Very Constrained Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Models

We consider very constrained versions of the minimal supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model (VCMSSMs) which, in addition to constraining the scalar masses m_0 and gaugino masses m_{1/2} to be universal at some input scale, impose relations between the trilinear and bilinear soft supersymmetry breaking parameters A_0 and B_0. These relations may be linear, as in simple minimal supergravity models, or nonlinear, as in the Giudice-Masiero mechanism for generating the Higgs-mixing mu term. We discuss the application of the electroweak vacuum conditions in VCMSSMs, which may be used to make a prediction for tan beta as a function of m_0 and m_{1/2} that is usually unique. We baseline the discussion of the parameter spaces allowed in VCMSSMs by updating the parameter space allowed in the CMSSM for fixed values of tan beta with no relation between A_0 and B_0 assumed {\it a priori}, displaying contours of B_0 for a fixed input value of A_0, incorporating the latest CDF/D0 measurement of m_t and the latest BNL measurement of g_mu - 2. We emphasize that phenomenological studies of the CMSSM are frequently not applicable to specific VCMSSMs, notably those based on minimal supergravity, which require m_0 = m_{3/2} as well as A_0 = B_0 + m_0. We then display (m_{1/2}, m_0) planes for selected VCMSSMs, treating in a unified way the parameter regions where either a neutralino or the gravitino is the LSP. In particular, we examine in detail the allowed parameter space for the Giudice-Masiero model.Comment: 26 pages, 32 eps figure

Molecular evidence of Plasmodium vivax infection in Duffy negative symptomatic individuals from Dschang, West Cameroon

Background: Plasmodium vivax infection is known to be rare in West/Central Africa, the most accepted explanation being the lack of expression of erythroid Duffy antigen in the local human populations. Duffy negativity prevents the parasite to exploit the entry mechanism on the red blood cell surface. However, there are a growing number of reported vivax infections in Duffy-negative individuals. Data on P. vivax circulation in Cameroon are limited. The aim of the study was to evaluate the P. vivax presence, and its association with the Duffy genotype in West Cameroon. Results: Overall, 484 blood samples were collected consecutively from febrile outpatients attending the Dschang’s Hospital (West Cameroon) during a 3-months period. Plasmodium vivax infection was detected by PCR in 5.6% (n = 27/484) of the cases, representing 38.6% (n = 27/70) of all Plasmodium infections detected. All P. vivax infected individuals showed a Duffy-negative genotype, and the frequency of Duffy-positive individuals in the whole tested population was 1.7%. Conclusions: The results of this study confirm the circulation of P. vivax in Cameroon, as well as that the lack of expression of Duffy-antigen does not confer full protection against vivax malaria acquisition

Lab on a chip genotyping for Brucella spp. based on 15-loci multi locus VNTR analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Brucellosis is an important zoonosis caused by the genus <it>Brucella</it>. In addition <it>Brucella </it>represents potential biological warfare agents due to the high contagious rates for humans and animals. Therefore, the strain typing epidemiological tool may be crucial for tracing back source of infection in outbreaks and discriminating naturally occurring outbreaks versus bioterroristic event. A Multiple Locus Variable-number tandem repeats (VNTR) Analysis (MLVA) assay based on 15 polymorphic markers was previously described. The obtained MLVA band profiles may be resolved by techniques ranging from low cost manual agarose gels to the more expensive capillary electrophoresis sequencing. In this paper a rapid, accurate and reproducible system, based on the Lab on a chip technology was set up for <it>Brucella </it>spp. genotyping.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Seventeen DNA samples of <it>Brucella </it>strains isolated in Sicily, previously genotyped, and twelve DNA samples, provided by MLVA <it>Brucella </it>VNTR ring trial, were analyzed by MLVA-15 on Agilent 2100. The DNA fragment sizes produced by Agilent, compared with those expected, showed discrepancies; therefore, in order to assign the correct alleles to the Agilent DNA fragment sizes, a conversion table was produced. In order to validate the system twelve unknown DNA samples were analyzed by this method obtaining a full concordance with the VNTR ring trial results.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In this paper we described a rapid and specific detection method for the characterization of <it>Brucella </it>isolates. The comparison of the MLVA typing data produced by Agilent system with the data obtained by standard sequencing or ethidium bromide slab gel electrophoresis showed a general concordance of the results. Therefore this platform represents a fair compromise among costs, speed and specificity compared to any conventional molecular typing technique.</p

Different Dietary Approaches, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Cardiovascular Disease: A Literature Review

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the first cause of chronic liver disease and is also associated with other harmful entities such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, and diabetes. NAFLD is a significant public health concern worldwide, impacting individuals of all ages, and its prevalence is projected to increase in the near future due to its connection with obesity. Intrinsic (genetics) and external (lifestyle) factors may also modulate NAFLD, and, in turn, may partly explain the observed relationship between NAFLD and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although many drugs are been tested to treat NAFLD, to date, no drug has indication to specifically treat this disorder. Thus, the current management of NAFLD relies on lifestyle modifications and specifically on weight loss, physical activity, and the intake of a healthy diet. In the present narrative review, we will discuss the effects of certain dietary patterns on NAFLD incidence and progression

Molecular Mechanisms Mediating Antiangiogenic Action of the Urokinase Receptor-Derived Peptide UPARANT in Human Retinal Endothelial Cells

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High throughput MLVA-16 typing for Brucella based on the microfluidics technology

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Brucellosis, a zoonosis caused by the genus <it>Brucella</it>, has been eradicated in Northern Europe, Australia, the USA and Canada, but remains endemic in most areas of the world. The strain and biovar typing of <it>Brucella </it>field samples isolated in outbreaks is useful for tracing back source of infection and may be crucial for discriminating naturally occurring outbreaks versus bioterrorist events, being <it>Brucella </it>a potential biological warfare agent. In the last years MLVA-16 has been described for <it>Brucella </it>spp. genotyping. The MLVA band profiles may be resolved by different techniques i.e. the manual agarose gels, the capillary electrophoresis sequencing systems or the microfluidic Lab-on-Chip electrophoresis. In this paper we described a high throughput system of MLVA-16 typing for <it>Brucella </it>spp. by using of the microfluidics technology.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The Caliper LabChip 90 equipment was evaluated for MLVA-16 typing of sixty-three <it>Brucella </it>samples. Furthermore, in order to validate the system, DNA samples previously resolved by sequencing system and Agilent technology, were <it>de novo </it>genotyped. The comparison of the MLVA typing data obtained by the Caliper equipment and those previously obtained by the other analysis methods showed a good correlation. However the outputs were not accurate as the Caliper DNA fragment sizes showed discrepancies compared with real data and a conversion table from observed to expected data was created.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In this paper we described the MLVA-16 using a rapid, sophisticated microfluidics technology for detection of amplification product sizes. The comparison of the MLVA typing data produced by Caliper LabChip 90 system with the data obtained by different techniques showed a general concordance of the results. Furthermore this platform represents a significant improvement in terms of handling, data acquiring, computational efficiency and rapidity, allowing to perform the strain genotyping in a time equal to one sixth respect to other microfluidics systems as e.g. the Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer.</p> <p>Finally, this platform can be considered a valid alternative to standard genotyping techniques, particularly useful dealing with a large number of samples in short time. These data confirmed that this technology represents a significative advancement in high-throughput accurate <it>Brucella </it>genotyping.</p

Poesías inéditas

423 p

Ceruloplasmin and Coronary Heart Disease-A Systematic Review

Several studies indicate that oxidative stress might play a central role in the initiation and maintenance of cardiovascular diseases. It remains unclear whether ceruloplasmin acts as a passive marker of inflammation or as a causal mediator. To better understand the impact of ceruloplasmin blood levels on the risk of cardiovascular disease, and paying special attention to coronary heart disease, we conducted a search on the two most commonly used electronic databases (Medline via PubMed and EMBASE) to analyze current assessment using observational studies in the general adult population. Each study was quality rated using criteria developed by the US Preventive Services Task Force. Most of 18 eligible studies reviewed support a direct relationship between ceruloplasmin elevated levels and incidence of coronary heart disease. Our results highlight the importance of promoting clinical trials that determine the functions of ceruloplasmin as a mediator in the development of coronary heart disease and evaluate whether the treatment of elevated ceruloplasmin levels has a role in the prognosis or prevention of this condition