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Abstract:Objectives: This analysis aims to examine different trajectories of cannabis use within adolescents and young adults in Germany before and during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between January and Mid-February 2022 with 16,765 German youths aged 14 to 21 years (51.4 % female). Group-based trajectory modelling based on retrospective data on cannabis use before and during different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic was calculated with subsequent multinomial analysis predicting trajectory group membership by sociodemographic variables, sensation seeking and experienced pandemic related burdens. Results: Five different trajectory groups of cannabis users were observed: rare cannabis users (53 %), increasing cannabis users, rare pre-pandemic use (22 %), increasing cannabis users, moderate pre-pandemic use (12 %), decreasing cannabis users (8 %), and (nearly) daily cannabis users (6 %). Individuals with older age, male gender, higher sensation seeking, lower education, and a higher pandemic-related burden were significantly more likely to report a more frequent/heavy cannabis use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: The large proportion of youths with an increased cannabis use during the COVID-19 pandemic shows need for low threshold help offers, and cannabis prevention programs. Due to the study design, one should be careful with causal interpretations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disabling disease of the CNS. Inflammatory features of MS include lymphocyte accumulations in the CNS and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The preclinical events leading to established MS are still enigmatic. Here we compared gene expression patterns of CSF cells from MS-discordant monozygotic twin pairs. Six 'healthy' co-twins, who carry a maximal familial risk for developing MS, showed subclinical neuroinflammation (SCNI) with small MRI lesions. Four of these subjects had oligoclonal bands (OCBs). By single-cell RNA sequencing of 2752 CSF cells, we identified clonally expanded [CD8.sup.+] T cells, plasmablasts, and, to a lesser extent, [CD4.sup.+] T cells not only from MS patients but also from subjects with SCNI. In contrast to nonexpanded T cells, clonally expanded T cells showed characteristics of activated tissue-resident memory T ([T.sub.RM]) cells. The [T.sub.RM]-like phenotype was detectable already in cells from SCNI subjects but more pronounced in cells from patients with definite MS. Expanded plasmablast clones were detected only in MS and SCNI subjects with OCBs. Our data provide evidence for very early concomitant activation of 3 components of the adaptive immune system in MS, with a notable contribution of clonally expanded [T.sub.RM]-like [CD8.sup.+] cells., Introduction Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most frequent inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS). A variety of lymphocyte subtypes invade the brain parenchyma, where they sustain chronic inflammation [...]

Background: Physical activity (PA) is one of the most important health behaviors that may be modified by each individual. To foster PA in adolescents, a school-based intervention was evaluated. Methods: A cluster-randomized controlled trial with preassessment in 2014 and follow-up assessment in 2015 included 29 schools with 1020 students (47.6% girls, mean age = 13.69 years). Intervention students received pedometers and monitored their steps for 12 weeks. Classes with the most steps were awarded. Primary outcomes included moderate-to-vigorous PA, out-of-school sports activities, active transport assessed through questionnaires, as well as cardiorespiratory fitness measured using the 20-m shuttle-run test and anthropometric data (weight, height, body fat, and waist circumference) assessed by study staff. Results: Significant interaction terms between group and time were found for all 3 indicators of PA; intervention students showed a higher increase of PA than control students. The same pattern was shown for cardiorespiratory fitness, but the effect missed significance. A more favorable development for the intervention students was shown for body fat and waist-to-height ratio, while there was no effect on body mass index percentile. Conclusions: An easy way to administer school-based PA program may enhance students' leisure-time PA even 1 year after the intervention has ended.

Risk is always present in people's lives: diseases, new technologies, socio-scientific issues (SSIs) such as climate change, and advances in medicine--to name just a few examples--all carry risks. To be able to navigate risks in everyday life, as well as to participate in social debate on risk-related issues, students need to develop risk competence. Science education can be a powerful tool in supporting students' risk competence, which is an important component of scientific literacy. As there are different definitions of risk within the scientific community, the aims of this article are (1) to review the literature on two major theoretical frameworks for conceptualising risk, the realist, and the constructivist paradigms of risk and (2) to connect both in order to suggest a working definition of what can be understood as risk competence in science instruction.

To assess the association of regional socioeconomic deprivation and nicotine use, survey data from 17,877 pupils aged 9–17 years were analysed. Lifetime use of combustible, e-cigarettes, and both products were the outcome variables. The German Index of Socioeconomic Deprivation was the exposure variable. Logistic regression models controlling for age, gender, school type, and sensation seeking were used to examine associations between regional socioeconomic deprivation and nicotine use. Ever use of combustible cigarettes was 17.8%, of e-cigarettes 19.6%, and of both products 13.4%. Compared to the most affluent area, the adjusted odds ratio of combustible cigarette use in the most deprived area was 2.24 (95% CI: 1.67–3.00), of e-cigarette use 1.56 (95% CI: 1.20–2.03), and of poly use 1.91 (95% CI: 1.36–2.69). Nicotine use among young people across ages and especially in socioeconomic-deprived areas was widespread. Nicotine control measures are urgently needed to reduce smoking and vaping in German adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a genetically highly heterogeneous disease. Yet, to date, the vast majority of patients receive standardized frontline chemo-immune-therapy consisting of an anthracycline backbone. Using these regimens, approximately 65% of patients can be cured, whereas the remaining 35% of patients will face relapsed or refractory disease, which, even in the era of CAR-T cells, is difficult to treat. To systematically tackle this high medical need, it is important to design, generate and deploy suitable in vivo model systems that capture disease biology, heterogeneity and drug response. Recently published, large comprehensive genomic characterization studies, which defined molecular sub-groups of DLBCL, provide an ideal framework for the generation of autochthonous mouse models, as well as an ideal benchmark for cell line-derived or patient-derived mouse models of DLBCL. Here we discuss the current state of the art in the field of mouse modelling of human DLBCL, with a particular focus on disease biology and genetically defined molecular vulnerabilities, as well as potential targeting strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed an opioid hazard awareness module for inclusion in required miner safety refresher training. The module was disseminated throughout the United States and post-training surveys showed improved knowledge and positive response to the training. Clinicians can improve care of high-risk worker patients by recommending employer support for such training. Objective: In response to elevated risk factors, an opioid hazard awareness training for the sand, stone, and gravel mining sector was developed and embedded in annual safety training. Methods: After positive results from a prior study among Massachusetts workers, a revised training was disseminated across the United States. Two hundred post-training surveys were obtained and compared with results from the Massachusetts cohort. Results: Participants' knowledge about opioid-based medications, confidence in talking to a doctor about opioids and/or to a coworker about their own use of opioids, and ability to refer struggling coworkers to resources improved. Massachusetts respondents had slightly more favorable responses. Both cohorts had strong positive views of the training. Conclusions: These results highlight the feasibility and effectiveness of opioid hazard prevention training for a high-risk worker population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the relationship between regional socioeconomic deprivation and adherence to the 24-h movement guidelines among children and adolescents, a cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 17,433 students aged 9–17 participated in a survey in winter 2021/2022. Daily screen time (ST), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and sleep behavior were outcome variables. The German Index of Socioeconomic Deprivation (GISD), a regional socioeconomic objective measure, was the exposure variable. Associations between GISD and health behaviors were examined using regression models. Models were adjusted for age, gender, school type, and individual self-reported socioeconomic status (SES). The proportions of meeting the MVPA, ST, and sleep duration guidelines were 14%, 22%, and 34%, respectively. A total of 2.3% met all guidelines. Students from the most deprived communities were half as likely to meet all three guidelines compared to students from the most affluent regions (OR = 0.49 [0.28; −0.03], p = 0.010). There was a consistent relationship between GISD and lower levels of adherence to screen time guidelines (most deprived compared to most affluent: OR = 0.49 [0.38; 0.64], p < 0.001). There was no association between GISD and adherence to sleep time guidelines. We found mixed results for the association between GISD and MVPA. Regional SES appears to be an important factor associated with screen time. Screen time should be limited through intervention programs, especially in disadvantaged areas. Parents should be made aware of their children's increased media consumption. Recommendations for screen time should be clearly communicated, as should the health disadvantages of increased media consumption in childhood and adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB) is diagnosed through sputum samples. As sputum sampling is challenging in children and cachexic patients, the development of diagnostic tests using saliva appears promising but has been discouraged due to low bacterial load and poor sensitivity. Here, we present a novel and rapid method to enrich Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) from saliva, which may serve as a basis for a diagnostic saliva test. Methods: Lipobiotin-functionalized magnetic beads (LMBs) were incubated with Mtb-spiked PBS and saliva from healthy donors as well as with saliva from TB patients. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the capacity of the beads to bind Mtb, while real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was utilized to detect Mtb and determine the amount of mycobacterial DNA in different sample types. Results: We found that LMBs bind Mtb efficiently when compared to non-functionalized beads. The development of an qPCR assay based on the use of LMBs (LMB assay) allowed us to enrich mycobacterial DNA in spiked sample types, including PBS and saliva from healthy donors (enrichment of up to ~8.7 fold). In Mtb-spiked saliva samples, we found that the LMB assay improved the detection rate of 102 bacteria in a volume of 5 ml from 0 out of 15 (0%) to 6 out of 15 (40%). Consistent with that, the LMB assay increased the rate of correctly identified saliva samples from TB patients in two independent cohorts. Conclusions: Implementation of the principle of the LMB-based assay may improve the sensitivity of existing diagnostic techniques, e.g. by functionalizing materials that facilitate Mtb sampling from the oral cavity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]