Delta S=2 and Delta I=3/2 Matrix Elements in Quenched QCD

We present preliminary results for B_K, B_7^{3/2} and B_8^{3/2} from two high-statistics lattice computations. These calculations are performed at beta=6.0 and 6.2 in the quenched approximation, using mean-field-improved Sheikholeslami-Wohlert fermionic actions.Comment: LATTICE98(matrixelement), minor clarification

Chiral behaviour of the lattice BKB_K-parameter with the Wilson and Clover Actions at β=6.0\beta = 6.0

We present results for the kaon $B$-parameter $B_K$ from a sample of $200$ configurations using the Wilson action and $460$ configurations using the SW-Clover action, on a $18^3 \times 64$ lattice at $\beta=6.0$. We compare results obtained by renormalizing the relevant operator with different ``boosted" values of the strong coupling constant $\alpha_s$. In the case of the SW-Clover action, we also use the operator renormalized non-perturbatively. In the Wilson case, we observe a strong dependence of $B_K$ on the prescription adopted for $\alpha_s$, contrary to the results of the Clover case which are almost unaffected by the choice of the coupling. We also find that the matrix element of the operator renormalized non-perturbatively has a better chiral behaviour. This gives us our best estimate of the renormalization group invariant $B$-parameter, $\hat B_K=0.86 \pm 0.15$.Comment: LaTeX, 17 pages, 3 postscript figures uuencode

Learning impact of education during pulmonary rehabilitation program. An observational short-term cohort study

Background: Among the several components integrating a pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) course, education may contribute to the individual\u2019s recognition of symptoms and worsening of the disease. However, the specific gain of education is far to be clearly documented to the health care providers. Aim of our preliminary study was to assess the learning impact of educational sessions (ES) in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients referred to standard PR.Methods: Six ES on 3 areas (Symptoms-Therapies, Aids, Mood) were applied during PR at our clinic. The learning effect was prospectively evaluated by a specific questionnaire (ESQ) in 285 COPD patients (age 69\ub18 years, FEV1 53\ub114 % pred), then grouped into those who have completed ES (Completers group, n=226) or who did not (mean 2\ub11 ES) (Control group, n=59). Total and partial ESQ scores, and PR outcomes (6-minute walking test-6MWD, effort-dyspnoea at Medical Research Council scale-MRC, and health-related quality of life scale-SGRQ) were assessed in a pre (T0) to post (Tend) design.Results: Similar improvement in PR outcomes was recorded in both groups at Tend, whereas ESQ total and partial scores significantly increased in Completers only (p<0.001). ESQ-Aids score improved to a greater extent in Completers than in Control (+0.60\ub11.03 vs +0.27\ub11.27 point respectively, p=0.036). A higher proportion of Completers improved above the median change of both ESQ total and aids scores (p<0.05).Conclusion: Attending educational sessions produces a specific short-term learning effect during rehabilitation of COPD patients

Pneumonic versus Nonpneumonic Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often suffer acute exacerbations (AECOPD) and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), named nonpneumonic and pneumonic exacerbations of COPD, respectively. Abnormal host defense mechanisms may play a role in the specificity of the systemic inflammatory response. Given the association of this aspect to some biomarkers at admission (e.g., C-reactive protein), it can be used to help to discriminate AECOPD and CAP, especially in cases with doubtful infiltrates and advanced lung impairment. Fever, sputum purulence, chills, and pleuritic pain are typical clinical features of CAP in a patient with COPD, whereas isolated dyspnea at admission has been reported to predict AECOPD. Although CAP may have a worse outcome in terms of mortality (in hospital and short term), length of hospitalization, and early readmission rates, this has only been confirmed in a few prospective studies. There is a lack of methodologically sound research confirming the impact of severe AECOPD and COPD + CAP. Here, we review studies reporting head-to-head comparisons between AECOPD and CAP + COPD in hospitalized patients. We focus on the epidemiology, risk factors, systemic inflammatory response, clinical and microbiological characteristics, outcomes, and treatment approaches. Finally, we briefly discuss some proposals on how we should orient research in the future

Short-Term Efficacy of Upper-Extremity Exercise Training in Patients With Chronic Airway Obstruction: A Systematic Review.

Background, Objectives, and Measurements Patients with chronic airway obstruction (CAO) frequently experience dyspnea and fatigue during activities performed by accessory muscles of ventilation, which competitively participate in arm elevation. This systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) concerning patients with CAO addresses the effects of upper-extremity exercise training (UEET), added to lower-extremity training or comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation, on the following patient-centered outcomes: exercise capacity, symptoms, ability to perform daily activities, and health-related quality of life. METHODS:/b> Studies were retrieved using comprehensive database and hand-search strategies. Two independent reviewers determined study eligibility based on inclusion criteria. A detailed description of treatments was mandatory. Reviewers rated study quality and extracted information on study methods, design, intervention, and results. RESULTS: /b> Forty publications were evaluated. Four RCTs met the inclusion criteria but had serious methodological limitations, which introduce possible biases that reduce their internal validity. The outcomes measured were heterogeneous, and the results were inconsistent regarding maximal exercise capacity, dyspnea, and health-related quality of life. No effect of UEET was demonstrated for measures of arm fatigue. Limitations and CONCLUSIONS:/b> The limited methodological quality of the studies retrieved prevented us from performing a meta-analysis, the results of which could be misleading. This systematic review shows that there is limited evidence examining UEET and that the evidence available is of poor quality. Therefore, a recommendation for the inclusion or exclusion of UEET in pulmonary rehabilitation programs for individuals with CAO is not possible. Further research is needed to definitively ascertain the effects of this training modality on patient-centered outcomes

Covid-19 vaccines in children with cow’s milk and food allergies

The COVID-19 pandemic is the most challenging global health crisis of our times. Vaccination against COVID-19 plays a key role to control the current pandemic situation. The risk of allergic reactions to new COVID-19 vaccines is low. However, there is a debate on the safety in allergic patients following post marketing findings by different agencies. Our aim is to understand from current experiences whether children with cow’s milk or food allergy are at higher risk than a general population for allergic reactions to COVID-19 vaccines. Current data indicate that patients with a history of allergy to cow’s milk or other foods, even if severe, should receive COVID-19 vaccine in a setting with availability of treatments for anaphylactic reactions and under medical supervision. Recipients should be discharged after a protracted observation period of 30 min if no reaction developed

Quenched BKB_K-parameter with the Wilson and Clover actions at β=6.0\beta = 6.0

We present results for the Kaon $B$ parameter from a sample of $200$ configurations using the Wilson action and $460$ configurations using the Clover action, on a $18^3 \times 64$ lattice at $\beta=6.0$. A slight improvement of the chiral behaviour of $B_K$ is observed due to the Clover action. We have also compared the results for $B_K$ obtained from two different procedures for the boosting of the coupling constant $g$. We observe a strong dependence of $B_K$ on the prescription adopted for $g$ in the Wilson case, contrary to the results of the Clover case which are almost unaffected by the choice of $g$. Combining some recently obtained non perturbative estimates for the renormalisation constants with our Clover matrix element, we observe a significant improvement in the chiral behaviour of $B_K$.Comment: 3 pages, Latex, Postscript file with figures available at ftp://hpteo.roma1.infn.it/pub/preprints/lat94/donini ; to appear in Lattice '94, Nucl. Phys. (Proc.Suppl.

Order alpha_s^2 beta_0 Correction to the Charged Lepton Spectrum in b \to c \ell \bar\nu_\ell decays

We compute the \alpha_s^2\beta_0 part of the two-loop QCD corrections to the charged lepton spectrum in b \to c \ell \bar\nu_\ell decays and find them to be about 50\% of the first order corrections at all lepton energies, except those close to the end point. Including these corrections we extract the central values \bar\Lambda=0.33 GeV and \lambda_1=-0.17 GeV^2 for the HQET matrix elements and use them to determine the $\overline{\rm MS}$ b and c quark masses, and |V_{cb}|.Comment: 15 pages, 1 Postscript figur