Giant intrinsic spin Hall effect in W3Ta and other A15 superconductors

The spin Hall effect (SHE) is the conversion of charge current to spin current, and nonmagnetic metals with large SHEs are extremely sought after for spintronic applications, but their rarity has stifled widespread use. Here, we predict and explain the large intrinsic SHE in β-W and the A15 family of superconductors: W3Ta, Ta3Sb, and Cr3Ir having spin Hall conductivities (SHCs) of -2250, -1400, and 1210ℏ e ( S / cm ) , respectively. Combining concepts from topological physics with the dependence of the SHE on the spin Berry curvature (SBC) of the electronic bands, we propose a simple strategy to rapidly search for materials with large intrinsic SHEs based on the following ideas: High symmetry combined with heavy atoms gives rise to multiple Dirac-like crossings in the electronic structure; without sufficient symmetry protection, these crossings gap due to spin-orbit coupling; and gapped crossings create large SBC.

Measuring the common canal of a persistent cloaca: can MRI replace conventional imaging?

AIM

To evaluate the role of MRI in preoperative assessments of patients with a persistent cloaca and compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) versus fluoroscopy contrast study in the accuracy of common canal measurement and classification prediction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-one patients with a persistent cloaca were diagnosed and treated at Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center between March 2011 and December 2017. The length of the common canal was measured using MRI and fluoroscopy contrast study. Classification results based on measurements were compared with cystoscopy and intraoperative findings. The accuracy in predicting the classification by measuring the common canal length was compared.

RESULT

Among 31 patients, 24 had MRI, 24 underwent fluoroscopy contrast study, and 25 underwent cystoscopy. In 20 patients, MRI-based categorisations were in accordance with cystoscopy or surgery findings, whereas in four patients there was discordance. In 17 patients, categorisations based on fluoroscopy contrast study were in accordance with cystoscopy or surgery findings, and in seven patients there was discordance; the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

MRI may accurately demonstrate genitourinary anomalies and the length of the common canal in patients with persistent cloaca. Categorisation based on MRI measurements of the common canal was accordant with the results from cystoscopy and findings from surgery. The use of this method may help surgeons to develop appropriate reconstruction plans before sending their patients to the operating room.

[Analysis of related factors of coins foreign bodies crossing the esophagus in 204 cases of children]

Objective:To explore the anti-tumor effect of Stat3 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide on human Hep-2 cell tumor-bearing BALB/c nude mouse, to study the therapeutic value of Stat3 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide on laryngeal cancer. Method:Hep-2 cells from human laryngeal carcinoma in logarithmic phase were inoculated subcutaneously into BALB/c mice to establish a model of human Hep-2 cell tumor-bearing BALB/c mice. They were divided into blank group, control group and different concentrations of AS3 groups(1 group, 2 group, 3 group, 4 group), and then intraperitoneally administered once a day for 4 weeks, measuring body weight twice a week, and the long and short diameters of the tumors were recorded. After 4 weeks, the mice in each group were weighted. The subcutaneous transplanted tumors were dissected, weighted, and inhibitory rate was obtained.Result:Stat3 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide can obviously inhibited the growth of human Hep-2 cell tumor-bearing BALB/c mice with the concentration of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide heightened. The IR in different concentration AS3 groups was obviously higher than that in the control group(P<0.01) .Conclusion:Stat3 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide can obviously inhibit the growth of subcutaneous transplanted tumors in human Hep-2 cell tumor-bearing BALB/c mice, and may have therapeutical effect on laryngeal cancer.

Evaluating the effectiveness of a preclinical practice of tooth preparation using digital training system: A randomised controlled trial

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of preclinical training on ceramic crown preparation using digital training system compared with traditional training method.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A sample of 66 participating fourth-year undergraduate dental students were randomly assigned to one of two groups for ceramic crown preparation: experimental group as trained using digital method with Online Peer-Review System (OPRS) and Real-time Dental Training and Evaluation System (RDTES); control group as trained using traditional method with instructor demonstration and evaluation. At the completion of training periods, both groups performed the preparation of ceramic crown of upper left central incisor, which were blindly scored by the experienced instructors under the pre-defined assessment criteria. The results of both were compared using Student's t-test or Wilcoxon signed rank test. The level of significance was P < .05. The questionnaires regarding the benefits or drawbacks of digital training system were answered by the students of experimental group.

RESULTS

Five of 15 items in the assessment outcome of the digital group were significantly better than the traditional group. The questionnaire results from the students of the experimental group indicated 96.97% of the students agreed or strongly agreed that using digital training system could better improve the practical ability than traditional method. The total scores of practical results were significantly positively correlated with the points of the questionnaires.

CONCLUSION

The digital training system with OPRS and RDTES might be a good alternative to the traditional training method in the preclinical course of dental practice.

Co-Existence of Novel PDE6A Mutations and A Recurrent RPGR Mutation: A Potential Explanation for Phenotypic Diversity in Female RPGR Mutation Carriers

BACKGROUND

To report the co-existence of novel biallelic PDE6A mutations and heterozygous RPGR mutation in a Chinese female patient with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and to analyze the intrafamilial phenotypic diversity.

METHODS

Three patients with retinopathy and four healthy family members were included in genetic and clinical analyses. Personal medical records were obtained from another four unaffected female family members who refused blood donation. Family history was carefully recorded. Each patient received comprehensive ophthalmic tests. Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach was performed on the proband to determine the retinopathy causative mutation for this family. In silico analysis was also applied to analyze the pathogenesis of identified mutations.

RESULTS

The two recruited male patients were diagnosed with RP, and the female patient RP sine pigmento (RPSP). Genetic assessments revealed a recurrent RPGR mutation, c.1926_1927insA, carried by all three patients and segregated the disease status. Three other unaffected female family members were confirmed as carriers for the identified RPGR mutation, and another four as obligate carriers. Interestingly, of all the eight female RPGR mutation carriers in this family, only one female developed retinal dystrophy. Comprehensive genetic analysis of this patient unraveled additional biallelic PDE6A mutations, c.[1066-9delT];[2324delG], carried solely by this individual.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, we hypothesize that the phenotypic variability presented by female RPGR mutation carriers may be attributed to the co-existence of other disease-causative mutations. Our study also emphasizes the importance of comprehensive genetic analysis in these female carriers, which will contribute to better diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment for these patients.

Aberrant activation of the type I interferon system may contribute to the pathogenesis of anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 dermatomyositis

BACKGROUND

Anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) dermatomyositis (DM) is a distinctive subtype of DM that carries a significant risk of interstitial lung disease (ILD). The mechanisms remain elusive.

OBJECTIVES

To explore the role of the type I interferon (IFN) system in the pathogenesis of anti-MDA5 DM.

METHODS

Twenty patients with anti-MDA5 DM were studied and compared with patients with anti-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (ARS) DM (n = 10) and autoantibody-negative patients with DM (n = 20). The levels of inflammatory cytokines, B-cell-activating factor (BAFF) and Krebs von den Lungen (KL)-6 in blood were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and multiplex assays. Expressions of transcripts for IFN-associated sensors and type I IFN-inducible genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Expressions of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)1, interferon-stimulated gene (ISG)15 and MxA proteins in skin lesions were analysed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Plasma IFN-α levels were significantly increased in patients with anti-MDA5 DM. PBMCs from patients with anti-MDA5 DM showed significant upregulation of the TLR3, TLR7, IFIH1 and DDX58 genes, as well as serial IFN-inducible genes. Skin biopsies from patients with anti-MDA5 DM were characterized by strong expression of the STAT1, ISG15 and MxA proteins. In the patients with anti-MDA5 DM and ILD with high IFN-α production, there was a positive quantitative correlation between IFN-α and BAFF (r_s = 0·63, P = 0·044). In addition, the higher levels of BAFF paralleled the higher concentrations of KL-6 (r_s = 0·86, P = 0·0012).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data confirm the aberrant activation of the type I IFN system in anti-MDA5 DM. Overproduction of IFN-α linked with BAFF may be implicated in the development of ILD.

Influence of lung function and sleep-disordered breathing on stroke: a community-based study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Impaired lung function is regarded as a risk factor for stroke in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, the association between reduced lung function and incident stroke in a community-based population with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) remains unknown.

METHODS

A prospective study was performed within the Sleep Heart Health Study cohort. Full montage home sleep testing and spirometry data on 2082 and 2072 individuals with and without SDB, respectively, were analysed. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the association between lung function and incident stroke.

RESULTS

Over 11.7 years, 183 cases of stroke were identified in participants without pre-existing cardiovascular diseases, including 71 and 112 with an apnoea-hypopnoea index <5 events/h and ≥5 events/h, respectively. In the entire population, lung function was inversely associated with incident stroke [hazard ratio (HR) 0.913 (95% confidence interval 0.839-0.994) for every 10% increase in percentage of predicted forced vital capacity]. When the population was divided according to the presence/absence of SDB, the association of lung function with incident stroke became stronger in individuals with SDB [HR 0.899 (0.822-0.984) for every 10% increase in percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s; HR 0.881 (0.787-0.987) for every 10% increase in percentage of predicted forced vital capacity] but not in individuals without SDB.

CONCLUSIONS

Lung function may serve as a risk factor for incident stroke in a community-based population, especially in those with SDB. Spirometry may help improve the risk management for primary care in community-based populations.

[The impact of resection of skull base tumor via an endoscopic endonasal approach on the visual function of vision impaired patients and the analysis of factors affecting their visual recovery]

Objective: To evaluate the visual outcomes of patients with visual impairment after resecting skull base tumor via an endoscopic endonasal approach, and to analyze the factors affecting visual recovery. Methods: One hundred and fifty-three patients with skull base tumor who suffered from preoperative visual impairment from Skull Base Surgery Center of Xuanwu Hospital were operated through an endoscopic endonasal approach. Both preoperative and postoperative visual function outcomes as well as factors that might have affected their visual recovery were analyzed retrospectively by Chi square test and Logistic regression analysis. Results: Complete resection was achieved in 85.6% of the patients using this technique. The rate of postoperative visual recovery in the female group (86.1%) was higher than that in the male group (73.9%), the benign group (90.2%) higher than the malignant group (20.0%), the group without optic atrophy (97.1%) higher than the one with (51.2%), and the acute group (96.6%) higher than the chronic group (80.0%). Significant differences were found between the abovementioned groups (χ(2) value was 5.849, 87.860, 79.757, 4.745, respectively, all P<0.05). The degree of optic atrophy and the property of tumors were significantly associated with visual improvement after treatment (Wold χ(2) value was 18.597 and 35.623, all P<0.001). Conclusions: Our results indicate that endoscopic endonasal surgery shows its ability both to resect skull base tumors and to improve visual function in the majority of patients. The timing of treatment for patients suffered from preoperative visual impairment should be selected in early stage before optic atrophy occurs.