Preliminary assessment of rotating shiftwork risk in a 24-hours metal industry.

Background: Rotational shiftwork (RS) has been linked to increased risk for safety and health of shift workers, globally. A growing literature has revealed a trend toward increased accident and injury rates in shift workers than non-shift workers.

Aims: The present research was aimed: 1) to develop a methodological path for a preliminary objective assessment of occupational risk by RS in a metal industry 2) to detect the consequent effective interventions for moderating the RS risk.

Workplace violence against healthcare workers in Emergency Departments. A case-control study.

Background And Aim: Assessment and management of workplace violence (WPV) towards healthcare workers (HCWs) employed in Emergency Departments (EDs) represents a challenge for healthcare organizations worldwide. To date there is a lack of scientific data about the impact of work-shifts on the occurrence of WPV against ED HCWs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between work shift schedules and WPV against registered nurses (RNs) working on non-traditional shifts, including nights and 12-hour shifts.

Assessing and preventing low back pain in nurses. Implications for practice management.

Background And Aims: The prevention of low back pain (LBP) among nurses employed in hospital departments represents a special concern for healthcare organizations globally. A growing literature evidences the need of workplace policy development related to organizational issues as strategic contribution to minimize the occurrence of LBP in healthcare sector. The purposes of this study were: 1) to analyze the relationship between shiftwork and acute LBP among female shift nurses; 2) to detect preventive interventions targeted on organizational issues.

Physical Activity and HIV: Effects on Fitness Status, Metabolism, Inflammation and Immune-Activation.

Several studies evidenced that a sedentary lifestyle is related with higher levels of systemic inflammation and highlighted that physical activity can trigger anti-inflammatory effects. To evaluate the impact of self-prescribed physical activity on fitness status, metabolism, inflammation and immune-activation in people living with HIV, an interim analysis of the results of the clinical trial PRIMO (NCT03392805) was performed. Patients enrolled were divided in 2 groups on the basis of self-prescribed physical activity: a physically active group (self-prescribed physical activity) and a sedentary group.

Gender assessment of job stress in healthcare workers. Implications for practice.

Background: Work-related stress (WRS) in the healthcare sector is a major issue for both workers and organizations. To date, no consensus exists regarding differences in gender susceptibility to WRS in healthcare workers (HCWs).

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze how male and female HCWs employed in emergency departments experienced WRS.

Assessing and managing the shift work disorder in healthcare workers.

Background: Shift work disorder (SWD) is a major concern for both healthcare workers (HCWs) employed in hospital wards and healthcare organizations. The consequences of SWD may lead to increased service costs and lower standards of care.

Objectives: To identify and evaluate the latest developments in assessing and managing the occupational risk of SWD in shift-HCWs through a search of the literature published in the last five years.

Preventing and managing workplace violence against healthcare workers in Emergency Departments.

Background And Aim: Healthcare workers (HCWs) employed in Emergency Departments (EDs) frequently face with patients becoming violent because of long wait or diseases or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Globally, workplace violence (WPV) in EDs is a major challenge to safety for HCWs, involving significant consequences to the victims, patients, and healthcare organizations. We reviewed the current literature with the aim to explore the topics focused on and to detect new evidences about approaching the issue of WPV toward HCWs in EDs.

Modulation of Tryptophan/Serotonin Pathway by Probiotic Supplementation in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Patients: Preliminary Results of a New Study Approach.

Background: To date, no data are available regarding the effects of probiotics on the pathway of tryptophan/serotonin metabolism among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) 1-infected individuals. Because a condition of dysbiosis might be responsible for the altered use of tryptophan described in this population, the aim of this study was to investigate the link between probiotic supplementation and serotonin levels in combined antiretroviral therapy-treated patients and the subsistence of an interplay with inflammation.

Methods: We conducted a pilot study that included 8 HIV-positive subjects.

Myocardial oxidative damage is induced by cardiac Fas-dependent and mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathways in human cocaine-related overdose.

The aim of this study is to analyse cardiac specimens from human cocaine-related overdose, to verify the hypothesis that cardiac toxicity by acute exposure to high dosage of cocaine could be mediated by unbalanced myocardial oxidative stress, and to evaluate the apoptotic response. To address these issues, biochemical and immunohistological markers of oxidative/nitrosative stress were evaluated. We found that i-NOS, NOX2 and nitrotyrosine expression were significantly higher in the hearts of subjects who had died from high doses of cocaine, compared to the control group.

Post-mortem magnetic resonance foetal imaging: a study of morphological correlation with conventional autopsy and histopathological findings.

The aim of the present study is to offer our experience concerning post-mortem magnetic resonance (PMMR) in foetal death cases and an evaluation of the differences between the findings acquired by PMMR and by forensic autopsy. Fifteen foetuses were recruited from July 2014 to December 2015. These had suffered intrauterine death in women in the 21st to 38th week of gestation who were treated in the emergency department for non-perception of foetal movements.

Accidental Thawing of Embryos, Cryopreserved for Transfer. Two Italian cases, Milan and Rome.

The bioethical and juridical debate on the status of frozen embryos sometimes adds new issues arising from new scientific evidence or by accidental occurrences that bring to the attention of the scientific community the need for new practical solutions. Within this scenario, there have been, in recent years, episodes concerning the accidental thawing of embryos, which have been cryopreserved for transfer. Two Italian cases (the Milan and the Rome cases) are here reported: the Milan case involves a couple undergoing artificial insemination.