Unprecedented studies of the low-energy negatively charged kaons interactions in nuclear matter by AMADEUS

The AMADEUS experiment aims to provide unique quality data of $K^-$ hadronic interactions in light nuclear targets, in order to solve fundamental open questions in the non-perturbative strangeness QCD sector, like the controversial nature of the $\Lambda(1405)$ state, the yield of hyperon formation below threshold, the yield and shape of multi-nucleon $K^-$ absorption, processes which are intimately connected to the possible existence of exotic antikaon multi-nucleon clusters. AMADEUS takes advantage of the DA$\Phi$NE collider, which provides a unique source of monochromatic low-momentum kaons and exploits the KLOE detector as an active target, in order to obtain excellent acceptance and resolution data for $K^-$ nuclear capture on H, ${}^4$He, ${}^{9}$Be and ${}^{12}$C, both at-rest and in-flight. During the second half of 2012 a successful data taking was performed with a dedicated pure carbon target implemented in the central region of KLOE, providing a high statistic sample of pure at-rest $K^-$ nuclear interactions. For the future dedicated setups involving cryogenic gaseous targets are under preparation.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figure

Collagen proportionate area predicts long-term mortality in patients with alcoholic hepatitis

Background and aims: There are several short-term prognostic scores for alcoholic hepatitis (AH) that combine demographical and biochemical parameters. The extent of liver fibrosis may also be relevant to the prognosis of AH with potential added value. We evaluated collagen proportionate area (CPA) as a predictor of short and long-term mortality in AH. Methods: We retrospectively included patients with biopsy-verified AH. Clinical, laboratory and outcome data were collected. CPA and five AH scores were calculated: Maddrey's DF, MELD, GAHS, ABIC, and the Lille Model. Predictors of short and long-term all-cause mortality were assessed using Cox regression analysis. Results: We included 140 patients with AH. In total, 67 (48%) patients died after a median follow-up of 66 (IQR 102) months, with 17 (12%) dying within the first 90-days. CPA was not a predictor of 90-days mortality and had no additional value to the prognostic AH scores on short-term mortality. However, CPA predicted long-term mortality independently of prognostic AH scores. Importantly, CPA and abstinence from alcohol were independent predictors of long-term mortality in patients alive 90 days after the biopsy. Conclusion: CPA predicts long-term mortality in patients with AH independently of abstinence from alcohol but has no prognostic value on short-term mortality

A

Abstract:  Objective: to assess the adjusted Global Antiphospholipid Syndrome Score (aGAPSS) instrument to estimate the risk of vascular thrombosis in primary antiphospholipid syndrome (pAPS). A retrospective study was done between 2013-2020, including patients with pAPS by Sydney criteria. The presence of arterial and venous thrombosis (tAPS), obstetrical comorbidity (oAPS), non-criteria manifestations (NCM), antiphospholipid antibodies (APLA), recurrent thrombosis and mortality were evaluated. Patients were grouped in tAPS, oAPS or both; the last one was used when the stratification was done. In the first visit, aGAPSS was calculated by adding: arterial hypertension: 1, hyperlipidemia: 3, moderate-high titles of anti-cardiolipin antibody (aCL): 5, anti-β2glicoprotein I (aB2GPI): 4 and lupus anticoagulant (LA): 4. aGAPSS ≥ 10 was considered high. Results: 85 patients entered the study, 74,11% completed the follow-up. 87,1% were women, mean age was 36 years (32,75-40,25), illness of 53 months (25-114). 62,35% had oAPS, 24,5% tAPS and 12,94% both. There were 18 arterial thrombosis, 11 venous thrombosis and 3 in both sites. Patients with tAPS had longer illness (p=0,04), higher rates of aB2GP1 (p=<0,001) and triple positivity (p=0,0003). The mean aGAPSS was 9 (5-12); in tAPS the mean value was 9 (8,75-13) and in oAPS 9 (5-9); p=0,008. There was no difference between patients with criteria manifestations and NCM. New trombosis (12,69%) happened in tAPS; the mean time was 26 months (15-49). There were 4 arterial thrombosis, 2 venous thrombosis and 2 in both sites. The mean aGAPSS in patients with recurrence was 13 (9-13), 62,50% had aGAPSS ≥ 10; and 87% had MNC. 4 (6,34%) patients died, all of them with recurrent thrombosis. aGAPSS ≥ 10 predicted new thrombosis (p=0,016). Patients with recurrence had a worse survival curve (p= 0,00000). Conclusion: assessing the risk of thrombosis in APS with aGAPSS could identify individuals at high risk of recurrence, monitor them, and intervene to prevent future events.Resumen:  Objetivo: valorar el instrumento Global Antiphospholipid Sydrome Score ajustado (aGAPSS) para estimar riesgo de trombosis vascular en SAF primario (SAFP). Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo incluyendo pacientes con SAFP (criterios de Sydney) entre 2013 y 2020 de Hospital Materno-neonatal y Córdoba. Se analizaron: trombosis venosa y arterial (SAFT), morbilidad obstétrica (SAFO), manifestaciones no criterio (MNC), anticuerpos antifosfolípidos (AAF), recurrencia de trombosis y mortalidad. Se agruparon en SAFT, SAFO o ambas; el último grupo se utilizó para estratificación del riesgo. En visita basal calculamos aGAPPS sumando: HTA: 1, dislipemia: 3, anticuerpos anticardiolipinas (ACA) IgM/IgG títulos moderados-altos: 5, anticuerpos antibeta2glicoproteína I (ABGPI): 4 y anticoagulante lúpico (AL): 4. Se consideró aGAPSS alto  ≥ 10. Las variables continuas se expresaron como mediana y rango intercuartil; las categóricas como frecuencia y porcentaje. Se utilizó el test de Fisher para variables categóricas y test de Wilcoxon para variables mensurables. p < 0,05 fueron significativos. Aprobado por CIEIS del Adulto. Resultados: Ingresaron 85 pacientes, 74,11% completaron seguimiento. 87,1% mujeres, mediana de edad 36 años (32,75-40,25). 62,35% presentaban SAFO, 24,5% SAFT y 12,94% ambas. Presentaron 18 trombosis arteriales, 11 venosas y 3 en ambos sitios. Pacientes con SAFT tuvieron mayor duración de enfermedad (p=0,04), mayores tasas de ABGP1 (p=<0,001) y triple positividad (p=0,0003). La mediana del aGAPSS fue de 9 (5-12). En SAFT la mediana fue 9 (8,75-13) y en SAFO 9 (5-9); p=0,008. No hubo diferencia entre pacientes con manifestaciones criterio vs MNC. Las nuevas trombosis 12,69% ocurrieron en SAFT; la mediana del tiempo fue 26 meses (15-49). 4 fueron arteriales, 2 venosas y 2 ambas. La mediana de aGAPSS en pacientes con recurrencia fue 13 (9-13), 62,50% con GAPSS ≥ 10; y 87% presentaron MNC. 4 (6,34 %) pacientes fallecieron, todos con retrombosis. aGAPSS ≥ 10 predijo nuevas trombosis (p=0,016). Los pacientes con retrombosis tuvieron peor curva de sobrevida (p= 0,00000). Conclusión: La valoración del riesgo de trombosis en SAF con aGAPSS permitiría identificar individuos con alto riesgo de recurrencia, monitorizarlos e intervenir para prevenir futuros eventos.

Polineuropatía desmielinizante inflamatoria crónica como forma de presentación de lupus eritematoso sistémico

Se describe el caso de una mujer de 35 años que presenta polineuropatía desmielinizante inflamatoria crónica como compromiso neurológico en su diagnóstico inicial de lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES). Si bien el compromiso neurológico es de una prevalencia variable en lupus, la asociación que se describe no es frecuente y tiene importantes connotaciones en el tratamiento

COMPARAZIONE DEI VALORI DI ANTIGENEMIA E VIREMIA DA CMV IN PAZIENTI TRAPIANTATI RENALI.

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The future of Cybersecurity in Italy: Strategic focus area

This volume has been created as a continuation of the previous one, with the aim of outlining a set of focus areas and actions that the Italian Nation research community considers essential. The book touches many aspects of cyber security, ranging from the definition of the infrastructure and controls needed to organize cyberdefence to the actions and technologies to be developed to be better protected, from the identification of the main technologies to be defended to the proposal of a set of horizontal actions for training, awareness raising, and risk management

First amyloid β1-42 certified reference material for re-calibrating commercial immunoassays

INTRODUCTION: Reference materials based on human cerebrospinal fluid were certified for the mass concentration of amyloid beta (Aβ)1-42 (Aβ42 ). They are intended to be used to calibrate diagnostic assays for Aβ42 . METHODS: The three certified reference materials (CRMs), ERM-DA480/IFCC, ERM-DA481/IFCC and ERM-DA482/IFCC, were prepared at three concentration levels and characterized using isotope dilution mass spectrometry methods. Roche, EUROIMMUN, and Fujirebio used the three CRMs to re-calibrate their immunoassays. RESULTS: The certified Aβ42 mass concentrations in ERM-DA480/IFCC, ERM-DA481/IFCC, and ERM-DA482/IFCC are 0.45, 0.72, and 1.22 μg/L, respectively, with expanded uncertainties (k = 2) of 0.07, 0.11, and 0.18 μg/L, respectively. Before re-calibration, a good correlation (Pearson's r > 0.97), yet large biases, were observed between results from different commercial assays. After re-calibration the between-assay bias was reduced to < 5%. DISCUSSION: The Aβ42 CRMs can ensure the equivalence of results between methods and across platforms for the measurement of Aβ42

Cancer survival in the elderly: Effects of socio-economic factors and health care system features (ELDCARE project)

The purpose of the ELDCARE project is to study differences in cancer survival for elderly patients by country, taking into account the socio-economic conditions and the characteristics of health care systems at the ecological level. Fifty-three European cancer registries, from 19 countries, participating in the EUROCARE 3 programme, collected information to compute relative survival on patients aged 65-84 years, diagnosed over the period 1990-1994. National statistics offices provided the macro-economic and labour force indicators (gross domestic product, total health expenditure, and proportion of people employed in the agriculture sector) as well as the features of national health care systems. Survival for several of the cancer sites had high positive Pearson's correlations (r) with the affluence indicators (usually r > 0.7), but survival for the poor prognosis cancers (lung, ovary, stomach) and for cervix uteri was not so well correlated. Among the medical resources considered, the number of computed tomography scanners was the variable most related to survival in the elderly; the number of total health practitioners in the country did not show any relationship. Survival was related to the marital status of elderly women more strongly than for men and younger people. The highest correlations of survival with the percentage of married elderly women in the population were for cancers of the rectum (r = 0.79) and breast (r = 0.66), while survival correlated negatively with the proportion of widows for most cancers. Being married or widowed is for elderly people, in particular elderly women, an important factor influencing psychological status, life habits and social relationships. Social conditions could play a major role in determining health outcomes, particularly in the elderly, by affecting access to health care and delay in diagnosis

The tree that hides the forest: Cryptic diversity and phylogenetic relationships in the Palaearctic vector Obsoletus/Scoticus Complex (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) at the European level

Background: Culicoides obsoletus is an abundant and widely distributed Holarctic biting midge species, involved in the transmission of bluetongue virus (BTV) and Schmallenberg virus (SBV) to wild and domestic ruminants. Females of this vector species are often reported jointly with two morphologically very close species, C. scoticus and C. montanus, forming the Obsoletus/Scoticus Complex. Recently, cryptic diversity within C. obsoletus was reported in geographically distant sites. Clear delineation of species and characterization of genetic variability is mandatory to revise their taxonomic status and assess the vector role of each taxonomic entity. Our objectives were to characterize and map the cryptic diversity within the Obsoletus/Scoticus Complex. Methods: Portion of the cox1 mitochondrial gene of 3763 individuals belonging to the Obsoletus/Scoticus Complex was sequenced. Populations from 20 countries along a Palaearctic Mediterranean transect covering Scandinavia to Canary islands (North to South) and Canary islands to Turkey (West to East) were included. Genetic diversity based on cox1 barcoding was supported by 16S rDNA mitochondrial gene sequences and a gene coding for ribosomal 28S rDNA. Species delimitation using a multi-marker methodology was used to revise the current taxonomic scheme of the Obsoletus/Scoticus Complex. Results: Our analysis showed the existence of three phylogenetic clades (C. obsoletus clade O2, C. obsoletus clade dark and one not yet named and identified) within C. obsoletus. These analyses also revealed two intra-specific clades within C. scoticus and raised questions about the taxonomic status of C. montanus. Conclusions: To our knowledge, our study provides the first genetic characterization of the Obsoletus/Scoticus Complex on a large geographical scale and allows a revision of the current taxonomic classification for an important group of vector species of livestock viruses in the Palaearctic region.[Figure not available: See fulltext.