Instantons in supersymmetric theories

Instanton effects are considered for a sample of supersymmetric theories, namely, quantum mechanics, gluodynamics, Higgs model. The problem is how to reconcile the apparent lack of the boson-fermion symmetry in the effective instanton induced interactions with supersymmetry of the corresponding lagrangians. It is shown that in the case of quantum mechanics and the Higgs model there is actually no conflict between supersymmetry and the instanton calculus since the Ward identities, associated with the supersymmetry transformations, are satisfied. In quantum mechanics this is due to spontaneous symmetry breaking, or pole terms in matrix elements of supercharge, while in the case of the supersymmetric Higgs model the effective fermion interaction just reduces to a total derivative. In the case of supersymmetric gluodynamics, however, the standard instanton calculus explicitly violates naive Ward identities.     

Mobility of permeable fractal agglomerates in slip regime

Hydrodynamic drag and mobility of fractal aggregates in the slip creeping flow regime are calculated. A theoretical continuum model of the gas slip flow past and within agglomerates is developed. It accounts for effects of flow rarefaction and porous fractal structure upon the molecular mean free path, apparent viscosity, and effective permeability of agglomerates. It is shown that flow rarefaction significantly diminishes the aggregates' drag to an extent that cannot be predicted by the Cunningham's drag correction factor. The developed model allows calculation the agglomerates' transport properties in a wide range of fractal dimensions. For low D(f) agglomerates the drag force agrees with the Friedlander's expression based on the Epstein's single sphere drag in the free molecular regime.     

Suppression of nitric oxide production in mouse macrophages by soybean flavonoids accumulated in response to nitroprusside and fungal elicitation

Background

The anti-inflammatory properties of some flavonoids have been attributed to their ability to inhibit the production of NO by activated macrophages. Soybean cotyledons accumulate certain flavonoids following elicitation with an extract of the fungal pathogen Diaporthe phaseolorum f. sp. meridionalis (Dpm). Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a nitric oxide donor, can substitute for Dpm in inducing flavonoid production. In this study, we investigated the effect of flavonoid-containing diffusates obtained from Dpm- and SNP-elicited soybean cotyledons on NO production by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and LPS plus interferon-γ (IFNγ)-activated murine macrophages.

Results

Significant inhibition of NO production, measured as nitrite formation, was observed when macrophages were activated in the presence of soybean diffusates from Dpm- or SNP-elicited cotyledons. This inhibition was dependent on the duration of exposure to the elicitor. Daidzein, genistein, luteolin and apigenin, the main flavonoids present in diffusates of elicited cotyledons, suppressed the NO production by LPS + IFNγ activated macrophages in a concentration-dependent manner, with IC₅₀ values of 81.4 μM, 34.5 μM, 38.6 μM and 10.4 μM respectively. For macrophages activated with LPS alone, the IC₅₀ values were 40.0 μM, 16.6 μM, 10.4 μM and 2.8 μM, respectively. Western blot analysis showed that iNOS expression was not affected by daidzein, was reduced by genistein, and was abolished by apigenin, luteolin and Dpm- and SNP-soybean diffusates at concentrations that significantly inhibited NO production by activated macrophages.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the suppressive effect of flavonoids on iNOS expression could account for the potent inhibitory effect of Dpm- and SNP-diffusates on NO production by activated macrophages. Since the physiological concentration of flavonoids in plants is normally low, the treatment of soybean tissues with SNP may provide a simple method for substantially increasing the concentration of metabolites that are beneficial for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases associated with NO production.