Phase-reference VLBI Observations of the Compact Steep-Spectrum Source 3C 138

We investigate a phase-reference VLBI observation that was conducted at 15.4 GHz by fast switching VLBA antennas between the compact steep-spectrum radio source 3C 138 and the quasar PKS 0528+134 which are about 4$^\circ$ away on the sky. By comparing the phase-reference mapping with the conventional hybrid mapping, we demonstrate the feasibility of high precision astrometric measurements for sources separated by 4$^\circ$. VLBI phase-reference mapping preserves the relative phase information, and thus provides an accurate relative position between 3C 138 and PKS 0528+134 of $\Delta\alpha=-9^m46^s.531000\pm0^s.000003$ and $\Delta\delta=3^\circ6^\prime26^{\prime\prime}.90311\pm0^{\prime\prime}.00007$ (J2000.0) in right ascension and declination, respectively. This gives an improved position of the nucleus (component A) of 3C 138 in J2000.0 to be RA=$05^h 21^m 9^s.885748$ and Dec=$16^\circ 38' 22''.05261$ under the assumption that the position of calibrator PKS 0528+134 is correct. We further made a hybrid map by performing several iterations of CLEAN and self-calibration on the phase-referenced data with the phase-reference map as an input model for the first phase self-calibration. Compared with the hybrid map from the limited visibility data directly obtained from fringe fitting 3C 138 data, this map has a similar dynamic range, but a higher angular resolution. Therefore, phase-reference technique is not only a means of phase connection, but also a means of increasing phase coherence time allowing self-calibration technique to be applied to much weaker sources.Comment: 9 pages plus 2 figures, accepted by PASJ (Vol.58 No.6

Effect of CYP2C9*3 gene polymorphism on lipid-lowering efficacy of fluvastatin in a Chinese hyperlipidemic population

Purpose: To investigate the frequency of gene CYP2C9*3 in Chinese populations, and to analyze the impact of CYP2C9*3 genetic polymorphism on the cholesterol-lowering effect of fluvastatin in a Chinese hyperlipidemic population.Methods: CYP2C9 genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction - restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR - RFLP) in 270 unrelated hyperlipidemic patients who were treated with 80mg fluvastatin monotherapy daily for 4 weeks and 250 healthy controls. Clinical data were collected prior to treatment with fluvastatin and 4 weeks after.Results: In 270 hyperlipidemic patients, the frequency of CYP2C9*3 was 3.70 % which is significantly higher than in 250 healthy controls (2.60 %) (p < 0.01). After oral intake of fluvastatin 80 mg daily for 4 weeks, CYP2C9*1/*3 genotype was associated with a decrease in LDL-C levels (by 33.9 % in CYP2C9*1/*3 versus 24.5 % for CYP2C9*1/*1, p < 0.05) and with reduction of TC (by 36.4 % in CYP2C9*1/*3 versus 19.4 % in CYP2C9*1/*1, p < 0.05).Conclusion: The frequency of CYP2C9*3 is 3.17 % in Chinese populations, and those who carry CYP2C9*3 mutation have a high risk of hyperlipidemia. CYP2C9*3 seems to increase the lipid-lowering effects of fluvastatin.Keywords: Hyperlipidemia, Gene, CYP2C9, Polymorphism, Polymerase chain reaction, Restriction fragment length polymorphism, Fluvastati

Linearly and Circularly Polarized Emission in Sagittarius A*

We perform general relativistic ray-tracing calculations of the transfer of polarized synchrotron radiation through the relativistic accretion flow in Sagittarius (Sgr) A*. Based on a two-temperature magneto-rotational-instability (MRI) induced accretion mode, the birefringence effects are treated self-consistently. By fitting the spectrum and polarization of Sgr A* from millimeter to near-infrared bands, we are able to not only constrain the basic parameters related to the MRI and the electron heating rate, but also limit the orientation of the accretion torus. These constraints lead to unique polarimetric images, which may be compared with future millimeter and sub-millimeter VLBI observations. In combination with general relativistic MHD simulations, the model has the potential to test the MRI with observations of Sgr A*.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figures, ApJL accepte

N-(2-Hy­droxy-5-nitro­phen­yl)methane­sulfonamide ethanol monosolvate

In the title compound, C7H8N2O5S·C2H6O, the dihedral angle between the aromatic ring and the nitro group is 8.78 (9)° and the S atom is displaced by 0.226 (3) Å from the plane of the aromatic ring. In the crystal, the ethanol mol­ecule is involved in hydrogen bonding to two separate sulfonamide mol­ecules, as a donor in an O—H⋯O inter­action and as an acceptor in an N—H⋯O inter­action. Weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bonding is also present

Construction by artificial intelligence and immunovalidation of hypoallergenic mite allergen Der f 36 vaccine

BackgroundThe house dust mite (HDM) is widely recognized as the most prevalent allergen in allergic diseases. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) has been successfully implemented in clinical treatment for HDM. Hypoallergenic B-cell epitope-based vaccine designed by artificial intelligence (AI) represents a significant progression of recombinant hypoallergenic allergen derivatives.MethodThe three-dimensional protein structure of Der f 36 was constructed using Alphafold2. AI-based tools were employed to predict B-cell epitopes, which were subsequently verified through IgE-reaction testing. Hypoallergenic Der f 36 was then synthesized, expressed, and purified. The reduced allergenicity was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunoblotting, and basophil activation test. T-cell response to hypoallergenic Der f 36 and Der f 36 was evaluated based on cytokine expression in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients. The immunogenicity was evaluated and compared through rabbit immunization with hypoallergenic Der f 36 and Der f 36, respectively. The inhibitory effect of the blocking IgG antibody on the specific IgE-binding activity and basophil activation of Der f 36 allergen was also examined.ResultsThe final selected non-allergic B-cell epitopes were 25–48, 57–67, 107–112, 142–151, and 176–184. Hypoallergenic Der f 36 showed significant reduction in IgE-binding activity. The competitive inhibition of IgE-binding to Der f 36 was investigated using the hypoallergenic Der f 36, and only 20% inhibition could be achieved, which is greatly reduced when compared with inhibition by Der f 36 (98%). The hypoallergenic Der f 36 exhibited a low basophil-stimulating ratio similar to that of the negative control, and it could induce an increasing level of IFN‐γ but not Th2 cytokines IL-5 and IL-13 in PBMCs. The vaccine-specific rabbit blocking IgG antibodies could inhibit the patients’ IgE binding and basophil stimulation activity of Derf 36.ConclusionThis study represents the first application of an AI strategy to facilitate the development of a B-cell epitope-based hypoallergenic Der f 36 vaccine, which may become a promising immunotherapy for HDM-allergic patients due to its reduced allergenicity and its high immunogenicity in inducing blocking of IgG