Serological survey on immunity status against polioviruses in children and adolescents living in a border region, Apulia (Southern Italy)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In 1988 the World Health Assembly adopted the goal to eradicate poliomyelitis by routine immunization using Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV). On 21 June 2002 the WHO European Region was declared polio-free. In 2008 poliomyelitis is still endemic in 4 countries (Nigeria, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan), where 1201 new cases were registered in 2007; 107 sporadic cases were also notified in countries where poliovirus is not endemic. The aim of this work was to verify the level of antipoliomyelitis immunity status in children and adolescents in the Apulia region (south of Italy), which may be considered a border region due to its position.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>704 blood specimens from a convenience sample were collected in six laboratories. The age of subjects enrolled was 0–15 years. The immunity against poliomyelitis was evaluated by neutralizing antibody titration in tissue culture microplates.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Seropositivity (neutralising antibodies titre ≥ 8) for polioviruses 1, 2 and 3 was detected in 100%, 99.8% and 99.4% of collected sera. Antibody titres were not lower in subjects who received either four doses of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) or a sequential schedule consisting of two doses of IPV and two of oral polio vaccine than in subjects who received four doses of OPV.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results confirmed current data of vaccine coverage for poliomyelitis: during the last ten years in Apulia, the coverage in 24 months old children was more than 90%. The high level of immunization found confirms the effectiveness both of the sequential schedule IPV-OPV and of the schedule all-IPV. Apulia region has to face daily arrivals of refugees and remains subject to the risk of the importation of poliovirus from endemic areas. Surveys aimed at determining anti-polio immunity in subpopulations as well as in the general population should be carried out.</p

t10c12 Conjugated Linoleic Acid Suppresses HER2 Protein and Enhances Apoptosis in SKBr3 Breast Cancer Cells: Possible Role of COX2

BACKGROUND: HER2-targeted therapy with the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin) has improved disease-free survival for women diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancers; however, treatment resistance and disease progression are not uncommon. Current data suggest that resistance to treatment in HER2 cancers may be a consequence of NF-kappaB overexpression and increased COX2-derived prostaglandin E2 (PGE(2)). Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been shown to have anti-tumor properties and to inhibit NF-kappaB activity and COX2. METHODS: In this study, HER2-overexpressing SKBr3 breast cancer cells were treated with t10c12 CLA. Protein expression of the HER2 receptor, nuclear NF-kappaB p65, and total and phosphorylated IkappaB were examined by western blot and immunofluorescence. PGE(2) levels were determined by ELISA. Proliferation was measured by metabolism of 3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), and apoptosis was measured by FITC-conjugated Annexin V staining and flow cytometry. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: We observed a significant decrease in HER2 protein expression on western blot following treatment with 40 and 80 microM t10c12 CLA (p<0.01 and 0.001, respectively) and loss of HER2 protein in cells using immunoflourescence that was most pronounced at 80 microM. Protein levels of nuclear NF-kappaB p65 were also significantly reduced at the 80 microM dose. This was accompanied by a significant decrease in PGE(2) levels (p = 0.05). Pretreatment with t10c12 CLA significantly enhanced TNFalpha-induced apoptosis and the anti-proliferative action of trastuzumab (p = 0.05 and 0.001, respectively). These data add to previous reports of an anti-tumor effect of t10c12 CLA and suggest an effect on the HER2 oncogene that may be through CLA mediated downregulation of COX2-derived PGE(2)

Phyto-oestrogens and breast cancer chemoprevention

Phytoestrogens are polyphenol compounds of plant origin that exhibit a structural similarity to the mammalian steroid hormone 17β-oestradiol. In Asian nations the staple consumption of phyto-oestrogen-rich foodstuffs correlates with a reduced incidence of breast cancer. Human dietary intervention trials have noted a direct relationship between phyto-oestrogen ingestion and a favourable hormonal profile associated with decreased breast cancer risk. However, these studies failed to ascertain the precise effect of dietary phyto-oestrogens on the proliferation of mammary tissue. Epidemiological and rodent studies crucially suggest that breast cancer chemoprevention by dietary phyto-oestrogen compounds is dependent on ingestion before puberty, when the mammary gland is relatively immature. Phyto-oestrogen supplements are commercially marketed for use by postmenopausal women as natural and safe alternatives to hormone replacement therapy. Of current concern is the effect of phyto-oestrogen compounds on the growth of pre-existing breast tumours. Data are contradictory, with cell culture studies reporting both the oestrogenic stimulation of oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cell lines and the antagonism of tamoxifen activity at physiological phyto-oestrogen concentrations. Conversely, phyto-oestrogen ingestion by rodents is associated with the development of less aggressive breast tumours with reduced metastatic potential. Despite the present ambiguity, current data do suggest a potential benefit from use of phyto-oestrogens in breast cancer chemoprevention and therapy. These aspects are discussed

Anfore spagnole nel Veneto. Progetto di ricerca e primi prodotti

During the last few years we have witnessed the development of research on trade amphorae, in particular with the help of archaeometric techniques and quantitative processing of analytical data. In this context we can quote the research project carried out by the Authors, which focuses on the amphorae of Spanish origin found in Venetia. The study is substantially articulated in two main aspects: the first one concerns morphometric analysis of the amphorae by means of their photogrammetric restitution and the comparison between the diverse forms using geometric indexes calculated on the coordinates of the points measured on the vase outline. The second one concerns the characterization of the amphorae by means of the chemical-mineralogical analysis of the paste, with an aim to reconstruct their exact provenance. The historical-archaeological purpose of the project, whose first results concern the amphorae from the Tomba di Giulietta in Verona, is the assessment of trade exchanges between Venetia and Betica

TL-dating and characterization of Medieval pottery from the island of S. Lorenzo di Ammiana (Venice).

Recent excavations conducted in the small island of S. Lorenzo di Ammiana, one of the first sites inhabited by the Venetians in the northern part of the lagoon of Venice, resulted in the finding of continuous archaeological strata dating from the II century A.D. to the XVI century A.D