Thermal Unparticles: A New Form of Energy Density in the Universe

Unparticle \U with scaling dimension d_\U has peculiar thermal properties due to its unique phase space structure. We find that the equation of state parameter \omega_\U, the ratio of pressure to energy density, is given by 1/(2d_\U +1) providing a new form of energy in our universe. In an expanding universe, the unparticle energy density \rho_\U(T) evolves dramatically differently from that for photons. For d_\U >1, even if \rho_\U(T_D) at a high decoupling temperature $T_D$ is very small, it is possible to have a large relic density \rho_\U(T^0_\gamma) at present photon temperature $T^0_\gamma$, large enough to play the role of dark matter. We calculate $T_D$ and \rho_\U(T^0_\gamma) using photon-unparticle interactions for illustration.Comment: 5 pages; v3, journal version

ALTERAÇÕES MORFOLÓGICAS DE LEUCÓCITOS E TROMBÓCITOS SANGUÍNEOS EM Piaractus mesopotamicus DURANTE A SEPSE

Sepsis is defined as organ dysfunction with high mortality. During this process, the hematological system plays a critical role. Thus, the work aimed to analyze the morphological changes in the leukogram and thrombogram by the indirect method in the course of sepsis in Piaractus mesopotamicus. For this, 98 pacus were used, divided into two groups, one received 0.5 ml of sterile 0.65% sodium chloride solution (control) and the other received the same volume containing the bacterial inoculum (1.8 x 108 CFU/ml – challenge). To assess such changes in the evolution of sepsis, blood samples were collected from fish 1, 3, 6 and 9 hours after inoculation and in the control group (n = 10). One aliquot of the blood was used for blood culture and another for determining the number of leukocytes and thrombotics by the indirect method and the evaluation of morphological changes in blood extensions. Aeromonosis was confirmed by positive blood culture in all samples from the challenged groups. The leukogram analysis showed a significant increase (p <0.05) of leukocytes in the later times, 9 and 6 HPI in relation to the control group. Differential analysis showed leukopenia (p <0.05; 3 HPI) and consumption of thrombocytes. It was found that with the increase of the infection the septicemic pacus develops a picture of granulocytosis and monocytosis (p <0.05). It was concluded that inoculation with A. hydrophila induced sepsis with positive blood culture with leukocytosis in the challenged pacus and caused an intense change in the leukocyte and thrombotic morphology.KEYWORDS: Hemoculture, Leukogram, Morphology, Aeromonas hydrophila, Teleosts.La sepsis se define como disfunción orgánica con alta mortalidad. Durante este proceso, el sistema hematológico juega un papel crítico. Por lo tanto, el trabajo tuvo como objetivo analizar los cambios morfológicos en el leucograma y el trombograma por el método indirecto en el curso de la sepsis en Piaractus mesopotamicus. Para esto, se utilizaron 98 pacus, divididos en dos grupos, uno recibió 0,5 ml de solución estéril de cloruro de sodio al 0,65% (control) y el otro recibió el mismo volumen que contenía el inóculo bacteriano (1,8 x 108 UFC / ml - desafío). Para evaluar dichos cambios en la evolución de la sepsis, se recogieron muestras de sangre de peces 1, 3, 6 y 9 horas después de la inoculación y en el grupo de control (n = 10). Una parte alícuota de la sangre se usó para el hemocultivo y otra para determinar el número de leucocitos y trombóticos mediante el método indirecto y la evaluación de los cambios morfológicos en las extensiones de sangre. La aeromonosis se confirmó por hemocultivo positivo en todas las muestras de los grupos desafiados. El análisis de leucogramas mostró un aumento significativo (p <0.05) de leucocitos en los últimos tiempos, 9 y 6 HPI en relación con el grupo de control. El análisis diferencial mostró leucopenia (p <0.05; 3 HPI) y consumo de trombocitos. Se encontró que con el aumento de la infección, el pacus septicémico desarrolla una imagen de granulocitosis y monocitosis (p <0.05). Se concluyó que la inoculación con A. hydrophila indujo sepsis con hemocultivo positivo con leucocitosis en pacus desafiado y causa un cambio intenso en los leucocitos y la morfología trombóticaPALABRAS CLAVES Hemocultivo, Leucograma, Morfología, Aeromonas hydrophila, Teleósteos.A sepse é definida como disfunção orgânica com alta mortalidade. Durante esse processo o sistema hematológico desempenha um papel crítico. Assim, o trabalho objetivou analisar as alterações morfológicas no leucograma e no trombograma pelo método indireto no curso da sepse em Piaractus mesopotamicus. Para tanto, foram utilizados 98 pacus, divididos em dois grupos, um deles recebeu 0,5 ml de solução de cloreto de sódio esterilizada a 0,65% (controle) e outro recebeu o mesmo volume contendo o inoculo bacteriano (18 x 108 CFU/ml – desafio). Para avaliar tais alterações na evolução da sepse foram realizadas coletas de sangue dos peixes 1, 3, 6 e 9 horas após inoculação e no grupo controle (n=10). Uma alíquota do sangue foi destina a hemocultura e outra na determinação do número de leucócitos e de trombóticos pelo método indireto e a avaliação das alterações morfológicas nas extensões sanguíneas. A aeromonose foi confirmada pela hemocultura positiva em todas as amostras dos grupos desafiados. A análise do leucograma demonstrou aumento significativa (p<0,05) dos leucócitos nos tempos mais tardios, 9 e 6 HPI em relação ao grupo controle. Da análise diferencial observou-se leucopenia (p<0,05; 3 HPI) e consumo dos trombócitos. Verificou-se que com o aumento da infecção os pacus septicêmicos desenvolvem um quadro de granulocitose e monocitose (p<0,05). Concluiu-se que a inoculação com A. hydrophila induziu a sepse com hemocultura positiva com leucocitose nos pacus desafiados e causa intensa alteração na morfologia dos leucócitos e trombóticos.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Hemocultura, Leucograma, Morfologia, Aeromonas hydrophila, Teleósteos

New locus underlying auriculocondylar syndrome (ARCND): 430 kb duplication involving TWIST1 regulatory elements

Background Auriculocondylar syndrome (ARCND) is a rare genetic disease that affects structures derived from the first and second pharyngeal arches, mainly resulting in micrognathia and auricular malformations. To date, pathogenic variants have been identified in three genes involved in the EDN1-DLX5/6 pathway (PLCB4, GNAI3 and EDN1) and some cases remain unsolved. Here we studied a large unsolved four-generation family. Methods We performed linkage analysis, resequencing and Capture-C to investigate the causative variant of this family. To test the pathogenicity of the CNV found, we modelled the disease in patient craniofacial progenitor cells, including induced pluripotent cell (iPSC)-derived neural crest and mesenchymal cells. Results This study highlights a fourth locus causative of ARCND, represented by a tandem duplication of 430 kb in a candidate region on chromosome 7 defined by linkage analysis. This duplication segregates with the disease in the family (LOD score=2.88) and includes HDAC9, which is located over 200 kb telomeric to the top candidate gene TWIST1. Notably, Capture-C analysis revealed multiple cis interactions between the TWIST1 promoter and possible regulatory elements within the duplicated region. Modelling of the disease revealed an increased expression of HDAC9 and its neighbouring gene, TWIST1, in neural crest cells. We also identified decreased migration of iPSC-derived neural crest cells together with dysregulation of osteogenic differentiation in iPSC-affected mesenchymal stem cells. Conclusion Our findings support the hypothesis that the 430 kb duplication is causative of the ARCND phenotype in this family and that deregulation of TWIST1 expression during craniofacial development can contribute to the phenotype.Molecular Technology and Informatics for Personalised Medicine and Healt

Efeitos das deficiências de alguns micronutrientes em dois cultivares (Santa Rosa e UFV-1) de soja (Glycine max (L.) Merill)

Two soybean varieties were grown in nutrient solution either in the presence on in the absence of B, Cu and Zn. Symptoms of deficiency were observed. Dry matter production and yield data were recorded. Leaf analyses were made in the end of the pod filling period (except in the case of the minus B treatment in which plants failed to produce grains). Main conclusions were the following: (1) lack of B in the substrate affected dry matter production more than the deficiencies of Cu and Zn; (2) Cu deficiency reduced growth and yield formation more than the lack of Zn; (3) symtoms of deficiency are in agreement with those already described; (4) variety UFV-1 seems more sensitive to the deficiency of micronutrients than Santa Rosa; (5) leaf levels of B and Zn indicative of adequate nutritional status seem to be different for the two varieties.Os cultivares de soja Santa Rosa e UFV-1 foram cultivados em solução nutritiva deficiente em B, Cu ou Zn. As plantas carentes em B não completaram o ciclo, enquanto as demais o fizeram. A carência de Cu afetou a produção de matéria seca e a de vagens mais que a falta de Zn. Quantitativamente, as deficiências induzidas afetaram a variedade UFV - 1 mais que a Santa Rosa

Gravitational Wave Emission from Galactic Radio Pulsars

We consider in this work continuous gravitational wave (GW) emission from non-axisymmetric radio pulsars. We treat in some detail the observational issues related to the known radio pulsar sample with the aim of unveiling the actual number of sources contributing to GW, which are likely to be the main contributors of GWs. It is shown that the operation of spheroidal GW detectors and full-size interferometers could detect this component of the radiation or impose useful limits on the effective oblateness of young radio pulsars.Comment: 7 pages, RevTex , no figures , to appear in Phys. Rev.

Relaxing the Cosmological Constraints on Unparticle Dark Component

Unparticle physics has been an active field since the seminal work of Georgi. Recently, many constraints on unparticles from various observations have been considered in the literature. In particular, the cosmological constraints on the unparticle dark component put it in a serious situation. In this work, we try to find a way out of this serious situation, by including the possible interaction between dark energy and the unparticle dark component.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures, revtex4; v2: discussions added, accepted by Eur. Phys. J. C; v3: published versio