Rapidly rotating second-generation progenitors for the blue hook stars of {\omega} Cen

Horizontal Branch stars belong to an advanced stage in the evolution of the oldest stellar galactic population, occurring either as field halo stars or grouped in globular clusters. The discovery of multiple populations in these clusters, that were previously believed to have single populations gave rise to the currently accepted theory that the hottest horizontal branch members (the blue hook stars, which had late helium-core flash ignition, followed by deep mixing) are the progeny of a helium-rich "second generation" of stars. It is not known why such a supposedly rare event (a late flash followed by mixing) is so common that the blue hook of {\omega} Cen contains \sim 30% of horizontal branch stars 10 , or why the blue hook luminosity range in this massive cluster cannot be reproduced by models. Here we report that the presence of helium core masses up to \sim 0.04 solar masses larger than the core mass resulting from evolution is required to solve the luminosity range problem. We model this by taking into account the dispersion in rotation rates achieved by the progenitors, whose premain sequence accretion disc suffered an early disruption in the dense environment of the cluster's central regions where second-generation stars form. Rotation may also account for frequent late-flash-mixing events in massive globular clusters.Comment: 44 pages, 8 figures, 2 tables in Nature, online june 22, 201

Correlation between ABO Blood Group, and Conventional Hematological and Metabolic Parameters in Blood Donors

Background\u2003Although several studies have investigated and confirmed the existence of an association between ABO blood type and several human disorders, especially with cardiovascular disease, little is known on the physiological influence or association of ABO blood groups on basal levels of some conventional hematological and metabolic parameters. Study Design and Methods\u2003A total number of 7,723 consecutive healthy blood donors underwent laboratory testing at the time of their first blood donation, which apart from ABO typing included assessment of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), triglycerides, creatinine, iron, ferritin, uric acid, glucose, hemoglobin, and platelet count. Results\u2003The most relevant finding was the identification of significantly higher values of total cholesterol and HDL-c in subjects with blood group A compared with those with O blood type, with the highest levels being observed in A1 subtype. Conclusions\u2003The positive association between A blood type and plasma lipid levels supports its potential role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and the clinical observations of increased vulnerability to cardiovascular disease of individuals with non-O blood groups

Comparison of JAK2V617F mutation assessment employing different molecular diagnostic techniques

Background. The JAK2V617F mutation is present in the majority of patients with polycythaemia vera and in approximately half of patients with essential thrombocythaemia and primary myelofibrosis. In this study we compare the results of JAK2V617F mutation detection using three different molecular techniques in the same group of patients affected by essential thrombocythaemia. Patients and methods. The JAK2 mutation was investigated with a qualitative method in 115 consecutive outpatients with a diagnosis of essential thrombocythaemia made according to WHO 2001 criteria. In 48/115 (41.7%) the allele burden was also evaluated with two different qualitative methods, of which one was a method developed in-house and the other was a commercially available method. Results. The JAK2V617F mutation was detected by the qualitative method in 81/115 (69.6%) of the patients. Among the 48/115 patients in whom all three methods were applied, the qualitative method detected the mutation in 38 (79%). According to the quantitative method developed in-house, the mutation was present in 35/48 (73%) of the patients: of these, 2/35 (5.7%) patients were homozygous for the JAK2V617F mutation. The commercial quantitative method showed the mutation in 37/48 (77%) patients: of these, 9/37 (18%) patients were homozygous. Three of the 13 patients in whom no mutation was detected by the in-house method were positive for the JAK2V617F according to the commercial method. In one patient the search for the JAK2V617F mutation was positive with the in-house method but negative with the commercial kit. Conclusion. Detection of the JAK2V617F mutation may depend on the molecular technique used. Considering that detection of this mutation will not only have a diagnostic value, but also a role in treatment given the development of JAK2 V617F pathway inhibiting drugs, indications on a reference molecular diagnostic technique for JAK2V617F assessment and quantification of its allele burden from a panel of experts are warranted

Serum eye drops for the treatment of ocular surface diseases. a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background. The use of blood-derived eye drops for topical treatment of ocular surface diseases has progressively increased in recent years.Materials and methods. To evaluate the use of serum eye drops in ocular surface disorders, we performed a systematic search of the literature.Results. In this systematic review, we included 19 randomised controlled trials ( RCTs) investigating the use of serum eye drops in 729 patients compared to controls. For the quantitative synthesis, we included only 10 RCTs conducted in patients with dry eye syndrome comparing autologous serum to artificial tears. At 2-6 weeks, no clear between-group differences in Schirmer test ( MD 1.05; 95% CI: -0.17-2.26) and in fluorescein staining ( MD -0.61; 95% CI: -1.50-0.28) were found ( very lowquality evidence, down-graded for inconsistency, serious risk of biases, and serious imprecision). Slightly higher increase in tear film break-up time ( TBUT) scores in autologous serum compared to control ( MD 2.68; 95% CI: 1.33-4.03), and greater decrease in ocular surface disease index ( OSDI) in autologous serum compared to control ( MD -11.17; 95% CI: -16.58- -5.77) were found ( low quality evidence, down-graded for serious risk of bias, and for inconsistency). For the Schirmer test, fluorescein staining and TBUT, data were also available at additional follow-up timing ( 2-12 months): no clear between-group differences were found, and the quality of the evidence was graded as low/very-low.Conclusions. In patients with dry eye syndrome, it is unclear whether or not the use of autologous serum compared to artificial tears increases Schirmer test and fluorescein staining scores at short-term and medium-/long-term follow up. Some benefit at short-term follow up for the outcome of TBUT and OSDI was observed, but the quality of the evidence was low

Un sistema di analisi computerizzata dei parametri cardio- respiratori nel paziente critico.

none10---noneChiaranda M.; Pittoni G.; Pinamonti O.; Vincenti E.; Facco E.; Alvisi R.; Capuzzo M.; Narne S.; Zannini G.; Dal Palù A.Chiaranda, M.; Pittoni, G.; Pinamonti, O.; Vincenti, E.; Facco, E.; Alvisi, Raffaele; Capuzzo, Maurizia; Narne, S.; Zannini, G.; Dal Palù, A

Indagine sulla diffusione di stafilococchi resistenti alla meticillina in Liguria

Introduction. Staphylococcus aureus is a major opportunistic pathogen especially in nosocomial settings. An increasing proportion of strains has intrinsic resistance to methicillin (MRSA) and recent reports documented the emergence of MRSA also in the community.The aim of this study was to evaluate methicillin-resistance in Liguria. Methods. 767 isolates of Staphylococcus spp have been collected from 10 laboratories, including 508 S. aureus: 292 (57.5%) hospital-acquired, 188 (37%) community-acquired, and 28 (5.5%) from healthcare settings; 259 coagulase- negative staphylococci (CNS): (193 (74.5%) hospital-acquired, 56 (21.6%) community-acquired, and 10 (3.9%) healthcare settings. Susceptibility tests were carried out by the disk diffusion method (CLSI, 2006) using cefoxitin (CFX) (Oxoid, Milan). MRSA has been also evaluated by PBP2’ latex agglutination test (Oxoid, Milan) on 52 randomly selected S. aureus. Results. The data obtained indicated an incidence of MRSA in nosocomial settings up to 45.2%, while among the community-acquired isolates the percentage was 6.4%. With respect to CNS the figures were 61,8% and 10,6% for the nosocomial-and community-acquired organisms respectively. A 99% agreement between data of the coordinating centre and the various laboratories was found. Methicillin-resistance was confirmed in 52 S. aureus by PBP2’ latex agglutination test. Conclusions. Present findings indicate that MRSA in community in the Ligurian area exists and this phenomenon requires future surveillance