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Intracellular serpins are proposed to inactivate proteases released from lysosome-related organelles into the host cell interior, preventing cell death. Serpinb9 opposes the immune cytotoxic protease, granzyme B, and in a number of settings protects cells against granzyme B-mediated cell death. Using a knockout mouse line engineered to express green fluorescent protein under the serpbinb9 promoter, we demonstrate that serpinb9 is vital for host survival during Ectromelia virus infection by maintaining both mature natural killer NK) cells, and activated CD8 + T cells. Serpinb9 expression parallels granzyme B expression within both populations during infection. Maturing serpinb9-null NK cells exhibit higher levels of granzyme B-mediated apoptosis during infection; hence there are fewer mature NK cells, and these cells also have lower cytotoxic potential. Thus the serpinb9-granzyme B axis is important for homeostasis of both major cytotoxic effector cell populations.

Objectives This study addressed knowledge of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis and human papillomavirus (HPV), and attitudes and behaviours towards vaccines against them. Study design This is a cross-sectional, multicentre study. Methods Data were collected through a questionnaire administered to 530 adults who accessed four Departments of Prevention of the Italian National Health Service in 2013. Results Less than 50% of people gave the right answer to all the questions concerning the three diseases, but 96.2%, 94% and 92.7% agreed with the importance of vaccination against N. meningitidis, S. pneumoniae and HPV, respectively, and 58.4% expressed own willingness to have their children vaccinated with N. meningitidis B vaccine. The attitude towards vaccination was more positive in women for N. meningitidis and in people having children for HPV. Furthermore, individuals giving correct answers to all knowledge items were more in favour of both HPV and S. pneumoniae vaccination. A total of 68.8%, 82.6% and 84.5% of respondents vaccinated their own children against N. meningitidis C, S. pneumoniae and HPV, respectively. About 50% of the respondents reported paediatricians' or other health professionals' recommendations as the main reason for vaccination. Conclusions Vaccinations may be promoted through actions aimed at increasing citizens' knowledge. Health professionals should be educated to actively provide information on vaccinations in a clear, comprehensive and effective way.

Benign symmetrical lipomatosis (Madelung's disease) is a rare condition of unclear aetiology characterized by numerous, unencapsulated lipomatous deposits. The only effective treatment is by surgical intervention; however, there is no consensus in the optimal approach. We present the case of a patient who required staged, multi-modality treatment to achieve disease quiescence. The case highlights the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging as a tool for assessment as well as preoperative planning.Copyright © 2015 World Obesity.

Background: Malignant ameloblastoma, comprising metastasizing ameloblastoma and ameloblastic carcinoma, represents 1.6-2.2% of all odontogenic tumors. Due to its rare nature, malignant ameloblastoma has only been reported in the literature in small case series or case reports. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End-Results (SEER) database, we have performed a population-based study to determine the incidence rate and the absolute survival of malignant ameloblastoma. Method(s): Using the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O) codes 9310/3 and 9270/3, data from the SEER database were used to calculate the incidence rate and absolute survival rate of population with malignant ameloblastoma. Result(s): The overall incidence rate of malignant ameloblastoma was 1.79 per 10 million person/year. The incidence rate was higher in males than females and also higher in black versus white population. The median overall survival was 17.6 years from the time of diagnosis and increasing age was associated with a statistically significant poorer survival. Conclusion(s): To our best knowledge, we report the largest population-based series of malignant ameloblastoma. The incidence rate was 1.79 per 10 million person/year and the overall survival was 17.6 years. Copyright © 2015 Rizzitelli et al.

Benign symmetrical lipomatosis (Madelung's disease) is a rare condition of unclear aetiology characterized by numerous, unencapsulated lipomatous deposits. The only effective treatment is by surgical intervention; however, there is no consensus in the optimal approach. We present the case of a patient who required staged, multi-modality treatment to achieve disease quiescence. The case highlights the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging as a tool for assessment as well as preoperative planning.Copyright © 2015 World Obesity.

Background: Malignant ameloblastoma, comprising metastasizing ameloblastoma and ameloblastic carcinoma, represents 1.6-2.2% of all odontogenic tumors. Due to its rare nature, malignant ameloblastoma has only been reported in the literature in small case series or case reports. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End-Results (SEER) database, we have performed a population-based study to determine the incidence rate and the absolute survival of malignant ameloblastoma. Method(s): Using the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O) codes 9310/3 and 9270/3, data from the SEER database were used to calculate the incidence rate and absolute survival rate of population with malignant ameloblastoma. Result(s): The overall incidence rate of malignant ameloblastoma was 1.79 per 10 million person/year. The incidence rate was higher in males than females and also higher in black versus white population. The median overall survival was 17.6 years from the time of diagnosis and increasing age was associated with a statistically significant poorer survival. Conclusion(s): To our best knowledge, we report the largest population-based series of malignant ameloblastoma. The incidence rate was 1.79 per 10 million person/year and the overall survival was 17.6 years. Copyright © 2015 Rizzitelli et al.

Introduzione: Le vaccinazioni rappresentano uno tra gli interventi di Sanità Pubblica di maggiore e comprovata efficacia. Tuttavia, sebbene le evidenze scientifiche e le considerazioni di carattere etico impongano di investire risorse per l’attuazione dei programmi di vaccinazione nelle forme e nelle modalità più adeguate alla situazione epidemiologica e socio-sanitaria di ogni Paese, continuano a essere presenti scetticismi che rischiano di inficiare i benefici attesi dei programmi vaccinali. Testare il livello di conoscenza della popolazione riguardo le patologie prevenibili da vaccino e le attitudini nei confronti delle relative vaccinazioni è indispensabile per comprendere su quali leve andare ad agire per ridurre tale scetticismo. Scopo di questo studio è effettuare una valutazione delle conoscenze e delle attitudini della popolazione adulta nei confronti delle patologie sostenute da S. pneumoniae, N. meningitidis, HPV e HZV per cui esistono vaccinazioni ad hoc. Metodi: Ai fini di studiare le conoscenze e le attitudini della popolazione adulta nei confronti delle malattie sostenute da S. pneumoniae, N. meningitidis, HPV e HZV e relative vaccinazioni è stato elaborato un questionario che ha indagato, accanto agli aspetti demografici e sociali, le conoscenze circa l’eziologia, le modalità di trasmissione, la sintomatologia e le sequele delle malattie oggetto di studio e la propensione nei confronti delle relative vaccinazioni. Il questionario è stato somministrato agli utenti di età superiore o uguale a 18 anni dei servizi dei Dipartimenti di Prevenzione della ASL Roma A, della ASL3 di Genova, della ASL2 di Savona e della ASL di Viterbo. La somministrazione dei questionari è avvenuta in specifici giorni indice nel periodo compreso tra maggio e ottobre 2013. Tutti gli utenti che si sono rivolti ai Dipartimenti di Prevenzione di cui sopra sono stati consecutivamente arruolati nello studio, previa espressione del consenso. I dati raccolti sono stati sintet

Introduction. Air pollution in confined environments is a serious health problem, in that most people spend long periods indoors (in homes, offices, classrooms etc.). Some people (children, the elderly, heart disease patients, asthmatic or allergic subjects) are at greater risk because of their conditions of frailty. The growing use of air-conditioning systems in many public and private buildings aggravates this health risk, especially when these systems are not correctly installed or regularly serviced. The aim of our study was to verify the capacity of Ag + ions to stop the growth of bacteria and moulds inside the ducts of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning system ducts (HVAC) systems when these ducts were lined with active Ag + ions zeolite-coated panels. Material and methods. A Y-shaped HVAC model with two branches was used; one branch was made of traditional galvanized iron, as was the whole system, while the other was lined with active Ag + zeolite-coated polyurethane panels. During the test, samples of dust present inside both ducts were collected and seeded in liquid and solid media to detect bacteria and moulds. The presence of bacteria was also sought in the air emerging from the outlets of both ducts. Results. Tests made on samples of particulate collected from the two different ducts revealed a lower total bacterial load in the samples collected from the Ag + zeolite-coated duct than in the samples from the traditional Zn galvanized duct. In addition, the values of bacterial load found in the air emerging from the Ag+ ions zeolite-lined duct were 5 times lower than those found in the air from the traditional galvanized iron duct. Conclusions. The utilization of Ag + zeolite-coated panels in air-conditioning systems could improve the quality of the emerging air in comparison with traditional installations in galvanized iron. This innovation could prove particularly advantageous in the event of accidents during the installation of air-conditioning s

Introduction. Air pollution in confined environments is a serious health problem, in that most people spend long periods indoors (in homes, offices, classrooms etc.). Some people (children, the elderly, heart disease patients, asthmatic or allergic subjects) are at greater risk because of their conditions of frailty. The growing use of air-conditioning systems in many public and private buildings aggravates this health risk, especially when these systems are not correctly installed or regularly serviced. The aim of our study was to verify the capacity of Ag + ions to stop the growth of bacteria and moulds inside the ducts of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning system ducts (HVAC) systems when these ducts were lined with active Ag + ions zeolite-coated panels. Material and methods. A Y-shaped HVAC model with two branches was used; one branch was made of traditional galvanized iron, as was the whole system, while the other was lined with active Ag + zeolite-coated polyurethane panels. During the test, samples of dust present inside both ducts were collected and seeded in liquid and solid media to detect bacteria and moulds. The presence of bacteria was also sought in the air emerging from the outlets of both ducts. Results. Tests made on samples of particulate collected from the two different ducts revealed a lower total bacterial load in the samples collected from the Ag + zeolite-coated duct than in the samples from the traditional Zn galvanized duct. In addition, the values of bacterial load found in the air emerging from the Ag+ ions zeolite-lined duct were 5 times lower than those found in the air from the traditional galvanized iron duct. Conclusions. The utilization of Ag + zeolite-coated panels in air-conditioning systems could improve the quality of the emerging air in comparison with traditional installations in galvanized iron. This innovation could prove particularly advantageous in the event of accidents during the installation of air-conditioning s

Numerical modelling and simulations are needed to develop and test specific analysis methods by providing test data before BIRDY would be launched. This document describes the "satellite data simulator" which is a multi-sensor, multi-spectral satellite simulator produced especially for the BIRDY mission which could be used as well to analyse data from other satellite missions providing energetic particles data in the Solar system.

Numerical modelling and simulations are needed to develop and test specific analysis methods by providing test data before BIRDY would be launched. This document describes the "satellite data simulator" which is a multi-sensor, multi-spectral satellite simulator produced especially for the BIRDY mission which could be used as well to analyse data from other satellite missions providing energetic particles data in the Solar system.