170 research outputs found
Exploring the endocannabinoidome in genetically obese (ob/ob) and diabetic (db/db) mice: Links with inflammation and gut microbiota
Background: Obesity and type 2 diabetes are two interrelated metabolic disorders characterized by insulin resistance and a mild chronic inflammatory state. We previously observed that leptin (ob/ob) and leptin receptor (db/db) knockout mice display a distinct inflammatory tone in the liver and adipose tissue. The present study aimed at investigating whether alterations in these tissues of the molecules belonging to the endocannabinoidome (eCBome), an extension of the endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling system, whose functions are important in the context of metabolic disorders and inflammation, could reflect their different inflammatory phenotypes. Results: The basal eCBome lipid and gene expression profiles, measured by targeted lipidomics and qPCR transcriptomics, respectively, in the liver and subcutaneous or visceral adipose tissues, highlighted a differentially altered eCBome tone, which may explain the impaired hepatic function and more pronounced liver inflammation remarked in the ob/ob mice, as well as the more pronounced inflammatory state observed in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of db/db mice. In particular, the levels of linoleic acid-derived endocannabinoid-like molecules, of one of their 12-lipoxygenase metabolites and of Trpv2 expression, were always altered in tissues exhibiting the highest inflammation. Correlation studies suggested the possible interactions with some gut microbiota bacterial taxa, whose respective absolute abundances were significantly different between ob/ob and the db/db mice. Conclusions: The present findings emphasize the possibility that bioactive lipids and the respective receptors and enzymes belonging to the eCBome may sustain the tissue-dependent inflammatory state that characterizes obesity and diabetes, possibly in relation with gut microbiome alterations
Measurement of K^+ \to \pi^0 \mu^+ \nu \gamma decay using stopped kaons
The K^+ \to \pi^0 \mu^+ \nu \gamma () decay has been
measured with stopped positive kaons at the KEK 12 GeV proton synchrotron. A
sample containing 125 events was obtained. The partial
branching ratio was found to be , which is in good agreement with theoretical predictions.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures, to be published in Physics Letters
First measurement of the T-violating muon polarization in the decay K^+ --> mu^+ nu gamma
We present the result of the first measurement of the T-violating muon
polarization P_T in the decay K^+ --> mu^+ nu gamma. This polarization is
sensitive to new sources of CP-violation in the Higgs sector. Using data
accumulated in the period 1996-98 we have obtained P_T = (-0.64 +- 1.85(stat)
+- 0.10(syst))x10^{-2} which is consistent with no T-violation in this decay.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figure
Measurement of direct photon emission in decay using stopped positive kaons
The radiative decay () has
been measured with stopped positive kaons. A sample
containing 4k events was analyzed, and the branching ratio
of the direct photon emission process was determined to be . No interference pattern with internal
bremsstrahlung was observed.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, 2 tables, to be published in Phys. Lett.
Radiative Muon Capture on Hydrogen and the Induced Pseudoscalar Coupling
The first measurement of the elementary process is reported. A photon pair spectrometer was used to measure
the partial branching ratio ( for photons of k >
60 MeV. The value of the weak pseudoscalar coupling constant determined from
the partial branching ratio is , where the first error is the quadrature sum of statistical
and systematic uncertainties and the second error is due to the uncertainty in
, the decay rate of the ortho to para molecule. This
value of g_p is 1.5 times the prediction of PCAC and pion-pole dominance.Comment: 13 pages, RevTeX type, 3 figures (encapsulated postscript), submitted
to Phys. Rev. Let
A search for two body muon decay signals
Lepton family number violation is tested by searching for
decays among the 5.8 positive muon decay events analyzed by the
TWIST collaboration. Limits are set on the production of both massless and
massive bosons. The large angular acceptance of this experiment allows
limits to be placed on anisotropic decays, which can arise
from interactions violating both lepton flavor and parity conservation.
Branching ratio limits of order are obtained for bosons with masses
of 13 - 80 MeV/c and with different decay asymmetries. For bosons with
masses less than 13 MeV/c the asymmetry dependence is much stronger and
the 90% limit on the branching ratio varies up to . This is
the first study that explicitly evaluates the limits for anisotropic two body
muon decays.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, 2 tables, accepted by PR
Test of exotic scalar and tensor interactions in K_e3 decay using stopped positive kaons
The form factors of the decay K+ --> pi0 e+ nu (K_e3) have been determined
from the comparison of the experimental and Monte Carlo Dalitz distributions
containing about 10^5 K_e3 events. The following values of the parameters were
obtained: lambda_+ = 0.0278 +- 0.0017(stat) +- 0.0015(syst), f_S/f_+(0) =
0.0040 +- 0.0160(stat) +- 0.0067(syst) and f_T/f_+(0) = 0.019 +- 0.080(stat) +-
0.038(syst). Both scalar f_S and tensor f_T form factors are consistent with
the Standard Model predictions of zero values.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures, contributed to the proceedings of NANP
Conference, Dubna, June 19-23, 200
A new limit of T-violating transverse muon polarization in the decay
A search for T-violating transverse muon polarization () in the
decay was performed using kaon decays at rest. A
new improved value, , was
obtained giving an upper limit, . The T-violation parameter
was determined to be Im giving
an upper limit, Im.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure
Measurement of the Muon Decay Parameter delta
The muon decay parameter delta has been measured by the TWIST collaboration.
We find delta = 0.74964 +- 0.00066(stat.) +- 0.00112(syst.), consistent with
the Standard Model value of 3/4. This result implies that the product Pmuxi of
the muon polarization in pion decay, Pmu, and the muon decay parameter xi falls
within the 90% confidence interval 0.9960 < Pmuxi < xi < 1.0040. It also has
implications for left-right-symmetric and other extensions of the Standard
Model.Comment: Extended to 5 pages. Referee's comments answere
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