Projected Linear Response Theory for Charge-Exchange Excitations and Double Beta Decay

The projected random phase approximation (PRPA) for charge-exchange excitations is derived from the time-dependent variational principle. Explicit results for the unperturbed energies (including the self-energy corrections), the PRPA matrices, and the transition matrix elements are presented. The effect of the projection procedure on the two-neutrino $\beta\beta$ decay in $^{76}Ge$ is briefly discussed.Comment: 12 pages text (LaTex) and 1 figure upon request, to be published in Phys. Lett.

Nuclear moments for the neutrinoless double beta decay II

The recently developed formalism for the evaluation of nuclear form factors in neutrinoless double beta decay is applied to $^{48}Ca$, $^{76}Ge$, $^{82}Se$, $^{100}Mo$, $^{128}Te$ and $^{130}Te$ nuclei. Explicit analytical expressions that follows from this theoretical development, in the single mode model for the decay of $^{48}Ca$, have been worked out. They are useful both for testing the full numerical calculations, and for analytically checking the consistency with other formalisms. Large configuration space calculations are compared with previous studies, where alternative formulations were used. Yet, besides using the G-matrix as residual interaction, we here use a simple $\delta$-force. Attention is paid to the connected effects of the short range nuclear correlations and the finite nucleon size. Constraints on lepton number violating terms in the weak Hamiltonian (effective neutrino Majorana mass and effective right-handed current coupling strengths) are deduced.Comment: 18 pages, latex, minor changes, to appear in Nucl. Phys.

Weak Magnetism in Two Neutrino Double Beta Decay

We have extended the formalism for the two-neutrino double beta decay by including the weak-magnetism term, as well as other second-forbidden corrections. The weak magnetism diminishes the calculated half-lives in $\sim 10$, independently of the nuclear structure. Numerical computations were performed within the pn-QRPA, for $^{76}Ge$, $^{82}Se$, $^{100} Mo$, $^{128}Te$ and $^{130}Te$ nuclei. No one of the second-forbidden corrections modifies significantly the spectrum shapes. The total reduction in the calculated half lives varies from 6% up to 32%, and strongly depend on the nuclear interaction in the particle-particle $S=1,T=0$ channel. We conclude that the higher order effects in the weak Hamiltonian would hardly be observed in the two-neutrino double beta experiments.Comment: 8 pages, latex, 1ps figure, to appear in Phys. Lett.

Exact evaluation of the nuclear form factor for new kinds of majoron emission in neutrinoless double beta decay

We have developed a formalism, based on the Fourier-Bessel expansion, that facilitates the evaluation of matrix elements involving nucleon recoil operators, such as appear in serveral exotic forms of neutrinoless double beta decay ($\beta\beta_{0\nu}$). The method is illustrated by applying it to the ``charged'' majoron model, which is one of the few that can hope to produce an observable effect. From our numerical computations within the QRPA performed for $^{76}Ge$, $^{82}Se$, $^{100} Mo$, $^{128}Te$ and $^{150}Nd$ nuclei, we test the validity of approximations made in earlier work to simplify the new matrix elements, showing that they are accurate to within 15%. Our new method is also suitable for computing other previously unevaluated $\beta\beta_{0\nu}$ nuclear matrix elements.Comment: 11pp., latex, fixed minor typographical error

Competition between standard and exotic double beta decays

We discuss the contributions of higher order terms in weak Hamiltonian to the standard two-neutrino double beta decay. The formalism for the unique first forbidden transitions has been developed, and it is shown that they can alter the two-electron energy spectrum. Yet, their effect is too small to screen the detection of exotic neutrinoless double beta decays, which are candidates for testing the physics beyond the standard model.Comment: 9 pages, latex, 1ps figures, minor changes, to appear in Phys. Lett.

Two neutrino double beta decay within the ξ\xi-approximation

We examine the contributions of odd-parity nuclear operators to the two-neutrino double beta decay $0^+\rightarrow 0^+$ amplitude, which come from the $P$-wave Coulomb corrections to the electron wave functions and the recoil corrections to the nuclear currents. Although they are formally of higher order in $\alpha Z/2$ or $v/c$ of the nucleon than the usual Fermi and Gamow-Teller matrix elements, explicit calculations performed within the QRPA show that they are significant when confronted with the experimental data.Comment: 9 pages, latex, no figure

Application of CAR-T cells in cancer gene therapy

Genska terapija predstavlja obećavajući terapijski alat za liječenje onih bolesti koje se konvencionalnim metodama liječenja nisu uspješno uspijele eliminirati. Otkrića u području humane genomike su, uz značajan tehnološki napredak, doprinijela njezinoj primjeni u liječenju širokog spektra bolesti. Unatoč mnogobrojnim provedenim istraživanjima i razvoju raznih potencijalnih terapija, rak je i dalje vodeći uzrok smrti u svijetu. Stoga je veliki broj kliničkih istraživanja, koja primjenjuju strategije genske terepije, usmjereno njegovoj redukciji i eliminaciji. Tijekom niza godina predložene su brojne strategije genske terapije tumora od kojih je većina bila klinički neuspješna. Međutim, tijekom posljednjih nekoliko godina, novi oblik imunoterapije zadobiva veliku pozornost u istraživanju uslijed visoke terapeutske učinkovitosti. Riječ je o terapiji CAR-T koja objedinjuje strategije genske terapije, stanične terapije i imunoterapije. Ovaj rad donosi kratki pregled nekih od glavnih strategija genske terapije u liječenja tumora s posebnim osvrtom na adaptivnu staničnu terapiju CAR-T. Također, u radu su izloženi nedostaci i štetne nuspojave, kao i strategije razvoja sigurnije i učinkovitije terapije.Gene therapy is a promising therapeutic tool for the treatment of diseases not eliminated by conventional treatment methods. Discoveries in the field of human genomics have, along with the significant technological advances, contributed to its application in the treatment of a wide range of diseases. Despite numerous studies and development of variety potential therapies, cancer remains the leading cause of death in the world. Therefore, a large number of clinical studies, that apply gene therapy strategies, are directed towards its reduction and elimination. Over the course of many years, a number of cancer gene therapy strategies have been proposed, most of which were clinically unsuccessful. However, over the last few years, a new form of immunotherapy has gained great attention in research due to high therapeutic efficacy. Therapy in question is CAR-T therapy that combines gene therapy, cell therapy and immunotherapy strategies. This paper provides a brief overview of some of the major gene therapy strategies for cancer treatment, with a special focus on adaptive CAR-T therapy. Also, the paper presents disadvantages and adverse side effects, as well as strategies for developing safer and more effective therapy