Longevity is rightly considered one of the greatest achievements of modern society, not only as a function of lifespan, but, more importantly, as a function of healthspan. There are Longevity Blue Zones (LBZs), regions around the world, such as in Okinawa, Japan; the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica; Loma Linda, California; Icaria, Greece; and Ogliastra, Sardinia, that are characterized by a significant percentage of residents who live exceptionally long lives, often avoiding age-related disability to a significantly higher degree than in the Western way of life. Longevity is not a universal phenomenon, so if there are places in the world with characteristics similar to the LBZs, it is important to identify them in order to better understand what other factors, in addition to the known ones, might contribute to a long and healthy life. This narrative review aims to identify common factors between Cilento and the five LBZs, taking into account environmental, nutritional, and lifestyle factors. Articles from 2004 to the present, limited to studies published in English, German, and Italian, were searched in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The co-authors agreed on 18 final reference texts. In order to evaluate the similarities between Cilento and the LBZs, a descriptive comparative approach was used. Cilento and the LBZs share several common factors, including a hilly altitude ranging from 355 to 600 m; a mild climate throughout the year, with temperatures between 17.4 and 23.5 degrees Celsius; traditional professions, such as agriculture and animal husbandry; and a predominantly Mediterranean or plant-based diet, with typical recipes based on legumes, tubers, vegetables, and extra virgin olive oil. Additionally, maintenance of strong intergenerational family relationships, religious devotion, and social relationships within the community are also prevalent. Given the similarities to Cilento, one might wonder if this is an LBZ waiting to be discovered. The lessons learned from this discovery could be applied to the general population to protect them from non-communicable chronic diseases and help slow the aging process.

Background: Rare diseases constitute a heterogeneous group of approximately 7000–8000 conditions, distinguished by their low prevalence. Collectively, they present a significant global health challenge, affecting millions of people worldwide. It is estimated that rare diseases affect approximately 10% of the global population, which places a significant burden on individuals, families, and society. It is, therefore, important to consider strategies to improve the overall well-being and quality of life of individuals with rare diseases. One potential avenue for exploration is the incorporation of physical activity (PA). The scope of this study was to ascertain whether PA has a positive impact on measures of well-being and to determine its potential to enhance the quality of life of these individuals. Methods: The data were collected via an online survey. The one-way ANOVA test for multiple groups and multivariate Poisson models were employed to identify the significant predictors of the outcomes of interest. Results: The protective effects of PA become evident with a minimum of six hours of activity per week. Our data confirm that the weekly hours devoted to PA can serve as a significant protective factor for QoL. The study also provided some insights into the motivations behind patients’ engagement in PA. These included improving QoL and physical well-being, as well as the desire to interact socially, with the goal of meeting friends or making new acquaintances. Finally, for adults and older adults, engaging in PA can also be a way to control weight. Conclusions: It is becoming increasingly clear that individuals with rare diseases stand to benefit greatly from PA, so it is only sensible to educate them on the advantages of an active lifestyle.

Background/Objectives: Hospital environmental contamination represents a significant source of healthcare-associated infections, yet standardized monitoring approaches are still inconsistent globally. This scoping review aimed to find and assess various tools and strategies used to monitor hospital environmental cleaning and disinfection practices, mapping current evidence and finding research gaps to inform evidence-based recommendations for healthcare facilities. Methods: Following PRISMA Scoping Review guidelines, we conducted comprehensive searches on PubMed and Scopus databases from 2010–2025 using terms related to environmental monitoring, surface sampling, air sampling, and infection control in hospital settings. Eighteen studies met inclusion criteria; data were extracted using standardized forms and synthesized narratively, organizing findings by monitoring approach categories. Results: These studies revealed diverse monitoring approaches including fluorescent markers (22.2%), ATP bioluminescence assays (33.3%), microbiological methods (44.4%), and direct observation techniques (27.8%). MRSA was the most frequently targeted pathogen (55.6%), with limited attention to Gram-negative multidrug-resistant organisms and fungi. Studies showed significant variability in pass/fail thresholds (ATP: 50–500 RLU) and lack of standardized benchmarks. Recent research (50% post-2021) increasingly incorporates molecular techniques and digital technologies, though implementation remains resource intensive. Conclusions: A multimodal approach combining visual inspection, ATP assays, and microbiological methods appears most effective for comprehensive environmental monitoring. Critical gaps include lack of standardized thresholds, limited pathogen diversity focus, and insufficient integration of emerging digital technologies. Future research should focus on setting universal standards, expanding pathogen coverage, and assessing cost-effective monitoring strategies, all while ensuring legal compliance with hygiene regulations to enhance patient safety.

The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak has resulted in a considerable number of deaths worldwide. The virus damages the pulmonary artery endothelium, leading to a condition known as microvascular pulmonary inflammatory thrombotic syndrome (MPITS), which can be fatal and cause multiple organ failure. The presence of preexisting comorbidities has been shown to significantly impact the severity and prognosis of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The objective of this study was to compare the age groups of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to identify the prevalence of comorbidities associated with death and survival in an area of southern Italy. The data set consisted of 1985 patients with confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection who were admitted to the A.O.U. San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona Hospital in Salerno between January 2021 and December 2022. The results were presented for the overall population and stratified by outcome and age group. All analyses were performed using the XLSTAT (Lumivero, 2024, Paris, France) and STATA software (release 16.1, StataCorp LLG, College Station, TX, USA, 2019) packages. In the study, population, 636 cases (32%) resulted in death, with a higher prevalence in the 60–79 age group, followed by the ≥80 and 30–59 age groups. The most prevalent diseases among deceased and surviving patients with confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection were those affecting the circulatory system (61.5% vs. 55.5%), the respiratory system (55.8% vs. 26.2%), and the metabolic system (25.9% vs. 25.4%). In patients aged 30–79, respiratory diseases were the primary cause of mortality, whereas in those aged ≥80, circulatory system diseases were more prevalent. Among survivors, cardiovascular diseases were the most common comorbidities across all age groups, followed by respiratory diseases and endocrine, metabolic, and immune disorders. Moreover, these comorbidities were associated with an elevated risk of mortality. The study emphasizes the substantial influence of age and comorbidities on the mortality associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. These findings highlight the necessity for targeted interventions to manage comorbid conditions in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly in older adults.

Background/Objectives: Antibiotic resistance represents one of the major global health emergencies, driven by the inappropriate use of antibiotics and persistent misconceptions among adults attending general medical clinics. This study, conducted on 325 participants recruited from general medical clinics in the province of Salerno, aimed to assess their knowledge, perceptions, and behaviors regarding antibiotic use. Methods: A cross-sectional, quantitative observational survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire based on the WHO tool and adapted to the local context. Results: The results show that the majority of participants take antibiotics only when prescribed by a doctor (90.2%), but risky practices such as self-medication (10%) and early discontinuation of therapy (16%) persist. In addition, 72% of subjects demonstrate incomplete knowledge about the independent management of drugs, and 86% mistakenly believe that resistance is limited to the individual rather than the community. The descriptive analysis stratified by age showed higher levels of awareness among subjects under 30 years of age, compared to significant knowledge gaps and inappropriate behaviors in the over-65 age group. Conclusions: Despite a good awareness of the need for medical prescriptions and the collective importance of the phenomenon, there are still critical areas of knowledge and incorrect practices that can promote the spread of antibiotic resistance. The data collected underscore the urgency of targeted educational strategies differentiated by age group, integrated with multi-channel communication interventions, in order to promote the appropriate use of antibiotics and contain the impact of one of the most serious global health emergencies.

Background/Objectives: Intravitreal injections (IVIs) are increasingly performed in outpatient settings, raising concerns regarding how to guarantee operating-theatre-level environmental safety. Mobile laminar airflow (LAF) units may create an ultraclean instrument field, but microbiological evidence from real-world IVI clinics is limited. Methods: We performed environmental monitoring during three IVI sessions, each including approximately 20 injections per session, in an outpatient procedure room equipped with a mobile LAF device (Operio Toul Mobile). Airborne microbial contamination was measured with a SAS Super 100 impactor (1 m³ per sample) at two locations, the procedure-room air and the LAF field, across seven predefined time points (T₋₁to T₅). Surface contamination of the instrument-covering drape was assessed at mid- and end-session using 24 cm² contact plates on four culture media. Colonies were expressed as CFU/m³ or CFU/24 cm² and analysed using a two-way repeated-measures ANOVA (location × time), with Holm-adjusted within-session paired post hoc comparisons at each time point. Results: During LAF operation (T₀–T₄), mean airborne load was 89.8 ± 10.8 CFU/m³ in room air versus 10.9 ± 4.6 CFU/m³ under LAF, corresponding to an 87.9% mean reduction (Holm-adjusted p < 0.01). At T₋₁ and T₅ (LAF off), counts were not significantly different between locations. Airborne microbial species consisted mainly of skin/oral commensals; no obligate pathogens were detected. All 24 drape samples showed 0 CFU. Conclusions: In this high-throughput outpatient IVI clinic, the mobile LAF device maintained a stable ultraclean microenvironment at the instrument field despite moderate background room contamination, supporting its use as an adjunct to standard aseptic measures, without the need to change the covering drape during the session.