Dense matter with eXTP

In this White Paper we present the potential of the Enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry (eXTP) mission for determining the nature of dense matter; neutron star cores host an extreme density regime which cannot be replicated in a terrestrial laboratory. The tightest statistical constraints on the dense matter equation of state will come from pulse profile modelling of accretion-powered pulsars, burst oscillation sources, and rotation-powered pulsars. Additional constraints will derive from spin measurements, burst spectra, and properties of the accretion flows in the vicinity of the neutron star. Under development by an international Consortium led by the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Science, the eXTP mission is expected to be launched in the mid 2020s.Comment: Accepted for publication on Sci. China Phys. Mech. Astron. (2019

Blind loop perforation after side-to-side ileocolonic anastomosis

Blind loop syndrome after side-to-side ileocolonic anastomosis is a well-recognized entity even though its incidence and complication rates are not clearly defined. The inevitable dilation of the ileal cul-de-sac leads to stasis and bacterial overgrowth which eventually leads to mucosal ulceration and even full-thickness perforation. Blind loop syndrome may be an underestimated complication in the setting of digestive surgery. It should always be taken into account in cases of acute abdomen in patients who previously underwent right hemicolectomy. We herein report 3 patients who were diagnosed with perforative blind loop syndrome a few years after standard right hemicolectomy followed by a side-to-side ileocolonic anastomosis

Modified end-to-side double-layer open pancreaticogastrostomy after Whipple procedure: surgical tips for a safe anastomosis

Pancreatic fistula (PF) remains the Achilles' heel of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Pancreaticogastrostomy (PG) appears to be associated with a lower risk of postoperative leak according to recent evidence. We started to fashion PG, especially in soft pancreas, modifying the original technique described by Bassi. At our institution, 105 PD procedures were carried out from January 2011 to December 2016; pancreatic-enteric continuity was restored by PG in 35 cases. Superior mesenteric/portal vein resection/reconstruction was necessary in three patients. A total of 34/35 patients underwent PG with an open anterior gastrostomy approach. Briefly, our double-layer PG anastomosis (illustrated by a video) starts with a posterior row of interrupted absorbable 4/0 monofilament sutures including the gastric serosa and the pancreatic capsule. It is essential to mobilize the left pancreas for 4-5 cm and to shape the posterior gastrostomy shorter than the pancreatic stump. After a wide anterior auxiliary gastrostomy the pancreas is invaginated into the stomach and an interrupted row of sutures between the posterior gastric wall (full-thickness) and the body of the pancreatic stump is fashioned. The anterior gastrostomy is closed with an absorbable running suture. Finally, a further layer of sutures is applied over the posterior suture line between the gastric serosa and the pancreatic capsule. The 90-day postoperative mortality was nihil. No biliary leakage was detected and the overall PF rate was 11.4% (4/35) according to the ISGPF study group. Only one patient suffered a grade B PF (in this case, PG was carried out only through a posterior gastrostomy), whereas three patients had a minor (grade A) PF. Our modified PG proved to be safe and easy to perform, while it carried excellent outcomes even in the setting of soft pancreas. Despite the limited number of cases, such modified PG appears promising, particularly for pancreatic remnants at higher risk of PF

Open and minimally invasive pancreatic neoplasms enucleation: a systematic review

Pancreatic enucleation (pEN) as parenchyma-sparing procedure for small pancreatic neoplasms is quickly becoming the most common surgical option in such setting. Nowadays, pEN is frequently carried out through a minimally invasive approach either laparoscopic or robotic. Its impact on overall perioperative complications and pancreatic fistula (POPF) is still under evaluation. The scope of our systematic review is to assess pEN's perioperative outcomes and to evaluate the effect of the minimally invasive techniques over POPF and other surgical complications

Combined spinal-epidural anesthesia for renal transplant in a lung transplant recipient: a case report

A 67-year-old lung transplant recipient with severe comorbidities was admitted for renal transplant. As anesthesia technique, combined spinal-epidural at the T11-T12 level was chosen, associated with intravenous sedation. Graft's function initially results altered, bringing to pulmonary fluid overload. Beginning from the postoperative day 5 there was a slow but constant gain-of-function of the graft, proven by an improvement of renal function indexes and by the resolution of the pulmonary edema. Conclusions: Whereas general anesthesia remains the gold standard anesthesia technique for kidney transplant, a locoregional anesthesia, could be a feasible and effective option in patients at high risk of respiratory complications. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Dai droni alle armi autonome. lasciare l'apocalisse alle macchine?

Il libro affronta la questione delle armi semi-autonome (droni) e autonome (i cosiddetti robot- killer). Numerosi miti ed episodi storici alludono alla possibilità di affidare in tutto o in parte le attività di combattimento alle macchine. Anticipazioni simboliche dell'Intelligenza Artificiale che, applicata alla guerra, sta ispirando la ricerca, sviluppo e futura operatività delle armi letali autonome (LAWS). Protagoniste del processo sono le principali potenze mondiali quali Stati Uniti, Cina, Russia e alcuni stati europei. A questo gruppo di testa potrebbero unirsi vari paesi in via di industrializzazione e, virtualmente, anche attori non statali che, come alcune formazioni terroristiche e criminali, hanno già iniziato a utilizzare velivoli senza pilota. In alternativa all'incombente proliferazione di macchine che fuggono al controllo umano, le possibili soluzioni sono due. La prima è rappresentata dalla società civile nella duplice articolazione delle prese di posizione della comunità scientifica internazionale e della mobilitazione dell'opinione pubblica. La seconda è rappresentata dagli accordi internazionali per il controllo delle armi semi-autonome e la prevenzione e il divieto delle armi letali autonome

Variation in Post-Transplant Cancer Incidence among Italian Kidney Transplant Recipients over a 25-Year Period

Simple Summary Solid-organ transplant recipients are known to be at higher risk of developing several cancer types, mainly virus-related malignancies. Monitoring trends in the incidence of post-transplant cancers among individuals who received solid organ transplantation helps to improve preventive measures and outcomes. This cohort study aimed to examine, over a 25-year period in Italy, variations in the occurrence of post-transplant cancers among 11,418 recipients of kidney transplantation (KT). Cancer incidence over three periods (1997-2004; 2005-2012; and 2013-2021) was analyzed within the cohort and in comparison with the general population. After multivariate adjustment, both approaches highlighted reduced risks of Kaposi's sarcoma, whereas no statistically significant changes over time in the incidence of other cancers were noted. Accordingly, the results of this study highlighted the need to sustain and strengthen cancer-preventive actions in KT recipients. This cohort study examined 25-year variations in cancer incidence among 11,418 Italian recipients of kidney transplantation (KT) from 17 Italian centers. Cancer incidence was examined over three periods (1997-2004; 2005-2012; and 2013-2021) by internal (Incidence rate ratio-IRR) and external (standardized incidence ratios-SIR) comparisons. Poisson regression was used to assess trends. Overall, 1646 post-transplant cancers were diagnosed, with incidence rates/1000 person-years ranging from 15.5 in 1997-2004 to 21.0 in 2013-2021. Adjusted IRRs showed a significant reduction in incidence rates across periods for all cancers combined after exclusion of nonmelanoma skin cancers (IRR = 0.90, 95% confidence interval-CI: 0.76-1.07 in 2005-2012; IRR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.60-0.87 in 2013-2021 vs. 1997-2004; P-trend < 0.01). In site-specific analyses, however, significant changes in incidence rates were observed only for Kaposi's sarcoma (KS; IRR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.24-0.57 in 2005-2012; IRR = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.04-0.18 in 2013-2021; P-trend < 0.01). As compared to the general population, the overall post-transplant cancer risk in KT recipients was elevated, with a decreasing magnitude over time (SIR = 2.54, 95% CI: 2.26-2.85 in 1997-2004; SIR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.83-2.16 in 2013-2021; P-trend < 0.01). A decline in SIRs was observed specifically for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and KS, though only the KS trend retained statistical significance after adjustment. In conclusion, apart from KS, no changes in the incidence of other cancers over time were observed among Italian KT recipients

Cancer mortality after kidney transplantation: A multicenter cohort study in Italy

: Kidney transplant (KT) recipients are known to be at risk of developing several cancer types; however, cancer mortality in this population is underinvestigated. Our study aimed to assess the risk of cancer death among Italian KT recipients compared to the corresponding general population. A cohort study was conducted among 7373 individuals who underwent KT between 2003 and 2020 in 17 Italian centers. Date and cause of death were retrieved until 31 December 2020. Indirect standardization was used to estimate standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Cancer was the most common cause of death among the 7373 KT recipients, constituting 32.4% of all deaths. A 1.8-fold excess mortality (95% CI: 1.59-2.09) was observed for all cancers combined. Lymphomas (SMR = 6.17, 95% CI: 3.81-9.25), kidney cancer (SMR = 5.44, 95% CI: 2.97-8.88) and skin melanoma (SMR = 3.19, 95% CI: 1.03-6.98) showed the highest excess death risks. In addition, SMRs were increased about 1.6 to 3.0 times for cancers of lung, breast, bladder and other hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues. As compared to the general population, relative cancer mortality risk remained significantly elevated in all age groups though it decreased with increasing age. A linear temporal increase in SMR over time was documented for all cancers combined (P < .01). Our study documented significantly higher risks of cancer death in KT recipients than in the corresponding general population. Such results support further investigation into the prevention and early detection of cancer in KT recipients