Update of the Unitarity Triangle Analysis

We present the update of the Unitarity Triangle (UT) analysis within the Standard Model (SM) and beyond. Within the SM, combining the direct measurements on sides and angles, the UT turns out to be overconstraint in a consistent way, showing that the CKM matrix is the dominant source of flavour mixing and CP-violation and that New Physics (NP) effects can appear at most as small corrections to the CKM picture. Generalizing the UT analysis to investigate NP effects, constraints on b -> s transitions are also included and both CKM and NP parameters are fitted simultaneously. While no evidence of NP effects is found in K-\bar K and B_d-\bar B_d mixing, in the B_s-\bar B_s mixing an hint of NP is found at the 2.9 \sigma level. The UT analysis beyond the SM also allows us to derive bounds on the coefficients of the most general \Delta F=2 effective Hamiltonian, that can be translated into bounds on the NP scale.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures. Talk at PANIC08 (International Conference on Particles and Nuclei), Eilat, Israel, 9-14 November 2008. Added referenc

Ethyl acetate extract from Cistus x incanus L. leaves enriched in myricetin and quercetin derivatives, inhibits inflammatory mediators and activates Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.

Abstract Cistus x incanus L. is a Mediterranean evergreen shrub used in folk medicine for the treatment of inflammatory disorders but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. We therefore investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of an ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) from C. x incanus L. leaves on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. HPLC analysis revealed myricetin and quercetin derivatives to be the major compounds in EAF; EAF up to 1 µM of total phenolic content, was not cytotoxic and inhibited the mRNA expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) (p < 0.05) and the production of prostaglandins E2 (PGE2) (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, EAF triggered the mRNA expression of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and elicited the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), as well as the expression of its main target gene, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) (p < 0.05). These data indicate that EAF attenuates experimental inflammation via the inhibition of proinflammatory mediators and at least in part, by the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. These effects are likely due to myricetin and quercetin derivatives but the role of other, less abundant components cannot be excluded. Further studies to confirm the relevance of our findings in animal models and to highlight the relative contribution of each component to the anti-inflammatory activity of EAF should be conducted

Short versus standard treatment with pegylated interferon alfa-2A plus ribavirin in patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 2 or 3: the cleo trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2 or 3, 24 weeks' treatment with pegylated interferon alfa (PEG-IFN-alpha) and ribavirin induces a sustained virological response (SVR) in almost 80% of cases. Evidence suggests that a similar response rate may be obtained with shorter treatment periods, especially in patients with a rapid virological response (RVR). The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of 12 or 24 weeks of treatment in patients with chronic HCV genotype 2 or 3 and to identify patients suitable for 12 weeks treatment.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Two hundred and ten patients received PEG-IFN-alpha-2a (180 ug/week) and ribavirin (800-1200 mg/day) for 4 weeks. Patients with a RVR (HCV RNA not detectable) were randomized (1:1) to either 12 (group A1) or 24 (group A2) weeks of combination therapy. Patients without a RVR continued with 24-weeks' combination therapy (group B). HCV RNA was monitored at weeks 4, 8, 12, and 24, and at week 24 post-treatment.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>At study end, end of treatment response (ETR) was observed in 62 (86%) patients of group A1 and in 55 (77%) patients of group A2 (p < 0.05) Relapse rate was 3% each in groups A1 and A2, and 6% in group B. Among patients with a HCVRNA test 24 weeks after the end of treatment, SVR was observed in 60 (83%) of group A1 patients and in 53 (75%) of group A2 patients. Rapid virological response, low baseline HCV RNA levels, elevated alanine aminotransferase levels and low fibrosis score, were the strongest covariates associated with SVR, independent of HCV genotype. No baseline characteristic was associated with relapse.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In HCV patients with genotype 2 or 3, 12-week combination therapy is as efficacious as 24-week therapy and several independent covariates were predictive of SVR.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Trial number ISRCTN29259563</p

<i>Imparfinis mishky</i> (Siluriformes, Heptapteridae) a new species from the ríos Paraná and Uruguay basins in Argentina

Imparfinis mishky sp. n. is described from the río Paraná and río Uruguay basins in Argentina. Imparfinis mishky sp. n. is distinguished from other species of the genus by the following combination of characters: pectoral-fin spine with smooth anterior and posterior margins; caudal fin deeply forked with dorsal lobe longer than ventral lobe; adipose fin not reaching caudal fin; body with six dark saddles across the dorsum, and without a mid-lateral band. It was found inhabiting well oxygenated, neutral pH, flowing waters, with sandy or cobble covered bottom.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Recuperando tu sonrisa : Prevención y atención de enfermedades bucales en pacientes con capacidades diferentes

La finalidad del proyecto surge en relación a la necesidad de buscar recursos para mejorar y mantener la salud bucal de los 50 concurrentes del Centro de Día Mama que comprenden edades desde los 8 a 60 años y presentan problemas motores y cognoscitivos. Estos pacientes realizan durante las 8 horas diarias que asisten, actividades recreativas, formativas, artísticas, control asistencial, musicoterapia, talleres de teatro, plástica, música que favorecen a la integración. Ahí mismo reciben el desayuno, almuerzo y la merienda.Facultad de Odontologí

Recuperando tu sonrisa : Prevención y atención de enfermedades bucales en pacientes con capacidades diferentes

La finalidad del proyecto surge en relación a la necesidad de buscar recursos para mejorar y mantener la salud bucal de los 50 concurrentes del Centro de Día Mama que comprenden edades desde los 8 a 60 años y presentan problemas motores y cognoscitivos. Estos pacientes realizan durante las 8 horas diarias que asisten, actividades recreativas, formativas, artísticas, control asistencial, musicoterapia, talleres de teatro, plástica, música que favorecen a la integración. Ahí mismo reciben el desayuno, almuerzo y la merienda.Facultad de Odontologí

Recuperando tu sonrisa : Prevención y atención de enfermedades bucales en pacientes con capacidades diferentes

La finalidad del proyecto surge en relación a la necesidad de buscar recursos para mejorar y mantener la salud bucal de los 50 concurrentes del Centro de Día Mama que comprenden edades desde los 8 a 60 años y presentan problemas motores y cognoscitivos. Estos pacientes realizan durante las 8 horas diarias que asisten, actividades recreativas, formativas, artísticas, control asistencial, musicoterapia, talleres de teatro, plástica, música que favorecen a la integración. Ahí mismo reciben el desayuno, almuerzo y la merienda.Facultad de Odontologí

Minimal Flavour Violation Waiting for Precise Measurements of Delta M_s, S_{psi phi}, A^s_SL, |V_ub|, gamma and B^0_{s,d} -> mu+ mu-

We emphasize that the recent measurements of the B^0_s - bar B^0_s mass difference Delta M_s by the CDF and D0 collaborations offer an important model independent test of minimal flavour violation (MFV). The improved measurements of the angle gamma in the unitarity triangle and of |V_ub| from tree level decays, combined with future accurate measurements of Delta M_s, S_{psi K_S}, S_{psi phi}, Br(B_{d,s} -> mu+ mu-), Br(B -> X_{d,s} nu bar nu), Br(K+ -> pi+ nu bar nu) and Br(K_L -> pi^0 nu bar nu) and improved values of the relevant non-perturbative parameters, will allow to test the MFV hypothesis in a model independent manner to a high accuracy. In particular, the difference between the reference unitarity triangle obtained from tree level processes and the universal unitarity triangle (UUT) in MFV models would signal either new flavour violating interactions and/or new local operators that are suppressed in MFV models with low tan(beta), with the former best tested through S_{psi phi} and K_L -> pi^0 nu bar nu. A brief discussion of non-MFV scenarios is also given. In this context we identify in the recent literature a relative sign error between Standard Model and new physics contributions to S_{psi phi}, that has an impact on the correlation between S_{psi phi} and A^s_SL. We point out that the ratios S_{psi phi}/A^s_SL and (Delta M_s)/(Delta Gamma_s) will allow to determine (Delta M_s)/(Delta M_s)^SM. Similar proposals for the determination of (Delta M_d)/(Delta M_d)^SM are also given.Comment: 22 pages, 8 figures, 1 table. Extended discussion of the correlation between S_{psi phi} and A^s_SL and new proposals to determine Delta M_q/(Delta M_q)^SM from future measurements, with respect to the first version. Minor changes and few references adde

Recuperando tu sonrisa, 2ª parte : Atención primaria de la salud y cuidados preventivos bucales en pacientes con capacidades diferentes

Objetivo general del proyecto: Brindar atención primaria de la salud bucal y cuidados preventivos y curativos en pacientes con discapacidad.Facultad de Odontologí

Recuperando tu sonrisa, 2ª parte : Atención primaria de la salud y cuidados preventivos bucales en pacientes con capacidades diferentes

Objetivo general del proyecto: Brindar atención primaria de la salud bucal y cuidados preventivos y curativos en pacientes con discapacidad.Facultad de Odontologí