196,119 research outputs found
Biometeorologia e bioclimatologia medica: una nuova frontiera di ricerca
No full textThis paper traces the origins of Biometeorology and Medical Bioclimatology, from Hippocrates, through a slow evolutionary path, until the 70s of the last century. These disciplines, yet little known to the medical profession, are to be framed in the context of environmental sciences applied to epidemiology, with significant operational impacts in terms of prevention. After a brief description of the subject and climatic factors (variables), we draws a picture of the technical and scientific initiatives recently implemented especially by the WHO, and then explore the broad spectrum of scientific research, carried out especially in the last two decades, which have consolidated multiple knowledge. Finally, we examine briefly the meteorological event of Summer 2003 as a specific case, its epidemiology and the consequent initiatives of Hygiene and Public Health developed by Italy and other countries
A statistical approach on respiratory and conjunctivitis diseases admitted to ERS at Cuneo and Bra Hospital (Italy). Correlation with environmental, bioclimatic and emergency room data
No full textLe onde di calore : profili epidemiologici, soggetti a rischio, problematiche e misure di sanità pubblica
No full textMeteorological factors, air pollutants, and emergency department visits for otitis media: a time series study
No full textP>Otitis media (OM) is a very common disease in children, which results in a significant economic burden to the healthcare system for hospital-based outpatient departments, emergency departments (EDs), unscheduled medical examinations, and antibiotic prescriptions. The aim of this retrospective observational study is to investigate the association between climate variables, air pollutants, and OM visits observed in the 2007-2010 period at the ED of Cuneo, Italy. Measures of meteorological parameters (temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind) and outdoor air pollutants (particulate matter, ozone, nitrous dioxide) were analyzed at two statistical stages and in several specific steps (crude and adjusted models) according to Poisson's regression. Response variables included daily examinations for age groups 0-3, 0-6, and 0-18. Control variables included upper respiratory infections (URI), flu (FLU), and several calendar factors. A statistical procedure was implemented to capture any delayed effects. Results show a moderate association for temperature (T), age 0-3, and 0-6 with P < 0.05, as well as nitrous dioxide (NO2) with P < 0.005 at age 0-18. Results of subsequent models point out to URI as an important control variable. No statistical association was observed for other pollutants and meteorological variables. The dose-response models (DLNM-final stage) implemented separately on a daily and hourly basis point out to an association between temperature (daily model) and RR 1.44 at age 0-3, CI 1.11-1.88 (lag time 0-1 days) and RR 1.43, CI 1.05-1.94 (lag time 0-3 days). The hourly model confirms a specific dose-response effect for T with RR 1.20, CI 1.04-1.38 (lag time range from 0 to 11 to 0-15 h) and for NO2 with RR 1.03, CI 1.01-1.05 (lag time range from 0 to 8 to 0-15 h). These results support the hypothesis that the clinical context of URI may be an important risk factor in the onset of OM diagnosed at ED level. The study highlights the relevance of URI as a control variable to be included in the statistical analysis in association with meteorological factors and air pollutants. The study also points out to a moderate association of OM with low temperatures and NO2, with specific risk factors for this variable early in life. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings, particularly with respect to air pollutants in larger urban environments
Renewable Energy Policies: Bibliometric Review and Policy Implications
No full textThe energy policies of the Union States should promote energy security, energy efficiency, decarbonisation, research, innovation and competitiveness. In addition, over the last few years, the research on these topics has significantly enlarged and received increasing attention from policy makers interested in focusing and accelerating socio-technical systems towards sustainability. The scientific productivity of European Union States about the Renewable Energy policies is here evaluated. For each selected policy, positive and critical aspects are noted to assess the possibility of any changes that could lead to an increase in the renewable energy exploitation
Solar Photovoltaic Optimal Tilt Angles in Public Building
No full textThe reduction of the consumption of fossil fuels that cause climate change and the encouragement of the use of cleaner renewable sources, appears to be a fundamental objective for achieving the climate aims agreed in Paris. Moreover, the sustainability of the implementation of solutions for energy efficiency in public administration buildings has played a fundamental role in recent years, strengthened also by the regulatory context of energy and environmental policies of European countries. The research fits into this context and it intends to promote a methodology that is able to evaluate the economic and environmental performance of a photovoltaic system applied in a school located in Italy when only the roof inclination angle changes. The economic and environmental performances are evaluated respectively through Life Cycle Cost Analysis and the avoided CO2 emissions. The results show that although the case study does not present the optimal roof inclination angle, there are economic and environmental advantages. Furthermore, the research notes that, considering the characteristics of the photovoltaic system concerned, the optimal roof inclination angle is equal to 40 degrees from an economic and environmental point of view. This methodology could easily support the decision-making process of designers and administrators to make the energy upgrading choices for the promotion of renewable sources. It was applied to a case study, that is a school located in Italy, in the Abruzzo region, in the province of L’Aquila, but it could be easily replicated in other existing public buildings in different locations
Preterm delivery and premature rupture of membranes after conization in 80 women. Preliminary data.
No full textMinerva Ginecol. 2008 Aug;60(4):295-8.
Preterm delivery and premature rupture of membranes after conization in 80 women. Preliminary data.
Patrelli TS, Anfuso S, Vandi F, Valitutto S, Migliore M, Salvati MA, De Ioris A, Condemi V, Fadda GM, Bacchi Modena A, Nardelli GB.
SourceDepartment of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Neonatology, University of Parma, Parma, Italy. [email protected]
Abstract
AIM: Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia is most frequently in young women in reproductive age. Cold knife conization, laser ablation, laser conization and large loop excision are conservative methods of treatment to remove the transformation zone and preserve the cervical function. Previous studies have shown conflicting results on the outcomes of pregnancy following these therapies that might increase the risk of preterm delivery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of pregnancy after conization and its role as predictive risk factor.
METHODS: A retrospective study was performed. The study group comprised 80 women who had a conization and that had a subsequent singleton pregnancy. Variables considered includes maternal excision date, surgery procedure, previous surgery treatments, time interval between excisional procedure and subsequent pregnancy; duration and week of pregnancy, mode of delivery, histological grading (no cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [CIN], CIN 1, CIN 2-3) and cone excised depth.
RESULTS: In group study 45 women underwent loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) conization, 32 cold knife conization and 3 laser CO2. The authors found 11 cases of cone tissue depth1 cm. Eight preterm delivery have been reported to data: 5 between 28 and 34 weeks, 2 lower than 28 weeks and 1 between 34 and 37 weeks.
CONCLUSION: In these preliminary data the percentage of preterm birth appears as 10% and in range 6-15% evaluated for women not submitted to excisional procedure
Statistical investigation on the relation between car accidents and warm katabatic winds
No full textThe possible relationship between warm katabatic winds and human health and behaviour is analyzed; notwithstanding popular belief which is very positive about it, the connection has not been previously analyzed with the proper methods. We use a statistical model to address this question and our data suggest that the effects of warm katabatic winds in the Po Valley (Italy) can indeed be detected in the increase of car accidents
Energy transitions in Western European Countries: Regulation comparative analysis
No full textShifting from fossil to renewable energy sources is a major global challenge, and in this context, the European Union has promoted sustainable and environmentally friendly growth as early as the Maastricht Treaty of 1992. To date, European institutions have promulgated a series of environmental regulations and directives aimed at promoting and imposing adoption by member states of internal regulations. This paper is focused on Western Europe, and it explores, for each state under analysis, energy policies adopted, the results achieved and recommendations for the future growth of renewable energy. The results show that in countries where energy policy is not fragmented, the yield in renewable energies has been higher, and also in the states where more and various forms of subsidies are foreseen, growth seems to be greater. Finally, the paper provides useful recommendations and future policy implications for states that have not met the 2020 targets
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