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We assessed the characteristics of Neisseria meningitidis pharyngeal carriage in a cohort of ‘men having sex with men’, including patients with pharyngeal Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection. In the period 2017-2019, among all the oropharyngeal samples tested for gonorrhoea from MSM attending a STI Clinic in Bologna (Italy), we randomly selected 244 N. gonorrhoeae-positive samples and 403 negatives (n=647). Pharyngeal specimens were tested for N. meningitidis presence, by the detection of sodC gene. N. meningitidis-positive samples were further grouped by PCR tests for the major invasive genogroups (i.e., A, B, C, W, and Y). A molecular assay, targeting capsule transporter gene, was used to determine meningococcal capsular status. Overall, 75.8% (491/647) of samples tested positive for sodC gene, indicating a pharyngeal meningococcal carriage. Meningococcal colonisation was significantly more frequent in younger subjects (P=0.009), with no association with HIV infection. Non-groupable meningococci represented most of pharyngeal carriages (about 71%). The commonest N. meningitidis serogroup was B (23.6%), followed by C (2.1%), Y (1.8%) and W (1.1%). Meningococci were often characterized by the genetic potential of capsule production. Interestingly, a negative association between N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae was found: pharyngeal gonorrhoea was significantly more present in patients without meningococcal carriage (P=0.03). Although preliminary, our data added knowledge on the epidemiology of meningococcal carriage in MSM communities at high risk of gonococcal infections, gaining new insights into the interactions/dynamics between N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae.

Objective: Eating disorders are associated with perfectionism in adults, but evidence is lacking in adolescent competitive athletes. This study examined eating disorder symptoms and perfectionism in a sample of 13–15 years old, adolescent rhythmic gymnasts. Methods: Eighty-nine female rhythmic gymnasts (41 international and 48 recreational level gymnasts), completed the Eating Attitudes Tests 26 (EAT-26), the Sport Perfectionism Questionnaire (SPQ), the Social Desirability Scale (SDS) and provided information on their training. Results: It was found that 41.46% of the international and 14.58% of the recreational level gymnasts scored ≥20 in EAT-26. International level gymnasts also scored higher than recreational in EAT-26 (p = 0.002), and its subscales Dieting (p = 0.012) and Oral Control (p ˂ 0.001) and in the Sport Perfectionism Questionnaire (p = 0.005) and the subscales Striving for Perfectionism (p ˂ 0.001) and Personal Standards (p ˂ 0.001). No differences were found between groups in the subscales Concerns over Mistakes (p = 0.429), and Negative Reactions to Imperfection (p = 0.096). Multiple regression analysis in international level gymnasts, showed that Negative Reactions to Imperfection, body mass index and training experience accounted for 33.2% of the variance in EAT-26 (adjusted R2 = 0.332, F = 6.786, p ˂ 0.001). A negative association was observed between training experience and eating disorder symptoms in international level athletes. No association was found between the subscales of perfectionism and EAT-26 in recreational gymnasts (p ˃ 0.316). Conclusions: International level, adolescent rhythmic gymnasts show more eating pathology than recreational. Negative Reactions to Imperfection and BMI seem relevant for gymnasts' dieting behaviour while training experience may help adolescent athletes to cope with disturbed eating behaviours. © 2021

The association between force–time characteristics of isometric leg press (ILP) and counter-movement jump (CMJ) with vastus lateralis (VL) muscle architecture, was examined in 19 female athletes (aged 23.2 ± 5.4 years). Peak force (PF), average rate of force development (ARFD) and rate of force development (RFD) at different time epochs were calculated from the force–time curve, as well as CMJ jump height and power. Significant correlations were found between ILP-PF and CMJ power (r = 0.658, p < 0.01), while both variables were correlated with VL thickness and fascicle length (r = 0.471 to 0.648, p < 0.05). Significant correlations were also observed between ILP-RFD epochs and VL fascicle length (r = 0.565 to 0.646, p < 0.05) and between CMJ height with VL thickness (r = 0.523, p < 0.05). Furthermore, positive correlations were found between ILP and CMJ in ARFD (r = 0.625, p < 0.01) and RFD epochs (r = 0.464 to 0.566, p < 0.05). ILP-PF and muscle thickness accounted for 52.8% (p = 0.002) of the variance in CMJ power. These results suggest that isometric force time characteristics are associated with power generation during dynamic muscle actions. Furthermore, VL muscle thickness and fascicle length are associated with rapid force production in female athletes, irrespective of the type of muscle action. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) represent the most common agents of sexually transmitted pharyngeal infections. These conditions are frequently asymptomatic, acting as important reservoir for further transmission. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and predictors of pharyngeal infections due to CT and NG in a cohort of patients attending a STI Clinic in the North of Italy. Materials/methods: From January 2016 to September 2018, all the consecutive patients attending the STI Outpatients Clinic of St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital (Bologna) and reporting unsafe oral intercourses were considered eligible for the study. After a clinical examination, a pharyngeal swab for the molecular detection of CT and NG (Versant CT/GC DNA 1.0 Assay; Siemens) was collected from each patient. Moreover, on the basis of patients’ sexual behavior and symptoms, urine samples and/or ano-rectal swabs for CT/NG detection were collected. In case of a CT positivity, a molecular genotyping based on omp1 gene PCR, was performed. Results: During the study period, 893 patients (119 females and 774 MSM) were enrolled. Globally, a total of 134 cases of gonorrhoea (15%) and 34 chlamydial infections (3.8%) were detected in the pharyngeal site, with no significant differences between males and females. More than 90% of the pharyngeal infections were completely asymptomatic and the presence of symptoms was not a predictor of a pharyngeal infection (P=0.7). On the contrary, a history of sexual contacts with a partner positive for CT and/or NG (P

Gastrocnemius medialis (GM) architecture and ankle angle were compared between flexibility trained (n = 10) and not trained (n = 6) female athletes, aged 8-10 years. Ankle angle, fascicle length, pennation angle and muscle thickness were measured at the mid-belly and the distal part of GM, at rest and at the end of one min of static stretching. Flexibility trained (FT) and not trained athletes (FNT) had similar fascicle length at the medial (4.19 ± 0.37 vs. 4.24 ± 0.54 cm, respectively, p = 0.841) and the distal part of GM (4.25 ± 0.35 vs. 4.18 ± 0.65 cm, respectively, p = 0.780), similar pennation angles, and muscle thickness (p > 0.216), and larger ankle angle at rest (120.9 ± 4.2 vs. 110.9 ± 5.8°, respectively, p = 0.001). During stretching, FT displayed greater fascicle elongation compared to FNT at the medial (+1.67 ± 0.37 vs. +1.28 ± 0.22 cm, respectively, p = 0.048) and the distal part (+1.84 ± 0.67 vs. +0.97 ± 0.97 cm, respectively, p = 0.013), larger change in joint angle and muscle tendon junction displacement (MTJ) (p < 0.001). Muscle thickness was similar in both groups (p > 0.053). Ankle dorsiflexion angle significantly correlated with fascicle elongation at the distal part of GM (r = −0.638, p < 0.01) and MTJ displacement (r = −0.610, p < 0.05). Collectively, FT had greater fascicle elongation at the medial and distal part of GM and greater MTJ displacement during stretching than FNT of similar age. © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Τhis study examined changes in hip joint flexion angle after an intermittent or a continuous static stretching protocol of equal total duration. Twenty-seven female subjects aged 19.9 ± 3.0 years (14 artistic and rhythmic gymnasts and 13 team sports athletes), performed 3 min of intermittent (6 × 30 s with 30 s rest) or continuous static stretching (3 min) of the hip extensors, with an intensity of 80-90 on a 100-point visual analogue scale. The order of stretching was randomized and counterbalanced, and each subject performed both conditions. Hip flexion angle was measured with the straight leg raise test for both legs after warm-up and immediately after stretching. Both stretching types equally increased hip flexion angle by ~6% (continuous: 140.9° ± 20.4° to 148.6° ± 18.8°, p = 0.047; intermittent: 141.8° ± 20.3° to 150.0° ± 18.8°, p = 0.029) in artistic and rhythmic gymnasts. In contrast, in team sports athletes, only intermittent stretching increased hip flexion angle by 13% (from 91.0° ± 7.2° to 102.4° ± 14.5°, p = 0.001), while continuous stretching did not affect hip angle (from 92.4° ± 6.9° vs. 93.1° ± 9.2°, p = 0.99). The different effect of intermittent vs. continuous stretching on hip flexion between gymnasts and team sports athletes suggests that responses to static stretching are dependent on stretching mode and participants training experience. © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

BACKGROUND Studies specifically conducted to assess gender differences in genital lichen sclerosus (GLS) are not available. This multicenter study aimed to identify possible gender-related differences on GLS clinical features, history and course, through collecting data from a large mixed-sex sample of patients. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study on 729 subjects (53.8% females, 46.2% males) affected with GLS, consecutively observed within a network of 15 Italian dermatology units. The following information was specifically collected: clinical features and severity of symptoms related to GLS, extragenital involvement, previous therapies, diagnostic suspicion at referral, type of referring physicians, development of genital squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC). RESULTS Females complained of symptoms more frequent and severe than men; pallor and scarring-sclerosis-atrophy were the most frequent features without gender differences; itching- related signs were more frequent in females than in males as well as extragenital involvement; prior to receiving a definitive diagnosis, females received treatment more frequently than males; 40% of patients were referred with a misdiagnosis; the highest rate of correct suspected diagnosis at referral came from dermatologists than from other physicians; duration of the disease was found to predispose to SCC development. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlighted several gender differences on clinical presentation and symptom profile of GLS. In spite of some characteristic features, misdiagnosis at referrals was frequent.

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorroheae (NG) represent the most common agents of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs), worldwide. Recently, nucleic acid amplification techniques (NAATs) have become the reference methods for CT/NG infection diagnosis, thanks to the excellent sensitivity and specificity. Moreover, the use of multiplex tests allows the detection of both pathogens from the same sample, leading to a more simplified syndromic management. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of BD ProbeTec CT/GC Qx DNA Amplified assay for CT and NG detection, by a comparison with another commercial NAAT. Materials/methods: From January 2017, a total of 352 consecutive uro-genital samples, submitted to the Microbiology Unit of S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital in Bologna (Italy) for CT and NG detection, were selected. In particular, 26 swabs and 141 urines were collected from subjects attending different clinics in the Bologna city area, while 120 urines and 65 swabs from patients attending the STI Outpatients Clinic of the Hospital. All the samples were tested with a multiplex real-time PCR (Versant CT/GC DNA 1.0 Assay; Siemens), currently used in the diagnostic routine. Subsequently, all the specimens were tested also with the BD ProbeTec CT/GC Qx DNA Amplified assay run on BD Viper LT platform. Both the methods are characterized by highly automated systems for nucleic acids extraction and target detection. Results: When compared, the two methods showed excellent concordance values. In particular, a concordance of 98.4% and 98.8% was found for CT detection on urine samples and genital swabs,with Cohen k of 0.86 and 0.94, respectively. For NG infection, a 100%-concordance was found on urines and a 98.9% of concordance for the genital swabs, with Cohen k of 1 and 0.85, respectively. NG infection prevalence ranged from the 4% in the population attending the STI Clinic of the Hospital, to the 0.8% in the general population. CT infection prevalence reached the 9.1% in the high-risk subjects, being 2.4% in the general population. Conclusions: The BD assay and the Vyper system can represent an excellent choice for the molecular detection of CT and NG infection.

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) represents the agent of the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Although several in-vitro studies have investigated the metabolic adaptation of CT to host cells, no data are available about the metabolic profile that can be found in human biological fluids during an ongoing CT infection. The aim of this study was to compare the urine metabolome in women with or without Chlamydia urethritis. Materials/methods: From January to July 2016, all the pre-menopausal non-pregnant Caucasian women attending the STI Outpatients Clinic of Sant’Orsola-Malpighi Hospital in Bologna (Italy) and meeting one of the following criteria were enrolled: presence of uro-genital symptoms and/or presence of risk factors for CT infection. After a clinical examination, an urine sample was collected from each woman and used for CT and Neisseria gonorrhoeae molecular detection (Versant CT/GC DNA 1.0 Assay; Siemens Healthineers). Moreover, 1 mL of urine specimen was subjected to the metabolomic analysis, by means of a proton-based nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy. In case of a CT positive result, CT molecular genotyping was performed by omp1 gene semi-nested PCR followed by RFLP analysis. A written consent was obtained by all the patients and the study protocol was approved by the Ethics committee of the Hospital. Results: During the study period, a total of 119 subjects were enrolled: 98 women were negative for a CT infection, whereas 21 were assigned to the CT-positive group. We were able to identify 3 metabolites whose concentrations were significantly higher in the urine samples of CT-infected women: sucrose (P=0.0005), mannitol (P=0.003) and lactate (P=0.002). These results were comparable for all the CT serovars detected (D, E, F, G, K). Conclusions: Since the presence of sugars can increase the stability of chlamydial proteins, higher levels of sucrose and mannitol in the urethral lumen could have favoured CT infection acquisition or persistence. Lactate could result from CT-induced immunopathology, as a product of the inflammatory microenvironment. Further studies are needed to understand the potential role of these metabolites in the pathogenesis of CT infection, as well as their diagnostic/prognostic use.

INTRODUZIONE: Gardnerella vaginalis (GV) è un batterio anaerobio facoltativo, pleomorfico, Gram-variabile. GV è la specie batterica più comunemente ritrovata a livello vaginale in corso vaginosi batterica (BV), condizione caratterizzata da una deplezione di lattobacilli e un’eccessiva crescita di anaerobi. Nonostante sia la specie più diffusa e più virulenta trovata in BV, GV fa parte del microbiota vaginale in una proporzione significativa di donne sane. Oltre a questo aspetto, è meno noto il ruolo di GV in altre condizioni cliniche che interessano il tratto genitale delle donne, come la candidosi vulvo-vaginale e le infezioni da Chlamydia trachomatis (CT). Lo scopo di questo studio è stato valutare e confrontare la distribuzione di GV nel tratto vaginale in 4 diversi gruppi: donne sane, con BV, con candidosi o con infezione da CT. METODI: A partire da luglio 2016 sono state arruolate tutte le donne in età fertile afferenti all’ambulatorio MTS del Policlinico Sant’Orsola-Malpighi di Bologna e che soddisfacevano uno dei seguenti criteri: presenza di sintomi vulvo-vaginali (es: perdite vaginali, sanguinamento anomalo, prurito) o presenza di fattori di rischio per l'infezione da CT (età

INTRODUZIONE: Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) e Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) rappresentano gli agenti eziologici delle più comuni infezioni batteriche a trasmissione sessuale al mondo. Nelle donne, le infezioni urogenitali da CT e GC sono spesso asintomatiche e possono provocare severe complicanze come la malattia infiammatoria pelvica e infertilità. Grazie alle ottime performance in termini di sensibilità e specificità e alla elevata automazione, i test di amplificazione degli acidi nucleici (NAATs) rappresentano i test di riferimento per la diagnosi di infezione da CT e GC. Lo scopo del presente studio è stato quello di valutare la performance del test Aptima Combo 2 per la diagnosi di infezione da CT e GC in un gruppo selezionato di donne in età fertile. Inoltre è stata valutata l’adeguatezza del sistema di raccolta con tampone E-Swab (Copan) per tale sistema NAAT. METODI: Attualmente, per le donne afferenti all’ambulatorio MTS del Policlinico Sant’Orsola-Malpighi di Bologna che presentano sintomi uro-genitali o che riportano rapporti sessuali non protetti, viene effettuata una visita clinica e vengono raccolti un campione di urina e un tampone vaginale per la ricerca di CT e GC tramite una duplex real-time PCR (Versant CT/GC DNA 1.0 assay; Siemens). A partire da gennaio 2016, sono state selezionate 100 pazienti e i loro campioni (urine e tamponi vaginali) sono stati testati in parallelo con il test Aptima Combo 2 su sistema Panther (Hologic). In particolare, a partire da campioni precedentemente congelati, 2 mL di urine e 100 μL del secreto vaginale raccolto in E-Swab sono stati trasferiti nei sistemi di raccolta dedicati per i test Aptima. Infine, è stato eseguito un confronto fra i due sistemi NAAT, stratificato per il tipo di campione analizzato e per singolo analita. RISULTATI: Nel gruppo di donne selezionate sono state incluse 25 pazienti positive per CT, 4 per GC, con un caso di co-infezione da entrambi i microorganismi. Con il test NAAT utilizzato di routine, tutti i casi di positività sono stati riscontrati contemporaneamente sia sul campione di urine che sul tampone vaginale, con l’eccezione di 3 infezioni da CT e una da GC, riscontrate solo su uno dei due campioni. Dal confronto con il test Aptima, è stata rilevata un’ottima concordanza, con valori di k di Cohen variabili tra 0.85 e 1.0 a seconda dell’analita e del materiale preso in considerazione. CONCLUSIONI: Il nostro studio conferma le ottime performance diagnostiche dei test Aptima Combo 2 e VERSANT CT/GC DNA 1.0 Assay, entrambi altamente automatizzati e di facile impego per gli utilizzatori. Da questo studio si è visto che è possibile analizzare con Aptima Combo 2 su sistema Panther anche campioni raccolti in E-Swab, potendo così procedere contemporaneamente a diagnosi molecolare e colturale nei casi di sospette infezioni gonococciche

INTRODUZIONE: Chlamydia trachomatis e Neisseria gonorroheae sono i principali patogeni ad eziologia batterica coinvolti nelle infezioni sessualmente trasmesse. Sebbene siano microorganismi dalle caratteristiche molto diverse, portano a manifestazioni cliniche simili e spesso confondenti. Negli ultimi anni, per la diagnosi di laboratorio di tali batteri, si è ampiamente diffuso l’uso di metodiche di amplificazione degli acidi nucleici, caratterizzate da sensibilità e specificità maggiori rispetto alle metodiche tradizionali di coltura e/o identificazione di antigeni. In particolare, si è affermato l’uso di test multiplex, che permettono di determinare parallelamente più patogeni a partire dallo stesso campione biologico. Lo scopo di questo studio è stato quello di valutare le performance del BD ProbeTec CT/GC Qx DNA Amplified assay su piattaforma BD Viper LT per la diagnosi delle infezioni da clamidia e gonococco, in comparazione ai dati ottenuti con il test VERSANT CT/GC 1.0 (Real-time PCR) (Siemens). METODI: Sono stati analizzati, in maniera retrospettiva, 352 campioni progressivi pervenuti al laboratorio di Microbiologia del Policlinico Sant’Orsola-Malpighi di Bologna per la ricerca di acidi nucleici di C. trachomatis e N. gonorrhoeae. In totale, 232 campioni erano stati raccolti da soggetti recatisi in poliambulatori presenti sul territorio comunale e provinciale di Bologna (26 tamponi e 141 urine), mentre 120 urine e 65 tamponi provenivano da pazienti dell’ambulatorio di Malattie a Trasmissione Sessuale (MTS) del Policlinico. I campioni sono stati testati con il kit VERSANT CT/GC 1.0, attualmente utilizzato nella routine diagnostica e successivamente con il BD ProbeTec CT/GC Qx DNA Amplified assay su piattaforma BD Viper LT. Le due metodiche si avvalgono di sistemi altamente automatizzati per le fasi di estrazione, allestimento piastre e rivelazione. RISULTATI: Le due metodiche hanno mostrato ottimi valori di concordanza tra loro; in particolare, la concordanza è stata del 98.4% per la determinazione delle infezioni da clamidia sulle urine e del 98.9% sui tamponi. Invece, la concordanza per le infezioni da gonococco è stata del 100% sulle urine e del 98.9% sui tamponi. La prevalenza di casi da N. gonorrhoeae nella popolazione afferente all’ambulatorio MTS è risultata del 4%, mentre è stata pari allo 0.8% nella popolazione a minor rischio di infezioni sessualmente trasmesse. Infine, la prevalenza di C. trachomatis nella popolazione a più alto rischio è risultata pari al 9.1%, mentre nella la popolazione generale è stata del 2.4%. CONCLUSIONI: Il nostro studio conferma le ottime performance diagnostiche dei test BD ProbeTec CT/GC Qx DNA Amplified assay su piattaforma BD Viper LT e VERSANT CT/GC DNA 1.0 Assay, entrambi altamente automatizzati e di facile impego per gli utilizzatori.

INTRODUZIONE: Il microbiota vaginale comprende numerose specie batteriche, fra cui microorganismi della classe dei Mollicutes. I più importanti Mollicutes che si ritrovano nel tratto genitale femminile sono rappresentati da Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU), Ureaplasma parvum (UP), Mycoplasma hominis (MH) e Mycoplasma genitalium (MG). Nonostante numerosi studi abbiano indagato il loro ruolo fisio-patologico nel microambiente vaginale, molti aspetti rimangono ancora da chiarire. L’obiettivo del presente studio è stato quello di valutare la presenza di micoplasmi e ureaplasmi nel microbiota vaginale in diverse condizioni cliniche: donne ‘sane’, donne con vulvo-vaginite da Candida, donne con infezione da Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) e donne con vaginosi batterica. METODI: Tramite saggi di PCR real-time quantitativi, sono stati valutati sia la presenza che il rispettivo ‘bacterial load’ dei principali Mollicutes (UU, UP, MH, MG) nel microbiota vaginale di donne caucasiche in età riproduttiva, afferenti all’ambulatorio MTS del Policlinico Sant’Orsola-Malpighi di Bologna. I criteri di inclusione comprendevano la presenza di sintomi uro-genitali o la presenza di fattori di rischio per infezioni a trasmissione sessuale. La recente assunzione di antibiotici, la gravidanza, un BMI > 30 e l’uso di farmaci anti-concezionali rappresentavano i principali criteri di esclusione. Per ogni paziente, dopo la visita clinica, è stato raccolto un tampone vaginale per la diagnosi molecolare di infezione da CT (Versant CT/GC DNA 1.0; Siemens) e per l’esecuzione di indagini microscopiche e colturali. In base ai risultati ottenuti, le donne sono state suddivise in quattro gruppi: 29 donne ‘sane’ (assenza di sintomi urogenitali e negatività alle principali indagini microbiologiche), 25 donne con infezione da C. trachomatis (positività per CT al test Versant CT/GC DNA 1.0 Assay su tampone vaginale), 23 donne con vulvo-vaginite da Candida (presenza di lieviti all’esame microscopico e/o colturale) e 21 donne con vaginosi batterica (presenza di almeno 3 dei 4 criteri di Amsel e score di Nugent > 7). RISULTATI: Complessivamente, le percentuali di positività per i diversi Mollicutes nella coorte delle 98 donne sono state le seguenti: 67.3% per UP, 14.3% per MH, 9.2% per UU e 3.1% per MG. Con l’eccezione di un caso, non è stata mai individuata una contemporanea positività per UU e UP. MH ha mostrato una significativa maggior prevalenza e più elevati ‘bacterial loads’ nelle donne con vaginosi batterica rispetto agli altri gruppi (P < 0.05). Sia dal punto di vista qualitativo che quantitativo, le donne con infezione da Candida e da CT hanno mostrato un pattern vaginale per Mollicutes simile a quello delle donne sane. CONCLUSIONI: I Mollicutes, in particolare UP, possono essere frequentemente ritrovati nel microbiota vaginale di donne ‘sane’. Sebbene non sempre presente, MH è fortemente associato alla condizione di vaginosi batterica

Lo scleromixedema rappresenta una variante clinica severa della rara mucinosi papulosa, conosciuta anche come lichen mixedematoso. Nella maggior parte dei pazienti si osservano sia le manifestazioni cutanee che una compromissione a livello sistemico. Nonostante che in letteratura siano riportate diverse opzioni terapeutiche per tale patologia, a oggi nessun trattamento si è rivelato del tutto soddisfacente. Presentiamo un caso di scleromixedema generalizzato con gammopatia monoclonale, non associato a coinvolgimento sistemico, che ha risposto con successo al trattamento orale con talidomide.

Cr, Fe, Rb, Ba and U were determined by inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry (ICP-SFMS) in various sections of the 3,270 m deep ice core recently drilled at Dome C on the high East Antarctic plateau as part of the EPICA program. The sections were dated from 263 kyr bp (depth of 2,368 m) to 672 kyr bp (depth of 3,062 m). When combined with the data previously obtained by Gabrielli and co-workers for the upper 2,193 m of the core, it gives a detailed record for these elements during a 672-kyr period from the Holocene back to Marine Isotopic Stage (MIS) 16.2. Concentrations and fallout fluxes of all elements are found to be highly variable with low values during the successive interglacial periods and much higher values during the coldest periods of the last eight climatic cycles. Crustal enrichment factors indicates that rock and soil dust is the dominant source for Fe, Rb, Ba and U whatever the period and for Cr during the glacial maxima. The relationship between Cr, Fe, Rb, Ba and U concentrations and the deuterium content of the ice appears to be similar before and after the Mid-Brunhes Event (MBE, around 430 kyr bp). Mean concentration values observed during the successive interglacials from the Holocene to MIS 15.5 appear to vary from one interglacial to another at least for part of the elements. Concentrations observed during the successive glacial maxima suggest a decreasing trend from the most recent glacial maxima (MIS 2.2 and 4.2) to the oldest glacial maxima such as MIS 14.2, 14.4 and 16.2, which could be linked with changes in the size distribution of dust particles transported from mid-latitude areas to the East Antarctic ice cap.

Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Ph and Bi were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Sector Field Mass Spectrometry (ICP-SFMS) in seventy-seven sections of the 3270 m deep ice core drilled at Dome C at an altitude of 3233 m on the East Antarctic plateau as part of the European Program for Ice Coring in Antarctica (EPICA). The depth of the section ranged from 2368.85 m (263.6 kyr BP) to 3062.13 m (672.0 kyr BP). When combined with data previously obtained for the upper part of the core, it gives a detailed record of past natural variations in the concentrations of these heavy metals during the last eight climatic cycles from the Holocene back to Marine Isotopic Stage (MIS) 16.2. Concentrations of all metals are found to have strongly varied. For Cu, Pb, Bi and possibly Zn concentrations appear to be closely linked with climate conditions, with high values during glacial maxima and much lower values during interglacials. The situation is less clear for As and Cd, for which variations are less clearly linked with climate conditions. Rock and soil dust appears to be the main source of Cu, Zn, Bi and Pb during glacial maxima, and a significant source for these metals during interglacials while, As, Cd and Bi present a more complex inputs from several sources, with a particularly significant impact of volcanism. (c) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V.

To improve quantitative interpretation of ice core aeolian dust records, a systematic methodological comparison was made. This involved methods for water-insoluble particle counting (Coulter Counter and laser-sensing particle detector), soluble ion analysis (ion chromatography, and continuous flow analysis), elemental analysis (inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy at pH 1 and after full acid digestion), and water-insoluble elemental analysis (proton induced X-ray emission). Antarctic ice core samples covering the last deglaciation from the EPICA Dome C (EDC) and the EPICA Dronning Maud Land (EDML) cores were used. All methods correlate very well amongst each other, but the ratios of glacial age to Holocene concentrations, which are typically a factor ~100, differ between the methods by up to a factor of 2 with insoluble particles showing the largest variability. The recovery of ICP-MS measurements depends on the digestion method and is different for different elements and during different climatic periods. EDC and EDML samples have similar dust composition, which suggests a common dust source or a common mixture of sources for the two sites. The analysed samples further reveal a change of dust composition during the last deglaciation.

It and Pt are siderophile elements that are considered proxies of meteoric material of cosmic origin entrapped within polar ice layers. However, volcanic and anthropogenic fallouts have the potential to perturb their characteristic extraterrestrial signature even in remote polar areas. Here we show a record of Ir and Pt concentrations in snow samples collected from a 2.7 m pit, which was dug at Summit (Central Greenland), and covered five years from winter 1991 to summer 1995. A well-defined peak of Pt, and a spike of Ir, were found at the base of the snow pit record. These maxima occur in close concurrence with large concentration peaks in Al, Ag, Cd and Hg. Dating of the snow layers together with some geochemical evidence suggests that these peaks originated from the fallout to Greenland of volcanic ash emitted by the nearby Hekla volcano (Iceland), during the eruption of January-March 1991. Interestingly, an anomalous peak of methane sulfonic acid (MSA) in Greenland snow also corresponds to the Hekla ash fallout. This might point to an early biomass production in the North Atlantic Ocean during the first half of 1991, which was possibly stimulated by the fertilizing action of the Hekla ash fallout to seawater. During the following years (1992-1995) the global atmosphere was under the influence of the large perturbation produced by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo (Philippines) in June 1991. Relatively high Ir and Pt concentrations with super-chondritic ratios are recorded especially during summer 1993. We discuss if this can be interpreted as the possible stratospheric input of Pinatubo's aerosol or fallout of extraterrestrial origin. During the same period the snow pit record was also influenced by the advection of air masses enriched in Pt with respect to In One possibility is that this additional Pt contribution originated from widespread emissions into the troposphere produced by vehicles equipped with catalytic converters. In any case, Pt concentration levels found in recent Greenland snow are about two orders of magnitude lower than previously thought, pointing to a much lower anthropogenic contamination of the Arctic regions from Pt. This challenges the concept of an important hemispheric contamination of Pt from vehicles equipped with catalytic converters. Published by Elsevier B.V

A decrease in the micronutrient iron supply to the Southern Ocean is widely believed to be involved in the atmospheric CO2 increase during the last deglaciation. Here we report the first record of atmospheric iron fluxes as determined in 166 samples of the Dome C ice core and covering the last glacial-interglacial transition (22– 9 kyr B.P.). It reveals a decrease in fallout flux from 24 x 10-2 mg Fe m-2 yr-1 during the Last Glacial Maximum to 0.7 x 10-2 mg Fe m-2 yr-1 at the onset of the Holocene. The acid leachable fraction of iron determined in our samples was the 60% of the total iron mass in glacial samples, about twice the value found for Holocene samples. This emerging difference in iron solubility over different climatic stages provides a new insight for evaluating the iron hypothesis over glacial/ interglacial periods.

Pb and Ba concentrations and Pb isotopic compositions are reported for firn core and snow pit samples from Victoria Land, Antarctica, dating from 1872 AD to 1994 AD. From variations in Pb/Ba ratios and Pb isotopic compositions, two periods of major Pb enhancements were identified, from 1891 to 1908 AD and from 1948 to 1994 AD. The earlier pollution event is attributed to Pb emissions from non-ferrous metal production and coal combustion in the Southern Hemisphere and is in excellent agreement with coincident pollution inputs reported in firn/ice cores from two other regions of Antarctica, at Coats Land and Law Dome. Using Pb isotopic systematics, it was calculated that ~50% of Pb deposited in Victoria Land in 1897 originated from anthropogenic emission sources. The more recent period of Pb enhancements, from 1948 to 1994 AD, corresponds to the introduction and widespread use of gasoline alkyl Pb additives in automobiles in the Southern Hemisphere, with anthropogenic Pb inputs averaging 60% of total Pb but with large uncertainty. Intra- and inter-annual variations in Pb concentrations and isotopic compositions were evaluated in snow pits samples corresponding to the period 1991–1994. Substantial variations in Pb/ Ba and 206Pb/207Pb ratios were detected but the absence of a regular seasonal pattern for these parameters suggests that the transport and deposition of aerosols to the Antarctic ice sheet are complex and vary from year to year.