104 research outputs found
Generalized Gauge Theories and Weinberg-Salam Model with Dirac-K\"ahler Fermions
We extend previously proposed generalized gauge theory formulation of
Chern-Simons type and topological Yang-Mills type actions into Yang-Mills type
actions. We formulate gauge fields and Dirac-K\"ahler matter fermions by all
degrees of differential forms. The simplest version of the model which includes
only zero and one form gauge fields accommodated with the graded Lie algebra of
supergroup leads Weinberg-Salam model. Thus the Weinberg-Salam model
formulated by noncommutative geometry is a particular example of the present
formulation.Comment: 33 pages, LaTe
Lorentz gauge theory as a model of emergent gravity
We consider a class of Lorentz gauge gravity theories within Riemann-Cartan
geometry which admits a topological phase in the gravitational sector. The
dynamic content of such theories is determined only by the contortion part of
the Lorentz gauge connection. We demonstrate that there is a unique Lagrangian
that admits propagating spin one mode in correspondence with gauge theories of
other fundamental interactions. Remarkably, despite the R^2 type of the
Lagrangian and non-compact structure of the Lorentz gauge group, the model
possesses rather a positive-definite Hamiltonian. This has been proved in the
lowest order of perturbation theory. This implies further consistent
quantization and leads to renormalizable quantum theory. It is assumed that the
proposed model describes possible mechanism of emergent Einstein gravity at
very early stages of the Universe due to quantum dynamics of contortion.Comment: 11 pages, final version, minor correction
Yet Another Realization of Kerr/CFT Correspondence
The correspondence between the Kerr black hole and a boundary CFT has been
conjectured recently. The conjecture has been proposed first only for the half
of the CFT, namely for left movers. For right movers, the correspondence has
been also found out through the suitable asymptotic boundary condition.
However, the boundary conditions for these two studies are exclusive to each
other. The boundary condition for left movers does not allow the symmetry of
right movers, and vice versa. We propose new boundary condition which allows
both of left and right movers.Comment: 6 pages, references adde
Quark Number Susceptibility with Finite Chemical Potential in Holographic QCD
We study the quark number susceptibility in holographic QCD with a finite
chemical potential or under an external magnetic field at finite temperature.
We first consider the quark number susceptibility with the chemical potential.
We observe that approaching the critical temperature from high temperature
regime, the quark number susceptibility divided by temperature square develops
a peak as we increase the chemical potential, which confirms recent lattice QCD
results. We discuss this behavior in connection with the existence of the
critical end point in the QCD phase diagram. We also consider the quark number
susceptibility under the external magnetic field. We predict that the quark
number susceptibility exhibits a blow-up behavior at low temperature as we
raise the value of the magnetic field. We finally spell out some limitations of
our study.Comment: 25 pages, 3 figures, published versio
Expression of GLUT1 and GLUT3 Glucose Transporters in Endometrial and Breast Cancers
Cancer cells have accelerated metabolism and high glucose requirements. The up-regulation of specific glucose transporters may represent a key mechanism by which malignant cells may achieve increased glucose uptake to support the high rate of glycolysis. In present study we analyzed the mRNA and protein expression of GLUT1 and GLUT3 glucose transporters by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) and Western blotting technique in 76 cases of endometrial carcinoma and 70 cases of breast carcinoma. SLC2A1 and SLCA2A3 mRNAs expression was found, respectively in 100% and 97.4% samples of endometrial cancers and only in 50% and 40% samples of breast cancers. In endometrial cancers GLUT1 and GLUT3 protein expression was identified in 67.1% and 30.3% of cases. Analogously, in breast cancers in 48.7% and 21% of samples, respectively. The results showed that both endometrial and breast poorly differentiated tumors (grade 2 and 3) had significantly higher GLUT1 and GLUT3 expression than well-differentiated tumors (grade 1). Statistically significant association was found between SLCA2A3 mRNA expression and estrogen and progesterone receptors status in breast cancers. GLUT1 has been reported to be involved in the uptake of glucose by endometrial and breast carcinoma cells earlier and the present study determined that GLUT3 expression is also involved. GLUT1 and GLUT3 seem to be important markers in endometrial and breast tumors differentiation
The discovery of Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) and its significance for cell biology, life sciences and clinical medicine
It has been more than 25 years since HGF was discovered as a mitogen of hepatocytes. HGF is produced by stromal cells, and stimulates epithelial cell proliferation, motility, morphogenesis and angiogenesis in various organs via tyrosine phosphorylation of its receptor, c-Met. In fetal stages, HGF-neutralization, or c-Met gene destruction, leads to hypoplasia of many organs, indicating that HGF signals are essential for organ development. Endogenous HGF is required for self-repair of injured livers, kidneys, lungs and so on. In addition, HGF exerts protective effects on epithelial and non-epithelial organs (including the heart and brain) via anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory signals. During organ diseases, plasma HGF levels significantly increased, while anti-HGF antibody infusion accelerated tissue destruction in rodents. Thus, endogenous HGF is required for minimization of diseases, while insufficient production of HGF leads to organ failure. This is the reason why HGF supplementation produces therapeutic outcomes under pathological conditions. Moreover, emerging studies delineated key roles of HGF during tumor metastasis, while HGF-antagonism leads to anti-tumor outcomes. Taken together, HGF-based molecules, including HGF-variants, HGF-fragments and c-Met-binders are available as regenerative or anti-tumor drugs. Molecular analysis of the HGF-c-Met system could provide bridges between basic biology and clinical medicine
Critical evaluation of key evidence on the human health hazards of exposure to bisphenol A
Despite the fact that more than 5000 safety-related studies have been published on bisphenol A (BPA), there seems to be no resolution of the apparently deadlocked controversy as to whether exposure of the general population to BPA causes adverse effects due to its estrogenicity. Therefore, the Advisory Committee of the German Society of Toxicology reviewed the background and cutting-edge topics of this BPA controversy. The current tolerable daily intake value (TDI) of 0.05 mg/kg body weight [bw]/day, derived by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), is mainly based on body weight changes in two- and three-generation studies in mice and rats. Recently, these studies and the derivation of the TDI have been criticized. After having carefully considered all arguments, the Committee had to conclude that the criticism was scientifically not justified; moreover, recently published additional data further support the reliability of the two-and three-generation studies demonstrating a lack of estrogen-dependent effects at and below doses on which the current TDI is based. A frequently discussed topic is whether doses below 5 mg/ kg bw/day may cause adverse health effects in laboratory animals. Meanwhile, it has become clear that positive results from some explorative studies have not been confirmed in subsequent studies with higher numbers of animals or a priori defined hypotheses. Particularly relevant are some recent studies with negative outcomes that addressed effects of BPA on the brain, behavior, and the prostate in rodents for extrapolation to the human situation. The Committee came to the conclusion that rodent data can well be used as a basis for human risk evaluation. Currently published conjectures that rats are insensitive to estrogens compared to humans can be refuted. Data from toxicokinetics studies show that the half-life of BPA in adult human subjects is less than 2 hours and BPA is completely recovered in urine as BPA-conjugates. Tissue deconjugation of BPA-glucuronide and -sulfate may occur. Because of the extremely low quantities, it is only of minor relevance for BPA toxicity. Biomonitoring studies have been used to estimate human BPA exposure and show that the daily intake of BPA is far below the TDI for the general population. Further topics addressed in this article include reasons why some studies on BPA are not reproducible; the relevance of oral versus non-oral exposure routes; the degree to which newborns are at higher systemic BPA exposure; increased BPA exposure by infusions in intensive care units; mechanisms of action other than estrogen receptor activation; and the current regulatory status in Europe, as well as in the USA, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia. Overall, the Committee concluded that the current TDI for BPA is adequately justified and that the available evidence indicates that BPA exposure represents no noteworthy risk to the health of the human population, including newborns and babies
- …