Bacterial Contamination of Healthcare Students' Mobile Phones: Impact of Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), Users' Demographics and Device Characteristics on Bacterial Load.

We quantitatively and qualitatively evaluated the bacterial contamination of mobile phones (MPs) in relation to users' demographics, habits, and device characteristics by administering questionnaires to 83 healthcare university students and sampling their MPs by following a cross-sectional design. The heterotrophic plate count (HPC) at 22 °C (HPC 22 °C) and 37 °C (HPC 37 °C), Enterococci, Gram-negative bacteria, and Staphylococci were evaluated. Higher bacterial loads were detected for HPC 37 °C and Staphylococci (416 and 442 CFU/dm, respectively), followed by HPC 22 °C, Enterococci, and Gram-negative bacteria; the vast majority of samples were positive for HPC 37 °C, HPC 22 °C, and Staphylococci (98%), while Enterococci (66%) and Gram-negative bacteria (17%) were detected less frequently.

Microbiology and Clinical Outcome of Hospital-Acquired Respiratory Infections in an Italian Teaching Hospital: A Retrospective Study.

The burden, microbial etiology and clinical impact of hospital-acquired respiratory infections (HARIs) were determined at an Italian teaching hospital over a 12-month period. For this purpose, overall ordinary hospitalizations ≥ 2 days of subjects over 18 years old with discharge from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 were examined by cross-referencing demographic and clinical data from hospital discharge forms with microbiological data from the computer system of the Microbiology Unit. We identified 329 individuals with HARIs (96 females and 233 males; median age 70 years, range 18−93), who represented ¼ of the total hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) in the period.

Comparative effects of pharmacological interventions for the acute and long-term management of insomnia disorder in adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: Behavioural, cognitive, and pharmacological interventions can all be effective for insomnia. However, because of inadequate resources, medications are more frequently used worldwide. We aimed to estimate the comparative effectiveness of pharmacological treatments for the acute and long-term treatment of adults with insomnia disorder.

Competitive colonization of Legionella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in water systems of residential facilities hosting closed communities Legionella versus Pseudomonas aeruginosa in water systems of residential facilities.

Legionella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are pathogens that live and multiply in water systems and resist disinfection through biofilm formation. As suggested by some studies, we wanted to verify whether the presence of P. aeruginosa can lead to a less frequent presence of Legionella in water systems of retirement homes and group homes.

[Patient's management in the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Care Pathway for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): a retrospective observational study in Local Health Agency Rome 2, Lazio Region].

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic disease that causes high morbidity and mortality. In the Lazio Region, the Clinical Pathway (PDTA) for COPD was codified in 2016. An analysis of the medical records of a retrospective open cohort of 77 patients followed at the Outpatient Clinic Torrenova (ASL Roma 2) from 2017 to 2021, for a total of 305 visits, was performed.

Comparative Effectiveness of Pharmacological Interventions for Covid-19: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Several pharmacological interventions are now under investigation for the treatment of Covid-19, and the evidence is evolving rapidly. Our aim is to assess the comparative efficacy and safety of these drugs. We performed a systematic review and network meta-analysis searching Medline, Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Covid-19 register, international trial registers, medRxiv, bioRxiv, and arXiv up to December 10, 2020.

Impact of antipsychotics in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The net health benefit of using antipsychotics in children and adolescents with ASD is unclear. This review was performed to provide the evidence necessary to inform the Italian national guidelines for the management of ASD.

Methods: We performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing antipsychotics versus placebo for the treatment of ASD in children and adolescents.

Nose-pharyngeal swabs as a screening test for SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with scheduled elective surgery: the experience of the Hygiene Service of the Local Health Authority Roma 1.

The COVID-19 (COrona Virus Disease 2019), due to the SARS-COV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2) has been an unprecedented global challenge for the healthcare systems (1).

Acceptability, equity, and feasibility of using antipsychotics in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review.

Background: It is unclear whether the administration of antipsychotics to children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is acceptable, equitable, and feasible.

Methods: We performed a systematic review to support a multidisciplinary panel in formulating a recommendation on antipsychotics, for the development of the Italian national guidelines for the management of ASD. A comprehensive search strategy was performed to find data related to intervention acceptability, health equity, and implementation feasibility.

Healthcare Workers Training Courses on Vaccinations: A Flexible Format Easily Adaptable to Different Healthcare Settings.

Since 2017, Italy has expanded the compulsory vaccination from 4 to 10 for those aged 0 to 16 years. Because of the great organizational effort required for the immunization services, minor attention was given to the vaccinations not included among the mandatory ones. This situation led to a real difficulty in harmonizing the vaccination procedures even inside a single region.

Taking Screenshots of the Invisible: A Study on Bacterial Contamination of Mobile Phones from University Students of Healthcare Professions in Rome, Italy.

Mobile phones (MPs) are commonly used both in the personal and professional life. We assessed microbiological contamination of MPs from 108 students in healthcare professions (HPs), in relation to their demographic characteristics and MPs handling habits, collected by means of a questionnaire. Cultural and biochemical tests were performed, and statistical analyses were carried out.

Equity, acceptability and feasibility of using polyunsaturated fatty acids in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: a rapid systematic review.

Introduction: Some recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessed the efficacy and safety of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To optimally inform the Italian guideline for the management of ASD in children and adolescents, we reviewed the impact on equity, acceptability and feasibility for developing a pilot recommendation for PUFAs.

Methods: We performed a rapid systematic review of observational and experimental studies on PUFAs for children and adolescents with ASD, extracting data on resources required, equity, acceptability, and feasibility of PUFAs.

Introduction and methods of the evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and management of autism spectrum disorder by the Italian National Institute of Health.

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neuro-developmental disorder that affects communication and behavior with a prevalence of approximately 1% worldwide. Health outcomes of interventions for ASD are largely Participant Reported Outcomes (PROs). Specific guidelines can help support the best care for people with ASD to optimize these health outcomes but they have to adhere to standards for their development to be trustworthy.

Impact of polyunsaturated fatty acids on patient-important outcomes in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review.

Background: Recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) claimed PUFAs to be effective for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) but international guidelines have not considered yet this body of evidence. Our aim was to assess the effectiveness of PUFAs in children and adolescents with ASD, for the Italian national guidelines on the management of ASD in children and adolescents.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs comparing PUFAs versus placebo or a healthy diet for the treatment of ASD in children and adolescents.

[Adverse reactions after repeated doses of anti-tetanus vaccine: scientific evidences].

The possible risk of hyperimmunization after tetanus vaccination is currently discussed after the National Vaccine Prevention Plan 2017-2019 confirmed the recommendation of a booster dose every ten years. Due to the ubiquitous nature of tetanus spores and the inability to obtain herd-immunity through vaccination, efforts to reduce the incidence of tetanus aim at eliminating the disease. The only way to prevent infection is vaccination followed by recommended periodic booster doses.

Pharmacological and Psychosocial Treatment of Adults With Gambling Disorder: A Meta-Review.

Background And Objectives: Gambling disorder (GD) leads to impaired socioeconomical functioning and increased social costs. Although the research on GD has been rising over the years, approved treatment guidelines are currently not available. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature on the pharmacological and psychosocial treatment of adults with GD, and to identify possible agreed-upon standards of care.

Prevalence of Non-Affective Psychoses in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and non-affective psychoses such as schizophrenia are commonly acknowledged as discrete entities. Previous research has revealed evidence of high comorbidity between these conditions, but their differential diagnosis proves difficult in routine clinical practice due to the similarities between core symptoms of each disorder. The prevalence of comorbid non-affective psychoses in individuals with ASD is uncertain, with studies reporting rates ranging from 0% to 61.

[Vaccine co-administration in clinical practice].

Vaccines are biological products designed to induce a protective immune response, mimicking natural infection without the development of disease and / or complications. Combined vaccine administration and vaccines co-administration is a safe and effective practice, the benefits of which outweigh the disadvantages. The operators should assess individual variations for the completion of the vaccination schedule, which may be necessary in clinical practice, case by case.

Comparative efficacy and acceptability of psychosocial interventions for individuals with cocaine and amphetamine addiction: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: Clinical guidelines recommend psychosocial interventions for cocaine and/or amphetamine addiction as first-line treatment, but it is still unclear which intervention, if any, should be offered first. We aimed to estimate the comparative effectiveness of all available psychosocial interventions (alone or in combination) for the short- and long-term treatment of people with cocaine and/or amphetamine addiction.

Methods And Findings: We searched published and unpublished randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing any structured psychosocial intervention against an active control or treatment as usual (TAU) for the treatment of cocaine and/or amphetamine addiction in adults.

Benign pneumatosis intestinalis with massive portomesenteric venous gas in a very old man. A case report.

Introduction: Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is described as the presence of air within bowel wall. PI aetiology is various: it can be associated with non-urgent or life-threatening conditions. Clinical management is based on physical examination, blood tests and radiology, in particular abdominal CT.

Data on Legionella prevalence and water quality in showers of retirement homes and group homes in the Province of Rome, Lazio Region, Italy.

The data presented in this article are related to the research paper titled "Prevalence of Legionella in retirement homes and group homes water distribution systems" (De Filippis, 2018) [3]. Most of the cases of Legionella infection are sporadic and occur in community-dwellers. Hot water and biofilm samples from the showerheads of 26 retirement homes and 9 group homes hosting closed communities were collected, in order to evaluate the prevalence of Legionella and generic water quality parameters (Heterotrophic Plate Counts at 22 °C and 37 °C).

Prevalence of Legionella in retirement homes and group homes water distribution systems.

Background: Although historically the focus has been placed above all on hospital infections and travel-associated outbreaks, most of the cases of Legionella infection are sporadic and occur in community-dwellers.

Objectives: To evaluate the presence and load of Legionella in hot water systems of non-healthcare facilities that host closed communities. Furthermore, we tried to verify the association between Heterotrophic Plate Counts (HPCs) and presence of Legionella.

[Prevention of vector-borne diseases in Italy].

In recent years, a constant increase of vector-borne diseases has been seen in Italy, due to various conditions including climate change, trade and international travel. These factors contribute to the diffusion on the Italian territory of newly introduced carriers and pathogens. These new pathogens can be an emerging cause of epidemics, as in the case of the Chikungunya virus in 2007 and in 2017, or can establish a true endemic disease, as in the case of the West Nile virus.

[Bacterial lysates: history and availability].

The use of bacterial lysates (BLs) can be traced back to the end of the nineteenth century, and they are currently available in several countries across all continents. Over the last few decades, BLs have been used, both in pediatric patients and in adults, mainly for the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections of the respiratory tract. BLs are produced from bacterial cultures that undergo cell lysis with two different methods: mechanical lysis and chemical lysis.