New physics searches at kaon and hyperon factories.

Rare meson decays are among the most sensitive probes of both heavy and light new physics. Among them, new physics searches using kaons benefit from their small total decay widths and the availability of very large datasets. On the other hand, useful complementary information is provided by hyperon decay measurements. We summarize the relevant phenomenological models and the status of the searches in a comprehensive list of kaon and hyperon decay channels. We identify new search strategies for under-explored signatures, and demonstrate that the improved sensitivities from current and next-generation experiments could lead to a qualitative leap in the exploration of light dark sectors.

Misoprostol administered sublingually at a dose of 12.5 µg versus vaginally at a dose of 25 µg for the induction of full-term labor: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Labor induction is defined as any procedure that stimulates uterine contractions before labor begins spontaneously. The vaginal and oral routes of administration of misoprostol are those most used for the induction of labor in routine practice, with the recommended dose being 25 µg. Nevertheless, the sublingual route may reduce the number of vaginal examinations required, increasing patient comfort and lowering the risk of maternal and fetal infection. Based on a previous systematic review, the objective of this study was to compare the frequency of tachysystole as the main outcome measure when misoprostol is administered sublingually at the dose of 12.5 µg versus vaginally at a dose of 25 µg to induce labor in a full-term pregnancy with a live fetus. METHODS: A randomized, placebo-controlled, triple-blind clinical trial was conducted at two maternity hospitals in northeastern Brazil. Two hundred patients with a full-term pregnancy, a live fetus, Bishop score ≤ 6 and an indication for induction of labor were included. Following randomization, one group received 12.5 µg misoprostol sublingually and a vaginal placebo, while the other group received a sublingual placebo and 25 µg misoprostol vaginally. The primary outcome was the frequency of tachysystole. Student's t-test, the chi-square test of association and Fisher's exact test were used, as appropriate. Risk ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: The frequency of tachysystole was lower in the group using 12.5 µg misoprostol sublingually compared to the group using 25 µg misoprostol vaginally (RR = 0.15; 95%CI: 0.02-0.97; p = 0.002). Failure to achieve vaginal delivery within 12 and 24 h was similar in both groups. Sublingual administration was preferred to vaginal administration by women in both groups; however, the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The effectiveness of labor induction with low-dose sublingual misoprostol was similar to that achieved with vaginal administration of the recommended dose; however, the rate of tachysystole was lower in the sublingual group, and this route of administration may prove a safe alternative. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registration number: NCT01406392, ClinicalTrials.gov. Date of registration: August 1, 2011.

Oxidative stress, inflammation and disease activity biomarkers in lupus nephropathy.

Lupus nephropathy is a severe and frequent complication of systemic lupus erythematosus. Here, we assessed the biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation and disease activity in patients with lupus nephritis. Thirty-four patients with active lupus nephritis, 31 patients with inactive lupus nephritis and 20 lupus patients without renal damage (non-lupus nephritis) were studied. Oxidative stress biomarkers malonyldialdehyde, oxidized-to-total glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant status were assessed, as well as inflammation biomarkers CRP, interleukin 6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1. Renal tubular disease biomarkers neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and ß2-microglobulin were assessed, together with the classic disease activity biomarkers urinary protein/creatinine ratio, anti-dsDNA, anti-C1q antibody and complement proteins C3 and C4. Significant differences were found between active lupus nephritis and inactive lupus nephritis patients and between active lupus nephritis and non-lupus nephritis patients for all the assessed biomarkers (P < 0.05), except for catalase, superoxide dismutase and interleukin 6. There is an imbalance in the redox status in active lupus nephritis patients that would be involved in lipid peroxidation of the glomerular basal membrane that would alter its integrity and could also affect renal tubular function in these patients.

Goldstone Gauginos.

Models of supersymmetry with Dirac gauginos provide an attractive scenario for physics beyond the standard model. The "supersoft" radiative corrections and suppressed supersymmetry production at colliders provide for more natural theories and an understanding of why no new states have been seen. Unfortunately, these models are handicapped by a tachyon which is naturally present in existing models of Dirac gauginos. We argue that this tachyon is absent, with the phenomenological successes of the model preserved, if the right-handed gaugino is a (pseudo-)Goldstone field of a spontaneously broken anomalous flavor symmetry.

Discriminating acute from chronic human schistosomiasis mansoni.

Specific immunoglobulin (IgA, IgG and IgM) responses to different antigen targets (soluble eggs antigen--SEA, soluble worm adult protein--SWAP and keyhole limpet hole--KLH) were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in patients with acute and chronic schistosomiasis, as well as patients without schistosomiasis. SEA IgA and KLH IgM presented high discriminatory powers to distinguish acute from chronic schistosomiasis, with calculated areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.88 and 0.82, respectively, obtained from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. On the other hand, these tests, particularly SEA IgA were not useful to distinguish schistosomiasis (including the acute and chronic forms) from individuals without this disease, but infected with other intestinal parasites (Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm). By contrast, SWAP IgG and SEA IgG were able to discriminate schistosomiasis patients from healthy individuals and patients infected with other parasites (AUCs of 0.96 and 0.85, respectively). Thus, it is possible to use a combination of serological tests, such as SEA IgA and SWAP IgG, to simultaneously establish the diagnosis of schistosomiasis and discriminate the acute from the chronic forms of the disease.

Preliminary results in the immunodiagnosis of tuberculosis in children based on T cell responses to ESAT-6 and PPD antigens.

The aim of this work was to study the difference in interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) production by T lymphocytes after early secretory antigen target 6 (ESAT-6) or purified protein derivate (PPD) stimulation in whole blood culture supernatants from children with suspected tuberculosis (TB) disease (n = 21), latent TB infection (n = 16) and negative controls (NC) (n = 22) from an endemic area in Brazil. The concentration of IFN-gamma (pg/ml) was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and the differences in the IFN-gamma levels for each group were compared and evaluated using an unpaired Student's t-test; p values < 0.05 were considered significant. Measurement of IFN-gamma levels after ESAT-6 stimulation raised the possibility of early diagnosis in the latent TB group (p = 0.0030). Nevertheless, the same group showed similar responses to the NC group (p > 0.05) after PPD stimulation. The IFN-gamma assay using ESAT-6 as an antigenic stimulus has the potential to be used as a tool for the immunodiagnosis of early TB in children.

Preliminary results in the immunodiagnosis of tuberculosis in children based on T cell responses to ESAT-6 and PPD antigens

The aim of this work was to study the difference in interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) production by T lymphocytes after early secretory antigen target 6 (ESAT-6) or purified protein derivate (PPD) stimulation in whole blood culture supernatants from children with suspected tuberculosis (TB) disease (n = 21), latent TB infection (n = 16) and negative controls (NC) (n = 22) from an endemic area in Brazil. The concentration of IFN-gamma (pg/ml) was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and the differences in the IFN-gamma levels for each group were compared and evaluated using an unpaired Student's t-test; p values < 0.05 were considered significant. Measurement of IFN-gamma levels after ESAT-6 stimulation raised the possibility of early diagnosis in the latent TB group (p = 0.0030). Nevertheless, the same group showed similar responses to the NC group (p > 0.05) after PPD stimulation. The IFN-gamma assay using ESAT-6 as an antigenic stimulus has the potential to be used as a tool for the immunodiagnosis of early TB in children.

Evaluation of tests based on the antibody response to keyhole limpet haemocyanin and soluble egg antigen to differentiate acute and chronic human schistosomiasis mansoni.

Specific IgG and IgM responses to soluble egg antigen (SEA) and keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) were measured by ELISA in patients with acute and chronic schistosomiasis. The tests based upon IgM and IgG antibodies responses to KLH presented the best diagnostic discrimination, and can be used in conjunction with clinical and epidemiological data to the differential diagnosis of acute schistosomiasis.

Evaluation of tests based on the antibody response to keyhole limpet haemocyanin and soluble egg antigen to differentiate acute and chronic human schistosomiasis mansoni

Specific IgG and IgM responses to soluble egg antigen (SEA) and keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) were measured by ELISA in patients with acute and chronic schistosomiasis. The tests based upon IgM and IgG antibodies responses to KLH presented the best diagnostic discrimination, and can be used in conjunction with clinical and epidemiological data to the differential diagnosis of acute schistosomiasis.

Onset and evolution of nephropathy in rats with spontaneous diabetes mellitus.

The occurrence of renal diabetic complications was studied in diabetic nonobese IIM/FmeSS (eSS) rats. The results were compared with eumetabolic Wistar rats paired by sex and age. Between 6 and 12 months of age, eSS male rats had higher fructosamine values and glucose intolerance as well as increasing proteinuria and uremia. Enhancement in water, calcium and phosphorus fractional excretion with a concomitant lower sodium excretion, was observed from 12 months of age on. 18- and 21-month-old eSS rats exhibited fasting hyperglycaemia and rising values of fructosamine, glucose intolerance and glycosuria. Simultaneously, a notorious worsening of proteinuria as well as alterations in glomerular filtration were verified. Optic microscopy of 12-month-old eSS rat kidneys showed areas of tubular dilatation with protein cylinders. In 21-month-old eSS animals, kidneys appeared overtly damaged. Increased capsular, glomerular and Henle's thin loop diameters were verified in 12- and 21-month-old eSS rats. Glomeruli showed diffuse hypertrophy of mesangial tissue and thickening of the basement membrane. Areas of markedly atrophic and dilated tubules containing acidophilic proteinaceous material were observed. At age of 21 months, kidneys of eumetabolic Wistar control rats presented foci of interstitial and pielic inflammatory infiltrates.