Search

Objective: The present study aims at systematically reviewing research conducted on factors promoting breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings participation.Methods: A literature search in MEDLINE/PubMed and PsycInfo from January 2017 to October 2021 was performed. Data extraction, researchers' full agreement and the inclusion criteria produced 102 eligible studies. Data were narratively synthesized and critically interpreted.Results: Multiple factors favoring or hindering breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings were identified and summarized as factors operating at the individual level (background information, individual characteristics, emotions related to screening procedure and to cancer, knowledge and awareness), at the relational level (relationships with healthcare staff, significant others, community members), and at the healthcare system level (systems barriers/policy, lack of staff). A critical appraisal of studies revealed a fragmentation in the literature, with a compartmentalization of studies by type of cancer screening, country and specific populations of destination.Conclusions: Overall findings indicated that greater integration of research results obtained independently for each cancer diagnosis and within the different countries/populations could foster a more comprehensive understanding of factors potentially enhancing the participation in breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings worldwide. This review, which is grounded in the current context of globalization and superdiversification in population, can help to enhance a better integration between research and practices, by supporting the development of more effective and inclusive evidence-based interventions and health-promotion campaigns worldwide. Research and practical implications are highlighted and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Hyaluronic acid (HA) based dermal fillers (DF) in recent years aroused big interest in the area of cosmetic surgery for the rejuvenation of the dermis. There is not a ideal dermal filler for all applications and in commerce there are many types of DF that differ for their chemical-physical properties. The aim of this paper is to correlate the rheological and physical properties of different DF to their clinical effectiveness. Matherials and Methods: In this frame the samples have been subjected to oscillation dynamic rheological and steady shear measurements. Results: Our results demonstrate that the viscoelastic properties of different DF varie strongly also considering fillers of the same family. Furthermore it was found that the materials physical properties influence significantly the performance of dermal filler. In particular the clinical data appear to correlate with the concentration of the polymer and with the product between the concentration and the percent elasticity, so these should be crucial parameters for the clinical performance of DF. Conclusion: Rheological data can be a tool to have an indication on the efficacy and longevity of DF but it has to be considered that production technology, in-vivo-conditions, injector skills and experience also influence them significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a six-year clinical and electrodiagnostic follow-up of an adolescent patient with acute thallium poisoning from attempted suicide. During the acute stage the patient showed gastrointestinal disturbances, alopecia, and clinical and electrodiagnostic signs of severe polyneuropathy. Three years after poisoning, his neurological symptomatology was making progress, and electrophysiologic signs of peripheral neuropathy were mainly confined to lower limbs. Six years after intoxication, he was still complaining of weakness and sensory disturbances at the level of distal lower extremities; his neurologic and electrodiagnostic abnormalities affected mainly the feet. In this case report we underline the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to prevent neurological damage and the role of serial electromyographic and nerve conduction studies in thallium poisoning. These investigations allowed the authors to depict the electrophysiologic course of peripheral nervous system involvement over six years following poisoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We aimed to assess the performance of radiomics and machine learning (ML) for classification of non-cystic benign and malignant breast lesions on ultrasound images, compare ML's accuracy with that of a breast radiologist, and verify if the radiologist's performance is improved by using ML. Methods: Our retrospective study included patients from two institutions. A total of 135 lesions from Institution 1 were used to train and test the ML model with cross-validation. Radiomic features were extracted from manually annotated images and underwent a multistep feature selection process. Not reproducible, low variance, and highly intercorrelated features were removed from the dataset. Then, 66 lesions from Institution 2 were used as an external test set for ML and to assess the performance of a radiologist without and with the aid of ML, using McNemar's test. Results: After feature selection, 10 of the 520 features extracted were employed to train a random forest algorithm. Its accuracy in the training set was 82% (standard deviation, SD, ± 6%), with an AUC of 0.90 (SD ± 0.06), while the performance on the test set was 82% (95% confidence intervals (CI) = 70–90%) with an AUC of 0.82 (95% CI = 0.70–0.93). It resulted in being significantly better than the baseline reference (p = 0.0098), but not different from the radiologist (79.4%, p = 0.815). The radiologist's performance improved when using ML (80.2%), but not significantly (p = 0.508). Conclusions: A radiomic analysis combined with ML showed promising results to differentiate benign from malignant breast lesions on ultrasound images. Key Points: • Machine learning showed good accuracy in discriminating benign from malignant breast lesions • The machine learning classifier's performance was comparable to that of a breast radiologist • The radiologist's accuracy improved with machine learning, but not significantly [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses a study which investigated the effects of inducible nitric oxide synthase on epithelial repair of porcine ileum. Function of the single columnar lining of the small intestine; Development of a model of early epithelial repair; Details of morphometric analyses.

Objective: The pandemic due to COVID-19 and the consequent quarantine are characterized as stressful events and such as to cause effects not only in terms of physical health but also in general well-being and mental health. The aim of this study is, firstly, to observe general population reactions in relation to these events with respect to the following variables: a) degree of perceived psychological distress; b) coping strategies used; c) personological traits; d) presence or absence of previous trauma; e) variables associated with COVID-19. The secondary objective is to trace eventual differences within the same sample. Method: From the General Population sample (PG) (n = 735) was selected a macro-group of healthy subjects (n = 648). Subsequently, based on the scores obtained on the SCL-90-R Scale Global Gravity Index (GSI), two subgroups were identified: one with high GSI scores (GSI_high) and another with low GSI scores (GSI_low). The scores obtained from self-administered questionnaires were collected and analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance and multiple regression models. Results: From an initial qualitative analysis on the selected sample of healthy subjects (n = 648), an anxiety-depressive and obsessive-compulsive symptomatology emerges mainly, although with scores still sub-threshold. Results from the analysis of variance evidenced significantly higher scores for the GSI_high subgroup compared to the GSI_low one in all variables. On the other hand, the regression analysis conducted on the two GSI subgroups show specific associations between psychological suffering and use of avoidant coping, Negative Affectivity and Detachment domains of the PID-5BF. Conclusions: This study presents interesting results that indicate how the reactions to stressful events can vary from individual to individual and how the personological traits and coping strategies act as possible predisposing factors, playing a crucial role in preventing or, on the contrary, promoting a level of discomfort in terms of psychological suffering and symptomatological manifestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe clinical features and disease progression of Selenoprotein N‐related myopathy in a large multicenter cohort of patients. Methods: Cross‐sectional multicenter data analysis of 60 patients (53 families) with Selenoprotein N‐related myopathy and single‐center retrospective longitudinal analysis of 25 patients (21 families) over a median period of 5.3 years. Results: The majority of patients (46/60, 77%) presented before age 2 years with hypotonia, poor head/neck control, and developmental delay. At last assessment (median age 14 years; range 2.5 to 36 years), 10/60 patients had minimal or no ambulation. Ventilatory support was initiated in 50/60 patients at a mean Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) of 38% and at a median age of 13 years. Forty‐five/60 patients developed scoliosis (at median age 12.1 years) and 18 had scoliosis surgery at a median age of 13.6 years. Five children needed nasogastric feeds and/or gastrostomy. Longitudinal data analysis on 25 patients showed progressive decline of Hammersmith functional motor scores (estimated annual change −0.55 point), time to walk 10 meter, time standing from sitting, and from lying. Sixteen patients had weights < 2nd centile. The estimated change in FVC % per year was −2.04, with a 95% CI (−2.94, −1.14). Conclusions: This comprehensive analysis of patients with Selenoprotein N‐related myopathy further describes the clinical course of this rare condition. The observed functional motor and respiratory data provide evidence of the slow decline patients experience over time which is useful when considering therapeutic intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bio-based succinic acid production from lignocellulosic biomass is one of the attractive and prominent alternative technologies to overcome issues associated with the utilization of fossil sources. In this context, it is necessary to find new microorganisms that are able to efficiently ferment this recalcitrant feedstock. The ecological approach developed in this study enabled the isolation of Basfia succiniciproducens BPP7 from a complex rumen ecosystem. This new wild-type strain was able to synthesize up to 6.06 ± 0.05 g/L of succinate (corresponding to 0.84 ± 0.017 g of succinate per gram of consumed glucose + xylose and to 0.14 ± 0.001 g of succinate per gram of glucans + xylans present in the biomass before hydrolysis) from Arundo donax hydrolysate in separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) experiments. Higher titers of succinic acid were obtained through the optimization of growth conditions. The optimal medium composition identified on the smaller scale was then used for 2.5-L batch experiments, which used A. donax hydrolysate and yeast extract as the main C and N sources, respectively. A maximal titer of 9.4 ± 0.4 g/L of succinic acid was obtained after 24 h. The overall results clearly demonstrate the potential of B. succiniciproducens BPP7 for succinate production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congenital myopathies are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of muscle disorders characterized by congenital or early-onset hypotonia and muscle weakness, and specific pathological features on muscle biopsy. The phenotype ranges from foetal akinesia resulting in in utero or neonatal mortality, to milder disorders that are not life-limiting. Over the past decade, more than 20 new congenital myopathy genes have been identified. Most encode proteins involved in muscle contraction; however, mutations in ion channel-encoding genes are increasingly being recognized as a cause of this group of disorders. SCN4A encodes the α-subunit of the skeletal muscle voltage-gated sodium channel (Nav1.4). This channel is essential for the generation and propagation of the muscle action potential crucial to muscle contraction. Dominant SCN4A gain-of-function mutations are a well-established cause of myotonia and periodic paralysis. Using whole exome sequencing, we identified homozygous or compound heterozygous SCN4A mutations in a cohort of 11 individuals from six unrelated kindreds with congenital myopathy. Affected members developed in utero- or neonatal-onset muscle weakness of variable severity. In seven cases, severe muscle weakness resulted in death during the third trimester or shortly after birth. The remaining four cases had marked congenital or neonatal-onset hypotonia and weakness associated with mild-to-moderate facial and neck weakness, significant neonatal-onset respiratory and swallowing difficulties and childhood-onset spinal deformities. All four surviving cohort members experienced clinical improvement in the first decade of life. Muscle biopsies showed myopathic features including fibre size variability, presence of fibrofatty tissue of varying severity, without specific structural abnormalities. Electrophysiology suggested a myopathic process, without myotonia. In vitro functional assessment in HEK293 cells of the impact of the identified SCN4A mutations showed loss-of-function of the mutant Nav1.4 channels. All, apart from one, of the mutations either caused fully non-functional channels, or resulted in a reduced channel activity. Each of the affected cases carried at least one full loss-of-function mutation. In five out of six families, a second loss-of-function mutation was present on the trans allele. These functional results provide convincing evidence for the pathogenicity of the identified mutations and suggest that different degrees of loss-of-function in mutant Nav1.4 channels are associated with attenuation of the skeletal muscle action potential amplitude to a level insufficient to support normal muscle function. The results demonstrate that recessive loss-of-function SCN4A mutations should be considered in patients with a congenital myopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To investigate if protracted living in degraded environments of the Caserta and Naples provinces (Campania Region, Italy) had an impact on exposure of local people, highly toxic persistent contaminants were measured in blood, blood serum, and human milk of a large number of healthy donors. Sampling was carried out from 2008 to 2009. Blood was collected from over 850 20–64-year old donors; by pooling, 84 blood and 84 serum samples were obtained. Milk was donated by 52 mothers: specimens were pooled into six samples. Polychlorodibenzodioxins (PCDDs), polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDFs), and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs, dioxin-like (DL) and non-dioxin-like (Σ6PCBs)), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) were measured in serum (organic biomarkers) and blood (metals); these chemicals and polybromobiphenyl ethers (Σ9PBDEs) were analyzed in milk. PCDD+PCDF, DL-PCB, TEQTOT, and Σ6PCB concentration ranges (medians) in serum were 6.26–23.1 (12.4), 3.42–31.7 (11.5), 10.0–52.8 (23.9) pgTEQ97/g fat, and 55.5–647 (219) ng/g fat, respectively, while in milk concentration ranges were 5.99–8.77, 4.02–6.15, 10.0–14.2 pgTEQ97/g fat, and 48.7–74.2ng/g fat. Likewise, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb findings in blood spanned 2.34–13.4 (5.83), 0.180–0.930 (0.475), 1.09–7.60 (2.60), 10.2–55.9 (28.8) μg/L, respectively; only Pb could be measured in milk (2.78–5.99μg/L). Σ9PBDE levels in milk samples were 0.965–6.05ng/g fat. Biomarkers' concentrations were found to be compatible with their current values in European countries and in Italy, and consistent with an exposure primarily determined by consumption of commercial food from the large distribution system. Based on relatively higher biomarker values within the hematic biomonitoring database, the following municipalities were flagged as possibly deserving attention for health-oriented interventions: Brusciano and Caivano (As), Giugliano (Hg), Pianura (PCDDs+PCDFs), and Qualiano–Villaricca (As, Hg). The analysis of samples' qualitative variability indicated that biomarker composition was sensitive at municipality level, a feature that can potentially drive interventions for future local risk assessment and/or management measures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

How the cell converts graded signals into threshold-activated responses is a question of great biological relevance. Here, we uncover a nonlinear modality of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-activated signal transduction, by demonstrating that the ubiquitination of the EGFR at the PM is threshold controlled. The ubiquitination threshold is mechanistically determined by the cooperative recruitment of the E3 ligase Cbl, in complex with Grb2, to the EGFR. This, in turn, is dependent on the simultaneous presence of two phosphotyrosines, pY1045 and either one of pY1068 or pY1086, on the same EGFR moiety. The dose-response curve of EGFR ubiquitination correlate precisely with the non-clathrin endocytosis (NCE) mode of EGFR internalization. Finally, EGFR-NCE mechanistically depends on EGFR ubiquitination, as the two events can be simultaneously re-engineered on a phosphorylation/ubiquitination-incompetent EGFR backbone. Since NCE controls the degradation of the EGFR, our findings have implications for how the cell responds to increasing levels of EGFR signalling, by varying the balance of receptor signalling and degradation/attenuation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To establish the rates and types of psychiatric disorder in children before and after surgery for extratemporal epilepsy. Relationships between psychiatric morbidity and demographic/clinical variables were examined. Method A retrospective case note review of 71 children undergoing extratemporal focal resection for drug resistant epilepsy in a specialist epilepsy surgery programme between 1997 and 2008. Psychiatric diagnoses were derived from pre- and postoperative assessments according to DSM-IV criteria. Results Seventy-one children (38 males, 33 females) were eligible for this study. Mean age (SD) at surgery was 9 (5) years. Frontal resections were performed in 73% of the children, parietal in 17%, and occipital in 10%. Mental health problems were present in 37 of 71 (52%) children pre- and/or postoperatively. A similar proportion of children had psychiatric diagnoses pre- and postoperatively: 31 of 71 (44%) and 32 of 71 (45%) respectively. Interpretation Psychopathology is common in children with extratemporal epilepsy. In this sample, the impact of surgery on psychiatric symptoms was not predictable: some children were unchanged, others improved, and others acquired new psychiatric diagnoses postoperatively. Given the high rates of psychiatric disorder in this group of patients, detection and treatment of mental health needs may be important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the effects of two diets and water supplies on intestinal pH and mineral concentrations in the colon of horses, and to identify whether differences in these parameters exist in horses with and without enterolithiasis, surgical fistulation of the right dorsal colon was performed in six adult horses, three with and three without enterolithiasis. Each horse underwent four feeding trials: grass hay and untreated water, alfalfa hay and untreated water, grass hay with filtered/softened water, and alfalfa hay with filtered]softened water. Samples of colonic contents were analyzed for pH, dry matter, and mineral concentrations. Horses with enterolithiasis had higher calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and sulfur concentrations and higher pH in colonic contents than controls. Horses fed alfalfa had lower colonic sodium and potassium, higher calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and sulfur concentrations, and a more alkaline pH than those fed grass. Grass hay consumption leads to reduced concentrations of select minerals and a more acidic colonic environment compared with alfalfa, probably beneficial in the prevention of enterolithiasis. Under controlled dietary and management conditions, horses with enterolithiasis have differences in colonic mineral and pH parameters that may be consistent with physiological differences between horses with and without the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims:  This research focused on the effects of low electric current (LEC) on the cell viability and metabolic activity of Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus. Methods and Results:  Different LEC intensities at fixed amperage were applied, employing either graphite or copper electrode pairs, and the effects were determined by conventional cultural methods and bioindicators. On E. coli, the LEC with graphite electrodes at 5 and 10 mA led to no significant variation, but at 20 and 40 mA there was increasing inhibition of both the enzymatic activities and growth, and a reduction in ATP content. On B. cereus, similar experiments at the lower amperages did not have any inhibitor effects, however, the 40 mA current stimulated growth, ATP content and some enzymatic activities. The LEC treatment using copper electrodes caused, already at 5 mA, inhibition of bacterial growth and metabolic and enzymatic activities in both E. coli and B. cereus. Conclusions:  On the basis of the obtained results using different amperages and electrodes, we can conclude that E. coli seem to be more sensitive compared with B. cereus. Significance and Impact of the Study:  The study increases the knowledge on LEC treatment effects on the pure bacterial cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Despite the increased use of the cesarean section (CS), the rates of cerebral palsy, a frequent consequence of brain damage, have remained stable over the last decades. Whether an actual decrease in cerebral palsy has been masked by increased survival of infants delivered by CS or not, remains undefined. To investigate the role of CS, we compared risks of mortality and brain damage, as defined by ultrasound (US) abnormalities, in preterm newborns by mode of delivery. Methods: Information on fetal, maternal, and neonatal risk factors was collected from the paired clinical records of preterm newborns and mothers. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) of mortality and ultrasound abnormalities, according to mode of delivery (i.e., vaginal, elective CS, and emergency CS) were calculated. All the analyses were controlled for possible confounding by indication. Results: In newborns of gestational age <32 weeks, no effect of CS on cerebral US abnormalities was found (OR 0.71 and 0.73 for emergency CS and elective CS, respectively). None of the maternal and neonatal factors were associated with both cerebral US abnormalities and mode of delivery. Among newborns of gestational age >or=32 weeks, after controlling for known and potential confounders in a multivariate model, the adjusted ORs remained close to one for both elective CS and emergency CS. Conclusions: CS does not reduce overall mortality in preterm newborns. No protective effect of CS on US abnormalities was found after stratifying by gestational age and controlling for possible confounding. These results do not encourage the widespread use of CS in preterm labor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A large measles epidemic occurred in 2002 in Campania, a region of southern Italy with inadequate vaccination coverage. We evaluated the burden of the outbreak in children <15 years of age using different data sources. The measles standardized incidence rate was 5757/100,000, corresponding to 63,368 estimated cases (95% CI: 59,544–67,373). Measles virus strains were identified as belonging to the D7 genotype. The estimated complication rate was 7.6%. A total of 972 measles hospitalisations were detected, giving a hospitalisation rate of 88.3/100,000. Three deaths occurred. These results show that measles can still represent a serious health threat even in industrialized countries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Small bowel epithelium is at the front- line of intestinal barrier function. Restitution is considered to be the major determinant of epithelial repair, because function recovers in parallel with restitution after acute injury. As such, studies of intact mucosa have largely been replaced by migration assays of cultured epithelia. These latter studies fail to account for the simultaneous roles played by villous contraction and paracellular permeability in recovery of barrier function. NSAIDs result in increased intestinal permeability and disease exacerbation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Thus we examined the reparative attributes of endogenous PGs after injury of ileal mucosa by deoxycholate (6 mM) in Ussing chambers. Recovery of transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) from 20-40 Ω·cm² was abolished by indomethacin (Indo), whereas restitution of 40-100% of the villous surface was unaffected despite concurrent arrest of villous contraction. In the presence of PG, resident crypt and migrating epithelial cells were tightly apposed. In tissues treated with Indo, crypt epithelial cells had dilated intercellular spaces that were accentuated in the migrating epithelium. TER was fully rescued from the effects of Indo by osmotic-driven collapse of the paracellular space, and PG-mediated recovery was significantly impaired by blockade of Cl[sup -] secretion. These studies are the first to clearly distinguish the relative contribution of paracellular resistance vs. restitution to acute recovery of epithelial barrier function. Restitution was ineffective in the absence of PG-mediated paracellular space closure. Failure of PG-mediated repair mechanisms may underlie barrier failure resulting from NSAID use in patients with underlying enteropathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have previously shown that prostanoids inhibit electroneutral sodium absorption in Cryptosporidium parvum-infected porcine ileum, whereas glutamine stimulates electroneutral sodium absorption. We postulated that glutamine would stimulate sodium absorption via a cyclooxygenase (COX)-dependent pathway. We tested this hypothesis in C. parvum-infected calves, which are the natural hosts of cryptosporidiosis. Tissues from healthy and infected calves were studied in Ussing chambers and analyzed via immunohistochemistry and Western blots. Treatment of infected tissue with selective COX inhibitors revealed that COX-1 and -2 must be blocked to restore electroneutral sodium absorption, although the transporter involved did not appear to be the expected Na[sup +]/H[sup +] exchanger 3 isoform. Glutamine addition also stimulated sodium absorption in calf tissue, but although this transport was electroneutral in healthy tissue, sodium absorption was electrogenic in infected tissue and was additive to sodium transport uncovered by COX inhibition. Blockade of both COX isoforms is necessary to release the prosraglandin-mediated inhibition of electroneutral sodium uptake in C. parvum-infected calf ileal tissue, whereas glutamine increases sodium uptake by an electrogenic mechanism in this same tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the effect of luminally applied glutamine and the PG indomethacin on NaCl absorption from infected calf ileum in Ussing chambers. Cryptosporidium infection's induction of villous atrophy and crypt hyperplasia; Enhancement of ion absorption in infected ileum by indomethacin.

Introduction: Current lengthening of average life and constant increase of population ageing associated to forces that include rapid unplanned urbanisation and globalisation of unhealthy behaviours have determined the huge relevance of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Monitoring key modifiable behavioural risk factors has resulted to be crucial both in spatial terms and as per temporal trends in order to allow comparisons between different geographic areas or levels and over time.Materials and Methods: In Italy, PASSI (Progressi delle Aziende Sanitarie per la Salute in Italia) and Passi d'Argento are the ongoing Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance Systems (BRFSSs), respectively, on adults (people aged 18-69) and elderly (65 and older).Results: The two Italian surveillances are information systems providing data not only on the third Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) that explicitly addresses ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all, but on a total of nine health-related SDGs (HRSDGs) and 19 HRSDG targets/indicators. We describe these pairs more in detail specifying where in case of BRFSS core indicators (N = 14 HRSDG targets/indicators) concerning six HRSDGs or, on the other hand, as per BRFSS further in-depth analysis (N = five HRSDG targets/indicators) in regard of four different HRSDGs. About the HRSDG 3, HRSDG target 3.4, HRSDG indicator 3.4.1, from the PASSI and Passi d'Argento data it is possible not only to detect the prevalence of NCDs in adults and elderly living in Italy, but also to evaluate the social determinants of health, such as gender, age group, educational level, economic difficulties, as well as the associations with modifiable lifestyle risk factors.Conclusions: The two Italian BRFSSs generate accurate data, which are highly relevant to design, implement, monitor, and evaluate programs and policies at different levels (local, regional, national) for NCD prevention and health promotion. They provide numbers which can also serve as propaedeutic or, in some cases, complementary ground to address a robust measurement of several HRSDG patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has identified a wide range of psychosocial factors associated to choosing to engage in ongoing cancer screenings. Nevertheless, a systematic review of the theoretical frameworks and constructs underpinning studies on breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening participation has yet to be conducted. As part of the action-research project "Miriade," the present study aims to identifying the main theoretical frameworks and constructs adopted in the literature over the past five years to explain cancer screening participation. According to the PRISMA guidelines, a search of the MEDLINE/PubMed and PsycINFO databases was made. Empirical studies conducted from 2017 to 2021 were included. The following keywords were used: breast OR cervical OR colorectal screening AND adhesion OR participation OR engagement AND theoretical framework OR conceptual framework OR theory . Overall, 24 articles met the inclusion criteria. Each theoretical framework highlighted clinical and psychosocial constructs of cancer screening participation, focusing on the individuals (psycho-emotional functioning and skills plan) and/or the health services perspectives. Findings from the present study acknowledge the plurality of the theoretical frameworks and constructs adopted to predict or promote breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening adhesion and the need for new research efforts to improve the effectiveness of cancer screening promotion interventions., (© 2022 The Authors.)

Foodborne infections cause illness and death every year worldwide. The aim of this study was to describe trends in 2013-2019 in the occurrence of human cases of salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, listeriosis, and hepatitis A in the Campania region. Human case data were provided by the National Surveillance System of disease and were grouped by year, province, age group, and sex. Moreover, the number of people hospitalized was recorded. In the Campania region, the total number of confirmed human cases for the diseases investigated was 1924, with Hepatitis A and the Salmonellosis as the first most reported (1009 and 825 cases, respectively). The incidence rates of gastroenteritis under study were lower than those in Italy and European Union in the same period, with the exception of Hepatitis A whose incidence was higher than that recorded in Italy. Data on hospitalizations pointed out the onset of severe forms of infection also for listeriosis and campylobacteriosis, whose incidence was very low (27 and 63 cases, respectively). Unfortunately, no information on the foods implicated is available. Although probably underestimated, gastroenteritis due to foodborne agents still represents a burden in Campania, and continuous monitoring and implementation of the currently available regional surveillance system is required.

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.

SARS-CoV-2 infection after vaccination can occur because COVID-19 vaccines do not offer 100% protection. The study aim was to assess duration of vaccination coverage, disease symptoms and type of hospitalization among non-vaccinated and vaccinated subjects to evaluate the vaccination trend over time. A retrospective cohort study was carried out among people testing COVID-19 positive in Campania Region using information from the Health Information System of Campania Region (Sinfonia). Vaccination status was assessed considering: no vaccination, partial vaccination and effective vaccination. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to evaluate the association between ICU admissions caused by COVID-19 and gender, age groups and vaccine type. Vaccine coverage duration trends were investigated using segmented linear regression and breakpoint estimations. Vaccination coverage was assessed by analyzing COVID-19 positive subjects in the 9 months after an effective dose vaccination. A significant risk of hospitalization in the ICU was caused by vaccination status: subjects non-vaccinated (OR: 7.14) and partially vaccinated (OR: 3.68) were 3 and 7 times more at risk of hospitalization, respectively, than subjects effectively vaccinated. Regarding subjects with an effective vaccination, the vaccine’s ability to protect against infection in the months following vaccination decreased. The risk of contracting COVID-19 after vaccination was higher 5 months (β = 1441, p < 0.001) and 7 months (β = 3110, p < 0.001) after administration of an effective dose. COVID-19 vaccines were demonstrated to protect from symptomatic infection by significantly reducing hospitalization risk, and their full protection against SARS-CoV-2 was demonstrated to decrease after 5 months regardless of age, gender or vaccine type.

Background: In the present study, our aim was to evaluate the clinical and microbiological characteristics of a cohort of patients with bloodstream infections (BSI) due to Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and investigate the independent predictors of mortality., Methods: All episodes of carbapenem-resistant E. coli (CREc) or K. pneumoniae (CRKp) BSI that were subject to a mandatory notification from January to December 2020 in all acute care hospitals and long-term care facilities of the Campania region in southern Italy were enrolled. All carbapenem-resistant strains were assessed through molecular tests for the presence of five carbapenemase gene families, i.e., K. pneumoniae Carbapenemase (KPC), oxacillinase-48 (OXA-48), New Delhi Metallo-β-lactamase (NDM), Verona integron encoded metallo-β-lactamase (VIM) and Imipenemase (IMP)., Results: During the study period, a total of 154 consecutive non-repeated CRE BSI, all due to CRKp, were reported. The most frequently identified genes were KPC in 108 cases (70.1%), followed by metallo-betalactamases (MBL) (16.2%), and OXA-48 (2.6%); in 17 isolates (11%) no carbapenemase was detected. The overall mortality at 90 days was 41.9%. Using a log-rank test, patients without risk factors for CRE infections showed a significantly lower cumulative mortality ( p = 0.001). After multivariate logistic regression analysis, the presence of at least one risk factor was the only predictor of mortality (OR: 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-6.1, p = 0.015)., Conclusions: The study reported a non-negligible prevalence of MBL-producing organisms among CRKp isolated from blood cultures in our region. This data highlights the importance of molecular characterization of all clinical isolates of carbapenem-resistant organisms.

Background: Evidence about late effects in adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors is scarce. This study assessed the risk of subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMNs) to identify the most common SMNs to be considered in follow-up care., Methods: Population-based cancer registries retrospectively identified first primary tumors (between 1976 and 2013) and SMNs in AYAs (15-39 years old at their cancer diagnosis). AYA cancer survivors were those alive at least 5 years after their first cancer diagnosis. The excess risk of SMNs was measured as standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and absolute excess risk together with the cumulative incidence of SMNs., Results: The cohort included 67,692 AYA cancer survivors. The excess risk of developing any SMN (SIR, 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-1.7) was 60%. The excess risk of SMNs was significantly high for survivors of lymphomas; cancers of the breast, thyroid, female genital tract, digestive organs, gonads, and urinary tract; and melanomas. The cumulative incidence of all SMNs in AYA cancer survivors within 25 years of their first cancer diagnosis was approximately 10%. Subsequent tumors contributing to approximately 60% of all SMNs were breast cancer, colorectal cancer, corpus uteri cancer, and ovarian cancer in females and colorectal cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, and lymphomas in males., Conclusions: These results highlight the need to personalize follow-up strategies for AYA cancer survivors., (© 2021 American Cancer Society.)

Purpose: Adolescent and young adult (AYA, 15-39 years) cancer survivors (alive at least 5 years after cancer diagnosis) are less studied than younger and older cancer survivors and research on their late effects is limited. To facilitate research on long-term outcomes of AYA cancer survivors, we established, in Italy, a population-based AYA cancer survivors' cohort. This article describes the study design and main characteristics of this cohort. Methods: The cohort derives from population-based cancer registries (CRs). Each CR identified AYA cancer patients retrospectively. Treatment for first primary cancer and all health events from diagnosis to death can be traced through linkage with available health databases, such as hospital discharge records (HDRs), mortality files, and outpatient and pharmaceutical databases. Results: Thirty-four CRs participated to the cohort which overall includes 93,291 AYAs with cancer and 67,692 cancer survivors. First primary cancer distribution in AYA cancer survivors differs by sex and age groups because of the different cancer types diagnosed in AYAs. Almost 78% of AYA cancer survivors have HDRs and 14.8% also pharmaceutical and outpatient databases. Conclusion: This cohort will be used to study, for the first time in Italy, the pattern and excess risk of late effects in AYA cancer survivors. HDRs, outpatient and pharmaceutical databases will be used to define primary treatment to assess its impact on AYA cancer survivors' late effects. This cohort exploiting data sources already available at CRs, minimize the data collection effort and it will contribute to assess the feasibility of using administrative database to study cancer survivors' late effects.

Background: In Italy, organized screening programmes invite the vast majority of the population for cervical and breast cancer, and about one half of the population for colorectal cancer. Programme activity and quality are closely monitored. Nevertheless, there is a vast spontaneous activity, both public and private, for which information on service and coverage is missing. To estimate actual population coverage for the three types of screening the extent of spontaneous screening needs to be known., Methods: PASSI is a national telephone-interview surveillance system that continuously collects information about behavioural health risk factors and the diffusion of preventive health interventions. From 2010 to 2013, more than 151,000 18- to 69-year-olds were interviewed. During 2013, 136 out of 147 Italian local health authorities participated in the survey. Information about screening includes: test uptake (Pap smear, HPV, mammography, faecal occult blood test, colonoscopy), date of the last test, provider of the last test (whether paid or for free, proxy of the organized screening programme), reason for not participating in screening, and screening promotion/recommendation received. Individual information on socio-economic characteristics is available., Results: Seventy-seven percent of the 25-64 year-old women interviewed said they had undergone a Pap smear or HPV test in the three years before the interview, 40%within the screening programme, 37% spontaneously and paying. Seventy percent of the 50-69 year-old women interviewed reported having had a mammography in the two years before the interview, 51% within the screening programme, 19% spontaneously and paying. Thirty-eight percent of the 50-69 year olds interviewed reported having undergone colorectal screening in the two years before the interview, 31% within the screening programme, 7% spontaneously and paying. All three screening programmes showed a decreasing North-South trend in coverage. From 2010 to 2013, coverage increased for all types of screening; the trend was stronger in the South; the increase was mostly due to the tests performed within the organized programmes. People with low education, economic problems, and immigrants from high migration pressure countries had lower coverage levels. In regions with well-implemented organized screening programmes, test coverage was higher and differences for socio-economic factors were smaller than in regions with incomplete programme activation.

Context: Italy implemented a law in January 2005 banning smoking in all enclosed public spaces., Objectives: To document perceived obstacles and effects of the law and observed client smoking behaviours in bars and restaurants., Design: Four surveys were conducted between December 2004 and February 2006. Protocols and questionnaires were posted on a public health website to solicit participation among local health units (LHUs). Participating LHUs randomly selected 50 bars and restaurants using the electronic Yellow Pages. Self-administered questionnaires were delivered to owners or managers of selected locales; all of them were revisited during peak hours to collect questionnaires and observe client smoking., Results: Before the ban, smokers were observed in 31% of locales; 24% of owners predicted major financial losses. One year later, no smokers were observed and only 7% reported major financial losses. Only 30% had received law enforcement visits. Most owners/managers (88%) reported positive attitudes about the law and 79% reported such attitudes among clients., Conclusions: The Italian smoking law has drastically reduced smoking in bars and restaurants despite minimal enforcement visits. Perceived negative effects on profits appear limited, and the owners and managers and their clients are satisfied.