Measurement of prompt D-meson production in p-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=5.02 TeV.

The p_{T}-differential production cross sections of the prompt charmed mesons D^{0}, D^{+}, D^{*+}, and D_{s}^{+} and their charge conjugate in the rapidity interval -0.96

Exclusive J/ψ photoproduction off protons in ultraperipheral p-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=5.02 TeV.

We present the first measurement at the LHC of exclusive J/ψ photoproduction off protons, in ultraperipheral proton-lead collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV. Events are selected with a dimuon pair produced either in the rapidity interval, in the laboratory frame, 2.5

Charge separation relative to the reaction plane in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 2.76 TeV.

Measurements of charge-dependent azimuthal correlations with the ALICE detector at the LHC are reported for Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 2.76 TeV. Two- and three-particle charge-dependent azimuthal correlations in the pseudorapidity range |η| < 0.8 are presented as a function of the collision centrality, particle separation in pseudorapidity, and transverse momentum. A clear signal compatible with a charge-dependent separation relative to the reaction plane is observed, which shows little or no collision energy dependence when compared to measurements at RHIC energies. This provides a new insight for understanding the nature of the charge-dependent azimuthal correlations observed at RHIC and LHC energies.

Pseudorapidity density of charged particles in p+Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=5.02 TeV.

The charged-particle pseudorapidity density measured over four units of pseudorapidity in nonsingle-diffractive p+Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair √(s(NN))=5.02 TeV is presented. The average value at midrapidity is measured to be 16.81±0.71 (syst), which corresponds to 2.14±0.17 (syst) per participating nucleon, calculated with the Glauber model. This is 16% lower than in nonsingle-diffractive pp collisions interpolated to the same collision energy and 84% higher than in d+Au collisions at s√(s(NN))=0.2 TeV. The measured pseudorapidity density in p+Pb collisions is compared to model predictions and provides new constraints on the description of particle production in high-energy nuclear collisions.

Transverse momentum distribution and nuclear modification factor of charged particles in p+Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 5.02 TeV.

The transverse momentum (p(T)) distribution of primary charged particles is measured in minimum bias (non-single-diffractive) p+Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The p(T) spectra measured near central rapidity in the range 0.5

Directed flow of charged particles at midrapidity relative to the spectator plane in Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV.

The directed flow of charged particles at midrapidity is measured in Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV relative to the collision symmetry plane defined by the spectator nucleons. A negative slope of the rapidity-odd directed flow component with approximately 3 times smaller magnitude than found at the highest RHIC energy is observed. This suggests a smaller longitudinal tilt of the initial system and disfavors the strong fireball rotation predicted for the LHC energies. The rapidity-even directed flow component is measured for the first time with spectators and found to be independent of pseudorapidity with a sign change at transverse momenta p(T) between 1.2 and 1.7 GeV/c. Combined with the observation of a vanishing rapidity-even p(T) shift along the spectator deflection this is strong evidence for dipolelike initial density fluctuations in the overlap zone of the nuclei. Similar trends in the rapidity-even directed flow and the estimate from two-particle correlations at midrapidity, which is larger by about a factor of 40, indicate a weak correlation between fluctuating participant and spectator symmetry planes. These observations open new possibilities for investigation of the initial conditions in heavy-ion collisions with spectator nucleons.

J/ψ elliptic flow in Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV.

We report on the first measurement of inclusive J/ψ elliptic flow v2 in heavy-ion collisions at the LHC. The measurement is performed with the ALICE detector in Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV in the rapidity range 2.5

K(S)0 and Λ production in Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV.

The ALICE measurement of K(S)(0) and Λ production at midrapidity in Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV is presented. The transverse momentum (p(T)) spectra are shown for several collision centrality intervals and in the p(T) range from 0.4 GeV/c (0.6 GeV/c for Λ) to 12 GeV/c. The p(T) dependence of the Λ/K(S)(0) ratios exhibits maxima in the vicinity of 3 GeV/c, and the positions of the maxima shift towards higher p(T) with increasing collision centrality. The magnitude of these maxima increases by almost a factor of three between most peripheral and most central Pb-Pb collisions. This baryon excess at intermediate p(T) is not observed in pp interactions at √s=0.9 TeV and at √s=7 TeV. Qualitatively, the baryon enhancement in heavy-ion collisions is expected from radial flow. However, the measured p(T) spectra above 2 GeV/c progressively decouple from hydrodynamical-model calculations. For higher values of p(T), models that incorporate the influence of the medium on the fragmentation and hadronization processes describe qualitatively the p(T) dependence of the Λ/K(S)(0) ratio.

D meson elliptic flow in noncentral Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[sNN]=2.76 Tev.

Azimuthally anisotropic distributions of D0, D+, and D*+ mesons were studied in the central rapidity region (|y|<0.8) in Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy sqrt[sNN]=2.76 TeV per nucleon-nucleon collision, with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The second Fourier coefficient v2 (commonly denoted elliptic flow) was measured in the centrality class 30%-50% as a function of the D meson transverse momentum pT, in the range 2-16 GeV/c. The measured v2 of D mesons is comparable in magnitude to that of light-flavor hadrons. It is positive in the range 2

Net-charge fluctuations in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[sNN]=2.76 TeV.

We report the first measurement of the net-charge fluctuations in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[sNN]=2.76 TeV, measured with the ALICE detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. The dynamical fluctuations per unit entropy are observed to decrease when going from peripheral to central collisions. An additional reduction in the amount of fluctuations is seen in comparison to the results from lower energies. We examine the dependence of fluctuations on the pseudorapidity interval, which may account for the dilution of fluctuations during the evolution of the system. We find that the fluctuations at the LHC are smaller compared to the measurements at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, and as such, closer to what has been theoretically predicted for the formation of a quark-gluon plasma.

Pion, kaon, and proton production in central Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 2.76 TeV.

In this Letter we report the first results on π(±), K(±), p, and p production at midrapidity (|y|<0.5) in central Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 2.76 TeV, measured by the ALICE experiment at the LHC. The p(T) distributions and yields are compared to previous results at sqrt[s(NN)] = 200 GeV and expectations from hydrodynamic and thermal models. The spectral shapes indicate a strong increase of the radial flow velocity with sqrt[s(NN)], which in hydrodynamic models is expected as a consequence of the increasing particle density. While the K/π ratio is in line with predictions from the thermal model, the p/π ratio is found to be lower by a factor of about 1.5. This deviation from thermal model expectations is still to be understood.

Production of muons from heavy flavor decays at forward rapidity in pp and Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=2.76 TeV.

The ALICE Collaboration has measured the inclusive production of muons from heavy-flavor decays at forward rapidity, 2.5

Increased circulating concentrations of bioactive PTH 1-84 in patients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: PTH is related to left ventricular hypertrophy and its circulating levels are associated with worse prognosis in patients with heart failure (HF). The objectives of our study were to measure the circulating levels of bioactive PTH 1-84 through third-generation assay in HF patients, to determine their association with the disease severity as well as their relation with recognized biomarkers of HF worsening and prognosis. METHODS: PTH 1-84 concentrations were determined in 76 HF patients and in 49 healthy volunteers. Circulating levels of amino-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide (Nt-proANP), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), Nt-proBNP, proBNP, and big endothelin-1 (Big ET-1) were also measured. RESULTS: HF patients had in- creased PTH 1-84 levels in comparison to controls. A significant increase of the PTH 1-84 circulating concentrations was observed according to the New York Heart Association functional classes. PTH 1-84 circulating concentrations were also significantly correlated with Nt-proANP, BNP, Nt-proBNP, proBNP, and Big ET-1. CONCLUSIONS: PTH 1-84 circulating levels are significantly increased in HF patients in comparison to healthy individuals. Our study has also demonstrated that circulating concentrations of bioactive PTH are related to HF severity and well-established biomarkers of the worsening of the disease.

Do high ferritin levels confer lower cardiovascular risk in men with Type 2 diabetes?

AIMS: High ferritin levels are associated with insulin resistance and liver steatosis, both thought of as emerging cardiovascular risk factors. The association between ferritin and cardiovascular disease is poorly documented in cardiometabolic states with higher cardiovascular risk, such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome. We therefore characterized a cohort of males with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) according to ferritin levels and prevalent macroangiopathy. METHODS: The presence of overall macroangiopathy, peripheral and/or coronary artery disease was documented in 424 consecutive T2DM males, who were divided according to ferritin quartiles (Q) as follows: QI-III, normal ferritin (NF; n=318), mean+/-1 sd ferritin 133+/-72 ng/ml; and QIV patients, high ferritin (HF; n=106), ferritin 480+/-228 ng/ml. RESULTS: Age, age at diabetes diagnosis, smoking, ethanol intake, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure and presence of metabolic syndrome did not differ between groups. However, the prevalence of macroangiopathy was unexpectedly much lower in patients with high ferritin, as follows: 25% vs. 43% for overall macroangiopathy; 7% vs. 16% for peripheral artery disease; and 16% vs. 31% for coronary artery disease (P=0.0009, P=0.0140 and P=0.0035, respectively, vs. NF patients). Insulin resistance index and prevalence of liver steatosis were higher in HF compared with NF patients as follows: 2.17% vs. 1.89% and 78% vs. 64% (P=0.0345 and P=0.0059, respectively). Liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase) were significantly higher in HF, by 33%, 42% and 72%, respectively (all P<0.0002), suggesting a higher prevalence of steatohepatitis. Glycated haemoglobin, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides, urate, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and albuminuria were not different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that T2DM males with high ferritin levels exhibit a markedly decreased prevalence of macroangiopathy, despite more severe insulin resistance and higher markers of steatohepatitis. High ferritin levels and/or steatosis may thus paradoxically confer a lowered cardiovascular risk in diabetic males.

Handedness, insulin sensitivity and pancreatic B-cell function in Type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Laterality is associated with various health conditions. No study has addressed the influence of handedness on Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) phenotype, including glucose homeostasis, glucose-lowering therapies and metabolic control. METHODS: Five hundred and seventy-six consecutive adult T2DM outpatients underwent homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) of pancreatic B-cell function (B), insulin sensitivity (S), hyperbolic product (B x S) and age-standardized B x S deficit. Right-handed patients (87.5%; RH; n = 504) had similar age, gender, diabetes duration and education than non-right-handed patients (12.5%; non-RH; n = 72). RESULTS: Non-RH were more insulin-sensitive: 66% (39%) vs. 52% (36%) [mean (1 sd); P = 0.0024] and had significantly higher B x S and lower age-adjusted B x S deficit: 35% (20%) vs. 26% (17%) and 1.08% (0.40%) vs. 1.32% (0.55%)/year (non-RH; P = 0.0005 and P < 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Non-right-handed T2DM patients are more insulin-sensitive, have higher hyperbolic product and less age-standardized B x S deficit. These may modulate glucose-lowering therapy requirements and glycaemic control.

Circulating urotensin II levels in moderate to severe congestive heart failure: its relations with myocardial function and well established neurohormonal markers.

Urotensin II (UII) is a potent vasoactive cyclic peptide thought to play a role in myocardial hypertrophy and remodelling. We therefore determined UII plasma levels in congestive heart failure (CHF) patients and its relationship with the severity of the disease and well-established markers of left ventricular function. UII was significantly higher in CHF patients (n = 57) than in controls (n = 48) [geometric mean (pg/ml), 95% PI: 1.32 (0.67-2.59) versus 0.84 (0.31-1.61), p < 0.0001], was related to the functional class of the disease and correlated negatively with left ventricular ejection fraction (r = -0.316, P = 0.016). Furthermore, UII correlated significantly with Big-ET1 (r = 0.32, p = 0.03), BNP (r = 0.42, p = 0.005) but poorly with Nt-proANP (r = 0.28, p = 0.07). Our results suggest that UII could play a role in worsening the course of congestive heart failure and is associated with established markers of cardiovascular dysfunction.

Production of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] in proton-proton collisions at [Formula: see text] 7 TeV.

The production of the strange and double-strange baryon resonances ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]) has been measured at mid-rapidity ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]) in proton-proton collisions at [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] 7 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. Transverse momentum spectra for inelastic collisions are compared to QCD-inspired models, which in general underpredict the data. A search for the [Formula: see text] pentaquark, decaying in the [Formula: see text] channel, has been carried out but no evidence is seen.

Measurement of Galectin-3 with the ARCHITECT assay: Clinical validity and cost-effectiveness in patients with heart failure.

OBJECTIVES: Galectin-3 (Gal-3) testing is emerging as a valuable tool for the prognosis of heart failure (HF). Our objectives were to determine the clinical validity and cost-effectiveness of the recently developed ARCHITECT Gal-3 automated immunoassay. DESIGN AND METHODS: Gal-3 levels were measured in HF patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction with the ARCHITECT i2000SR Gal-3 assay as well as with the reference Gal-3 ELISA assay. The relationship between Gal-3 levels determined with the automated assay and HF severity as well as its predictive value for long-term cardiovascular death were evaluated. The impact of Gal-3 testing on the diagnostic related group (DRG) based reimbursement was also estimated. RESULTS: Gal-3 levels measured with the ARCHITECT assay were related to the severity of HF based on New York Heart Association functional classes (p<0.001) and were also significantly and positively correlated to BNP concentrations (r=0.35, p<0.001). Gal-3 values higher than 19.2 ng/mL were predictive of long-term cardiovascular death in patients with systolic HF and also provided incremental prognostic information to BNP testing. In addition, Gal-3 testing was estimated to save DRG in comparison to standard of care. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated the clinical validity of the ARCHITECT Gal-3 automated immunoassay for the risk stratification of HF patients. The automation of Gal-3 testing was also cost-effective and might help to preserve hospital budget.

Galectin-3 testing: validity of a novel automated assay in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction.

Circulating levels of galectin-3 (Gal-3), a marker of cardiac fibrosis and remodeling, contribute to the risk stratification of patients with heart failure (HF). The aim of our study was to determine the analytical validity and clinical validity of a novel automated Gal-3 assay in HF patients with reduced ejection fraction. We showed an excellent agreement between the VIDAS® Gal-3 automated assay and the ELISA reference method (r=0.90, p<0.001) and a mean difference of -1.3 ng/mL was observed on the Bland and Altman plot. Gal-3 levels measured with the VIDAS® assay were significantly related to NYHA functional classes (p<0.001) and mean Gal-3 levels were 13.8 ng/mL in NYHA II patients, 17.7 ng/mL in NYHA III and 19.6 ng/mL in NYHA IV. Furthermore, our results showed that Gal-3 levels measured with the VIDAS® assay were not only predictive of long-term cardiovascular death in patients with systolic HF but have also provided added value to natriuretic peptide testing in multimarker strategies. Therefore, our data are also supporting the clinical validity of the Gal-3 automated assay.