bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Small nucleolar RNA SNORD3A: a potential new biomarker and molecular player in heart failure
Authors: Paolillo R , D'Apice S , Schiattarella G G , Holley C L , Della Corte A , Bancone C L , Esposito G G , Perrino C L 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Despite optimal therapy, heart failure (HF) remains a relentless and deadly disease. Given the relative inaccessibility of myocardial human tissues, identification of circulating biomarkers mirroring myocardial pathological signaling pathways, especially in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) is expected to be extremely relevant. Small Nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) have been shown to play important roles in various cellular physiological processes. However, the connection between snoRNAs and pathological dysfunction in the heart or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) is still poorly understood.

Purpose
To identify novel circulating PBMC biomarkers linked to myocardial dysfunction and HF.

Methods
Myocardial left ventricle (LV) samples and PBMC were obtained from patients affected by ischemic HF (HF, n=13) undergoing heart transplantation and control donors (CD, n=7) and analyzed by RNA sequencing analysis (RNASeq). SNORD3A expression levels in the different groups were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR. HF was induced in 8-week-old wild type C57BL/6 mice by transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Sham-operated mice (sham) were used as controls. After twelve-week-TAC (12w) or sham operation, mice were anesthetized, cardiac function was analyzed by echocardiography, and cardiac/PBMC samples were collected after sacrifice. In order to test the role of SNORD3A in cardiomyocyte hypoxia, H9C2 cardiomyoblasts were transfected with SNORD3A-targeted antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) and cell survival was analyzed by cleaved caspase-3 and PARP1 immunoblotting.

Results
RnaSeq analysis identified a small set of genes differentially expressed in the heart and PBMC from HF patients. Among these, SNORD3A was up-regulated in cardiac and PBMC samples from HF patients compared to CD (Figure 1A-B). Similarly, in murine HF induced by 12w TAC, SNORD3A levels were increased by rtPCR, both in the heart and PBMC (Figure 1C-D). SNORD3A expression levels were also significantly increased in H9C2 cells exposed to in vitro hypoxia (Figure 1E). Interestingly, H9C2 transfection with SNORD3A-specific ASO significantly reduced hypoxia-induced SNORD3A upregulation and reduced hypoxia-induced cell death (Figure 1F-G).

Conclusions
In this study, we identify SNORD3A as a novel possible biomarker in human HF, similarly up-regulated in the heart and PBMC, induced by hypoxia in vitro and modulating cell survival.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): STAR GRANT Figure 1
The predictive power of biomarker macrophage migration inhibitory factor in patients with st- segment elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Vishnevskaya I , Kopytsya M P , Storozhenko T Y E 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Biomarkers have been taken one of the first places as diagnostic and prognostic tools in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). They are used both in the acute and in the long-term periods of the disease to predict various adverse events Their especially important property is the ability to predict the long-term adverse events of the disease, which can significantly improve the outcome. One of the promising biomarkers for the early adverse outcome prediction is the proinflammatory cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF).

Purpose
To determine the MIF significance in 1-year adverse outcomes prognosis after AMI.

Methods
130 ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients (72.6% male and 27.4% female) were enrolled, mean age was 58.25±1.22 years. Control group of 12 healthy volunteers included. All patients underwent a baseline investigation which includes standard electrocardiography, echocardiography with strain, angiography, and determination of marker of myocardial necrosis – cardiac troponin T. Also, the level of MIF, soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 (sST2), C-reactive protein determined during the first 12 hours after the STEMI, before the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), 6 hours, and 24 hours after the PCI. The endpoint was composite and included all-cause mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, and hospitalization for unstable angina, acute decompensated heart failure. During 1-year follow-up 18% of patients reached the endpoint.

Results
The effect of several variables of clinical, instrumental and laboratory status were assessed on reaching the endpoint by patients. We have found that MIF level determined before PCI (AUC 0.73; p=0.003; 95% Cl: 0.613 – 0.826) might be a significant independent predictor of mortality with sensitivity (Se) 70% and specificity (Sp) 80%. MIF level 6 hours after PCI showed even better result (AUC 0.8; p=0.002; 95% Cl: 0.64 – 0.9; Se 74%, Sp 82%). MIF &gt;3934 pg/ml associated with the highest risk of adverse events. For identification of the main risk factors for adverse outcome, we have used logistic regression method. The MIF level determined before the PCI was the most important to predict adverse outcomes (odds ratios is 1.0006, p=0,0038; x2=4.58). Areas under the ROC for the model was equal to 0.8; 95% Cl: 0.58 to 0.89). Neither sST2 nor CRP have not shown any significant results (p&lt;0.05). According to the data of the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, long-term survival after STEMI was significantly lower in patient with the level of MIF determined during the first 12 hours after the event more than 2988 pg/ml (Log-rank = −4,891, p=0.014).

Conclusions
Biomarker MIF has showed as an independent tool associated with the risk of adverse outcome 1 year after STEMI. MIF could be used in routine clinical practice to improve risk stratification of patients with STEMI.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
1.B. Round table: Biological, socioeconomic, legal and environmental health determinants in the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors:   Organised by: EUPHA-IDC, EUPHA-LAW, EUPHA-INJ, WHO Venice Office,   Chair persons: Elena Petelos (EUPHA-HTA), Lara Tavoschi (Italy)
Published: October 2021

Abstract

COVID-19 represents a concrete global health threat that has resulted in exacerbated inequalities, threatening progress towards SDG3, and particularly SDG 3.8, i.e. UHC - leave no one behind. Underlying differences in terms of health and social care system organisation, service provision models and pre-existing epidemiological context have resulted in heterogeneous scenarios for burden of disease (BoD) distribution, both in terms of COVID-19-specific outcomes, and because of collateral damage, not only across, but also within countries and regions. Individual proximal factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic position, underlying comorbidities and perception of risk have contributed to increased individual risk of acquiring the infection and of developing severe disease complications, including death. In addition, systemic issues, i.e., individual financial capacity, legal status, and acute versus chronic care needs have affected access both to care and commodity. From the global health perspective, we are also witnessing determinants threatening sustainable development, with tremendous differences in terms of capacity to combat the disease and deploy disease control measures, as well as ensure financial stability, economic growth and societal resilience. Ensuring equitable allocation of test, vaccines and medicines, and the development of comprehensive strategies necessitates a deeper understanding of those at most at risk, with due protection to those most vulnerable across the world. A comprehensive approach to tackle all these challenges, whilst ensuring due consideration is paid to ethical and legal issues, necessitates sound understanding of determinants, vulnerability with systematic measurement and interdisciplinary, cross-sectoral collaboration. This RT will bring the perspective of academia, researchers and practitioners in the field, and NGOs, offering insights on emerging research, practice and strategies. It aims to broker dialogue, to identify key steps to counter the damaging effect of inequities to social cohesion and system resilience, and to inform policy making and global public health actions.

Key messages
Biological, socioeconomic, legal and geographical determinants are at interplay, affecting the COVID-19 pandemic dynamics both in terms of immediate and delayed health outcomes. Assessing and weighing the links of various determinants and COVID-19 is essential to inform current and future policy decisions towards attaining UHC and to ensure an equitable, resilient society.
Depression and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
Authors: Rousset S , Camussi E , Piccinelli C , Senore C , Armaroli P , Giordano L , Ferrante G , Bert F , Siliquini R 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Introduction
Social restrictions imposed by the Italian Government during the COVID-19 emergency might have had a significant impact on mental health. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of depressive and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTDS) symptoms in a sample of Italian citizens during the first COVID-19 pandemic wave.

Materials and methods
A cross-sectional survey was carried out between April and June 2020 using a snowball sampling. Depressive symptoms were explored through the Patient Heath Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2), while the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTDS) was investigated through the SPAN (Startle, Physical arousal, Anger, Numbness) questionnaire. Poisson regression models were used to explore the association between the outcomes under study and sociodemographic/housing characteristics.

Results
A total of 10.758 interviews were collected and 7.847 (73%), complete for a minimum set of indicators (age, sex, area of residence), were included in the final analysis. The majority of the respondents were females (71%). Sample mean age was 48.6 years. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 21.2% and that of PTDS was 43.8%. Symptoms of depression and PTDS significantly diminished across age groups, in particular in people over 70 years compared with people aged 14-29 years (PR 0.65, 95% CI 0.49-0.86). A higher prevalence was found in students compared with retired people, both for depressive symptoms (PR 1.49, 95% CI: 1.05-2.10) and PTDS (PR 1.31, 95% CI: 1.02-1.69).

Conclusions
Prevalence of depressive and PTDS symptoms was high, in particular among younger people and students. That could potentially lead to adverse mental health outcomes in the future, with serious public health consequences. As the pandemic emergency is not solved yet, it is necessary to implement preventive strategies in order to protect the mental well-being of particularly vulnerable subgroups in the population.

Key messages
The prevalence of psychological symptoms was high in this sample during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic. The subgroups of the population at higher risk for adverse psychological outcomes were younger people and students.
Psychological trauma and unsafe behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Cao Y , Siu JYM , Shum DHK 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

This study aims to explore the prevalence of psychological trauma arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, and level of engagement with preventative measures in the adult general population, about 1-year after the initial outbreak. Data was collected through a telephone survey in Hong Kong between December, 2020 to February, 2021, which comprised of the Revised Impact of Event Scale (IES-R), the Questionnaire of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice Towards COVID-19 to measure routine preventions (e.g., wearing face mask), questions asking about willingness in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, participation in voluntary testing, and demographical questions. Results suggested that the prevalence of possible PTSD was 12.4%. Respondents reported being compliant with the routine preventative measures most of the time. Unemployment, a lack of income, and lower educational attainment were associated with higher psychological trauma. Female gender, older age, higher educational attainment, and being married were associated with higher compliance with routine preventative measures. Middle-aged or older adults or people who were married were consistently more engaged with following the health advice of preventative measures, including a higher vaccine acceptance. Younger adults appeared to be less engaged with the preventative measures.

Key messages
The pandemic affects people's psychological health even after 1-year from the initial outbreak. Socio-demographic factors affect people's psychological and behavioral responses to the pandemic.
Digital health literacy and online information queries in Portuguese university students
Authors: Rosário R , Augusto C , Silva MJ , Martins S , Duarte A , Ramos N , Martins MRO , Fronteira I 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Worldwide there is an overwhelming amount of information about COVID-19 circulating online, also named infodemic. Misinformation (the unintentional) and disinformation (the intentional) spreading of false information have proven to be very dangerous to public health. Hence, more than ever, people need skills for searching, evaluating and integrating information related to health in daily life, i.e., health literacy. Until now, little is known about the digital health literacy of university students and their information-seeking behaviour. Hence, this study aimed to analyse the associations between university students' digital health literacy and online information queries during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic (and infodemic) in Portugal.

Methods
A cross-sectional study of 3.084 Portuguese university students (75.7% females), with an average age of 24.2 (SD = 7.5), was conducted using an online survey. We used sociodemographic data (sex, age, subjective social status) and the digital health literacy questionnaire adapted to the specific COVID-19 context. Online information queries included the topics related to SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 searched by students. Logistic regression models were performed.

Results
Online information queries (e.g., individual measures to protect against infection, current spread of the virus, current situation assessments and recommendations) were associated with an increased odds of achieving sufficient digital health literacy.

Conclusions
Online information queries related to epidemiological and public health topics are significantly associated with digital health literacy in times of COVID-19. Further studies are needed, including programs that improve digital health literacy among university students and increase the availability of high-quality content information.
Digital health literacy and information behaviour in university students in Finland
Authors: Sormunen M , Rouvinen H , Koivusilta L , Kinnunen J , Turunen H , Rimpelä A , Lindfors P 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Internet and social media became important and fast sources of health information, leading to overabundance of both valid and invalid information. Digital health literacy (DHL) is a core competency for navigating web- and social media based COVID-19 information. This study is part of the global COVID-HL survey assessing DHL among university students.

Methods
Six universities from Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Western Finland participated in an online survey in May 2020. Five subscales from the DHL Instrument (DHLI), adapted to the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, were used. The data were analyzed using univariate and bivariate analyses.

Results
Mean age of the students (N = 3771) was 28 y. (females n = 2720). Students had searched information from the Internet for themselves and others (85,2%). Females had searched more than male, and the probability of searches increased with age. Majority of students (90,4%) considered information easy to find and 83,2% of students found it easy to use the information in decisions related to their health, males easier than female or diverse gender. The greatest difficulty was in assessing the reliability of information (24,0%). The sources for information seeking often were news sites, search engines, and websites of public bodies (64,8%, 50,5% and 44,1%, respectively). The topics that were most searched were spread of the coronavirus (90,1%), its symptoms (88,0%) and restrictions (87,7%). 86,3% of students considered the verified information very important.

Conclusions
Finnish students were rather confident in their DHL skills. However, almost every fourth had difficulties in assessing the reliability of the information, a key competence of DHL in the context of overabundance of information. This suggests that DHL, especially the competence of critically evaluate health related information, need to be strengthen among university students in Finland across different study subjects.
Survey on Living, working and COVID19
Authors: Gerstenberger B 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Eurofound's e-survey, Living, working and COVID-19, provides a snapshot of the impact of the pandemic on people's lives. Two rounds of the survey were carried out in 2020, allowing for comparison between the situation in April 2020, when most Member States were in their first lockdown, and in July 2020, when society and economies were slowly re-opening. Eurofound completed a third round of the e-survey on 30 March 2021, as countries are still dealing with various levels of lockdown, while vaccine rollout programmes are underway. The findings of the e-survey in April 2020 reflected widespread emotional distress, financial concern and low levels of trust in institutions. Levels of concern abated somewhat in the July round, particularly among groups of respondents who were benefiting from support measures implemented during the pandemic. At the same time, the results underline stark differences between countries and between socioeconomic groups. Young people are emerging as some of lockdown's biggest losers who report the lowest levels of well-being in the 2020 rounds. Women also faced a disproportionate impact and remained less optimistic about their future than men - this gap widening further between April and July 2020. The survey results confirm the upsurge in teleworking across all countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, and show what this means for work-life balance and elements of job quality. Also in this respect the pandemic affected women more than men. In particular, the burden of care responsibilities increased during the pandemic for women. The third round of the survey will show whether life satisfaction, happiness and optimism, and trust in institutions have improved or deteriorated and whether inequalities continue to grow as the pandemic impacts differently on different groups. First insights from the European Working Conditions Survey - extraordinary edition 2021 will show how workers perceived their work situation in spring 2021.
EU-OSHÁs perspective on occupational safety and health in the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Schneider E 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
In July 2020, EU-OSHA published the results of a comprehensive research project on the exposure of workers to biological agents at work and the related health problems. Although the research was initiated long before the pandemic, researchers had highlighted pandemic preparedness as an issue, as well as the general lack of monitoring of serious infectious diseases. The research also made evident a lack of awareness among workplace actors of the risks from exposure to biological agents at work, although a detailed legislative framework has been in place for many years, and consequently a lack of prevention measures at work, which became evident after the pandemic broke out. It highlighted the need for public health and occupational safety and health organisations to cooperate to mitigate the impact of the pandemic. The presentation will focus on the links between the research findings and the developments during the pandemic. It will furthermore present guidance produced by EU-OSHA and other relevant actions, with a view on the legislation that is in place. It will cover biological agents exposure as well as telework and ergonomic issues arising from it.
How are countries supporting health workers? Data from the COVID-19 Health System Response Monitor
Authors: Williams G , Scarpetti G , Bezzina A , Vincenti K , Grech K , Kowalska-Bobko I , Sowada C , Furman M , Gałązka-Sobotka M , Maier CB 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Health workers have been at the forefront of treating and caring for patients with COVID-19. They were often under immense pressure to care for severely ill patients with a new disease, under strict hygiene conditions and with lockdown measures creating practical barriers to working. This study aims to explore the range of mental health, financial and other practical support measures that 36 countries in Europe and Canada have put in place to support health workers and enable them to do their job.

Methods
We use data extracted from the COVID-19 Health Systems Response Monitor (HSRM). We only consider initiatives implemented outside of clinical settings where COVID-19 patients are treated, and therefore exclude workplace provisions such as availability of personal protective equipment, working time limits or mandatory rest periods.

Results
We show that countries have implemented a range of measures, ranging from mental health and well-being support initiatives, to providing bonuses and temporary salary increases. Practical measures such as childcare provision and free transport and accommodation have also been implemented to ensure health workers can get to their workplace and have their children looked after. Other initiatives such as offering continuing professional development credits for knowledge learnt during the crisis were also offered in some countries, albeit less frequently.

Conclusions
While a large number of initiatives have been introduced, often as ad-hoc measures, their effectiveness in helping staff is unknown in most countries. The effectiveness of these initiatives should be evaluated to inform future crisis responses and strategies for health workforce development.