Aerobiological monitoring and mapping of Ambrosia plants in the province of Parma (northern Italy, southern Po valley), a useful tool for targeted preventive measures.

BACKGROUND: Ambrosia is an annual anemophilous weed producing allergenic pollen affecting public health in European countries. In Italy, the most infested region is Lombardy where, in some areas, it is the major cause of hay fever. In the Parma district, until 2007, Ambrosia seemed to be very rare, despite an observed increase of Seasonal Pollen Index (SPI), of pollen peak value and of asthma among ragweed sensitized patients. The aims of this study were to calculate ragweed pollen season and trends from 1996 to 2015, to assess the relationships between pollen season characteristics and selected meteorological data, to map plants in the territory and to evaluate the presence of beetle Ophraella communa (Ophraella), known as an eater of Ambrosia leaves. METHODS: The following pollination parameters: start, end, duration, peak concentration date, peak values, SPI and the following climatic parameters: temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, were analyzed. The ragweed plants sites were mapped and the presence of Ophraella was assessed during naturalistic activities. RESULTS: Significant SPI and pollen peak value increase until 2011 were observed, but recently, 2012-2015 vs 2009-2011, a strong reduction (about 50%) of these parameters was observed. The spring average air temperature increased significantly. The results of the correlation analysis showed Ambrosia season characteristics significantly related. We identified the sites source of Ambrosia, even downtown at the confluence between Parma and Baganza rivers. Ophraella was observed for the first time in 2014. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed the spread of ragweed plants over the territory and the risk of allergy increase that ragweed could cause. It remains to evaluate the role of the Ophraella in the reduction of Ambrosia pollen concentration. It is important to consider the potential risk Ophraella may represent for sunflower and other taxonomically related crop plants and other native and exotic species. The lack of initiatives by the Health Authorities to prevent and to contrast the spread of Ambrosia in the Parma area could cause public health consequences and an increase in health expenditures.

A multidisciplinary approach to the study of cultural heritage environments: Experience at the Palatina Library in Parma.

The aim of this paper is to describe a multidisciplinary approach including biological and particle monitoring, and microclimate analysis associated with the application of the Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD). This approach was applied at the Palatina historical library in Parma. Monitoring was performed both in July and in December, in the absence of visitors and operators. Air microbial monitoring was performed with active and passive methods. Airborne particles with a diameter of ≥0.3, ≥0.5, ≥1 and ≥5 µm/m3, were counted by a laser particle counter. The surface contamination of shelves and manuscripts was assessed with nitrocellulose membranes. A spore trap sampler was used to identify both viable and non-viable fungal spores by optical microscope. Microbiological contaminants were analyzed through cultural and molecular biology techniques. Microclimatic parameters were also recorded. An infrared thermal camera provided information on the surface temperature of the different building materials, objects and components. Transient simulation models, for coupled heat and mass-moisture transfer, taking into account archivist and general public movements, combined with the related sensible and latent heat released into the environment, were carried out applying the CFD-FE (Finite Elements) method. Simulations of particle tracing were carried out. A wide variability in environmental microbial contamination, both for air and surfaces, was observed. Cladosporium spp., Alternaria spp., Aspergillus spp., and Penicillium spp. were the most frequently found microfungi. Bacteria such as Streptomyces spp., Bacillus spp., Sphingomonas spp., and Pseudoclavibacter as well as unculturable colonies were characterized by molecular investigation. CFD simulation results obtained were consistent with the experimental data on microclimatic conditions. The tracing and distribution of particles showed the different slice planes of diffusion mostly influenced by the convective airflow. This interdisciplinary research represents a contribution towards the definition of standardized methods for assessing the biological and microclimatic quality of indoor cultural heritage environments.

Microbial air monitoring in operating theatres: experience at the University Hospital of Parma.

BACKGROUND: Microbial air monitoring in operating theatres has been a subject of interest and debate. No generally accepted sampling methods and threshold values are available. AIM: To assess microbial air contamination in empty and working conventionally ventilated operating theatres over a three-year period at the University Hospital of Parma, Italy. METHODS: Air sampling was performed in 29 operating theatres. Both active and passive sampling methods were used to assess bacterial and fungal contamination. FINDINGS: In empty theatres, median bacterial values of 12 colony-forming units (cfu)/m(3) [interquartile range (IQR) 4-32] and 1 index of microbial air contamination (IMA) (IQR 0-3) were recorded. In working theatres, these values increased significantly (P < 0.001) to 80 cfu/m(3) (IQR 42-176) and 7 IMA (IQR 4-13). Maximum recorded values were 166 cfu/m(3) and 8 IMA for empty theatres, and 798 cfu/m(3) and 42 IMA for working theatres. Combining active and passive samplings, fungi were isolated in 39.13% of samples collected in empty theatres and 56.95% of samples collected in working theatres. Over the three-year study period, bacterial contamination decreased in both empty and working theatres, and the percentage of samples devoid of fungi increased. In working theatres, a significant correlation was found between the bacterial contamination values assessed using passive and active sampling methods (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Microbiological monitoring is a useful tool for assessment of the contamination of operating theatres in order to improve air quality.

Ca2+ antagonists reveal a novel inhibitory effect of caerulein on guinea pig ileum.

The peptide caerulein (CK) is a potent muscle stimulant of guinea pig ileum and its effect is Ca2+-dependent. Ca2+ antagonist drugs administered to the organ perfusion solution diminished the twitches of the electrically stimulated ileum. Subsequent administration of caerulein reinforced this inhibition of contraction and acetylcholine (ACh) release by the ileum. This effect was antagonized by cholecystokinin antagonists (i.e., proglumide and loxiglumide) and by dibutyryl-cyclic-guanosine monophosphate, which overcame the stimulant effect of the peptide. These findings indicated that in the guinea pig ileum, caerulein exerts two opposite effects, both of which are mediated by the same receptor: a stimulation effect, with an increase in acetylcholine release when the organ is incubated in normal saline, and a relaxation effect, with a reduction in acetylcholine release when the ileum is bathed with calcium antagonist drugs.