Predictive value of perilesional edema volume in melanoma brain metastasis response to stereotactic radiosurgery.

Background And Aim: Stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) is an established treatment for melanoma brain metastases (MBM). Recent evidence suggests that perilesional edema volume (PEV) might compromise the delivery and efficacy of radiotherapy to treat BM. This study investigated the association between SRT efficacy and PEV extent in MBM.

Decline in academic performance and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey among Sapienza University of Rome students.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges to the education system, leading to changes in student academic performance and mental health. The aim of this study was to evaluate variables relating to changes in academic performance and mental health during the pandemic.

Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study from 28 February 2022 to 13 April 2022, during the free SARS-CoV-2 screening campaign offered by Sapienza University of Rome.

Prevalence and predictors of hand hygiene compliance in clinical, surgical and intensive care unit wards: results of a second cross-sectional study at the Umberto I teaching hospital of Rome.

Introduction: Hand hygiene is the most cost-effective procedure for the prevention of healthcare-associated infections, but healthcare worker compliance is often insufficient.

Research Design: The objective of this second cross-sectional study was to quantify hand hygiene compliance among the healthcare workers of a large teaching hospital, to explore associated factors and to compare results to those of the 2021 study.

Methods: In 2022, educational sessions were conducted within each hospital department during which hospital healthcare workers received tailored feedback on the hand hygiene compliance registered in the previous year.

Keeping university open did not increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2 acquisition: A test negative case-control study among students.

Background: During the SARS-CoV-2 testing program offered through the RT-PCR test by Sapienza University of Rome, we conducted a test-negative case-control study to identify risk factors for acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection among university students.

Methods: Each SARS-CoV-2-positive case detected was matched to two controls randomly selected from students who tested negative on the same day. 122 positive students and 244 negative students were enrolled in the study.

Enhanced peripheral levels of BDNF and proBDNF: elucidating neurotrophin dynamics in cocaine use disorder.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its precursor, proBDNF, are known to significantly contribute to brain homeostasis, neuroplasticity, and neuronal remodeling. Although these neurotrophins are thought to have opposing roles, both play a critical part in shaping long-lasting behavioral changes following substance use. In this context, our study sought to explore the implications of these neurotrophins in the pathophysiology of cocaine use disorder (CUD).

Connected minds in disconnected bodies: Exploring the role of interoceptive sensibility and alexithymia in problematic use of the internet.

Introduction: The ever-increasing prominence of the internet and digital technology in our society requires a deeper examination of how these developments alter perception of our bodies and emotions. One such consequence is the emergence of Problematic Use of the Internet (PUI) - an array of compulsive or addictive behaviors mediated by the web that detrimentally affect an individual's functioning. This suggests that some people may be shifting their consciousness from the physical realm to the digital world.

Reduced Reliability of Procalcitonin (PCT) as a Biomarker of Bacterial Superinfection: Concerns about PCT-Driven Antibiotic Stewardship in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients-Results from a Retrospective Observational Study in Intensive Care Units.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess whether procalcitonin levels is a diagnostic tool capable of accurately identifying sepsis and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) even in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Methods: In this retrospective, observational study, all critically ill COVID-19 patients who survived for ≥2 days in a single university hospital and had at least one serum procalcitonin (PCT) value and associated blood culture and/or culture from a lower respiratory tract specimen available were eligible for the study.

Results: Over the research period, 184 patients were recruited; 67 VAP/BSI occurred, with an incidence rate of 21.

Executive functions in preschool and school-age cochlear implant users: do they differ from their hearing peers? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Executive functions (EF) play a fundamental role in planning and executing goal-driven behaviours. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate EF skills mastered by preschool/school-age cochlear implanted children (CIC) without morpho-functional abnormalities and to compare their outcomes with typically hearing children (THC).

Methods: Bibliographic search for observational studies of any language/date up to 16 December 2022 was performed with the following electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science.

Who chooses alternative sources of information about childhood vaccinations? A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Vaccine hesitancy can lead to problematic outcomes in terms of public health. A factor playing a fundamental role in this dynamic is the source of information considered by parents in the decision-making progress that leads to the acceptance or refusal of childhood vaccinations. This study aims to investigate the sources of information considered by the parents of children attending primary and secondary schools in two large Italian cities and to identify predictors that led to choosing alternative sources of information.

MicroRNA Expression Levels in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Positive Individuals and Relationship with Different Levels of Viral Suppression.

The persistence of low human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication in individuals undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART) still threatens their health. Previous findings have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) could interfere with several steps of the viral life cycle. Herein, we set out to investigate the expression of miR-150, miR-223, miR-382, miR-324-5p, miR-33a-5p, miR-34a, and miR-132 in the whole peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) population from people living with HIV-1 showing different levels of viral suppression.

Early Surgery Versus Watchful Waiting Strategy for Infantile Abdominoscrotal Hydrocele.

Background: Infantile abdominoscrotal hydrocele is generally managed with early surgery. However, whether these patients actually benefit from an initial watchful waiting strategy is yet to be determined.

Methods: This single-center, comparative observational analysis included 36 consecutive patients (9 bilateral cases) diagnosed between January 1998 and December 2019.

Attitudes of University Students towards Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policies: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Rome, Italy.

Mandatory vaccination (MV) against COVID-19 is a contentious topic. In this study, we used logistic regression models to identify attitudes among Sapienza University students towards MV for COVID-19. We considered three different scenarios: mandatory COVID-19 vaccination (MCV) for healthcare workers (HCWs) (Model 1), for all people aged ≥ 12 years (Model 2), and for admission to schools and universities (Model 3).

Incidence of Healthcare-Associated Infections in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Four-Year Retrospective Cohort Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic may have had an impact on healthcare-associated infection (HAI) rates. In this study, we analyzed the occurrence of HAIs in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the Umberto I teaching hospital in Rome before and during the pandemic. All infants admitted from 1 March 2018 to 28 February 2022 were included and were divided into four groups according to their admission date: two groups before the pandemic (periods I and II) and two during the pandemic (periods III and IV).

The other side of COVID-19: A cross-sectional study on mental health in a sample of Italian nurses during the second wave.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a drastic increase in the workload of healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, with serious consequences for their psychological well-being. Our study aimed to identify demographic and work-related factors, as well as clinical predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), in nurses employed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study between December 2020 and April 2021 on nurses employed during the COVID-19 second wave (October - December 2020).

High Incidence of Candidemia in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients Supported by Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Retrospective Study.

Background: The incidence of candidemia in severe COVID-19 patients (0.8-14%) is two- to ten-fold higher than in non-COVID-19 patients.

Methods: This retrospective analysis aimed to analyse the incidence of bloodstream infections (BSI) due to Candida in a cohort of COVID-19 patients supported with ECMO.

Humoral and T-cell mediated response after administration of mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 in frail populations.

Patients with frailty are considered to be at greater risk to get severe infection from SARS-CoV-2. One of the most effective strategies is vaccination. In our study we evaluated both the humoral immune response elicited by the vaccination at different time points, and the -cell response in terms of interferon (IFN)-γ production in frail patients and healthy donors.

The Association of Health Literacy with Intention to Vaccinate and Vaccination Status: A Systematic Review.

Despite health literacy (HL) being recognized as a driver of health-promoting behavior, its influence on the vaccination decision-making process remains unclear. This study summarized current evidence on the association between HL and both intention to vaccinate and vaccination status. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, retrieving observational studies published until January 2022 that used HL-validated tools to investigate the above associations for any vaccine.

Predictors of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in University Students: A Case-Control Study.

Closure of Higher Education Institutions in the early phase of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was largely diffused. With their reopening, numerous preventive measures have been enacted, but limited evidence exists on students' behavior that could influence their infection risk. We conducted a case-control study at the Sapienza University of Rome to identify protective and risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated risk factors: A testing program and nested case-control study conducted at Sapienza University of Rome between March and June 2021.

Background: To safely resume in-person activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sapienza University of Rome implemented rigorous infection prevention and control measures, a successful communication campaign and a free SARS-CoV-2 testing program. In this study, we describe the University's experience in carrying out such a program in the context of the COVID-19 response and identify risk factors for infection.

Methods: Having identified resources, space, supplies and staff, from March to June 2021 Sapienza offered to all its enrollees a molecular test service (8.

Mapping the Prevalence of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance at the Global and Regional Level: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Despite the availability of effective and safe vaccines, the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination is suboptimal. In this meta-analysis we quantified the prevalence estimates of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance with a specific focus on worldwide geographical differences. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and PsycInfo up to April 2021 (PROSPERO ID: CRD42021235328).

Managing the introduction of genomic applications into the National Health Service: A special challenge for health technology assessment in Italy.

In recent years, the rapid proliferation of genomic tests for use in clinical practice has prompted healthcare systems to use a health technology assessment (HTA) approach to distinguish valuable from unwarranted applications. In this study, we narratively review the Italian HTA mechanisms for medical devices (MDs), both at the national and regional levels, and discuss the opportunity and benefits of extending them to genomic technologies, for which a dedicated assessment path was advocated by the National Plan for Public Health Genomics in 2017. We found that the National Health Technology Assessment Program for MDs, completed in 2019, had developed a structured pathway for the HTA of MDs; it established a hub-and-spoke structure, run by a governmental institution, and put in place transparent methodological procedures to cover all four HTA phases (i.