Adverse skin reactions to personal protective equipment during COVID-19 pandemic in Italian health care workers.

To avoid exposure to SARS-COV-2, healthcare professionals must use personal protective equipment (PPE). Their use has been related to a series of adverse effects; the most frequent adverse events were headache, dyspnoea, and pressure injuries. Skin adverse effects are very common, including contact dermatitis, itching, erythema, and acneiform eruptions. The objective of this study is to evaluate the skin problems caused by personal protection equipment (PPE) in health care workers (HCWs) and to individuate eventual risk factors. From May to June 2020 a retrospective observational multi-centric study conducted by an online survey sent by email, involving 10 hospital centers, was performed. We considered as independent variables gender and age, occupational group and sector, time of utilization, type and material of PPE. We tested 3 types of PPE: gloves, bonnet, and mask for different time of utilization (<1, 1-3, 3-6, >6 h). We performed a multiple logistic regression model to correlate them with skin adverse events occurrence. Among all the 1184 participants, 292 workers reported a dermatological pathology: 45 (15.41%) had psoriasis, 54 (18.49%) eczema, 38 (13.01%) acne, 48 (16.44%) seborrheic dermatitis, and 107 (36.64%) other. In our sample previous inflammatory dermatological conditions, female sex, prolonged use of PPE were significant risk factors for developing skin related adverse events considering all the PPE considered. The use of PPE is still mandatory in the hospital setting and skin adverse reactions still represent a global problem. Although data from Europe are limited, our study highlighted the importance of the problem of PPE skin reactions in a large sample of Italian healthcare professionals.

Sex and gender differences in migraines: a narrative review.

INTRODUCTION: Gender medicine is a new medical approach aimed at the study of the differences between women and men in terms of prevention, diagnosis, and the outcome of all diseases. Migraines are among these. They represent the most common neurological illness; they are most prevalent in adults between 20 and 50 years of age and are three to four times more frequent in woman than in men. Affecting people in working age, migraines are a problem that strongly impacts the psychophysical health and productivity of workers, regardless of the specific job task they have. METHODS: A narrative review was performed, searching for the most relevant articles describing gender differences in people suffering from migraines, and particularly in workers. RESULTS: Migraine global prevalence is 20.7% in women and 9.7% in men whereas prevalence in Italy is 32.9% for women and only 13.0% for men. This difference is partly explained by hormonal differences, as well as by differences in brain structure, genetic polymorphisms and neuronal pathways. Sex differences may also play a role in the progression from episodic to chronic migraine. In workers, migraines are mostly associated with strenuous physical work in men, whilst migraines triggered by night shifts, lack of sleep, or irregular sleep patterns are more common in women. CONCLUSIONS: To this day, the reasons of sex/gender disparity for migraine are still obscure. However, migraines, chronic migraine in particular, have a negative impact on the lives of all individuals affected by this disease, but particularly in women in which family cares and working activity are often superimposed. Migraine prevention strategies should be planned in workers through the occupational health physician.

A new tool to evaluate burnout: the Italian version of the BAT for Italian healthcare workers.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers (HCWs) represents one of the highest-risk population to develop burnout symptoms. Recently, a new tool has been designed to measure several dimensions that capture an exhaustive expression of burnout symptoms by six dimensions (i.e., exhaustion; mental distance; cognitive impairment; emotional impairment; psychological distress; psychosomatic complaints). METHODS: The current study aims to adapt the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT) to an Italian Healthcare workers' sample confirming the original second-order factorial structure. Furthermore, we expected to find good indexes of reliability and validity tests. Participants were 697 Italian Health Care Workers (Female = 68.44%; mean age = 36.47; SD = 11.20). Data were collected by self-report questionnaires submitted by the snowball method. RESULTS: Findings show a good fit of the BAT's structure, confirming the hypothesized second-order factorial model. Furthermore, good reliability has been established with the study's measures. CONCLUSIONS: The BAT for HCWs is eligible as a new tool to evaluate burnout in the at-risk HCWs as a multi-facet constellation of symptoms.

Nitrous oxide occupational exposure in conscious sedation procedures in endoscopic ambulatories: a pilot retrospective observational study in an Italian hospital.

SUMMARY: Introduction. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is widely used to induce sedation also outside of operating rooms; there is a chance of workplace exposures for the operators engaged in the outpatient use of nitrous oxide. The aim of this research is to assess nitrous oxide exposure in gastroenterology outpatient settings. Methods. We performed an observational study marked by N2O environmental testing in a gastroenterology outpatient care; environmental research was supported by biological monitoring with urinary N2O analysis in exposed operators. The research was conducted both without and using a collective security device (NIKI mask). Results. The study was rolled out in 10 sessions of day shift procedures, totaling 4105 samples. The average N2O concentration in the environment was 27.58 (SD 1.76) and 449.59 (SD 35.29), respectively with and without NIKI Mask; the distribution of gases in the environment under investigation was not homogeneous (Anovatest P=0.001). Biological testing revealed a substantial rise in urinary concentration of 8.97 (p=0.001) between the start and the end of the shift, and the use of the NIKI-mask was effective (p=.003). Discussion. The exposure levels reported exceed the limits of 50 ppm (Italy operating rooms threshold value) as well as the value of 25 ppm (NIOSH threshold-value), indicating a significant issue in the outpatient use of N2O. Technical measures are needed to contain the occupational risk from N2O exposure outside of operating rooms; for the exposure results detected in this research, it is also evident that workers exposed to N2O must be subject to adequate health surveillance accounting for this occupational risk.

Immunohistochemical Analysis of DNA Repair- and Drug-Efflux-Associated Molecules in Tumor and Peritumor Areas of Glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma (GBM), the most commonly occurring primary tumor arising within the central nervous system, is characterized by high invasiveness and poor prognosis. In spite of the improvement in surgical techniques, along with the administration of chemo- and radiation therapy and the incessant investigation in search of prospective therapeutic targets, the local recurrence that frequently occurs within the peritumoral brain tissue makes GBM the most malignant and terminal type of astrocytoma. In the current study, we investigated both GBM and peritumoral tissues obtained from 55 hospitalized patients and the expression of three molecules involved in the onset of resistance/unresponsiveness to chemotherapy: O6-methylguanine methyltransferase (MGMT), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP1), and A2B5. We propose that the expression of these molecules in the peritumoral tissue might be crucial to promoting the development of early tumorigenic events in the tissue surrounding GBM as well as responsible for the recurrence originating in this apparently normal area and, accordingly, for the resistance to treatment with the standard chemotherapeutic regimen. Notably, the inverse correlation found between MGMT expression in peritumoral tissue and patients' survival suggests a prognostic role for this protein.

[Legal resposability of vaccinating doctor]. / Responsabilità medico-legale del medico vaccinatore.

SUMMARY: The legal responsibility of the vaccinating doctor is one of the central issues in the current setting of the Covid-19 pandemic. The aim of this statement is to outline the profiles of the medical legal liability, with a focus on the figure of the vaccinating physician, in criminal, civil, and disciplinary terms, based on the Italian legislation in force. The vaccinating doctor responds for his work in the field of vaccination in the same way as any other health service should perform (diagnostic, therapeutic, etc.). Helpful in this context is the adoption of the L. 76/2021; it was developed to find a balance between safeguarding the person privacy and greater guarantees for the doctor. This law introduces a criminal shield that can put a limit to litigation, curbing the phenomenon of so-called defensive medicine. The climate of uncertainty and fear of legal repercussions for the doctors, and the constant updating and redefinition of the indications of operability in the vaccination campaigns, underline the need to focus on the knowledge of the responsibilities and the safeguard of the vaccinating doctors. In addition to the regulatory cornerstones, the statement also addresses the issue of informed consent and the role of the occupational doctor as a central figure in the vaccination campaign in the workplace.

Thermal discomfort in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers are now required to use additional personal protective equipment (PPEs) to protect themselves against the virus. That led to an increased clothing insulation which is negatively affecting the perceived healthcare workers' thermal sensation. OBJECTIVES: While demonstrating through software simulations the potential level of thermal discomfort healthcare workers involved in the COVID-19 emergency can be subjected to, this work aims at identifying measures to improve thermal sensation perception and acceptable thermal conditions for medical personnel. METHODS: After having obtained the insulation values of individual clothing used by staff during COVID-19 emergency through the use of a thermal well-being evaluation software, the Fanger indexes (PMV - Predicted Mean Vote and PPD - Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied) were calculated in order to estimate staff satisfaction to microclimatic conditions. RESULTS: The use of COVID-19 additional PPEs with an air temperature equal to 22 °C (normally considered optimal) brings the PMV index equal to 0.6, which corresponds to 11.8 % being unsatisfied (PPD) due to perceived heat. DISCUSSION: The use of additional protective devices significantly increases the clothing insulation level, facilitating the onset of conditions of thermal discomfort in the health workers. Workers engaged in the execution of nasopharyngeal swabs were most affected by the summer weather conditions and certainly represent the most critical category, for which it would be recommended to implement a higher turnover of service to reduce individual exposure time and consequent discomfort.

[Transmission of Sars-Cov-2 and ventilation of indoor environments. Technical notes and preventive measures]. / Trasmissione di Sars-Cov-2 e ventilazione di ambienti confinati. Note tecniche e indicazioni di prevenzione.

Knowledge about the new infectious disease COVID-19, which first spread in the city of Wuhan in China, in December 2019, is based on the evidence retrieved from coronaviruses previously known to humans. The main transmission ways of the new SARS-CoV-2 virus are respiratory droplets and direct and close contact with infected individuals and contaminated surfaces. To date, some scientific publications provide initial evidence that SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in the air, thus assuming a further route of infection, that airborne, although these results are to be considered preliminary and they need careful interpretation. In support of this hypothesis, ventilation systems, aimed to improve indoor air, could represent an easy way to spread and promote the virus infection especially in hospitals and in all health facilities where the presence of infected individuals is potentially high as well as the possibility of infection by air. Indeed, by generating jets of air at different speeds, they can interfere with the mission of respiratory particles and determine an environmental diffusion of the potentially contaminating droplet. Therefore, ventilation systems could provide a potential transmission channel for the viral load able to spread out in indoor air. Nonetheless, good management, technical and operational practices may lead to a low risk of contagion, both in community and health environments.

Effectiveness of nutritional interventions addressed to elderly persons: umbrella systematic review with meta-analysis.

Background: The number of Europeans aged over 65 will double between 2010 and 2060, reaching 30% of the European population. Nutrition is emerging as a key element of healthy life since both obesity and malnutrition are established risk factors for morbidity and disability. The aim of this umbrella review (UR) is to summarize the findings of all current systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyzes (MAs) on the effectiveness of nutritional intervention designed to promote healthy aging in older individuals. Methods: Eligible articles published in English or Italian between January 2000 and May 2016 were identified in six databases. Only studies that analyzed nutritional interventions in the population of 65 years and over, or papers specifically targeting older adults were deemed eligible. Results: Twenty-eight papers, out of which twenty-five SRs and three MAs, met the inclusion criteria and were included in this umbrella SR. Supplementation with vitamin D and other kind of products was highly effective in preventing falls and fractures. Furthermore, several interventions, ranging from the prescription of supplements to environmental and organizational programs, resulted in an improvement in energy and protein intake, as well as positive weight outcomes. Positive findings were also found for the elderly at risk of malnutrition and for older patients with dementia. Conclusions: The findings of this UR indicate that the use of a wide range of supplements and environmental and organizational intervention improve a number of anthropometric, nutritional and functional indices in the elderly.

Workplace health promotion programs for older workers in Italy.

BACKGROUND: Italy is the European country with the highest number of citizens over the age of sixty. In recent years, the unsustainability of the social security system has forced the Italian government to raise the retirement age and reduce the chances of early exit, thus sharply increasing the age of the workforce. Consequently, a significant proportion of older workers are currently obliged to do jobs that were designed for young people. Systematic health promotion intervention for older workers is therefore essential. OBJECTIVES: The European Pro Health 65+ project aims at selecting and validating best practices for successful/active aging. In this context we set out to review workplace health promotion projects carried out in Italy. METHODS: To ascertain examples of workplace health promotion for older workers (WHPOW), we carried out a review of the scientific and grey literature together with a survey of companies. RESULTS: We detected 102 WHPOW research studies conducted in conjunction with supranational organizations, public institutions, companies, social partners, NGOs and educational institutions. The main objectives of the WHPOW were to improve the work environment, the qualifications of older workers and attitudes towards the elderly, and, in many cases, also to improve work organization. CONCLUSIONS: The best way to promote effective WHPOW interventions is by disseminating awareness of best practices and correct methods of analysis. Our study suggests ways of enhancing WHPOW at both a national and European level.

[Risk perception and biological parameters related to obesity in a sample population of the city of Rome, Italy: nurses' contribution to supporting health-related decisions]. / Percezione del rischio e parametri biologici correlati all'obesità in una popolazione campione della città di Roma. Il contributo dell'infermiere a supporto delle decisioni per la salute.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a major public health problem because it is a risk factor for various chronic diseases and its incidence is constantly increasing due to changes in diet and lifestyle. In Italy, studies show that 32% of the population aged between 18 and 69 years is overweight and 10% is obese. The aim of this study was to measure the anthropometric characteristics of a sample population of the city of Rome (Italy) and correlate these with dietary habits and socio-demographic characteristics of participants in order to evaluate their specific health and educational needs. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in February 2015 by administering an ad-hoc questionnaire to subjects over 18 years of age attending a General Practitioner's practice in Rome (Italy). The questionnaire collected demographic, clinical and anthropometric data, and information regarding dietary habits. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 150 individuals with a mean age of 47,8 years. Fifty nine percent were women. The mean Body Mass Index (BMI) was 26.7. The average blood pressure was 131/80 mmHg. BMI values were higher in respondents with a lower educational level and BMI was significantly associated with the quality of the source of nutrition information used. CONCLUSIONS: Poor and unreliable information regarding proper nutrition can correlate with the risk of overweight and the consequent development of chronic diseases. The family or community nurse could play a critical role in prevention, by helping to provide correct information for specific populations and by planning training and prevention activities with the GP.

Results after elective open repair of pararenal abdominal aortic aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: This study presents a retrospective analysis of long-term outcomes and factors influencing early and late results of a 20-year experience with open repair of atherosclerotic pararenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (PAAAs). METHODS: Records of consecutive patients who underwent open repair of PAAA between 1990 and 2010 at a tertiary referral care center were analyzed for demographics, comorbidities, operative variables, complications, and 30-day mortality. Long-term results were also assessed through a local electronic medical database and direct follow-up. Variables influencing early and late results were evaluated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, stepwise backward elimination, and Cox proportional hazard regression. RESULTS: The study included 200 patients (94% men; mean age, 69.5 years) who were monitored for a mean of 107.3 months. The aneurysm was juxtarenal in 78% of patients, suprarenal in 19.5%, and type IV thoracoabdominal in 2.5%. Mortality at 30 days was 2.5%. At least one major complication occurred in 51.5%. Postoperative acute renal failure (pARF) occurred in 11% of the patients, 3% had temporary hemodialysis, but only 0.5% required chronic hemodialysis. pARF was significantly related to preoperative renal function (P = .009), visceral ischemia >30 minutes (P = .05), and supraceliac or supramesenteric clamp site (P = .005). Respiratory complications (13.8%) were associated with an increasing stage of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P = .020), proximal clamp site (P = .047), and intraoperatively infused crystalloids (P = .014). Cardiac complications (12.8%) were related to previous myocardial infarction (P = .031) and proximal clamp site (P = .003). Late deaths were observed in 21.5%. Mean survival was 50 months, with Kaplan-Meier survival estimates of 78% at 5 years and 60.5% at 10 years. Variables influencing long-term survival included age (hazard ratio [HR], 2.67; P = .01), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease stage 2 (HR, 5.14; P = .01) and stage 3 (HR, 4.54; P = .03), postoperative cardiac complication (HR, 3.93; P ≤ .00), previous myocardial infarction (HR, 1.47; P = .02), peripheral artery disease (HR, 1.97; P = .03), and smoking (HR, 1.17; P = .02). Survival and late-onset renal insufficiency were unaffected by preoperative renal function. Late renal failure was observed in 6.2% of the patients but did not predict mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Conventional surgical repair of PAAAs can be performed with acceptable short-term and long-term mortality. Although pARF is frequent, chronic hemodialysis at discharge is rare. Cardiac and respiratory complications are also common and associated with worse survival. Our data represent a potentially useful benchmark for complex endovascular repairs of this type of aneurysm.

Workplace health promotion for older workers: a systematic literature review.

BACKGROUND: Aging of the workforce is a growing problem. As workers age, their physical, physiological and psychosocial capabilities change. Keeping older workers healthy and productive is a key goal of European labor policy and health promotion is a key to achieve this result. Previous studies about workplace health promotion (WHP) programs are usually focused on the entire workforce or to a specific topic. Within the framework of the EU-CHAFEA ProHealth65+ project, this paper aims to systematically review the literature on WHP interventions specifically targeted to older workers (OWs). METHODS: This systematic review was conducted by making a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, ISI Web of Science, SCOPUS, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL and PsychINFO databases. Search terms included ageing (and synonyms), worker (and synonyms), intervention (and synonyms), and health (and synonyms). The search was limited to papers in English or Italian published between January, 1(st) 2000 and May, 31(st) 2015. Relevant references in the selected articles were also analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 299 articles initially identified as relating to the topic, 18 articles met the inclusion criteria. The type, methods and outcome of interventions in the WHP programs retrieved were heterogenous, as was the definition of the age at which a worker is considered to be 'older'. Most of the available studies had been conducted on small samples for a limited period of time. CONCLUSION: Our review shows that, although this issue is of great importance, studies addressing WHP actions for OWs are few and generally of poor quality. Current evidence fails to show that WHP programs improve the work ability, productivity or job retention of older workers. In addition, there is limited evidence that WHP programs are effective in improving lifestyles and concur to maintain the health and well-being of older workers. There is a need for future WHP programs to be well-designed so that the effectiveness and cost-benefit of workplace interventions can be properly investigated.

Role of CTCF protein in regulating FMR1 locus transcription.

Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the leading cause of inherited intellectual disability, is caused by epigenetic silencing of the FMR1 gene, through expansion and methylation of a CGG triplet repeat (methylated full mutation). An antisense transcript (FMR1-AS1), starting from both promoter and intron 2 of the FMR1 gene, was demonstrated in transcriptionally active alleles, but not in silent FXS alleles. Moreover, a DNA methylation boundary, which is lost in FXS, was recently identified upstream of the FMR1 gene. Several nuclear proteins bind to this region, like the insulator protein CTCF. Here we demonstrate for the first time that rare unmethylated full mutation (UFM) alleles present the same boundary described in wild type (WT) alleles and that CTCF binds to this region, as well as to the FMR1 gene promoter, exon 1 and intron 2 binding sites. Contrariwise, DNA methylation prevents CTCF binding to FXS alleles. Drug-induced CpGs demethylation does not restore this binding. CTCF knock-down experiments clearly established that CTCF does not act as insulator at the active FMR1 locus, despite the presence of a CGG expansion. CTCF depletion induces heterochromatinic histone configuration of the FMR1 locus and results in reduction of FMR1 transcription, which however is not accompanied by spreading of DNA methylation towards the FMR1 promoter. CTCF depletion is also associated with FMR1-AS1 mRNA reduction. Antisense RNA, like sense transcript, is upregulated in UFM and absent in FXS cells and its splicing is correlated to that of the FMR1-mRNA. We conclude that CTCF has a complex role in regulating FMR1 expression, probably through the organization of chromatin loops between sense/antisense transcriptional regulatory regions, as suggested by bioinformatics analysis.

[Italian Society of Hygiene (SItI) recommendations for a healthy, safe and sustainable housing]. / Documento d'indirizzo della Società italiana di igiene (SItI) per una casa sana, sicura e sostenibile.

As part of the strategies to promote health in urban areas, the Italian Society of Hygiene (SItI) has updated its recommendations for healthy, safe and sustainable housing. They were issued by an ad hoc SitI working group on the basis of the best available evidence retrieved from a review of the scientific and legal literature on the topic and in line with World Health Organisation, European Union, and other international bodies statements. SItI document includes recommendations for environmental comfort, mental and social wellbeing, environmental protection as well as the safety of people who dwell houses. In addition to typical issues (such as relative humidity parameters, ventilation, and safety rules), SItI recommendations address innovative aspects such as building compatibility between different functions, building safety management and green area design. In this context, SItI recommendations emphasise the need of a strengthened interaction between architects and public health experts to ensure the complete wellbeing in houses where people spend more than 50% of their lives.

[Vocational training in public health during medical school: a pilot study]. / Tirocinio professionalizzante in Sanità Pubblica nel Corso di Laurea in Medicina e Chirurgia. Un'esperienza pilota.

UNLABELLED: The need to integrate clinical and public health training of medical students is increasingly important. Future physicians need to be able to deal with new, complex and growing public health challenges. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was performed through Pubmed to identify the conceptual reference framework. Meetings were carried out to identify the most appropriate modalities and priorities required for drafting the project, to identify the skills to be acquired by students, to decide on teaching formats and methods to assess student learning, to draw up the teaching schedule, to define the statistical methods to be used to assess student satisfaction, and to perform the statistical analysis of results. Training in hospital hygiene and environmental safety was carried out through presentation of a relevant case. After being divided into groups the students attended the three units (Environmental Microbiology, Environmental Xenobiotics, Genetic Epidemiology and Molecular Biology) of the Hygiene Section of a Public Health Institute. Training in Organization and Health Programming involved presentation of a set of indicators for the definition of objectives and assessment of health systems or services. RESULTS: The literature search led to the identification of the relevant literature. With regard to student satisfaction, 96% of those who replied to the questionnaire gave an overall positive review of the training course (at least 3 on a scale from 1 to 5). CONCLUSIONS: the overall high level of student satisfaction suggests that the proposed model may be exportable. Further developments will be the assessment of trends regarding functioning of the organizational model and perceived teaching quality.

[Comparison of conventional culture methods and quantitative real-time PCR methods for the detection of Legionella pneumophila in water samples in a large University teaching hospital in Rome, Italy]. / Confronto tra il metodo colturale standard e la real-time PCR per l'identificazione di Legionella pneumophila in campioni di acqua.

The aims of this study were to identify the best threshold value for the real-time PCR method in detecting the presence of Legionella pneumophila in water samples, and to evaluate the prognostic significance of negative results obtained with the molecular method. From 2011 to 2014, 77 water samples were collected from hospital wards of a large University teaching hospital in Rome (Italy) and screened for L.pneumophila by the standard culture method and by real-time PCR. The high sensitivity and negative predictive value of real-time PCR make this method suitable as a quick screening tool to exclude the presence of L. pneumophila in water samples in the hospital setting.

Normal values of exhaled carbon monoxide in healthy subjects: comparison between two methods of assessment.

BACKGROUND: In a previous study, exhaled carbon monoxide (eCO) has been assessed in healthy non-smokers with a photo acoustic spectrometer Brüel&Kjær 1312. Unexpectedly, values were higher than those reported in literature, which were mostly obtained with electrochemical analysers. This study was aimed to compare eCO values obtained with Brüel&Kjær 1312 and PiCO + Smokerlyzer, a largely utilized electrochemical analyser. METHODS: Thirty-four healthy subjects, 15 non-smokers and 19 smokers, underwent eCO assessment with Brüel&Kjær 1312 and PiCO + Smokerlyzer during a prolonged expiration (15 seconds). Brüel&Kjær 1312 assessed CO concentration 7 and 12 seconds after the beginning of expiration and displayed the mean value. PiCO + Smokerlyzer was utilized according to the manufacturer's recommendations. In vitro, the two devices were tested with standard concentrations of CO in nitrogen (5, 9.9, 20, and 50 ppm), and the time needed by PiCO + Smokerlyzer readings to stabilize was assessed at different gas flows. RESULTS: Both Brüel&Kjær 1312 and PiCO + Smokerlyzer presented very good internal consistency. The values provided were strictly correlated, but at low test concentrations, the Brüel&Kjær 1312 readings were greater than the PiCO + Smokerlyzer, and vice versa. PiCO + Smokerlyzer overestimated the CO standard concentrations at 5 and 9.9 ppm by 20%, while Brüel&Kjær 1312 measures were correct. PiCO + Smokerlyzer readings stabilized in 12 seconds during in vitro tests and in 15 seconds during in vivo measurements, suggesting that the values displayed corresponded to the initial phase of expiration. CONCLUSIONS: Differences between Brüel&Kjær 1312 and PiCO + Smokerlyzer may be explained because Brüel&Kjær 1312 measured CO levels in the middle and at the end of expiration while PiCO + Smokerlyzer assessed them in the initial part of expiration.

[Definition of "Safety and Hygiene Packages" as a management model for the Hospital Hygiene Service (HHS)]. / Definizione di "Pacchetti Sicurezza e Igiene" come modello organizzativo e gestionale per la sicurezza in Ospedale di un Servizio di Igiene Ospedaliera.

The purpose of this research is to identify and formalize the Hospital Hygiene Service activities and products, evaluating them in a cost accounting management view. The ultimate aim, is to evaluate the financial adverse events prevention impact, in an Hospital Hygiene Service management. A three step methodology based on affinity grouping activities, was employed. This methodology led us to identify 4 action areas, with 23 related productive processes, and 86 available safety packages. Owing to this new methodology, we was able to implement a systematic evaluation of the furnished services.

Influence of intercostal muscles contraction on sonographic evaluation of lung sliding: a physiological study on healthy subjects.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the following: (a) effects of intercostal muscle contraction on sonographic assessment of lung sliding and (b) inter-rater and intra-observer agreement on sonographic detection of lung sliding and lung pulse. METHODS: We used Valsalva and Muller maneuvers as experimental models in which closed glottis and clipped nose prevent air from entering the lungs, despite sustained intercostal muscles contraction. Twenty-one healthy volunteers underwent bilateral lung ultrasound during tidal breathing, apnea, hyperventilation, and Muller and Valsalva maneuvers. The same expert recorded 420 B-mode clips and 420 M-mode images, independently evaluated for the presence or absence of lung sliding and lung pulse by three raters unaware of the respiratory activity corresponding to each imaging. RESULTS: During Muller and Valsalva maneuvers, lung sliding was certainly recognized in up to 73.0% and up to 68.7% of imaging, respectively, with a slight to fair inter-rater agreement for Muller maneuver and slight to moderate for Valsalva. Lung sliding was unrecognized in up to 42.0% of tidal breathing imaging, and up to 12.5% of hyperventilation imaging, with a slight to fair inter-rater agreement for both. During apnea, interpretation errors for sliding were irrelevant and inter-rater agreement moderate to perfect. Even if intra-observer agreement varied among raters and throughout respiratory patterns, we found it to be higher than inter-rater reliability. CONCLUSIONS: Intercostal muscles contraction produces sonographic artifacts that may simulate lung sliding. Clinical studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis. We found slight to moderate inter-rater agreement and globally moderate to almost perfect intra-observer agreement for lung sliding and lung pulse. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov registration number. NCT02386696.