Exoplanet atmospheres with GIANO II. Detection of molecular absorption in the dayside spectrum of HD 102195b

The study of exoplanetary atmospheres is key to understand the differences between their physical, chemical and dynamical processes. Up to now, the bulk of atmospheric characterization analysis has been conducted on transiting planets. On some sufficiently bright targets, high-resolution spectroscopy (HRS) has also been successfully tested for non-transiting planets. We study the dayside of the non-transiting planet HD 102195b using the GIANO spectrograph mounted at TNG, demonstrating the feasibility of atmospheric characterization measurements and molecular detection for non-transiting planets with the HRS technique using 4-m class telescopes. The Doppler-shifted planetary signal changes on the order of many km/s during the observations, in contrast with the telluric absorption which is stationary in wavelength, allowing us to remove the contamination from telluric lines while preserving the features of the planetary spectrum. The emission signal from HD 102195b's atmosphere is then extracted by cross-correlating the residual spectra with atmospheric models. We detect molecular absorption from water vapor at 4.4$\sigma$ level. We also find convincing evidence for the presence of methane, which is detected at the 4.1$\sigma$ level. The two molecules are detected with a combined significance of 5.3$\sigma$, at a semi-amplitude of the planet radial velocity $K_P=128\pm 6$ km/s. We estimate a planet true mass of $M_P=0.46\pm 0.03~M_J$ and orbital inclination between 72.5 and 84.79$^{\circ}$ (1$\sigma$). Our analysis indicates a non-inverted atmosphere for HD 102195b, as expected given the relatively low temperature of the planet, inefficient to keep TiO/VO in gas phase. Moreover, a comparison with theoretical expectations and chemical model predictions corroborates our methane detection and suggests that the detected $CH_4$ and $H_2O$ signatures could be consistent with a low C/O ratio.Comment: 12 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in A&

Exoplanet atmospheres with GIANO. I. Water in the transmission spectrum of HD 189733b

High-resolution spectroscopy (R $\ge$ 20,000) at near-infrared wavelengths can be used to investigate the composition, structure, and circulation patterns of exoplanet atmospheres. However, up to now it has been the exclusive dominion of the biggest telescope facilities on the ground, due to the large amount of photons necessary to measure a signal in high-dispersion spectra. Here we show that spectrographs with a novel design - in particular a large spectral range - can open exoplanet characterisation to smaller telescope facilities too. We aim to demonstrate the concept on a series of spectra of the exoplanet HD 189733 b taken at the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo with the near-infrared spectrograph GIANO during two transits of the planet. In contrast to absorption in the Earth's atmosphere (telluric absorption), the planet transmission spectrum shifts in radial velocity during transit due to the changing orbital motion of the planet. This allows us to remove the telluric spectrum while preserving the signal of the exoplanet. The latter is then extracted by cross-correlating the residual spectra with template models of the planet atmosphere computed through line-by-line radiative transfer calculations, and containing molecular absorption lines from water and methane. By combining the signal of many thousands of planet molecular lines, we confirm the presence of water vapour in the atmosphere of HD 189733 b at the 5.5-$\sigma$ level. This signal was measured only in the first of the two observing nights. By injecting and retrieving artificial signals, we show that the non-detection on the second night is likely due to an inferior quality of the data. The measured strength of the planet transmission spectrum is fully consistent with past CRIRES observations at the VLT, excluding a strong variability in the depth of molecular absorption lines.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics. v2 includes language editin

Efficacy and Safety of Meropenem\u2013Vaborbactam Versus Best Available Therapy for the Treatment of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Infections in Patients Without Prior Antimicrobial Failure: A Post Hoc Analysis

open5siIntroduction: Infections due to Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing Enterobacteriaceae are associated with increased morbidity and high mortality. Meropenem–vaborbactam (MV) is a novel β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combination active against KPC-producing Enterobacteriaceae. The aim of this post hoc analysis of the TANGO-II randomized controlled trial was to assess the efficacy of MV versus best available therapy (BAT) in the subgroup of patients without prior antimicrobial failure. Methods: The primary outcome measure was clinical cure at the test of cure (TOC). Secondary outcome measures included (1) clinical cure at the end of therapy (EOT), (2) microbiological cure at TOC, (3) microbiological cure at EOT, and (4) 28-day all-cause mortality. Results: First-line MV was associated with a 42.9% absolute increase in clinical cure rate at TOC (95% confidence intervals [CI] 13.7–72.1) in comparison with first-line BAT. A 49.3% absolute increase in clinical cure rate at EOT (95% CI 20.8–77.7), a 42.6% absolute increase in microbiological cure rate at EOT (95% CI 13.4–71.8), and a 36.2% absolute increase in microbiologic cure rate at TOC (95% CI 5.9–66.6) were also observed, in addition to a 29.0% absolute reduction in mortality (95% CI − 54.3 to − 3.7). Overall, fewer adverse events were observed in the MV group than in the BAT group. Conclusion: MV was superior to BAT in the subgroup of patients with serious carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infections and no prior antimicrobial failure, with very high rates of clinical success, and was well tolerated. Post approval and real-world studies remain essential to clearly define the most appropriate population for early, empirical MV coverage, in accordance with antimicrobial stewardship principles. Funding: The Medicines Company.openBassetti M.; Giacobbe D.R.; Patel N.; Tillotson G.; Massey J.Bassetti, M.; Giacobbe, D. R.; Patel, N.; Tillotson, G.; Massey, J

Mediterranean spreading of the bicolor purse oyster, Isognomon bicolor, and the chicken trigger, Malleus sp., vs. the Lessepsian prejudice

The introduction rate of alien species in the Mediterranean Sea is rapidly growing, and their taxonomical identification is increasingly challenging. This uncertain identification often leads to an incorrect estimation of the number of alien species, their route of introduction, and their potential negative effects. This is particularly true for some bivalves, which are characterized by high variation in their shells, resulting in uncertain morphological identification. This is the case for two alien bivalves, i.e., an Isognomonidae and a Malleidae species, both characterized by confused historical colonization records in the Mediterranean Sea, misidentifications, and controversial and changing nomenclatures that have insofar negatively affected our knowledge on their geographical distributions. In this respect, molecular approaches provide a strategy that is especially useful when traditional taxonomy fails, and DNA barcoding is a powerful and well-known tool to obtain reliable identifications through efficient molecular markers. In this work, we used the 16S rRNA marker to assess the preliminary identification of Isognomon sp. and Malleus sp. specimens from different localities in the Southern Mediterranean Sea. Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods were applied to test the monophyly of the phylogenetic linages and to clarify their taxonomic positions, allowing a complete overview of the colonization and spreading of these two alien bivalves in the Mediterranean Sea. In particular, the Isognomon sp. specimens were identified as the Atlantic I. bicolor, highlighting that previously suggested invasive migration patterns, (i.e., the Lessepsian migration), must be reconsidered with stronger critical attention in light of currently occurring global changes

A Wide Database for a Multicenter Study on Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia in Intensive Care Units

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is an opportunistic fungal infection that may affect patients with immunosuppression. In order to improve the diagnosis accuracy for PJP, facilitating the collection of data across Europe to reliably assess the performance of diagnostic tests for PJP is essential to improve the care of critically ill patients developing this severe condition. Such large data can be collected thanks to the contribution of several European hospitals in the compilation of a dedicated electronic Case Report Form (eCRF). The main focus of this work is to create an interface with high ergonomics both in the compilation and in the subsequent validation of the records

Accuracy of elastic fusion biopsy in daily practice: results of a multicenter study of 2115 patients

OBJECTIVES: To assess the accuracy of Koelis fusion biopsy for the detection of prostate cancer and clinically significant prostate cancer in the everyday practice. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 2115 patients from 15 institutions in four European countries undergoing transrectal Koelis fusion biopsy from 2010 to 2017. A variable number of target (usually 2-4) and random cores (usually 10-14) were carried out, depending on the clinical case and institution habits. The overall and clinically significant prostate cancer detection rates were assessed, evaluating the diagnostic role of additional random biopsies. The cancer detection rate was correlated to multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging features and clinical variables. RESULTS: The mean number of targeted and random cores taken were 3.9 (standard deviation 2.1) and 10.5 (standard deviation 5.0), respectively. The cancer detection rate of Koelis biopsies was 58% for all cancers and 43% for clinically significant prostate cancer. The performance of additional, random cores improved the cancer detection rate of 13% for all cancers (P < 0.001) and 9% for clinically significant prostate cancer (P < 0.001). Prostate cancer was detected in 31%, 66% and 89% of patients with lesions scored as Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System 3, 4 and 5, respectively. Clinical stage and Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System score were predictors of prostate cancer detection in multivariate analyses. Prostate-specific antigen was associated with prostate cancer detection only for clinically significant prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Koelis fusion biopsy offers a good cancer detection rate, which is increased in patients with a high Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System score and clinical stage. The performance of additional, random cores seems unavoidable for correct sampling. In our experience, the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System score and clinical stage are predictors of prostate cancer and clinically significant prostate cancer detection; prostate-specific antigen is associated only with clinically significant prostate cancer detection, and a higher number of biopsy cores are not associated with a higher cancer detection rate