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Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP) is the most frequently seafood-toxin illness in the world, with big substantial physical and functional impact. Toxins produced by Dinoflagellates are often found associated with Macrophyte Algae and dead Corals. Herbivorous fishes become toxic after ingesting macroalgae or parts of dead coral. Herbivorous fishes are preyed upon by carnivorous fishes which in turn become toxic. Man becomes infected by eating fish and poisoned herbivores and carnivores. CTX (Ciguatoxin) is odourless and tasteless, resists cooking. It caused gastrointestinal, neurologic and/or cardiovascular symptoms which last days to weeks, or even months. The purpose of this review of literature about the toxins, just to clarify causes, species and symptom, treatment, method of analysis, research of quick test and provide information about management and prevention of CFP.

Background: The Clinica del Lavoro of Milan provided several contributions to industrial hygiene and occupational toxicology during the twentieth century. Objectives: Describe the first years of the laboratory of industrial hygiene of Milan through three figures who played a leading role: Enrico Carlo Vigliani, Nicola Zurlo and Gianmario Cavagna. Methods: Scientific literature of the period 1948-1970 was investigated, also interviewing first-hand witnesses of that period. Results: Enrico Vigliani was the first European scholar to understand the importance of a laboratory of industrial hygiene within his institution. Thanks to the support of private (Montecatini) and public (INAIL) institutions he succeeded in creating a laboratory in 1948. Nicola Zurlo, who directed this structure in the first thirty years, conducted innovative studies on chronic mercury intoxication, lead intoxication and silicosis, designing and creating instruments for capturing and analyzing atmospheric dust and protection devices. He conducted analysis of the health effects of organophosphorus insecticides and started to study the air pollution. Zurlo also provided an epistemological and methodological content to the discipline. Gianmario Cavagna, one of the first Italian toxicologists, contributed to the discovery of the origin of fevers caused by the inhalation of metal fumes and to the studies on the pathogenesis of byssinosis, hypothesizing a role of bacterial endotoxins in the genesis of this disease. Conclusions: The contributions provided by these three protagonists to industrial hygiene and occupational toxicology were relevant and made in those years the Clinica del Lavoro of Milan as a landmark, not only in Italy but also abroad.

Background: Risk behaviors are frequent among young adults and they are particularly relevant when considering healthcare students. Objectives: The study is aimed to examine the prevalence of smoking, binge drinking, physical inactivity, and excessive bodyweight in a population of healthcare students attending an Italian university. Methods: Healthcare students filled an anonymous multiple-choice questionnaire on the occasion of the occupational health visit that preceded their hospital internship. The questionnaire covered socio-demographic characteristics (including student’s working status and cohabitation) and risk behaviors. We evaluated the prevalence of risk behaviors and their association with socio-demographic characteristics. Results: The sample consisted of 494 students (65% women): 23.2% were smokers, 7.9% had excessive bodyweight, 35% did not practice any physical activity and 50% reported binge drinking at least once in the last 12 months. We found associations of male sex (30.5%) and being nursing students (29.9%) with smoking habit. The frequency of binge drinking was higher in men (38.4%), working students (53.9%), and among those who lived without family (50%). Physical inactivity was associated with female sex (44.2%) and living without family (57.1%). Finally, the co-presence of 2 risk behaviors or more was higher in men (36.8%), in nursing students (39.6%) and in working students (44.7%). Conclusions: Our findings regarding the prevalence of risk behaviors and their potential association with socio-demographic factors may be a clue to the definition of targeted strategies aimed at reducing of risk behaviors among healthcare students.

Background: The World Health Organization has been asking for greater collaboration between occupational medicine and primary care for many years. Objectives: To investigate the knowledge of general practitioners (GPs) working in a province of Lombardy about occupational health issues and their experiences with work-related problems among their patients. Methods: Data were collected by telephone interview to GPs, using a 25-item questionnaire. Results: 111 GPs answered to the questionnaire (66.5% of the sample). Only 34.2% of the doctors knew the current regulation of occupational medicine in Italy. The GPs considered that the main work-related disease among their patients were musculoskeletal disorders and work-related stress. 90% of doctors stated to have sent at least one of their patients to an occupational medicine clinic. Only 9% declared to have notified at least one occupational disease. Among GPs who suggested how to improve the relationship between primary care and occupational medicine, 44% proposed training courses on this topic. Only 16.2% said to have attended an occupational health course during university studies. Conclusions: Italian GPs have poor knowledge about occupational medicine and they also have difficult relationships with occupational health physicians. Initiatives to improve cooperation between these two sectors are desirable

This paper discusses the knowledge management (KM) system as implemented in a pilot project at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) of the European Space Agency (ESA). By means of audits, we have identified the main knowledge fields in our domain, weighted their importance in the short, medium and long terms, and derived KM requirements in order to preserve, maintain, share and enhance relevant knowledge. The preliminary results from the knowledge audits were analysed and discussed by domain experts, showing that the KM process put in place has been successfully validated and appropriate measures, like continuous training, have to be put in place. The KM requirements were then mapped on the existing KM infrastructure and the available KM resources in order to assess the status of KM at ESOC and to recommend its evolution. Finally, some additional suggestions are made regarding the future of the initiative and potential steps that might be taken to further support KM within ESOC.

This article explores the relationship between the Catholic Church and animal magnetism. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, the Catholic Church had first tried to stem the rise of animal magnetism in a vague manner, but after a few decades, it eventually put a genuine veto in place. This measure was founded upon the dangers to morality and faith arising from the progressive polarization of the original doctrine in forms related to esotericism. Among the causes of the condemnation by the Congregation of the Holy Office, the primary ones were the naturalist interpretation of the miracles described in the Gospels and in the New Testament, and the possibility of falling under the control of a demonic spirit.

Promoting healthy behaviors throughout life is an essential prevention tool. Prior research showed that unhealthy behaviors tend to co-occur and interplay. However, which behaviors co-occur most frequently and which sociodemographic variables are associated with specific clusters of unhealthy behavior are still being determined. This study aimed to identify different lifestyle profiles and analyze their associations with sociodemographic factors in an Italian academic community to plan targeted initiatives to promote healthy lifestyles. A sample of 8715 adults from an Italian university (mean age = 26 years; range = 18–76; 30% male) participated in an online survey in 2019. Four health-related behaviors were evaluated: diet, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Lifestyle profiles were identified through cluster analysis. Then, a multinomial logistic regression was performed to explore the association among lifestyle profiles, sociodemographic variables (age, gender, and academic role), and body mass index (BMI). Results showed that older age was associated with the probability of belonging to the profile characterized by smoke addiction and regular alcohol consumption but also with the healthiest diet. The younger the age, the greater the probability of belonging to the most physically active profile. Men were more likely than women to belong to the lifestyle profile with the most regular alcohol consumption and the highest physical activity. Lower BMI was associated with the most physically active profile. This study shed light on factors associated with different co-occurring health-related behaviors that should be considered in planning effective communication strategies and preventive health interventions within the academic community.

Background & Aims: Inhalation of welding fume may cause pulmonary disease known as welder's lung. At our centre we came across a number of welders with systemic iron overload and prolonged occupational history and we aimed at characterizing this novel clinical form of iron overload. Methods: After exclusion of other known causes of iron overload, 20 welders were fully evaluated for working history, hepatic, metabolic and iron status. MRI iron assessment was performed in 19 patients and liver biopsy in 12. We included 40 HFE-HH patients and 24 healthy controls for comparison. Results: 75% of patients showed lung HRCT alterations; 90% had s-FERR > 1000 ng/mL and 60% had TSAT > 45%. Liver iron overload was mild in 8 and moderate-severe in 12. The median iron removed was 7.8 g. Welders showed significantly lower TSAT and higher SIS and SIS/TIS ratio than HFE-HH patients. Serum hepcidin was significantly higher in welders than in HFE-HH patients and healthy controls. At liver biopsy, 50% showed liver fibrosis that was mild in four, and moderate-severe in two. Liver staging correlated with liver iron overload. Conclusions: Welders with prolonged fume exposure can develop severe liver iron overload. The mechanism of liver iron accumulation is quite different to that of HFE-HH suggesting that reticuloendothelial cells may be the initial site of deposition. We recommend routine measurement of serum iron indices in welders to provide adequate diagnosis and therapy, and the inclusion of prolonged welding fume exposure in the list of acquired causes of hyperferritinemia and iron overload.

Background In next fall and winter, SARS-CoV-2 could circulate in parallel with seasonal influenza. The dual epidemics will result in considerable morbidity and mortality; therefore, influenza vaccination may be essential. Recent studies found increased risk of coronavirus in individuals receiving influenza vaccination. Aims Our aim is to analyse the association between influenza vaccination and COVID-19 in a population of healthcare workers (HCWs). Methods IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were detected in 3520 HCWs at a large hospital in Northern Italy. For each participant, we collected data on flu immunization status for the last five flu seasons. Logistic regression was used to test associations between seasonal flu vaccination status and a positive serology tests for COVID-19. Results During the last five flu seasons, 2492 vaccinations were administered. Serology tests were negative for 3196 (91%) HCWs and residents and only 21 (1%) people had an equivocal test (12.0–15.0 AU/mL). Only 128 (4%) people received a diagnosis of COVID-19, with a positive swab test. No flu vaccinations for the last five flu seasons were specifically associated with diagnosis of COVID-19 or with positive results of serology tests. Conclusions Flu vaccinations did not appear to be associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Influenza vaccination should continue to be recommended for HCWs and for individuals at increased risk for severe illness from respiratory infection.

As health care workers (HCWs) who care for children, who usually demonstrate milder symptoms than adults, family paediatricians have an increased risk of exposure to coronavirus. In April 2020, the Sindacato Medici Pediatri di Famiglia (SIMPeF), provided its members with rapid tests to detect antibodies against SARS-CoV-2; 1240 individuals, including 377 paediatricians, 108 staff members of pediatric clinics, and 755 cohabitant relatives of paediatricians, were tested in Lombardy, the most affected Italian region. The global prevalence of IgG antibodies in these individuals was 20.7%, which is higher than that of the general population and other HCWs. More than 70% of subjects with IgG antibodies presented symptoms, and 4.9% needed hospitalization. In addition, 64.2% of the study participants reported close contacts with a suspected case of COVID-19, while 72.9% of the family paediatricians reported occupational exposure to the disease. The initiative of the SIMPeF has been useful in assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric settings, as well as in raising paediatricians’ awareness of the spreading of coronavirus.