Alessio Facciolà

Higher levels of oxidative DNA damage in cervical cells are correlated with the grade of dysplasia and HPV infection

The Human papillomavirus is responsible for the most common sexually transmitted infection and is also known to be an oncogenic virus that is associated with cervical, anogenital, and head‐neck cancers. The present study aims to assess whether oxidative DNA damage is correlated with the grade of HPV‐related lesions. Moreover, we evaluated clinical data and unhealthy lifestyles to verify their possible influence on the genesis of oxidative DNA damage in cervical cells. We quantified the amount of 8‐Oxo‐2′‐deoxyguanosine in DNA as a biomarker of oxidative damage in women with and without HPV infection. We also correlated oxidative damage with different stages of cervical lesions and available clinical data (e.g., HPV genotypes). To identify HPV infections, in which proteins with a transforming potential are produced, we performed a qualitative detection of HPV E6/E7 mRNA. Our results showed greater oxidative damage in HPV‐related dysplastic cervical lesions compared to samples with normal cytology, especially in women with high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. The latter showed a closed link with high‐risk HPV genotypes. Reactive oxygen species can induce DNA double‐strand breaks in both the host DNA and in the circular viral episome; this could facilitate the integration of the virus, promoting HPV carcinogenesis. Therefore, in HPV‐infected women, it could be useful to reduce additional resources of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (RONS) with a healthy lifestyle. J. Med. Virol. 88:336–344, 2016.

An Innovative Approach to Hospital Sanitization Using Probiotics: In Vitro and Field Trials

Background: The nosocomial infections continue to be a problem, even in hospitals where meticulous sanitization procedures are in place. The most commonly used methods employ chemical disinfectants which carry some disadvantages. Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of an innovative sanitization procedure using probiotic bacteria based on the principle of biological competition: Probiotic Cleaning Hygiene System (PCHS). Methods: The study included survival tests and in vitro and field trials. The in vitro trials tested three surfaces (washbasin, floor and desk) in the absence of recontamination. Field trials were carried out in order to evaluate the efficacy of probiotics in the presence of contaminants and to study whether probiotics are able to contain pathogens over time. Samples were taken from the floor in a corridor and an inpatient room and the dispensary washbasin twice daily (pre-sanitization and post-sanitization). Results: The in vitro tests on three surfaces, not subject to recontamination, resulted in an average reduction ranging from 92.2% to 99.9% after 24 h. From field trials it emerged that the bacterial count was totally eliminated for Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans and almost 100% elimination of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii e Klebsiella pneumoniae on all three surfaces after only six hours even when recontaminated. However, less satisfactory results were attained for Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusion: PCHS acts constantly and is durable over time due to the stabilization of a biofilm which is able to reduce and contain the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms. Probiotics are therefore effective innovative products to sanitize the hospital environment.

The Possible Role of Mobile Phones in Spreading Microorganisms inHospitals

Mobile phones belonging to healthcare workers and inpatients represent a potential source of microorganisms, some being well-known sources of hospital infections. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of contamination of the hands and mobile phones of healthcare workers and inpatients. The study comprised 200 healthcare workers and 100 inpatients of the University Hospital in Messina (Italy) between April 1 and June 31, 2013. Bacterial contamination was detected on 230 mobile phones (76.6%) and on 250 hands (83.3%). The most frequently isolated bacteria belonged to the Staphylococcus genus. For hospital staff, 78% of mobile phones and 86% of hands were found to be contaminated. Similar results were obtained for inpatients whose mobile phones tested positive in 74% of cases, while for hands the rate was 78%. These findings are in line with international literature and demonstrate that routine everyday use of mobile phones by healthcare workers and inpatients represents an important vehicle of contamination since potentially pathogenic agents, capable of causing nosocomial infections, can pass from the telephone to the hands and vice versa.

In vitro assessment of the indirect antioxidant activity of Sulforaphane in redox imbalance vanadium-induced

Abstract Owing to sulforaphane presence, a dietary consumption of Brassicaceae prevents chronic diseases. This hormetic compound induces adaptive stress response at subtoxic doses, while doses that exceed the cellular defence are toxic. In HepG2, Caco-2 and Vero cells, we investigated the sulforaphane (SFN) (5 μM) role in counteracting redox imbalance induced by VOSO4 [V(IV)]. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test showed a dose-dependent viability reduction (r < −0.95; p < 0.01) (range 5–80 μM). At 5 μM, SFN enhancement of mitochondrial activity was confirmed by Δψm (p < 0.05) both in basal condition and in redox-stressed cells. Intracellular ROS, DNA and lysosomal oxidative damages underlined the indirect antioxidant SFN activity, confirmed by the increase of GSH. The SFN empowering effects on mitochondrial function were imputable to the presence of mitochondrial proteins among the Nrf2-responsive phase II proteins. Considering the link between oxidative stress and chronic diseases, a long-term dietary intake of Brassicaceae could be strongly advisable.

The role of the iron catalyst in the toxicity of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)

This study aimed to investigate the role of iron, used as a catalyst, in the biological response to pristine and functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (p/fMWCNTs) with an iron content of 2.5-2.8%. Preliminarily, we assessed the pro-oxidant activity of MWCNTs-associated iron by an abiotic test. To evaluate iron bioavailability, we measured intracellular redox-active iron in A549 cells exposed to both MWCNT suspensions and to the cell medium preconditioned by MWCNTs, in order to assess the iron dissolution rate under physiological conditions. Moreover, in exposed cells, we detected ROS levels, 8-oxo-dG and mitochondrial function. The results clearly highlighted that MWCNTs- associated iron was not redox-active and that iron leakage did not occur under physiological conditions, including the oxidative burst of specialized cells. Despite this, in MWCNTs exposed cells, higher level of intracellular redox-active iron was measured in comparison to control and a significant time-dependent ROS increase was observed (P<0.01). Higher levels of 8-oxo-dG, a marker of oxidative DNA damage, and decreased mitochondrial function, confirmed the oxidative stress induced by MWCNTs. Based on the results we believe that oxidative damage could be attributable to the release of endogenous redox-active iron. This was due to the damage of acidic vacuolar compartment caused by endocytosis-mediated MWCNT internalization.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and its correlation with human papillomavirus in people living with HIV: a systematic review

Over the last 20 years we assisted to an increase in the mean age of People Living with HIV and their comorbidities. Especially, there was an increase in Human Papillomavirus-related head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Despite their increasing incidence in HIV-positive people, mechanisms that lead to their development and progression are only partially understood. The aim of this review is to identify key data and factors about HPV-related head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in HIV-seropositive patients. Systematic search and review of the relevant literature-peer-reviewed and grey-was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. We included in our review only the 35 full-text articles we considered the most substantial. It is mandatory to improve our knowledge about the interactions existing between HPV and HIV, and about their actions on oral mucosa immune system.

Ex vivo evaluation of the effects of a white grape juice extract on lymphocytic mitochondrial functions

Abstract The physio-pathological role of mitochondria in aging and age-related diseases has stimulated the search for compounds able to promote mitochondrial functionality. Our study was designed to evaluate the effect of a white grape juice extract (WGJe) on mitochondrial activity, in an ex vivo experimental model consisting of activated lymphocytes obtained from a younger age group and an older age group of subjects. WGJe steadily decreased the lymphocytic mitochondrial mass in the older subjects, without a relevant effect in their younger counterpart, and significantly enhanced Δψm in both groups investigated. Finally, WGJe reduced the endogenous mitochondrial production of H2O2 in all subjects. The results support the potential use of WGJe to improve mitochondrial functionality, thus maintaining human health and slowing down aging. Graphical Abstract

Brucellosis is a public health problem in southern Italy: Burden and epidemiological trend of human and animal disease

BACKGROUND Brucellosis is the most common global bacterial zoonotic disease. Italian annual 2015 report on animal brucellosis control that was submitted to the Integrated National Plan of the Italian Health Ministry showed that the Italian region with the highest prevalence and incidence of brucellosis was Sicily (3.3%). This study aims to demonstrate the burden of disease and the epidemiological trend of human and animal brucellosis in Messina, Sicily, from 1997 to 2016. METHODS The analysis was conducted in the twenty-years 1997-2016. We examined the computerised and paper registers of the Messina Provincial Health Agency n.5 to evaluate human and animal brucellosis reports. RESULTS 1462 cases of human brucellosis were reported with an important outbreak in 2016 in which were reported 137 cases while the prevalence of infected cattle and sheep/goats decreased from 3.8% and 8%, respectively, in 1997 to 1.7% for both in 2016. A statistically significant correlation was observed between the decrease of both animal and human cases during the considered period. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrate that brucellosis is still present in Sicily with a number of cases identified in both animals and humans and it hypothesises a large number of probable underreported cases. Our findings confirm the need to improve knowledge of the risks associated with consuming raw milk and its derivatives, mainly from sheep and goats, and demonstrates that public health would benefit from cooperation between human and veterinary health services.