The 2023 dengue outbreak in Lombardy, Italy: A one-health perspective.

Introduction: Here we reported the virological, entomological and epidemiological characteristics of the large autochthonous outbreak of dengue (DENV) occurred in a small village of the Lombardy region (Northern Italy) during summer 2023.

Methods: After the diagnosis of the first autochthonous case on August 18, 2023, public health measures, including epidemiological investigation and vector control measures, were carried out. A serological screening for DENV antibodies detection was offered to the population.

Differential diagnosis on measles and rubella discarded cases highlights a sharp increase in parvovirus B19 infections in Milan, Northern Italy, in the first months of 2024.

In line with European trends, since 2023 Lombardy (Northern Italy) is experiencing a resurgence of measles and an increased number of reported cases of fever and rash. Measles discarded cases observed in our region within the context of measles and rubella surveillance from the first few months of 2024 (N = 30) were investigated for parvovirus B19 (B19V) and other rash-associated viruses. Thirteen cases tested positive for B19V DNA, representing a significant increase from previous years (on average 3 cases per year, p < 0.

Increased reports of measles in the Metropolitan City of Milan, northern Italy, September 2023 to March 2024.

Since late 2023, the Metropolitan City of Milan and surrounding areas (northern Italy) have been experiencing a resurgence of measles, with most cases detected starting from January 2024. During this brief period, we observed measles in travellers from endemic areas, participants in international events, vaccinees and healthcare workers. Indigenous cases have also been identified.

The Stresses of Surrogate Decision-Making: Contributing Factors and Clinicians' Role in Mitigation.

Background: Surrogate Decision-Makers (surrogates) are frequently employed in decision-making for critically ill adults. There are insufficient data considering the surrogate experience, stress, and potential for mitigation.

Methods: An anonymous online survey queried (1) medical situation (2) total stress (3) demographics (4) potential factors, including sources of information about patient wishes, external sources of support or competing stressors, and their interactions with the medical team through the experience.

Health care access and migration experiences among Venezuelan female sex workers living in the Dominican Republic.

Objective: To identify sexual risk behaviors and barriers to sexual and reproductive health care (SRH) among Venezuelan female sex workers living in the Dominican Republic.

Methods: This was a mixed-methods study using four focus group discussions (FGDs) and a cross-sectional quantitative survey with Venezuelan migrant female sex workers. The study was conducted from September through October 2021 in two urban areas (Santo Domingo and Puerto Plata) in the Dominican Republic.

Managing the unexpected: Bicultural identity integration during the COVID-19 emergency.

Unexpected and sudden emergency situations such as COVID-19 may render ethnic minorities particularly vulnerable to experiencing negative outcomes. Yet, we put forward that Bicultural Identity Integration (BII) - the degree to which bicultural individuals perceive their cultural identities as compatible and overlapping - may represent a resource in times of emergencies, since it may positively influence, through enhancement of psychological well-being, how bicultural individuals respond in terms of distress and coping strategies. Based on this assumption, the present study aimed at examining the relationship between BII and responses to COVID-19.

First SARS-CoV-2 vaccine booster and influenza vaccination: risk assessment of COVID-19 hospitalisation and death.

Background: the influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses share a common respiratory symptomatology and transmission mode. COVID-19 and influenza R0 overlapped in the first epidemic wave. In autumn 2021-winter 2022, the influenza epidemic had a delayed onset compared to pre-COVID-19 years and lower incidence rates than in the pre-pandemic period.

A Comparison Between Omicron and Earlier COVID-19 Variants' Disease Severity in the Milan Area, Italy.

Background: In the context of the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, which occurred in correspondence with the outbreak of the Omicron variant, it became fundamental to assess differences in the risk of severe disease between the Omicron variant and the earlier SARS-CoV-2 variants that were still in circulation despite Omicron becoming prevalent.

Methods: We collected data on 2,267 genotyped PCR-positive swab tests and assessed whether the presence of symptoms, risk of hospitalization, and recovery times were significantly different between Omicron and the earlier variants. Multivariable models adjusted for sex, age class, citizenship, comorbidities, and symptomatology allowed assessing the difference in outcomes between Omicron and the earlier variants according to vaccination status and timing of administration.

The early phase of the COVID-19 epidemic in Lombardy, Italy.

Background: In the night of February 20, 2020, the first epidemic of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outside Asia was uncovered by the identification of its first patient in Lombardy region, Italy. In the following weeks, Lombardy experienced a sudden increase in the number of ascertained infections and strict measures were imposed to contain the epidemic spread.

Methods: We analyzed official records of cases occurred in Lombardy to characterize the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 during the early phase of the outbreak.

At the core of cyberaggression: A group-based explanation.

In this study, prototypicality of the aggressor was tested as a group-level factor predicting social media users' active participation in cyberaggression. Participants were exposed to a fictitious conversation, in which either a prototypical versus non-prototypical user posted an aggressive comment as a reply to a provocative comment. In line with self-categorization theory, we hypothesized that bystander participants would post an aggressive comment and rate the aggression as acceptable to a greater extent in the prototypical than in the non-prototypical condition.

Preliminary Histological Evaluation of the Application of Ozone in the First Days of Orthodontic Force Induction in Animal Model.

Objectives:  The aim of the study was to histologically evaluate the effect of ozone therapy on orthodontic force induction in an animal model.

Materials And Methods:  Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into three groups ( = 8). A NiTi coil spring was installed from the maxillary first molar to the maxillary central incisor.

Psychological predictors of protective behaviours during the Covid-19 pandemic: Theory of planned behaviour and risk perception.

The Covid-19 outbreak was declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organization in January 2020. As a consequence, several protective measures were urged by national governments in order to limit the spread of the pandemic. Drawing on the literature on health behaviours, in the present study, we investigated the psychological factors (i.

Strategy to reduce adverse health outcomes in subjects highly vulnerable to COVID-19: results from a population-based study in Northern Italy.

Objectives: This study describes a new strategy to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on the elderly and other clinically vulnerable subjects, where general practitioners (GPs) play an active role in managing high-risk patients, reducing adverse health outcomes.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Population-based study including subjects resident in the province of Milan and Lodi.

Attractiveness of different esthetic orthodontic wires.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the attractiveness of different types of esthetic orthodontic wires by laypeople and dentists.

Methods: Five different types of orthodontic wires were evaluated: three esthetic wires (Teflon-coated, epoxy resin-coated and rhodium-coated wires), and two metallic wires (stainless steel and NiTi), as control. Monocrystalline ceramic brackets were installed in the maxillary arch of a patient presenting good dental alignment.

Dental Care during COVID-19 Outbreak: A Web-Based Survey.

Objective:  This survey aimed to assess the effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on elective and urgency/emergency dental care and dentists concerned.

Materials And Methods:  A web-based survey was performed using Google forms questionnaire sent to dentists in Brazil. Questions included: personal information, type of dental care provided during quarantine, if emergencies increased, the dental office biosafety routine, among others.

Detoxification Improves Multidomain Cognitive Dysfunction in High-Dose Benzodiazepine Abusers.

Purpose: High-dose benzodiazepines (BZDs) abuse has been documented to cause multidomain cognitive dysfunction. We explored whether cognitive abnormalities to high-dose BZD abuse might be reversed by detoxification with slow subcutaneous infusion of flumazenil.

Methods: We recruited 96 patients consecutively admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine, Addiction Medicine Unit, Verona University Hospital, Italy for detoxification from high-dose BZD dependence.