La questione kosovara: che Belgrado non serbi rancore!

Nel nuovo millennio alcuni territori dei Balcani sono oggetto di profondi mutamenti dal punto di vista culturale, politico e amministrativo. In questo contributo si punta l’attenzione sugli sviluppi dell’indipendenza del Kosovo dalla Serbia avvenuta nel 2008

Chlamydia trachomatis detection in a population of asymptomatic and symptomatic women: correlation with the presence of serological markers for this infection

A study of 371 women (261 asymptornatic and 110 symptomatic subjects with clinical PID) was performed to detect the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis (C.t.) and to correlate the serological markers against this microrganism, such as antibody to chlamydial bsp60 (Ab-Chsp60) and different levels of IgG, IgM and IgA, with epidemiology, pathology, sexual habits, age, diagnostic methods in the groups of women with and without pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). We found a statistically significant difference between the asymptornatic and symptomatic women regarding the presence of C.t. (3.4% versus 20%; p < 0.0001). This presence was affected by the age of women (more in the group:525 years old), by having sex with new partners mainly if they did not undergo an antibiotic treatment. The association of antibody Chsp60 with the presence of clinical PID was quite striking. We also found a strict correlation between the detection of Ab-Chsp60 and previous chlamydial infection as well as between Ab-Chsp60 and elevated serum chlamydial IgG or IgA levels. Due to these findings, we can say that the use of serological markers for C.t. in clinical practice may be an important tool for an early screening and diagnosis of women at high risk of chlamydial infection

Detection of serological markersfor Chlamydia trachomatis infection: comparison between two groups of women

The aim of our work has been to study two groups of women (261 asymptomatic women without genital symptoms and 110 attending a Gynaecologic Clinic for genital infections) in order to evaluate the presence of Chlamydia for each group. Then we determined if the presence of serological markers for this infection such as Antibody to Chsp-60 (Ab-Chsp60) or the detection of IgG, IgA and IgM would be different in these two groups of population and consequently if they could be a sensitive screening marker for the course of C.t.infection. In such a way, we would be able to screen the population at high risk for PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) and sterility. In fact if the correlation between high levels of serological markers and serious sequelae following the infection may be demonstrated, women resulted positive at these tests could be identified and appropriately treated

Presence and incidence of DNA sequences of human polyomaviruses BKV and JCV in colon-rectal tumor tissues

Abstract. The human polyomaviruses JCV and BKV are widespread within population, as shown by serological studies. However, exposure to these viruses does not seem to have pathological consequences in immunocompetent individuals, while in immunocompromised or immunosuppressed patients, polyomaviruses can be activated, giving rise to serious pathologies. Viral DNA sequences were also found in cells from a number of human tumors of mesothelial origin, suggesting that activation of BKV and JCV, taking place in genetically predisposed and/or in immunodepressed individuals, might be involved in the mechanisms of tumor transformation. In this study, samples obtained from 18 patients with colon rectal carcinoma were probed for the presence of JCV and BKV by three different techniques: Southern blot, PCR and in situ hybridization. Our results demonstrate that viral DNA sequences were present in 16 out of the 18 cases considered (88.9%). In the large majority of cases, viruses were detected both in the tumor mass and in the surrounding healthy tissues. Lymphocytes in the investigated areas were also found to be infected by polyomaviruses. These data indicate, for the first time, a possible involvement of polyomaviruses in the pathogenesis of tumors of endothelial origin, like the human colon rectal carcinoma

First Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence round-robin test of water samples: Preliminary results

Total reflection X-Ray Fluorescence (TXRF) is a mature technique to evaluate quantitatively the elemental composition of liquid samples deposited on clean and well polished reflectors. In this paper the results of the first worldwide TXRF round-robin test of water samples, involving 18 laboratories in 10 countries are presented and discussed. The test was performed within the framework of the VAMAS project, Interlaboratory comparison of TXRF spectroscopy for environmental analysis, whose aim is to develop guidelines and a standard methodology for biological and environmental analysis by means of the TXRF analytical technique

Toward an international consensus-Integrating lipoprotein apheresis and new lipid-lowering drugs

Background Despite advances in pharmacotherapy of lipid disorders, many dyslipidemic patients do not attain sufficient lipid lowering to mitigate risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Several classes of novel lipid-lowering agents are being evaluated to reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk. Lipoprotein apheresis (LA) is effective in acutely lowering the plasma concentrations of atherogenic lipoproteins including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lipoprotein(a), and novel lipid-lowering drugs may dampen the lipid rebound effect of LA, with the possibility that LA frequency may be decreased, in some cases even be discontinued. Sources of material This document builds on current American Society for Apheresis guidelines and, for the first time, makes recommendations from summarized data of the emerging lipid-lowering drug classes (inhibitors of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 or microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, high-density lipoprotein mimetic), including the available evidence on combination therapy with LA with respect to the management of patients with dyslipidemia. Abstract of findings Recommendations for different indications are given based on the latest evidence. However, except for lomitapide in homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia and alirocumab/evolocumab in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia subjects, limited data are available on the effectiveness and safety of combination therapy. More studies on combining LA with novel lipid-lowering drugs are needed. Conclusion Novel lipid-lowering agents have potential to improve the performance of LA, but more evidence is needed. The Multidisciplinary International Group for Hemapheresis TherapY and Metabolic DIsturbances Contrast scientific society aims to establish an international registry of clinical experience on LA combination therapy to expand the evidence on this treatment in individuals at high cardiovascular disease risk