Air-quality implications of widespread adoption of cool roofs on ozone and particulate matter in southern California.

The installation of roofing materials with increased solar reflectance (i.e., "cool roofs") can mitigate the urban heat island effect and reduce energy use. In addition, meteorological changes, along with the possibility of enhanced UV reflection from these surfaces, can have complex impacts on ozone and PM2.5 concentrations. We aim to evaluate the air-quality impacts of widespread cool-roof installations prescribed by California's Title 24 building energy efficiency standards within the heavily populated and polluted South Coast Air Basin (SoCAB). Development of a comprehensive rooftop area database and evaluation of spectral reflectance measurements of roofing materials allows us to project potential future changes in solar and UV reflectance for simulations using the Weather Research Forecast and Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) models. 2012 meteorological simulations indicate a decrease in daily maximum temperatures, daily maximum boundary layer heights, and ventilation coefficients throughout the SoCAB upon widespread installation of cool roofs. CMAQ simulations show significant increases in PM2.5 concentrations and policy-relevant design values. Changes in 8-h ozone concentrations depend on the potential change in UV reflectance, ranging from a decrease in population-weighted concentrations when UV reflectance remains unchanged to an increase when changes in UV reflectance are at an upper bound. However, 8-h policy-relevant ozone design values increase in all cases. Although the other benefits of cool roofs could outweigh small air-quality penalties, UV reflectance standards for cool roofing materials could mitigate these negative consequences. Results of this study motivate the careful consideration of future rooftop and pavement solar reflectance modification policies.

Safety and feasibility of treatment simplification to atazanavir/ritonavir + lamivudine in HIV-infected patients on stable treatment with two nucleos(t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitors + atazanavir/ritonavir with virological suppression (Atazanavir and Lamivudine for treatment Simplification, AtLaS pilot study).

OBJECTIVES: To explore 48 week safety and efficacy of treatment simplification to atazanavir/ritonavir + lamivudine in HIV-infected patients with virological suppression on a stable atazanavir/ritonavir-based standard triple regimen. METHODS: This was a single-arm pilot study, enrolling 40 patients on atazanavir/ritonavir + two nucleos(t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), without previous treatment failure, with HIV-RNA <50 copies/mL for >3 months and CD4 >200 cells/mm(3). At baseline, patients were switched to 300/100 mg of atazanavir/ritonavir + 300 mg of lamivudine once daily. Laboratory parameters, atazanavir plasma levels, self-reported adherence, quality of life, neurocognitive performance, bone composition and body fat distribution were monitored. Virological failure was defined as HIV-RNA >50 copies/mL on two consecutive determinations or a single level >1000 copies/mL. RESULTS: After 48 weeks, 4/40 (10%) regimen discontinuations occurred: 1 death (brain haemorrhage), 1 study withdrawal (inadequate atazanavir plasma levels), 1 re-induction with two NRTIs due to pregnancy and 1 virological failure without development of resistance. Seven moderate to severe adverse events were recorded (including four renal colics, possibly treatment-related) in six patients. At week 48, increases in total (mean change +17 mg/dL, P = 0.001), high-density lipoprotein (+6 mg/dL, P < 0.001) and low-density lipoprotein (+8 mg/dL, P = 0.052) cholesterol were observed. The glomerular filtration rate improved (+7 mL/min/1.73 m(2), P < 0.001), as did scores exploring self-reported physical and mental health (+11, P = 0.009 and +13, P < 0.001 on a 0-100 scale), neuropsychological performance (-1 pathological task, P = 0.002) and total bone mineral density (+0.03 g/cm(2), P = 0.026). There were no significant changes in CD4 cell count, bilirubin, atazanavir plasma levels, adherence and body fat distribution over time. CONCLUSIONS: Simplification to atazanavir/ritonavir + lamivudine was apparently safe and associated with rare virological failure, without resistance selection. This strategy deserves further investigation in a randomized trial.

Prospective evaluation of epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological features of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in Italy.

Since several characteristics of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus infection remain to be determined, this study aimed to describe clinical features and complications of patients infected with H1N1. Subjects affected by influenza-like illnesses and a control group of asymptomatic patients were enrolled prospectively at an Emergency Department from October 2009 to April 2010. At enrollment, clinical data and nasopharyngeal swabs for virological analyses were obtained. Ill subjects were followed until recovery and swabs were collected weekly in patients infected with H1N1. Of 318 patients enrolled, 92 (28.9%) were positive to H1N1. Patients infected with H1N1 were mainly young adults and complained classic influenza-like symptoms. Fever was observed for a median time of 5 (IQR 3-7) days. Hospitalization occurred in 27.7% with 2% requiring intensive care unit admission: median length of hospitalization was 6 days (IQR 5-9). Pneumonia was diagnosed in 19.6% of patients. A similar proportion of lower airways involvement and of clinical complications was observed in subjects testing positive or negative for H1N1. However, patients infected with H1N1 were younger and hospitalized for a shorter period as compared to the control group (P = 0.002 and P = 0.045, respectively). Older age, asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hypertension were associated with an increased risk of pneumonia. Viral shedding was observed for at least 1 week in 21.3% of patients. Asymptomatic infection was uncommon (1.1%). Respiratory syndromes caused by H1N1 and factors associated with disease severity were investigated and compared to influenza-like illnesses of other origin. Such findings might contribute to improve clinical and epidemiological management of the disease.

Prevalence, incidence and predictors of anal high-risk HPV infections and cytological abnormalities in HIV-infected individuals.

OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to investigate prevalence, incidence and risk factors of anal high risk-HPV infections and cytological abnormalities in HIV-positive individuals. METHODS: A cohort of consecutively enrolled HIV-positive patients underwent, at baseline visit, a sexual behaviors questionnaire, anoscopy, HPV testing and cytological examination. Hybridization and multiplex-PCR were used for DNA detection and typing; HPV E6-E7 mRNA expression was analyzed in HR-HPV+ patients. Logistic regression was used to assess predictors of HR-HPV infection and anal dysplasia. RESULTS: 233 HIV-infected patients were enrolled (81% males, median age 44 years). HR-HPV was detected in 144 anal swabs and showed a positive association with CDC stage C and a negative association with a higher CD4 count and the use of a NNRTI-based antiretroviral regimen. HR-HPV DNA detection and anal warts at baseline were associated to cytological abnormalities; a detectable HIV-RNA independently predicted new onset anal dysplasia at follow-up (incidence 15.4 per 100 patients-year). Incidence of new HR-HPV infection was 44.2 per 100 patients-year. CONCLUSIONS: The relevance of screening for anal dysplasia in HIV+ patients is emphasized, especially in those with detectable plasma HIV-RNA, anal HR-HPV infection or compromised immunological status.

Coccidioidomycosis of cervical lymph nodes in an HIV-infected patient with immunologic reconstitution on potent HAART: a rare observation in a nonendemic area.

Coccidioidomycosis is caused by the dimorphic fungus Coccidioides immitis, which is endemic in southwestern United States. We report a case of coccidioidomycosis of cervical lymph nodes that occurred early after the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy during the phase of immune system recovery, demonstrating a rare disease in a nonendemic area.

Increased ophthalmic artery resistance index is associated with cognitive impairment in HIV-infected patients.

OBJECTIVES: Despite the introduction of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART), the prevalence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HANDs) remains high. Aim of the study was to investigate the potential relationship between ophthalmic artery resistance index (OARI), a marker of subclinical cerebrovascular disease, and cognitive performance. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional cohort study by consecutively enrolling HIV-infected patients during routine outpatient visits. All subjects underwent a comprehensive neuropsycological battery and ultrasonographic assessment of OARI. Patients were classified as cognitively impaired if they showed decreased cognitive function involving at least two ability domains. OARI was considered abnormal if above 0.72 at left or right side. Factors associated with cognitive performance were evaluated by linear and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 116 patients [78.4% males, median age 44 years (IQR 37-49), 13.8% with past AIDS-defining events, median CD4 482 cells/µL (IQR 352-690), 79.3% with HIV RNA <20 copies/mL] were enrolled. A hundred-thirteen (97.4%) subjects were on cART of which 88.5% on current regimen from one year. Fifty-four (46.6%) patients were classified as cognitively impaired. ROC curves indicated that the most discriminant left and right OARI values for predicting a mild cognitive impairment were >0.72 (AUC = 0.73, sensitivity 61.8%, specificity 81.4%, p < 0.001) and >0.71 (AUC = 0.72, sensitivity 69.1%, specificity 71.2%, p < 0.001), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that OARI >0.72 (OR 4.7, p = 0.001) was independently associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment. Moreover, education (ß = -0.18, p = 0.005), Zung depression score (ß = +0.05, p = 0.021) and an abnormal OARI (ß = +1.46, p = 0.002) were independently associated with an increased number of pathological performances. Evaluating separately each cognitive domain, an abnormal OARI confirmed an independent association with lower performance in attention and executive functions (p = 0.003) and in psychomotor speed (p = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: Increased OARI was associated with lower cognitive performance in HIV-infected patients. These findings suggest a potential role of subclinical cerebrovascular disease in the pathogenesis of HAND.

Immune response to influenza A (H1N1)v monovalent MF59-adjuvanted vaccine in HIV-infected patients.

Immunogenicity of influenza A (H1N1)v MF59-adjuvanted vaccine was studied in HIV-infected patients. The vaccine was effective in inducing a protective immune response in patients with a CD4 >200 cells/µL while individuals with CD4 <200 cells/µL showed lower rates of seroconversion and seroprotection. These results underscore the usefulness of immunization against influenza in HIV-infected patients, though a boosting dose of vaccine may be required in seriously immunocompromised patients.

Geographic information systems: a useful tool to approach African swine fever surveillance management of wild pig populations.

The epidemiological surveillance of African swine fever in wild pig populations requires the previous collection of numerous samples of biological materials for virological and serological testing from each animal that has been killed during the hunting season. The number of samples needs to demonstrate the absence of the disease at a prevalence level of 5% (and confidence level of 95%) in the area subject observed. Since the typology of the territory suitable for maintaining wild pig populations and the precise location can be identified, it is possible to pinpoint specific areas within Sardinia where organised sampling is undertaken. The results from tests are used to estimate the prevalence of the disease in the wild pig population in the place of origin. Areas were identified using the geographic information system technology with support from maps in the field. The correct localisation of seropositivity has led to the redefinition of high-risk areas for African swine fever. Results from the outbreaks and the surveillance of the wild pig population has confirmed the decreasing role of the wild boar in maintaining the disease.