S-matrices for spinor particles on Reissner-Nordstr\"{o}m black holes

The scattering problems arising when considering the contribution of the topologically inequivalent configurations of the spinors on Reissner-Nordstr\"{o}m black holes to the Hawking radiation are correctly stated. The corresponding $S$-matrices are described and presented in the form convenient to numerical computations.Comment: 11 pages, LaTe

X-ray Topographs of Strain Field Induced by Locally Ion-Plated Films on Si Substrates

Strains induced in the Si substrates by TiN film were observed with X-ray topography. The image of the sample with TiN film 0.45μm thick was like that of a dislocation loop observed with transmission electron microscope. The images of the samples with TiN films 1.65, and 1.9μm thick were different; blackening spreaded in the and direction from the ring contrast in shape of four-lobed rosette pattern. Spreading extended 1.6 times longer than the radius of the ring contrast along the direction. The strain field extended 0.1μm in depth from the top surface where TiN was plated. From the topographs of bent Si beam, it was found that the blackness was almost proportional to the strain. The strains induced by TiN film locally ion-plated were smaller than those observed previously when TiN was ion-plated on the whole top surface of the substrate. Fine structures were observed in the topographs which could not be explained by the kinematical theory

Factorization methods for Noncommutative KP and Toda hierarchy

We show that the solution space of the noncommutative KP hierarchy is the same as that of the commutative KP hierarchy owing to the Birkhoff decomposition of groups over the noncommutative algebra. The noncommutative Toda hierarchy is introduced. We derive the bilinear identities for the Baker--Akhiezer functions and calculate the $N$-soliton solutions of the noncommutative Toda hierarchy.Comment: 7 pages, no figures, AMS-LaTeX, minor corrections, final version to appear in Journal of Physics

Sonazoid-enhanced intraoperative ultrasonography in patients with gall bladder diseases: A preliminary study

Background:Ultrasonography using Sonazoid, a novel contrast agent containing microbubbles, is a useful diagnostic modality for intrahepatic mass lesions with specific characteristics in two phases: contrast enhancement of early vascular perfusion and perfusion defect of the lesion in the late phase. To improve the diagnostic accuracy of intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS) in biliary neoplasms, particularly gall bladder, we investigated the usefulness of the Sonazoid contrast agent in a preliminary study.Subjects and Methods:We examined IOUS images of 23 patients with gall bladder disease. Sonazoid was administered intravenously, and early arterial and venous phase images of the tumor were obtained during laparotomy.Results:Tumors included the localized type of adenomyomatosis in the fundus of the gallbladder (GAM) in seven patients as benign controls, adenomatous diseases in three, and gallbladder carcinoma (GC) in 13. Sonazoid IOUS scanning was performed in all patients, with no adverse effects. Although GC showed high enhancement in 77% of the tumors, GAM and adenoma also showed mild enhancement in more than half of them. Pseudo-positivity was observed in one case of hyperplastic polyps, and pseudo-negativity was observed in two patients. Cholesterol polyps and a suspicious lesion of liver metastasis by the computed tomography were not enhanced with Sonazoid treatment.Conclusion:Although there remains a problem of pseud-positivity in the intracystic lesions, Sonazoid IOUS may be a useful tool to detect vascularity and its location or extension of gallbladder diseases; however, neither significance of differential diagnosis with benign diseases nor other clinical significance was found

Structure of Musashi1 in a complex with target RNA: the role of aromatic stacking interactions

Mammalian Musashi1 (Msi1) is an RNA-binding protein that regulates the translation of target mRNAs, and participates in the maintenance of cell ‘stemness’ and tumorigenesis. Msi1 reportedly binds to the 3′-untranslated region of mRNA of Numb, which encodes Notch inhibitor, and impedes initiation of its translation by competing with eIF4G for PABP binding, resulting in triggering of Notch signaling. Here, the mechanism by which Msi1 recognizes the target RNA sequence using its Ribonucleoprotein (RNP)-type RNA-binding domains (RBDs), RBD1 and RBD2 has been revealed on identification of the minimal binding RNA for each RBD and determination of the three-dimensional structure of the RBD1:RNA complex. Unique interactions were found for the recognition of the target sequence by Msi1 RBD1: adenine is sandwiched by two phenylalanines and guanine is stacked on the tryptophan in the loop between β1 and α1. The minimal recognition sequences that we have defined for Msi1 RBD1 and RBD2 have actually been found in many Msi1 target mRNAs reported to date. The present study provides molecular clues for understanding the biology involving Musashi family proteins

DOCK2 is involved in the host genetics and biology of severe COVID-19

「コロナ制圧タスクフォース」COVID-19疾患感受性遺伝子DOCK2の重症化機序を解明 --アジア最大のバイオレポジトリーでCOVID-19の治療標的を発見--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2022-08-10.Identifying the host genetic factors underlying severe COVID-19 is an emerging challenge. Here we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) involving 2, 393 cases of COVID-19 in a cohort of Japanese individuals collected during the initial waves of the pandemic, with 3, 289 unaffected controls. We identified a variant on chromosome 5 at 5q35 (rs60200309-A), close to the dedicator of cytokinesis 2 gene (DOCK2), which was associated with severe COVID-19 in patients less than 65 years of age. This risk allele was prevalent in East Asian individuals but rare in Europeans, highlighting the value of genome-wide association studies in non-European populations. RNA-sequencing analysis of 473 bulk peripheral blood samples identified decreased expression of DOCK2 associated with the risk allele in these younger patients. DOCK2 expression was suppressed in patients with severe cases of COVID-19. Single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis (n = 61 individuals) identified cell-type-specific downregulation of DOCK2 and a COVID-19-specific decreasing effect of the risk allele on DOCK2 expression in non-classical monocytes. Immunohistochemistry of lung specimens from patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia showed suppressed DOCK2 expression. Moreover, inhibition of DOCK2 function with CPYPP increased the severity of pneumonia in a Syrian hamster model of SARS-CoV-2 infection, characterized by weight loss, lung oedema, enhanced viral loads, impaired macrophage recruitment and dysregulated type I interferon responses. We conclude that DOCK2 has an important role in the host immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and the development of severe COVID-19, and could be further explored as a potential biomarker and/or therapeutic target