The AMS-02 RICH detector: Status and physics results Giovacchini, F.; Casaus, J.; Oliva, A.
Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment,
02/2020, Letnik:
952
Journal Article
Recenzirano
The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS-02) is a high-energy particle physics magnetic spectrometer installed on the International Space Station since May 2011, and operating continuously since then. ...Because of its large acceptance, long exposure time and particle identification capabilities, AMS-02 measures cosmic ray (CR) fluxes in the kinetic energy range between a fraction of GeV/n to multi-TeV/n with unprecedented precision. The AMS-02 Ring Imaging Cherenkov detector (RICH) provides a precise measurement of the particle velocity and charge. The detector has shown stable and nominal response during the past 7 years of continuous data taking without showing significant degradation. In combination with the Silicon Tracker momentum measurement, the RICH is able to measure the isotopic composition of the light elements (up to charge Z=5) in the kinetic energy range from a few GeV/n to about 10 GeV/n. This paper will focus on the separation of cosmic rays species with |Z|=1. For positive rigidities (Z=+1), the measurement of individual p and d fluxes and their ratio are important for the understanding of CR propagation in our galaxy, since deuterons are almost entirely the secondary products of interactions of cosmic rays with interstellar matter, while protons are mainly produced in astrophysical sources. The negative rigidity sample (Z=-1) is promising for indirect search of Dark Matter, looking at the p̄ and d̄ components. These species are rare secondary products of CR propagation and therefore an excess due to new physics could be more significantly seen on top of their faint expected flux. In particular, d̄ have never been observed so far in CR.
•AMS-02 experiment includes a RICH detector successfully operating in space.•RICH velocity measurement contributes to the AMS physics results.•Focus on detector performance for charge Z=1 particle and the associated physics relevance.•Isotopic Cosmic Rays composition with AMS-02.•Antideuteron search with AMS.
The 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) classification has introduced two new parameters: depth of invasion (DOI) and extranodal extension (ENE). The aim of this systematic ...review was to determine whether this 8th edition referred to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) offers performance superior to that of the 7th edition in relation to overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS).
The review was carried out following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines. The PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus and Cochrane Library databases were searched covering the period up until April 7th, 2022.
Thirteen retrospective cohort studies were finally included. The introduction of DOI and ENE in the 8th edition of the AJCC classification resulted in improved prognostic performance of the classification.
Patients with OSCC can be better classified in relation to OS and DSS, while maintaining the simplicity and ease of use of the classification. This allows more appropriate treatment protocols to be applied and affords a better estimation of the prognosis of each patient.
•Adipose-derived stem cells were tested as therapy for canine inflammatory bowel disease.•Clinical indices and laboratory end point changes were used to assess efficacy.•Clinical indices decreased ...significantly after therapy.•Clinical remission was achieved in 9/11 patients.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects in experimental colitis, and promising clinical results have been obtained in humans with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The aim of this study was to determine the safety and feasibility of adipose tissue-derived MSC (ASC) therapy in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Eleven dogs with confirmed IBD received one ASC intravascular (IV) infusion (2 × 106 cells/kg bodyweight). The outcome measures were clinical response based on percentage reduction of the validated Clinical Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity Index (CIBDAI) and Canine Chronic Enteropathy Clinical Activity Index (CCECAI), as well as normalisation of C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, folate and cobalamin serum concentrations at day 42 post-treatment. The Wilcoxon test was used to compare variables before and after treatment.
No acute reaction to ASC infusion and no side effects were reported during follow-up in any dog. Six weeks post-treatment, the CIBDAI and CCECAI decreased significantly and albumin, cobalamin and folate concentrations increased substantially. Differences in CRP concentrations pre- and post-treatment were not significant (P = 0.050). Clinical remission (defined by a reduction of initial CIBDAI and CCECAI >75%) occurred in 9/11 dogs at day 42. The two remaining dogs showed a partial response with reduction percentages of 69.2% and 71.4%. In conclusion, a single IV infusion of allogeneic ASCs was well tolerated and appeared to produce clinical benefits in dogs with severe IBD.
•Adipose-derived stem cells were tested as therapy for canine inflammatory bowel disease.•Endoscopic and histological scales were used to assess macroscopic and microscopic changes.•Endoscopic and ...histological scores decreased significantly after therapy.•Endoscopic remission was achieved in 4/11 patients.•Histological remission was not achieved in any patient.
Systemic administration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been shown to be safe and efficacious in humans with Crohn's disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of an intravenous (IV) infusion of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) and to assess macroscopic and histological effects in the digestive tract of dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Eleven dogs with confirmed IBD received a single ASC infusion (2 × 106 cells/kg bodyweight). Full digestive endoscopic evaluation was performed pre-treatment and between 90 and 120 days post-treatment with mucosal changes being assessed using a fit-for-purpose endoscopic scale. Endoscopic biopsies from each digestive section were evaluated histologically according to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Gastrointestinal Standardization Group criteria. The pre- and post-treatment canine IBD endoscopic index (CIBDEI) and histological score (HS) were calculated and compared using the Wilcoxon test. Remission was defined as a reduction of >75% of the CIBDEI and HS compared with pre-treatment.
No acute reactions to ASC infusion or side effects were reported in any dog. Significant differences between pre- and post-treatment were found in both the CIBDEI (P = 0.004) and HS (P = 0.004). Endoscopic remission occurred in 4/11 dogs with the remaining dogs showing decreased CIBDEI (44.8% to 73.3%). Histological remission was not achieved in any dog, with an average reduction of the pre-treatment HS of 27.2%. In conclusion, a single IV infusion of allogeneic ASCs improved gastrointestinal lesions as assessed macroscopically and slightly reduced gastrointestinal inflammation as evaluated by histopathology in dogs with IBD.
A measurement of the cosmic ray anisotropy on the arrival directions of elementary particles (electrons, positrons and protons) and light nuclei (helium, carbon and oxygen) has been performed in ...galactic coordinates by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer onboard the International Space Station. The analysis is based on the sample of events collected in the first 6.5 years (electrons and positrons), and 7.5 (protons, helium, carbon and oxygen) of data taking. The results are consistent with isotropy for all cosmic ray species and upper limits on the dipole amplitude have been computed. In particular, 95% credible interval upper limits of δ < 1.9% and δ < 0.5% are obtained for positrons and electrons, respectively, above 16 GeV. On the other hand, the upper limits of protons, helium, carbon and oxygen above 200 GV are found to be δ < 0.38%, δ < 0.36%, δ < 1.9% and δ < 1.7%, respectively.
Background
The aim of this study was to develop an easy-to-induce and reproducible model of gastric submucosal tumor in swine to compare minilaparoscopy (ML) with single-incision (SI) intragastric ...surgery.
Methods
Twelve healthy female pigs (weight 30.94 ± 2.49 kg) underwent a transparietal injection of sterile alginate at the level of
Z
-line (
n
= 6) and at the pre-pyloric area (
n
= 6) creating a model of gastric submucosal pseudotumor. The operative procedures included intragastric resection with ML and SI approaches of cardiac and pre-pyloric lesions, with gastroscopic assistance. After resection, the gastric mucosal layer was closed using intracorporeal sutures. The operative time, complication rate and clinical evolution after 1 month were compared in the four groups that the pigs were arranged.
Results
The pseudotumors ranged in size from 3 to 6 cm in diameter. The access of the gastric cavity and resection of the experimental SMP and suturing of the mucosa were performed successfully in 12 animals using both approaches. Mean time to perform the exeresis of gastric cardia tumors was significantly higher in single-incision approach. No significant differences were observed in the surgical time during pyloric surgery. Minilaparoscopic approach reduced significantly the mucosa closure time in esophagogastric and pyloric pseudotumors. One month after, no alterations were shown in the abdominal cavity using exploratory laparotomy.
Conclusions
The technical feasibility of performing safe and efficient intragastric approach of submucosal pseudotumors in swine model was verified in this study. Intragastric ML has advantages over SI, namely regarding the reduction in total surgical times and the fewer technical difficulties.
Background and ImportanceMeropenem is a carbapenemic antibiotic that is mainly eliminated by renal route. Therefore, an alteration of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) may affect the elimination ...of the drug. GFR can be calculated using several validated formulas using different parameters.Aim and ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to analyse the discrepancies between the results of the different GFR equations and the dosage adjustment.Material and MethodsA descriptive, retrospective and cross-sectional study that included patients treated with meropenem for 3 months was performed. The standard dose was 1g every 8 hours. Dose adjustments were made according to a data sheet (TFG <50mL/min and <25mL/min).Age, sex, weight, creatinine (mg/dl), urea (mg/dl), albumin (g/dl)) and meropenem doses were recorded. With these data, the GFR was calculated: Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) (ml/min/1.73m2); Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study Equation (MDRD) (ml/min/1.73m2); and Cockcroft-Gault (CG) (ml/min).ResultsA total of 136 patients were included. The mean age was 76.84 + 12.7 years. The calculation of mean GFR according to the different equations was as follows: 60.46 ± 49.0 ml/min/1.73m2 (MDRD); 72.12 ± 49.6 ml/min (Cockroft-Gault) and 86.17 ± 63.1 ml/min/1.73m2 (CKD-EPI).Dose adjustment was carried outIn 19.12% (26) of the patients meropenem dose adjustment was performed with GFR <50ml/min and in 12.5% (17) GFR <25ml/min was adjusted.The dose adjustment of meropenem should have been with MDRD: 39.8% (54) of the patients had a GFR lower than 50ml/min and 23.53% (32) had a GFR lower than 25ml/min. According to Cockroft-Gault: 38.23% (52) of the patients had GFR <50ml/min and 16.17% (22) had GFR <25ml/min. Finally, according to CKD-EPI, 36.03% (49) had GFR <51ml/min and 12.5% (17) had GFR <25ml/min.Finally, it was observed that 2.2% (3) of the patients had no dose adjustment for GFR <50ml/min when any of the equations indicated this; and that in 14.0% (19), dose adjustment by GFR <25ml/min was not performed when required it.Conclusion and RelevanceThere are significant discrepancies in the calculation of GFR with different equations, which affects the dose adjustment of meropenem. Taking into account the values of several equations would improve both the efficacy and safety of meropenem treatment.References and/or AcknowledgementsConflict of InterestNo conflict of interest.
An initial measurement of the lifetime of the positive muon to a precision of 16 parts per million (ppm) has been performed with the FAST1 detector at the Paul Scherrer Institute. The result is ...τμ=2.197083(32)(15)μs, where the first error is statistical and the second is systematic. The muon lifetime determines the Fermi constant, GF=1.166352(9)×10−5GeV−2 (8 ppm).
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