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The Anatolian peninsula is a key location to study the central portion of the Neotethys Ocean(s) and to understand how its western and eastern branches were connected. One of the lesser known branches of the Mesozoic ocean(s) is preserved in the northern ophiolite suture zone exposed in Turkey, namely, the Intra-Pontide suture zone. It is located between the Sakarya terrane and the Eurasian margin (i.e., Istanbul-Zonguldak terrane) and consists of several metamorphic and non-metamorphic units containing ophiolites produced in supra-subduction settings from the Late Triassic to the Early Cretaceous. Ophiolites preserved in the metamorphic units recorded pervasive deformations and peak metamorphic conditions ranging from blueschist to eclogite facies. In the non-metamorphic units, the complete oceanic crust sequence is preserved in tectonic units or as olistoliths in sedimentary mélanges. Geochemical, structural, metamorphic and geochronological investigations performed on ophiolite-bearing units allowed the formulation of a new geodynamic model of the entire “life” of the Intra-Pontide oceanic basin(s). The reconstruction starts with the opening of the Intra-Pontide oceanic basins during the Late Triassic between the Sakarya and Istanbul-Zonguldak continental microplates and ends with its closure caused by two different subductions events that occurred during the upper Early Jurassic and Middle Jurassic. The continental collision between the Sakarya continental microplate and the Eurasian margin developed from the upper Early Cretaceous to the Palaeocene. The presented reconstruction is an alternative model to explain the complex and articulate geodynamic evolution that characterizes the southern margin of Eurasia during the Mesozoic era. Keywords: Intra-Pontide suture zone, Central Pontides, Northern Turkey, Ophiolites, Neotethys Ocean, Geodynamics

In northern Turkey, the Intra-Pontide suture zone is represented by an east–west trending belt of deformed and/or metamorphic units located at the boundary between the Istanbul–Zonguldak terrane to the north and the Sakarya terrane to the south. These units can be regarded as issued from the Intra-Pontide domain, whose geodynamic history is still a matter of debate. Along the Akpinar–Arac–Bayramoren geotraverse, located in central Turkey, an ophiolite-bearing melange known as the Arkot Dag Melange, is well-exposed along the Intra-Pontide suture zone. The Arkot Dag Melange plays a key role in the interpretation of the geodynamic history of the Intra-Pontide domain and can be described as a Late Santonian chaotic sedimentary deposit consisting of an up to 1000-m-thick succession of slide-blocks of different sizes and lithologies enclosed in a sedimentary matrix consisting of shales, coarse-grained arenites, pebbly mudstones and pebbly sandstones. The slide-blocks, from a few meters to hectometers in size, are represented by metamorphic rocks (mainly micaschists and gneisses), by ophiolites (peridotites, gabbros, IAT and BABB basalts and cherts) and by sedimentary rocks (cherts, neritic and pelagic limestone, marly limestone and ophiolite-bearing turbidites). The youngest age among the slide-blocks has been provided by the ophiolite-bearing turbidites where a late Coniacian nannofossil assemblage has been found. The cherts have provided a wide range of ages from the Middle Triassic to Late Cretaceous, whereas the fossils found in the limestone indicate Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous ages. The matrix of the Arkot Dag Melange, even if unaffected by metamorphism, shows deformations represented by multiple meters-thick cataclastic shear zones at the boundaries of the melange slices or inside of them. According to its features, the source area of the Arkot Dag Melange was most likely a continental and oceanic thrust sheet emplaced in the Late Cretaceous onto a continental margin. The data collected from the different slide-blocks suggest that the Intra-Pontide domain was characterised by an oceanic basin opened at the latest in the Early Jurassic. The opening of the Intra-Pontide oceanic basin was followed by the development of a subduction zone with a subsequent opening of suprasubduction oceanic basin in the Middle Jurassic–Early Cretaceous. The convergence in this suprasubduction oceanic basin started at the Early/Late Cretaceous boundary by an obduction process, whereas its final closure can be regarded as Late Paleocene in age.

The Northern Apennines of Italy is a fold and thrust belt that resulted from the NE-ward progressive overthrusting of a Mesoalpine stacking (the ocean-derived Ligurian Units) onto the detached sedimentary cover of the Adria plate continental margin (Foredeep Units). The Futa Pass area represents a key sector for the reconstruction of the deformation history of two Foredeep Units (Acquerino and Carigiola Units). The tectonic evolution of this sector is characterized by the superposition of three main deformation stages, with a constant NNE-SSW compression direction. The oldest structure is represented by the NNE-verging Acquerino Unit duplex structure, the roof thrust of which is represented by the Ligurian stacking basal thrust. The interpretation of this structure as a large-scale duplex is supported by the presence in the outer sectors of the Northern Apennines belt of Ligurian Units directly overthrust on younger Foredeep Units. In the second deformation stage the NNE-verging Tavaiano Thrust developed. This regionally significant tectonic surface juxtaposes the Acquerino Unit (already developed as a duplex) and the overlying Ligurian Units, onto the Carigiola Unit. During this stage the fault pattern of the Carigiola Unit was also developed, characterized by two conjugate fault systems, coherent with a NNE-SSW maximum compression direction. During the last deformation stage, a backthrusting with a top-to-the SSW sense of movement (the Marcoiano Backthrust) brings the Carigiola Unit and its tectonic cover over the Acquerino and Ligurian Units, with the development of a large footwall syncline. The deformation history presented here differs from previous studies, and so provides a contribution to the debate on Northern Apennines tectonic evolution. Copyright # 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Introduction. The study assessed the efficacy of a system of nebulization of a hydrogen peroxide-based solution for surface disinfection. Methods. Different concentrations (1, 2 and 4 ml/m3) of the same disinfectant solution (active principle: hydrogen peroxide) were nebulized inside a 50 m3 experimental environment. Sampling was carried out on both horizontal and vertical surfaces, and the total bacterial load at 37 °C was determined by means of direct contact with Rodac plates. The disinfection efficacy of the system was evaluated by comparing the total bacterial load measured on the surfaces before and after treatment. Statistical analysis was performed by means of Stata/SE9® software. Results. The percentage reduction in the mean bacterial load on horizontal surfaces as a result of treatment at concentrations of 1, 2 and 4 ml/m3 proved to be 54.9%, 70.9% and 86.9%, respec- tively. With regard to vertical surfaces, the percentage reduction was 100% in all experimental conditions. Discussion and conclusions. The system tested proved to be efficacious in disinfecting surfaces inside environments of 50 m3 in volume. It could therefore be used to disinfect surfaces in hos- pital and community settings. In healthcare facilities, disinfection by means of nebulization systems could help to reduce the risk of spreading nosocomial infections., Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, Vol 49, No 3 (2008)

Surgical site infections (SSI) account for 14% to 17% of all hospital-acquired infections and 38% of nosocomial infections in surgical patients. SSI remain a substantial cause of morbid- ity and death, possibly because of the larger numbers of elderly surgical patients or those with a variety of chronic and immuno- compromising conditions, and emergence of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. Factors causing surgical site infection are multifarious. Several studies have identified the main patient-related (endogenous risk factors) and procedure-related (external risk factors) factors that influence the risk of SSI. The rate of surgical wound infections is strongly influenced by operating theatre quality, too. A safe and salubrious operating theatre is an environment in which all sources of pollution and any micro-environmental alterations are kept strictly under control. This can be achieved only through careful planning, maintenance and periodic checks, as well as proper ongoing training for staff. Many international scientific societies have produced guidelines regarding the environmental features of operating theatres (posi- tive pressure, exchanges of filtered air per hour, air-conditioning systems with HEPA filters, etc.) and issued recommendations on healthcare-associated infection, including SSI, concerning surveillance methods, intervention to actively prevent SSI and approaches to monitoring the implementation of such strategies. Therefore, the prevention of SSI requires a multidisciplinary approach and the commitment of all concerned, including that of those who are responsible for the design, layout and functioning of operating theatres., Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, Vol 54, No 3 (2013)

Introduction. In dentistry, as in surgery, there is a risk of cross- infection for both patients and staff. The aim of this research was to evaluate procedures and behaviors enacted by dental staff which might engender a risk for themselves and their patients. Methods. A questionnaire was administered to 106 dental workers in Genoa (Italy), both public and private. Whenever personal interviews were conducted, the facilities involved were also inspected and the activities of the dental staff were observed directly. Results. This research highlighted some critical points in both structural and organizational features and in the management of infective hazards in the sample considered. In some cases, inadequacies were noted with regard to the prevention of cross- infections, such as the lack of disinfection of work surfaces and the handles of chair-set accessories. Discussion and conclusions. The particular nature of dental work, in which aerosols of blood and saliva may be produced by rotating instruments, engenders a risk of infection. Application of the various preventive measures available can significantly reduce microbial contamination and the risk of occupational infection and cross-infections. Furthermore, improvement in the structural and organizational features of dental surgeries and the continuing education of health-care workers is indispensable to the control and prevention of infectious diseases., Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, Vol 50, No 3 (2009)

Introduction. Recent discoveries in cell therapy research present new opportunities for cellular products to be used to treat severe, and as yet incurable, diseases. It is therefore essential to implement a quality control programme in order to ensure that safe cells and tissues are provided. Methods. In a preliminary phase of the setting up of a the cell factory, monitoring was carried out monthly over a 6-month period in one out of three cell therapy laboratories and filter rooms in order to evaluate the microbial contamination of air and surfaces and the presence of airborne particulates. Results. The mean total bacterial and fungal loads measured in the air in the centre of the filter room were 20.7 ± 28.9 colonyforming units (cfu)/m3 and 9.2 ± 15.4 cfu/m3, respectively, and 5.2 ± 4.1 cfu/m3 and 6.8 ± 13.4 cfu/m3, respectively, in the laboratory. The mean fungal load values recorded on the surfaces sampled in the laboratory were in 6 out of 18 cases higher than the reference values (5 cfu/plate). As to the results of particulate monitoring, with regard to the 0.5 ?m particles, about 83% of the samples revealed values below the limit of 350.000 particles per cubic metre. Conclusions. In this set-up phase, monitoring was able to pick out structural and organisational flaws acceptable in a laboratory compliant with Good Manufacturing Practices class C (Annex 1), but not in a class B facility. Thanks to this preliminary monitoring phase, and by correcting these flaws, the clean room facility could achieve compliance to class B., Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, Vol 51, No 4 (2010)

INTRODUCTION: As occupational exposure to anaesthetic gases is one of the main risks for operating theatre staff an environmental monitoring campaign was conducted in order to evaluate the degree of pollution by nitrous oxide (N2O) in the operating theatres of some hospital facilities in Liguria. METHODS: Any leaks (systemic and/or managerial) of anaesthetic gas and the number of efficacious air exchanges per hour supplied by air-conditioning systems were evaluated by means of an IR spectrometer, which was wired to a computer for data collection and analysis. The concentration of nitrous oxide in the centre of each operating theatre was measured by means of chemo-adsorbent cartridges analysed by gas chromatography. RESULTS: In 76.0% of the operating theatres examined a mean environmental concentration of N2O below the legal limits was recorded. The highest mean concentrations were generally associated with the presence of systemic leaks. Supplying an adequate number of efficacious air exchanges per hour enabled environmental concentrations of anaesthetic gas to be kept within acceptable levels. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Training personnel in the correct management of the operating theatre and of anaesthesia equipment, and ensuring the availability of an adequate air-conditioning system enable the risk of exposure to nitrous oxide to be minimised. This can be achieved through a concerted effort on the part of all involved, in accordance with the concept of ongoing improvement in healthcare services., Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, Vol 47, No 4 (2006)

The High Atlas belt of Morocco is a doubly vergent intracontinental belt formed during Cenozoic convergence between the African and Eurasian plates. This belt is characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of high topographic elevation, minor crustal thickening and weak tectonic shortening, which are commonly explained by models of inversion tectonics and mantle upwelling. This paper aims to test the consistence of this type of model, presenting the results of a multi-scale tectonic study, including mapping of major faults and fault-slip data inversion, from key areas homogeneously distributed through the entire High Atlas. Our data highlight kinematic components parallel to the orogen trend, supporting a transpressional structuring. Integration between new tectonic data and available geophysical and thermochronologic constraints has allowed to extend to depth the main faults detected at the surface, resulting in the overall geometry of a positive flower structure. This scenario is the result of a long history of transpressional and transtensional reactivations of major lithospheric faults since the break-up of Pangea. Lithospheric-scale faults isolate independently-behaving lithospheric blocks characterized by different exhumation rates. In this framework, the compressive component of the transpressional geodynamic regime can produce the high topographic elevation of the High Atlas belt without crustal thickening.