ABSTRACT
Objectives: Serological assays for virus-specific antibody response are commonly employed to establish the immunological response to vaccines and correlates of protection. We aimed to establish the usefulness of immunoassays for the quantitation of IgG antibody response to SARS-CoV2 receptor binding domain (anti-RBD) in the prediction of neutralizing antibody response. Method(s): An observational study was performed, included 97 subjects with positive anti-RBD SARS-Cov2 IgG from Mauriziano hospital S.C. Laboratorio Analisi between December 2021 and June 2022 divided into two groups: the first group (A, n=37) with positive nasal swab for SARS-CoV2 or presence of IgG direct to Nucleocapside antigens (anti-N > 0.30 AU/mL with SARSCoV2 IgG method, Abbott Diagnostics) and second group (B, n=60) with no evidence of late infection. All samples was tested for SARS-CoV2 neutralizing antibody titres (NAb, SGM Italia). Anti-RBD SARS-CoV2 IgG were measured with automated chemiluminescent immunoassay, the results were expressed in Binding Antibody Units (BAU/mL);NAb were performed with quantitative latex immunoturbidimetry method and the results were expressed in neutralizing percent (NAb %). Statistical analysis was performed with Analyze-it. The comparison between anti-RBD levels and neutralizing antibodies has been studied using correlation by Spearman method and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis. Result(s): A significant correlation between anti-RBD IgG levels and NAb titres was found in both A and B groups (rs=0.90 and 0.91 respectively, p<0.0001). The 99% probability of hight NAb titer (>56%) was reached at 212 BAU/ml (A) and 238 BAU/mL (B) and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.99 (CI: 0.98-1.0) and 1 in A and B respectively. Conclusion(s): Our study confirm that there is a hight degree of concordance between anti-RBD antibodies and NAb. Based on our data, a threshold of 220 BAU/mL is highly predictive of strong neutralizing antibody response. However these results sure need further confirmation on a higher number of samples.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: The purpose of the study is to know the reasons that lead women to seek pornographic material less than men. Furthermore, the second objective is to detect any differences in the choice of pornographic material by women during gestation. Method(s): The research was carried out through semi-structured interviews aimed at investigating the areas of body perception, sexuality, relationship with pornography and perception of control. The sample consists of six pregnant women (age 19 >= and <= 35 years, average = 27.33, SD = 5.46). The participants, at the time of the interview, had been experiencing relationships with their current partners for an average of 5.16 years (DS = 4.16 years). The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed to allow content analysis and thematic analysis, carried out using the MAXQDA software in version 20.0.0. Result(s): In 54% of the statements, the participants negatively described their relationship with pornography, due to the experiences of shame, discomfort and guilt perceived while viewing pornography. Despite these controversial feelings, porn consumption increased during pregnancy for all participants. From the research it emerges that women, compared to men, are more likely to see negative sides of pornography, perceiving the images as excessively violent, disrespectful towards the figure of the female and above all artificial. Conclusion(s): By obtaining results in agreement with the available scientific literature, the study revealed the reasons that induce women to search for pornographic material to a lesser extent, linked to social stigma, the perception of porn as "dirty" and "repugnant", to a greater concern about the negative effects of massive pornography use (Boynton, 1999;Lewin, 1997). An important limitation of this research is caused by the extremely small sample of participants, this due to the emergency situation linked to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, and the way it is conducted with semi-structured interviews. Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest. Copyright © 2022