Time Calibration of the LHCb muon System

The LHCb muon System consists of about 122,000 frontend channels. It plays a basic role in the first trigger level. The trigger requires 95% efficiency in muon tracks detection. It is then necessary to reach a system time alignment at the level of about 2 ns. This alignment must be monitored against possible fluctuations due to changes in the detector operating conditions. We describe the custom instrumentation implemented at system level for time calibration, the strategy adopted, the procedure to be followed both for system alignment and monitoring, the control program realized for this purpose. We also illustrate first results obtained during the detector commissioning in the LHCb pit

Increased absorption by coarse aerosol particles over the Gangetic–Himalayan region

Each atmospheric aerosol type has distinctive light-absorption characteristics related to its physical/chemical properties. Climate models treat black carbon as the main light-absorbing component of carbonaceous atmospheric aerosols, while absorption by some organic aerosols is also considered, particularly at ultraviolet wavelengths. Most absorbing aerosols are assumed to be < 1 μm in diameter (sub-micron). Here we present results from a recent field study in India, primarily during the post-monsoon season (October–November), suggesting the presence of absorbing aerosols sized 1–10 μm. Absorption due to super-micron-sized particles was nearly 30% greater than that due to smaller particles. Periods of increased absorption by larger particles ranged from a week to a month. Radiative forcing calculations under clear-sky conditions show that super-micron particles account for nearly 44% of the total aerosol forcing. The origin of the large aerosols is unknown, but meteorological conditions indicate that they are of local origin. Such economic and habitation conditions exist throughout much of the developing world. Hence, large absorbing particles could be an important component of the regional-scale atmospheric energy balance

Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) to treat anal fistula: early results from a prospective observational study

Ligation of the intersphincteric tract (LIFT), a novel sphincter-saving technique, has been recently described with promising results. Literature data are still scant. In this prospective observational study, we present our experience with this technique

Early impairment of contractility reserve in patients with insulin resistance in comparison with healthy subjects

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is currently considered a crucial cardiovascular (CV) risk factor, which seems to play a dominant role in the evolution toward cardiac and vascular impairment. Early IR-induced cardiac dysfunction can be assessed by Doppler-derived myocardial systolic strain rate (SR) index, measured at baseline and after dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE).Methods: Thirty IR patients (HOMA-IR = 7 ± 5.2, age 52.6 ± 2.1 years), and 20 healthy, age and sex matched controls were studied. IR had been diagnosed in all patients in the 3 months preceding the study. Dobutamine echocardiography was performed in all subjects to exclude ischemic heart disease, and left ventricular contractile reserve (LVCR) was then assessed. LVCR was evaluated as an increase in the peak of an average longitudinal SR, measured in the basal and mid segments of 2 and 4 chamber ventricular walls.Results: No significant differences between the 2 groups were revealed by baseline echocardiography. In contrast, after DSE a significant decrease of Delta SR was found in the IR group in comparison to the controls (0.54 ± 0.31 s-1vs 1.14 ± 0.45 s-1; p < 0.0001).Conclusions: Our results show that IR, even if isolated and arising within a short time period, not only represents the initial phase of future diabetes, but may adversely affect heart function, as evidenced by the depressed LVCR. Our data strengthen the need for attention to be paid to IR state and for an early therapeutic approach

Role of 0.4% glyceryl trinitrate ointment after haemorrhoidectomy: results of a prospective randomised study

INTRODUCTION: Conventional haemorrhoidectomy (CH) is well known to cause significant post-operative pain and delayed return to daily activities. Both surgical wounds and sphincterial apparatus spasms are likely responsible for the pain. In this study, we evaluated the role of glyceryl trinitrate ointment (GTN) in reducing post-operative pain, ameliorating wound healing and recovery after CH. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 01/08 and 12/11, 203 patients with symptomatic haemorrhoids were enrolled in the study and received (103 patients) or not (100 patients) 0.4 % GTN ointment for 6 weeks after surgery. Pain was assessed using a 10-cm linear visual analogue scale (VAS). Data on post-operative pain, wound secretion and bleeding, return to normal activities and complications were recorded. Data were analysed using Fisher's exact and Mann-Whitney tests. RESULTS: GTN-treated group experienced significantly less pain during the first week after surgery (p < 0.0001). This difference was more evident starting from post-operative day 4 (p < 0.0001). A significant higher percentage of untreated patients experienced severe pain (mean VAS score > 7) (10 % vs 31 %). There were significant differences in terms of secretion time (p = 0.0052) and bleeding time (p = 0.02) in favor of GTN. In addition, the duration of itching was less in the GTN group (p = 0.0145). Patients treated with GTN were able to an early return to daily activities compared to untreated (p < 0.0001). Fifteen GTN-treated patients (14.6 %) discontinued the application because of local discomfort and headache. CONCLUSIONS: GTN ointment enhances significantly post-operative recovery, reducing pain in terms of duration and intensity. This effect might be secondary to a faster wound healing expressed by reduced secretion, bleeding and itching time

Epicardial fat volume assessed with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in patients with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy

Purpose: The aims of our study were to investigate with cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) the role of Epicardial Fat Volume (EFV) and distribution in patients with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC). Moreover, we explored EFV in patients with TTC and related this to comorbidities, cardiac biomarkers, and cardiac function. Methods: This retrospective study performed CMR scans in 30 consecutive TTC patients and 20 healthy controls. The absolute amount of EFV was quantified in consecutive short-axis cine stacks through the modified Simpson's rule. In addition, the left atrio-ventricular groove (LV) and right ventricle (RV) Epicardial Fat Thickness (EFT) were measured as well. Besides epicardial fat, LV myocardial strain parameters and T2 mapping measurements were obtained. Results: TTC patients and controls were of comparable age, sex, and body mass index. Compared to healthy controls, patients with TTC demonstrated a significantly increased EFV, epicardial fat mass, and EFV indexed for body 7surface area (p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.005; p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.003; p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.008; respectively). In a multiple regression model including age, sex, BMI, atrial fibrillation, and dyslipidemia, TTC remained an independent association with EFV (p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.008). Global T2 mapping and Global longitudinal strain in patients with TTC were correlated with EFV (r&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.63, p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.001, and r&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.44, p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.02, respectively). Conclusion: Patients with TTC have increased EFV compared to healthy controls, despite a similar body mass index. The amount of epicardial fat was associated with CMR markers of myocardial inflammation and subclinical contractile dysfunction

"Integrating China in the International Consortium for Personalized Medicine": The Coordination and Support Action to Foster Collaboration in Personalized Medicine Development between Europe and China

"Integrating China in the International Consortium for Personalized Medicine"(IC2PerMed) is a coordination and support action funded within the Horizon 2020 work program. Following the guidance of the International Consortium for Personalized Medicine (ICPerMed), the project's overarching aim is to align the European Union and China's research agendas in the field of personalized medicine (PM) to enable a swift development of PM approaches in the EU with strong leverage upon EU-Chinese collaboration. Living in the CO-VID-19 era, we are witnessing how the challenges imposed by the pandemic all around the globe have been acting as a catalyst for collaborations and knowledge sharing among national health systems worldwide. Given the strong interest on behalf of both Europe and China in the advancement of PM approaches, now more than ever, a cross-border collaboration between the 2 powers can accelerate the effective translation of such innovation to healthcare systems, advance research, and ensure that such change follows the directions toward the path of sustainability. IC2PerMed developments will be led by European and Chinese experts equally assembled into 3 Working Groups: (1) people and organization, (2) innovation and market, and (3) research and clinical studies in PM. This complex and dynamic network of actions thrives on dialog, cooperation, and alignment of research at national and global levels; work in the direction taken by IC2PerMed shall pave the way toward the realization of PM's full potential, prevent it from becoming a burden for healthcare systems, and, rather, prove that it provides an essential and irreplaceable contribution to their effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability