Multi-TeV scalars are natural in minimal supergravity

For a top quark mass fixed to its measured value, we find natural regions of minimal supergravity parameter space where all squarks, sleptons, and heavy Higgs scalars have masses far above 1 TeV and are possibly beyond the reach of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. This result is simply understood in terms of "focus point" renormalization group behavior and holds in any supergravity theory with a universal scalar mass that is large relative to other supersymmetry breaking parameters. We highlight the importance of the choice of fundamental parameters for this conclusion and for naturalness discussions in general.

Chronic fatigue syndrome in childhood.

Chronic fatigue occurring in previously healthy children and adolescents is one of the most vexing problems encountered by pediatric practitioners. We report three cases, 11, 12 and 13-year-old children, with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). They initially developed a low grade fever and generalized fatigue, followed by sleep disturbance and psychosomatic symptoms, and their performance ability deteriorated. They were diagnosed as having CFS on the basis of criteria. To investigate the brain function in CFS patients, we examined the regional cerebral blood flow by single-photon emission-computed tomography (SPECT) with 111 MBq [123I]-iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) or xenon-computed tomography (Xe-CT), and brain metabolic levels by MR spectroscopy (MRS). Blood flow, expressed as the corticocerebellar ratio (CCR), in the left temporal and occipital lobes was markedly lower in cases 2 and 3 than that in healthy subjects reported by another investigator. In case 1, however, blood flow in the left basal ganglia and thalamus was markedly higher than in healthy subjects. The MR spectroscopy (MRS) study revealed remarkable elevation of the choline/creatine ratio in the patients with CFS. None of our patients exhibited evidence of focal structural abnormalities on MRI. These findings suggest that the various clinical symptoms in CFS patients may be closely related to an abnormal brain function.

[The production of B cell stimulating activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from allergic children with positive IgE RAST score to egg white].

We investigated B cell stimulating activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from allergic children with positive IgE RAST score to egg white in order to study whether interleukin-4 (IL-4) was participating in production of IgE antibody. B cell stimulating activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from allergic children with positive IgE RAST score to egg white stimulated with ovalbumin (OVA) was higher than that observed in allergic children with negative IgE RAST score to egg white. In allergic children with positive IgE RAST score to egg white stimulated with OVA, B cell stimulating activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells did not correlate each other; age, IgE RIST, IgE RAST score to egg white and IgG4 antibody to egg white. These results suggest that the production of B cell stimulating activity other than IL-4 may be involved in the patients with egg allergy.

[The investigation of asthmatic children by multiple factor analysis. III. The changes in allergic factors selected by multiple factor analysis in 3 anti-allergic during treated groups over one year].

We investigated the difference in the influence on 10 allergic factors of 3 anti-allergic drugs: azelastine, tranilast, ketotifen. We determined the ranking of 10 allergic factors using the relative range ratio calculated by Multiple factor analysis. The ranking as follows: (1) Eosinophil count (2) IgE RAST score to H.D. (3) IgG4 antibody titers to egg white (4) IgE RAST score to egg white (5) IgE RAST score to D.f. (6) IgG4 antibody titers to milk (7) IgE RIST (8) IgG4 antibody titers to soybean (9) IgE RAST score to soybean (10) IgE RAST score to milk. Then we split 122 asthmatic children (mean age: 9.3) into 3 groups and gave each group a different one of the 3 anti-allergic drugs for one year. From daily records of asthma attacks and clinical findings, we classified the children into improved and not-improved groups within their respective anti-allergic drug group, and we investigated the changes in and the change ratios of the 10 allergic factors by the Student t method over this one year. The results were as follows. 1) There was no difference in the chang of 3 allergic factors (Eosinophil count, IgG4 antibody titers to egg white and IgE RIST) among the 3 anti-allergic drug treated groups. 2) The specific IgE antibodies to H.D. and D.f. had a remarkable decline tendency in treated groups by azelastine and tranilast. 3) The specific IgE antibody to egg white had a remarkable decline tendency in treated group by ketotifen.

[The investigation of asthmatic children by multiple factor analysis. I. The relation between severity of asthma and allergic factors].

In a previous study, we analysed the severity of bronchial asthma in childhood by the class II multiple factor analysis method. At that time, the titers of IgE and IgG4 antibodies to the three major food (cow's milk, egg white, and soybeans) and inhalation antigens such as house dust and mites were, however, left unevaluated because of a lack of independence. The quantification of their relative ratios was introduced into the present study, which made it possible to compare their individual potential as risk factors. Exercise induced asthma had the most outstanding effects on the severity of bronchial asthma, followed by counts of peripheral eosinophils and house dust and mites, in this order. Regarding food antigens, the presence of IgG4 and IgE antibody to egg white was the most critical factor, following by titers of IgG4 to cow's milk and soybeans. Complications with atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis little affected the severity. Bronchial asthma becomes manifest through a complicated mechanism involving a variety of causative factors. The results given above suggest that the contribution of individual risk factors can be quantified.

[Clinical research on specific IgE and IgG4 antibodies in allergic children. Correlation specific IgE and IgG4 antibodies to food allergens to other allergic factors].

We examined the correlation specific IgE and IgG4 antibodies to food allergens to other allergic factors in 150 asthmatic children by Multiple Factor Analysis-Type II. The following results were obtained. 1) 3 explanation variables (IgE RIST, Eosinophil count, Family history of allergy) had the strong influence power to 8 objective variables of food allergens. 2) By calculating the category score of explanation variables, the high IgE RAST score to Dermatophagoides farinae group had the strong influence power to the high score groups of IgE RAST and IgG4 antibody titers to food allergens. The fact indicated the linkage between specific IgE and IgG4 antibodies to food allergens to specific IgE antibody to Dermatophagoides farinae. 3) In the same way, the severe group of asthma had the strong influence power to the high score groups of IgE RAST and IgG4 antibody titers to food allergens, and specific IgG4 antibody group had a same directivity of specific IgE antibody group to the other allergic factors. So specific IgG4 antibody may play a "role of reaginic antibody".

[Clinical research of specific IgE and IgG4 antibody in allergic children. Correlation specific IgE antibody to specific IgG4 antibody to food allergen].

We analysed the correlation specific IgE antibodies to specific IgG4 antibodies to food allergens in 150 asthmatic children by Multiple Factor Analysis-Type II and examined the role of both antibodies. The following results were obtained. 1) Of soybean, there was the stronger influence power between specific IgE and IgG4 antibody than the other 2 food allergens. 2) IgE antibody to soybean had the strong influence power to IgG4 antibodies to egg white and cow's milk and IgG4 antibody to soybean had same influence power to IgE antibodies to egg white and cow's milk. So, the specific IgE and IgG4 antibodies to soybean may be play the role of "the bride" between specific IgE antibody group and specific IgG4 antibody group of food allergens.