44 research outputs found
N=2 Supergravity Lagrangian Coupled to Tensor Multiplets with Electric and Magnetic Fluxes
We derive the full N=2 supergravity Lagrangian which contains a symplectic
invariant scalar potential in terms of electric and magnetic charges. As shown
in reference [1], the appearance of magnetic charges is allowed only if tensor
multiplets are present and a suitable Fayet-Iliopoulos term is included in the
fermion transformation laws. We generalize the procedure in the quoted
reference by adding further a Fayet-Iliopoulos term which allows the
introduction of electric charges in such a way that the potential and the
equations of motion of the theory are symplectic invariant. The theory is
further generalized to include an ordinary electric gauging and the form of the
resulting scalar potential is given.Comment: 1+34 pages LaTeX, correction of a typo in the ungauged scalar
potentia
Understanding the Ultra-Rare Disease Autosomal Dominant Leukodystrophy: an Updated Review on Morpho-Functional Alterations Found in Experimental Models
Autosomal dominant leukodystrophy (ADLD) is an ultra-rare, slowly progressive, and fatal neurodegenerative disorder associated with the loss of white matter in the central nervous system (CNS). Several years after its first clinical description, ADLD was found to be caused by coding and non-coding variants in the LMNB1 gene that cause its overexpression in at least the brain of patients. LMNB1 encodes for Lamin B1, a protein of the nuclear lamina. Lamin B1 regulates many cellular processes such as DNA replication, chromatin organization, and senescence. However, its functions have not been fully characterized yet. Nevertheless, Lamin B1 together with the other lamins that constitute the nuclear lamina has firstly the key role of maintaining the nuclear structure. Being the nucleus a dynamic system subject to both biochemical and mechanical regulation, it is conceivable that changes to its structural homeostasis might translate into functional alterations. Under this light, this review aims at describing the pieces of evidence that to date have been obtained regarding the effects of LMNB1 overexpression on cellular morphology and functionality. Moreover, we suggest that further investigation on ADLD morpho-functional consequences is essential to better understand this complex disease and, possibly, other neurological disorders affecting CNS myelination
Scherk-Schwarz Reduction of D=5 Special and Quaternionic Geometry
We give the N=2 gauged supergravity interpretation of a generic D=4, N=2
theory as it comes from generalized Scherk-Schwarz reduction of D=5, N=2
(ungauged) supergravity. We focus on the geometric aspects of the D=4 data such
as the general form of the scalar potential and masses in terms of the gauging
of a ``flat group''. Higgs and super-Higgs mechanism are discussed in some
detail.Comment: final version to be published on Class.Quant.Gra
Disease-Modifying Therapies and Coronavirus Disease 2019 Severity in Multiple Sclerosis
Objective: This study was undertaken to assess the impact of immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory therapies on the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Methods: We retrospectively collected data of PwMS with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. All the patients had complete follow-up to death or recovery. Severe COVID-19 was defined by a 3-level variable: mild disease not requiring hospitalization versus pneumonia or hospitalization versus intensive care unit (ICU) admission or death. We evaluated baseline characteristics and MS therapies associated with severe COVID-19 by multivariate and propensity score (PS)-weighted ordinal logistic models. Sensitivity analyses were run to confirm the results. Results: Of 844 PwMS with suspected (n = 565) or confirmed (n = 279) COVID-19, 13 (1.54%) died; 11 of them were in a progressive MS phase, and 8 were without any therapy. Thirty-eight (4.5%) were admitted to an ICU; 99 (11.7%) had radiologically documented pneumonia; 96 (11.4%) were hospitalized. After adjusting for region, age, sex, progressive MS course, Expanded Disability Status Scale, disease duration, body mass index, comorbidities, and recent methylprednisolone use, therapy with an anti-CD20 agent (ocrelizumab or rituximab) was significantly associated (odds ratio [OR] = 2.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.18\u20134.74, p = 0.015) with increased risk of severe COVID-19. Recent use (<1 month) of methylprednisolone was also associated with a worse outcome (OR = 5.24, 95% CI = 2.20\u201312.53, p = 0.001). Results were confirmed by the PS-weighted analysis and by all the sensitivity analyses. Interpretation: This study showed an acceptable level of safety of therapies with a broad array of mechanisms of action. However, some specific elements of risk emerged. These will need to be considered while the COVID-19 pandemic persists. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:780\u2013789
DMTs and Covid-19 severity in MS: a pooled analysis from Italy and France
We evaluated the effect of DMTs on Covid-19 severity in patients with MS, with a pooled-analysis of two large cohorts from Italy and France. The association of baseline characteristics and DMTs with Covid-19 severity was assessed by multivariate ordinal-logistic models and pooled by a fixed-effect meta-analysis. 1066 patients with MS from Italy and 721 from France were included. In the multivariate model, anti-CD20 therapies were significantly associated (OR = 2.05, 95%CI = 1.39–3.02, p < 0.001) with Covid-19 severity, whereas interferon indicated a decreased risk (OR = 0.42, 95%CI = 0.18–0.99, p = 0.047). This pooled-analysis confirms an increased risk of severe Covid-19 in patients on anti-CD20 therapies and supports the protective role of interferon
A highly informative microsatellite repeat polymorphism in intron 1 of the human amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene
A highly polymorphic microsatellite was found in the first intron of the beta Amyloyd Precursor Protein gene by screening a chromosome 21 cosmid genomic library