Everyday Objects

Il presente numero di Aisthesis, che ha come titolo “Everyday Objects / Oggetti quotidiani”, muove da una constatazione di fatto. Oggi la plasmazione del gusto avviene, in misura notevole e forse preminente, attraverso il rapporto con oggetti d’uso che, a differenza delle opere d’arte celebrate da élites culturali in luoghi e tempi circoscritti (ma spesso fruite come oggetti per il consumo turistico di massa), hanno un ruolo pervasivo nelle varie attività della vita quotidiana, da quelle domestiche a quelle lavorative, al tempo libero. Tuttavia a causa della loro prosaicità gli oggetti quotidiani solo raramente sono stati al centro della riflessione filosofica. Così, nell’epoca attuale in cui l’esperienza del bello si può fruire con qualsiasi prodotto non solo artistico ma pure commerciale (dagli abiti agli accessori, dai videogiochi all’automobile ai vari prodotti tecnologici) l’estetica si trova ad affrontare nuovi orizzonti che includono le esperienze della vita quotidiana. Da qui l’idea che sia diventato urgente riflettere sullo statuto dell’oggetto d’uso, sul suo valore e significato alla luce della dialettica funzionalità/bellezza, sul suo rapporto con l’opera d’arte (a cui talvolta funge da dispositivo di attivazione, come nel caso dei tablets e degli smartphones), e sui nuovi e specifici paradigmi concettuali validi a offrirne una chiave interpretativa. Gli interrogrativi che abbiamo posto al centro del numero – e a cui gli interventi qui riuniti propongono risposte varie – sono dunque quelli stessi che, probabilmente, possono orientare la riflessione estetica sugli oggetti quotidiani: 1)qual è – se esiste – l’elemento distintivo che contrassegna gli oggetti della vita quotidiana considerati degni di particolare apprezzamento estetico? 2)come si è modificato lo statuto del design nell’epoca della presenza diffusa dell’estetico negli spazi quotidiani, privati e pubblici? 3)quali sono le trasformazioni dell’esperienza dell’arte seguite alla dislocazione della plasmazione del gusto entro l’interazione con oggetti d’uso? 4)vi è un sistema di predicazione estetica specifico che inerisce agli oggetti quotidiani, in parziale analogia con il linguaggio della critica d’arte? Le diverse questioni proposte dai diversi autori si articolano secondo uno sviluppo ben definito che, a partire da temi inerenti l'estetica della vita quotidiana, giunge ad affrontare più direttamente il peculiare statuto dell’ “oggetto” in un’epoca in cui l’esteticità sembra risolversi più in una cifra esperienziale che in una caratteristica oggettuale. Il posto dell’oggetto risulta occupato da interfacce e dispositivi che implicano il coinvolgimento, a un tempo, attivo e passivo di coloro che ne fruiscono e vi si fruiscono, e ciò sia nei momenti che impegnano la conoscenza sia nei momenti in cui si vive il proprio tempo liberato. L’impostazione del numero della rivista rispecchia tale andamento, concentrandosi dapprima sulle “pratiche” e poi sul conseguente statuto del “design” che gli oggetti quotidiani incorporano e giustificano. Peraltro, è proprio per la sua capacità di contrassegnare questa dimensione relazionale di campo che l’estetico, nell’odierna quotidianità, assume massima pregnanza ed efficacia, fino a connotare sempre più radicalmente i nostri mondi della vita.Today the experience of beauty may be enjoyed by means of products that are not only artistic but also commercial and aesthetics is facing new horizons which include the experiences of everyday life. However, because of their prosaic character everyday objects have only rarely been at the centre of philosophical reflection. The aim of this issue of “Aisthesis” is to reflect with fruitful variety of approach on the epistemological status of the product, its value and significance in the light of the dialectics functionality/beauty, its relationship with the art work, and the new and specific conceptual paradigms that may offer an interpretive key

Adverse Perinatal Outcome in Subsequent Pregnancy after Stillbirth by Placental Vascular Disorders

Objective: To evaluate outcome in the pregnancy following a stillbirth (SB) by a placental vascular disorders. Study Design: A prospective, observational, multicenter study was conducted in woman with a history of stillbirth (> 22 weeks) between 2005 and June 2013, in 3 Italian University Hospitals. Causes of SB were previously identified after extensive investigations. Pregnant women were enrolled within the first trimester. The main outcome was "adverse neonatal outcome", including perinatal death, fetal growth restriction, early preterm birth <33+6 weeks, hypoxicischemic encephalopathy, intracranial hemorrhage or respiratory distress. Results: Out of 364 index pregnancies, 320 women (87.9%) had a subsequent pregnancy during the study period. Forty-seven had an early pregnancy loss. Out of 273 babies, 67 (24.5%) had an adverse perinatal outcome, including 1 SB and 1 early neonatal death (3.7/1000). Women who had a SB related to placental vascular disorders (39.6%), were at higher risk of an adverse neonatal outcome compared with women whose SB was unexplained or resulted from other causes (Adj. OR = 2.1, 95%CI: 1.2-3.8). Moreover, also obesity independently predicts an adverse perinatal outcome (Adj OR = 2.1, 95%CI: 1.1-4.3). Conclusion: When previous SB is related to placental vascular disorders there is a high risk for adverse neonatal outcomes in the subsequent pregnancy. Maternal obesity is an additional risk factor

Volatilome analyses and in vitro antimicrobial activity of the essential oils from five south african helichrysum species

Helichrysum genus was used in folk South African medicine to treat various human disorders. As a part of our on-going research addressing the exploitation of South African plants belonging to this genus, five species were investigated for their volatile and antimicrobial activities. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and the essential oils (EOs) were analysed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Microdilution was the method used for assessing both antimycotic and antibacterial activities, which was also tested by Kirby-Bauer agar disc diffusion. Total monoterpenes (TMs) dominated the VOCs of four species (H. trilineatum (70.6%), H. edwardsii (79.3%), H. cooperi (84.5%), and H. pandurifolium (57.0%)). H. cooperi and H. edwardsii EOs showed the predominance of TMs (68.2% and 84.5%, respectively), while H. pandurifolium and H. trilineatum EOs were characterized by the prevalence of TSs (86.5% and 43.6%, respectively). H. odoratissimum EO evidenced a similar amount of both TMs (49.5%) and TSs (46.4%). Microsporum canis was more sensitive to these EOs. The lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was observed with H. pandurifolium and H. edwardsii EOs (0.25%). H. pandurifolium and H. trilineatum had a good effect on Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 5%). These findings open new perspectives for the exploitation of these natural compounds for application in cosmetics and pharmaceutics

Multigate Quality Doppler Profiles Technology in Vascular, Obstetrics and Cardiology Applications

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RELATION BETWEEN MATERNAL THROMBOPHILIA AND STILLBIRTH ACCORDING TO CAUSES/ASSOCIATED CONDITIONS OF DEATH

OBJECTIVE: To investigate maternal thrombophilia in cases of Stillbirth (SB), also an uncertain topic because most case series were not characterised for cause/associated conditions of death. STUDY DESIGN: In a consecutive, prospective, multicentre design, maternal DNA was obtained in 171 cases of antenatal SB and 326 controls (uneventful pregnancy at term, 1:2 ratio). Diagnostic work-up of SB included obstetric history, neonatologist inspection, placenta histology, autopsy, microbiology/chromosome evaluations. Results audited in each centre were classified by two of us by using CoDAC. Cases were subdivided into explained SB where a cause of death was identified and although no defined cause was detected in the remnants, 64 cases found conditions associated with placenta-vascular disorders (including preeclampsia, growth restriction and placenta abruption - PVD). In the remnant 79 cases, no cause of death or associated condition was found. Antithrombin activity, Factor V Leiden, G20210A Prothrombin mutation (FII mutation) and acquired thrombophilia were analysed. RESULTS: Overall, the presence of a thrombophilic defect was significantly more prevalent in mothers with SBs compared to controls. In particular, SB mothers showed an increased risk of carrying Factor II mutation (OR=3.2, 95\% CI: 1.3-8.3, p=0.01), namely in unexplained cases. Such mutation was significantly associated also with previous SB (OR=8.9, 95\%CI 1.2-70.5). At multiple logistic regression, Factor II mutation was the only significantly associated variable with SB (adj OR=3.8, 95\% CI: 1.3-13.5). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that Factor II mutation is the only condition specifically associated with unexplained SB and could represents a risk of recurrence. PVD-associated condition is unrelated to thrombophilia

Ultrasound prediction of adverse outcome and perinatal complications at diagnosis of late-onset fetal growth restriction: a cohort study

Background: Abnormal umbilical, cerebral and uterine artery Doppler findings and fetal biometry below the 3rd percentile have been proposed as risk factors for perinatal complications in late-onset fetal growth restriction (FGR). Recent evidence has allowed to reach a consensus on the clinical use of Doppler ultrasound for the monitoring and timing of delivery in early-onset FGR, however there is limited data on the relationship between abnormal Doppler and severity of the growth restriction and adverse outcome when a diagnosis of late-onset FGR is made. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the ultrasound parameters measured at diagnosis and perinatal adverse outcome within a cohort of late-onset FGR fetuses. Methods: This is a multicentre retrospective study between 2014 and 2019 including non-anomalous singleton pregnancies complicated by late-onset FGR, which was defined either by abdominal circumference (AC), estimated fetal weight (EFW) &lt;10th percentile for the gestation or by a reduction of the longitudinal growth of the AC by over 50 percentiles compared to an ultrasound scan performed between 18 and 32 weeks of gestation. Sonographic findings at diagnosis were compared between fetuses with and without adverse outcomes including stillbirth, obstetric intervention due to intrapartum distress, neonatal acidaemia, transfer to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and composite adverse perinatal outcome (CAO), which was defined by either stillbirth or the combination of at least two adverse perinatal outcomes. Results: Overall, 468 cases with full biometry and umbilical, middle cerebral, and uterine artery (UtA) Doppler data were included, among whom CAO was recorded in 53 (11.3%). At logistic regression analysis, only the EFW percentile proved to be independently associated with CAO (p=0.01) and NICU admission (p&lt;0.01), while the mean UtA pulsatility index (PI) MoM &gt;95th percentile at diagnosis proved to be independently associated with obstetric intervention due to intrapartum distress (p&lt;0.01). The model including baseline pregnancy characteristics and the EFW percentile was associated with an area under the curve of 0.889, 95%CI (0.813-0.966), p&lt;0.001 for CAO. A cut-off value corresponding to the 3.95th percentile was found to better discriminate between cases with and without CAO yielding a 58.5% sensitivity [95% confidence interval (CI) (44.1-71.9)], a 69.6% specificity [95%CI (65.0-74.0)], a 19.8% positive predictive value [95%CI (13.8-26.8)], and a 92.9% negative predictive value [95%CI (89.5-95.5)]. Conclusions: Retrospective data on a large cohort of late-onset FGR fetuses shows that at diagnosis the EFW is the only sonographic parameter independently associated with the occurrence of adverse perinatal outcomes, while a mean UtA PI MoM &gt;95th percentile at diagnosis is independently associated with intrapartum distress leading to obstetric intervention. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Stillbirths at Term : Case Control Study of Risk Factors, Growth Status and Placental Histology

Objective: To investigate the proportion of stillbirths at term associated with abnormal growth using customized birth weight percentiles and to compare histological placental findings both in underweight stillborn fetuses and in live births. Methods: A retrospective case-control study of 150 singleton term stillbirths. The livebirth control groups included 586 cases of low-risk pregnancies and 153 late fetal growth restriction fetuses. Stillbirths and livebirths from low-risk pregnancies were classified using customized standards for fetal weight at birth, as adequate for gestational age (AGA; 10-90th percentile), small (SGA; 90th percentile). Placental characteristics in stillbirth were compared with those from livebirths using four categories: inflammation, disruptive, obstructive and adaptive lesions. Results: There was a higher rate of SGA (26% vs 6%, p<0.001) and LGA fetuses (10.6% vs 5.6%, p<0.05) in the stillbirth group. Among stillbirth fetuses, almost half of the SGA were very low birthweight ( 643\ub0percentile) (12% vs 0.3%, p<0.001). The disruptive (7.3% vs 0.17%; p<0.001), obstructive (54.6% vs 7.5%;p<0.001) and adaptive (46.6% vs 35.8%;p<0.001) findings were significantly more common in than in livebirth-low risk. Placental characteristics of AGA and SGA stillbirth were compared with those of AGA and FGR livebirth. In stillbirths-SGA we found a higher number of disruptive (12.8% vs 0%; p<0.001), obstructive (58.9% vs 23.5%;p<0.001) and adaptive lesions (56.4% vs 49%; p 0.47) than in livebirth-FGR. Conclusion: The assessment of fetal weight with customized curves can identify fetuses which have not reached their genetically determined growth potential and are therefore at risk for adverse outcomes. Placental evaluation in stillbirths can reveal chronic histological signs that might be useful to clinical assessment, especially in underweight fetuses. \ua9 2016 Mecacci et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited

Autoimmune diseases and pregnancy: analysis of a series of cases

BACKGROUND: An autoimmune disease is characterized by tissue damage, caused by self-reactivity of different effector mechanisms of the immune system, namely antibodies and T cells. All autoimmune diseases, to some extent, have implications for fertility and obstetrics. Currently, due to available treatments and specialised care for pregnant women with autoimmune disease, the prognosis for both mother and child has improved significantly. However these pregnancies are always high risk. The purpose of this study is to analyse the fertility/pregnancy process of women with systemic and organ-specific autoimmune diseases and assess pathological and treatment implications. METHODS: The authors performed an analysis of the clinical records and relevant obstetric history of five patients representing five distinct autoimmune pathological scenarios, selected from Autoimmune Disease Consultation at the Hospital of Braga, and reviewed the literature. RESULTS: The five clinical cases are the following: Case 1-28 years old with systemic lupus erythematosus, and clinical remission of the disease, under medication with hydroxychloroquine, prednisolone and acetylsalicylic acid, with incomplete miscarriage at 7 weeks of gestation without signs of thrombosis. Case 2-44 years old with history of two late miscarriages, a single preterm delivery (33 weeks) and multiple thrombotic events over the years, was diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome after acute myocardial infarction. Case 3-31 years old with polymyositis, treated with azathioprine for 3 years with complete remission of the disease, took the informed decision to get pregnant after medical consultation and full weaning from azathioprine, and gave birth to a healthy term new-born. Case 4-38 years old pregnant woman developed Behcet's syndrome during the final 15 weeks of gestation and with disease exacerbation after delivery. Case 5-36 years old with autoimmune thyroiditis diagnosed during her first pregnancy, with difficult control over the thyroid function over the years and first trimester miscarriage, suffered a second miscarriage despite clinical stability and antibody regression. CONCLUSIONS: As described in literature, the authors found a strong association between autoimmune disease and obstetric complications, especially with systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid syndrome and autoimmune thyroiditis

The Impact of Kidney Development on the Life Course: A Consensus Document for Action

Hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a significant impact on global morbidity and mortality. The Low Birth Weight and Nephron Number Working Group has prepared a consensus document aimed to address the relatively neglected issue for the developmental programming of hypertension and CKD. It emerged from a workshop held on April 2, 2016, including eminent internationally recognized experts in the field of obstetrics, neonatology, and nephrology. Through multidisciplinary engagement, the goal of the workshop was to highlight the association between fetal and childhood development and an increased risk of adult diseases, focusing on hypertension and CKD, and to suggest possible practical solutions for the future. The recommendations for action of the consensus workshop are the results of combined clinical experience, shared research expertise, and a review of the literature. They highlight the need to act early to prevent CKD and other related noncommunicable diseases later in life by reducing low birth weight, small for gestational age, prematurity, and low nephron numbers at birth through coordinated interventions. Meeting the current unmet needs would help to define the most cost-effective strategies and to optimize interventions to limit or interrupt the developmental programming cycle of CKD later in life, especially in the poorest part of the world