Acute Delta Hepatitis in Italy spanning three decades (1991–2019): Evidence for the effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccination campaign

Updated incidence data of acute Delta virus hepatitis (HDV) are lacking worldwide. Our aim was to evaluate incidence of and risk factors for acute HDV in Italy after the introduction of the compulsory vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 1991. Data were obtained from the National Surveillance System of acute viral hepatitis (SEIEVA). Independent predictors of HDV were assessed by logistic-regression analysis. The incidence of acute HDV per 1-million population declined from 3.2 cases in 1987 to 0.04 in 2019, parallel to that of acute HBV per 100,000 from 10.0 to 0.39 cases during the same period. The median age of cases increased from 27 years in the decade 1991-1999 to 44 years in the decade 2010-2019 (p < .001). Over the same period, the male/female ratio decreased from 3.8 to 2.1, the proportion of coinfections increased from 55% to 75% (p = .003) and that of HBsAg positive acute hepatitis tested for by IgM anti-HDV linearly decreased from 50.1% to 34.1% (p < .001). People born abroad accounted for 24.6% of cases in 2004-2010 and 32.1% in 2011-2019. In the period 2010-2019, risky sexual behaviour (O.R. 4.2; 95%CI: 1.4-12.8) was the sole independent predictor of acute HDV; conversely intravenous drug use was no longer associated (O.R. 1.25; 95%CI: 0.15-10.22) with this. In conclusion, HBV vaccination was an effective measure to control acute HDV. Intravenous drug use is no longer an efficient mode of HDV spread. Testing for IgM-anti HDV is a grey area requiring alert. Acute HDV in foreigners should be monitored in the years to come

Cell proliferation, apoptosis and mitochondrial damage in rat B50 neuronal cells after cisplatin treatment.

OBJECTIVES: Cisplatin (cisPt) is used as a chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of a variety of human tumours; more recently, it has been demonstrated that tumour cell exposure to cisPt ultimately results in apoptosis, but the mechanism by which nuclear cisPt/DNA generates the cytoplasmic cascade of events involved has not been clarified. We have investigated the effects of cisPt on proliferation in the neuronal cell line B50, with particular attention being given to understand whether mitochondria are a target of cisPt and their involvement in the apoptotic process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rat neuronal B50 cells were used to investigate the mechanisms of cisPt-induced cytotoxicity; this line has been used as a model system for neurotoxicity in vivo. RESULTS:Changes in proliferation, induction of apoptosis, activation of caspase-3 and DNA fragmentation were observed in the cells, as well as morphological and biochemical alterations of mithocondria. Activation of caspase-9 confirmed that mitochondria are a target of cisPt. CONCLUSION: CisPt exerts cytotoxic effects in the neuronal B50 cell line via a caspase-dependent pathway with mitochondria being central relay stations

SOSTENIBILITÀ AMBIENTALE DELLA VALORIZZAZIONE DI MATERIE PLASTICHE DA DISCARICA MEDIANTE LANDFILL MINING

Il landfill mining è un insieme di tecnologie che opera sulle discariche al fine di recuperare il maggior quantitativo possibile di materia e trattare il rifiuto in essa contenuto. Inoltre, se presenti situazioni di contaminazione della falda e del suolo sottostante la discarica, consente anche di risanare le aree inquinate mediante interventi di bonifica e di realizzare la messa in sicurezza del sito, se originariamente sprovvisto di idonee strutture di contenimento, captazione e trattamento di eventuale percolato e biogas prodotto. Il presente studio ha lo scopo di analizzare, attraverso la metodologia Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), gli impatti e i benefici ambientali derivanti dalla valorizzazione di materie plastiche recuperate mediante landfill mining. In particolare, i confini del sistema dello studio includono il trattamento del rifiuto recuperato da una discarica industriale e la successiva trasformazione della plastica separata in materiale secondario mediante opportuni trattamenti meccanici. Inoltre, è stato effettuato un confronto tra la produzione di granulato plastico secondario, a partire dalla risorsa estratta con il landfill mining, e la produzione di granulato plastico da risorse primarie. Il primo scenario è risultato essere significativamente meno impattante del secondo, principalmente grazie all’evitata estrazione di greggio impiegato per la realizzazione della risorsa primaria