Compatibility matters: Assessing the risks of built heritage cleaning

Today, heritage conservation is a discipline torn between the objectivity of its material questions and the subjectivity of its stakeholders and practitioners, inherent to the fact that conservation is, first and foremost, a cultural act. Most current conservation perspectives advise for (conservation) decisions to be based on the significance of the heritage object. Following this approach, different management tools have emerged to assist conservation at site, local, national and international levels. Quite the opposite, in what concerns interventions, conservation is still largely viewed as an objective material problem, and decision-support tools at this level are still mainly focused on performance assessments. An exception to this rule is the Eight-step Planning Model, complemented by the (In)compatibility Assessment Procedure, proposed by Delgado Rodrigues & Grossi, which attempts to bridge the gap between the macro and micro levels of heritage conservation planning. Compatibility has been gathering momentum as a conservation principle, but it has been mostly dealt with from a purely material perspective and is still insufficiently defined, especially in scopes beyond product testing. Borrowing from the aforementioned (In)compatibility Assessment, the research presented herein argues that compatibility is an adequate operative concept to assist decision making and guide conservation interventions. The key for using the principle of compatibility at this level of heritage conservation is to link it to the significance of the (conservation) object. This is demonstrated by proposing a procedure for the planning of built heritage cleaning based on the assessment of its risks towards significance; using risk analysis as a development tool, this procedure intends to frame the subjectivity of decision making in heritage cleaning. From this research, it follows that the principle of compatibility may constitute a valuable bridge between the objectivity and the subjectivity of heritage conservation

Early biomarkers of extracapsular extension of prostate cancer using MRI-derived semantic features

Funding This work is supported by a PhD student scholarship (Adalgisa Guerra) it was granted as a scientifc project by Hospital da Luz (ID LH.INV.F2019027). Helena Mouriño was supported by CEAUL (funded by FCT, Portugal, through the project UIDB/00006/2020).BACKGROUND: To construct a model based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and histological and clinical variables for the prediction of pathology-detected extracapsular extension (pECE) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS: We performed a prospective 3 T MRI study comparing the clinical and MRI data on pECE obtained from patients treated using robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) at our institution. The covariates under consideration were prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, the patient's age, prostate volume, and MRI interpretative features for predicting pECE based on the Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) version 2.0 (v2), as well as tumor capsular contact length (TCCL), length of the index lesion, and prostate biopsy Gleason score (GS). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were applied to explore the statistical associations and construct the model. We also recruited an additional set of participants-which included 59 patients from external institutions-to validate the model. RESULTS: The study participants included 184 patients who had undergone RARP at our institution, 26% of whom were pECE+ (i.e., pECE positive). Significant predictors of pECE+ were TCCL, capsular disruption, measurable ECE on MRI, and a GS of ≥7(4 + 3) on a prostate biopsy. The strongest predictor of pECE+ is measurable ECE on MRI, and in its absence, a combination of TCCL and prostate biopsy GS was significantly effective for detecting the patient's risk of being pECE+. Our predictive model showed a satisfactory performance at distinguishing between patients with pECE+ and patients with pECE-, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.90 (86.0-95.8%), high sensitivity (86%), and moderate specificity (70%). CONCLUSIONS: Our predictive model, based on consistent MRI features (i.e., measurable ECE and TCCL) and a prostate biopsy GS, has satisfactory performance and sufficiently high sensitivity for predicting pECE+. Hence, the model could be a valuable tool for surgeons planning preoperative nerve sparing, as it would reduce positive surgical margins.publishersversionpublishe

The soluble pattern recognition receptor PTX3 links humoral innate and adaptive immune responses by helping marginal zone B cells

© 2016 Chorny et al. This article is distributed under the terms of an Attribution–Noncommercial–Share Alike–No Mirror Sites license for the first six months after the publication date (see http://www.rupress.org/terms). After six months it is available under a Creative Commons License (Attribution–Noncommercial–Share Alike 3.0 Unported license, as described at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/).Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a fluid-phase pattern recognition receptor of the humoral innate immune system with ancestral antibody-like properties but unknown antibody-inducing function. In this study, we found binding of PTX3 to splenic marginal zone (MZ) B cells, an innate-like subset of antibody-producing lymphocytes strategically positioned at the interface between the circulation and the adaptive immune system. PTX3 was released by a subset of neutrophils that surrounded the splenic MZ and expressed an immune activation-related gene signature distinct from that of circulating neutrophils. Binding of PTX3 promoted homeostatic production of IgM and class-switched IgG antibodies to microbial capsular polysaccharides, which decreased in PTX3-deficient mice and humans. In addition, PTX3 increased IgM and IgG production after infection with blood-borne encapsulated bacteria or immunization with bacterial carbohydrates. This immunogenic effect stemmed from the activation of MZ B cells through a neutrophil-regulated pathway that elicited class switching and plasmablast expansion via a combination of T cell-independent and T cell-dependent signals. Thus, PTX3 may bridge the humoral arms of the innate and adaptive immune systems by serving as an endogenous adjuvant for MZ B cells. This property could be harnessed to develop more effective vaccines against encapsulated pathogens.This study was supported by European Advanced grant ERC-2011-ADG-20110310, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación grant SAF2011-25241, and Marie Curie reintegration grant PIRG-08-GA-2010-276928 to A. Cerutti; Sara Borrell post-doctoral fellowships to A. Chorny; and US National Institutes of Health grants R01 AI57653, U01 AI95613, P01 AI61093, and U19 096187 to A. Cerutti. C. Cunha and A. Carvalho were funded by grants from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, co-funded by Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (ON.2—O Novo Norte)., and from the Quadro de Referência Estratégico Nacional (SFRH/BPD/96176/2013 to C. Cunha and grant IF/00735/2014 to A. Carvalho) through the Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional and Projeto Estratégico (LA 26 – 2013–2014; PEst-C/SAU/LA0026/2013). The financial support of the European Commission (FP7-HEALTH-2011-ADITEC-No.280873 and ERC-PHII-669415) to A. Mantovani is gratefully acknowledged.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The soluble pattern recognition receptor PTX3 links humoral innate and adaptive immune responses by helping marginal zone B cells

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a fluid-phase pattern recognition receptor of the humoral innate immune system with ancestral antibody-like properties but unknown antibody-inducing function. In this study, we found binding of PTX3 to splenic marginal zone (MZ) B cells, an innate-like subset of antibody-producing lymphocytes strategically positioned at the interface between the circulation and the adaptive immune system. PTX3 was released by a subset of neutrophils that surrounded the splenic MZ and expressed an immune activation–related gene signature distinct from that of circulating neutrophils. Binding of PTX3 promoted homeostatic production of IgM and class-switched IgG antibodies to microbial capsular polysaccharides, which decreased in PTX3-deficient mice and humans. In addition, PTX3 increased IgM and IgG production after infection with blood-borne encapsulated bacteria or immunization with bacterial carbohydrates. This immunogenic effect stemmed from the activation of MZ B cells through a neutrophil-regulated pathway that elicited class switching and plasmablast expansion via a combination of T cell–independent and T cell–dependent signals. Thus, PTX3 may bridge the humoral arms of the innate and adaptive immune systems by serving as an endogenous adjuvant for MZ B cells. This property could be harnessed to develop more effective vaccines against encapsulated pathogens.European Advanced grant ERC-2011-ADG-20110310, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación grant SAF2011-25241, and Marie Curie reintegra -tion grant PIRG-08-GA-2010-276928 to A. Cerutti; Sara Borrell post-doctoral fellow -ships to A. Chorny; and US National Institutes of Health grants R01 AI57653, U01 AI95613, P01 AI61093, and U19 096187 to A. Cerutti. C. Cunha and A. Carvalho were funded by grants from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, co-funded by Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (ON.2—O Novo Norte)., and from the Quadro de Referência Estratégico Nacional (SFRH/BPD/96176/2013 to C. Cunha and grant IF/00735/2014 to A. Carvalho) through the Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional and Projeto Estratégico (LA 26 – 2013–2014; PEst-C/SAU/LA0026/2013

Nodular Lymphocyte Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma of the Thyroid

Thyroid lymphomas are rare clinical entities that may result from either the primary intrathyroid de novo or secondary thyroid gland involvement of a lymphoma. Among these, the Hodgkin’s subtype is quite uncommon, accounting for 0.6–5% of all thyroid malignancies. The authors report on a 76-year-old female presenting with a thyroid nodule that, upon surgical excision, was found to be a nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma of the thyroid. So far, thyroid involvement by this variant has never been reported. Upon reporting on this clinical case, the authors emphasize the difficulties usually found in establishing the diagnosis and in defining the best management strategy. A thorough review of the available literature is done

IGA nephropathy – Are intravenous steroid pulses more effective than oral steroids in relapse prevention?

Introduction: It is recommended that IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is treated with steroids when the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is >50 ml/min and proteinuria >1 g/day. Few studies have been performed comparing the two accepted steroid regimens (1 g/day methylprednisolone pulses for 3 consecutive days at the beginning of months 1, 3 and 5, followed by 0.5 mg/kg prednisolone on alternate days vs. 1 mg/kg/day oral prednisolone). The aim of this study was to compare these two steroid regimens in IgAN treatment. Methods: We selected 39 patients with biopsy-proven IgAN treated with steroids. Mean age at diagnosis was 37.5 years, 23 males (59%), baseline proteinuria (Uprot) was 2.1 g/day and median serum creatinine (SCr) was 1.5 mg/dl. The mean follow-up period was 56 months. Twenty-five patients (64%) were treated with methylprednisolone pulses and 14 (36%) with oral steroids. Results: Patients treated with steroid pulses presented lower relapse risk, defined as the reappearance of Uprot >1 g/day and an Uprot increase of more than 50% (incidence rate ratio of 0.18, 95% CI 0.02–0.5). The Kaplan–Meier analysis showed longer relapse-free period (p = 0.019). This result was confirmed in a multivariate analysis (p = 0.026). However, we did not find other differences between the two steroid regimens. Conclusions: In comparison to oral steroids, the intravenous pulse regimen was associated with a lower risk of relapse in IgAN, a known independent negative predictor of renal survival. No differences were found regarding the other renal outcomes. Resumen: Introducción: Se recomienda el tratamiento de la nefropatía por IgA (NIgA) con esteroides cuando el índice de filtración glomerular (IFG) > 50 ml/min y proteinuria > 1 g/día. Pocos han sido los estudios realizados comparando los 2 esquemas de esteroides aceptados (1 g/día de metilprednisolona en pulsos durante 3 días consecutivos en el principio de los meses 1, 3 y 5 seguido de 0,5 mg/kg en días alternos de prednisolona vs. 1 mg/kg/día de prednisolona oral). El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar estos 2 esquemas de esteroides en el tratamiento de la NIgA. Métodos: Fueron seleccionados 39 pacientes con NIgA demostrada por biopsia y tratados con esteroides. La edad media al diagnóstico fue de 37,5 años, 23 varones (59%), proteinuria basal (Uprot) 2,1 g/día y la creatinina sérica mediana (SCR) 1,5 mg/dl. El periodo medio de seguimiento fue de 56 meses. Veinticinco de los pacientes (64%) fueron tratados con pulsos de metilprednisolona y 14 (36%) con esteroides orales. Resultados: Los pacientes tratados con pulsos de esteroides presentan menor riesgo de recaída, definido como la reaparición de una Uprot > 1 g/día y aumento de más del 50% de la Uprot (razón de tasa de incidencia: 0,18; IC 95%: 0,02-0,5) y el Kaplan-Meier mostró período más largo libre de recaída (p = 0,019). Este resultado se confirmó en un análisis multivariante (p = 0,026). Sin embargo, no se encontraron otras diferencias entre los esquemas de esteroides. Conclusiones: En comparación con los esteroides orales, el esquema en pulsos intravenosos se relacionó con un menor riesgo de recaída en la NIgA, un conocido predictor negativo independiente de la supervivencia renal. No se encontraron diferencias en cuanto a los otros outcomes renales. Keywords: IgA nephropathy, Steroid regimens, Renal survival, Palabras clave: Nefropatía por IgA, Esquemas de esteroides, Supervivencia rena

Early biomarkers of extracapsular extension of prostate cancer using MRI-derived semantic features

Abstract Background To construct a model based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and histological and clinical variables for the prediction of pathology-detected extracapsular extension (pECE) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa). Methods We performed a prospective 3 T MRI study comparing the clinical and MRI data on pECE obtained from patients treated using robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) at our institution. The covariates under consideration were prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, the patient’s age, prostate volume, and MRI interpretative features for predicting pECE based on the Prostate Imaging–Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) version 2.0 (v2), as well as tumor capsular contact length (TCCL), length of the index lesion, and prostate biopsy Gleason score (GS). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were applied to explore the statistical associations and construct the model. We also recruited an additional set of participants—which included 59 patients from external institutions—to validate the model. Results The study participants included 185 patients who had undergone RARP at our institution, 26% of whom were pECE+ (i.e., pECE positive). Significant predictors of pECE+ were TCCL, capsular disruption, measurable ECE on MRI, and a GS of ≥7(4 + 3) on a prostate biopsy. The strongest predictor of pECE+ is measurable ECE on MRI, and in its absence, a combination of TCCL and prostate biopsy GS was significantly effective for detecting the patient’s risk of being pECE+. Our predictive model showed a satisfactory performance at distinguishing between patients with pECE+ and patients with pECE−, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.90 (86.0–95.8%), high sensitivity (86%), and moderate specificity (70%). Conclusions Our predictive model, based on consistent MRI features (i.e., measurable ECE and TCCL) and a prostate biopsy GS, has satisfactory performance and sufficiently high sensitivity for predicting pECE+. Hence, the model could be a valuable tool for surgeons planning preoperative nerve sparing, as it would reduce positive surgical margins

Correction: Early biomarkers of extracapsular extension of prostate cancer using MRI-derived semantic features

publishersversionpublishe

Sex Hormones and Processing of Facial Expressions of Emotion : A Systematic Literature Review

Background: We systematically reviewed the literature to determine the influence of sex hormones on facial emotion processing (FEP) in healthy women at different phases of life. Methods: Searches were performed in PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, LILACS, and SciELO. Twenty-seven articles were included in the review and allocated into five different categories according to their objectives and sample characteristics (menstrual cycle, oral contraceptives, pregnancy/postpartum, testosterone, and progesterone). Results: Despite the limited number of studies in some categories and the existence of inconsistencies in the results of interest, the findings of the review suggest that FEP may be enhanced during the follicular phase. Studies with women taking oral contraceptives showed reduced recognition accuracy and decreased responsiveness of different brain structures during FEP tasks. Studies with pregnant women and women in the postpartum showed that hormonal changes are associated with alterations in FEP and in brain functioning that could indicate the existence of a hypervigilant state in new and future mothers. Exogenous administration of testosterone enhanced the recognition of threatening facial expressions and the activation of brain structures involved in the processing of emotional stimuli. Conclusions: We conclude that sex hormones affect FEP in women, which may have an impact in adaptive processes of the species and in the onset of mood symptoms associated with the premenstrual syndrome

Sex Hormones and Processing of Facial Expressions of Emotion: A Systematic Literature Review

Background: We systematically reviewed the literature to determine the influence of sex hormones on facial emotion processing (FEP) in healthy women at different phases of life.Methods: Searches were performed in PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, LILACS, and SciELO. Twenty-seven articles were included in the review and allocated into five different categories according to their objectives and sample characteristics (menstrual cycle, oral contraceptives, pregnancy/postpartum, testosterone, and progesterone).Results: Despite the limited number of studies in some categories and the existence of inconsistencies in the results of interest, the findings of the review suggest that FEP may be enhanced during the follicular phase. Studies with women taking oral contraceptives showed reduced recognition accuracy and decreased responsiveness of different brain structures during FEP tasks. Studies with pregnant women and women in the postpartum showed that hormonal changes are associated with alterations in FEP and in brain functioning that could indicate the existence of a hypervigilant state in new and future mothers. Exogenous administration of testosterone enhanced the recognition of threatening facial expressions and the activation of brain structures involved in the processing of emotional stimuli.Conclusions: We conclude that sex hormones affect FEP in women, which may have an impact in adaptive processes of the species and in the onset of mood symptoms associated with the premenstrual syndrome