Supersymmetric AdS_4 black holes and attractors

Using the general recipe given in arXiv:0804.0009, where all timelike supersymmetric solutions of N=2, D=4 gauged supergravity coupled to abelian vector multiplets were classified, we construct the first examples of genuine supersymmetric black holes in AdS_4 with nonconstant scalar fields. This is done for various choices of the prepotential, amongst others for the STU model. These solutions permit to study the BPS attractor flow in AdS. We also determine the most general supersymmetric static near-horizon geometry and obtain the attractor equations in gauged supergravity. As a general feature we find the presence of flat directions in the black hole potential, i.e., generically the values of the moduli on the horizon are not completely specified by the charges. For one of the considered prepotentials, the resulting moduli space is determined explicitely. Still, in all cases, we find that the black hole entropy depends only on the charges, in agreement with the attractor mechanism.Comment: 25 pages, uses JHEP3.cl

Clinical relevance of nine transcriptional molecular markers for the diagnosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in tissue and saliva rinse

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Analysis of 23 published transcriptome studies allowed us to identify nine genes displaying frequent alterations in HNSCC (<it>FN1, MMP1, PLAU, SPARC</it>, <it>IL1RN, KRT4, KRT13, MAL</it>, and <it>TGM3</it>). We aimed to independently confirm these dysregulations and to identify potential relationships with clinical data for diagnostic, staging and prognostic purposes either at the tissue level or in saliva rinse.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>For a period of two years, we systematically collected tumor tissue, normal matched mucosa and saliva of patients diagnosed with primary untreated HNSCC. Expression levels of the nine genes of interest were measured by RT-qPCR in tumor and healthy matched mucosa from 46 patients. <it>MMP1 </it>expression level was measured by RT-qPCR in the salivary rinse of 51 HNSCC patients and 18 control cases.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Dysregulation of the nine genes was confirmed by the Wilcoxon test. <it>IL1RN, MAL </it>and <it>MMP1 </it>were the most efficient diagnostic markers of HNSCC, with ROC AUC > 0.95 and both sensitivity and specificity above 91%. No clinically relevant correlation was found between gene expression level in tumor and T stage, N stage, tumor grade, global survival or disease-free survival. Our preliminary results suggests that with 100% specificity, <it>MMP1 </it>detection in saliva rinse is potentially useful for non invasive diagnosis of HNSCC of the oral cavity or oropharynx, but technical improvement is needed since sensitivity was only 20%.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p><it>IL1RN, MAL </it>and <it>MMP1 </it>are prospective tumor diagnostic markers for HNSCC. <it>MMP1 </it>overexpression is the most promising marker, and its detection could help identify tumor cells in tissue or saliva.</p

The Nutritional Induction of COUP-TFII Gene Expression in Ventromedial Hypothalamic Neurons Is Mediated by the Melanocortin Pathway

BACKGROUND: The nuclear receptor chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor II (COUP-TFII) is an important coordinator of glucose homeostasis. We report, for the first time, a unique differential regulation of its expression by the nutritional status in the mouse hypothalamus compared to peripheral tissues. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps and insulinopenic mice, we show that insulin upregulates its expression in the hypothalamus. Immunofluorescence studies demonstrate that COUP-TFII gene expression is restricted to a subpopulation of ventromedial hypothalamic neurons expressing the melanocortin receptor. In GT1-7 hypothalamic cells, the MC4-R agonist MTII leads to a dose dependant increase of COUP-TFII gene expression secondarily to a local increase in cAMP concentrations. Transfection experiments, using a COUP-TFII promoter containing a functional cAMP responsive element, suggest a direct transcriptional activation by cAMP. Finally, we show that the fed state or intracerebroventricular injections of MTII in mice induce an increased hypothalamic COUP-TFII expression associated with a decreased hepatic and pancreatic COUP-TFII expression. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: These observations strongly suggest that hypothalamic COUP-TFII gene expression could be a central integrator of insulin and melanocortin signaling pathway within the ventromedial hypothalamus. COUP-TFII could play a crucial role in brain integration of circulating signal of hunger and satiety involved in energy balance regulation

OptCom: A Multi-Level Optimization Framework for the Metabolic Modeling and Analysis of Microbial Communities

Microorganisms rarely live isolated in their natural environments but rather function in consolidated and socializing communities. Despite the growing availability of high-throughput sequencing and metagenomic data, we still know very little about the metabolic contributions of individual microbial players within an ecological niche and the extent and directionality of interactions among them. This calls for development of efficient modeling frameworks to shed light on less understood aspects of metabolism in microbial communities. Here, we introduce OptCom, a comprehensive flux balance analysis framework for microbial communities, which relies on a multi-level and multi-objective optimization formulation to properly describe trade-offs between individual vs. community level fitness criteria. In contrast to earlier approaches that rely on a single objective function, here, we consider species-level fitness criteria for the inner problems while relying on community-level objective maximization for the outer problem. OptCom is general enough to capture any type of interactions (positive, negative or combinations thereof) and is capable of accommodating any number of microbial species (or guilds) involved. We applied OptCom to quantify the syntrophic association in a well-characterized two-species microbial system, assess the level of sub-optimal growth in phototrophic microbial mats, and elucidate the extent and direction of inter-species metabolite and electron transfer in a model microbial community. We also used OptCom to examine addition of a new member to an existing community. Our study demonstrates the importance of trade-offs between species- and community-level fitness driving forces and lays the foundation for metabolic-driven analysis of various types of interactions in multi-species microbial systems using genome-scale metabolic models

COVID–19 and Gaza: The Ideal Time to Establish a Medical Reserves of Public Health Preventive Medicine Specialists

Gaza is overpopulated, with 2.1 million people living within its 141–square mile landmass. It lacks an adequately staffed, sustainable, coordinated healthcare system to tend to its population’s needs. Ongoing conflict, lack of electricity and running water, and poor sanitation compound the issue. High rates of poverty and the ongoing land, air, and sea blockade also exacerbate the situation. This paper serves as a policy recommendation to create the Gaza Medical Reserves (Reserves), an organization of Public Health Preventive Medicine (PHPM) specialists (reservists) who would be trained in emergency and crisis care to provide aid during turmoil, war, epidemics, and pandemics, such as COVID–19. During non–crisis, peaceful times, reservists will provide primary care services currently unavailable in Gaza. They will target those who are most needy in underserved neighborhoods and refugee camps

COVID–19 and Gaza: The Ideal Time to Establish a Medical Reserves of Public Health Preventive Medicine Specialists

Gaza is overpopulated, with 2.1 million people living within its 141–square mile landmass. It lacks an adequately staffed, sustainable, coordinated healthcare system to tend to its population’s needs. Ongoing conflict, lack of electricity and running water, and poor sanitation compound the issue. High rates of poverty and the ongoing land, air, and sea blockade also exacerbate the situation. This paper serves as a policy recommendation to create the Gaza Medical Reserves (Reserves), an organization of Public Health Preventive Medicine (PHPM) specialists (reservists) who would be trained in emergency and crisis care to provide aid during turmoil, war, epidemics, and pandemics, such as COVID–19. During non–crisis, peaceful times, reservists will provide primary care services currently unavailable in Gaza. They will target those who are most needy in underserved neighborhoods and refugee camps.</p

Fifty Muslim-majority countries have fewer COVID-19 cases and deaths than the 50 richest non-Muslim countries

Objective To determine the difference in the total number of COVID-19 cases and deaths between Muslim-majority and non-Muslim countries, and investigate reasons for the disparities. All Muslim-majority countries are considered partly or completely not free (in war), and 80% are LMICs (low- and middle-income countries). Methods The 50 Muslim-majority countries have more than 50.0% Muslims with an average of 87.5% Muslims. The non-Muslim country sample consisted of 50 countries with highest GDP while omitting any Muslim-majority countries listed. Their average percentage of Muslims was 4.7%. All data was pulled on September 18, 2020. To measure incidence of COVID-19, three different Average Treatment Methods (ATE) were used to validate the results. Results Non-Muslim countries had significantly more COVID-19 cases, 3-times that of Muslim-majority countries. Non-Muslim countries had 1.86-times more COVID-19 deaths than Muslim-majority countries. These percentages were obtained by applying the simulation method to ATE’s results. Conclusion Despite most Muslim-majority countries being poor and all considered partly or completely unfree, 34/50 (68%) countries had shown a decline in active COVID-19 cases. This study shows that Muslims’ practice of tahara (purity or cleanliness) is similar to many COVID-19 containment measures and tawakkul (trust in Allah) helps them remain resilient and hopeful during difficult unpredictable times, such as living through a pandemic. Developed countries can benefit from the knowledge learned in this study. Research should be conducted with Muslims in Muslim-majority and non-Muslim countries to further study the health benefits of adhering to Islamic practices, principles, and beliefs

Fifty Muslim-majority countries have fewer COVID-19 cases and deaths than the 50 richest non-Muslim countries

ObjectiveTo determine the difference in the total number of COVID-19 cases and deaths between Muslim-majority and non-Muslim countries, and investigate reasons for the disparities. All Muslim-majority countries are considered partly or completely not free (in war), and 80% are LMICs (low- and middle-income countries). MethodsThe 50 Muslim-majority countries have more than 50.0% Muslims with an average of 87.5% Muslims. The non-Muslim country sample consisted of 50 countries with highest GDP while omitting any Muslim-majority countries listed. Their average percentage of Muslims was 4.7%. All data was pulled on September 18, 2020. To measure incidence of COVID-19, three different Average Treatment Methods (ATE) were used to validate the results. ResultsNon-Muslim countries had significantly more COVID-19 cases, 3-times that of Muslim-majority countries. Non-Muslim countries had 1.86-times more COVID-19 deaths than Muslim-majority countries. These percentages were obtained by applying the simulation method to ATE’s results.ConclusionDespite most Muslim-majority countries being poor and all considered partly or completely unfree, 34/50 (68%) countries had shown a decline in active COVID-19 cases. This study shows that Muslims’ practice of tahara (purity or cleanliness) is similar to many COVID-19 containment measures and tawakkul (trust in Allah) helps them remain resilient and hopeful during difficult unpredictable times, such as living through a pandemic. Developed countries can benefit from the knowledge learned in this study. Research should be conducted with Muslims in Muslim-majority and non-Muslim countries to further study the health benefits of adhering to Islamic practices, principles, and beliefs.</p

Muslim-majority Countries Have Fewer COVID-19 Cases and Deaths: A Cross-country Analysis of 165 Countries During the 3 Global Peak Dates in 2020-2021

Objective To determine the difference in the total number of COVID-19 cases and deaths between Muslim-majority and non-Muslim countries, and investigate reasons for anydisparities. Methods A cross-country panel analysis of the total number of new COVID-19 cases per million for 165 countries was conducted from May 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021. Regression models of the total number of COVID-19 cases and deaths per million were created for the 3 global peak dates of July 31, 2020 and January 7 and April 29, 2021.  Results The number of daily new COVID-19 cases per million was signficantly less in Muslim-majority countries (N = 49) than non-Muslim countries (N=116), SD 1.57E-1, p-value &lt;0.001 from May 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021. Total number of cases per million of Muslim-majority countries was significantly less on July 31st: 0.089, p-value &lt;0.001; January 7th: SD 0.012, p-value 0.04; April 29th: SD 0.009, p-value &lt;0.01. Total number of deaths per million of Muslim-majority countries was also significantly less on July 31st: 0.510, p-value 0.009; January 7th: SD 0.090, p-value &lt;0.001; April 29th: SD 0.065, p-value 0.03. Discussion The data suggests a relationship between Islamic practices and the incidence of COVID-19 and COVID-19 related deaths. This study explored how that Muslims’ practice of tahara (purity or cleanliness) is similar to many COVID-19 containment measures and tawakkul (trust in Allah) helps them remain resilient and hopeful during difficult unpredictable times, such as living through a pandemic. Conclusion It is hoped that this paper brings awareness to the positive practices of the Islamic faith as it relates to COVID-19, and to population and individual health. Research should be conducted with Muslims in Muslim-majority and non-Muslim countries to further study the relationship between Islam and health.</jats:p