Search

O objetivo foi avaliar a evidência sobre a utilização de probióticos sistêmicos como adjuvantes à raspagem e alisamento radicular (RAR) no tratamento da periodontite. Foi realizada uma revisão narrativa da literatura. Diferentes espécies bacterianas têm sido utilizadas como probióticos. Foram obtidos resultados clínicos positivos com a utilização dos probióticos. Os probióticos mostraram ainda efeito favorável na manutenção da microbiota compatível com saúde e na modulação da resposta imunológica. O uso adjunto de probióticos à RAR parece ser mais acentuado em bolsas moderadas e profundas. Evidências científicas ainda são insuficientes para a recomendação do uso de probióticos na prática clínica periodontal.

The emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants and their rapid spread pose a threat to both human and animal health and may conceal unknown risks. This report describes an Italian human-to-cat outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7 (the Alpha variant) . On March 7th, 2021, approximately ten days after COVID-19 appeared in the family, the onset of respiratory signs in a cat by COVID-19-affected owners led to an in-depth diagnostic investigation, combining clinical and serological data with rt-qPCR-based virus detection and whole genome sequencing. The Alpha variant was confirmed first in the owners and a few days later in the cat that was then monitored weekly: the course was similar with one-week lag time in the cat. In addition, based on comparative analysis of genome sequences from our study and from 200 random Italian cases of Alpha variant, the familial cluster was confirmed. The temporal sequence along with the genomic data support a human-to-animal transmission. Such an event emphasizes the importance of studying the circulation and dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 variants in humans and animals to better understand and prevent potential spillover risks or unwarranted alerts involving our pet populations., Highlights • Respiratory signs in a household cat ten days after the appearance of COVID-19 in the family led to a thorough investigation. • The Alpha variant (B.1.1.7) was first detected in owners and one week later in the cat which showed a similar course. • A familial cluster was confirmed based on a comparative sequence analysis of the study subjects and 200 Italian random cases. • The temporal sequence together with the genomic data support human-to-animal transmission. • The human epidemic, the easy crossing of species barriers and the abundance of pets suggest monitoring for spillover risks.

The Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cell line is widely used as epithelial cell model in studies ranging from viral infection to environmental pollutants, and vaccines production. However, little is known about basal expression of genes involved in innate immunity, and the ability to respond to infectious and non-infectious stressors. Therefore, the aims of our study were to evaluate the basal level of expression of pivotal genes in the innate immune response and cell cycle regulation, as well as to evaluate the ability of this cell line to respond to infectious or non-infectious stressors. As surmised in our working hypothesis, we demonstrated the constitutive expression of genes involved in the innate immune response and cell defense alike, including TLRs, Interleukins, Myd88, p65/NF-kB and p53. Moreover, we described the ability of this cell line to respond to LPS and cadmium (Cd2+) in terms of gene expression and cytokine release. These data confirm the possibility of using this cell line as a model in studies of host/pathogen interaction and response to non-infectious stressors.

This short note presents the preliminary characterization of some qanats located in the Shahrood Province, as a result of a join agreement between the University of L’Aquila, the Institute of Chemical Methodologies of the National Research Council and the University of Technology of Shahrood. These underground water supply systems by gravity, whose conception dates back three thousand years, are still of great importance to exploit groundwater resource, that is strategic in peri-desert and desert areas. Qanats are endangered by the increasing use of drilled wells, which have exacerbated aquifers’ overexploitation. To overcome this issue, these ancient underground water works can effectively offer “sustainable withdrawals” (tapping only the upper part of aquifer), if strategically implemented and following rational groundwater uses, taking into account cultural heritage, tourism enhancements and other uses related to new technologies (greenhouses heated by low-enthalpy plants, qualitative and quantitative improvement of traditional, typical and new varieties of crops, such as: peaches, apricots, pistachios).

In horses, squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are the most common malignant tumors developing on non-pigmented skin, muco-cutaneous areas, like external genitalia, and, less frequently, in the stomach. Growing evidence suggests Equus caballus papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV2) as causative agent of genital SCCs. Our case report describes a 20-year-old, female, mixed-breed pony with co-occurring vulvar papilloma and in situ carcinoma and gastric SCC. Both lesions were positive for the same EcPV2, as confirmed by DNA sequencing. E6 mRNA expression was observed both in vulvar lesions and gastric SCC, while L1 mRNA was expressed in the vulvar tumor. To the best of the Authors' knowledge, this is the first report of an association between EcPV2 and equine gastric squamous cell carcinoma, with co-occurring EcPV2-positive genital lesions. Further studies are required to assess the real prevalence and the possible role of this viral type in these equine tumors.

Peanuts and tree nut allergies pose an increasing food safety problem. The aim of our study was to test the accuracy of different commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits in the detection of the presence of walnuts in untreated and heat exposed food samples. The effects of thermal treatment of samples were evaluated by exposing walnuts to different heat treatments. All samples were first analysed by two different commercial ELISA assays. Then, we performed a skin prick test (SPT) on nine patients with proven nut allergy using small walnut pieces from raw and treated samples. RESULTS The presence of nuts proteins in thermally processed foods was not accurately detected by ELISA kits. All patients had a positive SPT reaction with raw walnut, while thermal treatments affected walnut allergenicity. The ELISA test gives a negative result in the case of strong thermal treatment, but at the same time allergic subjects react positively to stimulation with the same sample. CONCLUSION This study suggests that commercial ELISA kits may not be able to accurately determine the amount of proteins present in thermally processed foods due to changes in the solubility and immunoreactivity of the target proteins. Finally, the clinical results highlight that thermal treatment might induce a reduction in walnut allergenicity. ? 2018 Society of Chemical Industry

The domestic cat (Felis catus) was used as a sentinel of exposure to polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) in indoor urban environments y. Sera from 120 cats were pooled to form 30 different groups selected by age ( 2 ≤ 8 years; > 8 years), sex, municipality (Bologna and Turin) and environment (indoor vs. outdoor). Test portions of 1 mL were analyzed by means of gas chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) for six selected indicators non-dioxin-like PCBs (∑6 PCBs: congeners #28, #52, #101, #132, #153 and #180) and the results were computed in the upper-bound mode. The internal dose of PCBs attributable to the cats' alimentary lipid intake ranged from 32.4 to 1,446 ng/g (P50 165; mean 258). The Wilcoxon test revealed significantly lower PCB burden in “outdoor” groups than in “indoor” groups. Age correlated well with the heptachlorinated and most bio-accumulative congener, PCB #180, and slightly with hexachlorinated PCBs #138 and #153. Contamination attributable to house dust collected in 15 living-rooms ranged from 10.0 to 279 ng/g dry weight (P50 97.4; mean 94.4). Exposure estimates indicated a 0.6–16 ng/kg bw range of daily ∑6 PCB intake from a default value of 200 mg/cat of dust ingestion. The intake of PCBs due to dust ingestion fell within the same order of magnitude as that computed from a 60 g daily intake of commercial dry pet foods, while inhalation accounted for 0.21–8.2 ng/kg bw/day, on setting the nominal ∑6 PCB contamination in outdoor and indoor air at 0.37 and 15 ng/m3, respectively. Italian indoor cats could be exposed to higher levels of ∑6 PCBs than the Reference Dose (RfD) of 10 ng/kg/bw/day; this supports the World Health Organization's statement that the quality of the indoor environment is a major determinant of health.

Shahrood is a city located on the northern border of Kavir desert (altitude 1345 m a.s.l.), along one of the main Silk Road paths, in the North-West of Iran, within the Province of Semnan (Fig. 1). Although, nowadays, water is supplied by a modern system of drilled wells and aqueducts, in the recent past, it was ensured by a complex qanat system; a part of it is still working and supplies more than one third of Shahrood water demand (about 210?000 inhabitants).

Considerazioni storiche e ambientali sul'emissario principale della piana del Fucino, in Abruzzo.

Showbak Castle Hill and the surrounding area favored the development of various natural caves. Many of these caves have been expanded and renovated by human activities, and their use lasted for a long time. Near these structures there is the presence of extensive terracing systems, of various shapes and sizes, still used. In the considered area, five different settlements have been identified: hill of the castle characterized by three hypogeal structures adapted for burial and, in a specific case, a place of worship with the presence of arcosolium; hill in front of the castle, called Towr Aba-Ras, with a lot of hypogea for housing, for shelter of flocks and for burials. Outside some buildings for water canals and a burial plant carved into the rock; settlement called Habis 1 with reconstructed cavities on several levels with burials, engravings and depictions of crosses of Christian origins; area called Al Jaya, with many epigee structures and cavity adaptations, still used today; area called Habis 2 near Al Mukairya village. This is the largest settlement and in its interior there are still structures that have been used for a long time.

Considerazioni storiche e ambientali riguardanti la discenderia dell'idrometro dall'Incile al collettore centrale dell'emissario del Fucino.

This short note presents the preliminary characterization of some qanats located in the Shahrood Province, as a result of a join agreement between the University of L'Aquila, the Institute of Chemical Methodologies of the National Research Council and the University of Technology of Shahrood. These underground water supply systems by gravity, whose conception dates back three thousand years, are still of great importance to exploit groundwater resource, that is strategic in peri-desert and desert areas. Qanats are endangered by the increasing use of drilled wells, which have exacerbated aquifers' overexploitation. To overcome this issue, these ancient underground water works can effectively offer "sustainable withdrawals" (tapping only the upper part of aquifer), if strategically implemented and following rational groundwater uses, taking into account cultural heritage, tourism enhancements and other uses related to new technologies (greenhouses heated by low-enthalpy plants, qualitative and quantitative improvement of traditional, typical and new varieties of crops, such as: peaches, apricots, pistachios).

Showbak Castle Hill and the surrounding area favored the development of various natural caves. Many of these caves have been expanded and renovated by human activities, and their use lasted for a long time. Near these structures there is the presence of extensive terracing systems, of various shapes and sizes, still used. In the considered area, five different settlements have been identified: hill of the castle characterized by three hypogeal structures adapted for burial and, in a specific case, a place of worship with the presence of arcosolium; hill in front of the castle, called Towr Aba-Ras, with a lot of hypogea for housing, for shelter of flocks and for burials. Outside some buildings for water canals and a burial plant carved into the rock; settlement called Habis 1 with reconstructed cavities on several levels with burials, engravings and depictions of crosses of Christian origins; area called Al Jaya, with many epigee structures and cavity adaptations, still used today; area called Habis 2 near Al Mukairya village. This is the largest settlement and in its interior there are still structures that have been used for a long time.

Considering the specifi city and cultural interest of qanats, UNESCO declared them as "Common Heritage of Mankind" in 2016. These ancient underground hydraulic systems still have an important role for the territorial management in several areas of Iran and in particular in the whole Yazd province. Moreover qanats are an important touristic attraction and this arises the need to study the different problems related to their usability for visitors.

Gut is often subject to infection by different pathogens like Y. enterocolitica. To date, biotypes (BTs) 1A have been considered as non-pathogenic, because they do not express plasmid of virulence pYV; however, BTs 1A strains present other chromosomic virulence genes and recent studies suggest an implication of this microorganism in reactive arthritis. Although many studies highlighted the molecular basis of pathogenesis of Ye infection, scanty data are available about several environmental BTs 1A strains, often isolated in cases of foodborne disease but not included in pathogenicity studies. The aim of our work was to verify the ability of different Ye 1A strains to adhere and penetrate IPEC-J2 cells and to modulate intestinal innate immunity. Our results showed that all strains under study were able to adhere and penetrate enterocytes, causing inflammatory responses. Indeed, adhesion and invasion of enterocytes is an essential step in Ye pathogenesis (Fàbrega and Vila, 2012). Moreover, our data suggest the possible involvement of strains Ye2/O:9 in reactive arthritis, due to their ability (i) to penetrate enterocytes as pathogenic Ye1/O:8 strains do, and (ii) to increase IL-6, IL-8, IL-12 and IL-18 release. Lastly, our results confirm that IPEC-J2 cells are a very good model to evaluate host-pathogen interaction, and indicate IL-8, TNF-α, TLRs1 and 4 as possible markers of the ability of Ye strains to penetrate enterocytes. Moreover, we showed that Ye strains differently affect the host's innate immune responses.

Foods implicated in human campylobacteriosis include raw or undercooked poultry and raw dairy products. Because Campylobacter spp. are the most frequently reported cause of bacterial infection in the European Union and because conventional methods are cumbersome, rapid methods for Campylobacter detection and quantification in food are needed. With this study we sought to validate, according to the standard procedure (UNI EN ISO 16140:2003), an alternative to the reference analytical method (UNI EN ISO 10272- 1:2006) for official controls of Campylobacter spp. in raw milk and dairy products. Milk samples collected from 16 milk vending machines located throughout the Genoa metropolitan area were analyzed using two different methods, an enzymelinked fluorescent assay (ELFA) and a real-time PCR assay, and evaluated in parallel against the reference method. In addition, a total of 460 samples of raw milk collected from milk vending machines were analyzed by ELFA. Results obtained with ELFA showed it was compliant with UNI EN ISO 10272-1:2006 criteria and that the immunoassay had 100% sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. Regarding samples of milk vending machines, 5.0% (23/460) tested positive at ELFA screening and were subsequently confirmed as C. jejuni. Validation according to UNI EN ISO 16140:2003 of the ELFA method suggests it may be a useful alternative to conventional methods for detecting Campylobacter spp. in official controls.

Peanuts and tree nut allergies pose an increasing food safety problem. The aim of our study was to test the accuracy of different commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits in the detection of the presence of walnuts in untreated and heat exposed food samples. The effects of thermal treatment of samples were evaluated by exposing walnuts to different heat treatments. All samples were first analysed by two different commercial ELISA assays. Then, we performed a skin prick test (SPT) on nine patients with proven nut allergy using small walnut pieces from raw and treated samples.The presence of nuts proteins in thermally processed foods was not accurately detected by ELISA kits. All patients had a positive SPT reaction with raw walnut, while thermal treatments affected walnut allergenicity. The ELISA test gives a negative result in the case of strong thermal treatment, but at the same time allergic subjects react positively to stimulation with the same sample.This study suggests that commercial ELISA kits may not be able to accurately determine the amount of proteins present in thermally processed foods due to changes in the solubility and immunoreactivity of the target proteins. Finally, the clinical results highlight that thermal treatment might induce a reduction in walnut allergenicity. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Metformin is an antidiabetic drug which possesses antiproliferative activity in cancer cells when administered at high doses, due to its unfavorable pharmacokinetics. The aim of this work was to develop a pharmacological tool for the release of metformin in proximity of the tumor, allowing high local concentrations, and to demonstrate the in vivo antitumor efficacy after a prolonged metformin exposition. A 1.2% w/w metformin thermoresponsive parenteral formulation based on poloxamers P407 and P124, injectable at room temperature and undergoing a sol-gel transition at body temperature, has been developed and optimized for rheological, thermal and release control properties; the formulation is easily scalable, and proved to be stable during a 1-month storage at 5 °C. Using NOD/SCID mice pseudo-orthotopically grafted with MDA-MB-231/luc+ human breast cancer cells, we report that multiple administrations of 100 mg of the optimized metformin formulation close to the tumor site cause tissue accumulation of the drug at levels significantly higher than those observed in plasma, and enough to exert antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic activities. Our results demonstrate that this formulation is endowed with good stability, tolerability, thermal and rheological properties, representing a novel tool to be pursued in further investigations for adjuvant cancer treatment.

The present work briefly describes the territory and the landscape surrounding the remains of the ancient settlement of Montalto in Abruzzo which is located in the territory of Borrello Municipality, district of Chieti. The site was studied, within a project of global valorization of the territory, to help local administrations to develop economically useful initiatives to the community: concrete actions concerning the safeguard of cultural heritage and landscape. In particular, management, training and eco-sustainable exploitation activities of Montalto area will actively contribute to improve the local youth working sector. The preliminary study is important with reference to the start of a complex survey research on: materials, soil sampling, survey of land and climatic parameters surveys and in particular to identify accurate dating. The almost total lack of terracotta findings makes any dating hardly reliable. Despite these initial difficulties, through the thermoluminescence dating technique, applied to small splinters of ceramic material, it has been possible to collect some minimum data to identify the historical periods in order to place the different archaeological evidences. Another difficulty derives from the total absence of metal artifacts consequently not allowing the formulation of serious hypotheses regarding historical and chronological interpretations. In fact among the graves found, the few ones with an accessible sepulchral compartment are completely empty. Other burials, especially the most ancient ones, turned out to be still intact and therefore it's necessary to attend the directions of the competent Archaeological Superintendence of Chieti. Other significant aspects to consider and analyze before starting an intervention project on the territory are the investigating techniques concerning every single artifact. A particular case is represented by the construction indicated by the letter F: it is a burial of complex creation, located along the northern ridge of Montalto. It is characterized by structures which unfortunately proved not to be sufficiently solid over time. An intervention that requires a survey research within the work, if not well thought out, could cause the final loss of the artifact itself. The preparatory considerations for the research and survey work will be a useful reference guide for the purposes of an extensive project. It will be dedicated to the exploitation of the cultural archaeological heritage of Montalto and of the territory that safeguards it. Another purpose of the project is to involve all the competent local authorities in the initiative of knowledge and enhancement of the Montalto. The aim is to identify methods of intervention and exploitation for an important historical, archaeological and environmental heritage. The historical aspect is to be considered extremely important as it allows to acquire an overview of the events which chronologically occurred: in central Italy, in the Abruzzo region and in the area including Montalto. In order to keep the attention focused on the Montalto findings, the archaeological evidences in the surrounding areas have not been taken into account, such as the polygonal walls in the Porta Saracina district, the Roman burial remains at the Fonte del Sorbo, the tumuli, probable burials at the cemetery of Borrello, and finally the remains of a Roman and then medieval settlement on Colle San Matteo, just to mention the most significant ones.

La città di Shahrood (Iran) è ubicata fra il settore settentrionale del deserto del Kavir (ad un'altitudine di 1345 s.l.m.) ed i Monti Alborz orientali, lungo il tracciato di uno dei rami della Via della Seta, area nord-orientale dell'Iran nella provincia di Semnan. Sebbene attualmente l'approvvigionamento idrico derivi da un più moderno sistema di pozzi e di acquedotti, sino al recente passato tale funzione era svolta da un complesso sistema di qanat, in parte ancora efficienti e produttivi, in grado di fornire oltre un terzo delle necessità richieste da una popolazione di circa 210,000 abitanti. L'attuale configurazione è così strutturata: il qanat principale è lungo complessivamente circa 25 km, suddiviso nella zona di captazione in due rami (Tash e Mojen) lunghi circa 5 km ciascuno, successivamente i due rami di adduzione idrica confluiscono in un'unica galleria, che attualmente è intubata per ovviare a problemi di stabilità e garantire l'approvvigionamento idrico alla città. Durante tre campagne di ricerca abbiamo avuto modo di studiare, insieme ai colleghi dell'Università di Shaharood con cui si è formalizzato un accordo di ricerca, le caratteristiche ambientali e fisiche di questi qanat ed anche del sistema di qanat di due villaggi vicini, interessanti per le loro caratteristiche e la strategica importanza per il rifornimento delle comunità locali: Byarjomand (90 km a SE di Shahrood), centro isolato in una vallata predesertica e Thorud (circa 110 km a sud di Shahrood), adagiata in una piccola oasi in pieno deserto del Kavir. Sono stati eseguiti studi per l'Inquadramento geografico dei siti; l'individuazione dei rami dei qanat; la caratterizzazione geoidrologica; la rilevazione della concentrazione del radon nelle acque e in aria (all'interno degli shaft dei qanat). I risultati, trasmessi alle autorità locali, sono interessanti per poter in futuro sfruttare al meglio i qanat, ma anche per meglio valorizzarli.

Nell'area circostante il castello crociato di Showbak, in Giordania, erano sparsi centri abitati e insediamenti rupestri lungo le profonde forre scavate dai corsi d'acqua. La loro economia, oltre che sul commercio, si basava sulla pastorizia e l'agricoltura, praticata lungo i ripidi pendii trasformati da un complesso e ingegnoso sistema di terrazzamenti e da una elaborata rete di irrigazione. Si coltivavano: olive, albicocche, fichi, uva e melograni e diversi tipi di ortaggi. Alla fine degli anni settanta del '900 furono realizzate varie opere di captazione delle principali sorgenti per convogliare le acque verso la zona di Mukayria e di At Tafilah, dove il rapido incremento demografico poteva mettere a rischio il rifornimento idrico di decine di migliaia di persone. Questa decisione ha portato all'abbandono dell'area di Showbak. Dei rigogliosi terrazzamenti oggi restano solo aridi terreni e resistono a fatica pochi vecchi ulivi ormai prossimi all'estinzione. Le costruzioni vengono via via demolite per ricavarne materiale da riciclo; i muri a secco che delimitano i terrazzamenti sono per la maggior parte in rovina e degradati. Sulla base dei nostri studi, possiamo affermare che l'intera area di Showbak rappresenta un patrimonio culturale di grande valore non solo storico ed archeologico, ma anche scientifico ed antropologico. Inoltre essa si trova, lungo la Via dei Re, fra due poli culturali e turistici ben noti: il castello di Kerak a Nord e l'insediamento di Petra a Sud, per cui in una posizione facilmente raggiungibile. Si potrebbe, dunque, promuovere una area protetta di Showbak che sarebbe senz'altro di grande interesse culturale e turistico di per sé ed ancor più collegandola con la vicina Petra. A tale proposito sembra indispensabile ripensare ad una nuova pianificazione nella disponibilità delle risorse idriche, che consenta di riprendere la coltivazione, anche parziale, dei campi, il ripristino dei terrazzamenti ed il ritorno ad una attività agricola sostenibile.

We tested cadmium (Cd2+) effects on porcine IPEC-J2 cells, which represent an in vitro model of the interaction between intestinal cells and both infectious and non-infectious stressors. Accordingly, we investigated the effects of low (2 μM) to moderate (20 μM) concentrations of Cd2+, in terms of pro-inflammatory gene expression and protein release, as well as of infectivity in a Salmonella typhimurium penetration model. Our data showed a significant (P .001) increase of intracellular Cd2+ after 3, 6 and 24 h of exposure with respect to levels at 1 h. These data showed the ability of IPEC-J2 to absorb Cd2+ as a function of both time and concentration. Also, the absorption of this heavy metal was related to a significant modulation of important pro-inflammatory messengers. In particular, down-regulation of IL-8 was associated with a significant decrease of Salmonella typhimurium ability to penetrate into IPEC-J2 cells, in agreement with a previous study in which an anti-IL 8 antibody could significantly inhibit Salmonella penetration into the same cells (Razzuoli et al., 2017). This finding demonstrates the ability of Cd2+ to affect the outcome of an important host-pathogen relationship. In conclusion, our study highlighted the ability of an environmental pollutant like Cd2+ to modulate innate immune responses in terms of chemokine release and gene expression, and susceptibility to microbial infections.

Cancer stem cell (CSC) self-renewing and drug resistance cause treatment failure and tumor recurrence. Osteosarcoma is an aggressive bone tumor characterized by biological and molecular heterogeneity, possibly dependent on CSCs. CSC identification in osteosarcoma and their efficient targeting are still open questions. Spontaneous canine osteosarcoma shares clinical and biological features with the human tumors, representing a model for translational studies. We characterized three CSC-enriched canine osteosarcoma cultures. In serum-free conditions, these CSC cultures grow as anchorage-independent spheroids, show mesenchymal-like properties and in vivo tumorigenicity, recapitulating the heterogeneity of the original osteosarcoma. Osteosarcoma CSCs express stem-related factors (Sox2, Oct4, CD133) and chemokine receptors and ligands (CXCR4, CXCL12) involved in tumor proliferation and self-renewal. Standard drugs for osteosarcoma treatment (doxorubicin and cisplatin) affected CSC-enriched and parental primary cultures, showing different efficacy within tumors. Moreover, metformin, a type-2 diabetes drug, significantly inhibits osteosarcoma CSC viability, migration and self-renewal and, in co-treatment with doxorubicin and cisplatin, enhances drug cytotoxicity. Collectively, we demonstrate that canine osteosarcoma primary cultures contain CSCs exhibiting distinctive sensitivity to anticancer agents, as a reliable experimental model to assay drug efficacy. We also provide proof-of-principle of metformin efficacy, alone or in combination, as pharmacological strategy to target osteosarcoma CSCs.

The occurrence of pesticides intended for non-agricultural use was investigated in 206 dust samples drawn from vacuum-cleaner bags from residential flats in Italy. The multi-residue analysis targeted on 95 different active principles was performed with UPLC-MS/MS, with a Limit of Quantification (LOQ) of 0.008 μg/g dry weight. The results indicated the presence of imidacloprid (IMI) and carbendazim (CARB) in 30% and 26% of the samples, with a mean and P95 concentration between 1.6 and 39 and between 0.08 and 4.9 μg/g, respectively. Combined presence of two biocides was noted in 19.4% samples, of three biocides in 9.2% samples, of four biocides in 3.4% samples, and of five and six biocides in 0.5% and 1% samples, respectively. According to the estimated dust intake in infants/toddlers aged 6-24 months (16-100 mg d(-1)) and cats (200 mg d(-1)), it was possible to obtain risk characterization with respect to the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for IMI of 0.060 mg/kg body weight (bw) proposed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the chronic Population Adjusted Dose (cPAD) of 0.019 mg/kg bw d(-1) by US-EPA. Under the worst-case scenario, the presence of IMI in dust indicates potential exceedance of the cPAD in kittens, to be considered as sentinel also accounting for combined exposure. This study highlights the relevance of consumer empowerment about the responsible use of pesticides as biocidal products in indoor environment.

Oral, low-dose IFN-α treatments proved effective in several models of viral infections and immunopathological conditions. Also, they do not give rise to the serious side effects observed after parenteral inoculation of high doses (10(5)U/kg b.w. and higher). There is convincing evidence that such treatments work through an early, effective interaction with oral lymphoid tissues before the IFN-α molecules are rapidly destroyed by gut enzymes. Yet, the paucity of detailed information about these crucial interactions and the lack of recognized in vitro models hamper the development of proper administration protocols. On the basis of a previous study, we developed an in vitro model of interaction between different types of human and porcine IFNs-α at low/moderate concentrations and pig tonsil cells. The IFNs-α under study showed different properties with respect to three fundamental control actions: (1) IgA release in culture, (2) release of natural antimicrobial compounds, and (3) homeostatic regulation of the inflammatory response. This was checked in pig intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2 cell line) treated with supernatants of control and IFN α-treated tonsil cell cultures, respectively, in terms of inflammatory cytokine and chemokine responses. Some IFNs-α caused a significant inhibition of IL-8 (protein release and gene expression) and beta-defensin 1 (gene expression) probably through second messengers released by IFN α-treated tonsil cells. Interestingly, a human lymphoblastoid IFN-α under study caused the decrease of polyclonal IgA release by pig tonsil cells and significantly stimulated the in vitro recall antibody response of swine PBMC to Foot-and-Mouth Disease virus. The modulation of IgA and antibacterial compounds was accompanied by an anti-inflammatory control action at the same, low to moderate IFN-α concentrations (1-100 U/ml). This highlights the very foundation of the homeostatic control actions performed by Type I IFNs: to promote an effective host response to infectious and non-infectious stressors and to turn off noxious inflammatory responses associated with tissue damage and waste of metabolic energy. The described tonsil cell model in vitro can be conducive to a further development of oral cytokine treatments in humans and animals in the "one health" conceptual framework.

A simple and robust method for the determination of 18 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in fish was developed and validated. A mixture of acetone/n-hexane (1:1, v/v) was selected for accelerated solvent extraction (ASE). After the digestion of fat, the clean-up was carried out using solid phase extraction silica cartridges. Samples were analysed by GC-MS in selected ion monitoring (SIM) using three fragment ions for each congener (one quantifier and two qualifiers). PCB 155 and PCB 198 were employed as internal standards. The lowest limit of detection was observed for PCB 28 (0.4ng/g lipid weight). The accuracy of the method was verified by means of the Certified Reference Material EDF-2525 and good results in terms of linearity (R(2)>0.994) and recoveries (80-110%) were also achieved. Precision was evaluated by spiking blank samples at 4, 8 and 12ng/g. Relative standard deviation values for repeatability and reproducibility were lower than 8% and 16%, respectively. The method was applied to the determination of PCBs in 80 samples belonging to four Mediterranean fish species. The proposed procedure is particularly effective because it provides good recoveries with lowered extraction time and solvent consumption; in fact, the total time of extraction is about 12min per sample and, for the clean-up step, a total solvent volume of 13ml is required.

QANAT PROJECT I qanat sono antichi sistemi idraulici che, attraverso gallerie artificiali lunghe decine di chilometri, trasportano per gravità l'acqua dalle falde sotterranee ai terreni coltivabili. Concepiti oltre 2.500 anni fa in Iran, dove sono numerosissimi, si sono diffusi in tutto il Medio Oriente, in Asia centrale e nell'Africa a nord del Sahara, con casi sporadici in Sicilia, in Andalusia e sugli altopiani Messicani. L'interesse per lo studio dei qanat deriva dal fatto che queste imponenti opere di ingegneria idraulica, le quali nel corso dei secoli hanno svolto una rilevante funzione sociale ed economica nelle regioni aride, attualmente sono entrate in crisi per due motivazioni principali: l'incremento demografico vertiginoso dei Paesi interessati e gli effetti climatici derivanti dall'eccessivo riscaldamento del Pianeta. Per quanto riguarda i sistemi idraulici dell'Iran centrale sono stati individuati, in accordo con il Centro Internazionale dell'Unesco di Yazd, il qanat di Zarch e il qanat di Gonabad, lunghi diverse decine di chilometri. Il progetto prevede lo studio dei parametri delle acque dei qanat nel sottosuolo della città di Yazd e contemporaneamente il rilevamento dei parametri ambientali riscontrati sui monti a sud della città a circa 50 chilometri di distanza. E' prevista la misurazione periodica dei fattori meteorologici e la correlazione con le variazioni delle caratteristiche chimiche e fisiche dell'acqua dei qanat che attraversano la città di Yazd. Questo progetto ha l'obiettivo di monitorare le variazioni di portata e di qualità dell'acqua del qanat in relazione alle variazioni climatiche, in particolare le precipitazioni, in atto sulle montagne dove sono presenti le falde acquifere. Lo scopo è quello di definire un modello, esportabile a situazioni ambientali analoghe, che aiuti a conoscere preventivamente le variazioni relative alla portata e alla qualità delle acque dei qanat. Nel corso della realizzazione del Progetto sono state effettuate le seguenti indagini: valutazione dei parametri chimico/fisici delle acque; presenza di gas radon nelle acque e nelle gallerie; analisi dei manufatti e dei materiali costitutivi; datazione dei reperti archeologici dei qanat; esplorazione e rilievo di tratti ipogei significativi; connotazione strutturale/topografica superficiale; misurazione delle portate e caratterizzazione idrogeologica dell'area; Durante le missioni in territorio iraniano sono state posizionate sia all'esterno che in profondità (oltre 100 m.) diverse apparecchiature, con più di un anno di autonomia, per rilevare numerosi dati utili. Gli strumenti sono stati collocati in tre località precedentemente concordate con gli studiosi iraniani dell'Università di Shahrood: la città Shahrood, la cittadina di Bear Jomand ai margini del deserto e l'oasi di Torud in pieno deserto del Kavir. Nei tre siti selezionati sono state posizionate strumentazioni, le quali hanno rilevato dati per sei mesi all'interno dei pozzi dei qanat, alcuni dei quali superiori ai duecento metri di profondità. Sono stati esplorati i qanat, in particolare i pozzi-madre e le gallerie sotterranee, e realizzati i rilievi topografici dell'area, con il relativo studio dei materiali utilizzati, in particolare per ciò che si riferisce alle tecniche di costruzione risalenti ai diversi periodi storici (persiano, greco, islamico, turco, ecc). Un contributo importante al riguardo è stato fornito dalla Università di Milano Bicocca per quanto si riferisce alla datazione dei materiali archeologici attraverso le tecniche della termoluminescenza. L'iniziativa nell'Iran nord orientale, in accordo con gli studiosi di Shahrood e con il supporto del Prefetto e del sindaco della città oltre che dell'Ambasciata italiana a Teheran, si è posta due obiettivi di studio: uno di tipo ambientale e uno di tipo archeologico culturale. I dati relativi alle acque risultano fondamentali per l'utilizzo che di esse viene fatto, sia domestico che irriguo, infatti in molte oasi spesso non è presente l'acqua corrente nelle singole abitazioni, i bagni sono pubblici e in alcuni casi mancano le fognature. Per quanto si riferisce alla presenza del gas radon negli ambienti ipogei dei qanat, in alcuni casi la concentrazione è risultata decisamente rilevante per gli operai che periodicamente lavorano nelle gallerie come addetti alla manutenzione dei canali.

Showbak castle was built in 1115 under the first King of Jerusalem Baldovino I, to occupy a strategic position on the way between Damascus and Dead Sea and the Red Sea and then Cairo on the West and Arabian peninsula to the East. The great defensive site, called Mount Réal, was built on an abandoned ancient Roman-Byzantine fortress, 25 km North to Petra, along the King Road, as the Crusaders called it, then renamed Caliph Road. The Ayyubids conquered the castle in 1189 and, on the contrary of the other similar cases when the fortress was abandoned or destroyed, it was enlarged as considered strategic to control the roads to Jerusalem and to defend the valleys around Showbak which were at the time green, fertile, well farmed and containing several settlements. At the beginning of the XIII century Showbak become the most important palace of the region and the capital of Ayyubids domains. During this period it was esteemed that 6000 people lived within the walls. From the next century started a rapid decline; historical papers from 1340 say the castle was surrounded by desolation. The last specific use of Showbak in 1916, during the Arab riot, was as the temporary stay for Sir Edward Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia). The area where Showbak raises, is formed by low hills, on the border of a large desert region which arrives, with some breaks, up to Aqaba; the land softly declines toward the East. Near the castle area there are some water springs. Around the castle there were several little villages, mainly in the more fertile areas and many rock dwellings along the deep canyons excavated by the river in the past. Their economy, more than the trade, was focused on pastoralism and agriculture, done along the steep slopes converted by a complex and clever system of terracing and by a dense and elaborate network of water channels linked to the local springs. At the time the cultivation was: olives, apricots, figs, grapes and pomegranates, a bit less other vegetable typologies. At the end of the Seventies in the last century, several grasping works were carried out in order to pick up the water from the springs and to carry it in the area of Mukayria or beyond in the direction of At Tafilah region, where the demographic growth combined with an everlasting water supplies crisis were able to create trouble for thousands of people. This decision lead to abandon the Showbak area. The blooming terracing are now arid plots of land with few old olive trees near to the extinction. The building are demolished to recover the material, the dry stone walls around the terracing are now ruined or deteriorated. Showbak and its environment are a high value cultural heritage not only for historical and archaeological purposes, but also for scientific and anthropologic studies. It is, along the King Road, between two well known cultural and touristic poles: the beautiful Kerak castle (approx. 100 km North) and the wonderful attraction of Petra complex (30 km South), so it is in a position easy to be reach. Therefore it would be possible to promote A Showbak protect area which will be of great touristic interest itself and more if linked with the near Petra. To do this project it will be essential to think for a new plan of water source availability which will again allow the at least partial plantation of the area, the revamping of terracing and the coming back to a sustainable agriculture. There are some points of interest with a specific originality: the tunnel excavated by the Crusaders for the water needs of the castle, which represents, within the medieval hydraulic works, an example of significant functional and strategic interest and the near rock dwellings which are both in the castle valley and in other places not far from there, like i.e. at Mukayria. In these areas there were performed geo-morphological surveys, the study of the water, the evaluation of in air and in water radon concentration (the results are very low) in some now uninhabited grottos which would be equipped as short term and low cost accommodation places. The Showbak protect area could be suggested as part of specific cultural or environmental tours. One of this could be focused on the Nomadic culture, still important for the area in particular in the Wadi Arab region. It will be possible to include the study of fauna and flora in arid environment and to organize meeting with the goats and camels breeders. A second tour could be focused on the ancient forsaken villages which are in the direction of Dana Natural Reserve; some of them could be restored to become tourist accommodation or environment monitoring center or bird-watching position. A third integrated tour could be organized with the near village of Udhruh where there are, unfortunately completely abandoned, the impressive ruins of the ancient Roman Adrianopoli. Another interesting point could be the local foodstuff and their old production techniques, some of which are still in use in the plots of land along the King Road.

CONVEGNO L'Emissario del Fucino: dalla conoscenza alle prospettive di recupero e valorizzazione CAPISTRELLO 9 Dicembre 2017 ore 9:00-13:00 Patrocini: Comune di Capistrello, Provincia dell'Aquila, Regione Abruzzo, FAI Regionale -Abruzzo e Molise Collaborazioni: CNR-Istituto di Metodologie Chimiche, Università dell'Aquila, FAI Marsica, Soprintendenza Beni Culturali e Paesaggistici Regione Abruzzo, DMC-Marsica RELATORI e ARGOMENTI : Ezio Burri - Docente dell'Università di L'Aquila Tema :"La conoscenza e valorizzazione dell'Emissario nell'ambito di un Parco Multiculturale del Fucino" Angelo Ferrari - Ricercatore CNR: tutela e valorizzazione del patrimonio culturale e ambientale Tema: "CNR: analisi ambientali dell'Emissario claudiano e la sua valorizzazione nel contesto territoriale della Marsica" Claudio Mocchegiani Carpano - - Ispettore Onorario per le problematiche dell'Archeologia Subacquea, e Direttore Scientifico del Progetto Archeomar del Ministero per i Beni e le Attività culturali Tema: "Lo stato della conoscenza su altre opere idrauliche del mondo antico" Franco Salvatori - professore ordinario di Geografia presso Università Tor Vergata-Roma, Presidente Emerito della Società Geografica Italiana Tema: "Turismo e sinergia nella valorizzazione dei beni culturali del Fucino" Laura Saladino : dottore di ricerca in Archeologia e Topografia post classica e medioevale Università La Sapienza di Roma- Presidente Archeoclub di Avezzano. Tema: "Gli interventi di Federico II° nell'Emissario claudiano" Angelo Fracassi : cultore di storia locale Tema :"L'Emissario del Fucino nel territorio di Capistrello: tra storia e memorie" CONCLUSIONI a cura del Presidente FAI e del Sovrintendente Regionale Beni culturali

The term qanat, also transcribed as kanat or ghanat, generically refers to an ancient hydraulic system implemented for irrigation purposes in desert areas. The underground channel prevents water evaporation and transports the water directly to the oasis where it is used wisely and sparingly, in accordance with regulations, processes, procedures and secular methods. Thus the oasis, the desert and the qanat are the expression of a specific cultural heritage not to be found in any other location. Iran occupies a position of significant importance: it was thought, that the qanats originated in this very part of the Near East.

Shahrood is a city located on the northern border of Kavir desert (altitude 1345 m a.s.l.), along one of the main Silk Road paths, in the North-West of Iran, within the Province of Semnan (Fig. 1). Even if ,nowadays, water is supplied by a modern system of drilled wells and aqueducts, in the recent past, it was ensured by a complex qanats system; a part of it is still working and supplies more than one third of the water needs of Shahrood population (about 210?000 inhabitants). The part of the qanat still operational (Fig. 2) has a length of approximately 25 km; it is subdivided in two branches (Tash e Mojen), in the upper recharge area, each one has a length of about 5 km, then the two tunnels merge in a single main gallery, in which a pipeline has been placed to avoid stability problems and to safeguard water supply of the town (Fig. 3a). The hydraulic system was excaveted inside alluvial and eluvio-colluvial deposits along the valley, while the final part of the qanat crosses limestone rocks. At the qanat outlet, the original comb-like structure was preserved, it was used to split water flow among different users (Fig. 3b). Today, waters, downstream the outlet, are sent to the drinking water treatment plant, before entering urban pipelines. In the areas crossed by the qanat, there are several similar hydraulic structures, realized at different depths and along other directions in order to drain underground water as efficiently as possible. Along the last section of the qanat, where it exits from the main valley and enters a secondary one, it is possible to see several shafts, which directions are transversal to the one of the main qanat, converging toward a morphological notch in the limestone reliefs, that divides this valley from the plain where Shahrood lies (Fig 4a). These qanats were probably intended for agricultural water supply. The importance of this system, now abandoned, is justified by the presence of a large adobe building, probably erected to control the mentioned shafts and qanats(Fig. 4b). While the secondary valley is still of strategic relevance, since four water wells have been drilled to support qanat flow during drought periods. The large use of drilled wells, in the last decades, has driven into crisis the ancient sub-horizontal underground drainage system.

Several activities have been carried out: Shafts georeferencing and depth measurement Qanat branches mapping Measurement of water physical-chemical parameters (e.g. T, EC, pH) Discharge flow measurements at qanat outlets Radon measurements in water Radon assessment in air inside the shafts Proposal of a preliminary hydrogeological conceptual model of groundwater flow and drainage by qanats