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Background: Sleep is disturbed in Rett syndrome (RTT), a rare and progressive neurodevelopmental disorder primarily affecting female patients (prevalence 7.1/100,000 female patients) linked to pathogenic variations in the X-linked methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene. Autonomic nervous system dysfunction with a predominance of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) over the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) is reported in RTT, along with exercise fatigue and increased sudden death risk. The aim of the present study was to test the feasibility of a continuous 24 h non-invasive home monitoring of the biological vitals (biovitals) by an innovative wearable sensor device in pediatric and adolescent/adult RTT patients. Methods: A total of 10 female patients (mean age 18.3 ± 9.4 years, range 4.7–35.5 years) with typical RTT and MECP2 pathogenic variations were enrolled. Clinical severity was assessed by validated scales. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and skin temperature (SkT) were monitored by the YouCare Wearable Medical Device (Accyourate Group SpA, L’Aquila, Italy). The average percentage of maximum HR (HRmax%) was calculated. Heart rate variability (HRV) was expressed by consolidated time-domain and frequency-domain parameters. The HR/LF (low frequency) ratio, indicating SNS activation under dynamic exercise, was calculated. Simultaneous continuous measurement of indoor air quality variables was performed and the patients’ contributions to the surrounding water vapor partial pressure [PH2O (pt)] and carbon dioxide [PCO2 (pt)] were indirectly estimated. Results: Of the 6,559.79 h of biovital recordings, 5051.03 h (77%) were valid for data interpretation. Sleep and wake hours were 9.0 ± 1.1 h and 14.9 ± 1.1 h, respectively. HRmax % [median: 71.86% (interquartile range 61.03–82%)] and HR/LF [median: 3.75 (interquartile range 3.19–5.05)] were elevated, independent from the wake–sleep cycle. The majority of HRV time- and frequency-domain parameters were significantly higher in the pediatric patients (p ≤ 0.031). The HRV HR/LF ratio was associated with phenotype severity, disease progression, clinical sleep disorder, subclinical hypoxia, and electroencephalographic observations of multifocal epileptic activity and general background slowing. Conclusion: Our findings indicate the feasibility of a continuous 24-h non-invasive home monitoring of biovital parameters in RTT. Moreover, for the first time, HRmax% and the HR/LF ratio were identified as potential objective markers of fatigue, illness severity, and disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The 2021/2022 influenza season was not characterised by a well-defined incidence peak. As reported by the Italian National Institute of Health, a high value of incidence of influenza cases was recorded in week 13, but it was still lower than in other influenza seasons. This abnormal circulation was probably due to relaxation of the COVID-19 pandemic restriction measures, such as social distancing, smart-working, home leaning and the use of masks, which greatly reduced the circulation of respiratory-transmitted viruses, including human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV). The symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza are quite similar, sharing the human-to-human transmission route via respiratory droplets., Methods: The aim of this study was to estimate the rate of coinfection with influenza viruses and/or HRSV in SARS-CoV-2-positive subjects (N = 940) in a population of central Italy during the 2021/2022 season., Results: A total of 54 cases of coinfection were detected during the study period, 51 cases (5.4%) of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus and three cases (0.3%) of SARS-CoV-2 and HRSV coinfection., Conclusions: These results highlight the importance of continuous monitoring of the circulation of influenza virus and other respiratory viruses in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results., (©2024 Pacini Editore SRL, Pisa, Italy.)

Background: Overweight has been associated with several social and phycological problems and is perceived as one of the major health care challenges to focus on in the future. The purpose of the study is to investigate the correlations among nutritional status, assessed by the Body Mass Index, the perception of one's own health status and Life Satisfaction, detected in Italian adolescents living in Tuscany Region, and to investigate the influence of gender on them., Methods: A statistically representative sample of 2760 Tuscan adolescents aged 11, 13 and 15 was involved in the 2018 Health Behaviours at School-aged Children survey. The participants were divided into three nutritional status class: underweight, normal weight and overweight (overweight + obese)., Results: The results show that there is a statistically significant difference in all categories between boys and girls aged 13 and 15 years; in girls aged 11 and 13 years, the Life Satisfaction of the overweight group is statistically lower than that of normal and underweight groups; Self-Rated Health is statistically lower in all age groups for overweight individuals compared to normal weight children, except for 11-year-old females., Conclusions: Viewing the psychosocial problems related to overweight, more attention and care must be placed on adolescents to ensure their healthier development., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (©2024 Pacini Editore SRL, Pisa, Italy.)

Introduction: The Italian "Health Behaviour in School-aged Children" (HBSC) is a national surveillance system that collects data on health and well-being among adolescents aged 11, 13 and 15 years attending school. It is part of the HBSC Research Network, an international alliance of researchers from 45 European and North American countries and regions started in 1982., Methods: All countries and regions participating in HBSC must adhere to a common international standard protocol developed and systematically updated by the entire HBSC Network. Data collection occurs every four years. Italy joined the international Network in 2000 and, to date, five waves (in 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018) have been carried out. From 2010 the Italian HBSC is representative at regional level and in 2017 the base of the "Surveillance system for risk behaviours in 11-17 year-olds" became part of the Prime Ministerial Decree "Identification of surveillance systems and registries of mortality, tumours and other diseases". Cluster sampling is used, with school class as primary sampling unit, and two validated questionnaires are used to collect the information., Results: In 2018, the Italian HBSC involved 3,608 classes and 58,976 students. The average response rates were 86% of sampled classes and 97% of students achieving a national and regional representative sample for youths of all age groups (19,504 eleven-year-old, 20,554 thirteen-year-old and 18,918 fifteen-year-old). The national coordination group prepared a standardized format for disseminating the results locally and indicating areas for intervention A national report and some articles have been published. The next round, which will take place in the 2021-2022 school year, will also involve a representative sample of students of grade four of secondary schools (adolescents aged 17 years) and use on line questionnaires., Conclusions: Over 3 decades at international and 2 decades at national level 35 years have demonstrated that HBSC methodology and its results are useful for monitoring and deepening the knowledge on the most critical issues of adolescents' well-being., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest None declared., (©2021 Pacini Editore SRL, Pisa, Italy.)