The production of J/ψ mesons accompanied by open charm, and of pairs of open charm hadrons are observed in pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV using an integrated luminosity of 355 pb−1 ...collected with the LHCb detector. Model independent measurements of absolute cross-sections are given together with ratios to the measured J/ψ and open charm cross-sections. The properties of these events are studied and compared to theoretical predictions.
Background Bacillus cereus is an environmental pathogen whose spores resist the usual cleaning procedure applied by the food industry and hospitals. We reported a cluster of severe intestinal ...infections due to B cereus in 2 very low birth weight neonates from a neonatal intensive care unit. Methods Environmental sampling and bacteriological analysis of pooled breast milk (PBM) were performed. Practices for preparation and administration of milk were observed and additional laboratory experiments performed. Strains were typed using M13-polymerase chain reaction and their virulence tested using cellular and insect models. Results B cereus strains were exclusively isolated from intestinal tracts and PBM. No environmental culture yielded any viable B cereus . Although genotypically diverse, both clinical and food strains exhibited high virulence potency. These findings pointed out the pathogenic potency of B cereus in neonates; the putative role of PBM as a reservoir for pathogenic B cereus and the triggered effect of a defective care procedure, which allowed the growth of bacteria in pasteurized PBM. Well described from dried formula, the presence of pathogenic B cereus strains in PBM was not previously reported. Conclusions Careful monitoring of conditions during collection, conservation, and administration of PBM should be implemented in high-risk populations such as premature neonates.
An analysis of B±→DK± and B±→Dπ± decays is presented where the D meson is reconstructed in the two-body final states: K±π∓, K+K− and π+π−. Using 1.0 fb−1 of s=7TeVpp collisions, measurements of ...several observables are made including the first observation of the suppressed mode B±→π±K∓DK±. CP violation in B±→DK± decays is observed with 5.8σ significance.
In 2010, more than 20 associations representing harvesters from five provinces bordering the range of American lobster (Homarus americanus) in Canada, from the Gulf of Maine to southern Labrador, ...joined government research scientists at Fisheries and Oceans Canada (and one provincial department) and researchers from Canadian universities (two English- and four French-speaking) to establish the Lobster Node. This partnership was formed to address knowledge gaps on lobster productivity, stock structure, and connectivity through collaborative research under the auspices of the Canadian Fisheries Research Network (CFRN), which was funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. In so doing, the research partners overcame barriers of geography, language, culture, education, and, in some cases, longstanding disputes around management and conservation measures. This paper reviews why and how the Lobster Node was formed, what it achieved scientifically, what benefits (and challenges) it provided to the partners, and why it succeeded. It concludes by advocating for the creation of a permanent collaborative platform to conduct research in support of lobster fisheries in Canada.
L’espérance de vie des patients β-thalassémiques a augmenté ces 20 dernières années. Nous avons évalué dans cette étude l’état de santé actuel et la qualité de vie de ces patients pris en charge dans ...un centre de référence à Marseille.
Il s’agit d’une étude monocentrique, descriptive menée entre juin et août 2019 chez des patients de plus de 18 ans atteints de β-thalassémie majeure ou intermédiaire. Les données cliniques et paracliniques ont été collectées rétrospectivement et un questionnaire de qualité de vie SF-36 a été proposé à chaque patient.
Sur 64 patients sélectionnés, 43 ont été inclus et repartis en 2 groupes : 35 patients thalassémiques dépendants des transfusions et 8 non-dépendants des transfusions. La surcharge hépatique en fer est la complication la plus fréquente, présente chez 80 % des thalassémiques dépendants des transfusions et 62,5 % des non dépendants des transfusions. La surcharge myocardique en fer est présente uniquement dans le groupe dépendant des transfusions (20 %). L’hypogonadisme hypogonadotrope reste l’atteinte endocrinienne la plus fréquente (41,9 %) suivie de l’ostéoporose (37,2 %). Parmi les 31 patients ayant complété le questionnaire SF-36, les scores physique et mental de qualité de vie étaient abaissés chez les thalassémiques dépendants des transfusions (respectivement 42,7 et 46,8) comme chez les non dépendants (respectivement 43,9 et 28,9).
Malgré une amélioration de leur prise en charge, nos patients β-thalassémiques montrent une altération de leur qualité de vie qu’il va falloir explorer dans l’ensemble de la cohorte française.
The life expectancy of β-thalassemia patients has increased over the last 20 years. In this study, we evaluated the current health status and quality of life of these patients managed in a reference center in Marseille.
This is a single-center, descriptive study conducted between June and August 2019 in patients over 18 years of age with β-thalassemia major or intermedia. Clinical and paraclinical data were collected retrospectively and the SF-36 health survey questionnaire was proposed to each patient.
43 of 64 selected patients were included and divided into 2 groups: 35 patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia and 8 patients with non-transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia. Liver iron overload is the most frequent complication, present in 80% of transfusion-dependent and 62.5% of non-transfusion-dependent patients. Cardiac iron overload is present only in the transfusion dependent β-thalassemia group (20%). Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism remains the most common endocrine disorder (41.9%) followed by osteoporosis (37.2%). Among the 31 patients who completed the SF-36 questionnaire, physical and mental quality of life scores were lowered in transfusion dependent (respectively 42.7 and 46.8) as in non-transfusion-dependent patients (respectively 43.8 and 28.9).
Despite an improvement in medical care, our patients with β-thalassemia show an alteration in their quality of life that will need to be characterized in the entire French cohort.
The production of Upsilon(1S), Upsilon(2S) and Upsilon(3S) mesons in proton-proton collisions at the centre-of-mass energy of sqrt(s)=7 TeV is studied with the LHCb detector. The analysis is based on ...a data sample of 25 pb-1 collected at the Large Hadron Collider. The Upsilon mesons are reconstructed in the decay mode Upsilon -> mu+ mu- and the signal yields are extracted from a fit to the mu+ mu- invariant mass distributions. The differential production cross-sections times dimuon branching fractions are measured as a function of the Upsilon transverse momentum pT and rapidity y, over the range pT < 15 GeV/c and 2.0 < y < 4.5. The cross-sections times branching fractions, integrated over these kinematic ranges, are measured to be sigma(pp -> Upsilon(1S) X) x B(Upsilon(1S)->mu+ mu-) = 2.29 {\pm} 0.01 {\pm} 0.10 -0.37 +0.19 nb, sigma(pp -> Upsilon(2S) X) x B(Upsilon(2S)->mu+ mu-) = 0.562 {\pm} 0.007 {\pm} 0.023 -0.092 +0.048 nb, sigma(pp -> Upsilon(3S) X) x B(Upsilon(3S)->mu+ mu-) = 0.283 {\pm} 0.005 {\pm} 0.012 -0.048 +0.025 nb, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic and the third is due to the unknown polarisation of the three Upsilon states.
The differential cross-section for the inclusive production of ψ(2S) mesons in pp collisions at s√=7 TeVs=7 TeV has been measured with the LHCb detector. The data sample corresponds to an integrated ...luminosity of 36 pb−1. The ψ(2S) mesons are reconstructed in the decay channels ψ(2S)→μ + μ − and ψ(2S)→J/ψπ + π −, with the J/ψ meson decaying into two muons. Results are presented both for promptly produced ψ(2S) mesons and for those originating from b-hadron decays. In the kinematic range p T(ψ(2S))≤16 GeV/c and 2<y(ψ(2S))≤4.5 we measure
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where the last uncertainty on the prompt cross-section is due to the unknown ψ(2S) polarization. Recent QCD calculations are found to be in good agreement with our measurements. Combining the present result with the LHCb J/ψ measurements we determine the inclusive branching fraction
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where the last uncertainty is due to the (b→J/ψX)B(b→J/ψX) , (J/ψ→μ+μ−)B(J/ψ→μ+μ−) and (ψ(2S)→e+e−)B(ψ(2S)→e+e−) branching fraction uncertainties.
Researching developmental risks of urban youth raises ethical concerns when an investigator discovers a participant is in jeopardy. This study collected data on 147 seventh, ninth, and eleventh ...graders' views of 3 investigator options: (1) taking no action and maintaining confidentiality, (2) reporting the problem to a concerned parent or adult, and (3) facilitating adolescent self‐referrals. Participants judged these options within the context of 5 risk domains: substance abuse, child maltreatment, life‐threatening behaviors, delinquency, and shyness. Judgments of reporting options were related to grade and ratings of risk severity, but not to moral reasoning. Confidentiality was viewed favorably for risk behaviors of low perceived severity or for which the consequences of adult discovery might introduce greater risk. Confidentiality was viewed unfavorably and reporting to adults favorably for child maltreatment and threats of suicide. Self‐referral was viewed favorably across all grades and risk behaviors. Implications of adolescent perspectives for research ethics are discussed.
In addition to immediate reactions, late adverse reactions to iodinated contrast media (ICM) were reported in 2% to 5% of patients exposed to ICM and, as a consequence, have recently gained more ...attention. A few well-documented case reports postulate a hypersensitivity mechanism.
The aim of this study is to demonstrate a T cell–mediated mechanism to the ICM by using
in vitro and
ex vivo tests.
We analyzed 12 patients with 13 adverse ICM reactions, 9 of whom were women. Clinical history suggested an immune reaction to ICM. Skin tests (skin prick, intradermal, and patch tests) were performed with various ICM and read after 15 minutes and 24 and 48 hours. Skin biopsy specimens of positive test sites of 11 patients were evaluated by means of immunohistology. T-cell reactivity to ICM
in vitro was analyzed with lymphocyte activation tests.
Seven patients showed generalized maculopapular eruptions, one of them with fever; 4 had a so-called drug hypersensitivity syndrome with exanthema, eosinophilia, and fever; 1 had maculopapular eruptions and fever; 1 had late-onset urticaria with loss of consciousness; and 1 had facial edema and respiratory distress. An immune reaction to ICM was inferred from positive skin prick test (2 patients), positive patch test (10 patients), and positive intradermal test (9 patients) at 24 and 48 hours. Skin biopsy specimens revealed a T-cell infiltrate in the dermis with predominantly CD4
+ T cells in 8 patients, CD8
+ T cells in 1 patient, and equal numbers in 1 patient. Cross-sensitivities to several ICM were observed (9/12). Other drug allergies were noted in 6 of the 12 patients.
Delayed reactions to ICM are most likely caused by immune reactions to these drugs and can elicit different clinical features. The involvement of T cells is suggested by positive skin test, as well as positive proliferative responses, to the drugs
in vitro. A high degree of cross-reactivity with other than the eliciting ICM was observed. Moreover, 50% of these patients reported another drug hypersensitivity, suggesting a predisposition to immune reactivity in some patients.
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