Corneal Distortion and Corneal Morphological Parameters in Naïve Eyes Analyzed with a Scheimpflug Camera

Background: The study of the corneal biomechanical properties (CBP) is gaining always more interest, thanks to the applications to refractive surgery and to the overall management of several corneal diseases. Purpose: To analyze the eventual relationships between corneal distortion and morphologic features in healthy subjects. Methods: one eye of one hundred and fifty-two healthy participants, 87 women and 65 men, aging from 23 to 65 years old, were evaluated in this study. Every eye underwent a complete clinical examination, that included also a tomographic scan using Pentacam HR (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany) and a biomechanical evaluation using Corvis ST (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany). Linear regressions among refractive defect, corneal volume (CV), anterior corneal curvature and central corneal thickness (CCT) vs corneal biomechanical features provided by Corvis ST have been ran using SPSS software version 18.0. Results: Corneal distortion factors showed a low correlation both with corneal morphological parameters and with refractive defect. No significant correlations (p> 0.01) were found among morphologic and biomechanical features evaluated. Discussion: results observed in this study could help in recognize the healthy range of values of CBP parameters provided by CST. This information could be very useful in many ophthalmology topics such as the accurate IOP measurement, the early diagnosis of corneal degenerations, such as keratoconous, and the screening of subject undergoing refractive surgery. Conclusions: even if data of this study need to be confirmed in further ones with larger populations, results here observed suggest that Corvis ST is a device providing an evaluation of corneal distortion not influenced by morphological corneal factors. This information could help in better screening and managing the diseased corneas

Evaluation of Corneal Reflectance in Sjögren's Syndrome Dry Eye

Introduction: To measure corneal layers’ light reflectance (LR) in eyes affected by dry eye disease caused by Sjögren's syndrome (SSDE) with corneal confocal microscopy (IVCM) and to study the correlations with tear film tests. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six patients affected by SSDE and 36 healthy subjects (HS) were enrolled in this retrospective study, participants of both groups were age and sex matched. Each study participants had a complete eye visit and break up time (BUT), Schirmer test, with and without stimulation, at the end of the visit an IVCM scan was performed. LR measured by IVCM at Bowman membrane (BM) level and at 50 µm, at 100 µm and at 200 µm deeper was compared in the two groups of participants. The correlations between LR measurements and tear film test results were investigated. Results: In SSDE eyes, LR was significantly higher (p<0.001) in SSDE patients at BM level (+14.43 ± 3.27 LRU) and also in the other levels evaluated, compared with HP. Good correlations were observed between LR values at BM and Schirmer test ones with (r = -0.82) and without (r= -0.81) stimulation and BUT (r= 0.80) in SSDE eyes. Correlations values were Adecreasing the deeper corneal layers. Conclusion: Even if need to be verified in further studies with a larger population, results obtained in this study suggest that IVCM could be an interesting and effective tool in evaluating the SSDE patients and it could be adopted by physicians’ community because it seems very promising

Twenty years of surveillance of Invasive Meningococcal Diseases in Puglia, Italy

The study aims to investigate the change in the burden of disease and the microbiological characteristics of Invasive Meningococcal Disease (IMD) in Puglia in comparison with overall incidence from 1994 through 2014

Twenty years of surveillance of Invasive Meningococcal Diseases in Puglia, Italy

Data of all the cases of Invasive Meningococcal Diseases are collected in the frame of the National Surveillance System coordinated by the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, which performs further  microbiological characterization on collected isolates. In Puglia, from 1994 through 2014, the average incidence was 0.2 per 100.000 inhabitants, lower than the national value (0.33), with a peak in 2013 of 0.46  per 100.000 inhabitants. Patients tended to be older (median age 19 vs16). The case-fatality  rate was 20.4% in Puglia vs 13.3% in Italy. Serogroups B and C were the most identified. Fourty-seven percent of the isolates showed a decreased susceptibility to penicillin G. Serogroups C and Y presented a fairly clonal pattern, whereas serogroup B isolates were rather genetically  heterogeneous. Surveillance system is essential to monitor possible changes in the epidemiology of invasive meningococcal disease consequent to immunization strategies adopted locally and nationally

Measurement of {\eta} meson production in {\gamma}{\gamma} interactions and {\Gamma}({\eta}-->{\gamma}{\gamma}) with the KLOE detector

We present a measurement of {\eta} meson production in photon-photon interactions produced by electron-positron beams colliding with \sqrt{s}=1 GeV. The measurement is done with the KLOE detector at the \phi-factory DA{\Phi}NE with an integrated luminosity of 0.24 fb^{-1}. The e^+e^- --> e^+e^-{\eta} cross section is measured without detecting the outgoing electron and positron, selecting the decays {\eta}-->{\pi}^+{\pi}^-{\pi}^0 and {\eta}-->{\pi}^0{\pi}^0{\pi}^0. The most relevant background is due to e^+e^- --> {\eta}{\gamma} when the monochromatic photon escapes detection. The cross section for this process is measured as {\sigma}(e^+e^- -->{\eta}{\gamma}) = (856 \pm 8_{stat} \pm 16_{syst}) pb. The combined result for the e^+e^- -->e^+e^-{\eta} cross section is {\sigma}(e^+e^- -->e^+e^-{\eta}) = (32.72 \pm 1.27_{stat} \pm 0.70_{syst}) pb. From this we derive the partial width {\Gamma}({\eta}-->{\gamma}{\gamma}) = (520 \pm 20_{stat} \pm 13_{syst}) eV. This is in agreement with the world average and is the most precise measurement to date.Comment: Version accepted by JHE

Diaphragm ultrasound evaluation during weaning from mechanical ventilation in COVID-19 patients: a pragmatic, cross-section, multicenter study

Background Diaphragmatic dysfunction is a major factor responsible for weaning failure in patients that underwent prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation for acute severe respiratory failure from COVID-19. This study hypothesizes that ultrasound measured diaphragmatic thickening fraction (DTF) could provide corroborating information for weaning COVID-19 patients from mechanical ventilation. Methods This was an observational, pragmatic, cross-section, multicenter study in 6 Italian intensive care units. DTF was assessed in COVID-19 patients undergoing weaning from mechanical ventilation from 1st March 2020 to 30th June 2021. Primary aim was to evaluate whether DTF is a predictive factor for weaning failure. Results Fifty-seven patients were enrolled, 25 patients failed spontaneous breathing trial (44%). Median length of invasive ventilation was 14 days (IQR 7-22). Median DTF within 24 h since the start of weaning was 28% (IQR 22-39%), RASS score (- 2 vs - 2; p = 0.031); Kelly-Matthay score (2 vs 1; p = 0.002); inspiratory oxygen fraction (0.45 vs 0.40; p = 0.033). PaO2/FiO(2) ratio was lower (176 vs 241; p = 0.032) and length of intensive care stay was longer (27 vs 16.5 days; p = 0.025) in patients who failed weaning. The generalized linear regression model did not select any variables that could predict weaning failure. DTF was correlated with pH (RR 1.56 x 10(27); p = 0.002); Kelly-Matthay score (RR 353; p < 0.001); RASS (RR 2.11; p = 0.003); PaO2/FiO(2) ratio (RR 1.03; p = 0.05); SAPS2 (RR 0.71; p = 0.005); hospital and ICU length of stay (RR 1.22 and 0.79, respectively; p < 0.001 and p = 0.004). Conclusions DTF in COVID-19 patients was not predictive of weaning failure from mechanical ventilation, and larger studies are needed to evaluate it in clinical practice further. Registered: ClinicalTrial.gov (NCT05019313, 24 August 2021)

A new limit on the CP violating decay KS -> 3pi0 with the KLOE experiment

We have carried out a new direct search for the CP violating decay KS -> 3pi0 with 1.7 fb^-1 of e+e- collisions collected by the KLOE detector at the phi-factory DAFNE. We have searched for this decay in a sample of about 5.9 x 10^8 KS KL events tagging the KS by means of the KL interaction in the calorimeter and requiring six prompt photons. With respect to our previous search, the analysis has been improved by increasing of a factor four the tagged sample and by a more effective background rejection of fake KS tags and spurious clusters. We find no candidates in data and simulated background samples, while we expect 0.12 standard model events. Normalizing to the number of KS -> 2pi0 events in the same sample, we set the upper limit on BR(KS -> 3pi0 < 2.6 x 10^-8 at 90% C.L., five times lower than the previous limit. We also set the upper limit on the eta_000 parameter, |eta_000 | < 0.0088 at 90% C.L., improving by a factor two the latest direct measurement.Comment: Accepted for publication in Physics Letters B (15 pages, 13 figures

Precision measurement of σ(e+e−→π+π−γ)/σ(e+e−→μ+μ−γ)\sigma(e^+e^-\rightarrow\pi^+\pi^-\gamma)/\sigma(e^+e^-\rightarrow \mu^+\mu^-\gamma) and determination of the π+π−\pi^+\pi^- contribution to the muon anomaly with the KLOE detector

We have measured the ratio $\sigma(e^+e^-\rightarrow\pi^+\pi^-\gamma)/\sigma(e^+e^-\rightarrow \mu^+\mu^-\gamma)$, with the KLOE detector at DA$\Phi$NE for a total integrated luminosity of $\sim$ 240 pb$^{-1}$. From this ratio we obtain the cross section $\sigma(e^+e^-\rightarrow\pi^+\pi^-)$. From the cross section we determine the pion form factor $|F_\pi|^2$ and the two-pion contribution to the muon anomaly $a_\mu$ for $0.592<M_{\pi\pi}<0.975$ GeV, $\Delta^{\pi\pi} a_\mu$= $({\rm 385.1\pm1.1_{stat}\pm2.7_{sys+theo}})\times10^{-10}$. This result confirms the current discrepancy between the Standard Model calculation and the experimental measurement of the muon anomaly.Comment: 18 pages, 8 figures, minor text corrections, one table added, version to appear on Physics Letters

Development of CGEM technology for ultra-light tracking detectors : the KLOE-2 Inner Tracker

KLOE-2 at the $\phi$ -factory DA\Phi NE of INFN Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati (LNF), is the first experiment using the GEM technology with a cylindrical geometry (CGEM), developed at the LNF by the Inner Tracker group and within the RD51 Collaboration. Four layers with 26$\div$ 41 cm diameters and L = 70 cm, each realized as a Triple-GEM detector, compose this new detector. To produce GEM foils of unprecedented size, the novel single-mask manufacturing procedure has been developed with the TE-MPE-EM CERN group, together with the realization of a novel XV readout pattern. The adopted solutions allowed the total material budget to be kept below 2% of the radiation length $X_{0}$. The final assembly of the Inner Tracker has been completed on March 14, 2014. The production procedure will be reported together with the validation test results