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Background Travellers' risk perception is a key component of travel risk assessment because it influences the adequate implementation of safety precautions. The aims of this study are to validate a tool to analyse travellers' risk perception to identify which factors can influence it and how it changes upon return. Methods The Traveller's Risk Perception (TRiP) questionnaire was developed and administered to outpatients before and after travel in three travel clinics. A principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to validate the questionnaire and multivariate regression analysis was used to evaluate the effect of travellers' characteristics on the risk scores. Results A total of 1020 travellers completed the questionnaire. PCA identified two latent factors: 'generic-disseminated risks' and 'specific-circumstantial risks'. Cronbach's α was acceptable (0.76 and 0.70, respectively). The 'generic-disseminated risks' dimension scored higher than the 'specific-circumstantial risks' (p<0.001). The items with the highest scores were insect bites, gastrointestinal disorders and malaria. The mean scores were significantly lower after the travel for all items but one. Conclusions The TRiP questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool for rating travellers' perceptions. Staff in travel clinics should be trained to systematically assess travellers' risk perception in order to tailor the consultation according to specific information needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Death from falls accounts for a significant number of injuries and fatalities globally, often linked to suicides, workplace accidents, or substance abuse, and rarely to homicidal causes. Injuries from falls vary based on height, impact point, and surface struck, with severe trauma often seen, including visceral ruptures, organ lacerations, and complex fractures. Even minimal external injuries can mask severe internal damage, such as multiple organ ruptures, organ tears, and large vessel lacerations. Blunt cardiac injuries, which occur in 5% to 50% of falls, are significant, especially in falls over 6 m. In 70% of the cases, cardiac rupture is observed at the level of the posterior wall of the heart and occurs due to a contusive action on the heart during the diastolic filling phase. We report a case of a 29-year-old man (weight 95 kg) who died from an 11-meter fall. He had a history of cardiac surgery for the transposition of the great vessels, and an autopsy revealed extensive cardiac rupture, likely worsened by fibrotic adhesions anchoring the heart to the pericardium. Toxicological investigations on peripheral blood showed BAC > 2.58 g/L. Heart scars, macro- and microscopically as a deposit of fibrous tissue, due to previous surgery, may have contributed to the extent of the lesion, suggesting the need for further study on post-operative tissue changes and their effects on trauma from falls.

Dental identification systems (DISs) encompass various techniques used for forensic identification, serving as alternatives or complements to genetic methods. Technologies such as microchip implants, prosthetic inscriptions, microSD cards, and identification plaques have been proposed to address limitations in comparative methods, offering streamlined processes for forensic experts. This study reviews current and potential DIS implementations, emphasizing cost-effectiveness and community benefits. Literature analysis from PubMed (2008-2024) yielded 17 relevant articles on implantable DISs, enabling direct subject identification via teeth or prostheses. The integration of DIS aims to enhance accuracy and speed in personal profiling and legal identification, promoting technology transfer in dentistry. It will be necessary to develop strict privacy regulations to protect patient data and establish ethical guidelines for their use. The study's aim is to highlight that the universal adoption of DISs could mitigate healthcare disputes and facilitate data exchange in clinical settings, which is particularly beneficial for vulnerable populations.

Neck infections are often prone to being underestimated and can manifest insidiously. The spread of infection can lead to translocation into thoracic areas, causing descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM). However, the application of the post-mortem approach in such cases is not well-described in the literature. A literature review was carried out according to the PRISMA methods. Nine papers were included in the final review, revealing different levels of involvement of neck layers that can be linked to different causes. Expertise with respect to the anatomy of the fasciae and spaces of the neck enables an understanding of the pathogenesis of DNM. However, a clear autoptic description was not provided in any of the articles. Therefore, we also employed a practical post-mortem approach to cases of death due to DNM. It is fundamental for pathologists to identify the exact head and neck structures involved. Providing dissectors with support from an otolaryngologist could be useful. This paper could help address such difficult cases.

Investigating the causes of Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is always difficult; in fact, genetic cardiac conditions associated with SCD could be "silent" even during autopsy investigation. In these cases, it is important to exclude other aetiology and assist to ask for genetic investigations. Herein, the purpose of this review is to collect the most-implicated genes in SCD and generate a panel with indications for first line and second line investigations. A systematic review of genetic disorders that may cause SCD in the general population was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Review (PRISMA) standards. We subsequently listed the genes that may be tested in the case of sudden cardiac death when the autopsy results are negative or with no evidence of acquired cardiac conditions. To make genetic tests more specific and efficient, it is useful and demanded to corroborate autopsy findings with the molecular investigation as evident in the panel proposed. The genes for first line investigations are HCM, MYBPC3, MYH7, TNNT2, TNNI3, while in case of DCM, the most implicated genes are LMNA and TTN, and in second line for these CDM, ACTN2, TPM1, C1QPB could be investigated. In cases of ACM/ARVC, the molecular investigation includes DSP, DSG2, DSC2, RYR2, PKP2. The channelopathies are associated with the following genes: SCN5A, KCNQ1, KCNH2, KCNE1, RYR2. Our work underlines the importance of genetic tests in forensic medicine and clinical pathology; moreover, it could be helpful not only to assist the pathologists to reach a diagnosis, but also to prevent other cases of SCD in the family of the descendant and to standardise the type of analysis performed in similar cases worldwide.

When stroke occurs in pediatric age, it might be mistakenly interpreted as non-accidental head injury (NAHI). In these situations, a multidisciplinary approach is fundamental, including a thorough personal and familial history, along with accurate physical examination and additional investigations. Especially when the clinical picture is uncertain, it is important to remember that certain genetic conditions can cause bleeding inside the brain, which may resemble NAHI. Pediatric strokes occurring around the time of birth can also be an initial sign of undiagnosed genetic disorders. Hence, it is crucial to conduct a thorough evaluation, including genetic testing, when there is a suspicion of NAHI but the symptoms are unclear. In these cases, a characteristic set of symptoms is often observed. This study aims to summarize some of the genetic causes of hemorrhagic stroke in the pediatric population, thus mimicking non-accidental head injury, considering elements that can be useful in characterizing pathologies. A systematic review of genetic disorders that may cause ICH in children was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Review (PRISMA) standards. We selected 10 articles regarding the main genetic diseases in stroke; we additionally selected 11 papers concerning patients with pediatric stroke and genetic diseases, or studies outlining the characteristics of stroke in these patients. The disorders we identified were Moyamoya disease (MMD), COL4A1 , COL4A2 pathogenic variant, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (E-D), neurofibromatosis type 1 (Nf1), sickle cell disease (SCD), cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM), hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) and Marfan syndrome. In conclusion, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of the genetic disorders that could be tested in children when there is a suspicion of NAHI but an unclear picture.

Breast Cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancer types worldwide, and it is characterized by a complex etiopathogenesis, resulting in an equally complex classification of subtypes. MicroRNA (miRNA or miR) are small non-coding RNA molecules that have an essential role in gene expression and are significantly linked to tumor development and angiogenesis in different types of cancer. Recently, complex interactions among coding and non-coding RNA have been elucidated, further shedding light on the complexity of the roles these molecules fulfill in cancer formation. In this context, knowledge about the role of miR in BC has significantly improved, highlighting the deregulation of these molecules as additional factors influencing BC occurrence, development and classification. A considerable number of papers has been published over the past few years regarding the role of miR-125 in human pathology in general and in several types of cancer formation in particular. Interestingly, miR-125 family members have been recently linked to BC formation as well, and complex interactions (competing endogenous RNA networks, or ceRNET) between this molecule and target mRNA have been described. In this review, we summarize the state-of-the-art about research on this topic.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) is a rapid and valuable diagnostic tool available in emergency and intensive care units. In the context of cardiac arrest, POCUS application can help assess cardiac activity, identify causes of arrest that could be reversible (such as pericardial effusion or pneumothorax), guide interventions like central line placement or pericardiocentesis, and provide real-time feedback on the effectiveness of resuscitation efforts, among other critical applications. Its use, in addition to cardiovascular life support maneuvers, is advocated by all resuscitation guidelines. The purpose of this narrative review is to summarize the key applications of POCUS in cardiac arrest, highlighting, among others, its prognostic, diagnostic, and forensic potential. We conducted an extensive literature review utilizing PubMed by employing key search terms regarding ultrasound and its use in cardiac arrest. Apart from its numerous advantages, its limitations and challenges such as the potential for interruption of chest compressions during image acquisition and operator proficiency should be considered as well and are discussed herein.

Infertility is a condition defined by the failure to establish a clinical pregnancy after 12 months of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse or due to an impairment of a person's capacity to reproduce either as an individual or with their partner. The authors have set out to succinctly investigate, explore, and assess infertility treatments, harnessing the potential of stem cells to effectively and safely treat infertility; in addition, this paper will present the legal and regulatory complexities at the heart of stem cell research, with an overview of the legislative state of affairs in six major European countries. For couples who cannot benefit from assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to treat their infertility, stem-cells-based approaches have been shown to be a highly promising approach. Nonetheless, lingering ethical and immunological uncertainties require more conclusive findings and data before such treatment avenues can become mainstream and be applied on a large scale. The isolation of human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) is ethically controversial, since their collection involves the destruction of human embryonic tissue. Overall, stem cell research has resulted in important new breakthroughs in the treatment of infertility. The effort to untangle the complex web of ethical and legal issues associated with such therapeutic approaches will have to rely on evidence-based, broadly shared standards, guidelines, and best practices to make sure that the procreative rights of patients can be effectively reconciled with the core values at the heart of medical ethics.

Traumatic intracranial aneurysms (TICAs) are rare, accounting for less than 1% of all intracranial aneurysms. However, they are associated with a mortality rate of over 50%. The case presented herein focuses on a posterior communicating artery TICA caused by violent aggression. A 41-year-old man with massive subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), on admission to hospital, had a CT angiography that showed a ruptured left posterior communicating artery aneurysm with continuous blood loss and underwent neurosurgical cooling. The CT scan also showed fractures of the mandible, mastoid and left styloid process, as well as brain contusions caused by blows and kicks. Despite medical treatment and surgery, after four days, he died. The assault dynamics were recorded by a camera in the bar. The damage was caused by kicks to the neck and head. The forensic neuropathological examination showed the primary injury (SAH, subdural hemorrhage, cerebral contusions, head-neck fractures), as well as secondary damage following the attack (cerebral infarcts, edema, supratentorial hernia, midbrain hemorrhage). The coil was intact and well positioned. In this case, circumstantial information, medical records, and the type of injury could shed light on the mechanism of the production of a TICA. In addition, the CT angiography and histological investigations helped to distinguish a recent and traumatic aneurysm from a pre-existing one. Following precise steps, the study of aneurysms can be helpful in clarifying their traumatic origin even when the victim was taking drugs. The aim of this study is also to share the diagnostic process that we used in the forensic field for the assessment of suspected traumatic aneurysms.

Background: CAR-T-related deaths observed worldwide are rare. The underlying pathogenetic mechanisms are the subject of study, as are the findings that enable diagnosis. A systematic literature search of the PubMed database and a critical review of the collected studies were conducted from the inception of this database until January 2023. The aim of the study is to determine when death is related to CAR-T cell therapy and to develop a shareable diagnostic algorithm., Methods: The database was searched by combining and meshing the terms ("CAR-t" OR "CART") AND ("Pathology" OR "Histology" OR "Histological" OR "Autopsy") AND ("Heart" OR "Cardiac" OR "Nervous System" OR "Kidney" OR "Liver") with 34 results and also the terms: [(Lethal effect) OR (Death)] AND (CAR-T therapy) with 52 results in titles, abstracts, and keywords [all fields]. One hundred scientific articles were examined, 14 of which were additional records identified through other sources. Fifteen records were included in the review., Results: Neuronal death, neuronal edema, perivascular edema, perivascular and intraparenchymal hemorrhagic extravasation, as well as perivascular plasmatodendrosis, have been observed in cases with fatal cerebral edema. A cross-reactivity of CAR-T cells in cases of fatal encephalopathy can be hypothesized when, in addition to the increased vascular permeability, there is also a perivascular lymphocyte infiltrate, which appears to be a common factor among most authors., Conclusion: Most CAR-T-related deaths are associated with blood-brain barrier breakdown, central nervous system cell damage, and infiltrated T cells. Further autopsies and microscopic investigations would shed more light on the lethal toxicity related to CAR-T cells. A differential diagnosis of CAR-T-related death is crucial to identifying adverse events. In this article, we propose an algorithm that could facilitate the comparison of findings through a systematic approach. Despite toxicity cases, CAR-T therapy continues to stand out as the most innovative treatment within the field of oncology, and emerging strategies hold the promise of delivering safer therapies in future., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Del Duca, Napoletano, Volonnino, Maiese, La Russa, Di Paolo, De Matteis, Frati, Bonafè and Fineschi.)

Background and Objectives : The diagnosis of anaphylaxis comprehensively depends on both situational information and laboratory investigations. For this purpose, serum tryptase concentration is examined as an indicator of systemic mast cell mediator release, linked to an underlying anaphylactic process. Increased levels of tryptase may occur in some events different from anaphylaxis, but usually information from crime scene investigations is lacking and autoptic findings are not specific. For legal reasons, it is required to achieve a definite diagnosis of mast cell degranulation that can lead to a certain diagnosis of death from anaphylaxis. Immunohistochemistry seems to be a relatively simple, reliable, and easily repeatable method that can assist the forensic pathologist in the differential diagnosis of death from anaphylaxis. Materials and Methods : This work provides an overview of the current literature on immunohistochemical methods useful in the determination process of anaphylactic-related deaths. A systematic search, according to the PRISMA statement, was performed in databases to identify studies investigating immunohistochemical targets related to anaphylaxis death. Results : This work underscores the importance of anaphylaxis mediators such as tryptase, CD117, and chymase in the immunohistochemical analysis of anaphylactic deaths. Conclusions : According to the reviewed literature, the diagnosis of death due to anaphylaxis should depend not just on the suspicion of an anaphylactic reaction but also on confirming mast cell degranulation through the identification of IHC positivity for inflammatory mediators, particularly in the respiratory tract.

Background and Aim: The article aims to outline the current scenario relative to the medical role in end-of-life issues. In order to do this, historical-legal references have been drawn upon relating to technical, legal and scientific thought and doctrine, as it has come down to us in the medical field through the evolution of ethical and philosophical frameworks., Methods: The authors have conducted a thorough analysis of end-of-life legislative initiatives, in Italy and across the EU, and court rulings to outline possible ways to harmonize and reconcile the current medical ethics frameworks with the needs and rights of all, especially the most vulnerable among us. To that end, the necessary operational choices and adjustments have not yet been made by our legal system, from a technical, as well as moral, standpoint., Results: An operational proposal has therefore been laid out to protect both healthcare providers and patients, in a relationship that goes beyond treatment in the strict sense, which prioritizes mutual needs as an integral part of a common, essential path., Conclusions: In order for doctors to consider themselves complete, they should in fact deal not only with life, but also with death.

Obesity has been associated with reduced fertility, although the dynamics and mechanisms which link excess weight to reduced fertility are not yet fully clarified. Obese women, especially those with central obesity, are less likely to conceive per cycle. Obese women suffer from perturbations of the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis, disturbances of the menstrual cycle and are up to three times more likely to suffer from oligo/anovulation. A delicate hormonal balance regulates follicular development and the maturation of oocytes and it has been observed that obesity can alter the hormonal environment: adipocytes, in fact, are responsible for the production of a hormone called leptin (present in high quantities in obese women) which has been associated with reduced fecundity. In addition to compromising ovulation, obesity negatively affects the development and implantation of the endometrium. The expression of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is regulated, in part, by weight, so obese women with PCOS often have a more severe phenotype and higher subfertility rates. Furthermore, obesity impairs women's response to medically assisted procreation (MAP) treatments. The authors have set out to delineate a broad-ranging overview of obesity's impact on female fertility, by drawing upon sources spanning the 1994-2022 period. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures are also discussed as they relate to obese patients. In addition the dynamics by which maternal obesity reportedly affects fetal, neonatal and child development have also been briefly enunciated.

Introduction: Improving the prognosis of breast cancer patients is of utmost importance in terms of increasing survival rates. Modern medicine has therefore prioritized better quality of life for patients, even after the disease, through a better management of the potential long-term side effects induced by anticancer treatments. Fertility preservation and family planning are therefore crucial issues to be addressed in all cancer patients of reproductive age. Along those lines, a new branch of medicine with distinct multidisciplinary characteristics has developed over the years: oncofertility. Although both national and international guidelines value reproductive counseling as an essential aspect of the diagnostic-therapeutic pathway, part and parcel of the informed consent process, it is not included within the protocols adopted by the operating units for the care and management of neoplastic diseases., Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the activity of the Breast Unit of the Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, Rome, Italy, and the degree of compliance with guidelines. By knowing the strengths and weaknesses of such approaches, the standards of care offered to breast cancer patients can be improved., Materials and Methods: A retrospective study based on a review of medical records was conducted between 2014 and 2021. Patients under 40 years of age diagnosed with non-metastatic malignancies were included who received chemotherapy treatment, namely neoadjuvant, adjuvant or adjuvant hormone therapy., Results: The data were extracted from the medical records of 51 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 41% of whom received reproductive counseling, and of these, 43% decided to undertake a path of fertility preservation. Factors such as the absence of children and young age reportedly favored both the interest in counseling proposals by the medical staff and the decision to undertake a path of fertility preservation., Conclusions: The study shows that there has been growing interest in the topic of oncofertility, especially in light of law 219/2017. Therefore, since 2018, multiple proposals for reproductive counseling have been set forth, but there was not an equally growing demand for fertility preservation practices, which can be explained by the invasive nature of such practices, the patients' concern about their own state of health, and poor or inadequate information. Such impediments highlight the importance of standardized counseling and the need for a multidisciplinary medical team to support the patient in the decision-making process. The study also revealed a drop in the number of patients receiving counseling due to the COVID-19 pandemic, contrary to the positive trend that was recorded prior to the pandemic.

Durum wheat is one of the most important cereal grains worldwide, used mostly for pasta making and bakery products. The by-products derived for the milling process, although very abundant, have only limited use. The aim of this work was to characterize the oils extracted from the by-products of debranning (DP) and milling processes (MP) of durum wheat and to follow the changes due to the refining process on the minor components. The results showed that DP had significantly higher oil content than MP, but it was characterized by a significantly lower amount of tocols. Polyunsaturated fatty acids content was similar (around 62% of total fatty acids). Consequently, a mixture of DP/MP (60/40 w / w ) was chosen as a basis for further studies concerning the refining process. During refining, carotenoids almost disappeared while tocols were reduced by 24% on average. Free fatty acids, peroxide value, and oxidized triacylglycerols were significantly reduced by refining, while triacylglycerol oligopolymers were significantly higher than the crude oil. Durum wheat oil had an outstanding content of phytosterols and policosanols. Overall, the edible oil obtained from durum wheat after refining could be considered a good source of phytochemicals and could represent a valuable strategy to valorize the by-products from durum wheat mills.

An integrated model, based on a One Health approach, was implemented to estimate the epidemiological and economic outcomes of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in Veneto region, an hypo-endemic area of Northern Italy, and the costs for its prevention. Data and information needed to populate the model were retrieved from published literature, official statistics, expert opinions, or actively searched through data mining (i.e., Hospital and slaughterhouse data), when fundamental data were not available. Human-health and animal-health costs, both public and private, were considered. The overall impact of CE in the study area was estimated in an yearly cost of about 0.5 million €, due to an average of 19.5 human hospitalized cases and about 200 infected animals among cattle and sheep, per year. The human:animal costs ratio was about 8:1. Most of the infected animals were autochthonous, while the identification of an autochthonous source of the infection for the human cases was extremely difficult, and unlikely in most cases. No specific action resulted to be in place for human surveillance, while veterinary surveillance accounted for a yearly cost of about 22,000 €. Sheepherders were found to pay privately an overall amount of around 2000 € for the preventive treatment of their dogs every year, but the applied protocol proved to be sub-optimal. The source of most of the human cases was likely external to the study area, and their economic impact accounts for a cost that is far exceeding that of surveillance and preventive actions in place in the veterinary sector. Although autochthonous human cases appeared to be very rare, the strengthening of preventive actions and surveillance systems can reduce the risk of their increment., Competing Interests: On behalf of all co-authors (Massimo Canali, Francesca Tamarozzi, Andrea Angheben, Gioia Capelli, Federico Gobbi, Matteo Legnardi, Michele Brichese, Giuseppina Napoletano, Fabrizio Cestaro, Adriano Casulli, Michele Drigo, Maurizio Aragrande) I hereby state that we have no conflicts of interest to disclose concerning the manuscript “A One-Health evaluation of the burden of cystic echinococcosis and its prevention costs: case study from a hypo-endemic area in Italy”., (© 2021 The Authors.)

Background: A few years after the introduction in Italy of a four-component anti-meningococcal B vaccine (4CMenB), we evaluated the effectiveness and impact of vaccination in two regions using different schedules (2, 4, 6, 12 months in Tuscany vs. 7, 9, 15 months in Veneto) through an observational retrospective study., Methods: Vaccination started in 2014 in Tuscany and in 2015 in Veneto; the data collected referred to the period 2006-2018 for Tuscany and 2007-2018 for Veneto. Cases of invasive meningococcal disease due to N. Meningitidis B were identified by culture and/or real-time PCR., Results: In Tuscany, pre-vaccine incidence was 1.96 (95% CL 1.52; 2.40) and dropped to 0.62 (95% CL 0.60; 0.64) in the post-4CMenB era. Evaluating only vaccinated children, post-4CMenB incidence was 0.12 (95% CL 0.08; 0.15). In Veneto pre-vaccine incidence was 1.94 (95% CL 1.92; 1.96) and dropped to 1.34 (95% CL 1.31; 1.38) in the post-4CMenB era. In the vaccinated population, MenB incidence was 0.53 (95% CL 0.50; 0.56). Vaccine effectiveness was 93.6% (95% CL 55.4; 99.1) in Tuscany and 91.0% (95% CL 59.9; 97.9) in Veneto, with mean vaccine coverages of 83.9% and 81.7%, respectively. The overall impact (evaluating both vaccinated and unvaccinated children) was 0.68 (95% CL 0.10; 0.89) in Tuscany and 0.31 (95% CL -0.56; 0.69) in Veneto; the total impact (evaluating only vaccinated children) was 0.94 (95% CL 0.56; 0.99) and 0.90 (95% CL 0.57; 0.97), respectively. The relative case reduction (RCR) was 65% in Tuscany and 31% in Veneto. Considering the vaccinated population, the RCR was equal to 91% and 80%, respectively., Conclusion: In conclusion, 4CMenB appears to have a very high effectiveness in Italy; the impact of vaccination appears greater where the immunization program is started early.