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(1) Background: The interplay between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and laryngeal cancer represents a substantial challenge for both patients and healthcare. To garner information on recent mortality data for laryngeal cancer, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, we analyzed real-world data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2) Methods: We searched the CDC WONDER online database 2018–2022 using the ICD-10 code for laryngeal cancer (C32; malignant neoplasm of the larynx). We also performed a sub-analysis between genders and across ten-year age groups. The data were analyzed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s post hoc test. (3) Results: The trend of age-adjusted mortality ×100,000 did not change significantly between the years 2018 and 2022 (p = 0.553). Males had higher age-adjusted mortality rates (M/F ratios between 4.6 and 5.0), but no significant variation was found in both genders (males: p = 0.676; females: p = 0.596). Although the mortality rate remained unchanged in people aged 35–84 years, the variation reached statistical significance in those aged 85 or older (p = 0.004), displaying a significant increase in 2021 compared to 2018 (p = 0.006) and 2019 (p = 0.039). (4) Conclusions: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality for laryngeal cancer seems to be relatively modest in the general US population. Nevertheless, closer attention must be paid to older people, for whom the unfavorable consequences of misdiagnosis or mistreatment of this and other types of cancers can be exacerbated.

Dear Editor, There are now several lines of evidence that millions of people around the world use bicycles as a routine means of transportation. In the US alone, for example, the website Statista estimates that 55 million people use bicycles as a primary or complementary mode of transportation, with a trend that has been steadily increasing over the past decade. In addition to the positive environmental impact of cycling as an alternative means of transportation for reducing pollution, cycling also offers numerous health and wellness benefits. Nevertheless, cycling injuries on the road are still a primary health concern, as collisions with motor vehicles or accidental falls can cause serious harm to cyclists. [...]

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) has become widespread in many areas of science and medicine, including laboratory medicine. Although it seems obvious that the analytical and post-analytical phases could be the most important fields of application in laboratory medicine, a kaleidoscope of new opportunities has emerged to extend the benefits of AI to many manual labor-intensive activities belonging to the pre-analytical phase, which are inherently characterized by enhanced vulnerability and higher risk of errors. These potential applications involve increasing the appropriateness of test prescription (with computerized physician order entry or demand management tools), improved specimen collection (using active patient recognition, automated specimen labeling, vein recognition and blood collection assistance, along with automated blood drawing), more efficient sample transportation (facilitated by the use of pneumatic transport systems or drones, and monitored with smart blood tubes or data loggers), systematic evaluation of sample quality (by measuring serum indices, fill volume or for detecting sample clotting), as well as error detection and analysis. Therefore, this opinion paper aims to discuss the state-of-the-art and some future possibilities of AI in the preanalytical phase.

Laboratory medicine has undergone a deep and multifaceted revolution in the course of human history, in both organizational and technical terms. Over the past century, there has been a growing recognition of the need to centralize numerous diagnostic activities, often similar or identical but located in different clinical departments, into a common environment (i.e., the medical laboratory service), followed by a progressive centralization of tests from smaller laboratories into larger diagnostic facilities. Nevertheless, the numerous technological advances that emerged at the beginning of the new millennium have helped to create a new testing culture characterized by a countervailing trend of decentralization of some tests closer to patients and caregivers. The forces that have driven this (centripetal) counter-revolution essentially include a few key concepts, namely “home testing”, “portable or even wearable devices” and “remote patient monitoring”. By their very nature, laboratory medical services and remote patient testing/monitoring are not contradictory, but may well coexist, with the choice of one or the other depending on the demographic and clinical characteristics of the patient, the type of analytical procedure and the logistics and local organization of the care system. Therefore, this article aims to provide a general overview of patient self-testing, with a particular focus on portable and wearable (including implantable) devices.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious respiratory illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease, first identified in the Chinese city of Wuhan in November 2019, has since spread worldwide, is the latest human pandemic and has officially infected over 800 million people and has caused nearly seven million deaths to date. Although SARS-CoV-2 belongs to the large family of coronaviruses, it has some unique biological characteristics in its interplay with the human host. Therefore, this narrative review aims to provide an up-to-date overview of the structure of the virus, incubation and shedding in the human host, infectivity and biological evolution over time, as well as the main mechanisms for invading human host cells and replicating within. We also proffer that ongoing epidemiological surveillance of newly emerged variants must always be accompanied by biological studies aimed at deciphering new advantageous traits that may contribute to increasing virulence and pathogenicity, such that the most appropriate strategies for establishing a (relatively) safe coexistence with the human host can be implemented.

The aim of this study was to compare three different anesthetic protocols administered intramuscularly (IM) in cats undergoing elective ovariectomy, while evaluating the quality of sedation, antinociceptive, isoflurane-sparing effect, and analgesia in the intra-operative and post-operative phases. A total of 71 female cats were sedated IM with alfaxalone (3 mg/kg) combined with either butorphanol (0.3 mg/kg), methadone (0.3 mg/kg), or pethidine (5 mg/kg). During surgery, vital parameters were constantly monitored; at the end of the procedure, the quality of recovery was assessed through a specific form and each cat was scored for perceived pain using the UNESP-Botucatu scale for 5 days, and rescue analgesia was provided with buprenorphine IM when indicated. Moreover, differences between two different post-operative resting regimens (hospital kennels vs. home) were also assessed. A significant difference emerged for the amount of IM dexmedetomidine required to achieve an adequate level of sedation for intravenous catheterization, highlighting a greater need in the pethidine group (p = 0.021). There was no significant difference between opioid groups for the requirement of intra-operative rescue analgesia, and the clinical parameters were kept within physiological ranges regardless of the opioid used in premedication. Lastly, differences between the UNESP-Botucatu scores were detected from day 3 to day 5 post-operatively, with lower scores in cats with home resting regimens compared to the hospitalized animals, likely due to the presence of an unfamiliar condition and the absence of a cat-friendly environment.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a life-threatening infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was first identified in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019 and has subsequently spread worldwide, reaching pandemic proportions [...]

ABSTRACT Sequential crops may be affected by herbicide residuals in the soil. In corn crop there are reports of problems when the crop is sown soon after application of ACCase-inhibiting herbicides. The aim of this study was to evaluate safety intervals for the application of ACCase-inhibiting herbicides before sowing corn in different soils. Two experiments were conducted in a greenhouse, and in the field conditions. In both, the experimental design were completely randomized in factorial scheme 6x4+1 (6 periods of application x 4 herbicides + 1 control) with five replications. The treatments were: haloxyfop-P-methyl (124.7 g ha-1), clethodim – formulation 1 (192 g ha-1), quizalofop-P-ethyl (100 g ha-1) and clethodim formulation 2 (192 g ha-1) in applications at 15, 10, 5, 3, 1 and 0 days before sowing in sandy and clayey soil. In the greenhouse, formulations based on clethodim were more safety in both types of soils, and safety intervals for clethodim-based herbicides were 5 days and greater than 15 days for quizalofop-P-ethyl and haloxyfop. Haloxyfop should not be applied on day of sowing in clay soil. In the field none of the treatments compromised the development and yield of the crop, even when applied on the day of sowing.

Background: This systematic literature review and meta-analysis investigated whether the red blood cell distribution (RDW) may predict survival outcomes in laryngeal cancer patients undergoing curative treatment. Methods: We conducted an electronic search in Medline and Scopus using the keywords "red blood cell distribution width" OR "RDW" AND "laryngeal cancer" OR "larynx cancer" OR "laryngeal carcinoma" OR "larynx carcinoma," without time or language restrictions (up to February 2023), for identifying studies investigating the prognostic value of RDW in patients with any form of laryngeal cancer and with a primary endpoint that was set as survival rate and/or disease-free survival between 1 and 10 years after curative treatment. The research was conducted according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) 2020 reporting checklist. Results: The digital search enabled us to identify five studies, that were finally included in our pooled analysis (survival rate and/or disease-free survival covered a window between 2.7-8.3 years). In four of the five studies, an enhanced RDW value in laryngeal cancer patients undergoing surgical or radiation treatment was associated with poorer survival (range of odds ratio ORs, 2.28-10.44). In the pooled analysis, increased RDW conferred an over 3fold higher risk of dying during follow-up after curative treatment for laryngeal cancer (OR, 3.37; 95%CI, 1.41-8.10). Conclusion: RDW retains a clinically important prognostic value in patients with laryngeal cancer undergoing curative treatment. Clinicians could acknowledge this information for using a more aggressive therapy or setting narrower follow-up in laryngeal cancer patients with increased RDW values.

Abstract A series of surface‐functionalized gold nanocatalysts are synthesized. Through diazonium chemistry, calix[4]arene molecules are grafted at the gold surface. Sharing the same anchoring function and a common backbone, the calix[4]arene ligands possess distinct terminal chemical functions where the length, hydrophobic nature, and oxygen affinity are varied. Thanks to the versatility of the calix[4]arene platform, this paper only focuses on the molecular tuning of the solid/liquid interface through the change of the tail groups while electronic effects that are regulated by the anchoring function will be similar for all catalysts. Electrocatalytic tests demonstrate the influence of the tails group on the oxygen reduction reaction performances, including efficiency, selectivity, and durability. Beyond a pure geometric steric effect, it is shown that chemical properties of the ligands can effectively tune the interactions between the metallic catalyst and the electrolyte and reactants.

Laboratory medicine has undergone a deep and multifaceted revolution in the course of human history, in both organizational and technical terms. Over the past century, there has been a growing recognition of the need to centralize numerous diagnostic activities, often similar or identical but located in different clinical departments, into a common environment (i.e., the medical laboratory service), followed by a progressive centralization of tests from smaller laboratories into larger diagnostic facilities. Nevertheless, the numerous technological advances that emerged at the beginning of the new millennium have helped to create a new testing culture characterized by a countervailing trend of decentralization of some tests closer to patients and caregivers. The forces that have driven this (centripetal) counter-revolution essentially include a few key concepts, namely "home testing", "portable or even wearable devices" and "remote patient monitoring". By their very nature, laboratory medical services and remote patient testing/monitoring are not contradictory, but may well coexist, with the choice of one or the other depending on the demographic and clinical characteristics of the patient, the type of analytical procedure and the logistics and local organization of the care system. Therefore, this article aims to provide a general overview of patient self-testing, with a particular focus on portable and wearable (including implantable) devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linseed is an oilseed crop that is widely used in human and animal feed, as a cover crop in agroecosystems, and for fiber production. To facilitate the management of weeds in the crop, this study aimed to evaluate potential selective herbicides for linseed cultivation applied in pre-planting and incorporation (PPI), pre-emergence (PRE), and early (POST) and late (late POST) post-emergence stages, since there are presently no herbicides registered for use on linseed in Brazil. Therefore, four experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design with four replications, and five (exp. 1), 21 (exp. 2), 26 (exp. 3), and four (exp. 4) treatments. Crop injury and the fresh and dry matter of the plants were evaluated. Experiment 4 was conducted until seed production, and data on the final height, number of capsules, and yield were obtained. The results were characterized by the low selectivity of herbicides during pre-emergence, whether incorporated or not, and indicated 11 herbicides with potential selectivity in post-emergence, whether early or late, namely: bentazon, bentazon + imazamox, clethodim + fenoxaprop, clethodim, flumiclorac, fluazifop, flumioxazin, haloxyfop, nicosulfuron, tembotrione, and tepraloxydim. Linseed is demonstrated to be susceptible to or has low tolerance to various herbicides.

Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is a phytohormone produced by many rhizobacterial species to mediate plant colonization while promoting plant growth. The colorimetric assay is widely used to analyze the bacterial IAA biosynthesis because it is a straightforward, cost-effective and fast technique. However, the characterization of parts or fractions of inoculant formulations is rarely performed. This study aimed to determine the fraction of the inoculant that is effective in promoting the plant growth, whether the bacteria or media growth can induce the phytohormones to expand the radicular zone of the plant, and whether the seed bacterization or foliar application can alter the plant growth. The inoculum samples (homemade and commercial) were obtained in a Luria-Bertani growth medium with and without tryptophan-L and the inoculants were divided into two fractions: pellet and supernatant. For the IAA quantification, the pellet fraction was subjected to physical (sonication) and chemical (lysozyme) treatments alone and combined. The IAA levels were evaluated using the colorimetric assay, and the effect on plant growth was determined by the inoculation of maize seedlings. The homemade and commercial formulations showed distinct patterns, in terms of IAA synthesis. The supernatant fraction provided higher amounts of IAA and was effective in improving the root area. Lysozyme was superior to sonication in mediating the release of IAA from bacterial cells. No significant differences were observed between seed or foliar inoculation.

Background: Tinnitus is a highly prevalent and frequently disabling condition, such that the identification of possible causal mechanisms would yield significant clinical and social benefits. Since vitamin D (Vit D) is involved in the pathogenesis of several ear disturbances, we review here the current scientific literature addressing the relationship between Vit D status and tinnitus. Methods: An electronic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science with the keywords “tinnitus” and “Vitamin D” or “Vit D” or “25OH-D” or “cholecalciferol” or “ergocalciferol” or “hydroxycholecalciferol”, without date (i.e., up to 8 February 2023) or language restrictions, in accordance with a protocol based on the transparent reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) 2020 checklist, for identifying studies which assayed serum Vit D concentration in patients with or without tinnitus. Results: Three observational, case-control studies encompassing four cohorts and totaling 468 patients with (n = 268) or without tinnitus (n = 200) were included in this meta-analysis. Pooled analysis with quality effects models evidenced significantly reduced serum Vit D levels in patients with tinnitus compared to those without (weighted mean difference [WMD], −6.2 ng/mL; 95% CI, −10.3 to −2.1 ng/mL; I2, 56%). Serum Vit D was found to be 22% lower in patients with tinnitus compared to those without. Conclusions: Lower serum Vit D levels may be associated with tinnitus, thus paving the way to plan future trials aimed at exploring whether Vit D supplementation may aid in preventing and/or improving tinnitus.

(1) Background: The interplay between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and laryngeal cancer represents a substantial challenge for both patients and healthcare. To garner information on recent mortality data for laryngeal cancer, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, we analyzed real-world data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2) Methods: We searched the CDC WONDER online database 2018–2022 using the ICD-10 code for laryngeal cancer (C32; malignant neoplasm of the larynx). We also performed a sub-analysis between genders and across ten-year age groups. The data were analyzed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post hoc test. (3) Results: The trend of age-adjusted mortality ×100,000 did not change significantly between the years 2018 and 2022 (p = 0.553). Males had higher age-adjusted mortality rates (M/F ratios between 4.6 and 5.0), but no significant variation was found in both genders (males: p = 0.676; females: p = 0.596). Although the mortality rate remained unchanged in people aged 35–84 years, the variation reached statistical significance in those aged 85 or older (p = 0.004), displaying a significant increase in 2021 compared to 2018 (p = 0.006) and 2019 (p = 0.039). (4) Conclusions: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality for laryngeal cancer seems to be relatively modest in the general US population. Nevertheless, closer attention must be paid to older people, for whom the unfavorable consequences of misdiagnosis or mistreatment of this and other types of cancers can be exacerbated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents novel data on the yet unnoticed phenomenon of article-drop in the variety of Livinallongo/Fodom (Ladin). The fundamental aim is to provide a morphosyntactic analysis capturing the following: a) omission of the definite article is only possible in (spatial) PPs and with a specific set of data; b) the noun can be interpreted as a specific definite as well as a weak definite; c) omission interacts with structural properties of the nominal complement like Number features and the structural type of nominal modifiers. The account developed here builds on the hypothesis that despite appearances article-drop contexts in Fodom feature an active D category in their structure, which is licensed by the head noun via phrasal Spell Out (cf. Starke 2009a; 2011a; Baunaz and Lander 2018b; Caha 2009a; 2018a; Pantcheva 2011a, a.o.) and is argued to be superior to alternative accounts in terms of selection of a null D by the P0 head or movement of the noun.

City planners are engaging productively with the goals of the regional Sustainable Communities Strategies (SCSs) under California’s Senate Bill 375 (2008), but more staff and technical assistance, particularly for financing mechanisms, is needed. Infill housing to reduce commute distances is a critical component of addressing regional vehicle miles traveled. Yet, bike and pedestrian infrastructure is communities’ highest priority for retrofitting existing neighborhoods and setting the stage for future compact development. However, in places where cooperation among jurisdictions exists, particularly with leadership from multicity agencies, multifamily housing is shown to be a higher priority. This suggests a need for finding ways to promote cooperation between cities on SB 375 implementation. One way that this is already happening is through multicity organizations such as county transportation authorities and councils of governments that represent multiple cities and towns within a county. Recommendations include increasing capacity and technical assistance for such partnerships, while expanding funding and incentives for compact development in urban areas and suburbs.

A review of An Urban Politics of Climate Change: Experimentation and the Governing of Socio-Technical Transitions by Harriet Bulkeley, Vanesa Casatan, and Gareth A.S. Edwards

Abstract Objectives Although it is now established that cigarette smoking enhances the risk of oral malignancies, less is known on this epidemiologic interplay. Therefore, this brief report aims to provide an update on the worldwide burden of smoking‐related deaths for lip and oral cavity cancers. Material and methods We performed an electronic search in Global Health Data Exchange registry using the keywords “lip and oral cavity cancer” and “smoking,” combined with “deaths,” “year,” and “location.” Results Global mortality for lip and oral cavity cancers has considerably grown during the past three decades, exhibiting a 1.40‐fold increase. Although up to one third (i.e.,30.5%) of worldwide deaths for these malignancies are still attributable to cigarette smoking, smoking‐related mortality for oral malignancies has decreased during the past three decades. The impact of cigarette smoking on these deaths is lower (i.e.,18.7%, gradually decreasing) in Africa, whereby the burden is higher in Europe (i.e.,43.7%) and Western Pacific (40.9%, gradually escalating). Conclusions Despite recent policies of smoking dissuasion may have contributed to mitigating the negative impact of smoking on oral cancers, additional healthcare interventions shall be planned to reduce the still high mortality, especially in Western Pacific.

Background: We analyzed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine efficacy in older persons who received the second booster compared to unvaccinated people and those receiving only a single COVID-19 vaccine booster. Methods: We collected information on vaccine efficacy from the ongoing Italian nationwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign in subjects aged 80 years or older from official data published by the Italian National Institute of Health. Results: The second vaccine booster maintained high effectiveness against adverse COVID-19 outcomes such as hospitalization, intensive care unit admission and death (i.e., between 77 and 86%), and also showed around 10% higher efficacy than the single booster. Nonetheless, the efficacy of the second vaccine booster declined over time, decreasing by 33–46% when assessed at >120 days from administration. Conclusions: The results of our ad interim analysis of the ongoing Italian nationwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign suggest that regular boosting with COVID-19 vaccines may be advisable in older persons.

Airborne pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, are mainly contracted within the airway pathways, especially in the nasal epithelia, where inhaled air is mostly filtered in resting conditions. Mucosal immunity developing after SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination in this part of the body represents one of the most efficient deterrents for preventing viral infection. Nonetheless, the complete lack of such protection in SARS-CoV-2 naïve or seronegative subjects, the limited capacity of neutralizing new and highly mutated lineages, along with the progressive waning of mucosal immunity over time, lead the way to considering alternative strategies for constructing new walls that could stop or entrap the virus at the nasal mucosa surface, which is the area primarily colonized by the new SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages. Among various infection preventive strategies, those based on generating physical barriers within the nose, aimed at impeding host cell penetration (i.e., using compounds with mucoadhesive properties, which act by hindering, entrapping or adsorbing the virus), or those preventing the association of SARS-CoV-2 with its cellular receptors (i.e., administering anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies or agents that inhibit priming or binding of the spike protein) could be considered appealing perspectives. Provided that these agents are proven safe, comfortable, and compatible with daily life, we suggest prioritizing their usage in subjects at enhanced risk of contagion, during high-risk activities, as well as in patients more likely to develop severe forms of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

We provide here updated analysis of the impact of physical inactivity on risk of developing ischemic heart disease (IHD)-related disability along with the latest 10-year progression. We collected data through an electronic search in the 2019 Global Health Data Exchange (GHDx) database using the keywords “low physical activity”, complemented with the additional epidemiologic variables “disability-adjusted life years” (DALYs; number); “ischemic heart disease”; “socio-demographic index” (SDI); “age”; “sex” and “year”, for calculating volume of DALYs lost due to physical activity (PA)-related disability after IHD (LPA-IHD impairment). Based on this search, the overall LPA-IHD impairment was estimated at 7.6 million DALYs in 2019 (3.9 and 3.7 million DALYs in males and females, respectively), thus representing nearly 50% of all PA-related disabilities. The highest impact of LPA-IHD impairment was observed in middle SDI countries, being the lowest in low SDI countries. The LPA-IHD DALYs increased by 17.5% in both sexes during the past 10 years (19.2% in males, and 15.8% in females, respectively), though this trend was dissimilar among different SDI areas, especially during the past two years. In high and high–middle SDI countries, the LPA-IHD grew during the past 2 years, whilst the trend remained stable or declined in other regions. In conclusion, LPA-IHD impairment remains substantial worldwide, leading the way to reinforce current policies aimed at increasing PA volume in the population.

We retrieved data from the online database of the Italian Ministry of Health concerning the previous and ongoing waves of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic in Italy. We analyzed the prevalence of variants, the number of SARS-CoV-2 diagnoses, hospitalization, and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We compared 2 similar days: January 12, in 2021and 2022. Although the number of positive cases in 2022 was nearly fourfold higher compared with the same period in 2021, presumably owing to higher transmissibility of Omicron variant, a considerable decrease of COVID-19 related hospitalizations (-82%) and ICU admissions (-84%) could be observed in the more recent period, when the Omicron variant was largely prevalent and COVID-19 vaccination was widespread.

Background. Aprepitant is a P/neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist approved for the prevention of CINV in moderate emetic risk chemotherapy. We explored its effectiveness in patients with leukemia receiving cytarabine-based chemotherapy. Methods. Patients were randomized to ondansetron (OND) 8 mg IV 30 minutes before cytarabine followed by 24 mg IV continuous infusion daily until 6-12 hours after the last dose of chemotherapy alone or with aprepitant (APREP) oral 125 mg 6-12 hrs before chemotherapy and 80 mg daily until 1 day after the last dose of chemotherapy. Results. Forty-nine patients were enrolled in each arm; 42 in OND and 41 in OND + APREP arm were evaluable for efficacy. The ORR with OND + APREP was 80% compared to 67% with OND alone (P = 0.11). On days 6 and 7, higher proportion of patients treated with OND + APREP were free from nausea (74%, 74% versus 68%, 67%; P = 0.27 and 0.18, resp.). Requirement of rescue medications on days 2 and 3 was fewer in OND + APREP arm 7% and 5% compared to 21% and 16% in the OND arm, respectively (P = 0.06 and P = 0.07). Conclusions. There was a trend for overall improvement in emesis with ondansetron plus aprepitant. The potential benefit of this approach with specific chemotherapy combinations remains to be determined.

Regions across the United States have developed sustainability plans and programs funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Sustainable Communities Initiative (SCI). In California, this grant overlapped with a state mandate for regional sustainability planning, SB 375, legislation charging regions with developing long-range sustainability plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Regional agencies lead sustainability planning efforts, yet little is known about how effective and equitable regions are in their engagement with sustainability planning. We examined how three federally funded SCI projects in California incorporate social equity and explore the process and outcomes. We focus on the conditions under which regional collaboration is most conducive to incorporating equity. We found that equity approaches vary greatly by region and are as much about process as product. Networks of information sharing, trust and relationships in regions awarded SCI grants have increased. However, regional sustainability planning processes are not without conflict as participants maneuver though historic institutional challenges.

Sea-level rise is a direct consequence of climate change. Primarily due to ocean thermal expansion and transfer from land ice (glaciers, ice sheets) to the ocean, sea-level rise is therefore an integrated indicator of climate change. Coastal zones and communities are expected to be increasingly threatened by sea level changes, with various adverse and widespread impacts. The European Union’s Earth Observation Programmed, Copernicus, monitors our planet and its environment, for the ultimate benefit of society. This includes the monitoring of sea level changes and the provision of ancillary fields needed to assess sea-level rise coastal risks, to guide adaptation and to support related policies and directives. Copernicus is organized with a space component, including dedicated Earth Observation satellites (Sentinel missions), and services, which transform the wealth of satellite, in situ and integrated numerical model information into added-value datasets and information usable by scientists, managers and decision-makers, and the wider public. Here, an overview of the Copernicus products and services to inform on sea level rise adaptation is provided. Perspectives from Copernicus services on future evolutions to better inform on coastal sea level rise, associated risks, and support adaptation are also discussed.

We planned an infodemiological analysis to estimate the global impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on threat appraisals. We accessed Google Trends using the search terms “Anxiety”, “Distress”, “Fear”, “Rumination”, “Stress” and “Worry” within the “topic” domain, setting the geographical location to “worldwide”, between July 2017 and July 2022. The weekly Google Trends score for the six search terms, thus, mirroring Web popularity and probable prevalence, was compared between the two search periods, “pre-COVID” (between July 2017 and February 2020) and COVID (between March 2020 and July 2022), thus, reflecting the volume of searches before and during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The median weekly Google Trends score of all these search terms significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, i.e., anxiety by 22%, distress by 13%, fear by 9%, rumination by 18%, stress by 13% and worry by 20%. With variable strength, the weekly Google Trends scores of each search term were found to be significantly associated (all p < 0.001). We can, hence, conclude that the enhanced burden of threat appraisals observed after SARS-CoV-2 spread leads the way to establish preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic measures in order to limit the unfavorable mental health consequences caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The association between mean air temperature and new SARS-CoV-2 case numbers throughout the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was investigated to identify whether diverse SARS-CoV-2 lineages may exhibit diverse environmental behaviors. The number of new COVID-19 daily cases in the province of Verona was obtained from the Veneto Regional Healthcare Service, whilst the mean daily air temperature during the same period was retrieved from the Regional Agency for Ambient Prevention and Protection of Veneto. A significant inverse correlation was found between new COVID-19 daily cases and mean air temperature in Verona up to Omicron BA.1/BA.2 predominance (correlation coefficients between −0.79 and −0.41). The correlation then became positive when the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 lineages were prevalent (r = 0.32). When the median value (and interquartile range; IQR) of new COVID-19 daily cases recorded during the warmer period of the year in Verona (June–July) was compared across the three years of the pandemic, a gradual increase could be seen over time, from 1 (IQR, 0–2) in 2020, to 22 (IQR, 11–113) in 2021, up to 890 (IQR, 343–1345) in 2022. These results suggest that measures for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection should not be completely abandoned during the warmer periods of the year.

The role and responsibilities of laboratory managers have considerably evolved during the past decades. This revolution has been mostly driven by biological, technical, economic and social factors, such as deepened understanding of the pathophysiology of human diseases, technical innovations, renewed focus on patient safety, cost-containment strategies and patient empowerment. One of the leading consequences is an ongoing process of reorganization, consolidation and automation of laboratory services, whose propitious realization strongly relies on establishing an efficient project management plan. In a practical perspective, the leading drivers of project management in laboratory medicine encompass various activities supporting a clear definition of the local environment, an accurate planning of technical resources, the acknowledgement of staff availability and qualification, along with the establishment of a positive and constructive interplay with hospital administrators. Therefore, the aim of this article is to provide a personal overview on the main drivers and outcomes of project management in laboratory medicine, which will expectedly contribute to construct a new consciousness and an innovative and multifaceted job description of laboratory professionals worldwide.