Effective action for a quantum scalar field in warped spaces

We investigate the one-loop corrections at zero, as well as finite temperature, of a scalar field taking place in a braneworld motived warped background. After to reach a well defined problem, we calculate the effective action with the corresponding quantum corrections to each case.Comment: 10 pages, to appear in The European Physical Journal

Quality of life and satisfaction of patients after oncoplastic or traditional breast-conserving surgery using the BREAST-Q (BCT module): a prospective study

Introduction: The oncoplastic conservative surgery was developed as a natural evolution of traditional surgery, attempting to improve the therapeutic and aesthetic outcomes where tumor resection could be followed by not-adequate results. Our primary aim is to evaluate how patient satisfaction and quality-of-life after conservative oncoplastic surgery, using BREAST-Q (BCT Module), change pre- and post-operatively. The secondary aim is to compare patient-reported outcome after oncoplastic or traditional conservative surgery. Patients and methods: We enrolled 647 patients who underwent traditional conservative surgery or oncoplastic surgery from January 2020 to December 2022. Only 232 women (35.9%) completed the BREAST-Q questionnaire on a web-based platform, at the preoperative phase and 3 months after treatment. Results: The average score of "Psychosocial well-being" and "Satisfaction with Breasts" 3 months after surgery showed a statistically significant improvement, while the average score for "Physical well-being: Chest" at 3 months showed a worsening compared to the baseline. "Sexual well-being" did not show statistically significant change. A significant difference between the post-operative outcome of oncoplastic surgery and traditional surgery was observed only for Physical well-being (better for traditional surgery). Conclusions: The study showed significant improvement in patient-reported outcomes 3 months after the surgery, except for physical discomfort that increases especially after oncoplastic surgery. Furthermore, our data, as well as many others, point to the appropriateness of using OCS where there is an effective indication, while the perspective of patients cannot find significant superiority over TCS in any of the areas analyzed

Quasi-2D Heisenberg Antiferromagnets [CuX(pyz)2](BF4) with X = Cl and Br

Two Cu2+ coordination polymers [CuCl(pyz)(2)](BF4) 1 and [CuBr(pyz)(2)]-(BF4) 2 (pyz = pyrazine) were synthesized in the family of quasi two-dimensional (2D) [Cu(pyz)(2)](2+) magnetic networks. The layer connectivity by monatomic halide ligands results in significantly shorter interlayer distances. Structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction of 1 revealed rigid [Cu(pyz)(2)](2+) layers that do not expand between 5 K and room temperature, whereas the expansion along the c-axis amounts to 2%. The magnetic susceptibility of 1 and 2 shows a broad maximum at similar to 8 K, indicating antiferromagnetic interactions within the [Cu(pyz)(2)](2+) layers. 2D Heisenberg model fits result in J(parallel to) = 9.4(1) K for 1 and 8.9(1) K for 2. The interlayer coupling is much weaker with vertical bar J(perpendicular to)vertical bar = 0.31(6) K for 1 and 0.52(9) K for 2. The electron density, experimentally determined and calculated by density functional theory, confirms the location of the singly occupied orbital (the magnetic orbital) in the tetragonal plane. The analysis of the spin density reveals a mainly sigma-type exchange through pyrazine. Kinks in the magnetic susceptibility indicate the onset of long-range three-dimensional magnetic order below 4 K. The magnetic structures were determined by neutron diffraction. Magnetic Bragg peaks occur below T-N = 3.9(1) K for 1 and 3.8(1) K for 2. The magnetic unit cell is doubled along the c-axis (k = 0, 0, 0.5). The ordered magnetic moments are located in the tetragonal plane and amount to 0.76(8) mu(B)/Cu2+ for 1 and 0.6(1) mu(B)/Cu2+ for 2 at 1.5 K. The moments are coupled antiferromagnetically both in the ab plane and along the c-axis. The Cu2+ g-tensor was determined from electron spin resonance spectra as g(x) = 2.060(1), g(z) = 2.275(1) for 1 and g(x) = 2.057(1), g(z) = 2.272(1) for 2 at room temperature

Circulating endothelial progenitor cells are actively involved in the reparative mechanisms of stable ischemic myocardium

Background: Myocardial fibrosis (MF) is an adverse correlate of severe aortic valve stenosis (SAVS). microRNA expression modulates different pathophysiological pathways in cardiovascular disease. In particular miRNA­21, has been associated to MF due to pressure overload. Non­invasive estimation of MF, using speckle­tracking echocardiography (2D­STE), could be useful in determining early myocardial damage. Purpose: To analyze the correlation between 2D­STE parameters, MF, plasmatic and tissue miRNA­21 in SAVS. Methods: We evaluated 36 consecutive patients (75.2±8 y.o., 63% F) with SAVS and preserved ejection fraction (EF), undergoing to surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR; Euroscore II 2.28±1.13%; Logistic Euroscore: 6±4.1%). Clinical, ECG, biohumoral evaluation (including plasma miRNA­21) and a complete echocardiography, including 2D­STE, was performed before AVR. 28 patients eventually underwent AVR and, in 23 of them, a basal interventricular septum biopsy was performed. MF and tissue miRNA­21 expression (micro­dissection) were evaluated in each sample. Results: All patients with SAVS (AVAi 0.33±0.1 cm2/m2; V max 4.4±0.4 m/sec; Mean Grad. 50±9 mmHg) showed concentric hypertrophy (LVMi 147±20.7 g/m2, RWT 0.51±0.07), diastolic dysfunction and increased Valvulo­Arterial Impedance (ZVA: 5.9±2.3 mmHg/ml/m2). Despite a preserved EF (66±11%), an altered global and septal deformation (Global longitudinal strain, GLS −13±6.1; Global longitudinal strain rate, GLSr −0.8±0.2 1/sec; Global early diastolic Sr, GLSrE 1±0.35 1/sec; Septal longitudinal strain, SLS −8.6±2.8%; SL­Sr −0,6±0.1 1/sec; SL­SrE 0.6±0.29 1/sec) were observed. We found a significant association between MF and 2D­STE parameters, stroke volume and end­diastolic pressure (all p<0.05). Tissue miRNA­21 was mainly expressed in fibrous tissue than in myocardium (p<0.0001). Myocardial miRNA­21 was associated with AVAi (r=0.46; p=0.043) and cardiac index (r=0.5; p=0.02) while fibrous tissue miRNA­21 was associated to GLS (r=0.8; p=0.0003), GLSrE (r=−0.72; p=0.005), SLS (r=0.6; p=0.01), SL­Sr (r=0.54; p=0.03), SL­SrE (r=0.5; p=0.04) and PAPs (r=0.66; p=0.004). Plasma miRNA­21 was associated to MF (r=0.5; p=0.02) and septal longitudinal strain (r=0.38; p=0.037). Conclusions: In SAVS with preserved EF, MF is associated to impaired myocardial deformation. miRNA­21 has a potential pathophysiological role in fibrogenesis. Non­invasive evaluation of plasmatic miRNA­21 and 2D­STE could be useful in risk stratification, to optimize the timing of surgery in SAVS patients

Aboveground Biomass Accumulation in a Tropical Wet Forest in Nicaragua Following a Catastrophic Hurricane Disturbance 1

Among their effects on forest structure and carbon dynamics, hurricanes frequently create large-scale canopy gaps that promote secondary growth. To measure the accumulation of aboveground biomass (AGBM) in a hurricane damaged forest, we established permanent plots 4 mo after the landfall of Hurricane Joan on the Atlantic coast of Nicaragua in October 1988. We quantified AGBM accumulation in these plots by correlating diameter measurements to AGBM values using a published allometric regression equation for tropical wet forests. In the first measurement year following the storm, AGBM in hurricane-affected plots was quite variable, ranging from 26 to 153 Mg/ha, with a mean of 78 (±15) Mg/ha. AGBM was substantially lower than in two control plots several kilometers outside the hurricane's path (331 ±15 Mg/ha). Biomass accumulation was slow (5.36 ± 0.74 Mg/ha/yr), relative to previous studies of forest regeneration following another hurricane (Hugo) and agricultural activity. We suggest that large-scale, homogenous canopy damage caused by Hurricane Joan impeded the dispersal and establishment of pioneer trees and led to a secondary forest dominated by late successional species that resprouted and survived the disturbance. With the relatively slow rate of biomass accumulation, any tightening in disturbance interval could reduce the maximum capacity of the living biomass to store carbon.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/73646/1/j.1744-7429.2005.00077.x.pd

ANKRd44 gene silencing: A putative role in trastuzumab resistance in HER2-like breast cancer

Trastuzumab is an effective therapeutic treatment for Her2-like breast cancer; despite this most of these tumors develop resistance to therapy due to specific gene mutations or alterations in gene expression. Understanding the mechanisms of resistance to Trastuzumab could be a useful tool in order to identify combinations of drugs that elude resistance and allow a better response for the treated patients. Twelve primary biopsies of Her2+/hormone receptor negative (ER-/PgR-) breast cancer patients were selected based on the specific response to neoadjuvant therapy with Trastuzumab and their whole exome was sequenced leading to the identification of 18 informative gene mutations that discriminate patients selectively based on response to treatment. Among these genes, we focused on the study of the ANKRD44 gene to understand its role in the mechanism of resistance to Trastuzumab. The ANKRD44 gene was silenced in Her2-like breast cancer cell line (BT474), obtaining a partially Trastuzumab-resistant breast cancer cell line that constitutively activates the NF-kb protein via the TAK1/AKT pathway. Following this activation an increase in the level of glycolysis in resistant cells is promoted, also confirmed by the up-regulation of the LDHB protein and by an increased TROP2 protein expression, found generally associated with aggressive tumors. These results allow us to consider the ANKRD44 gene as a potential gene involved in Trastuzumab resistance