Effect of COVID-19 isolation measures on physical activity of children and their parents, and role of the family environment: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The rigorous isolation measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic seriously impacted children's lifestyles. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out to collect and analyze information about physical activity habits of children and their parents during the social distancing period resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An online questionnaire was administered to 363 families (507 children aged 5-13) recruited by convenience sampling, asking for physical activity type and frequency before, during, and after the lockdown period (9th March - May 3rd 2020), education, outdoor spaces, and children's weight gain perception. Results: Results show a remarkable decrease in children's physical activity during lockdown (88.9 vs 39.8% active children) associated with older age and low availability of outdoor spaces (p<0.001). Parents' physical activity was related to educational level, and a slight but significant correlation between parents' education and children's physical activity was found, especially with father's university degree (p<0.05). Active mothers significantly influenced children's physical activity during the lockdown, especially if not engaged in smart working. The return to an active lifestyle by children did not reach previous levels (75.9% active children) and was directly related to parent's physical activity. Finally, the risk of weight gain was lower in active children during the lockdown (OR = 0.46; p<0.001). Conclusions: This work highlights the importance of physical activity during a pandemic event to prevent the risk of gaining weight, and underlines the relevance of the entire family system as a source of promotion of healthy behaviors in children.

The role of mycoplasmas in sexually transmitted vaginitis.

Mycoplasmas were isolated from 325 female subjects who came to a gynaecological out-patient clinic for many different reasons. Micro-organisms can also be isolated in a high percentage from apparently healthy subjects. Our data indicate that mycoplasma can be either simple commensals in the uro-genital apparatus or saprophytes. In vulvo-vaginitis mycoplasma can cause a type of pathology which is always associated with the presence of other pathogens.

[Standardization and stability of reagents for the titration of anti-tetanus antibodies by means of the passive hemagglutination technic]. / Standardizzazione e stabilità di reagenti per la titolazione di anticorpi antitetanici mediante la tecnica di emoagglutinazione passiva.

The evaluation of the antitetanus immunity in human sera is of primary importance for the carrying out of an adequate prophylaxis and treatment of tetanus. Tetan Test is a diagnostic kit for the titration of the antitetanus antibodies, by means of the passive hemagglutination technique. Tetan Test is examined under the point of view of the preparation techniques and the process and final controls which warrant the quality and the standardization of the product itself. The stability of Tetan Test, after storage at the temperatures: 67 degrees C, 52 degrees C, 37 degrees C, 22 degrees C is evaluated. The excellent results obtained allow the use of the product also in hot climates, in developing countries, where the storage at the advised temperatures is not possible.

[Chromosome studies of personnel exposed to electromagnetic radiation at radar centers]. / Indagini cromosomiche sul personale esposto a radiazioni elettromagnetiche che opera nei centri radar

The possibility that chromosome alterations take place in personnel exposed to electromagnetic radiation in radar centres has been studied. The study was carried out "blind" on short-term cultures of peripheral blood, some 450 metaphases being analysed for each case. No aberrations were found in either radar operators or controls and there was no statistically significant difference between them.

[Various pulmonary lesions induced by high-pressure oxygen]. / Osservazioni relative ad alcune lesioni polmonari indotte dall'ossigeno a forti pressioni

Hyperbaric oxygen may provoke lesions in various organs and tissues depending on the dose and application time. The toxic action mechanisms of oxygen are manifold. The pulmonary lesions that occur in mice submitted to various oxygen pressures are investigated. Anatomo-pathological examination revealed numerous alterations of various kinds depending on pressure used. Emphysema, pulmonary oedema and enormous inflammatory processes in the lung are the most frequent findings encountered in research.