Long-Term Immunogenicity of Inactivated and Oral Polio Vaccines: An Italian Retrospective Cohort Study.

Oral and inactivated poliovirus (PV) vaccines have contributed toward the global eradication of wild PV2 and PV3, as well as the elimination of PV1 in most countries. While the long-term (>5−10 years) persistence of protective antibodies in ≥80% of the population vaccinated with ≥3−4 doses of oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) has been demonstrated, the duration of immunity in people vaccinated with the inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) is still unclear. This study evaluated the seroprevalence of anti-PV neutralizing antibodies and the long-term immunogenicity conferred by OPV and IPV in a sample of medical students from the University of Bari (April 2014−October 2020).

Long-term persistence of poliovirus neutralizing antibodies in the era of polio elimination: An Italian retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: The extensive use of oral and inactivated poliovirus (PV) vaccines has driven progress toward the global eradication of wild PV2 and PV3 and the elimination of PV1 in most countries, including Italy. Although the persistence of circulating neutralizing antibodies among the vaccinated is unclear, it is estimated that > 99% of the population vaccinated according to the recommended protocol should be protected for at least 18 years.

Methods: This study evaluated the seroprevalence of anti-PV neutralizing antibodies and the long-term immunogenicity of the oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) in a sample of medical students and residents of the University of Bari who attended the Hygiene Department for a biological risk assessment between April 2014 and October 2020.

A Glance at Switzerland's Innovation Ecosystem in Food and Nutrition.

There are many reasons why Switzerland is a unique location for innovation: political stability, a stable and liberal economic system, outstanding infrastructure, excellent education, close links to foreign markets to name just a few examples. The chemical, pharma and life science industries are also a big driver of innovation. Multinationals' partnerships with small- and medium-sized businesses, research and educational institutions as well as university spin-offs make a great contribution in promoting Swiss innovation, notably also in food and nutrition.

High level immunity against poliomyelitis in African and Asian refugees in southern Italy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of poliomyelitis immunization in refugees residing in the Asylum Seeker Center in Bari. The study was carried out during 2008 and involved 573 refugees. An antibody titer >or=1:8 was found in 99.

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

Background: 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.

Multicity Italian study of congenital cytomegalovirus infection.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the most frequent congenital infection in humans. Its prevalence and the frequency of disabling sequelae must be assessed in different populations to permit the formulation or assessment of preventive measures.

Objectives: To check the prevalence of congenital infection and seroprevalence in Italy; to verify the rate of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in infected infants; and to assess the proportion of children with SNHL attributable to congenital CMV infection.

Abatement of oxalates catalyzed by Fe-silica structured surfaces via cyclic carboxylate intermediates in photo-Fenton reactions.

Novel silica/Fe structured fabrics were observed to degrade oxalates only under light irradiation showing the formation and disappearance of Fe-carboxylates and the concomitant recycling of the resulting Fe-ions back to the structured catalyst surface.

UV and H2O2/UV degradation of a pharmaceutical intermediate in aqueous solution.

The degradation of 5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol (MMTD), a pharmaceutical intermediate found in some aquifers of Northern Italy, has been investigated by means of UV and UV/H2O2 treatments. The study has been carried out with a 17 W low pressure mercury lamp at room temperature, using a (100)/(1) (H2O2)/(MMTD) molar ratio. The results have demonstrated that: (i) with an initial MMTD concentration of 1 mg/l, 90% MMTD removal can be achieved within 1 hour or less than 5 minutes by UV or UV/H2O2 respectively; (ii) the sole UV irradiation does not cause any MMTD mineralization; (iii) with an initial MMTD concentration of 50 mg/l, 4 hours of UV/H2O2 treatment lead to an almost complete mineralization of the MMTD organic sulfur and to a partial mineralization of carbon (59%) and nitrogen (14%).