Ricerc@Sapienza

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy in women worldwide.
Breast cancer related mortality has dropped significantly since the widespread
adoption of mammographic screening. Approximately, 5% of the patients with BC
carry germline mutations that are responsible for their condition. Women carrying a
BRCA 1 or 2 mutation have a 57% and 49% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer,
respectively. For BRCA1/2 patients reluctant to a prophylactic surgery, the only
risk reducing strategy remains an increased imaging and clinical surveillance.

STUDY QUESTION Is ageing associated with a decline in semen quality and molecular changes to human sperm? SUMMARY ANSWER Semen quality declines with advancing age and characteristic molecular changes take place during the ageing process, including increased sperm DNA damage, altered sperm protamination and altered seminal plasma miRNA profile. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY During ageing, the reproductive system is exposed to physiological changes and potentially damaging factors that may impair testicular function.

Epigenetics regulate gene function without any alteration in the DNA sequence. The epigenetics represent one of the most important regulators in different cellular processes and have initially been developed in microorganisms as a protective strategy. The evaluation of the epigenetic mechanisms is also important in achieving an efficient control strategy in tuberculosis (TB). TB is one of the most significant epidemiological concerns in human history.