Detection of early-universe gravitational-wave signatures and fundamental physics

Detection of a gravitational-wave signal of non-astrophysical origin would be a landmark discovery, potentially providing a significant clue to some of our most basic, big-picture scientific questions about the Universe. In this white paper, we survey the leading early-Universe mechanisms that may produce a detectable signal—including inflation, phase transitions, topological defects, as well as primordial black holes—and highlight the connections to fundamental physics. We review the complementarity with collider searches for new physics, and multimessenger probes of the large-scale structure of the Universe.Peer reviewe

Detection of early-universe gravitational-wave signatures and fundamental physics

Detection of a gravitational-wave signal of non-astrophysical origin would be a landmark discovery, potentially providing a significant clue to some of our most basic, big-picture scientific questions about the Universe. In this white paper, we survey the leading early-Universe mechanisms that may produce a detectable signal—including inflation, phase transitions, topological defects, as well as primordial black holes—and highlight the connections to fundamental physics. We review the complementarity with collider searches for new physics, and multimessenger probes of the large-scale structure of the Universe.Peer reviewe

No Findings of Dental Defects in Children Treated with Minocycline

Forty-one children <8 years of age treated for brucellosis with oral minocycline (2.5 mg/kg) twice daily for 3 weeks were recalled and examined to check for dental staining and defects. Dental staining and defects were found in 14 of 41 exposed children (34.1%) and in 30 of 82 matched controls (36.6%), respectively (P > 0.2)

Resveratrol and Its Analogue 4,4'-Dihydroxy-trans-stilbene Inhibit Lewis Lung Carcinoma Growth In Vivo through Apoptosis, Autophagy and Modulation of the Tumour Microenvironment in a Murine Model

Lung cancer is the most prevalent cancer worldwide. Despite advances in surgery and immune-chemotherapy, the therapeutic outcome remains poor. In recent years, the anticancer properties of natural compounds, along with their low toxic side effects, have attracted the interest of researchers. Resveratrol (RSV) and many of its derivatives received particular attention for their beneficial bioactivity. Here we studied the activity of RSV and of its analogue 4,4'-dihydroxystilbene (DHS) in C57BL/6J mice bearing cancers resulting from Lung Lewis Carcinoma (LLC) cell implantation, considering tumour mass weight, angiogenesis, cell proliferation and death, autophagy, as well as characterization of their immune microenvironment, including infiltrating cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). C57BL/6J mice started treatment with RSV or DHS, solubilised in drinking water, one week before LLC implantation, and continued for 21 days, at the end of which they were sacrificed, and the tumour masses collected. Histology was performed according to standard procedures; angiogenesis, cell proliferation and death, autophagy, infiltrating-immune cells, macrophages and fibroblasts were assessed by immunodetection assays. Both stilbenic compounds were able to contrast the tumour growth by increasing apoptosis and autophagy in LLC tumour masses. Additionally, they contrasted the tumour-permissive microenvironment by limiting the infiltration of tumour-associated immune-cells and, more importantly, by counteracting CAF maturation. Therefore, both stilbenes could be employed to synergise with conventional oncotherapies to limit the contribution of stromal cells in tumour growth

Infezione da HHV8 e leucemia linfoblastica acuta in età pediatrica

HHV8 è un virus erpetico correlato, sulla base di dati ormai concordi, al sarcoma di Kaposi (KS), al linfoma effusivo primario ed alla Ma- lattia di Castleman multicentrica. Tale virus è stato inoltre associato con altre patologie tumorali ma gli studi in proposito non sono stati confermati. Poco, d’altra parte, si conosce sulle modalità prevalenti di trasmissione del virus, probabilmente diverse nelle nazioni industrializzate ed in quelle in via di sviluppo. In Sicilia una elevata prevalenza del KS clas- sico era già presente in epoca pre-AIDS. Abbiamo condotto uno studio sierologico in immunofluorescenza per rilevare gli anticorpi anti-HHV8 in 40 bambini con leucemia linfoblastica acuta (LLA) e nei loro familiari. Sono risultati positivi 5 bambini con LLA (12,5%) con una sieroprevalenza più elevata, ma non significativa, rispetto alla popola- zione pediatrica della Sicilia Occidentale. Non significativa è risultata anche la diffe- renza tra la sieroprevalenza nei familiari degli anti-HHV8+ rispetto a quella degli HHV8. HHV8 non sembra pertanto correlato alla LLA. La trasmissione nei nostri casi sembrerebbe dipendere da occasionale contamina- zione con carrier salivari, al di fuori dell’am- bito familiare.HHV8 has been consistently linked to both classical and endemic Kaposi's Sarcoma (KS), primary effusion lymphoma and multicentric Castleman's disease. HHV8 has also been associated to other oncologic diseases although such reports have not been confirmed. Little is known about the transmission routes of HHV8. The main transmission route may differ between developed and developing countries. We carried out a serologic study by Immunofluorescence of antiHHV8 antibodies on 40 children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) and their relatives. 5 children with ALL were positive (12.5%). Seroprevalence was not significantly higher than the western Sicily pediatric population. The variation in seroprevalence between the relatives of HHV8 seropositive and seronegative patients was not significant. Therefore HHV8 does not appear to be correlated with ALL and the main transmission route in our cases could occurr outside the family

Psycho-cognitive assessment and quality of life in older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-carrying the rs4713916 gene polymorphism (G/A) of gene FKBP5 and response to pulmonary rehabilitation. A proof of concept study

Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by pulmonary and extra-pulmonary multi-morbidity including depression, anxiety and cognitive disorders. Several studies investigated the association of the FKBP5 gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to anxiety, depression, and behavioral disorders. The FKBP5 gene codifies the FKBP51 protein which modulates the glucocorticoid receptor in the adaptive stress response. Genetic variants of the FKBP5 gene have been associated to a higher risk of developing mental disorders. We analyzed the association of genetic variants and stress exposure investigating the susceptibility to psychological distress and the impact on cognitive balance and quality of life (QoL) of COPD patients carrying the rs4713916 polymorphism (G/A) and we examined its association, with COPD rehabilitative outcomes. Materials and methods: A pilot study evaluated cognitive, psychological, clinical alterations/disorders, QoL, and coping strategies in 70 older adults with COPD, undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation, stratified according to the FKBP5 rs4713916 genotype (GG or GA). Results: Carriers of rs4713916 polymorphisms (G/A) show better cognitive performances, a higher degree of independence in the daily living activities, better QoL, no presence of depressive mood and anxiety symptoms, no family history of psychiatric disorders, more ability to cope with stressors by avoiding emotions but demanding emotional support, and lesser use of anti-anxiety, anti-depressant, anti-psychotic, hypnotic-sedative drugs. No difference was found in the number of comorbidities. Conclusion: These results offer valuable insights into the role of FKBP5 in the complex network of mechanisms associated to clinical, psychological and behavioral features of COPD patients