High-Precision Probe of the Fully Sequential Decay Width of the Hoyle State in

The decay path of the Hoyle state in ^{12}C (E_{x}=7.654 MeV) has been studied with the ^{14}N(d,α_{2})^{12}C(7.654) reaction induced at 10.5 MeV. High resolution invariant mass spectroscopy techniques have allowed us to unambiguously disentangle direct and sequential decays of the state passing through the ground state of ^{8}Be. Thanks to the almost total absence of background and the attained resolution, a fully sequential decay contribution to the width of the state has been observed. The direct decay width is negligible, with an upper limit of 0.043% (95% C.L.). The precision of this result is about a factor 5 higher than previous studies. This has significant implications on nuclear structure, as it provides constraints to 3α cluster model calculations, where higher precision limits are needed.

[Indications for percutaneous atrioseptostomy. Comparison of echocardiographic and fluoroscopic monitoring]. / Indicazioni alla atriosettostomia percutanea. Confronto fra monitorizzazione ecocardiografica e fluoroscopica.

Balloon atrial septostomy (BAS) is of established value in the management of several congenital heart diseases in the neonatal period. This procedure, which leads to creation of a tear in the membrane of the Foramen Ovalis using a balloon catheter, may be undertaken under fluoroscopic monitoring in catheter laboratory as well as under echographic control, even bedside. In this study we present our experience and discuss the indications to these two techniques. 91 neonates underwent to BAS; in 14 of them this was carried out under two-dimensional echocardiographic control in the intensive care unit. In all the patients BAS had good result, with clinical improvement in the majority of cases (97%) and a low rate (6%) of minor complications (such as transient supraventricular arrhythmias), without differences between fluoroscopic and ultrasound monitoring. The higher rate of mortality in the fluoroscopic monitoring group (2/91 = 2.2%) was thought to depend on an extremely critical presentation of the neonates. The echographic monitoring does not seem to offer any real advantage from the technical point of view, but the necessity of a prompt treatment of very ill patients emphasizes the advantages of a quickly and easily feasible procedure. Thus, we recommend the use two-dimensional echocardiographic imaging only in the very ill neonates in whom the septostomy can be more safely performed in intensive care unit bedside.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy of a splenic hemangioma. A case report with review of the literature.

A 33-year-old man was hospitalized for hyperpyrexia and pain in the left upper quadrant of his abdomen. Abdominal ultrasound showed a mass in the inferior pole of the spleen. A computed axial tomography of the abdomen and a liver and spleen scintigraphy confirmed a space-occupying lesion in the spleen but were not able to define its nature. A FNAB performed during abdominal ultrasound showed cells with elliptic nuclei and elongated pale blue cytoplasm, separated from each other by empty spaces of varying width. The presence of a hemangioma or lymphangioma of the spleen was suspected. A splenectomy was performed. The histologic findings were compatible with a cavernous hemangioma. After a review of the literature, the role of FNAB of the spleen is discussed as a reasonable diagnostic approach that assists the clinician in making therapeutic decisions in the management of the space-occupying lesions in the spleen. The possibility of differentiating benign from malignant lesions is pointed out, particularly those of endothelial nature. Finally, the differential diagnosis between hamartoma and hemangioma of the spleen is discussed. The two words, in times past, were often used for the same lesion, producing a confusion of names in literature.

[Intolerance to rice: a food intolerance uncommon in children]. / Intolérance au riz: une intolérance alimentaire peu commune chez l'enfant.

We report the first case, in our knowledge, of dietary intolerance only to the rice in childhood. Gastrointestinal symptoms and shock-like state in relation to the ingestion of ground rice were observed in a 5-month-old girl. At 34 months she was still clinically intolerant to this food.

[Jejunostomy for feeding purposes. Considerations on 100 cases]. / La digiunostomia a scopo alimentare. Considerazioni su 100 casi.

Personal experience with 100 cases of jejunostomy for feeding purposes is reported. Stress is laid on the advantages of this feeding technique which include simple, surgical technique, easy administration of diet, speedy metabolic response and the moderate nature of the complications.