Nonabelian Faddeev-Niemi Decomposition of the SU(3) Yang-Mills Theory

Faddeev and Niemi (FN) have introduced an abelian gauge theory which simulates dynamical abelianization in Yang-Mills theory (YM). It contains both YM instantons and Wu-Yang monopoles and appears to be able to describe the confining phase. Motivated by the meson degeneracy problem in dynamical abelianization models, in this note we present a generalization of the FN theory. We first generalize the Cho connection to dynamical symmetry breaking pattern SU(N+1) -> U(N), and subsequently try to complete the Faddeev-Niemi decomposition by keeping the missing degrees of freedom. While it is not possible to write an on-shell complete FN decomposition, in the case of SU(3) theory of physical interest we find an off-shell complete decomposition for SU(3) -> U(2) which amounts to partial gauge fixing, generalizing naturally the result found by Faddeev and Niemi for the abelian scenario SU(N+1) -> U(1)^N. We discuss general topological aspects of these breakings, demonstrating for example that the FN knot solitons never exist when the unbroken gauge symmetry is nonabelian, and recovering the usual no-go theorems for colored dyons.Comment: Latex 30 page

Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism is not a strong risk factor for diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy in Type I diabetes: case-control study

BACKGROUND: The gene encoding apolipoprotein E (APOE) has been proposed as a candidate gene for vascular complications in Type I diabetes. This study aimed to investigate the influence of three-allelic variations in the APOE gene for the development of diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy. RESULTS: Neither APOE alleles frequencies or APOE genotypes frequencies differed between Type I diabetic groups either with or without nephropathy. Similar results were found for patients with and without diabetic retinopathy. CONCLUSIONS: APOE gene polymorphism does not determine genetic susceptibility for the development of diabetic retinopathy in Type I diabetes patients. Association between APOE gene polymorphism and diabetic nephropathy may be weak or moderate, but not strong

Association of APOE polymorphism with chronic kidney disease in a nationally representative sample: a Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) Genetic Study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Apolipoprotein E polymorphisms (<it>APOE</it>) have been associated with lowered glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) with e2 allele conferring risk and e4 providing protection. However, few data are available in non-European ethnic groups or in a population-based cohort.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The authors analyzed 5,583 individuals from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) to determine association with estimated GFR by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation and low-GFR cases. Low-GFR cases were defined as GFR <75 ml/min/1.73 m²; additionally, GFR was analyzed continuously.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In univariate analysis, the e4 allele was negatively associated with low-GFR cases in non-Hispanic whites, odds ratio (OR): 0.76, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.60, 0.97. In whites, there was a significant association between increasing <it>APOE </it>score (indicating greater number of e2 alleles) and higher prevalence of low-GFR cases (OR: 1.21, 95%CI: 1.01, 1.45). Analysis of continuous GFR in whites found the e4 allele was associated with higher levels of continuous GFR (β-coefficient: 2.57 ml/min/1.73 m², 95%CI: 0.005, 5.14); in non-Hispanic blacks the e2 allele was associated with lower levels of continuous GFR (β-coefficient: -3.73 ml/min/1.73 m², 95%CI: -6.61, -0.84). <it>APOE </it>e2 and e4 alleles were rare and not associated with low-GFR cases or continuous GFR in Mexican Americans.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In conclusion, the authors observed a weak association between the <it>APOE </it>e4 allele and low-GFR cases and continuous GFR in non-Hispanic whites, and the <it>APOE </it>e2 allele and continuous GFR in non-Hispanic blacks, but found no association with either measure of kidney function in Mexican Americans. Larger studies including multiethnic groups are needed to determine the significance of this association.</p

Vitamin D Binding Protein and Monocyte Response to 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D: Analysis by Mathematical Modeling

Vitamin D binding protein (DBP) plays a key role in the bioavailability of active 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) and its precursor 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), but accurate analysis of DBP-bound and free 25OHD and 1,25(OH)2D is difficult. To address this, two new mathematical models were developed to estimate: 1) serum levels of free 25OHD/1,25(OH)2D based on DBP concentration and genotype; 2) the impact of DBP on the biological activity of 25OHD/1,25(OH)2D in vivo. The initial extracellular steady state (eSS) model predicted that 50 nM 25OHD and 100 pM 1,25(OH)2D), <0.1% 25OHD and <1.5% 1,25(OH)2D are ‘free’ in vivo. However, for any given concentration of total 25OHD, levels of free 25OHD are higher for low affinity versus high affinity forms of DBP. The eSS model was then combined with an intracellular (iSS) model that incorporated conversion of 25OHD to 1,25(OH)2D via the enzyme CYP27B1, as well as binding of 1,25(OH)2D to the vitamin D receptor (VDR). The iSS model was optimized to 25OHD/1,25(OH)2D-mediated in vitro dose-responsive induction of the vitamin D target gene cathelicidin (CAMP) in human monocytes. The iSS model was then used to predict vitamin D activity in vivo (100% serum). The predicted induction of CAMP in vivo was minimal at basal settings but increased with enhanced expression of VDR (5-fold) and CYP27B1 (10-fold). Consistent with the eSS model, the iSS model predicted stronger responses to 25OHD for low affinity forms of DBP. Finally, the iSS model was used to compare the efficiency of endogenously synthesized versus exogenously added 1,25(OH)2D. Data strongly support the endogenous model as the most viable mode for CAMP induction by vitamin D in vivo. These novel mathematical models underline the importance of DBP as a determinant of vitamin D ‘status’ in vivo, with future implications for clinical studies of vitamin D status and supplementation

A systems analysis of the chemosensitivity of breast cancer cells to the polyamine analogue PG-11047

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Polyamines regulate important cellular functions and polyamine dysregulation frequently occurs in cancer. The objective of this study was to use a systems approach to study the relative effects of PG-11047, a polyamine analogue, across breast cancer cells derived from different patients and to identify genetic markers associated with differential cytotoxicity.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A panel of 48 breast cell lines that mirror many transcriptional and genomic features present in primary human breast tumours were used to study the antiproliferative activity of PG-11047. Sensitive cell lines were further examined for cell cycle distribution and apoptotic response. Cell line responses, quantified by the GI₅₀(dose required for 50% relative growth inhibition) were correlated with the omic profiles of the cell lines to identify markers that predict response and cellular functions associated with drug sensitivity.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The concentrations of PG-11047 needed to inhibit growth of members of the panel of breast cell lines varied over a wide range, with basal-like cell lines being inhibited at lower concentrations than the luminal cell lines. Sensitive cell lines showed a significant decrease in S phase fraction at doses that produced little apoptosis. Correlation of the GI₅₀values with the omic profiles of the cell lines identified genomic, transcriptional and proteomic variables associated with response.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A 13-gene transcriptional marker set was developed as a predictor of response to PG-11047 that warrants clinical evaluation. Analyses of the pathways, networks and genes associated with response to PG-11047 suggest that response may be influenced by interferon signalling and differential inhibition of aspects of motility and epithelial to mesenchymal transition.</p> <p>See the related commentary by Benes and Settleman: <url>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/7/78</url></p

Clinical impact of the loss of chromosome 7q on outcomes of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

We conducted a nationwide retrospective study to evaluate the prognostic influence of +1, der(1;7)(q10;p10) [hereafter der(1;7)] and ?7/del(7q) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for de novo myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). In this database, 69 MDS patients with der(1;7), 75 with ?7/del(7q), and 511 with normal karyotype (NK) underwent allo-HSCT at advanced disease status. The 3-year overall survival (OS) and cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) were 50.4 and 19.4% for those with der(1;7), 36.2 and 38.4% for ?7/del(7q),and 51.1 and 20.7% for NK, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, the presence of ?7/del(7q) correlated with a significantly shorter OS (HR [95% CI], 1.38 [1.00?1.89]; P = 0.048) and higher CIR (HR, 2.11 [1.36?3.28]; P = 0.001) than those with NK. There were 23 patients with der(1;7), 29 with ?7/del(7q), and 347 with NK who underwent allo-HSCT at early disease status.The 3-year OS and CIR were as follows: 47.3 and 9.5% for the der(1;7) group, 70.5 and 13.8% for ?7/del(7q), and 70.9 and 5.6% for NK,respectively. No significant differences were observed in OS and CIR among three groups. The impact of the loss of chromosome 7q on OS and CIR may differ based on its type and disease status after allo-HSCT for MDS

Search for large missing transverse momentum in association with one top-quark in proton-proton collisions at s√=13 TeV with the ATLAS detector

This paper describes a search for events with one top-quark and large missing transverse momentum in the final state. Data collected during 2015 and 2016 by the ATLAS experiment from 13 TeV proton–proton collisions at the LHC corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.1 fb−1 are used. Two channels are considered, depending on the leptonic or the hadronic decays of the W boson from the top quark. The obtained results are interpreted in the context of simplified models for dark-matter production and for the single production of a vector-like T quark. In the absence of significant deviations from the Standard Model background expectation, 95% confidence-level upper limits on the corresponding production cross-sections are obtained and these limits are translated into constraints on the parameter space of the models considered