Lepton Flavour Violation in charged leptons within SUSY-seesaw

In this paper we review our main results for Lepton Flavour Violating (LFV) semileptonic tau decays and muon-electron conversion in nuclei within the context of two Constrained SUSY-Seesaw Models, the CMSSM and the NUHM. The relevant spectrum is that of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model extended by three right handed neutrinos, $\nu_{R_i}$ and their corresponding SUSY partners, ${\tilde \nu}_{R_i}$, ($i=1,2,3$). We use the seesaw mechanism for neutrino mass generation and choose a parameterisation of this mechanism that allows us to incorporate the neutrino data in our analysis of LFV processes. In addition to the full one-loop results for the rates of these processes, we will also review the set of simple formulas, valid at large $\tan \beta$, which are very useful to compare with present experimental bounds. The sensitivity to SUSY and Higgs sectors in these processes will also be discussed. This is a very short summary of the works in Refs. \cite{Arganda:2008jj} and \cite{Arganda:2007jw} to which we refer the reader for more details.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures. To be published in the proceedings of the Tau08 Conference, Novosibirsk, Russia, 22-25 September 200

Extracellular vesicles-based biomarkers represent a promising liquid biopsy in endometrial cancer

Tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are secreted in large amounts into biological fluids of cancer patients. The analysis of EVs cargoes has been associated with patient´s outcome and response to therapy. However, current technologies for EVs isolation are tedious and low cost-e cient for routine clinical implementation. To explore the clinical value of circulating EVs analysis we attempted a proof-of-concept in endometrial cancer (EC) with ExoGAG, an easy to use and highly e cient new technology to enrich EVs. Technical performance was first evaluated using EVs secreted by Hec1A cells. Then, the clinical value of this strategy was questioned by analyzing the levels of two well-known tissue biomarkers in EC, L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) and Annexin A2 (ANXA2), in EVs purified from plasma in a cohort of 41 EC patients and 20 healthy controls. The results demonstrated the specific content of ANXA2 in the purified EVs fraction, with an accurate sensitivity and specificity for EC diagnosis. Importantly, high ANXA2 levels in circulating EVs were associated with high risk of recurrence and non-endometrioid histology suggesting a potential value as a prognostic biomarker in EC. These results also confirmed ExoGAG technology as a robust technique for the clinical implementation of circulating EVs analysesThis research was funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III, grant PI17/01919, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), and by Fundación Científica de la Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (AECC), Grupos Clínicos Coordinados 2018. Carolina Herrero is supported by a predoctoral i-PFIS fellowship from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (IFI17/00047); Laura Muinelo is supported by Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (AECC)

Study of the therapeutic effects of an advanced hippotherapy simulator in children with cerebral palsy: a randomised controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although hippotherapy treatment has been demonstrated to have therapeutic effects on children with cerebral palsy, the samples used in research studies have been very small. In the case of hippotherapy simulators, there are no studies that either recommend or advise against their use in the treatment of children with cerebral palsy. The aim of this randomised clinical study is to analyse the therapeutic effects or the contraindications of the use of a commercial hippotherapy simulator on several important factors relating to children with cerebral palsy such as their motor development, balance control in the sitting posture, hip abduction range of motion and electromyographic activity of adductor musculature.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>The study is a randomised controlled trial. It will be carried out with a sample of 37 children with cerebral palsy divided into two treatment groups. Eligible participants will be randomly allocated to receive either (a) Treatment Group with hippotherapy simulator, maintaining sitting posture, with legs in abduction and rhythmic movement of the simulator or (b) Treatment Group maintaining sitting posture, with legs in abduction and without rhythmic movement of the simulator. Data collection and analysis: all measurements will be carried out by a specially trained blind assessor. To ensure standardization quality of the assessors, an inter-examiner agreement will be worked out at the start of the study. The trial is funded by the Department of Research, Innovation and Development of the Regional Government of Aragon (Official Bulletin of Aragon 23 July 2007), project number PM059/2007.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Interest in this project is due to the following factors: Clinical originality (there are no previous studies analysing the effect of simulators on the population group of children with CP, nor any studies using as many variables as this project); Clinical impact (infantile cerebral palsy is a chronic multisystemic condition that affects not only the patient but also the patient's family and their close circle of friends); Practical benefits (the development of an effective treatment is very important for introducing this element into the rehabilitation of these children).</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN03663478.</p

Comprehensive time series analysis of the transiting extrasolar planet WASP-33b

HD 15082 (WASP-33) is the hottest and fastest rotating star known to harbor a transiting extrasolar planet (WASP-33b). The lack of high precision radial velocity (RV) data stresses the need for precise light curve analysis and gathering further RV data. By using available photometric and RV data, we perform a blend analysis, compute more accurate system parameters, confine the planetary mass and attempt to cast light on the observed transit anomalies. We combine the original HATNet observations and various followup data to jointly analyze the signal content and extract the transit component and use our RV data to aid the global parameter determination. The blend analysis of the combination of multicolor light curves yields the first independent confirmation of the planetary nature of WASP-33b. We clearly identify three frequency components in the 15-21 1/day regime with amplitudes 7-5 mmag. These frequencies correspond to the delta Scuti-type pulsation of the host star. None of these pulsation frequencies or their low-order linear combinations are in close resonance with the orbital frequency. We show that these pulsation components explain some but not all of the observed transit anomalies. The grand-averaged transit light curve shows that there is a ~1.5 mmag brightening shortly after the planet passes the mid-transit phase. Although the duration and amplitude of this brightening varies, it is visible even through the direct inspections of the individual transit events (some 40-60% of the followup light curves show this phenomenon). We suggest that the most likely explanation of this feature is the presence of a well-populated spot belt which is highly inclined to the orbital plane. This geometry is consistent with the inference from the spectroscopic anomalies. Finally, we constrain the planetary mass to M_p=3.27+/-0.73 M_J by using our RV data collected by the TRES spectrograph.Comment: 16 pages, 15 figures, 7 tables, submitted to A&

High School Research Work and Geology dissemination: FORCES Project (UB)

X Congreso Geológico de España, 5-7 Julio 2021, Vitoria - GasteizEl Trabajo de Investigación de Bachillerato es una de las herramientas de divulgación y enseñanza de las Ciencias de la Tierra para alumnos preuniversitarios interesados en esta ciencia. La potenciación desde la Universidad hacia los centros educativos de Enseñanza Secundaria de la transferencia del conocimiento científico en el ámbito de la Geología, así como de otras ciencias, es el eje principal que se presenta en el Proyecto FORCES (Foment de la Recerca en els Centres de Secundària; http:// www.ub.edu/cere/forces/). Desde el Instituto de Desarrollo Profesional de la Universitat de Barcelona (UB) se han creado puentes entre facultades de la UB y dichos centros educativos, presentándose el caso de la Facultat de Ciències de la Terra. En FORCES se facilitan las herramientas para vincular el Trabajo de Investigación obligatorio de Bachillerato; el estudiante cuenta con el apoyo de su tutor y con el seguimiento de uno o varios profesores-investigadores del ámbito universitario. Ello amplia el marco de trabajo del alumno y le ofrece focos de interés no disponibles en los centros de Educación Secundaria, abriendo la posibilidad de colaboraciones científicas con el grupo investigador y disponer de sus herramientas, conocimientos e instrumental. Unir a la docencia universitaria la experiencia del contacto con futuros estudiantes enriquece la visión del profesorado, al situarlo en el punto de vista del estudiante de bachillerato, facilitando la comunicación de conocimientos e incorporando nuevas metodologías didácticas. Los temas geológicos tratados son amplios, teniendo como eje común la visión geológica de procesos cotidianos o próximos al alumno de Bachillerato.The High School Research Work is one of the tools of dissemination and teaching of Earth Sciences to pre-university students. The strengthening from the University to Secondary School of the transfer of scientific knowledge in the field of Geology, as well as other sciences, is the aim of the FORCES Project (Promotion of Research in High Schools; http://www.ub.edu/cere/ forces/). The Professional Development Institute (IDP-ICE) of the University of Barcelona (UB) has forged close ties between these educational centers and the different faculties of the UB, including the Faculty of Earth Sciences. FORCES provides the necessary tools to link the compulsory Research Work of the Baccalaureate students, so that the student not only has the support of his advisor, but also the follow-up of one or several professors and/or researchers. This broadens the student’s work frame and helps her/him focusing on possible areas not achievable in the context of Secondary School centers, such as establishing scientific collaborations with university research groups and thus using their tools, knowledge and analytical instruments. On the other hand, meeting prospective students enriches the professors’ vision by placing it in the mind of the High School student, improving the communication of knowledge in a more meaningful way and incorporating new teaching methodologies. Geological topics addressed are broad, having as a common thread the geological vision of everyday processes or scientific issues close to the Baccalaureate student’s daily life

SUSY-QCD corrections to the MSSM h0bbˉh^0 b \bar b vertex in the decoupling limit

We analyze the supersymmetric (SUSY) QCD contribution to the $h^0 b \bar{b}$ coupling at one loop in the Minimal Supersymmetric Model (MSSM) in the decoupling limit. Analytic expressions in the large SUSY mass region are derived and the decoupling behavior of the corrections is examined in various limiting cases, where some or all of the SUSY mass parameters become large. We show that in the decoupling limit of large SUSY mass parameters and large CP-odd Higgs mass, the $h^0 b \bar b$ coupling approaches its Standard Model value at one loop. However, the onset of decoupling is delayed when $\tan\beta$ is large. In addition, the one-loop SUSY-QCD corrections decouple if the masses of either the bottom squarks or the gluino are separately taken large; although the approach to decoupling is significantly slower in the latter case.Comment: 27 pages, 7 figures and 1 table in LaTeX2e format; with a few minor changes and updated reference

Sarilumab in patients admitted to hospital with severe or critical COVID-19: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial

Background: Elevated proinflammatory cytokines are associated with greater COVID-19 severity. We aimed to assess safety and efficacy of sarilumab, an interleukin-6 receptor inhibitor, in patients with severe (requiring supplemental oxygen by nasal cannula or face mask) or critical (requiring greater supplemental oxygen, mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal support) COVID-19. Methods: We did a 60-day, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multinational phase 3 trial at 45 hospitals in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Russia, and Spain. We included adults (≥18 years) admitted to hospital with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and pneumonia, who required oxygen supplementation or intensive care. Patients were randomly assigned (2:2:1 with permuted blocks of five) to receive intravenous sarilumab 400 mg, sarilumab 200 mg, or placebo. Patients, care providers, outcome assessors, and investigators remained masked to assigned intervention throughout the course of the study. The primary endpoint was time to clinical improvement of two or more points (seven point scale ranging from 1 [death] to 7 [discharged from hospital]) in the modified intention-to-treat population. The key secondary endpoint was proportion of patients alive at day 29. Safety outcomes included adverse events and laboratory assessments. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04327388; EudraCT, 2020-001162-12; and WHO, U1111-1249-6021. Findings: Between March 28 and July 3, 2020, of 431 patients who were screened, 420 patients were randomly assigned and 416 received placebo (n=84 [20%]), sarilumab 200 mg (n=159 [38%]), or sarilumab 400 mg (n=173 [42%]). At day 29, no significant differences were seen in median time to an improvement of two or more points between placebo (12·0 days [95% CI 9·0 to 15·0]) and sarilumab 200 mg (10·0 days [9·0 to 12·0]; hazard ratio [HR] 1·03 [95% CI 0·75 to 1·40]; log-rank p=0·96) or sarilumab 400 mg (10·0 days [9·0 to 13·0]; HR 1·14 [95% CI 0·84 to 1·54]; log-rank p=0·34), or in proportions of patients alive (77 [92%] of 84 patients in the placebo group; 143 [90%] of 159 patients in the sarilumab 200 mg group; difference −1·7 [−9·3 to 5·8]; p=0·63 vs placebo; and 159 [92%] of 173 patients in the sarilumab 400 mg group; difference 0·2 [−6·9 to 7·4]; p=0·85 vs placebo). At day 29, there were numerical, non-significant survival differences between sarilumab 400 mg (88%) and placebo (79%; difference +8·9% [95% CI −7·7 to 25·5]; p=0·25) for patients who had critical disease. No unexpected safety signals were seen. The rates of treatment-emergent adverse events were 65% (55 of 84) in the placebo group, 65% (103 of 159) in the sarilumab 200 mg group, and 70% (121 of 173) in the sarilumab 400 mg group, and of those leading to death 11% (nine of 84) were in the placebo group, 11% (17 of 159) were in the sarilumab 200 mg group, and 10% (18 of 173) were in the sarilumab 400 mg group. Interpretation: This trial did not show efficacy of sarilumab in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 and receiving supplemental oxygen. Adequately powered trials of targeted immunomodulatory therapies assessing survival as a primary endpoint are suggested in patients with critical COVID-19. Funding: Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

Early life risk factors and their cumulative effects as predictors of overweight in Spanish children

Objectives: To explore early life risk factors of overweight/obesity at age 6 years and their cumulative effects on overweight/obesity at ages 2, 4 and 6 years. Methods: Altogether 1031 Spanish children were evaluated at birth and during a 6-year follow-up. Early life risk factors included: parental overweight/obesity, parental origin/ethnicity, maternal smoking during pregnancy, gestational weight gain, gestational age, birth weight, caesarean section, breastfeeding practices and rapid infant weight gain collected via hospital records. Cumulative effects were assessed by adding up those early risk factors that significantly increased the risk of overweight/obesity. We conducted binary logistic regression models. Results: Rapid infant weight gain (OR 2.29, 99% CI 1.54–3.42), maternal overweight/obesity (OR 1.93, 99% CI 1.27–2.92), paternal overweight/obesity (OR 2.17, 99% CI 1.44–3.28), Latin American/Roma origin (OR 3.20, 99% CI 1.60–6.39) and smoking during pregnancy (OR 1.61, 99% CI 1.01–2.59) remained significant after adjusting for confounders. A higher number of early life risk factors accumulated was associated with overweight/obesity at age 6 years but not at age 2 and 4 years. Conclusions: Rapid infant weight gain, parental overweight/obesity, maternal smoking and origin/ethnicity predict childhood overweight/obesity and present cumulative effects. Monitoring children with rapid weight gain and supporting a healthy parental weight are important for childhood obesity prevention