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Some researchers posit population continuity between Late Palaeolithic hunter–gatherers of the late Pleistocene and Holocene agriculturalists from Lower (northern) Nubia, in northeast Africa. Substantial craniodental differences in these time-successive groups are suggested to result from in situ evolution. Specifically, these populations are considered a model example for subsistence-related selection worldwide in the transition to agriculture. Others question continuity, with findings indicating that the largely homogeneous Holocene populations differ significantly from late Pleistocene Lower Nubians. If the latter are representative of the local populace, post- Pleistocene discontinuity is implied. So who was ancestral to the Holocene agriculturalists? Dental morphological analyses of 18 samples (1075 individuals), including one dated to the 12th millennium BCE from Al Khiday, near the Upper Nubian border, may provide an answer. It is the first Late Palaeolithic sample (n = 55) recovered within the region in approximately 50 years. Using the Arizona State University Dental Anthropology System to record traits and multivariate statistics to estimate biological affinities, Al Khiday is comparable to several Holocene samples, yet also highly divergent from contemporaneous Lower Nubians. Thus, population continuity is indicated after all, but with late Pleistocene Upper—rather than Lower Nubians as originally suggested—assuming dental traits are adequate proxies for ancient DNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The excavation at al-Khiday's Mesolithic and Neolithic sites, located along the western bank of the White Nile, 25 km south of Khartoum, provides a complex view of hunter-gatherer-fisher pottery-bearing communities inhabiting this region of Sudan during the early and middle Holocene. Their state of preservation, combined with special attention to site formation processes and a multidisciplinary approach to excavation and recording methods, has identified a settlement evolving from an ephemeral occupation into a village in which spaces were organised with different structures suggesting diversified functions and activities. Combined palaeoenvironmental, archaeological and bio-archaeological studies allow reconstruction of the transition from residential mobility to a nearly sedentary lifestyle and, in the later phase, a return to more mobile strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A largely accepted paradigm in African recent prehistory considers pastoralism to be the main subsistence source of food-producing communities along the Sudanese Nile valley from the 6th millennium cal BC onwards. This paradigm is constraining the development of a wider theoretical perspective that assumes, instead, a regionally differentiated picture of the economic and social organisation of local communities in northeastern Africa. This paradigm is thus the strongest impediment to achieving reliable and convincing syntheses of the transition from food collection to food production in this area. New data from Upper Nubia and central Sudan open the way for different and more complex scenarios and a new understanding of the local transition from agro-pastoral to agricultural practices. A more systematic data-based approach helps to change radically our perception of different Neolithic trajectories. Moreover, it helps to place in a different perspective—based on various levels of identity formation processes—change and continuity along the chrono-cultural sequence, as well as the different meanings that each local group confers on apparently similar acts in the context of the funerary ideology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lavender is an evergreen shrub native to Northern Africa and other mountainous Mediterranean regions. It grows throughout Southern Europe, the United States, and Australia. Lavender essential oil has been used since ancient times and is known for its antiinflammatory, antidepressant, antiseptic, antifungal and antimicrobial properties. Methodology: in this study, the antimicrobial activity of two Lavender essential oils (Lavanda sumian and Lavanda grosso) against 16 multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa strains from clinical ocular samples taken from migrant patients has been investigated. The in vitro cytotoxic activity on human Wong-Kilbourne derivative (WKD) conjunctiva cells from healthy patients and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity on murine macrophage (J774.1A) were also evaluated. Results: L. sumian showed lower antimicrobial activity when compared to L. grosso. Both lavender oils tested had no cytotoxic effect at very low concentrations, mostly L. grosso. The essential oils extracted from L. sumian and L. grosso significantly reduced NOS in a cell model. Conclusion: Increase in drug resistance and lack of new antibiotics may encourage the development of natural antimicrobial treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recovery of three stone-like ovoid objects within the burial of a pre-Mesolithic (Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene) individual at Al Khiday cemetery (Central Sudan) raises the question of the nature and origin of these objects. The position in which the objects were found in relation to the human skeleton suggested a pathological condition affecting the individual, possibly urinary bladder, kidney stones or gallstones. To solve this issue, a multi-analytical approach, consisting of tomographic, microstructural and compositional analyses, was therefore performed. Based on their microstructure and mineralogical composition, consisting of hydroxylapatite and whitlockite, the investigated stones were identified as primary (endogenous) prostatic calculi. In addition, the occurrence of bacterial imprints also indicates on-going infectious processes in the individual. This discovery of the earliest known case of lithiasis extends the appearance of prostatic stones into the Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene, a disease which therefore can no longer be considered exclusive to the modern era, but which also affected prehistoric individuals, whose lifestyle and diet were significantly different to our own. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: with the continuous emergence of pathogenic resistance to conventional drugs through efflux pumps, increasing efforts are directed toward discovering efflux inhibitory molecules. Methodology: in this study three P-glycoprotein (P13CP, P22CP, P34CP) efflux-inhibitors (EIs), belonging to the series of phenoxymethylquinoxalines capable to restore/potentiate the antiproliferative activity of doxorubicin and vincristine against human tumor cell lines and different antibiotics against clinical isolates, were investigated on 10 clinical strains of Candida and 12 clinical and ATCC strains of Gram positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Results: MFC values of FLC were reduced in all Candida strains by the P22CP and P34CP inhibitors, and in 5/10 fungal strains by the P13CP inhibitor. Conclusion: novel antibiotics with new modes of action are urgently required to suppress the rise of MDR bacteria. An alternative approach would be to identify molecules that can interfere with the process of efflux. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the major contributions provided over fifty years ago by A.J. Arkell and J.D. Tothill to our understanding of late Quaternary environments and prehistoric occupation near the confluence of the Blue and White Nile in central Sudan, three key questions have remained unresolved since then. (a) Was the decline in Nile flood levels from early Holocene times onwards caused by a reduction in Nile discharge, or by channel incision, or both? (b) Was the regional climate wetter during times of high Nile floods and drier during times of low Nile floods? (c) Given the high degree of disturbance of Mesolithic and later prehistoric sites, is it possible to identify primary-context, stratified and undisturbed occupation? Drawing upon dated evidence from three sites to the east of and three to the west of the lower White Nile, we provide a qualified answer to the first question and documented affirmative answers to the second and third questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The antimicrobial activity of essential oils (EOs) has been known for ages; in particular, the EOs of Melaleuca alternifolia, Thymus vulgaris, Mentha piperita, and Rosmarinus officinalis have been used for the treatment of fungal and bacterial infections. Methodology: This study focused on the in vitro cytotoxicity to normal human conjunctiva cells and antimicrobial activity of 20 EOs. Results: The oils tested showed no cytotoxic effect at very low concentrations. Rosmarinus officinalis, Melaleuca alternifolia, and Thymus vulgaris L. red thyme geraniol sel oils had good antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains. Conclusions: The results of this study are of great interest and may have a major impact on public health, providing useful tips to optimize the therapeutic use of some natural drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The study aimed to investigate whether the preparation, storage, and use of autologous serum in insulin syringes is microbiologically safe. Methodology: Blood samples (10 mL) were obtained from 10 volunteers. After centrifugation, the supernatant serum was removed and distributed in 5 sterile insulin syringes for each sample; syringes were numbered 0 to 4 and labelled with the subject's details. Syringes were immediately transported to the microbiology laboratory and stored in a refrigerator at +4°C. The "0" labelled syringes were separated from the others and 100 µl of serum from each syringe was immediately seeded on chocolate and Sabouraud agar plates, which were incubated aerobically at 37°C for 96 hours to detect any bacterial and/or fungal contamination. In the next 4 days, the same procedure was repeated for the remaining syringes: on day 1, the "1" labelled syringes were analyzed; on day 2, the "2" labelled ones, and so on. In a second experiment, blood samples were obtained from 5 different volunteers. The same procedure as above was followed, but each syringe was used for repeated cultures at 2-hour intervals, for a total of 12 cultures/day. The needle was removed and replaced for each inoculation and the syringes were stored in the refrigerator after use. Results: Under these experimental conditions, none of the cultures showed microbial growth. Conclusions: Results suggest that, under the protocol described, preparation, storage and use of undiluted autologous serum in insulin syringes is inexpensive, fast, and microbiologically safe. This is of great importance for low-income countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first millennium BC in Sudan sees the birth of the Kushite (Napatan and then Meroitic) Kingdom. Royal cities, cemeteries and centres of religious power have attracted archaeologists and historians while peripheral areas have only rarely seen any systematic investigations. This lack of research provides difficulties in interpreting the limited evidence of the Napatan and Meroitic periods located on the White and Blue Niles and limits our comprehension of the role of this region within the political, economic and cultural framework of the kingdom. Recently, a multiphase cemetery was discovered at the site of Al Khiday 2, on the west bank of the White Nile, which was also used by a small group that is thought to be closely related to the Meroitic. The graves excavated have produced a bio-archaeological sample that is presented here with detailed descriptions of the funerary practices, including different types of grave structures, grave goods, burial position and orientation of the inhumations, as well as an overview of the anthropological analysis of this population. These findings are placed within the wider context of Meroitic studies by providing comparisons with contemporaneous sites, highlighting the possible elements of contiguity with that world, as well as providing some reflection on future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessing information on plant consumption before the adoption of agriculture is challenging. However, there is growing evidence for use of locally available wild plants from an increasing number of pre-agrarian sites, suggesting broad ecological knowledge. The extraction of chemical compounds and microfossils from dental calculus removed from ancient teeth offers an entirely new perspective on dietary reconstruction, as it provides empirical results on material that is already in the mouth. Here we present a suite of results from the multi-period Central Sudanese site of Al Khiday. We demonstrate the ingestion in both pre-agricultural and agricultural periods of Cyperus rotundus tubers. This plant is a good source of carbohydrates and has many useful medicinal and aromatic qualities, though today it is considered to be the world's most costly weed. Its ability to inhibit Streptococcus mutans may have contributed to the unexpectedly low level of caries found in the agricultural population. Other evidence extracted from the dental calculus includes smoke inhalation, dry (roasting) and wet (heating in water) cooking, a second plant possibly from the Triticaceae tribe and plant fibres suggestive of raw material preparation through chewing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the susceptibility of different fungal corneal isolates to commercially available contact lens disinfecting solutions. Methods: Thirteen filamentous fungal isolates (9 Aspergillus spp, 3 Fusarium spp, 1 Curvularia sp.) recovered from corneal infections were used. The following solutions were tested: Arion Cronos, Complete Revitalens, Dua Elite, Opti-Free Express, Regard, Oxysept Comfort, and Oxysept Comfort without catalase. Suspensions of the different fungal isolates were made in the solutions (106 colony-forming units/mL). After 1 h (Arion Cronos only), 6, 8, and 24 h, aliquots of suspension were removed and seeded on Sabouraud agar plates. Results: After a 6-h exposure, only 3% hydrogen peroxide-based Oxysept Comfort without catalase eradicated all the fungi tested. All the other solutions were partly ineffective at killing some of the fungal isolates, even after a 24-h exposure. The worst performance was given by Regard and Dua Elite, which, after a 6-h exposure, showed growth of 12 and 10 of the 13 fungal strains tested, respectively. Conclusions: Most contact lens disinfecting solutions may not be sufficiently effective, if contact lens care systems become contaminated with filamentous fungi. In our experiment, only an exposure to 3% hydrogen peroxide without a neutralizer for at least 6 h was always able to kill an inoculum of different fungal strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: We aimed to investigate the susceptibility of a combined inoculum of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and different fungal strains to 6 soft contact lens disinfectants. Methodology: One corneal isolate of P. aeruginosa and 13 corneal fungal isolates (9 Aspergillus spp, 3 Fusarium spp, 1 Curvularia sp.) were used. The following solutions were tested: Arion Cronos, Complete RevitaLens, Dua Elite, Opti-Free Express, Regard, Oxysept Comfort, and Oxysept Comfort without catalase. The effect of the solutions was assessed on a combined inoculum of P. aeruginosa plus 1 fungal strain. Suspensions of P. aeruginosa and fungi were made in the solutions (1x106 colony-forming units/mL). After 1 hour (Arion Cronos only), 6, 8, and 24 hours, aliquots of suspension were removed and seeded on Luria-Bertani and Sabouraud agar plates. Results: After 6 hours' exposure, all the solutions but Dua Elite and Oxysept Comfort eradicated P. aeruginosa. Conversely, apart from 3% hydrogen peroxide-based Oxysept Comfort without catalase, which eradicated all the fungi tested after 6 hours, all the other solutions were partly ineffective at killing some of the fungal isolates, even after 24 hours' exposure. Conclusions: Most contact lens disinfectants may be ineffective if contact lens care systems become co-contaminated with P. aeruginosa and fungi. In our experiment, only exposure to 3% hydrogen peroxide without neutralizer for at least 6 hours was always able to kill a combined inoculum of P. aeruginosa and different fungal strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess Pseudomonas aeruginosa growth in Refresh Plus®, a unit-dose preservative-free ophthalmic solution indicated for the treatment of dry eye and after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery, which contains carboxymethylcellulose 0.5% as its active ingredient. Methods: Multiple test tubes of Refresh Plus were inoculated with 3 clinical ocular isolates of P. aeruginosa to achieve a target concentration of ∼100 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL. The tubes were incubated at 25°C and samples were aseptically removed at 6, 12, and 24 h. The samples were cultured to enumerate the population at each time point. Results: After 6 h incubation, the number of CFU/mL was 3,200 for isolate 1, 2,000 for isolate 2, and 6,480 CFU/mL for isolate 3. For all 3 organisms tested, the number of CFU/mL after 12 and 24 h incubation was >106 CFU/mL. Conclusions: Under the conditions of this experiment, Refresh Plus appears to support P. aeruginosa growth, suggesting that if the solution in a unit-dose vial of Refresh Plus were contaminated with P. aeruginosa during use, the organism would survive and replicate in the solution over time. Noncompliance with the manufacturer's recommendations (i.e., reuse of an open vial) may result in contamination of the solution with P. aeruginosa, which may cause severe keratitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mesolithic period represents a key stage in the human history of Sudan, but its complexity is not yet fully understood. Since the beginning of prehistoric research in this region, efforts were made to understand Mesolithic site formation processes and post-depositional disturbances. Responsibility for the destruction of most Mesolithic sites' deposits rests mainly on later use of the ancient mound-like settlements as burial places by Meroitic and post-Meroitic people. Excavations at several sites in the El Salha and Al Khiday areas (White Nile, south of Omdurman) have provided recent progress in our knowledge of Mesolithic living structures in their palaeoenvironmental contexts. Detailed stratigraphic and geoarchaeological investigations enabled us to distinguish, within the sequences identified at excavated mounds, the existence of basal archaeological strata still in situ that had remained unaffected by subsequent anthropogenic disturbances and to understand the functional aspects of several archaeological features associated with Mesolithic living floors. This offers the opportunity to reassess the Mesolithic cultural sequence in the region and reconsider some statements on the economic and social aspects of Mesolithic life and landscape exploitation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on the microbiological findings pertaining to three Serratia isolates from soft contact lens-related corneal ulcers, which represent a complication of contact lens wear reported with increasing frequency. Bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing were performed using the Vitek system. Serratia's ability to form biofilm, produce gelatinase, elastase and alkaline protease, and invade human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells was investigated. The isolates' susceptibility to the following disinfectants was tested: (a) ReNu MultiPlus, containing polyaminopropyl biguanide 0.0001%; (b) Opti-Free Express, containing polyquaternium-1 0.001% and myristamidopropyldimethylamine 0.0005%; (c) Opti-Free Replenish, containing polyquaternium-1 0.001% and myristamidopropyldimethylamine 0.0005%, and (d) Oxysept Comfort, a one-step 3% hydrogen peroxide-catalase system. Two Serratia marcescens and one Serratia liquefaciens were identified. All the strains were susceptible to aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones. No isolate formed biofilm or significantly invaded HCE cells; all produced alkaline protease and gelatinase, but not elastase. Opti-Free Express and Opti-Free Replenish were active against S. liquefaciens, but failed to kill the S. marcescens isolates within the minimum recommended time (6 hours). ReNu MultiPlus needed 6 hours to kill one strain of S. marcescens, which is 2 hours more than recommended. Conversely, Oxysept Comfort was always effective within the minimum recommended time (6 hours). The ability to produce alkaline protease and gelatinase may play a major role in the pathogenesis of contact lens-related Serratia keratitis. Several types of contact lens solutions may be ineffective in eradicating Serratia from contaminated contact lens cases within the minimum recommended time. Only exposure to Oxysept Comfort was always effective against Serratia in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The correction to the article "The Prehistory of the Sudan" published in the periodical is presented.

Describes the excavations by the Italian Archaeological Expedition at Wadi Shab, Oman. Description of the site; Types of archaeological material discovered; History of the artifacts.

Drug resistance in antifungal therapy, a problem unknown until a few years ago, is increasingly assuming importance especially in immunosuppressed patients and patients receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In the past years, the use of essential oils as an approach to improve the effectiveness of antifungal agents and to reduce antifungal resistance levels has been proposed. Our research aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of Colombian rue, Ruta graveolens, essential oil (REO) against clinical strains of Candida albicans, Candida parapsilopsis, Candida glabrata, and Candida tropicalis. Data obtained showed that C. tropicalis and C. albicans were the most sensitive strains showing minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 4.1 and 8.2 µg/mL of REO. Time–kill kinetics assay demonstrated that REO showed a fungicidal effect against C. tropicalis and a fungistatic effect against C. albicans. In addition, an amount of 40% of the biofilm formed by C. albicans was eradicated using 8.2 µg/mL of REO after 1 h of exposure. The synergistic effect of REO together with some antifungal compounds was also investigated. Fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) showed synergic effects of REO combined with amphotericin B. REO Lead a disruption in the cellular membrane integrity, consequently resulting in increased intracellular leakage of the macromolecules, thus confirming that the plasma membrane is a target of the mode of action of REO against C. albicans and C. tropicalis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Essential oils have been used since ancient times and are known for their anti-inflammatory, anti-depressive, antiseptic, antifungal and antimicrobial properties. Methodology: in this study the antimicrobial activity of two essential oils from Melaleuca alternifolia and Thymus vulgaris-red thyme geraniol was tested against 16 multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa strains from infected hip implants as well as the "in vitro" cytotoxic activity on normal human Wong-Kilbourne derivative (WKD) cells. Results: Thymus vulgaris-red thyme geraniol showed lower antimicrobial activity when compared to Melaleuca alternifolia. All tested oils were cytotoxic at concentrations lower than 0.12%. Conclusion: Increase in drug resistance and lack of new antibiotics may encourage the development of natural treatments together with higher concern on environmental issues and natural lifestyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to define a chemical, mineralogical and strontium isotope database for clayey materials collected along the Nile River banks (White Nile, Blue Nile, Atbara and Main Nile Rivers) in Sudan, to be use for prehistoric and historic pottery provenance studies. The approach here adopted consists in using the clayey materials tout court, without any pre-treatment, such as the depuration from the sand- and silt-sized fractions, in order to maintain unaltered the mineralogical and geochemical features of the natural resources possibly available also in ancient times for the pottery production, thus avoiding any possible preparation bias. Results indicate that sediments along different sections of the Nile River display characteristic geochemical and strontium isotopic signature, representing an important discrimination tool applied to ancient ceramics provenance and human mobility studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the in vitro antimicrobial activity of a new commercial ophthalmic solution containing povidone‐iodine 0.6% (IODIM®). Methods: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, three ocular bacterial isolates (1 S. epidermidis, 1 S. aureus, 1 P. aeruginosa) and five Candida species were used. The bacterial and fungal isolates were cultured on Columbia blood agar base plates and Sabouraud‐dextrose agar plates, respectively and incubated overnight at 37°C. Bacterial and fungal suspensions in sterile saline solution were prepared to an optical density equal to 0.5 McFarland standard (approximately 108CFU/ml). Suspensions of the isolates were made in IODIM® solution to obtain a final concentration of 106CFU/ml. The suspensions were then distributed in conical tubes in a final volume of 1 ml and incubated at 37°C. At different time‐points (1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 min and 24 hr), 10 μl of each suspension was removed, seeded on Columbia blood agar base and Sabouraud‐dextrose agar plates and then incubated for 24 hr at 37°C. Positive and negative controls were included in all experiments. Results: After 5‐min incubation, there was no bacterial growth on any plate. Conversely, IODIM® failed to kill the Candida isolates after 30 min' exposure and needed 24 hr to eradicate the organisms. Conclusion: IODIM® ophthalmic solution showed in vitro antimicrobial activity against S. epidermidis, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and Candida species. Results suggest that it may be a potential candidate for the treatment of ocular surface infections and antimicrobial prophylaxis before intravitreal injections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Infectious endophthalmitis is among the most serious complications of cataract surgery. Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are responsible for less than 30% of cases; however, their rapidity of infection and virulence often results in poor visual outcome despite prompt antibiotic treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate an outbreak of post-cataract surgery P. aeruginosa endophthalmitis in India. Design: Hospital-based case series. Participants: Twenty patients with acute postoperative endophthalmitis who underwent cataract surgery at one of the peripheral centers of Joseph Eye Hospital, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, India, from February 23 to April 2, 2008. Interventions: Vitreous aspirates and environmental surveillance specimens were inoculated for culture. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by agar diffusion method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC) primers (ERIC-PCR) was used to establish the clonal relationship between clinical and environmental isolates. Main Outcome Measures: Post-cataract surgery P. aeruginosa endophthalmitis. Results: Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from 20 eyes with postoperative endophthalmitis, the phacoemulsifier''s internal tubes, the povidone-iodine solution, and the operating theater air-conditioning system. All strains were multidrug-resistant to cefazolin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, aminoglycosides, and fluoroquinolones; conversely, most of them were susceptible to polymyxin B. Polymerase chain reaction with enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus primers disclosed 2 major clusters: six genetically identical clinical isolates shared 94% of similarity with the air-conditioning isolate; 11 other clinical isolates had 88% of similarity with the former strain. Despite the prompt use of intravitreal antibiotics, 10 patients had evisceration or phthisis of the affected eye. Conclusions: The outcome of cataract surgery-related P. aeruginosa endophthalmitis is poor. The detection of multidrug-resistant isolates is a serious problem, jeopardizing an appropriate choice of treatment. Polymerase chain reaction with enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus results strongly suggest that the main source of infection in this outbreak was the contaminated air-conditioning system. Polymerase chain reaction with enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus is an inexpensive, fast, reproducible, and discriminatory DNA typing tool for effective epidemiologic surveillance of clinical and environmental isolates of P. aeruginosa. Financial Disclosure(s): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: A contribution to the knowledge of the economy and the environmental surroundings of the populations living along the Nile valley in three different periods. Materials and methods: This study reports stable isotope analyses on apatite bone samples of 139 humans, 48 mammals, and 43 fish from the Al Khiday archaeological sites in Sudan. The bones belong to four archaeological periods: pre-Mesolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, and Meroitic. Data were processed statistically. Results: A significant difference exists between the pre-Mesolithic and Mesolithic mean δ18Ow value and the mean of the modern Nile. The mean δd18Ow values for the Neolithic humans and bovids are very similar (+11.5‰ ±4 ‰, and -2 ‰, respectively) and more positive than the mean values of Mesolithic mammals and Pre-Mesolithic humans. The water ingested by Meroitic humans (+7 ‰ ±2.5 ‰) is enriched in 18O in respect to the water ingested by the Neolithic population. There is a separation in the δ13Cdiet values between the pre-Mesolithic humans (-14 ‰ ±1 ‰) and Mesolithic mammals (-12 ± ‰2 ‰) group and the Neolithic humans (-18 ‰ ± 1 ‰), Meroitic humans (-19‰ +1 ‰), Neolithic mammals (=21 ‰), and the modern (mean δ13Cdiet = -19 ‰ ± 2‰) mammal group. Discussion: The climate became warmer and more arid from the pre-Mesolithic/Mesolithic to the Meroitic period. The environmental conditions influenced the strategies of subsistence and, in particular, the changes occurring from the pre-Mesolithic to the Neolithic can be considered contemporaneous to the transition from hunting-gathering-fishing to cultivation-herding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Two medicinal plants, Ambrosia maritima and Bituminaria bituminosa, growing in Algeria were investigated for their flavonoids content and their biological activities. Methodology: Different organic extracts were prepared from the aerial parts of each plant using maceration method followed by liquid/liquid type extractions. The anti-antioxidant activity was tested using the ß-carotene bleaching method. The anti-inflammatory activity was tested by performing the protein anti-denaturation assay. Acute toxicity and immunostimulatory effect were tested in mice, while the antimicrobial activity was tested according to the minimal inhibition concentration technique. Results: In term of flavonoids content, ethyl acetate extract of B. bituminosa was the highest (193.39 ± 24.1 µg QE/mg). Ethyl acetate extract of A. maritima showed antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 11.72 ± 0.79 µg/mL. The hydroethanolic extract of A. maritima showed the best anti-denaturation effect in a dose-dependent manner with the IC50 value of 131.07 ± 0.027 µg/mL. The studied plants showed no toxicity or mortality in vivo. Both plants showed a significant immunostimulatory effect; while the Butanolic extract of B. bituminosa demonstrated the best antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans strains. Conclusions: We recommend A. maritima and B. bituminosa as potent sources of antioxidants and as antimicrobial agents for further assays to better elucidate their actions on the immune system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Histological analysis is widely applied to archaeological and fossil bones in order to identify diagenetic changes in bone microstructure. Diagenetic processes, affecting bones from the body deposition to the discovery, strongly depend on environmental conditions; therefore the study of diagenetic alterations provides valuable information on the taphonomic history of bones and on their burial environment. Histological analysis was performed on 58 samples of human compact bone found at Al Khiday (Khartoum, Sudan), a multi-stratified archaeological site that revealed a cemetery with distinct burial phases dating from the Early Holocene to the II century AD. The well-defined archaeological context provides a set of bone samples belonging to the same site but buried in different phases and under different environmental conditions: Central Sudan was characterised by a humid environment with seasonal swamps and palaeo-lakes in the Early Holocene, while in the II century AD the environmental conditions were more similar to the current arid climate of the Sub-Saharan belt. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution X-ray computed micro-tomography (μ-CT) analysis revealed extensive bacterial and fungal attack, and secondary phases precipitation and dissolution in the samples. The analysis of textural relationships between each diagenetic feature enabled to establish a relative chronological sequence of events acting during burial. Moreover, different patterns of diagenetic alterations were observed for burial phases of different ages, proving a strong relationship between diagenesis and environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Khartoum is one of the largest cities in Africa, located immediately south of the junction of the Blue and White Nile rivers in central Sudan. The growth of the Greater Khartoum-Omdurman conurbation arose – without a proper urban plan – from the agricultural wealth created through the completion of three dams, and mostly in the last three decades. Urban expansion was enabled by and helped to enhance the major agricultural expansion of the Gezira clay plains located to the south between the lower Blue and White Nile rivers. The region has been a focus of human settlement for at least 8,000 years, initially by semi-sedentary groups with a fishing-hunting-gathering lifestyle and later by Neolithic groups as shown by hundreds of archaeological sites. Today, Khartoum is a desert city, still very vulnerable to floods triggered by intense convectional storms. Such extreme events may become more common in future, representing a major geomorphological hazard. Moreover, uncontrolled urban and agricultural development is threatening most of the cultural heritage of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Khartoum is one of the largest cities in Africa, located immediately south of the junction of the Blue and White Nile rivers in central Sudan. The growth of the Greater Khartoum-Omdurman conurbation arose – without a proper urban plan – from the agricultural wealth created through the completion of three dams, and mostly in the last three decades. Urban expansion was enabled by and helped to enhance the major agricultural expansion of the Gezira clay plains located to the south between the lower Blue and White Nile rivers. The region has been a focus of human settlement for at least 8,000 years, initially by semi-sedentary groups with a fishing-hunting-gathering lifestyle and later by Neolithic groups as shown by hundreds of archaeological sites. Today, Khartoum is a desert city, still very vulnerable to floods triggered by intense convectional storms. Such extreme events may become more common in future, representing a major geomorphological hazard. Moreover, uncontrolled urban and agricultural development is threatening most of the cultural heritage of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bones and teeth from archaeological records are direct evidence of past individuals and they represent valuable archives for palaeo-anthropological and palaeoenvironmental studies. However, pristine information may be obliterated by the diagenetic alteration of bone specimens. Thus, defining in detail their preservation state is fundamental to assess the potential of extracting information about the past life of the individual, as well as to investigate the palaeo-environment at the burial site. For this reason, we have selected a set of archaeological samples (petrous bones and tooth roots) of different origin and chronology that have experienced diverse environmental and burial conditions, from arid and semi-arid to temperate regions in a time span from prehistoric to fresh bones. Thus, the selected samples underwent a variety of diagenetic processes, resulting in different types and extent of alteration patterns. Here we have applied a minimally-invasive sampling strategy and an analytical protocol based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in order to ensure the investigation of a statistically significant set of samples. We provide a method to describe and quantify the changes in the physico-chemical properties of both the organic and inorganic constituents of bones, by establishing a set of parameters calculated from the FTIR spectra and evaluating their sensitivity in describing the alteration types and extent in bone specimens. Through FTIR spectral analysis, we have defined the most suitable parameters to effectively describe the alteration degree of bone specimens. Notably, the results have shown that, despite the complexity of multifactorial diagenetic processes, their measurable effects on differently altered bones can be described by a common mechanism. This indicates a progressive loss of collagen which is paralleled to the recrystallization of bioapatite and the loss of structural carbonate, regardless of the origin and chronology of the specimens. Thus, here we propose an FTIR-based model for bone diagenesis of general validity, highlighting that distinct diagenetic processes affecting the archaeological bones have acted according to common alteration mechanisms. • Bone diagenetic alterations were analysed on a large and diversified set of samples. • An alternative and minimally destructive sampling method was applied for FTIR analysis. • Suitable FTIR parameters were defined to effectively describe the diagenetic alterations. • Diagenesis affects bones at different extent through common alteration mechanisms. • We propose an FTIR-based model for bone diagenesis of general validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The present study aimed to determine the chemical compositions and bioactivities of the essential oil of Atalantia sessiflora Guillaumin (A. sessiflora), including antibacterial, antimycotic, antitrichomonas, anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects. Methodology: The essential oil from leaves of A. sessiflora was extracted by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus. Chemical compositions of oil were identified by GC/MS. Antimicrobial and antitrichomonas activity were determined by the microdilution method; antiinflammatory and antiviral were determined by the MTT method. Results: The average yield of oil was 0.46 ± 0.01% (v/w, dry leaves). A number of 45 constituents were identified by GC/MS. The essential oil comprised four main components. The oil showed antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive strains as Staphylococcus; Gram-negative bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli; and finally four Candida species. Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were least susceptible to the oil of A. sessiflora, as seen in their MIC and MLC values over 16% (v/v). Activity against Trichomonas vaginalis was also undertaken, showing IC50, IC90 and MLC values of 0.016, 0.03 and 0.06% (v/v) respectively, after 48 hours of incubation. The oil of A. sessiflora displayed activity against the nitric oxide generation with the IC50 of 95.94 ± 6.18 µg/mL. The oil was completely ineffective against tested viruses, ssRNA+, ssRNA-, dsRNA, and dsDNA viruses. Conclusions: This is the first yet comprehensive scientific report about the chemical compositions and pharmacological properties of the essential oil of A. sessiflora. Further studies should be done to evaluate the safety and toxicity of A. sessiflora oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aims at defining through a retrospective evaluation, the clinical parameters affecting the clinical course and consequently the management of patients presenting with cervicofacial abscesses. Methodology: A total of 394 patients diagnosed with abscess at the University of Sassari Otorhinolaryngology Division between 2009 and 2017 were included; among these, eleven patients were diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis. Personal and clinical parameters including the LRINEC score and the medical and/or surgical treatment used were analyzed for each patient. The most frequently affected site was the peritonsillar space (76.9%), followed by the parapharyngeal space. Results: Mean age was 41(±17) years, the male population was slightly overrepresented (68%). An average of 6 (±7) days of hospitalization duration was recorded. The mortality rate was confirmed to be relatively low (1/349 patients) and was reported only in one patient diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis (1/11). Conclusion: Diagnosis, correct clinical definition and early medical-surgical treatment of neck abscesses were crucial to reduce complications; LRNEC score, C-reactive protein, glycemia and creatininemia proved to be reliable prognostic indicators of difficult patient management and risk of complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Furthermore, a high percentage of patients (approximately 76%) underwent surgery for prosthesis debridement or replacement together with antimicrobial therapy; they represent the same patients who achieved the primary or secondary outcome. 04*** ht 4 Group A: patients receiving a two-dose regimen of dalbavancin; Group B: patients receiving other drugs combination. /> ht 1 Group A: patients receiving a two-dose regimen of dalbavancin; Group B: patients receiving other drugs combination. [Extracted from the article]

The research and the selection of novel probiotic strains from novel niches are receiving increased attention on their proclaimed health benefits to both humans and animals. This study aimed to evaluate the functional properties of Weissella strains from arid land living-hosts and to select strains with cholesterol-lowering property in vitro and in vivo, for use as probiotics. They were assessed for acid and bile tolerance, antibiotic susceptibility, membrane properties, antibacterial activity, antiadhesive effect against pathogens to host cell lines, and cholesterol assimilation in vitro. Our results showed that the majority of strains revealed resistance to gastrointestinal conditions. All the strains were nonhemolytic and sensitive to most of the tested antibiotics. They also exhibited high rates of autoaggregation and some of them showed high coaggregation with selected pathogens and high adhesion ability to two different cell lines (Caco-2 and MIM/PPk). Particularly, W. halotolerans F99, from camel feces, presented a broad antibacterial spectrum against pathogens, reduced Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli adhesion to Caco-2 cells, and was found to reduce, in vitro, the cholesterol level by 49 %. Moreover, W. halotolerans F99 was evaluated for the carbohydrate utilization as well as the serum lipid metabolism effect in Wistar rats fed a high-cholesterol diet. W. halotolerans F99 showed an interesting growth on different plant-derivative oligosaccharides as sole carbon sources. Compared with rats fed a high-fat (HF) diet without Weissella administration, total serum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides levels were significantly (p<0.001) reduced in W. halotolerans F99-treated HF rats, with no significant change in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol HDL-C levels. On the basis of these results, this is the first study to report that W. halotolerans F99, from camel feces, can be developed as cholesterol-reducing probiotic strain. Further studies may reveal their potential and possible biotechnological and probiotic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcic soil horizons are common in arid and semi-arid lands and represent the result of the progressive accumulation of calcium carbonate in the soil profile over time. This process leads to the occurrence of several pedogenic phases of calcium carbonate dissolution/precipitation. For this reason, timing the formation and development of calcic horizons through radiometric dating is not straightforward as time-averaging effects, due to the superimposition of the same process over time, occur. On this basis, this study aims to define the timing and dynamics of formation and development of pedogenic calcium carbonate concretions from semi-arid Central Sudan, highlighting the relevance of a multi-disciplinary approach and the effectiveness of radiocarbon dating (coupled to an accurate sampling strategy) applied to pedogenic carbonates. Calcic soil horizons (Bk) were sampled during the archaeological excavation of site 16-D-4 at Al Khiday (Central Sudan) and studied by optical, cathodoluminescence and scanning electron microscopy, as well as by chemical-physical and stable isotopes (C and O) analyses. Micromorphological analyses reveal the occurrence of distinctive calcitic pedofeatures, here described as calcitic-cemented nodules and calcitic-rich matrix. Radiocarbon ages obtained for these pedofeatures mostly refer to the Early Holocene for calcitic-cemented nodules (11.5, 9.9 and 9.6 cal. ka) and to the Middle Holocene for powdery calcitic-rich matrix (7.9, 7.7, 6.3 and 6.1 cal. ka) samples. Additionally, δ 13 C and δ 18 O values indicate major shifts of environmental conditions from the Early to the Middle Holocene, in agreement with the available information from detailed palaeoenvironmental studies carried out in the region. In particular, Early Holocene pedogenic calcitic features can be related to short arid phases during general wetter climate conditions, whereas those formed in the Middle Holocene can be related to short humid phases. Results show that Bk horizons were characterized by alternate periods of calcite accumulation (precipitation) and dissolution, and periods of quiescence or extremely slow growth rates. Thus, the formation and development of Bk horizons have been a long-lasting process significantly influenced by climatic fluctuations. This study represents a further step in the comprehension of the development of calcium carbonate concretions and (at a wider perspective) calcrete; the paper also contributes to the definition of a reliable method to radiometrically date the formation of calcic pedofeatures. On a broader perspective, this work may offer a significant tool for archaeometric studies, where the interaction between secondary calcite and archaeological material is significant (e.g., radiocarbon dating of bioapatite in bones), and palaeoenvironmental studies in arid lands, where Bk horizon development is a function of past rainfall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amphiphilic chitosans have been recently proposed to improve delivery of poorly soluble drugs. In the present paper a derivative obtained by ionic interaction between chitosan and oleic acid was for the first time studied to physically stabilize o/w nanoemulsions of an antimicrobial essential oil, Cymbopogon citratus (Lemongrass), in a low energy and mild conditions emulsification process. The novel combination of spontaneous emulsification process with chitosan oleate amphiphilic properties resulted in a stable dispersion of a few hundred nanometer droplets. Positive zeta potential confirmed the presence of a chitosan shell around the oil droplets, which is responsible for the nanoemulsion physical stabilization and for the maintenance of chitosan bioactive properties, such as mucoadhesion. Cytotoxicity test was performed on four different cell lines (HEp-2, Caco-2, WKD and McCoy cells) showing biocompatibility of the system. The maintenance and in some cases even a clear improvement in the essential oil antimicrobial activity towards nine bacterial and ten fungal strains, all of clinical relevance was verified for Lemongrass nanoemulsion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study the diagenetic pathways of archaeological human bones are investigated through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflection mode (ATR-FTIR). Archaeological excavations at Al Khiday (16-D-4 site, Khartoum, Sudan) revealed a multi-stratified cemetery with distinct burial phases, chronologically attributed to different periods spanning from the Early Holocene to the beginning of the 1st millennium CE. ATR-FTIR measurements are carried out on a set of 56 bone samples, representative of each burial phase. Parameters related to collagen content and to bioapatite crystallinity and structural carbonate are calculated from infrared spectra in order to monitor the types and extent of diagenetic alteration, to assess the preservation state of bones and to define the alteration processes occurring during burial. A new method is here developed to quantify the amount of secondary calcite and to remove its contribution to the infrared spectrum, when interfering with the signal of structural carbonate from bioapatite. Considering the wide span of time covered by the archaeological record, the variability of bones alteration among burial phases is related to the climatic changes occurring in central Sudan during the Holocene. The more humid environment occurring in the Early Holocene, characterised by higher precipitation rates, seasonal swamps and palaeo-lakes, progressively changed towards drier conditions until the current arid climate of the Sub-Saharan belt. The change of palaeoenvironmental and local burial conditions over time differently influenced the types and extent of diagenetic processes affecting bones during burial. In this research are also discussed advantages and disadvantages of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy with respect to the more established FTIR spectroscopy in transmission mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the introduction of domesticated crops in Sudan. Substantial early evidence of the cereals wheat and barley has, until recently, been mainly restricted to the post-Neolithic, third millennium BC pre-Kerma site on Sai Island, and prehistoric finds in general are scarce. Interestingly, an analysis of phytoliths from plant depositions within burials and phytoliths and starch from dental calculus from the Nubian Middle Neolithic cemetery R12 and the Early Neolithic cemetery of Ghaba in Central Sudan has recently set back the date of domesticated cereal introduction in Sudan and Egypt by 500 years to around 7000 years ago. This paper presents new plant identifications from R12 and Ghaba that confirm the earlier data and give new information on the use of plants in burial contexts, including indications of processing of panicoid grasses at Ghaba. In addition, the paper presents an overview of the archaeobotanical data from Mesolithic and Neolithic Sudan and provides information about grass exploitation of mid-Holocene Egyptian sites that enables further interpretation of the R12 and Ghaba data. The grave goods from R12 and Ghaba, supported by comparable finds from other sites, show that the commonly attested mid-Holocene cemeteries offer a valuable archive that can substantially improve the understanding of the importance of both wild and domesticated plants in Sudan at the time of Neolithisation. In addition, the unexpected early presence of the domesticated cereals wheat and barley in Nubia, supported by finds from later periods, raises the hypothesis that cereal cultivation was practiced in this region from at least the Middle Neolithic onwards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) dating, like luminescence techniques, is based on the time-dependent accumulation of trapped charges at mineral defect centres. However, Fe(III) ions prevent the common Continuous Wave (CW-EPR) approach for dating pottery, which always contains iron. The Pulsed method (ED-EPR) allowed this limitation to be overcome, with recording of radiation-induced defect signals, as shown by increased signal intensity after artificial irradiation of samples. The method was applied to studying Mesolithic and Neolithic pottery from Al Khiday (Central Sudan), characterized by quartz-rich tempers and coming from dated contexts. As the occurrence of a natural ED-EPR signal was found to be related to the quartz grain size of the temper, a petrographic study was carried out. This first attempt at age determination of pottery by ED-EPR meant that experimental conditions and important parameters could be taken into account in developing a new dating procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of plant exploitation and early use of cereals in Africa has seen over the years a great input from charred and desiccated macrobotanical remains. This paper presents the results of one of the few examples in Africa of microbotanical analyses. Three grave contexts of phytolith-rich deposits and the dental calculus of 20 individuals were analysed from two Neolithic cemeteries in North and Central Sudan. The radiocarbon-dated phytoliths from the burial samples show the presence of Near East domestic cereals in Northern Sudan at least 7000 years ago. Phytoliths also indicate the exploitation of wild, savannah-adapted millets in Central Sudan between 7500 and 6500 years ago. The calculus samples contained starch grains from wheat/barley, pulses and millets, as well as panicoid phytoliths. This evidence shows that Near East domestic cereals were consumed in Northern Africa at least 500 years earlier than previously thought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is the etiological agent of Johne''s disease (JD), a chronic gastroenteritis of ruminants and other animals, including primates. Many evidences suggested association of MAP to Crohn''s disease, a chronic granulomatous gastrointestinal disease of humans with strong similarities with JD. The present study attempts to evaluate global gene regulation in MAP, which has not been addressed previously, despite the availability of MAP genome sequence. For this purpose, we investigated: (i) the presence of sigma factors and their relationship to sigma factors of other mycobacteria (M. avium subsp. avium, M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. leprae and M. smegmatis), and (ii) their expression during different growth conditions and in vitro infection of intestinal epithelial Caco2 cells. MAP genome contains 19 putative sigma factor, but only 12 belong to gene families common to other mycobacteria. Gene expression was evaluated with Real-Time PCR during growth in 7H9 medium and mycobactin J, in 7H9 medium plus mycobactin J and lisozyme, and during infection of Caco2 cells: very different expression patterns were observed and, on the whole, only 7 sigma factors were found to be expressed. sigJ was upregulated during the infection of Caco2 cells. Even if only few sigma factors were expressed in the three conditions tested, the overall high numbers of MAP sigma factors suggests a noteworthy flexibility of this pathogen. Thus, this first report on expression of MAP sigma factors opens the way to an extensive characterization of global gene regulation, as a key to understand strategies of survival and mechanisms of infections used by this organism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Many chronological and cultural facets of Early and Middle Holocene Prehistoric Oman are still unclear. Archaeological excavations of settlements and cemeteries are adding new data to the reconstruction of a chronological and cultural framework. Wadi Shab-GAS1 is a Middle Holocene site found at the beginning of the 1980s and later destroyed by urbanisation. It is located in a rich environmental niche, on a cliff facing the sea and near a permanent freshwater source. Three years of fieldwork at this site brought to light structural remains, a cemetery and interesting material culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: ObjectiveWe report the first case of bilateral contact lens–related Aeromonas caviae keratitis associated with A. caviae contamination of the contact lens case. The presence of virulence factors produced by Aeromonas species was also investigated.: DesignCase report.: Intervention and testingConjunctival swabs and corneal scrapings from both eyes were inoculated for culture. The contact lens case was also cultured. The isolate was analyzed for the presence of virulence properties, such as gelatinase and protease production. The presence of virulence genes, such as the cytolytic enterotoxin (AHCYTOEN) and type IV Aeromonas pilus (tap) genes, was investigated using polymerase chain reaction. The susceptibility of A. caviae to 6 commercial contact lens disinfecting solutions was tested.: Main outcome measuresCulture results, protease activity, and gelatinase production were analyzed. Polymerase chain reaction amplification products were visualized in ethidium bromide–stained agarose gel. Bacterial growth after exposure to contact lens disinfecting solutions was assessed.: ResultsAeromonas caviae was grown bilaterally from the conjunctiva, cornea, and contact lens case. The organism showed protease and gelatinase production. Polymerase chain reaction amplification revealed that the A. caviae strain contained the AHCYTOEN and tap virulence genes. Incubation for the minimum recommended time with all tested disinfecting solutions was effective in killing A. caviae.: ConclusionsAeromonas caviae should be considered a possible etiologic agent of contact lens–associated keratitis. The presence of virulence factors may be important in determining corneal infection. Commercial contact lens disinfecting solutions, along with proper lens case hygiene, may be effective in preventing A. caviae keratitis in soft contact lens wearers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The study of the alteration process, and in particular of secondary phases precipitated in pottery after its production, can constrain the post-depositional environments or the type of use of the pottery. Detailed study of secondary phases can be done using different approaches, based on microscopic, microstructural and microchemical analyses, as well as mineralogical methods. In the present study are reported the results of the application of punctual mineralogical analysis by synchrotron through-the-substrate microdiffraction (tts-μXRD) to analyse secondary phases precipitated in ancient pottery (Bronze Age pottery form Frattesina in Italy and Mesolithic pottery form Al Khiday in Sudan). Although the chemical composition of these secondary phases in many cases almost matches with the stoichiometric composition of a known mineral, only some of them were actually true mineral phases (i.e. with crystallinity and therefore showing diffraction peaks), while others were amorphous. Some phases, the occurrence of which was previously attested only on the basis of their chemical composition (determined by scanning electron microscope or the electron microprobe analysis), were univocally identified as true vivianite (Fe3(PO4)2·8H2O) and crandallite (CaAl3(PO4)2(OH)5·H2O) minerals. Part of the phases detected in studied pottery, the chemical composition of which was consistent with specific mineral phases, were instead amorphous. The synchrotron through-the-substrate microdiffraction (tts-μXRD), therefore, represents a valid method for properly determine the mineralogical nature of secondary phases in pottery, as well as other small-sized and rare mineral phases occurring in polycrystalline materials of archaeological interest, such as pottery, mortars, painting and glassy materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]