Factors affecting the vaccination choices of pregnant women for their children. A systematic review of the literature

In recent years, an increase in vaccine hesitancy has led to a decrease in vaccination coverage in several countries. We conducted a systematic review of studies that assessed knowledge of and attitudes toward pediatric vaccinations, and the vaccination choices and their determinants among pregnant women. A total of 6,277 records were retrieved, and 16 full texts were included in the narrative synthesis. The published literature on the topic shows that, overall, pregnant women believe that vaccines are important for the protection of their children and the community, but various concerns and misunderstandings persist around vaccine safety and efficacy, which reduce the trust of expectant mothers in immunization. Nevertheless, such attitudes and choices vary depending on the vaccine being considered and the corresponding determinants should therefore be studied in the context of each specific vaccination. Further research on this topic is needed, particularly in non-western countries

MULTISCALE DOCUMENTATION AND MONITORING OF L'AQUILA HISTORICALCENTRE USING UAV PHOTOGRAMMETRY

Nowadays geomatic techniques can guarantee not only a precise and accurate survey for the documentation of our historical heritage but also a solution to monitor its behaviour over time after, for example, a catastrophic event (earthquakes, landslides, ecc). Europe is trying to move towards harmonized actions to store information on cultural heritage (MIBAC with the ICCS forms, English heritage with the MIDAS scheme, etc) but it would be important to provide standardized methods in order to perform measuring operations to collect certified metric data. The final result could be a database to support the entire management of the cultural heritage and also a checklist of "what to do" and "when to do it". The wide range of geomatic techniques provides many solutions to acquire, to organize and to manage data at a multiscale level: high resolution satellite images can provide information in a short time during the "early emergency" while UAV photogrammetry and laser scanning can provide digital high resolution 3D models of buildings, ortophotos of roofs and facades and so on. This paper presents some multiscale survey case studies using UAV photogrammetry: from a minor historical village (Aielli) to the centre of L'Aquila (Santa Maria di Collemaggio Church) from the post-emergency to now. This choice has been taken not only to present how geomatics is an effective science for modelling but also to present a complete and reliable way to perform conservation and/or restoration through precise monitoring techniques, as shown in the third case study

Measles among healthcare workers in Italy. Is it time to act?

Vaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs) against measles is strongly recommended in Europe. In this study, we examined the impact of measles on Italian HCWs by systematically and quantitatively analyzing measles cases involving HCWs over time and by identifying the epidemiological characteristics of the respective measles outbreaks. We retrieved data on measles cases from the Italian national integrated measles and rubella surveillance system from January 2013 to May 2019. Additionally, we performed a systematic review of the literature and an analysis of the measles and rubella aggregate outbreaks reporting forms from 2014 to 2018. Our review suggests that preventing measles infection among HCWs in disease outbreaks may be crucial for the elimination of measles in Italy. National policies aiming to increase HCW immunization rates are fundamental to the protection of HCWs and patients, will limit the economic impact of outbreaks on the institutions affected and will help achieve the elimination goal

How public health professionals view mandatory vaccination in italy-a cross-sectional survey

In response to the decline in child vaccination coverage and the subsequent occurrence of large vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks, in 2017 Italy introduced a new law that made ten vaccines mandatory for children aged 0–16 years. The policy change initiated an ongoing debate among the general public, as well as in the political arena and the scientific community, over this major public health concern. Hence, we conducted a survey aimed at assessing Italian public health professionals’ attitudes towards and opinions on mandatory vaccination. A validated online questionnaire was administered to 1350 members of the Italian Society of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health. Among the 1044 responders (response rate 77%), a large majority were in favour of the Italian mandatory vaccination law (91%) and against its repeal (74%). Nevertheless, according to our sample, maintaining a high level of vaccination coverage without the need to mandate would be preferable, and thus efforts to promote vaccine confidence and proactive vaccine uptake are still needed

ENDF-6 compatible evaluation of neutron induced reaction cross sections for 106,108,110,111,112,113,114,116Cd

An ENDF-6 compatible evaluation for neutron induced reactions in the resonance region has been completed for 106,108,110,111,112,113,114,116Cd. The parameters are the result of an analysis of experimental data available in the literature together with a parameter adjustment on transmission and capture data obtained at the time-of-flight facility GELINA. Complete evaluated data files in ENDF-6 format have been produced by joining the evaluations in the resonance region with corresponding files from the JEFF-3.1.2 nuclear data library (or with the JEFF-Beta-CAD proposed evaluation in case of 113Cd). These files were produced for use in the JEFF32T2 library. For neutron induced reactions in the unresolved resonance region the JENDL-4.0 evaluation for 111Cd and 113Cd was adopted. The evaluated files have been processed with the latest updates of NJOY.99 to test their format and application consistency as well as to produce a continuous-energy data library in ACE format for use in Monte Carlo codes. The ACE files have been utilized to study the effect of the evaluated resonance parameters on results of integral experiments. The evaluated files will be implemented in the next release of the JEFF-3 library which is maintained by the Nuclear Energy Agency of the OECD.JRC.D.4-Standards for Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguard

severe insulin resistence in disguise: a familial case of reactive hypoglycemia associated with a novel heterozygous INSR mutation

AIM: Hypoglycemia in childhood is very rare and can be caused by genetic mutations or insulin-secreting neoplasms. Postprandial hypoglycemia has previously been associated with insulin receptor (INSR) gene mutations. We aimed to identify the cause of postprandial hypoglycemia in a 10-year-old boy. SUBJECTS: We studied the symptomatic proband and his apparently asymptomatic mother and elder brother. All of them were lean. METHODS: Metabolic screening of the proband included a 5-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), angio-magnetic resonance imaging, and 18 F-dihydroxyphenylalanine positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging of the pancreas. INSR gene sequencing and in vitro functional studies of a novel INSR mutation were also undertaken. RESULTS: Fasting hyperinsulinemia was detected during metabolic screening, and 5-hour OGTT showed hypoglycemia at 240' in the proband, his mother, and brother. Pancreatic imaging showed no evidence of neoplasia. Acanthosis nigricans with high fasting insulin levels in the proband suggested severe insulin resistance and prompted INSR gene sequencing, which revealed the novel, heterozygous p.Phe1213Leu mutation in the patient and his family members. In vitro studies showed that this mutation severely impairs insulin receptor function by abolishing tyrosine kinase activity and downstream insulin signaling. CONCLUSIONS: The identification of etiological cause of hypoglycemia in childhood may be challenging. The combination of fasting hyperinsulinemia with acanthosis nigricans in a lean subject with hypoglycemia suggests severe insulin resistance and warrants INSR gene screening

Evaluation of neutron induced reaction cross sections on gold

A new evaluation of neutron induced reactions on 197Au nucleus in the energy regions below 500 eV and from 4 keV and 100 keV is presented. Complete evaluated data files in ENDF-6 format have been produced by joining the evaluation with corresponding files from the ENDF/B-VII.1 library. The evaluation in the unresolved resonance region between 4 keV and 100 keV is based on a generalized single-level representation compatible with the energy-dependent option of the ENDF-6 format. The average partial cross sections have been expressed in terms of transmission coefficients by applying the Hauser-Feshbach statistical reaction theory including width fluctuations. The transmission coefficients have been obtained from a combined analysis of the capture cross section resulting from the cross section standards evaluation project and theoretical non-fluctuating cross sections derived from a dispersive coupled channel optical model. The evaluated cross sections have been validated by a comparison with transmission and capture data obtained at the time-of-flight facility GELINA. The evaluated files have been processed with the latest updates of NJOY.99 to test their format and application consistency as well as to produce a continuous-energy data library in ACE format for use in Monte Carlo codes. The ACE files have been utilized to study the effect of the evaluated resonance parameters on results of lead slowing-down experiments. The evaluated files will be implemented in the next release of the JEFF-3 library which is maintained by the Nuclear Energy Agency of the OECD.JRC.D.4-Standards for Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguard

The cell polarity regulator hScrib controls ERK activation through a KIM site-dependent interaction

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Towards elimination of measles and rubella in Italy. Progress and challenges

Introduction In the WHO European Region, endemic transmission of measles and rubella had been interrupted by 37 and 42 of the 53 member states (MSs), respectively, by 2018. Sixteen MSs are still endemic for measles, 11 for rubella and nine for both diseases, the latter including Italy. Elimination is documented by each country’s National Verification Committee (NVC) through an annual status update (ASU). Objective By analysing data used to produce the ASUs, we aimed to describe the advances made by Italy towards elimination of measles and rubella. Moreover, we propose a set of major interventions that could facilitate the elimination process. Methods A total of 28 indicators were identified within the six core sections of the ASU form and these were evaluated for the period 2013–2018. These indicators relate to the incidence of measles/rubella; epidemiological investigation of cases; investigation of outbreaks; performance of the surveillance system; population immunity levels; and implementation of supplemental immunization activities (SIAs). Results From 2013 to 2018, epidemiological and laboratory analyses of measles cases in Italy improved substantially, allowing timely investigation in 2017 and 2018 of most outbreak and sporadic cases and identification of the majority of genotypic variants. Moreover, since 2017, vaccination coverage has increased significantly. Despite these improvements, several areas of concern emerged, prompting the following recommendations: i) improve outbreak monitoring; ii) strengthen the MoRoNet network; iii) increase the number of SIAs; iv) reinforce vaccination services; v) maintain regional monitoring; vi) design effective communication strategies; vii) foster the role of general practitioners and family paediatricians. Conclusions The review of national ASUs is a crucial step to provide the NVC with useful insights into the elimination process and to guide the development of targeted interventions. Against this background, the seven recommendations proposed by the NVC have been shared with the Italian Ministry of Health and the Technical Advisory Group on measles and rubella elimination and have been incorporated into the new Italian Elimination Plan 2019–2023 as a technical aid to facilitate the achievement of disease elimination goals