Studio archeometrico dei dipinti murali di Spyros Papaloukas nel Duomo di Amfissa in Grecia

Il Duomo della città di Amfissa (Grecia) è stato costruito nel periodo 1859 – 1869. L’interno del Duomo è stato dipinto interamente dal pittore greco Spyros Papaloukas (1927 – 1932). Lo stato di conservazione della superfice dipinta attualmente versa in condizioni molto precarie ed in vista di un profondo intervento di risanamento e restauro e stata intrapresa una approfondita indagine diagnostica delle superfici dipinte. Allo scopo sono stati avviate una serie di controlli analitici e tecnologici. Nel caso degli intonaci dipinti, particolare attenzione è stata dedicata agli strati pittorici, alla composizione degli strati preparatori, alla caratterizzazione delle malte e ai problemi di deterioramento ad esse connesse. Frammenti di materiale pittorico sono stati analizzati mediante gascromatografia/spettrometria di massa per la ricerca dei leganti organici. E’ stato osservato materiale organico in tutti i campioni, in particolare olio di lino invecchiato e uovo. Dai dati analitici e dalle osservazioni in situ si ritiene che la particolarità dell’opera sia che l’intera superficie (1.500 m2 di superficie) sia stata dipinta con la tecnica pittorica murale “a secco”, adoperando esclusivamente dei leganti organici. Il quadro generale dei risultati delle indagini sui materiali inorganici insieme allo studio dei leganti organici ha rappresentato la base di riferimento per una mirata progettazione dell’ intervento conservativo necessario. Il presente lavoro fa parte del “International Multidisciplinary Conservation Project of the Holy Mary Annunciation Metropolitan Church of Amfissa (Greece)”

Potent Antioxidant and Genoprotective Effects of Boeravinone G, a Rotenoid Isolated from Boerhaavia diffusa

Background and Aims: Free radicals are implicated in the aetiology of some gastrointestinal disorders such as gastric ulcer, colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. In the present study we investigated the antioxidant and genoprotective activity of some rotenoids (i.e. boeravinones) isolated from the roots of Boerhaavia diffusa, a plant used in the Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Methods/Principal Findings: Antioxidant activity has been evaluated using both chemical (Electron Spin Resonance spectroscopy, ESR) and Caco-2 cells-based (TBARS and ROS) assays. DNA damage was evaluated by Comet assay, while pERK 1/2 and phospho-NF-kB p65 levels were estimated by western blot. Boeravinones G, D and H significantly reduced the signal intensity of ESR induced by hydroxyl radicals, suggesting a scavenging activity. Among rotenoids tested, boeravinone G exerted the most potent effect. Boeravinone G inhibited both TBARS and ROS formation induced by Fenton's reagent, increased SOD activity and reduced H 2O 2-induced DNA damage. Finally, boeravinone G reduced the levels of pERK 1 and phospho-NF-kB p65 (but not of pERK 2) increased by Fenton's reagent. Conclusions: It is concluded that boeravinone G exhibits an extraordinary potent antioxidant activity (significant effect in the nanomolar range). The MAP kinase and NF-kB pathways seem to be involved in the antioxidant effect of boeravinone G. Boeravinone G might be considered as lead compound for the development of drugs potentially useful against those pathologies whose aetiology is related to ROS-mediated injuries

Un inusuale uso di uno scanner 2D per l’ottenimento di immagini ad alta risoluzione ed elevata profondità di campo di artefatti e oggetti tridimensionali

Questo articolo si propone di descrivere la possibilità di sopperire alla esigenza di fare ricorso a sistemi fotografici complessi per la catalogazione oggetti di ridotte dimensioni o di frammenti, ma anche di piccoli reperti tridimensionali o reperti archeologici, utilizzando come alternativa di facile accesso e immediata applicazione una tecnica di estrema semplicità già ampiamente diffusa ed assolutamente semplice. Si tratta dell’uso particolare di uno scanner 2D, normalmente utilizzato per importare disegni piani e mappe, in questo caso usato invece per “scannerizzare” reperti o oggetti piuttosto che fotografarli. Riportiamo qui di seguito il metodo di acquisizione ad alta risoluzione proposto, limiti e vantaggi accompagnato da un’ampia casistica di applicazioni.  Il metodo descritto con gli esempi riportati vuole dimostrare la versatilità di un metodo di basso costo e di facile accessibilità enfatizzandone l’estensione della sua applicazione ai fini della documentazione nei più svariati campi di lavoro ottenendo immagini di elevata qualità

Le rocce scolpite di Dazu - Chongqing, Cina: una valutazione critica dei problemi conservativi di un sito del patrimonio mondiale ed una esperienza personale

<p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>Abstract</strong></p><p><strong></strong>The Dazu Rock Carvings are located in Sichuan province (Chongqing municipality): a sites on the World Heritage List whose majestic rock carvings are of great religious and historical significance. They constitutes one of the most diverse forms of cultural heritage particularly present in China as the Yungang Grottoes , the rock carvings of Longmen and all represent one of the most demanding challenges for their conservation. This paper offer a critical appraisal of the conservation problems of the site, it would be a review on the past and current action to preserve the site, on the scientific research, and on the environmental and geotechnical aspects of conservation. The main feature of this article is scientific, but it is rather the story of a professional fascinating experience of a Western observer and conservationist approaching the Chinese cultural heritage.</p><p>The paper includes an updated survey of the literature including an unusual use of repeated citations of a nice old book "The Chinese diary" of the Italian art historian Cesare Brandi, worldwide known as the author of the “Theory of Restoration” and founder (1939) of the Italian Institute for Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage.</p

Conservazione e processo diagnostico

<p>Conservation constitutes an inter-disciplinary practice involving a range of historic, scientific, technical and other professionals. How conservation is achieved and the manner in which it should be carried through a diagnosis process is the subject of this paper. Diagnosis, is a fundamental part of a large body of knowledge and disciplines needed to better preserve heritage.</p><p>Diagnosis means good knowledge of the object of study, in terms of history, of conservation history, of materials and on the phenomenology of alteration . An appropriate methodology of conservation impose, today, the elaboration of a conservation project on the base of specific data acquired through a diagnosis project: the only way to avoid an inappropriate intervention.</p

Iodinated indole alkaloids from Plakortis simplex - New plakohypaphorines and an evaluation of their antihistamine activity.

Three new iodinated tryptophan derivatives, plakohypaphorines D-F (4-6), have been isolated from the Caribbean sponge Plakortis simplex. Their structures have been determined by application of spectroscopic methods and microwave-assisted selective dehalogenation. Compound 5 is the first naturally occurrung triiodinated indole, while compound 6 is a unique metabolite in possessing both chlorine and iodine atoms on the indole nucleus. Anti-histamine activity for the whole series of plakohypaphorines A-F has been evaluated and only the diiodinated analogues proved to be active, showing a specific antagonism of the non-competitive type

Spasmolytic Effects of Nonprenylated Rotenoid Constituents of Boerhaavia diffusa Roots

Boerhaavia diffusa is an Ayurvedic remedy used traditionally for the treatment of a number of diseases, including those affecting the gastrointestinal tract. In the current investigation, a methanol extract obtained from roots of B. diffusa exhibited a significant spasmolytic activity in the guinea pig ileum, probably through a direct effect on the smooth muscle. A detailed phytochemical analysis of this methanol extract led to the isolation of one new (12) and six known (6-11) rotenoid derivatives. The structure of the new compound was determined through interpretation of its MS and NMR data. All the isolated rotenoids were evaluated for their effect on intestinal motility in vitro, and the results obtained showed unambiguously that they are active spasmolytic constituents. Preliminary structure-activity relationships for this class of compounds are suggested

MR of the small bowel with a biphasic oral contrast agent (polyethylene glycol): technical aspects and findings in patients affected by Crohn's disease

PURPOSE: To report our experience using MR of the small bowel with polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution as an oral contrast agent in a population of adults and children with known Crohn's disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 40 patients (29 males; 11 females), 15 adults (age range 24-52 years) and 25 children (age range 5-17 years), with known Crohn's disease, underwent MR of the small bowel using a supeconductive 1.5 T magnet, and polyethylene glycol solution as an oral contrast agent. The fixed amount of contrast agent was 750-1000 ml for adults and 10 ml/kg of body weight for children. The Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) was available in all patients. Our study protocol included the acquisition of T2-weighted half-Fourier single-shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE) sequences and true fast imaging in the steady-state precession (true-FISP) sequences, followed by the acquisition of "spoiled" 2D gradient echo T1-weighted sequences with fat suppression (FLASH, fast low-angle shot) or alternatively "spoiled" 3D (VIBE, volume interpolated breath-hold examination), acquired 70 seconds after intravenous administration of gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA) (0,1 mmol/kg). A specific MR score was created and calculated for each patient and was compared by means of the Spearman rank with CDAI. RESULTS: In all patients no significant side effects were observed and the MR examination was well tolerated even by paediatric patients. In all cases MR showed a small bowel wall thickening (> 4 mm) in the terminal ileum, with lumen stenosis in 26 patients. In 3 cases pathological segments proximal to the terminal ileum were observed and in another 3 cases caecal involvement was visible. The MR examination was able to show abnormalities of perivisceral fat tissue in 15 patients, mesenteric lymphadenopathy in 1 patient and abdominal abscess in 1 case. The Spearman rank showed a statistically significant correlation between CDAI and the MR score (r = 0.91, P = 0,0001). DISCUSSION: MR using PEG as an oral contrast agent could be considered a test of great interest in the evaluation of the small bowel in patients suspected of having Crohn's disease in that it is easily reproducible, well tolerated even by paediatric patients and it provides useful information about the localisation, extension and activity of inflammatory disease without the use of ionising radiation