How Can Ozone and Relative Humidity Affect Artists’ Alkyd Paints? A FT-IR and Py-GC/MS Systematic Study

Knowledge of the chemical–physical reactions that determine the main degradation behaviour of artists’ alkyd paints represents one of the main problems within the museum exhibitions. The collection and interpretation of these data on degradation phenomena, especially after ozone exposure at different relative humidity values, can be useful for their conservation needs. Therefore, a systematic investigation of these materials may help achieve this goal. Firstly, surface-level identification of the main functional groups of ad hoc created and aged alkyd paints was performed using attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Subsequently, these paints were investigated by pyrolysis–gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (Py–GC/MS), allowing for precise bulk identification of the organic compounds before and after accelerated ageing. A first successful attempt to provide quantitative Py–GC/MS data on alkyd-based paints is here presented and discussed. Comparing the results, it was possible to obtain new insights into the degradation behaviour of alkyd paints when exposed to ozone, allowing us to devise specific preventive and conservation strategies for these artistic materials

JCV-specific T-cells producing IFN-gamma are differently associated with PmL occurrence in HIV patients and liver transplant recipients

Aim of this work was to investigate a possible correlation between the frequency of JCV-specific T-cells and PML occurrence in HIV-infected subjects and in liver transplant recipients. A significant decrease of JCV-specific T-cells was observed in HIV-PML subjects, highlighting a close relation between JCV-specific T-cell immune impairment and PML occurrence in HIV-subjects. Interestingly, liver-transplant recipients (LTR) showed a low frequency of JCV-specific T-cells, similar to HIV-PML subjects. Nevertheless, none of the enrolled LTR developed PML, suggesting the existence of different immunological mechanisms involved in the maintenance of a protective immune response in LT

On-orbit assembly using superquadric potential fields

The autonomous on-orbit assembly of a large space structure is presented using a method based on superquadric artificial potential fields. The final configuration of the elements which form the structure is represented as the minimum of some attractive potential field. Each element of the structure is then considered as presenting an obstacle to the others using a superquadric potential field attached to the body axes of the element. A controller is developed which ensures that the global potential field decreases monotonically during the assembly process. An error quaternion representation is used to define both the attractive and superquadric obstacle potentials allowing the final configuration of the elements to be defined through both relative position and orientation. Through the use of superquadric potentials, a wide range of geometric objects can be represented using a common formalism, while collision avoidance can make use of both translational and rotation maneuvers to reduce total maneuver cost for the assembly process

Data Fusion Approach to Simultaneously Evaluate the Degradation Process Caused by Ozone and Humidity on Modern Paint Materials

The knowledge of the atmospheric degradation reactions affecting the stability of modern materials is still of current interest. In fact, environmental parameters, such as relative humidity (RH), temperature, and pollutant agents, often fluctuate due to natural or anthropogenic climatic changes. This study focuses on evaluating analytical and statistical strategies to investigate the degradation processes of acrylic and styrene-acrylic paints after exposure to ozone (O3) and RH. A first comparison of FTIR and Py-GC/MS results allowed to obtain qualitative information on the degradation products and the influence of the pigments on the paints’ stability. The combination of these results represents a significant potential for the use of data fusion methods. Specifically, the datasets obtained by FTIR and Py-GC/MS were combined using a low-level data fusion approach and subsequently processed by principal component analysis (PCA). It allowed to evaluate the different chemical impact of the variables for the characterization of unaged and aged samples, understanding which paint is more prone to ozone degradation, and which aging variables most compromise their stability. The advantage of this method consists in simultaneously evaluating all the FTIR and Py-GC/MS variables and describing common degradation patterns. From these combined results, specific information was obtained for further suitable conservation practices for modern and contemporary painted films

Grano ed eccesso di rame: può il tocoferolo inibire l'azione della fosfolipasi A?

Piante di grano (Triticum durum cv. Adamello) sono state incubate in una soluzione contenente CuSO4 100 μM per differenti periodi di tempo (da 1 a 960 minuti). Le radici già dopo 1 min di incubazione hanno presentato un aumento del contenuto di rame. In corrispondenza del contenuto massimo degli isomeri del tocoferolo è stato registrato un minimo livello dei lisati dei fosfolipidi, conseguenza di una disattivazione della fosfolipasi A2 (PLA2), enzima in grado di catalizzare l’idrolisi del legame sn-2 acil estere dei glicerofosfolipidi formando lisofosfolipidi ed acidi grassi liberi

Pediatric Endoscopic Pilonidal Sinus Treatment: An Effective Procedure for Children with Recurrent Pilonidal Sinus Disease after Failed Open Surgery

Background: The traditional open excision of pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is associated with a painful postoperative course and high recurrence rates. We recently published our technique of pediatric endoscopic pilonidal sinus treatment (PEPSiT). We aimed to report our long-term outcome including using PEPSiT for recurrent PSD after failed open repair. Methods: All patients with recurrent PSD after open excision who underwent PEPSiT in our unit over the past 2 years were included in the study. During surgery a fistuloscope was introduced through the fistula's orifice. All identifiable hairs were removed using endoscopic forceps. Thereafter, the cavity was debrided with endobrush and ablated with monopolar electrode. External openings were not closed. Results: In the past 2 years, 40 patients with PSD underwent PEPSiT. Ten of 40 patients (6 boys and 4 girls with an average age of 16.8 years [range = 14-18]) had recurrent PSD after open surgery and were included in the study. The average operative time was 27.7 minutes (range = 24-43). No perioperative complications occurred. The average analgesic requirement was 20 hours (range = 16-26) and the average hospitalization was 22.4 hours (range = 18-36). The average time to return to full daily activities was 2.3 days (range = 1-5) and all patients were highly satisfied of postoperative course. At 1 month postoperatively, the external openings were completely healed. No recurrence was recorded at a mean follow-up of 18 months (range = 6-24). Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that PEPSiT is an excellent technique for surgical treatment of PSD in children and teenagers. In fact, it is technically easy and fast to perform, with a short and painless hospital stay and it allows to the operated patients an early return to full daily activities without any physical limitations compared with open repair. In addition, it is also effective for treatment of recurrent PSD after failed open repair

Monitoring Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: How Molecular Tools May Drive Therapeutic Approaches

More than 15 years ago, imatinib entered into the clinical practice as a “magic bullet”; from that point on, the prognosis of patients affected by chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) became comparable to that of aged-matched healthy subjects. The aims of treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are for complete hematological response after 3 months of treatment, complete cytogenetic response after 6 months, and a reduction of the molecular disease of at least 3 logs after 12 months. Patients who do not reach their goal can switch to another TKI. Thus, the molecular monitoring of response is the main consideration of management of CML patients. Moreover, cases in deep and persistent molecular response can tempt the physician to interrupt treatment, and this “dream” is possible due to the quantitative PCR. After great international effort, today the BCR-ABL1 expression obtained in each laboratory is standardized and expressed as “international scale.” This aim has been reached after the establishment of the EUTOS program (in Europe) and the LabNet network (in Italy), the platforms where biologists meet clinicians. In the field of quantitative PCR, the digital PCR is now a new and promising, sensitive and accurate tool. Some authors reported that digital PCR is able to better classify patients in precise “molecular classes,” which could lead to a better identification of those cases that will benefit from the interruption of therapy. In addition, digital PCR can be used to identify a point mutation in the ABL1 domain, mutations that are often responsible for the TKI resistance. In the field of resistance, a prominent role is played by the NGS that enables identification of any mutation in ABL1 domain, even at sub-clonal levels. This manuscript reviews how the molecular tools can lead the management of CML patients, focusing on the more recent technical advances

Clinical application and technical standardization of indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging in pediatric minimally invasive surgery

Purpose We reported our preliminary experience using ICG fluorescence in pediatric minimally invasive surgery (MIS) with the aim to standardize indications, dose, timing, and modality of administration of ICG according to different organs. Methods ICG technology was adopted in 46 MIS procedures performed in our unit over the last 18 months: 30 left varicocele repairs; 5 cholecystectomies in obese adolescents; 3 tumor excisions; 3 nephrectomies; 2 partial nephrectomies; 3 lymphoma excisions. ICG solution was injected intravenously in all cases except for varicocelectomy in which it was injected into the testis. The ICG injection was performed intra-operatively in all cases except for cholecystectomy in which it was injected 18 h prior to the procedure. Results All procedures were completed laparoscopically without conversions or intra-operative complications. No adverse or allergic reactions to ICG were reported. Conclusion Our preliminary experience showed that ICG fluorescence is a safe, useful, and versatile technique to adopt in pediatric MIS to achieve a better identification of anatomy and an easier surgical dissection or resection in challenging cases. Currently, the main indications are varicocelectomy, difficult cholecystectomy, tumor excision, nephrectomy, and partial nephrectomy. The main limitation is the needing of a special equipment to use ICG technology

Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Lymphography: A New Technique to Perform Lymphatic Sparing Laparoscopic Palomo Varicocelectomy in Children

Laparoscopic Palomo varicocelectomy is one the most common approaches adopted to treat pediatric varicocele, but postoperative hydrocele still remains a potential problem with this procedure. This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of a new technique of lymphography using indocyanine green (ICG)-enhanced fluorescence to perform lymphatic sparing laparoscopic Palomo varicocelectomy