Strategy for primary prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCD) and mitigation of climate change in Italy

This paper derives from a document commissioned in 2019 by the Italian Minister of Health, and outlines a general strategy for primary prevention of noncommunicable diseases in Italy, with a special focus on cobenefits of climate change mitigation. Given that action against climate change is primarily taken via energy choices, limiting the use of fossil fuels and promoting renewable sources, an effective strategy is one in which interventions are designed to prevent diseases and jointly mitigate climate change, the so-called cobenefits. For policies capable of producing relevant co-benefits we focus on three categories of interventions, urban planning, diet and transport that are of special importance. For example, policies promoting active transport (cycling, walking) have the triple effect of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, preventing diseases related to atmospheric pollution, and increasing physical activity, thus preventing obesity and diabetes. In particular, we propose that for 2025 the following goals are achieved: reduce the prevalence of smokers by 30%, with particular emphasis on young people; reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity by 20%; reduce the proportion of calories obtained from ultraprocessed foods by 20%; reduce the consumption of alcohol by 10%; reduce the consumption of salt by 30%; reduce the consumption of sugary drinks by 20%; reduce the average consumption of meat by 20%; increase the weekly hours of exercise by 10%. The aim is to complement individual health promotion with structural policies (such as urban planning, taxation and incentives) which render the former more effective and result in a reduction in inequality. We strongly encourage the inclusion of primary prevention in all policies, in light of the described cobenefits. Italy\u2019s role as the cohost of the 2020 (now 2021) UN climate negotiations (COP26) presents the opportunity for international leadership in addressing health as an integral component of the response to climate change

The 2020 report of The Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: responding to converging crises

The Lancet Countdown is an international collaboration, established to provide an independent, global monitoring system dedicated to tracking the emerging health profile of the changing climate. The 2020 report presents 43 indicators across five sections: climate change impacts, exposures, and vulnerability; adaptation, planning, and resilience for health; mitigation actions and health co-benefits; economics and finance; and public and political engagement. This report represents the findings and consensus of the 35 leading academic institutions and UN agencies that make up the Lancet Countdown, and draws on the expertise of climate scientists, geographers, and engineers; of energy, food, and transport experts; and of economists, social and political scientists, data scientists, public health professionals, and doctors

The COP26 health commitments: A springboard towards environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient health care systems?

Climate change necessitates urgent adaptation and mitigation, including in health systems. The World Health Organization co-launched the COP26 Health Programme as a platform for national commitments. Over 50 countries committed to environmentally sustainable and/or climate-resilient health systems. National health policies should reflect a contextual balance between mitigation and adaptation. These policies must recognize mitigation and adaptation interlinkages, combine bottom-up and top-down approaches and be based on evidence

Development and application of two multiplex real-time PCR assays for detection and speciation of bacterial pathogens in the koala

Infectious diseases have contributed to the decline in the health of koala ( Phascolarctos cinereus) populations in the wild in some regions of Australia. Herein we report the development and validation of 2 multiplex real-time PCR (rtPCR) panels for the simultaneous detection of Mycoplasma spp., Ureaplasma spp., Bordetella bronchiseptica, and Chlamydia, including speciation and quantification of Chlamydia, in ocular, reproductive, and nasal swab samples in addition to semen and male urogenital and reproductive tissues, from koalas. Each rtPCR panel was developed for use as a single-tube reaction using pathogen-specific primers and fluorescently labeled probe sets. DNA extracted from reference strains and isolates was used for validation of sequence gene targets for the multiplex rtPCR panels. Each panel was shown to be sensitive and specific in detecting and differentiating the bacterial pathogens. The multiplex rtPCR panels were used to screen clinical samples from free-ranging and hospitalized koalas for multiple pathogens simultaneously. The multiplex rtPCR will improve turnaround time compared to individual-pathogen rtPCR methods used, to date, for confirmation of diagnosis and will provide the wildlife clinician with the ability to make treatment decisions more rapidly

TUNEL analysis of DNA fragmentation in mouse unfertilized oocytes : the effect of microorganisms within human follicular fluid collected during IVF cycles

Recently we reported the presence of bacteria within follicular fluid. Previous studies have reported that DNA fragmentation in human spermatozoa after in vivo or in vitro incubation with bacteria results in early embryo demise and a reduced rate of ongoing pregnancy, but the effect of bacteria on oocytes is unknown. This study examined the DNA within mouse oocytes after 12 hours’ incubation within human follicular fluids (n = 5), which were collected from women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. Each follicular fluid sample was cultured to detect the presence of bacteria. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) was used to label DNA fragmentation in ovulated, non-fertilized mouse oocytes following in vitro incubation in human follicular fluid. The bacteria Streptococcus anginosus and Peptoniphilus spp., Lactobacillus gasseri (low-dose), L. gasseri (high-dose), Enterococcus faecalis, or Propionibacterium acnes were detected within the follicular fluids. The most severe DNA fragmentation was observed in oocytes incubated in the follicular fluids containing P. acnes or L. gasseri (high-dose). No DNA fragmentation was observed in the mouse oocytes incubated in the follicular fluid containing low-dose L. gasseri or E. faecalis. Low human oocyte fertilization rates (<29%) were associated with extensive fragmentation in mouse oocytes (80–100%). Bacteria colonizing human follicular fluid in vivo may cause DNA fragmentation in mouse oocytes following 12 h of in vitro incubation. Follicular fluid bacteria may result in poor quality oocytes and/or embryos, leading to poor IVF outcomes

SF5_JVDI_10.1177_1040638718770490 – Supplemental material for Development and application of two multiplex real-time PCR assays for detection and speciation of bacterial pathogens in the koala

<p>Supplemental material, SF5_JVDI_10.1177_1040638718770490 for Development and application of two multiplex real-time PCR assays for detection and speciation of bacterial pathogens in the koala by Lyndal S. Hulse, Danica Hickey, Jessica M. Mitchell, Kenneth W. Beagley, William Ellis, Stephen D. Johnston in Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation</p

SF7_JVDI_10.1177_1040638718770490 – Supplemental material for Development and application of two multiplex real-time PCR assays for detection and speciation of bacterial pathogens in the koala

<p>Supplemental material, SF7_JVDI_10.1177_1040638718770490 for Development and application of two multiplex real-time PCR assays for detection and speciation of bacterial pathogens in the koala by Lyndal S. Hulse, Danica Hickey, Jessica M. Mitchell, Kenneth W. Beagley, William Ellis, Stephen D. Johnston in Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation</p

Tables_S1-S3_JVDI_10.1177_1040638718770490 – Supplemental material for Development and application of two multiplex real-time PCR assays for detection and speciation of bacterial pathogens in the koala

<p>Supplemental material, Tables_S1-S3_JVDI_10.1177_1040638718770490 for Development and application of two multiplex real-time PCR assays for detection and speciation of bacterial pathogens in the koala by Lyndal S. Hulse, Danica Hickey, Jessica M. Mitchell, Kenneth W. Beagley, William Ellis, Stephen D. Johnston in Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation</p

SF1_JVDI_10.1177_1040638718770490 – Supplemental material for Development and application of two multiplex real-time PCR assays for detection and speciation of bacterial pathogens in the koala

<p>Supplemental material, SF1_JVDI_10.1177_1040638718770490 for Development and application of two multiplex real-time PCR assays for detection and speciation of bacterial pathogens in the koala by Lyndal S. Hulse, Danica Hickey, Jessica M. Mitchell, Kenneth W. Beagley, William Ellis, Stephen D. Johnston in Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation</p