Constraints on the χ_(c1) versus χ_(c2) polarizations in proton-proton collisions at √s = 8 TeV

The polarizations of promptly produced χ_(c1) and χ_(c2) mesons are studied using data collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC, in proton-proton collisions at √s=8  TeV. The χ_c states are reconstructed via their radiative decays χ_c → J/ψγ, with the photons being measured through conversions to e⁺e⁻, which allows the two states to be well resolved. The polarizations are measured in the helicity frame, through the analysis of the χ_(c2) to χ_(c1) yield ratio as a function of the polar or azimuthal angle of the positive muon emitted in the J/ψ → μ⁺μ⁻ decay, in three bins of J/ψ transverse momentum. While no differences are seen between the two states in terms of azimuthal decay angle distributions, they are observed to have significantly different polar anisotropies. The measurement favors a scenario where at least one of the two states is strongly polarized along the helicity quantization axis, in agreement with nonrelativistic quantum chromodynamics predictions. This is the first measurement of significantly polarized quarkonia produced at high transverse momentum

Clinical presentation of ulcerative colitis among Bangladeshi population twenty years experience from a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh

Background: The prevalence of Ulcerative colitis has been increasingly reported from Western countries as well as other Asian countries. Our personal experience shows that Ulcerative colitis is not uncommon in our country and is being diagnosed more commonly. So, there is need to study the disease pattern in our country. Objective: To find out the clinical presentation, among Bangladeshi population. Methods: A hospital (Department of Gastroenterology, Bang­abandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University) based study registering previously diagnosed and newly diagnosed cases of Ulcerative colitis, was carried out from January 1990 to June 2010. Data that were obtained are: age and sex of the patients, clinical presentations like bloody diarrhoea, per rectal bleeding, diarrhoea without per rectal bleeding, urgency, tenesmus, abdominal pain, fever, anorexia, weakness, weight loss. Data regarding physical findings and extra intestinal manifestations were also recorded. Results: Out of 164 patients 65.24% (107) were male and 34.76% (57) were female. The male- female ratio was 1.88 : 1. Mean age of male patients was 36.14(±11.66) years and mean age for female patients was 33.15(±11.12) years. Maximum number of male patients were in 21-40 years age group (65.42%, 70). Maximum number of female patients were in 21-30 years age group (42.10%, 24). Maximum number of both male and female patients were in 21-30 years age group (35.97%, 59). Clinical features of 164 patients showed that 87.28% (143) had bloody diarrhoea, 20.12% (33) had per-rectal bleeding, 4.26% (7) had diarrhoea without per rectal bleeding, 1.21% (2) had urgency, 5.48% (9) had tenesmus, 33.53% (55) had abdominal pain, 17.66% (29) had fever, 18.29% (30) had anorexia, weakness and 17.68% (29) had weight loss at their initial presentation. Physical examination of 164 patients revealed that 81(49.39%) patients had normal findings, 7 (4.27%) patients had oedema and 83 (50.61%) patients had anaemia. Extra intestinal features were absent in 143 (87.20%) patients out of 164 patients. The rest 21 (12.80%) patients had joint involvement and 2 ( 1.21 % ) patients had ocular involvement. There was no patient with skin involvement. Conclusion: The clinical presentation of Ulcerative colitis in our country is mostly similar compared to other Asian' and Western countries except higher male-female ratio, presence of oedema and wide variability of extra intestinal involve­ment. These differences are probably due to social and cultural reasons, poor nutritional status, incomplete workup or records and influence of various enviornmental factors. To validate these results further prospective studies are needed

Efficacy of probiotics in irritable bowel syndrome: A randomized, double blind placebo-controlled study

Background: Gut flora have important trophic effects on intestinal epithelia and on immune structure and fonction.They also protect colonized host against invasion by alien microbes.Recent research suggests that an imbalance of the intestinal microbiota and a dysfunctional intestinal barrier might trigger irritable bowel syndrome (lBS). As probiotics have been reported to restore the intestinal microbiota and the gut barrier, the therapeutic potential of probiotics within IBS became of strong interest. Objectives: To assess the efficacy of probiotics in lBS. Methods: Patients of 15 to 60 years old and both sexes were included f om the out patient department (OPD) of gastroenterology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medi­cal University (BSMMU). A validated lBS-QOL instmment consisted of 34 questions used to assess improvement of quality of Iife before and after treatment. A total of 65 diarrhoea predominant LBS patients were randomised to receive either probiotics(n-33) or placebo(n-32) twice daily frir 6 weeks.Results: At the end of 6 weeks therapy, improvement in various symptoms(abclominal pain, stool frequency, consistency and 11atulence) in probiotics group was statistically significant. Mean QOL score before treatment was 103 in probiotics group and I 06 in placebo group. After 6 weeks of treatment mean QOL score was 82 in probiotics group and I 02.58 in placebo group. No side effects of the therapeutic agents were observed in any patient during the trial. Conclusions: Probiotics effectively alleviates global IBS and improves TBS symptoms simultaneously with an improvement of quality of life