Researchers have retrospectively analyzed the training intensity distribution (TID) of nationally and internationally competitive athletes in different endurance disciplines to determine the optimal volume and intensity for maximal adaptation. The majority of studies present a "pyramidal" TID with a high proportion of high volume, low intensity training (HVLIT). Some world-class athletes appear...

Background: Conflicting studies link several conditions and risk factors to Dupuytren’s disease (DD). A questionnaire-based case-control study was set to investigate associated conditions and clinical features of DD in a sample of Italian patients. The main purpose was the identification of predicting factors for: DD development; involvement of multiple rays; involvement of both hands; developm...

Oxidative DNA damage is one of the earliest detectable events in several neurodegenerative diseases, often preceding the onset of the clinical symptoms. Moreover, neurons in the adult human brain can re-enter the cell division cycle, likely allowing DNA repair. Impairments of DNA repair pathways are reported in neurons of patients suffering from one of several neurodegenative diseases and might...

Lower respiratory tract infections are a major cause of mortality in children below the age of five years, particularly in resource-poor countries. Although advances in treatment protocols have reduced mortality rates, and improved vaccine technology has seen the development of more effective vaccines against a number of pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, the costs involved may prohibi...

This PhD consisted of a series of studies aiming at detecting genetic risk factors for Aggressive Periodontitis (AgP). AgP is a destructive disease of the periodontium affecting around 1% of the population and leading to early tooth loss. Microbiological and environmental factors are thought to act on a genetically susceptible host to determine AgP. We conducted a casecontrol association study ...

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a common illness for aging males. Lycopene has been identified as an antioxidant agent with potential anticancer properties. Studies investigating the relation between lycopene and PCa risk have produced inconsistent results. This study aims to determine dietary lycopene consumption/circulating concentration and any potential dose–response associations with the risk of ...

Aim: To analyse the epidemiological, clinical and immunological aspects of a recent epidemic of acute HCV in HIV co-infected individuals. Methods: The epidemiology was characterised using combined molecular and clinical studies. A phylogenetic analysis of the E1/E2 region of the HCV genome was performed to determine HCV transmission. Transmission risk factors were then explored in a multicentre...