ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF ENZYMATIC DEBRIDEMENT VERSUS STANDARD BURN CARE: A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS.

When compared to standard surgical management, rapid enzymatic debridement of deep burns reduces the need for surgery while achieving similar long-term results. However, few studies have directly compared the costs of standard surgical and enzymatic burn care. We conducted a study comparing the care costs of 44 adult burn patients treated before (n=22) and after (n=22) introducing rapid bromelain-based enzymatic debridement (BED) of deep burns. Mean age was 59 years, 54% were male, and mean total body surface area (TBSA) was 23.5%. Burn etiology included flame and scalding burns (8). Groups treated with standard of care and enzymatic debridement were comparable in terms of age, sex and TBSA. Burn management with BED significantly reduced total debridement costs as well as grand total costs when compared with traditional surgical care. Such reduction was mostly related to lower costs associated with reduced surgical care and less facilities and resources consumption in the BED group.

Comparativement au traitement standard, l'excision enzymatique précoce (EEP) réduit la nécessité de chirurgie, à résultats égaux à long termes. Très peu d'études ont comparé les coûts de ces deux stratégies. Nous avons comparé 2 groupes de 22 patients profondément brûlés ayant pour l'un été pris en charge conventionnellement, l'autre ayant bénéficié d'une EEP. L'âge moyen était de 59 ans, 54% étaient des hommes, la surface brûlée moyenne de 23,5% (les 2 groupes étaient comparables). Seuls 8 patients avaient été ébouillantés, les autres étant brûlés par flamme. L'utilisation d'EEP réduisait significativement le coût de la prise en charge, en rapport avec la réduction de l'utilisation de locaux et de matériel consécutifs à la chirurgie.

First Study of Antihyperon-Nucleon Scattering Λ[over ¯]p→Λ[over ¯]p and Measurement of Λp→Λp Cross Section.

Using (10.087±0.044)×10^{9} J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage ring, the processes Λp→Λp and Λ[over ¯]p→Λ[over ¯]p are studied, where the Λ/Λ[over ¯] baryons are produced in the process J/ψ→ΛΛ[over ¯] and the protons are the hydrogen nuclei in the cooling oil of the beam pipe. Clear signals are observed for the two reactions. The cross sections in -0.9≤cosθ_{Λ/Λ[over ¯]}≤0.9 are measured to be σ(Λp→Λp)=(12.2±1.6_{stat}±1.1_{syst}) and σ(Λ[over ¯]p→Λ[over ¯]p)=(17.5±2.1_{stat}±1.6_{syst}) mb at the Λ/Λ[over ¯] momentum of 1.074 GeV/c within a range of ±0.017 GeV/c, where the θ_{Λ/Λ[over ¯]} are the scattering angles of the Λ/Λ[over ¯] in the Λp/Λ[over ¯]p rest frames. Furthermore, the differential cross sections of the two reactions are also measured, where there is a slight tendency of forward scattering for Λp→Λp, and a strong forward peak for Λ[over ¯]p→Λ[over ¯]p. We present an approach to extract the total elastic cross sections by extrapolation. The study of Λ[over ¯]p→Λ[over ¯]p represents the first study of antihyperon-nucleon scattering, and these new measurements will serve as important inputs for the theoretical understanding of the (anti)hyperon-nucleon interaction.

First Measurement of R(X_{τ/ℓ}) as an Inclusive Test of the b→cτν Anomaly.

We measure the tau-to-light-lepton ratio of inclusive B-meson branching fractions R(X_{τ/ℓ})≡B(B→Xτν)/B(B→Xℓν), where ℓ indicates an electron or muon, and thereby test the universality of charged-current weak interactions. We select events that have one fully reconstructed B meson and a charged lepton candidate from 189 fb^{-1} of electron-positron collision data collected with the Belle II detector. We find R(X_{τ/ℓ})=0.228±0.016(stat)±0.036(syst), in agreement with standard-model expectations. This is the first direct measurement of R(X_{τ/ℓ}).

Observation of Structures in the Processes e

We present measurements of the Born cross sections for the processes e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c1} and ωχ_{c2} at center-of-mass energies sqrt[s] from 4.308 to 4.951 GeV. The measurements are performed with data samples corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 11.0 fb^{-1} collected with the BESIII detector operating at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider storage ring. Assuming the e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c2} signals come from a single resonance, the mass and width are determined to be M=(4413.6±9.0±0.8) MeV/c^{2} and Γ=(110.5±15.0±2.9) MeV, respectively, which is consistent with the parameters of the well-established resonance ψ(4415). In addition, we also use one single resonance to describe the e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c1} line shape and determine the mass and width to be M=(4544.2±18.7±1.7) MeV/c^{2} and Γ=(116.1±33.5±1.7) MeV, respectively. The structure of this line shape, observed for the first time, requires further understanding.

First Observation of a Three-Resonance Structure in e

We report the measurement of the inclusive cross sections for e^{+}e^{-}→nOCH (where nOCH denotes non-open charm hadrons) with improved precision at center-of-mass (c.m.) energies from 3.645 to 3.871 GeV. We observe three resonances: R(3760), R(3780), and R(3810) with significances of 8.1σ, 13.7σ, and 8.8σ, respectively. The R(3810) state is observed for the first time, while the R(3760) and R(3780) states are observed for the first time in the nOCH cross sections. Two sets of resonance parameters describe the energy-dependent line shape of the cross sections well. In set I [set II], the R(3810) state has mass (3805.7±1.1±2.7) [(3805.7±1.1±2.7)] MeV/c^{2}, total width (11.6±2.9±1.9) [(11.5±2.8±1.9)] MeV, and an electronic width multiplied by the nOCH decay branching fraction of (10.9±3.8±2.5) [(11.0±3.4±2.5)] eV. In addition, we measure the branching fractions B[R(3760)→nOCH]=(25.2±16.1±30.4)%[(6.4±4.8±7.7)%] and B[R(3780)→nOCH]=(12.3±6.6±8.3)%[(10.4±4.8±7.0)%] for the first time. The R(3760) state can be interpreted as an open-charm (OC) molecular state, but containing a simple four-quark state component. The R(3810) state can be interpreted as a hadrocharmonium state.

Determination of Spin-Parity Quantum Numbers of X(2370) as 0

Based on (10087±44)×10^{6} J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector, a partial wave analysis of the decay J/ψ→γK_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0}η^{'} is performed. The mass and width of the X(2370) are measured to be 2395±11(stat)_{-94}^{+26}(syst) MeV/c^{2} and 188_{-17}^{+18}(stat)_{-33}^{+124}(syst) MeV, respectively. The corresponding product branching fraction is B[J/ψ→γX(2370)]×B[X(2370)→f_{0}(980)η^{'}]×B[f_{0}(980)→K_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0}]=(1.31±0.22(stat)_{-0.84}^{+2.85}(syst))×10^{-5}. The statistical significance of the X(2370) is greater than 11.7σ and the spin parity is determined to be 0^{-+} for the first time. The measured mass and spin parity of the X(2370) are consistent with the predictions of the lightest pseudoscalar glueball.

Study of the f_{0}(980) and f_{0}(500) Scalar Mesons through the Decay D_{s}

Using e^{+}e^{-} collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 7.33 fb^{-1} recorded by the BESIII detector at center-of-mass energies between 4.128 and 4.226 GeV, we present an analysis of the decay D_{s}^{+}→π^{+}π^{-}e^{+}ν_{e}, where the D_{s}^{+} is produced via the process e^{+}e^{-}→D_{s}^{*±}D_{s}^{∓}. We observe the f_{0}(980) in the π^{+}π^{-} system and the branching fraction of the decay D_{s}^{+}→f_{0}(980)e^{+}ν_{e} with f_{0}(980)→π^{+}π^{-} measured to be (1.72±0.13_{stat}±0.10_{syst})×10^{-3}, where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. The dynamics of the D_{s}^{+}→f_{0}(980)e^{+}ν_{e} decay are studied with the simple pole parametrization of the hadronic form factor and the Flatté formula describing the f_{0}(980) in the differential decay rate, and the product of the form factor f_{+}^{f_{0}}(0) and the c→s Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element |V_{cs}| is determined for the first time to be f_{+}^{f_{0}}(0)|V_{cs}|=0.504±0.017_{stat}±0.035_{syst}. Furthermore, the decay D_{s}^{+}→f_{0}(500)e^{+}ν_{e} is searched for the first time but no signal is found. The upper limit on the branching fraction of D_{s}^{+}→f_{0}(500)e^{+}ν_{e}, f_{0}(500)→π^{+}π^{-} decay is set to be 3.3×10^{-4} at 90% confidence level.

Coupled-Channel Analysis of the χ_{c1}(3872) Line Shape with BESIII Data.

We perform a study of the χ_{c1}(3872) line shape using the data samples of e^{+}e^{-}→γχ_{c1}(3872), χ_{c1}(3872)→D^{0}D[over ¯]^{0}π^{0}, and π^{+}π^{-}J/ψ collected with the BESIII detector. The effects of the coupled channels and the off-shell D^{*0} are included in the parametrization of the line shape. The line shape mass parameter is obtained to be M_{X}=(3871.63±0.13_{-0.05}^{+0.06}) MeV. Two poles are found on the first and second Riemann sheets corresponding to the D^{*0}D[over ¯]^{0} branch cut. The pole location on the first sheet is much closer to the D^{*0}D[over ¯]^{0} threshold than the other, and is determined to be 7.04±0.15_{-0.08}^{+0.07} MeV above the D^{0}D[over ¯]^{0}π^{0} threshold with an imaginary part -0.19±0.08_{-0.19}^{+0.14} MeV.

Observation of the Anomalous Shape of X(1840) in J/ψ→γ3(π

Using a sample of (10087±44)×10^{6} J/ψ events, which is about 45 times larger than that was previously analyzed, a further investigation on the J/ψ→γ3(π^{+}π^{-}) decay is performed. A significant distortion at 1.84 GeV/c^{2} in the line shape of the 3(π^{+}π^{-}) invariant mass spectrum is observed for the first time, which could be resolved by two overlapping resonant structures, X(1840) and X(1880). The new state X(1880) is observed with a statistical significance larger than 10σ. The mass and width of X(1880) are determined to be 1882.1±1.7±0.7 MeV/c^{2} and 30.7±5.5±2.4 MeV, respectively, which indicates the existence of a pp[over ¯] bound state.

Observation of Significant Flavor-SU(3) Breaking in the Kaon Wave Function at 12

We present cross sections for the reaction e^{+}e^{-}→K_{S}^{0}K_{L}^{0} at center-of-mass energies ranging from 3.51 to 4.95 GeV using data samples collected in the BESIII experiment, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 26.5 fb^{-1}. The ratio of neutral-to-charged kaon form factors at large momentum transfers (12

Observation of D

We perform for the first time an amplitude analysis of the decay D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}π^{+}η and report the observation of the decay D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}a_{0}(980)^{+} using 2.93 fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} collision data taken at a center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector. As the only W-annihilation-free decay among D to a_{0}(980) pseudoscalar, D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}a_{0}(980)^{+} is the ideal decay in extracting the contributions of the W-emission amplitudes involving a_{0}(980) and to study the final-state interactions. The absolute branching fraction of D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}π^{+}η is measured to be (1.27±0.04_{stat}±0.03_{syst})%. The branching fractions of intermediate processes D^{+}→K_{S}^{0}a_{0}(980)^{+} with a_{0}(980)^{+}→π^{+}η and D^{+}→π^{+}K[over ¯]_{0}^{*}(1430)^{0} with K[over ¯]_{0}^{*}(1430)^{0}→K_{S}^{0}η are measured to be (1.33±0.05_{stat}±0.04_{syst})% and (0.14±0.03_{stat}±0.01_{syst})%, respectively.

Determination of the Σ

Based on data samples collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, the process e^{+}e^{-}→Σ^{+}Σ[over ¯]^{-} is studied at center-of-mass energies sqrt[s]=2.3960, 2.6454, and 2.9000 GeV. Using a fully differential angular description of the final state particles, both the relative magnitude and phase information of the Σ^{+} electromagnetic form factors in the timelike region are extracted. The relative phase between the electric and magnetic form factors is determined to be sinΔΦ=-0.67±0.29(stat)±0.18(syst) at sqrt[s]=2.3960 GeV, ΔΦ=55°±19°(stat)±14°(syst) at sqrt[s]=2.6454 GeV, and 78°±22°(stat)±9°(syst) at sqrt[s]=2.9000 GeV. For the first time, the phase of the hyperon electromagnetic form factors is explored in a wide range of four-momentum transfer. The evolution of the phase along with four-momentum transfer is an important input for understanding its asymptotic behavior and the dynamics of baryons.

Observation of D_{s}

By analyzing 7.33 fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} annihilation data collected at center-of-mass energies between 4.128 and 4.226 GeV with the BESIII detector, we report the observation of the semileptonic decay D_{s}^{+}→η^{'}µ^{+}ν_{µ}, with a statistical significance larger than 10σ, and the measurements of the D_{s}^{+}→ηµ^{+}ν_{µ} and D_{s}^{+}→η^{'}µ^{+}ν_{µ} decay dynamics for the first time. The branching fractions of D_{s}^{+}→ηµ^{+}ν_{µ} and D_{s}^{+}→η^{'}µ^{+}ν_{µ} are determined to be (2.235±0.051_{stat}±0.052_{syst})% and (0.801±0.055_{stat}±0.028_{syst})%, respectively, with precision improved by factors of 6.0 and 6.6 compared to the previous best measurements. Combined with the results for the decays D_{s}^{+}→ηe^{+}ν_{e} and D_{s}^{+}→η^{'}e^{+}ν_{e}, the ratios of the decay widths are examined both inclusively and in several ℓ^{+}ν_{ℓ} four-momentum transfer ranges. No evidence for lepton flavor universality violation is found within the current statistics. The products of the hadronic form factors f_{+,0}^{η^{(')}}(0) and the c→s Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element |V_{cs}| are determined. The results based on the two-parameter series expansion are f_{+,0}^{η}(0)|V_{cs}|=0.452±0.010_{stat}±0.007_{syst} and f_{+,0}^{η^{'}}(0)|V_{cs}|=0.504±0.037_{stat}±0.012_{syst}, which help to constrain present models on f_{+,0}^{η^{(')}}(0). The forward-backward asymmetries are determined to be ⟨A_{FB}^{η}⟩=-0.059±0.031_{stat}±0.005_{syst} and ⟨A_{FB}^{η^{'}}⟩=-0.064±0.079_{stat}±0.006_{syst} for the first time, which are consistent with the theoretical calculation.

Investigation of the ΔI=1/2 Rule and Test of CP Symmetry through the Measurement of Decay Asymmetry Parameters in Ξ

Using (10087±44)×10^{6} J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector, numerous Ξ^{-} and Λ decay asymmetry parameters are simultaneously determined from the process J/ψ→Ξ^{-}Ξ[over ¯]^{+}→Λ(pπ^{-})π^{-}Λ[over ¯](n[over ¯]π^{0})π^{+} and its charge-conjugate channel. The precisions of α_{Λ0} for Λ→nπ^{0} and α[over ¯]_{Λ0} for Λ[over ¯]→n[over ¯]π^{0} compared to world averages are improved by factors of 4 and 1.7, respectively. The ratio of decay asymmetry parameters of Λ→nπ^{0} to that of Λ→pπ^{-}, ⟨α_{Λ0}⟩/⟨α_{Λ-}⟩, is determined to be 0.873±0.012_{-0.010}^{+0.011}, where the first and the second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. The ratio is smaller than unity more than 5σ, which signifies the existence of the ΔI=3/2 transition in Λ for the first time. Besides, we test for CP symmetry in Ξ^{-}→Λπ^{-} and in Λ→nπ^{0} with the best precision to date.

Intracranial complications of sinogenic and otogenic infections in children: an ESPN survey on their occurrence in the pre-COVID and post-COVID era.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic is thought to have changed the epidemiology of some pediatric neurosurgical disease: among them are the intracranial complications of sinusitis and otitis (ICSO). According to some studies on a limited number of cases, both streptococci-related sinusitis and ICSO would have increased immediately after the pandemic, although the reason is not clear yet (seasonal changes versus pandemic-related effects). The goal of the present survey of the European Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery (ESPN) was to collect a large number of cases from different European countries encompassing the pre-COVID (2017-2019), COVID (2020-2021), and post-COVID period (2022-June 2023) looking for possible epidemiological and/or clinical changes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An English language questionnaire was sent to ESPN members about year of the event, patient's age and gender, presence of immune-deficit or other favoring risk factors, COVID infection, signs and symptoms at onset, site of primary infection, type of intracranial complication, identified germ, type and number of surgical operations, type and duration of medical treatment, clinical and radiological outcome, duration of the follow-up. RESULTS: Two hundred fifty-four cases were collected by 30 centers coming from 14 different European countries. There was a statistically significant difference between the post-COVID period (129 children, 86 cases/year, 50.7% of the whole series) and the COVID (40 children, 20 cases/year, 15.7%) or the pre-COVID period (85 children, 28.3 cases/year, 33.5%). Other significant differences concerned the presence of predisposing factors/concurrent diseases (higher in the pre-COVID period) and previous COVID infection (higher in the post-COVID period). No relevant differences occurred as far as demographic, microbiological, clinical, radiological, outcome, morbidity, and mortality data were concerned. Paranasal sinuses and middle ear/mastoid were the most involved primary site of infection (71% and 27%, respectively), while extradural or subdural empyema and brain abscess were the most common ICSO (73% and 17%, respectively). Surgery was required in 95% of cases (neurosurgical and ENT procedure in 71% and 62% of cases, respectively) while antibiotics in 99% of cases. After a 12.4-month follow-up, a full clinical and radiological recovery was obtained in 85% and 84% of cases, respectively. The mortality rate was 2.7%. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the occurrence of ICSO was significantly increased after the pandemic. Such an increase seems to be related to the indirect effects of the pandemic (e.g., immunity debt) rather than to a direct effect of COVID infection or to seasonal fluctuations. ICSO remain challenging diseases but the pandemic did not affect the management strategies nor their prognosis. The epidemiological change of sinusitis/otitis and ICSO should alert about the appropriate follow-up of children with sinusitis/otitis.

First Measurement of the Decay Asymmetry in the Pure W-Boson-Exchange Decay Λ_{c}

Based on 4.4 fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} annihilation data collected at the center-of-mass energies between 4.60 and 4.70 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, the pure W-boson-exchange decay Λ_{c}^{+}→Ξ^{0}K^{+} is studied with a full angular analysis. The corresponding decay asymmetry is measured for the first time to be α_{Ξ^{0}K^{+}}=0.01±0.16(stat)±0.03(syst). This result reflects the noninterference effect between the S- and P-wave amplitudes. The phase shift between S- and P-wave amplitudes has two solutions, which are δ_{p}-δ_{s}=-1.55±0.25(stat)±0.05(syst) rad or 1.59±0.25(stat)±0.05(syst) rad.

Single-row versus transosseous technique in the arthroscopic treatment of rotator cuff tears: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This study aims to compare single-row suture-anchors (SA) versus transosseous arthroscopic (TO) technique in the treatment of patients with rotator cuff tears in terms of clinical structural outcomes at atleast 24 months of follow-up. METHODS: The systematic review was performed according to "PRISMA guidelines" (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses), in order to identify all the studies comparing clinical, both subjective and objective, outcomes with 24 months follow-up minimum in patients undergoing arthroscopic RC repair with the SR and TO technique. OVID-MEDLINE®, Cochrane, SCOPUS and PubMed were searched from January 2010 to October 2022 to identify relevant studies, using the following key words, that were combined together to achieve maximum search strategy sensitivity: "Rotator cuff tear" OR "repair" OR "shoulder" OR "reconstruction" OR "suture" OR "arthroscopic" OR "single-row" OR "transosseous". RESULTS: Six papers were finally analyzed in this meta-analysis. The weighted mean difference on Constant scores and for ASES for studies considering suture-anchors (SA) group showed good outcomes. The weighted mean difference of Constant scores and of ASES for TO (transosseous) group showed good outcomes. The weighted mean difference of CONSTANT for TO versus SA groups showed no differences in the outcomes of SA and TO techniques for the repair of Rotator Cuff Tears at minimum 24 months follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The Arthroscopic transosseous rotator cuff repair technique and SA (suture-anchor) technique both lead to significant short-term improvement and satisfactory subjective outcome scores with low complication/failure rates. No differences were found in the final outcome between the two techniques.

Observation of a Vector Charmoniumlike State at 4.7 GeV/c

Using data samples with an integrated luminosity of 5.85 fb^{-1} collected at center-of-mass energies from 4.61 to 4.95 GeV with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII storage ring, we measure the cross section for the process e^{+}e^{-}→K^{+}K^{-}J/ψ. A new resonance with a mass of M=4708_{-15}^{+17}±21 MeV/c^{2} and a width of Γ=126_{-23}^{+27}±30 MeV is observed in the energy-dependent line shape of the e^{+}e^{-}→K^{+}K^{-}J/ψ cross section with a significance over 5σ. The K^{+}J/ψ system is also investigated to search for charged charmoniumlike states, but no significant Z_{cs}^{+} states are observed. Upper limits on the Born cross sections for e^{+}e^{-}→K^{-}Z_{cs}(3985)^{+}/K^{-}Z_{cs}(4000)^{+}+c.c. with Z_{cs}(3985)^{±}/Z_{cs}(4000)^{±}→K^{±}J/ψ are reported at 90% confidence levels. The ratio of branching fractions {[B(Z_{cs}(3985)^{+}→K^{+}J/ψ)]/B[Z_{cs}(3985)^{+}→(D[over ¯]^{0}D_{s}^{*+}+D[over ¯]^{*0}D_{s}^{+})]} is measured to be less than 0.03 at 90% confidence level.

Precise Measurement of the D_{s}

We measure the lifetime of the D_{s}^{+} meson using a data sample of 207 fb^{-1} collected by the Belle II experiment running at the SuperKEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. The lifetime is determined by fitting the decay-time distribution of a sample of 116×10^{3} D_{s}^{+}→ϕπ^{+} decays. Our result is τ_{D_{s}^{+}}=(499.5±1.7±0.9) fs, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. This result is significantly more precise than previous measurements.

Tests of Light-Lepton Universality in Angular Asymmetries of B

We present the first comprehensive tests of the universality of the light leptons in the angular distributions of semileptonic B^{0}-meson decays to charged spin-1 charmed mesons. We measure five angular-asymmetry observables as functions of the decay recoil that are sensitive to lepton-universality-violating contributions. We use events where one neutral B is fully reconstructed in ϒ(4S)→BB[over ¯] decays in data corresponding to 189 fb^{-1} integrated luminosity from electron-positron collisions collected with the Belle II detector. We find no significant deviation from the standard model expectations.