Profiles of Risky Driving Behaviors in Adolescent Drivers: A Cluster Analysis of a Representative Sample from Tuscany Region (Italy)

(1) Background: Research on patterns of risky driving behaviors (RDBs) in adolescents is scarce. This study aims to identify distinctive patterns of RDBs and to explore their characteristics in a representative sample of adolescents. (2) Methods: this is a cross-sectional study of a representative sample of Tuscany Region students aged 14–19 years (n = 2162). The prevalence of 11 RDBs was assessed and a cluster analysis was conducted to identify patterns of RDBs. ANOVA, post hoc pairwise comparisons and multivariate logistic regression models were used to characterize cluster membership. (3) Results: four distinct clusters of drivers were identified based on patterns of RDBs; in particular, two clusters—the Reckless Drivers (11.2%) and the Careless Drivers (21.5%)—showed high-risk patterns of engagement in RDBs. These high-risk clusters exhibited the weakest social bonds, the highest psychological distress, the most frequent participation in health compromising and risky behaviors, and the highest risk of a road traffic accident. (4) Conclusion: findings suggest that it is possible to identify typical profiles of RDBs in adolescents and that risky driving profiles are positively interrelated with other risky behaviors. This clustering suggests the need to develop multicomponent prevention strategies rather than addressing specific RDBs in isolation

Should perfusion scintigraphy be done to follow patients with acute PE? If so, when?

Aims: This investigation evaluated the changes of pulmonary perfusion at four different points of follow-up within 1 year in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) and the factors predictive of complete or incomplete recovery of pulmonary perfusion. Materials and Methods: Patients with symptomatic PE underwent perfusion lung scintigraphy (PLS) and blood gas analysis within 48 hours from clinical presentation, after 1 week, and after 1, 6 and 12 months; echocardiogram was made at baseline and after 6 and 12 months. All PLS were examined by two expert nuclear medicine physicians with a scoring method that attributed a score of 0, 0.5 or 1 for extension (maximum 18) to the presence of perfusion defects (PD), both at baseline and on each follow-up scan. Results: Among 183 patients who completed 1-year-follow-up, median baseline PD score was 8.2; it decreased significantly at each follow-up time point until 6 months (p<0.001). Median baseline alveolar-arterial difference of oxygen partial pressure (PA-aO2) was 50.9 and decreased significantly up to 1 month (p<0.001); median pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PAsP) was 45.9 mmHg, then decreased significantly until 12 months (p<0.001). A correlation was found between PD and both PA-aO2 (p<0.05) and PAsP (p<0.05). We found a correlation between PD ≠ 0 and PAsP≥ 40 mmHg at 12 months (p<0.05); in 6 (3.3%) of these patients such correlation was still present after 24 months, suggesting they could develop chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Low baseline PD (odds ratio, OR,0.80, p< 0.0001) and high 1-week-percent recovery (OR 1.04, p< 0.0001) were predictive factors of complete 6 months-recovery. Conclusions: Perfusion scintigraphy may be useful to follow patients with PE. The follow-up should consist of three steps: the baseline examination since it reflects the severity of PE; the scan at 1-week that indicates the early amount of reperfusion; and the scan at 6-months that demonstrates the maximum attainable recovery. Patients with incomplete recovery and persistence of pulmonary hypertension on the 24-month control should be further studied for possible development of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Running title: Usefulness of follow-up in pulmonary embolism

On the track of absolute enantioselective catalysis

The main goal of this communication is to show the utility of empirical approaches combined with mathematical methods in the research regarding the molecular basis of biological chirality. Preparative results (enantiomeric excesses, e.e.) obtained in asymmetric autocatalysis with (AAC) and without (AES) chiral additive were analyzed. Statistical calculations show, that AES (absolute enantioselective synthesis) experiments yield two independent groups of results with prevalence of the R- or S-enantiomer. These are distributed asymmetrically in a second-order beta distribution. Empirical calculations both on AAC and EAS enable to identify the very low (statistical) e. e.-s amplified by AES. These initial e. e.-s show normal distribution. Possible molecular-level reasons of these results were controlled by quantum chemical MO calculations and compatible mechanism(s) are discussed

On the traces of absolute enantioselective synthesis

The main goal of this communication is to show the utility of empirical approaches combined with mathematical methods in the research regarding the molecular basis of biological chirality. Preparative results (enantiomeric excesses, e.e.) obtained in asymmetric autocatalysis with (AAC) and without (AES) chiral additive were analyzed. Statistical calculations show, that AES (absolute enantioselective synthesis) experiments yield two independent groups of results with prevalence of the R- or S-enantiomer. These are distributed asymmetrically in a second-order beta distribution. Empirical calculations both on AAC and EAS enable to identify the very low (statistical) e.e.-s amplified by AES. These initial e.e.-s show normal distribution. Possible molecular-level reasons of these results were controlled by quantum chemical MO calculations and compatible mechanism(s) are discussed

Postmarketing active surveillance of myocarditis and pericarditis following vaccination with COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in persons aged 12 to 39 years in Italy: A multi-database, self-controlled case series study

Myocarditis and pericarditis following the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccines administration have been reported, but their frequency is still uncertain in the younger population. This study investigated the association between Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mRNA vaccines, BNT162b2, and mRNA-1273 and myocarditis/pericarditis in the population of vaccinated persons aged 12 to 39 years in Italy

[Evaluating health care of the immigrant population in Italy through indicators of a national monitoring system]

Objectivesto evaluate maternal and child healthcare, avoidable hospitalisation, access to emergency services among immigrants in Italy.Designcross sectional study of some health and health care indicators among Italian and foreign population residing in Italy in 2016-2017.Setting and participantsindicators based on the national monitoring system coordinated by the Italian National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP) of Rome, calculated on perinatal care (CedAP), hospital discharge (SDO), emergency services (EMUR) archives for the years 2016-2017, by of the following regions: Piedmont, Trento, Bolzano, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio, Basilicata, Sicily.Main outcome measuresnumber and timeliness of pregnancy visits, number of ultrasounds, invasive prenatal investigations; perinatal mortality rates, birth weight, Apgar score at 5 minutes, need for neonatal resuscitation; standardized rates of avoidable hospitalisation and access to emergency services by triage code.Resultsmore often than Italians, immigrant women have during pregnancy: less than 5 gynaecological examination (16.3% vs 8.5%), first examination after the 12th week of gestational age (12.5% vs 3.8%), less than 2 ultrasounds (3.8% vs 1.0%). Higher perinatal mortality rates among immigrants compared to Italians (3.6 vs 2.3 x1,000). Higher standardized rates (x1,000) among immigrants compared to Italians of avoidable hospitalisation (men: 2.1 vs 1.4; women: 0.9 vs 0.7) and of white triage codes in emergency (men: 62.0 vs 32.7; women: 52.9 vs 31.4).Conclusionsstudy findings show differences in access and outcomes of healthcare between Italians and immigrants. National monitoring system of indicators, coordinated by INMP, represents a useful tool for healthcare intervention policies aimed to health equity