Lung Recruitment Before Surfactant Administration in Extremely Preterm Neonates: 2-Year Follow-Up of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: A multicenter randomized clinical trial (RCT) showed a lung recruitment maneuver using high-frequency oscillatory ventilation just before surfactant administration (ie, intubate-recruit-surfactant-extubate [IN-REC-SUR-E]) improved the efficacy of treatment compared with the standard intubate-surfactant-extubate (IN-SUR-E) technique without increasing the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes.

Objective: To examine follow-up outcomes at corrected postnatal age (cPNA) 2 years of preterm infants previously enrolled in an RCT and treated with IN-REC-SUR-E or IN-SUR-E in 35 tertiary neonatal intensive care units.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This was a follow-up study of infants recruited into the primary RCT from 2015 to 2018 at 35 tertiary neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Italy.

Mapping and ranking outcomes for the evaluation of seasonal influenza vaccine efficacy and effectiveness: a delphi study.

Background: Protection provided by seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) may be measured against numerous outcomes, and their heterogeneity may hamper decision-making. The aim of this study was to explore outcomes used for estimation of SIV efficacy/effectiveness (VE) and obtain expert consensus on their importance.

Research Design And Methods: An umbrella review was first conducted to collect and map outcomes considered in systematic reviews of SIV VE.

[The mortality cost of carbon dioxide emissions from a steel plant in Southern Italy: a climate change health impact assessment].

Objectives: to quantify the temperature-related global health impacts of the Taranto steel plant CO2e emissions.

Design: using the risk functions available in the literature, a prospective global health impact assessment of the marginal CO2e emissions declared by the steel plant for 2020 was conducted.

Setting And Participants: world population in the period 2020-2100.

PCDD/Fs and PCBs in hen eggs from a contaminated area in Italy: a 9 years spatio-temporal monitoring study.

Eggs can represent a food susceptible to contamination, with bioaccumulation potential for POPs. The Province of Taranto, Southern Italy, is of particular relevance in this context because of the presence of industrial sources of PCDD/Fs and PCBs. The aim of this study was to analyze and report the levels of these contaminants in hen eggs sampled in farms located within a radius of 20 km from the industrial area of Taranto.

Monkeypox Virus Infections in Southern Italy: Is There a Risk for Community Spread?

The ongoing outbreak of the Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is characterized by sustained human-to-human transmission, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM). The aim of the study was to describe the characteristics of the MPXV infection identified in Southern Italy. Clinical samples for each suspected case identified from 1 June to 1 August 2022 were tested for MPXV, and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on two strains.

HPV Vaccination during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy: Opportunity Loss or Incremental Cost.

Objectives: Italy was the first European country to introduce universal vaccination of adolescents, for both males and females, against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) starting in 2017 with the NIP 2017-2019's release. However, vaccine coverage rates (VCRs) among adolescents have shown a precarious take-off since the NIP's release, and this situation worsened due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The aim of this work is to estimate the epidemiological and economic impact of drops in VCRs due to the pandemic on those generations that missed the vaccination appointment and to discuss alternative scenarios in light of the national data.

Experts' Opinion for Improving Pertussis Vaccination Rates in Adolescents and Adults: A Call to Action.

This article highlights the importance of diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (with reduced antigen content, dTap) vaccination in preventing pertussis, a respiratory infection that is still widespread and easily transmitted. In particular, it highlights the need to receive a booster vaccination throughout life to maintain high antibody levels, which decrease through time. This document collects the opinions that emerged from the comparison between major Italian experts in the field of vaccination.

PCDD/Fs and PCBs in from a contaminated area in Italy: the role of mussel size, temperature and meteorological factors.

Mussels represent a food at risk of contamination because they are filter-feeding organisms with high bioaccumulation and low biotransformation potential for organic contaminants. Taranto, Southern Italy, is of particular relevance in this context due to the presence of industrial sources of POPs. The aim of this study was to analyse the role of mussel size, temperature and other meteorological factors in determining PCDD/Fs and PCBs concentrations in mussels.

Densità di popolazione e SARS-CoV-2: uno studio epidemiologico di urban health.

Despite SARS-CoV-2 transmission being a complex phenomenon, greater population density seems to be a risk factor. The aim of this study was to analyze through an epidemiologic urban health approach the relationship between population density and SARS-CoV-2 incidence using data which are comparable with regard to testing strategies. All 10,300 SARS-CoV-2 confirmed cases between October and December 2020 were included.

Sharing the waters: Application of a marine spatial planning approach to conserve and restore the acoustic habitat of endangered beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in and around the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park.

Anthropogenic underwater noise degrades the quality of whale habitats, affecting vital functions which may compromise the recovery of species at risk exposed to chronic vessel-based activities. The endangered St. Lawrence Estuary (SLE) beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) lives downstream from industrial activities in a highly accessible coastal environment.

Manifesto on the Value of Adult Immunization: "We Know, We Intend, We Advocate".

Immunization through vaccination is a milestone achievement that has made a tremendous contribution to public health. Historically, immunization programs aimed firstly to protect children, who were disproportionally affected by infectious diseases. However, vaccine-preventable diseases can have significant impacts on adult mortality, health, and quality of life.

Dioxins and PCBs contamination in milk and dairy products from Province of Taranto (Puglia Region, Southern Italy): a six years spatio-temporal monitoring study.

Introduction: Taranto Province (Puglia Region, Southern Italy) is of particular Public Health relevance due to the presence of industrial sources of dioxins and PCBs. The aim of this study was to analyze the spatio-temporal distribution of these pollutants in milk and cheese produced from 2013 to 2018.

Materials And Methods: Raw milk and dairy products were sampled in the farms located within 20 km from the industrial area.

The effects of the exposure to neurotoxic elements on Italian schoolchildren behavior.

Neurodevelopmental disorders are constantly increasing on a global scale. Some elements like heavy metals are known to be neurotoxic. In this cross-sectional study we assessed the neurobehavioral effect of the exposure to trace elements including lead, mercury, cadmium, manganese, arsenic and selenium and their interactions among 299 schoolchildren residing in the heavily polluted Taranto area in Italy.

The recommended lifetime immunization schedule from the board of vaccination calendar for life in Italy: A continuing example of impact on public health policies.

The Vaccination Calendar for Life is an alliance of scientific and professional societies of public health physicians, paediatricians and general practitioners in Italy which provides a periodical update on the ideal, scientifically driven vaccination calendar throughout lifetime. Since 2012, the Lifetime Immunization Schedule has represented a benchmark for Regional and National Authorities to set up the updated list of vaccines provided actively and free of charge to infants, children, adolescents, adults and the elderly by inclusion in the Triennial National Vaccination Plan (TNVP), and in the Essential Levels of Care (LEA). The impact of the different editions of the Lifetime Immunization Schedule on the TNVP was deep, representing the inspiring source for the present vaccination policy.

Dioxins and PCBs contamination in mussels from Taranto (Ionian Sea, Southern Italy): a seven years spatio-temporal monitoring study.

Introduction: Taranto is of particular Public Health relevance for the presence of industrial sources of dioxins and PCBs. The aim of this study was to monitor these pollutants in mussels produced from 2012 to 2018.

Materials And Methods: Mussels were collected on a monthly basis with random sampling.

Impact of the environment on the health: From theory to practice.

The Erice 56 Charter titled "Impact of the environment on the health: from theory to practice" was unanimously approved at the end of the 56th course of the "International School of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine G. D'Alessandro" held from 3rd to November 7, 2019 in Erice - Sicily (Italy) and promoted by the Study Group of "Environment and Health" of the Italian Society of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health. The course, that included lectures, open discussions and guided working groups, was aimed to provide a general training on epidemiological and toxicological aspects of the environmental health impact, to be used by public health professionals for risk assessment, without forgetting the risk communications.

Invasive meningococcal disease in Italy: from analysis of national data to an evidence-based vaccination strategy.

Introduction: Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is one of the most severe vaccine-preventable disease not yet under control. In Italy, although different anti-meningococcal vaccines are available, their offer among regions is heterogeneous. The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiology of IMD in Italy based on analysis of national surveillance data for 2011-2017 to optimize the vaccination strategy.

Vaccines in older age: moving from current practice to optimal coverage-a multidisciplinary consensus conference.

Vaccines are a key strategy to promote healthy aging, but vaccine coverage remains below target levels in at-risk adults and older individuals. We present here the results of a multidisciplinary consensus conference convened to perform a multidimensional assessment of vaccination in geriatric medicine, with a view to developing a well-defined strategy for the promotion of vaccines in older people. We discuss recommended vaccines in older individuals, and describe the wide regional heterogeneity between regions in the Italian context.

Neurocognitive impact of metal exposure and social stressors among schoolchildren in Taranto, Italy.

Background: Metal exposure is a public health hazard due to neurocognitive effects starting in early life. Poor socio-economic status, adverse home and family environment can enhance the neurodevelopmental toxicity due to chemical exposure. Disadvantaged socio-economic conditions are generally higher in environmentally impacted areas although the combined effect of these two factors has not been sufficiently studied.

Metabolic Outcomes in Southern Italian Preadolescents Residing Near an Industrial Complex: The Role of Residential Location and Socioeconomic Status.

Evidence suggests that environmental exposures and socioeconomic factors may interact to produce metabolic changes in children. We assessed the influence of residential location and socioeconomic status (SES) on pediatric body mass index (BMI) Z-score and fasting blood glucose (FBG) concentration. Participants included 214 children aged 6-11 years who live near a large industrial complex in Taranto, Italy.

Influenza vaccination 2014-2015: Results of a survey conducted among general practitioners in Italy.

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to evaluate orientation, organizational procedures implemented and difficulties faced by general practitioners (GPs) during the 2014/15 seasonal influenza vaccination programme, as well as GPs' general attitude towards vaccinations.

Methods: An ad hoc online survey was developed and administered to general practitioners members of the Italian Federation of GPs (Federazione Italiana Medici di Medicina Generale - FIMMG). Overall, 10,000 survey invitations were sent.