On Exceptional Vertex Operator (Super) Algebras

We consider exceptional vertex operator algebras and vertex operator superalgebras with the property that particular Casimir vectors constructed from the primary vectors of lowest conformal weight are Virasoro descendents of the vacuum. We show that the genus one partition function and characters for simple ordinary modules must satisfy modular linear differential equations. We show the rationality of the central charge and module lowest weights, modularity of solutions, the dimension of each graded space is a rational function of the central charge and that the lowest weight primaries generate the algebra. We also discuss conditions on the reducibility of the lowest weight primary vectors as a module for the automorphism group. Finally we analyse solutions for exceptional vertex operator algebras with primary vectors of lowest weight up to 9 and for vertex operator superalgebras with primary vectors of lowest weight up to 17/2. Most solutions can be identified with simple ordinary modules for known algebras but there are also four conjectured algebras generated by weight two primaries and three conjectured extremal vertex operator algebras generated by primaries of weight 3, 4 and 6 respectively.Comment: 37 page

Role of prostaglandin E 2 in cholinergic-mediated glycoprotein synthesis in canine antrum

We studied the mechanism of cholinergic stimulation of mucin synthesis in canine antral explants, including the role of PGE 2 as an intermediate messenger. Isolated antral mucosa was incubated with 10 −5 M carbachol (Cb), 10 −5 M indomethacin (IND), 10 −5 M pirenzepine (PZ), 10 −5 M Cb+10 −5 M PZ, 10 −5 M Cb+10 −5 M IND, and 10 −5 M IND +PGE 2 (10 −8 , 10 −7 and 10 −6 M) in the presence or absence of [ 3 H]glucosamine. After 24 hr, total glycoprotein synthesis was quantitated by Sepharose-4B chromatography and by 10% TCA/1%PTA precipitation with lipid extraction. PGE 2 released into the media was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Cb significantly increased total glycoprotein synthesis and produced a significant increase in PGE 2 release. The increase in glycoprotein synthesis and the release of PGE 2 was blocked by the addition of muscarinic antagonist PZ. The addition of IND significantly inhibited glycoprotein synthesis and almost entirely suppressed PGE 2 secretion. IND also inhibited the effect of Cb on glycoprotein synthesis and PGE 2 release. Moreover, PGE 2 (10 −6 and 10 −7 M) significantly increased the glycoprotein synthesis in the canine stomach. This suggests the coordinate participation of PGE 2 -releasing cell population in modulation of glycoprotein synthesis in gastric mucosa.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44416/1/10620_2005_Article_BF01300285.pd

Production of polarized ^3He^2+ ion by ECR-ionizer

The possibility of using an ECR (Electron Cyclotron Resonance) ionizer of polarized ^He gas as a compact polarized ^He ion source is investigated by the Monte Carlo simulation over an ECR frequency range from 2.45 to 16 GHz. In this calculation, we assume that the depolarization mechanism is caused by multiple ionization, inelastic scattering, and de-ionization processes of the ^He atoms and ions confined in the ECR plasma under the presence of the external magnetic field and the microwave for ECR. To check the validity of the present Monte Carlo simulation, we calculate the proton polarization following the ionization of polarized hydrogen gas by the ECR ionizer and find consistency between the calculated results and experimental ones. With a typical value of the ^He gas polarization currently available, I.e., P_ ～ 0.5, a polarized ^He^ beam with the maximum polarization less than 0.2 can be expected from the polarized ^He ion source based on the ECR-ionizer

A geographical population analysis of dental trauma in school-children aged 12 and 15 in the city of Curitiba-Brazil

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The study presents a geographical analysis of dental trauma in a population of 12 and 15 year-old school-children, in the city of Curitiba, Brazil (n = 1581), using a database obtained in the period 2005-2006. The main focus is to analyze dental trauma using a geographic information system as a tool for integrating social, environmental and epidemiological data.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Geostatistical analysis of the database and thematic maps were generated showing the distribution of dental trauma cases according to Curitiba's Health Districts and other variables of interest. Dental trauma spatial variation was assessed using a generalized additive model in order to identify and control the individual risk-factors and thus determine whether spatial variation is constant or not throughout the Health Districts and the place of residence of individuals. In addition, an analysis was made of the coverage of dental trauma cases taking the spatial distribution of Curitiba's primary healthcare centres.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The overall prevalence of dental trauma was 37.1%, with 53.1% in males and 46.7% in females. The spatial analysis confirms the hypothesis that there is significant variation in the occurrence of dental trauma, considering the place of residence in the population studied (Monte Carlo test, p = 0,006). Furthermore, 28.7% of cases had no coverage by the primary healthcare centres.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The effect of the place of residence was highly significant in relation to the response variable. The delimitation of areas, as a basis for case density, enables the qualification of geographical territories where actions can be planned based on priority criteria. Promotion, control and rehabilitation actions, applied in regions of higher prevalence of dental trauma, can be more effective and efficient, thus providing healthcare refinement.</p

Butyrate Transcriptionally Enhances Peptide Transporter PepT1 Expression and Activity

Background: PepT1, an intestinal epithelial apical di/tripeptide transporter, is normally expressed in the small intestine and induced in colon during chronic inflammation. This study aimed at investigating PepT1 regulation by butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid produced by commensal bacteria and accumulated inside inflamed colonocyte. Results: We found that butyrate treatment of human intestinal epithelial Caco2-BBE cells increased human PepT1 (hPepT1) promoter activity in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with maximal activity observed in cells treated with 5 mM butyrate for 24 h. Under this condition, hPepT1 promoter activity, mRNA and protein expression levels were increased as assessed by luciferase assay, real-time RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. hPepT1 transport activity was accordingly increased by,2.5-fold. Butyrate did not alter hPepT1 mRNA half-life indicating that butyrate acts at the transcriptional level. Molecular analyses revealed that Cdx2 is the most important transcription factor for butyrate-induced increase of hPepT1 expression and activity in Caco2-BBE cells. Butyrate-activated Cdx2 binding to hPepT1 promoter was confirmed by gel shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation. Moreover, Caco2-BBE cells overexpressing Cdx2 exhibited greater hPepT1 expression level than wild-type cells. Finally, treatment of mice with 5 mM butyrate added to drinking water for 24 h increased colonic PepT1 mRNA and protein expression levels, as well as enhanced PepT1 transport activity in colonic apical membranes vesicles