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In the field of Cultural Heritage, the interdisciplinary and multi-technique approach to the study of ancient artifacts is widely used, providing more reliable and complementary results. To study these great value objects, non-invasive approach is always preferred, although micro-invasive techniques may be necessary to answer specific questions. In this work, a study based on both non-invasive and micro-invasive techniques in a two-step approach was applied as a powerful tool to characterize materials and their layering, as well as to get a deeper understanding of the artistic techniques and the conservation history. The object under study is an ancient Egyptian wooden statuette, belonging to the collections of the Museo Egizio of Torino. Analyses were performed at the Centro Conservazione e Restauro “La Venaria Reale” (CCR), starting from non-invasive multispectral and X-ray imaging on the whole object in order to obtain information about the technique of assembly and on some aspects of the constituents materials, and subsequently, non-invasive XRF analysis and FT-IR, SEM-EDX and optical microscopy on micro-samples. This work is intended to lay the groundwork to the study of other wooden objects and statuettes belonging to the same funerary equipment, with the definition of a measuring protocol to study the most significant aspects of the artistic technique.

Diagnostic physical methods are increasingly applied to Cultural Heritage both for scientific investigations and conservation purposes. In particular, the X-ray imaging techniques of computed tomography (CT) and digital radiography (DR) are non-destructive investigation methods to study an object, being able to give information on its inner structure. In this paper, we present the results of the X-ray imaging study on an ancient Egyptian statuette (Late Period 722–30 BCE) belonging to the collection of Museo Egizio in Torino and representing an Egyptian goddess called Taweret, carved on wood and gilded with some colored details. Since few specific studies have been focused on materials and techniques used in Ancient Egypt for gilding, a detailed investigation was started in order to verify the technical features of the decoration in this sculpture. Specifically, DR and CT analyses have been performed at the Centro Conservazione e Restauro “La Venaria Reale” (CCR), with a new high resolution flat-panel detector, that allowed us to perform tomographic analysis reaching a final resolution better than the one achievable with the previous apparatus operating in the CCR.

Two panels by Marco d'Oggiono – a painter who was active at the end of the 15th century in Leonardo's workshop in Milan – were investigated by Macro X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and VNIR hyperspectral imaging. The paintings depict St. Francis and St. Anthony of Padua, each presenting a devotee, and are part of the permanent collection of the Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan. They are two of the five still known compartments of the Maleo polyptich, which originally consisted of ten panels. Preliminarily analyses suggested the presence of ancient over-paintings that modified the arrangement of the hair of one devotee and partially changed the dress of the other one. The paper reports the results obtained by investigating the repainted areas by a new mobile apparatus for MA-XRF and by an innovative compact VNIR hyperspectral camera. The aim is to obtain information on the materials and – possibly – on the original appearance of the modified representations. The two instrumental approaches produced images related to the different superimposed painting layers, which supported the interpretation of the subsequent phases of the production of the paintings and highlighted the evolution of the appearance of the subjects.

The multidisciplinary and multi-technical study of the coffin lid of Neskhonsuennekhy (Turin, Museo Egizio, inventory number S.05245) datable to the 26th dynasty (664-525 BC) was launched in 2015 at the Centro Conservazione e RestauroLa Venaria Realeduring the conservation activities required by the Museo Egizio, as part of wider research on the so-calledred coffins.Widespread abrasions and gaps in the pictorial stratigraphy strongly impeded the reading of the decoration, and a reddish and locally blackened material was covering many areas. Integrating multispectral imaging (UV fluorescence, VIL, IR reflectography), MA-XRF, radiography, and analyses on micro-samplings (OM, SEM-EDX, FT-IR) allowed deepening the state of preservation, detecting previous intervention, and characterizing the blackened surface, necessary to define the cleaning intervention objectives. In particular, the IR reflectography allowed recovering the readability of the beautiful drawings and the ancient hieroglyphs hidden beneath the reddish blackened surface. Based on the analytical data and compatibility with the pigments known in ancient Egypt, it was possible to return to the public the original lost decoration with a descriptive and virtual reconstruction. The new LANDIS-X scanning station equipped with a real-time macro XRF was fundamental for studying pigments, glazes, and mixtures besides the presence of lead impurities in the copper source used to make the Egyptian blue pigment, encouraging the research on the sources of mineral supply. Finally, this study allowed understanding the technique of execution of the find, from the assembly of the wooden elements to the reddish finish, noticing analogies with the otherred coffins.

International audience; BACKGROUND:FOLFIRINOX (leucovorin, 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin) is an option for fit patients with metastatic (MPC) and locally advanced unresectable (LAPC) pancreatic cancer. However, no criteria reliably identify patients with better outcomes.PATIENTS AND METHODS:We investigated putative prognostic factors among 137 MPC/LAPC patients treated with triplet chemotherapy. Association with 6-month survival status (primary endpoint) was assessed by multivariate logistic regression models. A nomogram predicting the risk of death at 6 months was built by assigning a numeric score to each identified variable, weighted on its level of association with survival. External validation was performed in an independent data set of 206 patients. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03590275).RESULTS:Four variables (performance status, liver metastases, baseline carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio) were found to be associated with 6-month survival by multivariate analysis or had sufficient clinical plausibility to be included in the nomogram. Accuracy was confirmed in the validation cohort (C index = 0.762; 95% confidence interval, 0.713-0.825). After grouping all cases, 4 subsets with different outcomes were identified by 0, 1, 2, or > 2 poor prognostic features (P < .0001).CONCLUSION:The nomogram we constructed accurately predicts the risk of death in the first 6 months after initiation of FOLFIRINOX in MPC/LAPC patients. This tool could be useful to guide communication about prognosis, and to inform the design and interpretation of clinical trials.

The conservation of artworks requires a profound knowledge about pictorial materials, their chemical and physical properties and their interaction and/or degradation processes. For this reason, pictorial materials databases are widely used to study and investigate cultural heritage. At Centre for Conservation and Restoration La Venaria Reale, we prepared a set of about 1200 mock-ups with 173 different pigments and/or dyes, used across all the historical times or as products for conservation, four binders, two varnishes and four different materials for underdrawings. In collaboration with the Laboratorio Analisi Scientifiche of Regione Autonoma Valle d’Aosta, the National Institute of Metrological Research and the Department of Architecture and Design of the Polytechnic of Turin, we created a scientific database that is now available online ( http://www.centrorestaurovenaria.it/en/areas/diagnostic/pictorial-materials-database ) designed as a tool for heritage science and conservation. Here, we present a focus on materials for pictorial retouching where the hyperspectral imaging application, conducted with a prototype of new technology, allowed to provide a list of pigments that could be more suitable for conservation treatments and pictorial retouching. Then we present the case study of the industrial painting Notte Barbara (1962) by Pinot Gallizio where the use of the database including modern and contemporary art materials showed to be very useful and where the fibre optics reflectance spectroscopy technique was decisive for pigment identification purpose. Later in this research, the mock-ups will be exploited to study degradation processes, e.g., the lightfastness, or the possible formation of interaction products, e.g., metal carboxylates.

Within the neu_ART project, funded by Regione Piemonte (Italy), a team of specialists in different scientific fields coming from Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Physics Department of University of Torino and Centro Conservazione e Restauro (CCR) “La Venaria Reale” has developed a new digital X-ray apparatus expressly designed for painted canvas and panels up to about 3 m × 4 m. Compared to all other systems scanning time is faster, the procedure to obtain the whole radiography is easier and images are available in real time. This apparatus has been widely tested on artworks restored at CCR “La Venaria Reale”, allowing to study and optimize the operating parameters and to evaluate its performance, thanks to the feedback provided by professionals involved in the activities of conservation. Supported by the results presented in this work, restorers had the possibility to investigate the materials characteristics and to plan the operating strategy in advance: indeed, radiographs revealed areas with losses of paint, repainted areas, canvas damages, hidden pictures, writings and previous restorations. The X-Ray system for Digital Radiography is integrated in a more complex apparatus that can be used also for computed tomography of voluminous objects up to 2.5 m in height and 2 m in width, making the apparatus developed in the neu_ART project a unique and comprehensive tool at conservators' disposal.

Yves Klein's Sculptures-Eponge are natural sea sponges soaked in International Klein Blue (IKB), assembled on metal pedestals. This work examines the constituent materials, the execution technique and the deterioration problems of the sculptures which are covered by a friable matt paint, in order to define the guidelines for treatment and collections care. For the experimental work, samples were prepared in the laboratory with the same materials and techniques used by the artist. In order to solve problems relating to removal of dust deposits, many aspects were considered in the evaluation process, such as the presence of an organic and porous support, not discussion in the existing literature, the poor cohesion of the surface and Klein's specific recommendations for handling his Monochromes only with gloves, and removing dust while avoiding any contact with the painted layers. Photo-ablation using laser radiation was identified as a possible solution. Three Nd:YAG lasers with different pulse dura...

We investigated Lp(a) levels and apo(a) polymorphism in relation to the severity of coronary artery disease, expressed both by the number of coronary arteries stenosed and three different coronary scoring systems. In a sample of 267 patients with coronary artery disease, a Mono-, Bi- or Multi-vessel coronary stenosis was documented by angiography. Twenty-five apo(a) isoforms were detected by a high resolution phenotyping method. Lp(a) levels did not show any differences among subgroups of patients. Both the percentage of apo(a) isoforms of low molecular weight (

To investigate plasma concentrations of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] polymorphism in relation to the presence of microvascular and neurological complications in type 1 diabetes mellitus, 118 young diabetic patients and 127 age-matched controls were recruited. Lp(a) levels were higher in patients than in controls, but the apo(a) isoforms distribution did not differ between the two groups [higher prevalence of isoforms of high relative molecular mass (RMM) in both groups]. Microalbuminuric patients had Lp(a) levels significantly greater than normoalbuminuric patients, and normoalbuminuric patients showed higher Lp(a) levels than controls. Patients with retinopathy or neuropathy showed similar Lp(a) levels to those without retinopathy or neuropathy. No differences in apo(a) isoforms frequencies were observed between subgroups with and without complications (higher prevalence of isoforms of high RMM in every subgroup). However, among patients with retinopathy, those with proliferative retinopathy had higher Lp(a) levels and a different apo(a) isoforms distribution (higher prevalence of isoforms of low RMM) than those with non-proliferative and background retinopathy (higher prevalence of isoforms of high RMM). Our data suggest that young type 1 diabetic patients without microalbuminuria have Lp(a) levels higher than healthy subjects of the same age. Lp(a) levels are further increased in microalbuminuric patients. High Lp(a) levels and apo(a) isoforms of low RMM seem to be associated with the presence of proliferative retinopathy, but have no relation to neuropathy.

AIM The purpose of the study was to investigate lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) levels and apolipoprotein (a) (apo(a)) phenotypes, and their relationship with a family history of coronary heart disease (CHD) in patients with essential hypertension (EH). METHODS One hundred and eight newly diagnosed patients with mild to moderate EH and 159 controls were studied. Lp(a) levels were determined with an ELISA method. Apo(a) isoforms were identified by a capillary immunoblotting technique. RESULTS Lp(a) levels and frequency distribution of apo(a) isoforms did not show significant differences between patients and controls. Lp(a) levels in hypertensives with a family history of CHD were significantly higher than in those without a family history of CHD (P < 0.01). Hypertensives with a family history of CHD showed significantly different frequencies of apo(a) isoforms to those without a family history of CHD (P < 0.05). In EH patients with a family history of CHD, apo(a) isoforms of low molecular weight (MW) had a higher prevalence (62.6%), while in hypertensives without a family history of CHD, apo(a) isoforms of high MW were prevalent (81.6%); the difference between the two subgroups was significant (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that both Lp(a) levels and apo(a) isoforms of low MW are significant variables in distinguishing between the subgroups. CONCLUSIONS Lp(a) levels and apo(a) phenotypes do not differ between hypertensives and controls. High Lp(a) levels and apo(a) isoforms of low MW are strongly associated with a family history of CHD in hypertensives. The quantification of Lp(a) levels and the characterization of apo(a) phenotypes may be used for assessment of familial predisposition to CHD in hypertensives.

The neu_ART project aims at developing state of the art transmission imaging and computed tomography techniques, applied to art objects, by using neutrons as well as more conventional X-rays. In this paper a facility for digital X-ray radiography of large area paintings on canvas or wooden panels and for the X-ray tomography of large size wooden artifacts, recently installed in a protected area, is presented. The results of a K-edge radiography facility that will soon be installed in the same area are also shown.

Aims and background. Malignant pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade are known complications of many advanced malignancies such as breast cancer, lung cancer,lymphomasandleukemias.Overallsurvivalislow,duetoothermetastaticlo calizations. The present study evaluated the clinical outcome and prognosis in pa tients with advanced cancer with pericardial effusion. Methods. We studied 7 patients, 4 men and 3 women, with malignant pericardial ef fusion, affected by breast cancer (2 patients), lung cancer (adenocarcinoma in 3 pa tients, microcytoma in 1 patient), and B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (1 patient). All patients underwent pericardiocentesis; 3 patients underwent an instillation of thiotepa. Results. One terminal patient treated with pericardiocentesis died after only a few hours.Alltheremainingpatientsexperiencedimmediatesymptomaticimprovement and no operative complications. At the end of the study period, 2 patients were alive at59and33months,respectively,and4diedofdiseaseprogressionat1to32months (mean, 10.5). Conclusions .Pericardiocentesisisanactivenecessaryapproach,and intrapericardial treatment with thiotepa was able to reduce pericardial effusion and to prevent its reaccumulation.The standard treatment of malignant effusion and cardiac tampon ade has not yet been defined. Physicians should consider the status and the progno sis of each case. Free full text available at www.tumorionline.it

Apo(a), the specific lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) apolipoprotein, is characterized by different isoforms (from 6 to 11 on SDS-PAGE) encoded by a system of autosomal codominant alleles. Electrophoresis on agarose gel displays a better resolving power than SDS-PAGE (a larger number of apo(a) isoforms is detected). The aim of this work was to set up a simple technique that uses a capillary blotting apparatus and a polyvinylidene difluoride membrane for protein transfer. We tested an Italian population sample of 202 healthy subjects (123 men and 79 women) and we detected 22 apo(a) isoforms varying from 280 to 775 kDa. In our sample, 135 subjects (66.5%) had a single-band phenotype, 64 (31.7%) had a double-band phenotype and 3 subjects (1.5%) had no detectable bands (‘null’ phenotype). This simple and reproducible technique could be applied in the genetic screening of apo(a) polymorphisms and for clinical investigations of the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is a rare condition described in patients with chronic kidney disease during alpha-Epo treatment subcutaneous administered generated by anti-R-Epo antibodies. Recently two cases of PRCA have been reported in patients affected by myelodysplastic syndrome treated with R-Epo. We described one more case of PRCA in a patient with refractory anemia treated with R-Epo.

A clonal T cell population in peripheral blood of patients with multiple myeloma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia has recently been observed. We describe a 73 years old woman with B cell lymphoma who presented a clonal T cell population in peripheral blood and bone marrow.

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to investigate lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels and apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] phenotypes in relation to age of onset of coronary heart disease (CHD).Background. Although Lp(a) levels have been extensively analyzed in relation to age of CHD, apo(a) phenotypes have not.Methods. Three hundred and thirty-five consecutive CHD patients were enrolled and grouped according to their age of CHD onset (

BACKGROUND Besides hypertension, several cardiovascular risk factors can play a role in the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) in hypertensive patients. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is an important and independent cardiovascular risk factor, but its role in the development of CHD in hypertensives has not been studied. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether or not Lp(a) levels and isoforms of apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] are predictors of CHD in patients with essential hypertension. METHODS Lp(a) levels and apo(a) polymorphism were evaluated in 249 patients with essential hypertension, in 142 non-hypertensive patients with CHD and in 264 healthy controls. RESULTS Hypertensives with CHD (n = 61) had Lp(a) levels [19 (range 0.5-73.5) versus 7 mg/dl (range 0-83.5), P < 0.001] and a percentage of apo(a) isoforms of low (< 655 kDa) relative molecular mass (RMM, 59.2 versus 25.9%, P < 0.001) higher than did those without CHD (n = 188). Moreover, there were more subjects with at least one apo(a) isoform of low RMM in the subgroup of patients with CHD than there were in that of those without CHD (80.3 versus 30.8%, P< 0.001). Lp(a) levels and apo(a) polymorphism did not differ significantly between hypertensive and non-hypertensive patients with CHD. Stepwise regression analysis indicated that high Lp(a) levels (P= 0.002073) and particularly the presence of at least one apo(a) isoform of low RMM (P < 0.000001) are strong predictors of CHD in hypertensive patients. CONCLUSIONS Our data show that high Lp(a) levels and the presence of at least one apo(a) isoform of low RMM are strong and independent genetic risk factors for CHD in hypertensive patients. These findings suggest that Lp(a) and apo(a) isoforms should be assessed together with other cardiovascular risk factors to establish the overall CHD risk status of each hypertensive patient

In this paper we will report on the importance of 3D documentation as a tool for study and communication in Cultural Heritage, with particular reference to the experience grown up at Centro Conservazione e Restauro La Venaria Reale (in the text: CCR La Venaria Reale) and to its application on Egyptian artefacts. We will focus on the purpose-built virtual viewer, set up in order to solve specific operational needs of the working group. We will consider for that significant case studies for innovation that 3D technology has brought in terms of streamlining processes and sharing results. We will also focus on technical advantages obtained by the realization of a 3D model of the remains of a 22nd dynasty cartonnage, found by the Italian Archaeological Mission at the area of the Temple of Millions of Years of Amenhotep II (Luxor, West bank, Egypt), and on the benefit in using 3D documentation on archaeological excavations.

This contribution focuses on the conservation of an Egyptian wooden sculpture (Inventory Number Cat. 745) belonging to the Museo Egizio of Torino in northwest Italy. A preliminary and interdisciplinary study of constituent painting materials and their layering is here provided. It was conducted by means of a multi-technique approach starting from non-invasive multispectral analysis on the whole object, and subsequently, on selected micro-samples. In particular, visible fluorescence induced by ultraviolet radiation (UVF), infrared reflectography (IRR) and visible--induced infrared luminescence were used on the whole object. The micro-samples were analysed by means of an optical microscope with visible and UV light sources, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer, pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (Py-GC/MS) and micro-particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE). The characterization of the painting materials allowed the detection of Egyptian blue and Egyptian green, and also confirmed the pertinence of the top brown layer to the original materials, which is a key point to design a suitable surface treatment. In fact, due to the water sensitiveness of the original materials, only few options were available to perform cleaning operations on this artwork. To setup the cleaning procedure, we performed several preliminary tests on mockups using dry cleaning materials, commonly used to treat reactive surfaces, and innovative highly water retentive hydrogels, which can potentially limit the mechanical action on the original surface while proving excellent cleaning results. Overall, this study has proved fundamental to increase our knowledge on ancient Egyptian artistic techniques and contribute to hypothesize the possible provenance of the artefact. It also demonstrated that polyvinyl alcohol-based retentive gels allow for the safe and efficient cleaning of extremely water sensitive painted surfaces, as those typical of ancient Egyptian artefacts.