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Rosen EM, Kerr WC, Patterson D, Greenfield TK, Ramos S, Karriker-Jaffe KJ. Prevalence and correlates of alcohol and drug harms to others: Findings from the 2020 U.S. National Alcohol Survey. J Stud Alcohol Drugs 2024. [PMID: 38830016 DOI: 10.15288/jsad.23-00387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Measure prevalence and overlap of secondhand harms from other people's use of alcohol, cannabis, opioid, or other drugs and examine sociodemographic and other correlates of these secondhand harms. METHODS This cross-sectional analysis used data from 7,799 respondents (51.6% female; 12.9% Black, 15.6% Hispanic/Latiné; mean age: 47.6) in the 2020 U.S. National Alcohol Survey. Secondhand harms included family/marriage difficulties, traffic accidents, vandalism, physical harm, and financial difficulties. Weighted prevalence estimates provided nationally representative estimates of these harms. Logistic regression assessed associations between individual characteristics and secondhand harms. RESULTS Lifetime prevalence of secondhand harms from alcohol, cannabis, opioid, or other drugs was 34.2%, 5.5%, 7.6%, and 8.3%, respectively. There was substantial overlap among lifetime harms: almost 30% of those reporting secondhand alcohol harms also reported secondhand drug harms. Significant correlates of secondhand substance harms included female sex (alcohol, other drug); white (alcohol, opioid), American Indian/Alaska Native (opioid), and Black (cannabis) race/ethnicity; and separated/divorced/widowed marital status (opioid). Those reporting family history of alcohol problems had significantly higher odds of reporting secondhand harms across substance types. Individuals who reported frequent cannabis use had higher odds of reporting secondhand alcohol and opioid harms compared to those with no cannabis use, (aOR=1.55; aOR=2.38), but lower odds of reporting secondhand cannabis harms (aOR=0.51). CONCLUSIONS Although less prevalent than secondhand alcohol harms, 14% of participants reported secondhand harms from someone else's drug use and frequently experienced secondhand harms attributed to multiple substances. Population-focused interventions are needed to reduce the total burden of alcohol and drug use.
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Ramasco F, Aguilar G, Aldecoa C, Bakker J, Carmona P, Dominguez D, Galiana M, Hernández G, Kattan E, Olea C, Ospina-Tascón G, Pérez A, Ramos K, Ramos S, Tamayo G, Tuero G. Towards the personalization of septic shock resuscitation: the fundamentals of ANDROMEDA-SHOCK-2 trial. REVISTA ESPANOLA DE ANESTESIOLOGIA Y REANIMACION 2024; 71:112-124. [PMID: 38244774 DOI: 10.1016/j.redare.2024.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Septic shock is a highly lethal and prevalent disease. Progressive circulatory dysfunction leads to tissue hypoperfusion and hypoxia, eventually evolving to multiorgan dysfunction and death. Prompt resuscitation may revert these pathogenic mechanisms, restoring oxygen delivery and organ function. High heterogeneity exists among the determinants of circulatory dysfunction in septic shock, and current algorithms provide a stepwise and standardized approach to conduct resuscitation. This review provides the pathophysiological and clinical rationale behind ANDROMEDA-SHOCK-2, an ongoing multicenter randomized controlled trial that aims to compare a personalized resuscitation strategy based on clinical phenotyping and peripheral perfusion assessment, versus standard of care, in early septic shock resuscitation.
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Rodrigues S, Espincho F, Elliott M, Almeida C, Ramos S. Methodology optimization to quantify microplastic presence in planktonic copepods, chaetognaths and fish larvae. MethodsX 2023; 11:102466. [PMID: 37954969 PMCID: PMC10632946 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2023.102466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Two of the groups most impacted by microplastics (MPs) are zooplankton and fish larvae, either through MPs ingestion or absorption. Although there has been an increase of studies focusing on MPs ingestion by these organisms, there is still no standardized methodology for the quantification of MPs present in plankton. For example, some reagents normally used to digest plankton and recover MPs appear adversely to affect some plastic characteristics. This can potentially lead to underestimating the amount and types of MPs present in the organisms analyzed. Hence, this work aimed to optimize a methodology to quantify MPs present in plankton, namely zooplankton and fish larvae, and ensuring MPs integrity. Hence, the planktonic organism tissues were digested using 30% (v/v) H2O2 solution at different temperatures and incubation periods while preserving the integrity and polymer characteristics of 13 types of MPs. MPs' characteristics were register before and after the tests, by visual inspection and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, to evaluate the integrity and features of MPs. With this methodology, MPs recovery was above 85% for all types of plastic tested. The proposed methodology is a rapid protocol, with a maximum of 7 h of incubation, that ensures simultaneously the full digestion of the organism tissues and the complete preservation of all the plastic characteristics, namely color, size and polymer type.•A methodology was optimized to quantify microplastics present in zooplankton (copepods, chaetognaths and fish larvae).•Thirteen types of microplastics (fibers and fragments of different polymers) were used to test the efficiency of the methodology ensuring the maintenance of the integrity of plastics.•With this methodology, microplastic recovery was above 85% for all the types of microplastic tested and no changes in their characteristics were observed.
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Kutuk T, Perez-Marrero V, Lee Y, Odia Y, La Rosa A, Hall MD, Appel H, Ramos S, Ramirez M, McDermott MW, Ahluwalia M, Mehta MP, Kotecha R. Integration of an App-Based Cognitive Evaluation Program into Radiosurgery Practice: Outcomes and Patient Survey Analysis from a Prospective Observational Study. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2023; 117:e473-e474. [PMID: 37785504 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.06.1684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Cognitive decline is a significant consequence of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in patients with brain metastases. This is often underrecognized and understudied outside of a formal clinical trial setting as traditional methods are often logistically difficult and need specialized personnel and additional time. To address these challenges, we implemented a prospective study (NCT05504681), incorporating an innovative app-based solution to monitor patient assessments over time, collect patient data easily, and be suitable for cross-cultural use in multiple languages for monitoring post-SRS cognitive decline. MATERIALS/METHODS Patients undergoing SRS from December 2021 to October 2022 were enrolled in this study and completed feedback surveys. The assessments consisted of learning and memory (Hopkins verbal learning test-revised [HVLT-R]), attention and processing speed (Digit symbols modalities test [SDMT]), verbal fluency (Controlled oral word association test [COWAT]) and executive function (Trail making test [TMT]). Baseline and 3-month follow-up testing were conducted in conjunction with routine imaging and clinical assessments. Neurocognitive deterioration (ND) was defined as a decrease of ≥2 standard errors of the mean in any of the tests, without evidence of new intracranial disease. Any differences between the baseline and follow-up assessments were confirmed using the reliable change index. RESULTS A total of 30 patients with median age of 68 (range: 47-87) were enrolled. The median KPS was 90 and 60% were female. 43% of participants had a high school or equivalent level of education. 19 (63%) patients were Hispanic and 43% tested in Spanish. The median number of treated lesions was 2 (1-13) and 7 (23%) patients were treated to ≥5 lesions. The median mean left and right hippocampal doses were 0.3 Gy (0-3 Gy) and 0.2 Gy (0-5.2 Gy), respectively. Overall, 50% of patients met criteria for ND at 3 months. 20% of patients showed ND in HVLT-R-immediate recall (IMM), 23% in HVLT-R-delayed recall (DR), 13% in HVLT-R-recognition (Rec), 3% in COWAT and 20% in TMT. None of the patients had ND in SDMT. The mean relative decline was 28% for HVLT-R- IMM, 34% for HVLT-R-DR, 6% for HVLT-R- Rec, 25% for COWAT, and 21% for TMT. There was no significant association between the number of treated lesions and ND. Based on the feedback results, the majority of patients found the system easy to use (94%) and relevant to their care (73%). Most patients reported that app-based evaluation improved discussions with clinicians (77%), made them feel more in control of their care (79%), and they would recommend the system to other patients (87%). CONCLUSION Our study showed a high incidence of ND using an app-based tool in a patient who underwent SRS and from diverse education and language backgrounds. Patient survey results demonstrated that the tool was easy to use and relevant to the patient's care, especially due to improvements in discussions with clinicians and a sense of being in control of their own care.
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Adragão P, Matos D, Carmo P, Costa FM, Ramos S. Pulsed-field ablation vs radiofrequency ablation for ventricular tachycardia: First in-human case of histologic lesion analysis. Heart Rhythm 2023; 20:1395-1398. [PMID: 37488032 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2023.07.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
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Santos ME, Gonçalves MJ, Costa M, Jorge AR, Vasconcelos JF, Ramos S, Branco JC, Sepriano A. Life-threatening hypereosinophilic syndrome in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis: a case report. ARP RHEUMATOLOGY 2023; 2:349-350. [PMID: 38174758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Hypereosinophilia is unusual in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but can occur in severe long-lasting disease, especially in patients with extra-articular manifestations and high titers of rheumatoid factor (RF). The association of RA and hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) remains yet poorly known. We present a case of a 46 years old woman with long-standing untreated RA, that presented to emergency department with severe symptoms of constrictive pericarditis with cardiac tamponade and bilateral pleural effusion, that progressed to cardiac arrest, associated to symmetrical polyarthritis and pruritic erythematous skin papules. She was submitted to urgent pericardial drainage and partial pericardiotomy. Laboratory analyses revealed hypereosinophilia, and elevated inflammatory parameters and immunoglobulin E. The histological study of the pericardium showed results consistent with inflammatory fibrinous pericarditis. Taking into account the presence of some characteristics that are usually present in cases of reactive HES instead of idiopathic HES, and after an intensive diagnostic study, that could rule out other potential causes of secondary HES, the diagnosis of HES associated with RA was made. She started glucocorticoids during hospitalization and methotrexate 15mg per week at the first outpatient rheumatology visit. After 12 weeks of treatment, we considered that she was in clinical and analytical remission, consistently maintaining that after a complete tapering of glucocorticoids. This case illustrates that clinicians should be aware that HES (including severe life-threatening cases) can occur in patients with RA, especially in cases of long-lasting disease with high titters of RF and without treatment, even in the absence of extra-articular features.
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Duarte F, Oliveira L, Fontes T, Ramos S, Dourado R, Martins D. Chronic constrictive pericarditis: a rare cardiac involvement in primary Sjögren's syndrome. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2023; 23:471. [PMID: 37730569 PMCID: PMC10512490 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-023-03491-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Constrictive pericarditis represents a chronic condition and systemic inflammatory diseases are a known, yet uncommon, cause. Pericardial involvement is seldom reported in primary Sjögren's syndrome, usually occurring in association with pericardial effusion or pericarditis. We report a case of constrictive pericarditis with an insidious course and unusual evolution associated with primary Sjögren's syndrome. Due to the challenging nature of the diagnosis, clinical suspicion and multimodality imaging are essential for early identification and prompt initiation of treatment. Long-term outcomes remain uncertain. To the best of our knowledge, no other cases linking this autoimmune disease to constrictive pericarditis have been reported. CASE PRESENTATION We present the case of a 48-year-old male patient with moderate alcohol habits and a history of two prior hospitalizations. On the first, the patient was diagnosed with primary Sjögren's syndrome after presenting with pleural effusion and ascites, and empirical corticosteroid regiment was initiated. On the second, two-years later, he was readmitted with complaints of dyspnea and abdominal distension. Thoracic computed tomography revealed a localized pericardial thickening and a thin pericardial effusion, both of which were attributed to his rheumatic disease. A liver biopsy showed hepatic peliosis, which was considered to be a consequence of glucocorticoid therapy. Diuretic therapy was adjusted to symptom-relief, and a tapering corticosteroid regimen was adopted. Four years after the initial diagnosis, the patient was admitted again with recurrent dyspnea, orthopnea and ascites. At this time, constrictive pericarditis was diagnosed and a partial pericardiectomy was performed. Although not completely asymptomatic, the patient reported clinical improvement since the surgery, but still with a need for baseline diuretic therapy. CONCLUSION Albeit uncommon, connective tissue disorders, such as primary Sjögren's syndrome, should be considered as a potential cause of constrictive pericarditis, especially in young patients with no other classical risk factors for constriction. In this case, after excluding possible infectious, neoplastic and autoimmune conditions, a primary Sjögren´s syndrome in association with constrictive pericarditis was assumed. This case presents an interesting and challenging clinical scenario, highlighting the importance of clinical awareness and the use of multimodal cardiac imaging for early recognition and treatment.
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Lima MR, Abecasis J, Santos RR, Maltês S, Lopes P, Ferreira A, Ribeiras R, Andrade MJ, Abecasis M, Gil V, Ramos S, Cardim N. Is myocardial fibrosis appropriately assessed by calibrated and 2D strain derived integrated backscatter? Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2023; 21:14. [PMID: 37568167 PMCID: PMC10422833 DOI: 10.1186/s12947-023-00311-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Increased collagen content of the myocardium modifies tissue reflectivity and integrated backscatter (IBS) indexes are suggested as markers of myocardial fibrosis (MF). We sought to assess the correlation between calibrated (c) IBS and bidimensional (2D) strain derived IBS with left ventricular (LV) MF in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). METHODS AND RESULTS We made a prospective observational cohort study including 157 patients with severe AS referred for surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR), with complete preoperative transthoracic echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) obtained from the anterior basal septum at the time of surgery. Two groups of 30 patients were specifically evaluated, with and without late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) at CMR. IBS was obtained at QRS peak from both parasternal long axis (PLAX) and apical-three-chamber (AP3C) views and measured in decibels (dB). Whole-cardiac cycle IBS at basal anterior septum was obtained from 2D longitudinal strain. Correlation analysis of reflectivity indexes was performed with global and segmental (anterior basal septum) values of native T1 and extracellular volume (ECV), and EMB collagen volume fraction (CVF) (Masson´s Trichrome). IBS values were compared in both group of patients (LGE + vs. LGE -). 60 patients (74 [36-74] years, 45% male) with high gradient (mean gradient: 63 ± 20mmHg), normal flow (45 ± 10mL/m2) AS and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (60 ± 9%) were included. Basal septum cIBS was - 17.45 (-31.2-10.95) and - 9.17 ± 9.45dB from PLAX and A3C views, respectively. No significant correlations were found between IBS and both non-invasive CMR tissue characterization and CVF: median MF of 9.7(2.1-79.9)%. Acoustic indexes were not significantly different according to the presence of pre-operative LGE. CONCLUSION In this group of patients with classical severe AS, IBS reflectivity indexes are of no added value to discriminate the presence of MF.
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Albanese R, Alexandrov A, Alicante F, Anokhina A, Asada T, Battilana C, Bay A, Betancourt C, Biswas R, Blanco Castro A, Bogomilov M, Bonacorsi D, Bonivento WM, Bordalo P, Boyarsky A, Buontempo S, Campanelli M, Camporesi T, Canale V, Castro A, Centanni D, Cerutti F, Chernyavskiy M, Choi KY, Cholak S, Cindolo F, Climescu M, Conaboy AP, Dallavalle GM, Davino D, de Bryas PT, De Lellis G, De Magistris M, De Roeck A, De Rújula A, De Serio M, De Simone D, Di Crescenzo A, Donà R, Durhan O, Fabbri F, Fedotovs F, Ferrillo M, Ferro-Luzzi M, Fini RA, Fiorillo A, Fresa R, Funk W, Garay Walls FM, Golovatiuk A, Golutvin A, Graverini E, Guler AM, Guliaeva V, Haefeli GJ, Helo Herrera JC, van Herwijnen E, Iengo P, Ilieva S, Infantino A, Iuliano A, Jacobsson R, Kamiscioglu C, Kauniskangas AM, Khalikov E, Kim SH, Kim YG, Klioutchnikov G, Komatsu M, Konovalova N, Kovalenko S, Kuleshov S, Lacker HM, Lantwin O, Lasagni Manghi F, Lauria A, Lee KY, Lee KS, Lo Meo S, Loschiavo VP, Marcellini S, Margiotta A, Mascellani A, Miano A, Mikulenko A, Montesi MC, Navarria FL, Ogawa S, Okateva N, Ovchynnikov M, Paggi G, Park BD, Pastore A, Perrotta A, Podgrudkov D, Polukhina N, Prota A, Quercia A, Ramos S, Reghunath A, Roganova T, Ronchetti F, Rovelli T, Ruchayskiy O, Ruf T, Sabate Gilarte M, Samoilov M, Scalera V, Schneider O, Sekhniaidze G, Serra N, Shaposhnikov M, Shevchenko V, Shchedrina T, Shchutska L, Shibuya H, Simone S, Siroli GP, Sirri G, Soares G, Soto Sandoval OJ, Spurio M, Starkov N, Timiryasov I, Tioukov V, Tramontano F, Trippl C, Ursov E, Ustyuzhanin A, Vankova-Kirilova G, Verguilov V, Viegas Guerreiro Leonardo N, Vilela C, Visone C, Wanke R, Yaman E, Yazici C, Yoon CS, Zaffaroni E, Zamora Saa J. Observation of Collider Muon Neutrinos with the SND@LHC Experiment. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2023; 131:031802. [PMID: 37540851 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.131.031802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
We report the direct observation of muon neutrino interactions with the SND@LHC detector at the Large Hadron Collider. A dataset of proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13.6 TeV collected by SND@LHC in 2022 is used, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.8 fb^{-1}. The search is based on information from the active electronic components of the SND@LHC detector, which covers the pseudorapidity region of 7.2<η<8.4, inaccessible to the other experiments at the collider. Muon neutrino candidates are identified through their charged-current interaction topology, with a track propagating through the entire length of the muon detector. After selection cuts, 8 ν_{μ} interaction candidate events remain with an estimated background of 0.086 events, yielding a significance of about 7 standard deviations for the observed ν_{μ} signal.
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Branco P, Calça R, Martins AR, Mateus C, Jervis MJ, Gomes DP, Azeredo-Lopes S, De Melo Junior AF, Sousa C, Civantos E, Mas-Fontao S, Gaspar A, Ramos S, Morello J, Nolasco F, Rodrigues A, Pereira SA. Fibrosis of Peritoneal Membrane, Molecular Indicators of Aging and Frailty Unveil Vulnerable Patients in Long-Term Peritoneal Dialysis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24055020. [PMID: 36902451 PMCID: PMC10002940 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24055020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Peritoneal membrane status, clinical data and aging-related molecules were investigated as predictors of long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD) outcomes. A 5-year prospective study was conducted with the following endpoints: (a) PD failure and time until PD failure, (b) major cardiovascular event (MACE) and time until MACE. A total of 58 incident patients with peritoneal biopsy at study baseline were included. Peritoneal membrane histomorphology and aging-related indicators were assessed before the start of PD and investigated as predictors of study endpoints. Fibrosis of the peritoneal membrane was associated with MACE occurrence and earlier MACE, but not with the patient or membrane survival. Serum α-Klotho bellow 742 pg/mL was related to the submesothelial thickness of the peritoneal membrane. This cutoff stratified the patients according to the risk of MACE and time until MACE. Uremic levels of galectin-3 were associated with PD failure and time until PD failure. This work unveils peritoneal membrane fibrosis as a window to the vulnerability of the cardiovascular system, whose mechanisms and links to biological aging need to be better investigated. Galectin-3 and α-Klotho are putative tools to tailor patient management in this home-based renal replacement therapy.
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Gomes DA, Ramos S, Ferreira J. Diagnostic challenges of recurrent left atrial mass: a case report. Eur Heart J Case Rep 2023; 7:ytad083. [PMID: 36909838 PMCID: PMC9994641 DOI: 10.1093/ehjcr/ytad083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Background Differential diagnosis of left atrial (LA) masses is challenging because there is a significant overlap in the epidemiological, clinical, and imaging characteristics. Even some histological features can be similar across different types of cardiac masses. Therefore, continuous case discussion between the clinician and the pathologist is essential for a correct diagnosis. Case summary We present a case of a patient with a history of cardiac surgery for LA tumour. Histology was compatible with thrombus, although no predisposing causes nor genetic or acquired thrombophilia were identified. After 14 years, the recurrence of LA mass was diagnosed with a routine echocardiography. A review of histological preparations from 2007 with immunohistochemistry techniques not available at that time (calretinin) was consistent with a myxoma. The patient underwent cardiac reoperation with LA mass and interatrial septum excision. Final diagnosis was compatible with a myxoma recurrence. Discussion Myxoma is the second most frequent benign primary cardiac tumour. Left atrial thrombi can occasionally mimic the typical echocardiographic appearance of a myxoma, and pathological features can sometimes overlap generating diagnostic confusion. Calretinin fixation is useful for differential diagnosis once it is only identified in myxomas but not in thrombi. Any discrepancy between clinical findings and histology should always mandate a review of histological preparations.
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Branco P, Martins AR, Calça R, Mateus C, Jervis MJ, Rodrigues A, Lopes SA, Civantos E, Mas-Fontao S, Gaspar A, Ramos S, Morello J, Gomes DP, Pereira SA. Alpha-klotho and peritoneal membrane status: A hypothesis generating study. Eur J Clin Invest 2023; 53:e13903. [PMID: 36377235 DOI: 10.1111/eci.13903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long-term success of peritoneal dialysis relies on the integrity of the peritoneal membrane. This proof-of-concept study addressed the hypothesis that fibrosis is already present in the membrane at pre-dialysis and that the membrane status is related to the individual's uraemic fingerprint. METHODS A clinical-mechanistic, transversal, single-centre study was conducted. Pre-dialysis peritoneal biopsies were scored considering the submesothelial compact zone thickness (STM), vasculopathy and inflammation. We investigated if the membrane status could be inferred from a panel of proteins (α-Klotho, Galectin-3, FGF21, FGF23, Tweak, TNFα and hsPCR) in blood. RESULTS A total 58 incident patients aged 56 ± 15 years old were included, 31% female, 55% hypertension, 29% diabetic and 24% obese. Person-to-person STM was found to be highly variable and 38% of patients were fibrosis positive. Both α-Klotho (Spearman r = -.7491, p < 0.001) and FGF21 (Spearman r = -.5102, p < 0.001) were negatively associated with STM. α-Klotho, but not FGF21, was able to discriminate fibrosis from nonfibrosis with/without inflammation and vasculopathy. PLS models identified α-Klotho as the protein most relevant for fibrosis. α-Klotho was independently associated with fibrosis of the peritoneal membrane (OR = .991 (.896-.997), p = 0.002). CONCLUSION Before the start of dialysis in incident patients, some patients already present fibrosis of the peritoneal membrane and other patients do not. Our findings suggest that α-Klotho may be implicated in fibrosis of the peritoneal membrane.
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R Santos R, Abecasis J, Maltes S, Mendes GS, Guerreiro S, Padrao C, Freitas P, Ferreira A, Ribeiras R, Andrade MJ, Cardim N, Gil V, Neves JP, Ramos S, Mendes M. Relative apical sparing in severe aortic stenosis: does it mean concomitant amyloid cardiomyopathy? Eur Heart J 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehac544.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Relative apical sparing (RAS) of left ventricular (LV) longitudinal strain (LS) is a red flag marker for the suspicion of amyloid cardiomyopathy. However, it has also been described in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS).
Aim
To assess the prevalence of RAS in patients with severe symptomatic AS referred for surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR), to evaluate its clinical significance and assess its presence after surgery.
Methods
We prospectively studied 135 consecutive patients (age: 73 y [IQR 68–77 y], 49% men) with severe symptomatic AS – mean transaortic pressure gradient (AVmean): 60.9±17.7 mmHg; mean aortic valve area: 0.7±0.2 cm2, referred for surgical AVR with no previous history of ischemic cardiomyopathy or other. Beyond 12 lead-ECG and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), all patients underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) before surgery. RAS was defined by the ratio >1 of average LS at apical segments/sum of the average basal and mid LS at speckle tracking analysis. AVR with septal myocardial biopsy, for investigational purposes, was performed in 80 patients. AS severity indexes, LV remodeling and tissue characterization parameters were compared in both groups of patients, with and without RAS. LS deformation pattern was reassessed at 3–6 months after AVR.
Results
RAS was present in 24 patients (18%). In the whole cohort there were neither pseudoinfarct pattern or low voltage ECG criteria, nor infiltration suspicion from CMR (native T1 value 1053 ms [IQR 1025–1071 ms] for institutional reference values: 972–1070 ms; ECV 24% [IQR 21–27%]). None of the patients had amyloid deposition at histopathology. Overall, mean CMR LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was 59.6±10.5% and 98 patients (74%) had non-ischemic delayed enhancement, with a median fibrosis fraction of 4.1% [IQR 1.6–7.8%]. RAS cohort had a significantly higher AVmean gradient, relative wall thickness, maximum septal thickness, peak systolic dispersion, with lower global LS at TTE, as well as higher LV mass and lower LVEF at CMR. RAS group has also higher NT-proBNP ambulatory values (Table 1). Follow-up evaluation after AVR revealed RAS disappearance in 19 patients (79.2%).
Conclusions
RAS occurs in almost one-fifth of the patients in this cohort despite the absence of signs of myocardial infiltration. This deformation pattern elapses with worse indexes of LV remodeling consistent with a more advanced stage of the disease, being reversible after AVR, which stands for the absence of concomitant myocardial infiltration.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
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Maltes S, Abecasis J, Pinto DG, Santos RR, Oliveira L, Mendes GS, Guerreiro S, Lima T, Freitas P, Ferreira A, Ramos S, Felix A, Cardim N, Gil VM, Mendes M. Histology-verified myocardial fibrosis and quantification in severe AS patients: correlation with non-invasive LV myocardial tissue assessment. Eur Heart J 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehac544.2996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Myocardial fibrosis (MF) is a common finding and a potential adverse prognostic marker in several cardiac diseases, including in severe aortic stenosis (AS). While histological analysis obtained through endomyocardial biopsy remains the gold-standard for MF assessment, non-invasive cardiac imaging may offer surrogate biomarkers for fibrosis. We tried to assess the correlation between MF quantification at histopathology and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived tissue characterization data in patients with severe AS.
Methodology
Single-center prospective cohort enrolling 71 patients with severe symptomatic high-gradient AS undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) (mean age 71±9 years; 49% male, mean valvular transaortic gradient 60±20 mmHg; mean left ventricle [LV] ejection fraction 58±9%). Those with past history of myocardial infarction or cardiomyopathy were excluded. All patients underwent pre-operative CMR study with LV tissue characterization and quantification. Normal T1 mapping value was defined as >1021ms as per center protocol. Myocardial tissue was obtained during SAVR either through myocardial biopsy at basal LV septum or harvested from surgical myectomy specimens. Masson's trichrome stain was used for collagen/fibrosis assessment. Automatic quantification was obtained at QuPathTM digital pathology software after applying a dedicated artificial intelligence algorithm on ultra-high-resolution digital slide scanning images.
Results
Histology-confirmed MF was observed in all patients (median percentage of fibrotic myocardial tissue 15% [IQR 9–22%]). Median global T1 mapping and extracellular volume (ECV) percentage was 1048ms (IQR 1027–1078) and 24% (IQR 20–30%), respectively. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) with a non-ischemic pattern was present in 42 patients (59%) with a median LGE mass of 5.8g [IQR 1.0–10.2]; median percentage of 3.7% [IQR 0.6–10.4]. While neither T1 mapping (global or basal LV septum), ECV nor LGE had any significant correlation with histology-confirmed MF (Figure 1) the vast majority had significantly elevated global and basal LV septum T1 mapping – 81% and 92%, respectively.
Conclusion
In this single-center prospective study, microscopic MF was present in all patients with severe symptomatic high-gradient AS, was accompanied by elevated T1 mapping values but no correlation was found between myocardial fibrosis at histopathology analysis and CMR-derived LV tissue characterization parameters. This may not only stem from sampling (single point biopsy vs. whole myocardial tissue assessment) but also from distinct evaluation of different types of fibrosis by different methods.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
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Kutuk T, Appel H, Avedano M, Albrecht F, Kaywin P, Ramos S, Suarez-Murias M, Mehta M, Kotecha R. EP07.03-006 Feasibility of TTFields with Pemetrexed and Platinum-Based Chemotherapy for Unresectable Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Real-World Data. J Thorac Oncol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2022.07.571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Taylor M, Cook C, Liu Y, Schmidt R, Hailer A, North J, Wang H, Kashem S, Purdom E, Marson A, Ramos S, Cho R, Cheng J. 509 A single-cell transcriptional gradient in human cutaneous memory T cells suppresses pathogenic Th17 inflammation. J Invest Dermatol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.05.518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Barbosa A, Fardilha C, Faustino I, Marques A, Gagean J, Calçada C, Simões S, Ramos S, Carvalhosa O, Costa P. P-233 Real-world outcomes of anal cancer patients treated with radical chemoradiation. Ann Oncol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2022.04.323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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Amorim M, Silva C, Costa M, Fonseca G, Calçada C, Conde J, Carvalhosa O, Ramos S, Vale J, Cavaco A, Vieira P, Genésio P, Costa P. PD-0248 Treatment outcomes following Cyberknife radiosurgery for refractory Trigeminal Neuralgia. Radiother Oncol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8140(22)02803-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Álvarez-Baena L, Hervías M, Ramos S, Cebrián J, Pita A, Hidalgo I. Continuous thoracic paravertebral analgesia after minimally invasive atrial septal defect closure surgery in pediatric population: Effectiveness and safety analysis. REVISTA ESPANOLA DE ANESTESIOLOGIA Y REANIMACION 2022; 69:259-265. [PMID: 35643760 DOI: 10.1016/j.redare.2021.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lateral thoracotomy is replacing traditional median sternotomy for atrial septal defect (ASD) closure in children in order to improve cosmetic outcomes. Continuous paravertebral block has been described as an effective and safe analgesic technique in children. The aim of this study is to assess pain management by continuous perfusion of local anesthetic through a thoracic paravertebral catheter (PVC) in a pediatric population after thoracotomy closure of ASD, and its effectiveness in a fast-track program. METHODS Descriptive cross-sectional study. Analgesic effectiveness, perioperative and safety-related data were analyzed in 21 patients who underwent thoracotomy closure of ASD with PVC. In the postoperative period, patients received continuous perfusion of bupivacaine 0.125% and fentanyl (1 mcg.ml-1) at 0.2 ml.kg-1.h-1 through the PVC. RESULTS The median of mean pain scale score for each patient was 1.5. All patients were extubated in the operating theatre. No patient with PVC required opioid rescue. The median length of stay in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit was 48 hours. There were 3 adverse events related to PVC: 1 due to malposition and 2 due to accidental removal. No other complications or cases of local anesthetic toxicity were recorded. CONCLUSIONS PVC provides effective, safe, opioid-saving analgesia in the postoperative period of ASD closure by thoracotomy in the context of a fast-track protocol.
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Brandão C, Meireles R, Brito I, Ramos S, Cabral L. The Role Of Comorbidities On Outcome Prediction In Acute Burn Patients. ANNALS OF BURNS AND FIRE DISASTERS 2021; 34:323-333. [PMID: 35035325 PMCID: PMC8717902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Burn trauma is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity. None of the currently available formulas for mortality prediction take into account the impact of comorbidities on burn patients' outcome. In this study, we evaluate the impact of comorbidities on in-hospital mortality and prolonged length of hospital stay (≥30 days). A retrospective analysis of burn patients' medical records, over a 5-year period, was undertaken. A total of 677 patients were included. The mortality rate was 6.5%. Deceased patients and survivors with length of hospital stay (LOS) of 30 or more days were significantly older, had larger %TBSA burned, were more likely to have inhalation injury and comorbidities, and had higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) scores. On the multivariate logistic regression models, age, %TBSA burned, CCI score and the presence of inhalation injury were independently associated with mortality and prolonged LOS. In conclusion, the authors suggest that the inclusion of comorbidities should be considered on burn admission scores in an attempt to better predict burn mortality.
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Lester C, Ramos S, Perry RS, Croft TP, Laver M, Bewley RI, Guidi T, Hiess A, Wildes A, Forgan EM, Hayden SM. Magnetic-field-controlled spin fluctuations and quantum critically in Sr 3Ru 2O 7. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5798. [PMID: 34608160 PMCID: PMC8490391 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26068-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
When the transition temperature of a continuous phase transition is tuned to absolute zero, new ordered phases and physical behaviour emerge in the vicinity of the resulting quantum critical point. Sr3Ru2O7 can be tuned through quantum criticality with magnetic field at low temperature. Near its critical field Bc it displays the hallmark T-linear resistivity and a \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$T\,{{{{{{\mathrm{log}}}}}}}\,(1/T)$$\end{document}Tlog(1/T) electronic heat capacity behaviour of strange metals. However, these behaviours have not been related to any critical fluctuations. Here we use inelastic neutron scattering to reveal the presence of collective spin fluctuations whose relaxation time and strength show a nearly singular variation with magnetic field as Bc is approached. The large increase in the electronic heat capacity and entropy near Bc can be understood quantitatively in terms of the scattering of conduction electrons by these spin-fluctuations. On entering the spin-density-wave ordered phase present near Bc, the fluctuations become stronger suggesting that the order is stabilised through an “order-by-disorder” mechanism. Sr3Ru2O7 exhibits a quantum critical point tunable by magnetic field and has been widely used in the study of criticality. Here, by using inelastic neutron scattering, the authors measure collective magnetic excitations near the quantum critical point and relate them to thermodynamic properties and spin density wave order.
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22
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Ramos S, Ferreira S, Saraiva N, Fernandes A. 30P Bioinformatics analysis for lysyl oxidases as therapeutic targets for breast cancer. Ann Oncol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2021.08.2026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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Tula T, Möller G, Quintanilla J, Giblin SR, Hillier AD, McCabe EE, Ramos S, Barker DS, Gibson S. Machine learning approach to muon spectroscopy analysis. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2021; 33:194002. [PMID: 33545697 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/abe39e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, artificial intelligence techniques have proved to be very successful when applied to problems in physical sciences. Here we apply an unsupervised machine learning (ML) algorithm called principal component analysis (PCA) as a tool to analyse the data from muon spectroscopy experiments. Specifically, we apply the ML technique to detect phase transitions in various materials. The measured quantity in muon spectroscopy is an asymmetry function, which may hold information about the distribution of the intrinsic magnetic field in combination with the dynamics of the sample. Sharp changes of shape of asymmetry functions-measured at different temperatures-might indicate a phase transition. Existing methods of processing the muon spectroscopy data are based on regression analysis, but choosing the right fitting function requires knowledge about the underlying physics of the probed material. Conversely, PCA focuses on small differences in the asymmetry curves and works without any prior assumptions about the studied samples. We discovered that the PCA method works well in detecting phase transitions in muon spectroscopy experiments and can serve as an alternative to current analysis, especially if the physics of the studied material are not entirely known. Additionally, we found out that our ML technique seems to work best with large numbers of measurements, regardless of whether the algorithm takes data only for a single material or whether the analysis is performed simultaneously for many materials with different physical properties.
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Abecasis J, Gomes Pinto D, Ramos S, Masci PG, Cardim N, Gil V, Félix A. Left Ventricular Remodeling in Degenerative Aortic Valve Stenosis. Curr Probl Cardiol 2021; 46:100801. [PMID: 33588124 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2021.100801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Aortic stenosis was once considered a pure isolated valve obstacle challenging left ventricle driving force of contraction and flow generation. Left ventricular (LV) adaptation was merely interpreted as a uniform hypertrophic response to increased afterload. However, in these last 2 decades cardiac imaging research and some histopathology correlation studies brought insight towards the complex interaction between the vasculature, the valve and the myocardium. Verily, LV remodeling in this setting is a complex multidetermined process that goes further beyond myocardial hypertrophy. Ultrastructural changes involving both diffuse and replacement fibrosis of the myocardium take part and might explain the transition of clinical phenotypes with distinct prognosis, from compensated hypertrophy to LV maladaptive dysfunction and heart failure. Presently, the combined appropriate use of echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance may better assess the global LV afterload, hypertrophy and geometric remodeling, global and regional LV function, beyond ejection fraction, and structural changes that include the fibrotic burden of the myocardium. As a whole these may not only better stratify individual risk of disease progression but also identify patients benefiting from earlier valve intervention. In this paper, we review the maladaptive response of the LV to chronic pressure overload, describing the different signaling pathways and mechanisms that underly both hypertrophy and remodeling. Histomorphology changes in this setting are described and we try to make sense of the use of new imaging tools for LV characterization.
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Adamczewski-Musch J, Arnold O, Behnke C, Belounnas A, Belyaev A, Berger-Chen JC, Blanco A, Blume C, Böhmer M, Bordalo P, Chernenko S, Chlad L, Ciepal I, Deveaux C, Dreyer J, Epple E, Fabbietti L, Fateev O, Filip P, Fonte P, Franco C, Friese J, Fröhlich I, Galatyuk T, Garzón JA, Gernhäuser R, Golosov O, Golubeva M, Greifenhagen R, Guber F, Gumberidze M, Harabasz S, Heinz T, Hennino T, Hlavac S, Höhne C, Holzmann R, Ierusalimov A, Ivashkin A, Kämpfer B, Karavicheva T, Kardan B, Koenig I, Koenig W, Kohls M, Kolb BW, Korcyl G, Kornakov G, Kornas F, Kotte R, Kugler A, Kunz T, Kurepin A, Kurilkin A, Kurilkin P, Ladygin V, Lalik R, Lapidus K, Lebedev A, Lopes L, Lorenz M, Mahmoud T, Maier L, Malige A, Mamaev M, Mangiarotti A, Markert J, Matulewicz T, Maurus S, Metag V, Michel J, Mihaylov DM, Morozov S, Müntz C, Münzer R, Naumann L, Nowakowski K, Parpottas Y, Pechenov V, Pechenova O, Petukhov O, Piasecki K, Pietraszko J, Przygoda W, Pysz K, Ramos S, Ramstein B, Rathod N, Reshetin A, Rodriguez-Ramos P, Rosier P, Rost A, Rustamov A, Sadovsky A, Salabura P, Scheib T, Schuldes H, Schwab E, Scozzi F, Seck F, Sellheim P, Selyuzhenkov I, Siebenson J, Silva L, Singh U, Smyrski J, Sobolev YG, Spataro S, Spies S, Ströbele H, Stroth J, Sturm C, Svoboda O, Szala M, Tlusty P, Traxler M, Tsertos H, Usenko E, Wagner V, Wendisch C, Wiebusch MG, Wirth J, Wójcik D, Zanevsky Y, Zumbruch P. Directed, Elliptic, and Higher Order Flow Harmonics of Protons, Deuterons, and Tritons in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=2.4 GeV. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2020; 125:262301. [PMID: 33449792 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.125.262301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Flow coefficients v_{n} of the orders n=1-6 are measured with the High-Acceptance DiElectron Spectrometer (HADES) at GSI for protons, deuterons, and tritons as a function of centrality, transverse momentum, and rapidity in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=2.4 GeV. Combining the information from the flow coefficients of all orders allows us to construct for the first time, at collision energies of a few GeV, a multidifferential picture of the angular emission pattern of these particles. It reflects the complicated interplay between the effect of the central fireball pressure on the emission of particles and their subsequent interaction with spectator matter. The high precision information on higher order flow coefficients is a major step forward in constraining the equation of state of dense baryonic matter.
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