Effect of Recycling on the Mechanical Properties of 6000 Series Aluminum-Alloy Sheet.

Sustainability is one of the biggest values of today and for the future of our society; a responsible usage of material in every sector is fundamental to achieving sustainability goals. Aluminum alloys are some of the most promising materials in terms of strength and weight, but their production implies the emission of a high amount of CO2. For that reason, the study and development of aluminum alloys with increasing scrap content play a central role in future applications. In the current study, two sheet-aluminum 6181 alloys with different scrap content were analyzed and compared with a 6181 alloy coming from primary production. The alloys were compared in terms of chemical composition, microstructure, tensile properties, and forming behaviors. The results showed that the alloys coming from secondary productions contained a higher amount of manganese, iron, and copper. The metallurgical and mechanical behaviors were very similar to those of the primary produced alloy. Nevertheless, a drop in formability was shown in the aluminum alloys containing a high scrap amount when stressed in a biaxial condition. The study demonstrated the viability of 6181 alloy production using a high scrap amount, highlighting the main difference with the same alloy coming from primary route production.

Evaluation of the Factors Associated with Reinfections towards SARS-CoV-2 Using a Case Control Design.

OBJECTIVE: The risk of reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 has been rapidly increased with the circulation of concerns about variants. So, the aim of our study was to evaluate the factors that increase the risk of this reinfection in healthcare workers compared to those who have never been positive and those who have had only one positivity. METHODS: A case-control study was carried out at the Teaching Hospital Policlinico Umberto I in Rome, Sapienza University of Rome, in the period between 6 March 2020 and 3 June 2022. Cases are healthcare workers who have developed a reinfection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, while controls were either healthcare workers who tested positive once or those who have never tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS: 134 cases and 267 controls were recruited. Female gender is associated with a higher odds of developing reinfection (OR: 2.42; 95% CI: 1.38-4.25). Moreover, moderate or high alcohol consumption is associated with higher odds of reinfection (OR: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.19-1.87). Diabetes is also associated with higher odds of reinfection (OR: 3.45; 95% CI: 1.41-8.46). Finally, subjects with increased red blood cell counts have higher odds of reinfection (OR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.21-2.25). CONCLUSION: From the prevention point of view, these findings indicate that particular attention should be paid to subjects with diabetes mellitus, women and alcoholic drinkers. These results could also suggest that contact tracing represents a fundamental approach model against the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, together with the health information of participants.

Synergistic Effect between SARS-CoV-2 Wave and COVID-19 Vaccination on the Occurrence of Mild Symptoms in Healthcare Workers.

BACKGROUND: Since the beginning of the pandemic, five variants of epidemiological interest have been identified, each of them with its pattern of symptomology and disease severity. The aim of this study is to analyze the role of vaccination status in modulating the pattern of symptomatology associated with COVID-19 infection during four waves. METHODS: Data from the surveillance activity of healthcare workers were used to carry out descriptive analysis, association analyses and multivariable analysis. A synergism analysis between vaccination status and symptomatology during the waves was performed. RESULTS: Females were found at a higher risk of developing symptoms. Four SARS-CoV-2 waves were identified. Pharyngitis and rhinitis were more frequent during the fourth wave and among vaccinated subjects while cough, fever, flu syndrome, headache, anosmia, ageusia, arthralgia/arthritis and myalgia were more frequent during the first three waves and among unvaccinated subjects. A correlation was found between vaccination and the different waves in terms of developing pharyngitis and rhinitis. CONCLUSION: Vaccination status and viruses' mutations had a synergic effect in the mitigation of the symptomatology caused by SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare workers.

Assessment of the Impact of Low-dose Ionizing Radiation Exposure on Health Care Workers: A Study of Methods Used from a Scoping Review.

ABSTRACT: Healthcare workers may be exposed to ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiations are an important occupational risk factor for the potential damage they can cause to workers' health. Actually, the attention is focused on diseases caused by damage to radiosensitive organs. The aim of our study is to evaluate the methods used for the assessment of the impact of exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation in a population of healthcare workers (HCWs). The electronic database PubMed was searched by title, abstract, and medical subheadings (MeSH) terms. The extracted data were arranged into tables by dividing bibliographic reference, exposure, and statistical analysis information. The quality assessment was performed with the use of the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. The search strategy involved retrieving 15 studies (eight cohorts and seven cross-sectional studies). The univariate tests have been performed in 14 studies (93.3%), and Chi-square and T-test were the most commonly used. Multivariate tests have been performed in 11 studies (73.3%), and the most commonly performed were Logistic and Poisson Regressions. The most rated organ was the thyroid gland (six studies). The annual cumulative effective dose was the most used method to assess the dose rate (seven studies). Due to the characteristics of pathologies involved, a retrospective cohort study with an adequate control group and use of the annual cumulative effective dose to account for exposure could be useful features to obtain the best possible evidence. All the elements were found rarely in studies considered. The need is highlighted for more in-depth studies to investigate this topic.

Flu Vaccination among Healthcare Professionals in Times of COVID-19: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavior.

The seasonal flu vaccine is the most important way to prevent influenza epidemics, so it is useful to increase the awareness of health professionals. The aim of our study is to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and behavior about flu vaccination among healthcare professionals in times of COVID-19. METHODS: A cross sectional study was carried out between November 2020 and April 2021. Participants were recruited in teaching hospital 'Policlinico Umberto I' of Rome. A survey of 24 questions about flu vaccination was administered, evaluating their knowledge, attitude, and practice about this topic. RESULTS: 872 healthcare professionals were involved in the study (36.9% men, 63.1% women). More than 90% of the HCWs, especially physicians, recognize the importance of getting influenza vaccination: The main reasons for not getting vaccinated were fear of vaccine side effects (20.3%) and fear of the needle (6.4%). Nevertheless, 40.7% of the healthcare providers consider mandatory vaccination as unethical, especially if they work in low-intensity wards. CONCLUSION: a high percentage of healthcare workers agree with the importance of influenza vaccination and only a small percentage is still opposed. It is therefore important to continue to promote the influenza vaccination through communication and health education programs.

Acinetobacter baumannii Isolates from COVID-19 Patients in a Hospital Intensive Care Unit: Molecular Typing and Risk Factors.

Infections caused by Acinetobacter baumannii represent a major concern for intensive care unit (ICU) patients. However, the epidemiology of these infections among COVID-19 patients has not been fully explored. The aims of this study were (i) to characterize the clonal spread of A. baumannii among COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU of the Umberto I hospital of Rome during the first year of the pandemic and (ii) to identify risk factors for its acquisition. Isolates were analysed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and a multivariable regression model was constructed. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Overall, 193 patients were included, and 102 strains were analysed. All isolates had highly antibiotic-resistant profiles and derived from two genotypes. The cumulative incidence of A. baumannii acquisition (colonization or infection) was 36.8%. Patients with A. baumannii had higher mortality and length of stay. Multivariable analysis showed that previous carbapenem use was the only risk factor associated with A. baumannii acquisition (aOR: 4.15, 95% CI: 1.78-9.64). We documented substantial A. baumannii infections and colonization and high levels of clonal transmission. Given the limited treatment options, effective prevention and containment strategies to limit the spread of A. baumannii should be implemented.

Comparing the Occurrence of Healthcare-Associated Infections in Patients with and without COVID-19 Hospitalized during the Pandemic: A 16-Month Retrospective Cohort Study in a Hospital Intensive Care Unit.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the healthcare-associated infection (HAI) risk in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. However, a comparison between patients with and without COVID-19 in terms of HAI incidence has been rarely explored. In this study, we characterized the occurrence of HAI among patients with and without COVID-19 admitted to the ICU of the Umberto I hospital of Rome during the first 16 months of the pandemic and also identified risk factors for HAI acquisition. Patients were divided into four groups according to their ICU admission date. A multivariable conditional risk set regression model for multiple events was constructed for each admission period. Adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Overall, 352 COVID-19 and 130 non-COVID-19 patients were included, and a total of 361 HAIs were recorded. We found small differences between patients with and without COVID-19 in the occurrence and type of HAI, but the infections in the two cohorts mostly involved different microorganisms. The results indicate that patient management was likely an important factor influencing the HAI occurrence during the pandemic. Effective prevention and control strategies to reduce HAI rates should be implemented.

Thyroid parameters variations in healthcare workers and students exposed to low-dose ionizing radiations.

SUMMARY: Background. Ionizing Radiations (IR) are an important occupational risk factor for the potential damage that can cause to workers' health and for their presence in numerous professional settings. Health care workers (HCW) can be exposed to IR from various sources, in particular from x-rays using radiological equipment, and represent the largest group of workers occupationally at risk, despite increased regulation and protection which caused exposure to low dose radiations. The thyroid gland is one of the most sensitive organs to damage and an important target of IR, leading to functional and organic diseases. The aim of this study is to assess the variations in thyroid hormones, in a population of HCW exposed to low-dose IR. Methods. 121 individuals of the Teaching Hospital Policlinico Umberto I in Rome exposed to low-dose of IR (78 HCW, 17 Residents and 26 Radiology Technicians Students) were observed assessing serum levels of different thyroid function parameters as free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine and thyroid stimulating hormone at T1, T2 and DeltaT. Age, gender, history of thyroid diseases, BMI and smoke were analyzed as possible influencing factors using linear and multiple logistic regression analysis. Results. Analyzing TSH, fT3 and fT4 serum levels, in two different measurement (T1 and T2) and considering Delta between them, adjusting for different confounding factors, data showed no variation of TSH levels related to occupational exposure, a decrease of fT3 hormone values in HCW and residents, and an increase of fT4 in HCW. Discussion. The analysis of our results revealed that hospital occupation has an impact on thyroid hormones variations, with an increase of fT4 and a decrease of fT3 and no variations of TSH. These results are in conflict with previous studies evidences, in which both free hormones decreased with a concomitant increase of TSH. Conclusion. Exposure to low dose IR influences levels of free thyroid hormones, with no variation in TSH, which could result in a functional or organic disease. For this reason it is recommended continuous surveillance through a periodic check of all the thyroid hormones for an overall view of each HCW. However, further studies are necessary to confirm hormones trend and assess any related thyroid diseases.