Scattering amplitude from Bethe-Salpeter wave function inside the interaction range

We propose a method to calculate scattering amplitudes using the Bethe-Salpeter wave function inside the interaction range on the lattice. For an exploratory study of this method, we evaluate a scattering length of I=2 S-wave two pions by the use of the on-shell scattering amplitude. Our result is confirmed to be consistent with the value obtained from the conventional finite volume method. The half-off-shell scattering amplitude is also evaluated

Finite size effect on pseudoscalar meson sector in 2+1 flavor QCD at the physical point

We investigate the finite size effect on pseudoscalar meson masses and decay constants using a subset of the “PACS10” configurations which are generated keeping the space-time volumes over (10  fm)4 in 2+1 flavor QCD at the physical point. We have tried two kinds of analyses, fixing κ values or measured axial Ward identity quark masses. Comparing the results on (5.4  fm)4 and (10.8  fm)4 lattices, we have found a sizable finite size effect on the pseudoscalar meson sector in the former analysis: a 2.1(8)%, 4.8(1.6)%, and 0.36(31)% finite size effect on mπ, mud, and fπ, respectively, on the (5.4  fm)4 lattice. For the latter analysis, the finite size effect on the pseudoscalar meson decay constants is 0.66(33)% for fπ, 0.26(13)% for fK, and 0.40(32)% for fK/fπ. These values with two-sigma error bars are consistent with the predictions from the full one-loop SU(3) chiral perturbation theory, which are 0.20% for fπ, 0.08% for fK, and 0.13% for fK/fπ. The finite size effect on the pseudoscalar meson masses is hardly detected under the current statistical precision

Application of Prostate Cancer Models for Preclinical Study: Advantages and Limitations of Cell Lines, Patient-Derived Xenografts, and Three-Dimensional Culture of Patient-Derived Cells

Various preclinical models have been developed to clarify the pathophysiology of prostate cancer (PCa). Traditional PCa cell lines from clinical metastatic lesions, as exemplified by DU-145, PC-3, and LNCaP cells, are useful tools to define mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis and drug resistance. Cell line-based experiments, however, have limitations for preclinical studies because those cells are basically adapted to 2-dimensional monolayer culture conditions, in which the majority of primary PCa cells cannot survive. Recent tissue engineering enables generation of PCa patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) from both primary and metastatic lesions. Compared with fresh PCa tissue transplantation in athymic mice, co-injection of PCa tissues with extracellular matrix in highly immunodeficient mice has remarkably improved the success rate of PDX generation. PDX models have advantages to appropriately recapitulate the molecular diversity, cellular heterogeneity, and histology of original patient tumors. In contrast to PDX models, patient-derived organoid and spheroid PCa models in 3-dimensional culture are more feasible tools for in vitro studies for retaining the characteristics of patient tumors. In this article, we review PCa preclinical model cell lines and their sublines, PDXs, and patient-derived organoid and spheroid models. These PCa models will be applied to the development of new strategies for cancer precision medicine

Vasovasostomy and vasoepididymostomy: Review of the procedures, outcomes, and predictors of patency and pregnancy over the last decade

Abstract Background In the era of improving assisted reproductive technology (ART), patients with obstructive azoospermia (OA) have 2 options: vasal repair or testicular sperm extraction with intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Vasal repair, including vasovasostomy (VV) and vasoepididymostomy (VE), is the only option that leads to natural conception. Methods This article reviews the surgical techniques, outcomes, and predictors of postoperative patency and pregnancy, with a focus on articles that have reported over the last 10 years, using PubMed database searches. Main findings The reported mean patency rate was 87% and the mean pregnancy rate was 49% for a patient following microscopic VV and/or VE for vasectomy reversal. Recently, robot‐assisted techniques were introduced and have achieved a high rate of success. The predictors and predictive models of postoperative patency and pregnancy also have been reported. The obstructive interval, presence of a granuloma, and intraoperative sperm findings predict postoperative patency. These factors also predict postoperative fertility. In addition, the female partner's age and the same female partner correlate with pregnancy after surgery. Conclusion In the era of ART, the physician should present and discuss with both the patient with OA and his partner the most appropriate procedure to conceive by using these predictors