Discovering SUSY in the first LHC run

4 páginas, 1 figura.-- Trabajo presentado a la Fifth Conference on Physics at LHC celebrada en Hamburgo (Alemania) del 7 al 12 de junio de 2010.We analyze the potential of the first LHC physics run, assuming 1 fb−1 at ps = 7 TeV, to discover Supersymmetry (SUSY). The results are based on SUSY parameter fits following a frequentist approach. They include the experimental constraints from electroweak precision data, (g − 2)μ, B physics and cosmological data. The two SUSY models under consideration are the constrained MSSM (CMSSM) with universal soft supersymmetry-breaking mass parameters, and a model with common non-universal Higgs mass parameters in the superpotential (NUHM1). We find that large parts of the regions preferred at the 68% C.L. are accessible to early LHC running.Work supported in part by the European Community’s Marie-Curie Research Training Network under contract MRTN-CT-2006-035505 ‘Tools and Precision Calculations for Physics Discoveries at Colliders’ (HEPTOOLS).Peer reviewe

Fibrin gel - advantages of a new scaffold in cardiovascular tissue engineering

Objective: The field of tissue engineering deals with the creation of tissue structures based on patient cells. The scaffold plays a central role in the creation of 3-D structures in cardiovascular tissue engineering like small vessels or heart valve prosthesis. An ideal scaffold should have tissue-like mechanical properties and a complete immunologic integrity. As an alternative scaffold the use of fibrin gel was investigated. Methods: Preliminary, the degradation of the fibrin gel was controlled by the supplementation of aprotinin to the culture medium. To prevent tissue from shrinking a mechanical fixation of the gel with 3-D microstructure culture plates and a chemical fixation with poly-l-lysine in different fixation techniques were studied. The thickness of the gel layer was changed from 1 to 3 mm. The tissue development was analysed by light, transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Collagen production was detected by the measurement of hydroxyproline. Injection molding techniques were designed for the formation of complex 3-D tissue structures. Results: The best tissue development was observed at an aprotinin concentration of 20 μg per cc culture medium. The chemical border fixation of the gel by poly-l-lysine showed the best tissue development. Up to a thickness of 3 mm no nutrition problems were observed in the light and transmission electron microscopy. The molding of a simplified valve conduit was possible by the newly developed molding technique. Conclusion: Fibrin gel combines a number of important properties of an ideal scaffold. It can be produced as a complete autologous scaffold. It is moldable and degradation is controllable by the use of aprotini

Identification of a Blood-Based Protein Biomarker Panel for Lung Cancer Detection

Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer worldwide, mainly due to its advanced stage at the time of diagnosis. A non-invasive method for its early detection remains mandatory to improve patients’ survival. Plasma levels of 351 proteins were quantified by Liquid Chromatography-Parallel Reaction Monitoring (LC-PRM)-based mass spectrometry in 128 lung cancer patients and 93 healthy donors. Bootstrap sampling and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) penalization were used to find the best protein combination for outcome prediction. The PanelomiX platform was used to select the optimal biomarker thresholds. The panel was validated in 48 patients and 49 healthy volunteers. A 6-protein panel clearly distinguished lung cancer from healthy individuals. The panel displayed excellent performance: area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) = 0.999, positive predictive value (PPV) = 0.992, negative predictive value (NPV) = 0.989, specificity = 0.989 and sensitivity = 0.992. The panel detected lung cancer independently of the disease stage. The 6-protein panel and other sub-combinations displayed excellent results in the validation dataset. In conclusion, we identified a blood-based 6-protein panel as a diagnostic tool in lung cancer. Used as a routine test for high- and average-risk individuals, it may complement currently adopted techniques in lung cancer screening.publishedVersio

Headache as initial presentation of human chronic necrotizing granulomatous meningoencephalitis: A rare case report

Chronic necrotizing granulomatous meningoencephalitis is an idiopathic inflammatory disease with possible autoimmune mediated delayed type hypersensitivity response. It commonly affects the central nervous system of dogs, and on rare occasions cats. However, this inflammatory disease has rarely been reported in humans. A 69-year-old woman presented with subacute intermittent sharp headaches. Brain MRI revealed multifocal enhancing lesions and edema as well as multifocal signal abnormality throughout the supratentorial and infratentorial parenchyma. Cerebrospinal fluid showed elevated opening pressure, pleocytosis, and elevated protein. MRA head, MRV head, cerebral angiogram, extensive serum and CSF work up for infectious and autoimmune etiologies were also unremarkable. Brain biopsy revealed necrotizing granulomatous inflammation with dystrophic calcification. High dose of methylprednisolone followed by a 6-week prednisone taper resolved her headache and the brain MRI abnormalities. This case demonstrates the response of necrotizing granulomatous meningoencephalitis in humans to steroids

Lance-Adams syndrome: Case series and literature review

Lance-Adams Syndrome (LAS) is an incredibly rare complication of successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). It is a form of posthypoxic myoclonus characterized by action or intention myoclonus developing days to months after an hypoxic insult to the brain. LAS, especially early in a patient's clinical course, can be challenging to diagnose. In this case series, all of the patients presented after achieving return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and subsequently developed myoclonus. Electroencephalogram (EEG) findings later showed changes consistent with LAS in all 5 patients. Our cases highlight the EEG characteristics that can be seen in LAS, which can aid in the diagnosis of LAS, as well as long term treatment outcomes of the LAS. We also reviewed the available literature to better understand the prevalence, mechanism, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of LAS