Analytic calculations of trial wave functions of the fractional quantum Hall effect on the sphere

We present a framework for the analytic calculations of the hierarchical wave functions and the composite fermion wave functions in the fractional quantum Hall effect on the sphere by using projective coordinates. Then we calculate the overlaps between these two wave functions at various fillings and small numbers of electrons. We find that the overlaps are all most equal to one. This gives a further evidence that two theories of the fractional quantum Hall effect, the hierarchical theory and the composite fermion theory, are physically equivalent.Comment: 37 pages, revte

Role of Intracellular Ca2+ and Na+/Ca2+ Exchanger in the Pathogenesis of Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury

The precise mechanisms underlying contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) are not well understood. Intracellular Ca2+ overload is considered to be a key factor in CI-AKI. Voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel (VDC) and Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) system are the main pathways of intracellular Ca2+ overload in pathological conditions. Here, we review the potential underlying mechanisms involved in CI-AKI and discuss the role of NCX-mediated intracellular Ca2+ overload in the contrast media-induced renal tubular cell injury and renal hemodynamic disorder

CD19+CD5+ B Cells in Primary IgA Nephropathy

The source of IgA and the mechanism for deposition of IgA in the mesangium remain unknown for primary IgA nephropathy. Because CD19+CD5+ B cells are important producers of IgA and contribute to several autoimmune diseases, they may play an important role in IgA nephropathy. In this study, flow cytometry, quantitative PCR, and confocal microscopy were used to assess the frequency, distribution, Ig production, CD phenotypes, cytokine production, and sensitivity to apoptosis of CD19+CD5+ B cells in the peripheral blood, peritoneal fluid, and kidney biopsies of 36 patients with primary IgA nephropathy. All patients with IgA nephropathy were significantly more likely to have CD19+CD5+ B cells in the peripheral blood, peritoneal fluid, and kidney biopsies than were five control subjects and 10 patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus. The 33 patients who had IgA nephropathy and responded to treatment demonstrated a significant decrease in CD19+CD5+ B cells in the peripheral blood, peritoneal fluid, and kidney (all P < 0.01). In the three patients who had IgA nephropathy and did not respond to treatment, the frequency of CD19+CD5+ B cells did not change. CD19+CD5+ B cells isolated from patients with untreated IgA nephropathy expressed higher levels of IgA, produced more IFN-γ, and were more resistant to CD95L-induced apoptosis than cells isolated from control subjects and patients with lupus; these properties reversed with effective treatment of IgA nephropathy. In conclusion, these results strongly suggest that CD19+CD5+ B cells play a prominent role in the pathogenesis of primary IgA nephropathy