The Effect of ACP₁-ADA₁ Genetic Interaction on Human Life Span.

Acid phosphatase (ACP₁) is a polymorphic enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of flavin-mononucleotide (FMN) to riboflavin and regulates the cellular concentration of flavin-adenine-dinucleotide (FAD) and, consequently, energy metabolism. Its activity is modulated by adenosine deaminase locus 1 (ADA₁) genotype. The aim of our work is to verify whether individuals with a high proportion of ACP₁ f-isozyme and carrying the ADA₁*2 allele, displaying the highest phosphatase activity, may have a higher life expectancy.

Public optimism towards nanomedicine.

Background: Previous benefit-risk perception studies and social experiences have clearly demonstrated that any emerging technology platform that ignores benefit-risk perception by citizens might jeopardize its public acceptability and further development. The aim of this survey was to investigate the Italian judgment on nanotechnology and which demographic and heuristic variables were most influential in shaping public perceptions of the benefits and risks of nanotechnology.

Methods: In this regard, we investigated the role of four demographic (age, gender, education, and religion) and one heuristic (knowledge) predisposing factors.

Prevalence and genotyping of human papillomavirus infection in women with vulvodynia.

Background: Evidence of vulvar human papillomavirus infection varies and the frequency of the different genotypes has not been adequately assessed.

Methods: Fifty consecutive sexually active healthy patients with vulvodynia and suspected of human papillomavirus infection underwent a vulvoscopy and biopsy. Ten normal vulvar samples were also enrolled as control.