Yang-Baxter equation and reflection equations in integrable models

The definitions of the main notions related to the quantum inverse scattering methods are given. The Yang-Baxter equation and reflection equations are derived as consistency conditions for the factorizable scattering on the whole line and on the half-line using the Zamolodchikov-Faddeev algebra. Due to the vertex-IRF model correspondence the face model analogue of the ZF-algebra and the IRF reflection equation are written down as well as the $Z_2$-graded and colored algebra forms of the YBE and RE.Comment: 21 pages, Latex, Lectures in Schladming school of theoretical physics (March 1995

Quantum field theory and Hopf algebra cohomology

We exhibit a Hopf superalgebra structure of the algebra of field operators of quantum field theory (QFT) with the normal product. Based on this we construct the operator product and the time-ordered product as a twist deformation in the sense of Drinfeld. Our approach yields formulas for (perturbative) products and expectation values that allow for a significant enhancement in computational efficiency as compared to traditional methods. Employing Hopf algebra cohomology sheds new light on the structure of QFT and allows the extension to interacting (not necessarily perturbative) QFT. We give a reconstruction theorem for time-ordered products in the spirit of Streater and Wightman and recover the distinction between free and interacting theory from a property of the underlying cocycle. We also demonstrate how non-trivial vacua are described in our approach solving a problem in quantum chemistry.Comment: 39 pages, no figures, LaTeX + AMS macros; title changed, minor corrections, references update

A rapid high throughput proteomic method based on profiling of proteolytic free peptides to assess post-delivery degradation of placental tissue

A rapid method to determine quality for placental proteomic studies is required due to varying lengths of time between delivery and sampling in routine protocols. We developed a rapid 10 min LC-MS based scanning method to profile free peptides liberated from natural proteolytic degradation. The assay was applied to placenta samples obtained following refrigeration for varying time periods post-delivery (12 h, +24 h, +48 h and +72 h). Analysis reveals time dependant overlapping profiles for groups <24 to +48 h with greatest variation in the +72 h group, indicating that significant proteolysis affects tissue integrity between 48 and 72 h.This work was supported by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) [Grant numbers ES/J007501/1, ES/L002507/1, ES/L002353/1, ES/L012871/1, ES/N007549/1] and as part of the GOSomics initiative at the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust and University College London and the UCL Biological Mass Spectrometry Research Centr

Y1 and Y5 Receptors Are Both Required for the Regulation of Food Intake and Energy Homeostasis in Mice

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) acting in the hypothalamus is one of the most powerful orexigenic agents known. Of the five known Y receptors, hypothalamic Y1 and Y5 have been most strongly implicated in mediating hyperphagic effects. However, knockout of individual Y1 or Y5 receptors induces late-onset obesity – and Y5 receptor knockout also induces hyperphagia, possibly due to redundancy in functions of these genes. Here we show that food intake in mice requires the combined actions of both Y1 and Y5 receptors. Germline Y1Y5 ablation in Y1Y5−/− mice results in hypophagia, an effect that is at least partially mediated by the hypothalamus, since mice with adult-onset Y1Y5 receptor dual ablation targeted to the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus (Y1Y5Hyp/Hyp) also exhibit reduced spontaneous or fasting-induced food intake when fed a high fat diet. Interestingly, despite hypophagia, mice with germline or hypothalamus-specific Y1Y5 deficiency exhibited increased body weight and/or increased adiposity, possibly due to compensatory responses to gene deletion, such as the decreased energy expenditure observed in male Y1Y5−/− animals relative to wildtype values. While Y1 and Y5 receptors expressed in other hypothalamic areas besides the PVN – such as the dorsomedial nucleus and the ventromedial hypothalamus – cannot be excluded from having a role in the regulation of food intake, these studies demonstrate the pivotal, combined role of both Y1 and Y5 receptors in the mediation of food intake

Citrulline a More Suitable Substrate than Arginine to Restore NO Production and the Microcirculation during Endotoxemia

BACKGROUND: Impaired microcirculation during endotoxemia correlates with a disturbed arginine-nitric oxide (NO) metabolism and is associated with deteriorating organ function. Improving the organ perfusion in endotoxemia, as often seen in patients with severe infection or systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is, therefore, an important therapeutic target. We hypothesized that supplementation of the arginine precursor citrulline rather than arginine would specifically increase eNOS-induced intracellular NO production and thereby improve the microcirculation during endotoxemia. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To study the effects of L-Citrulline and L-Arginine supplementation on jejunal microcirculation, intracellular arginine availability and NO production in a non-lethal prolonged endotoxemia model in mice. C57/Bl6 mice received an 18 hrs intravenous infusion of endotoxin (LPS, 0.4 µg • g bodyweight(-1) • h(-1)), combined with either L-Citrulline (6.25 mg • h-1), L-Arginine (6.25 mg • h(-1)), or L-Alanine (isonitrogenous control; 12.5 mg • h(-1)) during the last 6 hrs. The control group received an 18 hrs sterile saline infusion combined with L-Alanine or L-Citrulline during the last 6 hrs. The microcirculation was evaluated at the end of the infusion period using sidestream dark-field imaging of jejunal villi. Plasma and jejunal tissue amino-acid concentrations were measured by HPLC, NO tissue concentrations by electron-spin resonance spectroscopy and NOS protein concentrations using Western blot. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: L-Citrulline supplementation during endotoxemia positively influenced the intestinal microvascular perfusion compared to L-Arginine-supplemented and control endotoxemic mice. L-Citrulline supplementation increased plasma and tissue concentrations of arginine and citrulline, and restored intracellular NO production in the intestine. L-Arginine supplementation did not increase the intracellular arginine availability. Jejunal tissues in the L-Citrulline-supplemented group showed, compared to the endotoxemic and L-Arginine-supplemented endotoxemic group, an increase in degree of phosphorylation of eNOS (Ser 1177) and a decrease in iNOS protein level. In conclusion, L-Citrulline supplementation during endotoxemia and not L-Arginine reduced intestinal microcirculatory dysfunction and increased intracellular NO production, likely via increased intracellular citrulline and arginine availability