807 research outputs found
CXC chemokine receptor 5 expression defines follicular homing T cells with B cell helper function
Leukocyte traffic through secondary lymphoid tissues is finely tuned by chemokines. We have studied the functional properties of a human T cell subset marked by the expression of CXC chemokine receptor 5 (CXCR5). Memory but not naive T cells from tonsils are CXCR5(+) and migrate in response to the B cell-attracting chemokine 1 (BCA-1), which is selectively expressed by reticular cells and blood vessels within B cell follicles. Tonsillar CXCR5(+) T cells do not respond to other chemokines present in secondary lymphoid tissues, including secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine (SLC), EBV-induced molecule 1 ligand chemokine (ELC), and stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1). The involvement of tonsillar CXCR5(+) T cells in humoral immune responses is suggested by their localization in the mantle and light zone germinal centers of B cell follicles and by the concomitant expression of activation and costimulatory markers, including CD69, HLA-DR, and inducible costimulator (ICOS). Peripheral blood CXCR5(+) T cells also belong to the CD4(+) memory T cell subset but, in contrast to tonsillar cells, are in a resting state and migrate weakly to chemokines. CXCR5(+) T cells are very inefficient in the production of cytokines but potently induce antibody production during coculture with B cells. These properties portray CXCR5(+) T cells as a distinct memory T cell subset with B cell helper function, designated here as follicular B helper T cells (T(FH))
Necessary Optimality Conditions for Higher-Order Infinite Horizon Variational Problems on Time Scales
We obtain Euler-Lagrange and transversality optimality conditions for
higher-order infinite horizon variational problems on a time scale. The new
necessary optimality conditions improve the classical results both in the
continuous and discrete settings: our results seem new and interesting even in
the particular cases when the time scale is the set of real numbers or the set
of integers.Comment: This is a preprint of a paper whose final and definite form will
appear in Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications (JOTA). Paper
submitted 17-Nov-2011; revised 24-March-2012 and 10-April-2012; accepted for
publication 15-April-201
A Simple Explanation for DAMA with Moderate Channeling
We consider the possibility that the DAMA signal arises from channeled events
in simple models where the dark matter interaction with nuclei is suppressed at
small momenta. As with the standard WIMP, these models have two parameters (the
dark matter mass and the size of the cross-section), without the need to
introduce an additional energy threshold type of parameter. We find that they
can be consistent with channeling fractions as low as about ~ 15%, so long as
at least ~70% of the nuclear recoil energy for channeled events is deposited
electronically. Given that there are reasons not to expect very large
channeling fractions, these scenarios make the channeling explanation of DAMA
much more compelling.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figure
New Jacobi-Like Identities for Z_k Parafermion Characters
We state and prove various new identities involving the Z_K parafermion
characters (or level-K string functions) for the cases K=4, K=8, and K=16.
These identities fall into three classes: identities in the first class are
generalizations of the famous Jacobi theta-function identity (which is the K=2
special case), identities in another class relate the level K>2 characters to
the Dedekind eta-function, and identities in a third class relate the K>2
characters to the Jacobi theta-functions. These identities play a crucial role
in the interpretation of fractional superstring spectra by indicating spacetime
supersymmetry and aiding in the identification of the spacetime spin and
statistics of fractional superstring states.Comment: 72 pages (or 78/2 = 39 pages in reduced format
Semiclassical action based on dynamical mean-field theory describing electrons interacting with local lattice fluctuations
We extend a recently introduced semiclassical approach to calculating the
influence of local lattice fluctuations on electronic properties of metals and
metallic molecular crystals. The effective action of electrons in degenerate
orbital states coupling to Jahn-Teller distortions is derived, employing
dynamical mean-field theory and adiabatic expansions. We improve on previous
numerical treatments of the semiclassical action and present for the
simplifying Holstein model results for the finite temperature optical
conductivity at electron-phonon coupling strengths from weak to strong.
Significant transfer of spectral weight from high to low frequencies is
obtained on isotope substitution in the Fermi-liquid to polaron crossover
regime.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figure
Subgap conductivity in SIN-junctions of high barrier transparency
We investigate the current-voltage characteristics of high-transparency
superconductor-insulator-normal metal (SIN) junctions with the specific tunnel
resistance below 30 kOhm per square micron. The junctions were fabricated from
different superconducting and normal conducting materials, including Nb, Al,
AuPd and Cu. The subgap leakage currents were found to be appreciably larger
than those given by the standard tunnelling model. We explain our results using
the model of two-electron tunnelling in the coherent diffusive transport
regime. We demonstrate that even in the high-transparency SIN-junctions, a
noticeable reduction of the subgap current can be achieved by splitting a
junction into several submicron sub-junctions. These structures can be used as
nonlinear low-noise shunts in Rapid-Single-Flux-Quantum (RSFQ) circuitry for
controlling Josephson qubits.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, 1 tabl
Holstein model in infinite dimensions at half-filling
The normal state of the Holstein model is studied at half-filling in infinite
dimensions and in the adiabatic regime. The dynamical mean-field equations are
solved using perturbation expansions around the extremal paths of the effective
action for the atoms. We find that the Migdal-Eliashberg expansion breaks down
in the metallic state if the electron-phonon coupling exceeds a value
of about 1.3 in spite of the fact that the formal expansion parameter ( is the phonon frequency, the Fermi energy) is
much smaller than 1. The breakdown is due to the appearance of more than one
extremal path of the action. We present numerical results which illustrate in
detail the evolution of the local Green's function, the self-energy and the
effective atomic potential as a function of .Comment: Revtex + 17 postscript figures include
Transversality Conditions for Infinite Horizon Variational Problems on Time Scales
We consider problems of the calculus of variations on unbounded time scales.
We prove the validity of the Euler-Lagrange equation on time scales for
infinite horizon problems, and a new transversality condition.Comment: Submitted 6-October-2009; Accepted 19-March-2010 in revised form; for
publication in "Optimization Letters"
Human Endogenous Retrovirus and Neuroinflammation in Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy.
Human endogenous retroviruses HERV-W encode a pro-inflammatory protein, named MSRV-Env from its original identification in Multiple Sclerosis. Though not detected in various neurological controls, MSRV-Env was found in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathies (CIDPs). This study investigated the expression of MSRV in CIDP and evaluated relevant MSRV-Env pathogenic effects.
50 CIDP patients, 19 other neurological controls (ONDs) and 65 healthy blood donors (HBDs) were recruited from two different countries. MSRV-env and -pol transcripts, IL6 and CXCL10 levels were quantified from blood samples. MSRV-Env immunohistology was performed in distal sensory nerves from CIDP and neurological controls biopsies. MSRV-Env pathogenic effects and mode of action were assayed in cultured primary human Schwann cells (HSCs).
In both cohorts, MSRV-env and -pol transcripts, IL6 positivity prevalence and CXCL10 levels were significantly elevated in CIDP patients when compared to HBDs and ONDs (statistically significant in all comparisons). MSRV-Env protein was detected in Schwann cells in 5/7 CIDP biopsies. HSC exposed to or transfected with MSRV-env presented a strong increase of IL6 and CXCL10 transcripts and protein secretion. These pathogenic effects on HSC were inhibited by GNbAC1, a highly specific and neutralizing humanized monoclonal antibody targeting MSRV-Env.
The present study showed that MSRV-Env may trigger the release of critical immune mediators proposed as instrumental factors involved in the pathophysiology of CIDP. Significant MSRV-Env expression was detected in a significant proportion of patients with CIDP, in which it may play a role according to its presently observed effects on Schwann cells along with previously known effects on immune cells. Experimental results also suggest that a biomarker-driven therapeutic strategy targeting this protein with a neutralizing antibody such as GNbAC1 may offer new perspectives for treating CIDP patients with positive detection of MSRV-Env expression.
Geneuro-Innovation, France
Polaron features of the one-dimensional Holstein Molecular Crystal Model
The polaron features of the one-dimensional Holstein Molecular Crystal Model
are investigated by improving a variational method introduced recently and
based on a linear superposition of Bloch states that describe large and small
polaron wave functions. The mean number of phonons, the polaron kinetic energy,
the electron-phonon local correlation function, and the ground state spectral
weight are calculated and discussed. A crossover regime between large and small
polaron for any value of the adiabatic parameter is found and a
polaron phase diagram is proposed.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figure
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