Overall Feature of CP dependence for Neutrino Oscillation Probability in Arbitrary Matter Profile

We study the CP dependence of neutrino oscillation probability for all channels in arbitrary matter profile within three generations. We show that an oscillation probability for \nu_e \to \nu_\mu can be written in the form P(\nu_e \to \nu_\mu) =A_{e\mu} cos \delta + B_{e\mu} sin \delta + C_{e\mu} without any approximation using the CP phase \delta. This result holds not only in constant matter but also in arbitrary matter. Another probability for \nu_\mu \to \nu_\tau can be written in the form P(\nu_\mu \to \nu_\tau)= A_{\mu\tau} cos \delta + B_{\mu\tau} sin \delta + C_{\mu\tau} + D_{\mu\tau} cos 2\delta + E_{\mu\tau} sin 2\delta. The term which is proportional to sin 2\delta disappear, namely E_{\mu\tau}=0, in symmetric matter. It means that the probability reduces to the same form as in constant matter. As for other channels, probabilities in arbitrary matter are at most the quadratic polynomials of sin \delta and cos \delta as in the above two channels. In symmetric matter, the oscillation probability for each channel reduces to the same form with respect to \delta as that in constant matter.Comment: 11 pages, no figures, LaTeX2e, a few misprints have been correcte

Enhancement of CP Violating terms for Neutrino Oscillation in Earth Matter

We investigate the $\nu_e \to \nu_{\mu}$ oscillation in the framework of three generations when neutrinos pass through the earth. The oscillation probability is represented by the form, $P(\nu_e \to \nu_\mu)=A\cos \delta+B\sin \delta+C$ in arbitrary matter profile by using the leptonic CP phase $\delta$. We compare our approximate formula in the previous paper with the formula which includes second order terms of $\alpha=\Delta m_{21}^2/\Delta m_{31}^2$ and $s_{13}=\sin \theta_{13}$. Non-perturbative effects of $\alpha$ and $s_{13}$ can be taken into account in our formula and the precision of the formula is rather improved around the MSW resonance region. Furthermore, we compare the earth matter effect of $A$ and $B$ with that of $C$ studied by other authors. We show that the magnitude of $A$ and $B$ can reach a few ten % of $C$ around the main three peaks of $C$ in the region $E>1$ GeV by numerical calculation. We give the qualitative understanding of this result by using our approximate formula. The mantle-core effect, which is different from the usual MSW effect, appears not only in $C$ but also in $A$ and $B$, although the effect is weakened.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figure

Proposal of a Simple Method to Estimate Neutrino Oscillation Probability and CP Violation in Matter

We study neutrino oscillation within the framework of three generations in matter. We propose a simple method to approximate the coefficients A, B and C which do not depend on the CP phase \delta in the oscillation probability P(\nu_e \to \nu_{\mu})=A\cos \delta + B\sin \delta +C. An advantage of our method is that an approximate formula of the coefficients A, B and C in arbitrary matter {\it without the usual first order perturbative calculations} of the small parameter \Delta m_{21}^2/\Delta m_{31}^2 or \sin \theta_{13} can be derived. Furthermore we show that all the approximate formulas for low, intermediate and high energy regions given by other authors in constant matter can be easily derived from our formula. It means that our formula is applicable over a wide energy region.Comment: 15 pages, 9 figures, accepted version in PL

Exact Formulas and Simple CP dependence of Neutrino Oscillation Probabilities in Matter with Constant Density

We investigate neutrino oscillations in constant matter within the context of the standard three neutrino scenario. We derive an exact and simple formula for the oscillation probability applicable to all channels. In the standard parametrization, the probability for $\nu_e$ $\to$ $\nu_{\mu}$ transition can be written in the form $P(\nu_e \to \nu_{\mu})=A_{e\mu}\cos\delta+B_{e\mu}\sin\delta+C_{e\mu}$ without any approximation using CP phase $\delta$. For $\nu_{\mu}$ $\to$ $\nu_{\tau}$ transition, the linear term of $\cos 2\delta$ is added and the probability can be written in the form $P(\nu_{\mu} \to \nu_{\tau})=A_{\mu\tau}\cos\delta+B_{\mu\tau} \sin\delta+C_{\mu\tau}+D_{\mu\tau}\cos 2\delta$. We give the CP dependences of the probability for other channels. We show that the probability for each channel in matter has the same form with respect to $\delta$ as in vacuum. It means that matter effects just modify the coefficients $A$, $B$, $C$ and $D$. We also give the exact expression of the coefficients for each channel. Furthermore, we show that our results with respect to CP dependences are reproduced from the effective mixing angles and the effective CP phase calculated by Zaglauer and Schwarzer. Through the calculation, a new identity is obtained by dividing the Naumov-Harrison-Scott identity by the Toshev identity.Comment: 12 pages, RevTeX4 style, changed title, minor correction

年齢に応じた血中活性型ビタミンD濃度, 腎Cyp27b1およびCyp24a1発現に対する食餌性リン反応性の変化には腎α-Klotho遺伝子発現が関連する

In this study, we investigated the relationship between age-related changes in renal α-Klotho gene expression, vitamin D metabolism and the responsiveness of dietary phosphate in 1, 2 and 13 month-old mice fed a high phosphate (phosphate 1.2%) diet or low phosphate (phosphate 0.02%) diet for 5 days. We found that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels in plasma were significantly lower in the high phosphate group than the low phosphate group for 1 and 2 month-old mice, but not 13 month-old mice. In addition, in the high phosphate group plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels were decreased in 2 month-old mice relative to 1 month-old mice, but 13 month-old mice had higher levels than 2 month-old mice. In fact, plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels showed a significant correlation with vitamin D metabolism gene Cyp27b1 and Cyp24a1 mRNA expression in the high phosphate group. Interestingly, renal α-Klotho mRNA and protein levels were significant change with age. Furthermore, α-Klotho mRNA expression showed a significant negative correlation with plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels in the high phosphate group. Our results suggest that age-related alterations in renal α-Klotho expression could affect the responsiveness of dietary phosphate to vitamin D metabolism

Exercise-induced left bundle branch block and subsequent mechanical left ventricular dyssynchrony -resolved with pharmacological therapy

A 53-year-old man with depressed ejection fraction (EF) of 35% and QRS width of 88 ms at rest was admitted to our institution with a complaint of exertional chest discomfort and dyspnea. During treadmill exercise, left bundle-branch block (LBBB) with a QRS width of 152 ms occurred at a heart rate of 100 bpm. During LBBB, the patient showed significant mechanical dyssynchrony as evidenced by a two-dimensional speckle tracking radial strain of 260 ms (≥130 ms), defined as the time difference between anterior-septum and posterior wall. Five-month after carvedilol and candesartan administration, EF had improved to 49% and LBBB did not occur until a heart rate of 126 bpm was attained during treadmill exercise. It appears that pharmacological therapy may be useful for patients with heart failure and exercise-induced LBBB

Strain dyssynchrony index determined by three-dimensional speckle area tracking can predict response to cardiac resynchronization therapy

<p>Abstract</p> <p><b>Background</b></p> <p>We have previously reported strain dyssynchrony index assessed by two-dimensional speckle tracking strain, and a marker of both dyssynchrony and residual myocardial contractility, can predict response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). A newly developed three-dimensional (3-D) speckle tracking system can quantify endocardial area change ratio (area strain), which coupled with the factors of both longitudinal and circumferential strain, from all 16 standard left ventricular (LV) segments using complete 3-D pyramidal datasets. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that strain dyssynchrony index using area tracking (ASDI) can quantify dyssynchrony and predict response to CRT.</p> <p><b>Methods</b></p> <p>We studied 14 heart failure patients with ejection fraction of 27 ± 7% (all≤35%) and QRS duration of 172 ± 30 ms (all≥120 ms) who underwent CRT. Echocardiography was performed before and 6-month after CRT. ASDI was calculated as the average difference between peak and end-systolic area strain of LV endocardium obtained from 3-D speckle tracking imaging using 16 segments. Conventional dyssynchrony measures were assessed by interventricular mechanical delay, Yu Index, and two-dimensional radial dyssynchrony by speckle-tracking strain. Response was defined as a ≥15% decrease in LV end-systolic volume 6-month after CRT.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>ASDI ≥ 3.8% was the best predictor of response to CRT with a sensitivity of 78%, specificity of 100% and area under the curve (AUC) of 0.93 (p < 0.001). Two-dimensional radial dyssynchrony determined by speckle-tracking strain was also predictive of response to CRT with an AUC of 0.82 (p < 0.005). Interestingly, ASDI ≥ 3.8% was associated with the highest incidence of echocardiographic improvement after CRT with a response rate of 100% (7/7), and baseline ASDI correlated with reduction of LV end-systolic volume following CRT (r = 0.80, p < 0.001).</p> <p><b>Conclusions</b></p> <p>ASDI can predict responders and LV reverse remodeling following CRT. This novel index using the 3-D speckle tracking system, which shows circumferential and longitudinal LV dyssynchrony and residual endocardial contractility, may thus have clinical significance for CRT patients.</p

Post-intervention Status in Patients With Refractory Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Eculizumab During REGAIN and Its Open-Label Extension

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether eculizumab helps patients with anti-acetylcholine receptor-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) achieve the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) post-intervention status of minimal manifestations (MM), we assessed patients' status throughout REGAIN (Safety and Efficacy of Eculizumab in AChR+ Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis) and its open-label extension. METHODS: Patients who completed the REGAIN randomized controlled trial and continued into the open-label extension were included in this tertiary endpoint analysis. Patients were assessed for the MGFA post-intervention status of improved, unchanged, worse, MM, and pharmacologic remission at defined time points during REGAIN and through week 130 of the open-label study. RESULTS: A total of 117 patients completed REGAIN and continued into the open-label study (eculizumab/eculizumab: 56; placebo/eculizumab: 61). At week 26 of REGAIN, more eculizumab-treated patients than placebo-treated patients achieved a status of improved (60.7% vs 41.7%) or MM (25.0% vs 13.3%; common OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1-4.5). After 130 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 88.0% of patients achieved improved status and 57.3% of patients achieved MM status. The safety profile of eculizumab was consistent with its known profile and no new safety signals were detected. CONCLUSION: Eculizumab led to rapid and sustained achievement of MM in patients with AChR+ refractory gMG. These findings support the use of eculizumab in this previously difficult-to-treat patient population. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: REGAIN, NCT01997229; REGAIN open-label extension, NCT02301624. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class II evidence that, after 26 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 25.0% of adults with AChR+ refractory gMG achieved MM, compared with 13.3% who received placebo

Minimal Symptom Expression' in Patients With Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody-Positive Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Eculizumab

The efficacy and tolerability of eculizumab were assessed in REGAIN, a 26-week, phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), and its open-label extension