Phenomenology of non-universal gaugino masses and implications for the Higgs boson decay

Grand unified theories (GUTs) can lead to non-universal gaugino masses at the unification scale. We study the implications of such non-universal gaugino masses for the composition of the lightest neutralino in supersymmetric (SUSY) theories based on SU(5) gauge group. We also consider the phenomenological implications of non-universal gaugino masses for the phenomenology of Higgs bosons in the context of Large Hadron Collider.Comment: 4 pages, 8 eps figures, style files included, Talk at LCWS06, Bangalore, India; typos correcte

Nonminimal Supersymmetric Standard Model with Baryon and Lepton Number Violation

We carry out a comprehensive analysis of the nonminimal supersymmetric standard model (NMSSM) with baryon and lepton number violation. We catalogue the baryon and lepton number violating dimension four and five operators of the model. We then study the renormalization group evolution and infrared stable fixed points of the Yukawa couplings and the soft supersymmetry breaking trilinear couplings of this model with baryon and lepton number (and R-parity) violation involving the heaviest generations. We show analytically that in the Yukawa sector of the NMSSM there is only one infrared stable fixed point. This corresponds to a non-trivial fixed point for the top-, bottom-quark Yukawa couplings and the $B$ violating coupling $\lambda_{233}''$, and a trivial one for all other couplings. All other possible fixed points are either unphysical or unstable in the infrared region. We also carry out an analysis of the renormalization group equations for the soft supersymmetry breaking trilinear couplings, and determine the corresponding fixed points for these couplings. We then study the quasi-fixed point behaviour, both of the third generation Yukawa couplings and the baryon number violating coupling, and those of the soft supersymmetry breaking trilinear couplings. From the analysis of the fixed point behaviour, we obtain upper and lower bounds on the baryon number violating coupling $\lambda_{233}''$, as well as on the soft supersymmetry breaking trilinear couplings. Our analysis shows that the infrared fixed point behavior of NMSSM with baryon and lepton number violation is similar to that of MSSM.Comment: 35 pages, Revtex, 6 eps fig

The Higgs Sector in a U(1)′U(1)^\prime Extension of the MSSM

We consider the Higgs sector in an extension of the MSSM with extra SM singlets, involving an extra $U(1)^\prime$ gauge symmetry, in which the domain-wall problem is avoided and the effective $\mu$ parameter is decoupled from the new gauge boson $Z^\prime$ mass. The model involves a rich Higgs structure very different from that of the MSSM. In particular, there are large mixings between Higgs doublets and the SM singlets, significantly affecting the Higgs spectrum, production cross sections, decay modes, existing exclusion limits, and allowed parameter range. Scalars considerably lighter than the LEP2 bound (114 GeV) are allowed, and the range $\tan \beta \sim 1$ is both allowed and theoretically favored. Phenomenologically, we concentrate our study on the lighter (least model-dependent, yet characteristic) Higgs particles with significant SU(2)-doublet components to their wave functions, for the case of no explicit CP violation in the Higgs sector. We consider their spectra, including the dominant radiative corrections to their masses from the top/stop loop. We computed their production cross sections and reexamine the existing exclusion limits at LEP2. We outline the searching strategy for some representative scenarios at a future linear collider. We emphasize that gaugino, Higgsino, and singlino decay modes are indicative of extended models and have been given little attention. We present a comprehensive list of model scenarios in the Appendices.Comment: 49 pages, 17 figure

Translocation t(5;6)(q33-34;q23) in an acute myelomonocytic leukemia patient

Case report and literature review on translocation t(5;6)(q33-34;q23) in an acute myelomonocytic leukemia patient

Theoretical upper bound on the mass of the LSP in the MNSSM

We study the neutralino sector of the Minimal Non-minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MNSSM) where the $\mu$ problem of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) is solved without accompanying problems related with the appearance of domain walls. In the MNSSM as in the MSSM the lightest neutralino can be the absolutely stable lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP) providing a good candidate for the cold dark matter component of the Universe. In contrast with the MSSM the allowed range of the mass of the lightest neutralino in the MNSSM is limited. We establish the theoretical upper bound on the lightest neutralino mass in the framework of this model and obtain an approximate solution for this mass.Comment: 15 pages, 2 figures, references adde

All-transretinoic acid and chemotherapy in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia

BACKGROUND: All- transretinoic acid (ATRA) and chemotherapy has improved complete remission rates and disease free survival in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). There is scanty data from Middle East. AIM: To determine the efficacy of ATRA and multi-agent combination chemotherapy in treatment of APL in a single Centre in Kuwait. SET-UPS AND DESIGN: Tertiary cancer centre, retrospective study. METHODS AND MATERIAL: All newly diagnosed APL patients were treated with oral ATRA 45mg/m2 daily until complete remission (CR), intravenous daunorubicin 50mg/m2 on days 1,3 and 5, cytosine arabinoside 100mg/m2 12hrly on days 1 through 10 and etoposide 100mg/m2 on days 1 through 5. Post remission three courses of intensive consolidation chemotherapy were administered. Since October 1999, maintenance chemotherapy consisting of oral 6 mercaptopurine 90mg/m2 daily, methotrexate 15mg/m2 weekly and ATRA 45mg/m2 for 2 weeks every three months was added. Complete remission rates and duration, relapse rate and toxicity were studied. RESULTS: 22 of 24 evaluable patients (91.6%) achieved CR. The median duration of remission was 13 months (range 2-55 months). Three patients (12.5%) relapsed. Two patients (8.3%) developed retinoic acid syndrome and responded to dexamethasone. Five patients (20.8%) died one each of refractory disease, during remission induction and of relapse. Two patients died while in remission. CONCLUSION:: ATRA and combination chemotherapy results in high complete remission rates and low relapse rate in newly diagnosed APL. Maintenance therapy may be useful in preventing relapses

CRISPR/Cas13: A Novel and Emerging Tool for RNA Editing in Plants

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) act as an adaptive immune system against invading nucleic acids and bacteriophages in bacteria and archaea. Based on the constitution of effector protein, CRISPR/Cas is broadly divided into multiple types and subtypes. Among these, type VI CRISPR/Cas system is of special attention with four subtypes, namely, VI-A, VI-B, VI-C, and VI-D, and are believed to have evolutionary origin from transposons. These subtypes exhibit variations in structural architecture and mechanism and have diverse Cas13a (C2c2), Cas13b1 (C2c6), Cas13b2 (C2c6), Cas13c (C2c7) and Cas13d effector proteins. CRISPR/Cas13 ribonuclease processes pre-crRNA to mature crRNA which targets and knockdown single-stranded RNA of phage genome during viral interference. The high specificity RNA guiding and RNA-targeting capacity of this protein enables to fuse with several effector molecules, opening new avenues in the field of Cas13-mediated RNA targeting, tracking, and editing. CRISPR/Cas13 has a unique feature of targeting RNAs including plants, so it can be used as a new tool for engineering interference against plant pathogens including RNA viruses, with better specificity and for other RNA modifications in plants. Fluorescent probe-tagged deactivated programmable Cas13 proteins could be used as an alternative tool for in vitro RNA studies. The engineered Cas13 can also be used for programmable RNA editing. The high target specificity, low cost, and user-friendly operation of CRISPR/Cas13 make this an effective tool for several RNA-based research studies and applications. Therefore, the focus of this chapter is upon classification of CRISPR/Cas system, structural and functional diversity of type VI CRISPR/Cas system including its discovery and origin, mechanism, and role of Cas13 in RNA editing of plants