Background: Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is the new term for vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA). The condition is relevant in more than 50% of women, having an adverse impact on quality of life and sexual relationships. Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of a new type of non-ablative laser, Solid State Vaginal Laser (SSVL), for vaginal tissue regeneration and rejuvenation. Method: Eighty participants with GSM symptoms were treated with a total of 4 treatments in about two months (every 15 -20 days) of a nonablative SSVL (LASEmaR 1500™-EUFOTON). A cumulative intensity of GSM symptoms using a 10-cm VAS (dryness and/or burning and/or dyspareunia), the vaginal health index (VHI), the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) were evaluated. Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF) and vaginal bioptic samples were also collected. Results: Improvement following the SSVL was observed on VHIS, VVA symptoms and sexual female function. This finding was also ratified by the improvement of vaginal histological features. After the SSVL treatment, almost all patients (91%) affected by urinary incontinence obtained the complete remission of symptoms. Conclusion: The objective evaluation of VHIS, FSFI and ICIQ-UI SF scores and the histological results indicates a real favorable effect of SSVL on GSM and on urinary incontinence.

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Background: Vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) is a condition afflicting more than 50% of women and nowadays has changed his name in Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) due to the multiple aspects involved having an adverse impact on quality of life. Many treatment are now available and laser represent a new powerful option. The aim of this work is assess the histological effect of a new type of non-ablative laser, Solid State Vaginal Laser (SSVL), on vaginal tissue in women treated for GSM. Method: Eighty participants with GSM symptoms were treated with a total of 4 treatments in a two months timeframe (every 15-20 day) of a non-ablative SSVL (LASEmaR 1500™-EUFOTON). Vaginal biopic samples were collected before the start of the first treatment and after 4 weeks from the last one and an analysis of histological characteristics was conducted. A cumulative intensity of GSM symptoms using a 10-cm VAS (dryness and/or burning and/or dyspareunia), the vaginal health index (VHI), the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF) were also evaluated. Results: Improvement in vaginal histological parameters for atrophy was demonstrated following the SSVL treatment. Amelioration was observed in order of thickening of the derma surface, phenomenon of glycogenic acanthosis, increased number and highness of papillae in chorion and in term of reduction in the inflammatory tissue infiltrate. Was also observed on VHIS, VVA symptoms and sexual female function. Conclusion: The evaluation of histological results indicates a favorable effect of SSVL on vaginal atrophy in GSM in terms of epithelium restauration as well as on inflammatory infiltration of the tissue.

The pivotal role of Hip Hop music in identity formation processes of youth of migrant background has been established in many countries. Yet this issue has not been explored in the Italian context. In this paper, I present preliminary findings from a broader doctoral research project that investigates how Italian youth of African descent employ Hip Hop discursive practices to negotiate and build a sense of cultural identity that responds to the marginalisation and racialisation they face in Italian society and challenges the idea of Italy as a demographically and culturally homogeneous country. Through Critical Discourse Analysis of song lyrics and semi-structured interviews, I have found that Afroitalian rappers construct their cultural identities through a complex and ongoing process of transculturation, where elements from different cultural backgrounds interact in their artistic production and are modified thereby. Language choices play a major part in the identity-construction process. The analysis reveals the prevalence of translanguaging practices in the songs. Afroitalian rappers employ their linguistic repertoires as integrated systems where languages are not treated as separate entities but blended together on multiple levels. The act of translanguaging, I argue, is a marked choice involving discourses of identity.

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