Electrochemical Growth of Copper Crystals on SPCE for Electrocatalysis Nitrate Reduction.

Copper is efficient, has a high conductivity (5.8 × 10 S/m), and is cost-effective. The use of copper-based catalysts is promising for the electrocatalytic reduction of nitrates.

Biosensing Technologies for Detecting in Environmental Samples: A Systematic Review.

The detection of in environmental samples, such as water, is crucial for public health monitoring and outbreak prevention. Although effective, traditional detection methods, including culture-based techniques and polymerase chain reaction, have limitations such as long processing times, trained operators, and the need for specialized laboratory equipment. Biosensing technologies offer a promising alternative due to their rapid, sensitive, cost-effectiveness, and on-site detection capabilities.

Copper Micro-Flowers for Electrocatalytic Sensing of Nitrate Ions in Water.

The progressive increase in nitrate's (NO) presence in surface and groundwater enhances environmental and human health risks. The aim of this work is the fabrication and characterization of sensitive, real-time, low-cost, and portable amperometric sensors for low NO concentration detection in water. Copper (Cu) micro-flowers were electrodeposited on top of carbon screen-printed electrodes (SPCEs) via cyclic voltammetry (with voltage ranging from -1.

Miniaturizable Chemiluminescence System for ATP Detection in Water.

We present the design, fabrication, and testing of a low-cost, miniaturized detection system that utilizes chemiluminescence to measure the presence of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy unit in biological systems, in water samples. The ATP-luciferin chemiluminescent solution was faced to a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) for highly sensitive real-time detection. This system can detect ATP concentrations as low as 0.

Validation of a Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification-Based Kit for the Detection of in Environmental Samples According to ISO/TS 12869:2012.

is a freshwater opportunistic pathogen and the leading cause of severe pneumonia known as Legionnaires' disease. It can be found in all water systems and survives in biofilms, free-living amoebae, and a wide variety of facilities, such as air conditioning and showers in hospitals, hotels and spas. The reference cultural method allows for the isolation and identification in many days, and in addition, it does not detect viable but rather non-culturable bacteria, increasing the risk of infection.

Clinical and Environmental Surveillance for the Prevention of Legionellosis.

is a Gram-negative bacterium whose natural hosts are aquatic protozoa, in which the microorganism replicates and is protected from adverse environmental conditions [...

Assessment of dietary supplement consumption among Italian university students: The multicenter DiSCo study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the consumption of dietary supplements (DSs) and related sociodemographic characteristics or behaviors in Italian undergraduates.

Methods: A questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study was carried out between October 2021 and May 2022 involving undergraduates from 12 public universities. The use of DSs in the previous 6 mo, the aim and reason for use, the purchasing channel, and related adverse effects were explored and compared by sex.

Nucleic Acids Analytical Methods for Viral Infection Diagnosis: State-of-the-Art and Future Perspectives.

The analysis of viral nucleic acids (NA), DNA or RNA, is a crucial issue in the diagnosis of infections and the treatment and prevention of related human diseases. Conventional nucleic acid tests (NATs) require multistep approaches starting from the purification of the pathogen genetic material in biological samples to the end of its detection, basically performed by the consolidated polymerase chain reaction (PCR), by the use of specialized instruments and dedicated laboratories. However, since the current NATs are too constraining and time and cost consuming, the research is evolving towards more integrated, decentralized, user-friendly, and low-cost methods.

Assessing Undergraduates' Perception of Risks Related to Body Art in Italy: The SUPeRBA Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.

Tattooing and piercing may lead to health complications. The present multicenter cross-sectional study aimed to assess awareness and knowledge of health risks related to body art and to identify their possible determinants among a large sample of undergraduates in Italy. A web-based questionnaire collecting information on socio-demographic characteristics, awareness, knowledge, and some potential predictors was administered to undergraduates attending twelve Italian universities.

Environmental Management of in Domestic Water Systems: Consolidated and Innovative Approaches for Disinfection Methods and Risk Assessment.

is able to remain in water as free-living planktonic bacteria or to grow within biofilms that adhere to the pipes. It is also able to enter amoebas or to switch into a viable but not culturable (VBNC) state, which contributes to its resistance to harsh conditions and hinders its detection in water. Factors regulating growth, such as environmental conditions, type and concentration of available organic and inorganic nutrients, presence of protozoa, spatial location of microorganisms, metal plumbing components, and associated corrosion products are important for survival and growth.

Phenolic Substances in Foods and Anticarcinogenic Properties: A Public Health Perspective.

The interest in polyphenols from vegetable sources has been progressively increased because of the demonstrated correlation between their abundance in certain foods or food preparations of traditional importance and heritage, and the answer of anti-inflammatory strategies in hospitalized patients in the presence of polypehnol-rich foods (as a complementary therapy). Consequently, research involving the accessory role of polyphenols as anti-tumoral aids have been carried out with the aim of finding new additional strategies. The purpose of this paper to evaluate the role of phenolic compounds in foods with reference to health effects for human beings.

Antimicrobial s-PBC Coatings for Innovative Multifunctional Water Filters.

Biological contamination is a typical issue in water treatment. Highly concentrated microbial suspensions in a water flow may cause filter occlusion and biofilm formation, affecting the lifespan and quality of water purification systems and increasing the risk of nosocomial infections. In order to contrast the biofilm formation, most of the conventional strategies rely on the water chemical modification and/or on the use of filters functional coatings.

Metabolic Characterization of Supernatants Produced by spp. With Anti- Activity.

is an organism of public health interest for its presence in water supply systems and other humid thermal habitats. In this study, ten cell-free supernatants produced by strains were evaluated for their ability to inhibit strains isolated from hot tap water. Production of antimicrobial substances by strains were assessed by agar well diffusion test on BCYE agar plates pre-inoculated with Cell-free supernatants (CFS) showed antimicrobial activity against all strains tested: and showed the highest activity.

Phenolic Substances in Foods: Health Effects as Anti-Inflammatory and Antimicrobial Agents.

The interest in phenolic compounds present in foods of vegetable origin has shown a notable increase in recent decades. This interest is due to the growing number of scientific studies concerning their beneficial role in human health. The interest in polyphenols has been supported by the current and growing awareness, and attention of consumers to food from a food safety viewpoint and also because of the beneficial effects ascribed to polyphenols.

Preventing Healthcare-Associated Legionellosis: Results after 3 Years of Continuous Disinfection of Hot Water with Monochloramine and an Effective Water Safety Plan.

The purpose of this study is to report the experience of the implementation and application of a 3-year Water Safety Plan (WSP) together with the secondary disinfection of water by monochloramine to control and prevent healthcare-associated legionellosis in an Italian hospital strongly colonized by . Risk assessment was carried out by the WSP team. The main critical control points focused on in developing the WSP for the control of was the water distribution system.

Antimicrobial Potential of Sicilian Honeys Against and .

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antibacterial effect of 71 organic Sicilian honeys of different botanical origins against Staphylococcus aureus [American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) 9144™] and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853™). The antimicrobial activity was determined by means of an agar diffusion assay from the estimation of the diameter of the inhibition zone produced by the honeys. S.

Evaluation of Legionella Air Contamination in Healthcare Facilities by Different Sampling Methods: An Italian Multicenter Study.

Healthcare facilities (HF) represent an at-risk environment for legionellosis transmission occurring after inhalation of contaminated aerosols. In general, the control of water is preferred to that of air because, to date, there are no standardized sampling protocols. air contamination was investigated in the bathrooms of 11 HF by active sampling (Surface Air System and Coriolisμ) and passive sampling using settling plates.

Parents' attitudes and behaviours towards recommended vaccinations in Sicily, Italy.

Background: Since a long time, Italy has maintained a dual system to administer childhood immunisations, that is a certain number of mandatory vaccinations and a number of recommended vaccinations. The study aimed to explore the issues surrounding parental acceptance or non-acceptance of the recommended vaccinations for children.

Methods: Parents of children aged 3-5 years of day-care centres in Sicily were asked to fill out an anonymous questionnaire.

Molecular epidemiology of ampicillin resistance in Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli from wastewater and clinical specimens.

Molecular epidemiology at local scale in Sicily (Italy) of ampicillin resistance in Salmonella spp. isolates from municipal wastewater (n = 64) and clinical specimens (n = 274) is described in comparison with previously examined Escherichia coli isolates (n = 273) from wastewater. High prevalence of antibiotic resistance (28.