Search for Gamma-Ray Spectral Lines from Dark Matter Annihilation up to 100 TeV toward the Galactic Center with MAGIC

Linelike features in TeV γ rays constitute a "smoking gun" for TeV-scale particle dark matter and new physics. Probing the Galactic Center region with ground-based Cherenkov telescopes enables the search for TeV spectral features in immediate association with a dense dark matter reservoir at a sensitivity out of reach for satellite γ-ray detectors, and direct detection and collider experiments. We report on 223 hours of observations of the Galactic Center region with the MAGIC stereoscopic telescope system reaching γ-ray energies up to 100 TeV. We improved the sensitivity to spectral lines at high energies using large-zenith-angle observations and a novel background modeling method within a maximum-likelihood analysis in the energy domain. No linelike spectral feature is found in our analysis. Therefore, we constrain the cross section for dark matter annihilation into two photons to ⟨σv⟩≲5×10^{-28}  cm^{3} s^{-1} at 1 TeV and ⟨σv⟩≲1×10^{-25}  cm^{3} s^{-1} at 100 TeV, achieving the best limits to date for a dark matter mass above 20 TeV and a cuspy dark matter profile at the Galactic Center. Finally, we use the derived limits for both cuspy and cored dark matter profiles to constrain supersymmetric wino models.

AB1052 ASSOCIATION BETWEEN BODY MASS INDEX AND HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH GOUT

Background

Gout is an inflammatory disease that may cause decreased function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) [1]. In a few studies, it was demonstrated a negative relationship between body mass index (BMI) and HRQoL in individuals with gout; in the others, it was not confirmed.

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the BMI and quality of life in patients with gout and to value the association between these variables.

Methods

All 151 patients were male with mean age (M±SD) 52.4±9.2 years. Diagnosis of gout was based on the ACR/EULAR 2015 criteria [2]. Tophi was present in 51 (33.7%), and the median duration of gout was 7 years (25th to 75th interquartile range (IQR), 4 to 14.0). The mean uric acid in serum was (sUA) (M±SD) 477.2 ±120.5 µmol/l. HRQoL was evaluated by the SF-36 and calculated summary physical (PCS) and mental component (MCS) scores of the SF-36.

Results

About 67.5% of the surveyed patients had BMI > 30 kg/m2, while the average index was 31.9±3.4. The overall median SF-36 PCS score was 33.9 (IQR 28.8 to 38.4), and the overall median SF-36 MCS score was 41.1 (IQR 34.2 to 47.4). Among the eight subscales of SF-36, there was a correlation between BMI and role physical functioning (RP) r = -0.22 (p<0.01), general health (GH) r = -0.17 (p<0.05), but others were statistically not significant (P>0.05). Our analysis showed negative associations between BMI and physical and mental HRQoL. BMI correlated with PCS r = -0.19 (p<0.05) and MCS r = -0.17(p<0.05).

Conclusion

This analysis provides further evidence to support the injurious effects of obesity on different aspects of health patients with gout and underline the importance of weight loss.

References

[1]Chandratre, P., Mallen, C., Richardson, J., Muller, S., Hider, S., Rome, K., & Roddy, E. (2018, August). Health-related quality of life in gout in primary care: Baseline findings from a cohort study. In Seminars in arthritis and rheumatism (Vol. 48, No. 1, pp. 61-69). WB Saunders.

[2]Neogi, T., Jansen, T. L. T. A., Dalbeth, N., Fransen, J., Schumacher, H. R., Berendsen, D., & Taylor, W. J. (2015). 2015 gout classification criteria: an American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism collaborative initiative. Arthritis & rheumatology, 67(10), 2557-2568.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Bounds on Lorentz Invariance Violation from MAGIC Observation of GRB 190114C

On January 14, 2019, the Major Atmospheric Gamma Imaging Cherenkov telescopes detected GRB 190114C above 0.2 TeV, recording the most energetic photons ever observed from a gamma-ray burst. We use this unique observation to probe an energy dependence of the speed of light in vacuo for photons as predicted by several quantum gravity models. Based on a set of assumptions on the possible intrinsic spectral and temporal evolution, we obtain competitive lower limits on the quadratic leading order of speed of light modification.

TLC determination of mebendazol and pentoxifylline as residues on pharmaceutical equipment surfaces

This paper presents the applicability of thin-layer chromatographic methods with a subsequent densitometric or video densitometric quantitation for determination of residues in controlling pharmaceutical equipment cleanliness. Analytical methods were developed for monitoring residues of pentoxifylline at 10 mg/M2 and mebendazol at 1 mg/M2 on stainless steel surfaces. Simulated samples were prepared by addition of a calculated amount of pharmaceutical (as a solution) on a 35 x 35 cm stainless steel surface. After evaporation of solvent, the residues were wiped with wetted cotton. The cotton was extracted with dichloromethan-methanol (1 + 1). Filtered extract was concentrated by vacuum evaporation and an aliquot applied to the plate, where standards were also applied. In the narrow concentration range near the acceptable residue limits, linear calibration curve could be obtained for both substances. The mean recovery (n = 4) obtained by densitometric quantitation was 93.4% for pentoxifylline and 85.6% for mebendazol, with coefficients of variation of 3.5 and 8.3%, respectively. Results of video densitometric quantitation did not differ significantly. However, data acquisition and evaluation is faster compared with densitometry and allows better archiving possibilities as required by the regulatory authorities. Both quantitation modes can be applied to routine control of pharmaceutical equipment cleanliness.

High-performance thin-layer chromatographic determination of potato glycoalkaloids

A high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method for the determination of the two main potato glycoalkaloids, alpha-chaconine and alpha-solanine, in different parts of the potato plant, is described. Samples were extracted with diluted aqueous acetic acid containing the ion-pairing reagent 1-pentanesulfonic acid, sodium salt. Extracts were purified and analytes fivefold concentrated by a solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure using a Sep-Pak C18 cartridge. The methanol SPE eluate was applied to the HPTLC silica gel 60 F254 plates. The separation was performed in chloroform-methanol-2% aqueous NH4OH (70:30:5) mixture as the mobile phase. Six different detection reagents: two modifications of the Dragendorff's reagent, phosphomolybdic acid, paraformaldehyde-phosphoric acid, Ce(IV)sulfate-sulfuric acid and sulfuric acid-ethanol reagents were applied for quantification by densitometry. Fluorescence enabled detection of 10 ng of each alkaloid.

High-performance thin-layer chromatography method for monitoring norfloxacin residues on pharmaceutical equipment surfaces

This paper presents a high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method with direct fluorescence measurement for the determination of norfloxacin. The method was validated for the monitoring of norfloxacin residues on stainless steel surfaces at the allowed limit of 10 mg of norfloxacin per square meter. However, it can be adapted for lower amounts of residues owing to the low detection limit of norfloxacin (about 5 ng) and can also be used for other surface materials. Test solutions were analyzed by the new HPTLC method and the known HPLC method for comparison. Accuracy and precision of the new HPTLC method, with a subsequent quantification by densitometer or video system, are comparable with those of the HPLC method.

High-performance thin-layer chromatographic separation of ranitidine hydrochloride and two related compounds

Ranitidine hydrochloride and its two related compounds, used in the USP TLC purity testing of the drug, were separated on a high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) RP-18 WF254S precoated plate using methanol-3% NH4OH (4:1, v/v) as the mobile phase. The main advantage of the proposed HPTLC system over the USP TLC system for testing the purity of ranitidine is a better and more efficient separation of these three compounds in a shorter time and with less consumption of solvents. The system is promising from the point of view of the development of a new method for the TLC purity testing of ranitidine hydrochloride. A video system was used for imaging thin-layer chromatograms. Direct UV densitometric quantitation of the three compounds and a model for the calculation of analytical performance parameters is presented in the second part of the paper.