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Study question: The aim was to determine if HPVs affect spermatozoa DNA integrity. To resolve the discrepancy regarding the association between HPV infections and sperm DNA damage. Summary answer: To elucidate if HPV impairs DNA integrity, we suggest to investigate HPV DNA positivity in spermatozoa by a differential lysis procedure before TUNEL assay.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess safety, satisfaction, and anti- viral effect of a new carrageenan-based vaginal microbicide in a population of fertile female patients with genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty healthy and sexually active women aged 18-45 years with genital HPV infection were enrolled. Each subject was treated with a gel formulated with 0.02% carrageenan and Propionibacterium extract (CGP) (Carvir, Depofarma SpA, Mogliano Veneto, Treviso, Italy). The subjects were evaluated at baseline, after the I cycle of therapy and after the II cycle. At final status, treatment acceptability and satisfaction were evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale. Furthermore, the rate of HPV genital infection clearance at final follow-up was evaluated. These data were compared with the HPV genital infection clearance rate in a control group of patients not subjected to any therapy. RESULTS: Overall, 68 HPV infections were detected at baseline, among 40 subjects enrolled. The HPV 16 genotype was the most frequent (12%) followed by HPV 18 (10%), and HPV 53 (9%). At the end of the study, 22 (55%) patients were very satisfied, 14 (35%) were satisfied, 3 (7.5%) were uncertain, and only 1 (2.5%) was dissatisfied, with 0 very dissatisfied. Only 2 patients complained of a local adverse event. Analysing infection clearance at the end of the study, 60% of patients became HPV negative. Among these, 13 cases were high-risk HPV infection. There were 16 patients with persistent infection (“non-responders”). No patient developed a “de novo” genital lesion. After controlling for age, the intervention had an adjusted OR of 4.9 (95% CI 1.6-15.1) to clear HPV. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this work suggest that Carvir vulvovaginal microbicide gel is safe and well-tolerated. Furthermore, this experience supports the hypothesis that CG has a role in accelerating the normal clearance of genital HPV infection in women with a positive HPV-DNA test.

to investigate the reliability of laryngeal reflux finding score (RFS) and symptom index (RSI) in assessing gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in children and infants.patients with laryngeal or respiratory symptoms, who underwent laryngoscopy and esophageal pH-impedance (MII-pH) were recruited. RSI and RFS were correlated to MII-pH results. A RSI13, RFS7, acid exposure index7%, total reflux episodes100/24 h in infants or70/24 h in children, or a positive symptom index or association probability, were considered pathological. Analysis considering age (/12 months) was performed. Sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) of the laryngeal scores were calculated.197 children (median 53 months, 61 infants) were enrolled. MII-pH was pathological in 5/10 patients with RFS7, and in 17/31 with RSI13. RFS7 had 3.9% sensitivity, 93% specificity, a PPV of 50 and a NPV of 34 in predicting GER disease. RFS was inversely associated to weakly acidic and proximal GER. RSI13 had 13% sensitivity, 83% specificity, and a PPV and NPV similar to RFS. RSI was significantly associated with the number of acid reflux episodes, and, in infants, with bolus exposure index.RSI and RFS aren't accurate in predicting GER in infants and children. Acid reflux relates to laryngeal symptoms, but neither acid, nor proximal and weakly acidic GER relate to laryngeal alterations.

Study question: The effect of HPV infection on semen characteristics was investigated using a new method that allow to evaluate virus localization in the different semen components. Summary answer: Our data indicate a correlation between HPV infection of exfoliated epithelial cells (from spermatic ducts and accessory glands) and reduction of sperm cell motility. What is known already: HPVs are agents of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. Both in men and in women, HPVs cause a variety of clinical symptoms ranging from warts to cancer. It has been shown (IARC, 2009) that infection with 12 oncogenic HPVs is the major cause of development of cervical cancer in women and it is also related to penile cancers in men. HPV infects epithelial cells and can bind other cell types. Its presence in semen is widely known, but the effects on fertility and reproductive function are still controversial. Study design, size, duration: From January 2015 to December 2015, twenty men were enrolled. From each subject seminal parameters were evaluated according to WHO guidelines. HPV was detected and genotyped both in total semen and in swim up-fraction. HPV detection was performed also in separated semen fractions: sperm cells from total semen and from swim-up and epithelial cells. Semen parameters of positive samples were compared with parameters of negative samples. Moreover, HPV genome wholeness in sperm cells was evaluated. Participants/materials, setting, methods: Partners of women with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. DNA was purified after differential lysis. HPV genotyping was performed by a conventional reverse hybridization and HPV detection in the different semen components was performed by nested PCR with the use of universal primers (MY09 / 11, GP5+ / 6+). HPV genome wholeness was evaluated by Real Time-PCR using six different target genes. Main results and the role of chance: Samples were distributed into HPV positive and negative based on the conventional genotyping (total DNA extraction and reverse hybridization method) or on the new method (differential lysis, DNA extraction from separate fractions and nested PCR method) for every different fraction. In any case, we did not find any statistically significant difference on semen volume, sperm concentration, morphology. On the contrary, only when we compared HPV-positive epithelial cell samples to negative samples in the same fraction, we found a difference in sperm motility. The average percentage of sperm linear progressive motility amounted to 10% ± 11.5 in the positive samples and 54.4% ± 23.3 in the negative samples (two-tailed P value=0.0003). Moreover the HPV genome wholeness was tested by RT-PCR. Results performed on DNA extracted from sperm cells of a sample showed that the copy number of E1 and E2 genes was lower than LCR (Long Control Region) and E6 copy numbers (copy number ratio: 0.4 ± 0.05). These data indicate that in this sample more than half viral genomes are defective, suggesting that a recombination event could be occurred into the sperm heads. Limitations, reasons for caution: Low number of samples because of the sporadic frequency of infection with a single high-risk HPV genotype. Wider implications of the findings: The data support the proposed role of HPV in decreased male and couple fertility. The presence of defective viral genomes rises the idea that these defective forms could be integrated in the sperm genome. In turn, this risk prompts new possible consequences of the viral infection in semen.

Introduction: Demonstration of the role of persistent infection, with high-risk (HR) human papillomaviruses (HPV) as the causal agent of cervical cancer made the development of first and second generation prophylactic vaccines. Bivalent and quadrivalent HPV vaccines are at the moment available in Europe. In 2014 is licensing a nonavalent HPV vaccine against HPV types: 6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58. The aim of our study was to evaluate the potential impact on HPV infection and related low- and high-grade cervical lesions (LSIL, HSIL) of the candidate nonavalent HPV vaccine, compared to the impact of the quadrivalent, in a female population living in Sicily. Materials and Methods: HPV genotypes was identified by Linear Array HPV Genotyping Test (Roche Diagnostics) and with the INNO-LiPA HPV assay (Innogenetics) for ambiguous HPV 52 status. Low estimates of HPV vaccine impact was calculated as prevalence of HPV 6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58 genotypes alone or in association but excluding presence of another HPV type; high estimate as prevalence of HPV 6/11/16/18/31/ 33/45/52/58 genotypes alone or in association, in presence of another HPV type. Results:1794 samples had a HPV positive finding. HR HPV types, alone or with LR types, were present in 1466 (81.7%) samples. 584/1794 (32.5%) samples harboured at least one of the four HPV types covered by the quadrivalent vaccine (HPV 6/11/16 and 18), while 984 (54.8%) samples harboured at least one of the genotypes included in nonavalent vaccine, implying a significantly higher estimated coverage of HPV infection from the developing vaccine than the current quadrivalent (54.8% vs 32.5%; p

The properties of a non-andic, allophanic Inceptisol (POM1) and two andic, non-allophanic Inceptisols (FLM5 and SPM8), representative of a toposequence on basanite rocks of Mt. St. Antonio (central-western Sardinia, Marghine sub-region), were analyzed to better elucidate factors and processes that lead to a different expression of andic properties and allophane formation in xeric Mediterranean environment. A series of laboratory techniques including physical, chemical, micromorphological, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were used. All soils are usually rich in organic carbon, dystric at the Great Group level, with saturation base from 72 to 10%, and with pH from subalcaline to acidic. Allophanic Inceptisol appears more intensely weathered than non-allophanic Inceptisols. Volcanic glass content is, in any case, negligible. POM1, formed on the plateau, shows a shallow solum (45 cm) with A2 horizon that meets all the criteria for andic soil properties; the amounts acid oxalate-extractable Alo and Sio, together with pyrophosphate-extractable Alp, typifies such a pedon as allophanic Inceptisol (0.19 < Alp/Alo < 0.57; 3% < allophane < 8%). FLM5 and SPM8, developed on a slope, are both characterized by a low content of short-order secondary minerals (allophane content < 3%) and the lack of andic properties in any horizon. Despite similar climatic and geological conditions, the allophanic and non-allophanic andic Inceptisols coexist in a small area (6000 m2). The allophanic Inceptisol (POM1) is located at the plateau of the toposequence, where lower surface runoff, greater water infiltration rate, the absence of significant erosion and colluvial movement may have increased the degree of weathering processes. In these conditions, the prolonged soil moistness prevents the transformation of short-order components. On the whole, the results emphasize the role of topography and the importance of Al-, Fe-amorphous compounds in expressing soil andic properties and allophane content versus the volcanic origin of parent material and the insufficiency of volcanic glass. The results also suggest that the occurrence of soil with andic properties and significant allophane content in hot and dry environments, like the Mediterranean climate in Sardinia, may be more widespread than expected. The properties of a non-andic, allophanic Inceptisol (POM1) and two andic, non-allophanic Inceptisols (FLM5 and SPM8), representative of a toposequence on basanite rocks of Mt. St. Antonio (central-western Sardinia, Marghine sub-region), were analyzed to better elucidate factors and processes that lead to a different expression of andic properties and allophane formation in xeric Mediterranean environment. A series of laboratory techniques including physical, chemical, micromorphological, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were used. All soils are usually rich in organic carbon, dystric at the Great Group level, with saturation base from 72 to 10%, and with pH from subalcaline to acidic. Allophanic Inceptisol appears more intensely weathered than non-allophanic Inceptisols. Volcanic glass content is, in any case, negligible. POM1, formed on the plateau, shows a shallow solum (45 cm) with A2 horizon that meets all the criteria for andic soil properties; the amounts acid oxalate-extractable Alo and Sio, together with pyrophosphate-extractable Alp, typifies such a pedon as allophanic Inceptisol (0.19 < Alp/Alo < 0.57; 3% < allophane < 8%). FLM5 and SPM8, developed on a slope, are both characterized by a low content of short-order secondary minerals (allophane content < 3%) and the lack of andic properties in any horizon. Despite similar climatic and geological conditions, the allophanic and non-allophanic andic Inceptisols coexist in a small area (6000 m2). The allophanic Inceptisol (POM1) is located at the plateau of the toposequence, where lower surface runoff, greater water infiltration rate, the absence of significant erosion and colluvial movement may have increased the degree of weathering processes. In these conditions, the prolonged soil moistness prevents the transformation of short-order components. On the whole, the results emphasize the role of topography and the importance of Al-, Fe-amorphous compounds in expressing soil andic properties and allophane content versus the volcanic origin of parent material and the insufficiency of volcanic glass. The results also suggest that the occurrence of soil with andic properties and significant allophane content in hot and dry environments, like the Mediterranean climate in Sardinia, may be more widespread than expected. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)—or sexually transmitted infections (STIs)—are generally acquired through sexual contact [...]

We aimed to evaluate if in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) there is a relationship between histological grading (HG), TNM clinical stage and HPV infection; and to study the performance of fuzzy logic compared to traditional statistics, in the analysis of HPV status and correlates of OSCC. In cross-sectional analysis, the study group comprised 63 patients (mean age 68.89 years (SD ± 11.78), range (32–93); males 28 (44.4%), females 35 (55.6%)) with OSCC histologically diagnosed. HPV-DNA was studied in exfoliated oral epithelial cells by nested PCR (MY09/MY11 and GP5+/GP6+ primers). Data were analysed in parallel by traditional statistics with multivariate analysis and a fuzzy logic (FL) technique (membership functions as input, the ANFIS methodology, and the Sugeno’s model of first order). HPV infection was detected in 24/63 (38.1%) of OSCC, as being HPV+ve 14/36 (38.9%) in G1, 7/18 (38.9%) in G2, and 3/9 (33.3%) in G3; HPV+ve 8/33 (24.2%) in Stage I, 9/12 (75.0%) in Stage II, 6/11(54.5%) in Stage III, and 1/7 (14.3%) in Stage IV. In both methods of analysis, no significantly increased risk of HPV infection was found for any HG score; whereas, TNM stage II was significantly associated to HPV infection (p = 0.004; OR = 9.375 (95% CI = 2.030:43.30); OR0 = 11.148 (95% CI = 1.951:43.30)), and, in particular, to primary tumour size T2 (p = 0.0036; OR = 7.812 (95% CI = 1.914:31.890); OR0 = 9.414 (95% CI = 1.846:48.013)); FL (% of prevision: 79.8; Root MeanSquare Error (RMSE): 0.29). No association was found between HPV infection and any demographical variable. Our findings show an association between HPV infection with TNM (stage II – T2), but not with histological grading of OSCC. Also, FL seems to be an additional effective tool in analysing the relationship of HPV infection with correlates of OSCC. c 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-28T19:29:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-05-01 Exploitation of tuff deposits represents an intensive and destructive human activity that can completely modify natural soils, sometimes leading to their total disappearance. Soil reclamation of quarry areas can usually be done by soil rebuilding, employing complex and expensive techniques. In this research, we aimed to evaluate reconstructed Technosols and associated vegetation, called pedotechnosystem (PTS) and their development and behaviour for tuff quarry reclamation for both environmental rehabilitation and agricultural purposes. Technosols were investigated under three different conditions: i) a control consisting of a constructed Technosol (CT) without additional treatments; ii) CT treated with conventional mineral fertilization (CTCF); and, iii) CT treated with a composted mix of commercial organic amendments (CTOA). Different open-air mesocosms (pots) were investigated and evaluated in terms of: i) development, production, and metabolomic profile of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), olive (Olea europaea L.), and grapevine (Vitis Vinifera L. ssp. Sativa) in a mixture with a pasture species: ii) the Technosols physical-chemical responses. Specifically, after 15 months, all investigated PTS were evaluated in terms of: i) pasture species total dry matter (TDM) production, height (H), stem diameter (D) and nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) content of dry matter; ii) physical-chemical analyses of all investigated substrates; iii) olive, grape, and rosemary characterization by analysing N, P, and K content in dry leaves as well as their metabolomic profile. Statistical differences among treatments were ascertained through ANOVA, while observed variability was interpreted using a principal factor analysis (PFA). Use of CTOA resulted in statistically (p < 0.05) higher performances in terms of TDM as well as P contents in harvested pasture species. In CTOA, more favourable pH conditions (near neutral) for plant growth were observed; additionally, such PTS showed the best performances in terms of soil organic matter (SOM), total N, and P as well as an improvement for most of the investigated organic fractions and relative humification indexes. Identified metabolites varied greatly by species, underscoring the capability of metabolites in fingerprinting different species and related responses to environmental stress factors. Results from PFA showed that: i) CTOA produced better growing conditions and agronomic performance among all investigated PTS; ii) metabolomic profiles are a reliable fingerprint for investigating plant responses to environmental stress and can help differentiate behaviour that follows. Overall, the research demonstrated that CTOA represents a low-cost easily applicable technique for soil rebuilding in tuff quarry areas. Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali Biologiche e Farmaceutiche Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi n° 43 Dipartimento di Architettura e Disegno Industriale Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” Abazia di San Lorenzo, via San Lorenzo Istituto di Ricerca sulle Acque Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IRSA-CNR), V.le F. de Blasio, 5 Department of Plant Protection Rural Engineering and Soils São Paulo State University, Av. Brazil Sul n◦ 56 Center of Nuclear Energy in Agriculture Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Centenário n◦ 303 USDA-NRCS Ecological Sciences Division Dipartimento di Architettura Design e Urbanistica Università Degli Studi di Sassari, Via Piandanna No 4 Desertification Research Centre Università Degli Studi di Sassari, Viale Italia No 39 Department of Plant Protection Rural Engineering and Soils São Paulo State University, Av. Brazil Sul n◦ 56

Human papilloma virus infection (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease. Little is known about male infection. Nonavalent vaccine against types 6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58 was approved and neutral gender immunization programs have been proposed. This study evaluates the potential impact of nonavalent vaccine compared to quadrivalent in male living in Sicily (Italy). 58.7% of samples were HPV positive and forty-four types of HPV were identified. A significant higher estimated coverage of nonavalent vaccine than quadrivalent was observed (64.3% vs. 45.8%), with absolute and relative additional impact of 20.1% and 47.2%, respectively. Low impact of the vaccine were calculated as the empirical probability of HPV genotypes 6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58 alone or in combination; the high impact as empirical probability of HPV6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58 genotypes alone or in association with other genotypes. The potential impact of the nonavalent vaccine vs quadrivalent was significant for low and high impact (29.7% > 18:8%; 34:6% > 26.6%, respectively). Particularly, in men with lesions and risky sexual contact was significant only for low impact (35.5% > 29.7%; 31.4% > 19.7%, respectively). In partners with positive females was significant for low impact (26.3% > 15.1%) and high impact (33.7% > 23.2%). Nonavalent vaccine offers broader protection in men with HPV positive partners, who would have a potential role in the transmission of the infection.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a serious global health problem. In Italy, data describing the vulnerability to STIs of specific sexual minorities and the influence of sociodemographic and behavioral determinants are limited, as most infections are not subject to mandatory notification. This retrospective study describes the sociodemographic profile and main sexual behaviors of patients attending a hospital in Palermo (Sicily, Italy) from January 2018 to March 2019 as predictors of STI risk. Patients were divided in subgroups: men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM), men-who-have-sex-with-women (MSW), bisexual men and females. Data were obtained through an anonymous questionnaire. Patients were tested for chlamydia, syphilis, Mycoplasma genitalium infection, genital herpes and HPV infection. A total of 294 subjects with STIs (male/female ratio about 2:1) were screened. Of the total sample, 79.6% of patients were Italian. MSM accounted for 34.3%, MSW for 29.6%, bisexual men for 5.8% and females for 30.3%. A total of 44.5% of patients had a high education level, 42.5% reported irregular use of condoms, 20.7% reported having had 5–10 partners in the six months prior to the visit and 32.9% were HIV-positive. HPV infection and syphilis were the most prevalent STIs. Conclusions: The most common profile of patients attending our clinic was that of an adult, Italian man with a high level of education, poor use of condoms and a high number of partners. MSM had the highest sex-behavior-related risk for STIs. In addition, our results suggest that all STD teams need to implement counselling topics and recommendations to share with patients, as well as tips on how to approach sexual health education/counselling, thereby promoting patient-centered approaches and educational programs.