1,721,086 research outputs found
BIODETERIORATION
No full textThe biodeterioration of organic and inorganic materials, as well as polymers, is a complex of alteration processes induced by the growing and metabolic activ- ity of organisms. It can be recognized on monuments, wall paintings, stone, wood, paper, vegetal/animal fibers, and parchment artworks. As defined by Hueck (1968), biodeterioration is “any undesirable change in the properties of a material caused by the vital activities of organisms”; this definition is accepted as the meaning of the phenomenon. Both macroorganisms (such as animals, plants and mosses) and microorganisms (such as autotrophic or het- erotrophic bacteria, microfungi, cyanobacteria, algae and lichens) represent the triggers of biodeterioration for cultural heritage. Understanding the mor- phological and physiological features of the biodeteriogens is required to establish the kind of interaction that occurs with the material and to assess the cause-effect of the biodeterioration action of a specific identified biological agent. For a complete evaluation of biodeterioration, a proper sampling and identification of the majority of biodeteriogens are required. Therefore, in order to apply a prompt and effective conservation to limit further damage, evaluating and quantifying the presence of biological systems that induce dam- age in heritage materials is indispensable
Biotechnology and Conservation of Cultural Heritage
No full textOver the past few decades, biotechnology has provided innovative techniques useful for diagnosing cultural heritage deterioration induced by microbiological systems and for defining efficient conservation/restoration strategies. Seen from this per- spective, the International Congress on Molecular Biology and Cultural Heritage held in Seville (Spain) in 2003 represents a milestone.
This book comes from the experience gained in the last decade of basic and applied research, developed in the Laboratory of Biology and Biotechnology for Cultural Heritage (LaBBCH), within the framework of national and international research projects and in collaboration with other Italian and foreign research institu- tions. In particular, biotechnology has found successful application in at least three areas in the conservative restoration of works of art, such as the characterization of biodeterioration, the analysis of bioaerosols, and the development of innovative protocols for biocleaning and bioremoval.
A biotechnological approach to biodeterioration minimizes sample amount, con- tributing to understanding the contamination and complexity of microbial commu- nities colonizing the cultural assets, as well as revealing unculturable species in both organic and inorganic substrates. This approach, based on genomic DNA analysis, has also proven useful in recognizing microbial systems in the aerosol of indoor cultural heritage environments, particularly for those representing a potential health risk for visitors and professionals.
It is well known that the removal of undesired layers can be performed by viable bacterial cells or purified enzymes (hydrolases), thus contributing to the develop- ment and definition of specific biocleaning/bioremoving protocols. The application of novel bioactive molecules isolated from marine organisms has recently been employed, opening up new perspectives for the enzymatic removal of undesired layers.
This book also presents the use of plant extracts, already utilized as a biocide in the food, medicine, and pharmaceutical industries, as a strategy for controlling the microbial colonization of cultural heritage, representing a potential alternative to traditional biocides.
There is no doubt that biotechnology provides a plethora of information useful for setting up appropriate strategies that are totally safe for works of art, restorers, and environment, and require only a short time of application, straight to green conservation strategies in a sustainable restoration prospective.
Case studies are reported in the final chapter in order to demonstrate that a bio- technological approach may represent a valid alternative to traditional procedures generally used in the conservation/restoration of cultural assets.
In this book, I have tried to present current knowledge in the field, highlighting the extraordinary power of DNA and of the novel bioactive molecules when applied to the conservative restoration of cultural assets. I apologize to the authors of those papers who have escaped my attention, and also to those whose papers I have not quoted accurately
DNA analysis as tool for identification of bacteria in archaeological watellogged wood
No full textS32. Wooden artifacts: from wood identification to dating and
conservation/restoration strategies
DNA analysis as tool for identification of bacteria in archaeological waterlogged wood
Palla, Franco; University of Palermo; Palermo; Italy Barresi, Giovanna; University of
Palermo; Palermo; Italy
Di Carlo, Enza; University of Palermo; Palermo; Italy
In this work molecular techniques were applied in order to integrate the results obtained by
Optical (OM) and Scanning Electron (SEM) Microscopy, to understanding and assessing the
changes in the anatomical structure of archaeological waterlogged wood (Pinus sp.) induced by
bacteria colonization. Observation of wooden thin sections by OM showed the presence of black
and dark-brown areas (must probably due to sulphur compound) and mineral concretions. The
SEM micrographs revealed a specific cell wall alteration, attributable to bacterial activity and
abundant pyrite framboids (as single structure or clustered). The presence of sulfur compounds in
archaeological waterlogged wood, indicate both long-term burial in anoxic environment and
colonization by sulfate-reducing bacteria.
Molecular biology investigation was performed through ad hoc protocols by direct DNA
extraction from wood samples and in vitro amplification of bacteria DNA target sequences (16S,
ITS regions- rRNA).
The results reveal and identify bacterial genus as Pseudomonas, Cellulomonas, Xanthomonas
and Bacillus that, as reported in the related scientific literature, are the most common
cellulosolytic and ligninolytic bacteria.
Moreover were also revealed the presence of Marinobacter sp. and Desulforudis audaxviator,
respectively iron - oxidizing and sulfate - reducing bacteria.
The investigation protocol set up in this work can be applied to a range of wooden artifacts of
archaeological findings for both identification of bacteria colonization shed some light on the
degradation phenomena, indispensable for correct conservation and restoration strategies.
Corresponding author: Palla, Franco <[email protected]
Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin immunoexpression in colorectal carcinoma: A stage-specific prognostic factor?
No full textTNM post-surgical staging is considered to be one of the most powerful prognosticators for colorectal carcinoma. Although patient survival mostly decreases concomitantly to stage increase, in a percentage of cases TNM stage appears only to express the anatomic extent of the neoplasia with no correlation with clinical outcome. Thais, the identification of additional prognostic markers for colorectal cancer is required. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a 25-kDa protein that appears to play an important role in colorectal cancer progression. In order to evaluate whether NGAL expression may be considered as a predictor of colorectal cancer progression, we analyzed its correlation with clinicopathological characteristics, as well as with patient progression-free survival in a series of surgically resected colorectal carcinomas. A variable NGAL immunoexpression was found in 24 out of the 64 analyzed cases. When only the positive cases were considered, a significant association was found between a high NGAL expression and the presence of distant metastases or high tumor stage. In addition, the presence of NGAL was a significant negative prognostic marker correlated with a shorter progression-free survival in stage I colorectal carcinoma, but not in the remaining TNM stages. If our findings are confirmed in more extensive analyses on stage I colorectal carcinoma, NGAL assessment may be used in order to select those patients with a higher progression risk and to submit them to adjuvant therapies useful to prevent adverse outcome
NGAL immunohistochemical expression in brain primary and metastatic tumors
No full textA significant association has been recently shown between the expression of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in tumors and its urinary levels. Thus NGAL urinary detection has been proposed as a method for the early diagnosis of brain tumors. In view of this, the objective of this study was to investigate whether NGAL expression differs according to brain tumor type or in primary vs. metastatic brain neolasias. 42 surgically resected formalin fixed and paraffin embedded neoplasias, including 15 cases of brain metastasis and 27 cases of primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors (11 meningiomas; 1 pilocytic astrocytoma, 2 diffuse astrocytomas, 2 oligoastrocytomas, 2 oligodendrogliomas, 1 anaplastic oligoastrocytoma, 7 glioblastomas, 1 ependymoma) were submitted to the immunohistochemical procedure. Sections were incubated overnight with the primary antibody against NGAL. NGAL staining was found in all the analyzed glioblastomas and in the anaplastic oligoastrocytoma. No NGAL immuno-expression was evidenced in all the other cases. A statistically significant correlation was demonstrated between NGAL presence and high proliferation index in the primary tumors. In conclusion, our findings suggest that NGAL expression is restricted to high grade gliomas among primary brain tumors, and that brain metastases do not express this protein. Considering the correlation between NGAL expression in tumors and its urinary levels, if our observations will be further validated, NGAL urinary detection might be used as an additional tool in the pre-surgical definition of brain lesions involving difficult differential diagnosis
Bacteria consortia and deterioration of archaeological waterlogged wood: identification by molecular and microscopy techniques
Full text linkIn this study molecular tools are applied to reveal and identify bacterial colonization in waterlogged wood to assessing the changes induced in anatomical structure, previously observed by Optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy (1). The results obtained by observation of wooden thin sections (OM), shown the presence of black and dark-brown areas and mineral concretions. The SEM analysis revealed a specific cell walls alteration, attributable to bacterial activity, other than abundant pyrite framboids (FeS2). The presence of sulfur compounds in archaeological waterlogged wood can indicate both long-term burial in anoxic environment and colonization by sulfate-reducing bacteria. Molecular methods allow us extract microbial genomic DNA from wood samples and in vitro amplify (PCR) bacteria DNA target sequences (16S, ITS-rRNA) (2). Through sequences analysis of PCR products cellulosolytic and ligninolytic bacteria, such as Pseudomonas, Cellulomonas, Xanthomonas and Bacillus spp, have been revealed. Moreover the presence of Marinobacter sp. and Desulforudis audaxviator, respectively iron-oxidizing and sulfate-reducing bacteria, are identify. We hypothesize that this investigation approach, can be applied to a variety of wooden artifacts of archaeological findings for both characterization of microbial colonization in order to understanding the main degradation phenomena, indispensable for a correct conservation strategies.
(1) Safa A. et al. (2012) Using SEM in monitoring changes in archaeological wood: A review. Current Microscopy Contributions to Advances in Science and Technology (A. Méndez-Vilas, Ed.)
(2) Palla, F., (2012) Analytical techniques: analysis of microbial colonization. In Science and Conservation in Museum Collections, B. Fabbri (ed), Nardini, Firenze. 14, 459-470
Acne inversa complicated by squamous cell carcinoma in association with diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma arising in the absence of predisposing factors: a case report
No full textDiffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM) is a relatively rare neoplasm. Risk factors associated with its development include asbestos exposure, chronic irritation or inflammation of the peritoneum, abdominal radiotherapy, familial Mediterranean fever and simian virus 40. A familial segregation of this neoplasia has been reported in small villages of the Cappadocian region of Turkey, and it has been postulated that hereditary factors may predispose to mesothelioma, even with exposure to small amounts of asbestos. We report a case of DMPM, which apparently occurred in the absence of predisposing factors in a patient with a clinical history characterized by recurrent pre-sacral acne inversa of long duration. The association of this chronic inflammatory disease with DMPM has never been reported. The genetic locus for acne inversa has recently been identified within the 1p21.1-1q25.3 chromosomal region. Interestingly, frequent losses in chromosomal region 1p.21-22 have been found in mesothelioma as well. It is thus tempting to speculate that genetic mutations involving chromosome 1p.21-22 may account for the development of both diseases
CARATTERIZZAZIONE MOLECOLARE DI BATTERI IN REPERTI LIGNEI SOMMERSI
No full textThe focus of this study was the identification of bacterial colonies in waterlogged wood
fragments from the rostrum of a excellent workmanship, that is very likely one of the wrecks
attributed to Sextus Pompey fleet (36 BC) and discovered in Acqualadroni, Messina, Sicily,
Italy (2008). The wood samples were analyzed by light and Scanning Electron Microscopy
(SEM), in vitro culture and molecular technique (DNA base techniques). The results, focused
on bacterial consortia, allowed us to reveal the presence of Pseudomonas sp., Sphingomonas
sp., Xanthomonas sp. besides Marinobacter sp. and Desulforudis audaxviator. A prompt and
accurate characterization of bacterial colonization represents one of the preliminary step in
preservation/restoration projects, especially for waterlogged wood since the metabolic activity
of specific bacteria induce and accelerate the deterioration processes. Although it is reported in
a case study, this multiple approach is useful for reveal and identify bacterial colonizing both
organic and inorganic artifacts
DNA analysis as tool for identification of bacteria in archaeological waterlogged wood
Full text linkAbstract
In this work molecular techniques were applied in order to integrete the results obtained by Optical (OM) and Scanning Electron (SEM) Microscopy, to understanding and assessing the changes in the anatomical structure of archaeological waterlogged wood (Pinus sp.) induced by bacteria colonization. Observation of wooden thin sections revealed by OM showed the presence of black and dark -brown areas (must probably due to sulphur compounds) and mineral concretions. The SEM micrographs revealed a specific cell wall alteration attributable to bacterial activity and abundant pyrite framboids (as single structure or clustered). The presence of sulfur compounds in archaeological waterlogged wood, indicate both long-term burial in anoxic environment and colonization by sulfate-reducing bacteria. Molecular biology investigation was performed through ad hoc protocols by direct DNA extraction from wood samples and in vitro amplification of bacteria DNA target sequence (16S, ITS regions-r RNA).
The results reveal and identify bacterial genus as Pseudomonas, Cellulomonas, Xanthomonas and Bacillus that, as reported in the related scientific literature, are the most common cellulosolytic and ligninolytic bacteria. Moreover were also revealed the presence of Marinobacter sp. and Desulforudis audaxviator, respectively iron- oxidizing and sulfate- reducing bacteria. The investigation protocol set up in this work can be applied to a range of wooden artifacts of archaeological findings for both identification of bacteria colonization shed some light on the degradation phenomena, indispensable for correct conservation and restoration strategies
- …
