Biomedical and health research: an analysis of country participation and research fields in the EU's Horizon 2020

We analysed the Horizon 2020 project database, currently the European Union's (EU) largest framework programme for research and innovation-nearly 80 billion euros available over 7 years (2014-2020), to estimate the amount and type of EU-supported biomedical and health research and funding distribution among EU member states and non-European countries. Out of 20,877 projects as of 14th January 2019, a total of 4865 projects were classified as human health related. Ninety-four countries/territories worldwide participated in at least one biomedical project. The EU-15 original member states showed the highest participation as project leaders/partners and for acquired funding. Strong unequal funding distribution and participation between EU-15 and the 13 newest members-with EU-15 receiving about 87% of funding and EU-13 only 3%-have been evidenced. For both EU-15 and EU-13 we detected about 20% of projects involving the public and private sectors, according to Horizon 2020 guidelines. The largest percentage of projects was in the areas of biotechnological research (28.28%) and "basic research" (26.95%); these two sectors together accounted for 46.99% of the total funding assigned (7.9 billion euros). Research in neurosciences and neurological diseases appeared to be an increasing study area. Neurological and mental diseases covered about 21% of projects. Epidemiological studies accounted for about 5% of the total projects and for 14% of funding. Strong correlations were shown by indicators of financial and scientific capacity to identify success rates in obtaining EU funding, making the gap between countries with strong and weak research infrastructures difficult to overcome.

Assessing ototoxicity due to chronic lead and cadmium intake with and without noise exposure in the mature mouse

Exposure to heavy metals may lead to hearing impairment. However, experimental studies have not explored this issue with and without noise exposure in mature animals with environmentally relevant doses. The aim of this study was to investigate ototoxicity produced by lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) and noise, singly and in combination, in the adult CBA/CaJ mouse. Metals were delivered via drinking water (0.03 mM, 1 mM, and 3 mM Pb; or 30, 100, and 300 μM Cd) for 12 weeks, resulting in environmentally- and occupationally relevant mean (± standard deviations) blood levels of Pb (2.89 ± 0.44, 38.5 ± 4.9, and 60.1 ± 6.6 μg/dl, respectively) and Cd (1.3 ± 0.23, 6.37 ± 0.87, 27.2 ± 4.1 μg/L, respectively). Metal treatment was also combined with a noise exposure consisting of a 105 dB broadband (2-20 kHz) stimulus for 2 hr or a sham exposure. Auditory performance was determined by comparing auditory brainstem responses (ABR) and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) at baseline and after 11 weeks of metal treatment. Metal-exposed animals did not develop significant auditory deficits and did not exhibit morphological damage to cochlear hair cells. In contrast, noise-exposed animals, including those exposed to combinations of metals and noise, demonstrated significant hair cell loss, reduced DPOAE amplitudes, and ABR threshold shifts of 42.2 ± 13 dB at 32 kHz (105 dB noise alone). No significant potentiation or synergistic effects were found in groups exposed to multiple agents. This study establishes a highly reproducible adult mouse model that may be used to evaluate a variety of environmental exposure mixtures.

Hearing loss, lead (Pb) exposure, and noise: a sound approach to ototoxicity exploration

To determine the state of the research on ototoxic properties of Pb, evaluate possible synergistic effects with concurrent noise exposure, and identify opportunities to improve future research, we performed a review of the peer-reviewed literature to identify studies examining auditory damage due to Pb over the past 50 years. Thirty-eight studies (14 animal and 24 human) were reviewed. Of these, 24 suggested potential ototoxicity due to Pb exposure, while 14 found no evidence of ototoxicity. More animal studies are needed, especially those investigating Pb exposure levels that are occupationally and environmentally relevant to humans. Further investigations into potential interactions of Pb in the auditory system with other hazards and compounds that elicit ototoxicity are also needed in animal models. To better assess the effects of Pb exposure on the human auditory system and the possibility of a synergism with noise, future epidemiological studies need to carefully consider and address four main areas of uncertainty: (1) hearing examination and quantification of hearing loss, (2) Pb exposure evaluation, (3) noise exposure evaluation, and (4) the personal characteristics of those exposed. Two potentially confounding factors, protective factors and mixtures of ototoxicants, also warrant further exploration.

Impact of innovations in national public health markets in Europe

BACKGROUND

Social innovations can contribute to health and wellbeing. PHIRE (Public Health Innovation and Research in Europe) investigated the impacts at national level of innovation projects funded by the European Union Public Health Programme.

METHODS

Through the European Public Health Association, experts assessed the uptake of the eight public health projects, for 30 European countries. Their reports were assembled by country and, thereafter, national public health associations reviewed the reports. Following stakeholder workshops, or internal and external consultations, 11 national reports were produced which included discussion on the impacts of the public health innovations in national product markets.

RESULTS

In 11 countries, there were reports on the eight innovations for 45 (51%) of the possible public health markets. The innovations contributed positively to policy, practice and research, across different levels and in different ways, in 35 (39%) market, while competing innovation activities were recorded in 10 (11%) markets. The workshops also discussed contributing factors and limitations in dissemination and timing for policy cycles.

CONCLUSIONS

The impacts of European Union social innovations in public health markets can be identified through national discussions. Further attention should be given to understanding drivers and incentives for successful public health innovations.