Mapping with Macro X-ray Fluorescence Scanning of Raffaello's Portrait of Leo X

Raffaello is renowned as one of the Old Renaissance Masters and his paintings and painting technique are famous for the details and naturality of the characters. Raffaello is famous in particular for the then-new technique of oil painting, which he mastered and perfected. On the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the death of Raffaello (2020), there was a large exhibition at the Scuderie del Quirinale in Rome, where many paintings and drawings by the Old Master were on show. One of these paintings was the portrait of Leo X with two cardinals belonging to the collection of the Uffizi galleries in Florence. Before going to Rome, the painting underwent conservation treatments at the Opificio delle Pietre Dure, where a comprehensive diagnostic campaign was carried out with the aim of understanding the painting materials and technique of the Old Master. In this paper, the results of macro X-ray fluorescence (MA-XRF) analysis, carried out exploiting the instrument developed by INFN-CHNet, are shown. Among the results, "bismuth black" and the likely use of glass powders in lakes are discussed

Fetal oxygen and glucose consumption in human pregnancy complicated by fetal growth restriction

In healthy pregnancy, glucose and oxygen availability are essential for fetal growth and wellbeing. However, how substrate delivery and fetal uptake are affected in human pregnancy complicated by fetal growth restriction (FGR) is still unknown. Here we show that the human FGR fetus has a strikingly reduced umbilical uptake of both oxygen and glucose. In 30 healthy term and 32 FGR human pregnancies umbilical volume flow (Qumb) and parallel umbilical vein (uv) and artery (ua) blood samples were obtained at elective Caesarean section to calculate fetal glucose and oxygen uptake as Qumb • Δ (uv-ua) differences. Umbilical blood flow was significantly lower in FGR pregnancy (-63%, P<0.001) but not when normalized for fetal body weight. FGR pregnancy had significantly lower umbilical oxygen delivery and uptake, both as absolute values (delivery: –78%; uptake: –78%) and normalized (delivery: –50%; uptake: –48%) for fetal body weight (all P<0.001). Umbilical glucose absolute delivery and uptake were significantly reduced (delivery: –68%; uptake: –72%) but only glucose uptake was decreased when normalized for fetal body weight (–30%, P<0.05). The glucose/oxygen quotient was significantly increased (+100%, P<0.05) while glucose clearance was significantly decreased (71%, P<0.001) in FGR pregnancy (both P<0.05). The human fetus in FGR pregnancy triggers compensatory mechanisms to reduce its metabolic rate, matching the proportion of substrate consumption relative to oxygen delivery as a survival strategy during complicated pregnancy.Financial support was obtained by grants from Fondazione Giorgio Pardi, by ASM (Associazione Italiana per lo Studio delle Malformazioni), and by a Grant of the Italian Ministry of University and Research PRIN 2010-2011 prot. 20102chst5_005

Utility of Healthcare System-Based Interventions in Improving the Uptake of Influenza Vaccination in Healthcare Workers at Long-Term Care Facilities: A Systematic Review

Healthcare workers (HCWs) in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) can represent a source of influenza infection for the elderly. While flu vaccination coverage (VC) is satisfactory in the elderly, HCWs are less likely to be vaccinated. There is no definitive evidence on which types of healthcare system-based interventions at LTCFs would be more useful in improving the vaccination uptake among HCWs. We performed a systematic review in different databases (Pubmed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Health Evidence, Web of Science, Cinahl) to provide a synthesis of the available studies on this topic. Among the 1177 articles screened by their titles and abstracts, 27 were included in this review. Most of the studies reported multiple interventions addressed to improve access to vaccination, eliminate individual barriers, or introduce policy interventions. As expected, mandatory vaccinations seem to be the most useful intervention to increase the vaccination uptake in HCWs. However, our study suggests that better results in the vaccination uptake in HCWs were obtained by combining interventions in different areas. Educational campaigns alone could not have an impact on vaccination coverage. LTCFs represent an ideal setting to perform preventive multi-approach interventions for the epidemiological transition toward aging and chronicity

The Role of PIXE and XRF in Heritage Science: The INFN-CHNet LABEC Experience

Analytical techniques play a fundamental role in heritage science. Among them, Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) techniques are widely used in many laboratories for elemental composition analysis. Although they are well-established, a strong effort is put on their upgrade, making them suitable for more and more applications. Over the years, at the INFN-LABEC (the laboratory of nuclear techniques for the environment and cultural heritage of the Italian National Institute of Nuclear Physics), the INFN-CHNet group, the network devoted to cultural heritage, has carried out many technological improvements to the PIXE and XRF set-ups for the analysis of works of art and archaeological finds. Among the many, we recall here the scanning external microbeam facility at the TANDEM accelerator and the MA-XRF scanner. The two instruments have shown complementary features: the former permits quantitative analysis of elements heavier than sodium, which is not possible with the latter in most of the case studies. On the contrary, the scanner has the undeniable advantage of portability, allowing it to work in situ. In this framework of technological developments in heritage science, INFN, CERN, and OPD are jointly carrying on the MACHINA (Movable Accelerator for Cultural Heritage In-situ Non-destructive Analysis) project for on-site Ion Beam Analysis (IBA) studies on cultural heritage

Epigenetic Profiling in the Saliva of Obese Pregnant Women

Maternal obesity is associated with inflammation and oxidative stress, strongly impacting the intrauterine environment with detrimental consequences for both mother and offspring. The saliva is a non-invasive biofluid reflecting both local and systemic health status. This observational study aimed to profile the epigenetic signature in the saliva of Obese (OB) and Normal-Weight (NW) pregnant women. Sixteen NW and sixteen OB Caucasian women with singleton spontaneous pregnancies were enrolled. microRNAs were quantified by the OpenArray Platform. The promoter region methylation of Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 (SOCS3) and Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 (TGF-Beta1) was assessed by pyrosequencing. There were 754 microRNAs evaluated: 20 microRNAs resulted in being differentially expressed between OB and NW. microRNA pathway enrichment analysis showed a significant association with the TGF-Beta signaling pathway (miTALOS) and with fatty acids biosynthesis/metabolism, lysine degradation, and ECM&ndash;receptor interaction pathways (DIANA&ndash;miRPath). Both SOCS3 and TGF-Beta1 were significantly down-methylated in OB vs. NW. These results help to clarify impaired mechanisms involved in obesity and pave the way for the understanding of specific damaged pathways. The characterization of the epigenetic profile in saliva of pregnant women can represent a promising tool for the identification of obesity-related altered mechanisms and of possible biomarkers for early diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy-adverse conditions

Perinatal and Neonatal Outcomes in Fetal Growth Restriction and Small for Gestational Age

Alterations in intrauterine fetal growth increase the risk of adverse perinatal and neonatal outcomes. In this retrospective study, we analyzed data of 906 pregnancies collected in our maternal fetal medicine center, with different patterns of growth: 655 AGA (Appropriate for Gestational Age), 62 SGA (Small for Gestational Age: fetuses born with a weight less than 10&deg; centile, not diagnosed before delivery), 189 FGR (Fetal Growth Restriction, classified in early and late according to gestational week at diagnosis). For each group, we compared maternal characteristics, gestational age at delivery, and perinatal and neonatal outcomes. Risk factors for fetal growth alterations were advanced age, being primiparous, and a lower pregestational BMI. FGR fetuses were born at earlier gestational ages (32 [IQR 29&ndash;38] early-FGR and 38 [IQR 36&ndash;39] late-FGR), with blood gas values comparable to the AGA group but worse neonatal outcomes related to prematurity. Unexpected SGA fetuses born by vaginal delivery, managed as AGA, were more hyperlactacidemic (4.4 [IQR 2.7&ndash;5.5]) and hypoxemic (&minus;5.0 [IQR &minus;7.1&ndash;2.8]) at birth than both AGA and FGR. However, neonatal outcomes (accesses and days of hospitalization in NICU) were better than FGR, likely due to gestational age and birthweight similar to AGA

Mitochondrial and Oxidative Unbalance in Placentas from Mothers with SARS-CoV-2 Infection

SARS-CoV-2 infection has been related to adverse pregnancy outcomes. A placental role in protecting the fetus from SARS-CoV-2 infection has been documented. Nevertheless, it is still unclear how the placenta is affected in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here we assessed placental mitochondrial (mt) and oxidative features in COVID-19 and healthy mothers. mtDNA levels, DNA oxidative damage, expression levels of genes involved in antioxidant defenses, mitochondrial dynamics and respiratory chain subunits were investigated in placentas from singleton pregnancies of 30 women with SARS-CoV-2 infection during the third trimester (12 asymptomatic, 18 symptomatic) and 16 controls. mtDNA levels decreased in COVID-19 placentas vs. controls and inversely correlated with DNA oxidative damage, which increased in the symptomatic group. Antioxidant gene expressions decreased in SARS-CoV-2 mothers (CAT, GSS). Symptomatic cases also showed a lower expression of respiratory chain (NDUFA9, SDHA, COX4I1) and mt dynamics (DNM1L, FIS1) genes. Alterations in placental mitochondrial features and oxidative balance in COVID-19-affected mothers might be due to the impaired intrauterine environment, generated by systemic viral effects, leading to a negative vicious circle that worsens placental oxidative stress and mitochondrial efficiency. This likely causes cell homeostasis dysregulations, raising the potential of possible long-term effects

Characterization of Maternal Circulating MicroRNAs in Obese Pregnancies and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Maternal obesity (MO) is expanding worldwide, contributing to the onset of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). MO and GDM are associated with adverse maternal and foetal outcomes, with short- and long-term complications. Growing evidence suggests that MO and GDM are characterized by epigenetic alterations contributing to the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases. In this pilot study, plasma microRNAs (miRNAs) of obese pregnant women with/without GDM were profiled at delivery. Nineteen women with spontaneous singleton pregnancies delivering by elective Caesarean section were enrolled: seven normal-weight (NW), six obese without comorbidities (OB/GDM(−)), and six obese with GDM (OB/GDM(+)). miRNA profiling with miRCURY LNA PCR Panel allowed the analysis of the 179 most expressed circulating miRNAs in humans. Data acquisition and statistics (GeneGlobe and SPSS software) and Pathway Enrichment Analysis (PEA) were performed. Data analysis highlighted patterns of significantly differentially expressed miRNAs between groups: OB/GDM(−) vs. NW: n = 4 miRNAs, OB/GDM(+) vs. NW: n = 1, and OB/GDM(+) vs. OB/GDM(−): n = 14. For each comparison, PEA revealed pathways associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, as well as with nutrients and hormones metabolism. Indeed, miRNAs analysis may help to shed light on the complex epigenetic network regulating metabolic pathways in both the mother and the foeto-placental unit. Future investigations are needed to deepen the pregnancy epigenetic landscape in MO and GDM

Cryopreserved placental biopsies maintain mitochondrial activity for high-resolution respirometry

Abstract Background High-resolution respirometry (HRR) of human biopsies can provide useful metabolic, diagnostic, and mechanistic insights for clinical research and comparative medical studies. Fresh tissues analysis offers the potential best condition, the drawback being the need to use them shortly after dissection for mitochondrial respiratory experiments. The development of effective long-term storage protocols for biopsies that allow the assessment of key Electron Transport System (ETS) parameters at later stages is thus a major need. Methods We optimised a cryopreservation protocol that preserves mitochondrial membranes intactness, otherwise affected by direct tissue freezing. The protocol is based on a gradual freezing step from on-ice to liquid nitrogen and − 80 °C storage using a specific DMSO-based buffer. Results Placenta is a suitable tissue to design and test the effectiveness of long-term storage protocols being metabolically active foetal tissue with mitochondrial dysfunctions contributing to placental disease and gestational disorders. Here we designed and tested the effectiveness of the cryopreservation protocol using human placenta biopsies; we measured the ETS activity by HRR of placenta specimens comparing fresh, cryopreserved, and snap frozen conditions. Conclusions By this protocol, Oxygen Consumption Rate (OCR) measurements of fresh and cryopreserved placental specimens are comparable whereas snap frozen procedure impairs mitochondrial activity. Graphical Abstrac

Epigenetic Profiling in the Saliva of Obese Pregnant Women

Maternal obesity is associated with inflammation and oxidative stress, strongly impacting the intrauterine environment with detrimental consequences for both mother and offspring. The saliva is a non-invasive biofluid reflecting both local and systemic health status. This observational study aimed to profile the epigenetic signature in the saliva of Obese (OB) and Normal-Weight (NW) pregnant women. Sixteen NW and sixteen OB Caucasian women with singleton spontaneous pregnancies were enrolled. microRNAs were quantified by the OpenArray Platform. The promoter region methylation of Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 (SOCS3) and Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 (TGF-Beta1) was assessed by pyrosequencing. There were 754 microRNAs evaluated: 20 microRNAs resulted in being differentially expressed between OB and NW. microRNA pathway enrichment analysis showed a significant association with the TGF-Beta signaling pathway (miTALOS) and with fatty acids biosynthesis/metabolism, lysine degradation, and ECM–receptor interaction pathways (DIANA–miRPath). Both SOCS3 and TGF-Beta1 were significantly down-methylated in OB vs. NW. These results help to clarify impaired mechanisms involved in obesity and pave the way for the understanding of specific damaged pathways. The characterization of the epigenetic profile in saliva of pregnant women can represent a promising tool for the identification of obesity-related altered mechanisms and of possible biomarkers for early diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy-adverse conditions