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Objective. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the most prevalent occupational disease worldwide and is historically associated with the Industrial Revolution. This study analyses early descriptions of this disorder during the pre-industrial period in the work of the Italian physician Bernardino Ramazzini (1633-1714). Methods. Primary and secondary historical literature were reviewed. Results. Ramazzini described hearing loss in corn millers and in coppersmiths and recognised that this disorder is irreversible and progressive when exposure to noise continues. He also seemed to describe tinnitus. He further suggested the use of earplugs as a preventive measure for these classes of workers. Ramazzini's anatomical and pathological knowledge appears to be based on ancient authors; he did not discuss contemporaneous medical authors' work on hearing function. Conclusion. Despite these limitations, Ramazzini's work appears pioneering for his time and represents an important milestone in the history of otolaryngology.

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a common source of hip pain affecting a wide range of subjects. In this work, we assessed two tests, namely the balance test and the MuscleLab test, in comparison with the flexion–abduction–external rotation (FABER) and flexion–adduction–internal rotation (FADIR) tests, in order to evaluate the functionality of the neural–musculoskeletal system of the subjects affected by FAI based on the measurement of biomechanical parameters. Our goal was to investigate the early detection of an altered hip joint and to monitor pathology progression over time. A total of 52 subjects, 29 females and 23 males, with an average age of 42 ± 13 years presenting hip impingement diagnosed using X-ray, were enrolled. Twenty-eight patients without signs of hip impingements were used as the control group. The balance test, which evaluates the capacity of a person to keep the orthostatic position against terrestrial gravity, and the MuscleLab test, which measures the force and power generated by active muscles during a movement, as well as FABER and FADIR tests, were performed in each subject. The balance and MuscleLab tests presented 100% sensitivity and higher sensitivity in FAI diagnosis, with 72.9% and 70.4%, respectively, in comparison with those obtained using FABER and FADIR tests, with 59.6% and 67.3%, respectively. The evaluation of the neural–musculoskeletal system using the balance and MuscleLab tests can help in the early detection of the severity of hip impingements and the assessment of non-operative treatments used over time.

Even if they were not described, work-related health problems of professional performers existed even in antiquity. Bernardino Ramazzini (1633–1714) was one of the first authors to describe health problems in this specific class of workers’ disorders in his renowned treatise “De Morbis Artificum Diatriba” (1700). Until the beginnings of the twentieth century, physicians mainly continued to study only voice disorders in singers, and then they started to be interested in disease of all musical performers, as demonstrated by the book “Die Berufskrankheiten der Musiker” (1926). His author, the German neurologist and musicologist Kurt Singer (1885–1944), first systematically described symptoms of musicians’ diseases and their treatment. Modernly, health problems of professional performers include voice and hearing disorders and musculoskeletal and psychological problems. Nowadays, the most common of these disorders of professional singers are vocal fatigue and muscle tension dysphonia or aphonia. Music-induced hearing loss was seen in up to 58% of classical musicians. In addition, permanent or temporary shifts of hearing thresholds, hyperacusis, loss of hearing sensitivity and tinnitus were observed among professional performers. Common musculoskeletal disorders of musicians include overuse problems, such as tendonitis and peripheral nerve entrapment syndromes, that typically affect the upper extremities, the neck, the back, and the facial musculature. These disorders can interfere with the ability to play the instrument, which could be career-ending for a professional musician. Music performance anxiety is one of the most frequently reported psychological disorders among professional performers, with an estimated prevalence rate between 15% and 25%. Finally, the impact of the recent COVID-19 pandemic on the internal organization of opera houses and the health of singers, dancers and musicians is discussed.

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.

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.

The ongoing pandemic caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is literally changing the world. From December 2019 to date, more than 22 million cases have been reported worldwide and global health institutions are acting to slow down the virus transmission and are looking for possible prevention strategies in case of a new outbreak. As in other endemic or pandemic phenomena, the issues mostly covered by scientific and media attention are related to the diagnostic and therapeutic approach of COVID-19. However, a still neglected issue regards the adoption of a more systemic approach considering the close connection among the infection, the environment, and human behaviors, including the role of diet and urban management. To shed light on this issue, we brought together a faculty group involving experts in environment and biodiversity, food safety, human nutrition, and behavior, bioprospecting, as well as medical doctors having a deep knowledge of the complex historical relationship between humanity and vector-borne infections. Two main aspects emerged from the integrative overview of the current COVID-19 pandemic: (i) the scientific community should start sharing social actions and policy advocacy based on the assumption that human health strongly depends upon a sustainable exploitation of natural resources in populated areas; (ii) the specific strategic role of the cities in developing sustainable food systems and promoting healthy dietary patterns. Definitely, some priority issues should be addressed to achieve these goals, such as global efforts to increase food safety and security, which would benefit from urban and peri-urban agriculture enhancement, smallholder food producers support, and ecosystem services and local biodiversity maintenance.

Background and objectives: Promoting healthy behaviors throughout life is an essential prevention tool against chronic disease onset and progression in adulthood. This study aims to explore the lifestyles of an Italian academic community to plan targeted initiatives to promote and improve healthy lifestyles in students and employees with consequent impact on their entourage. Methods: A sample of 8715 adults (mean age = 26 years; range = 18-76; 30% male) participated in an online survey designed to evaluate the associations among lifestyle profiles (including diet, physical activity, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption), sociodemographic factors (age, gender, and academic role), and Body Mass Index (BMI). Lifestyle profiles were identified through cluster analysis, and a multinomial logistic regression was then performed to relate clusters obtained to sociodemographic variables and BMI. Results: Data show that older age was associated with the probability of belonging to the clusters with the worst behavior in smoking and alcohol consumption, but with the healthiest diet. The younger the age, the greater the probability of belonging to the more physically active cluster. Men were more likely than women to belong to the lifestyle profile with the highest alcohol consumption and the highest physical activity. Lower BMI was associated with the highest amount of physical activity profile. Conclusion: This study shed light on factors associated with different co-occurring health-related behaviors that should be considered in planning effective communication strategies promoting adherence to health claims.

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.

Background: Over the past few years, studies have increasingly focused on the development of mobile apps as complementary tools to existing traditional pharmacovigilance surveillance systems for improving and facilitating adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting. Objective: In this research, we evaluated the potentiality of a new mobile app (vaxEffect@UniMiB) to perform longitudinal studies, while preserving the anonymity of the respondents. We applied the app to monitor the ADRs during the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in a sample of the Italian population. Methods: We administered vaxEffect@UniMiB to a convenience sample of academic subjects vaccinated at the Milano-Bicocca University hub for COVID-19 during the Italian national vaccination campaign. vaxEffect@UniMiB was developed for both Android and iOS devices. The mobile app asks users to send their medical history and, upon every vaccine administration, their vaccination data and the ADRs that occurred within 7 days postvaccination, making it possible to follow the ADR dynamics for each respondent. The app sends data over the web to an application server. The server, along with receiving all user data, saves the data in a SQL database server and reminds patients to submit vaccine and ADR data by push notifications sent to the mobile app through Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM). On initial startup of the app, a unique user identifier (UUID) was generated for each respondent, so its anonymity was completely ensured, while enabling longitudinal studies. Results: A total of 3712 people were vaccinated during the first vaccination wave. A total of 2733 (73.6%) respondents between the ages of 19 and 80 years, coming from the University of Milano-Bicocca (UniMiB) and the Politecnico of Milan (PoliMi), participated in the survey. Overall, we collected information about vaccination and ADRs to the first vaccine dose for 2226 subjects (60.0% of the first dose vaccinated), to the second dose for 1610 subjects (43.4% of the s

Background: University students are known to have higher sleep disorders prevalence than the general population. Among them, nursing students are even more susceptible to sleep disorders. This study evaluates sleep disorders’ risk factors among nursing students and their potential association with symptoms and assesses whether night shifts affect sleep quality by increasing the prevalence of sleep disorders. Methods: A total of 202 nursing students were included; a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic and academic characteristics (i.e., gender, age, height, weight, and year of nursing program) and risk factors for sleep disorders (e.g., smoking, lack of physical activity, and coffee intake late in the evening). The survey included the General Health Questionnaire to assess perceived stress, the Sleep and Daytime Habits Questionnaire, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale to assess sleep disorders symptoms. Results: A high level of perceived stress is associated with sleep disorders symptoms and with poor sleep quality. Daytime symptoms are also associated with smoking. Students who drink coffee late in the evening report fewer nighttime symptoms. Night shifts and their increasing number are not associated with sleep disorders symptoms. The perception of an unsatisfying academic performance is associated with daytime symptoms and poor sleep quality. Conclusions: Although night shifts seem to not affect sleep quality among nursing students, sleep disorders represent a critical issue in this population since sleep disorders symptoms may result in errors, accidents, or low academic performance.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Approximately 80% of women become pregnant at some point during their career in the United States. Prenatal depression (PD) has been associated with adverse health outcomes in pregnant women and their offspring, particularly in lower sociodemographic (SES) populations. We examined the occupational risk factors associated with PD in a population of lower SES pregnant workers in New York City. METHODS: Analyses included 487 women aged ≥18 years visiting obstetrics and gynecology clinics during pregnancy or within 2 months of child delivery between March to September 2017, with employment status at the time or after January 2014, when the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act legislation was enforced in NYC. Detailed occupational and sociodemographic data were collected via in-person interviews. Women completed a 10-item Edinburgh Depression Scale (EDS); EDS score ≥13 was classified as probable PD. Scores for established subconstructs of EDS (anxiety, anhedonia, classical depression) were also calculated. Multivariable adjusted regressions were used to identify the occupational factors that predict higher scores of EDS and its subconstructs, adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, education, marital status, and manager status. RESULTS: Majority of women were black and/or Hispanic (84%), reporting <$30,000 annual household income (64%). Unconventional work shifts (night/evening or rotating shiftwork) [adjusted odds ratio {aOR} (95% CI)=2.01(1.14-3.55)], higher perceived work stress [aOR=2.91(1.27-6.70)], and health, science, or technology-related industry [aOR=2.74 (1.07-7.03)] were independently associated with elevated EDS score. For EDS subconstructs, higher perceived stress level at job was significantly positively associated with all three subconstructs, while job duty of lifting/pulling heavy objects was significantly associated with classical depression subconstruct (all p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: As more women continue to work during pregnancy, workplace

Background and aim: our study aimed to investigate the association between anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG level after two doses of BNT162b2 vaccine and the previously infected/infection-naïve status, age, and gender in a population of health care workers (HCWs). Methods: all the population of immunocompetent HCWs were vaccinated with two doses of BNT162b2 based on a technical data sheet. SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay was performed 25 to 32 days after the second dose. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG level was used as a cat-egorical variable, since 2080 BAU/ml was the median IgG value. The multivariate logistic regression model included the previously infected/infection-naïve status, age groups, and gender. Results: All HCWs tested were seropositive. The odds ratio (OR) for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG> 2080 BAU / ml between previously infected and infection-naïve HCWs was 2.05 [95% CI 1.1-3.8]. Older age groups had lower percentage of HCWs with anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG> 2080 BAU / mL than younger groups. Finally, no association between gender and IgG level was found. Conclusions: our study showed an excellent antibody response to vaccination with BNT162b2 after two doses. A significant difference was observed between anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG level with age and previous SARS-CoV-2 infection status.

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.

Healthcare students (HCSs) represent a target category for seasonal flu vaccination. This study aimed to examine adherence to flu vaccination campaigns from 2016 to 2019 among HCSs and to investigate knowledge and perception of and attitude toward influenza and flu vaccination. This cross-sectional study was conducted among the HCSs of a northern Italian university. Data on adherence, knowledge, perception, and attitude were investigated through an anonymous online self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was filled out by 352 out of 392 third-year HCSs (response rate = 90%). The main reason for refusal was the perception of influenza as non-threatening (24.4%), while self-protection was the main reason for adherence (87.5%). A univariate logistic regression analysis revealed some statistically significant associations with the adherence to the 2018–2019 campaign: being a nursing/midwifery student (OR: 4.14; 95% CI: 1.77–9.71) and agreeing with (OR: 19.28; 95% CI: 2.47–146.85) or being undecided (OR: 10.81; 95% CI: 1.33–88.27) about the obligation of vaccination in health facilities. The associations were also evaluated with a multiple logistic regression model. Despite the low vaccine uptake, good knowledge of the risks for HCSs and patients related to flu has emerged. Improving promotion strategies will be necessary to increase the adhesion of future healthcare workers.

Objective: To determine the incidence of COVID-19 and the duration of sick leave among asymptomatic healthcare workers (HCWs) after vaccination with BNT162b2. Methods: From October 2020 to March 2021, we determined the incidence of COVID-19 in a cohort of 671 asymptomatic HCWs before and after the vaccination. We also analyzed the days required to obtain a negative RT-PCR result after infection. Results: Prior to vaccination 105 (15.6%) HCWs were positive. Positive cases were reduced to 42 (7.5%) after the vaccination period (P<0.0001). A negative RT-PCR was observed at the first control in 80% of vaccinated HCWs and only in 37% before vaccination. Conclusions: Even in case of asymptomatic infection, vaccinated HCWs have a reduced incidence and a shorter period of sick leave than before vaccination, suggesting vaccination impacts on the sustainability of the health system and labor costs.

First examples of health passport dated back to the Renaissance. The introduction of the first vaccinations modified the contents of health passes, including their certification. The history illustrates some concerns that the COVID-19 health passes must overcome: identification of the bearer, standardization, universal language, appropriate examination and prevention of counterfeits.