Comprehensive security, disinformation, and COVID-19: An analysis of the impacts of mis- and disinformation and populist narratives during the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has generated many fundamental and challenging implications regarding security, for both states and people. This article addresses the pandemic as a security threat, whereby societal and human dimensions of security are intertwined with the narrower (so-called traditional) state dimensions, culminating in comprehensive security. This article uses mixed methods, combining desk research and a selection of narratives or stories from several parts of the world that signify how the intersection of disinformation and populist discourses exacerbated the COVID-19 security challenges.

Organization and Activity of Italian Echocardiographic Laboratories: A Survey of the Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging.

Background: The Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging (SIECVI) conducted a national survey to understand better how different echocardiographic modalities are used and accessed in Italy.

Methods: We analyzed echocardiography laboratory activities over a month (November 2022). Data were retrieved via an electronic survey based on a structured questionnaire, uploaded on the SIECVI website.

Healthcare Waste-A Serious Problem for Global Health.

Healthcare waste (HCW) is generated in different healthcare facilities (HCFs), such as hospitals, laboratories, veterinary clinics, research centres and nursing homes. It has been assessed that the majority of medical waste does not pose a risk to humans. It is estimated that 15% of the total amount of produced HCW is hazardous and can be infectious, toxic or radioactive.

Ethical and psychosocial considerations for hospital personnel in the Covid-19 crisis: Moral injury and resilience.

This study aims at investigating the nature of resilience and stress experience of health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thirteen healthcare workers from Italian and Austrian hospitals specifically dealing with COVID-19 patients during the first phase of the pandemic were interviewed. Data was analysed using grounded theory methodology.

Preparedness for chemical crisis situations: experiences from European medical response exercises.

Objective: This study investigated how European first responders and hospital personnel, along with CBRN experts, approach an overwhelming surge situation after a chemical incident. Surge capacity and capability bottlenecks were discussed.

Materials And Methods: Two chemical warfare agent (CWA) scenarios were developed: in the first, a nerve agent was released indoors; in the second, there was an outdoor explosion containing a blister agent.

Simulation of Trauma Incidents : Modelling the Evolution of Patients and Resources.

Mathematical modeling and simulation with medical applications has gained much interest in the last few years, mainly due to the widespread availability of low-cost technology and computational power. This paper presents an integrated platform for the in-silico simulation of trauma incidents, based on a suite of interacting mathematical models. The models cover the generation of a scenario for an incident, a model of physiological evolution of the affected individuals, including the possible effect of the treatment, and a model of evolution in time of the required medical resources.

Contemporary antithrombotic treatment after coronary stenting in patients with indication for long-term anticoagulation.

Aim: Dual antiplatelet treatment with aspirin and a thienopyridine is the antithrombotic treatment recommended after percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation (PCI-S). Optimal treatment in patients with an indication for long-term oral anticoagulation (OAC) undergoing PCI-S is currently undefined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contemporary management of these patients, and determine the safety and the efficacy of the various regimens.

Low-molecular-weight heparins in conjunction with thrombolysis for ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction. A critical review of the literature.

Background: Intravenous unfractionated heparin (UFH) is recommended in ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI), following thrombolysis with fibrin-specific agents. Subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH), previously proven effective in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes, have been recently investigated in the setting of STEMI. We aimed at evaluating the current level of evidence supporting the use of LMWH in STEMI.

Outcome of percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA) performed in a low-volume institution by low-volume operators, evaluated by means of the one-month major adverse cardiac event rate.

Background: Since an inverse relationship between percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA) case-load and in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE) exists, we intended to evaluate the performance of low-volume PTCA operators, during the first year of our interventional program, by applying the more accurate index represented by the MACE rate within the first month.

Methods: The data relative to both the PTCA procedure and the control visit 3-4 weeks later, were retrospectively reviewed. Death, myocardial infarction and need for revascularization were the end-points evaluated, both globally and with respect to the individual operators.