Evaluación de riesgos de la pintura mural de A Ribeira Sacra. Análisis de materiales y estudio ambiental

Esta investigación pretende evaluar los riesgos que amenazan la conservación de las pinturas murales de A Ribeira Sacra. Para alcanzar este objetivo, se determinó la composición de las pinturas mediante distintas técnicas analíticas y se estudiaron las condiciones ambientales en las iglesias que las acogen. También se identificaron las principales patologías presentes tanto en los edificios como en los murales y se diagnosticó el estado de conservación. A partir de la aplicación de varios modelos generales de evaluación de riesgos, se determinaron aquellos de mayor magnitud, que fueron investigados en detalle mediante herramientas específicas. Los resultados obtenidos serán de utilidad para la investigación en Historia del Arte, las intervenciones de restauración y conservación preventiva y la propuesta de una metodología de estudio extensible al resto de pinturas murales de Galicia

Illuminators’ Materials and Techniques in Fourteenth-century English Manuscripts

English illumination reached new levels of sophistication during the 1300s. Anatomically accurate depictions of the human body, evocative portrayals of emotions and draperies modelled so as to simulate palpable volume and texture are prominent among the numerous accomplishments of fourteenth-century English illuminators, but we know little about the painting materials and techniques with which they created such effects. Except for occasional acts of censorship and common issues, such as the corrosion of verdigris, the discolouration of glazes or the darkening of silver, red lead and occasionally vermilion, most manuscripts – unlike the few extant easel and wall paintings or polychrome sculptures – are in good condition and have suffered no modern intervention. This makes them the most extensive and reliable corpus for the study of medieval English painting. Fourteenth-century manuscripts (and later ones) have not yet benefited from the amount of scientific analyses undertaken on earlier material from England and Ireland, but recent studies are beginning to fill the lacuna. Since 2012, the MINIARE project has analysed over 200 manuscripts dating from the tenth to the sixteenth century and originating from Italy, Central Europe, France, Flanders and England. This paper shares the preliminary findings on twelve fourteenth-century English manuscripts

Assesing the risk of salt decay for wall paintings in historic building. Thermo-dynamic modeling and transition cycles count

Salt crystallisation is a major cause of deterioration of porous building materials, strongly related to the fluctuation of the environmental parameters. This paper explores the application of different methodologies to assess the potential damage caused by soluble salts to a series of sixteenth century frescoes with the thermo-hygrometric variations. The method of counting the transition cycles for six crystalline systems, the thermodynamic model ECOS for mixed salt solutions and a combination of both methodologies were used, in order to evaluate and compare these different approaches and to determine the risk of salt decay for this particularly sensitive case study. To this end, the temperature and relative humidity in the churches housing the wall paintings were monitored during a year and the salt content of the frescoes analysed. The seasonality of the salt crystallisation was studied and the range of relative humidity at which the transitions occurred determined. All methods identified a significant risk of salt decay, mainly related to the crystallisation of chlorides and nitrates, which corresponds well with the observations in situ. Finally, the advantages and inconveniences of each method were discussed, along with the results obtained in other published works, and the combined method was suggested as the most efficientThis work was supported by the Xunta de Galicia-Consellería de Educación e Ordenación Universitaria [INCITE program 2009] with the research project “Analysis of the risk factors of the wall paintings of A Ribeira Sacra”, by the Spanish Ministry of Education with L. Pereira-Pardo´s doctoral grant [FPU AP2009-4421] and the Barrié Foundation [Bolsas de Posgrao no estranxeiro 2013]S

Establishing the production chronology of the iconic Japanese woodblock print ‘Red Fuji’

First printed in 1831, ‘Red Fuji’ by Hokusai is one the most iconic Japanese woodblock prints and thousands of impressions were printed from its original set of woodblocks, often in different colour schemes and using different printing effects for different editions. The aim of our research was to systematically study these variations and determine the chronological order in which they had been introduced. First, we located 93 surviving impressions of Red Fuji in museums, libraries, private collections and galleries around the world. We carefully studied the breaks in the outlines caused by woodblock wear, as well as the variations in colour and printing effects. Then, we investigated how the print was produced using woodblocks: we determined what part of the print was produced by each woodblock, if a woodblock had been used more than once in specific parts of the print and what printing effects the printer(s) employed. We also identified the colourants on ten impressions of Red Fuji from different editions using Xray fluorescence, multispectral imaging, fibre optics reflectance spectroscopy and excitation–emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy. Based on the breaks in the woodblocks, the colour schemes and the printing effects, we concluded that there were five sequential ‘states’ of Red Fuji. The first state corresponds to the earliest surviving edition, whose impressions have very little evidence of woodblock wear and were produced using muted colours and complex printing effects, while the last state is a rare blue variant, ‘Blue Fuji’, for which the printer(s) used a completely different colour palette and complex printing effects. This research represents the first systematic study of the production chronology of a Japanese woodblock print, based on woodblock wear, colour scheme and printing effects

Rare variants in genes of the cholesterol pathway are present in 60% of patients with acute myocardial infarction

[Abstract] Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a pandemic in which conventional risk factors are inadequate to detect who is at risk early in the asymptomatic stage. Although gene variants in genes related to cholesterol, which may increase the risk of AMI, have been identified, no studies have systematically screened the genes involved in this pathway. In this study, we included 105 patients diagnosed with AMI with an elevation of the ST segment (STEMI) and treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). Using next-generation sequencing, we examined the presence of rare variants in 40 genes proposed to be involved in lipid metabolism and we found that 60% of AMI patients had a rare variant in the genes involved in the cholesterol pathway. Our data show the importance of considering the wide scope of the cholesterol pathway in order to assess the genetic risk related to AMI.Insituto de Salud Carlos III; PI18/0173

Transporte nasal de Staphylococcus aureus em profissionais de saúde em áreas críticas de um Hospital Pediátrico durante julho-setembro de 2018

Lorena Pardo: Departamento de Bacteriología y Virología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República. Clínica Pediátrica “C”, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República. Correo electrónico: [email protected]. ORCID: 0000-0002-4827-5893 -- Héctor Telechea: Unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos. Facultad de Medicina. Universidad de la República. Correo electrónico: [email protected] ORCID: 0000 0001 8173 0117 -- Zhenia Martínez: Departamento de Bacteriología y Virología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República. Correo electrónico: [email protected] ORCID: 0000-0003-2581-2235 -- Romina Perdomo: Estudiante de Medicina, Ciclo de Metodología Científica II, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República. Correo electrónico: [email protected] ORCID: 0000-0002-8161-1078 -- Belén Pereira: Estudiante de Medicina, Ciclo de Metodología Científica II, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República. Correo electrónico: [email protected] ORCID: 0000-0002-8300-2700 -- Ana Belén Perini: Estudiante de Medicina, Ciclo de Metodología Científica II, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República. Correo electrónico: [email protected] ORCID: 0000-0002-3689-5219 -- Macarena Pica: Estudiante de Medicina, Ciclo de Metodología Científica II, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República. Correo electrónico: [email protected] ORCID: 0000-0003-0671-5210 -- Alexandra Pires: Estudiante de Medicina, Ciclo de Metodología Científica II, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República. Correo electrónico: [email protected] ORCID: 0000-0002-2909-6697 -- Lucia Puschnegg: Estudiante de Medicina, Ciclo de Metodología Científica II, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República. Correo electrónico: [email protected] ORCID: 0000-0002-5631-0302 -- Gustavo Giachetto: Clínica Pediátrica “C”, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República. Correo electrónico: [email protected] ORCID: 0000-0003-3775-4773 -- Gustavo Varela: Departamento de Bacteriología y Virología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República. Correo electrónico: [email protected] ORCID: 0000-0003-4354-0608Las infecciones intrahospitalarias (IIHs) son causa de elevada morbimortalidad y representan un problema sanitario importante. El personal de salud es reservorio y potencial transmisor de los agentes etiológicos de las mismas. S. aureus es uno de los microorganismos implicados, por lo tanto es importante conocer la frecuencia de portación en el personal de salud y establecer el perfil de susceptibilidad antimicrobiana para contribuir con la elaboración de medidas de prevención incluyendo actividades educativas. Objetivo: Conocer la frecuencia de portación de S. aureus, distribución y antibiotipos de las cepas presentes en el personal sanitario del Hospital Pediátrico de Referencia (HPR). Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo durante el periodo julio-setiembre del año 2018. Se incluyeron muestras de hisopados nasales de trabajadores de la salud de distintas áreas de internación que consintieron participar en el estudio. Se excluyeron aquellos que recibieron antibióticos dentro de los 3 meses previos al estudio. Las muestras fueron sembradas en agar sangre ovina al 5% (ASO) y se incubaron a 35-37ºC en aerobiosis por 24-48 horas. Se realizó la identificación de las colonias sospechosas de Staphylococcus aureus por métodos convencionales y MALDI-TOF. El patrón de resistencia antimicrobiana de S. aureus se detectó por disco-difusión. En los cultivos resistentes a meticilina (SAMR) se determinó la presencia del gen mecA y se realizó la tipificación del SCCmec por pruebas de reacción en cadena de polimerasa. Resultados: Se obtuvieron 225 hisopados a partir de 225 trabajadores, presentaron desarrollo 212. En 49 se recuperaron cultivos de S. aureus. Correspondieron a SAMR 11 de las 49 cepas, todas portaban el gen mecA. Hubo predominio en el personal de enfermería (7/11), en los servicios de hemato-oncología (3/11) y cuidados intensivos neonatales (4/11). Asociaron resistencia a macrólidos y clindamicina 8 de 11 aislamientos SAMR, a gentamicina 2 y a mupirocina uno. El SCCmec más frecuentemente identificado fue el tipo IV (7/11). Conclusiones: Los resultados muestran la presencia de cepas SAMR entre el personal de salud del CHPR y aportan información complementaria para efectuar prevención y control de las IIHs, actuando sobre todo en el personal de salud encargado de la atención de pacientes susceptiblesHospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are a cause of high morbidity and mortality and represent a major health problem. Health personnel are reservoirs and potential transmitters of their etiological agents. S. aureus is one of the microorganisms involved, therefore it is important to know the frequency of carriage in health personnel and establish the antimicrobial susceptibility profile to contribute to the development of prevention measures, including educational activities. Objective: To know the frequency of carriage of S. aureus, distribution and antibiotypes of the strains present in the health personnel of the Reference Pediatric Hospital (HPR). Materials and methods: A descriptive study was carried out during the period July-September 2018. Nasal swab samples from health workers from different hospitalization areas who agreed to participate in the study were included. Those who received antibiotics within 3 months prior to the study were excluded. The samples were seeded in 5% sheep blood agar (ASO) and incubated at 35-37ºC in aerobiosis for 24-48 hours. Identification of suspicious Staphylococcus aureus colonies by conventional methods and MALDI-TOF. The antimicrobial resistance pattern of S. aureus was detected by disc diffusion. In methicillin-resistant cultures (MRSA), the presence of the mecA gene was determined and SCCmec was typified by polymerase chain reaction tests. Results: 225 swabs were obtained from 225 workers, 212 showed bacterial growth. S. aureus cultures were recovered from 49. 11 of the 49 strains corresponded to MRSA, all of them carried the mecA gene. There was a predominance in the nursing staff (7/11), in the hematology-oncology services (3/11) and neonatal intensive care (4/11). They associated resistance to macrolides and clindamycin in 8 of 11 MRSA isolates, 2 to gentamicin, and 1 to mupirocin. The most frequently identified SCCmec was type IV (7/11). Conclusions: The results show the presence of MRSA strains among the health personnel of the CHPR and provide complementary information to carry out prevention and control of IIH, acting especially on the health personnel in charge of the care of susceptible patientsAs infecções hospitalares (HII) são causa de alta morbidade e mortalidade e representam um importante problema de saúde. Os profissionais de saúde são reservatórios e potenciais transmissores de seus agentes etiológicos. O S. aureus é um dos micro-organismos envolvidos, por isso é importante conhecer a frequência de portadores em profissionais de saúde e estabelecer o perfil de suscetibilidade antimicrobiana para contribuir no desenvolvimento de medidas de prevenção incluindo atividades educativas. Objetivo: Conhecer a frequência de portadores de S. aureus, distribuição e antibiótipos das cepas presentes no pessoal de saúde do Hospital Pediátrico de Referência (HPR). Materiais e métodos: Foi realizado um estudo descritivo durante o período de julho a setembro de 2018. Foram incluídas amostras de swab nasal de profissionais de saúde de diferentes áreas de internação que concordaram em participar do estudo. Aqueles que receberam antibióticos nos 3 meses anteriores ao estudo foram excluídos. As amostras foram semeadas em 5% de ágar sangue de carneiro (ASO) e incubadas a 35-37ºC em aerobiose por 24-48 horas. Identificação de colônias suspeitas de Staphylococcus aureus por métodos convencionais e MALDI-TOF. O padrão de resistência antimicrobiana de S. aureus foi detectado por difusão em disco. Em culturas resistentes à meticilina (MRSA), a presença do gene mecA foi determinada e SCCmec foi tipificado por testes de reação em cadeia da polimerase. Resultados: 225 amostras foram obtidos de 225 trabalhadores, 212 apresentaram crescimento bacteriano. Culturas de S. aureus foram recuperadas de 49. 11 das 49 cepas correspondiam a MRSA, todas carregavam o gene mecA. Houve predominância na equipe de enfermagem (7/11), nos serviços de hematologia-oncologia (3/11) e de terapia intensiva neonatal (4/11). Eles associaram resistência a macrolídeos e clindamicina em 8 de 11 isolados de MRSA, 2 à gentamicina e 1 à mupirocina. O SCCmec mais frequentemente identificado foi o tipo IV (7/11). Conclusões: Os resultados mostram a presença de cepas de MRSA entre os profissionais de saúde do CHPR e fornecem informações complementares para realizar a prevenção e controle da HII, atuando principalmente sobre os profissionais de saúde responsáveis pelo atendimento de pacientes suscetíveis

Predictive Power of the "Trigger Tool" for the detection of adverse events in general surgery: a multicenter observational validation study

Background In spite of the global implementation of standardized surgical safety checklists and evidence-based practices, general surgery remains associated with a high residual risk of preventable perioperative complications and adverse events. This study was designed to validate the hypothesis that a new “Trigger Tool” represents a sensitive predictor of adverse events in general surgery. Methods An observational multicenter validation study was performed among 31 hospitals in Spain. The previously described “Trigger Tool” based on 40 specific triggers was applied to validate the predictive power of predicting adverse events in the perioperative care of surgical patients. A prediction model was used by means of a binary logistic regression analysis. Results The prevalence of adverse events among a total of 1,132 surgical cases included in this study was 31.53%. The “Trigger Tool” had a sensitivity and specificity of 86.27% and 79.55% respectively for predicting these adverse events. A total of 12 selected triggers of overall 40 triggers were identified for optimizing the predictive power of the “Trigger Tool”. Conclusions The “Trigger Tool” has a high predictive capacity for predicting adverse events in surgical procedures. We recommend a revision of the original 40 triggers to 12 selected triggers to optimize the predictive power of this tool, which will have to be validated in future studies

The use of erbium lasers for the conservation of cultural heritage. A review

The characteristics of erbium lasers (Er:YAG) make them a promising tool for the conservation of cultural heritage, and yet they still remain less widespread than other lasers in this field. This review aims to summarise, compare and evaluate the results of case studies and experiments published so far about Er:YAG lasers for the cleaning of cultural heritage objects, such as paintings, stone, textiles, paper and plastics. The characteristics and cleaning mechanisms of Er:YAG lasers are presented. Research has focused on the application to painted surfaces and the damage threshold fluences of potentially sensitive pigments are summarised, along with those of organic substrates. The optimal irradiation conditions (fluence, wetting agent, pulse duration, frequency, etc.) for the removal of undesired surface layers, particularly varnishes, overpainting, encrustations and biological growth, are reviewed. This article also identifies the main achievements, limitations, potential applications and trends to foster research about the application of Er:YAG lasers in conservation

Tackling conservation challenges using erbium lasers: case studies at the British Museum

Research was conducted at the British Museum to investigate the potential of Er:YAG lasers to address challenging conservation problems where traditional conservation methods had failed. The approach followed was to perform laser tests on model samples and unregistered objects to determine the laser alteration threshold fluence on each substrate and the ability of the laser to remove contaminants, such as inorganic crusts and organic coatings. The effects of the laser were assessed by means of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and colour measurements. If tests were successful on the samples and unregistered objects, the laser was then used on artefacts from the collection of the British Museum. This article details the successful results obtained using Er:YAG lasers for the removal of corrosion from metals, remains of old adhesives from ceramics and shells, mould from polychromed limestone and terracotta, modern overpainting and varnish from a fresco painting

Conservación sostenible: eliminación de repintes y goma-laca de un mural bizantino con láser de erbio

Especial monográfico: Tecnologías verdes aplicadas a la caracterización, diagnóstico y conservación del patrimonio cultural.La limpieza láser puede ofrecer una alternativa de conservación del patrimonio más sostenible y segura ya que, por un lado, elimina o reduce la necesidad de utilizar disolventes contaminantes para el medio ambiente y potencialmente tóxicos para las personas que se dedican a la conservación y, por otro lado, no requiere contacto con la superficie de los objetos, en ocasiones demasiado frágiles para una limpieza mecánica o con hisopos y disolventes. Esta idea se ilustra con un caso de estudio en el que se eliminaron de forma gradual y controlada con un láser de erbio (Er:YAG) capas de repinte y goma-laca de un mural bizantino procedente de Egipto y conservado en el Museo Británico.Lucía Pereira Pardo agradece su ayuda Ramón y Cajal RYC2021-034643-I financiada por MCIN/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 y por la Unión Europea NextGenerationEU/PRTR; da las gracias también a la Fundación Andrew W. Mellon por su contrato posdoctoral en el Museo Británico (2016-2019), así como a Ed y Ann Teppo por la donación del láser Er:YAG al museo.Peer reviewe