[EN] Introduction and objectives The cardiac sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection are still poorly documented. We conducted a cross-sectional study in healthcare workers to report evidence of pericardial and myocardial involvement after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods We studied 139 healthcare workers with confirmed past SARS-CoV-2 infection. Participants underwent clinical assessment, electrocardiography, and laboratory tests, including immune cell profiling and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Clinically suspected pericarditis was diagnosed when classic criteria were present and clinically suspected myocarditis was based on the combination of at least 2 CMR criteria. Results Median age was 52 (41-57) years, 71.9% were women, and 16.5% were previously hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia. On examination (10.4 [9.3-11.0] weeks after infection-like symptoms), participants showed hemodynamic stability. Chest pain, dyspnea or palpitations were present in 41.7% participants, electrocardiographic abnormalities in 49.6%, NT-proBNP elevation in 7.9%, troponin in 0.7%, and CMR abnormalities in 60.4%. A total of 30.9% participants met criteria for either pericarditis and/or myocarditis: isolated pericarditis was diagnosed in 5.8%, myopericarditis in 7.9%, and isolated myocarditis in 17.3%. Most participants (73.2%) showed altered immune cell counts in blood, particularly decreased eosinophil (27.3%; P < .001) and increased cytotoxic T cell numbers (17.3%; P < .001). Clinically suspected pericarditis was associated (P < .005) with particularly elevated cytotoxic T cells and decreased eosinophil counts, while participants diagnosed with clinically suspected myopericarditis or myocarditis had lower (P < .05) neutrophil counts, natural killer-cells, and plasma cells. Conclusions Pericardial and myocardial involvement with clinical stability are frequent after SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with specific immune cell profiles.Este estudio contó con el apoyo de CIBERCV (CB16/11/00374) y CIBERONC (CB16/12/00400) y la subvención COV20/00386 del Instituto de Salud Carlos III y FEDER, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Madrid, España, y por GRS COVID 26/A/20 de la Gerencia Regional de Salud, Junta de Castilla y León, España.Peer reviewe

Standards in semen examination:publishing reproducible and reliable data based on high-quality methodology

Biomedical science is rapidly developing in terms of more transparency, openness and reproducibility of scientific publications. This is even more important for all studies that are based on results from basic semen examination. Recently two concordant documents have been published: the 6th edition of the WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen, and the International Standard ISO 23162:2021. With these tools, we propose that authors should be instructed to follow these laboratory methods in order to publish studies in peer-reviewed journals, preferable by using a checklist as suggested in an Appendix to this article.Peer reviewe

Validation of mutated <i>CEBPA</i> bZIP as a distinct prognosis entity in acute myeloid leukemia: a study by the Spanish PETHEMA registry

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Enabling planetary science across light-years. Ariel Definition Study Report

Ariel, the Atmospheric Remote-sensing Infrared Exoplanet Large-survey, was adopted as the fourth medium-class mission in ESA's Cosmic Vision programme to be launched in 2029. During its 4-year mission, Ariel will study what exoplanets are made of, how they formed and how they evolve, by surveying a diverse sample of about 1000 extrasolar planets, simultaneously in visible and infrared wavelengths. It is the first mission dedicated to measuring the chemical composition and thermal structures of hundreds of transiting exoplanets, enabling planetary science far beyond the boundaries of the Solar System. The payload consists of an off-axis Cassegrain telescope (primary mirror 1100 mm x 730 mm ellipse) and two separate instruments (FGS and AIRS) covering simultaneously 0.5-7.8 micron spectral range. The satellite is best placed into an L2 orbit to maximise the thermal stability and the field of regard. The payload module is passively cooled via a series of V-Groove radiators; the detectors for the AIRS are the only items that require active cooling via an active Ne JT cooler. The Ariel payload is developed by a consortium of more than 50 institutes from 16 ESA countries, which include the UK, France, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Spain, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, and a NASA contribution

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Study of the B−→Λc+Λˉc−K−B^{-} \to \Lambda_{c}^{+} \bar{\Lambda}_{c}^{-} K^{-} decay

The decay $B^{-} \to \Lambda_{c}^{+} \bar{\Lambda}_{c}^{-} K^{-}$ is studied in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5 $\mathrm{fb}^{-1}$ collected by the LHCb experiment. In the $\Lambda_{c}^+ K^{-}$ system, the $\Xi_{c}(2930)^{0}$ state observed at the BaBar and Belle experiments is resolved into two narrower states, $\Xi_{c}(2923)^{0}$ and $\Xi_{c}(2939)^{0}$, whose masses and widths are measured to be $$m(\Xi_{c}(2923)^{0}) = 2924.5 \pm 0.4 \pm 1.1 \,\mathrm{MeV}, \\ m(\Xi_{c}(2939)^{0}) = 2938.5 \pm 0.9 \pm 2.3 \,\mathrm{MeV}, \\ \Gamma(\Xi_{c}(2923)^{0}) = \phantom{000}4.8 \pm 0.9 \pm 1.5 \,\mathrm{MeV},\\ \Gamma(\Xi_{c}(2939)^{0}) = \phantom{00}11.0 \pm 1.9 \pm 7.5 \,\mathrm{MeV},$$ where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. The results are consistent with a previous LHCb measurement using a prompt $\Lambda_{c}^{+} K^{-}$ sample. Evidence of a new $\Xi_{c}(2880)^{0}$ state is found with a local significance of $3.8\,\sigma$, whose mass and width are measured to be $2881.8 \pm 3.1 \pm 8.5\,\mathrm{MeV}$ and $12.4 \pm 5.3 \pm 5.8 \,\mathrm{MeV}$, respectively. In addition, evidence of a new decay mode $\Xi_{c}(2790)^{0} \to \Lambda_{c}^{+} K^{-}$ is found with a significance of $3.7\,\sigma$. The relative branching fraction of $B^{-} \to \Lambda_{c}^{+} \bar{\Lambda}_{c}^{-} K^{-}$ with respect to the $B^{-} \to D^{+} D^{-} K^{-}$ decay is measured to be $2.36 \pm 0.11 \pm 0.22 \pm 0.25$, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic and the third originates from the branching fractions of charm hadron decays.Comment: All figures and tables, along with any supplementary material and additional information, are available at https://cern.ch/lhcbproject/Publications/p/LHCb-PAPER-2022-028.html (LHCb public pages

Global disparities in surgeons’ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study

: The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSS® v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity &gt; 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI