Elliptic flow of thermal photons and dileptons

In this talk we describe the recently discovered rich phenomenology of elliptic flow of electromagnetic probes of the hot matter created in relativistic heavy-ion collisions. Using a hydrodynamic model for the space-time dynamics of the collision fireball created in Au+Au collisions at RHIC, we compute the transverse momentum spectra and elliptic flow of thermal photons and dileptons. These observables are shown to provide differential windows into various stages of the fireball expansion.Comment: 8 pages, including 9 figures. Invited talk at the Hard Probes 2006 Conference (Asilomar, June 9-16, 2006), to appear in the Proceedings (Elsevier

Thermal Dileptons at LHC

We predict dilepton invariant-mass spectra for central 5.5 ATeV Pb-Pb collisions at LHC. Hadronic emission in the low-mass region is calculated using in-medium spectral functions of light vector mesons within hadronic many-body theory. In the intermediate-mass region thermal radiation from the Quark-Gluon Plasma, evaluated perturbatively with hard-thermal loop corrections, takes over. An important source over the entire mass range are decays of correlated open-charm hadrons, rendering the nuclear modification of charm and bottom spectra a critical ingredient.Comment: 2 pages, 2 figures, contributed to Workshop on Heavy Ion Collisions at the LHC: Last Call for Predictions, Geneva, Switzerland, 14 May - 8 Jun 2007 v2: acknowledgment include

QCD and strongly coupled gauge theories : challenges and perspectives

We highlight the progress, current status, and open challenges of QCD-driven physics, in theory and in experiment. We discuss how the strong interaction is intimately connected to a broad sweep of physical problems, in settings ranging from astrophysics and cosmology to strongly coupled, complex systems in particle and condensed-matter physics, as well as to searches for physics beyond the Standard Model. We also discuss how success in describing the strong interaction impacts other fields, and, in turn, how such subjects can impact studies of the strong interaction. In the course of the work we offer a perspective on the many research streams which flow into and out of QCD, as well as a vision for future developments.Peer reviewe

Calculations of direct photon emission in Heavy Ion Collisions at \sqrt{s_NN} = 200 GeV

Direct photon emission in heavy-ion collisions is calculated within a relativistic micro+macro hybrid model and compared to the microscopic transport model UrQMD. In the hybrid approach, the high-density part of the collision is calculated by an ideal 3+1-dimensional hydrodynamic calculation, while the early (pre-equilibrium-) and late (rescattering-) phase are calculated with the transport model. We study both models with Au+Au-collisions at \sqrt{s_NN} = 200 GeV and compare the results to experimental data published by the PHENIX collaboration

The interstitium in cardiac repair: role of the immune-stromal cell interplay

Cardiac regeneration, that is, restoration of the original structure and function in a damaged heart, differs from tissue repair, in which collagen deposition and scar formation often lead to functional impairment. In both scenarios, the early-onset inflammatory response is essential to clear damaged cardiac cells and initiate organ repair, but the quality and extent of the immune response vary. Immune cells embedded in the damaged heart tissue sense and modulate inflammation through a dynamic interplay with stromal cells in the cardiac interstitium, which either leads to recapitulation of cardiac morphology by rebuilding functional scaffolds to support muscle regrowth in regenerative organisms or fails to resolve the inflammatory response and produces fibrotic scar tissue in adult mammals. Current investigation into the mechanistic basis of homeostasis and restoration of cardiac function has increasingly shifted focus away from stem cell-mediated cardiac repair towards a dynamic interplay of cells composing the less-studied interstitial compartment of the heart, offering unexpected insights into the immunoregulatory functions of cardiac interstitial components and the complex network of cell interactions that must be considered for clinical intervention in heart diseases

The benefits of strength training on musculoskeletal system health: practical applications for interdisciplinary care

Global health organizations have provided recommendations regarding exercise for the general population. Strength training has been included in several position statements due to its multi-systemic benefits. In this narrative review, we examine the available literature, first explaining how specific mechanical loading is converted into positive cellular responses. Secondly, benefits related to specific musculoskeletal tissues are discussed, with practical applications and training programmes clearly outlined for both common musculoskeletal disorders and primary prevention strategies

Atherosclerosis: the interplay between lipids and immune cells

Biopharmaceutic

Reversing Clonal Hematopoiesis and Associated Atherosclerotic Disease By Targeted Antibody-Drug-Conjugate (ADC) Conditioning and Transplant

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Recently, age-related clonal hematopoiesis (CH) has been recognized as a risk factor for CVD of comparable magnitude to smoking, hypertension and hypercholesteremia. While these other risk factors can be mitigated by pharmacological intervention or lifestyle changes, there are no such strategies in place for CH. As CH is initiated by mutations in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), a hematopoietic stem cell transplantat (HSCT) could serve as a curative therapy. However, stem cell transplantation is associated with significant toxicity due in part from current conditioning regimens. There is also no evidence that depletion of the disease-driving clones impacts established atherosclerosis. We developed an antibody drug conjugate (ADC) targeting murine CD45. In the context of stem cell transplantation, the CD45-ADC efficiently depletes endogenous HSCs as well as mature leukocytes while enabling rapid engraftment of an infused stem cell graft. In addition, the CD45-ADCs are not based on broad-acting genotoxic agents that lead to long-lasting health risks. We decided to test if CD45-ADC and HSCT could halt atherosclerosis progression through elimination Tet2 knockout HSCs and their disease propagating myeloid progeny. To model CH associated atherosclerosis, LDLR knockout mice were transplanted with 20% CFP labeled wild-type (WT) or Tet2 knockout bone marrow. A single dose of isotype- or CD45-ADC was delivered after 6 weeks of atherosclerosis development and was followed by an infusion of WT CD45.1 bone marrow. As has been reported before, we observed in the isotype-ADC treated animals that Tet2 deficiency leads to a competitive advantage over WT cells. Tet2 knockout cells contributed to peripheral blood chimerism at successively increasing levels and mice harboring the knockout graft showed a significant expansion of their HSC population. Despite their obvious advantage, Tet2 deficient HSC were as efficiently depleted as their WT counterparts upon CD45-ADC and HSCT. Peripheral blood and bone marrow chimerism were similar in WT and Tet2 knockout hosts and the expanded HSC pool was successfully curbed 6 weeks following the intervention. More importantly, CD45-ADC also depleted cells in the atherosclerotic plaques as efficiently as in blood in both WT and Tet2 mutant recipients. This resulted in a significant reduction of myeloid cell infiltration in CD45-ADC conditioned and transplanted knockout hosts and ultimately lead to drastically reduced plaque size in these animals. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that CD45-ADC and HSCT efficiently replaces the disease driving myeloid cells in the atherosclerosis plaques leading to an overall reduction in disease burden. CD45-ADC and transplantation may thus offer a novel therapy for CH and its associated morbidities. Disclosures Palchaudhuri: Magenta Therapeutics: Current Employment. Hyzy:Magenta Therapeutics: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Proctor:Magenta Therapeutics: Current Employment. Gillard:Magenta Therapeutics: Current Employment. Boitano:Magenta Therapeutics: Ended employment in the past 24 months, Patents &amp; Royalties. Cooke:Magenta Therapeutics: Ended employment in the past 24 months. Scadden:Magenta Therapeutics: Consultancy, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. </jats:sec