The dry stone wall of 'Paretone dei Greci': an anthracological approach

International audienceDry stone constructions are a common occurrence in many Mediterranean landscapes. One of these structures known as "Paretone dei Greci" (Taranto, Southern Italy), was subject to an archaeological investigation. Soil and sediment material within this wall, as well as those above and below it, were sampled and processed for archaeobotanical studies. In this manner it was possible to understand its building technique as well as giving it a chronological context. Through an anthracological analysis it was possible to insert the "Paretone" within the surrounding agricultural landscape, thus better highlighting its function in relation to the history of the territor

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Serum from Patients with Systemic Sclerosis and Sclerodermatous GVHD. Evidence of Defective Function of Factor H

BACKGROUND: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by immunological and vascular abnormalities. Until now, the cause of SSc remains unclear. Sclerodermatous graft-versus-host disease (ScGVHD) is one of the most severe complications following bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for haematological disorders. Since the first cases, the similarity of ScGVHD to SSc has been reported. However, both diseases could have different etiopathogeneses. The objective of this study was to identify new serum biomarkers involved in SSc and ScGVHD. METHODOLOGY: Serum was obtained from patients with SSc and ScGVHD, patients without ScGVHD who received BMT for haematological disorders and healthy controls. Bi-dimensional electrophoresis (2D) was carried out to generate maps of serum proteins from patients and controls. The 2D maps underwent image analysis and differently expressed proteins were identified. Immuno-blot analysis and ELISA assay were used to validate the proteomic data. Hemolytic assay with sheep erythrocytes was performed to evaluate the capacity of Factor H (FH) to control complement activation on the cellular surface. FH binding to endothelial cells (ECs) was also analysed in order to assess possible dysfunctions of this protein. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Fourteen differentially expressed proteins were identified. We detected pneumococcal antibody cross-reacting with double stranded DNA in serum of all bone marrow transplanted patients with ScGVHD. We documented higher levels of FH in serum of SSc and ScGVHD patients compared healthy controls and increased sheep erythrocytes lysis after incubation with serum of diffuse SSc patients. In addition, we observed that FH binding to ECs was reduced when we used serum from these patients. CONCLUSIONS: The comparative proteomic analysis of serum from SSc and ScGVHD patients highlighted proteins involved in either promoting or maintaining an inflammatory state. We also found a defective function of Factor H, possibly associated with ECs damage

Portieux (Vosges). Ancien prieuré de Belval

Le village de Portieux est localisé 50 km au sud de Nancy et 25 km au NO d’Épinal, dans la vallée de la Moselle. Les locaux du Centre d’Aide par le travail de Belval, objet d’un projet d’extension, sont situés à 1 800 m à l’est du village, sur les terrasses dominant la vallée du ruisseau “Le Rochon”, dans l’enceinte d’un ancien prieuré fondé à la fin du xie s. et abandonné au plus tard en 1718. Les terrassements préliminaires ayant mis au jour les vestiges d’un ancien cimetière, une intervent..

Les territoires locaux en Pouille méridionale (Italie) du VIIe au Xe siècle. Un reflet de la frontière de Byzance en Adriatique ?

International audienc

Olive Cultivation and Olive Products in the Byzantine Southern Apulia (6th-11th centuries)

International audienceThis paper focuses on the interactions between the environment and human society from Late Antiquity to the Early Middle Ages in southern Apulia, at the heel of Italy, at the lower part of the Adriatic region. The results of recent archaeological investigations and paleoenvironmental studies, has led us to establish a correlation between the indicators of extensive olive cultivation, the archaeological markers indicating the movement of goods either side of the Adriatic Sea, and Byzantine economic and political dominance over all or part of the region, as well as the lower Adriatic

Sistemi insediativi, sistemi agrari e territori del Salento settentrionale (IV-XV sec.)

International audienc

Les territoires locaux en Pouille méridionale (Italie) du VIIe au Xe siècle. Un reflet de la frontière de Byzance en Adriatique ?

International audienc

Olive Cultivation and Olive Products in the Byzantine Southern Apulia (6th-11th centuries)

International audienceThis paper focuses on the interactions between the environment and human society from Late Antiquity to the Early Middle Ages in southern Apulia, at the heel of Italy, at the lower part of the Adriatic region. The results of recent archaeological investigations and paleoenvironmental studies, has led us to establish a correlation between the indicators of extensive olive cultivation, the archaeological markers indicating the movement of goods either side of the Adriatic Sea, and Byzantine economic and political dominance over all or part of the region, as well as the lower Adriatic

Le "limitone dei greci" ou l'invention du limes byzantin de la Pouille (Italie). Postulats, sources et paradigmes d'un mythe historiographique

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