Outbreak of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp. in an Italian general intensive care unit

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Electronic structure and ferroelectricity in SrBi2Ta2O9

The electronic structure of SrBi2Ta2O9 is investigated from first-principles, within the local density approximation, using the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (LAPW) method. The results show that, besides the large Ta(5d)-O(2p) hybridization which is a common feature of the ferroelectric perovskites, there is an important hybridization between bismuth and oxygen states. The underlying static potential for the ferroelectric distortion and the primary source for ferroelectricity is investigated by a lattice-dynamics study using the Frozen Phonon approach.Comment: 17 pages, 7 figures. Phys. Rev. B, in pres

AEGIS at CERN: Measuring Antihydrogen Fall

The main goal of the AEGIS experiment at the CERN Antiproton Decelerator is the test of fundamental laws such as the Weak Equivalence Principle (WEP) and CPT symmetry. In the first phase of AEGIS, a beam of antihydrogen will be formed whose fall in the gravitational field is measured in a Moire' deflectometer; this will constitute the first test of the WEP with antimatter.Comment: Presented at the Fifth Meeting on CPT and Lorentz Symmetry, Bloomington, Indiana, June 28-July 2, 201

New data on OZI rule violation in bar{p}p annihilation at rest

The results of a measurement of the ratio R = Y(phi pi+ pi-) / Y(omega pi+ pi-) for antiproton annihilation at rest in a gaseous and in a liquid hydrogen target are presented. It was found that the value of this ratio increases with the decreasing of the dipion mass, which demonstrates the difference in the phi and omega production mechanisms. An indication on the momentum transfer dependence of the apparent OZI rule violation for phi production from the 3S1 initial state was found.Comment: 11 pages, 3 PostScript figures, submitted to Physics Letter

Incidence and predictors of readmission within 30 days of transurethral resection of the prostate : a single center European experience

Hospital readmission rates have been analyzed due to their contribution to increasing medical costs. Little is known about readmission rates after urological procedures. We aimed to assess the incidence and predictors of 30-day readmission after discharge in patients treated with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Data from 160 consecutive patients who underwent TURP from January 2015 to December 2016 were analysed. Intra hospitalization characteristics included length of stay (LOS), catheterization time (CT) and complications. Comorbidities were scored with the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Mean (SD) age was 70.1 (8.1) yrs and mean prostate volume was 80 (20.1) ml. Mean LOS and CT were 4.9 (2.5) days and 3.3 (1.6) days, respectively. The overall 30-day readmission rate was 14.4%, but only 7 (4.4%) patients required hospitalization. The most frequent reasons for readmission were haematuria (6.8%), fever/urinary tract infections (4.3%) and acute urinary retention (3.1%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed age, CCI and CT to be independent predictors of readmission. However, when analysed according to age at the time of surgery, a beneficial effect from longer CT was observed only for patients older than 75 years. These parameters should be taken in account at the time of discharge after TURP

Poor nutritional status is associated with other geriatric domain impairments and adverse postoperative outcomes in onco-geriatric surgical patients – a multicentre cohort study

Background: Nutritional status (NS), though frequently affected in onco-geriatric patients, is no standard part of a geriatric assessment. The aim of this study was to analyse the association between a preoperatively impaired NS and geriatric domain impairments and adverse postoperative outcomes in onco-geriatric surgical patients. Methods: 309 patients ≥70 years undergoing surgery for solid tumours were prospectively recruited. Nine screening tools were preoperatively administered as part of a geriatric assessment. NS was based on BMI, weight loss and food intake. Odds ratio’s (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated using logistic regression analysis. The occurrence of 30-day adverse postoperative outcomes was recorded. Results: At a median age of 76 years, 107 patients (34.6%) had an impaired NS. Decreased performance status and depression were associated with an impaired NS, when adjusted for tumour characteristics and comorbidities (ORPS>1 3.46; 95%CI 1.56-7.67. ORGDS>5 2.11; 95%CI 1.05-4.26). An impaired NS was an independent predictor for major complications (OR 3.3; 95%CI 1.6-6.8). Ten out of 11 patients who deceased had an impaired NS. Conclusion: An impaired NS is prevalent in onco-geriatric patients considered to be fit for surgery. It is associated with decreased performance status and depression. An impaired NS is a predictor for adverse postoperative outcomes. NS should be incorporated in a geriatric assessment

Results of the coupled channel analysis of π+π−π0, K+K−π0 and K±K0Sπ∓ final states from p̄p annihilation at rest in hydrogen targets at different densities

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