Multiple populations in globular clusters. Lessons learned from the Milky Way globular clusters

Recent progress in studies of globular clusters has shown that they are not simple stellar populations, being rather made of multiple generations. Evidence stems both from photometry and spectroscopy. A new paradigm is then arising for the formation of massive star clusters, which includes several episodes of star formation. While this provides an explanation for several features of globular clusters, including the second parameter problem, it also opens new perspectives about the relation between globular clusters and the halo of our Galaxy, and by extension of all populations with a high specific frequency of globular clusters, such as, e.g., giant elliptical galaxies. We review progress in this area, focusing on the most recent studies. Several points remain to be properly understood, in particular those concerning the nature of the polluters producing the abundance pattern in the clusters and the typical timescale, the range of cluster masses where this phenomenon is active, and the relation between globular clusters and other satellites of our Galaxy.Comment: In press (The Astronomy and Astrophysics Review

Clinical Case of a Gastric Diverticulum Operated by Laparoscopic Approach

A gastric diverticulum is a rare disease, occurring in 0.04% of cases on contrast X-rays and 0.01-0.11% of cases of upper GI tract endoscopies. Diagnosis is often difficult due to non-specific symptoms, such as a feeling of fullness in the epigastrium after eating, dyspepsia, nausea and vomiting. In the case of symptomatic diverticulum, surgical treatment is indicated, where a priority is given to laparoscopic interventions. In the article, we present a case of a gastric diverticulum in a 37-year-old woman who was successfully operated laparoscopically