Collection Of Biological Samples Research Articles

Antibiotic Resistance Profiles in Eye Infections: A Local Concern with a Retrospective Focus on a Large Hospital in Northern Italy.

The emergence of antibiotic resistance poses a significant threat to public health worldwide, affecting various medical fields, including ophthalmology. Eye infections, ranging from conjunctivitis to more severe conditions like keratitis, are commonly treated with antibiotics. However, the misuse and overuse of these drugs have led to the development of resistant strains of bacteria, allowing traditional treatments ineffective. This paper aims to examine the current situation of antibiotic resistance in eye infections globally, with a specific focus on a large group of hospitals located in Milan (Italy) with considerable experience in cataract and cornea surgery as well as in retinopathy. The results of the study show the prevalence of Gram-positives in the tested samples and a low resistance of fluoroquinolones and glycopeptides. The results also highlight the need to implement sample collection methods for ocular infections, as the quantity of positive samples is rather low compared to the total number of samples. In conclusion, the study, although with limited data, shows that resistance to aminoglycosides and cephalosporins is a situation to be monitored. These data also show the critical need to improve and guide the biological sample collection modalities in order to make the diagnosis more reliable.

Musculoskeletal Biorepository: Establishment, Sustainment, and Tips for Success.

A biorepository, also referred to as a "biobank," is a collection of biologic samples that are stored for laboratory research. With the emergence of precision medicine, the importance of leveraging individual patient biomolecular signatures to improve diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment is becoming increasingly recognized. Successful development and sustainment of a biorepository provides the potential for transformative preclinical research. Establishing a biobank requires a team approach with involvement of the institutions' research laboratory team and regulatory body. Execution of research activities requires a coordinated team approach for case identification, consent process, data and specimen collection, specimen processing, and storage and archiving. The advancing fields of precision medicine and orthobiologics provide incredible opportunities for institutions to generate novel lines of inquiry in musculoskeletal diseases through a multiomics approach (genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, microbiomic). In addition, a biobank is an important component of post-market surveillance for the rapidly emerging field of orthobiologics.

414 Exploration and Validation of CSF miRNAs as Predictors of Delayed Cerebral Ischemia After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Prospective Clinical Study

INTRODUCTION: Approximately one-third of the patients who survive Aneurysmal Subrachnoid Hemorrhage (aSAH) have delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) which contributes to poor clinical outcome. METHODS: A prospectively maintained clinical database was utilized under IRB approval for determination of clinical DCI and collection of biological samples. CSF samples were collected at 2-time points (<24 hours and 72 hours) post-aSAH from patients treated with external ventricular drainage. miRNAs were extracted from exosomes isolated from the CSF. In the first group of patients (exploratory phase), a CSF panel containing 84 miRNAs was analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR as an exploratory phase. Using the findings from the exploratory phase, we subsequently validated 26miRNAs in a second group of patients. RESULTS: We found three miRNAs i.e., miR-150-5p (p=0.02), miR-140-3p (p=0.03), and miR-26b-5p (p=0.01) were significantly upregulated in 72 vs 24 hours in patients that developed DCI. Moreover, we observed miR-451a (p=<0.0001) and miR-106a-5p (p=0.0001) were upregulated in No DCI at 72 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Our study identifies CSF exosomal miRNAs that could be crucial in progressing aSAH to DCI, and another set of miRNAs that possibly helps in aiding protection being entered into DCI. These miRNAs could be considered as potential biomarkers for DCI progression and prevention. Specifically miR-451a and miR-106a-5p may provide a protective role by reducing inflammation mediated by Matrix Metalloproteinases genes, thus crucial in the prevention of DCI. Further validation is important in additional patient cohorts.

Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand position statement: The safe clinical use of sputum induction for bio-sampling of the lower airways in children and adults.

Sputum induction is widely used in clinical settings for collection of biological samples from the lower airways. However, in recent years sputum induction has been associated with serious adverse events and even death. This position statement was commissioned by the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand to address major adverse events of two deaths associated with sputum induction that have occurred in Australia in 2021, and outlines best practice for the safe use of sputum induction. The statement resulted from systematic literature searches by a multi-disciplinary group including respiratory physicians, nurses and physiotherapists (paediatric and adults focused). Consumers had input to an advanced draft of the position statement. The position statement covers indications for sputum induction, informed consent, scope of practice of personnel administering the procedure, infection control considerations, details about the sputum induction procedure, safety considerations and risk assessment in clinical settings.

Cohort profile for the Tongji Cardiovascular Health Study: a prospective multiomics cohort study

PurposeThe Tongji Cardiovascular Health Study aimed to further explore the onset and progression mechanisms of cardiovascular disease (CVD) through a combination of traditional cohort studies and multiomics analysis, including genomics,...

The risk prediction of intergenerational transmission of overweight and obesity between mothers and infants during pregnancy.

Overweight and obesity in mothers before pregnancy lead to overweight and obesity in their offspring, which is the main form of intergenerational transmission of overweight and obesity in early life. Many factors, especially non-genetic factors, may influence intergenerational transmission, but little prediction research has been conducted. Therefore, we analyzed the status of intergenerational transmission in maternal and infant overweight and obesity. Second, we explored the factors during the pregnancy that might affect the the intergenerational transmission; According to the two application scenarios of pregnancy screen and self-management, risk prediction models for pregnant women were carried out. Based on a prospective birth cohort, a total of 908 mothers and offspring were followed up during early life. Follow-up visits were performed at the first trimester, second trimester, third trimester, delivery, 42 days after delivery, and 6 months and 12 months of age. The investigation methods included questionnaire survey, physical examination, biological sample collection and clinical data collection. In terms of risk prediction, univariate analysis was used to screen candidate predictors. Second, multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to determine the final selected predictors. Third, the corresponding histogram models were drawn, and then the 10-fold cross-validation methods were used for internal verification. Regarding intergenerational transmission of overweight and obesity between mothers and infants during pregnancy, the risk prediction model for pregnancy screen was constructed. The model established: h(t|X) = h0(t)exp.(- 0.95 × (Bachelor Degree or above) + 0.75 × (Fasting blood glucose in the second trimester) + 0.89 × (Blood pressure in the third trimester) + 0.80 × (Cholesterol in third trimester) + 0.55 × (Abdominal circumference in third trimester))., with good discrimination (AUC = 0.82) and calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow2 = 4.17). The risk prediction model for self-management was constructed. The model established: h(t|X) = h0(t)exp. (0.98 × (Sedentary >18METs) + 0.88 × (Sleep index≥8) + 0.81 × (Unhealthy eating patterns Q3/Q4) + 0.90 × (Unhealthy eating patterns Q4/Q4) + 0.85 × (Depression)), with good discrimination (AUC = 0.75) and calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow2 = 3.81). The risk predictions of intergenerational transmission of overweight and obesity between mothers and infants were performed for two populations and two application scenarios (pregnancy screening and home self-management). Further research needs to focus on infants and long-term risk prediction models.

The CEPH aging cohort and biobank: a valuable collection of biological samples from exceptionally long-lived French individuals and their offspring for longevity studies

The increasing aging of the human population is currently and for the coming decades a major public health issue in many countries, requiring the implementation of global public health policies promoting healthy and successful aging. Individuals are not equal in the face of aging and some can present exceptional healthspan and/or lifespan, which are notably influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Research and studies on human aging, healthy aging and longevity should rely in particular on cohorts of long-lived individuals, also including biological samples allowing studies on the biology of aging and longevity. In this manuscript, we provide for the first time a complete description of the CEPH (Centre d’Etude du Polymophisme Humain) Aging cohort, an exceptional cohort recruited during the 90s to 2000s, including more than 1700 French long-lived individuals (≥ 90 years old) born between 1875 and 1916 as well as for some of them their siblings and offspring. Among the participants, 1265 were centenarians, including 255 semi-supercentenarians ([105–110] years old) and 25 supercentenarians (≥ 110 years old). The available anthropometric, epidemiologic and clinical data for the cohort participants are described and especially the collection of blood-derived biological samples associated with the cohort which includes DNA, cryopreserved cells and cell lines, plasma, and serum. This biological collection from the first cohort of centenarians in the world is an inestimable resource for ongoing and future molecular, cellular, and functional studies aimed at deciphering the mechanisms of human (successful) aging and longevity.

Single Agent Tagraxofusp in Relapsed/Refractory CD123-Positive Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Preliminary Analysis of Italian Gimema AML2020 Trial

Background and Aims: Tagraxofusp (SL-401; TAG) is a recombinant protein drug consisting of IL3 fused to a truncated diphtheria toxin payload that targets CD123, a subunit of the IL3 receptor, expressed on the surface of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) blasts. TAG is currently approved for the treatment of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm by the FDA and EMA. Here, we report the results of a preliminary analysis of the GIMEMA AML2020 trial which is the first study in Europe investigating the activity and safety of single agent TAG in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) CD123-positive AML. Patients and Methods: In this open-label, multi-center phase 2 study (NCT04342962) adult patients with R/R CD123-positive AML patients who received no more than 2 previous lines of therapy were eligible for enrollment. Tagraxofusp was administered at a dose of 12ug/kg from days 1 to 3 in the first cycle and then given for 5 days. Written informed consent for treatment, data collection and biobanking of biological samples was obtained for each patient enrolled. Results: As of July 2023, 23 patients have been enrolled. Median age was 65 years (41-75). Ten patients had refractory disease; 13 patients had relapsed disease. Nine patients were classified high risk at diagnosis according to ELN2017 classification. First-line treatment consisted of fludarabine-based induction, CPX-351, conventional anthracycline/Ara-C (3+7) induction for 22 patients and 1 patient received reduced intensity induction with hypomethylating agents + venetoclax. Second line treatments included azacytidine, azacytidine + venetoclax, gilteritinib; six patients received TAG as second line treatment. Two patients, who received allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-BMT) while in complete remission (CR), were enrolled at first relapse post-transplant. The median number of TAG cycles was 2 (range 1-10). Overall response rate (ORR) was 34.8% with 2 patients achieving MRD negative CR and 6 patients achieving partial remission (PR). As for treatment duration, 1 patient receiving 4 courses achieved PR and died due to CNS bleeding; 1 patient received 7 courses of TAG for early relapse after allo-BMT and achieved PR; 1 patient received 10 courses achieving PR. Early treatment discontinuation in the other cases was due to disease progression or adverse events (AEs). Emergent AEs are summarized in Figure 1. In addition, 3 patients developed leucocytosis immediately following TAG administration on the first course; in one case it was also associated with lung infiltrates. Capillary leak syndrome (CLS), a disorder characterized by leakage of intravascular fluids into the extravascular space, was reported in 5 patients: 2 patient experienced grade 2 (symptomatic) CLS which resolved with mild supportive treatment; 1 patient experienced grade 3 (severe), 1 grade 4 (life-threatening) and in one case the onset of CLS triggered by infectious event resulted fatal. One patient experienced the onset of acute renal failure and severe hypertension after C1 day 1 which resulted fatal, possibly being consistent with CLS. Conclusions: These results show that single agent TAG can exert anti-leukemic activity in R/R CD123-positive AML, even in cases with very unfavourable prognosis. However, further studies are necessary to disclose predictors of response and of the risk of adverse events. The safety profile observed here is similar to that previously observed for TAG requiring close monitoring of patients and timely supportive measures. However, overlapping of TAG-induced systemic inflammatory responses with refractory disease led to complex clinical management in some cases. Investigation of combinations strategies with TAG is warranted in order to optimize treatment efficacy, especially in the context of R/R AML.

ANDeS: An automated nanoliter droplet selection and collection device

The Droplet Microarray (DMA) has emerged as a tool for high-throughput biological and chemical applications by enabling miniaturization and parallelization of experimental processes. Due to its ability to hold hundreds of nanoliter droplets, the DMA enables simple screening and analysis of samples such as cells and biomolecules. However, handling of nanoliter volumes poses a challenge, as manual recovery of nanoliter volumes is not feasible, and traditional laboratory equipment is not suited to work with such low volumes, and small array formats. To tackle this challenge, we developed the Automated Nanoliter Droplet Selection device (ANDeS), a robotic system for automated collection and transfer of nanoliter samples from DMA.ANDeS can automatically collect volumes from 50 to 350 nL from the flat surface of DMA with a movement accuracy of ±30 µm using fused silica capillaries. The system can automatically collect and transfer the droplets from DMA chip into other platforms, such as microtiter plates, conical tubes or another DMA. In addition, to ensure high throughput and multiple droplet collection, the uptake of multiple droplets within a single capillary, separated by air gaps to avoid mixing of the samples within the capillary, was optimized and demonstrated.This study shows the potential of ANDeS in laboratory applications by using it for the collection and transfer of biological samples, contained in nanoliter droplets, for subsequent analysis. The experimental results demonstrate the ability of ANDeS to increase the versatility of the DMA platform by allowing for automated retrieval of nanoliter samples from DMA, which was not possible manually on the level of individual droplets. Therefore, it widens the variety of analytical techniques that can be used for the analysis of content of individual droplets and experiments performed using DMA. Thus, ANDeS opens up opportunities to expand the development of miniaturized assays in such fields as cell screening, omics analysis and combinatorial chemistry.

Risk Assessment and Risk Management of Incidents of Suspected Poisoning

Abstract Poisoning in livestock, horses and wildlife may be localised or large events involving single or multiple animals and can have public health, economic or medicolegal, as well as animal welfare, implications. Investigation of these incidents is required to determine the cause, assess the risk to other animals and people and instigate an appropriate risk management plan. Investigations will involve clinical examination and history taking, site visits to determine possible sources of poisoning, post-mortem examination and collection of biological (both ante and post-mortem) and environmental samples (water, soil, feed, suspect plants). Interpretation of laboratory analyses and investigations may involve a multidisciplinary team in order to formulate and implement a risk management programme. Specialist advice should be sought early in the investigation in order to ensure appropriate sampling and correct actions are undertaken. Practitioners should be aware of where and how to report incidents, where to seek advice and have some awareness of common toxicological risks, particularly local or seasonal risks, to livestock and other animals. This case study outlines some of the steps that should be undertaken when handling a case of suspected poisoning in animals and highlights some of the possible circumstances and substances that may result in toxicosis. Information © The Author 2023

Non-participation in a health examination survey in a rural-provincial area of Denmark – results from the Lolland-Falster Health Study (LOFUS)

Background: Lolland-Falster Health Study (LOFUS) was a health examination survey that included self-administered questionnaires, clinical examinations, and the collection of biological samples, undertaken in 2016–2020 in a rural, socioeconomically deprived area with the lowest life expectancy in Denmark. The aim of this study was to examine the determinants of non-participation in LOFUS to evaluate the extent to which LOFUS data reflected the general population of the area. Methods: LOFUS invited randomly selected subjects together with their entire household. As determinants of non-participation, we analyzed age, sex, municipality of residency, citizenship, residency status, socioeconomic status, invitation type, and year of invitation. Relative risk regression was used to estimate the association between determinants and non-participation rate, mutually adjusted for other determinants. Results: In total, 53,313 subjects were invited of whom 18,949 (36%) participated. In the multivariable analysis, men had a 3% higher non-participation rate than women; subjects with citizenship other than Danish had a 3% higher non-participation rate than Danes. In-migrants had 6% higher non-participation than long-term residents. Compared with self-supported subjects aged 30–64, both publicly supported subjects of this age and younger and older subjects had higher non-participation rates: 16%, 16%, and 13%, respectively. Compared with self-supported, long-term residents, publicly supported in-migrants had 23% higher non-participation. Conclusions: Only about one third of subjects invited to LOFUS participated. Yet, this is a relatively high participation rate compared with other recent health examination surveys in Denmark. Furthermore, there was a relatively flat social gradient in the non-participation rate across the studied determinants.

River Habitat Survey: Does This Help to Explain the Nature of Water Mite (Acari and Hydrachnidia) Assemblages?

In the European Union, assessments of the quality of the aquatic environment based on aquatic invertebrates are mandatory. Biological methods are supplemented with hydromorphological assessments of watercourses. There are many studies analysing the relationships between aquatic invertebrates and the hydromorphological assessment of the environment by the River Habitat Survey (RHS) method, but thus far, there has been no detailed study including water mites (Acari, Hydrachnidia) and the application of this method. In the present study, the following research hypothesis was put forth: a hydromorphological characterization of habitats is a significant element explaining the nature of water mite communities, and the RHS method can be used to predict the characteristics of Hydrachnidia populations in a river. The research was carried out in a small lowland river, the River Krąpiel (north-western Poland). Six locations were selected as representative of some state of habitat modification for the assessment of the hydromorphological conditions of the river and the collection of biological samples. The following conclusions can be drawn from the research: (1) the biology and ecology of water mites make them suitable as bioindicators of the environment, including hydromorphological modifications, and (2) the hydromorphological characteristics of habitats explain the nature of water mite communities in the river at the level of general population parameters (number of specimens and species), while at the species level, general regularities in water mite fauna distribution in river ecosystems, the continuity of the river ecosystem, and characteristics at a smaller spatial scale (habitat scale) better explain water mite community structure than the hydromorphological indices determined for a given site or section of the river.

Contributing to an autism biobank: Diverse perspectives from autistic participants, family members and researchers.

A lot of autism research has focused on finding genes that might cause autism. To conduct these genetic studies, researchers have created 'biobanks' - collections of biological samples (such as blood, saliva, urine, stool and hair) and other health information (such as cognitive assessments and medical histories). Our study focused on the Australian Autism Biobank, which collected biological and health information from almost 1000 Australian autistic children and their families. We wanted to know what people thought about giving their information to the Biobank and why they chose to do so. We spoke to 71 people who gave to the Biobank, including 18 autistic adolescents and young adults, 46 of their parents and seven of their siblings. We also spoke to six researchers who worked on the Biobank project. We found that people were interested in giving their information to the Biobank so they could understand why some people were autistic. Some people felt knowing why could help them make choices about having children in the future. People also wanted to be involved in the Biobank because they believed it could be a resource that could help others in the future. They also trusted that scientists would keep their information safe and were keen to know how that information might be used in the future. Our findings show that people have lots of different views about autism biobanks. We suggest researchers should listen to these different views as they develop their work.

SARS-CoV-2 genome incidence on the inanimate surface of the material used in the flow of biological samples from the collection point to the testing unit.

Despite the undeniable effect of vaccination against COVID-19 in reducing disease severity, there is still a need to monitor and limit SARS-CoV-2 circulation and transmission. Thus, this study evaluated the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 genome on the surfaces of highly touched objects manipulated in the biological sample collection point and at the reception unit of the diagnostic laboratory. Surfaces were sampled once a week, for 6weeks, between September 18th and October 23rd, 2020. RT-qPCR was used for SARS-CoV-2 detection. The coolers for biological sample transportation and the envelope containing the patient form were the objects with the highest occurrence of viral genome detection, although it was detected in each object in only two of the 6 evaluations. And the SARS-CoV-2 genome was detected just once on the vehicle steering wheel, computer keyboard, bathroom door handle and disinfection bench. The virus genome was not detected in any object on three of the six evaluations. And eight was the largest number of surfaces contaminated by the virus genome on one occasion. The reduced incidence of object contamination by the SARS-CoV-2 genome can be explained by the exposure of the objects to environmental conditions and the adoption of virus-spread containment measures. It can also reflect the low incidence of SARS-CoV-2 during the study's development period. Despite the low frequency of SARS-CoV-2 genome detection, our findings show that the virus was present in the environment at some point. This highlights the importance of adopting personal preventive measures to reduce respiratory virus spread, especially during epidemics and outbreaks.

Healthy Finland survey as the latest uptake for 50 years of population health monitoring in Finland

Abstract In Finland, population-based health examination surveys (HESs) have been conducted in regularly since early 1960's to obtain information on population health and health determinants. These surveys have covered adult population living in the mainland Finland. Surveys have always been conducted by specially trained personnel using international standardized protocols such as WHO MONICA protocol or EHES protocol. The latest HES, Healthy Finland, is ongoing and will run until June 2023. The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) had the responsibility of the coordination of the preparation phase as well as conducting the survey. Survey planning was started already in early 2021 with a multidisciplinary group including representatives from different stakeholders. Survey sample includes 66.000 randomly selected adults aged 18+ years living in Finland. In the 1st phase, they receive a questionnaire to be filled in. Questionnaire covers topics such as quality of life, health, use of health care services, lifestyles, background information, work ability and functional capacity, wellbeing, accidents, and sexual and reproductive health. In the 2nd phase, 10.000 of those selected to the survey were invited to health examination including for example anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, spirometry test, collection of biological samples and sub-studies. This from these national HESs has been widely used for policy making, planning and evaluation of the prevention programmes, as epidemiological background for clinical treatment guidelines of several diseases, and for research. Information obtained from the Healthy Finland survey will be used for the evaluation of wellbeing service counties which are responsible for the organization of social and health care services in Finland. Survey will generate new information about health inequalities by providing information not only by age and sex but also by education and other socio-economic indicators.

Blood pressure measurement device change in the Healthy Finland health examination survey

Abstract Background Blood pressure (BP) measurements in health examination surveys (HESs) are needed for public health monitoring. In Finland, population-based HESs with BP measurements have been performed with mercury sphygmomanometers since the 1960's. The use of oscillometric devices has rendered sphygmomanometers impractical for health surveys. This study describes the change in BP measurement method and mean BP values in Finnish HESs. Methods 66 000 randomly selected adults living in Finland were invited to the Healthy Finland questionnaire-based health survey in 2022-2023. Of those, 10 000 were asked to participate in a HES including BP, anthropometric, and functional capacity measurements as well as collection of biological samples. Prior to the selection of the new oscillometric BP device, validation studies for devices were evaluated, and the availability was checked. BP measurements were performed using WatchBP Office Vascular (TWIN200 VSR) device. Results Two consecutive BP measurements were obtained from 3424 participants aged 30 years or older (ongoing until 6/2023). The mean (95% CI) systolic blood pressures (SBP) for men and women were 137.1 (136.2-140.0) and 134.7 mmHg (133.7-135.6), respectively. The corresponding values for diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were 82.3 (81.8-82.8) and 79.3 mmHg (78.9-79.8). The mean difference (95% CI) between the 1st and the 2nd SBP measurements were -2.4 (-2.7- -2.0) and -1.8 (-2.1- -1.4) in men and women, while the corresponding values for DBP were -1.1 (-1.4- -0.9) and -1.2 (-1.5- -1.0). Distribution of measurements was Gaussian apat from some values, that were unlikely to be obtained (SBP: 155, 156, 157; DBP: 96, 99). Conclusions Oscillometric BP provide reliable data in HESs. Finnish BP levels may be on the rise. Further reseach is needed to estimate the effects of gaps in the measurement algorithm of TWIN200 VSR and the differences in consecutive measurements. Key messages • In a health examination survey, oscillometric blood pressure measurements led to similar results as with a sphygmomanometer. • Algorithm gaps and smaller difference on successive measurements were seen.

EuCARE-hospitalised study protocol: a cohort study of patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in the EuCARE project

BackgroundSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2), the virus responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), can lead to hospitalisation, particularly in elderly, immunocompromised, and non-vaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals. Although vaccination provides protection, the duration of this protection wanes over time. Additional doses can restore immunity, but the influence of viral variants, specific sequences, and vaccine-induced immune responses on disease severity remains unclear. Moreover, the efficacy of therapeutic interventions during hospitalisation requires further investigation. The study aims to analyse the clinical course of COVID-19 in hospitalised patients, taking into account SARS-CoV-2 variants, viral sequences, and the impact of different vaccines. The primary outcome is all-cause in-hospital mortality, while secondary outcomes include admission to intensive care unit and length of stay, duration of hospitalisation, and the level of respiratory support required.MethodsThis ongoing multicentre study observes hospitalised adult patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, utilising a combination of retrospective and prospective data collection. It aims to gather clinical and laboratory variables from around 35,000 patients, with potential for a larger sample size. Data analysis will involve biostatistical and machine-learning techniques. Selected patients will provide biological material. The study started on October 14, 2021 and is scheduled to end on October 13, 2026.DiscussionThe analysis of a large sample of retrospective and prospective data about the acute phase of SARS CoV-2 infection in hospitalised patients, viral variants and vaccination in several European and non-European countries will help us to better understand risk factors for disease severity and the interplay between SARS CoV-2 variants, immune responses and vaccine efficacy. The main strengths of this study are the large sample size, the long study duration covering different waves of COVID-19 and the collection of biological samples that allows future research.Trial registrationThe trial has been registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The unique identifier assigned to this trial is NCT05463380.

CN84 Development of a unit for collection of biological samples and clinical data from cancer patients coordinated by nursing: The translational oncology research project (INTRON)

CN84 Development of a unit for collection of biological samples and clinical data from cancer patients coordinated by nursing: The translational oncology research project (INTRON)

Short-term and repeated exposure to particulate matter sizes from Imperial Valley, California to induce inflammation and asthmatic-like symptoms in mice

ABSTRACT Imperial Valley, California has become increasingly hot, dry, and polluted over the past decade. Particulate matter (PM) levels are amongst the highest in this State, associated with significantly higher asthma prevalence among children in the region compared to national and state averages. The present study was performed to test the hypothesis that Imperial Valley PM by size and chemical composition might possess allergenic properties following introduction into murine lungs without prior sensitization to a known allergen with size fraction as a determining factor. In acute exposure experiments, BALB/c male mice were administered a single 50-μl oropharyngeal aspiration of nanopure water (H2O; control) or a stock 1 μg/μl PM solution. In sub-acute exposure experiments, male and female mice were treated with a total of six 16.6-μl intranasal instillations of H2O or stock PM solution over the course of 14 days. In all experiments, pulmonary function tests were performed 24 hr after the final instillation followed by necropsies for the collection of biological samples. Inflammatory responses measured via cellularity in histopathological tissue sections as well as significant, marked influxes of eosinophils and lymphocytes were noted in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in mice administered PM compared to control. Allergic responses, including airway hyperresponsiveness and significantly increased expression of IL-1ß, were found in male mice exposed to either PM2.5 or ultrafine (PMUF). A combination of all three size fractions of PM from Imperial Valley initiated atopic and asthmatic-like symptoms in the lungs of mice in the absence of additional allergen or preexisting condition.

Biobank Education for Future Physicians: Training Medical Students Through Student Research Association Networks.

Research biobanks have become crucial collaborators in a variety of basic and clinical research projects with comprehensive biological sample collection and associated data storage. Medical students, who are the most important stakeholders of biobanks as future physicians, need to be trained in biobanking; however, there is no consensus on how to include it in formal education. This study aimed to determine and increase awareness among medical students regarding biobanks through peer training organized online by medical student research association networks. Volunteer medical or graduate students were trained by biobank professionals at the Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG) biobank for 6-9 months. Then, a biobank event was planned by these trainees, the Ege Scientific Research Team (ESRT), and IBG-Biobank with the support of The Biobanking and BioMolecular Resources Research Infrastructure (BBMRI) Turkey. The study reached students of 46 different medical faculties. Before the event, students' level of knowledge about biobanks was identified using a pre-event questionnaire (n = 239). Following 2 days (4 main sessions) of online events, a post-event questionnaire was administered to event participants (n = 110) and 80.9% of them answered (n = 89). The pre-event survey revealed that only 34.3% of the medical students had heard of the term "Biobank" in Turkey. After the event, medical students were significantly more enthusiastic about putting effort into biobanking and using and sharing stored biobank samples of their patients compared with the pre-event (p < 0.0001). Moreover, 92% of the students stated that they would consider attending an advanced course in biobanking. In conclusion, the current study demonstrates that extracurricular courses with peer learning methods coordinated with medical student associations can be valuable in increasing future physicians' awareness and knowledge of biobanking.