Anionic polysaccharides for stabilization and sustained release of antimicrobial peptides.

Chemical and enzymatic in vivo degradation of antimicrobial peptides represents a major challenge for their therapeutic use to treat bacterial infections. In this work, anionic polysaccharides were investigated for their ability to increase the chemical stability and achieve sustained release of such peptides. The investigated formulations comprised a combination of antimicrobial peptides (vancomycin (VAN) and daptomycin (DAP)) and anionic polysaccharides (xanthan gum (XA), hyaluronic acid (HA), propylene glycol alginate (PGA) and alginic acid (ALG)).

Technology and technique for left ventricular assist device optimization: A Bi-Tech solution.

Background: We investigated the synergistic effect of the new cone-bearing design of Jarvik 2000 (Jarvik Heart Inc., NY) together with a minimally-invasive approach to outcomes of LVAD patients.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients from 5 institutions involved in the Jarvik 2000 Italian Registry, from October 2008 to October 2016.

Use of an Online Platform to Evaluate the Impact of Social Distancing Measures on Psycho-Physical Well-Being in the COVID-19 Era.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) and the worldwide health crisis have significantly changed both people's habits and lifestyles. Most of the studies found in the literature were carried out on specific professional categories in the socio-health sector, taking into consideration psychological disorders in relation to work. The purpose of this study was to analyze the psychological impact on a portion of the normal population subjected to lockdown.

Nurse Case Manager Lifestyle Medicine (NCMLM) in the Type Two Diabetes patient concerning post COVID-19 Pandemic management: Integrated-Scoping literature review.

Background: The American Case Manager Association defines Case Management, in Lifestyle Medicine perspective, a collaborative practice between all the actors involved in the care process. The goal of this review was to evaluate the Nurse Case Manager role in Type 2 Diabetes patients, analyzing the quali/quan-titative data related to Nurse Case Management programs in Lifestyle Medicine view.

Study Design And Methods: Three independent operators were involved in two distinct phases, applying the Prisma method, specifics PICOS and research strategies from PubMed and Cinahl.

Quality of life among chronic myeloid leukemia patients in the second-line treatment with nilotinib and influential factors.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients prescribed with nilotinib as a second-line therapy and explores the influential factors.

Methods: A multicenter retrospective survey was conducted via face-to-face interviews based on the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. A total of 121 adult CML patients resistant to imatinib and used nilotinib for at least 3 months were enrolled.

HPV Type-Specific Prevalence a Decade after the Implementation of the Vaccination Program: Results from a Pilot Study.

Human papillomavirus infection is a cause of the development of invasive cervical cancer. Three types of vaccine are currently available to prevent precancerous/cancerous lesions due to persistent infection, which is supported mainly by 7 different high-risk genotypes. The aim of this pilot study was to acquire preliminary data on type-specific prevalence 10 years after the implementation of the HPV vaccination program in Italy, in order to subsequently plan appropriate observational studies in the Italian population.

Pro-Environmental Behaviors: Determinants and Obstacles among Italian University Students.

The awareness of citizens concerning the health risks caused by environmental pollution is growing, but studies on determinants of pro-environmental behaviors have rarely examined health-related aspects. In this study, we investigated these determinants using data from a large survey among Italian university students (15 Universities: 4778 filled questionnaires). Besides the health-related aspects, represented by environmental health risk perception and functional health literacy, we considered social and demographic characteristics (gender, area of residence, sources of information, trust in institutional and non-institutional subjects, and students' capacity of positive actions, indicated as internal locus of control).

Diabetes and technology: A pilot study on the management of patients with insulin pumps during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The recent COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the treatment process through IT/technological supports, useful in the management of chronic patients such as those affected by type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM). Specific routes for fragile patients such as those with micro-infusers have been created thanks to the application of "Diabetes Technology," which allows patients to monitor blood glucose quickly and easily. The present pilot study aimed to assess the quality of care provided to patients with micro-infusers in a delicate phase such as a pandemic lockdown.

From bench to bedside: Impact of left ventricular assist device outflow conduit anastomosis position on outcome.

Continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have become a valuable therapy for end-stage heart failure. In vitro research highlighted a role of outflow cannula position on the pattern of blood flow in the aorta. However, the clinical effects of the alterations of flow remain unclear.

Burnout syndrome: a preliminary study of a population of nurses in italian prisons.

Introduction: Burnout is a set of psychological manifestations ("emotional exhaustion", "depersonalization" and reduced "personal accomplishment") that principally affects healthcare professionals.

Objectives: Analysis of the level of burnout among twelve nurses who work in two Italian prisons.

Material And Methods: The Maslach Burnout Inventory was administered.

Psychological symptoms and quality of life after repeated exposure to earthquake: A cohort study in Italy.

In 2005, a random sample of 200 people were assessed in Camerino, Italy, eight years after an earthquake. Psychological symptom levels were low and only one person had current Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In 2016 a new earthquake occurred in Camerino.

[Food knowledge of patients at the first access to a Diabetology center].

Food knowledge of patients at the first access to a Diabetology center. Diabetes represents a constantly increasing disease: family history, age and lifestyles represent the main risk factors for this pathology and for the complications related to it. Considering the importance of the diet for the prevention and treatment of diabetes, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the food knowledge of patients at the first access to a Diabetology center, and to investigate their possible influence on some blood parameters.

Tethering (Arene)Ru(II) Acylpyrazolones Decorated with Long Aliphatic Chains to Polystyrene Surfaces Provides Potent Antibacterial Plastics.

The acylpyrazolone proligands HQ (HQ in general, in detail: HQ = 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-carbonylcyclohexyl-5-pyrazolone, 4-C(O)-phenyl, HQ = 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoyl-5-pyrazolone, HQ = 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-stearoyl-5-pyrazolone, HQ = 1-phenyl-3-stearyl-4-benzoyl-5-pyrazolone) were synthesized and reacted with (arene)Ru(II) acceptors affording complexes [(arene)Ru(Q)Cl] (arene = cymene (cym) or hexamethylbenzene (hmb)). The complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, thermogravimetric analysis-Differntial Thermal Analysis (TGA-DTA), IR spectroscopy, ESI-MS and H, and C NMR spectroscopy. Complexes [(arene)Ru(Q)Cl] where Q = Q and Q, due to the long aliphatic chain in the ligand, afford nanometric dispersions in methanol via self-assembly into micellar aggregates of dimensions 50-200 nm.

Leadership in Public Health: Opportunities for Young Generations Within Scientific Associations and the Experience of the "Academy of Young Leaders".

This paper outlines the characteristics of scientific leadership and the role of Scientific Associations with their specific activities. The recent activities of the Lombard Academy of Public Health are subsequently described, including the creation, in 2019, of the Academy of young leaders in public health. Comparing to other sectors, scientific leadership dynamics take into consideration different aspects.

Survey on smoking habits among seafarers.

Background: Populations living in stressful environments experience higher mortality from lung cancer and chronic diseases. Work-related stress was identified as important determinant of smoking together to health problems caused by a incorrect lifestyles. Aim of the work was to analyze tobacco smoking addiction in seafarers working on merchant ships.

Campaign manufacturing of highly active or sensitizing drugs: a comparison between the GMPs of various Regulatory Agencies.

Background: Cross-contamination and mix-ups are among the problems which could have a negative impact on the quality of the finished product during the production of highly active or sensitizing drugs with campaign manufacturing. Standardised, validated procedures ensure quality standards are maintained during production. In spite of this, the operating conditions and applicability of methods adopted by the various regulatory agencies manifest significant differences which could consequently compromise the safety of the finished product.

First surveillance of malaria among seafarers: evaluation of incidence and identification of risk areas.

Unlabelled: Malaria is a potentially deadly parasitosis. Due to its geographical distribution, seafarers are particularly exposed to it. This study is an epidemiological analysis on the morbidity of malaria onboard commercial ships without a physician, with the purpose of proposing solutions aimed at limiting further infections in this delicate and difficult working environment.

Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of novel composite plastics containing two silver (I) additives, acyl pyrazolonate and acyl pyrazolone.

Background: Public health systems today face the dual challenges of controlling infections and curbing the increase in antimicrobial resistance manifested in drug-resistant microorganisms in hospitals and elsewhere. In the last ten years, research has been conducted to develop new materials with antimicrobial properties to be used in medical devices, increasingly found to harbour critical nosocomial infections.

Methods: Two next-generation composites using the antimicrobial qualities of silver were tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans with the purpose of evaluating their antimicrobial and antifungal activity.

Environment and health: Risk perception and its determinants among Italian university students.

Among the determinants of environmental health risk perception, health literacy and social media messages have been generally neglected. This study details the environmental health risk perception and its determinants in Italian university students, including a measure of functional health literacy and an analysis of newspapers and social media. A cross sectional survey was carried out among students from 15 Italian universities and different disciplines (grouped into Scientific-Health and Humanistic-Legal-Social sectors) using a self-administered anonymous questionnaire, divided into six sections: socio-demographic characteristics, information on health and environment, environmental health risk perception, trust, attitudes and behaviors and functional health literacy.

Healthcare acquired infections: malpractice and litigation issues.

Background: Healthcare acquired infections (HAIs) represent a significant burden for hospitalized patients in terms of mortality, morbidity, length of stay and costs. Also cause medical liability and medical malpractice litigation.

Methods: Specific keywords combinations were analitically searched in PubMed and Scopus databases.

Thermosensitive hybrid hydrogels for the controlled release of bioactive vancomycin in the treatment of orthopaedic implant infections.

The purpose of this work was the development of antibacterial delivery systems for vancomycin, with potential application in the prevention or treatment of orthopedic implant infections. Previous studies have shown tandem thermal gelling and Michael addition cross-linking of hydrogels based on methacrylate, acrylate or vinylsulfone triblock copolymers of PEG-p(HPMAm-lac) and thiolated hyaluronic acid. In this work we exploited these α-β unsaturated derivatives of PEG-p(HPMAm-lac) triblock copolymers and used them in combination with thiolated hyaluronic acid as controlled delivery systems for vancomycin.

The pharmacist's role in health information, vaccination and health promotion.

On the subject of vaccination, owing to complex issues connected to vaccine refusal and vaccine hesitancy, the pharmacist is seen as a professional figure in the health sector who is qualified to improve social accountability with the aim of increasing the consent. In order to provide accurate information, Law no. 119/2007 has confirmed the central role of the pharmacist in the promotion of prophylactic vaccination, explicitly stating under art.

Fighting obesity in children from European World Health Organization member states. Epidemiological data, medical-social aspects, and prevention programs.

Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health chal-lenges of this century. Overweight and obese children are likely to stay obese into adulthood and more likely to develop non-communicable diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases at a younger age. In the WHO European Region one child out of 3, is overweight or obese.