On Minimal N=4 Topological Strings And The (1,k) Minimal Bosonic String

In this paper we consider tree-level scattering in the minimal N=4 topological string and show that a large class of N-point functions can be recast in terms of corresponding amplitudes in the (1,k) minimal bosonic string. This suggests a non-trivial relation between the minimal N=4 topological strings, the (1,k) minimal bosonic strings and their corresponding ADE matrix models. This relation has interesting and far-reaching implications for the topological sector of six-dimensional Little String Theories.Comment: lanlmac, 30 pages; v3 minor revisions, version published in JHE

A mitochondrial-targeted inhibitor of cytochrorme c peroxidase mitigates radiation-induced death

The risk of radionuclide release in terrorist acts or exposure of healthy tissue during radiotherapy demand potent radioprotectants/radiomitigators. Ionizing radiation induces cell death by initiating the selective peroxidation of cardiolipin in mitochondria by the peroxidase activity of its complex with cytochrome c leading to release of haemoprotein into the cytosol and commitment to the apoptotic program. Here we design and synthesize mitochondria-targeted triphenylphosphonium-conjugated imidazole-substituted oleic and stearic acids that blocked peroxidase activity of cytochrome c/cardiolipin complex by specifically binding to its haem-iron. We show that both compounds inhibit pro-apoptotic oxidative events, suppress cyt c release, prevent cell death, and protect mice against lethal doses of irradiation. Significant radioprotective/radiomitigative effects of imidazole-substituted oleic acid are observed after pretreatment of mice from 1 h before through 24 h after the irradiation