Braneworlds in six dimensions: new models with bulk scalars

Six dimensional bulk spacetimes with 3-- and 4--branes are constructed using certain non--conventional bulk scalars as sources. In particular, we investigate the consequences of having the phantom (negative kinetic energy) and the Brans--Dicke scalar in the bulk while obtaining such solutions. We find geometries with 4--branes with a compact on--brane dimension (hybrid compactification) which may be assumed to be small in order to realize a 3--brane world. On the other hand, we also construct, with similar sources, bulk spacetimes where a 3--brane is located at a conical singularity. Furthermore, we investigate the issue of localization of matter fields (scalar, fermion, graviton, vector) on these 3-- and 4--branes and conclude with comments on our six dimensional models.Comment: 24 pages, 1 figure, Replaced to match version published in Class. Quant. Gra

Angiogenic factors: role in esophageal cancer, a brief review

Esophageal cancer has an aggressive behavior with rapid tumor mass growth and frequently poor prognosis; it is known as one of the most fatal types of cancer worldwide. The identification of potential molecular markers that can predict the response to treatment and the prognosis of this cancer has been subject of a vast investigation in the recent years. Among several molecules, various angiogenic factors that are linked to the tumor development, growth, and invasion, such as VEGF, HGF, angiopoietin-2, IL-6, and TGF-B1, were investigated. In this paper, the authors sought to review the role of these angiogenic factors in prognosis and hypothesize how they can be used as a treatment target.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ablation of Proliferating Cells in the CNS Exacerbates Motor Neuron Disease Caused by Mutant Superoxide Dismutase

Proliferation of glia and immune cells is a common pathological feature of many neurodegenerative diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here, to investigate the role of proliferating cells in motor neuron disease, SOD1G93A transgenic mice were treated intracerebroventicularly (ICV) with the anti-mitotic drug cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C). ICV delivery of Ara-C accelerated disease progression in SOD1G93A mouse model of ALS. Ara-C treatment caused substantial decreases in the number of microglia, NG2+ progenitors, Olig2+ cells and CD3+ T cells in the lumbar spinal cord of symptomatic SOD1G93A transgenic mice. Exacerbation of disease was also associated with significant alterations in the expression inflammatory molecules IL-1β, IL-6, TGF-β and the growth factor IGF-1