Probing Supersymmetry With Third-Generation Cascade Decays

The chiral structure of supersymmetric particle couplings involving third generation Standard Model fermions depends on left-right squark and slepton mixings as well as gaugino-higgsino mixings. The shapes and intercorrelations of invariant mass distributions of a first or second generation lepton with bottoms and taus arising from adjacent branches of SUSY cascade decays are shown to be a sensitive probe of this chiral structure. All possible cascade decays that can give rise to such correlations within the MSSM are considered. For bottom-lepton correlations the distinctive structure of the invariant mass distributions distinguishes between decays originating from stop or sbottom squarks through either an intermediate chargino or neutralino. For decay through a chargino the spins of the stop and chargino are established by the form of the distribution. When the bottom charge is signed through soft muon tagging, the structure of the same-sign and opposite-sign invariant mass distributions depends on a set function of left-right and gaugino-higgsino mixings, as well as establishes the spins of all the superpartners in the sequential two-body cascade decay. Tau-lepton and tau-tau invariant mass distributions arising from MSSM cascade decays are likewise systematically considered with particular attention to their dependence on tau polarization. All possible tau-lepton and tau-tau distributions are plotted using a semi-analytic model for hadronic one-prong taus. Algorithms for fitting tau-tau and tau-lepton distributions to data are suggested.Comment: 35 pages, 17 .eps figure

The laboratory diagnostic approach to thoracic and abdominal effusions in the dog, cat, and horse

Περιστατικά στα οποία διαπιστώνονται υπεζωκοτικές και περιτοναϊκές συλλογές είναι αρκετά συχνά στην κλινική πράξη. Ο καθορισμός της υποκείμενης αιτιολογίας σε αυτές τις περιπτώσεις βασίζεται κυρίως στην ανάλυση του υγρού της συλλογής. Η τεχνική που χρησιμοποιείται για τη λήψη του υγρού της υπεζωκοτικής ή περιτοναϊκής συλλογής μπορεί να επηρεάσει σε μεγάλο βαθμό τα αποτελέσματα της ανάλυσης. Στις πιο συχνά χρησιμοποιούμενες διαγνωστικές εξετάσεις περιλαμβάνονται η αξιολόγηση των φυσικών ιδιοτήτων του υγρού, ο προσδιορισμός του συνολικού αριθμού εμπύρηνων κυττάρων / ολικών πρωτεϊνών (TNCC / TP), ο προσδιορισμός χημικών / βιοχημικών παραμέτρων (γαλακτική αφυδρογονάση και γαλακτικό οξύ, χολοστερόλη, τριγλυκερίδια, γλυκόζη, κρεατινίνη, pH, pO2, pCO2, K), κυτταρολογική εξέταση (διάγνωση σηπτικών και μη σηπτικών φλεγμονών και νεοπλασμάτων), μικροβιολογικές εξετάσεις (επιχρίσματα με χρώση Gram, καλλιέργεια, μοριακές τεχνικές) και ειδικές διαγνωστικές εξετάσεις για ορισμένες παθολογικές καταστάσεις και νοσήματα. Η ταξινόμηση μιας συλλογής ως διίδρωμα, τροποποιημένο διίδρωμα και εξίδρωμα βασίζεται παραδοσιακά στις τιμές των TNCC και ΤΡ. Νέες διαγνωστικές μέθοδοι συνεισφέρουν στην αιτιολογική διάγνωση χωρίς απαραίτητα να ακολουθηθεί αυστηρά η παραδοσιακή ταξινόμηση. Πολλές από τις διαγνωστικές εξετάσεις που περιγράφονται σε αυτήν την ανασκόπηση είναι απλές και μπορούν να πραγματοποιηθούν στο ιατρείο, παρέχοντας γρήγορα πληροφορίες στον κλινικό κτηνίατρο σχετικές με την αιτία της συλλογής. Η γνώση αυτή είναι απαραίτητη για την έγκαιρη και αποτελεσματική θεραπευτική αντιμετώπιση της υποκείμενης παθολογικής κατάστασης.Cases involving pleural and peritoneal effusions occur relatively frequently in clinical practice. Determining the underlying etiology in these cases relies mainly on fluid analysis. The technique used for obtaining the pleural or peritoneal fluid can impact greatly the results of the analysis. Most often used diagnostic tools include evaluation of gross appearance, Total Nucleated Cell Count / Total Protein (TNCC/TP) measurement, chemical/biochemical analysis (Lactate dehydrogenase and lactate, cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, creatinine, pH, pO2, pCO2, and K measurements), cytology (identification of septic and non-septic inflammation and neoplasia), microbiology (Gram stain, culture, molecular techniques), and specific tests for certain clinical conditions and diseases. Classifying an effusion as transudate, modified transudate and exudate is traditionally based on the TNCC and TP values. New diagnostic methods encourage the clinician to approach the effusion etiologically instead of strictly following this traditional classification. Many of the diagnostic tests described in this review are simple and can be performed in-house, providing the clinician quickly with information about the cause of the effusion, essential for an effective treatment plan without wasting valuable time

Pilot3 D5.1 - Verification and validation plan

This deliverable provides the methodological framework which will enable the execution of the verification and validation activities. The actions defined within framework plan will support the incremental development of the prototype based on the principle of Agile paradigm. The verification defines all activities that will ensure the thorough test of different prototype versions, while validation will assess the functioning hypotheses addressing the operational benefits of the tool. The validation campaign will be done primarily through the interaction with the internal and external experts to capture their feedback. The deliverable presents the five-level hierarchy approach on the definition of experiments (scenario and case studies) that ensures the flexibility and tractability in their selection through different versions of prototype development. The deliverable also details the organisation and schedule of the internal and external meetings, workshops and dedicated activities along with the specification of the questionnaires, flow-type diagrams and other instruments which aims to facilitate the validation assessments

Does off-pump coronary revascularization confer superior organ protection in re-operative coronary artery surgery? A meta-analysis of observational studies

Off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB) has been hypothesised to be beneficial in the high-risk patient population undergoing re-operative coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). In addition, this technique has been demonstrated to provide subtle benefits in end-organ function including heart, lungs and kidney. The aims of this study were to assess whether OPCAB is associated with a lower incidence of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and other adverse outcomes in re-operative coronary surgery. Twelve studies, incorporating 3471 patients were identified by systematic literature review. These were meta-analysed using random-effects modelling. Primary endpoints were MACCE and other adverse outcomes including myocardial infarction, stroke, renal dysfunction, low cardiac output state, respiratory failure and atrial fibrillation. A significantly lower incidence of myocardial infarction, stroke, renal dysfunction, low cardiac output state, respiratory failure and atrial fibrillation was observed with OPCAB (OR 0.58; 95% CI (confidence interval) [0.39-0.87]; OR 0.37; 95% CI [0.17-0.79]; OR 0.39; 95% CI [0.24-0.63]; OR 0.14; 95% CI [0.04-0.56]; OR 0.36; 95% CI [0.24-0.54]; OR 0.41; 95% CI [0.22-0.77] respectively). Sub-group analysis using sample size, matching score and quality score was consistent with and reflected these significant findings. Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting reduces peri-operative and short-term major adverse outcomes in patients undergoing re-operative surgery. Consequently we conclude that OPCAB provides superior organ protection and a safer outcome profile in re-operative CABG

Does body contouring after bariatric weight loss enhance quality of life? A systematic review of QOL studies

Massive weight loss following bariatric surgery can result in excess tissue, manifesting as large areas of redundant skin that can be managed by body contouring surgery. This study aims to quantify the effects of body contouring surgery on indicators of quality of life in post-bariatric patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature revealed on indices of quality of life in post-bariatric patients, before and after body contouring surgery. Body contouring surgery resulted in statistically significant improvements in physical functioning, psychological wellbeing and social functioning, as well as a reduction in BMI. Body contouring surgery offers a strategy to improve quality of life in patients suffering from the functional and psychosocial consequences of excess skin after bariatric surgery

Influence of Body Mass Index on outcomes after minimal-access aortic valve replacement through a J-shaped partial upper sternotomy

BACKGROUND: Minimal-access aortic valve replacement (MAAVR) may reduce post-operative blood loss and transfusion requirements, decrease post-operative pain, shorten length stay and enhance cosmesis. This may be particularly advantageous in overweight/obese patients, who are at increased risk of post-operative complications. Obese patients are however often denied MAAVR due to the perceived technical procedural difficulty. This retrospective analysis sought to determine the effect of BMI on post-operative outcomes in patients undergoing MAAVR. METHODS: Ninety isolated elective MAAVR procedures performed between May 2006–October 2013 were included. Intra- and post-operative data were prospectively collected. Ordinary least squares univariate linear regression analysis was performed to determine the effect of BMI as a continuous variable on post-operative outcomes. One-way ANOVA and Chi-squared testing was used to assess differences in outcomes between patients with BMI <25 (n = 36) and BMI ≥25 (n = 54) as appropriate. RESULTS: There was no peri-operative mortality, myocardial infarction or stroke. Univariate regression demonstrated longer cross-clamp times (p = 0.0218) and a trend towards increased bypass times (p = 0.0615) in patients with higher BMI. BMI ≥25 was associated with an increased incidence of hospital-acquired pneumonia (p = 0.020) and new-onset atrial fibrillation (p = 0.036) compared to BMI <25. However, raised BMI did not extend ICU (p = 0.3310) or overall hospital stay (p = 0.2614). Similar rates of sternal wound complications, inotrope requirements and renal dysfunction were observed in both normal- and overweight/obese-BMI groups. Furthermore, increasing BMI correlated with reduced mechanical ventilation time (p = 0.039) and early post-operative blood loss (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that within the range of this study, MAAVR is a safe, reproducible and effective procedure, affording equivalent clinical outcomes in both overweight/obese and normal-weight patients considered for an isolated first-time AVR, with low post-operative morbidity and mortality. MAAVR should therefore be considered as an alternative surgical strategy to reduce obesity-related complications in patients requiring aortic valve replacement