Induction of Cross-Reactive Antibodies to 2009 Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Virus (pH1N1) After Seasonal Vaccination (Winters 2003/04 and 2007/08)

Abstract We measured haemagglutination inhibiting (HI) serum antibody titers to vaccine matched A/H1N1 influenza virus strain and to the new pandemic 2009 A/H1N1 (pH1N1) virus in two groups of volunteers prior and after 2003/2004 or 2007/2008 influenza seasonal vaccine administration. The responses were examined considering the overall volunteers studied in the two winters (144 and 79, respectively) and grouping those subjects in birth cohort classes (1903–1919; 1920–1957; 1958–1977). Before vaccination, HI antibody titers were found in all the groups examined and, on comparing the different age-groups, titers were higher in the younger groups as compared with the oldest against the A/H1N1 seasonal strains but titers were higher in the oldest as compared with the younger ones against the pH1N1 strain. Vaccination induced significant increases in HI titers against the matched A/H1N1 vaccine strains in all the groups examined. The responses satisfied the EMEA criteria and were higher in the youngest volunteers as compared with older groups. Increases were also found in the level of cross-reactive HI antibodies to the new pandemic 2009 A/H1N1 virus although in most instances the requirements of the EMEA were not met

Father-to-daughter transmission in late-onset OTC deficiency: an underestimated mechanism of inheritance of an X-linked disease

BACKGROUND Ornithine Transcarbamylase Deficiency (OTCD) is an X-linked urea cycle disorder characterized by acute hyperammonemic episodes. Hemizygous males are usually affected by a severe/fatal neonatal-onset form or, less frequently, by a late-onset form with milder disease course, depending on the residual enzymatic activity. Hyperammonemia can occur any time during life and patients could remain non- or mis-diagnosed due to unspecific symptoms. In heterozygous females, clinical presentation varies based on the extent of X chromosome inactivation. Maternal transmission in X-linked disease is the rule, but in late-onset OTCD, due to the milder phenotype of affected males, paternal transmission to the females is possible. So far, father-to-daughter transmission of OTCD has been reported only in 4 Japanese families. RESULTS We identified in 2 Caucasian families, paternal transmission of late-onset OTCD with severe/fatal outcome in affected males and 1 heterozygous female. Furthermore, we have reassessed the pedigrees of other published reports in 7 additional families with evidence of father-to-daughter inheritance of OTCD, identifying and listing the family members for which this transmission occurred. CONCLUSIONS Our study highlights how the diagnosis and pedigree analysis of late-onset OTCD may represent a real challenge for clinicians. Therefore, the occurrence of paternal transmission in OTCD should not be underestimated, due to the relevant implications for disease inheritance and risk of recurrence

The role of ultrasound in systemic sclerosis: On the cutting edge to foster clinical and research advancement

Abstract Ultrasound has been widely explored in systemic sclerosis in the clinical and research settings. Ultrasound allows a non-invasive and ionising radiation-free ‘window’ into this complex disease and is well-suited to repeated examinations. Ultrasound provides novel insights into the pathogenesis and measurement of disease in systemic sclerosis, including early (preclinical) internal organ involvement. The purpose of this review is to describe the role of ultrasound to foster clinical and research advancements in systemic sclerosis relating to (1) musculoskeletal, (2) digital ulcer, (3) lung disease and (4) skin disease. We also highlight unmet needs which much be addressed for ultrasound to assume a central role in systemic sclerosis clinical care and research

The Incidence of AIDS-Defining Illnesses at a Current CD4 Count ≥200 Cells/µL in the Post-Combination Antiretroviral Therapy Era

The incidence of AIDS was higher in patients with a current CD4 count of 500-749 cells/µL compared to 750-999 cells/µL, but did not decrease further at higher CD4 levels. Results were similar in those virologically suppressed on combination antiretroviral therapy, suggesting immune reconstitution is incomplete until CD4 >750/µ

Impact of CD4 and CD8 dynamics and viral rebounds on loss of virological control in HIV controllers

Objective: HIV controllers (HICs) spontaneously maintain HIV viral replication at low level without antiretroviral therapy (ART), a small number of whom will eventually lose this ability to control HIV viremia. The objective was to identify factors associated with loss of virological control. Methods: HICs were identified in COHERE on the basis of \ue2\u89\ua55 consecutive viral loads (VL) \ue2\u89\ua4500 copies/mL over \ue2\u89\ua51 year whilst ART-naive, with the last VL \ue2\u89\ua4500 copies/mL measured \ue2\u89\ua55 years after HIV diagnosis. Loss of virological control was defined as 2 consecutive VL >2000 copies/mL. Duration of HIV control was described using cumulative incidence method, considering loss of virological control, ART initiation and death during virological control as competing outcomes. Factors associated with loss of virological control were identified using Cox models. CD4 and CD8 dynamics were described using mixed-effect linear models. Results: We identified 1067 HICs; 86 lost virological control, 293 initiated ART, and 13 died during virological control. Six years after confirmation of HIC status, the probability of losing virological control, initiating ART and dying were 13%, 37%, and 2%. Current lower CD4/CD8 ratio and a history of transient viral rebounds were associated with an increased risk of losing virological control. CD4 declined and CD8 increased before loss of virological control, and before viral rebounds. Discussion: Expansion of CD8 and decline of CD4 during HIV control may result from repeated low-level viremia. Our findings suggest that in addition to superinfection, other mechanisms, such as low grade viral replication, can lead to loss of virological control in HICs

Long-term Mortality in HIV-Positive Individuals Virally Suppressed for >3 Years With Incomplete CD4 Recovery

Virally suppressed HIV-positive individuals on combination antiretroviral therapy who do not achieve a CD4 count >200 cells/µL have substantially increased long-term mortality. The increased mortality was seen across different patient groups and for all causes of deat

Vetri e indicatori di produzione vetraria a Ostia e a Porto

Oltre agli esemplari più significativi, un tempo esposti nel Museo ostiense, lo studio presenta una prima ricognizione degli indicatori di produzione vetraria messi in luce principalmente negli scavi dei progetti DAI-AAR, Università di Augsburg, BSR-Università di Southampton condotti a Ostia e a Portus. Materiali e strutture produttive consentono di individuare un’attività vetraria sia a Ostia che a Portus nella prima metà del III secolo. A Ostia la produzione è testimoniata ancora tra la fine del IV e la prima metà del V secolo.Glass and production evidence from Ostia and Portus. The study focuses on glass production indicators found at Ostia and Portus by the research projects carried out by DAI-AAR, Augsburg University, BSR-Southampton University; furthermore, the most significant pieces once housed in the Museo ostiense are discussed. Materials and structures are the evidence for 3rd c. AD glass workshops at Ostia and Portus. Between the late 4th and the 5th c. AD other finds show that glass artisans are still active at Ostia

How to Train Professionals to Effectively Manage Child Abuse Cases? The Case-Example of a University-Based and Multidisciplinary Training Program in Italy

Despite the increasing number of child psychological, physical and sexual abuse cases, and the subsequentneed for interagency interventions, professional knowledge about the dynamics, nature, strengths and difficultiesof the integrated response to child abuse is not universal. In addition to this, training programsfor the delivery of a multidisciplinary approach to child abuse cases has always received little attention.The purpose of this chapter is to describe the postgraduate training course \u201cAssessment and treatmentapproach when handling child abuse cases and paedophilia\u201d, developed by the University of Modena andReggio Emilia (Italy), as an example of a university based and multidisciplinary training to child abuseprofessionals. This program is aimed at assisting graduated communities\u2019 professionals - such as childpsychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, educators, law enforcement officers, judges and lawyers - todevelop evidence based strategies to respond to child abuse. First the training program will be presented,describing contents and methods used to facilitate critical reflection and analysis of practice/policy: lectures,case studies, work-groups and team-building, web-based and experiential learning. Furthermore, theimpact on trainee knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors will be described and discussed on the basis of theexisting literature. Barriers to multidisciplinary work such as work style and communication differencesamong professions, attitudes and behaviors toward children, will be also critically discussed

Glass ingots, raw glass chunks, glass wastes and vessels from fifth century AD Palatine Hill (Rome, Italy)

The research focused on a collection of 20 glass fragments, including raw glass chunks and ingots, wastes and vessels found at the Palatine Hill in Rome and dated to the first half of the fifth century AD. The analyses performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS), electron microprobe (EMPA), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), laser ablation-ICP-MS (LA-ICP-MS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that all samples are constituted by natron-based soda-lime-silica glass. De/colouring agents were lead stannates (yellow brownish), copper and lead antimonates (green), different Fe2+/Fe3+ ratios (green, light green and yellow-green), Fe2+ (prevailing over Fe3+; aqua blue), cobalt (blue), metallic copper (reddish) and manganese (colourless). As for provenance, two samples were of Levantine provenance, nine samples were likely of Egyptian origin (HIMT glass) and, similarly, seven samples (or maybe nine, adding ingots nos. 1-2) were likely of North African provenance (HIMT/RNCBGY 1 glass)