Revealing Commercial Epoxy Resins’ Antimicrobial Activity: A Combined Chemical–Physical, Mechanical, and Biological Study

In our continuing search for new polymer composites with antimicrobial activity, we observed that even unmodified epoxyresins exhibit significant activity. Considering their widespread use as starting materials for the realization of multifunctional nanocomposites with excellent chemical and mechanical properties, it was deemed relevant to uncover these unexpected properties that can lead to novel applications. In fact, in places where the contact with human activities makes working surfaces susceptible to microbial contamination, thus jeopardizing the sterility of the environment, their biological activity opens the way to their successful application in minimizing healthcare associated infections. To this end, three commercial and widely used epoxy resins (DGEBA/Elan TechW 152LR, 1; EPIKOTETM Resin MGS®/EPIKURETM RIM H235, 2andMC152/EW101, 3) have been investigated to determine their antibacterial and antiviral activity. After 24 h, according to ISO 22196:2011, resins1and2showedahighantibacterialefficacy(Rvalue>6.0logreduction)against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Resin 2, prepared according to the ratio epoxy/hardener indicated by the supplier (sample 2a) and with 10% w/w hardener excess (sample 2b), exhibited an intriguing virucidal activity against Herpes Simplex Virus type-1 and Human Coronavirus type V-OC43 as a surrogate of SARS-CoV-

How Working Tasks Influence Biocontamination in an Animal Facility

The exposure to biocontaminants in animal facilities represents a risk for developing infectious, allergic and toxic diseases. The aim of this study was to determine what factors could be associated with a high level of exposure to biological agents through the measure and characterization of airborne fungi, bacteria, endotoxin, (1,3)-β-d-glucan and animal allergens. Airborne microorganisms were collected with an air sampler and identified by microscopic and biochemical methods. Endotoxin, (1,3)-β-d-glucan, Mus m 1, Rat n 1, Can f 1, Fel d 1, Equ c 4 allergens were detected on inhalable dust samples by Kinetic LAL, Glucatell, and ELISA assays, respectively. Our data evidenced that changing cages is a determinant factor in increasing the concentration of the airborne biocontaminants; the preparation of bedding and distribution of feed, performed in the storage area, is another critical working task in terms of exposure to endotoxins (210.7 EU/m3) and (1,3)-β-d-glucans (4.3 ng/m3). The highest concentration of Mus m 1 allergen (61.5 ng/m3) was observed in the dirty washing area. The detection of expositive peaks at risk of sensitization (>2 μg/g) by Fel d 1 in animal rooms shows passive transport by operators themselves, highlighting their role as vehicle between occupational and living environments

A Pilot Study for <i>Legionella pneumophila</i> Volatilome Characterization Using a Gas Sensor Array and GC/MS Techniques

Legionellosis is a generic term describing the pneumonic (Legionnaires’ disease, LD) and non-pneumonic (Pontiac fever, PF) forms of infection with bacteria belonging to the genus Legionella. Currently, the techniques used to detect Legionella spp. in water samples have certain limitations and drawbacks, and thus, there is a need to identify new tools to carry out low-cost and rapid analysis. In this regard, several studies demonstrated that a volatolomics approach rapidly detects and discriminates different species of microorganisms via their volatile signature. In this paper, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) pattern emitted in vitro by Legionella pneumophila cultures is characterized and compared to those produced by other Legionella species and by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, using a gas sensor array and gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Bacterial cultures were measured at the 3rd and 7th day after the incubation. Sensor array data analyzed via the K-nearest neighbours (k-NN) algorithm showed a sensitivity to Legionella pneumophila identification at around 89%. On the other hand, GC-MS identified a bouquet of VOCs, mainly alcohols and ketones, that enable the differentiation of Legionella pneumophila in respect to other waterborne microorganisms

A Pilot Study for Legionella pneumophila Volatilome Characterization Using a Gas Sensor Array and GC/MS Techniques

Legionellosis is a generic term describing the pneumonic (Legionnaires&rsquo; disease, LD) and non-pneumonic (Pontiac fever, PF) forms of infection with bacteria belonging to the genus Legionella. Currently, the techniques used to detect Legionella spp. in water samples have certain limitations and drawbacks, and thus, there is a need to identify new tools to carry out low-cost and rapid analysis. In this regard, several studies demonstrated that a volatolomics approach rapidly detects and discriminates different species of microorganisms via their volatile signature. In this paper, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) pattern emitted in vitro by Legionella pneumophila cultures is characterized and compared to those produced by other Legionella species and by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, using a gas sensor array and gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Bacterial cultures were measured at the 3rd and 7th day after the incubation. Sensor array data analyzed via the K-nearest neighbours (k-NN) algorithm showed a sensitivity to Legionella pneumophila identification at around 89%. On the other hand, GC-MS identified a bouquet of VOCs, mainly alcohols and ketones, that enable the differentiation of Legionella pneumophila in respect to other waterborne microorganisms

Mapping Biological Risks Related to Necropsy Activities: Old Concerns and Novel Issues for the Safety of Health Professionals

Nowadays only a few studies on biological and environmental risk among healthcare workers are available in literature. The present study aims to assess the health operator's risk of contact with microorganisms during necropsy activities, to evaluate the efficiency of current protections, to identify possible new sources of contact, and to point out possible preventive measures. In addition, considering the current pandemic scenario, the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the dissection room is assessed. The objectives were pursued through two distinct monitoring campaigns carried out in different periods through sampling performed both on the corpses and at the environmental level

Mapping Biological Risks Related to Necropsy Activities: Old Concerns and Novel Issues for the Safety of Health Professionals

Nowadays only a few studies on biological and environmental risk among healthcare workers are available in literature. The present study aims to assess the health operator’s risk of contact with microorganisms during necropsy activities, to evaluate the efficiency of current protections, to identify possible new sources of contact, and to point out possible preventive measures. In addition, considering the current pandemic scenario, the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the dissection room is assessed. The objectives were pursued through two distinct monitoring campaigns carried out in different periods through sampling performed both on the corpses and at the environmental level

Piano Regolatore Generale (PRG) del comune di Roma. Adottato con deliberazione di Consiglio Comunale n. 33 del 19-20 marzo 2003

Il Piano Regolatore Generale del comune di Roma è avviato agli inizi del 1994 con l’elezione, nel novembre del 1993, del Sindaco Rutelli. Nel primo mandato Rutelli (1993-1997) viene affrontato il problema della cosiddetta “pianificazione sospesa” e definiti gli indirizzi strategici del Nprg. Nel 1995 il Poster plan sintetizza gli indirizzi programmatici e lo schema delle coerenze attraverso l’individuazione delle tre componenti strutturanti il Nprg: il Sistema ambientale, il Sistema delle infrastrutture per la mobilità, il Sistema insediativo, con particolare riferimento alle politiche di modernizzazione, di riqualificazione e di rigenerazione della città (Ricci, 2009). Nel secondo mandato (1997-2001) con l’adozione della Variante generale Piano delle certezze, si concretizza il primo atto formale di costruzione del Nprg. Caratterizzato da una forte connotazione processuale il piano è strutturato dai rapporti «con il piano strategico; con i grandi progetti urbani e i progetti di architettura, con le modalità di costruzione della Città metropolitana» (Marcelloni, 2003). La nuova strategia urbanistica finalizzata all’integrazione e al riequilibrio urbano e metropolitano si inserisce all’interno del più ampio disegno prefigurato dallo Schema di Piano della Provincia e dal Piano territoriale paesistico regionale in un quadro di scelte basate sui principi di copianificazione e sussidiarietà. Un piano che, tuttavia, contiene un insieme di questioni ancora non completamente definite: dal complesso quadro legislativo all'evolversi del dibattito disciplinare, tanto da rappresentare l’espressione di una fase intermedia in cui «complessità, incertezza, qualità, competitività, sviluppo sostenibile, progetto urbano, flessibilità, sono termini la cui polisemia va accettata come sintomatica di una lunga fase transitoria» (ibid.); ma anche un terreno fertile di conflitto e di sperimentazione da cui possono svilupparsi percorsi innovativi in grado di restituire efficienza ed efficacia a tutto il processo di pianificazion