Annali dell'Istituto Superiore di Sanità
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Prevalence of Salmonella strains in wild animals from a highly populated area of north-eastern Italy
Get PDFIntroduction. Salmonella is a ubiquitous pathogen that can infect host species, like wild birds, rodents, and/or arthropods, which may transmit infection to domestic animals and human population. Aim. In order to assess the related risk, a cross-sectional study was performed on 1114 carcasses of wild animals from a north-eastern area of the Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy. Materials and methods. During post mortem examination, intestine samples were cultured. A statistical analysis demonstrated that there is no correlation between the presence of sub-clinically infected animals and greater human population density. In contrast, a significant correlation between the number of carcasses positive for Salmonella spp. and greater spatial density of pig, poultry, and cattle farms was observed (p < 0.01). Results. The results of the present study show that wild animals with omnivorous feeding habits are particularly exposed to Salmonella colonization and, consequently, to spreading the organism. Regarding drug resistance, this study confirms the resistance to antimicrobials is increasing in commensal and environmental isolates.
Climate change and safety at work with ionizing radiations
Get PDFThe accident at Tokyo Electric Power Company’s (TEPCO’s) Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (NPP) has been one of the dominant topic in nuclear safety and it has brought new attention on the matter of accidents in NPPs due to external events related to natural causes. Climate change has risen new risks and the growing probability of extreme external events has increased exposure and vulnerability of workers in the nuclear sector. However extreme natural events are a threat not only to NPPs but to all facilities dealing with radioactive material and in an emergency scenario they can affect the effectiveness and implementation of safety devices and procedures and also prevent communications, causing delays in the readiness of response. It is clear that adaptation strategies are necessary to cope with emerging changes in climate and a new nuclear safety culture is growing, that addresses accidents initiated not only by internal but also by external events.
sodC genes expression in Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains
Get PDFIntroduction. E.coli O157:H7 has three sodC genes encoding for Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase. We evaluated the expression of chromosomal sodC in distinct phases of growth in different strains, and we examined the mutual capability of chromosomal and prophagic genes to influence their expression.Methods. We used One Step real-time RT-PCR technology to study the expression of sodC genes in several E.coli strains.Results. In three of four analysed E.coli O157:H7 strains the chromosomal sodC gene was more expressed in exponential phase than in stationary phase, unlike it occurs in the E.coli K12 strain. The expression of the chromosomal gene was always higher than that of the prophagic copies. Deletion of prophagic or chromosomal sodC genes had no effect on the expression of the residual gene.Conclusion. Our study highlights an inherent variability in number and level of expression of sodC genes in E.coli O157:H7 strain
Social sustainability in healthcare facilities: a rating tool for analysing and improving social aspects in environments of care
Get PDFIntroduction. Nowadays several rating systems exist for the evaluation of the sustainability of buildings, but often their focus is limited to environmental and efficiency aspects. Hospitals are complex constructions in which many variables affect hospital processes. Therefore, a research group has developed a tool for the evaluation of sustainability in healthcare facilities. Methodology. The paper analyses social sustainability issues through a tool which evaluates users’ perception from a the quality and well-being perspective. It presents a hierarchical structure composed of a criteria and indicators system which is organised through a weighing system calculated by using the Analytic Network Process. Results and discussion. The output is the definition of a tool which evaluates how Humanisation, Comfort and Distribution criteria can affect the social sustainability of a building. Conclusion. Starting from its application, it is evident that the instrument enables the improvement of healthcare facilities through several design and organisational suggestions for achieving healing and sustainable architectures
Water use and water saving in Italian hospitals. A preliminary investigation
Get PDFAim. The aim of this work is to investigate about water use, wastage, saving and reuse in hospitals. Methods. An anonymous ad hoc questionnaire was tested in a sample of 36 public hospitals of Lombardy Region (21% of total public hospitals). Daily water consumption reported is on average equal to 481 m3, ranging from 30 to 2280 m3. There is a strong correlation between water consumption and number of hospital beds (p < 0.005). In 33 hospitals (92%) water consumption is measured and, among them, in about 48% more than one flow meter is installed; 86% consider “important” the reduction of water consumption and about 55% recognize that wastewater could be minimized within the structures. Discussion. There is consensus about the need to train health personnel and to implement technical measures to improve the water resources management, but initiatives to raise knowledge and awareness of health personnel have been promoted only in 10% of hospitals. Results. Results show not only a lack of awareness regarding water use and saving among the personnel in general, but also among heads of the hospitas’ technical office and energy managers as well. For this reason, it will be of interest to carry out this investigation at national level and also to develop recommendations to support and promote a safe reuse of water in all the hospitals
Why the study of the effects of biological sex is important
Get PDFBiological sex significantly affects the presentation, outcome of treatment and progression of disease. However, the role of sex has yet underestimated consequences for physiology and pathology. We put forward that a better understanding of the effects of sex in pathophysiology and the underlying mechanisms is necessary. This may facilitate the identification of targets that respond to specific therapies, thereby contributing towards a more appropriate and individualised medical care for both men and women
Black flies (Diptera, Simuliidae) as ecological indicators of stream ecosystem health in an urbanizing area (Rome, Italy)
Get PDFIntroduction. The effectiveness of Simuliidae (Diptera, Nematocera) as indicators of stream health was tested in the urbanizing area of Rome, Central Italy. Methods. 108 sampling sites were investigated in the spring to acquire data on environmental variables and black fly species.Results and discussion.The comparison of sampling and literature data highlighted the disappearance of some species (Simulium reptans, S. vernum, S. liriense), possibly due to water pollution and land use changes. Correspondence analysis confirms altitude as the main factor influencing black fly species’ distribution. However, water quality becomes predominant when considering exclusively plain sites: “ornatum” and “equinum” species groups show the greatest tolerance to chemical pollution. The high course of the Aniene river and its tributaries were sampled bimonthly, confirming the spatial-temporal black fly successions previously observed in central Apennines. The results also indicate that S. ornatum may supplant all other species in areas where the rural use is substituted by urban landscape.Conclusion. In conclusion, black flies can be considered good environmental indicators to assess ecological health of both watercourses and surrounding landscapes
SOCIAL HEALTH: THE CHALLENGES FOR HEALTHCARE FACILITIES\u27 DESIGN. Edited by Stefano Capolongo. Preface: Social aspects and well‑being for improving healing processes’ effectiveness
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The implementation of a Community Health Centre-based primary care model in Italy. The experience of the Case della Salute in the Emilia-Romagna Region
Get PDFBackground.The Comunity Health Centre (CHC) primary care model is a team-based health care delivery model intended to provide comprehensive and continuous medical care to patients within a defined community. The CHC, Case della Salute in Italian, model was introduced in the Emilia-Romagna Region in 2010. Methods. We present updated data on the implementation on the CHC Case della Salute primary care model in the Emilia-Romagna Region. Results. There are 67 operating CHCs in Emilia-Romagna (update March 2015); 26 small (39%), 24 medium (36%) and 17 large (25%). Since 2011 the number of operating CHCs has increased by 60%, reaching 55% of the target planned CHCs (n. = 122). There is, on average, one running CHC per 66.524 inhabitants. 16% of total general practitioners (GPs) and 8.4% of total family paediatricians working in Emilia-Romagna have their practice in CHCs. CHCs offer primary and specialist integrated care, prevention services, health education and social care. Discussion. Although preliminary results suggest CHCs have fostered primary care’s quality and efficiency, more research is needed to assess their impact on improving clinical, social and economic outcomes