Integrated methods for analysis of deterioration of cultural heritage: the Crypt of “Cattedrale di Otranto"

It is well known that atmospheric agents, pollution, and various stresses are the main causes of deterioration of artistic heritage. For many monuments, located in coastal sites, the action of sea aerosols is added to these ones, with a peculiar impact. Further damages, sometimes irreversible, are suffered by the materials because of the growth of many micro-organisms (bacteria, fungi, etc.), under particular physical– chemical and biological conditions. In this paper we propose a study of the problem of deterioration, covering different aspects and disciplines, with the aim to put in evidence parameters and information that can be carried out following different and complementary surveys.We outline non-destructive, different biological and physical (microclimatic and Ground Penetrating Radar) techniques to investigate these damages in the Crypt of the “Cattedrale di Otranto”, situated in the south part of Italy. Geographical Information System (GIS) plays an important role in the complex task of managing such different type of data. Integrating the data about cultural asset in an urban environment in a GIS environment, we have the possibility to make more effective decisions regarding the safeguard of the heritage

Prevalence and Distribution of Human Papillomavirus Genotype in South Eastern Italy, in thè Period 2006-2011: Implications for Intervention.

Abstract: Persistent infection of High Risk (HR) Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection can lead to cervical cancer. The HPV genotypes are found worldwide, but important regional variations have been found. For a population-based HPV type prevalence study to assess the effect of existing and new prevention methods, frequently updated information on thè burden of cervical cancer is essential. We evaluated thè prevalence of HPV genotypes in a volunteer population screened for cervical cancer at the Local Health Unit (LHU) of Lecce. A total of 9,720 women were studied. The tests were performed by INNO-Lipa HPV genotyping and LINEAR ARRAY HPV Genotyping Test. The overall HPV prevalence was 29.7% (95% CI, 28.8-30.6) for any HPV DNA. The prevalent type for ali age groups was HPV 16 (7.4%; CI, 6.9-7.9) followed by HPV 31 (3.4%; CI, 3.0-3.7), 51 (3.0%; CI, 2.6-3.3), 52 (2.7%; CI, 2.3-3.0) and 58 (2.4%; CI, 2.1-2.7). HPV 53 was thè most common low-risk HPV type with prevalence rate of 3.5 (CI, 3.1-3.8), followed by HPV 66 (3.0; CI, 2.6-3.3), 6 (2.9; CI, 2.6-3.2) and 42 (2.5; CI, 2.2-2.8). Multiple infections were present in 13.6% of HPV-tested women (CI, 12.9-14.3). Among these, thè most common combination was of HPV 16 and HPV 52 genotypes. This study reports high prevalence of HPV infection and may serve as a valuable reference for assessing thè impaci of HPV vaccination programs. Furthermore, it supports the need for new vaccines that contain the most common HPV genotypes present in the population

The MAPEC_LIFE study (LIFE12 ENV/IT/000614): monitoring air pollution effects in children for supporting public health policy

The use of genetic biomarkers has been studied largely in adult population exposed to air pollution, but few studies have investigated genetic damage in children. The aim of the project is to evaluate the associations between the concentration of urban air pollutants and early biological effects in children. The study will be carried out on 1000 children 6-8 years old living in five Italian towns in two different seasons by analyzing two biomarkers of early biological effects: DNA damage detected with the comet assay and frequency of micronuclei in buccal cells. A questionnaire will be used to collect the details of children diseases, socio-economic status, exposures to other pollutants and life-style. Ultra-fine particulate samples (PM 0.5) collected in the school areas will be analyzed for PAHs and nitro-PAHs concentrations, lung toxicity and in vitro genotoxicity on bacterial and human cells. All data will be statistically tested to investigate the possible associations between levels of air pollutants, air mutagenicity and early effect biomarkers. The final purpose of the project will be to elaborate a model for calculating the global absolute risk of early biological effects