The Effective Electroweak Chiral Lagrangian: The Matter Sector

We parametrize in a model-independent way possible departures from the minimal Standard Model predictions in the matter sector. We only assume the symmetry breaking pattern of the Standard Model and that new particles are sufficiently heavy so that the symmetry is non-linearly realized. Models with dynamical symmetry breaking are generically of this type. We review in the effective theory language to what extent the simplest models of dynamical breaking are actually constrained and the assumptions going into the comparison with experiment. Dynamical symmetry breaking models can be approximated at intermediate energies by four-fermion operators. We present a complete classification of the latter when new particles appear in the usual representations of the $SU(2)_L\times SU(3)_c$ group as well as a partial classification in the general case. We discuss the accuracy of the four-fermion description by matching to a simple `fundamental' theory. The coefficients of the effective lagrangian in the matter sector for dynamical symmetry breaking models (expressed in terms of the coefficients of the four-quark operators) are then compared to those of models with elementary scalars (such as the minimal Standard Model). Contrary to a somewhat widespread belief, we see that the sign of the vertex corrections is not fixed in dynamical symmetry breaking models. This work provides the theoretical tools required to analyze, in a rather general setting, constraints on the matter sector of the Standard Model.Comment: Latex, 45 pages, 8 eps figures. Sections 5, 6 and 9 have been rewritten to clarify the contents. Some mistakes and typos have been corrected. Two references have been added. Figures 7 and 8 have been modifie

A Novel Circulating MicroRNA for the Detection of Acute Myocarditis.

The diagnosis of acute myocarditis typically requires either endomyocardial biopsy (which is invasive) or cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (which is not universally available). Additional approaches to diagnosis are desirable. We sought to identify a novel microRNA for the diagnosis of acute myocarditis. To identify a microRNA specific for myocarditis, we performed microRNA microarray analyses and quantitative polymerase-chain-reaction (qPCR) assays in sorted CD4+ T cells and type 17 helper T (Th17) cells after inducing experimental autoimmune myocarditis or myocardial infarction in mice. We also performed qPCR in samples from coxsackievirus-induced myocarditis in mice. We then identified the human homologue for this microRNA and compared its expression in plasma obtained from patients with acute myocarditis with the expression in various controls. We confirmed that Th17 cells, which are characterized by the production of interleukin-17, are a characteristic feature of myocardial injury in the acute phase of myocarditis. The microRNA mmu-miR-721 was synthesized by Th17 cells and was present in the plasma of mice with acute autoimmune or viral myocarditis but not in those with acute myocardial infarction. The human homologue, designated hsa-miR-Chr8:96, was identified in four independent cohorts of patients with myocarditis. The area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve for this novel microRNA for distinguishing patients with acute myocarditis from those with myocardial infarction was 0.927 (95% confidence interval, 0.879 to 0.975). The microRNA retained its diagnostic value in models after adjustment for age, sex, ejection fraction, and serum troponin level. After identifying a novel microRNA in mice and humans with myocarditis, we found that the human homologue (hsa-miR-Chr8:96) could be used to distinguish patients with myocarditis from those with myocardial infarction. (Funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and others.).Supported by a grant (PI19/00545, to Dr. Martín) from the Ministry of Science and Innovation through the Carlos III Institute of Health–Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria; by a grant from the Biomedical Research Networking Center on Cardiovascular Diseases (to Drs. Martín, Sánchez-Madrid, and Ibáñez); by grants (S2017/BMD-3671-INFLAMUNE-CM, to Drs. Martín and Sánchez-Madrid; and S2017/BMD-3867-RENIM-CM, to Dr. Ibáñez) from Comunidad de Madrid; by a grant (20152330 31, to Drs. Martín, Sánchez-Madrid, and Alfonso) from Fundació La Marató de TV3; by grants (ERC-2011-AdG 294340-GENTRIS, to Dr. Sánchez-Madrid; and ERC-2018-CoG 819775-MATRIX, to Dr. Ibáñez) from the European Research Council; by grants (SAF2017-82886R, to Dr. Sánchez-Madrid; RETOS2019-107332RB-I00, to Dr. Ibáñez; and SAF2017-90604-REDT-NurCaMeIn and RTI2018-095928-BI00, to Dr. Ricote) from the Ministry of Science and Innovation; by Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER); and by a 2016 Leonardo Grant for Researchers and Cultural Creators from the BBVA Foundation to Dr. Martín. The National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC) is supported by the Carlos III Institute of Health, the Ministry of Science and Innovation, the Pro CNIC Foundation, and by a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence grant (SEV-2015-0505). Mr. Blanco-Domínguez is supported by a grant (FPU16/02780) from the Formación de Profesorado Universitario program of the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports. Ms. Linillos-Pradillo is supported by a fellowship (PEJD-2016/BMD-2789) from Fondo de Garantía de Empleo Juvenil de Comunidad de Madrid. Dr. Relaño is supported by a grant (BES-2015-072625) from Contratos Predoctorales Severo Ochoa para la Formación de Doctores of the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. Dr. Alonso-Herranz is supported by a fellowship from La Caixa–CNIC. Dr. Caforio is supported by Budget Integrato per la Ricerca dei Dipartimenti BIRD-2019 from Università di Padova. Dr. Das is supported by grants (UG3 TR002878 and R35 HL150807) from the National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association through its Strategically Focused Research Networks.S

Ultraviolet-B alleviates the uncoupling effect of elevated CO2 and increased temperature on grape berry (Vitis vinifera cv. Tempranillo) anthocyanin and sugar accumulation

Background and Aims Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels and temperature are expected to increase in the next decades. In addition, changes in climate as well as the stratospheric ozone concentration may affect the exposure of viticultural regions to UV-B. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of combined elevated CO2 and increased temperature (+CO2/+T) regimes and UV-B radiation on anthocyanin and flavonol biosynthesis in grape berries.[br/] Methods and Results Three UV-B doses [0, 5.98 and 9.66 kJ/(m2·d)] and two CO2–day/night temperature regimes (390 μmol/mol CO2–24/14°C and 700 μmol/mol CO2–28/18°C) were imposed on Vitis vinifera cv. Tempranillo fruit-bearing cuttings from fruitset to maturity. Berry mass, composition and expression of selected genes were monitored. The time to reach veraison and maturity was reduced under +CO2/+T. Anthocyanin concentration under +CO2/+T was higher 2 weeks after veraison, but lower at maturity. Ultraviolet-B radiation slowed berry development and upregulated flavonol and anthocyanin biosynthesis.[br/] Conclusions The effect of UV-B, which modulates the accumulation of sugars and upregulates anthocyanin biosynthesis, compensated the deleterious effect of elevated CO2 and increased temperature on berry anthocyanin concentration.[br/] Significance of the Study Certain viticultural practices, such as leaf removal, that modify the exposure of grapes to UV-B and the leaf surface to fruit mass ratio, may alleviate the effect of elevated CO2 and increased temperature on grape anthocyanin concentration

From vineyards to controlled environments in grapevine research: investigating responses to climate change scenarios using fruit-bearing cuttings

21 Pags.- 5 Tabls.- 6 Figs.This paper describes the use of fruit-bearing grapevine hardwood cuttings as a model system for grapevine research, translating some studies that are difficult to execute under field conditions in the vineyards to facilities under controlled conditions. This approach enables to simulate in greenhouses future climate conditions and to investigate putative responses of grapevine to climate change. An updated description of how to grow grapevine fruit-bearing cuttings is made, together with modifications to carry out studies of partial rootzone drying, regulated deficit irrigation studies and symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. We summarize how extensive has been the use of fruit-bearing cuttings in grapevine research over the years, with special emphasis in those experiments that analyze the effects of factors related to climate change, such as elevated CO2, elevated temperature, water availability and UV-B radiation, on grapevine physiology, production and grape quality. A validation of the model is made, comparing results obtained with fruit-bearing cuttings with those obtained from vineyard-grown plants. We discuss some advantages of growing grapevines under elevated CO2 with an atmosphere depleted in 13C, using this stable isotope (13C) and others (15N, 54Fe or 57Fe, etc.) as tracers for C, N and other nutrient metabolism studies.This work was supported by the European Project INNOVINE Call FP7-KBBE-2011-6, Proposal No. 311775, Spanish Ministry of Economy and Innovation (BFU2011-26989, AGL2011-30386-C02-02 and AGL2014-56075-C2-1-R), and Aragón Government (A03 Research Group).Peer reviewe