Physical Activity Levels, Eating Habits, and Well-Being Measures in Students of Healthcare Degrees in the Second Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: When the first cases of COVID-19 (caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus infection) were discovered, exceptional norms to fight the spread of the virus were established by applying movement restrictions (lockdown) in many countries. These unprecedented norms led to sedentary behaviours and less healthy diets which could persist for much longer after lockdown. The aim of this study was to analyse the physical activity, eating habits, self-perceived well-being, and toxic habits, as well as the perceived changes of these habits with respect to the pre-pandemic period, in a population of university students in the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A single-centre, cross-sectional study was conducted in a population of university students of healthcare degrees. A total of 961 students (639 (66.5%) women and 322 (33.5%) men) signed the informed consent and completed the questionnaire. The study was conducted through an anonymous survey, which was voluntarily self-completed by the students on an online platform. The questionnaire was based on the Spanish Health Survey and it was divided into six main parts: demographic and anthropometric characteristics, physical activity, eating habits, well-being measures (sleeping habits, health state, and stress), toxic habits, and perception of the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the variables described. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that, during the second year of the pandemic, statistically significant dependence was identified for those students that showed higher levels of physical activity with greater perceived physical activity (p < 0.05), healthier eating habits (p < 0.05), and a better self-perceived health state (p < 0.05), with respect to the 12 months before the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, there was a negative correlation between the sedentary students and greater perceived physical activity (p < 0.05). With regard to toxic habits and physical activity, a significant correlation was only detected between sedentary behaviour and cocaine consumption (p < 0.05). Analysing eating habits, it was observed that the students who smoked, consumed alcohol, and binge drank had low adherence to the Mediterranean diet (p < 0.05). In addition, those students with high stress levels slept less than 7 h (p < 0.05).

Toxic Habits and Well-Being Measures in Spanish Healthcare University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Unhealthy lifestyles are strongly entrenched in healthcare universities and have sometimes been linked to stress or lack of sleep. This study investigated the prevalence of toxic habits (smoking, patterns of harmful alcohol use, and illicit drug use), stress levels, perceived health status, and sleep duration and assessed the connections between toxic habits and said well-being measures, as well as healthcare students' perception of the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on these health-related behaviors. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, healthcare students from Alfonso X University (Spain) completed a health survey composed of Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), self-perceived health status, and the number of hours of sleep. RESULTS: A total of 997 healthcare students completed the survey, of which 982 were analyzed. Being a smoker (32.2%) was associated with worse health status and insufficient sleep. Risk drinkers (33.2%) were associated with being female, and the consumption of cannabinoids (6.7%), with being male. These three toxic habits were related to each other. High levels of stress (28.2%) were correlated with worse ratings in the perception of health status (29.2%) and with insufficient sleep (45.8%), and all of them were associated with the female sex. Respectively, 49.3% and 44.2% of students recognized a worsening in their perception of stress and their sleep habits during the pandemic. CONCLUSION: Healthcare universities must carry out health promotion programs for stress management, sleep habits, and unhealthy lifestyles.

[Impact of SARS-CoV-2 immunization on a breast screening programme.] / Impacto de la vacunación frente al SARS-CoV-2 en una unidad de cribado de cáncer de mama.

OBJECTIVE: A common secondary effect after SARS-CoV-2 immunization is an increased in size of the axillary lymph nodes ipsilateral to the vaccinated site. Eventually, an increased in size of the axillary lymph nodes may lead to a misinterpretation of the breast screening mammogram, performed in asymptomatic women between the age 50 to 69 years old for early breast cancer diagnosis. The aim of our research was to evaluate the impact of the vaccination for SARS-CoV-2 in the breast screening programmes in terms of recall rates and number of false positive results. As a secondary purpose we would analysed the protocols adopted by different breast screening units around the world after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. METHODS: Observational and retrospective study analysing breast screening mammograms from a single Breast Cancer Screening Unit in Madrid. The mammograms of previously vaccinated women were analysed, reviewing the axillary lymph nodes and the re-call rate secondary to axillary lymphadenopathies. RESULTS: Four hundred and twenty three screening mammograms were performed in May 2021 in the University Hospital Ramon y Cajal in Madrid, which is part of the Breast Screening Programme in Madrid, Spain. None of the women previously vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 were recalled for complementary studies due to an increased in the axillary lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: The protocol stablished by the Spanish Society of Breast Image that stands up for a routine breast screening mammogram after SARS-CoV-2 immunization, has no increase in the recall rate or increase in number of false positives.

OBJETIVO: Tras la vacunación por SARS-CoV-2 se ha descrito como efecto secundario leve un aumento de tamaño de los ganglios axilares ipsilaterales al punto de vacunación. Esto puede contribuir a una interpretación errónea de la mamografía de cribado que se realiza a todas las mujeres entre los 50 y los 69 años para la detección precoz del cáncer de mama. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue valorar si la vacunación por SARS-CoV-2 influye en el número de rellamadas y falsos positivos del programa de cribado de cáncer de mama. Así, se analizaron los protocolos aceptados y adaptados en las diferentes unidades de cribado a nivel nacional e internacional. METODOS: Se trata de un estudio observacional y retrospectivo en el que se analizan las mamografías realizadas en una unidad de cribado de cáncer de mama en pacientes con vacunación reciente por SARS-CoV-2, valorando la presencia de adenopatías axilares y el número de rellamadas realizadas para su caracterización. Se efectuó un estudio descriptivo de los datos obtenidos. RESULTADOS: En una serie de 423 mamografías de cribado realizadas en el Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, que pertenece a la red de cribado de cáncer de mama de la Comunidad de Madrid, no se detectaron adenopatías axilares que precisaran una rellamada ni un estudio dirigido. Por lo tanto, no se vio afectado el número de rellamadas ni aumentaron los falsos positivos en el programa de cribado tras la vacunación por SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSIONES: El protocolo aceptado por la Sociedad Española de Imagen Mamaria, que aboga por continuar con la frecuencia habitual de la mamografía de cribado tras la vacunación, puede ser adaptado por las unidades de cribado de cáncer de mama, sin miedo a un aumento del número de falsos positivos.

Impacto de la vacunación frente al SARS-CoV-2 en una unidad de cribado de cáncer de mama / Impact of SARS-CoV-2 immunization on a breast screening programme

FUNDAMENTOS: Tras la vacunación por SARS-CoV-2 se ha descrito como efecto secundario leve un aumento de tamaño de los ganglios axilares ipsilaterales al punto de vacunación. Esto puede contribuir a una interpretación errónea de la mamografía de cribado que se realiza a todas las mujeres entre los 50 y los 69 años para la detección precoz del cáncer de mama. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue valorar si la vacunación por SARS-CoV-2 influye en el número de rellamadas y falsos positivos del programa de cribado de cáncer de mama. Así, se analizaron los protocolos aceptados y adaptados en las diferentes unidades de cribado a nivel nacional e internacional. MÉTODOS: Se trata de un estudio observacional y retrospectivo en el que se analizan las mamografías realizadas en una unidad de cribado de cáncer de mama en pacientes con vacunación reciente por SARS-CoV-2, valorando la presencia de adenopatías axilares y el número de rellamadas realizadas para su caracterización. Se efectuó un estudio descriptivo de los datos obtenidos. RESULTADOS: En una serie de 423 mamografías de cribado realizadas en el Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, que pertenece a la red de cribado de cáncer de mama de la Comunidad de Madrid, no se detectaron adenopatías axilares que precisaran una rellamada ni un estudio dirigido. Por lo tanto, no se vio afectado el número de rellamadas ni aumentaron los falsos positivos en el programa de cribado tras la vacunación por SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSIONES: El protocolo aceptado por la Sociedad Española de Imagen Mamaria, que aboga por continuar con la frecuencia habitual de la mamografía de cribado tras la vacunación, puede ser adaptado por las unidades de cribado de cáncer de mama, sin miedo a un aumento del número de falsos positivos.(AU)

BACKGROUND: A common secondary effect after SARS-CoV-2 immunization is an increased in size of the axillary lymph nodes ipsilateral to the vaccinated site. Eventually, an increased in size of the axillary lymph nodes may lead to a misinterpretation of the breast screening mammogram, performed in asymptomatic women between the age 50 to 69 years old for early breast cancer diagnosis. The aim of our research was to evaluate the impact of the vaccination for SARS-CoV-2 in the breast screening programmes in terms of recall rates and number of false positive results. As a secondary purpose we would analysed the protocols adopted by different breast screening units around the world after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. METHODS: Observational and retrospective study analysing breast screening mammograms from a single Breast Cancer Screening Unit in Madrid. The mammograms of previously vaccinated women were analysed, reviewing the axillary lymph nodes and the re-call rate secondary to axillary lymphadenopathies. RESULTS: Four hundred and twenty three screening mammograms were performed in May 2021 in the University Hospital Ramon y Cajal in Madrid, which is part of the Breast Screening Programme in Madrid, Spain. None of the women previously vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 were recalled for complementary studies due to an increased in the axillary lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: The protocol stablished by the Spanish Society of Breast Image that stands up for a routine breast screening mammogram after SARS-CoV-2 immunization, has no increase in the recall rate or increase in number of false positives.(AU)

The bHLH factors extramacrochaetae and daughterless control cell cycle in Drosophila imaginal discs through the transcriptional regulation of the Cdc25 phosphatase string.

One of the major issues in developmental biology is about having a better understanding of the mechanisms that regulate organ growth. Identifying these mechanisms is essential to understand the development processes that occur both in physiological and pathological conditions, such as cancer. The E protein family of basic helix-loop helix (bHLH) transcription factors, and their inhibitors the Id proteins, regulate cell proliferation in metazoans. This notion is further supported because the activity of these factors is frequently deregulated in cancerous cells. The E protein orthologue Daughterless (Da) and the Id orthologue Extramacrochaetae (Emc) are the only members of these classes of bHLH proteins in Drosophila. Although these factors are involved in controlling proliferation, the mechanism underlying this regulatory activity is poorly understood. Through a genetic analysis, we show that during the development of epithelial cells in the imaginal discs, the G2/M transition, and hence cell proliferation, is controlled by Emc via Da. In eukaryotic cells, the main activator of this transition is the Cdc25 phosphatase, string. Our genetic analyses reveal that the ectopic expression of string in cells with reduced levels of Emc or high levels of Da is sufficient to rescue the proliferative defects seen in these mutant cells. Moreover, we present evidence demonstrating a role of Da as a transcriptional repressor of string. Taken together, these findings define a mechanism through which Emc controls cell proliferation by regulating the activity of Da, which transcriptionally represses string.

The bHLH factors Dpn and members of the E(spl) complex mediate the function of Notch signalling regulating cell proliferation during wing disc development.

The Notch signalling pathway plays an essential role in the intricate control of cell proliferation and pattern formation in many organs during animal development. In addition, mutations in most members of this pathway are well characterized and frequently lead to tumour formation. The Drosophila imaginal wing discs have provided a suitable model system for the genetic and molecular analysis of the different pathway functions. During disc development, Notch signalling at the presumptive wing margin is necessary for the restricted activation of genes required for pattern formation control and disc proliferation. Interestingly, in different cellular contexts within the wing disc, Notch can either promote cell proliferation or can block the G1-S transition by negatively regulating the expression of dmyc and bantam micro RNA. The target genes of Notch signalling that are required for these functions have not been identified. Here, we show that the Hes vertebrate homolog, deadpan (dpn), and the Enhancer-of-split complex (E(spl)C) genes act redundantly and cooperatively to mediate the Notch signalling function regulating cell proliferation during wing disc development.

Role of parathyroid hormone-related protein in the decreased osteoblast function in diabetes-related osteopenia.

A deficit in bone formation is a major factor in diabetes-related osteopenia. We examined here whether diabetes-associated changes in osteoblast phenotype might in part result from a decrease in PTH-related protein (PTHrP). We used a bone marrow ablation model in diabetic mice by multiple streptozotocin injections. PTHrP (1-36) (100 microg/kg, every other day) or vehicle was administered to mice for 13 d starting 1 wk before marrow ablation. Diabetic mice showed bone loss in both the intact femur and the regenerating tibia on d 6 after ablation; in the latter, this was related to decreased bone-forming cells, osteoid surface, and blood vessels, and increased marrow adiposity. Moreover, a decrease in matrix mineralization occurred in ex vivo bone marrow cultures from the unablated tibia from diabetic mice. These skeletal alterations were associated with decreased gene expression (by real-time PCR) of Runx2, osterix, osteocalcin, PTHrP, the PTH type 1 receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors, and osteoprotegerin to receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand mRNA ratio, and increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma2 mRNA levels. Similar changes were induced by hyperosmotic (high glucose or mannitol) medium in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells, which were mimicked by adding a neutralizing anti-PTHrP antibody or PTH type 1 receptor antagonists to these cells in normal glucose medium. PTHrP (1-36) administration reversed these changes in both intact and regenerating bones from diabetic mice in vivo, and in MC3T3-E1 cells exposed to high glucose. These findings strongly suggest that PTHrP has an important role in the altered osteoblastic function related to diabetes.

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (107-139) increases human osteoblastic cell survival by activation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2.

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) (107-139), in contrast to the N-terminal fragment PTHrP (1-36), has been shown to interact with the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) system to modulate human osteoblast differentiation. In this study, we evaluated whether this interaction might affect human osteoblastic cell survival. Pre-incubation with PTHrP (107-139) for 1-24 h dose-dependently (0.1-100 nM) inhibited dexamethasone- or etoposide-induced cell death in human osteoblastic MG-63 cells and human osteoblast-like cells from trabecular bone. This effect, but not that elicited by PTHrP (1-36), was abolished by the VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-2 inhibitors SU5614 and SU1498 or VEGFR-2 siRNA transfection in these cells. PTHrP (107-139), but not PTHrP (1-36), at 100 nM, rapidly (within 2 min) increased VEGFR-2 tyrosine-phosphorylation in MG-63 cells; an effect unaffected by several inhibitors of metalloproteinases, neutralizing VEGF(165) or VEGFR-2 antibodies, or the VEGF binding inhibitor CBO-PP1. The latter two antagonists also failed to affect (125)I-[Tyr(116)] PTHrP (107-115) binding to these cells. Consistent with its effect on VEGFR-2 activation, PTHrP (107-139) rapidly induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and Akt activaton, and both ERK and phosphatidylinsositol-3 kinase (PI3K) inhibitors abolished its pro-survival effect in human osteoblastic cells. In addition, SU5614 and the latter two types of inhibitors abrogated Runx2 activation by this peptide in MG-63 cells. Transfection with a dominant-negative Runx2 construct abolished the pro-survival effect of PTHrP (107-139), associated with a decrease in Bcl-2/Bax protein ratio. Our findings demonstrate that PTHrP (107-139) interacts with VEGFR-2 to promote human osteoblastic cell survival by a mechanism involving Runx2 activation.