Biomechanical and Thermophysiological Effects of Electric Olive Harvesters: A Pilot Study Using Myotonometry and Infrared Thermography Paola Senia, Federico Roggio, Francesca Vella, George Dounias, Elio Romano, et al. Applied Sciences Switzerland, 2026 Background: Mechanization in olive harvesting has improved productivity but introduced new ergonomic challenges, particularly related to vibration exposure and sustained overhead work. This study investigates the acute and short-term physiological effects of using an electric olive harvester through objective instrumental assessment. Methods: Ten healthy male volunteers performed a standardized 15-min simulated harvesting task using an electric olive harvester. Muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity of bilateral deltoid, biceps, and triceps were assessed by myotonometry at baseline (T0), immediately post-task (T1), and after 2 h recovery (T2). Infrared thermography evaluated cervical, dorsal, and lumbar skin temperature at the same timepoints. Results: Significant, side-dependent alterations in myotonometric parameters were observed, with marked increases in tone and stiffness of dominant upper-limb muscles and asymmetric adaptations between limbs (p < 0.001, large effect sizes). Infrared thermography revealed significant post-task reductions in skin temperature across spinal regions, with a partial return toward baseline within the 2 h observation window (p < 0.01). These findings describe short-term, task-related thermoregulatory responses following sustained work. Conclusions: Even short-term use of electric olive harvesters induces measurable biomechanical and thermophysiological stress. The integrated use of myotonometry and infrared thermography provides a sensitive, field-adaptable framework for early ergonomic risk detection and prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in agriculture.
Application of large language models as decision support tools in occupational health and safety management: a cohort study of industrial workers Francesca Vella, Paola Senia, Veronica Filetti, Ermanno Vitale, Giuseppe Sferrazzo, et al. Frontiers in Public Health, 2026 Background Occupational health and safety (OHS) risk assessment is a core preventive process aimed at identifying workplace hazards, estimating risks, and implementing control measures to reduce occupational injuries and diseases. Recent evidence indicates that AI-based systems may assist hazard identification, risk prioritization, and preventive planning, improving efficiency and standardization. Objectives This study compared AI outputs with occupational physician (OP) analyses in risk assessment, health surveillance protocol drafting, and fitness-for-work determinations. Methods This retrospective observational study was conducted in a multinational construction and facility management company with approximately 200 employees. An LLM-based system was evaluated for occupational risk assessment, health surveillance protocol development, and fitness-for-work decisions through structured comparison with an experienced OP. Three objectives were addressed: (1) analysis of the company risk assessment document (RAD); (2) comparison of surveillance protocols for specific tasks; (3) quantitative assessment of agreement in fitness-for-work judgments. The AI system (Perplexity Pro ® , “Deep Research”) was used. Agreement was measured using Cohen’s Kappa. Results AI-generated and OP-generated risk assessments were fully concordant (100%). Risk distribution across job categories was consistent, with high overall concordance (93%). Differences in surveillance protocols reflected regulatory interpretation and contextual exposure assessment rather than omission of clinically relevant elements. Conclusion LLM-based AI can reliably support standardized occupational health decisions when applied to structured data. Despite high concordance in risk assessment, protocol development, and fitness-for-work judgments, regulatory interpretation and contextual clinical evaluation remain dependent on human expertise. AI should therefore be considered a complementary decision-support tool in occupational health practice.
Human Exposure to Metals and Potential Human Health Risk in a Volcanic Environment in Italy Giovanni Forte, Venerando Rapisarda, Flavia Ruggieri, Beatrice Battistini, Lisa Bauleo, et al. Toxics, 2025 Mt. Etna is the highest and most active stratovolcano in Europe, located in Catania (Sicily, Italy). Its persistent degassing, frequent explosions, and lava flows release large amounts of ash and gases into the atmosphere. This study aimed to assess whether chronic exposure to local volcanic emissions leads to an increased internal dose of trace elements (As, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Tl, U, V, W, Zn) in Catania adult residents. To this end, urine samples were collected from 167 individuals residing in Catania and compared with 193 residents of other Sicilian areas located farther from the volcano. Results revealed significantly higher urinary concentrations of As, Hg, Mn, Pb, and Tl in the exposed group, suggesting volcanic activity as a relevant source of exposure. The levels of the other elements were instead affected by other factors such as lifestyle habits and the consumption of specific foods and beverages. The urinary concentrations of trace elements were consistent with reference values reported in other European studies, and the levels remained well within the health-based guidance values. There is evidence of an increased internal dose of a few elements in the Sicilian population exposed to volcano activity, but the observed increases are unlikely to pose a significant health risk.
Risk of Pneumoconiosis in Workers Exposed to Crystalline Silica from Lava Rock Dust from Mount Etna Francesca Vella, Veronica Filetti, Serena Matera, Salvatore Spinello, Denis Vinnikov, et al. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2025 Background: Pneumoconiosis is a group of lung diseases characterized by the deposition and accumulation of dust or mineral fibers in the lung interstitium, primarily caused by occupational exposure. Methods: The aim of this study was to identify cases of pneumoconiosis induced by occupational exposure in patients living on the island of Sicily (South Italy), through the retrospective analysis of pneumoconiosis cases registered by the Reference Center for the Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Interstitial Lung Diseases and Rare Lung Diseases (RCLD) of University of Catania, during the decade 2012–2022. Furthermore, the results of a screening conducted in the same 10-year period (2012–2022) on cohorts of workers potentially exposed to RCS generated by Etna’s volcanic dust are reported. Results: From the consultation of the RCLD database, there does not appear to be any correlation between pulmonary fibrosis and exposure to dust of basaltic origin. Conclusions: These data seem to be confirmed by the data of the health monitoring conducted over 10 years on 200 workers involved in different processes of working with lava stone.
Violence and harassment against healthcare workers: a psychological-clinical perspective on a survey in a Policlinic Hospital Ermanno Vitale, Francesca Vella, Serena Matera, Silvia Mazzeo, Chiara Farrauto, et al. Frontiers in Public Health, 2025 ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and psychological impact of workplace violence (WPV) among healthcare workers (HCWs) in a large university hospital in Southern Italy, and to identify occupational and demographic risk factors.MethodsA cross-sectional observational study was conducted from January to December 2023. A total of 997 HCWs voluntarily completed a validated, anonymous questionnaire based on the “Workplace Violence in the Health Sector” (WVHS) tool. The instrument assessed exposure to different types of WPV (physical, verbal, bullying, sexual and racial harassment) and its emotional and occupational consequences. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, linear regression and ANOVA (p &lt; 0.05).Results27% of HCWs reported experiencing at least one form of WPV in the past 12 months. Verbal violence was the most common (85%), followed by bullying (26%). Nurses, resident doctors, younger workers, and those working night shifts were more frequently affected. Victims showed higher use of psychotropic drugs and psychotherapy (p &lt; 0.001).ConclusionWPV is highly prevalent and underreported in healthcare settings, with significant mental health repercussions. The findings highlight the need for preventive strategies, institutional support, and the key role of occupational physicians in early identification and intervention.
Tetanus Vaccination in Agricultural Workers: A Retrospective Study on Seroprevalence over 10 Years Ermanno Vitale, Veronica Filetti, Giorgio Bertolazzi, Gabriele Giorgianni, Nektaria Zagorianakou, et al. Vaccines, 2024 Background/Objectives: Tetanus is a serious, non-contagious infection caused by Clostridium tetani, which remains a global health threat despite the availability of an effective vaccine. The current state of immunization for agricultural workers in Italy reveals significant disparities, reflecting a non-homogeneous distribution of vaccination coverage across regions and subgroups. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of tetanus antibodies in a cohort of agricultural workers in Eastern Sicily in order to evaluate possible public health strategies for improving vaccination coverage. Methods: This observational retrospective study assessed tetanus immunization coverage in agricultural workers in Eastern Sicily during the period from 2012–2022. Results: A total of 1143 workers participated, of which 71% (n = 871) had protective tetanus antitoxin levels. Of the 835 vaccinated workers, 9% were not immune, while 19% of those who were not vaccinated or did not recall their vaccination history were immune. Significant gaps in vaccination were noted, particularly among non-European workers, with only 23% vaccinated compared to 89% of European workers. Additionally, vaccination rates were higher in those born after 1963, when vaccination became mandatory. Conclusions: The results underscore the need for targeted vaccination strategies, especially for older and migrant workers, as well as the importance of workplace immunization programs led by occupational physicians. Improving vaccination coverage among agricultural workers is essential for preventing tetanus infections in high-risk agricultural populations.
Precision Agriculture: Assessment of Ergonomic Risks of Assisted Driving System Ermanno Vitale, Francesca Vella, Serena Matera, Giuseppe Christian Rizzo, Lucia Rapisarda, et al. Applied Sciences Switzerland, 2024 Background: the precision agriculture field optimizes resource use, enhancing performance. However, this leads to exposure to ergonomic risks for operators, in particular, tractor drivers, potentially causing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This study investigates how the display position in a semi-automatic tractor system influences operator comfort and muscle activation during harrowing operations. Methods: the assessment of muscular strain involved the use of surface electromyographic devices, while posture was evaluated throughout the analysis of the distribution of pressure exerted by the operator’s body on the seat, which was observed using two barometric pads, each positioned on the backrest and base of the seat. Finally, infrared thermography (IRT), a non-invasive tool to assess muscle activation, was used to measure the surface temperature of the driver’s back. The results showed a significantly greater muscular activation display for the position of display in semi-automatic driving at 50° and 80°. Conclusions: this study showed how the position of the display on the vehicle negatively influences posture, exposing workers to the risk of developing fatigue and, therefore, discomfort, with the potential onset of MSDs. The combined use of sEMG and IRT allowed for a non-invasive, cheap, and repeatable mechanical and functionality analysis.
Pleural mesothelioma from fluoro-edenite exposure: PACAP and PAC1 receptor. A preliminary report Claudia Lombardo, Grazia Maugeri, Agata Grazia D'Amico, Giuseppe Broggi, Rosario Caltabiano, et al. European Journal of Histochemistry, 2024 Pleural mesothelioma is a devastating malignancy primarily associated with asbestos exposure. However, emerging evidence suggests that exposure to fluoro-edenite fibers, a naturally occurring mineral fiber, can also lead to the development of pleural mesothelioma. In this study, based on the hypothesis that pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and PACAP-preferring receptor (PAC1R) expressions could be dysregulated in pleural mesothelioma samples and that they could potentially act as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers, we aimed to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of PACAP and PAC1R in pleural biopsies from patients with pleural mesothelioma exposed to fluoro-edenite fibers. A total of 12 patients were included in this study, and their biopsies were processed for immunohistochemical analysis to evaluate the expression of PACAP and its receptor. The study revealed a correlation between the overexpression of PACAP and PAC1R and shorter overall survival in patients with malignant mesothelioma. These findings suggest that PACAP and PAC1R expression levels could serve as potential prognostic biomarkers for malignant mesothelioma. Furthermore, the immunohistochemical analysis of PACAP and PAC1R may provide valuable information for clinicians to guide therapeutic decisions and identify patients with poorer prognosis.
Expression of stathmin in asbestos-like fibers-induced mesothelioma: A preliminary report C. Lombardo, G. Broggi, E. Vitale, C. Ledda, C. Loreto, et al. Histology and Histopathology, 2023 BACKGROUND Mesothelioma is strongly associated with exposure to asbestos fibers, however, recent studies have also linked exposure to "naturally occurring asbestos" fibers with this disease. Fluoro-edenite, a silicate mineral found in the southeast of Biancavilla (Sicily, Italy), has been identified as a potential risk factor for mesothelioma. Unfortunately, this cancer often has a poor prognosis, and current diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers are inadequate. Histological subtype, gender, and age at diagnosis are the most significant parameters for mesothelioma. Stathmin, a cytosolic protein that regulates cell growth and migration and is overexpressed in many human malignancies, has not yet been linked to mesothelioma survival or clinical-pathological variables. AIM The aim of this study was to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of stathmin in ten mesothelioma tissue samples with available clinical and follow-up data. MATERIAL AND METHODS Paraffin-embedded tissue samples from ten mesothelioma patients were processed for immunohistochemical analyses to evaluate stathmin expression. RESULTS Our findings suggest that stathmin overexpression is associated with shorter overall survival in patients with mesothelioma. Furthermore, stathmin expression was significantly correlated with the survival time of mesothelioma patients. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that stathmin expression may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker for mesothelioma. This biomarker could be used to promptly identify patients with poor prognosis and to guide clinicians in the selection of treatment options.
