For the preservation of monuments and sites of cultural heritage, microbiological methods based on defined standards are needed to evaluate the problems associated with biodeterioration. In this ...study Microbial Environmental Monitoring (MAM from the Italian acronym Monitoraggio Ambientale Microbico) was applied to air and surface monitoring of art works before and during restoration. Microbial monitoring of the refectory in the monastery of St. Anna (Foligno, Italy) was performed on frescos from 1400. The results obtained with MAM were consistent, reproducible, and beneficial in the evaluation of the efficacy of restoration. Microbial monitoring of solid surfaces using membrane filters was not destructive and allowed the study of microbial fall-out on the surface of art works. The application of MAM proved to be a valuable means not only for monitoring but also for a better understanding of microbial pollution and its dynamics on the surface of art works. The constant application of MAM could be a valuable tool in the preservation of cultural heritage through strict collaboration with microbiologists, restorers, and authorities.
In Crouzon's syndrome, the cranial morphogenic processes are altered due to the early fusion of the facial and basal cranial bones. Evidence that Crouzon fibroblasts have an altered phenotype which ...is modulated by interleukin 1 (IL-1) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) is provided.
3HThymidine incorporation and cell count studies showed that Crouzon fibroblasts have an accelerated proliferation rate.
3HGlucosamine incorporation studies, followed by chromatography analysis of culture medium samples, revealed that the various classes of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) secreted into the medium were differently distributed in Crouzon and normal fibroblasts. Crouzon fibroblasts secreted less total GAG, particularly hyaluronic acid (HA) and heparan sulfate (HS), but a relatively greater quantity of chondroitin sulfate. Type I and III collagen were raised in Crouzon fibroblast medium whereas the concentration of fibronectin was lower than in normal cells. Interleukin treatment induced changes in cell growth and neosynthesis of extracellular matrix macromolecules. Both IL-1 and IL-6 stimulated proliferation of Crouzon fibroblasts, whereas only IL-6 increased
3Hthymidine incorporation in normal cells. IL-1 provided a drop in HA and a rise in GAG sulfates in normal fibroblastss, but caused an opposite effect in Crouzon fibroblasts. Type I collagen and fibronectin secretions are differently modulated by the cytokines in the two populations. Moreover, level of IL-1 able to stimulate
3Hthymidine incorporation into mouse thymocytes, and level of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), as determined by ELISA, were higher in pathological than in normal fibroblasts. Also evidence that levels of IL-1α and IL-6 proteins measured by ELISA and also IL-6 mRNA expression are enhanced in Crouzon fibroblasts is provided. These novel data suggested that, in Crouzon's syndrome, the modifications in the relative concentrations of the extracellular matrix (ECM) components associated with the abnormal cytokine networks may alter the balance of the microenvironment where the morphogenic events take place.
Gender medicine is a multi-faceted field of investigation integrating various aspects of psycho-social and biological sciences but it mainly deals with the impact of the gender on human physiology, ...pathophysiology, and clinical features of diseases. In Italy, the Decree Law 81/2008 recently introduced the gender issue in the risk assessment at the workplaces.
This review briefly describes our current knowledge on gender medicine and on the Italian legislation in risk management.
Public or private scientific institutions should be the first to pay attention to the safety of their workers, who are simultaneously subjected to biological, chemical and physical agents. Main tasks of risk management in scientific research institutions are here analyzed and discussed in a gender perspective.
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