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Amodio E, Pizzo S, Vella G, De Francisci V, Distefano SA, Giambelluca E, Graceffa D, Verso MG, Piro E, Giuffrè M, Giammanco GM, Calamusa G. Increase of multidrug-resistant bacteria after the COVID-19 pandemic in a major teaching Hospital in Sicily (2018-2021). Int J Antimicrob Agents 2024:107123. [PMID: 38408493 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2024.107123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the continuing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to global health and economic development. In the last two decades, AMR has raised increasing concern with an estimated 4.95 million deaths globally due to bacterial AMR in 2019 alone. This study aims to analyze the impact of the pandemic on the spread of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) using data from the Hospital «P. Giaccone» in Palermo, comparing pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. METHODS This observational study involved adult patients discharged from the hospital between 01/01/2018-31/12/2021. Hospital Discharge Cards were linked with microbiological laboratory reports to assess MDRO isolations. SARS-CoV-2 positivity during hospitalization was evaluated using the National Institute of Health's surveillance system. RESULTS This study evaluated 58,427 hospitalizations, where half of the patients were over 65 years old (N=26,984) and most admissions were in the medical area (N=31,716). During the hospitalization period, the isolated MDRO were 2,681(5%), whereas there were 946 subjects (2%) positive for SARS-CoV-2. In the multivariable analyses, during 2020 and 2021 there was a significant increased risk of isolation of Staphylococcus aureus,Acinetobacter baumannii,and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Age, weight of the Diagnosis Related Group (DRG), wards with higher intensity of care, and length-of-stay were associated to a higher risk of MDRO isolation. CONCLUSION Our study provides new insights into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on MDRO isolation and has important implications for infection control and prevention efforts in healthcare facilities. Age, DRG-weight, and longer hospital stays further increase the risk of MDRO isolation. Thus, it is imperative to improve and follow hospital protocols to prevent healthcare-associated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Amodio
- University of Palermo, Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties «G. D'Alessandro», Via del Vespro 133, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Stefano Pizzo
- University of Palermo, Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties «G. D'Alessandro», Via del Vespro 133, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Vella
- University of Palermo, Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties «G. D'Alessandro», Via del Vespro 133, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Valerio De Francisci
- University of Palermo, Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties «G. D'Alessandro», Via del Vespro 133, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Salvatore Antonino Distefano
- University of Palermo, Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties «G. D'Alessandro», Via del Vespro 133, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Eliana Giambelluca
- University of Palermo, Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties «G. D'Alessandro», Via del Vespro 133, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Domenico Graceffa
- University of Palermo, Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties «G. D'Alessandro», Via del Vespro 133, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Gabriella Verso
- University of Palermo, Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties «G. D'Alessandro», Via del Vespro 133, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Ettore Piro
- University of Palermo, Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties «G. D'Alessandro», Via del Vespro 133, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Mario Giuffrè
- University of Palermo, Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties «G. D'Alessandro», Via del Vespro 133, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Maurizio Giammanco
- University of Palermo, Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties «G. D'Alessandro», Via del Vespro 133, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Calamusa
- University of Palermo, Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties «G. D'Alessandro», Via del Vespro 133, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
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Costantino C, Mazzucco W, Bonaccorso N, Sciortino M, Cimino L, Pizzo S, Conforto A, Calò I, Gilimberti D, Gambino CR, Segreto D, Maiorana A, Vitale F, Casuccio A. A cross-sectional study on smartphone uses among pregnant women attending childbirth classes in the Metropolitan Area of Palermo, Italy: The Stop-Phone study. Ann Ig 2023; 35:319-330. [PMID: 36190310 DOI: 10.7416/ai.2022.2543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Background Prevalence of mobile device addiction has increased over the years; both women and men have assimilated the mobile phone as a central component of their personal existence: integrating it into their lifestyle or becoming so dependent on it that life without it has become unimaginable. Smartphones generate radio-frequency electromagnetic fields. While short-term exposure in adults was considered quite safe, effects of long-term exposure or exposure during pregnancy on fetuses or during breastfeeding on newborns are not well studied yet. The objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and usage characteristics of smartphones among a sample of pregnant women, and promote the correct and conscious use of the smartphone. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted, with a questionnaire administered during childbirth classes and - after the questionnaire administration - an educational intervention focused on promoting the correct and conscious use of smartphones was carried out by psychologists and psychotherapists. Results The findings of our study suggest that a significant number of the participants suffered addiction to mobile phone usage, but were not aware of it. More than two third of the sample (67.2%) have not changed their smartphone use habits since the beginning of their pregnancy and even more significant data shows that almost all future moms (98.3%) never speak with their doctor about smartphone use during pregnancy. Conclusions Data collected suggest a lack of attention to the proposed topic, especially in relation to pregnancy. It seems necessary to sensitize future mothers on this topic. The promotion of a more conscious and controlled use of electronic devices can help reduce the radiation to which the unborn child may be exposed, but has a fundamental role even after birth, to ensure an adequate psychomotor and relational development of the child and do not affect, due to uncontrolled use of smartphones, the mother-child relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Costantino
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Italy
| | - W Mazzucco
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Italy
| | - N Bonaccorso
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Italy
| | - M Sciortino
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Italy
| | - L Cimino
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Italy
| | - S Pizzo
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Italy
| | - A Conforto
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Italy
| | - I Calò
- Vivi Sano Onlus, Local Health Unit of Palermo, Italy
| | - D Gilimberti
- Vivi Sano Onlus, Local Health Unit of Palermo, Italy
| | - C R Gambino
- Local Health Unit of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - D Segreto
- Special Office for Communication, Health Department of Sicilian Region, Palermo, Italy
| | - A Maiorana
- HCU Obstetrics and Gynecology ARNAS Di Cristina Benfratelli Hospital, Palermo, Italy
| | - F Vitale
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Italy
| | - A Casuccio
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Italy
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Giannico OV, Baldacci S, Angelozzi A, Caminada S, Noberasco G, Oradini-Alacreu A, Pizzo S, Schenone S, Scarpitta F. Urban mobility and health: a multicentric survey conducted in some Italian cities. Ann Ist Super Sanita 2022; 58:277-284. [PMID: 36511199 DOI: 10.4415/ann_22_04_08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Urban and transport planning, environmental exposures, physical activity and human health are strictly linked. The aim of this study was to analyze the determinants of sustainable and active mobility in 4 Italian provinces. MATERIALS AND METHODS An online multiple-choice survey was administered via Google Form between October 2019 and February 2020. RESULTS 605 people answered the questionnaire, reporting their mobility practices. The home location did not seem to influence mobility behaviours, with the exception of the greater use of public transport for those who did not live in the province capital. Working or studying in central areas was associated with less use of the car, while not working or studying in the province capital was associated with less use of the motorbike. Women use cars more, and motorcycles/bicycles less. Age and educational level did not seem to influence mobility practices, while being a student compared to a worker was related to greater use of public transport and tendency to walk to the work/study place as well as to lesser car use. DISCUSSION It is essential that all cities adopt solutions to encourage healthy mobility. The positive relationship between BMI and car use, between good food score and bike use and between frequent light physical activity and healthy mobility indicators confirmed that risk factors are often interconnected and that improving even one single habit could have a positive effect on the others as well. CONCLUSION An urgent paradigm shift is needed to transform urban areas from agglomerations oriented on motorized transport to ones that rely on active and sustainable mobility, in order to turn cities into places generating wellness and health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Aurora Angelozzi
- Dipartimento per lo Sviluppo Organizzativo, ASL Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Susanna Caminada
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Noberasco
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute (DISSAL), Università degli Studi di Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Aurea Oradini-Alacreu
- Scuola di Specializzazione in Igiene e Medicina Preventiva, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Pizzo
- Dipartimento di Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza "G. D'Alessandro" (PROMISE), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Sara Schenone
- Direzione Medica di Presidio Ospedaliero, Azienda Sociosanitaria Ligure 4, Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesco Scarpitta
- Dipartimento di Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza "G. D'Alessandro" (PROMISE), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Amodio E, Capra G, Casuccio A, Grazia SD, Genovese D, Pizzo S, Calamusa G, Ferraro D, Giammanco GM, Vitale F, Bonura F. Antibodies Responses to SARS-CoV-2 in a Large Cohort of Vaccinated Subjects and Seropositive Patients. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:714. [PMID: 34358130 PMCID: PMC8309986 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9070714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 is a current global threat, and the characterization of antibody response is vitally important to update vaccine development and strategies. In this study we assessed SARS-CoV-2 antibody concentrations in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients (N = 272) and subjects vaccinated with the BNT162b2 m-RNA COVID-19 vaccine (N = 1256). For each participant, socio-demographic data, COVID-19 vaccination records, serological analyses, and SARS-CoV-2 infection status were collected. IgG antibodies against S1/S2 antigens of SARS-CoV-2 were detected. Almost all vaccinated subjects (99.8%) showed a seropositivity to anti-SARS-COV-2 IgG and more than 80% of vaccinated subjects had IgG concentrations > 200 AU/mL. In a Tobit multivariable regression analysis, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was statistically significantly associated with increased IgG concentrations (β coef = 266.4; p < 0.001). A statistically significant reduction in SARS-CoV-2 IgG concentrations was found with older age (β coef = -1.96 per year increase; p < 0.001), male sex (β coef = -22.3; p < 0.001), and days after immunization (β coef = -1.67 per day increase; p < 0.001). Our findings could support the vaccination campaigns confirming the high immunogenicity of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine under investigation with respect to the natural infection. Further studies will be required for evaluating the role of age and days after immunization in the persistence of vaccine antibodies and protection from the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Amodio
- Department of Health, Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Piazza delle Cliniche 2, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.C.); (A.C.); (S.D.G.); (D.G.); (S.P.); (G.C.); (D.F.); (G.M.G.); (F.V.); (F.B.)
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Grimaudo S, Amodio E, Pipitone RM, Maida CM, Pizzo S, Prestileo T, Tramuto F, Sardina D, Vitale F, Casuccio A, Craxì A. PNPLA3 and TLL-1 Polymorphisms as Potential Predictors of Disease Severity in Patients With COVID-19. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:627914. [PMID: 34249902 PMCID: PMC8262646 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.627914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Albeit the pathogenesis of COVID-19 remains unclear, host's genetic polymorphisms in genes involved in infection and reinfection, inflammation, or immune stimulation could play a role in determining the course and outcome. We studied in the early phase of pandemic consecutive patients (N = 383) with SARS-CoV-2 infection, whose subsequent clinical course was classified as mild or severe, the latter being characterized by admission to intensive therapy unit or death. Five host gene polymorphisms (MERTK rs4374383, PNPLA3 rs738409, TLL-1 rs17047200, IFNL3 rs1297860, and INFL4 rs368234815) were assessed by using whole nucleic acids extracted from nasopharyngeal swabs. Specific protease cleavage sites of TLL-1 on the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein were predicted in silico. Male subjects and older patients were significantly at higher risk for a severe outcome (p = 0.02 and p < 0.001, respectively). By considering patients ≤65 years, after adjusting for potential confounding due to sex, an increased risk of severe outcome was found in subjects with the GG genotype of PNPLA3 (adj-OR: 4.69; 95% CI = 1.01-22.04) or TT genotype of TLL-1 (adj-OR=9.1; 95% CI = 1.45-57.3). In silico evaluation showed that TLL-1 is potentially involved in the Spike protein cleavage which is essential for viral binding and entry into the host cells using the host receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Subjects carrying a GG genotype in PNPLA3 gene might have a constitutive upregulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and be more prone to tissue damage when infected by SARS-CoV-2. The TT genotype in TLL-1 gene might affect its protease activity on the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein, enhancing the ability to infect or re-infect host's cells. The untoward effect of these variants on disease course is evident in younger patients due to the relative absence of comorbidities as determinants of prognosis. In the unresolved pathogenetic scenery of COVID-19, the identification of genetic variants associates with more prolonged course or with a severe outcome of infection would support the development of predictive tools useful to stratify subjects by risk class at presentation. Moreover, the individuation of key genes could contribute to a better understanding of the pathways involved in the pathogenesis, giving the basis for rational therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Grimaudo
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties "G. D'Alessandro" - University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Emanuele Amodio
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties "G. D'Alessandro" - University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Rosaria Maria Pipitone
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties "G. D'Alessandro" - University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Carmelo Massimo Maida
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties "G. D'Alessandro" - University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Stefano Pizzo
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties "G. D'Alessandro" - University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Tullio Prestileo
- Infectious Diseases Unit and Centre for Migration and Health ARNAS, Ospedale Civico Benfratelli, Palermo, Italy
| | - Fabio Tramuto
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties "G. D'Alessandro" - University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Davide Sardina
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties "G. D'Alessandro" - University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Vitale
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties "G. D'Alessandro" - University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessandra Casuccio
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties "G. D'Alessandro" - University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonio Craxì
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties "G. D'Alessandro" - University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Costantino C, Cannizzaro E, Verso MG, Tramuto F, Maida CM, Lacca G, Alba D, Cimino L, Conforto A, Cirrincione L, Graziano G, Palmeri S, Pizzo S, Restivo V, Casuccio A, Vitale F, Mazzucco W. SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Healthcare Professionals and General Population During "First Wave" of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study Conducted in Sicily, Italy. Front Public Health 2021; 9:644008. [PMID: 34055716 PMCID: PMC8155294 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.644008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
On December 31, 2019, an outbreak of lower respiratory infections was documented in Wuhan caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Since the beginning, SARS-CoV-2 has caused many infections among healthcare workers (HCWs) worldwide. Aims of this study were: a. to compare the distribution among the HCWs and the general population of SARS-CoV-2 infections in Western Sicily and Italy; b. to describe the characteristics of HCWs infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the western Sicilian healthcare context during the first wave of the epidemic diffusion in Italy. Incidence and mean age of HCWs infected with SARS-CoV-2 were comparable in Western Sicily and in the whole Italian country. The 97.6% of infections occurred in HCWs operating in non-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) working environments, while an equal distribution of cases between hospital and primary care services context was documented. Nurses and healthcare assistants, followed by physicians, were the categories more frequently infected by SARS-CoV-2. The present study suggests that healthcare workers are easily infected compared to the general population but that often infection could equally occur in hospital and non-hospital settings. Safety of HCWs in counteracting the COVID-19 pandemic must be strengthened in hospital [adequate provision of personal protective equipment (PPE), optimization of human resources, implementation of closed and independent groups of HCWs, creation of traffic control building and dedicated areas in every healthcare context] and non-hospital settings (influenza vaccination, adequate psychophysical support, including refreshments during working shifts, adequate rest, and family support).
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Costantino
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro," University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,COVID-19 Surveillance Western Sicily Reference Laboratory, Palermo University Hospital, Palermo, Italy
| | - Emanuele Cannizzaro
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro," University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Gabriella Verso
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro," University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Fabio Tramuto
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro," University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,COVID-19 Surveillance Western Sicily Reference Laboratory, Palermo University Hospital, Palermo, Italy
| | - Carmelo Massimo Maida
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro," University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,COVID-19 Surveillance Western Sicily Reference Laboratory, Palermo University Hospital, Palermo, Italy
| | - Guido Lacca
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro," University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Davide Alba
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro," University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Livia Cimino
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro," University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Arianna Conforto
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro," University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Luigi Cirrincione
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro," University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giorgio Graziano
- COVID-19 Surveillance Western Sicily Reference Laboratory, Palermo University Hospital, Palermo, Italy
| | - Sara Palmeri
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro," University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Stefano Pizzo
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro," University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Restivo
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro," University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,COVID-19 Surveillance Western Sicily Reference Laboratory, Palermo University Hospital, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessandra Casuccio
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro," University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Vitale
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro," University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,COVID-19 Surveillance Western Sicily Reference Laboratory, Palermo University Hospital, Palermo, Italy
| | - Walter Mazzucco
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro," University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,COVID-19 Surveillance Western Sicily Reference Laboratory, Palermo University Hospital, Palermo, Italy
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Carducci AL, Agodi A, Ancona C, Angelini P, Bagordo F, Barbone F, Birbaum L, Carreri V, Casuccio A, Conti A, Conversano M, De Donno A, De Giglio O, Desiante F, Di Pietro A, Dogliotti E, Donato F, Fara GM, Fiore M, Forastiere F, Giammanco G, Izzotti A, Montagna MT, Oliveri Conti G, Petronio MG, Sciacca S, Signorelli C, Testai E, Verani M, Vinceti M, Vitale F, Ferrante M, Adani G, Berghella L, Calia C, Calzolari R, Canale A, Castiglione D, Conti A, Copat C, Cristaldi A, Cuffari G, Coronel Vargas G, De Vita E, De Nard F, Federigi I, Filippini T, Grasso A, Leonardi N, Letzgus M, Lo Bianco G, Mazzucco W, Nicolosi I, Orlandi P, Paladino G, Pizzo S, Pousis C, Raffo M, Rivolta S, Scarpitta F, Trani G, Triggiano F, Tumbarello A, Vecchio V, Zuccarello P, Vassallo M. Impact of the environment on the health: From theory to practice. Environ Res 2021; 194:110517. [PMID: 33271142 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The Erice 56 Charter titled "Impact of the environment on the health: from theory to practice" was unanimously approved at the end of the 56th course of the "International School of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine G. D'Alessandro" held from 3rd to November 7, 2019 in Erice - Sicily (Italy) and promoted by the Study Group of "Environment and Health" of the Italian Society of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health. The course, that included lectures, open discussions and guided working groups, was aimed to provide a general training on epidemiological and toxicological aspects of the environmental health impact, to be used by public health professionals for risk assessment, without forgetting the risk communications. At the end of the course 12 key points were agreed among teachers and students: they underlined the need of specific training and research, in the perspective of "One Health" and "Global Health", also facing emerging scientific and methodological issues and focusing on communication towards stakeholders. This Discussion highlight the need to improve knowledge of Health and Environment topic in all sectors of health and environmental prevention and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Carducci
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - A Agodi
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - C Ancona
- Department of Epidemiology of the Regional Health Service, Lazio Region, Rome, Italy
| | - P Angelini
- Public Health Service, Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy
| | - F Bagordo
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Italy
| | - F Barbone
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Italy
| | - L Birbaum
- Office of the Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - V Carreri
- Past-President of Italian Society of Hygiene (SItI), Italy
| | - A Casuccio
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Italy
| | - A Conti
- Regional Agency for Environmental Protection of Sicily, Italy
| | - M Conversano
- Department of Public Health, ASL, Taranto, Italy
| | - A De Donno
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Italy
| | - O De Giglio
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of Hygiene, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy
| | - F Desiante
- Department of Prevention, Local Health Authority of Taranto, Taranto, Italy
| | - A Di Pietro
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Italy
| | - E Dogliotti
- Department of Environmental and Health. Istituto Superiore di Sanità. Rome, Italy
| | - F Donato
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, And Public Health, University of Brescia, Italy
| | - G M Fara
- International School of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine «Giuseppe D'Alessandro», Erice, Trapani, Italy
| | - M Fiore
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - F Forastiere
- Department of Epidemiology of the Regional Health Service, Lazio Region, Rome, Italy
| | - G Giammanco
- International School of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine «Giuseppe D'Alessandro», Erice, Trapani, Italy
| | - A Izzotti
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - M T Montagna
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of Hygiene, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy
| | - G Oliveri Conti
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - M G Petronio
- Health and Environment-Department of Prevention, Local Health Authority-Empoli, Florence, Italy
| | - S Sciacca
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - C Signorelli
- University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - E Testai
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Environment & Health Dept., Rome, Italy
| | - M Verani
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - M Vinceti
- Section of Public Health, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - F Vitale
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Italy
| | - M Ferrante
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy.
| | - G Adani
- Section of Public Health, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - L Berghella
- Section of Public Health, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - C Calia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of Hygiene, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy
| | - R Calzolari
- Regional Agency for Environmental Protection of Sicily, Italy
| | - A Canale
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - D Castiglione
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - A Conti
- Regional Agency for Environmental Protection of Sicily, Italy
| | - C Copat
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - A Cristaldi
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - G Cuffari
- Regional Agency for Environmental Protection of Sicily, Italy
| | - G Coronel Vargas
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - E De Vita
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Italy
| | | | - I Federigi
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - T Filippini
- Section of Public Health, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - A Grasso
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - N Leonardi
- University Center for the Protection and Management of Natural Environments and Agrosystems (CUTGANA), University of Catania, Italy
| | | | | | - W Mazzucco
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Italy
| | - I Nicolosi
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - P Orlandi
- Local Health Authority of Rome, Italy
| | - G Paladino
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - S Pizzo
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Italy
| | - C Pousis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of Hygiene, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy
| | - M Raffo
- Local Health Authority of Rome, Italy
| | | | - F Scarpitta
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Italy
| | - G Trani
- Central Health Department of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Trieste, Italy
| | - F Triggiano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of Hygiene, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy
| | | | - V Vecchio
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - P Zuccarello
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - M Vassallo
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
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8
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Pizzo S, Costantino C, Giliberti D, Calò I, Vella C, Conforto A, Sannasardo C, Gambino R, Casuccio A. Misuse and addiction to mobile phone in a sample of first-grade secondary school students of Palermo. Eur J Public Health 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Nowadays, smartphone overuse affects massively teenagers and young adults. From 2014 to 2018 in Italy, for the 11-17 years age group, there has been an increase from 79.9% to 85.8% of daily mobile phone users. This project aims to investigate usage prevalence and misuse/addiction of mobile phones in a representative sample of first-grade secondary school students of the Province of Palermo, Italy, carrying out educational interventions to promote a proper and conscious use of smartphone.
Materials and Methods
An anonymous, standardized and previously validated pre-intervention questionnaire consisting of 39 items on general socio-demographic characteristics, attitudes and habits regarding smartphone usage, was administered online to 10-15 years old students of the Palermo's Province. Moreover, two additional sets of 11 and 15 items contributed to calculate a Misuse and an Addiction Score, respectively. After administration, educational interventions aimed at promoting the correct and conscious use of the smartphone, were carried out.
Results
A total of 1600 students belonging to 16 schools, responded to the questionnaire. 93% of the sample had a personal smartphone and 84% had a personal profile on at least one social network. About 15% of the sample experienced cyber bullying episodes and 30% accessed to adult content online (38% of parents didn't set parental control on the devices). Overall, 78.3% of the sample showed a moderate to severe misuse and 38.3% a moderate to severe addiction to mobile phones.
Conclusions
The uncontrolled and unconscious use of smartphones among adolescents exposes to different health risks including psycho-social and cognitive-relational problems. Results obtained demonstrate high levels of misuse and addiction to mobile devices in a representative sample of students in a developed Country, suggesting the need to implement educational interventions and the development of guidelines to encourage a responsible use of smartphones.
Key messages
The present study highlights an uncontrolled and unconscious use of mobile phones among 11-15 years old aged students in Southern Italy. The implementation of educational intervention at school and the development of guidelines regulating smartphone usage among adolescents, should represent a future global health priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Pizzo
- Department of Maternal and Child Health Promotion, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - C Costantino
- Department of Maternal and Child Health Promotion, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - I Calò
- Vivisano, Onlus Association, Palermo, Italy
| | - C Vella
- Department of Maternal and Child Health Promotion, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - A Conforto
- Department of Maternal and Child Health Promotion, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - C Sannasardo
- Department of Maternal and Child Health Promotion, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - R Gambino
- Operative Unit Education and Health promotion, Local health unit, Palermo, Italy
| | - A Casuccio
- Department of Maternal and Child Health Promotion, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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9
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Restivo V, Pizzo S, Marrella A, Caracci F, Vitale F, Casuccio A. Tobacco smoking prevalence in pregnant women: metanalysis of cross sectional studies. Eur J Public Health 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Notwithstanding tobacco smoking during pregnancy is associated with negative health outcomes, its prevalence was not included by worldwide surveillance system. The main objective was to estimate the number of women who had smoked at least one cigarette during her pregnancy in comparison to not smoking women.
Methods
A systematic review and metanalysis was conducted searching on MEDLINE, Pubmed and Scopus on the 2 January 2020. Keywords were searched with English language limits from 2017 to 2019. Three authors independently screened all titles and abstracts applying the inclusion criteria, extracted the data, filled a database and two other authors assessed doubt eligibility. Quality was assessed by the NOS scale and the prevalence of smoking during pregnancy was assessed dividing the number of women smoking by the total number of pregnant women reported in the studies.
Results
A total of 1424 articles were screened and 726 were evaluated to be included in the final database of 234 articles. Of these, 85 were properly designed as cross-sectional, 85 were conducted as secondary analysis of cohort, and 64 were population-based studies. The overall smoking prevalence during pregnancy was 12% (95% CI 11%-13%) with an increase to 14% (95%CI 12%-15%) for studies that had smoking as the primary endpoint. In the metaregression analysis, the risk of smoking increased in South America (meta regression coefficent [MC]=0.46, p = 0.02). On the other hand, smoking prevalence decreased during time (studies conducted from 2000 to 2010 MC=-0.15, p = 0.008 and studies conducted after 2010 MC=-0.11, p = 0.04).
Conclusions
This study revealed a high prevalence of smoking during pregnancy worldwide with higher values than reported in another metanalysis conducted from 1985 to 2016. However, prevalence decreased during the three years considered and was higher in some countries that need more preventive interventions.
Key messages
Women of childbearing age need to be educated about the potential detrimental effects of tobacco use on the developing fetus and infant. Evidence-based smoking cessation interventions should be integrated into routine prenatal care.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Restivo
- PROSAMI, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - S Pizzo
- PROSAMI, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - A Marrella
- PROSAMI, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - F Caracci
- PROSAMI, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - F Vitale
- PROSAMI, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - A Casuccio
- PROSAMI, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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10
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Restivo V, Costantino C, Amato L, Candiloro S, Casuccio A, Maranto M, Marrella A, Palmeri S, Pizzo S, Vitale F, Amodio E. Evaluation of the Burden of HPV-Related Hospitalizations as a Useful Tool to Increase Awareness: 2007-2017 Data from the Sicilian Hospital Discharge Records. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8010047. [PMID: 31991909 PMCID: PMC7157634 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8010047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In light of the implementation of human papillomavirus (HPV) prevention strategies, epidemiological studies in different geographical areas are required in order to assess the impact of HPV-related diseases. The purpose of the present study was to describe the burden of HPV-related hospitalizations in Sicily. A retrospective observational study estimated 43,531 hospitalizations attributable to HPV from 2007 to 2017. During the observed period, there was a decrease for all HPV-related conditions with a higher reduction, among neoplasms, for cervical cancer (annual percent change (APC) = −9.9%, p < 0.001). The median age for cervical cancer was 45 years old, with an increasing value from 43 to 47 years (p < 0.001). The age classes with greater decreases in hospital admissions for invasive cancers were women aged 35 years or more (APC range from −5.5 to −9.86) and 25–34 years old (APC = −11.87, p < 0.001) for women with cervical carcinoma in situ. After ten years for vaccine introduction and sixteen years for cervical cancer screening availability, a relatively large decrease in hospital admissions for cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases in Sicily was observed. Some clinical characteristics of hospitalization, such as increasing age, are suggestive clues for the impact of preventive strategies, but further research is needed to confirm this relationship.
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Courchesne E, Karns C, Davis H, Ziccardi R, Carper R, Tigue Z, Chisum HJ, Moses P, Pierce K, Lord C, Lincoln A, Pizzo S, Schreibman L, Haas R, Akshoomoff N, Courchesne R. Unusual brain growth patterns in early life in patients with autistic disorder: An MRI study. Neurology 2011. [DOI: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000399191.79091.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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12
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Courchesne E, Karns CM, Davis HR, Ziccardi R, Carper RA, Tigue ZD, Chisum HJ, Moses P, Pierce K, Lord C, Lincoln AJ, Pizzo S, Schreibman L, Haas RH, Akshoomoff NA, Courchesne RY. Unusual brain growth patterns in early life in patients with autistic disorder: an MRI study. Neurology 2001; 57:245-54. [PMID: 11468308 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.57.2.245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 881] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To quantify developmental abnormalities in cerebral and cerebellar volume in autism. METHODS The authors studied 60 autistic and 52 normal boys (age, 2 to 16 years) using MRI. Thirty autistic boys were diagnosed and scanned when 5 years or older. The other 30 were scanned when 2 through 4 years of age and then diagnosed with autism at least 2.5 years later, at an age when the diagnosis of autism is more reliable. RESULTS Neonatal head circumferences from clinical records were available for 14 of 15 autistic 2- to 5-year-olds and, on average, were normal (35.1 +/- 1.3 cm versus clinical norms: 34.6 +/- 1.6 cm), indicative of normal overall brain volume at birth; one measure was above the 95th percentile. By ages 2 to 4 years, 90% of autistic boys had a brain volume larger than normal average, and 37% met criteria for developmental macrencephaly. Autistic 2- to 3-year-olds had more cerebral (18%) and cerebellar (39%) white matter, and more cerebral cortical gray matter (12%) than normal, whereas older autistic children and adolescents did not have such enlarged gray and white matter volumes. In the cerebellum, autistic boys had less gray matter, smaller ratio of gray to white matter, and smaller vermis lobules VI-VII than normal controls. CONCLUSIONS Abnormal regulation of brain growth in autism results in early overgrowth followed by abnormally slowed growth. Hyperplasia was present in cerebral gray matter and cerebral and cerebellar white matter in early life in patients with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Courchesne
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, USA.
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13
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Graf WD, Marin-Garcia J, Gao HG, Pizzo S, Naviaux RK, Markusic D, Barshop BA, Courchesne E, Haas RH. Autism associated with the mitochondrial DNA G8363A transfer RNA(Lys) mutation. J Child Neurol 2000; 15:357-61. [PMID: 10868777 DOI: 10.1177/088307380001500601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We report a family with a heterogeneous group of neurologic disorders associated with the mitochondrial DNA G8363A transfer ribonucleic acid (RNA)Lys mutation. The phenotype of one child in the family was consistent with autism. During his second year of life, he lost previously acquired language skills and developed marked hyperactivity with toe-walking, abnormal reciprocal social interaction, stereotyped mannerisms, restricted interests, self-injurious behavior, and seizures. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and repeated serum lactate studies were normal. His older sister developed signs of Leigh syndrome with progressive ataxia, myoclonus, seizures, and cognitive regression. Her laboratory studies revealed increased MRI T2-weighted signal in the putamen and posterior medulla, elevated lactate in serum and cerebrospinal fluid, and absence of cytochrome c oxidase staining in muscle histochemistry. Molecular analysis in her revealed the G8363A mutation of the mitochondrial transfer RNA(Lys) gene in blood (82% mutant mitochondrial DNA) and muscle (86%). The proportions of mutant mitochondrial DNA from her brother with autism were lower (blood 60%, muscle 61%). It is likely that the origin of his autism phenotype is the pathogenic G8363A mitochondrial DNA mutation. This observation suggests that certain mitochondrial point mutations could be the basis for autism in some individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- W D Graf
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
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14
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Shackelford RE, Alford PB, Xue Y, Thai SF, Adams DO, Pizzo S. Aspirin inhibits tumor necrosis factoralpha gene expression in murine tissue macrophages. Mol Pharmacol 1997; 52:421-9. [PMID: 9281604 DOI: 10.1124/mol.52.3.421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspirin has been reported to inhibit the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) through stabilization of inhibitor kappaB (IkappaB). This observation led us to investigate the role of aspirin in suppressing the activation of the NF-kappaB-regulated tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) gene expression in primary macrophages. We now report that therapeutic doses of aspirin suppress lipopolysaccharide-inducible NF-kappaB binding to an NF-kappaB binding site in the TNF-alpha promoter, lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-alpha mRNA accumulation, and protein secretion. IkappaB is also stabilized under these conditions. The aspirin-initiated stabilization of IkappaB, suppression of induced TNF-alpha mRNA, and NF-kappaB binding to the TNF-alpha promoter are blocked by pretreatment with pertussis toxin. These studies suggest that aspirin may exert significant anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing the production of macrophage-derived inflammatory mediators.
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Affiliation(s)
- R E Shackelford
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
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15
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Abstract
Evidence of activation of the clotting system in individuals with sickle cell anemia (SCA) has been observed by several investigators. It has been suggested that the clotting and fibrinolytic systems may play a role in the pathophysiology of vaso-occlusion in SCA. We reported previously evidence of abnormal fibrinolytic activity as reflected in decreased releasable tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) using a functional assay. We have examined the mechanism of the decreased functional releasable t-PA in individuals with SCA. We studied 12 patients with respect to releasable t-PA, fast acting inhibitor to t-PA (or PAI-1), and immunoreactive or antigenic t-PA. These SCA individuals were at their baseline states and not taking medications known to interfere with the fibrinolytic or clotting systems. We found that the mean releasable t-PA for the SCA individuals was 0.01 IU/ml of plasma with a standard error of mean (SEM) of 0.01. The mean releasable t-PA of 118 healthy normal controls was 0.70 IU/ml with SEM 0.10 (P less than .001). The mean level of fast-acting inhibitor to t-PA in unoccluded circulation of the SCA patients' plasma was 16.5 IU/ml with SEM of 3.54. The mean plasma levels of fast-acting inhibitor to t-PA in 56 healthy controls was 2.56 IU/ml with SEM of 0.29 (P less than .0001). The SCA patients had a mean baseline t-PA antigen level of 5.98 ng/ml with SEM of 1.72. The mean level of t-PA antigen of 78 healthy controls using the same technique was 4.3 ng/ml with SEM of 2.7 (not significant). The mean baseline functional t-PA for SCA individuals was 0.15 IU/ml with SEM 0.01 and the mean baseline functional t-PA for 118 controls was 0.17 IU/ml with SEM 0.10. These data suggest that the mechanism of decreased releasable t-PA in sickle cell anemia is related to an elevation of fast-acting inhibitor to t-PA and that antigenically t-PA is present in normal quantities in the baseline plasma in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Phillips
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
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16
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Lee YS, Matthews TJ, Pizzo S, Abernethy JL, Bigner DD. Partial purification and characterization of a murine glioma-associated antigen defined by syngeneic rat monoclonal antibodies. J Neuroimmunol 1986; 13:203-16. [PMID: 2430998 DOI: 10.1016/0165-5728(86)90065-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
A glioma-associated antigen was previously identified on an avian sarcoma virus-induced F-344 rat astrocytoma cell line S69-c15 by four rat monoclonal antibodies (7G4, 9F1, 10E3 and 10E7) produced after syngeneic immunization. Earlier data suggested all four antibodies reacted with a polypeptide-associated epitope. We report here that the antigen activity was detected in the supernatant of tumor homogenates and could pass through a 1000 Da molecular weight cut-off dialysis membrane, as determined by antibody binding inhibition in a cell surface radioimmunoassay. When the dialysate was fractionated by Bio-Gel P-2 chromatography, antibody inhibiting activity eluted in the range of 300-600 Da. A highly purified material was further isolated by ion exchange high pressure liquid chromatography. Parallel purification product from an antigen-negative cell line failed to demonstrate antibody inhibiting activity. We conclude that greater than 400-fold purification enrichment of antigen can be achieved. We postulate that the partially purified antigenic determinant is a glioma-associated determinant of highly restricted expression and is presented in hapten-carrier form by the glioma cells.
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17
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Ralston MD, Pizzo S, Woodfield S, Thompson WM. Evaluation of embolization distal to arterial occlusion by transcatheter electrocoagulation (TCEC) and Gianturco coils. Invest Radiol 1983; 18:171-6. [PMID: 6862808 DOI: 10.1097/00004424-198303000-00014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
A technique was developed to evaluate the degree of embolization distal to arterial occlusion by transcatheter electrocoagulation (TCEC) and Gianturco coils. The kidneys of mongrel dogs were used to collect emboli distal to conventional TCEC or Gianturco coil occlusion of the renal arteries. TCEC controls (TCEC setup without current), normal kidneys, kidneys embolized with autologous clot, and kidneys whose renal arteries were surgically ligated were evaluated for comparison. The renal vasculature was flushed and then fixed by glutaraldehyde infusion. The kidneys were filled with a barium gelatin mixture and examined both radiographically and pathologically. The four normal kidneys and the four ligated kidneys gave a characteristic complete filling of the vascular web, while filling defects were evident in the following conditions: 3/12 TCEC controls; 26/34 with TCEC occlusion; 6/10 with Gianturco coils; and 11/11 with autologous clot. An excellent correlation existed between radiographic intraluminal filling defects and grossly and microscopically identified emboli.
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18
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McAlister DS, Pizzo S, Putman CE, Thompson WM. Transcatheter electrocoagulation of the pulmonary artery: an experimental model in dogs for studying pulmonary thrombosis. Invest Radiol 1981; 16:289-97. [PMID: 7275541 DOI: 10.1097/00004424-198107000-00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Transcatheter electrocoagulation (TCEC) has been shown to produce permanent arterial occlusion. This study was performed to evaluate the potential of using TCEC of the pulmonary artery as an experimental model of pulmonary thromboembolism. Fourteen lobar or first-order pulmonary arteries were occluded in ten dogs in the acute studies. Eight pulmonary arteries were occluded in eight dogs that were sacrificed 25 to 85 days after TCEC. There were permanent occlusions in seven, and all seven evidence of pulmonary infarction. The animals tolerated the procedure well. The technique may have merit as an experimental model for studying pulmonary thrombosis and infarction.
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Hirschfeld B, McAlister DS, Pizzo S, Thompson WM. Evaluation of the anode and cathode for transcatheter electrocoagulation. Acta Radiol Diagn (Stockh) 1981; 22:133-9. [PMID: 7282423 DOI: 10.1177/028418518102200205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The effect of changing the size and position of the anode and cathode during direct current Transcatheter Electrocoagulation (TCEC) was evaluated in dogs. The results showed that there was no difference in the time required for vessel occlusion when the size and position of the electrodes were changed. However, there were differences noted in the amount of voltage needed to maintain the constant current. Based on these results, for TCEC we recommend positioning the largest possible guidewire anode against the vessel wall. The cathode should be a highly lubricated sponge covered Bovie ground plate.
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20
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Cecil B, Woodard B, Mickey DD, Pizzo S. Renal carcinosarcoma. Ultrastructure and transplantation into athymic mice. Arch Pathol Lab Med 1980; 104:276-9. [PMID: 6892761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
An adult renal carcinosarcoma was studied by light and transmission electron microscopy. A portion of the tumor was transplanted and serially passed in athymic mice. The neoplasm consisted in part of typical renal cell carcinoma. The sarcomatous portion showed definite differentiation into bone, cartilage, and skeletal and smooth muscle. Hilar lymph nodes were involved by carcinoma, whereas the renal vein and recurrent tumor in the flank incision consisted of sarcoma. Only the sarcomatous tissue was transplanted into mice, and no carcinoma appeared during serial passages.
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Abstract
Transcatheter electrocoagulation is an effective method of experimental vessel occlusion even in the presence of thrombocytopenia and heparinization. This technique was used to occlude 13 arteries in 3 patients. In vitro testing suggests that intra-arterial bipolar platinum electrodes may achieve the therapeutic objectives more rapidly and with less risk, but more investigative work is required.
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Thompson WM, Pizzo S, Jackson DC, Johnsrude IS. The effect of drug-induced thrombocytopenia on direct-current transcatheter electrocoagulation. Radiology 1977; 124:831-3. [PMID: 887785 DOI: 10.1148/124.3.831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Direct-current transcatheter electrocoagulation in vitro produced substantial clots in thrombocytopenic blood in dogs. The splenic artery was occluded in 3 dogs following ristocetin-induced thrombocytopenia. This procedure may produce effective vessel occlusion in patients with platelet-poor blood.
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Ownby DR, Pizzo S, Blackmon L, Gall SA, Buckley RH. Severe combined immunodeficiency with leukopenia (reticular dysgenesis) in siblings: immunologic and histopathologic findings. J Pediatr 1976; 89:382-7. [PMID: 956962 DOI: 10.1016/s0022-3476(76)80532-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The hematologic and histologic features of two, nontwin, male siblings with severe combined immunodeficiency and variable granulocytopenia are compared to the four previously reported cases of reticular dysgenesis. These sibs died at 50 and 3 days of age, respectively, with Pseudomonas sepsis and congenital cytomegalovirus infection, respectively. A maternal uncle has selective IgA deficiency. Cord blood from the second sib contained a normal percentage of E-rosetting lymphocytes; however, these lymphocytes failed to respond to mitogenic stimulation in vitro. Erythrocyte and lymphocyte levels of adenosine deaminase were elevated in the father and the second sib. Serum immunoglobulin concentrations were low in both siblings.
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