Cosmology with two compactification scales

We consider a (4+d)-dimensional spacetime broken up into a (4-n)-dimensional Minkowski spacetime (where n goes from 1 to 3) and a compact (n+d)-dimensional manifold. At the present time the n compactification radii are of the order of the Universe size, while the other d compactification radii are of the order of the Planck length.Comment: 16 pages, Latex2e, 7 figure

Cantilever-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy applied in the research of natural and synthetic calcium phosphate

Publisher Copyright: © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd. Copyright: Copyright 2018 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.This study demonstrates the significant potential of cantilever-enhanced Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy (FTIR PAS) principles. The improved sensitivity and reproducibility of this method presents a potent tool in the study of biomaterials. The article discusses aspects of the application of cantilever-enhanced FTIR PAS in the research of natural and biological calcium phosphate and the statistical evaluation of the FTIR PAS sampling method. The improved constructions of the FTIR PAS accessory reduce limitations of the conventional capacitive microphone and provide a sensitive tool for samples or processes unreachable by more traditional transmittance methods, or ATR sampling technique. The most common and important applications have been discussed in-depth to show the wide range of problems solved by FTIR PAS.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Dual geometries and spacetime singularities

The notion of geometrical duality is discussed in the context of both Brans-Dicke theory and general relativity. It is shown that, in some particular solutions, the spacetime singularities that arise in usual Riemannian general relativity may be avoided in its dual representation (Weyl-type general relativity). This dual representation provides a singularity-free picture of the World that is physicaly equivalent to the canonical general relativistic one.Comment: 11 pages, LaTeX, no figures, version accepted for publication in PR

Dyonic Wormholes in 5D Kaluza-Klein Theory

New spherically symmetric dyonic solutions, describing a wormhole-like class of spacetime configurations in five-dimensional Kaluza-Klein theory, are given in an explicit form. For this type of solution the electric and magnetic fields cause a significantly different global structure. For the electric dominated case, the solution is everywhere regular but, when the magnetic strength overcomes the electric contribution, the mouths of the wormhole become singular points. When the electric and magnetic charge parameters are identical, the throats ``degenerate'' and the solution reduces to the trivial embedding of the four-dimensional massless Reissner-Nordstr{\"o}m black hole solution. In addition, their counterparts in eleven-dimensional supergravity are constructed by a non-trivial uplifting.Comment: Revised version to appear in Class. Quant. Gra

A novel mutation in SACS gene in a family from southern Italy

A form of autosomal recessive spastic ataxia (ARSACS) has been described in the Charlevoix and Saguenay regions of Quebec. So far a frameshift and a nonsense mutation have been identified in the SACS gene. The authors report a new mutation (1859insC), leading to a frameshift with a premature termination of the gene product sacsin, in two sisters from consanguineous parents. The phenotype is similar to previously described patients with ARSACS

The role of Aurora-A inhibitors in cancer therapy.

Recently, new chemotherapy agents which target the non-structural components of mitosis have been developed. An important protein involved in several mitotic phases is the Aurora-A protein. By means of the phosphorylation of different substrates, Aurora-A regulates the correct development of the various phases of mitosis. The kinase activity of this protein makes Aurora-A an excellent candidate as an oncogene. The first data of Aurora-A involvement in cancer regarded the identification of Aurora-A overexpression in primary breast and colon tumour samples. With regard to the predictive role of Aurora-A, it has been shown that its overexpression disrupts the spindle checkpoint activated by paclitaxel (Taxol) or nocodazole treatment, thus inducing the cells to become resistant to these drugs. The development therefore of small molecules with an Aurora-A inhibition function may make it possible to reduce or block the oncogenic activity of Aurora-A and in addition may improve the survival of oncological patients showing resistance to paclitaxel or nocodazole treatment. Three novel Aurora kinase inhibitors have recently been described--Hesperadin, ZM447439 and VX-680. All these three drugs have been designed to target the ATP-binding site of Aurora kinase, so they inhibit all three Aurora kinase family members showing a similar phenotype when tested in cell-based assays. Among these three different molecules, VX-680 has shown promising results in in vitro and in vivo studies. In conclusion, it is clear that we are entering a new era in anti-mitotic therapy with the identification and now clinical translation of new targets in mitosis beyond tubulin but many questions remain with regard to Aurora function

Patterns of genomic instability in gastric cancer: clinical implications and perspectives

In gastric cancer (GC) the loss of genomic stability represents a key molecular step that occurs early in the carcinogenesis process and creates a permissive environment for the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations in tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes. It is widely accepted that GC can follow at least two major genomic instability pathways, microsatellite instability (MSI) and chromosome instability (CIN). MSI is responsible for a well-defined subset of GCs. CIN represents a more common pathway comprising heterogeneous subsets of GC. In addition to MSI and CIN, the CpG islands methylator phenotype (CIMP) plays an important role in gastric carcinogenesis. CIMP may lead to the transcriptional silencing of various genes in gastric carcinogenesis. Intriguingly, more recently in addition to CpG island hypermethylation, a global DNA demethylation, that precedes genomic damage, has been observed in GC. Thus, epigenetic alterations may play a relevant role in gastric carcinogenesis as alternative mechanisms. Evidence suggests that although MSI, CIN and CIMP phenotypes can be distinguished from one another, there might be some degree of overlap. This review describes our current knowledge of the instability pathways in gastric carcinogenesis and the potential clinical applications for different forms of genomic instability in G