Particle gamma correlations in C-12 measured with the CsI(Tl) based detector array CHIMERA

The gamma decay of the first excited 4.44 MeV 2 level of C-12, populated by inelastic scattering of proton and O-16 beams at various energies was studied in order to test gamma-ray detection efficiency and the quality of angular distribution information given by the CsI(Tl) detectors of the 4 pi CHIMERA array. The gamma-decay was measured in coincidence with ejectile scattered particles in an approximately 47 geometry allowing to extract the angular distribution in the reference frame of recoiling C-12 target. The typical sin(2) (2 theta) behavior of angular distribution was observed in the case of O-16 beam. Besides that, for the proton beam, in order to explain the observed distribution, the addition of an incoherent flat contribution was required. This latter is the effect of proton spin flip events allowing the population of M= +/- 1 magnetic substates, that is not possible in reactions induced by O-16 beam. A comparison with previously collected data, obtained measuring only in and out of plane proton-gamma-ray coincidences, confirms the good quality of the angular distribution information given by the apparatus. Possible applications with radioactive beams are outlined

CONTROLLO GLICOMETABOLICO E ABITUDINI ALIMENTARI IN ADOLESCENTI CON DIABETE MELLITO TIPO 1

Background: Gli studi che hanno valutato le abitudini alimentari dei bambini e adolescenti con diabete, hanno riportato una percentuale di assunzione di carboidrati più bassa di quella minima raccomandata spesso associata ad un maggiore consumo di grassi e ad una ridotta assunzione di fibre . Alcuni studi che hanno valutato il rapporto tra composizione della dieta e controllo glicometabolico in soggetti con diabete tipo 1, hanno evidenziato che una dieta ricca di grassi e povera di fibre è associata ad un peggior controllo glicometabolico. Obiettivo: Valutare in adolescenti affetti da diabete mellito tipo 1, con diverso grado di controllo metabolico, la frequenza di consumo settimanale dei vari gruppi di alimenti e l’eventuale correlazione di questa con i valori di emoglobina glicosilata ( HbA1c). Metodo: In 43 soggetti (M/F :22/21; età 11-14 anni) suddivisi in due gruppi in rapporto al valore mediano di HbA1c ( 8,45%), sono stati raccolti i dati relativi ai consumi alimentari degli ultimi tre mesi attraverso un questionario di frequenza di consumo ed è stata considerata la frequenza di scelte alimentari settimanali per gruppo di alimenti. Risultati I soggetti con miglior controllo glicometabolico (HbA1c< 8,45%) presentavano una maggiore frequenza di consumo settimanale dei seguenti gruppi di alimenti: frutta( p<0,0001) , ortaggi (p=0,017) e legumi ( p=0,03). I soggetti con peggior controllo glicometabolico ( HbA1c > 8,45%) consumavano con maggiore frequenza alimenti appartenenti al gruppo di salumi (p=0,007), formaggi (p=0,02) e dolci /bevande zuccherate (p=0,0065). I valori di HbA1c erano inversamente correlati alla frequenza di consumo settimanale di frutta ((r – 0,65 p< 0,0001) e a quello di ortaggi( r – 0,32 p < 0,017) e direttamente correlati alla frequenza settimanale di consumo di alimenti appartenenti ai gruppi di salumi ( r 0,37 p< 0,007). Conclusioni: Il controllo glicometabolico in adolescenti con diabete tipo 1 è influenzato dalla frequenza di consumo settimanale di alimenti ricchi di fibre e di grassi animali. I principi di una san

Pulse shape discrimination of charged particles with a silicon strip detector

Abstract A simple and effective pulse shape discrimination technique is applied to a silicon strip detector array. Excellent charge identification from H up to the Ni projectile has been obtained and isotope separation up to N has also been observed. The method we systematically studied is essentially based on a suitable setting of the constant fraction discriminators, and its main advantage is that no additional electronic modules are needed compared to the ones used in the standard TOF technique

Naples Prognostic Score Predicts Tumor Regression Grade in Resectable Gastric Cancer Treated with Preoperative Chemotherapy

: Despite recent progresses, locally advanced gastric cancer remains a daunting challenge to embrace. Perioperative chemotherapy and D2-gastrectomy depict multimodal treatment of gastric cancer in Europe, shows better results than curative surgery alone in terms of downstaging, micrometastases elimination, and improved long-term survival. Unfortunately, preoperative chemotherapy is useless in about 50% of cases of non-responder patients, in which no effect is registered. Tumor regression grade (TRG) is directly related to chemotherapy effectiveness, but its understanding is achieved only after surgical operation; accordingly, preoperative chemotherapy is given indiscriminately. Conversely, Naples Prognostic Score (NPS), related to patient immune-nutritional status and easily obtained before taking any therapeutic decision, appeared an independent prognostic variable of TRG. NPS was calculated in 59 consecutive surgically treated gastric cancer patients after neoadjuvant FLOT4-based chemotherapy. 42.2% of positive responses were observed: all normal NPS and half mild/moderate NPS showed significant responses to chemotherapy with TRG 1-3; while only 20% of the worst NPS showed some related benefits. Evaluation of NPS in gastric cancer patients undergoing multimodal treatment may be useful both in selecting patients who will benefit from preoperative chemotherapy and for changing immune-nutritional conditions in order to improve patient's reaction against the tumor

A new method for the determination of very small Γ γ

We present a new method for the measurement of very small Γγ partial width that is important for the synthesis of elements in astrophysics. The method is based on the simultaneous detection of scattered beam, residual nucleus and decay γ rays. This method is optimized for the use of the CHIMERA detector at LNS. Experimental details are described

Cerebral stroke in a teenage girl with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria

We report a case of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) in a 14 year-old girl presenting a cerebral arterial thrombosis. The initial diagnosis was carential anemia due to menarche following identification of slight macrocytic anemia, leucopenia and mild thrombocytopenia at routine blood analysis. The child was eventually referred to a children’s hospital after the onset of progressive fatigue, anorexia and paleness. Severe anemia (hemoglobin 6 g/dL) with negative Coombs test, mild leucopenia (white blood cells 4.9×109/L) and thrombocytopenia (platelets 97×109/L) and high values of lactate dehydrogenase (2855 U/L) were identified; a packed red cells transfusion was administered. Her condition worsened and she subsequently presented complete right hemiplegia, aphasia and coma; magnetic resonance imaging revealed a massive ischemic lesion. A diagnosis of PNH was eventually made following high sensitivity flow cytometry, which identified a PNH clone (CD66b negative equal to 93.7% of granulocytes). Fast recovery from neurologic and hematological problems occurred in response to anticoagulant therapy and intravenous therapy with eculizumab. We are convinced that PNH should be included in the differential diagnosis of children presenting with cytopenia

A new method for the determination of very small Γγ partial widths

We present a new method for the measurement of very small Γγ partial width that is important for the synthesis of elements in astrophysics. The method is based on the simultaneous detection of scattered beam, residual nucleus and decay γ rays. This method is optimized for the use of the CHIMERA detector at LNS. Experimental details are described

Has COVID-19 Delayed the Diagnosis and Worsened the Presentation of Type 1 Diabetes in Children?

Objective: To evaluate whether the diagnosis of pediatric type 1 diabetes or its acute complications changed during the early phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Italy. Research design and methods: This was a cross-sectional, Web-based survey of all Italian pediatric diabetes centers to collect diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and COVID-19 data in patients presenting with new-onset or established type 1 diabetes between 20 February and 14 April in 2019 and 2020. Results: Fifty-three of 68 centers (77.9%) responded. There was a 23% reduction in new diabetes cases in 2020 compared with 2019. Among those newly diagnosed patient who presented in a state of DKA, the proportion with severe DKA was 44.3% in 2020 vs. 36.1% in 2019 (P = 0.03). There were no differences in acute complications. Eight patients with asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 had laboratory-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic might have altered diabetes presentation and DKA severity. Preparing for any "second wave" requires strategies to educate and reassure parents about timely emergency department attendance for non-COVID-19 symptoms

Diabetic ketoacidosis at the onset of disease during a national awareness campaign: a 2-year observational study in children aged 0-18 years

After a previous survey on the incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at onset of type 1 diabetes in children in 2013-2014 in Italy, we aimed to verify a possible decline in the incidence of DKA at onset during a national prevention campaign