Viable and not viable spore concentrations in National Gallery of Umbria (Italy)

The conservation actions towards artworks holding a common patrimony for the community are of primary importance, but also those related to their "container" as museums, libraries or archives are to consider. Fungal spores and bacteria carried by air flows to the artwork surface can colonize it causing biodeterioration through physical and/or chemical alterations of the materials with the irreversible loss of their value. The quality control of the indoor air surrounding the historic building is essential, as well as for the protection and conservation of the artwork, also for the protection of the health of operators and visitors. The aim of this study was to monitor airborne fungal particles, through volumetric spore traps, for improving the knowledge about the conservation and protection of artworks in the museum environment analysing the principal relationships between indoor environmental conditions and potentially biodeteriogen fungal spore growth. The evidence of no significant relationships between spore concentrations and environmental conditions recorded inside the different expositive rooms testified the regular and correct maintenance of the air conditioning system inside the considered building (National Gallery of Umbria, central Italy). Moreover, in a specific museum room a significant spore concentration decreasing trend was recorded mainly due to a structural modification in the same building.

     

New structure–activity relationship studies in a series of N,N-bis(cyclohexanol)amine aryl esters as potent reversers of P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance (MDR)

As a continuation of previous research on a new series of potent and efficacious P-gp-dependent multidrug resistant (MDR) reversers with a N,N-bis(cyclohexanol)amine scaffold, we have designed and synthesized several analogs by modulation of the two aromatic moieties linked through ester functions to the N,N-bis(cyclohexanol)amine, aiming to optimize activity and to extend structure–activity relationships (SAR) within the series. This scaffold, when esterified with two different aromatic carboxylic acids, gives origin to four geometric isomers (cis/trans, trans/trans, cis/cis and trans/cis).The new compounds were tested on doxorubicin-resistant erythroleukemia K562 cells (K562/DOX) in the pirarubicin uptake assay. Most of them resulted in being potent modulators of the extrusion pump P-gp, showing potency values ([I]_0.5) in the submicromolar and nanomolar range. Of these, compounds 2b, 2c, 3d, 5a–d and 6d, showed excellent efficacy with a α_max close to 1. Selected compounds (2d, 3a, 3b, 5a–d) were further studied to evaluate their doxorubicin cytotoxicity potentiation (RF) on doxorubicin-resistant erythroleukemia K562 cells and were found able to enhance significantly doxorubicin cytotoxicity on K562/DOX cells.The results of both pirarubicin uptake and the cytotoxicity assay, indicate that the new compounds of the series are potent P-gp-mediated MDR reversers. They present a structure with a mix of flexible and rigid moieties, a property that seems critical to allow the molecules to choose the most productive of the several binding modes possible in the transporter recognition site.In particular, compounds 5c and 5d, similar to the already reported analogous isomers 1c and 1d,²⁹ are potent and efficacious modulators of P-gp-dependent MDR and may be promising leads for the development of MDR-reversal drugs.     

Phenological and aeropalynological survey in an olive orchard in Umbria (Central Italy)

The olive tree Olea europaea L. is a resource of notable value from an economic and landscape point of view in Central Italy. This study examined two cultivars (Giarraffa and Ascolana) grown in an associative stand in an experimental olive orchard, to verify the possibility of introducing new olive cultivars into Umbria. The analyses were carried out at three different altitudes in the olive orchard following criteria used for non-homogeneous samplings in order to minimize the effect due to steepness. Since the number of trees of the two cultivars is different, the sample sizes were different for the two cultivars. Phenological observations of the above mentioned cultivars and the evaluation of the pollen flow, done by using a portable pollen trap inside the olive orchard, were carried out over two seasons (1998-1999). The start of initial phenological phases differed in the two cultivars, but the differences became less evident during phases of anthesis. In aeropalynological respect, it appears that, in a hill species such as the olive tree, the flowering is correlated with altitude. Comparing the aeropalynological data from the distant pollen trap and those collected in the olive orchard, it is clear that the periods of pollen release are very similar in the two cultivars, and there is a clear synchronism in the peak pollen release. It is concluded that in Central Italy the pollen grains of Giarraffa cultivar are well compatible with the Ascolana cultivar from a phenological and aeropalynological point of view.     

A 10-miRNA risk score-based prediction model for pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer

Science China Life Sciences - Patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive tumors breast cancer usually experience a relatively low pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy...     

Role of nuclear receptors in breast cancer stem cells

The recapitulation of primary tumour heterogenity and the existence of a minor sub-population of cancer cells,capable of initiating tumour growth in xenografts on serial passages, led to the hypothesis that cancer stem cells(CSCs) exist. CSCs are present in many tumours, among which is breast cancer. Breast CSCs(BCSCs) are likely to sustain the growth of the primary tumour mass, as wellas to be responsible for disease relapse and metastatic spreading. Consequently, BCSCs represent the most significant target for new drugs in breast cancer therapy. Both the hypoxic condition in BCSCs biology and proinflammatory cytokine network has gained increasing importance in the recent past. Breast stromal cells are crucial components of the tumours milieu and are a major source of inflammatory mediators. Recently, the antiinflammatory role of some nuclear receptors ligands has emerged in several diseases, including breast cancer. Therefore, the use of nuclear receptors ligands may be a valid strategy to inhibit BCSCs viability and consequently breast cancer growth and disease relapse.     

Technical note: Virtual reconstruction of a fragmentary clavicle

We report a procedure for the virtual reconstruction of incomplete human bones applicable to skeletal remains from archaeological excavations or to reconstructive and prosthetic surgery. To test the procedure, we reconstructed a fragmented left clavicle on the basis of the contralateral clavicle. The procedure involved 3‐D laser scanner acquisition of the left clavicle (complete but broken into two parts), the same manually reconstructed bone, and the intact right clavicle, which was mirror‐imaged and used as a reference for the reconstruction of the whole left clavicle. Because it was not possible to recognize homologous anatomical landmarks, on the two reference models (a mirror‐image copy of the right clavicle and the main fragment of the left), we identified three grids with an increasing number of corresponding landmarks, which constituted the framework of the deformation process. The three reconstructed digital models of the clavicle closely approximated the model of the original clavicle. They also showed that an increasing number of landmarks did not significantly improve the reconstructed model. Am J Phys Anthropol 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Assessment of Metal Contaminants in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer by EDX Microanalysis

Human cardio-respiratory diseases are strongly correlated to concentrations of atmospheric elements. Bioaccumulation of heavy metals is strictly monitored, because of its possible toxic effects. In this work, we utilized the EDX microanalysis in order to identify the potential heavy metal accumulation in the lung tissue. To this aim, we enrolled 45 human lung biopsies: 15 non-small cell lung cancers, 15 lung benign lesions and 15 control biopsies. Lung samples were both paraffin embedded for light microscopy study and epon-epoxid embedded for transmission electron microscopy. EDX microanalysis was performed on 100 nm thick unstained ultrathin-sections placed on specific copper grids. Our results demonstrated that the EDX technology was particularly efficient in the study of elemental composition of lung tissues, where we found heavy metals, such as Cobalt (Co), Chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn) and Lead (Pb). Furthermore, in malignant lesions we demonstrated the presence of multiple bio-accumulated elements. In fact, a high rate of lung cancers was associated with the presence of 3 or more bio-accumulated elements compared to benign lesions and control tissue (91.7%, 0%, 8.3%, respectively). The environmental impact on pulmonary carcinogenesis could be better clarified by demonstrating the presence of polluting agents in lung tissues. The application of EDX microanalysis on biological tissues could shed new light in the study of the possible bioaccumulation of polluting agents in different human organs and systems.Key words: EDX microanalysis, transmission electron microscopy, non-small cell lung cancer, heavy metals, environmental pollution     

Investigating the heat shock protein response involved in coral bleaching across scleractinian species in the central Red Sea

Coral Reefs - Coral bleaching represents the most serious threat to contemporary coral reefs. In response, focus is being laid on understanding the cellular processes involved in the response of...