Marcello Manfredi

Development of a technique based on multi-spectral imaging for monitoring the conservation of cultural heritage objects

A new approach for monitoring the state of conservation of cultural heritage objects surfaces is being developed. The technique utilizes multi-spectral imaging, multivariate analysis and statistical process control theory for the automatic detection of a possible deterioration process, its localization and identification, and the wavelengths most sensitive to detecting this before the human eye can detect the damage or potential degradation changes occur. A series of virtual degradation analyses were performed on images of parchment in order to test the proposed algorithm in controlled conditions. The spectral image of a Dead Sea Scroll (DSS) parchment, IAA (Israel Antiquities Authority) inventory plate # 279, 4Q501 Apocryphal Lamentations B, taken during the 2008 Pilot of the DSS Digitization Project, was chosen for the simulation.

Dynamic reorganization of photosystem II supercomplexes in response to variations in light intensities

Plants are sessile organisms and need to acclimate to ever-changing light conditions in order to survive. These changes trigger a dynamic reorganization of the membrane protein complexes in the thylakoid membranes. Photosystem II (PSII) and its light harvesting system (LHCII) are the major target of this acclimation response, and accumulating evidences indicate that the amount and composition of PSII-LHCII supercomplexes in thylakoids are dynamically adjusted in response to changes in light intensity and quality. In this study, we characterized the PSII-LHCII supercomplexes in thylakoid membranes of pea plants in response to long-term acclimation to different light intensities. We provide evidence of a reorganization of the PSII-LHCII supercomplexes showing distinct changes in their antenna moiety. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed a specific reduction of Lhcb3, Lhcb6 and M-LHCII trimers bound to the PSII cores, while the Lhcb4.3 isoform increased in response to high light intensities. The modulation of Lhcb protein content correlates with the reduction of the functional PSII antenna size. These results suggest that the Lhcb3, Lhcb4.3 and Lhcb6 antenna subunits are major players in modulation of the PSII antenna size upon long-term acclimation to increased light levels. PsbS was not detected in the isolated PSII-LHCII supercomplexes at any light condition, despite an increased accumulation in thylakoids of high light acclimated plants, suggesting that PsbS is not a constitutive component of PSII-LHCII supercomplexes.

Portable diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) technique for the non-invasive identification of canvas ground: IR spectra reference collection

The method for preparing paintings varies from artist to artist. The non-destructive investigation of the preparation used to make a canvas is very important both for restoration and authentication purposes. A portable diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) method for the non-invasive characterization of grounds in paintings is presented: with this method there is no need to sample or touch the artworks and the analysis can be performed directly on site. Sixteen of the most important canvas grounds used since the XIV to the XX century were prepared following the ancient recipes: they include grounds from Vasari, Caravaggio, and De Chirico. The grounds were analyzed by DRIFT spectroscopy and a reference spectral collection was built. The DRIFT method was then performed on the ground of a painting of Moncalvo: the infrared analysis was able to identify the ground composition. The portable DRIFT method can be applied as a non-invasive diagnostic tool in the cultural heritage field: useful information can be provided to conservators and art historians.

The secretome signature of malignant mesothelioma cell lines

UNLABELLED The secretome is the complex set of molecules secreted by cells; these molecules play a key role in cell signaling, communication and migration. Secretomics has been already used to discover new potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic agents and to elucidate key autocrine pathways. Malignant mesothelioma (MMe), an extremely aggressive tumor, is characterized by a long latency period (20-30years), a poor prognosis, and limited effective therapies. MMe has a highly secretory cell type, and the factors released by cells may act in an autocrine or paracrine fashion on tumor and stroma, where they may modulate the extracellular environment. The aim of this work is to characterize the secretome of two MMe cell lines, MM98 and REN, in comparison with a mesothelial cell line Met5A, in order to evaluate differences and similarities of these two different MMe cancer model systems, and to identify potential biomarkers. We performed quantitative shotgun proteomics using SWATH-MS technology and we identified a total of 421 proteins, 112 expressed in the secretome of REN cells, 208 expressed in the secretome of MM98 cells and 189 secreted by mesothelial cells; 25 proteins are shared by the two mesothelioma cell lines. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE This study characterizes the secretome signature of the REN and MM98 cell lines, confirming the availability of a cell-culture based model in order to describe the cell-specific properties, and to provide a list of putative cancer biomarkers. This work constitutes the first qualitative and quantitative proteomic approach performed on MMe secretome. Moreover, since the data were acquired in SWATH-MS acquisition mode, they can be successively re-mined without performing a new analysis of the sample, which is extremely useful for retrospective analyses. The overall aim was to identify novel tumor-derived protein biomarkers with the potential to be applied for early diagnosis, prognosis, therapy prediction and/or disease monitoring of MMe.

A New Quantitative Method for the Non-Invasive Documentation of Morphological Damage in Paintings Using RTI Surface Normals

In this paper we propose a reliable surface imaging method for the non-invasive detection of morphological changes in paintings. Usually, the evaluation and quantification of changes and defects results mostly from an optical and subjective assessment, through the comparison of the previous and subsequent state of conservation and by means of condition reports. Using quantitative Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) we obtain detailed information on the geometry and morphology of the painting surface with a fast, precise and non-invasive method. Accurate and quantitative measurements of deterioration were acquired after the painting experienced artificial damage. Morphological changes were documented using normal vector images while the intensity map succeeded in highlighting, quantifying and describing the physical changes. We estimate that the technique can detect a morphological damage slightly smaller than 0.3 mm, which would be difficult to detect with the eye, considering the painting size. This non-invasive tool could be very useful, for example, to examine paintings and artwork before they travel on loan or during a restoration. The method lends itself to automated analysis of large images and datasets. Quantitative RTI thus eases the transition of extending human vision into the realm of measuring change over time.

Cell autonomous and noncell-autonomous role of NF-κB p50 in astrocyte-mediated fate specification of adult neural progenitor cells

In previous work, we demonstrated that NF‐κB p50 acts as crucial regulator of adult hippocampal neural progenitor cells (ahNPC). Indeed, NF‐κB p50 knockout (KO) mice are characterized by remarkably reduced hippocampal neurogenesis. As a follow up to that work, herein we show that when cultured in vitro, ahNPC from wild type (WT) and p50KO mice are not significantly different in their neurogenic potential. This observation prompted us to investigate cell‐autonomous and noncell‐autonomous consequences of p50 absence on neuronal fate specification of ahNPC. In particular, we focused our attention on astrocytes, known to provide soluble proneurogenic signals, and investigated the influence of WT and p50KO astrocyte conditioned media (ACM) on WT and p50KO ahNPC differentiation. Interestingly, while WT ACM promoted both neuronal and astroglial differentiations, p50KO ACM only supported astroglial differentiation of WT ahNPC. By using a LC–MS/MS approach, we identified some proteins, which are significantly upregulated in p50KO compared with WT astrocytes. Among them, lipocalin‐2 (LCN‐2) was recognized as a novel astroglial‐derived signal regulating neuronal fate specification of ahNPC. Interestingly, LCN‐2 proneurogenic effect was greatly reduced in p50KO NPC, where LCN‐2 receptor gene expression appeared downregulated. In addition to that, we demonstrated p50KO NPC unresponsiveness to both neuronal and astroglial fate specification signals from WT and p50KO ACM, and we identified a reduced expression of α2δ1, a thrombospondin‐1 receptor, as another phenotypic change occurring in ahNPC in the absence of p50. Altogether, our data suggest that dysregulated NPC‐astrocyte communication may contribute to a reduced hippocampal neurogenesis in p50KO mice in vivo. GLIA 2016 GLIA 2017;65:169–181

Determination of eight polyphenols and pantothenic acid in extra-virgin olive oil samples by a simple, fast, high-throughput and sensitive ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method

A new ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry method for a fast and sensitive determination of eight polyphenols (hydroxytyrosol, catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin gallate, oleuropein, quercetin, rutin, tyrosol) and panthotenic acid in extra-virgin olive oil was developed. The method does not require long sample pre-treatment and presents the lowest limit of detection and limit of quantitation values present in literature. Inter- and intra-day variability, linear dynamic range of the calibration curve, recovery and matrix effect were also determined and investigated. The method was applied to several oil samples of different type and origin. Given its accuracy, precision and rapidity, the method is characterized by an interestingly high throughput, reliability, and sensitivity.

Measuring changes in cultural heritage objects with Reflectance Transformation Imaging

Sites and objects of cultural heritage - from art to ancient inscriptions to ruins - are under constant attack by time and the environment. While much is known about how material components change from laboratory-based artificial aging, very little is known about the process or rates of change of actual objects and sites in situ. Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) is a quantitative method that captures surface normals. In our case, it provides detailed information on the geometry of the object surface. We show that RTI can be quantified for use as a method for measuring change in cultural heritage objects. The past decade has seen the rapid evolution and application of computational photography methods to document important works of human heritage, from art and architecture to archives and archaeology. The next logical step involves defining just how reproducible and precise these methods can be to use them to measure rates of change for important works of cultural heritage. The need is to move to calibrated, quantitative image datasets for reproducible imaging. We measure the precision of computed surface normals , which define the basic repeatability of RTI. Our results show that the average included solid angle for RTI sensitivity fitted to the Hemispherical Harmonics (HSH) polynomial function is 0.003 steradians (3 sigma), while the older Polynomial texture map (PTM) method is much less sensitive (0.5 steradians). The absolute sensitivity of the method is the minimum variation of the normal that can be statistically considered a change of the object. It is calculated considering the average value of the normal of each single pixel. The solid angle of the cone of variation represents the statistical limit (3 *σ). Analysis of multiple RTI data sets from objects that have changed between image capture sessions results in a map of change that can easily be evaluated by conservators.

Method for Noninvasive Analysis of Proteins and Small Molecules from Ancient Objects

Proteins and small molecules from ancient objects and cultural heritage can provide key information and contribute to study the context of objects and artists. However, all present-day protocols and strategies for the analysis of ancient samples are often invasive and require microsampling. Here, we present a new method for the noninvasive analysis of proteins and small molecules: the technique uses a special ethyl-vinyl acetate film functionalized with strong cation/anion exchange and C8 resins, for interacting with both proteins and small molecules present on the surface of the objects, followed by LC-MS/MS analysis. The new method was fully validated for the determination of both proteins and small molecules on several types of supports, showing excellent analytical performances such as, for example, R2 of the calibration curve of 0.98 and 0.99 for proteins and small molecules, low but very repeatable recoveries, particularly adequate for investigations on precious ancient samples that must not be altered by the analytical procedure. ESEM images and LED multispectral imaging confirmed that no damages or alterations occurred onto the support surfaces and no residues were left from the extractive film. Finally, the new method was applied for the characterization of the binders of a historical fresco of the XVI century from the Flemish painter Paul Brill and of a recently discovered fresco from Isidoro Bianchi (XVII century). Moreover the method was employed for the identification of the colorant used by Pietro Gallo (XIV century) on a wood panel. The method here reported can be easily applied to any other research on ancient precious objects and cultural heritage, since it does not require microsampling and the proteins/small molecules extraction can be performed directly in situ, leaving the object unchanged and intact.

The antioxidant uncoupling protein 2 stimulates hnRNPA2/B1, GLUT1 and PKM2 expression and sensitizes pancreas cancer cells to glycolysis inhibition

Several evidence indicate that metabolic alterations play a pivotal role in cancer development. Here, we report that the mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) sustains the metabolic shift from mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (mtOXPHOS) to glycolysis in pancreas cancer cells. Indeed, we show that UCP2 sensitizes pancreas cancer cells to the treatment with the glycolytic inhibitor 2-deoxy-D-glucose. Through a bidimensional electrophoresis analysis, we identify 19 protein species differentially expressed after treatment with the UCP2 inhibitor genipin and, by bioinformatic analyses, we show that these proteins are mainly involved in metabolic processes. In particular, we demonstrate that the antioxidant UCP2 induces the expression of hnRNPA2/B1, which is involved in the regulation of both GLUT1 and PKM2 mRNAs, and of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) increasing the secretion of L-lactic acid. We further demonstrate that the radical scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine reverts hnRNPA2/B1 and PKM2 inhibition by genipin indicating a role for reactive oxygen species in the metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells mediated by UCP2. We also observe an UCP2-dependent decrease in mtOXPHOS complex I (NADH dehydrogenase), complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase), complex V (ATPase) and in mitochondrial oxygen consumption, suggesting a role for UCP2 in the counteraction of pancreatic cancer cellular respiration. All these results reveal novel mechanisms through which UCP2 promotes cancer cell proliferation with the concomitant metabolic shift from mtOXPHOS to the glycolytic pathway.