Wastewater-Based Epidemiology for SARS-CoV-2 in Northern Italy: A Spatiotemporal Model.

The study investigated the application of Wastewater-Based Epidemiology (WBE) as a tool for monitoring the SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in a city in northern Italy from October 2021 to May 2023. Based on a previously used deterministic model, this study proposed a variation to account for the population characteristics and virus biodegradation in the sewer network. The model calculated virus loads and corresponding COVID-19 cases over time in different areas of the city and was validated using healthcare data while considering viral mutations, vaccinations, and testing variability.

Cholangiocarcinoma and Occupational Exposure to Asbestos: Insights From the Italian Pooled Cohort Study.

Background: Recent studies supported the association between occupational exposure to asbestos and risk of cholangiocarcinoma (CC). Aim of the present study is to investigate this association using an update of mortality data from the Italian pooled asbestos cohort study and to test record linkage to Cancer Registries to distinguish between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic/extrahepatic forms of CC.

Methods: The update of a large cohort study pooling 52 Italian industrial cohorts of workers formerly exposed to asbestos was carried out.

Can We Slow Down Biological Age Progression? Study Protocol for the proBNPage Reduction (PBAR) Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial (Effects of 4 "Anti-Aging" Food Supplements in Healthy Older Adults).

Purpose: The availability of a simple and reliable marker of biological age might allow an acceleration of the research in the field of longevity extension. Previous studies suggest that this marker might be the N-terminal of B-type natriuretic peptide precursor (NT-proBNP), from which proBNPage, a biological age surrogate, can be calculated. Objectives of the study: 1) To fine-tune the method of proBNPage progression assessment and 2) To establish whether 4 "anti-aging" treatments, which provided promising results in previous studies, can modify proBNPage progression.

Nerve MR in the Differential Diagnosis of Neuropathies: A Case Series from a Single Center.

In the present study, through a case series, we highlighted the role of magnetic resonance (MR) in the identification and diagnosis of peripheral neuropathies. MR neurography allows the evaluation of the course of nerves through 2D and 3D STIR sequences with an isotropic voxel, whereas the relationship between nerves, vessels, osteo-ligamentous and muscular structures can be appraised with T1 sequences. Currently, DTI and tractography are mainly used for experimental purposes.

Impact of migration on diabetes burden: audit in the metropolitan area of Bologna, Italy.

Purpose: To investigate the impact of diabetes in immigrants on the Italian healthcare system, as well as their compliance with standard protocols of control and treatment.

Methods: The prevalence of immigrants with diabetes living in the metropolitan area of Bologna (about 1 million inhabitants) in 2019 was investigated using a database containing all subjects in active follow-up for diabetes, based on antidiabetic drug use, disease-specific copayment exemption, ICD-9 codes, continuous care in diabetes units. Country of origin was derived from fiscal code.

Emergency Department Visits and Summer Temperatures in Bologna, Northern Italy, 2010-2019: A Case-Crossover Study and Geographically Weighted Regression Methods.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the association between summer temperatures and emergency department visits (EDVs) in Bologna (Italy) and assess whether this association varies across areas with different socioeconomic and microclimatic characteristics. We included all EDVs within Bologna residences during the summers of 2010-2019. Each subject is attributed a deprivation and a microclimatic discomfort index according to the residence.

Cancer mortality in Common Mental Disorders: A 10-year retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: Individuals with Common Mental Disorders (CMDs) may have a higher cancer mortality. The purpose of this study was to examine cancer-related mortality among patients with CMDs and verify which cancer types are predominantly involved.

Methods: We used the Regional Mental Health Registry of the Emilia-Romagna region, in Northern Italy to identify patients aged ≥ 18 years who received an ICD 9-CM diagnosis of CMDs (i.

Short-term mortality following COVID-19 vaccination in Bologna, Italy: a one-year study.

The main objective of the study is to assess whether there is an increased risk of mortality in the days following the administration of COVID-19 vaccines in Bologna Health Authority in the first year of COVID-19 vaccination campaign. A secondary objective was to describe causes of deaths occurred in the days after vaccination. We conducted a retrospective observational study on all residents of Bologna Health Authority who received at least one COVID-19 vaccination dose from December 27, 2020 to December 31, 2021 and compared mortality in the 3, 7, 14 30 days after vaccination (risk interval) with the mortality in the period of the same length (3, 7, 14 and 30 days) beyond the 30th day after the last dose of vaccination (control interval).

Risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization and death for COVID-19 in people with Parkinson's disease or parkinsonism over a 15-month period: a cohort study.

Background: The patterns of long term risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization for COVID-19 and related death are uncertain in people with Parkinson's disease (PD) or parkinsonism (PS). The aim of the study was to quantify these risks compared to a control population cohort, during the period March 2020-May 2021, in Bologna, northern Italy.

Method: ParkLink Bologna cohort (759 PD; 192 PS) and controls (9,226) anonymously matched (ratio 1:10) for sex, age, district, comorbidity were included.

Percutaneous transhepatic stent for chronic intestinal bleeding from jejunal varices in primary idiophatic superior mesenteric vein stenosis: A case report.

Jejunal varices are a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. In most cases, they are due to portal hypertension related to liver cirrhosis, less frequently to superior mesenteric vein stenosis (SMV). In this article we describe an unusual case of a 61 year-old male patient who arrived at our emergency department with intermittent variceal bleeding due to jejunal varices causing melena and subsequent chronic anaemia.

Mortality from cancer in people with severe mental disorders in Emilia Romagna Region, Italy.

Objective: To examine cancer-related mortality in patients with severe mental disorders (SMI) in the Emilia Romagna (ER) Region, Northern Italy, during the period 2008-2017 and compare it with the regional population.

Methods: We used the ER Regional Mental Health Registry identifying all patients aged ≥18 years who had received an ICD-9CM system diagnosis of SMI (i.e.

COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness among the staff of the Bologna Health Trust, Italy, December 2020-April 2021.

Background And Aim: Randomized controlled trials have shown that mRNA vaccines are highly effective in preventing SARS-CoV2 infection. We conducted a study to assess the real-world effectiveness of mRNA vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) in preventing all and symptomatic SARS-CoV2 infections and COVID-19 related hospitalizations in the staff of the Bologna Health Trust (HT), Italy Methods: We followed up retrospectively 9839 staff of the Bologna HT from December 27, 2020 to April 3, 2020 and calculated the effectiveness in partially and fully vaccinated subjects by applying a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model.

Results: Vaccine effectiveness in preventing SARS-CoV2 infections is 85.

Mortality in mental health patients of the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy: A registry-based study.

Evidence from previous research demonstrated a gap in mortality between patients with mental disorders and the general population. However, a more exhaustive assessment is required to address this public health issue. The aim of this study was to provide comprehensive analysis of mortality examining all causes of death and all psychiatric diagnoses.

An ecological study on health inequalities in the city of Bologna (Emilia-Romagna Region, Northern Italy): bridging knowledge and action.

Background: since January 2017, a multidisciplinary research group, involving the Local Health Authority, the Municipality, and the University of Bologna, carried out a city-wide action-research project on health inequalities consisting of an ecological study over the years 2011-2015 based on indicators that are routinely available within health and social services.

Objectives: to document existing geographical inequalities in health outcomes and use of healthcare services in the city of Bologna (Emilia-Romagna Region, Northern Italy), with the aim to suggest policy action to tackle them.

Design: the results of the first phase of the above-mentioned project were reported: five related to the social determinants of health (exposure) and five related to the social determinants of ill-health (outcomes).

Mental Health Disorders and Summer Temperature-Related Mortality: A Case Crossover Study.

Identifying the most vulnerable subjects is crucial for the effectiveness of health interventions aimed at limiting the adverse consequences of high temperatures. We conducted a case crossover study aimed at assessing whether suffering from mental health disorders modifies the effect of high temperatures on mortality. We included all deaths occurred in the area of Bologna Local Health Trust during the summers 2004-2017.

COVID-19 cases before and after the "I Stay at home" decree, Bologna Local Health Authority, Italy.

Background And Aim Of The Work: Various measures have been taken by the Italian Government to contain and mitigate the COVID-19 outbreak and on March 11th a decree called "I stay at home" put the whole nation under lockdown. Our aim is to describe sociodemographic and transmission profile of COVID-19 cases that were transmitted before and after the introduction of the decree in the Bologna Local Health Authority.

Methods: Cases were classified as transmitted before or after the decree according to the date of last contact with a COVID-19 case or, if this date was unavailable, we used the date of onset of symptoms considering the incubation period.

[Effects of high temperature and air pollution on the risk of preterm births. Analysis in six Italian cities, 2001-2010].

Objectives: to evaluate the association between short term maternal exposure to high temperature and air pollution on preterm births (PBs), which represent the first cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity in developed Countries, and to identify maternal risk factors enhancing individual susceptibility.

Design: time series. SETTING E PARTICIPANTS: all singleton live-births occurred in six Italian cities between 1st April and 31st October of each year in the period 2001-2010 were identified through the Certificate of Delivery Care Registry (CedAP).

Evaluation of a Modified Roche Enzymatic Ammonia Method for Roche Cobas 6000 (c501 Module) Automated Platform: When 5 µL Improves Performance.

Background: We evaluated a modified Roche NH3L method developed by our group that significantly reduced the error flag "> ABS (> Absorbance)" on the COBAS 6000 (c501 module) automated platform.

Methods: Our study was finalized to validate the NH3L open method on COBAS 6000 (c501 module) with imprecision and correlation tests. In addition, the NH3L open method was evaluated for determination of lower limit of blank (LoB), lower limit of detection (LoD), and accuracy.

[Development of a predictive model of death or urgent hospitalization to identify frail elderly].

Objectives: to develop and validate a predictive model of mortality or emergency hospitalization in all subjects aged 65 years and over.

Design: cohort study based on 9 different databases linked with each other.

Setting And Participants: the model was developed on the population aged 65 years and over resident at 01.

A comparison of risk factors as predictors of cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular mortality in the elderly people--relevance of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and low systolic blood pressure.

Background: Many risk factors are known to predict ischaemic events and mortality in the elderly people, but their ranking of importance remains uncertain. This study was designed to identify and compare the main predictors of total mortality (TM), cardiovascular mortality (CVM) and non-cardiovascular mortality (NCVM) in older adults.

Methods: Nine hundred and seventy-nine community resident adults aged ≥ 65 years, free of previous heart failure and cardiovascular events, participated in the study.

Post-methionine load test: A more sensitive tool to reveal hyperhomocysteinemia in Alzheimer patients?

Objective: To identify the real number of hyperhomocysteinemic Alzheimer's patients who may benefit from homocysteine-lowering therapy.

Methods: Basal and post-methionine load homocysteine levels were assessed by rp-HPLC system.

Results: PML test revealed twice as many hyperhomocysteinemic AD subjects with respect to the fasting analysis.

Evaluation of service mammography screening impact in Italy. The contribution of hazard analysis.

12,987 invasive breast cancer cases were diagnosed in women aged 50-69 upto the year 2001 in nine Italian areas where a screening programme was active. Cases were followed up in 2005 for a total of 1921 breast cancer failures. The 10-year survival rates were 85.

Work-related injuries in young workers: an Italian multicentric epidemiological survey.

Emergency departments records from 33 hospitals were reviewed to disclose work-related injuries occurred in teen-subjects living in 14 Italian cities. During January-June 2000, 317 work-related injuries were reported. Male subjects, 17 year old, working in the industrial field, resulted the most affected, probably due to the fact that among young workers this sex and age class is the most represented one.

Pharmacokinetics of HD-MTX in infants, children, and adolescents with non-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

A retrospective pharmacokinetic analysis was done of methotrexate serum levels after high-dose treatment (HD-MTX, four cycles at two-week intervals of 5 g/sq.1m. over 24 h i.