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Il volume raccoglie i risultati di uno studio e dell'analisi di atti conservati presso l'Archivio di Stato di Potenza riferiti a richieste di costruzione di impianti meccanici azionati dall'acqua inviate agli inizi del XIX secolo dai proprietari di fondi ubicati nei pressi di fiumi e torrenti all'Intendente di Basilicata, corredati da mappe storiche, e del confronto delle informazioni acquisite con i caratteri del paesaggio rurale dello stesso periodo ricostruito attraverso le informazioni contenute dei principali censimenti agrari storici conosciuti.

Un'indagine sulla relazione esistente tra un territorio e la propria rete viaria e del rapporto di opportunità, sia esso di tipo economico-commerciale sia strategico-funzionale, come causa ed effetto di una relazione tanto più forte e interdipendente quanto più l'infrastruttura risulti funzionale.

Among several alternatives to control hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), a strategy could be the use of hospital uniforms imbued with antimicrobial substances. For this purpose we evaluated the antibacterial activity of two different silver doped fabrics employed for the production of hospital uniforms. The study was conducted in two-step. In the first the antimicrobial activity was evaluated in vitro against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212. In the second, we tested the total viable counts detected from beginning to end of the work shift on experimental silver doped uniforms worn by doctors, nurses, allied health assistants in different hospital wards. The in vitro tests showed a remarkable antibacterial activity of both silver doped samples (99.9% reduction within 4h of exposure for Gram-positive and within 24 h for Gram-negative bacteria). The experimental uniforms provided results only slightly in agreement with in vitro data. Even if the increase of total viable counts was somewhat lower for experimental uniforms than traditional ones, significant differences were not observed. Despite the results on the uniforms worn, the addition of silver in fabrics to make medical equipment (supplies) remains an interesting option for HAI control.

"Background: The high polymorphism of the HLA system reduces the probability of finding an unrelated patient HLA full-match with Bone Marrow Donor (BMD). This study represents the first investigation in the BMD Registry of Campania Region (RRNA01) in Italy of the HLA-A,-B,-Cw,-DR and –DQ frequencies. Aims: The purpose of this study was to assess genetic diversity between Campania Region and Italian population increasing compatibility chances with potential hematopoietic stem cells recipients. Methods: Serological tissue typing National Institute Health (NIH) standard method was used from 1990 to 2000 for HLA Class I (HLA-A,-B,-Cw loci) and Class II (HLA-DR,-DQ loci). This method has been integrated with low resolution molecular biology techniques SSP and\/or SSO for both the Classes (HLA-A*,-B*, -DRB* loci). From 2009 the HLA-DRB1* was typed only with high resolution. The HLA-C*, - DQB* loci was not typed more than default but only if request from Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Center. Results: A large sample of 4126 volunteer donors registered on our Regional Registry from 1990 to 2011 were examined while only 19 occurred before 1990. In this large population, 1857 are male with 3582 living in the Naples area, while the remaining 544 are proportionally distributed in other Campania cities. The volunteer donors were selected according to local rules on blood donors to which they have been equalized. This study was also subdivided according to blood groups: 1668 group is 0 (45.6%), 1326 group A (36.3%), 137 group AB (3.7%), 526 group B (14.4%). However, for this variable, we have 469 (11.4%) missing data. In this study, most frequently patterns of antigens were HLA-A2 (41%), HLA-A24 (26.4%), HLA-B35 (31.4%), HLA B18 (20%), HLA-B51 (17.8%) HLA C4 7 (31%), HLA-CW4 (26.4%), HLA-DR11 (42%), HLA-DR7 (20.6%), HLA DQ7 (25.2%) and HLA DQ2 (15.8 %). Conclusions: These data show a genetic heterogeneity of the population of Regione Campania in comparison to Italian population. Further investigations are required to evaluate possible preferential associations (linkage disequilibrium) by using advanced molecular biology techniques. "

"Background. Through the years, Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA) antibodies detection has been enhanced with higher sensitivity techniques on solid phase assay (Luminex) that joined the traditional Complement Dependent Citotoxicity (CDC). HLA antibodies are relevant in patients awaiting solid organ transplantation and for the successful outcome of transplantation.. Aims. LABScreen Mixed (LSM12-One Lambda; Lagitre, IT) and Lifescreen LIFECODES Deluxe (LMX-Geneprobe; GTI, IT) are solid-phase testing platforms used for HLA antibodies both Class I and Class II detection . In this study, the sensitivities of the LABScreen Mixed product was directly compared to the Lifescreen LIFECODES Deluxe.. Methods. This study was carried out on 250 sera with or without sensitization events from patients undergoing kidney or heart transplantation, historically known to be for HLA antibodies positive or negative in CDC, ELISA assays or\/and Luminex technology. The same aliquot of each patient serum was tested, at the same time, with both kits. The two analyzed tests allow both anti-IgG antibodies detecting and the same HLA antigenic specificities relieving, except for the MICA which is present only in the LABScreen kit. We performed assays and software analysis according to the manufacturer’s instructions and criteria, with LSM12 involving the use of undiluted samples whereas LMX uses a 1:4 serum dilution.. Results. Analysis of all sera for Class I and Class II antibodies HLA showed negative results in 180\/250 (72%) and 172\/250 (69%) cases, by LABScreen and LIFECODES respectively, with a concordance of negativity in 148\/180 (82%) sera; 24\/250 (9.6%) sera were screened positively by LABScreen and 19\/250 (7.6%) by LIFECODES in both classes, with a concordance of positivity in 16 samples. Moreover, for Class I antibodies LMX was positive in 4 samples where LSM12 was negative and it was negative in 32 samples which were positive with LSM12; for Class II antibodies, we also found 8 negative samples by LMX but positive by LSM12 and 30 positive samples by LMX and negative by LSM12.. Conclusions. These preliminary data demonstrate a significant difference for both Class I and Class II antibodies. We establish that no major difference exists between the methods used in the present study. However, it is necessary to extend this study with additional tests for a better evaluation of definitive results.. . "

Objectives: The relevance of anti-HLA antibodies in patients awaiting kidney transplants is well recognized. During the past 40 years, kidney transplant candidates have been tested for these antibodies, and the choice of the detection assay has become essential. Recently, the pioneer method, the complement-dependent cytotoxicity, has been integrated but has not been replaced by more-sensitive solid-phase assays, such as the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the bead-based technology (ie, flow cytometry: FlowPRA, and Flow Analyzer: Luminex). Materials and Methods: We compared the sensitivity and antibody specificity of these 4 techniques for detecting panel-reactive antibodies in a population of 101 consecutive patients awaiting a renal transplant (which had already resulted positive in a prescreening analysis). Results: Sera positive for class I and class II antibodies were 62 and 90 as assessed by the complement-dependent cytotoxicity method, 76 and 58 by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, 83 and 65 with Flow-panel-reactive antibodies, and 90 and 79 by Luminex. Luminex gave more positive scores than the others for class I HLA antibodies, whereas complement-dependent cytotoxicity revealed more positives for those of class II. Conclusions: Although Luminex appears more efficient among these assays, our results indicate that use of multiple methods is still the best approach for characterizing the immunologic status of these patients.

This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of routine systems (Vitek2 cards AST-N022 and AST-N026; Kirby Bauer; Etest) for susceptibility testing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to piperacillin and piperacillin-tazobactam. Vitek2 (card AST-N022) showed the worst performance; the other three methods (Vitek2 card AST-N026, Kirby-Bauer and E-test) performed comparably but never fulfilled the minimal standard proposed by FDA.

Five penicillinase producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) were isolated from urethral specimens of men admitted to the "Santa Chiara" Hospital (Trento, Italy). All strains proved to be resistant to penicillin and ampicillin, and sensitive to cefuroxime, erythromycin, tetracycline, spectinomycin, nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin. PPNG plasmid profiles showed that four of the isolates carried the 3.2 MDa "Africa" plasmid and one the 4.5 MDa "Asia" plasmid, the two well-known phenotypes reported in the USA and Europe as well as in Asian and African countries. Membrane matings were performed using N. gonorrhoeae carrying the 24.5 MDa conjugative plasmid as donors and E. coli K12 J 53 as recipient. The transfer of beta-lactamic antibiotic resistance was supported by the presence of 4.5 or 3.2 MDa plasmid bands and by beta-lactamase production in the transconjugants. Restriction analysis of Asian and African plasmids is reported.

The biological properties of two Photorhabdus luminescens isolates (MU1 and MU2) of environmental source and the activity of antimicrobial agar diffusible agents (AADA) produced by the same are reported. With regard to cultural features, two variant forms for P. luminescens MU1 and three for P. luminescens MU2 (including an intermediate phase I-like form) have been found. These three forms differ in biological and biochemical properties: beta-lactamase, urease, bioluminescence and antimicrobial agar diffusible substance production associated with the phase I form, were less evident in the intermediate phase I-like MU2 and were absent in phase II form. Antimicrobial activity was present in both strains, with the production of a large amount of a diffusible compound with a wide spectrum of action against bacteria of other genera; a reduced activity against correlated species was also observed. Examination by electron microscopy of MU1 and MU2 purified broth cultures revealed the presence of particles belonging to the class of the phage tail-like bacteriocins, described in recent studies as responsible for antibacterial activity against correlated bacteria, a result never confirmed "in vitro". A plasmid of 21 Mdal was observed in all the form variants of P. luminescens MU2, suggesting that plasmids are not involved in the transition from primary to secondary phase; no plasmid was detected in P. luminescens MU1.

We investigated presence and prevalence of antibiotic-resistances and other biological characters in enterococci isolated from faeces of healthy dogs and cats because these microorganisms represent important human and veterinary pathogens/opportunists, and a significant burden for healthcare systems. In all samples (n=115) we detected enterococci, with a predominance of Enterococcus faecium (42; 36.5%) and Enterococcus faecalis (36; 31.3%) species, endowed with virulence traits and multidrug-resistance. The two predominant resistance patterns (erythromycin, tetracycline) were examined by polymerase chain reaction for tet and erm genes. Only tetM for tetracycline, and ermA and ermB for erythromycin were detected. PCR for gelatinase gene (gelE) was positive in 62.6% of isolates, but only 26.1% produce gelatinase suggesting the existence of silent genes. efaAfs and efaAfm genes were found in E. faecalis and E. faecium respectively. 89.6% of isolates produced bacteriocin-like substances with a prevailing action against Listeria genus and, among these, 33.9% were positive for the bacteriocin structural genes entA, entL50 or entP. According to our study, pet animals can be considered a reservoir of potentially pathogenic enterococci and we cannot exclude that those microorganisms may be responsible for opportunistic infections in high-risk pet owners.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different species of Lactobacilli on hyphal formation and biofilm development by the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans. We employed 4 different Lactobacillus species, namely L. rhamnosus, L. acidophilus, L. plantarum and L. reuteri, and 2 C. albicans strains, the reference DAY286 and its isogenic hwp1/hwp1 mutant, the FJS24 strain. As assessed by morphological analysis and quantitative colorimetric assays, Lactobacillus crude filtrate supernatant fluids (CFSF) affected Candida, impairing both hyphal formation and biofilm production. The CFSF-mediated phenomenon occurred in a dilution- and time-dependent manner and was consistently observed, irrespective of the C. albicans HWP1 genotype.

Purpose Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G is a non-classic major histocompatibility complex HLA class I molecule. HLA-G may have tolerogenic properties which are linked to epigenetic-sensitive pathways. There is a correlation of sHLA-G levels and graft acceptance in transplantation studies. There are previous data on correlation of sHLA-G with graft rejection as well as with viral infections such as hepatitis C virus (HCV) in kidney transplanted patients. Here, we report the sHLA-G expression in patients on the waiting list for kidney transplantation, with and without anti-HCV compared to a control group. Methods Serum of 67 patients on the waiting list for kidney transplantation (n = 43 with anti-HCV and n = 24 without anti-HCV) was analyzed. Among these patients, n = 39 were on the waiting list for the first transplantation, while n = 28 were patients who returned in the list. The control group included n = 23 blood donors with anti-HCV (n = 13) and without anti-HCV (n = 10). Results The expression of sHLA-G was significantly lower in the control group (39.6 ± 34.1 U/ml) compared to both - patients on the waiting list for the first transplantation (62.5 ± 42.4 U/ml, p=0.031) and patients who returned in the list (76.7 ± 53.9 U/ml, p=0.006). No significant differences were observed in all anti-HCV positive groups. A positive linear correlation between sHLA-G and TNF-α, and patient age was observed. Conclusions Serum sHLA-G values were significantly increased in both - patients on the waiting list for the first transplantation and patients who returned in the list, as compared to control group. Our findings confirm the key tolerogenic role of sHLA-G levels as epigenetic-related marker for measuring the state of kidney allograft acceptance.

Automated chemiluminescent immunoassays (CLIAs) are useful for the detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus 1/2 antigen/antibodies (HIV 1/2 Ag/Ab) in blood donor screening. Eight hundred and forty serum samples were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), HCV antibodies (anti-HCV), and HIV1/2 Ag/Ab in parallel using 2 different CLIAs (Abbott Architect i2000SR and Roche Cobas e411). The concordance between the 2 systems was high (Cohen's kappa 0.97 for HBsAg, 0.77 for anti-HCV, 0.92 for HIV1/2 Ag/Ab) and the specificity and the positive predictive value were comparable. Among the 12 discrepant results, 11 were false-positive and 1 (reactive by Architect) was true-positive for anti-HCV. Positivity for HBV DNA, HCV RNA, and HIV RNA was recorded in 90.9%, 38.9%, and 100% of true-positive samples, respectively. This study represents the first stringent comparison between Architect i2000SR and Cobas e411 in blood donors. We observed a good correlation and high agreement among HBV, HCV, and HIV with the 2 automated systems.

Recently, management of patients awaiting solid organ transplantation has taken advantages after the development of more sensitive and accurate solid phase assays which have supported the historic complement dependent cytotoxicity. This approach has allowed the detection of antibodies in patients previously considered negative. The use of the single antigen beads resulted in a more accurate anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibody characterization. The detection of anti-HLA antibodies specific for C, DQ and DP loci that were not so well characterized has been possible through the implementation of the single antigen assay. The assessment of HLA compatibility has been expanded through the introduction of "epitope matching" concept and the definition of the unacceptable antigens for a more adequate evaluation of donor-recipient compatibility. However, the clinical impact of pre-formed and de novo anti-HLA antibodies detected by solid phase assays is still controversial due to the drawback related to result interpretation. Until today, the unresolved issues concern if all antibodies affect the medium and long term clinical outcome. An open debate on the clinical relevance of anti-HLA antibodies detected by single-antigen beads highlights needing to further investigations. Here, we describe the novel applications and the improvements of the solid-phase assay use.

Recent evidences have shown that several host genetic factors influence susceptibility or protection to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. There are controversial data regarding the associations of human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and the clearance or progression of HCV. The aim of this study was to investigate whether particular HLA molecules were associated with HCV infection in recipients awaiting kidney transplantation considered at high-risk to infection due to protracted hemodialysis treatment. To this purpose, 301 kidney recipients with HCV infection and 1103 uninfected recipients were examined for HLA class I and II molecules. In our case-control study, HLA-A * 26 is positively associated with HCV infection while HLA-A * 29, -B * 40 and -DRB1 * 01 are negatively associated with HCV infection. Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age (OR = 1.02; 95% CI = 1.01–1.04; p * 26, -A * 29, -B * 40 and -DRB1 * 01 [(OR = 1.54; 95% CI = 1.03–2.30; p = 0.03); (OR = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.26–0.99; p = 0.05); (OR = 0.42; 95% CI = 0.23-0, 7; p = 0.01); (OR = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.41-0, 94; p = 0.03); respectively] are independent predictors of HCV infection. Our results suggest that particular HLA molecules, as host genetic factors, may have a relationship with susceptibility or protection to HCV infection also in recipients awaiting kidney transplantation.