Nanotechnology in Roman Opaque Red Glass from the 2nd Century AD. Archaeometric Investigation in Red Sectilia from the Decoration of the Lucius Verus Villa in Rome

PD/BD/135053/2017 UID/EAT/00729/2019This work aims to characterise the chemical composition of Roman opaque red glass sectilia dated to the 2nd century A.D and to shed light on Roman glassmaking production of different shades of red, from red to reddish-brown. Due to the lack of technical historical sources for this period many questions about technological aspects still remain. In this project a multi-disciplinary approach is in progress to investigate the red glass sectilia with several red hues from the Imperial Villa of Lucius Verus (161–169 A.D.) in Rome. First, colorimetric measurements were taken to identify the various red hues. The second step was chemical characterization of the samples and the identification of crystalline colouring phases. Particle Induced X-Ray Emission (PIXE) analysis was used to investigate the chemical composition of these glass samples, while the crystalline phases were identified by Raman Spectroscopy and Scanning Electrons Microscope with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (SEM-EDS). Using SEM-EDS nanoparticles were detected as a colouring agent, the chemical composition and the morphology of which has been studied in depth. This information has been compared with the colorimetric analysis to establish any correlation with the different colour hues.publishersversionpublishe

Les yeux d’Auguste et de Livie au musée du Louvre : une nouvelle technique antique identifiée

La collaboration entre le musée du Louvre et le C2RMF a permis de réhabiliter définitivement les portraits en bronze d’Auguste et de Livie, découverts à Neuilly-le-Réal (France, Allier) en 1816. L’étude a démontré que les anomalies à la fois typologiques, stylistiques et épigraphiques, constatées à plusieurs reprises, devaient être interprétées comme liées au contexte gallo-romain de création des deux bustes. Une nouvelle technique antique de fabrication des yeux (verres blancs opaques, verres d’aspect noir, sans césure entre les différentes couleurs) a été mise en évidence. Les analyses chimiques élémentaires confirment l’appartenance des yeux à la production verrière de luxe – vaisselle colorée décorée de camées, verres millefiori, bijoux –, probablement entre 30 et 70. Il est dès lors proposé de dater les deux ex-voto, consacrés par Atespatus, après la mort d’Auguste.Discovered in Neuilly-le-Réal (Allier, France) in 1816, the bronze portraits of Augustus and Livia have been decisively rehabilitated as a result of a collaborative project undertaken by the Louvre and the C2RMF. Research has shown that the typological, stylistic and epigraphic anomalies, observed on several occasions, should be related to the Gallo-Roman context of the creation of the two busts. An unprecedented ancient technique in the manufacture of the eyes (opaque white glass, black-looking glass with no division between the different colours) came to light. Elementary chemical analysis confirmed that the eyes were produced using luxury glassmaking techniques – coloured glassware with cameo decoration, millefiori glassware, jewellery – probably between AD 30 and AD 70. The two ex-votos, dedicated by Atespatus, may thus be dated to after the death of Augustus

Effect of Zn2+ and Cu2+ -bearing salts on the dissolution of silicate glasses

International audienc

Analyse descriptive de la prévalence d’une mention erronée des allergies aux pénicillines chez les patients hospitalisés à l’Hôpital Pierre-Boucher et recevant un traitement antibiotique

Objectifs : Décrire la prévalence d’une mention erronée d’allergie aux pénicillines au dossier des patients hospitalisés à l’Hôpital Pierre-Boucher et recevant un antibiotique. Méthodologie : Étude descriptive transversale prospective portant sur la prévalence d’une mention erronée d’une allergie aux pénicillines dans le dossier des participants entre le 16 mai et le 14 juillet 2022. Plus précisément, décrire la proportion de patients pour lesquels une rectification de la mention d’allergie au dossier a eu lieu à la suite d’une entrevue dirigée à l’aide d’un questionnaire préétabli. Les caractéristiques des patients ont été colligées à partir des dossiers informatisés et les détails de l’allergie, par l’entrevue-patient. Afin de déterminer s’il était adéquat d’administrer une β-lactamine et de définir le type de réaction, les outils de l’Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux ont été consultés. Résultats : Parmi les 65 patients inclus dans l’étude, 30,8 % ont nécessité un changement de la mention initiale de leur allergie et 61,5 %, l’ajout d’informations complémentaires. Une réaction immunologique de type 1 a été constatée chez 66,2 % des patients, une de type 4 chez 3,1 % et une réaction non immunologique chez 9,2 %. La manifestation la plus fréquemment décrite était une réaction cutanée (53,8 %). Selon la nature de cette dernière, 67,7 % auraient pu recevoir une pénicilline, si indiquée. La majorité des patients ayant reçu une β-lactamine pendant leur hospitalisation, malgré la mention d’allergie au dossier, l’ont tolérée (95,5 %). Conclusion : Étant donné les nombreuses rectifications effectuées, cette étude montre l’importance de remettre davantage en question la mention d’allergie aux pénicillines. Abstract Objectives: To describe the prevalence of inaccurate penicillin allergy labels in the medical records of patients admitted to the Hôpital Pierre-Boucher and receiving an antibiotic. Methodology: A prospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study of the prevalence of inaccurate penicillin allergy labels in participants’ medical records between May 16 and July 14, 2022. Specifically, to determine the proportion of patients for whom the allergy label in their medical record was corrected following a guided interview using a pre-established questionnaire. Patient characteristics were collected from computerized medical records, and details concerning the allergy were obtained during the patient interview. To determine the appropriateness of administering a β-lactam and to define the type of reaction, tools from the Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux were consulted. Results: Of the 65 patients included in the study, 30.8% required a change in their initial allergy label, and 61.5% required the addition of further information. A type 1 immunological reaction was observed in 66.2% of patients, a type 4 reaction in 3.1% of them, and a non-immunological reaction in 9.2% of them. The most frequently described manifestation was a skin reaction (53.8%). Depending on the nature of the reaction, 67.7% could have received penicillin, if indicated. β-lactam therapy was tolerated in most patients (95.5%) who received the antibiotic during their hospital stay despite having an allergy label in their medical record. Conclusion: Given the large number of corrections, this study shows the importance of re-assessing penicillin allergy labels more thoroughly

Short-Term cost impact of compliance with clinical practice guidelines for initial sarcoma treatment

Background: The impact of compliance to clinical practice guidelines (CPG) on outcomes and/or costs of care has not been completely clarified.Objective: To estimate relationships between medical expenditures and compliance to CPG for initial sarcoma treatment.Research design: Selected cohorts of patients diagnosed with sarcoma in 2005 and 2006, and treated at the University hospital and/or the cancer centre of the Rhône-Alpes region, France (n=90). Main outcome measurements were: patient characteristics, compliance with CPG, health outcomes, and costs. Data were mainly extracted from patient records. The logarithm of treatment costs was modelled using linear and Tobit regressions.Results: Rates of compliance with CPG were 86%, 66%, 88%, 89%, and 95% for initial diagnosis, primary surgical excision, wide surgical excision, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, respectively. Total average costs reached €24,439, with €1,784, €11,225, €10,360, and €1,016 for diagnosis, surgery (primary and wide surgical excisions), chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, respectively. Compliance of diagnosis with CPG decreased the cost of diagnosis, whereas compliance of primary surgical excision increased the cost of chemotherapy. Compliance of chemotherapy with CPG decreased the cost of radiotherapy.Conclusion: Since chemotherapy is one of the major cost drivers, these results support that compliance with guidelines increases medical care expenditures in short term.Oncology; Sarcoma; Cost; Clinical guidelines; Efficacy; Medical Practices; Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

Clinicians' adherence versus non adherence to practice guidelines in the management of patients with sarcoma: a cost-effectiveness assessment in two European regions

International audienceABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Although the management of sarcoma is improving, non adherence to clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) remains high, mainly because of the low incidence of the disease and the variety of histological subtypes. Since little is known about the health economics of sarcoma, we undertook a cost-effectiveness analysis (within the CONnective TIssue CAncer NETwork, CONTICANET) comparing costs and outcomes when clinicians adhered to CPGs and when they did not. METHODS: Patients studied had a histological diagnosis of sarcoma, were older than 15 years, and had been treated in the Rhone-Alpes region of France (in 2005/2006) or in the Veneto region of Italy (in 2007). Data collected retrospectively for the three years after diagnosis were used to determine relapse free survival and health costs (adopting the hospital's perspective and a microcosting approach). All costs were expressed in euros at their 2009 value. A 4% annual discount rate was applied to both costs and effects. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was expressed as cost per relapse-free year gained when management was compliant with CPGs compared with when it was not. To capture uncertainty surrounding ICER, a probabilistic sensitivity analysis was performed based on a non-parametric bootstrap method. RESULTS: A total of 219 patients were included in the study. Compliance with CPGs was observed for 118 patients (54%). Average total costs reached 23,571 euros when treatment was in accordance with CPGs and 27,313 euros when it was not. In relation to relapse-free survival, compliance with CPGs strictly dominates non compliance, i.e. it is both less costly and more effective. Taking uncertainty into account, the probability that compliance with CPGs still strictly dominates was 75%. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings should encourage physicians to increase their compliance with CPGs and healthcare administrators to invest in the implementation of CPGs in the management of sarcoma

European Bat Lyssavirus Transmission among Cats, Europe

We identified 2 cases of European bat lyssavirus subtype 1 transmission to domestic carnivores (cats) in France. Bat-to-cat transmission is suspected. Low amounts of virus antigen in cat brain made diagnosis difficult

Irradiation-Induced Up-Regulation of HLA-E on Macrovascular Endothelial Cells Confers Protection against Killing by Activated Natural Killer Cells

BACKGROUND: Apart from the platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1, CD31), endoglin (CD105) and a positive factor VIII-related antigen staining, human primary and immortalized macro- and microvascular endothelial cells (ECs) differ in their cell surface expression of activating and inhibitory ligands for natural killer (NK) cells. Here we comparatively study the effects of irradiation on the phenotype of ECs and their interaction with resting and activated NK cells. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Primary macrovascular human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) only express UL16 binding protein 2 (ULBP2) and the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I chain-related protein MIC-A (MIC-A) as activating signals for NK cells, whereas the corresponding immortalized EA.hy926 EC cell line additionally present ULBP3, membrane heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), intercellular adhesion molecule ICAM-1 (CD54) and HLA-E. Apart from MIC-B, the immortalized human microvascular endothelial cell line HMEC, resembles the phenotype of EA.hy926. Surprisingly, primary HUVECs are more sensitive to Hsp70 peptide (TKD) plus IL-2 (TKD/IL-2)-activated NK cells than their immortalized EC counterpatrs. This finding is most likely due to the absence of the inhibitory ligand HLA-E, since the activating ligands are shared among the ECs. The co-culture of HUVECs with activated NK cells induces ICAM-1 (CD54) and HLA-E expression on the former which drops to the initial low levels (below 5%) when NK cells are removed. Sublethal irradiation of HUVECs induces similar but less pronounced effects on HUVECs. Along with these findings, irradiation also induces HLA-E expression on macrovascular ECs and this correlates with an increased resistance to killing by activated NK cells. Irradiation had no effect on HLA-E expression on microvascular ECs and the sensitivity of these cells to NK cells remained unaffected. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: These data emphasize that an irradiation-induced, transient up-regulation of HLA-E on macrovascular ECs might confer protection against NK cell-mediated vascular injury