Search

One of the most promising methods to search for axions is a light-shining-through-walls (LSW) experiment. In this work, we discuss the possibility of performing a LSW experiment at the International Linear Collider facility, where photon beams are generated for positron production. The photon beam is energetic and intense; the energy is of order MeV and the number of photons is about 1024 per year. Because of the high energy and intensity, this LSW experiment can probe a parameter region of the axion unexplored by previous ground-based experiments.

Background The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of the median nerve stenosis rate (MNSR) measured on sagittal sonographic images of the median nerve in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods The study population consisted of 45 hands from 37 patients with idiopathic CTS (CTS group), and 60 hands from 35 asymptomatic healthy subjects (control group). Carpal tunnel syndrome was diagnosed by clinical findings and positive electrophysiological study results. All patients and control subjects underwent ultrasonographic examination. At the carpal tunnel level, the transducer was placed longitudinally to the median nerve, and an image of the longitudinal median nerve was obtained. The minimum median nerve diameter (MND) was measured at the middle part of the capitate level, while the maximum MND was measured at the distal radioulnar joint level. The MNSR was calculated as (1 – minimum MND/maximum MND) × 100 (%). The cross-sectional area of the median nerve was also measured at the level of the pisiform. Results On longitudinal sonographic images, the MNSR was significantly larger in the CTS group than the control group. When the cut-off value of the MNSR was 26.73%, the sensitivity and specificity were 91.1% and 80%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was larger for the MNSR than for the cross-sectional area. Conclusion The results suggest that the MNSR proposed in the present study may be useful as an auxiliary method for CTS diagnosis on ultrasonographic examination.

Purpose Phosphodiesterase (PDE) 7 is a potential therapeutic target for neurological and inflammatory diseases, although in vivo visualization of PDE7 has not been successful. In this study, we aimed to develop [11C]MTP38 as a novel positron emission tomography (PET) ligand for PDE7. Methods [11C]MTP38 was radiosynthesized by 11C-cyanation of a bromo precursor with [11C]HCN. PET scans of rat and rhesus monkey brains and in vitro autoradiography of brain sections derived from these species were conducted with [11C]MTP38. In monkeys, dynamic PET data were analyzed with an arterial input function to calculate the total distribution volume (VT). The non-displaceable binding potential (BPND) in the striatum was also determined by a reference tissue model with cerebellar reference. Finally, striatal occupancy of PDE7 by an inhibitor was calculated in monkeys according to changes in BPND. Results [11C]MTP38 was synthesized with radiochemical purity ≥99.4% and molar activity of 38.6 ± 12.6 GBq/μmol. Autoradiography revealed high radioactivity in the striatum and its reduction by non-radiolabeled ligands, in contrast with unaltered autoradiographic signals in other regions. In vivo PET after radioligand injection to rats and monkeys demonstrated that radioactivity was rapidly distributed to the brain and intensely accumulated in the striatum relative to the cerebellum. Correspondingly, estimated VT values in the monkey striatum and cerebellum were 3.59 and 2.69 mL/cm3, respectively. The cerebellar VT value was unchanged by pretreatment with unlabeled MTP38. Striatal BPND was reduced in a dose-dependent manner after pretreatment with MTP-X, a PDE7 inhibitor. Relationships between PDE7 occupancy by MTP-X and plasma MTP-X concentration could be described by Hill’s sigmoidal function. Conclusion We have provided the first successful preclinical demonstration of in vivo PDE7 imaging with a specific PET radioligand. [11C]MTP38 is a feasible radioligand for evaluating PDE7 in the brain and is currently being applied to a first-in-human PET study.

Purpose: Phosphodiesterase (PDE) 7 is a potential therapeutic target for neurological and inflammatory diseases, although in-vivo visualization of PDE7 has not been successful. In this study, we aimed to develop [11C]MTP38 as a novel positron emission tomography (PET) ligand for PDE7. Methods: [11C]MTP38 was radiosynthesized by 11C-cyanation of a bromo precursor with [11C]HCN. PET scans of rat and rhesus monkey brains and in-vitro autoradiography of brain sections derived from these species were conducted with [11C]MTP38. In monkeys, dynamic PET data were analyzed with an arterial input function to calculate the total distribution volume (VT). The non-displaceable binding potential (BPND) in the striatum was also determined by a reference tissue model with cerebellar reference. Finally, striatal occupancy of PDE7 by an inhibitor was calculated in monkeys according to changes in BPND. Results: [11C]MTP38 was synthesized with radiochemical purity ≥ 99.4% and molar activity of 38.6 ± 12.6 GBq/μmol. Autoradiography revealed high radioactivity in the striatum and its reduction by non-radiolabeled ligands, in contrast with unaltered autoradiographic signals in other regions. In-vivo PET after radioligand injection to rats and monkeys demonstrated that radioactivity was rapidly distributed to the brain and intensely accumulated in the striatum relative to the cerebellum. Correspondingly, estimated VT values in the monkey striatum and cerebellum were 3.59 and 2.69 mL/cm3, respectively. The cerebellar VT value was unchanged by pretreatment with unlabeled MTP38. Striatal BPND was reduced in a dose-dependent manner after pretreatment with MTP-X, a PDE7 inhibitor. Relationships between PDE7 occupancy by MTP-X and plasma MTP-X concentration could be described by Hill’s sigmoidal function. Conclusion: We have provided the first successful preclinical demonstration of in-vivo PDE7 imaging with a specific PET radioligand. [11C]MTP38 is a feasible radioligand for evaluating PDE7 in the brain and is currently being applied to a first-in-human PET study.

The QCD axion is a promising candidate of the dark matter. In this paper, we discuss elastic scattering processes between nucleons and the QCD axion dark matter. We point out that the cross section can be enhanced by more than O(1025) by the coherent effect, compared to classical processes. As a result, for example, we show that QCD axions may scatter at the sun with O(1) probability for fa≲1011 GeV. In addition, one may expect stimulated emission effects can also enhance the cross section because the number density of the axion DM is very large. The enhancement factor can be as large as another O(1025) and, if the factor exists, the force from the dark matter wind may be detected via, e.g., torsion balance experiments. However, it is also found that there is a cancellation of the stimulated emission factor and the force is too small to be detected.

We explore the cosmological consequences of the superconductivity of QCD axion strings. Axion strings can support a sizeable chiral electric current and charge, which alters their early universe dynamics. Shrinking axion string loops can become effectively stable remnants called vortons, supported by the electromagnetic force of the string current. Generically, vortons produced by axion strings overclose the universe, unless there are efficient current leakage processes. Furthermore, if a primordial magnetic field (PMF) exists in the early universe, a large current is induced on axion strings, creating a significant drag force from interactions with the surrounding plasma. As a result, the strings are slowed down, which leads to an orders of magnitude enhancement in the number of strings per Hubble volume. Finally, we study the implications for the QCD axion relic abundance. The QCD axion window is shifted by orders of magnitude in some parts of our parameter space., Comment: 40 pages, 11 figures

Aim: Bacteroides vulgatus and B. dorei have a protective effect against atherosclerosis, suggesting that expansion of these species in the gut microbiota could help patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aimed to investigate the effect of resistant starch (RS) on the gut microbiota and its metabolites in fecal sample cultures from patients with CAD and individuals without CAD, using a single-batch fermentation system. Methods: Fecal samples from 11 patients with CAD and 10 individuals without CAD were fermented for 30 h with or without RS in the Kobe University Human Intestinal Microbiota Model (KUHIMM). Gut microbiota and the abundance of B. vulgatus and B. dorei were analyzed using 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene sequencing and the quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Short-chain fatty acids were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: Gut microbial analysis showed significantly lower levels of B. vulgatus and B. dorei in the original fecal samples from patients with CAD, which was simulated after 30 h of fermentation in the KUHIMM. Although RS significantly increased the absolute numbers of B. vulgatus and B. dorei, and butyrate levels in CAD fecal sample cultures, the numbers varied among each patient. Conclusions: The effect of RS on gut microbiota and its metabolites in the KUHIMM varied between CAD and non-CAD fecal sample cultures. The KUHIMM may be useful for preclinical evaluations of the effects of RS on the gut microbiota and its metabolites.

What is the upper limit of the mass of the neutralino dark matter whose thermal relic is consistent with the observation? If the neutralino dark matter and colored sparticles are extremely degenerated in mass, with a mass difference less than the QCD scale, the dark matter annihilation is significantly increased and enjoys the "second freeze-out" after the QCD phase transition. In this case, the neutralino dark matter with a mass much greater than 100 TeV can realize the correct dark matter abundance. We study the dark matter abundance and its detection in the case of such highly degenerated mass spectrum of the neutralino dark matter and colored supersymmetric particles., Comment: 19 pages, 8 figures

PurposePhosphodiesterase (PDE) 7 is a potential therapeutic target for neurological and inflammatory diseases, although in-vivo visualization of PDE7 has not been successful. In this study, we aimed to develop [11C]MTP38 as a novel positron emission tomography (PET) ligand for PDE7.Methods[11C]MTP38 was radiosynthesized by 11C-cyanation of a bromo precursor with [11C]HCN. PET scans of rat and rhesus monkey brains and in-vitro autoradiography of brain sections derived from these species were conducted with [11C]MTP38. In monkeys, dynamic PET data were analyzed with an arterial input function to calculate the total distribution volume (VT). The non-displaceable binding potential (BPND) in the striatum was also determined by a reference tissue model with cerebellar reference. Finally, striatal occupancy of PDE7 by an inhibitor was calculated in monkeys according to changes in BPND.Results[11C]MTP38 was synthesized with radiochemical purity ≥ 99.4% and molar activity of 38.6 ± 12.6 GBq/μmol. Autoradiography revealed high radioactivity in the striatum and its reduction by non-radiolabeled ligands, in contrast with unaltered autoradiographic signals in other regions. In-vivo PET after radioligand injection to rats and monkeys demonstrated that radioactivity was rapidly distributed to the brain and intensely accumulated in the striatum relative to the cerebellum. Correspondingly, estimated VT values in the monkey striatum and cerebellum were 3.59 and 2.69 mL/cm3, respectively. The cerebellar VT value was unchanged by pretreatment with unlabeled MTP38. Striatal BPND was reduced in a dose-dependent manner after pretreatment with MTP-X, a PDE7 inhibitor. Relationships between PDE7 occupancy by MTP-X and plasma MTP-X concentration could be described by Hill’s sigmoidal function.ConclusionWe have provided the first successful preclinical demonstration of in-vivo PDE7 imaging with a specific PET radioligand. [11C]MTP38 is a feasible radioligand for evaluating PDE7 in the brain and is currently being applied to a first-in-human PET study.

Higgsino has been intensively searched for in the LHC experiments in recent years. Currently, there is an uncharted region beyond the LEP Higgsino mass limit where the mass splitting between the neutral and charged Higgsinos is around 0.3–1 GeV, which is unexplored by either the soft di-lepton or disappearing track searches. This region is, however, of great importance from a phenomenological point of view, as many supersymmetric models predict such a mass spectrum. In this Letter, we propose a possibility of filling this gap by using a soft microdisplaced track in addition to the monojet event selection, which allows us to discriminate a signature of the charged Higgsino decay from the standard model background. It is found that this new strategy is potentially sensitive to a Higgsino mass of ≲180(250) GeV at the LHC Run2 (HL-LHC) for a charged-neutral mass splitting of ≃0.5 GeV.

Recently, a simple prescription to embed the global Peccei-Quinn (PQ) symmetry into a gauged $U(1)$ symmetry has been proposed. There, explicit breaking of the global PQ symmetry expected in quantum gravity are highly suppressed due to the gauged PQ symmetry. In this paper, we apply the gauged PQ mechanism to models where the global PQ symmetry and supersymmetry (SUSY) are simultaneously broken at around $\mathcal{O}(10^{11-12})$\,GeV. Such scenario is motivated by an intriguing coincidence between the supersymmetry breaking scale which explains the observed Higgs boson mass by the gravity mediated sfermion masses, and the PQ breaking scale which evades all the astrophysical and the cosmological constraints. As a concrete example, we construct a model which consists of a simultaneous supersymmetry/PQ symmetry breaking sector based on $SU(2)$ dynamics and an additional PQ symmetry breaking sector based on $SU(N)$ dynamics. We also show that new vector-like particles are predicted in the TeV range in the minimum model, which can be tested by the LHC experiments., 35 pages, 2 figures

The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) plays an important role in sensing extracellular calcium ions and regulating parathyroid hormone secretion by parathyroid gland cells, and the receptor is a suitable target for the treatment of hyperparathyroidism. Cinacalcet hydrochloride is a representative CaSR agonist which widely used for the hyperparathyroidism. However, it has several issues to clinical use, such as nausea/vomiting and strong inhibition of CYP2D6. We tried to improve these issues of cinacalcet for a new pharmaceutical agent as a preferable CaSR agonist. Optimization from cinacalcet resulted in the identification of pyrrolidine compounds and successfully led to the discovery of evocalcet as an oral allosteric CaSR agonist. Evocalcet, which exhibited highly favorable profiles such as CaSR agonistic activity and good DMPK profiles, will provide a novel therapeutic option for secondary hyperparathyroidism.

We discuss phenomenological consequences of the recently-introduced refinements of the de Sitter swampland conjecture. The conjecture constraints the first and the second derivatives of the scalar potential in terms of two $O(1)$ constants $c$ and $c'$, leading to interesting constraints on particle phenomenology, especially inflationary model building. Our work can also be regarded as bottom-up constraints on the values of $c$ and $c'$., 6 pages, 5 figures

A novel idea of the direct detection to search for a ultralight dark matter based on the interaction between the dark matter and a nucleon is proposed. Solar system bodies feel the dark matter wind and it acts as a resistant force opposing their motions. The astronomical ephemeris of solar system bodies is so precise that it has a strong capability to detect a dark matter whose mass is much lighter than O(1) eV. We have estimated the resistant force based on the calculation of the elastic scattering cross section between the dark matter and the bodies beyond the Born approximation, and show that the astronomical ephemeris indeed put a very strong constraint on the interaction between the dark matter and a nucleon, depending on how smoothly the ultralight dark matter is distributed at the scale smaller than the celestial bodies in our solar system., 13 pages, 6 figures

Higgsino in supersymmetric standard models is known to be a promising candidate for dark matter in the Universe. Its phenomenological property is strongly affected by the gaugino fraction in the Higgsino-like state. If this is sizable, in other words, if gaugino masses are less than ${\cal O}(10)$ TeV, we may probe the Higgsino dark matter in future non-accelerator experiments such as dark matter direct searches and measurements of electric dipole moments. On the other hand, if gauginos are much heavier, then it is hard to search for Higgsino in these experiments. In this case, due to a lack of gaugino components, the mass difference between the neutral and charged Higgsinos is uniquely determined by electroweak interactions to be around $350$ MeV, which makes the heavier charged state rather long-lived, with a decay length of about $1$ cm. In this letter, we argue that a charged particle with a flight length of ${\cal O}(1)$ cm can be probed in disappearing-track searches if we require only two hits in the pixel detector. Even in this case, we can reduce background events with the help of the displaced-vertex reconstruction technique. We study the prospects of this search strategy at the LHC and future colliders for the Higgsino dark matter scenario. It is found that an almost pure Higgsino is indeed within the reach of the future $33$ TeV collider experiments. We then discuss that the interplay among collider and non-accelerator experiments plays a crucial role in testing the Higgsino dark matter scenarios. Our strategy for disappearing-track searches can also enlarge the discovery potential of pure wino dark matter as well as other electroweak-charged dark matter candidates., 7 pages, 3 figures

The icosahedral capsid structure of simian virus 40 (diameter, 45nm) consists of 72 pentameric subunits, with each subunit formed by five VP1 molecules. Electron microscopy, immuno-gold labeling, and ζ-potential analysis showed that purified recombinant VP1 pentamers covered polystyrene beads measuring 100, 200, and 500nm in diameter, as well as silica beads. In addition to covering spherical beads, VP1 pentamers covered cubic magnetite beads, as well as the distorted surface structures of liposomes. These findings indicate that VP1 pentamers could coat artificial beads of various shapes and sizes larger than the natural capsid. Technology based on VP1 pentamers may be useful in providing a capsid-like surface for enclosed materials, enhancing their stability and cellular uptake for drug delivery systems.

The Peccei-Quinn (PQ) solution to the strong $CP$ problem requires an anomalous global $U(1)$ symmetry, the PQ symmetry. The origin of such a convenient global symmetry is quite puzzling from the theoretical point of view in many aspects. In this paper, we propose a simple prescription which provides an origin of the PQ symmetry. There, the global $U(1)$ PQ symmetry is virtually embedded in a gauged $U(1)$ PQ symmetry. Due to its simplicity, this mechanism can be implemented in many conventional models with the PQ symmetry., Comment: 5 pages, 1 figures

The search for high-mass diphoton resonance is ongoing at the LHC, and will provide definite evidence of physics beyond the Standard Model once it is discovered. Along with the diphoton resonance, many theoretical models also predict resonances decaying not into a pair of photons but into a pair of highly collimated photon-jets. In this paper, we study how well we can distinguish such diphoton resonance imposters, i.e. diphoton-jet resonances, from diphoton resonances by examining detector responses to the photon-jets. We find that the sum of pT of the first e+e− pair from the photon conversion provides strong discrimination power. We also discuss determination of the lifetime of the light intermediate particle by measuring the photon conversion points.

In this paper, we discuss dark matter candidates in a visible heavy QCD axion model. There, a mirror copied sector of the Standard Model with mass scales larger than the Standard Model is introduced. By larger mass scales of the mirrored sector, the QCD axion is made heavy via the axial anomaly in the mirrored sector without spoiling the Peccei-Quinn mechanism to solve the strong $CP$-problem. Since the mirror copied sector possesses the same symmetry structure with the Standard Model sector, the model predicts multiple stable particles. As we will show, the mirrored charged pion and the mirrored electron can be viable candidates for dark matter. They serve as self-interacting dark matter with a long range force. We also show that the mirrored neutron can be lighter than the mirrored proton in a certain parameter region. There, the mirrored neutron can also be a viable dark matter candidate when its mass is around $100$ TeV. It is also shown that the mirrored neutrino can also be a viable candidate for dark matter., 27 pages, 14 figures

Artificial beads including magnetite and fluorescence particles are useful to visualize pathologic tissue, such as cancers, from harmless types by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or fluorescence imaging. Desirable properties of diagnostic materials include high dispersion in body fluids, and the ability to target specific tissues. Here we report on the development of novel magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) intended for use as diagnosis and therapy that are coated with viral capsid protein VP1-pentamers of simian virus 40, which are monodispersive in body fluid by conjugating epidermal growth factor (EGF) to VP1. Critically, the coating of MNPs with VP1 facilitated stable dispersion of the MNPs in body fluids. In addition, EGF was conjugated to VP1 coating on MNPs (VP1-MNPs). EGF-conjugated VP1-MNPs were successfully used to target EGF receptor-expressing tumor cells in vitro. Thus, using viral capsid protein VP1 as a coating material would be useful for medical diagnosis and therapy.

Antidepressants used for treatment of depression exert their efficacy by blocking reuptake at serotonin transporters (5-HTT) and/or norepinephrine transporters (NET). Recent studies suggest that serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors that block both 5-HTT and NET have better tolerability than tricyclic antidepressants and may have higher efficacy compared to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Previous positron emission tomography (PET) studies have reported >80% 5-HTT occupancy with clinical doses of antidepressants, but there has been no report of NET occupancy in patients treated with antidepressants. In the present study, we investigated both 5-HTT and NET occupancies by PET using radioligands [11C]DASB and (S,S)-[18F]FMeNER-D2, in six patients, each with major depressive disorder (MDD), using various doses of milnacipran. Our data show that mean 5-HTT occupancy in the thalamus was 33.0% at 50 mg, 38.6% at 100 mg, 60.0% at 150 mg and 61.5% at 200 mg. Mean NET occupancy in the thalamus was 25.3% at 25 mg, 40.0% at 100 mg, 47.3% at 125 mg and 49.9% at 200 mg. Estimated ED50 was 122.5 mg with the dose for 5-HTT and 149.9 mg for NET. Both 5-HTT and NET occupancies were observed in a dose-dependent manner. Both 5-HTT and NET occupancies were about 40% by milnacipran at 100 mg, the dose most commonly administered to MDD patients.

In this paper, we revisit a visible heavy QCD axion model in light of the recent reports on the $750$ GeV diphoton resonance by the ATLAS and CMS experiments. In this model, the axion is made heavy with the help of the mirror copied sector of the Standard Model while the successful Peccei-Quinn mechanism is kept intact. We identify the $750$ GeV resonance as the scalar boson associated with spontaneous breaking of the Peccei-Quinn symmetry which mainly decays into a pair of the axions. We find that the mixings between the axion and $\eta$ and $\eta'$ play important roles in its decays and the resultant branching ratio into two photons. The axion decay length can be suitable for explaining the diphoton excess by the di-axion production when its decay constant $f_a \simeq 1$ TeV. We also find that our model allows multiple sets of the extra fermions without causing the domain wall problem, which is advantageous to explain the diphoton signal., Comment: 22 pages, 6 figures; a computational error is corrected

We previously reported a quantitative time-lapse imaging (QTLI)-based analysis method to assess drug-drug interactions (DDI) at multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (Mrp2) in rat sandwich-cultured hepatocyte (SCH) system, utilizing the fluorescent Mrp2 substrate, 5-(and 6)-carboxy-2',7'-dichlorofluorescein (CDF). Here, we aimed to examine the feasibility of using QTLI to evaluate DDI involving drug metabolite(s) generated in hepatocytes. We used estradiol (E2) and bilirubin as model compounds; both are not substrates of MRP2, whereas their hepatic metabolites, estradiol-17β-glucuronide (E17G) or bilirubin glucuronides, are known to be its substrates as well as inhibitors. When rat SCHs were pre-exposed with E2, fluorescence of CDF accumulated in bile canaliculi decreased depending upon both the duration of pre-exposure and the concentration of extracellular E2. The decrease corresponded with the increase in intracellular concentration of E17G in hepatocytes. Furthermore, cytotoxicity of vinblastine, a substrate of MRP2, was enhanced in SCHs treated with E2. Similarly, CDF accumulated in bile canaliculi was significantly reduced in rat SCHs pre-exposed with bilirubin. In conclusion, these results suggest that phase II biotransformation of a competitor is reflected in alteration of MRP2-mediated CDF transport detected in QTLI. The QTLI might provide a convenient platform to evaluate transporter-based DDIs involving hepatic metabolites of drug candidates without the need to identify the metabolites.

N -[6-[2-[(5-Bromo-2-pyrimidinyl)oxy]ethoxy]-5-(4-methylphenyl)-4-pyrimidinyl]-4-(2-hydroxy-1,1-dimethylethyl) benzenesulfonamide sodium salt (TA-0201) carboxylic acid form (TA-0201CA) is the primary and pharmacologically active metabolite of TA-0201, which is an orally active nonpeptide antagonist for endothelin receptors. A major elimination route of TA-0201CA in rats was biliary excretion. The aim of this study was to clarify the transporters responsible for the hepatobiliary transport of TA-0201CA by in vivo pharmacokinetic study and in vitro study using sandwich-cultured rat hepatocytes (SCRH) from normal rats [Sprague-Dawley rats (SDR)] and Eisai hyperbilirubinemic rats (EHBR). After intravenous administration, TA-0201CA was extensively excreted into bile with a high biliary clearance in SDR. In contrast, the biliary clearance in EHBR was lower than that in SDR. These results indicated that multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (Mrp2) was partly involved in the biliary excretion of TA-0201CA. In SCRH, the hepatic uptake of TA-0201CA was significantly decreased by the presence of organic anion-transporting polypeptide (Oatp) substrates/inhibitors and a Na + -free condition, which is a driving force of the Na + -taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (Ntcp). The canalicular secretion of TA-0201CA was inhibited by the bile salt export pump (Bsep) inhibitor glibenclamide and by the Mrp2 inhibitor 3-[[3-[2-(7-chloroquinolin-2-yl)vinyl]phenyl]-(2-dimethylcarbamoylethylsulfanyl)methylsulfanyl] propionic acid (MK-571) in SCRH from SDR and EHBR. These results suggested that TA-0201CA was transported into hepatocytes via Oatps and Ntcp and excreted into bile via Mrp2 and Bsep in rats.

今回，大腿筋膜張筋―腸脛靭帯拘縮に対し内視鏡を用いた腸脛靭帯切離術を施行した症例を経験したので報告する．症例は20歳女性，股関節外転拘縮，屈曲制限が出現したため当院受診となった．幼少期に明らかな筋肉注射既往は確認できなかった．その後保存療法行うも症状改善無く手術に至った．手術は内視鏡を用いた腸脛靭帯切離術を行い術後可動域，跛行は改善した．内視鏡は一般的に関節内など空間での処置に有用であるが，今回皮下組織下での処置に利用できた．鏡視下の腸脛靭帯切離術は術中股関節の動態による拘縮の確認が可能で，小皮切で行える有用な手段であると思われた．

仙骨骨折に伴う馬尾神経・神経根損傷において，経時的に直腸内圧の測定を行い予後予測に有用であった1例を経験したので報告する．症例：21歳，男性．ビルの3階から転落ししりもちをついて体動困難となり救急車にて搬送された．臀部から両下肢にかけての激痛と左足部痛・右手関節痛を訴え，X線上仙骨骨折・左踵骨骨折・右橈骨遠位端骨折・右尺骨茎状突起骨折を認めた．尿意・便意の消失とともに神経学的にS2-3以下仙髄領域の知覚障害・肛門括約筋の随意収縮消失・BCR消失とS2以下の仙髄領域のほぼ完全麻痺を呈していた．保存的に経過を見るも麻痺・疼痛の改善傾向は見られず，受傷32日目に仙骨椎弓切除・前方骨片の打ち込み等による神経全周除圧を行なった．術後，徐々に排尿・排便・性機能障害は改善した．経時的な直腸肛門内圧測定にて早期に肛門機能の改善をモニターでき予後予測に有用であった．この症例に若干の文献的考察を加え報告する．

The invisible variant axion model is very attractive as it is free from the domain wall problem. This model requires two Higgs doublets at the electroweak scale where one Higgs doublet carries a nonzero Peccei-Quinn (PQ) charge and the other is neutral under the PQ $\text U(1)$ symmetry. We consider the most interesting and less constrained scenario of the variant axion model, where only the right-handed top quark is charged under the PQ symmetry and couples with the PQ-charged Higgs doublet. As a result, the top quark can decay to the observed standard-model-like Higgs boson $h$ and the charm or up quark, $t\to h~ c/u$, which is testable soon at the LHC Run-II. Moreover, we propose a method to probe the chiral nature of the Higgs flavor-changing interaction using the angular distribution of $t \to ch$ decays if a sufficient number of such events are observed. We also show that our model has the capacity to explain the $h\to\tau\mu$ decay reported by the CMS Collaboration, if the right-handed tau lepton also carries a PQ charge and couples to the PQ-charged Higgs boson., Comment: 19 pages, 4 figures

We propose a focus point gauge mediation model based on the product group unification (PGU), which solves the doublet-triplet splitting problem of the Higgs multiplets. In the focus point gauge mediation, the electroweak symmetry breaking scale can be naturally explained even for multi-TeV stops. It is known that the focus point behavior appears if a ratio of the number of SU(2) doublet messengers to that of SU(3) triplet messengers is close to 5/2. Importantly, this ratio (effectively) appears in our scenario based on the PGU, if the messenger field is an adjoint representation of SU(5) gauge group. Therefore, our focus point scenario is very predictive. It is also pointed out the gravitino can be dark matter without spoiling the success of the thermal leptogenesis. The absence of the SUSY CP-problem is guaranteed in the case that the Higgs B-term vanishes at the messenger scale., 15 pages, 4 figures, corrected typos, added references and a discussion on the SUSY CP problem

We pursue a class of visible axion models where the axion mass is enhanced by strong dynamics in a mirrored copy of the Standard Model in the line of the idea put forward by Rubakov. In particular, we examine the consistency of the models with laboratory, astrophysical, and cosmological constraints. As a result, viable parameter regions are found, where the mass of the axion is of $O(100)$ MeV or above while the Peccei-Quinn breaking scale is at around $10^{3\mbox{-}5}$ GeV., Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures

Under rather generic assumptions, we show that, in asymmetric dark matter (ADM) scenarios in which the ADM sector was in chemical equilibrium with the standard model sector in early epochs, the sign of the $\mathrm{B}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{L}$ asymmetry stored in the dark matter sector and the standard model sector are always the same. One particularly striking consequence of this result is that, when such an ADM decays or annihilates in the present universe, the resulting final state always involves an antineutrino. As a concrete example, we construct a composite ADM model and explore the feasibility of detecting such an antineutrino signal in atmospheric neutrino detectors.

We propose a new explanation for excess events observed in the search for a high-mass resonance decaying into dibosons by the ATLAS experiment. The resonance is identified as a composite spin-$0$ particle that couples to the Standard Model gauge bosons via dimension-5 operators. The excess events can be explained if the dimension-5 operators are suppressed by a mass scale of ${\cal O}(1$-$10$) TeV. We also construct a model of hidden strong gauge dynamics which realizes the spin-$0$ particle as its lightest composite state, with appropriate couplings to Standard Model gauge bosons., 21 pages, 4 figures

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) occurs when there is insufficient insulin release to control blood glucose, due to insulin resistance and impaired β-cell function. The GPR39 receptor is expressed in metabolic tissues including pancreatic β-cells and has been proposed as a T2D target. Specifically, GPR39 agonists might improve β-cell function leading to more adequate and sustained insulin release and glucose control. The present study aimed to test the hypothesis that GPR39 agonism would improve glucose stimulated insulin secretion in vivo. A high throughput screen, followed by a medicinal chemistry program, identified three novel potent Zn2+ modulated GPR39 agonists. These agonists were evaluated in acute rodent glucose tolerance tests. The results showed a lack of glucose lowering and insulinotropic effects not only in lean mice, but also in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice and Zucker fatty rats. It is concluded that Zn2+ modulated GPR39 agonists do not acutely stimulate insulin release in rodents.

A carbon nanotube (CNT) was successfully attached to a base probe with a blunt apex and subsequently used as a probe for an atomic force microscope (AFM). This setup demonstrates high spatial resolution properties, plus an advantage: we were able to readily identify the loss of the CNT from the end of the probe by the resultant sudden drop in resolution. This design of probe is expected to feature yet another advantage: that of relative immunity to accidental collision compared to a CNT attached to a commercially available sharp tip. We also discuss the problems specific to CNT-attached probes, which are carbon contamination of the sample surface and artifact images formed at the edge of pit structures. We demonstrate that carbon contamination can be suppressed by a rubbing procedure before the scanning use, and that pit artifacts can be eliminated by optimizing the CNT length.

Highlights • Monomeric VP1 pentamers of simian virus 40 coat artificial beads larger than natural capsids. • Polystyrene beads (100, 200, and 500 nm in diameter) can be covered by VP1 pentamers. • Silica beads can also be covered by VP1 pentamers. • VP1 pentamers can also coat angular-shaped magnetite-particle and rough-shaped liposomes. • The self-reassembly property of VP1 may allow it to coat various artificial beads, regardless of their sizes or shapes., The icosahedral capsid structure of simian virus 40 (diameter, 45 nm) consists of 72 pentameric subunits, with each subunit formed by five VP1 molecules. Electron microscopy, immuno-gold labeling, and ζ-potential analysis showed that purified recombinant VP1 pentamers covered polystyrene beads measuring 100, 200, and 500 nm in diameter, as well as silica beads. In addition to covering spherical beads, VP1 pentamers covered cubic magnetite beads, as well as the distorted surface structures of liposomes. These findings indicate that VP1 pentamers could coat artificial beads of various shapes and sizes larger than the natural capsid. Technology based on VP1 pentamers may be useful in providing a capsid-like surface for enclosed materials, enhancing their stability and cellular uptake for drug delivery systems.