Phase structure of Z2Z_2 gauge theories for frustrated antiferromagnets in two dimensions

In this paper, we study phase structure of $Z_2$ lattice gauge theories that appear as an effective field theory describing low-energy properties of frustrated antiferromagnets in two dimensions. Spin operators are expressed in terms of Schwinger bosons, and an emergent U(1) gauge symmetry reduces to a $Z_2$ gauge symmetry as a result of condensation of a bilinear operator of the Schwinger boson describing a short-range spiral order. We investigated the phase structure of the gauge theories by means of the Monte-Carlo simulations, and found that there exist three phases, phase with a long-range spiral order, a dimer state, and a spin liquid with deconfined spinons. Detailed phase structure and properties of phase transitions depend on details of the models.Comment: 11 pages, 27 figures, Version to be published in Phys.Rev.

A modified application of the luciferase immunoprecipitation systems for detecting antibodies to the G protein-coupled receptors

Background:　When multipass transmembrane molecules are located on the cell surface, there may be interaction with notonly bioactive molecules but also pathogenic molecules in areas protruding outside the cell. In antibody-mediated autoimmunedisorders, it has been found that the autoantibodies occasionally attack membrane molecules on the cell surface, thus causingthe disease such as myasthenia gravis. In such cases, highly sensitive autoantibody detection technology is required for earlydiagnosis. However, autoantibody analysis technology that is specialized for membrane molecules is still under development.Here we demonstrate a novel method for detecting of antibodies against the extracellular portions of multipass transmembranemolecules.Methods:　Antibodies for muscarinic acetylcholine receptor type3 (M3R) were detected with two kinds of luciferase immunoprecipitaionsystems (LIPS), conventional LIPS (cLIPS) and its modified application, termed modified LIPS (mLIPS). In mLIPS, antibodiesagainst extracellular portions of membrane molecules could be preferentially detected.Results:　An antibody to the amino-terminal portion of human M3R was detected with modified LIPS with a high sensitivity. Incontrast, an antibody to the carboxyl-terminal portion was not detected with mLIPS, because it did not interact with intracellularportions of M3R in living cells. We also found antibodies for M3R in a patient serum with Sjogren’s syndrome.Conclusion:　Our technology has a promising future, and we hope that it will be applied in the analysis of antibodies against adiverse range of multipass transmembrane molecules, including GPCRs

Detecting gastrointestinal manifestations in patients with systemic sclerosis using anti-gAChR antibodies

Background: Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) complicated by gastrointestinal dysmotility are difficult to treat and have high mortality. To clarify the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal manifestations, we aimed to demonstrate the association among the clinical features of SSc, the serological markers, the autoantibodies against nicotinic acetylcholine receptor at autonomic ganglia (gAChR). Methods: Fifty patients were enrolled and divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of gastrointestinal manifestations, and the characteristics were analyzed between these two groups. We measured biomarkers and the autoantibodies against two gAChRα3 and β4 subunits to test sera samples. Furthermore, patients were classified based on the presence or absence of anti-gAChR autoantibodies, and their clinical features were compared. Results: In patients with SSc and gastrointestinal manifestations, digital ulcers were more frequent (p = 0.050) and VEGF expression was significantly higher (p = 0.038). Seven subjects with SSc were seropositive for α3 subunit, whereas one patient was seropositive for β4 subunit. The mean level of anti-gAChRα3 autoantibodies in SSc patients with gastrointestinal manifestations was significantly higher than that in SSc patients without gastrointestinal manifestations (p = 0.001). The group of patients with SSc and gAChR autoantibodies had significantly higher endostatin levels (p = 0.046). Conclusions: This study is the first to demonstrate that clinical characteristics of SSc patients with seropositivity for gAChR autoantibodies. Patients with SSc have circulating autoantibodies against gAChR, which may contribute to gastrointestinal manifestations associated with this disease, suggesting that gAChR-mediated autonomic neurotransmission may provide a pathomechanism for gastrointestinal dysmotility in SSc

Filamentous structures in the cell envelope are associated with bacteroidetes gliding machinery

Many bacteria belonging to the phylum Bacteroidetes move on solid surfaces, called gliding motility. In our previous study with the Bacteroidetes gliding bacterium Flavobacterium johnsoniae, we proposed a helical loop track model, where adhesive SprB filaments are propelled along a helical loop on the cell surface. In this study, we observed the gliding cell rotating counterclockwise about its axis when viewed from the rear to the advancing direction of the cell and revealed that one labeled SprB focus sometimes overtook and passed another SprB focus that was moving in the same direction. Several electron microscopic analyses revealed the presence of a possible multi-rail structure underneath the outer membrane, which was associated with SprB filaments and contained GldJ protein. These results provide insights into the mechanism of Bacteroidetes gliding motility, in which the SprB filaments are propelled along tracks that may form a multi-rail system underneath the outer membrane. The insights may give clues as to how the SprB filaments get their driving force

Intravenous cyclophosphamide treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus with severe autonomic disorders confirmed by head-up tilt table test: A case series

Autonomic disorders are common in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but the therapeutic strategy and methods for evaluating the effects of therapy have not been established. We describe the three cases of SLE patients who developed severe autonomic disorders as demonstrated by the head-up tilt table test (HUT). All three patients were treated by intensive immunosuppressive treatments including intravenous cyclophosphamide (IVCY); their HUT results all became negative. Our cases suggest that IVCY treatment can be a good therapeutic option for severe autonomic disorders in SLE patients. The HUT is a useful objective method for the diagnosis of and the evaluation of longitudinal therapeutic effects on autonomic disorders in SLE patients with orthostatic intolerance

Lunar Phase-Dependent Expression of Cryptochrome and a Photoperiodic Mechanism for Lunar Phase-Recognition in a Reef Fish, Goldlined Spinefoot

Lunar cycle-associated physiology has been found in a wide variety of organisms. Recent study has revealed that mRNA levels of Cryptochrome (Cry), one of the circadian clock genes, were significantly higher on a full moon night than on a new moon night in coral, implying the involvement of a photoreception system in the lunar-synchronized spawning. To better establish the generalities surrounding such a mechanism and explore the underlying molecular mechanism, we focused on the relationship between lunar phase, Cry gene expression, and the spawning behavior in a lunar-synchronized spawner, the goldlined spinefoot (Siganus guttatus), and we identified two kinds of Cry genes in this animal. Their mRNA levels showed lunar cycle-dependent expression in the medial part of the brain (mesencephalon and diencephalon) peaking at the first quarter moon. Since this lunar phase coincided with the reproductive phase of the goldlined spinefoot, Cry gene expression was considered a state variable in the lunar phase recognition system. Based on the expression profiles of SgCrys together with the moonlight's pattern of timing and duration during its nightly lunar cycle, we have further speculated on a model of lunar phase recognition for reproductive control in the goldlined spinefoot, which integrates both moonlight and circadian signals in a manner similar to photoperiodic response