Asociación entre interleuquinas inflamatorias y la presencia de trastornos intraventriculares de la conducción en pacientes con serología positiva para enfermedad de Chagas y función ventricular conservada

Background: Intraventricular conduction disturbances are common in patients with Chagas disease and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction, but their association with higher inflammatory activity is unknown. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the presence of an association between interleukin levels and intraventricular conduction disturbances in patients with positive serology for Chagas disease and preserved left ventricular function. Methods: Twenty-two patients between 22 and 80 years of age with positive serology test for Chagas disease of more than 20 years progression and left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50% were included in the study and compared with a control group of 14 healthy individuals. Plasma levels of IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 (p70), IL-15, IL-17A, MCP-1/CCL2, MIP-1 α/CCL3, TNF α and IL-2 were measured in patients and controls. Right bundle branch block, left anterior hemiblock or left bundle branch block were considered intraventricular conduction disturbances. Results: Among the 22 patients with positive serology for Chagas disease, 10 presented intraventricular conduction disturbances (45.4%). This group had elevated levels of interleukins with high inflammatory effect, such as INF-γ, IL-15, IL-2, IL-12, MIP-1 α, compared with the control group, and high levels of IL-10 as a regulatory mechanism of an excessive immune response. Conclusions: The association between elevated levels of inflammatory interleukins and intraventricular conduction disturbances suggests that chronic inflammation may play a role in the development of these abnormalities in patients with positive serology for Chagas disease and preserved left ventricular ejection function.Introducción: Los trastornos de la intraventriculares de la conducción constituyen una manifestación habitual en los pacientes con enfermedad de Chagas con función ventricular izquierda conservada. Se desconoce si su presencia puede estar asociada a una mayor actividad inflamatoria. Objetivos: Determinar si existe una correlación entre los niveles de interleuquinas y la presencia de trastornos intraventriculares de la conducción en pacientes con serología positiva para enfermedad de Chagas y fracción de eyección ventricular izquierda conservada. Material y métodos: Se evaluó a 22 pacientes con edades comprendidas entre 21 y 80 años, seropositivos para enfermedad de Chagas, de más de 20 años de evolución y fracción de eyección ventricular izquierda mayor del 50%. Se analizó, además, un grupo control de 14 individuos sanos. Se determinaron las concentraciones en plasma de IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 (p70), IL-15, IL-17A, MCP1/CCL2, MIP-1 alfa/CCL3, TNF alfa e IL-2. Se consideró trastornos intraventriculares de la conducción a la presencia de bloqueo de rama derecha, hemibloqueo anterior izquierdo o bloqueo de rama izquierda. Resultados: De los 22 pacientes con serología positiva para enfermedad de Chagas, 10 presentaron trastornos intraventriculares de la conducción (45,4%). En el grupo con trastornos intraventriculares de la conducción, se observaron niveles elevados de interleuquinas de alto efecto inflamatorio como INF-γ, IL-15, IL2, IL-12, MP1α, en comparación al grupo control, además de presentar altos valores de IL 10 como mecanismo modulador de una respuesta inmunitaria excesiva. Conclusiones: La asociación entre niveles elevados de interleuquinas y la presencia de trastornos intraventriculares de la conducción plantea un posible proceso inflamatorio crónico para su desarrollo en pacientes chagásicos con fracción de eyección ventricular izquierda conservada.Fil: Principato, Mario Bruno. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro Universitario de Neurología "Dr. José María Ramos Mejía".; ArgentinaFil: Paolucci, Analía. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro Universitario de Neurología "Dr. José María Ramos Mejía".; ArgentinaFil: Miranda, Silvia Esther. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto Alberto C. Taquini de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas "Prof. Dr. Alberto C. Taquini". Instituto Alberto C. Taquini de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional; ArgentinaFil: Lombardi, María Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto Alberto C. Taquini de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas "Prof. Dr. Alberto C. Taquini". Instituto Alberto C. Taquini de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional; ArgentinaFil: Sosa, Gustavo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto Alberto C. Taquini de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas "Prof. Dr. Alberto C. Taquini". Instituto Alberto C. Taquini de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional; ArgentinaFil: von Wulffen, María Alejandra. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro Universitario de Neurología "Dr. José María Ramos Mejía".; ArgentinaFil: Villa Fernández, Rocío. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro Universitario de Neurología "Dr. José María Ramos Mejía".; ArgentinaFil: Tomatti, Alejandro. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro Universitario de Neurología "Dr. José María Ramos Mejía".; ArgentinaFil: Di Girolamo, Guillermo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto Alberto C. Taquini de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas "Prof. Dr. Alberto C. Taquini". Instituto Alberto C. Taquini de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional; ArgentinaFil: Carbajales, Julio. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro Universitario de Neurología "Dr. José María Ramos Mejía".; Argentin

Excess weight in relation to lifestyle habits in spanish first-year university students: differences between pre- and post-COVID-19—a serial cross-sectional study based on uniHcos project

The objective of this research was to study the relationship between the body weight and diet, physical activity, and other habits among freshmen students by sex, and to determine whether these habits have changed during the post-era of the COVID-19 pandemic. A serial cross-sectional study with data from 11 Spanish universities was carried out. In total, 10,096 first-year university students (73.2% female, mean age = 19.0 ± 1.5 years) completed an online self-administered questionnaire between 2012 and 2022. For some analyses, questionnaires were categorized by the year in which the survey was filled out as Before COVID-19, Lockdown, and New Normal. In total, 72.9% of participants were within the normal weight range, and 17.7% of men and 11.8% of women were overweight (p < 0.001). The students who did not meet the WHO criteria of physical activity, spent more than 7 h per day sitting, and skipped breakfast had a higher prevalence of obesity (p < 0.05). According to the period of study, the prevalence of overweight/obesity Before COVID-19 was 16.1% (95% CI: 15.4–16.9%), while in Lockdown the prevalence was significantly higher (20.2, 95% CI: 17.1–23.8) and in New Normal it was 18.9% (CI: 15.7–22.5). Moreover, the study suggests that during the Lockdown period, there was a reduction in the practice of physical activity and an increase in the prevalence of a healthy diet. For all these, it is necessary to propose public health interventions that improve the lifestyles of university students.Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad | Ref. 2010|145Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad | Ref. 2013|034Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad | Ref. 2020|030Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad | Ref. PI16/0194

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Evolution of Prevalence and Patterns of Cannabis Use among First-Year University Students in Spain—UniHcos Project

Among university students there has been evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic increased their psychological distress, exacerbated by social restrictions. The main objective of this study was to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence and patterns of cannabis use among university students, in contrast to previous trends since 2012. Data from 10,522 first-year university students (73.3% female, Mage 19 (SD = 1.6)) from eleven Spanish universities collected between 2012 and May 2022 was analysed. Prevalences of cannabis use and their differences by sex were studied, as well as changes in patterns of use and its use for coping during the pandemic. It was found that during lockdown, all prevalence rates of cannabis use decreased in both sexes, showing no statistically significant differences and increasing again in the new normal period in both. Among regular cannabis users, 79.7% reported maintaining or increasing their cannabis use during the pandemic, and of these, half reported using cannabis to cope. Moreover, cannabis use in the usual household increased during the lockdown. These results show that although the overall prevalence of cannabis use was reduced during the lockdown, regular users tended to maintain or increase cannabis use. This could imply two different patterns of use among students, one social and occasional versus the other regular, providing new lines of research for prevention and the implementation of social policies.This research was funded by the National Drug Plan from the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality of Spain (Grant numbers: 2010|145, 2013|034 and 2020|030) and Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Grant number: PI16/01947)

Comprehensive characterization of a novel, oncogenic and targetable SEPTIN6::ABL2 fusion in T-ALL

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Psychological Distress, Family Support and Employment Status in First-Year University Students in Spain

Mental disorders are consistently and closely related to psychological distress. At the start of the university period, the relationship between a student's psychological distress, family support, and employment status is not well-known. The aims of this study were: To determine the prevalence of psychological distress in first-year university students and to analyze its relationship with family support and the student's employment status. Data from 4166 first-year university students from nine universities across Spain were considered. The prevalence of psychological distress was obtained using the GHQ-12, a valid and reliable screening tool to detect poor mental health. To analyze the relationship between psychological distress, family support, and employment status, logistic regression models were fitted. Regarding the prevalence found, 46.9% of men and 54.2% of women had psychological distress. In both genders, psychological distress levels increased as family support decreased. Among women, psychological distress was associated with their employment status. The prevalence of psychological distress among first-year university students in Spain is high. In addition, family support, and employment status for women, could be factors to take into account when developing psychological distress prevention strategies at the beginning of the university period.This study was funded by the National Drug Plan from the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality of Spain (Codes: 2010|145 and 2013|034)

Menstrual problems and lifestyle among Spanish university women

ABSTRACT: Menstrual problems affect many young women worldwide, conditioning both their academic performance and quality of life. This study sought to analyse the prevalence of menstrual problems and their possible relationship with lifestyle among Spanish university women, as part of a research project (UniHcos Project) involving a cohort of 11 Spanish universities with 7208 university students. A descriptive analysis was performed using the bivariate chi-square test and the Student’s t-test together with a binary logistic regression, in which the dependent variable was ‘suffering from menstrual problems’. Menstrual problems were identified in 23.8% of the students, representing women who paid more visits to the doctor and to emergency rooms, and who consumed more painkillers and contraceptives. In relation to dietary preferences, menstrual problems were 1.39 (CI 95% 1.22–1.61; p = 0.000) times more likely among women classified as high-risk alcohol users according to the AUDIT questionnaire, and 1.187 (CI 95% 1.029–1.370; p = 0.019) times greater among those who consumed sweets daily, 1.592 (CI 95% 1.113–2.276; p = 0.011) times more frequent among those who eat fish daily, and 1.199 (CI 95% 1.004–1.432; p = 0.045) times greater among those who were dieting. Menstrual problems affect many college students and potentially modifiable lifestyle variables exist which may influence their prevalence. It would be interesting to develop programmes to promote women’s health in the university context.This research was funded by the National Drug Plan, Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality of Spain (Grant numbers: 2010|145 and 2013|034) and Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Grant number: PI16/01947)

Prevalence of eating disorders in college students and associated factors: uniHcos Project

Introducción: Los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria (TCA) son especialmente frecuentes en los jóvenes. Objeti - vo : Determinar la prevalencia de TCA en jóvenes universi - tarios y sus factores asociados. Metodología: Estudio de prevalencia en jóvenes univer - sitarios españoles del proyecto uniHcos. Mediante regre - sión logística no condicional se determinó la magnitud de la asociación entre los factores de riesgo asociados al estilo de vida y padecer un TCA medido mediante el cuestionario Sick, Control, One, Fat, Food (SCOFF). Resultados: La prevalencia de TCA fue del 19,5%, sien - do mayor en mujeres (ORa=1,59; p=0,006). En los chicos, tener criterios de padecer TCA se asoció con vivir en cole - gios mayores, con realizar “binge drinking”, y uso proble - mático de internet. En las mujeres el estudiar titulaciones diferentes a las ciencias de la salud (ORa=1,50) y el uso pro - blemático de internet (ORa=2,33). Aquellas mujeres con riesgo de TCA presentaban con mayor frecuencia depre - sión (ORa=2,02), dolores menstruales (ORa=1,81) y mala salud percibida (ORa=1,70). En los hombres, aquellos con riesgo de TCA presentaban con mayor frecuencia una mala salud percibida (ORa=2,42). Conclusiones: El riesgo de obtener resultados positivos en el SCOFF en nuestro estudio es similar a lo publicado para otras poblaciones de estudiantes, así como su asocia - ción con determinadas adicciones y problemas de salud. Se observaron diferencias en función del sexo que precisan atención en el diseño de estrategias de prevención y control.Introduction: eating disorders (ED) are particularly common in young people. Objective: To determine the prevalence of eating disorders in college students and its associated factors. Methods : Study of prevalence in young Spanish university uniHcos project. Using unconditional logistic regression have determined the magnitude of the association between the risk factors associated with lifestyle and ED measured by questionnaire Sick, Control, One, Fat, Food (SCOFF). Results: The prevalence of ED was 19.5%, being higher in women (ORa=1.59; p=0.006). In boys, have criteria of developing an eating disorder was associated with living in halls of residence, “binge drinking” and problematic Internet use. In women studying different courses at Health Sciences (ORa=1.50) and problematic Internet use (ORa=2.33). Those women at risk of ED more frequently had depression (ORa=2.02), menstrual pains (ORa=1.81) and perceived poor health (ORa=1.70). In men, those at risk for eating disorders more frequently had poor perceived health (ORa=2.42). Conclusions: The risk of a positive outcome in the scoff in our study is similar to that reported for other populations of students as well as their association with certain health problems and addictions. By gender differences that need attention in the design of prevention and control strategies were observed.Este proyecto se ha financiado gracias a la Delegación del Gobierno para el Plan Nacional Sobre Drogas (Códigos: 2010|145 y 2013|034)

Patterns of alcohol consumption and use of health services in spanish university students: UniHcos Project

The aim of the study was to examine the association of alcohol consumption patterns (hazardous alcohol use and binge drinking) and the use of emergency services and primary care consultations in university students. An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at eleven Spanish universities collaborating within the uniHcos Project. University students completed an online questionnaire that assessed hazardous alcohol use and binge drinking using the AUDIT questionnaire and evaluated the use of emergency services and primary care. A descriptive analysis of the data was performed, as well as the chi-squared test and Student's t-test and nonconditional logistic regression models to examine this association. Results: There were 10,167 participants who completed the questionnaire. The prevalence of hazardous alcohol use was 16.9% (95% CI: 16.2?17.6), while the prevalence of binge drinking was 48.8% (95% CI: 47.9?49.8). There were significant differences in the use of emergency services in those surveyed with hazardous alcohol use (p < 0.001) or binge drinking pattern (p < 0.001). However, no significant differences were observed in terms of attendance during primary care visits in individuals with hazardous alcohol use (p = 0.367) or binge drinking pattern (p = 0.755). The current study shows the association between university students with a pattern of hazardous alcohol use or binge drinking and greater use of emergency services. However, no significant association was observed between the said consumption patterns and the use of primary care services

Declared experiences of risky sexual behaviors in relation to alcohol consumption in the first year of college

Fundamentos: En universitarios, el consumo de alcohol de mayor riesgo (borracheras y binge drinking (BD), tiene consecuencias negativas sobre su desarrollo y probablemente facilita conductas sexuales de riesgo. El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar si las conductas sexuales de riesgo al consumir alcohol (CSRA) se asocian a los consumos de mayor riesgo. Métodos: Estudio multicéntrico transversal con datos del Proyecto uniHcos, de universitarios de 1er año de 11 universidades españolas, entre los cursos 2011-2012 y 2017- 2018. Datos recogidos mediante cuestionario autoadministrado. Se realizó un análisis uni y bivariable, evaluando la significación estadística de las diferencias de prevalencia con chi-cuadrado. Se utilizó media y desviación típica para variables cuantitativas y como estadístico de contraste t de Student. Resultados: 9.862 participantes (72,2% mujeres). El 90,3% consumió alcohol y el 60,9% tuvo borracheras en último año; el 49% tuvo BD en el último mes. El consumo en el último mes y las borracheras fueron mayores en hombres y < 21 años. Las CSRA fueron superiores entre los que se emborracharon (15,7% sexo sin protección, 1,9% abuso sexual y 0,7% aprovecharse sexualmente) y consumieron en BD (17,1%, 1,9% y 0,7%). Las mujeres con ambos consumos de riesgo presentaron más abusos sexuales (2,2%), y los hombres fueron quienes más se aprovecharon sexualmente de otros (borracheras:1,2%; BD: 1,3%). Conclusiones: El consumo de alcohol está por encima de grupos similares. El BD tiene un patrón similar por género y edad. Las CSRA se asocian a los consumos de mayor riesgo, no detectándose en este grupo diferencias por género en sexo sin protección, sí en otras CSRA.Objective: In college students, higher risk alcohol consumption (drunkenness and binge drinking-BD) has negative consequences on their development and and probably facilitates risk sexual behaviors. The objective was to study if risky sexual behaviors when consuming alcohol (RSBA) are associated with higher risk consumption. Methods: Cross-sectional multicenter study with UniHcos Project, 1st year university students from 11 universities in Spain, academic years 2011-2012 to 2017-2018 data. This data were collected by self-administered questionnaire. A uni and bivariate analysis was performed, evaluated the statistical significance of the differences in prevalence with chi-square. Mean and standard deviation were used for quantitative variables and Student's t test statistic was used. Results: 9,862 subjects (72.2% women). 90.3% reported having consumed alcohol and 60.9% had drunk the last year, 49% BD in last month. It was deteded in men, significantly higher consumption in the last month and drunkenness. Last month consumption and drunkenness were significantly higher in men and in <21 years. The RSBA were significantly higher among who were drunk (15.7% unprotected sex, 1.9% sexual abuse and 0.7% taking sexual advantage) and had BD (17.1%, 1.9% and 0.7 %). Women with both risk consumptions had more sexual abuse (2.2%), and men had greater behaviors of taking sexual advantage of someone (drunk: 1.2%; BD: 1.3%). Conclusions: Alcohol consumption was above similar groups. BD consumption was similar by gender and age. Risk sexual behaviors appear mainly in problematic consumption. Gender differences are not detected in alcohol consumers in unprotected sex but deteded in the rest.Financiación: El estudio ha sido financiado por el Plan Nacional Sobre Drogas del Ministerio de Salud, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad. Convocatoria de 2010 y de 2013. (Códigos: 2010/145 and 2013/034) y por el Instituto de Salud Carlos III a través de la convocatoria del FIS (Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria) de 2016 (PI16/01947)

Alcohol use and family-related factors among Spanish university students: the unHicos project

Background: During adolescence and youth there are relevant changes in the consolidation, gain or loss of consumption habits and lifestyles and the family factors has a fundamental role to development these habits. The study of the consumption of toxins, such as alcohol intake, is crucial at this stage due to the repercussions that said consumption presents in adulthood. Therefore, the objective of our study was to evaluate the associations between alcohol consumption patterns and related family factors (family functioning, family history of alcohol consumption) in Spanish university students. Methods: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, multicenter study, carried out in first-year university students from 11 Spanish universities. Through an online questionnaire, alcohol consumption (risky consumption and intensive consumption or binge drinking), family functioning and history of alcohol in the family were evaluated. Risky alcohol consumption and binge drinking were assessed using the AUDIT test, and family functioning was assessed using the family APGAR questionnaire. A descriptive analysis of the data was performed, as well as the Chi-Square test and Student's T-Test, and non-conditional logistic regression models were carried out to examine this association. Results: The prevalence of risky alcohol consumption identified in the 10,167 respondents was 16.9% (95% CI = 16.2–17.6), and that of BD was 48.8% (95% CI = 47.9–48.8). There is a significant association between risky alcohol consumption and family functioning in students of both sexes, with greater consumption in the face of severe dysfunctional support (men OR = 1.72; p < 0.001 and women OR = 1.74; p < 0.001) and family history of consumption (p = 0.005). Regarding the binge drinking pattern, no statistically significant differences were observed. Conclusions: Risky alcohol consumption in university students is associated with dysfunctional family support, unlike the binge drinking pattern, where there is no such association. The findings of this study show the importance of creating prevention programs focused on the family approach in university students, which include alcohol screening in the population with a family history of this substance, and greater social support from health services.This work was supported by the National Drug Plan, Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality of Spain (Codes: 2010|145, 2013|034 and 2020|030) and project PI16/01947