AN HISTORICALLY-INFORMED APPROACH TO THE CONSERVATION OF VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE: THE CASE OF THE PHLEGREAN FARMHOUSES

Abstract. Landscape is always the object of countless mutations: some of them disrupt its identifying features; others leave intact its original traits. Vernacular architecture is linked closely to the vocation of its landscapes, especially agricultural ones: this is the case of Pianura, a neighbourhood in the Phlegrean western suburban area of Naples, where the remains of vernacular architecture and its connections to agriculture are still traceable among the unstoppable process of building speculation which, since the 1960s, has torn up the rural fabric. In this uncontrolled development of the modern city, the architectural heritage of the farmhouse has shown its resilience: although parts of it appear to have been completely engulfed by the uncontrolled expansion of the city, in as many cases farmhouses have endured time, degradation, and indifference towards their historical value. In the heart of the neighbourhood, the masseria, with all its recurring features, remains the most widespread housing model, despite more recent interventions. Through the study of the history and architectural features of Masseria S. Lorenzo, this contribution aims to identify possible guidelines and strategies for the conservation of the material and immaterial values of these examples of vernacular architecture, putting them on a restoration and re-functionalisation path that is mindful of their past heritage and future potential

Elevated myocardial and lymphocyte GRK2 expression and activity in human heart failure.

The G protein-coupled receptor kinase-2 (GRK2 or beta-ARK1) regulates beta-adrenergic receptors (beta-ARs) in the heart, and its cardiac expression is elevated in human heart failure (HF). We sought to determine whether myocardial levels and activity of GRK2 could be monitored using white blood cells, which have been used to study cardiac beta-ARs. Moreover, we were interested in determining whether GRK2 levels in myocardium and lymphocytes may be associated with beta-AR dysfunction and HF severity.In myocardial biopsies from explanted failing human hearts, GRK activity was inversely correlated with beta-AR-mediated cAMP production (R(2)=-0.215, P<0.05, n=24). Multiple regression analysis confirmed that GRK activity participates with beta-AR density to regulate catecholamine-sensitive cAMP responses. Importantly, there was a direct correlation between myocardial and lymphocytes GRK2 activity (R(2)=0.5686, P<0.05, n=10). Lymphocyte GRK activity was assessed in HF patients with various ejection fractions (EFs) (n=33), and kinase activity was significantly higher in patients with lower EFs and was higher with increasing NYHA class (P<0.001).Myocardial GRK2 expression and activity are mirrored by lymphocyte levels of this kinase, and its elevation in HF is associated with the loss of beta-AR responsiveness and appears to increase with disease severity. Therefore, lymphocytes may provide a surrogate for monitoring cardiac GRK2 in human HF

Thoracic involvement in systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases: pathogenesis and management.

Thoracic involvement is one of the main determinants of morbidity and mortality in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs), with different prevalence and manifestations according to the underlying disease. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the most common pulmonary complication, particularly in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Other thoracic manifestations include pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), mostly in patients with SSc, airway disease, mainly in RA, and pleural involvement, which is common in systemic lupus erythematosus and RA, but rare in other ARDs.In this review, we summarize and critically discuss the current knowledge on thoracic involvement in ARDs, with emphasis on disease pathogenesis and management. Immunosuppression is the mainstay of therapy, particularly for ARDs-ILD, but it should be reserved to patients with clinically significant disease or at risk of progressive disease. Therefore, a thorough, multidisciplinary assessment to determine disease activity and degree of impairment is required to optimize patient management. Nevertheless, the management of thoracic involvement-particularly ILD-is challenging due to the heterogeneity of disease pathogenesis, the variety of patterns of interstitial pneumonia and the paucity of randomized controlled clinical trials of pharmacological intervention. Further studies are needed to better understand the pathogenesis of these conditions, which in turn is instrumental to the development of more efficacious therapies

[Myositis specific and myositis associated autoantibodies in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: a serologic study of 46 patients]

Objective. To characterize serum autoantibody profiles of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) by searching for myositis-specific (MSA) and myositis-associated (MAA) antibodies with sensitive and specific laboratory tests. Methods. We tested the sera from 46 Caucasian patients diagnosed as affected with IIM at the Division of Rheumatology of Padova University (21 polimyositis, PM; 22 dermatomyositis, DM; 3 myositis overlap syndrome). All patients had definite IIM according to the criteria of Bohan-Peter. MSA including anti-tRNA synthetase (anti-Jo-1 and others) and anti-Mi-2 were determined by RNA immunoprecipitation and a modified immunoblot test, respectively. MAA (-U1RNP, -U2RNP, RoRNP, PM/Scl, Ku) were detected by counterimmunoelectrophoresis and immunoblot. Results. Serum MSA and/or MAA were found in 30/46 (65%) patients with IIM. Twenty-three patients (50%) were positive for at least one MSA: anti-Jo-1 in 15 (33%), anti-Mi-2 in 6 (13%), and other anti-tRNA synthetase in 3 (6%).One patient was anti-Jo-1/Mi-2 positive. Moreover, 18 patients (39%) were positive for at least one MAA: anti-Ro/SSA in 13 (28%), anti-U1RNP in 4 (9%), anti-PM/Scl in 1 (2%) and anti-Ku in 1 (2%). Coexisting MSA and MAA were observed in 8 patients (17%), anti-Jo-1/SSA positive in most cases. Anti-Jo-1 was predominantly associated with PM (57% in PM vs 14% in DM), whereas anti-Mi-2 was exclusively found in DM patients (27%). Anti-synthetase antibodies were closely associated with interstitial lung disease and polyarthritis; anti-Mi-2 positive DM patients did not have lung involvement. Notably, anti-Ro/SSA antibody was frequently observed and almost equally detected in either PM or DM (about 30%): in more than 50% of cases the antibody was associated with one MSA. Conclusions. By means of analytically reliable methods, MSA was detected in 50% of our IIM patients. Searching for MSA in patients with IIM is recommended because of its diagnostic and prognostic value

Anti-phosphatidyl-serine/prothrombin antibodies (aPS/PT) in isolated lupus anticoagulant (LA): is their presence linked to dual test positivity?

Abstract Objectives Anti phosphatidylserine/prothrombin antibodies (aPS/PT) are often present in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and might be relevant in the pathogenesis of this condition. They are major determinant of lupus anticoagulant (LA) in triple-positive antiphospholipid (aPL) profile. Whether they are present and pathogenic in patients with isolated LA [negative anticardiolipin (aCL) and anti β2-glycoprotein I (aβ2GPI) antibodies] is a matter of debate. Methods We measured aPS/PT in a large number of isolated LA with the aim to ascertain whether there is a link between the way isolated LA is assessed and the presence of these antibodies. APS/PT were measured in 86 patients with isolated LA (aCL- and abeta2GPI-). LA was assessed by two test systems, the dilute Russell Viper Venom Time (dRVVT) and the Silica Clotting Time (SCT). Results Sixty-six (77%) individuals with isolated LA were positive for aPS/PT (IgM 44, IgG and IgM 15, IgG in 7). Diagnosis of LA was made based on positive results in both dRVVT and SCT in 40 patients (Group 1) and based on only one positive test in the remaining 46 patients (Group 2). The rate of positive aPS/PT antibodies was significantly higher in Group 1 (OR=7.2, 95% CI 1.9–27.0, p<0.002). Moreover, the titre of IgM aPS/PT was significantly increased in Group 1 as compared to Group 2 (137 U, IQR 64–179 vs. 43 U, IQR 11–120, p=0.008). Conclusions These data indicate an association between LA based on two positive coagulation tests and the presence of aPS/PT antibodies, especially of IgM isotype

The Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) of the Serravallian Stage (Middle Miocene)

The Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the Base of the Serravallian Stage (Middle Miocene) is defined in the Ras il Pellegrin section located in the coastal cliffs along the Fomm Ir-Rih Bay on the west coast of Malta (35°54'50"N, 14°20'10"E). The GSSP is at the base of the Blue Clay Formation (i.e., top of the transitional bed of the uppermost Globigerina Limestone). This boundary between the Langhian and Serravallian stages coincides with the end of the major Mi-3b global cooling step in the oxygen isotopes and reflects a major increase in Antarctic ice volume, marking the end of the Middle Miocene climate transition and the Earth's transformation into an "Icehouse" climate state. The associated major glacio-eustatic sea-level drop corresponds with sequence boundary Ser1 of Hardenbol et al. (1998) and supposedly with the TB2.5 sequence boundary of Haq et al (1987). This event is slightly older than the last common and/or continuous occurrence of the calcareous nannofossil Sphenolithus heteromorphus, previously considered as guiding criterion for the boundary, and is projected to fall within the younger half of Chron C5ACn. The GSSP level is in full agreement with the definitions of the Langhian and Serravallian in their respective historical stratotype sections in northern Italy and has an astronomical age of 13.82 Ma