Spectroscopic investigation of Roman decorated plasters by combining FT-IR, micro-Raman and UV-Raman analyses

In this work, the complementary use of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, conventional micro-Raman spectroscopy and UV-Raman scattering proved successful for the characterization of bulk minerals and of a variety of pigments from decorated finishing layers of plasters from a Roman archaeological site known as Villa dei Quintili, a monumental residence located in the south-eastern part of Rome (Italy). The used multi-technique approach provided insights on the pictorial technique, giving information that could be useful for proper restoration. It is worth underlining that the present study represents the first attempt of carrying out UV resonance Raman measurements for analysing cultural heritage materials

Late-Proterozoic to Paleozoic history of the peri-Gondwana Calabria–Peloritani Terrane inferred from a review of zircon chronology

U–Pb analyses of zircon from ten samples of augen gneisses, eight mafic and intermediate metaigneous rocks and six metasediments from some tectonic domains along the Calabria–Peloritani Terrane (Southern Italy) contribute to knowledge of peri-Gondwanan evolution from Late-Proterozoic to Paleozoic times. All samples were equilibrated under amphibolite to granulite facies metamorphism during the Variscan orogeny. The zircon grains of all considered samples preserve a Proterozoic memory suggestive of detrital, metamorphic and igneous origin. The available data fit a frame involving: (1) Neoproterozoic detrital input from cratonic areas of Gondwana; (2) Pan-African/Cadomian assemblage of blocks derived from East and West African Craton; (3) metamorphism and bimodal magmatism between 535 and 579 Ma, within an active margin setting; (4) rifting and opening of Ordovician basins fed by detrital input from the assembled Cadomian blocks. The Paleozoic basins evolved through sedimentation, metamorphism and magmatism during the Variscan orogeny involving Palaeozoic and pre-Paleozoic blocks. The Proterozoic zircon records decidedly decrease in the high grade metamorphic rocks affected by Variscan pervasive partial melting. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40064-016-1839-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Divergent mind-sets, convergent policies: Policing models against organized crime in Italy and in England within international frameworks

The fight against organized crime is a very fertile ground for policymaking at various levels. On one side, because of the perceived transnationality of the phenomenon, national states are inclined to develop harmonized responses within the European or international law frameworks. On the other side, national conceptualizations and manifestations of organized crime often make these harmonizations quite challenging. This paper shares the findings of a socio-legal investigation carried out in England and in Italy through interviews and document analysis, comparing the two national models against organized crime. The paper presents these two models ? the Italian Structure Model and the English Activity Model, which are very different in many ways ? in order to identify divergences and convergences of policies and practices. This comparative exercise not only improves our understanding of national approaches, beyond cultural, linguistic and legal boundaries, but also improves the dialogue towards concerted efforts at the international level. Nevertheless, the globalization of criminal markets and the internationalization of policies have influenced perceptions of organized crime and related policing tactics at national levels too. This paper will briefly look at international perspectives to assess to what extent divergent and convergent areas between the two models are also areas of interest and focus at the international level, in order to conclude with an enhanced understanding of both models before drawing conclusions

Insulin-like growth factors and insulin control a multifunctional signalling network of significant importance in cancer

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and insulin (INS) proteins regulate key cellular functions through a complex interacting multi-component molecular network, known as the IGF/INS axis. We describe how dynamic and multilayer interactions give rise to the multifunctional role of the IGF/INS axis. Furthermore, we summarise the importance of the regulatory IGF/INS network in cancer, and discuss the possibilities and limitations of therapies targeting the IGF/INS axis with reference to ongoing clinical trials concerning the blockage of IGF1R in several types of cancer

The beta secretase BACE1 regulates the expression of insulin receptor in the liver

Insulin receptor (IR) plays a key role in the control of glucose homeostasis; however, the regulation of its cellular expression remains poorly understood. Here we show that the amount of biologically active IR is regulated by the cleavage of its ectodomain, by the β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), in a glucose concentration-dependent manner. In vivo studies demonstrate that BACE1 regulates the amount of IR and insulin signaling in the liver. During diabetes, BACE1-dependent cleavage of IR is increased and the amount of IR in the liver is reduced, whereas infusion of a BACE1 inhibitor partially restores liver IR. We suggest the potential use of BACE1 inhibitors to enhance insulin signaling during diabetes. Additionally, we show that plasma levels of cleaved IR reflect IR isoform A expression levels in liver tumors, which prompts us to propose that the measurement of circulating cleaved IR may assist hepatic cancer detection and management

Metformin restores normal insulin binding to monocytes of obese patients

No abstract availabl

Presence of a low molecular weight lectin in the coelomic fluid of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus.

A low molecular weight (MW) lectin (Paracentrotus lividus small lectin, PlSL) has been found in the sea urchin, Paracentrotus lividus. After gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions, PlSL exhibits a MW of 13 kDa, while its hemagglutinating activity is Ca2+-independent and inhibited by D-Glucose, L-Rhamnose, D-Arabinose, L-Fucose and N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine. Electrophoretic analysis of the coleomic fluid of P. lividus reveals that the presence of PlSL increases following immune challenge with bacteria, whereas it is annulled as a consequence of osmotic stress. Interestingly, two other putative inducible hemagglutinins of an approximate MW of 11 and 32 kDa were retrieved in concomitance with the stress-promoted disappearance of PlSL

Presence of a low molecular weight lectin in the coelomic fluid of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus

A low molecular weight (MW) lectin (Paracentrotus lividus small lectin, PlSL) has been found in the sea urchin, Paracentrotus lividus. After gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions, PlSL exhibits a MW of 13 kDa, while its hemagglutinating activity is Ca2+-independent and inhibited by D-Glucose, L-Rhamnose, D-Arabinose, L-Fucose and N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine. Electrophoretic analysis of the coleomic fluid of P. lividus reveals that the presence of PlSL increases following immune challenge with bacteria, whereas it is annulled as a consequence of osmotic stress. Interestingly, two other putative inducible hemagglutinins of an approximate MW of 11 and 32 kDa were retrieved in concomitance with the stress-promoted disappearance of PlSL