0000000001092296
AUTHOR
M. A. Di Benedetto
Knowledge, attitude, and practice of the use of ready-to-eat vegetables among potential consumers of Palermo (Italy).
The knowledge, attitude, and practice toward the use of ready-to-eat vegetables were evaluated in a sample of 701 (388 women and 313 men) potential consumers in Palermo, by answering to an anonymous questionnaire handed out. Food safety perceptions and behaviors were analysed; in general, interviewed consumers who perceived higher risks exhibited safer food behaviors. There weren't considerable differences in the use of these salads between two sexes; 81.4% of respondents uses these products to save a lot of time, particularly the graduates attach importance to saving in time (p = 0.001), and only 34.4% is worrying about high price. Statistical analysis showed a significant correlation betw…
Associations of classic Kaposi sarcoma with common variants in genes that modulate host immunity
AbstractClassic Kaposi sarcoma (CKS) is an inflammatory-mediated neoplasm primarily caused by Kaposi sarcoma–associated herpesvirus (KSHV). Kaposi sarcoma lesions are characterized, in part, by the presence of proinflammatory cytokines and growth factors thought to regulate KSHV replication and CKS pathogenesis. Using genomic DNA extracted from 133 CKS cases and 172 KSHV-latent nuclear antigen-positive, population-based controls in Italy without HIV infection, we examined the risk of CKS associated with 28 common genetic variants in 14 immune-modulating genes. Haplotypes were estimated for IL1A, IL1B, IL4, IL8, IL8RB, IL10, IL12A, IL13, and TNF. Compared with controls, CKS risk was decrease…
Correlates of Human Herpesvirus-8 DNA detection among adults in Italy without Kaposi sarcoma.
Background: The presence of Human Herpesvirus-8 (HHV8) DNA is predictive of Kaposi sarcoma (KS) among patients with HIV-associated or iatrogenic immunosuppression. However, correlates of HHV8-DNA detection in the general population remain undefined. Methods: We assessed correlates of HHV8-DNA detection among Italian adults without KS who had antibodies against HHV8-latent nuclear antigen by immunofluorescence assay. HHV8-K6 DNA sequences were detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells using TaqMan CR. Results: Of the 158 subjects 26 (16.5%) had detectable HHV8-DNA [median copies/million cells, 53; (13-2128)]. Adjusted for age, sex, and laboratory, HHV8-DNA was detected more frequently i…
Molecular characterization of Giardia duodenalis cysts in the Oreto river (Sicily, Southern Italy)
<p><strong>Background</strong>: The presence of Giardia was investigated along the Oreto river between January 2008 and May 2009 with the aim of understanding the source of contamination by molecular typing of cysts.</p><p><strong>Methods</strong>: A total of 38 water samples (10 collected from the river mouth, 24 from the whole Oreto basin and 4 sewage samples from the Monreale treatment plant) were processed. In addition, 22 faecal samples of livestock living close to the Oreto area, were analyzed. The presence of Giardia was determined by immunofluorescence assay and their genetic characterization was achieved by a nested PCR assay targeting the …
A study on occupational exposure of Sicilian farmers to Giardia and Cryptosporidium
Introduction. A cross-sectional study was undertaken to deter- mine the prevalence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in calves of Palermo area (Sicily) and to evaluate the occupational risk associated with occurrence of zoonotic genotypes. Methods. A total of 217 faecal samples, from 149 calves (between 2 and 240 days of age) and 68 farmers, were collected in 19 cattle- farms of Palermo area. A questionnaire regarding demographic characteristics and personal hygienic measures was submitted to all farmers. All faecal samples were analyzed by Immunoflu- orescence assay and Polimerase Chain Reaction (PCR); geno- types were determined by DNA sequencing of Triose Phosphate Isomerase gene for Giardi…