Observation of CR Anisotropy with ARGO-YBJ

The measurement of the anisotropies of cosmic ray arrival direction provides important informations on the propagation mechanisms and on the identification of their sources. In this paper we report the observation of anisotropy regions at different angular scales. In particular, the observation of a possible anisotropy on scales between $\sim$ 10 $^{\circ}$ and $\sim$ 30 $^{\circ}$ suggests the presence of unknown features of the magnetic fields the charged cosmic rays propagate through, as well as potential contributions of nearby sources to the total flux of cosmic rays. Evidence of new weaker few-degree excesses throughout the sky region $195^{\circ}\leq$ R.A. $\leq 315^{\circ}$ is reported for the first time.Comment: Talk given at 12th TAUP Conference 2011, 5-9 September 2011, Munich, German

A Meta-Analysis of Caspase 9 Polymorphisms in Promoter and Exon Sequence on Cancer Susceptibility

BACKGROUND: Caspases are important regulators and executioners in apoptosis pathway and have been defined as either tumor suppressors or oncogenes. Polymorphisms in promoter and exon of caspase 9 were shown to confer genetic susceptibility to multiple cancers, but the results were inconsistent. To accomplish a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis was performed. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We assessed published studies of the association between caspase 9 polymorphisms and cancer risk from nine studies with 5,528 subjects for rs4645978, six studies with 2,403 subjects for rs105276 and two studies for rs4645981. Overall meta-analysis indicated that no evidence of an association between rs4645978 and cancers was found. Through the stratified analysis, statistically significant reduced cancer risks were observed among Caucasians (AG vs AA: OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.66-0.99, P(heterogeneity) = 0.150 and the dominant model: OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.75-0.99, P(heterogeneity) = 0.290) and prostate cancer. As for rs105276, Ex5+32G>A polymorphism was found with protective effect in overall meta-analysis (AA vs GG: OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.60-0.92, P(heterogeneity) = 0.887; A vs G: OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.77-0.95, P(heterogeneity) = 0.739 and the recessive model: OR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.56-0.82, P(heterogeneity) = 0.309) and Asians group. While for rs4645981, a statistically significant increase in risk of lung cancer was shown in Asians (T vs C: OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.07-1.42, P(heterogeneity) = 0.399 and the dominant model: OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.04-1.43, P(heterogeneity) = 0.660). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our meta-analysis suggests that the caspase 9 rs4645978 most likely contributes to decreased susceptibility to cancer in Caucasians and prostate cancer. The A allele of rs105276 might be a protective factor for cancer, especially for Asians. However, it seems that rs4645981 confers increased susceptibility to lung cancer in Asians

Transgenic Overexpression of Active Calcineurin in β-Cells Results in Decreased β-Cell Mass and Hyperglycemia

BACKGROUND:Glucose modulates beta-cell mass and function through an initial depolarization and Ca(2+) influx, which then triggers a number of growth regulating signaling pathways. One of the most important downstream effectors in Ca(2+) signaling is the calcium/Calmodulin activated serine threonine phosphatase, calcineurin. Recent evidence suggests that calcineurin/NFAT is essential for beta-cell proliferation, and that in its absence loss of beta-cells results in diabetes. We hypothesized that in contrast, activation of calcineurin might result in expansion of beta-cell mass and resistance to diabetes. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:To determine the role of activation of calcineurin signaling in the regulation of pancreatic beta-cell mass and proliferation, we created mice that expressed a constitutively active form of calcineurin under the insulin gene promoter (caCn(RIP)). To our surprise, these mice exhibited glucose intolerance. In vitro studies demonstrated that while the second phase of Insulin secretion is enhanced, the overall insulin secretory response was conserved. Islet morphometric studies demonstrated decreased beta-cell mass suggesting that this was a major component responsible for altered Insulin secretion and glucose intolerance in caCn(RIP) mice. The reduced beta-cell mass was accompanied by decreased proliferation and enhanced apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS:Our studies identify calcineurin as an important factor in controlling glucose homeostasis and indicate that chronic depolarization leading to increased calcineurin activity may contribute, along with other genetic and environmental factors, to beta-cell dysfunction and diabetes

Measurement of the antiproton/proton ratio in the few-TeV energy range with ARGO-YBJ

Cosmic ray antiprotons provide an important probe for the study of cosmic ray propagation in the interstellar space and to investigate the existence of Galactic dark matter. The ARGO-YBJ experiment is observing the Moon shadow with high statistical significance at an energy threshold of a few hundred GeV. Using all the data collected until November 2009, we set two upper limits on the antip/p flux ratio: 5% at an energy of 1.4 TeV and 6% at 5 TeV with a confidence level of 90%. In the few-TeV range the ARGO-YBJ results are the lowest available, useful to constrain models for antiproton production in antimatter domains.Comment: Talk given at the CRIS 2010 Conference, September 2010, Catania - Italy, 6 page

The abundance and host-seeking behavior of culicine species (Diptera: Culicidae) and Anopheles sinensis in Yongcheng city, people's Republic of China

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The knowledge of mosquito species diversity and the level of anthropophily exhibited by each species in a region are of great importance to the integrated vector control. Culicine species are the primary vectors of Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus and filariasis in China. <it>Anopheles sinensis </it>plays a major role in the maintenance of <it>Plasmodium vivax </it>malaria transmission in China. The goal of this study was to compare the abundance and host-seeking behavior of culicine species and <it>An. sinensis </it>in Yongcheng city, a representative region of <it>P. vivax </it>malaria. Specifically, we wished to determine the relative attractiveness of different animal baits versus human bait to culicine species and <it>An. sinensis</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>Culex tritaeniorhynchus </it>was the most prevalent mosquito species and <it>An. sinensis </it>was the sole potential vector of <it>P. vivax </it>malaria in Yongcheng city. There were significant differences (P < 0.01) in the abundance of both <it>An. sinensis </it>and <it>Cx. tritaeniorhynchus </it>collected in distinct baited traps. The relative attractiveness of animal versus human bait was similar towards both <it>An. sinensis </it>and <it>Cx. tritaeniorhynchus</it>. The ranking derived from the mean number of mosquitoes per bait indicated that pigs, goats and calves frequently attracted more mosquitoes than the other hosts tested (dogs, humans, and chickens). These trends were similar across all capture nights at three distinct villages. The human blood index (HBI) of female <it>An. sinensis </it>was 2.94% when computed with mixed meals while 3.70% computed with only the single meal. 19:00~21:00 was the primary peak of host-seeking female <it>An. sinensis </it>while 4:00~5:00 was the smaller peak at night. There was significant correlation between the density of female <it>An. sinensis </it>and the average relative humidity (P < 0.05) in Wangshanzhuang village.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Pigs, goats and calves were more attractive to <it>An. sinensis </it>and <it>Cx. tritaeniorhynchus </it>than dogs, humans, and chickens. Female <it>An. sinensis </it>host-seeking activity mainly occurred from 19:00 to 21:00. Thus, we propose that future vector control against <it>An. sinensis </it>and <it>Cx. tritaeniorhynchus </it>in the areas along the Huang-Huai River of central China should target the interface of human activity with domestic animals and adopt before human hosts go to bed at night.</p