Status of LHCb

The status of the LHCb experiment is presented. The experiment has been taking data since the LHC startup. The performances of the various sub-detectors are discussed and a preliminary measurement of the b cross-section is reported. The value is in agreement with expectations.Comment: Proceedings of the HCP2010 Conference - Toronto - 201

Consip e le centrali di committenza

La necessità di ridurre la spesa nelle pubbliche amministrazioni ha reso necessaria la creazione di istituti quali le centrali di committenza, al fine di una programmazione e di una razionalizzazione degli acquisti di beni servizi e forniture. Consip, in questo quadro, ha assunto ruolo di riferimento

Somatotype in Elderly Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Somatotyping is a practical technique for the description of physique. Individuals with Type 2 diabetes are characterized by physical peculiarities, such as overweight, obesity and a central pattern of body fat distribution. Somatotype applications to diabetes are limited. The objective of this study is to describe the somatotype of elderly type 2 diabetes patients. The sample consisted of 110 patients with type 2 diabetes (45 men, mean age 69.4±7.0 years; 65 women, mean age 72.9±7.1 years). The pathological subjects were compared with a control group consisting of 280 healthy individuals (134 men, mean age 74.2±7.3 years; 146 women, mean age 74.9±7.4 years). The Heath-Carter somatotype was applied. Diabetic men and women (mean somatotype, respectively: 6.8–5.6–0.6 and 8.6–6.4–0.2) presented significantly higher values of endomorphy than the controls (p=0.043 in men, p=0.003 in women); men also had a lower mesomorphic component (p=0.000). The somatotype method revealed physical peculiarities in type 2 diabetes patients. The marked endomorphy in the pathological individuals can be related to general fatness, which is a well known disease risk factor. The somatotype appears to be a suitable technique for the assessment of physique in type 2 diabetes patients

Un indice per misurare la accessibilità di prossimità

IAPI (Inclusive Accessibiity by Proximity Index) misura, in ambiente GIS, l'accessibilità a servizi essenziali a partire dalle condizioni che favoriscono/sfavoriscono la pedonalità, la ciclabilità e le interazioni sociali a scala di quartiere. La sua sperimentazione in Bologna ha permesso sia di mappare la qualità dei percorsi ciclo-pedonali, sia di valutare l’accessibilità via mobilità attiva a servizi di quartiere, sia di valutare l’effetto di interventi puntuali di pedonalizzazione sulla qualità dei percorsi e degli spazi pubblici. Grazie alla facilità di calcolo, alla trasferibilità dell’approccio connessa all’uso di dati open source e alle opportunità di aggiornamento degli indicatori e dei coefficienti utilizzati, IAPI può contribuire alla costruzione di politiche multi-settore, a diverse scale

Un indice per misurare la accessibilità di prossimità

IAPI (Inclusive Accessibiity by Proximity Index) misura, in ambiente GIS, l'accessibilità a servizi essenziali a partire dalle condizioni che favoriscono/sfavoriscono la pedonalità, la ciclabilità e le interazioni sociali a scala di quartiere. La sua sperimentazione in Bologna ha permesso sia di mappare la qualità dei percorsi ciclo-pedonali, sia di valutare l’accessibilità via mobilità attiva a servizi di quartiere, sia di valutare l’effetto di interventi puntuali di pedonalizzazione sulla qualità dei percorsi e degli spazi pubblici. Grazie alla facilità di calcolo, alla trasferibilità dell’approccio connessa all’uso di dati open source e alle opportunità di aggiornamento degli indicatori e dei coefficienti utilizzati, IAPI può contribuire alla costruzione di politiche multi-settore, a diverse scale

Comparison of procalcitonin and CrP in the postoperative course after lung decortication

Objective: The objective of this prospective study was to compare the clinical value of procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CrP) plasma concentrations in their postoperative course after decortication. Methods: Twenty-two patients requiring surgery for pleural empyema were chosen for this prospective study. Routine blood samples including CrP and PCT plasma concentrations were taken before the operation and on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 7th postoperative day. Results: Due to infection PCT and CrP were elevated preoperatively. In the postoperative course both PCT and CrP reached peak-levels on day 2 with values up to 43.55ng/ml and 384.00mg/l, respectively. In PCT the rise was followed by a clear decrease in 20 (90.9 %) patients until day 7. In contrast the CrP levels decreased slowly and only seven (54.5%) patients had values of 100mg/l or below on day 7. PCT showed a better correlation with the clinic in case of septic course than CrP does. Conclusions: PCT reflects postoperative clinical course more accurately than CrP. Therefore, PCT is a more appropriate laboratory parameter to monitor patients after surgery for pleural empyem

New diagnostic possibilities in systemic neonatal infections: metabolomics

Systemic neonatal infection is a serious complication in preterm and term infants and is defined as a complex clinical syndrome caused by bacteria, fungi and virus. Sepsis remains among the leading causes of death in both developed and underdeveloped countries above all in the neonatal period. Earlier diagnosis may offer the ability to initiate treatment to prevent adverse outcomes. There have been many studies on various diagnostic haematological markers like acute phase reactants, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, interleukins and presepsin. However, there is still no single test that satisfies the criteria as being the ideal marker for the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. In this regard, metabolomic analysis seems to be a promising method for determining metabolic variations correlated with systemic neonatal infection

Survival and graft function in a large animal lung transplant model after 30 h preservation and substitution of the nitric oxide pathway

Objective: Substitution of the nitric oxide- (NO-) pathway improves early graft function following lung transplantation. We previously demonstrated that 8-Br-cGMP (second messenger of NO) to the flush solution and tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4, coenzyme of NO synthase) given as additive during reperfusion improve post-transplant graft function. In the present study, the combined treatment with 8-Br-cGMP and BH4 was evaluated. Methods: Unilateral left lung transplantation was performed in weight matched outbred pigs (24-31kg). In group I, grafts were preserved for 30h (n=5). 8-Br-cGMP (1mg/kg) was added to the flush solution (Perfadex™, 1.5l, 1°C) and BH4 (10mg/kg/h) was given to the recipient for 5h after reperfusion. In group II, lungs were transplanted after a preservation time of 30h (n=3) and prostaglandin E1 (250g) was given into the pulmonary artery (PA) prior to flush. In all recipients 1h after reperfusion the contralateral right PA and bronchus were ligated to assess graft function only. Survival time after reperfusion, extravascular lung water index (EVLWI), hemodynamic variables, and gas exchange (PaO2) were assessed during a 12h observation period. Results: All recipients in group I survived the 12h assessment, whereas none of the group II animals survived more than 4h after reperfusion with a rapid increase of EVLWI up to 24.8±6.7ml/kg. In contrast, in group I EVLWI reached up to 8.9±1.5ml/kg and returned to nearly normal levels at 12h (6.1±0.8ml/kg). In two animals of group I the gas exchange deteriorated slightly. The other three animals showed normal arterial oxygenation over the entire observation time. Conclusion: Our data indicate that the combined substitution of the NO pathway during preservation and reperfusion reduces ischemia/reperfusion injury substantially and that this treatment even allows lung transplantation after 30h preservation in this mode

Reduction of airspace after lung resection through controlled paralysis of the diaphragm

Objectives: Residual airspace following thoracic resections is a common clinical problem. Persistent air leak, prolonged drainage time, and reduced hemostasis extend hospital stay and morbidity. We report a trial of pharmacologic-induced diaphragmatic paralysis through continuous paraphrenic injection of lidocaine to reduced residual airspace. The objectives were confirmation of diaphragmatic paralysis and possible procedure related complications. Methods: Six eligible patients undergoing resectional surgery (lobectomy or bilobectomy) were included. Inclusion criteria consisted of: postoperative predicted FEV1 greater than 1300ml, right-sided resection, absence of parenchymal lung disease, no class III antiarrhythmic therapy, absence of hypersensitivity reactions to lidocaine, no signs of infection, and informed consent. Upon completion of resection an epidural catheter was attached in the periphrenic tissue on the proximal pericardial surface, externalized through a separate parasternal incision, and connected to a perfusing system injecting lidocaine 1% at a rate of 3ml/h (30mg/h). Postoperative ICU surveillance for 24h and daily measurement of vital signs, drainage output, and bedside spirometry were performed. Within 48h fluoroscopic confirmation of diaphragmatic paralysis was obtained. The catheter removal coincided with the chest tube removal when no procedural related complications occurred. Results: None of the patients reported respiratory impairment. Diaphragmatic paralysis was documented in all patients. Upon removal of catheter or discontinuation of lidocaine prompt return of diaphragmatic motility was noticed. Two patients showed postoperative hemodynamic irrelevant atrial fibrillation. Conclusion: Postoperative paraphrenic catheter administration of lidocaine to ensure reversible diaphragmatic paralysis is safe and reproducible. Further studies have to assess a benefit in terms of reduction in morbidity, drainage time, and hospital stay, and determine the patients who will profi