Ethics of hospitality: envisaging the stranger in the contemporary world

The main contention of this thesis is that traditional IR approaches, ethics of migration literature and a part of the poststructural scholarship, either implicitly but also often explicitly, are based on an exclusionary, hierarchical understanding of the Other and an Us versus Them ordering of society even when they purport to contradict it. As such, they engender a collective ethos, which, despite these approaches’ initial intentions or pronounced humanitarian commitments, does not take into account the stranger Other beyond a lordship/bondage view on one hand and allow for exacerbating the violence towards the Other/ stranger on the other. This exacerbation can be noted when looking at current hospitality practices (detention camps; “closed hospitality centres”; state sanctioned illegal push-backs of refugees; “fortress Europe” kind of policies, etc.). Whilst accepting this is not a new problem (movement of individuals, post-conflict waves of refugees, liminal figures in societies and communities have always been present and have constituted parts of on-going theoretical discussions in IR, bringing out theoretical tensions and difficulties), the thesis argues that there are certain novelties to be found: namely, a strengthened overarching security narrative and the resulting militarisation of the treatment of strangers. Against this background, my thesis notes the relative absence of any ethically engaged discussion around hospitality and finds it problematic. It proposes the reconsideration in IR of an umbrella term naming the liminal abject Other. It then argues for the need to reconsider the Levinasian understanding of the ethical responsibility towards the singular and multiple Others through the concept of fraternity. Finally, it revisits the Derridean theorisation of hospitality, i.e., hospitality as an opening up of theory to the “missing” or the Other in Western thought beyond an “Us/ Them” understanding, through an affirmative reading of autoimmunity, arguing that the autoimmunitary ethics of hospitality can enact the ethical responsibility by crossing the threshold of undecidability towards an opening to the Other

Cytological study of nonpalpable lesions of breast with microcalcification vacuum-assisted breast biopsy: correlations with molecular predictor factors

Background: To evaluate imprint cytology in the context of specimens withmicrocalcifications derived from Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy (VAAB) and theapplication of molecular markers.Patients and methods: A total of 93 women with microcalcifications BI-RADS 3and 4 underwent VABB and imprint samples were examined. VAAB was performedon Fisher’s table using 11-gauge Mammotome vacuum probes. A mammogram of thecores after the procedure confirmed the excision of microcalcificalcifications. For theapplication of imprint cytology, the cores with microcalcifications confirmed bymammogram were gently rolled against glass microscope slides and thus imprintsmears were made. For rapid preliminary diagnosis Dif-Quick stain, modifiedPapanicolaou stain and May Grunwald Giemsa were used. Afterwards the core wasdipped into CytoRich Red Collection fluid for a few seconds in order to obtainsamples with the use of the specimen wash. After the completion of cytologicalprocedures, the core was prepared for routine histological study. The pathologist wasblind to the preliminary cytological results. The cytological and pathologicaldiagnoses were comparatively evalauated. Results: According to the pathlogical examination, 73 lesions were benign, 15 lesions were benign, 15 lesions werecarcinomas (12 ductal carcinomas in situ, 3 invasive ductal carcinomas), and 5 lesionswere precursor: 3 cases of atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) and 2 cases of lobularneoplasia (LN). The observed sensitivity and specificity of cytological imprints forcancer were 100% (one-sided, 97,5% CI: 78.2%-100%)). Only one case of ADHcould be detected by ADH could be detected by imprint cytology. Neither of the twoLN cases was detected by the imprints. The imprints were uninformative in 11 out of93 cases (11.8%). There was no uninformative case among women with malignancy.Conclusions: Imprint cytology provides a rapid, accurate preliminary diagnosis ofearly breast cancer and possibly attenuates preliminary diagnosis of early breastcancer and possibly attenuates patient’s anxiety.The conformity rates are high in ER, PR, HER-2 expression between ICC and IHC.ICC of TIC can be used to determine the estrogen, progesterone and HER-2 receptorstatus in breast cancer before neoadjuvant chemotherapy.ΣΚΟΠΟΣ: Σκοπός της μελέτης αυτής ήταν η εκτίμηση της χρήσης των κυτταρολογικών εντυπωμάτων σε υλικό που προέρχεται από ασθενείς με μικροαποτιτανώσεις που υπέστησαν υποβοηθούμενη υπό αναρρόφηση βιοψία( mammotome) και την εφαρμογή μοριακών δεικτών. ΜΕΘΟΔΟΣ: Σε 93 γυναίκες με μικροαποτιτανώσεις BI-RADS 3 και 4 που υπέστησαν βιοψία Mammotome με βελόνα 11 G στο στερεοτακτικό τραπέζι της Fischer, ελήφθησαν εντυπώματα και εξετάστηκαν . Μαστογραφία των ιστοτεμαχιδίων μετά τη βιοψία επιβεβαίωσε την αφαίρεση των μικροαποτιτανώσεων. Για την εφαρμογή της τεχνικής, τα ιστοτεμαχίδια με επιβεβαιωμένες μαστογραφικά αποτιτανώσεις κυλίστηκαν ελαφρά σε αντικειμενοφόρες πλάκες. Για μια ταχεία προκαταρκτική διάγνωση χρησιμοποιήθηκαν: Χρώση Diff- Quick, Pap Quick καιMay Grϋnwald Giemsa. Στη συνέχεια τα τεμαχίδια βυθίστηκαν σε ειδικό μονιμοποιητικό υγρό για λίγα δευτερόλεπτα (CytoRich Red Fluid ) και μετά επεξεργάστηκαν για τη δημιουργία ιζήματος .Μετά το πέρας της διαδικασίας τα τεμαχίδια ετοιμάστηκαν για τη συνήθη παθολογοανατομική μελέτη. Ο παθολογοανατόμος δεν γνώριζε τα αποτελέσματα. Τα κυτταρολογικά και παθολογοανατομικά αποτελέσματα συγκρίθηκαν. ΑΠΟΤΕΛΕΣΜΑΤΑ: Σύμφωνα με τη παθολογοανατομική έκθεση 73 αλλοιώσεις ήταν καλοήθεις, 15 ήταν καρκινώματα (12 μη διηθητικά πορογενή , 3 διηθητικά) και 5 αλλοιώσεις ήταν προδιηθητικές: 3 άτυπες επιθηλιακές υπερπλασίες (ADH) και δύο λοβιακές νεοπλασίες. H παρατηρούμενη ευαισθησία και ειδικότητα των εντυπωμάτων για την ανίχνευση του καρκίνου ήταν 100% (one –sided, 97,5% CI:78,2-100%). Στη περίπτωση της ADH μόνο μία περίπτωση ανιχνεύτηκε με τη μέθοδο. Καμία από τις περιπτώσεις LN δεν ανιχνεύτηκε. Τα εντυπώματα ήταν μη διαγνωστικά σε 11 από τις 93 περιπτώσεις (11,8%) καμία από τις οποίες δεν ήταν κακοήθεια. ΣΥΜΠΕΡΑΣΜΑ: Η εφαρμογή των κυτταρολογικών εντυπωμάτων σε ασθενείς με μικροαποτιτανώσεις που υπόκεινται σε βιοψία παρέχει μια πρώτη γρήγορη και αξιόπιστη διάγνωση σε λίγα λεπτά συμβάλλοντας κατ’ αυτόν τον τρόπο στην ελάττωση του άγχους των ασθενών.Το ποσοστό πιστότητας είναι υψηλό σε ER, PR, HER-2 έκφραση μεταξύ ανοσοκυτταροχημείας και ανοσοιστοχημείας (ICC και IHC) και μπορούν να χρησιμοποιηθούν για τον προσδιορισμό των επιπέδων των υποδοχέων των οιστρογόνων και της προγεστερόνης όπως και για την HER-2 έκφραση πριν την επικουρική χημειοθεραπεία

Imprint cytology on microcalcifications excised by Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy: A rapid preliminary diagnosis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To evaluate imprint cytology in the context of specimens with microcalcifications derived from Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy (VABB).</p> <p>Patients and methods</p> <p>A total of 93 women with microcalcifications BI-RADS 3 and 4 underwent VABB and imprint samples were examined. VABB was performed on Fischer's table using 11-gauge Mammotome vacuum probes. A mammogram of the cores after the procedure confirmed the excision of microcalcifications. For the application of imprint cytology, the cores with microcalcifications confirmed by mammogram were gently rolled against glass microscope slides and thus imprint smears were made. For rapid preliminary diagnosis Diff-Quick stain, modified Papanicolaou stain and May Grunwald Giemsa were used. Afterwards, the core was dipped into a CytoRich Red Collection fluid for a few seconds in order to obtain samples with the use of the specimen wash. After the completion of cytological procedures, the core was prepared for routine histological study. The pathologist was blind to the preliminary cytological results. The cytological and pathological diagnoses were comparatively evaluated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>According to the pathological examination, 73 lesions were benign, 15 lesions were carcinomas (12 ductal carcinomas <it>in situ</it>, 3 invasive ductal carcinomas), and 5 lesions were precursor: 3 cases of atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) and 2 cases of lobular neoplasia (LN). The observed sensitivity and specificity of the cytological imprints for cancer were 100% (one-sided, 97.5% CI: 78.2%–100%). Only one case of ADH could be detected by imprint cytology. Neither of the two LN cases was detected by the imprints. The imprints were uninformative in 11 out of 93 cases (11.8%). There was no uninformative case among women with malignancy.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Imprint cytology provides a rapid, accurate preliminary diagnosis in a few minutes. This method might contribute to the diagnosis of early breast cancer and possibly attenuates patients' anxiety.</p

Levels of Circulating IgM and IgY Natural Antibodies in Broiler Chicks: Association with Genotype and Farming Systems

Naturally occurring antibodies (NAbs), which are major components of innate immunity, exist in circulation under healthy conditions without prior antigenic stimulation and are able to recognize both self- and non-self-constituents. The present study aimed at identifying potential immunological differences between commercial fast- and slow-growth broilers (n = 555) raised in conventional and free-range systems, respectively, through the use of the specificity, isotypes and levels of circulating NAbs. The possible beneficial effect of oregano-based dietary supplementation was also evaluated. To this end, serum IgM and IgY NAbs against self- (actin and DNA) and non-self- antigens (trinitrophenol and lipopolysaccharide) were measured by ELISA and further correlated with genotype, season and performance. Significantly higher levels of IgM NAbs against all antigens were found in slow-growth compared to fast-growth broilers. IgM NAb levels were also significantly increased in dietarily supplemented slow-growth broilers versus those consuming standard feed. Moreover, significantly elevated levels of anti-DNA IgY NAbs were found in fast-growth compared to slow-growth broilers, whereas the opposite was observed for anti-LPS IgY NAbs. Multivariate linear regression analysis confirmed multiple interactions between NAb levels, genotype, season and performance. Overall, serum NAbs have proven to be valuable innovative immunotools in the poultry industry, efficiently differentiating fast-growing versus slow-growing broilers, and dietary supplementation of plant extracts can enhance natural immunity

Milk microbiota: characterization methods and role in cheese production

Milk is a complex body fluid aimed at addressing the nutritional and defensive needs of the mammal's newborns. Harbored microbiota plays a pivotal role throughout the cheesemaking process and contributes to the development of flavor and texture typical of different type of cheeses. Understanding the dairy microbiota dynamics is of paramount importance for controlling the qualitative, sensorial and biosafety features of the dairy products. Although many studies investigated the contribution of single or few microorganisms, still there is some information lacking about microbial communities. The widespread of the omics platforms and bioinformatic tools enable the investigation of the cheese-associated microbial community in both phylogenetical and functional terms, highlighting the effects of the diverse cheesemaking variables. In this review, the most relevant literature is revised to provide an introduction of the milk- and cheese-associated microbiota, along with their structural and functional dynamics in relation to the diverse cheesemaking technologies and influencing variables. Also, we focus our attention on the latest omics technologies adopted in dairy microbiota investigation. Discussion on the key-steps and major drawbacks of each omics discipline is provided along with a collection of results from the latest research studies performed to unravel the fascinating world of the dairy-associated microbiota. Significance Understanding the milk- and cheese- associated microbial community is nowadays considered a key factor in the dairy industry, since it allows a comprehensive knowledge on how all phases of the cheesemaking process impact the harbored microflora; thus, predict the consequences in the finished products in terms of texture, organoleptic characteristics, palatability and biosafety. This review, collect the pioneering and milestones works so far performed in the field of dairy microbiota, and provide the basic guidance to whom approaching the cheese microbiota investigation by means of the latest omics technologies. Also, the review emphasizes the benefits and drawbacks of the omics disciplines, and underline how the integration of diverse omics sciences enhance a comprehensive depiction of the cheese microbiota. In turn, a better consciousness of the dairy microbiota might results in the application of improved starter cultures, cheesemaking practices and technologies; supporting a bio-safe and standardized production of cheese, with a strong economic benefit for both large-scale industries and local traditional dairy farms