Hyperon-Quark Mixed Phase in Dense Matter

We investigate the properties of the hadron-quark mixed phase in compact stars using a Brueckner-Hartree-Fock framework for hadronic matter and the MIT bag model for quark matter. We find that the equation of state of the mixed phase is similar to that given by the Maxwell construction. The composition of the mixed phase, however, is very different from that of the Maxwell construction; in particular, hyperons are completely suppressed.Comment: Invited talk at "Exotic States of Matter 2007 (EXOCT2007)", Catania, June 10-19, 200

Hyperon-Quark Mixed Phase in Compact Stars

We investigate the properties of the hadron-quark mixed phase in compact stars using a Brueckner-Hartree-Fock framework for hadronic matter and the MIT bag model for quark matter. We find that the equation of state of the mixed phase is similar to that given by the Maxwell construction. The composition of the mixed phase, however, is very different from that of the Maxwell construction; in particular, hyperons are completely suppressed.Comment: oral presentation at INPC 2007, Toky

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and bronchial inflammation in grass pollen allergy after allergen challenge

SummaryRatioAsthma is a major public health problem, with bronchial inflammation as the therapeutic target. The role of dietary fish oil derived polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in allergic inflammation is controversial. Most asthmatics suffer from mild disease and non-pharmacologic interventions are attractive. This study investigates the anti-inflammatory potential of nutritional PUFAs in an experimentally induced bronchial inflammation.MethodsWe examined 38 grass pollen allergic asthmatics and 19 controls. History of dietary PUFA intake was compared with levels of PUFAs in erythrocyte membranes, and stratified according to low (25th quartile; Q25) and high (75th quartile; Q75) ratios of omega-3 (n-3) to omega-6 (n-6) PUFAs as a surrogate for anti-inflammatory (Q75) or proinflammatory (Q25) effects. Bronchial inflammation was simulated with one-step inhalation of grass pollen. Bronchial response (exhaled nitric monoxide, eNO as surrogate for inflammation, decrease of FEV1) was correlated with levels of PUFAs in erythrocyte membranes.ResultsRatios of n-3/n-6 PUFA were significantly lower in asthmatics than in healthy controls. Levels of eNO were significantly higher in Q25 asthmatics than in Q75 asthmatics (p = 0.040). There was a trend of higher bronchial hyperreactivity in Q25 asthmatics (median PD20 0.27 vs. 0.14; n.s.), induced by specific bronchial challenge with grass pollen (FEV1 decrease 16.7 vs. 23.1%; n.s.).ConclusionWhen stratifying for erythrocyte membrane PUFA content as a surrogate for alimentary intake, we found mild effects on bronchial allergic inflammation. Future intervention studies with pharmacological PUFA doses appear suitable to clarify dietary PUFA role as an adjunctive intervention to the established treatment of asthma.ClinicalTrials.gov No. NCT00519740

Genome-wide interaction study of a proxy for stress-sensitivity and its prediction of major depressive disorder

Individual response to stress is correlated with neuroticism and is an important predictor of both neuroticism and the onset of major depressive disorder (MDD). Identification of the genetics underpinning individual differences in response to negative events (stress-sensitivity) may improve our understanding of the molecular pathways involved, and its association with stress-related illnesses. We sought to generate a proxy for stress-sensitivity through modelling the interaction between SNP allele and MDD status on neuroticism score in order to identify genetic variants that contribute to the higher neuroticism seen in individuals with a lifetime diagnosis of depression compared to unaffected individuals. Meta-analysis of genome-wide interaction studies (GWIS) in UK Biobank (N = 23,092) and Generation Scotland: Scottish Family Health Study (N = 7,155) identified no genome-wide significance SNP interactions. However, gene-based tests identified a genome-wide significant gene, ZNF366, a negative regulator of glucocorticoid receptor function implicated in alcohol dependence (p = 1.48x10-7; Bonferroni-corrected significance threshold p < 2.79x10-6). Using summary statistics from the stress-sensitivity term of the GWIS, SNP heritability for stress-sensitivity was estimated at 5.0%. In models fitting polygenic risk scores of both MDD and neuroticism derived from independent GWAS, we show that polygenic risk scores derived from the UK Biobank stress-sensitivity GWIS significantly improved the prediction of MDD in Generation Scotland. This study may improve interpretation of larger genome-wide association studies of MDD and other stress-related illnesses, and the understanding of the etiological mechanisms underpinning stress-sensitivity