Use of a mHealth System to Improve Antenatal Care in Low and Lower-Middle Income Countries: Report on Patients and Healthcare Workers' Acceptability in Tanzania.

Antenatal care (ANC) is considered a cornerstone of reproductive health programmes, but many women face difficulties in accessing these services, particularly in some sub-Saharan African countries, such as Tanzania. This study aimed to test ANC visit acceptability using mHealth system PANDA (Pregnancy And Newborn Diagnostic Assessment) in the Mufindi district (Tanzania). We investigated the ANC visit acceptability of pregnant women and healthcare workers (HCWs) in an intervention area using the PANDA system compared with a control area.

virucidal efficacy of a dry steam disinfection system against Human Coronavirus, Human Influenza Virus, and Echovirus.

This study was aimed to assess the efficacy of dry steam in inactivating Human Coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43) as surrogate of SARS-CoV-2, Human Influenza Virus A/H1N1/WSN/33 and Echovirus 7 on stainless steel, polypropylene, and cotton. The virus models were chosen on the basis of their transmission route and environmental resistance. Tests were carried out under a laminar flow cabinet, where two panels of each material were contaminated with a viral suspension.

Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the Northern Italy population before the COVID-19 second wave.

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic is due to SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infections. It swept across the world in the spring of 2020, and so far it has caused a huge number of hospitalizations and deaths. In the present study, the authors investigated serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence in the period of June 1-September 25, 2020, in 7561 subjects in Modena, Northern Italy.

Physical and Sedentary Activities and Childhood Overweight/Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study among First-Year Children of Primary Schools in Modena, Italy.

Children obesity is a serious public health issue. This study aimed to investigate physical/sedentary activities of first-year primary schools children in Modena, and their association with overweight/obesity and dietary habits of children and family characteristics to identify the risk factors for unhealthy lifestyles. Child physical/sedentary activities were gathered through an anonymous questionnaire administered to parents, as well as family characteristics and weight/height of child and parents.

Safety and Effectiveness of Monochloramine Treatment for Disinfecting Hospital Water Networks.

The formation of potentially carcinogenic N-nitrosamines, associated with monochloramine, requires further research due to the growing interest in using this biocide for the secondary disinfection of water in public and private buildings. The aim of our study was to evaluate the possible formation of N-nitrosamines and other toxic disinfection by-products (DBPs) in hospital hot water networks treated with monochloramine. The effectiveness of this biocide in controlling spp.

[The Health Examination Survey at regional level: the Emilia-Romagna Region (Northern Italy) example].

Objectives: to assess time trend of lifestyles, cardiovascular risk factors, and prevalence of high-risk conditions in random samples of the general adult population residing in Emilia-Romagna, examined in two cross-sectional surveys conducted within the Epidemiological Cardiovascular Observatory (OEC 1998-2002) and the Epidemiological Cardiovascular Observatory/Health Examination Survey (OEC/HES 2008-2012).

Design: cross-sectional surveys conducted on random samples of general adult population stratified by gender and age group in some municipalities of Emilia-Romagna.

Settings And Participants: in Emilia-Romagna, 341 males and 354 females were examined in 1998-2002 and 307 males and 300 females were examined in 2008-2012.

Characterisation of Microbial Community Associated with Different Disinfection Treatments in Hospital hot Water Networks.

Many disinfection treatments can be adopted for controlling opportunistic pathogens in hospital water networks in order to reduce infection risk for immunocompromised patients. Each method has limits and strengths and it could determine modifications on bacterial community. The aim of our investigation was to study under real-life conditions the microbial community associated with different chemical (monochloramine, hydrogen peroxide, chlorine dioxide) and non-chemical (hyperthermia) treatments, continuously applied since many years in four hot water networks of the same hospital.

The relevance of molecular genotyping to allocate cases in a suspected outbreak of Legionella pneumonia in patients with prolonged immunosuppressive therapy.

Three cases of pneumonia caused by Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 (Lp1) in immunosuppressed patients with repeated hospitalization were suspected as a healthcare-associated cluster. The environmental investigation did not reveal the presence of legionellae in the hospital patient rooms. Water samples collected from the homes of two patients were also negative for Legionella spp.

Risk Factors for Overweight and Obesity in Children Attending the First Year of Primary Schools in Modena, Italy.

Over the last four decades, childhood overweight/obesity has dramatically increased, becoming a significant public health concern. The main aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of overweight/obesity among first-year primary schools children in Modena and to identify the associated risk factors. Data were collected on the socio-demographic characteristics of family and weight, height, dietary habits and sedentary behaviours of the children, and on the parents' perception of their child's weight status, through an anonymous questionnaire administered to parents.

Prevalence, clinical relevance and predictive factors of medication discrepancies revealed by medication reconciliation at hospital admission: prospective study in a Swiss internal medicine ward.

Objective: Medication reconciliation (MedRec) is a relevant safety procedure in medication management at transitions of care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of MedRec, including a (BPMH) compared with a standard medication history in patients admitted to an internal medicine ward.

Design: Prospective interventional study.

An Innovative Mobile Health System to Improve and Standardize Antenatal Care Among Underserved Communities: A Feasibility Study in an Italian Hosting Center for Asylum Seekers.

Innovative migrant-friendly tools are needed to assist health personnel manage the high number of pregnancies within reception centers. This study tests functionality and acceptability of a new mHealth system in providing antenatal care amongst migrants. The study, carried out between 2014 and 2016, involved 150 pregnant women residing in the largest European migrant reception center in Sicily.

Trace elements in starter infant formula: dietary intake and safety assessment.

The aim of this study was to investigate the concentrations of five essential (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and Se) and four non-essential/toxic elements (Cr, Cd, Ni and Pb) in 35 different starter infant formulas (0-6 months) sold in Italy. In addition, a safety assessment of these trace elements was carried out, by comparing the estimated daily intake (EDI) with the adequate intake (AI) and the provisional tolerable daily intake (PTDI), with a view to provide information on the metal distribution patterns and health risk to infants arising from the consumption of these products. The concentrations were determined by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after microwave digestion.

Control of Legionella Contamination and Risk of Corrosion in Hospital Water Networks following Various Disinfection Procedures.

Physical and chemical disinfection methods have been proposed with the aim of controlling Legionella water contamination. To date, the most effective procedures for reducing bacterial contamination have not yet been defined. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term effectiveness of various disinfection procedures in order to reduce both culturable and nonculturable (NC) legionellae in different hospital water networks treated with heat, chlorine dioxide, monochloramine, and hydrogen peroxide.

Aetiology, source and prevention of waterborne healthcare-associated infections: a review.

The purpose of this review is to discuss the scientific literature on waterborne healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) published from 1990 to 2012. The review focuses on aquatic bacteria and describes both outbreaks and single cases in relation to patient characteristics, the settings and contaminated sources. An overview of diagnostic methods and environmental investigations is summarized in order to provide guidance for future case investigations.

Monochloramine and chlorine dioxide for controlling Legionella pneumophila contamination: biocide levels and disinfection by-product formation in hospital water networks.

Legionella colonization in hospital hot water distribution networks was evaluated following 36 months of continuous treatment with monochloramine and compared with chlorine dioxide. Nitrite, nitrate, chlorite, chlorate, bromide, trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids as well as the biocide concentration at sampled points were measured. Only 8/84 samples treated with monochloramine were found contaminated and after the first 8 months of treatment no Legionella was isolated.

Selenium neurotoxicity in humans: bridging laboratory and epidemiologic studies.

Selenium is a metalloid of considerable interest in the human from both a toxicological and a nutritional perspective, with a very narrow safe range of intake. Acute selenium intoxication is followed by adverse effects on the nervous system with special clinical relevance, while the neurotoxicity of long-term overexposure is less characterized and recognized. We aimed to address this issue from a public health perspective, focusing on both laboratory studies and the few epidemiologic human studies available, with emphasis on their methodological strengths and limitations.

A culture-proven case of community-acquired legionella pneumonia apparently classified as nosocomial: diagnostic and public health implications.

We report a case of Legionella pneumonia in a 78-year-old patient affected by cerebellar haemangioblastoma continuously hospitalised for 24 days prior to the onset of overt symptoms. According to the established case definition, this woman should have been definitely classified as a nosocomial case (patient spending all of the ten days in hospital before onset of symptoms). Water samples from the oncology ward were negative, notably the patient's room and the oxygen bubbler, and the revision of the case history induced us to verify possible contamination in water samples collected at home.

[Hand hygiene of medical and nursing students during clinica rotations: a pilot study on knowledge, attitudes and impact on bacterial contamination].

Unlabelled: Hand hygiene in nursing and medical students during training: a pilot study on knowledge, practices and impact on bacterial contamination.

Introduction: Despite exhaustive guidelines on hand hygiene (HH), compliance in health care professionals is reported to be low. In order to improve adherence with HH, interventions on students' education should be effective.

Control of Legionella contamination in a hospital water distribution system by monochloramine.

Background: We report the results of 1-year application of monochloramine to control Legionella pneumophila contamination in a hospital hot water distribution system.

Methods: In the main building of the hospital, a device continuously distributing monochloramine was installed. Legionella pneumophila and Pseudomonas spp contamination was followed in comparison with 2 other water networks in the same building using chlorine dioxide.

Parameters predictive of Legionella contamination in hot water systems: association with trace elements and heterotrophic plate counts.

The contamination of hot water samples with Legionella spp. was studied in relation to temperature, total hardness, trace element concentrations (iron, zinc, manganese, and copper) and heterotrophic plate counts (HPC) at both 22 and 37 °C. Factor analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to establish the cut-off of water parameters as predictors for Legionella contamination.

Extremely low frequency-magnetic fields (ELF-EMF) occupational exposure and natural killer activity in peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Extremely Low Frequency-Magnetic Fields (ELF-MF) are possible carcinogens to humans and some data suggest that they can act as promoters or progressors. Since NK cells play a major role in the control of cancer development, an adverse effect on ELF-MF on NK function has been hypothesized. We examined NK activity in 52 workers exposed to different levels of ELF-MF in various activities.

Effect of bacterial interference on biofilm development by Legionella pneumophila.

In the ecology of Legionella pneumophila a crucial role may be played by its relationship with the natural flora; thus we investigated the interactions between Legionella and other aquatic bacteria, particularly within biofilms. Among 80 aquatic bacteria screened for the production of bacteriocin-like substances (BLSs), 66.2% of them were active against L.

Selenium interactions with essential and toxic elements in egg yolk from commercial and fortified eggs.

The main objective of this work was to evaluate the interaction between selenium concentration in both commercial and Se-enriched eggs and other essential/toxic elements (Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Pb, and Cd), taking into account a possible synergic action of iodine. Commercial eggs were purchased from several sale points or directly from the producers (farmyard eggs). Fortified eggs were obtained by supplementing chickenfeed for 6 weeks with Se as sodium selenite (1.