Microclimate Management for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage

This paper presents a line of research aimed at studying in detail the interaction between air conditioning/heating systems and thermo hygrometric conditions inside museums. An experimental test was carried out on the microclimatic conditions inside a building envelope, using as case studies the interiors of the Castle of Chiaramonte in Favara (Agrigento), and the Church of Saint Matthew (Palermo). In this phase of the work the “real” measured values and the recommended “optimal” values were compared for the various museum exhibits displayed. The analysis of the complex dynamic interaction of climate conditions, the need for the museum pieces to be preserved in a situation of maximum stability, the problems regarding thermal comfort in relation to users’ enjoyment of the exhibition space, the construction model of the building envelope – the synergy between all these variables led to establishing the final design project. This consists of an air conditioning system with radiant panels, floor heating, cooling system and primary air, in which the benefits seen from an environmental and energy point of view, are fully explained. The conservation of cultural heritage collections in museums, on the one hand implies that the attentionof the specialists must turn to the prevention of the natural degradation caused through time and on the other to improve the quality of the environment. This means environmental parameters must be checked and monitoring techniques used. Since the connective tissue between the museum and its container is the environment, the building-plant system must be held responsible for the “degradation suffered by the museum itself” or “be largely responsible for its optimal conservation with the passing of time”

Haemolytic anaemia in an HIV-infected patient with severe falciparum malaria after treatment with oral artemether-lumefantrine

Intravenous (i.v.) artesunate is now the recommended first-line treatment of severe falciparum malaria in adults and children by WHO guidelines. Nevertheless, several cases of haemolytic anaemia due to i.v. artesunate treatment have been reported. This paper describes the case of an HIV-infected patient with severe falciparum malaria who was diagnosed with haemolytic anaemia after treatment with oral artemether-lumefantrine

Westbrook Junior College Waitress with Six Students, June 1954

A Westbrook Junior College work-study waitress waits on table in the Dining Hall connector between Hersey Hall and Goddard Hall in this 1954 black and white photograph by William M. Rittase, Philadelphia, PA. The waitress serves a fruit crumble topped with ice cream to each of the six students seated at the square, wooden dining table. In addition to the desserts in front of each student, there are glasses of water and milk and arrays of silverware. In the center of the table is a cloth napkin arranged with a sugar container, creamer, and salt and pepper shakers. The Campus Green can be glimpsed through two curtained windows behind the waitress.https://dune.une.edu/wchc_photos_students1950s/1059/thumbnail.jp

Septic shock after seasonal influenza vaccination in an HIV-infected patient during treatment with etanercept for rheumatoid arthritis: A case report

Anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNF-α) is used in the treatment of rheumatic diseases not responsive to first-line regimens. Data on the safety of anti-TNF-α in HIV-infected patients are scarce and conflicting. We describe a case of septic shock and multiorgan failure that occurred after etanercept initiation and influenza vaccination in an HIV-infected woman with rheumatoid arthritis. Copyright © 2013, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved

Impianto cocleare in bambini con disturbi dello spettro autistico (DSA): risultati e caratteristiche di fitting.

Scopo dello studio è stato la valutazione a lungo termine delle abilità percettive ed espressive del linguaggio e le caratteristiche del fitting di un gruppo di bambini con ipoacusia grave/profonda, diagnosticati con disturbi dello spettro autistico (DSA), portatori di impianto cocleare (IC). Materiali e metodi: Lo studio osservazionale multicentrico ha incluso 22 bambini con DSA e sordità neurosensoriale profonda. Sono stati raccolti i dati riguardanti la diagnosi di sordità , la diagnosi di DSA, il timing e la compliance all’IC. La percezione uditiva e le abilità linguistiche a 2 anni, 5 anni e 10 anni di follow up sono state riportate utilizzando le Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP) e le Categories of Language (CL). Sono stati inoltre raccolti i parametri elettroacustici dell’IC. Risultati: Il controllo delle abilità percettive ed espressive a lungo termine ha evidenziato un punteggio CAP estremamente variabile. Solo il 22% dei bambini aveva raggiunto un livello equivalente alla comprensione di frasi comuni (CAP 5), o era in grado di sostenere una conversazione (CAP 6) senza la lettura labiale. Nella maggior parte dei bambini (72,7%) il punteggio CL equivaleva all’uso di una vocalizzazione indifferenziata (CL 1) o all’uso di poche parole isolate (CL 2), mentre solo il 18,2% aveva raggiunto il livello più alto di abilità linguistiche. I punteggi di CAP e CL erano significativamente correlati con la gravità dei sintomi di DSA. Le caratteristiche elettroacustiche dell’IC non erano correlate alla soglia uditiva o all’ età all'impianto, mentre erano correlate alla gravità dei DSA. Il 13,6% (3) dei bambini con una forma grave di DSA avevano un utilizzo parziale ed incostante dell’IC. Conclusioni: Il presente studio vuole essere un contributo mirato a fornire una maggiore comprensione dei parametri e delle caratteristiche di fitting che si correlano con la gravità dei disturbi di DSA, tale da supportare le procedure cliniche di regolazione dell'impianto cocleare

Cochlear implantation in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): outcomes and implant fitting characteristics

Background: Little is known regarding fitting parameters and receptive and expressive language development in cochlear-implanted children (CCI) with profound sensorineural hearing loss (SHL) who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The aim of the study was to evaluate a group of ASD CCI users in order to describe their ASD clinical features and CCI outcomes; report on the average electrical charge requirements; and evaluate the possible correlations between electrical and psychophysical outcomes with ASD characteristics. Materials and Methods: A multicentre observational study of 22 ASD children implanted in four cochlear implant (CI) centres. Data concerning profound SHL diagnosis, ASD diagnosis, CI timing and CI compliance were collected. Sound Field (SF) was assessed through repeated behavioural measurements. Categories of Auditory Perception (CAP) and Categories of Language (CL) were used to evaluate speech perception and language skills at short (≤2 yrs), medium (5 yrs) and long term (>10 yrs) follow-up. Fitting parameters such as comfortable thresholds, pulse-width (pw, µsec) and clinical units converted into units of charge/phase were collected. The diagnosis of ASD was acquired by the referral neuropsychiatric department and severity was assessed through the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Results: At the final follow-up session the median SF threshold for CI outcomes was 30 dB HL (min 15 – max 60). CAP score was extremely variable: 45.5 % showed no improvement over time and only 22% of children reached CAP scores of 5-7. CL 45.5% showed no improvement over time and score was 1-2 in the majority of ASD children (72.7%), while only 18.2% reached the highest level of language skills. There were no statistically significant differences at each follow-up between subjects with or without comorbidities. CAP and CL were inversely correlated with DSM-V A and B domains, corresponding to lower speech and language scores in children with more severe ASD symptoms, and maintained their correlation at mid and long follow-ups whilst controlling for age at CI. Electrical charge requirements did not correlate with SF or age at implant but did inversely correlate with ASD severity. With regards to CI compliance: only 13.6% children (3) with severe DSM-V A/B levels and CARS score were partial/intermittent users. Conclusion: The present study is a targeted contribution to the current literature to support clinical procedures for CI fitting and audiological follow-up in children with ASD. The findings indicate that the outcomes of CI use and the fitting procedures are both influenced by the severity of the ASD symptoms rather than the demographic variables or associated disorders

Reliability and validity of using telephone calls for post-discharge surveillance of surgical site infection following caesarean section at a tertiary hospital in Tanzania

Abstract Background Surgical site infection (SSI) is a common post-operative complication causing significant morbidity and mortality. Many SSI occur after discharge from hospital. Post-discharge SSI surveillance in low and middle income countries needs to be improved. Methodology We conducted an observational cohort study in Dodoma, Tanzania to examine the sensitivity and specificity of telephone calls to detect SSI after discharge from hospital in comparison to a gold standard of clinician review. Women undergoing caesarean section were enrolled and followed up for 30 days. Women providing a telephone number were interviewed using a structured questionnaire at approximately days 5, 12 and 28 post-surgery. Women were then invited for out-patient review by a clinician blinded to the findings of telephone interview. Results A total of 374 women were enrolled and an overall SSI rate of 12% (n = 45) was observed. Three hundred and sixteen (84%) women provided a telephone number, of which 202 had at least one telephone interview followed by a clinical review within 48 h, generating a total of 484 paired observations. From the clinical reviews, 25 SSI were diagnosed, of which telephone interview had correctly identified 18 infections; telephone calls did not incorrectly identify SSI in any patients. The overall sensitivity and specificity of telephone interviews as compared to clinician evaluation was 72 and 100%, respectively. Conclusion The use of telephone interview as a diagnostic tool for post-discharge surveillance of SSI had moderate sensitivity and high specificity in Tanzania. Telephone-based detection may be a useful method for SSI surveillance in low-income settings with high penetration of mobile telephones

Exploratory analysis to identify the best antigen and the best immune biomarkers to study SARS-CoV-2 infection

10.1186/s12967-021-02938-8Journal of Translational Medicine19127