Transcutaneous Electrical Retinal Stimulation Therapy for Age-Related Macular Degeneration

This reports the preliminary outcome of a transpalpebral electrical retinal stimulation therapy for age-related macular degeneration (ARMD)

Measurement of very forward particle production at RHIC with √s=510 GeV proton-proton collisions

The Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider forward (RHICf) experiment has measured neutral particles produced in the very forward direction in the √s=510 GeV proton-proton collisions at RHIC in June 2017. The production cross sections of these particles are crucial to understand the hadronic interaction relevant to the air shower development at the cosmic-ray equivalent energy of 1.4×10$^{14}$ eV, just below the energy of the knee. Together with the data at LHC, accelerator data can cover the interaction in the cosmic-ray energy of 10$^{14}$ eV to 10$^{17}$ eV. In addition, RHICf is able to improve the former measurements of single-spin asymmetry in the polarized proton- proton collisions that is sensitive to the fundamental process of the meson exchange. Common data taking with the STAR experiment will shed light on the unexplored low mass diffraction process

Ouabagenin is a naturally occurring LXR ligand without causing hepatic steatosis as a side effect

Abstract Ouabagenin (OBG) is an aglycone of the cardiotonic steroid ouabain and until now was considered a biologically inactive biosynthetic precursor. Herein, we revealed that OBG functions as a novel class of ligand for the liver X receptor (LXR). Luciferase reporter assays and in silico docking studies suggested that OBG has LXR-selective agonistic activity. In addition, OBG repressed the expression of epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), a LXR target gene, without causing hepatic steatosis, a typical side effect of conventional LXR ligands. This remarkable biological activity can be attributed to a unique mode of action; the LXR agonist activity mainly proceeds through the LXRβ subtype without affecting LXRα, unlike conventional LXR ligands. Thus, OBG is a novel class of LXR ligand that does not cause severe side effects, with potential for use as an antihypertensive diuretic or a tool compound for exploring LXR subtype-specific biological functions

A Case of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies-Associated Vasculitis Overlap Syndrome

An overlap of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies- (ANCA-) associated vasculitis (AAV) is extremely rare: approximately 40 cases have been reported to date. A literature review indicates that they are more common in women in their forties, and simultaneous onset has been reported in 69% of cases. In addition, both lupus nephritis and ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis were observed on renal biopsy. This report presents the case of a 35-year-old woman with an 8-month history of polyarthralgia who was admitted to our hospital. She was diagnosed with SLE due to typical clinical presentation of the disease: polyarthritis, lymphocytopenia, hypocomplementemia, presence of antinuclear and anti-dsDNA antibodies, and proteinuria. However, purpura were scattered, and the titer of antimyeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (MPO-ANCA) was high. A skin biopsy revealed leukocytoclastic vasculitis that involved poor immune complex deposition. A renal biopsy showed necrotizing glomerulonephritis with cellular and fibrocellular crescent formation that involved deposition of IgM and C3c only in the mesangial area and the peripheral capillaries. Additionally, no electron-dense deposits were observed under electron microscopy. These pathological findings were consistent with AAV rather than with SLE. Therefore, we finally diagnosed the patient with both SLE and microscopic polyangiitis. After treatment with methylprednisolone and intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse therapies, renal function improved and MPO-ANCA levels decreased. In cases of suspected overlap between SLE and AAV, appropriate diagnosis and treatment are important

Latest results from the LHCf Experiment

The LHC forward (LHCf) is a small experiment at the LHC designed to measure neutral particles emitted in the very forward region (pseudo-rapidity h > 8 : 4). It has measured proton–proton col- lisions at p s = 0 : 9 ; 2 : 76 ; 7 and 13 TeV, and proton–lead collisions at p s NN = 5 : 02 and 8.16 TeV. Its main purpose is to provide precise measurements of the production spectra of these forward particles, in order to calibrate hadronic interaction models used in air shower observations. In this paper we will present the current status of the LHCf experiment, regarding in particular collected data and analysis results, as well as future prospects

Status of the LHCf experiment

International audienceThe LHCf experiment is an LHC experiment dedicated to measure the production spectra of forward neutral particles, photons, π0’s, and neutrons. The aim of the LHCf is to provide critical data to test and tune hadronic interaction models which are used in MC simulations for cosmic-ray air shower developments. The LHCf had an operation in 2015 with pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV, which corresponds to the collision energy of $0.9×10^{17}$eV in the laboratory frame. The resent results of the LH√Cf, the inclusive energy spectra for forward photons and neutrons obtained with pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV, are presented. In addition, future prospects of LHCf analyses and activities are reviewed

The Resent Results from the LHCf Experiment

International audienceThe LHCf experiment is an LHC experiment dedicated to measure the production spectra of forward neutral particles, photons, $\pi ^{0}$s and neutrons. The obtained results are very useful to test hadronic interaction models which are used in MC simulations for cosmic-ray air shower developments. The LHCf had an operation in 2015 with p–p collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV, which corresponds to the collision energy of 0.9 × 10^17 eV in the laboratory frame. We discuss the results of the inclusive energy spectra for forward photons obtained at p–p, $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV data as well as $\pi ^{0}$ results taken at p–p, $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 TeV. In addition we introduce future prospects of LHCf analyses and activities

The Resent Results from the LHCf Experiment

The LHCf experiment is an LHC experiment dedicated to measure the production spectra of forward neutral particles, photons, $\pi ^{0}$s and neutrons. The obtained results are very useful to test hadronic interaction models which are used in MC simulations for cosmic-ray air shower developments. The LHCf had an operation in 2015 with p–p collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV, which corresponds to the collision energy of 0.9 × 10^17 eV in the laboratory frame. We discuss the results of the inclusive energy spectra for forward photons obtained at p–p, $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV data as well as $\pi ^{0}$ results taken at p–p, $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 TeV. In addition we introduce future prospects of LHCf analyses and activities