Search for squarks and gluinos with the ATLAS detector in final states with jets and missing transverse momentum using 20.3 fb−1fb^{-1} of s\sqrt{s} = 8 TeV proton-proton collision data

Weak scale supersymmetry is one of the best motivated and studied Standard Model extensions. It predicts the existence of new heavy coloured particles called squarks and gluinos which are the supersymmetric partners of the quarks and gluons, respectively. The poster summarises results on inclusive searches for supersymmetric squarks and gluinos in events containing jets and missing transverse momentum without leptons. The searches use the full data sample recorded in 2012 at $\sqrt{s}$=8~TeV centre-of-mass energy by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC.Comment: 4 pages, proceedings for LHCP 2014 conferenc

Yoga und seine psychischen Auswirkungen

Obwohl inzwischen zahlreiche Yogastudien vorliegen, welche die Wirksamkeit des Yoga bestätigen, genügen viele der Studien nicht wissenschaftlichen Kriterien. Am häufigsten ist die Qualität des methodischen Vorgehens zu kritisieren, weil es sich bei den Studien nicht um randomisierte oder kontrollierte Studien handelt. Zudem sind psychologische Effekte weniger gut untersucht als die physiologischen Effekte des Yoga. Weiters liegen keine wissenschaftlichen Studien über den Einfluss von Yoga auf die Spiritualität und Transliminalität vor, und bislang wurde kein Versuch unternommen, die Effektdauer einer Yogaintervention zu untersuchen. In dieser Studie, welche eine Follow-up Erhebung mit drei Messzeitpunkten (T1, T2, T3) darstellt, wurde der Einfluss eines sechswöchigen Yogakurses auf die Persönlichkeit, Spiritualität und Transliminaliät der Kursteilnehmer untersucht. Die Zeit zwischen den einzelnen Messzeitpunkten umfasste sechs Wochen und die gesamte Messphase dauerte 12 Wochen. Als Vergleichsgruppe dienten eine Pilatesgruppe und eine Kontrollgruppe. Die Gesamtstichprobe zählte zum ersten Erhebungszeitpunkt (T1) 112 Personen, davon können 48 Personen der Yogagruppe, 37 der Pilatesgruppe und 27 der Kontrollgruppe zugeordnet werden. In der Yogagruppe zeigt sich der Trend, dass die Lebenszufriedenheit über den Kursverlauf steigt. Die Yogagruppe weist im Vergleich zur Pilatesgruppe niedrigere Werte auf der Skala Reizbarkeit auf. Zwischen dem zweiten (T2) und dritten Messzeitpunkt (T3) nahmen der Gesamtscore Aggression und die verbale Aggression in der Yogagruppe signifikant ab. Die Pilatesgruppe weist im Gegensatz zur Yogagruppe signifikant höhere Werte auf der Skala Feindseligkeit auf. Die körperliche Aggression war in der Kontrollgruppe im Vergleich zur Yogagruppe signifikant höher ausgeprägt. Die Offenheit für Erfahrungen tendiert über den Kursverlauf in der Yogagruppe abzunehmen. Die Hypothese, dass sich die erhobene Spiritualität in der Yogagruppe über den Kursverlauf signifikant verändert, konnte nicht bestätigt werden. Die Transliminalität nahm unabhängig von der Gruppe nach sechs Wochen signifikant ab. Zusammenfassend lässt sich feststellen, dass Yoga auf die Persönlichkeitsfacette Aggression einen Einfluss hat. Weitere randomisierte und kontrollierte Längsschnittstudien sind nötig, welche unter Verwendung 98 angemessener Erhebungsverfahren die psychischen Auswirkungen des Yoga untersuchen.The purpose of this follow-up study with three measuring times was to examine the effects of a 6-week yoga course on personality, spirituality and transliminality of the course participants. As a comparative group served participants of an 6- week pilates course and a control group. A total of 112 participants were selected for the first elevation time. Therefore 48 participants can be assigned to the yoga group, 37 participants to the pilates group and 27 participants to the control group. Aggression total score and verbal aggression were found to be less in the yoga group after the third elevation time and there was a trend towards improvement in life satisfaction and decrease in openness for experience after the yoga intervention. Comparing the first and second elevation time hostility was found to be higher in the pilates group compare to yoga group and comparing the second and third elevation time physical aggression was found to be higher in the control group compare to yoga group. Results revealed a significant decrease of transliminality after the second elevation time. There were no changes in spirituality in the yoga group after finishing the yoga course. It can be concluded that there was an effect of ashtanga vinyasa yoga on aggression at all; however, further research is needed

USE OF BISPECTRAL INDEX (BIS) FOR MONITORING OF SEDATION AND TOTAL INTRAVENOUS ANESTHESIA (TIVA) IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS UNDERGOING COLONOSCOPY

The objectives of this study were to determine whether there was a correlation between bispectral index (BIS) and Ramsey Sedation Scale (RSS) in regard to the type of sedation and total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) during colonoscopy procedures in children, and to assess the utility of ketamine and propofol combination (ketofol) for this kind of procedures at children’s age. In our prospective study, 40 ASA I-II patients, 3 to 17 years of age, were randomly divided into two groups of 20 patients each.   After premedication with atropine and midazolam, sedation was induced with propofol and fentanyl in Group PF, whereas in Group PK propofol and ketamine were used for induction. Both groups were further divided into two subgroups depending on whether anesthesia was maintained with intermittent doses or continuous infusion of propofol. Ketamine and/or fentanyl were administered as bolus doses. Heart rate (HR), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), RSS and BIS values of all patients were recorded every 5 minutes throughout the colonoscopy procedures.  The strongest degree of correlation between RSS and BIS existed when sedation or TIVA was maintained by the boluses of propofol and fentanyl. The use of ketamine significantly reduced the doses of propofol and fentanyl. BIS can be monitored in all pediatric patients in whom sedation and TIVA are administered during colonoscopy, but the effect of different anesthetics on the EEG signal should be considered in order to adequately assess the depth of sedation and anesthesia.Key words: awareness, monitoring, child, anesthetics, endoscop

All-trans retinoic acid influences viability, migration and adhesion of U251 glioblastoma cells

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most aggressive and deadly forms of cancer. Literature data reveals that all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has anticancer effects on different types of tumor cells. However, data about the effects of ATRA on glioblastoma cells are contradictory. In this study, we examined whether ATRA treatment affects features of human glioblastoma U251 cells. To that end, the cells were treated with different concentrations of ATRA. Results obtained by MTT and the crystal violet assays imply that ATRA affected the viability of U251 glioblastoma cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner. Fluorescence staining of microtubule cytoskeleton protein a-tubulin revealed that ATRA induced changes in cell morphology. Using semi-quantitative RT-PCR we found that the expression of SOX3 and GFAP genes, as markers of neural differentiation, was not changed upon ATRA treatment. Thus, the observed changes in cell morphology after ATRA treatment are not associated with neural differentiation of U251 glioblastoma cells. The scratch-wound healing assay revealed that ATRA changed the mode of U251 cell migration from collective to single cell motility. The cell-matrix adhesion assay demonstrated that the pharmacologically relevant concentration of ATRA lowered the cell-matrix adhesion capability of U251 cells. In conclusion, our results imply that further studies are needed before ATRA could be considered for the treatment of glioblastoma

The overexpression of SOX2 affects the migration of human teratocarcinoma cell line NT2/D1

The altered expression of the SOX2 transcription factor is associated with oncogenic or tumor suppressor functions in human cancers. This factor regulates the migration and invasion of different cancer cells. In this study we investigated the effect of constitutive SOX2 overexpression on the migration and adhesion capacity of embryonal teratocarcinoma NT2/D1 cells derived from a metastasis of a human testicular germ cell tumor. We detected that increased SOX2 expression changed the speed, mode and path of cell migration, but not the adhesion ability of NT2/D1 cells. Additionally, we demonstrated that SOX2 overexpression increased the expression of the tumor suppressor protein p53 and the HDM2 oncogene. Our results contribute to the better understanding of the effect of SOX2 on the behavior of tumor cells originating from a human testicular germ cell tumor. Considering that NT2/D1 cells resemble cancer stem cells in many features, our results could contribute to the elucidation of the role of SOX2 in cancer stem cells behavior and the process of metastasis

IMPACT OF IRRIGATION REGIME AND APPLICATION OF KAOLIN ON THE STOMATAL CONDUCTANCE AND LEAF WATER POTENTIAL OF PEPPER AND TOMATO

The effect of different irrigation regimes and the application of kaolin on stomatal conductance and leaf water potential of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), is discussed in the paper.The experiment was set up by a completely randomized block system with three replications. The peppers were observed in three, and tomatoes in two treatments of irrigation regimes. The kaolin treatments of both crops were: a) control without kaolin (C) and 5% kaolin suspension (K).The results of these studies show that the application of deficit irrigation treatments and kaolin treatment have no statistically significant effect on stomatal conductance and leaf water potential of pepper and tomato plants

Apigenin-7-o-glucoside versus apigenin: insight into the modes of anticandidal and cytotoxic actions

Bioactive potential of apigenin derivative apigenin-7-O-glucoside related to its antifungal activity on Candida spp. and cytotoxic effect on colon cancer cells was studied and compared with bioactive potential of apigenin. Antifungal activity was tested on 14 different isolates of Candida spp. using membrane permeability assay, measuring inhibition of reactive oxidative species and inhibition of CYP51 C. albicans enzyme. Cytotoxic potential of apigenin- 7-O-glucoside was tested on colon cancer HCT116 cells by measuring cell viability, apoptosis rate and apoptosis- and colon cancer-related gene expression. Obtained results indicated considerable antifungal activity of apigenin-7-O-glucoside towards all Candida isolates. Breakdown of C. albicans plasma membrane was achieved upon treatment with apigenin-7-O-glucoside for shorter period of time then with apigenin. Reduction of intra-and extracellular reactive oxidative species was achieved with minimum inhibitory concentrations of both compounds, suggesting that reactive oxidative species inhibition could be a mechanism of antifungal action. None of the compounds exhibited binding affinity to C. albicans CYP51 protein. Besides, apigenin-7-O-glucoside was more effective compared to apigenin in reduction of cell's viability and induction of cell death of HCT116 cells. Treatment with both compounds resulted in chromatin condensation, apoptotic bodies formation and apoptotic genes expression in HCT116 cells, but the apigenin-7-O-glucoside required a lower concentration to achieve the same effect. Compounds apigenin-7-O-glucoside and apigenin displayed prominent antifungal potential and cytotoxic effect on HCT116 cells. However, our results showed that apigenin-7-O-glucoside has more potent activity compared to apigenin in all assays that we used

Apigenin-7-O-glucoside versus apigenin

Bioactive potential of apigenin derivative apigenin-7-O-glucoside related to its antifungal activity on Candida spp. and cytotoxic effect on colon cancer cells was studied and compared with bioactive potential of apigenin. Antifungal activity was tested on 14 different isolates of Candida spp. using membrane permeability assay, measuring inhibition of reactive oxidative species and inhibition of CYP51 C. albicans enzyme. Cytotoxic potential of apigenin-7-O-glucoside was tested on colon cancer HCT116 cells by measuring cell viability, apoptosis rate and apoptosis- and colon cancer-related gene expression. Obtained results indicated considerable antifungal activity of apigenin-7-O-glucoside towards all Candida isolates. Breakdown of C. albicans plasma membrane was achieved upon treatment with apigenin-7-O-glucoside for shorter period of time then with apigenin. Reduction of intra- and extracellular reactive oxidative species was achieved with minimum inhibitory concentrations of both compounds, suggesting that reactive oxidative species inhibition could be a mechanism of antifungal action. None of the compounds exhibited binding affinity to C. albicans CYP51 protein. Besides, apigenin-7-O-glucoside was more effective compared to apigenin in reduction of cell’s viability and induction of cell death of HCT116 cells. Treatment with both compounds resulted in chromatin condensation, apoptotic bodies formation and apoptotic genes expression in HCT116 cells, but the apigenin-7-O-glucoside required a lower concentration to achieve the same effect. Compounds apigenin-7-O-glucoside and apigenin displayed prominent antifungal potential and cytotoxic effect on HCT116 cells. However, our results showed that apigenin-7-O-glucoside has more potent activity compared to apigenin in all assays that we used

Serum heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate concentrations in patients with newly diagnosed exfoliative glaucoma

Background Exfoliative glaucoma (XFG) is typically classified as a high-pressure type of secondary open-angle glaucoma that develops as a consequence of exfoliation syndrome (XFS). Exfoliation syndrome is an age-related, generalized disorder of the extracellular matrix characterized by production and progressive accumulation of a fibrillar exfoliation material (XFM) in intra- and extraocular tissues. Exfoliation material represents complex glycoprotein/proteoglycan structure composed of a protein core surrounded by glycosaminoglycans such as heparan sulfate (HS) and chondroitin sulfate (CS). The purpose of the present study was to investigate HS and CS concentrations in serum samples of patients with newly diagnosed XFG and compare the obtained values with those pertaining to newly diagnosed primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), normal controls (NC) and subjects with XFS. Methods This case–control study involved 165 subjects, including patients with newly diagnosed XFG, patients with newly diagnosed POAG, subjects with XFS and age- and sex-matched NC. The study was conducted at the Glaucoma Department of Clinic for Eye Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, as the referral center for glaucoma in Serbia. Results The mean age in the XFG, POAG, XFS and NC groups was 73.3 ± 9.0, 66.3 ± 7.8, 75.5 ± 7.0 and 73.5 ± 9.5 years, respectively, XFG vs. POAG, p < 0.001. Mean serum HS concentrations in the XFG, POAG, NC and XFS groups were 3,189.0 ± 1,473.8 ng/mL, 2,091.5 ± 940.9 ng/mL, 2,543.1 ± 1,397.3 ng/mL and 2,658.2 ± 1,426.8 ng/mL respectively, XFG vs. POAG, p = 0.001 and XFG vs. NC, p = 0.032. Mean serum CS concentrations in the XFG, POAG, NC and XFS group were 43.9 ± 20.7 ng/mL, 38.5 ± 22.0 ng/mL, 35.8 ± 16.4 ng/mL and 43.3 ± 21.8 ng/mL, respectively, XFG vs. NC, p = 0.041. Conclusions Our findings revealed greater HS and CS concentrations in XFG patients and XFS subjects compared to those without XFM. Implications of HS and CS in the pathophysiology of XFS and glaucoma should be studied further. Serum is easily accessible and should thus be explored as rich sources of potential biomarkers. Further research should aim to identify XFG biomarkers that could be utilized in routine blood analysis tests, aiding in timely disease diagnosis

Centrality and rapidity dependence of inclusive jet production in root(NN)-N-S=5.02 TeV proton-lead collisions with the ATLAS detector

Measurements of the centrality and rapidity dependence of inclusive jet production in root(NN)-N-S = 5.02 TeV proton-lead (p + Pb) collisions and the jet cross-section in root s = 2.76 TeV proton-proton collisions are presented. These quantities are measured in datasets corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 27.8 nb(-1) and 4.0 pb(-1), respectively, recorded with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider in 2013. The p + Pb collision centrality was characterised using the total transverse energy measured in the pseudorapidity interval -4.9 LT eta LT -3.2 in the direction of the lead beam. Results are presented for the double-differential per-collision yields as a function of jet rapidity and transverse momentum (p(T)) for minimum-bias and centrality-selected p + Pb collisions, and are compared to the jet rate from the geometric expectation. The total jet yield in minimum-bias events is slightly enhanced above the expectation in a p(T)-dependent manner but is consistent with the expectation within uncertainties. The ratios of jet spectra from different centrality selections show a strong modification of jet production at all p(T) at forward rapidities and for large pT at mid-rapidity, which manifests as a suppression of the jet yield in central events and an enhancement in peripheral events. These effects imply that the factorisation between hard and soft processes is violated at an unexpected level in proton-nucleus collisions. Furthermore, the modifications at forward rapidities are found to be a function of the total jet energy only, implying that the violations may have a simple dependence on the hard parton-parton kinematics. (C) 2015 CERN for the benefit of the ATLAS Collaboration. Published by Elsevier B.V