Immune biomarkers to predict SARS-CoV-2 vaccine effectiveness in patients with hematological malignancies

There is evidence of reduced SARS-CoV-2 vaccine effectiveness in patients with hematological malignancies. We hypothesized that tumor and treatment-related immunosuppression can be depicted in peripheral blood, and that immune profiling prior to vaccination can help predict immunogenicity. We performed a comprehensive immunological characterization of 83 hematological patients before vaccination and measured IgM, IgG, and IgA antibody response to four viral antigens at day +7 after second-dose COVID-19 vaccination using multidimensional and computational flow cytometry. Health care practitioners of similar age were the control group (n = 102). Forty-four out of 59 immune cell types were significantly altered in patients; those with monoclonal gammopathies showed greater immunosuppression than patients with B-cell disorders and Hodgkin lymphoma. Immune dysregulation emerged before treatment, peaked while on-therapy, and did not return to normalcy after stopping treatment. We identified an immunotype that was significantly associated with poor antibody response and uncovered that the frequency of neutrophils, classical monocytes, CD4, and CD8 effector memory CD127low T cells, as well as naive CD21+ and IgM+D+ memory B cells, were independently associated with immunogenicity. Thus, we provide novel immune biomarkers to predict COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness in hematological patients, which are complementary to treatment-related factors and may help tailoring possible vaccine boosters

Compartir ideas, la universidad va al instituto. Análisis de la primera edición de un proyecto de aprendizaje servicio transversal a la Universidad de Barcelona

Esta comunicación presenta las principales claves de análisis y evaluación de la 1a edición del proyecto Compartir Ideas. La Universidad va al instituto. Este es un proyecto de aprendizaje servicio transversal que consiste en un ciclo de conferencias-taller impartidas por estudiantes de la UB sobre temes de interés general relacionados con sus estudios. El objetivo es compartir conocimientos y conversar sobre un tema que la universidad trabaja y que será relevante para la formación del alumnado de secundaria.El proyecto cuenta con el apoyo del Vicerectorado de Política Docente y Lingüística de la Universitat de Barcelona

Guia clínica per a l'atenció de les persones amb símptomes persistents de COVID-19

Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV-2; Símptomes persistents; Guia clínicaCoronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV-2; Síntomas persistentes; Guía clínicaCoronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV-2; Persistent symptoms; Clinical guideLes persones amb símptomes persistents de COVID-19 són majoritàriament dones d’edat mitjana i representen un problema de salut emergent, ja que aquests símptomes poden ocasionar un fort impacte sobre la qualitat de vida. Aquesta circumstància també pot afectar persones joves sense cap malaltia prèvia. El seu pronòstic a llarg termini és desconegut. Els símptomes persistents són molt variats i poden ser fluctuants i agrupar-se en una mateixa persona. Per a la gran majoria de persones amb símptomes de COVID-19 persistent ha de prevaldre l’atenció centrada exclusivament en l’equip d’atenció primària (AP), amb un abordatge integral i amb visió biopsicosocial, i amb el suport de professionals com els de salut mental, els dels serveis de rehabilitació i els de treball social quan sigui necessari. L’observació i l’abordatge de la simptomatologia persistent en aquestes persones representen una oportunitat per generar coneixement des de l’AP, juntament amb les persones afectades. La manca de símptomes patognomònics i/o proves específiques dificulta el diagnòstic i obliga a descartar altres malalties que poden tenir presentacions similars, sovint per arribar a un diagnòstic per exclusió. La manca d’un tractament específic fa que l’acompanyament d’aquestes persones tingui com a objectiu alleugerir el seu malestar i facilitar la seva reincorporació a l’activitat habitual.Las personas con síntomas persistentes de COVID-19 son mayoritariamente mujeres de edad media y representan un problema de salud emergente, ya que estos síntomas pueden ocasionar un fuerte impacto sobre la calidad de vida. Esta circunstancia también puede afectar a personas jóvenes sin enfermedad previa. Su pronóstico a largo plazo es desconocido. Los síntomas persistentes son muy variados y pueden ser fluctuantes y agruparse en una misma persona. Para la gran mayoría de personas con síntomas de COVID-19 persistente debe prevalecer la atención centrada exclusivamente en el equipo de atención primaria (AP), con un abordaje integral y con visión biopsicosocial, y con el apoyo de profesionales como los de salud mental, los de los servicios de rehabilitación y los de trabajo social cuando sea necesario. La observación y el abordaje de la sintomatología persistente en estas personas representan una oportunidad para generar conocimiento desde la AP, junto con las personas afectadas. La falta de síntomas patognomónicos y / o pruebas específicas dificulta el diagnóstico y obliga a descartar otras enfermedades que pueden tener presentaciones similares, a menudo para llegar a un diagnóstico por exclusión. La falta de un tratamiento específico hace que el acompañamiento de estas personas tenga como objetivo aliviar su malestar y facilitar su reincorporación a la actividad habitual.People with persistent symptoms of COVID-19 are mostly middle-aged women and represent an emerging health problem, as these symptoms can have a strong impact on quality of life. This circumstance can also affect young people without any previous illness. Its long-term prognosis is unknown. Persistent symptoms are very varied and can be fluctuating and grouped into a single person. For the vast majority of people with symptoms of persistent COVID-19, care focused exclusively on the primary care team (PA) should prevail, with a comprehensive approach and a biopsychosocial vision, and with the support of professionals such as those of mental health, those of rehabilitation services and those of social work when necessary. Observing and addressing the persistent symptomatology in these people represents an opportunity to generate knowledge from the PA, along with those affected. The lack of pathognomonic symptoms and / or specific tests makes diagnosis difficult and forces us to rule out other diseases that may have similar presentations, often to arrive at a diagnosis by exclusion. The lack of specific treatment means that the support of these people aims to alleviate their discomfort and facilitate their reintegration into the usual activity

BCL3-rearrangements in B-cell lymphoid neoplasms occur in two breakpoint clusters associated with different diseases

The t(14;19)(q32;q13) often juxtaposes BCL3 with immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) resulting in overexpression of the gene. In contrast to other oncogenic translocations, BCL3 rearrangement (BCL3-R) has been associated with a broad spectrum of lymphoid neoplasms. Here we report an integrative whole-genome sequence, transcriptomic, and DNA methylation analysis of 13 lymphoid neoplasms with BCL3-R. The resolution of the breakpoints at single base-pair revealed that they occur in two clusters at 5' (n=9) and 3' (n=4) regions of BCL3 associated with two different biological and clinical entities. Both breakpoints were mediated by aberrant class switch recombination of the IGH locus. However, the 5' breakpoints (upstream) juxtaposed BCL3 next to an IGH enhancer leading to overexpression of the gene whereas the 3' breakpoints (downstream) positioned BCL3 outside the influence of the IGH and were not associated with its expression. Upstream BCL3-R tumors had unmutated IGHV, trisomy 12, and mutated genes frequently seen in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) but had an atypical CLL morphology, immunophenotype, DNA methylome, and expression profile that differ from conventional CLL. In contrast, downstream BCL3-R neoplasms were atypical splenic or nodal marginal zone lymphomas (MZL) with mutated IGHV, complex karyotypes and mutated genes typical of MZL. Two of the latter four tumors transformed to a large B-cell lymphoma. We designed a novel fluorescence in situ hybridization assay that recognizes the two different breakpoints and validated these findings in 17 independent tumors. Overall, upstream or downstream breakpoints of BCL3-R are mainly associated with two subtypes of lymphoid neoplasms with different (epi)genomic, expression, and clinicopathological features resembling atypical CLL and MZL, respectively

MOLNUPIRAVIR COMPARED TO NIRMATRELVIR/RITONAVIR FOR COVID-19 IN HIGH-RISK PATIENTS WITH HAEMATOLOGICAL MALIGNANCY IN EUROPE. A MATCHED-PAIRED ANALYSIS FROM THE EPICOVIDEHA REGISTRY

Introduction: Molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir are antivirals used to prevent progression to severe SARS-CoV-2 infections, which reduce both hospitalization and mortality rates. Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir was authorised in Europe in December 2021, while molnupiravir is not yet licensed in Europe as of February 2022. Molnupiravir may be an alternative to nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, because it displays less frequent drug-drug interactions and contraindications. A caveat connected to molnupiravir derives from the mode of action inducing viral mutations. In clinical trials on patients without haematological malignancy, mortality rate reduction of molnupiravir appeared less pronounced than that of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. Little is known about the comparative efficacy of the two drugs in patients with haematological malignancy at high-risk of severe COVID-19. Thus, we here assess the effectiveness of molnupiravir compared to nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in our cohort of patients with haematological malignancies. Methods: Clinical data of patients treated either with molnupiravir or nirmatrelvir/ritonavir monotherapy for COVID-19 were retrieved from the EPICOVIDEHA registry. Patients treated with molnupiravir were matched by sex, age (±10 years), and baseline haematological malignancy severity to controls treated with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. Results: A total of 116 patients receiving molnupiravir for the clinical management of COVID-19 were matched to an equal number of controls receiving nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. In each of the groups, 68 (59%) patients were male; with a median age of 64 years (IQR 53-74) for molnupiravir recipients and 64 years (IQR 54-73) for nirmatrelvir/ritonavir recipients; 57% (n=66) of the patients had controlled baseline haematological malignancy, 13% (n=15) stable, and 30% (n=35) had active disease at COVID-19 onset in each of the groups. During COVID-19 infection, one third of patients from each group were admitted to hospital. Although a similar proportion of vaccinated patients was observed in both groups (molnupiravir n=77, 66% vs nirmatrelvir/ritonavir n=87, 75%), those treated with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir had more often received four doses (n=27, 23%) as compared to patients treated with molnupiravir (n=5, 4%, p<0.001). No differences were detected in COVID-19 severity (p=0.39) or hospitalization (p=1.0). No statistically significant differences were identified in overall mortality rate (p=0.78) or in survival probability (d30 p=0.19, d60 p=0.67, d90 p=0.68, last day of follow up p=0.68). In all patients, deaths were either attributed to COVID-19 or the infection contributed to death as per treating physician's judgement. Conclusions: In high-risk patients with haematological malignancies and COVID-19, molnupiravir showed rates of hospitalization and mortality comparable to those of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in this matched-pair analysis. Molnupiravir appears to be a plausible alternative to nirmatrelvir/ritonavir for COVID-19 treatment in patients with haematological malignancy

Compartir ideas. La Universidad va al Instituto: un proyecto de aprendizaje- servicio transversal de la Universidad de Barcelona

Compartir ideas. La universidad va al instituto es un proyecto de aprendizaje servicio transversal de la Universidad de Barcelona. Este representa una propuesta de aprendizaje servicio que bajo una estructura común permite la participación de estudiantes y profesorado de distintas disciplinas en un mismo proyecto. El aprendizaje servicio (ApS) es una propuesta formativa que permite el desarrollo de diferentes tipos de aprendizajes a partir de la implicación en necesidades sociales reales con la intención de transformarlas (Tapia, 2001; Martínez, 2008; Puig, 2009). En este tipo de proyectos están presentes simultáneamente la intencionalidad pedagógica y la intencionalidad solidaria. Se pueden definir como experiencias educativas solidarias protagonizadas por estudiantes, que tienen como objetivo atender a una necesidad de los destinatarios a la vez que planificar y mejorar la calidad de los aprendizajes (Tapia, 2006)

Global data on earthworm abundance, biomass, diversity and corresponding environmental properties

Publisher Copyright: © 2021, The Author(s).Earthworms are an important soil taxon as ecosystem engineers, providing a variety of crucial ecosystem functions and services. Little is known about their diversity and distribution at large spatial scales, despite the availability of considerable amounts of local-scale data. Earthworm diversity data, obtained from the primary literature or provided directly by authors, were collated with information on site locations, including coordinates, habitat cover, and soil properties. Datasets were required, at a minimum, to include abundance or biomass of earthworms at a site. Where possible, site-level species lists were included, as well as the abundance and biomass of individual species and ecological groups. This global dataset contains 10,840 sites, with 184 species, from 60 countries and all continents except Antarctica. The data were obtained from 182 published articles, published between 1973 and 2017, and 17 unpublished datasets. Amalgamating data into a single global database will assist researchers in investigating and answering a wide variety of pressing questions, for example, jointly assessing aboveground and belowground biodiversity distributions and drivers of biodiversity change.Peer reviewe

Global data on earthworm abundance, biomass, diversity and corresponding environmental properties

Earthworms are an important soil taxon as ecosystem engineers, providing a variety of crucial ecosystem functions and services. Little is known about their diversity and distribution at large spatial scales, despite the availability of considerable amounts of local-scale data. Earthworm diversity data, obtained from the primary literature or provided directly by authors, were collated with information on site locations, including coordinates, habitat cover, and soil properties. Datasets were required, at a minimum, to include abundance or biomass of earthworms at a site. Where possible, site-level species lists were included, as well as the abundance and biomass of individual species and ecological groups. This global dataset contains 10,840 sites, with 184 species, from 60 countries and all continents except Antarctica. The data were obtained from 182 published articles, published between 1973 and 2017, and 17 unpublished datasets. Amalgamating data into a single global database will assist researchers in investigating and answering a wide variety of pressing questions, for example, jointly assessing aboveground and belowground biodiversity distributions and drivers of biodiversity change