LISA technology and instrumentation

This article reviews the present status of the technology and instrumentation for the joint ESA/NASA gravitational wave detector LISA. It briefly describes the measurement principle and the mission architecture including the resulting sensitivity before focussing on a description of the main payload items, such as the interferomtric measurement system, comprising the optical system with the optical bench and the telescope, the laser system, and the phase measurement system; and the disturbance reduction system with the inertial sensor, the charge control system, and the micropropulsion system. The article touches upon the requirements for the different subsystems that need to be fulfilled to obtain the overall sensitivity.Comment: 37 pages, 18 figures, submitted to CQ

Doença de Fabry Fabry disease

A doença de Fabry é enfermidade de armazenamento lisossômico rara, ligada ao cromossomo-X, causada pela deficiência parcial ou completa da enzima alfagalactosidase A. O defeito resulta no acúmulo de globotriaosilceramida no endotélio vascular e tecidos viscerais, sendo a pele, o coração, os rins e o sistema nervoso central os mais afetados. As autoras realizam revisão da literatura relacionada a essa afecção e ressaltam que o reconhecimento precoce dos angioqueratomas e da hipoidrose constitui sinal-chave no diagnóstico dessa doença grave. Destacam também a necessidade de esses doentes serem avaliados por equipe multidisciplinar.<br>Fabry disease is an uncommon, X-linked lysosomal storage disorder, caused by partial or complete deficiency of the enzyme a-galactosidase A. The defect leads to accumulation of uncleaved globotriaosylceramide on the vascular endothelium and visceral tissues, being the skin, heart, kidneys and central nervous system the most affected organs. We performed review of the literature related to the disease and emphasized that early recognition of angiokeratomas and hypohidrosis are key diagnostic signs of this serious disease. We also addressed the need of multidisciplinary assessment of these patients

NF-κB signaling pathways regulated by CARMA family of scaffold proteins

The NF-κB family of transcription factors plays a crucial role in cell activation, survival and proliferation. Its aberrant activity results in cancer, immunodeficiency or autoimmune disorders. Over the past two decades, tremendous progress has been made in our understanding of the signals that regulate NF-κB activation, especially how scaffold proteins link different receptors to the NF-κB-activating complex, the IκB kinase complex. The growing number of these scaffolds underscores the complexity of the signaling networks in different cell types. In this review, we discuss the role of scaffold molecules in signaling cascades induced by stimulation of antigen receptors, G-protein-coupled receptors and C-type Lectin receptors, resulting in NF-κB activation. Especially, we focus on the family of Caspase recruitment domain (CARD)-containing proteins known as CARMA and their function in activation of NF-κB, as well as the link of these scaffolds to the development of various neoplastic diseases through regulation of NF-κB

International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Allergic Rhinitis

Critical examination of the quality and validity of available allergic rhinitis (AR) literature is necessary to improve understanding and to appropriately translate this knowledge to clinical care of the AR patient. To evaluate the existing AR literature, international multidisciplinary experts with an interest in AR have produced the International Consensus statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Allergic Rhinitis (ICAR:AR). Using previously described methodology, specific topics were developed relating to AR. Each topic was assigned a literature review, evidence-based review (EBR), or evidence-based review with recommendations (EBRR) format as dictated by available evidence and purpose within the ICAR:AR document. Following iterative reviews of each topic, the ICAR:AR document was synthesized and reviewed by all authors for consensus. The ICAR:AR document addresses over 100 individual topics related to AR, including diagnosis, pathophysiology, epidemiology, disease burden, risk factors for the development of AR, allergy testing modalities, treatment, and other conditions/comorbidities associated with AR. This critical review of the AR literature has identified several strengths; providers can be confident that treatment decisions are supported by rigorous studies. However, there are also substantial gaps in the AR literature. These knowledge gaps should be viewed as opportunities for improvement, as often the things that we teach and the medicine that we practice are not based on the best quality evidence. This document aims to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the AR literature to identify areas for future AR research and improved understandin