Statistical Models with a Line of Defect

The factorization condition for the scattering amplitudes of an integrable model with a line of defect gives rise to a set of Reflection-Transmission equations. The solutions of these equations in the case of diagonal $S$-matrix in the bulk are only those with $S =\pm 1$. The choice $S=-1$ corresponds to the Ising model. We compute the transmission and reflection amplitudes relative to the interaction of the Majorana fermion with the defect and we discuss their relevant features.Comment: 14 pages, LATEX file, ISAS/EP/94/30 (Figures added, originally missed for E-mail transmission problem.

The UPS: a promising target for breast cancer treatment

During the past decade, progress in endocrine therapy and the use of trastuzumab has significantly contributed to the decline in breast cancer mortality for hormone receptor-positive and ERBB2 (HER2)-positive cases, respectively. As a result of these advances, a breast cancer cluster with poor prognosis that is negative for the estrogen receptor (ESR1), the progesterone receptor (PRGR) and ERBB2 (triple negative) has come to the forefront of medical therapeutic attention. DNA microarray analyses have revealed that this cluster is phenotypically most like the basal-like breast cancer that is caused by deficiencies in the BRCA1 pathways. To gain further improvements in breast cancer survival, new types of drugs might be required, and small molecules targeting the ubiquitin proteasome system have moved into the spotlight. The success of bortezomib in the treatment of multiple myeloma has sent encouraging signals that proteasome inhibitors could be used to treat other types of cancers. In addition, ubiquitin E3s involved in ESR1, ERBB2 or BRCA1 pathways could be ideal targets for therapeutic intervention. This review summarizes the ubiquitin proteasome pathways related to these proteins and discusses the possibility of new drugs for the treatment of breast cancers

Dijet resonance from leptophobic Z' and light baryonic cold dark matter

In light of the recent CDF report on the excess in the Wjj channel, we analyze (non)supersymmetric U(1)_B x U(1)_L model, interpreting the dijet peak as a leptophobic U(1)_B gauge boson. If this excess is confirmed, it has an interesting implication for the baryonic cold dark matter (CDM) in the model: there should be light CDM with a few GeV mass, and direct detection cross section at the level of a few x 10^{-2} pb.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, version published in Phys. Lett.

Supramolecular Complexation of \u3cem\u3eN\u3c/em\u3e-Alkyl- and \u3cem\u3eN\u3c/em\u3e,\u3cem\u3eN\u3c/em\u3e′-Dialkylpiperazines with Cucurbit[6]uril in Aqueous Solution and in the Solid State

Water seeds: Complex stoichiometry/composition and degree of oligomerization (oligomeric supramolecular complex formation) of cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) with N-alkyl- and N,N′-dialkylpiperazine were investigated in aqueous solutions by means of isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), ESI-MS, NMR and light scattering measurements. Complex stoichiometry/composition and degree of oligomerization (oligomeric supramolecular complex formation) of cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) with N-alkyl- and N,N′-dialkylpiperazine were investigated in aqueous solutions by means of isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), ESI-MS, NMR and light scattering measurements. It was found that the complex stability and the degree of oligomerization increase with elongating the alkyl chain attached to the piperazine core. X-ray crystallographic studies revealed a clear correlation between the structure of CB[6]–alkylpiperazine crystals obtained from aqueous solutions and the molecular weight/properties of host–guest oligomers existed in the solution as supramolecular “seeds” of crystal formation

Boolean Gröbner bases

In recent years, Boolean Gröbner bases have attracted the attention of many researchers, mainly in connection with cryptography. Several sophisticated methods have been developed for the computation of Boolean Gröbner bases. However, most of them only deal with Boolean polynomial rings over the simplest coefficient Boolean ring View the MathML source. Boolean Gröbner bases for arbitrary coefficient Boolean rings were first introduced by two of the authors almost two decades ago. While the work is not well-known among computer algebra researchers, recent active work on Boolean Gröbner bases inspired us to return to their development. In this paper, we introduce our work on Boolean Gröbner bases with arbitrary coefficient Boolean rings

Scattering Theory and Correlation Functions in Statistical Models with a Line of Defect

The scattering theory of the integrable statistical models can be generalized to the case of systems with extended lines of defect. This is done by adding the reflection and transmission amplitudes for the interactions with the line of inhomegeneity to the scattering amplitudes in the bulk. The factorization condition for the new amplitudes gives rise to a set of Reflection-Transmission equations. The solutions of these equations in the case of diagonal $S$-matrix in the bulk are only those with $S =\pm 1$. The choice $S=-1$ corresponds to the Ising model. We compute the exact expressions of the transmission and reflection amplitudes relative to the interaction of the Majorana fermion of the Ising model with the defect. These amplitudes present a weak-strong duality in the coupling constant, the self-dual points being the special values where the defect line acts as a reflecting surface. We also discuss the bosonic case $S=1$ which presents instability properties and resonance states. Multi-defect systems which may give rise to a band structure are also considered. The exact expressions of correlation functions is obtained in terms of Form Factors of the bulk theory and matrix elements of the defect operator.Comment: 50 pages, LATEX file, ISAS/EP/94-12

Enterokinase and IAV Infection

Cleavage and activation of hemagglutinin (HA) by trypsin-like proteases in influenza A virus (IAV) are essential prerequisites for its successful infection and spread. In host cells, some transmembrane serine proteases such as TMPRSS2, TMPRSS4 and HAT, along with plasmin in the bloodstream, have been reported to cleave the HA precursor (HA0) molecule into its active forms, HA1 and HA2. Some trypsinogens can also enhance IAV proliferation in some cell types (e.g., rat cardiomyoblasts). However, the precise activation mechanism for this process is unclear, because the expression level of the physiological activator of the trypsinogens, the TMPRSS15 enterokinase, is expected to be very low in such cells, with the exception of duodenal cells. Here, we show that at least two variant enterokinases are expressed in various human cell lines, including A549 lung-derived cells. The exogenous expression of these enterokinases was able to enhance the proliferation of IAV in 293T human kidney cells, but the proliferation was reduced by knocking down the endogenous enterokinase in A549 cells. The enterokinase was able to enhance HA processing in the cells, which activated trypsinogen in vitro and in the IAV-infected cells also. Therefore, we conclude that enterokinase plays a role in IAV infection and proliferation by activating trypsinogen to process viral HA in human cell lines

Computational Analysis of Tumor Angiogenesis Patterns Using a Two-dimensional Model

Tumor angiogenesis was simulated using a two-dimensional computational model. The equation that governed angiogenesis comprised a tumor angiogenesis factor (TAF) conservation equation in time and space, which was solved numerically using the Galerkin finite element method. The time derivative in the equation was approximated by a forward Euler scheme. A stochastic process model was used to simulate vessel formation and vessel elongation towards a paracrine site, i.e., tumor-secreted basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). In this study, we assumed a two-dimensional model that represented a thin (1.0 mm) slice of the tumor. The growth of the tumor over time was modeled according to the dynamic value of bFGF secreted within the tumor. The data used for the model were based on a previously reported model of a brain tumor in which four distinct stages (multicellular spherical, first detectable lesion, diagnosis, and death of the virtual patient) were modeled. In our study, computation was not continued beyond the 'diagnosis' time point to avoid the computational complexity of analyzing numerous vascular branches. The numerical solutions revealed that no bFGF remained within the region in which vessels developed, owing to the uptake of bFGF by endothelial cells. Consequently, a sharp declining gradient of bFGF existed near the surface of the tumor. The vascular architecture developed numerous branches close to the tumor surface (the brush-border effect). Asymmetrical tumor growth was associated with a greater degree of branching at the tumor surface

A gene variant in the Atp10d gene associates with atherosclerotic indices in Japanese elderly population

AbstractBackgroundATP10D belongs to a subfamily of P-type ATPases implicated in phospholipids translocation from the exoplasmic to the cytoplasmic leaflet of cellular biological membrane. Previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified that a variant in Atp10d gene (rs2351791) associates with serum lipid profile and myocardial infarction. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of this variant on atherosclerosis in Japanese elderly population.MethodConsecutive autopsy cases registered in JG-SNP study were recruited (n = 1536). The samples were pathologically assessed for atherosclerosis using macroscopic examination of the formalin-fixed arteries, and coronary stenotic index (CSI), intracranial atherosclerotic index (ICAI) and pathological atherosclerotic index (PAI), which represent systemic arteries were calculated. The variant rs2351791 (G/T) in Atp10d gene was genotyped by Taqman genotyping assay and association determined.ResultBoth CSI and ICAI were significantly higher in GG genotype than GT genotype and TT genotype (p = 0.003 and p = 0.001, respectively). Both associations remained significant in minor allele dominant model after adjusting for age, hypertension, diabetes, HDL, smoking and drinking (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). PAI was not associated with this variant. Consistent with the previous report, plasma HDL cholesterol level was lower in GG genotype compared to GT + TT genotypes (p = 0.001).ConclusionThe rs2351791 SNP in the Atp10d gene affects the susceptibility for cardiac and intracranial vascular stenosis in the elderly Japanese population