Una máscara teatral de doble cara preservada en el museo de Lipari (Mesina): estudio y reconstrucción 3d mediante equipo portátil

[EN] The new tools for 3D survey and modelling (as portable scanners and software packages), often in combination with diagnostics, are nowadays able to provide indispensable elements for the study of archaeological artefacts; their applications to museum’s heritage can be also useful to integrate the traditional graphic documentation and contribute to enhancement and dissemination. This paper shows the benefit of using the aforementioned tools to study the peculiar clay mask No. 11114-E, discovered in 1973 in the Greek necropolis of Lipára, inside tomb No. 1558. The specimen, now exhibited in the Classical Section of the Aeolian Museum, is considered unique both in the Aeolian Islands and in the ancient Greek world, as it is the only one merging two half faces attributable to different characters. This feature, unknown at the time of discovery, has been highlighted in 2018, thanks to a restoration intervention by which a hard concretion layer covering a large portion of the mask surface was removed, bringing to light a smiling young half-face next to an old one with Silenic features. In 2019, the mask was surveyed in situ through a portable and performing laser-scanner arm (the QuantumTM FaroArm by FARO) to produce a high-resolution 3D model useful to enhance the reading of the two halves (not evident enough, due to its state of preservation). The data processing was performed using the Geomagic Wrap software, able to align and merge multiple scans into a single model and to export results in multiple formats, easily shareable and viewable in free software or via the web. Finally, thanks to this method, the successful generation of a digital replica was performed; the resulting replica is useful for dissemination and as a support for the hypothetical reconstruction of the two prototypes taken as models by the craftsman who created the mask.Highlights:A 'mobile laboratory’ consisting of portable equipment has been set up to perform 3D metric surveys on a selection of artefacts preserved at the Museum of Lipari.By means of an ultra-precision laser-scanner arm, a 3D survey on a miniaturistic double-faced mask, belonging to the classical theatrical terracotta, has been performed.A geometrically accurate and realistic 3D final model has been created. This helped the study and reconstruction of the two characters composing the mask.[ES] Las nuevas herramientas para el levantamiento y el modelado en 3D (como son los escáneres portátiles y los paquetes de software), a menudo en combinación con equipos diagnósticos, pueden hoy en día proporcionar elementos indispensables para el estudio de objetos arqueológicos; sus aplicaciones al patrimonio del museo también pueden ser útiles para integrar la documentación gráfica tradicional y contribuir a su mejora y divulgación. Este artículo se refiere al estudio de un hallazgo peculiar procedente de la necrópolis griega de Lipára: la máscara de arcilla nº. 11114-E, descubierta en 1973 en el interior de la tumba nº. 1558 y ahora exhibida en la Sección Clásica del Museo Eólica. El espécimen se considera único, tanto en las Islas Eolias como en el mundo griego antiguo, ya que es la única que fusiona dos mitades atribuibles a diferentes personajes. Esta característica, desconocida en el momento del descubrimiento, se ha destacado en 2018, gracias a la intervención de restauración mediante la cual se ha eliminado una capa dura que cubre gran parte de la superficie de la máscara, sacando a la luz una media cara sonriente y joven, junto a una cara que muestra indicadores de vejez con rasgos selénicos. En 2019, la máscara se levantó in situ con un brazo de escáner láser portátil y funcional (FaroArm QuantumTM de FARO), con el objetivo de generar un modelo 3D de alta resolución útil que mejorara la lectura de las dos mitades (no visible debido a su estado de conservación). El procesamiento de datos se ha llevado a cabo empleando el software Geomagic Wrap capaz de alinear y fusionar múltiples escaneados en un solo modelo y exportarlo en múltiples formatos, fácilmente compartibles y visibles en software libre o vía web. Este método permitió, finalmente, la generación de una réplica digital que podría servir tanto para su divulgación, como de soporte que permita la reconstrucción hipotética de los dos prototipos que presumiblemente fueron de modelo para el artesano al crear la máscara.The writing of this paper was supported by the project “IDEHA-Innovation for Data Elaboration in Heritage Areas” (DUS.AD017.087).Giuffrida, D.; Mollica Nardo, V.; Adinolfi, O.; Mastelloni, MA.; Ponterio, RC. (2021). A theatrical double-faced mask preserved at the Museum of Lipari (Messina): study and 3D reconstruction through portable equipment. Virtual Archaeology Review. 12(24):39-48. https://doi.org/10.4995/var.2021.13916OJS39481224Alby, E., Vigouroux, E., & Elter, R. (2019). Implementation of survey and three-dimensional monitoring of archaeological excavations of the Khirbat al-Dusaq site, Jordan. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLII-2/W15, 41-47. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-2-W15-41-2019Barba, S. (2008). Tecniche digitali per il rilievo di contatto. Salerno: CUES.Barba, S., Fiorillo F., Ortiz Coder P., D'Auria S., & De Feo E. (2011). An application for cultural heritage in Erasmus placement. Surveys and 3D cataloging archaeological finds, in Mérida (Spain). The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XXXVIII-5/W16, 213-218. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprsarchives-XXXVIII-5-W16-213-2011Barbanera, M. (2018). Introduzione. Nella vita sta già la morte: Ade e Dioniso sono uguali. Sapienza Università di Roma: Scienze Dell'antichità (Vol. 24.3).Barrile, V., Fotia, A., Ponterio, R., Mollica Nardo, V., Giuffrida, D., & Mastelloni, M.A. (2019). A combined study of art works preserved in the archaeological museums: 3D survey, spectroscopic approach and augmented reality. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLII-2/W11, 201-207. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-2-W11-201-2019Bearzot C., Landucci F., & Zecchini G. (2007). L'Onomasticòn di Giulio Polluce: tra lessicografia e antiquaria, vita e pensiero. Italy: Vicenza.Bernabò Brea, L., & Cavalier, M. (1981). Menandro e il teatro greco nelle terracotte liparesi. Genova: SAGEP.Bernabò Brea, L., & Cavalier, M. (1991). Meligunìs Lipára, V. Scavi nella necropoli greca di Lipari. Roma: L'Erma di Bretschneider.Bernabò Brea, L., & Cavalier, M. (1965). Meligunìs Lipára, II. La necropoli greca e romana nella contrada Diana. Palermo.Bernabò Brea, L., & Cavalier, M. (2000). Meligunìs Lipára, X. Scoperte e scavi archeologici nell'area urbana e suburbana di Lipari. Roma: L'Erma di Bretschneider.Bernabò Brea, L., & Cavalier, M. (2001). Maschere e personaggi del teatro greco nelle terrecotte liparesi. Roma: L'Erma di Bretschneider.Bernabò Brea, L., & Cavalier, M. (2001). Meligunis Lipara. XI. Gli scavi nella necropoli greca e romana di Lipari nell'are del terreno vescovile. Palermo: L'Erma di Bretschneider.Bernabò Brea, L., (1974). Maschere della commedia nuova di Lipari e di Centuripe. Dioniso», 45(1971/74), 167-180.Bernabò Brea, L., Coen, C., & Descœudres J. (1992). Masks and characters of the Greek theatre in the terracottas of ancient Lipara. Mediterranean Archaeology, 5/6, 23-31. https://www.jstor.org/stable/i24666700Bertacchini, P. A., Bilotta, E., Pantano, P. S., Battiato, S., Cronin, M., Blasi, G. D., Talarico A., & Tavernise, A. (2007). Modelling and Animation of Theatrical Greek Masks in an Authoring System. Eurographics Italian Chapter Conference, Trento, Italy. https://doi.org/10.2312/LocalChapterEvents/ItalChap/ItalianChapConf2007/191-198Bitossi, G., Giorgi, R., Mauro, M., Salvadori, B., & Dei, L., (2006). Spectroscopic techniques in cultural heritage conservation: a survey. Journal Applied Spectroscopy Reviews, 40(3), 187-228. https://doi.org/10.1081/ASR-200054370Cavalier, M. 1999. La fondazione della Lipàra cnidia, in La colonisation grecque en Méditerranée occidentale, Actes de la rencontre scientifique en hommage à Georges Vallet (pp. 293-302). Rome.Clementi, C., Miliani, C., Romani, A., Santamaria, U., Morresi F., Mlynarska, K., Favaro, G. (2009). In-situ fluorimetry A powerful non-invasive diagnostic technique for natural dyes used in artefacts. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 71(5), 2057- 2062. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2008.08.006Crisà, A. 2008. Maschere teatrali nella Sicilia settentrionale: tra collezionismo antiquario e ricerca archeologica Stratagemmi. Prospettive Teatrali 8, 11-45.De Cesare, M., & Portale, E. C., (2019). Maschere e imagerie teatrale nella necropoli liparese di IV-III sec. a.C.: oggetti e immagini in contesto. Scienze dell'Antichità, 24(3), 99-139.Fatta, F., Marraffa, A. (2018). The Classical Theatre and the Material Culture. The Example of Lipari's Masks. In: Amoruso G. (eds) Putting Tradition into Practice: Heritage, Place and Design. INTBAU 2017. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol 3. Cham: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57937-5_70Fazio, L., & Lo Brutto, M. (2020), 3D survey for the archaeological study and virtual reconstruction of the "Sanctuary of Isis" in the ancient Lilybaeum (Italy). Virtual Archaeology Review, 11(22), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.4995/var.2020.11928Giuffrida D., Mollica Nardo, V., Giacobello, F., Adinolfi, O., Mastelloni, M. A., Toscano, G., & Ponterio R. C. (2019). Combined 3D surveying and raman spectroscopy techniques on artifacts preserved at archaeological museum of Lipari. Heritage, 2, 2017-2027. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage2030121Giuffrida, D. (2019). A double faced mask from Lipari. Retrieved from https://skfb.ly/6RuNMGraepler, D. (1997). Tofiguren in Grab. Fundkontexte hellenistischer Terrakotten aus des Nekropole von Tarant, Munich.Gonizzi Barsanti, S., & Guidi, G. (2013). 3D digitization of museum content within the 3dicons project. ISPRS Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, II-5/W1. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprsannals-II-5-W1-151-2013Hess, M., & Robson, S. (2012). 3D imaging for museum artefacts: a portable test object for heritage and museum documentation of small objects. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XXXIX-B5,103-108. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprsarchives-XXXIX-B5-103-2012Ingoglia, C., (2007). La necropoli greco-romana di Lipari: storia degli scavi e prospettive di ricerca. Sicilia Antiqua, 4.La Torre, G. F. (2019). Theatrical masks and the cult of Dionysus in Lipari. Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology, 7(1) Suppl. https://doi.org/10.6092/2282-1619/2019.7.2243Marraffa, A. (2017). La Cultura Materiale del Mediterraneo Studio e Analisi Delle Maschere Liparote di Argomento Teatrale Della Coroplastica Magno-Greca per la Compilazione di un Protocollo (digitale) e di Integrazione Dati. Ph.D. Thesis, Università Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria, Italy.Martinelli, M. C., & Vilardo, R. (2019). Through the theatrical mask. The Archaeological Museum of Lipari. Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology, 7(1) Suppl. https://doi.org/10.6092/2282-1619/2019.7.2245Martinelli, M. C., & Mastelloni, M. A. (2015). Isole Eolie. Il museo archeologico. Palermo: Assessorato dei Beni Culturali e dell'Iidentità Siciliana.Mastelloni, M. A. (2018). Le maschere fittili di Lipari: nuove riflessioni sulle espressioni artigianali liparesi di IV e III sec. a.C., Dialoghi sull'Archeologia della Magna Grecia e del Mediterraneo (pp. 709-720). Pandemos Editore: Paestum, Italy.Mastelloni, M. A., & Spigo U. (1998). Agli albori della ricerca archeologica nelle Eolie: scavi e scoperte a Lipari nel XIX secolo. Palermo: Regione siciliana.Mastelloni, M. A. (2015). Volti divini e figure umane a Lipára, in Eadem (a cura di). In Lipára ed il teatro in età tardoclassica ed ellenistica (pp. 13-38). Palermo: Regione siciliana.Montusiewicz, J., Barszcz, M., & Dziedzic, K. (2019). Photorealistic 3D Digital Reconstruction of a Clay Pitcher. Advances in Science and Technology Research Journal, 13(4), 255-263. https://doi.org/10.12913/22998624/113276Musumeci, A. (2010). Le terracotte figurate dalla necropoli di contrada Casino in Centuripe (pp. 39-114). Enna: IBAM Istituto per i Beni Archeologici e Monumentali CNR.Nishanbaev, I. (2020). A web repository for geo-located 3D digital cultural heritage models. Digital Applications in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, 16, e00139, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.daach.2020.e00139Ridgway, D. (2004). The Archaeology of the Aeolian Islands. The Classical Review, 54(1), 214-215. https://doi.org/10.1093/cr/54.1.214Russo, M., Remondino, F., & Guidi, G. (2011). Principali tecniche e strumenti per il rilievo tridimensionale in ambito archeologico. Archeologia e calcolatori, 22, 169-198.Schwarzmaier, A., (2011). Die Masken aus der Nekropole von Lipari: Palilia 21. Wiesbaden: Reichert Verlag.Santos, P., Ritz, M., Fuhrmann, C., & Fellner, D. (2017). 3D mass digitization: a milestone for archeological documentation. Virtual Archaeology Review, 8(16), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.4995/var.2017.6321Simon, K., Michelle, A., & Scott, C. (2009). Close-Range 3D Laser Scanning and Virtual Museums: Beyond Wonder Chambers and Cabinets of Curiosity? In: Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology (CAA), Williamsburg, Virginia.Tucci, G., Cini, D. & Nobile, A. (2011). Effective 3D digitization of archaeological artifacts for interactive virtual museum. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XXXVIII-5/W, 413-420. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprsarchives-XXXVIII-5-W16-413-2011Vernant, J. P., & Vidal Naquet, P. (1985). Mito e tragedia. Torino: Einaudi.White, S. 2015. Virtual Archaeology - The NextEngine desktop laser scanner. Archaeology International, 18, 41-44. http://doi.org/10.5334/ai.180

Cancer patient-centered home care: a new model for health care in oncology

Patient-centered home care is a new model of assistance, which may be integrated with more traditional hospital-centered care especially in selected groups of informed and trained patients. Patient-centered care is based on patients’ needs rather than on prognosis, and takes into account the emotional and psychosocial aspects of the disease. This model may be applied to elderly patients, who present comorbid diseases, but it also fits with the needs of younger fit patients. A specialized multidisciplinary team coordinated by experienced medical oncologists and including pharmacists, psychologists, nurses, and social assistance providers should carry out home care. Other professional figures may be required depending on patients’ needs. Every effort should be made to achieve optimal coordination between the health professionals and the reference hospital and to employ shared evidence-based guidelines, which in turn guarantee safety and efficacy. Comprehensive care has to be easily accessible and requires a high level of education and knowledge of the disease for both the patients and their caregivers. Patient-centered home care represents an important tool to improve quality of life and help cancer patients while also being cost effective

BRIEF REPORT Proteasome Inhibitors Synergize with Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis-Induced Ligand to Induce Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma Cell Death

Context: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is one of the most aggressive types of cancer characterized by complete refractoriness to multimodal treatment approaches. Therapeutic strategies based on the simultaneous use of proteasome inhibitors and death receptor ligands have been shown to induce apoptosis in several tumor types but have not yet been explored in ATC. Objective and Methods: The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of the proteasome inhibitor Bortezomib to induce apoptosis in ATC cell lines. Bortezomib was used as a single agent or in combination with TNF-related apoptosis-induced ligand (TRAIL), a member of the TNF family that selectively induces tumor cell apoptosis. The molecular effects of Bortezomib were investigated by analyzing the expression of key regulators of cell cycle and apoptosis and the activation of different apoptotic pathways. Results: Bortezomib induced apoptosis in ATC cells at doses achieved in the clinical setting, differently from conventional chemotherapeutic agents. Simultaneous treatment with low doses of Bortezomib and TRAIL had a synergistic effect in inducing massive ATC cell apoptosis. Bortezomib increased the expression of cytotoxic TRAIL receptors, p21 (WAF/CIP1) and proapoptotic second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases/direct inhibitor of apoptosis binding protein with low pI, and reduced the expression of antiapoptotic mediators such as cellular Fas-associated death domain-like IL-1␤ converting enzyme inhibitory protein, Bcl-2, Bcl-X L , and inhibitor of apoptosis-1, thus resulting in cell death induction through the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Conclusions: The combination of proteasome inhibitors and TRAIL synergizes to induce the destruction of chemoresistant neoplastic thyrocytes and could represent a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 92: 1938 -1942, 2007

Epidemiology of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms: a review and protocol presentation for bridging tumor registry data with the Italian association for neuroendocrine tumors (Itanet) national database

: Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are rare tumors with diverse clinical behaviors. Large databases like the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program and national NEN registries have provided significant epidemiological knowledge, but they have limitations given the recent advancements in NEN diagnostics and treatments. For instance, newer imaging techniques and therapies have revolutionized NEN management, rendering older data less representative. Additionally, crucial parameters, like the Ki67 index, are missing from many databases. Acknowledging these gaps, the Italian Association for Neuroendocrine Tumors (Itanet) initiated a national multicenter prospective database in 2019, aiming to gather data on newly-diagnosed gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine (GEP) NENs. This observational study, coordinated by Itanet, includes patients from 37 Italian centers. The database, which is rigorously maintained and updated, focuses on diverse parameters including age, diagnostic techniques, tumor stage, treatments, and survival metrics. As of October 2023, data from 1,600 patients have been recorded, with an anticipation of reaching 3600 by the end of 2025. This study aims at understanding the epidemiology, clinical attributes, and treatment strategies for GEP-NENs in Italy, and to introduce the Itanet database project. Once comprehensive follow-up data will be acquired, the goal will be to discern predictors of treatment outcomes and disease prognosis. The Itanet database will offer an unparalleled, updated perspective on GEP-NENs, addressing the limitations of older databases and aiding in optimizing patient care. STUDY REGISTRATION: This protocol was registered in clinicaltriasl.gov (NCT04282083)

Body mass index and baseline platelet count as predictive factors in Merkel cell carcinoma patients treated with avelumab

BackgroundMerkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive skin cancer, associated with a worse prognosis. The Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) avelumab and pembrolizumab have been recently approved as first-line treatment in metastatic MCC (mMCC). The clinical observation of improved outcomes in obese patients following treatment with ICIs, known as the “obesity paradox”, has been studied across many types of tumors. Probably due to the rarity of this tumor, data on mMMC patients are lacking.Patients and methodsThis is an observational, hospital-based, study to investigate the role of Body Mass Index (BMI) as predictive biomarker of ICI response in mMCC patients treated with avelumab as first-line treatment. The study population included the patients treated from February 2019 to October 2022 in an Italian referral center for rare tumors. Clinico-pathological characteristics, BMI, laboratory parameters (NLR and platelet count), and response to avelumab were analyzed from a MCC System database prospectively collected.ResultsThirty-two (32) patients were included. Notably, the presence of pre-treatment BMI ≥ 30 was significantly associated with longer PFS [BMI < 30 Group: median PFS, 4 months (95% CI: 2.5-5.4); BMI ≥ 30 Group: median PFS, not reached; p<0.001)[. Additionally, the median PFS was significantly higher in patients with higher PLT (median PFS: 10 months in the “low PLT” Group (95% CI: 4.9, 16.1) vs 33 months (95% CI: 24.3, 43.2) in the “high PLT” Group (p=0.006). The multivariable Cox regression model confirmed these results.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first study that investigates the predictive role of BMI in MCC patients. Our data were consistent with the clinical observation of improved outcomes in obese patients across other tumor types. Thus, advanced age, a weakened immune system, and the obesity-associated “inflammaging”, are key factors that could impact the cancer immune responses of mMCC patients

Diversity and ethics in trauma and acute care surgery teams: results from an international survey

Background Investigating the context of trauma and acute care surgery, the article aims at understanding the factors that can enhance some ethical aspects, namely the importance of patient consent, the perceptiveness of the ethical role of the trauma leader, and the perceived importance of ethics as an educational subject. Methods The article employs an international questionnaire promoted by the World Society of Emergency Surgery. Results Through the analysis of 402 fully filled questionnaires by surgeons from 72 different countries, the three main ethical topics are investigated through the lens of gender, membership of an academic or non-academic institution, an official trauma team, and a diverse group. In general terms, results highlight greater attention paid by surgeons belonging to academic institutions, official trauma teams, and diverse groups. Conclusions Our results underline that some organizational factors (e.g., the fact that the team belongs to a university context or is more diverse) might lead to the development of a higher sensibility on ethical matters. Embracing cultural diversity forces trauma teams to deal with different mindsets. Organizations should, therefore, consider those elements in defining their organizational procedures. Level of evidence Trauma and acute care teams work under tremendous pressure and complex circumstances, with their members needing to make ethical decisions quickly. The international survey allowed to shed light on how team assembly decisions might represent an opportunity to coordinate team member actions and increase performance

How future surgery will benefit from SARS-COV-2-related measures: a SPIGC survey conveying the perspective of Italian surgeons

COVID-19 negatively affected surgical activity, but the potential benefits resulting from adopted measures remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in surgical activity and potential benefit from COVID-19 measures in perspective of Italian surgeons on behalf of SPIGC. A nationwide online survey on surgical practice before, during, and after COVID-19 pandemic was conducted in March-April 2022 (NCT:05323851). Effects of COVID-19 hospital-related measures on surgical patients' management and personal professional development across surgical specialties were explored. Data on demographics, pre-operative/peri-operative/post-operative management, and professional development were collected. Outcomes were matched with the corresponding volume. Four hundred and seventy-three respondents were included in final analysis across 14 surgical specialties. Since SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, application of telematic consultations (4.1% vs. 21.6%; p < 0.0001) and diagnostic evaluations (16.4% vs. 42.2%; p < 0.0001) increased. Elective surgical activities significantly reduced and surgeons opted more frequently for conservative management with a possible indication for elective (26.3% vs. 35.7%; p < 0.0001) or urgent (20.4% vs. 38.5%; p < 0.0001) surgery. All new COVID-related measures are perceived to be maintained in the future. Surgeons' personal education online increased from 12.6% (pre-COVID) to 86.6% (post-COVID; p < 0.0001). Online educational activities are considered a beneficial effect from COVID pandemic (56.4%). COVID-19 had a great impact on surgical specialties, with significant reduction of operation volume. However, some forced changes turned out to be benefits. Isolation measures pushed the use of telemedicine and telemetric devices for outpatient practice and favored communication for educational purposes and surgeon-patient/family communication. From the Italian surgeons' perspective, COVID-related measures will continue to influence future surgical clinical practice