La conoscenza dell'italiano e i processi di integrazione

Among the social effects of the growth of the immigrant population, what appears to be the most interesting and full of cultural and political consequences is represented by the phenomenon of multilingualism. As a result of foreign immigration, countries – such as Italy – have become countries where a variety of languages are spoken. The mastery of the language of the country of reception, however, is essential for the full integration of immigrants in different contexts of society, promoting their cultural, social and economic integration and becoming more and more often a necessary requirement for the acquisition of citizenship. In this paper we intend to identify the actual or self-perceived level of knowledge of the Italian language and the main characteristics that language learning assumes in the immigrant population present in Italy. Finally, a special focus will be dedicated to the issue of learning Italian by immigrant students or students of immigrant origin. To analyse the phenomenon of multilingualism among people of foreign origin regularly resident in Italy and their perception of the degree of learning of Italian, we referred to the survey Condizione e integrazione sociale dei cittadini stranieri, carried out by istat in 2011-12. In particular, we considered people born abroad and in Italy, still foreign or naturalized, at least 6 years old at the time of the survey. Finally, with the information available thanks to the invalsi evidence, the actual level of knowledge of the Italian language on the part of immigrant students or students of immigrant origin was verified

How future surgery will benefit from SARS-COV-2-related measures: a SPIGC survey conveying the perspective of Italian surgeons

COVID-19 negatively affected surgical activity, but the potential benefits resulting from adopted measures remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in surgical activity and potential benefit from COVID-19 measures in perspective of Italian surgeons on behalf of SPIGC. A nationwide online survey on surgical practice before, during, and after COVID-19 pandemic was conducted in March-April 2022 (NCT:05323851). Effects of COVID-19 hospital-related measures on surgical patients' management and personal professional development across surgical specialties were explored. Data on demographics, pre-operative/peri-operative/post-operative management, and professional development were collected. Outcomes were matched with the corresponding volume. Four hundred and seventy-three respondents were included in final analysis across 14 surgical specialties. Since SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, application of telematic consultations (4.1% vs. 21.6%; p < 0.0001) and diagnostic evaluations (16.4% vs. 42.2%; p < 0.0001) increased. Elective surgical activities significantly reduced and surgeons opted more frequently for conservative management with a possible indication for elective (26.3% vs. 35.7%; p < 0.0001) or urgent (20.4% vs. 38.5%; p < 0.0001) surgery. All new COVID-related measures are perceived to be maintained in the future. Surgeons' personal education online increased from 12.6% (pre-COVID) to 86.6% (post-COVID; p < 0.0001). Online educational activities are considered a beneficial effect from COVID pandemic (56.4%). COVID-19 had a great impact on surgical specialties, with significant reduction of operation volume. However, some forced changes turned out to be benefits. Isolation measures pushed the use of telemedicine and telemetric devices for outpatient practice and favored communication for educational purposes and surgeon-patient/family communication. From the Italian surgeons' perspective, COVID-related measures will continue to influence future surgical clinical practice

The knowledge of Italian language and immigrant integration processes

The integration of immigrants’ students in school largely depends on their knowledge of the host country language and their ability to use it successfully both in assignments and in daily interactions, as illustrated by CORRADO BONIFAZI, ALESSIO BUONOMO, ANGELA PAPARUSSO, SALVATORE STROZZA and MATTIA VITIELLO in their exploration of the Italian school system. Based on the results of three different National surveys, this study explores the efficiency and selfassessment of immigrants developing their Italian learning skills and the main characteristics of their learning experience, essential for the integration processes leading to greater employability and well-being

La conoscenza dell’italiano e i processi di integrazione

In Italia è stato indagato soprattutto l’impatto delle abilità linguistiche dei figli di immigrati e dei minori immigrati nei processi di inclusione scolastica. In questo lavoro invece intendiamo identificare, dopo un inquadramento generale della tematica, il grado effettivo o autopercepito di conoscenza della lingua italiana e le principali caratteristiche che l’apprendimento linguistico assume nella popolazione immigrata presente in Italia. Infine, sarà dedicato un focus particolare alla questione dell’apprendimento dell’italiano da parte degli studenti immigrati o di origine immigrata

Direct-acting antivirals improve endothelial function in patients with chronic hepatitis: a prospective cohort study

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. We evaluated effects of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) on flow-mediated dilation (FMD), a recognized marker of cardiovascular risk. We evaluated FMD and post-ischemic hyperemia (PIH) in consecutive HCV out-patients before starting DAAs, at the end of treatment (Teot) and 12 weeks thereafter. In 22 HCV subjects (age 64.0 years), baseline FMD was 4.52% ± 1.90 and PIH of 5814.4 (IQR 3786.9–7861.9). At (Teot), all patients showed undetectable levels of HCV-RNA and FMD changed from 4.52% ± 1.90 to 9.39% ± 4.06 (p < 0.001), with a direct correlation between changes in FMD and baseline HCV-RNA levels (r = 0.494, p = 0.020). In parallel, PIH increased from 5814.4 (IQR 3786.9–7861.9) to 7277.6 (IQR 4579.8–10388.8) (p = 0.019). Twelve weeks after Teot, all patients had persistently negative HCV-RNA, FMD was 10.9% ± 4.65 and PIH was 10930.3 (IQR 6254.6–18248.2) suggesting a further significant improvement in these parameters. Results remained significant regardless of the presence of cardiovascular risk factors, whereas FMD changes were not statistically significant in subjects with cirrhosis. A persistent and significant improvement in endothelial function is observed in HCV patients obtaining viral eradication with DAAs treatment. This might suggest a beneficial effect of DAAs treatment on cardiovascular risk profile of HCV patients

Does helicobacter pylori infection have influence on outcome of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity?

AbstractIntroductionAmong the surgical procedures for treatment of morbid obesity, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy has known widespread diffusion in the last years, although it is not free from significant morbidity rates. Aim of this work is to evaluate the incidence of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection on the postoperative outcome of patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.MethodsBetween January 2008 and December 2013, 184 patients (65 males, 119 females), mean age 35.8 ± 5.7 years, affected with morbid obesity, mean BMI 46.6 ± 6.7, underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. All the specimens at the end of the operation were analysed by the same pathologist. Histological grading was based on the Sidney classification.ResultsSeventy-two of the patients (39.1%) were HP positive, while 112 (60.9%) were negative. No significant differences were observed between the HP+ and HP− group in terms of age, sex, weight, BMI, incidence of comorbidities and duration of follow-up. All the operations were completed via laparoscopic approach. No mortality was observed. Postoperative complications occurred in 5 patients (2.7%): three leaks (1.6%), all in the HP- group and two bleedings (1.1%), one in the HP+ and one in the HP− group. In two cases a reintervention was necessary. No significant differences were observed in the morbidity rates between the two groups. Overall mean excess weight loss at 6 months, 12 months and 24 months was respectively 47.4 ± 11.3%, 61.1 ± 12.4% and 68.4 ± 13.5%, with no significant differences between the HP+ and HP− groups.ConclusionsHP infection seems not to influence postoperative outcome of patients operated of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

Pediatric nurses in pediatricians' offices: a survey for primary care pediatricians

The role played by nurses in caring for children in pediatricians' officies in the community is crucial to ensure integrated care. In Italy, pediatricians are responsible for the health of children aged 0-14 years living in the community. This study aimed to describe Italian primary care pediatricians' opinions about the usefulness of several nursing activities that pediatric nurses could perform in pediatricians' offices