Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Maria Letizia Amadori, Ilaria Costantini, Juan Manuel Madariaga Mota, Laura Valentini, Fabiano Ferrucci, Valeria Mengacci, Mara Camaiti
Summary: A multi-analytical approach was used to study Paestum funerary slabs, confirming intentional use of calcium antimonate in paintings and limited pigments were used by ceramic painters. Various mineral pigments were identified, with green earth, Egyptian blue, hematite, and red ochre being frequently used. The study sheds light on the techniques and materials used in the ancient Lucanian funerary art.
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Estelle Menu, Quentin Filori, Jean-Charles Dufour, Stephane Ranque, Coralie L'Ollivier
Summary: Humans are frequently exposed to filamentous fungi, which are widespread in the environment. Under certain risk factors, these non-dermatophyte fungi can become opportunistic pathogens and cause various types of infections. The use of molecular tools and taxonomic revisions has led to the identification of an increasing number of fungi in humans. This review aims to inventory these filamentous fungi and provide details on their anatomical locations and the symptoms of infections.
Article
Crystallography
Paz Arjonilla, Maria Jose Ayora-Canada, Maria Jose de la Torre-Lopez, Elena Correa Gomez, Ramon Rubio Domene, Ana Dominguez-Vidal
Summary: The Alhambra Monumental Ensemble is a well-preserved palatine city from the medieval Islamic period, showcasing Nasrid architecture. The study focuses on the unknown decorations of wall paintings with faux-brick appearance, using non-invasive methodologies to analyze materials, execution techniques, and conservation states. The red brick decorations were primarily painted with hematite pigment over a white lime mortar layer, with gypsum-based techniques observed in one indoor location.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Hussein Marey Mahmoud
Summary: By synthesizing SiO2 and Al2O3 nanoparticles via the sol-gel method and preparing a polymer-nanocomposite, effective protection for damaged ancient Egyptian wall paintings was achieved and evaluated on laboratory models for stability.
PIGMENT & RESIN TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Micaela Alvarez, Alicia Rodriguez, Elena Bermudez, Elia Roncero, Maria J. Andrade
Summary: This study aimed to develop a methodology for determining the mode of action of antifungal agents used in the meat industry, primarily by analyzing the ergosterol content in moulds. The validated method was found to accurately assess the effects of antifungal agents and various herbs on toxigenic moulds, providing an effective approach for screening the application of antifungals in meat products.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
C. M. Jimenez, H. L. Alvarez, M. S. Ballari, G. R. Labadie, C. A. N. Catalan, R. E. Toso, D. A. Sampietro
Summary: The study found that cycloartenol and 24-methylenecycloartanol extracted from aerial parts of Euphorbia species can inhibit the growth and mycotoxin production of Fusarium species, and when combined with potassium sorbate, they are more effective in reducing mycotoxin accumulation. This suggests that the mixtures offer a lower mycotoxigenic risk compared to potassium sorbate alone for controlling Fusarium species.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Daniel Jimenez-Desmond, Anna Arizzi, Carolina Cardell
Summary: The research focused on the wall paintings of Hernan Perez del Pulgar's Palace chapel in Granada, Spain and aimed to determine their historical-artistic, stylistic, technical, and compositional aspects. The study of a 16th-century frieze and an 18th-century pendentive, along with mineralogical, chemical, and textural characterization of the materials, allowed for the identification of the pictorial technique used and the presence of salts and fungal attack. The information obtained will contribute to the effective conservation and restoration of the paintings, ensuring their durability over time.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Victor V. Volkov, Carole C. Perry
Summary: This study utilized Raman spectroscopy to investigate the diagnostic capacity of identifying colored chromophores of fungi on paper, exploring the characteristics of chromophores and biochemistry of fungi in different regions. By conducting quantum chemistry calculations and comparing theory with experiment, specific chromophores such as fonsecin, erythroglaucin, and carotenes were identified in fungal filaments. The diverse Raman resonances observed in different spatial regions provide insights into the rich biochemistry of developing fungal structures, essential for understanding the impact of fungi on paper objects and designing new materials based on fungal hyphal mats.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Marius Bodor, Alina Ceoromila, Vasile Basliu
Summary: This study utilizes advanced methods to monitor particulate matter pollution and confirms its negative impact on human health, highlighting the importance of further research.
Article
Anthropology
Giuseppe Montana, Renato Giarrusso, Raffaella D'Amico, Barbara Di Natale, Mirko Andrea Vizzini, Vincenzo Ilardi, Angelo Mulone, Luciana Randazzo, Claudio Ventura Bordenca
Summary: This study examines and characterizes the wall paintings of Grotta del Crocifisso, a rupestrian church located in Lentini, eastern Sicily. The mural paintings in the church date back to the twelfth century AD and were analyzed using various techniques such as microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and spectroscopy. The study identifies the use of local materials, including ochre and woad, in the pigments used for the paintings.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Raveen K. G. Tank, Victoria A. Lund, Sandip Kumar, Robert D. Turner, Lucia Lafage, Laia Pasquina Lemonche, Per A. Bullough, Ashley Cadby, Simon J. Foster, Jamie K. Hobbs
Summary: This study combines STORMForce and SIMForce technologies to map the synthesis of peptidoglycan, a structural macromolecule of bacterial cell walls, during growth and division in Bacillus subtilis. It reveals a two-stage process of septal synthesis during division and bands of synthesis during growth. The combination of super-resolution optics and AFM provides insights into the synthesis processes of bacterial structural biopolymers.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
B. Stamboliyska, S. Tapanov, D. Kovacheva, S. Atanasova-Vladimirova, B. Ranguelov, D. Yancheva, E. Velcheva, S. Stoyanov, M. Guncheva, D. Fischer, A. Lederer
Summary: This study focused on characterizing the art materials and degradation processes in the exterior mural paintings of the main church of the Rila monastery in Bulgaria. Various techniques were used to identify the mineral pigments and analyze the degradation products. The results showed that some pigments undergo chemical transformations due to adverse environmental conditions, leading to chromatic changes in the wall paintings. The study also revealed the use of traditional Orthodox Church painting techniques and the incorporation of new pigments in the artwork.
VIBRATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY
(2023)
Review
Anthropology
Josefina Perez-Arantegui
Summary: This review mainly focuses on the characterization of inorganic pigments in ancient cosmetics, highlighting common components such as ochre, cinnabar, galena, and others. It also provides a brief good practice guide for the analytical study of pigments in archaeological cosmetic residues.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Humanities, Multidisciplinary
Jenni A. A. Suomela, Mira Viljanen, Kirsi Svedstrom, Krista Wright, Sanna Lipkin
Summary: Cotton has been used as textile fiber since the early Indus culture and has been cultivated worldwide in Tropical and Subtropical regions. The dominant cotton crop is G. hirsutum, accounting for more than 90% of the global market. Cotton reached Finland in the early Middle Ages and its identification in archaeological finds can be challenging. This article focuses on recent Finnish cotton finds in heritage textiles and explores different fiber identification methods to distinguish between the four cultivated cotton species.
Article
Microbiology
Polona Zalar, Dasa Graf Hribersek, Cene Gostincar, Martin Breskvar, Saso Dzeroski, Mojca Matul, Monika Novak Babic, Jerneja Cremoznik Zupancic, Amela Kujovic, Nina Gunde-Cimerman, Katja Kavkler
Summary: Historically valuable canvas paintings are often exposed to conditions that promote microbial deterioration. In a study of 24 canvas paintings exhibited in Slovenian sacral buildings, a total of 465 cultivable fungi were isolated and identified. The most abundant genus was Aspergillus, but several xerophilic species were also found for the first time in contaminated paintings. Machine learning methods suggested that proteins and cracked paint were important factors for fungal growth.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microscopy
Nikola Unkovic, Suzana Eric, Kristina Saric, Milos Stupar, Zeljko Savkovic, Slaviga Stankovic, Olja Stanojevic, Ivica Dimkic, Jelena Vukojevic, Milica Ljaljevic Grbic
Article
Environmental Sciences
Aleksandar Knezevic, Mirjana Stajic, Ivan Milovanovic, Jelena Vukojevic
WASTE AND BIOMASS VALORIZATION
(2018)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Marko Krstic, Milos Stupar, Danijela Dukin-Cosic, Katarina Baralic, Svetlana Dogo Mracevic
Summary: This study analyzed 14 commercial herbal tea samples from Belgrade market, Serbia, finding that the toxic metal and fungal content in these samples were within the national standards and thus pose no risk to human health.
JOURNAL OF FOOD COMPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Matjaz Hladnik, Nikola Unkovic, Tamara Janakiev, Milica Ljaljevic Grbic, Alenka Baruca Arbeiter, Slavisa Stankovic, Peda Janackovic, Milan Gavrilovic, Dragana Rancic, Dunja Bandelj, Ivica Dimkic
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the interaction between olive trees and the Venturia oleaginea fungus, understand the plant's defense mechanisms against the pathogen, and characterize the fungal communities on infected and symptomless leaves. The results revealed that certain fungal species may have antagonistic effects on Venturia oleaginea.
Article
Ecology
Milos Stupar, Zeljko Savkovic, Katarina Breka, Srdan Stamenkovic, Imre Krizmanic, Jelena Vukojevic, Milica Ljaljevic Grbic
Summary: Amphibian populations have been declining globally in the past few decades, and this decline has been attributed to various factors including habitat destruction, pollution, introduced species, environmental changes, and infectious diseases. This study focused on the diversity of fungal dwellers on the skin of green frogs and identified and classified different fungal structures and isolates. The results showed differences in mycobiota composition between sampling points, with the hybrid taxon and one specific locality exhibiting higher diversity. Some rare fungal species were documented as microbial inhabitants of amphibian skin for the first time.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ivica Dimkic, Milica Copic, Marija Petrovic, Milos Stupar, Zeljko Savkovic, Aleksandar Knezevic, Gordana Subakov Simic, Milica Ljaljevic Grbic, Nikola Unkovic
Summary: The aim of this study was to determine bacterial diversity in the Cave Church of Sts. Peter and Paul and test the antifungal potential of autochthonous antagonistic bacterial isolates. Bacterial isolates were identified and analyzed for their antagonistic activity against biodeteriogenic fungi. The study found that certain bacterial isolates, such as Streptomyces anulatus and Bacillus altitudinis, were effective in suppressing biodeteriogenic fungi responsible for the deterioration of fresco paintings. One isolate, characterized as Streptomyces sp., was identified as a new species, highlighting the need for further research.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Milica Ljaljevic Grbic, Ivica Dimkic, Zeljko Savkovic, Milos Stupar, Aleksandar Knezevic, Aleksa Jelikic, Nikola Unkovic
Summary: The mycobiome of the cave Church of Sts. Peter and Paul, housing the peculiar fresco painting of The Bald-headed Jesus, was analyzed using culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. Various fungal growths were observed on the surfaces within the church, and microscopic analysis revealed abundant fungal structures. The contamination values indicated a high level of contamination on all surfaces. The culturable mycobiome consisted of 24 fungi from 17 genera, with Ascomycota, specifically Penicillium, being the dominant group. Biodegradative profiles showed positive reactions for multiple isolates, and metabarcoding analysis identified the dominant fungal groups in different areas of the church. The Neodevriesia genus and H. fuscopurpureum were identified as the main deteriogenic agents on specific surfaces.
Article
Ecology
Milos Stupar, Zeljko Savkovic, Sladana Popovic, Gordana Subakov Simic, Milica Ljaljevic Grbic
Summary: Fungi play an important role in subterranean habitats such as caves, colonizing organic matter and residing in different microniches. A study conducted in Stopica Cave, Serbia, analyzed airborne fungal propagules in different parts of the cave during three seasons in 2020. The highest fungal propagule concentrations were observed during spring sampling, corresponding to category V. The identified fungal isolates included Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Lecanicillium, Mucor, and Penicillium, with the majority being pathotrophs and the dominant ecological guilds being undefined saprobes and animal pathogens.
Article
Agronomy
Milos Stupar, ZEljko Savkovic, Katarina Breka, Imre Krizmanic, Srdan Stamenkovic, Jelena Vukojevic, Milica Ljaljevic Grbic
Summary: This study reports the first finding of the rare basidiomycete Quambalaria cyanescens in amphibian skin in Serbia, highlighting a new ecological habitat for this species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a high similarity between the isolated strain and foliar pathogens of Eucalyptus in Australia.
Article
Biology
Jelena Jovanovic, Sladjana Popovic, Gordana Subakov-Simic, Verica Jovanovic, Dragana Predojevic, Dragana Jovanovic, Vesna Karadzic
Summary: This article provides an assessment of cyanobacterial diversity and habitat preferences, which can be useful for assessing human health risks in recreational and water-supply waterbodies. The study analyzed changes in cyanobacteria diversity in waters intended for human consumption in Serbia over a twenty-year period. The results indicate an increase in the number of identified taxa, which is likely influenced by environmental factors such as habitat transformations, eutrophication, and global warming. Many of the identified taxa are potentially toxic and invasive. Shallow waterbodies were found to be the most vulnerable to bloom formation and the spread of potentially harmful and invasive taxa. The study emphasizes the need for further investigation, particularly regarding benthic cyanobacteria.
ARCHIVES OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biology
Natasa Nikolic, Gordana Subakov Simic, Igor Golic, Sladana Popovic
Summary: Lampenflora communities, composed of bacteria, cyanobacteria, algae, mosses, and lichens, colonize illuminated show-caves due to disturbances in the caves' ecological equilibrium. These communities have esthetic impacts and can deteriorate limestone. It was found that three different biocides can prevent the growth of green algae, with the product containing chlorine dioxide being the most effective growth inhibitor.
ARCHIVES OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biology
Slavica M. Grujic, Zeljko D. Savkovic, Mihailo S. Ristic, Ana M. Dzamic, Milica V. Ljaljevic Grbic, Jelena B. Vukojevic, Petar D. Marin
ARCHIVES OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Plant Sciences
Milos Stupar, MiliCa Ljaljevic Grbic, Jelena Vukojevic, Dmitar Lakusic