bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of pertussis antibody levels and related factors in maternal and cord blood, 2020
Authors: Ece Erik H , Fadıloğlu E , Hasçelik G , Akın L 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Pregnancy immunization is recommended to protect babies against pertussis, which has a high mortality and morbidity during infancy, but whooping cough vaccine is not given to pregnant women in Turkey. In this study, pertussis antibodies in maternal and cord blood were investigated.

Methods
The study group was one hundred and fifty-four mothers who gave birth at Hacettepe University Hospitals in Ankara, from July to October 2020. The information of the mothers was collected by questionnaire and sera were taken. In this descriptive epidemiological study, anti-PT and anti-FHA were investigated with ELISA (EUROIMMUN B. Pertussis toxin (PT) IgG, Filamentous Hemagglutinin (FHA) IgG) method in maternal and cord-paired sera, the limit value was accepted as 10 IU/ml. Anti-ACT was investigated in the sera of 79 mothers who were anti-PT or anti-FHA positive by Immunblot (EUROIMMUN Adenylate Cyclase Toxin (ACT) IgG) method. Correlation analysis of continuous numerical variables was performed. The difference between categorical variables was evaluated with the Chi-Square test.

Results
Mean (SD) maternal age, gestational age and birth weight were 30.1 (5.1) years, 38.5 (0.9) weeks, 3307 (441) g, respectively. Anti-PT and anti-FHA are at protective levels in 18.8% and 48.1% of the mothers, respectively. Anti-PT and anti-FHA are at the protective level in 38.3% and 55.8% of the cord, respectively. Anti-FHA positivity is 63.3% between the ages of 25 and under, 38.6% between the ages of 26-35, and 69.6% at the age of 36 and over (p = 0.005). 72.4% of mothers with anti-PT positive and 67.6% of mothers with anti-FHA positive were anti-ACT antibody positive. Anti-ACT positive mothers were immunized by having the disease, not by vaccine. Anti-PT and anti-FHA antibody levels in maternal and cord blood are highly correlated.

Conclusions
Protective level of pertussis antibodies in maternal and cord blood is low. Most mothers are immunized with pertussis infection, not vaccine.

Key messages
The amount of pertussis antibodies in maternal and cord blood is low in Turkey and maternal immunization is needed. The addition of pertussis-containing vaccines to pregnant immunization is important to protect babies from whooping cough disease, which remains a major public health problem.
Efficacy of nearuv-a to inactive microbial growth
Authors: Messina G , Manetti C , Amodeo D , De Palma I , Petri C , Nante N , Cevenini G 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Microbes are less able to develop resistance towards antimicrobial blue light (aBL), at 405nm, towards disinfectants/antibiotics. In addition, Near UV-A light (nUV) is less harmful to host cell compared to UV-C irradiation. This study aimed to assess the efficiency aBL in reducing microbial growth on surfaces.

Methods
This cross-sectional study, run between July-October 2020. Petri dishes were contaminated with P. Aeruginosa, E. Coli, S. Aureus, S. Typhimurium, K. Pneumoniae at a concentration of 1.5x104 CFU/mL and were placed at 2 and 3m of distances from the light source having an irradiance of 967,39 and 497,33 µW/cm2 for 12 hours. The air confined the room was sampled for two weeks with two air samplers (SAS), before and after the exposition to the nUV light source to estimate the reduction of the environmental microbial contamination. The analysis was conducted using Stata software. Final results were expressed as logarithmic reduction mean with 95% confidence interval.

Results
The highest microbial reduction was reached 2m directly under the light. Significant (p &lt; 0.05) log-reduction were achieved for S. Typhimurium, 2.93 (IC 2.44-3.40), K.Pneumoniae, 2.30 (IC 2.14-2.46), S.Aureus, 3.98 (IC 3.78-4.12), E.Coli, 3.83 (IC 3.17-4.50), P. Aeruginosa, 3.86 (IC 3.22-4.48). At 3m of distance from the light source, it was observed a significant logarithmic reduction for S. Aureus, 3.49 (IC 3.34-3.65), and P. Aeruginosa, 3.80 (IC 3.11-4.47). In the air tests, we observed a mean percentage microbial reduction of about 70% after 12 h of exposure to nUV light.

Conclusions
nUV has proven to contrast microbial growth on the plates. It is possible to implement this technology in the environment for controlling microbial presence in “ad hoc” scenario but also in common areas. Mitigating the energy, it is possible to use this technology in presence of persons.

Key messages
In this experimental study, nearUV-A has proven to be efficient to reduce the microbial growth and to disinfect air and surface. NearUV light (nUV) can be use as an innovative technology for decreasing bacterial contamination, also in presence of people.
Flu vaccination during COVID-19 pandemic: a lesson from an Italian teaching hospital
Authors: D'Ambrosio F , Pascucci D , Nurchis MC , Di Pumpo M , Foti F , Vetrugno G , Pignataro R , Cambieri A , Damiani G , Laurenti P 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Influenza is an acute viral respiratory infection that causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, with indirect costs considerably exceeding direct costs on patients and society. Flu vaccination is one of the major strategies for preventing it, especially among healthcare workers (HCWs), to avoid onward transmission to patients and colleagues. The aim of this research is to analyze the flu vaccination coverage rate among HCWs and to study which factors conditioned their adherence. The observational study was conducted in an Italian teaching hospital located in Rome (Italy) and data were collected from October to December 2020. A total of 6,568 HCWs was included considering physicians, nurses and other HCWs as job categories. Age class, gender and job category variables were analyzed. Statistically significant differences among groups were tested through χ2 test. Univariate analyses and a multivariate logistic regression (p &lt; 0.05) were performed to assess differences in flu vaccination adherence. The flu vaccination coverage rate was 60.94%. Considering the job categories, physicians reached the highest coverage (76.09%) followed by others HCWs (64.25%) and nurses (49.09%). According to the logistic regression, belonging to 20-40 age class was significantly associated with higher flu vaccination adherence, as well as being nurses (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.22-0.31) or other HCWs (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.40-0.58). Findings showed an encouraging vaccination coverage rate among HCWs. Deeper knowledge of the value of vaccination among younger HCWs could be probably a reason for higher adherence as well as the wrong perception of being at low risk of illness or transmitting infections may explains job categories differences. Especially when considering the disrupting impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, an improved attitude towards flu vaccination would reduce stress on hospitals and preserve scarce medical resources.

Key messages
Reaching high coverage rates for flu vaccination could save healthcare resources. It is crucial to preserve this positive trend for the future years by spreading the message to all the involved stakeholders.
Understanding the determinants of vaccine hesitancy among adolescents: a systematic review
Authors: Messina R , Cadeddu C , Castagna C , Lanza TE , Sapienza M , Chiavarini M , de Waure C 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
The WHO defines vaccine hesitancy (VH) as ‘a delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite the availability of vaccine services'. In spite of the models explaining VH and the tools used to address it, VH still represents a current problem and has been declared one of the top ten global health threats by WHO in 2019. This is mainly true for the adolescents who represents 25% of the global population. This systematic review aims to address the determinants of VH in this target population.

Methods
PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus were searched to retrieve articles, published in English, assessing adolescents' attitudes and confidence towards vaccinations with any study design (qualitative or quantitative) from the inception until Dec 2020. A methodological quality assessment of the articles was performed based on the study designs.

Results
Out of 14,704 articles, 20 studies were included in the qualitative analysis. Ten out of 20 studies were evaluated as of “good quality”, while nine had “moderate quality” and only one had “poor quality”. Factors associated to a positive attitude towards vaccination included knowledge of vaccine preventable diseases, the awareness of vaccines, their efficacy, safety and free of charge, higher education level and active involvement in decision-making. An association between VH and socio-economic conditions was also highlighted.

Conclusions
This systematic review elucidated a better understanding of the determinants of VH among the adolescent population. Adolescence represents a crucial phase of life in which boys and girls begin to make significant choices about their health and develop attitudes and behaviours that continue into adulthood. Indeed, their concerns and needs in respect to vaccination should be widely examined and taken into consideration to plan tailored interventions to promote vaccination and reduce VH.

Key messages
Vaccine hesitancy among adolescents is a major global health priority. This problem is little studied and further studies and initiatives aimed at increasing awareness of the problem should be deserved.
From infections to preventive actions monitoring in health facilities: an experience on MDROs
Authors: Marziali E , D'Ambrosio F , Lontano A , Vincenti S , Raponi M , Nurchis MC , Fiori B , Di Donato M , Damiani G , Laurenti P 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) involve high costs both in health and economic terms for patients and health systems. Implementing Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) programs is critical to decrease infectious agents' transmission in healthcare settings. The aim of this study is to assess if the monitoring of Contact Precautions could decrease the incidence of Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms (MRDOs) infections. This pilot study was conducted in a teaching hospital in Rome. A checklist of 16 items was developed to assess the compliance to Contact Precautions in 11 hospital wards in which MRDOs were detected between November and December 2020. It was administered on-site both interviewing healthcare professionals and through direct observation. A paired t-test with α = 5% was used to compare the number of alert organisms in the first quarter of 2020 respect to the first quarter of 2021 before and after implementing the surveillance checklist. A total of 30 checklists were analyzed. The rate of compliance to Contact Precautions was high for the proper use of personal protective equipment (100%), the intensified room cleaning (100%) and the presence of isolation mark (100%), while it was low for the active screening of contacts (53%). Mean MDROs infections rate decreased from 4.94 to 4.37 for every 1000 hospitalization day, with an average decrease of 0.57. However, the paired t-test showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the mean number of MDROs infections before and after the implementation of the checklist (p &gt; 0.05). Despite the good adherence to IPC program, the low infection rate decrease, is probably due to the impact of COVID-19 on the HAIs surveillance and prevention practices. Even if the check-list administration could be a useful tool to reduce MDROs infections, it should be associated to other prevention strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to achieve a successful outcome.

Key messages
Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections represents a priority public health challenge in order to improve patient safety and health system economic sustainability. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that healthcare facilities should enhance efforts in their IPC programs to reduce Healthcare-Associated Infections.
Prevalence survey on antimicrobial use & multidrug resistance in tertiary level university hospital
Authors: Maamri H , Ben Ayed H , Ketata N , Yaich S , Baklouti M , Karray R , Feki H , Damak J 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Introduction
Excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics is highly associated with the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance reduces the effectiveness and number of options for antibiotic treatment, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and health care expenditures. This study aimed to characterize antimicrobial prescriptions and to determine multidrug resistance (MDR prevalence in tertiary-level university hospitals (TLUH).

Methods
It was a point-prevalence survey of antimicrobial use in the two TLUH of Southern Tunisia, in 2019. For inpatients receiving antimicrobials, detailed information was collected.

Results
Totally, 1047 inpatients were included in our study. The sex ratio (male/female) was 1.1. The mean age was 50 ± 12 years. Overall, 410 cases (39.2%) were on antimicrobials. A significant association was noted between receiving antimicrobial drugs and admission in intensive care units (ICU) (65.% vs 30.2%; p &lt; 0.001), having a surgical history, notably minimal invasive (81.9% vs 30.7%; p &lt; 0.001)and indwelling invasive medical devices such as urinary (17.6% vs 3.9%; p &lt; 0.001). and central vascular catheters (8.6% vs 2.2%; p &lt; 0.001). Main antimicrobials were penicillin (26.7%), fluoroquinolones (20%) and third-generation cephalosporins (16.5%). Prophylactic indication constituted 24.9% (102 cases) of prescriptions, among which 81.3% were judged inappropriate for dose or timing while health-care associated infections accounted for 46.4% of all prescriptions. Parenteral route was prescribed in 302 cases (73%). Antibiotic indications were documented 221 cases (53.9%). Of 78 isolates, 50% were multidrug resistant strains, among which the commonest pathogen was extending-spectrum-beta lactamase producing Escherichia Coli (10 cases,25.6%).

Conclusions
This study demonstrated a high prevalence of antimicrobial use and MDR which needs addressing especially for surgical prophylaxis and empirical broad-spectrum antimicrobial prescriptions.

Key messages
High prevalence of multidrug resistance. The needs to addressing especially for surgical prophylaxis and empirical broad-spectrum antimicrobial prescriptions.
Disentangling the roles of demographic and temporal trends in musculoskeletal disorders
Authors: Bouziri H , Descatha A , Dab W , Jean K 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect nearly 40 million European workers in 2017. Since age constitutes an important risk factor for MSDs, the overall aging of the working population is expected to influence the burden of disease. However, factors other than aging that may explain global trends in MSDs are unknown. We conducted a systematic review to summarise the evidence on the role of demographic and temporal changes in the occurrence of MSDs.

Methods
Following the PRISMA guidelines, we searched Pubmed, ScienceDirect and Web of Science over the 1990-2020 period for articles reporting temporal trends in MSDs incidence or prevalence in the general working-age population. We only included articles controlling for age in the analysis. To assure the quality of the articles, the bias risk was assessed using the RoB-SPEO tool. The main indicators we extracted were age-controlled time trends in MSDs incidence or prevalence.

Results
Among 966 articles, 16 fulfilled the inclusion criteria, representing 23 results according to the indicators extracted. No study was found with high risk of bias. Nine used a definition of MSDs based on pain and 14 based on repercussions on work or social life. Twelve results presented time trends in prevalence and 11 in incidence. After controlling for age, temporal trends in MSDs presented some heterogeneity. Indeed, 10 results documented increases and 12 reported non-monotonic changes. Only one result reported a decreasing trend in MSDs incidence. Several factors other than aging were suggested to explain temporal trends in MSDs, mainly trends in obesity, changing occupational exposures and cultural factors in tolerance to pain.

Conclusions
This review shows that factors additional to aging of the working population may contribute to varying or increasing trends in MSDs. Results also highlight the scarcity of available evidence on time trends in MSDs burden and their underlying causes.

Key messages
Despite a scarcity of evidence, our results suggest that factors additional to aging of the working population may contribute to varying or increasing trends in MSDs. Several factors other than aging were suggested to explain temporal trends in MSDs, mainly trends in obesity, changing occupational exposures and cultural factors in tolerance to pain.
The relationship between soil and household dust metals and the impact on olfaction in children
Authors: Renzetti S , Placidi D , Borgese L , Cagna G , Conversano M , Patrono A , Peli M , Ranzi R , van Thriel C , Lucchini RG 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Through this study we aimed to test the association between the exposure to metals measured in soil, outdoor and indoor dust and olfactory function among children living close to ferromanganese alloy plants. Moreover, we investigated how metal concentrations vary with the distance from the plants and the relationships among the different environmental media.

Methods
A total of 130 children between 6 and 13 years old were enrolled in the province of Brescia in Italy. The olfactory performance was assessed through the Sniffin' Sticks test. The concentration of 20 metals in dust and soil samples was determined through an X-ray fluorescence portable analyzer (p-XRF). Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) regression was applied to test for the association between the multi-media environmental markers (MMEM) and olfactory function while restricted cubic splines were used to evaluate the relationship between metal concentrations and distance from the closest plant and deviation from the main wind direction.

Results
WQS regression showed a negative significant association between the MMEM and the Sniffin' Sticks score (beta=-0.028; 95%CI -0.047, -0.009) identifying As, Fe, Rb, Pd, K and Pb as the elements with the higher weights. Except Rb, all elements together with Mn (one of the main elements released by the plants), showed a decreasing trend for soil and outdoor dust concentration at increasing distance from the source or at increasing deviation from the main wind direction. A positive association between outdoor and indoor dust and between soil and outdoor dust was also observed.

Conclusions
This work highlights the risk of the exposure to metal mixtures on child olfactory function which is known to be associated with neurodegenerative diseases in older age. Moreover, this analysis can contribute in terms of public health policies assessing the risk of being exposed as a function of the distance from the plants and the deviation from the main wind direction.

Key messages
Metal mixture concentration in dust is associated with decreased smell identification ability. Indoor metal concentrations can be affected by external source of exposure.
Magnitude of general obesity, abdominal obesity and related risk factors among medical students
Authors: Maamri H , Ben Ayed H , Ketata N , Yaich S , Baklouti M , Karray R , Feki H , Damak J 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Introduction
Obesity is recognized to be one of the greatest public health problems worldwide. In addition to physical health problems, obesity is also linked to an increased risk of mental health disorders. We aimed to estimate the magnitude of overweight/obesity among medical students, to identify their risk factors and to assess their impact on mental health.

Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey among 524 medical students randomized from different levels, at the Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, Tunisia, on October 2019.

Results
The prevalence of combined overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity were 21.9% and 22.3%, respectively. The independent risk factors of overweight/obesity were male gender (OR = 3.2; 95% confidence interval (CI) = [1.96-5.2]), internship (OR = 2; 95% CI = [1.1-3.9]) and residency (OR = 3.2; 95% CI = [1.7-6]) levels, as well as moderate (OR = 3.4; 95% CI = [1.4-8.3]) and high (OR = 6.7; 95% CI = [2.6-16.9]) stress scale. However, daily fresh vegetables (OR = 0.4, CI95% = [0.2-0.8]) and high-fiber cereals whole-grain bread (OR = 0.5; 95%CI = [0.28-0.83]) consumption, light (OR = 0.37; 95% CI = [0.16-0.86]), moderate (OR = 0.24; 95% CI = [0.06-0.89]) and vigorous exercise (OR = 0.091; 95% CI = [0.01-0.74]) were independent protective factors of overweight/obesity. Severe consequences of obesity were noted, such as less ability to concentrate (37.9% vs 47.6%; p = 0.024), living under stress (72.2% vs 60.6%; p = 0.023), feeling unhappy and depressed (57.4% vs 44.7% p = 0.016), losing confidence (45.2% vs 20.5%; p &lt; 0.001) and inability to enjoy normal activities (53.9% vs 38.7% p = 0.03).

Conclusions
Unhealthy lifestyle was relatively high among students with obesity. Our study confirms the data from the literature, and underlines the need to set up a plans including nutrition and lifestyle education in their curriculum.

Key messages
Unhealthy lifestyle was relatively high among students. The need to set up a plans including nutrition and lifestyle education.
When policy and opportunity meet: Barcelona's first gender responsive shelter for homeless drug users
Authors: Barbaglia G , Pasarin M , Aranda E , Clotas C , Garrido A , Gotsens M , Parés-Badell O , Bartroli M 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Issue/problem
Drug policies in Barcelona have been guided by the Barcelona City Drug Action Plan (PADB). This four-year plan aims to prioritise and evaluate drug policies. The need to have a low-threshold residential resource for homeless people using drugs (HPWUD) is an objective that had been present in successive plans, but unfortunately could not be realised so far. In Spain, the covid-19 pandemic led to a total country lockdown. A great intersectoral coordination effort involving Barcelona City Council and the Public Health Agency of Barcelona together with third sector organisations resulted in the opening of the first gender responsive low-threshold residential resource for HPWUD in Barcelona.

Description of the problem
Pending a broader evaluation, quantitative indicators are available for 6 months (3 April to 3 October 2021), informing about: How many people were accommodated? What are their profiles? What drugs do they use? How many overdoses were reverted? How many successful discharges? How many people confined/isolated due to covid-19? What are the challenges?

Results
Preliminary results showed that during first 6 months, 120 people (74 men, 42 women and 4 non-binary) were accommodated. All places reserved for women were covered. About 44% were Spaniards; being opioids and alcohol, the main used in the HPWUD. Thirty overdoses reverted (60% due to stimulants). There were 39 people confined and 2 residents isolated due to covid-19. The challenges are to continue to improve the new alcohol harm reduction program, work on adherence and mainstreaming gender.

Lessons
Barcelona PADB is instrumental to guide evidence-based interventions to reduce health and social inequalities in highly vulnerable and underserved population. This new gender-responsive residential setting for HPWUD with a comprehensive harm reduction program together with health and social care is unique in Barcelona.

Key messages
Drug policy to guide evidence-based interventions to reduce health and social inequalities in highly vulnerable and underserved population. First low-threshold gender responsive residential resource for homeless people using drugs has opened in Barcelona.