Baptism and Baptisteries in Late Antiquity. Ritual, architecture, society

Il tema del battesimo e dei battisteri nei primi sette secoli dell’era cristiana è fra quelli maggiormente trattati nella letteratura, benché da due prospettive fra loro indipendenti e separate: da un lato l’aspetto storico-liturgico e teologico, dall’altro quello storico-artistico e archeologico. L’obiettivo che la nostra ricerca si è proposta è quello di un’integrazione delle due prospettive, aggiungendone una terza, per così dire “sociale”. Quest’ultima definizione comprende l’insieme di quei comportamenti pratici e attitudini mentali ingenerati nella società dalla stessa esistenza del rito battesimale. Il periodo entro cui si muove l’indagine comprende i secoli dal IV al VII, un arco cronologico in cui il quadro normativo ed istituzionale della Chiesa è ancora in evoluzione. La campionatura delle aree in esame comprende contesti prevalentemente orientali ma anche occidentali, in modo da comporre un panorama di confronto il più possibile ampio e rappresentativo. Le aree indagate sono le seguenti: i cinque seggi patriarcali (Roma, Costantinopoli, Alessandria, Antiochia, Gerusalemme) e alcune province mediterranee: Siria occidentale, Cipro, Caria, Panfilia, Lycia, Creta, Dodecaneso (isole maggiori), Palestina, Egitto settentrionale, Macedonia, Tracia, Liguria, Flaminia e Sicilia in Italia, Africa Proconsularis. Il dato archeologico-topografico, dato dalla schedatura di 436 battisteri, è stato quindi messo in relazione con l’evoluzione della liturgia e del contesto storico-sociale nelle diverse aree. Il battesimo, con l’immaginario e le pratiche ad esso collegati e da esso derivati, si è rivelato un elemento fondamentale nella trasformazione strutturale della società che avviene in epoca tardoantica, partecipando, insieme ad altri fattori, al processo di lento cambiamento dei presupposti del vivere sociale: il Cristianesimo diventò progressivamente un elemento di uniformazione dell’identità collettiva, che coinvolgeva sulla base dei medesimi ideali ceti sociali differenti. Un processo di ‘democratizzazione’ sociale, non privo di contraddizioni, di cui il primo atto fu costituito dalla generalizzazione del rito del battesimo.Baptism and baptisteries during the first centuries of Christian era have been largely treated in scientific literature, mainly from two different and autonomous perspectives: on the one hand, history of liturgy and theology, on the other hand, history of art and archaeology. Our aim is to combine these two approaches, by adding a third one, that of social history. This perspective deals with practical behaviours and mental attitudes that are generated within the society by the very existence of the baptismal ritual. The chronological frame which is considered goes from the 4th to the 7th c., a period in which the normative and institutional structure of the Church(es) is still developing. The sampling of the geographical areas under analysis considers mainly the Eastern Mediterranean, but also some of the Western regions, in order to be as much wider and representative as possible. The analysis includes the five patriarchal sieges (Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem) and several provinces: western Syria, Cyprus, Caria, Pamphylia, Lycia, Crete, Dodecanese (main islands), Palestine, northern Egypt, Macedonia, Thrace, Liguria, Flaminia and Sicily in Italy, Africa Proconsularis. The archaeological and topographical data, derived from the record of 436 baptisteries, have been related to the evolution of liturgy as well as to historical and social contexts in the various areas. Baptism, together with the thoughts and practices that are connected to it, and derived from it, has turn out to be fundamental in the transformation of social structures that takes place in Late Antiquity. It contributed, amongst other factors, to the process of slow change of the social schemes: Christianity gradually became a source of uniformity for collective identity, by bringing together different social strata on the base of the same ideals. This process of social “democratisation”, not without contradictions, began with the general spread of baptism

Capillary electrophoresis of sialylated oligosaccharides in milk from different species

Oligosaccharides are relevant components of human milk, which have been quite well studied for their pre-biotic effect and their capacity in stimulating the immune system. Since oligosaccharides from milk of non-human mammals received so far less attention, the aim of this work was the application of capillary electrophoresis (CE) for the analysis of sialylated oligosaccharides in cow, goat and equine (mare and donkey) milk to possibly identify potential sources of oligosaccharides to use as health promoting ingredients in functional foods. Human milk was used as reference milk. A recent CE technique was applied to resolve and quantify 3-sialyllactose (3-SL), 6-sialyllactose (6-SL) and disialyl-lacto-N-tetraose (DSLNT). Analysis of non-human milk samples confirmed differences among species and individuals: DSLNT, which was the most abundant compound in human milk (455–805 g/mL) was missing in most of the samples. In most cases, 3-SL showed to be the most concentrated of the quantified analytes, with values ranging from 12 to 77 g/mL

Auditoria de enfermagem: aspectos da qualidade da assistência e do seu registro no prontuário

Objective: To analyze the nursing audit work process carried out in health institutions as a guarantee of the quality of the care provided and its adequate record in the patient's medical record. Method: Literature review, based on the selection of articles indexed in the databases of the Virtual Health Library and institutional evidence from the National Supplementary Health Agency and the Federal Nursing Council. Results and Discussion: From the foregoing, we could observe that the audit activities aim to: examine, measure, measure and observe whether the technical activities, operating systems and assistance protocols are being carried out within the required standards and recommended laws. Conclusion: It is evident, therefore, that if the health institution seeks to guarantee quality of care, financial sustainability, and safe records, it is necessary to establish a nursing audit team. In addition, we recommend more research that demonstrates the contribution of auditing in nursing degrees and at work in relation to risk management, aimed at patient safety.Objetivo: Analisar o processo de trabalho da auditoria de enfermagem realizado em instituições de saúde como garantia da qualidade da assistência prestada e do seu adequado registro no prontuário do paciente. Método: Revisão da literatura, a partir da seleção de artigos indexados nas bases de dados da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde e de evidências institucionais da Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar e do Conselho Federal de Enfermagem. Resultados e Discussão: A partir do exposto, pudemos observar que as atividades de auditoria objetivam: examinar, mensurar, medir e observar se as atividades técnicas, sistemas operacionais e protocolos assistenciais estão sendo executados dentro das normas exigidas e leis preconizadas. Conclusão: Torna-se evidente, portanto, que se a instituição de saúde busca garantir a qualidade nos cuidados, sustentabilidade financeira e registros seguros, faz-se necessário se constituir uma equipe de auditoria de enfermagem. Além disso, recomendamos mais pesquisas que demonstrem à contribuição da auditoria nas graduações de enfermagem e no trabalho frente à gestão de riscos, voltados a segurança do paciente

Persistence of Unintegrated HIV DNA Associates With Ongoing NK Cell Activation and CD34+DNAM-1brightCXCR4+ Precursor Turnover in Vertically Infected Patients Despite Successful Antiretroviral Treatment

none11noThe quantification of proviral DNA is raising interest in view of clinical management and functional HIV eradication. Measures of all unintegrated HIV DNA (uDNA) forms in infected reservoir cells provides information on recent replication events that is not found from other proviral DNA assays. To evaluate its actual relevance in a cohort of perinatally-infected adult HIV patients (PHIV), we studied how peripheral blood mononuclear cell uDNA levels correlated with total HIV DNA (tDNA) and with overall replication or innate immune control parameters including NK cell activation/exhaustion and lymphoid turnover. Twenty-two PHIV were included, with successfully controlled HIV (HIV RNA <50 copies/mL) on combined antiretroviral therapy for mean of 8.7 ± 3.9 years. uDNA accounted for 16 [5.2-83.5] copies/µg and was strongly correlated with tDNA (ρ=0.700, p=0.001). Flow cytometric analysis of peripheral NK cells showed that CD69 expression was directly correlated uDNA (p=0.0412), but not with tDNA. Interestingly, CD56-CD16+NK cells which include newly described inflammatory precursors and terminally differentiated cells were directly correlated with uDNA levels (p<0.001), but not with tDNA, and an inverse association was observed between the proportion of NKG2D+ NK cells and uDNA (ρ=-0.548, p=0.015). In addition, CD34+DNAM-1brightCXCR4+ inflammatory precursor frequency correlated directly with uDNA levels (ρ=0.579, p=0.0075). The frequencies of CD56-CD16+ and CD34+DNAM-1brightCXCR4+ cells maintained association with uDNA levels in a multivariable analysis (p=0.045 and p=0.168, respectively). Thus, control of HIV-1 reservoir in aviremic patients on ART is an active process associated with continuous NK cell intervention and turnover, even after many years of treatment. Quantification of linear and circular uDNA provides relevant information on the requirement for ongoing innate immune control in addition to ART, on recent replication history and may help stratify patients for functional HIV eradication protocols with targeted options.openTaramasso, Lucia; Bozzano, Federica; Casabianca, Anna; Orlandi, Chiara; Bovis, Francesca; Mora, Sara; Giacomini, Mauro; Moretta, Lorenzo; Magnani, Mauro; Di Biagio, Antonio; De Maria, AndreaTaramasso, Lucia; Bozzano, Federica; Casabianca, Anna; Orlandi, Chiara; Bovis, Francesca; Mora, Sara; Giacomini, Mauro; Moretta, Lorenzo; Magnani, Mauro; Di Biagio, Antonio; De Maria, Andre

An Intracellular Arrangement of Histoplasma capsulatum Yeast-Aggregates Generates Nuclear Damage to the Cultured Murine Alveolar Macrophages

Histoplasma capsulatum is responsible for a human systemic mycosis that primarily affects lung tissue. Macrophages are the major effector cells in humans that respond to the fungus, and the development of respiratory disease depends on the ability of Histoplasma yeast cells to survive and replicate within alveolar macrophages. Therefore, the interaction between macrophages and H. capsulatum is a decisive step in the yeast dissemination into host tissues. Although the role played by components of cell-mediated immunity in the host's defense system and the mechanisms used by the pathogen to evade the host immune response are well understood, knowledge regarding the effects induced by H. capsulatum in host cells at the nuclear level is limited. According to the present findings, H. capsulatum yeast cells display a unique architectural arrangement during the intracellular infection of cultured murine alveolar macrophages, characterized as a formation of aggregates that seem to surround the host cell nucleus, resembling a crown. This extranuclear organization of yeast-aggregates generates damage on the nucleus of the host cell, producing DNA fragmentation and inducing apoptosis, even though the yeast cells are not located inside the nucleus and do not trigger changes in nuclear proteins. The current study highlights a singular intracellular arrangement of H. capsulatum yeast near to the nucleus of infected murine alveolar macrophages that may contribute to the yeast’s persistence under intracellular conditions, since this fungal pathogen may display different strategies to prevent elimination by the host's phagocytic mechanisms

How can cry acoustics associate newborns’ distress levels with neurophysiological and behavioral signals?

IntroductionEven though infant crying is a common phenomenon in humans’ early life, it is still a challenge for researchers to properly understand it as a reflection of complex neurophysiological functions. Our study aims to determine the association between neonatal cry acoustics with neurophysiological signals and behavioral features according to different cry distress levels of newborns.MethodsMultimodal data from 25 healthy term newborns were collected simultaneously recording infant cry vocalizations, electroencephalography (EEG), near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and videos of facial expressions and body movements. Statistical analysis was conducted on this dataset to identify correlations among variables during three different infant conditions (i.e., resting, cry, and distress). A Deep Learning (DL) algorithm was used to objectively and automatically evaluate the level of cry distress in infants.ResultsWe found correlations between most of the features extracted from the signals depending on the infant’s arousal state, among them: fundamental frequency (F0), brain activity (delta, theta, and alpha frequency bands), cerebral and body oxygenation, heart rate, facial tension, and body rigidity. Additionally, these associations reinforce that what is occurring at an acoustic level can be characterized by behavioral and neurophysiological patterns. Finally, the DL audio model developed was able to classify the different levels of distress achieving 93% accuracy.ConclusionOur findings strengthen the potential of crying as a biomarker evidencing the physical, emotional and health status of the infant becoming a crucial tool for caregivers and clinicians

Efficacy of bendamustine and rituximab as first salvage treatment in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and indirect comparison with ibrutinib: A GIMEMA, ERIC and UK CLL FORUM study

We performed an observational study on the efficacy of bendamustine and rituximab (BR) as first salvage regimen in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). In an intention-to-treat analysis including 237 patients, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 25 months. The presence of del (17p), unmutated IGHV and advanced stage were associated with a shorter PFS at multivariate analysis. The median time-to-next treatment was 31.3 months. Front-line treatment with a chemoimmunotherapy regimen was the only predictive factor for a shorter time to next treatment at multivariate analysis. The median overall survival (OS) was 74.5 months. Advanced disease stage (i.e. Rai stage III-IV or Binet stage C) and resistant disease were the only parameters significantly associated with a shorter OS. Grade 3-5 infections were recorded in 6.3% of patients. A matched-adjusted indirect comparison with ibrutinib given second-line within Named Patient Programs in the United Kingdom and in Italy was carried out with OS as objective end point. When restricting the analysis to patients with intact 17p who had received chemoimmunotherapy in first line, there was no difference in OS between patients treated with ibrutinib (63% alive at 36 months) and patients treated with BR (74.4% alive at 36 months). BR is an efficacious first salvage regimen in CLL in a real-life population, including the elderly and unfit patients. BR and ibrutinib may be equally effective in terms of OS when used as first salvage treatment in patients without 17p deletion. (Registered at clinicaltrials.gov identifier: 02491398)

Antidiabetic Drug Prescription Pattern in Hospitalized Older Patients with Diabetes

Objective: To describe the prescription pattern of antidiabetic and cardiovascular drugs in a cohort of hospitalized older patients with diabetes. Methods: Patients with diabetes aged 65 years or older hospitalized in internal medicine and/or geriatric wards throughout Italy and enrolled in the REPOSI (REgistro POliterapuie SIMI—Società Italiana di Medicina Interna) registry from 2010 to 2019 and discharged alive were included. Results: Among 1703 patients with diabetes, 1433 (84.2%) were on treatment with at least one antidiabetic drug at hospital admission, mainly prescribed as monotherapy with insulin (28.3%) or metformin (19.2%). The proportion of treated patients decreased at discharge (N = 1309, 76.9%), with a significant reduction over time. Among those prescribed, the proportion of those with insulin alone increased over time (p = 0.0066), while the proportion of those prescribed sulfonylureas decreased (p &lt; 0.0001). Among patients receiving antidiabetic therapy at discharge, 1063 (81.2%) were also prescribed cardiovascular drugs, mainly with an antihypertensive drug alone or in combination (N = 777, 73.1%). Conclusion: The management of older patients with diabetes in a hospital setting is often sub-optimal, as shown by the increasing trend in insulin at discharge, even if an overall improvement has been highlighted by the prevalent decrease in sulfonylureas prescription

The “Diabetes Comorbidome”: A Different Way for Health Professionals to Approach the Comorbidity Burden of Diabetes

(1) Background: The disease burden related to diabetes is increasing greatly, particularly in older subjects. A more comprehensive approach towards the assessment and management of diabetes’ comorbidities is necessary. The aim of this study was to implement our previous data identifying and representing the prevalence of the comorbidities, their association with mortality, and the strength of their relationship in hospitalized elderly patients with diabetes, developing, at the same time, a new graphic representation model of the comorbidome called “Diabetes Comorbidome”. (2) Methods: Data were collected from the RePoSi register. Comorbidities, socio-demographic data, severity and comorbidity indexes (Cumulative Illness rating Scale CIRS-SI and CIRS-CI), and functional status (Barthel Index), were recorded. Mortality rates were assessed in hospital and 3 and 12 months after discharge. (3) Results: Of the 4714 hospitalized elderly patients, 1378 had diabetes. The comorbidities distribution showed that arterial hypertension (57.1%), ischemic heart disease (31.4%), chronic renal failure (28.8%), atrial fibrillation (25.6%), and COPD (22.7%), were the more frequent in subjects with diabetes. The graphic comorbidome showed that the strongest predictors of death at in hospital and at the 3-month follow-up were dementia and cancer. At the 1-year follow-up, cancer was the first comorbidity independently associated with mortality. (4) Conclusions: The “Diabetes Comorbidome” represents the perfect instrument for determining the prevalence of comorbidities and the strength of their relationship with risk of death, as well as the need for an effective treatment for improving clinical outcomes