The Holocaust Is a Significant and Independent Risk Factor of Late-Onset Cancers: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Original Data on Jewish Israeli, Jewish Non-Israeli and Non-Jewish Non-Israeli Survivors.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Seventy-six years after Auschwitz Liberation, the Holocaust keeps on persecuting its surviving victims. As witnessed by the psychiatric and medical literature in the last decades, in fact, the Holocaust survivors (HS) appear to suffer from several Shoah-related late-onset diseases impacting their survival, such as internal illnesses and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Cancer represents a further severe pathology which seems to be connected with the Holocaust experience. Our aim was to review the existing knowledge of Holocaust-related cancer in HS in order to assess its real incidence and clinicoprognostic significance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We systematically reviewed the literature dealing with Israeli Jewish and non-Jewish non-Israeli HS developing cancer. We also reviewed and analyzed the cancer data of noted Jewish HS not resident or having resided in Israel available as public information. RESULTS: We found 16 and 15 studies on Israeli Jews and non-Jewish non-Israeli survivors, respectively. A statistically significant association between the Holocaust and development of late-onset cancer in HS was seen in most studies with cancer adversely impacting the survival. We also selected 330 noted Jewish non-Israeli HS: genocide-related late-onset cancer resulted to be a significant and independent risk factor of poor prognosis (p<0.0001) imparting shorter survival in affected versus non-cancer subjects (57 versus 64 years, respectively, p=0.0001). CONCLUSION: Although 76 years have passed, our review shows how the Holocaust keeps on burdening its survivors. Moreover, we offered the first analysis of Jewish HS not resident or having resided in Israel in terms of genocide-related late-onset diseases focusing on cancer. Further studies on Jewish non-Israeli HS are needed in order to corroborate our findings on late-onset cancer occurring in this targeted population

Analisi di un sistema di riferimento temporale per la misura di tempi di volo di particelle cariche a LHC

This thesis is the result of an internship conducted in 2016 at CERN. The activity was carried out at the laboratories of the TOTEM experiment and, in particular, on CMS joint project equipment, called CMS-TOTEM Precision Proton Spectrometer (CT-PPS). The collaboration envisages reconstructing the quadruple-pulse of protons that survive collisions within LHC, to study Central Exclusive Production (CEP) processes. The accelerator magnetic fields deviate from the beam orbit the protons that lost a small fraction of their initial pulse in the collisions. Protons interacting by inelastic scattering ("central diffraction") are then detected by CT-PPS with detectors at a distance of ~ 220m from both sides of the interaction point, to reconstruct their trajectories. The process described is by means of a multiple exchange of gluons or photons, with quantum numbers exchanged equivalent to those of the vacuum. CT-PPS is active during LHC high-luminosity runs, so the working conditions of the detectors result hard. In fact, the measured protons flux at the detector stations is ~ 10^15 cm^-2 for an integrated luminosity of 100 fb^-1. For this reason, solid state detectors capable to offer "radiation hardness" have been developed. High luminosity runs are also characterized by the marked presence of the "pile-up" phenomenon, that is the occurrence of more than one proton-proton interaction during the same bunch-crossing (expected ~ 30-50). However tracking detectors, due to their distance from the interaction point, cannot separate the various primary vertices and reconstruct only central diffraction events. For this reason, protons time of flight detectors were realized ("4D-Reconstruction"). The difference between the arrival time of the particles at the detectors is proportional to the z-coordinate of their primary vertex. The first prototypes made for CT-PPS are diamond detectors with a timing resolution of less than 100 ps. The new "boards", still under test, show a double layer of diamonds and a resolution of the order of 50 ps. Recently, the collaboration has also developed silicon sensors (UFSD), which seem to have a better timing resolution than that achieved by the other detectors described. Time of Flight detectors require a reference timing system characterized by maximum precision and stability, namely a clock signal characterized by a jitter of less than 5 ps. The work presented in this thesis deals with the analysis I have made on TOTEM's clock distribution system. Particular attention has been given to the study of the measurement parameters of a Vector Network Analyzer (VNA), a tool needed to obtain the phase delay of the clock along a cable. This work was accompanied by the creation of an XML configuration file for the remote control of the VNA and of a C++ script for data analysis. Thanks to the studies made, it was possible to acquire and analyze phase delay of a periodic signal along coaxial cables and short optical fibres. In conclusion, the working point of a MachZender Modulator was studied

A Search for Particles Beyond the Standard Model with the PPS

This thesis work deals with the search for the associate production of a Z boson and a new massive particle X with two forward protons in the PPS, the forward proton spectrometer of the CMS experiment. The search is model independent and performed in a mass range of the X particle between 800-1600 GeV. The expectations on the signal hypothesis are based on a simple toy Monte-Carlo (MC) generator, that I contributed to develop. The effects of the PPS miscalibration on a possible signal are presented as well, and represent the first time that such studies are performed within the PPS collaboration. Finally, an analysis of the main backgrounds of the search is performed and several selection cuts are presented. These are expected to enhance the significance of an excess in the hypothesis that the X particle is fully invisible to the central detector

The Smart Drifter Cluster: Monitoring Sea Currents and Marine Litter Transport Using Consumer IoT Technologies

The study of marine Lagrangian transport holds significant importance from a scientific perspective as well as for practical applications such as environmental-pollution responses and prevention (e.g., oil spills, dispersion/accumulation of plastic debris, etc.). In this regard, this concept paper introduces the Smart Drifter Cluster: an innovative approach that leverages modern “consumer” IoT technologies and notions. This approach enables the remote acquisition of information on Lagrangian transport and important ocean variables, similar to standard drifters. However, it offers potential benefits such as reduced hardware costs, minimal maintenance expenses, and significantly lower power consumption compared to systems relying on independent drifters with satellite communication. By combining low power consumption with an optimized, compact integrated marine photovoltaic system, the drifters achieve unlimited operational autonomy. With the introduction of these new characteristics, the Smart Drifter Cluster goes beyond its primary function of mesoscale monitoring of marine currents. It becomes readily applicable to numerous civil applications, including recovering individuals and materials at sea, addressing pollutant spills, and tracking the dispersion of marine litter. An additional advantage of this remote monitoring and sensing system is its open-source hardware and software architecture. This fosters a citizen-science approach, enabling citizens to replicate, utilize, and contribute to the improvement of the system. Thus, within certain constraints of procedures and protocols, citizens can actively contribute to the generation of valuable data in this critical field

The double challenge (preoperative diagnosis and surgical approach) of primary leiomyosarcoma of the sigmoid colon

Background and aim: Primary colonic leiomyosarcoma (cLMS) is a rare malignancy of muscularis mucosae or muscularis propria showing highly aggressive behaviour and poor prognosis. To date, making a preoperative diagnosis and performing the most appropriate treatment represent laborious tasks for the clinicians. On the one hand, in fact, cLMS diagnosis is often difficult to achieve preoperatively because of the low specificity of clinical, radiological and bioptical features: for these motives, the diagnosis is usually obtained at postoperative histology/immune-histochemistry. On the other hand, although surgery represents the main-stay of multi-modal treatment, in the current era of minimally invasive surgery the optimal approach to cLMS is debated: in the absence of a standardized and unanimous algorithm, in fact, laparoscopy is usually proposed for small tumors, whereas laparotomy for masses exceeding 4 cm in diameter. Our aim was to elucidate such two aspects by reporting our experience. Methods: We present the case of a 51-year-old man affected with a 6-cm LMS of the sigmoid colon. Results: Preoperative diagnosis was achieved through a preoperative echo-endoscopic biopsy. The lesion was successfully and safely managed by laparoscopic surgery. Conclusions: Our case suggests that a preoperative diagnosis of cLMS is possible in an appropriate setting. Moreover, laparoscopy seems to be a safe and successful approach to resect cancers even larger than the common 4 centimetres proposed by the current literature. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Laparoscopic Partial Splenectomy: A Critical Appraisal of an Emerging Technique. A Review of the First 457 Published Cases

Background: Laparoscopic partial splenectomy (LPS) may allow avoiding total splenectomy (TS) complications and maximizing the advantages of mini-invasive approach. The objective of this review is to assess feasibility and safety of LPS, to compare this approach with alternative options. Materials and Methods: A literature review of articles reporting LPS is performed. Several parameters, including age, indication, surgical technique, devices used for splenic section/hemostasis, adverse outcomes, including morbidity/mortality, conversions to open surgery, conversions to TS, operative time (OT), and hospital stay (HS), are analyzed. Articles comparing LPS' results with those of open partial splenectomy and laparoscopic TS are also analyzed. Results: Fifty-nine articles reporting 457 LPS were included. Patients' characteristics varied widely, concerning age and indications, including hematological disease (hereditary spherocytosis, drepanocytosis), splenic focal masses, and trauma. Several technical options are reported. Mean OT and HS are 128±43.7 minutes and 4.9±3.8 days, respectively. No mortality and 5.7% morbidity are reported. Conversion rates to open surgery and to TS are 3.9% and 3.7%, respectively. Conclusions: In conclusion LPS is feasible and safe, with no mortality, low morbidity, and low conversion rates to laparotomy and to TS. LPS may be accomplished by various techniques and tools. Major complications are sporadically reported, thus potential risks should not be underestimated

Spatial data methods for environmental and ecological processes

The conference is interdisciplinary (statisticians, agronomists, biologists, ecologists and more are encouraged to attend) and fosters the exchange of experiences between researchers working on spatial and spatio-temporal environmental problems

Practice of proctology among general surgery residents and young specialists in Italy: a snapshot survey

Anal diseases are very common and, in most of the cases, require surgery of minor or medium complexity, and, therefore, are among the most accessible diseases for surgeons in training. Aim of this study is to investigate the status of the training in proctology in Italy. A 31-items questionnaire was administered to residents and young specialists (&lt;= 2 years) in general surgery, using mailing lists, and the social media accounts of the Italian Society of Colorectal Surgery. Answers from 338 respondents (53.8% males) were included in the final analysis. Overall, 252 respondents (74.5%) were residents and 86 (25.5%) young specialists. Two hundred and fifty-five (75.4%) respondents practiced proctology for the first time early on during their postgraduate training, but only 19.5% did it continuously for &gt;= 24 months. Almost all respondents (334; 98.8%) had the chance to participate in proctological procedures, 205 (60.5%) as first surgeon. This percentage decreases according to the complexity of the surgery. In fact, only 11 (3.3%) and 24 (7.1%) of the respondents were allowed to be the first surgeon in more complex proctological diseases such as surgery for rectal prolapse and fecal incontinence. The present survey suggests that, in Italy, most surgeons in training deal with anal diseases. However, only few of them could achieve sufficient professional skills in the management of proctological diseases to be able to practice autonomously as young specialists