Background: TiO₂ nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) are the nanomaterial most produced as an ultraviolet (UV) filter. However, TiO₂ is a semiconductor and, in nanoparticle size, is a strong photocatalyst, raising concerns about photomutagenesis. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) were synthetized incorporating TiO₂ NPs (TiO₂@MSN) to develop a cosmetic UV filter. The aim of this study was to assess the toxicity of TiO₂@MSN, compared with bare MSN and commercial TiO₂ NPs, based on several biomarkers. Materials and Methods: Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were exposed to TiO₂@MSN, bare MSN (network) or commercial TiO₂ NPs for comparison. Exposed PBMC were characterized for cell viability/apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), nuclear morphology, and cytokines secretion. Results: All the nanoparticles induced apoptosis, but only TiO₂ NPs (alone or assembled into MSN) led to ROS and micronuclei. However, TiO₂@MSN showed lower ROS and cytotoxicity with respect to the P25. Exposure to TiO₂@MSN induced Th2-skewed and pro-fibrotic responses. Conclusions: Geno-cytotoxicity data indicate that TiO₂@MSN are safer than P25 and MSN. Cytokine responses induced by TiO₂@MSN are imputable to both the TiO₂ NPs and MSN, and, therefore, considered of low immunotoxicological relevance. This analytical assessment might provide hints for NPs modification and deep purification to reduce the risk of health effects in the settings of their large-scale manufacturing and everyday usage by consumers.

To test whether gas and oil field work is accompanied by stress and altered immune function, the perception of workplace stress, levels of salivary cortisol, plasma levels, and mononuclear cell production of cytokines were examined in 80 healthy workers recruited among a population of operators on gas and oilfields. Specific questionnaires for determining the perception of anxiety, occupational stress, and subjective symptoms were administered. Salivary cortisol and cytokines plasma levels were evaluated by Elisa and to investigate immune function, both spontaneous and PHA- or LPS-induced expression and production of cytokines were assessed by qRT-PCR. Workers showed medium stress levels at work, with growth and increased motivation for work, and based on salivary cortisol concentrations, were divided into two groups of ≤10 ng/mL (n = 31) or >10 ng/mL (n = 49). Statistically significant higher plasma levels of IL-6, while lower TNFα, were detected in workers with cortisol >10 ng/mL. Also, BMI, DL, JD and Job strain were significantly higher in workers with cortisol >10 ng/mL. Thus, even modest variations of cortisol might have a role in the modulation of immune response and worker’s vulnerability to health imbalance.Thus, the evaluation of immune status, in addition to cortisol levels, could be useful to prevent illnesses; exacerbation of pre-existing conditions; morbidity; and consequent absences from work, with economic repercussions.

Background: In the aftermath of the Coronavirus pandemic and the resulting lockdown and social distancing policies, a new form of work, already existing in the past, has been further enlarged. Teleworking is “full- or part-time electronic work, on-line or off-line, performed at home by self-employed or office workers” and today represents an important lever for companies, including for sustainability, allowing employees to work flexibly, efficiently and remotely. The relationship between telework and sustainability in economic, social, and environmental aspects is also being questioned. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the effects this has had on workers’ mental health. Methods: PRISMA guidelines were followed. The research was performed on Pubmed and Scopus without restrictions on study type and time limits. The methodological quality of the studies included was assessed using AMSTAR-2, INSA and NOS scales. A meta-analysis of the main adverse effects found in observational studies was also carried out. Results: A total of 38 articles were included in the systematic review. A large proportion of the studies examined showed a correlation between teleworking and worsening mental health. The meta-analysis showed increased levels of mental ill-health (38.8%), stress (28.4%), isolation (6.3%), anxiety (23%), depression (22.6%), work–family conflicts (19.5%), poor sleep quality (56.4%), fatigue (16.1%) and irritability (39.6%). Conclusions: Although most of the works analyzed show a deterioration in the mental health of workers, positive effects were noted in some. There is the need for more studies to optimally investigate the cause–effect relationship between teleworking and mental health deterioration.

Background: Hesitancy remains one of the major hurdles to vaccination, regardless of the fact that vaccines are indisputable preventive measures against many infectious diseases. Nevertheless, vaccine hesitancy or refusal is a growing phenomenon in the general population as well as among healthcare workers (HCWs). Many different factors can contribute to hesitancy to COVID-19 vaccination in the HCWs population, including socio-demographic characteristics (female gender, low socio-economical status, lower age), individual beliefs regarding vaccine efficacy and safety, as well as other factors (occupation, knowledge about COVID-19, etc.). Understanding the determinants of accepting or refusing the COVID-19 vaccination is crucial to plan specific interventions in order to increase the rate of vaccine coverage among health care workers. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey on HCWs in seventeen Italian regions, between 30 June and 4 July 2021, in order to collect information about potential factors related to vaccine acceptance and hesitancy. Results: We found an overall vaccine uptake rate of 96.4% in our sample. Acceptance was significantly related to job task, with physicians showing the highest rate of uptake compared to other occupations. At univariate analysis, the HCWs population’s vaccine hesitancy was significantly positively associated with fear of vaccination side effects (p < 0.01), and negatively related to confidence in the safety and efficacy of the vaccine (p < 0.01). Through multivariate analysis, we found that only the fear of possible vaccination side effects (OR: 4.631, p < 0.01) and the confidence in vaccine safety and effectiveness (OR: 0.35 p < 0.05) remained significantly associated with hesitancy. Conclusion: Action to improve operator confidence in the efficacy and safety of the vaccine should improve the acceptance rate among operators.

The immune system in humans is regulated by the circadian rhythm. Published studies have reported that the time of vaccination is associated with the immune response to vaccine for some pathogens. Our study aimed to evaluate the association between time of dose administration of challenge HBV vaccine and seroconversion for anti-HBs in medical students vaccinated at birth who were found to be unprotected at pre-training screening. Humoral protection for HBV was assessed in 885 medical students vaccinated during childhood. In total, 359 (41.0%) of them showed anti-HBs titer < 10 UI/mL and received a challenge dose of HBV vaccine followed by post-vaccination screening 30–60 days later. The challenge dose elicited a protective immune response (anti-HBs IgG titer > 10 UI/mL) in 295 (83.8%) individuals. Seroconversion was significantly associated with female gender and time of vaccination after controlling for age group and nationality at logistic regression analysis. Students who received the booster dose in the morning had a higher response rate than those who received the vaccine in the afternoon (OR 1.93; 95% C.I. 1.047–3.56: p < 0.05). This finding suggests that morning administration of the HBV booster may result in a better immune response in susceptible individuals.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a significant occupational health concern for healthcare workers (HCWs), including trainees exposed to biological risks. Although vaccination is the most effective preventive measure, the persistence of immunity over time and the need for booster doses remain subjects of debate. Objective: The present study aims to assess the prevalence of protective anti-HB antibody titers among healthcare trainees at the “SS Annunziata” Hospital in Chieti, comparing those vaccinated in infancy with those vaccinated during adolescence. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on 2028 healthcare trainees from 2021 to 2024. Participants were divided into two groups based on vaccination timing: infancy (PED group) and adolescence (ADO group). Serological tests were performed to measure anti-HB titers, with a protective threshold set at ≥10 IU/L. Statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate differences in immunity persistence between the two groups. The results showed that the overall prevalence of protective anti-HB titers was 50.7%, with significant differences between the PED and ADO groups. Protective immunity was observed in 79.2% of individuals vaccinated during adolescence, compared to 44.6% of those vaccinated in infancy (p < 0.001). No significant differences in antibody persistence were found between males and females. Notably, 92.4% of participants with non-protective titers received a booster dose within two months of testing. Conclusions: The study confirms a significant decline in anti-HB titers over time among individuals vaccinated in infancy, suggesting a potential need for booster doses later in adulthood. The high adherence to vaccination recommendations among healthcare trainees is a promising finding, reinforcing the importance of continuous education and immunization programmes in healthcare settings. Further research, including longitudinal studies and additional HBV biomarkers, is necessary to optimize vaccination strategies and long-term immunity monitoring in HCWs.