Search

In this study, the effects of photo-electrocatalysis (PEC) were evaluated as an innovative application of conventional photocatalysis (PC) to remediate water in a recirculating system for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) culture, in relation to fish welfare and health, with a multidisciplinary approach. Three tanks were employed, equipped with conventional biological filters as a control system, and three tanks equipped with the PEC purification system. The concentrations of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate ions in water were monitored, and the fish’s oxidative damage and stress response were evaluated in parallel. The water of the PEC-treated experimental group showed lower ammonia (TAN) and nitrite concentrations and higher nitrate concentration, possibly deriving from TAN oxidation through PEC, also leading to gaseous N2. Histological analysis did not reveal any pathological alteration in the gills and liver of both groups. The superoxide dismutase (sod1), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx1), and Tumor necrosis factor (TNFα) gene expressions were significantly higher in the control group than in the PEC-treated group, while the Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) expression did not show any difference in the two groups. These results indicate that the use of PEC filters has a positive effect on water quality, compared to the use of conventional biological filters, inducing a high level of welfare in O. mykiss.

In this study, Mediterranean mussels (

BACKGROUND Dry cured ham named Speck is a typical Italian product, with consolidated processing techniques and specific quality parameters. It has gained importance in the international market after obtaining the Protected Geographical Indication. Recent studies indicate that dietary plant extracts in pig may affect quality of processed meats but there are no data on their effect on Speck. Consequently, the effects of dietary supplementation with antioxidant mixture (AOX), containing vitamin E and polyphenols, in pigs on the nutritional characteristics, volatile compounds, sensory properties and consumers' preference of Speck were evaluated. RESULTS The Speck weight loss during seasoning was lower in the AOX group, while products quality parameters were not affected by dietary treatments. Alcohol and terpenes concentrations were lower (P

Resumo: No período do século XIX, a geologia começou a ser desenvolvida com maior fervor pelos naturalistas da época, sendo inclusa como disciplina em universidades europeias no decorrer dos anos (Laudan 1987; Gohau 1990). As mulheres não eram comumente inseridas nesta área da ciência nesta época, mas com o passar do tempo isso foi mudando. Na geociência, as mulheres coletavam fósseis e posteriormente apresentavam para os homens cientistas que iriam descrevê-los. Elas também eram ilustradoras, trabalhando em conjunto com estes mesmos naturalistas. As poucas mulheres inseridas no meio científico do século XIX, geralmente possuíam parentesco com algum dos naturalistas e pesquisadores da época (Vincent 2020; Kolbl-Ebert 2020). Com o decorrer do tempo e o avanço do desenvolvimento das geociências, algumas mulheres se destacaram no estudo desta área, como por exemplo Grace Anne Milne (1832-1899). Grace Anne foi uma mulher escocesa, sobrinha de Hugh Falconer (1808- 1865), um paleontólogo da época (Mather e Campbell 2016), foi por influência de seu tio que Grace começou a aprofundar seu interesse pelas geociências, o acompanhando em suas expedições, tendo um papel de secretária e ilustradora (Mather e Campbell 2016). Palavras-chave: Mulheres, geociências, fósseis, Grace Anne Abstract: In the nineteenth century, geology began to be developed with greater fervor by the naturalists of the time, being included as a discipline in European universities over the years (Laudan 1987; Gohau 1990). Women were not commonly included in this area of science at this time, but over time this changed. In geoscience, women collected fossils and then presented to scientists who would describe them. These women were also illustrators, working together with these same naturalists. The few women inserted in the scientific environment of the 19th century, were generally related to one of the naturalists and researchers of the time (Vincent 2020; Kolbl-Ebert 2020). Over time and the advancement of the development of geosciences, some women stood out in the study of this area, such as Grace Anne Milne (1832-1899). Grace Anne was a Scottish woman, niece of Hugh Falconer (1808-1865), a paleontologist at the time (Mather e Campbell 2016), it was under her uncle's influence that Grace began to deepen her interest in geosciences, accompanying him on his expeditions, having a role of secretary and illustrator (Mather e Campbell 2016). Key-words: Women, geoscience, fossils, Grace Anne, {"references":["Bailey, H. 1988. Vera Brittain. [s. n.], 136 p. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 31 maio 2021.","Burek, C. V. 2020. Female medal and fund recipients of the Geological Society of London: a historical perspective. [s. n.], 36 p. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 17 mar. 2021.","Burek, C.V.; Higgs, B. 2007. The Role of Women in the History of Geology. London: The Geological Society. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 17 fev. 2021.","Burek, C. V.; Malpas, J. A. 2007. Rediscovering and conserving the Lower Palaeozoic 'treasures' of Ethel Woods (neé Skeat) and Margaret Crosfield in northeast Wales. The Geological Society of London, [S.l.] (281)1: 203-226. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 29 maio 2021.","Costa, C. 2018. As escritoras que tiveram de usar pseudônimos masculinos: e agora serão lidas com seus nomes verdadeiros. BBC News: Brasil, São Paulo (5)1: 1-6. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 29 maio 2021.","Di Domenico, K. 1977. Super women in science. Second Story Press 17-26. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 26 abr. 2021.","Fawcett, H. V: Mary Somerville. 1889. Some eminent women of our times: short biographical sketches. London: Macmillan and Co. (1): 35-45. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 20 mar. 2021.","Geikie, A. 1924. A Long Life's Work: an autobiography. London: Macmillan And Co. 1- 426. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 08 abr. 2021.","Gohau, G. 1990. A History of Geology. New Brunswick and London: Rutgers University Press, 235 p. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 26 mar. 2021.","Hart, J.K. 2015. The role of women in British Quaternary science. The Geological Society of London (281): 83- 95. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 12 fev. 2021.","Kolbl-Ebert, M. 2020. Ladies with hammers – exploring a social paradox in early nineteenth-century Britain. The Geological Society of London, [S.L.] (506)1: 55-62. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 12 fev. 2021.","Laudan, R. 1987. From mineralogy to geology: The foundations of science, 1650 - 1830. [S. l.: s. n.], 258 p. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 25 mar. 2021.","Lyell, C. 1881. Life, Letters and Journals of Sir Charles Lyell. Nature, [S. l.] (663): 145-148. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 2 abr. 2021.","Mather, J. D.; Campbell, I. 2016. Grace Anne Milne (Lady Prestwich): more than an amanuensis? The Geological Society of London, 251-264. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 12 fev. 2021.","Milne, L. 1901. Essays Descriptive and Biographical: with a memoir by her sister Louisa E. Milne. [S. l.: s. n.], 266 p. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 18 mar. 2021.","Oxford. 2020. Women at Oxford: 1878 - 1920. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 28 maio 2021.","Prestwich, G. A. 1899. Life and Letters of Sir Joseph Prestwich. Nature, [S. l.] (60)1551: 265-266. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 20 mar. 2021.","Prestwich, G. A. 1888. Our white deal box, and the trouble it gave. The Leisure hour, 183-186. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 1 abr. 2021","Prestwich, G. A. 1883. Somerville Hall, Oxford. Routledge's Every Girl's Annual, [s. l.] 317-321. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 25 mar. 2021.","Vincent, A. 2020. Reclaiming the memory of pioneer female geologists 1800–1929. Paris: Copernicus Publications (53): 129–154. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 12 fev. 2021.","Wolff, M. G. 2017. Margaret Thatcher e os intelectuais do The Guardian: olhares sobre o legado da primeira-ministra para a sociedade britânica e para o mundo. Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso. Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 31 maio 2021."]}

SUMMARY The Milanino is a heavy Italian chicken breed and represents an important genetic resource for alternative production systems. In order to support its promotion in the market according to consumer expectations on healthy nutrition and animal welfare, this trial aims to study the slaughter performance and the meat quality in male and female Milanino chickens kept at different rearing density in a separate-sex free-range system. A total of 140 birds (70M:70F) were reared in outdoor pens from 75 to 235 d of life according to the following experimental groups (35 birds/group): M2) males in 2 m2/bird; F2) females in 2 m2/bird; M10) males in 10 m2/bird; F10) females in 10 m2/bird. At 235 d of age, 6 birds per group were slaughtered. Slaughter performance and meat quality were assessed. The Milanino chicken is characterized by high carcass weight and carcass yield among local chicken breeds, and a rearing density of 10 m2/bird is recommended for male birds to obtain heavier carcasses. Milanino meat appears bright and intensely colored, and it is characterized by high protein and low fat contents compared with the standard broiler meat. Total lipids of Milanino meat are characterized by a healthy fatty acid composition, corresponding to a high PUFA/SFA ratio. Milanino breast meat is a good supply of nutraceutical PUFA with a positive low n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio. The ability of the Milanino breed either to synthesize or to transfer to tissue a high quantity of PUFA relevant for human health could be a key factor for its economic valorization.

Background and Objectives: Sex and gender-related differences may influence the outcome of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA). The present paper aims to depict the importance of sex and gender-related issues in the perioperative management of patients undergoing THA to improve clinical outcomes and prevent postoperative complications. Materials and Methods: From January 2002 to August 2022, OVID-MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPU S, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and PubMed were searched to identify relevant studies for further analysis. The search strategy included the following terms: ((“gender-related differences” [MeSH Terms] OR “sex-related differences” [All Fields]) OR (“gender indicators” [MeSH Terms] OR “sex” [All Fields])) AND (“total hip arthroplasty” [MeSH Terms] OR (total hip replacement [All Fields])). Results: Twenty-eight papers were included in this current concepts review. Sex and gender-related differences were analyzed with regard to the following points: (1) surgical approach, robotic surgery, scar cosmesis, and implant choice; (2) postoperative clinical outcome and complications; (3) sexual activity after THA; and (4) psychological status and daily functional requirements. The data analysis showed that female patients need more specific attention in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases to improve clinical and functional outcomes, reduce complications risk, and manage patient satisfaction. Conclusions: THA outcomes may be influenced by sex and gender-related factors which should be carefully assessed and addressed in patients undergoing surgery to improve the postoperative outcomes of patients’ satisfaction and reduce postoperative complications that can differ between the two sexes.

Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) is the worst worldwide pandemic with more than 12,000,000 cases and 560,000 deaths until 14th July 2020. Men were more infected by COVID-19 than women, and male subjects with underlying conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases developed a severe form of the affection, with increased mortality rate. Many factors can contribute to the disparity in disease outcomes, such as hormone-specific reaction and activity of X-linked genes, which modulate the innate and adaptive immune response to virus infection. Until now, only the Remdesivir was approved by FDA (Food Drug Administration) for COVID-19 treatment, although several clinical trials are ongoing worldwide also on other drugs. In this review, we analyzed published studies on several drugs (chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir, favipiravir, lopinavir-ritonavir in combination, tocilizumab, plasma, and immunoglobulins) with some efficacy to COVID-19 in humans, and evaluated if there were a gender analysis of the available data. In our opinion, it is essential to report data about COVID-19 disaggregated by sex, age, and race, because the knowledge of gender differences is fundamental to identify effective and customized treatments to reduce hospitalizations, admissions to intensive care units, and mortality.

A disciplina de Geografia possui características essenciais praticadas no Ensino Fundamental de primeiro ao quinto ano, estudando o funcionamento da natureza, a relação entre o processo histórico que regula a formação das sociedades humanas, através da observação do espaço geográfico e da paisagem. Buscou-se neste artigo, analisar a utilização dos processos pedagógicos do ensino de geografia, utilizadas em duas escolas de ensino fundamental (1º ao 5ª ano) da rede pública do município de Criciúma/SC. A fim de investigar os processos pedagógicos de Geografia, foi realizada uma pesquisa de campo de abordagem qualitativa, utilizando-se de questionamentos previamente estabelecidos, para aproximar-se das possíveis respostas em relação ao problema apresentado. Os dados coletados foram analisados à luz teórica dos seguintes autores: Brabant (2006), Brasil (1997-1998-2017), Callai (2013), Castrogiovanni (1998 – 2010), Cavalcanti (2010), Fernandes (2008), Freire (1996), Gil (1997), Minayo (2007), Passine (2007) Pereira (2011) e Schäffer (2003). Através da pesquisa realizada, foi possível perceber como as professoras ainda desconhecem os diferentes processos pedagógicos,para enriquecerem suas aulas através de experimentos, desafiando seus alunos, despertando a curiosidade e investigação, de forma a aprimorar a qualidade do ensino nesta área do conhecimento.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Geografia. Ensino Fundamental. Processos Pedagógicos.

We determined fatty acid profile and protein carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition in muscle of wild and farmed eels, in order to discriminate the geographical origin of fish and their dietary habits. The samples were divided into groups according to the farm origin (Italy, Denmark and Netherland), the market size (capitoni and buratelli) and the farming system (pond, RAS, lagoon and wild). Biometric measurements, proximate composition analysis (moisture, ash, lipid and protein content), fatty acids profile and carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes measurements were performed. Statistical analysis was fulfilled to investigate the homogeneity of variance and the means distribution, including Principal Component Analysis and Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis. The results suggested that the different farming conditions represented the main factor affecting fish muscle composition. In this scenario, fatty acid profile and δ13C and δ15N values of the defatted muscle represented useful tools to distinguish between eels reared under different feeding regimes (wild vs captive-bred). No differences were found between eels reared in different farms.

In the present study, Strachitunt, an Italian PDO cheese (PDO), traditionally produced starting from raw milk without addition of starter culture (SC) was compared for chemical, physical and microbiological characteristics to an experimental cheese (EC), produced from the same raw milk but with the addition of commercial SC. EC resulted in significantly lower in bacterial counts during the whole period considered (115 days of ripening), for Enterobacteriaceae, Coliforms, Enterococci and Staphylococcus aureus. Strachitunt fatty acids profile was not influenced by the cheese and it was dominated by saturated fatty acid. Volatile compounds analysis revealed that PDO and EC presented the typical aroma of blue veined cheese, where ketones as 2-pentanone, 2-heptanone and 2-nonanone were the most abundant compounds. Considering sensorial analysis, significantly higher scores were obtained for EC if compared to PDO.

edizione di nuove iscrizioni etrusche

Simple Summary Modern consumers are continuously more interested in animal food product qualities that could be considered both extrinsic and intrinsic. Goat products suitably match with these interests because of their functional properties, the ethics of the related livestock production, the environmental impact of production, and animal welfare issues. Through a combination of laboratory analysis and in-field observation, we found that the nutritional quality of goat cheese is affected by the livestock production system, but this is not always true when considering the intrinsic quality related to animal welfare aspects. For this reason, we suggest that more detailed information on different quality traits should be provided to consumers in order to allow them to reach a complete view of product quality and, consequently, to achieve more conscious food consumption. Abstract In this study, we investigated the lipid composition of fresh and semi-hard goat cheese produced in three Italian farms as well as the welfare assessment of goats reared in these farms. The fatty acid (FA) profile of cheese samples were found to be strictly related to the livestock system. Cheese collected from farms in which goats were allowed to graze and were fed diets with a higher forage/concentrate (F/C) ratio showed a FA profile represented by higher contents of health-promoting fatty acids. In the same samples, the health lipid indices showed the most favorable values. Conversely, cheese samples collected from a conventional-lowland farm, where goats were fed with higher amounts of concentrates and lower F/C ratio, presented a lower nutritional quality, characterized by the worst results for what concerns the health lipid indices. Then, we built a multivariate model able to discriminate samples coming from farms managed by a low-input system from those coming from farm managed by a high-input system. The comparison of animal welfare measurements and fatty acids data showed that a better intrinsic quality of low-input farms did not always correspond to better extrinsic quality, suggesting that the information on the livestock system is not always enough to provide consumers with complete awareness of the total product quality.

In December 2019 a novel coronavirus emerged in Wuhan, China causing many cases of severe pneumonia. World Health Organization (WHO) named this disease Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The infection has rapidly spread across China to many other countries, and on March 12, 2020 the WHO declared pandemic outbreak of COVID-19. As of May 16, 2020, COVID-19 has been diagnosed in more than 4,490,000 patients, associated to 305,976 deaths worldwide; in Italy 224,760 COVID-19 cases have been reported with 31,763 deaths. The main routes of transmission are respiratory droplets and direct contact with infected people, so numerous prevention strategies are employed to mitigate the spread of disease, including social distancing and isolation. The aim of this narrative review is to underline gender differences in epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnosis, prognosis and mortality of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Currently data on the sex indicators for admitted or deceased patients are only available, but there is no analysis about other gender indicators. The data considered in our study are the only currently available in the literature, but it is appropriate to implement a specific analysis with all gender indicators to identify appropriate strategies. Moreover, the evaluation of a health service efficiency is a key element to define gender outcomes. Knowing the gender differences in COVID-19 outbreak would be a fundamental tool to understand the effects of a health emergency on individuals and communities as well as to carry out effective and equitable policies, public health measures and targeted solutions.

Aquafeed manufacturers are increasingly interested in ensuring consistently high-quality products, while relying heavily on poultry offal meal (POM), which is inevitably variable. This study examined the chemical composition of 22 different commercially and experimentally produced POM to determine which chemical variables best predict in vivo protein digestibility in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and to evaluate which production variable, rendering temperature or raw material freshness, has a greater impact on digestibility. The chemical composition of commercially and experimentally produced POM was extremely variable. Significant relationships were found between in vivo dietary protein digestibility and D-glutamic acid (R2 = 0.64) and D-aspartic acid (R2 = 0.62). Rendering temperature and raw material freshness had significant effects on D-amino acids and biogenic amines. D-glutamic and D-aspartic acids may provide rapid-assessment indication of POM quality, as these D-amino acids were linked to protein digestibility and affected by the production variables. This study supports the well-held notion that POM is subject to significant variability and addresses the specific chemical characterisation of POM and the production conditions which impact nutrient digestibility in Atlantic salmon. These results prove beneficial to aquafeed manufactures aiming to ensure consistency and high nutritional quality in protein sources for aquafeed.

Myotonic dystrophy, or Steinert’s disease, is the most common form of muscular dystrophy that occurs in adults. This multisystemic form involves the skeletal muscles but affects also the eye, the endocrine system, the central nervous system, and the cardiac system. The weakness of the facial muscles causes a characteristic facial appearance frequently associated with malocclusions. Young people with myotonic dystrophy, who also have severe malocclusions, have bad oral functions such as chewing, breathing, and phonation. We present a case report of a 15-year-old boy with anterior open bite, upper and lower dental crowding, bilateral crossbite, and constriction of the upper jaw with a high and narrow palate. The patient’s need was to improve his quality of life. Because of the severity of skeletal malocclusion, it was necessary to schedule a combined orthodontic and surgical therapy in order to achieve the highest aesthetic and functional result. Although therapy caused an improvement in patient’s quality of life, the clinical management of the case was hard. The article shows a balance between costs and benefits of a therapy that challenges the nature of the main problem of the patient, and it is useful to identify the most appropriate course of treatment for similar cases.

According to the knowledge that the composition in fatty acids of milk is related to the production system, we determined the fatty acid composition of goat milk yielded in three different Italian farms. Two low-input system farms, one organic (LI-O) and one conventional (LI-C), and one high-input system conventional farm (HI-C) were involved in the study. Significant differences were detected among the different groups considering the fatty acid pattern of milk. Fatty acids (FA) strictly related to the rearing system, such as odd and branched chain fatty acids (OBCFA), linoleic acid (LA, 18:2 n6), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3 n3), elaidic acid (EA, 18:1 n9), total n6 and total n3 FA, were identified as the most significant factors in the characterization of samples coming from low- or high-input systems. OBCFA amounts were found to be higher (p &lt, 0.05) in the LI-O milk (4.7%), followed by the LI-C milk (4.5%) and then by the HI-C milk (3.4%). The same trend was observed for &Sigma, n3 FAs, mainly represented by ALA (0.72%&ndash, 0.81% in LI-O systems and 0.41% in HI-system), and the opposite for &Sigma, n6 FAs, principally represented by LA (2.0%&ndash, 2.6% in LI-systems and 3.1% in HI-system). A significant (p &lt, 0.01) discrimination among samples clusters coming from the different systems was allowed by the principal component analysis (PCA).

This report presents a case of an eightyear- old girl affected by a progeroid syndrome of unclear genetic origins. The patient's dental history included oligodontia, premature deciduous exfoliation and roots abnormalities. She was treated with comprehensive oral rehabilitation using dentures. Oral health instructions were given during the whole treatment and follow- up period. The goal of improving the masticatory function and the esthetic was achieved, allowing the patient to increase her social abilities and self-confidence.

Compared to the last two decades, an increase in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) prevalence, morbidity, mortality and disability has clearly emerged among women both in Europe and in all other countries. Despite this evidence, in the international guidelines for COPD there are no sex-specific recommendations. The aim of this study is to evaluate gender differences in patients hospitalized for COPD in Puglia (Italy), with regard to number of admissions, mean age, average length of stay in hospital (ALOS), hospital mortality, re-hospitalization and presence of comorbidities. To identify COPD hospitalized patients, we relied on the Puglia Hospital Discharge Register Database. We included all patients discharged with principal diagnosis of COPD with or without exacerbation (respectively ICD-9-CM codes 491.21 and 491.20) between 2005 and 2016. There has been an increase in the proportion of women’s hospitalizations for COPD, from 2005 [31.9%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 31.1-32.7] to 2016 (37.9%, 95%CI 36.0-40.0). Women need longer hospitalization and in 2016 the proportion of women’s re-hospitalization was greater compared to men. Despite these data, women are less treated with respiratory therapy (ICD-9- CM 93.9x) than men in all the examined years and wards. The prevalence of most common comorbidities is higher among women. The number of COPD hospitalized patients had been reduced in Puglia between 2005 and 2016, with an important increase of female COPD patients, female average age, ALOS and re-hospitalization. Women are treated less and have more comorbidities with a negative impact on clinical progression of COPD, survival and quality of life.

The aim of this study is to evaluate, in patients hospitalized for COPD exacerbation, how educational level, marital status and sex (social gender indicators) affect the home discharge probability (main effects) and how interact with each other in affecting this probability (effect modification). Data for all patients discharged with a principal diagnosis of COPD with exacerbation (ICD-9 491.21) by Apulian hospitals between 2013 and 2017 were retrieved from the National Hospital Discharge Register Database. A multivariable multi-stratified frailty cox proportional-hazard regression with interaction terms was fitted in order to assess the effect of sex, educational level and marital status on the time-to-event for home discharge through the estimation of hazard ratios. Adjusting for several patient and hospitalization characteristics and for healthcare facilities, low educational level (

The levels of cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) were evaluated in 251 samples of fish and fishery products randomly collected between January 2010 and December 2013 from products imported through the airport of Milan Malpensa from extra-European Union (extra-EU) Countries and inspected at the Border Inspection Post by official public veterinarians. In this study, products were classified in four categories: predatory fish (larger predatory fishes like tunafish and swordfish, and spiny dogfish), non-predatory fish (other species of fishes of lower dimensions and different feeding behavior, mollusc (cephalopods and bivalves) and crustacean). Analyses were performed by accredited laboratory. All the concentrations were below the levels expressed in Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 except for two samples of swordfish that exceeded in Hg content. Predatory fish had a significantly higher content of Hg (median value 375 μg kg −1 ) while mollusc had a significantly higher content of Cd (median value 66.5 μg kg −1 ) compared to the other groups of seafood included in this study. No relationship was found between the individual concentration of metals.

Introduction: Smoking is the major risk factor for cancer and several respiratory diseases. Quitting smoking at any point of life may increase the effectiveness of treatments and improve prognosis of patients with any pulmonary disease, including lung cancer. However, few institutions in Europe offer to patients adequate counseling for smoking cessation. Objectives: Aim of this study was to investigate the level of counseling for smoking cessation offered by healthcare professionals to patients and their appreciation towards the intervention itself. Methods: Between January 2013 and February 2016, 490 patients, diagnosed with a respiratory diseases, were prospectively evaluated with an anonymous survey developed by WALCE (Women Against Lung Cancer in Europe). Results: The majority of patients enrolled (76%) declared to have stopped smoking after the diagnosis of a respiratory disease, 17% to smoke less, 7% to continue smoking. Patients who reported to have never received any counseling for smoking cessation were 38%. Almost 73% of the other patients reported a positive judgment about the quality of healthcare's intervention. Despite these favorable considerations, 83% of patients have disclosed they simply quit smoking overnight without help, 5% have used electronic cigarettes, 5% nicotine replacement treatments, 4% dedicated books, 3% have attended a referral clinic. Conclusions: Considering all the smoking-related side effects, greater efforts should be made in order to better support patients in smoking cessation. Smoking should be considered as a real physical disorder and similar surveys should be encouraged with the aim to fight the “stigma” of smoking that still exists among patients. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.