Thermal Conductivity of the Iron-Based Superconductor FeSe: Nodeless Gap with a Strong Two-Band Character

The thermal conductivity κ of the iron-based superconductor FeSe was measured at temperatures down to 75 mK in magnetic fields up to 17 T. In a zero magnetic field, the electronic residual linear term in the T=0  K limit, κ_{0}/T, is vanishingly small. The application of a magnetic field B causes an exponential increase in κ_{0}/T initially. Those two observations show that there are no zero-energy quasiparticles that carry heat and therefore no nodes in the superconducting gap of FeSe. The full field dependence of κ_{0}/T has the classic two-step shape of a two-band superconductor: a first rise at very low field, with a characteristic field B^{⋆}≪B_{c2}, and then a second rise up to the upper critical field B_{c2}. This shows that the superconducting gap is very small (but finite) on one of the pockets in the Fermi surface of FeSe. We estimate that the minimum value of the gap, Δ_{min}, is an order of magnitude smaller than the maximum value, Δ_{max}.

Next-generation sequencing with a myeloid gene panel in core-binding factor AML showed KIT activation loop and TET2 mutations predictive of outcome

Clinical outcome and mutations of 96 core-binding factor acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients 18–60 years old were examined. Complete remission (CR) after induction was 94.6%. There was no significant difference in CR, leukemia-free-survival (LFS) and overall survival (OS) between t(8;21) (N=67) and inv(16) patients (N=29). Univariate analysis showed hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at CR1 as the only clinical parameter associated with superior LFS. Next-generation sequencing based on a myeloid gene panel was performed in 72 patients. Mutations in genes involved in cell signaling were associated with inferior LFS and OS, whereas those in genes involved in DNA methylation were associated with inferior LFS. KIT activation loop (AL) mutations occurred in 25 patients, and were associated with inferior LFS (P=0.003) and OS (P=0.001). TET2 mutations occurred in 8 patients, and were associated with significantly shorter LFS (P=0.015) but not OS. Patients negative for KIT-AL and TET2 mutations (N=41) had significantly better LFS (P<0.001) and OS (P=0.012) than those positive for both or either mutation. Multivariate analysis showed that KIT-AL and TET2 mutations were associated with inferior LFS, whereas age ⩾40 years and marrow blast ⩾70% were associated with inferior OS. These observations provide new insights that may guide better treatment for this AML subtype.

[Clinical analysis of the character and prognostic factors of 23 cases of mantle cell lymphoma]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) patients.

METHODS

The clinical data of 23 MCL patients were retrospectively analyzed. Immunohistochemical stain was performed to detect the protein expressions of Mcl-1, pNF-κB p65 and 14-3-3ζ of MCL patients to analyze its prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Among 23 MCL patients, there were 17(73.9%) patients with IPI 0-2 (low risk group) and 6(26.1%) patients with IPI 3-4. Only the rate of 2y-progression-free survival (PFS) of group IPI 0-2 was superior to that of group IPI 3-4 patients (47.1% vs 0, P=0.049); There were 16 (69.5%) patients with MIPI < 5.7, whose rates of overall response rate (ORR), 2y overall survival (OS) and PFS were better than those of the ones with MIPI ≥ 5.7(ORR: 81.3% vs 33.3% P=0.032; OS: 68.8% vs 16.7% P=0.041; PFS: 50% vs 0, P=0.040 respectively). The rates of ORR, 2y-OS and 2y-PFS (100.0%, 80.0% and 70.0%) of patienets received regimen R+CHOP(E) were all superior to those (38.5%, 30.8% and 7.7%) of ones received regimen CHOP(E) (P=0.002, P= 0.024, P=0.003, respectively). Among 12 patients, 2 out of 6 cases with Mcl-1 positive expression achieved good response (CR+PR) and 2y-OS, 1 case 2y-PFS; All 6 cases with Mcl-1 negative expression achieved good response (CR+PR) and 2y-OS, 5 cases 2y-PFS. 3 out of 6 cases with pNF-κB p65 positive expression achieved good response (CR+PR) and 2y-OS, 1 case 2y-PFS; 5 out of 6 cases with pNF-κB p65 negative expression achieved good response (CR+ PR) and 2y-OS/PFS. 5 out of 8 cases with 14-3-3ζ positive expression achieved good response (CR+PR), 4 cases 2y-OS, and 3 cases 2y-PFS. 3 out of 4 cases with 14-3-3ζ negative expression achieved CR, 4 cases 2y-OS, and 3 cases 2y-PFS.

CONCLUSION

MCL patients had high heterogeneity. MIPI has better prognostic significance than IPI. R+CHOP(E) as first line treatment improved the rates of OS/PFS. The expressions of Mcl-1, pNF-κB p65 and 14-3-3ζ proteins in MCL might be related to prognosis.

Preparation and evaluation of rotigotine-loaded implant for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and its evolution study

Purpose

To develop rotigotine-loaded implants (RI) to achieve continuous release of rotigotine for long duration for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Methods

RI was prepared by hot-melt extrusion method using poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) as the matrix. In vitro drug release was optimized by drug loading, melting temperature during preparing process and additives. The surface and internal morphology of RI was imaged by SEM. The in vivo release profile of RI was investigated on rat.

Results

RI prepared with PLGA 7525 5A showed sustained release of 40 days while suffering a lag phase, which was significantly shortened by blending 5050 2A and mannitol in the matrix. RI prepared by 7525 5A/5050 2A/mannitol = 55:10:5 (rotigotine 30%) showed a 40-day sustained release in vivo with no lag phase. The drug release from RI was also affected by drug loading and melting temperature probably due to the drug state existed in the implant. The evolution of implants during release process was correlated well with the drug release kinetics.

Conclusion

RI could achieve sustained drug release for 40 days which could supply an alternative of continuous dopaminergic stimulation (CDS) for the treatment of PD.

Functional polymorphisms of the cyclooxygenase-2 gene and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma - a cohort study in Chinese people

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) influences carcinogenesis through regulation of angiogenesis, apoptosis, cytokine expression, and immune response suppression. It has been well established that COX-2 is overexpressed in a variety of human cancers, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association between COX-2 polymorphisms and prognosis of HCC. We genotyped 200 HCC patients of Chinese Han descent for COX-2 gene polymorphisms (-765G>C and -1195G>A) using PCR-RFLP. Data were statistically analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox's proportional hazard regression model. We found that patients with the COX-2 -1195AG and -1195AG + AA genotypes demonstrated significantly decreased disease-free survival (DFS) as compared with those carrying the -1195GG genotype (P < 0.05). However, the COX-2 -765G>C polymorphism was not associated with DFS (P > 0.05). Moreover, by Cox regression analysis, blood alpha fetoprotein ≤400 ng/mL before the operation and the -1195G>A polymorphism were found to be of prognostic significance (P < 0.05), while the -765G>C polymorphism was not (P > 0.05). In summary, post-operation progression of HCC is more likely to occur in patients with the -1195AG genotype and the A allele. On the other hand, the -765G>C polymorphism is not an independent influence factor of HCC prognosis.

Response to Comment on "Broken translational and rotational symmetry via charge stripe order in underdoped YBa2Cu3O6+y"

Fine questions our interpretation of unidirectional stripes over a bidirectional checkerboard and illustrates his criticism by simulating a momentum space structure consistent with our data and corresponding to a checkerboard-looking real space density. Here, we use a local rotational-symmetry analysis to demonstrate that the simulated image is actually composed of locally unidirectional modulations of the charge density, consistent with our original conclusions.

Topography Influences Adherent Cell Regulation of Osteoclastogenesis

The importance of osteoclast-mediated bone resorption in the process of osseointegration has not been widely considered. In this study, cell culture was used to investigate the hypothesis that the function of implant-adherent bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in osteoclastogenesis is influenced by surface topography. BMSCs isolated from femur and tibia of Sprague-Dawley rats were seeded onto 3 types of titanium surfaces (smooth, micro, and nano) and a control surface (tissue culture plastic) with or without osteogenic supplements. After 3 to 14 d, conditioned medium (CM) was collected. Subsequently, rat bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) were cultured in media supplemented with soluble receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) as well as BMSC CM from each of the 4 surfaces. Gene expression levels of soluble RANKL, osteoprotegerin, tumor necrosis factor α, and M-CSF in cultured BMSCs at different time points were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The number of differentiated osteoclastic cells was determined after tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining. Analysis of variance and t test were used for statistical analysis. The expression of prominent osteoclast-promoting factors tumor necrosis factor α and M-CSF was increased by BMSCs cultured on both micro- and nanoscale titanium topographies (P < 0.01). BMSC CM contained a heat-labile factor that increased BMMs osteoclastogenesis. CM from both micro- and nanoscale surface-adherent BMSCs increased the osteoclast number (P < 0.01). Difference in surface topography altered BMSC phenotype and influenced BMM osteoclastogenesis. Local signaling by implant-adherent cells at the implant-bone interface may indirectly control osteoclastogenesis and bone accrual around endosseous implants.

Three-dimensional charge density wave order in YBa2Cu3O6.67 at high magnetic fields

Charge density wave (CDW) correlations have been shown to universally exist in cuprate superconductors. However, their nature at high fields inferred from nuclear magnetic resonance is distinct from that measured with x-ray scattering at zero and low fields. We combined a pulsed magnet with an x-ray free-electron laser to characterize the CDW in YBa2Cu3O6.67 via x-ray scattering in fields of up to 28 tesla. While the zero-field CDW order, which develops at temperatures below ~150 kelvin, is essentially two dimensional, at lower temperature and beyond 15 tesla, another three-dimensionally ordered CDW emerges. The field-induced CDW appears around the zero-field superconducting transition temperature; in contrast, the incommensurate in-plane ordering vector is field-independent. This implies that the two forms of CDW and high-temperature superconductivity are intimately linked.

The impact of prolapse mesh on vaginal smooth muscle structure and function

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of prolapse meshes on vaginal smooth muscle structure (VaSM) and function, and to evaluate these outcomes in the context of the mechanical and textile properties of the mesh.

DESIGN

Three months following the implantation of three polypropylene prolapse meshes with distinct textile and mechanical properties, mesh tissue explants were evaluated for smooth muscle contraction, innervation, receptor function, and innervation density.

SETTING

Magee-Womens Research Institute at the University of Pittsburgh.

POPULATION

Thirty-four parous rhesus macaques of similar age, parity, and pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) scores.

METHODS

Macaques were implanted with mesh via sacrocolpopexy. The impact of Gynemesh(™)  PS (Ethicon; n = 7), Restorelle(®) (Coloplast; n = 7), UltraPro(™) parallel and UltraPro(™) perpendicular (Ethicon; n = 6 and 7, respectively) were compared with sham-operated controls (n = 7). Outcomes were analysed by Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U-tests and multiple regression analysis (P < 0.05).

MEAN OUTCOME MEASURES

Vaginal tissue explants were evaluated for the maximum contractile force generated following muscle, nerve, and receptor stimulation, and for peripheral nerve density.

RESULTS

Muscle myofibre, nerve, and receptor-mediated contractions were negatively affected by mesh only in the grafted region (P < 0.001, P = 0.002, and P = 0.008, respectively), whereas cholinergic and adrenergic nerve densities were affected in the grafted (P = 0.090 and P = 0.008, respectively) and non-grafted (P = 0.009 and P = 0.005, respectively) regions. The impact varied by mesh property, as mesh stiffness was a significant predictor of the negative affect on muscle function and nerve density (P < 0.001 and P = 0.013, respectively), whereas mesh and weight was a predictor of receptor function (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Mesh has an overall negative impact on VaSM, and the effects are a function of mesh properties, most notably, mesh stiffness.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Prolapse mesh affects vaginal smooth muscle.

Symmetry of charge order in cuprates

Charge-ordered ground states permeate the phenomenology of 3d-based transition metal oxides, and more generally represent a distinctive hallmark of strongly correlated states of matter. The recent discovery of charge order in various cuprate families has fuelled new interest into the role played by this incipient broken symmetry within the complex phase diagram of high-T(c) superconductors. Here, we use resonant X-ray scattering to resolve the main characteristics of the charge-modulated state in two cuprate families: Bi2Sr(2-x)La(x)CuO(6+δ) (Bi2201) and YBa2Cu3O(6+y) (YBCO). We detect no signatures of spatial modulations along the nodal direction in Bi2201, thus clarifying the inter-unit-cell momentum structure of charge order. We also resolve the intra-unit-cell symmetry of the charge-ordered state, which is revealed to be best represented by a bond order with modulated charges on the O-2p orbitals and a prominent d-wave character. These results provide insights into the origin and microscopic description of charge order in cuprates, and its interplay with superconductivity.

Correlation between ERCC1 expression and concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer

In this study, the expression of DNA excision repair cross-complementing gene 1 (ERCC1) in local advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma has been correlated with the efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy. A total of 76 patients diagnosed with undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma diagnosed by nasopharyngeal biopsy and undergoing single-agent cisplatin chemotherapy (80 mg/m(2)) with concurrent radiotherapy (on the first, twenty-second, and forty-third day, 5 times per week, mean dose 74 Gy, range 70-78 Gy) at the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guangxi Medical University between January and December 2010 were included. After chemoradiotherapy, outcomes and long-term survival were evaluated. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect expression of ERCC1 protein in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The relationship between the expression of ERCC1 and efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy and long-term survival were analyzed. ERCC1 was expressed in 42.1% of cases. The expression of ERCC1 was correlated with T stage and clinical staging (P < 0.05), but not with gender, age, or N stage. The response rate in the ERCC1-positive and ERCC1-negative groups was 75.0% and 97.7%, respectively (P < 0.05). In the 72 cases with follow-up available, 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates were 91.0, 83.3, and 79.0%; they were 92.4, 87.8, 80.5%, respectively, in the ERCC1-positive group, and 87.9, 77.4, 77.4%, respectively, in the ERCC1-negative group. The expression of ERCC1 may be a sensitive prognostic indicator of concurrent chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Superconductivity. Broken translational and rotational symmetry via charge stripe order in underdoped YBa₂Cu₃O(6+y)

After the discovery of stripelike order in lanthanum-based copper oxide superconductors, charge-ordering instabilities were observed in all cuprate families. However, it has proven difficult to distinguish between unidirectional (stripes) and bidirectional (checkerboard) charge order in yttrium- and bismuth-based materials. We used resonant x-ray scattering to measure the two-dimensional structure factor in the superconductor YBa2Cu3O(6+y) in reciprocal space. Our data reveal the presence of charge stripe order (i.e., locally unidirectional density waves), which may represent the true microscopic nature of charge modulation in cuprates. At the same time, we find that the well-established competition between charge order and superconductivity is stronger for charge correlations across the stripes than along them, which provides additional evidence for the intrinsic unidirectional nature of the charge order.

Evidence for a small hole pocket in the Fermi surface of underdoped YBa2Cu3Oy

In underdoped cuprate superconductors, the Fermi surface undergoes a reconstruction that produces a small electron pocket, but whether there is another, as yet, undetected portion to the Fermi surface is unknown. Establishing the complete topology of the Fermi surface is key to identifying the mechanism responsible for its reconstruction. Here we report evidence for a second Fermi pocket in underdoped YBa2Cu3Oy, detected as a small quantum oscillation frequency in the thermoelectric response and in the c-axis resistance. The field-angle dependence of the frequency shows that it is a distinct Fermi surface, and the normal-state thermopower requires it to be a hole pocket. A Fermi surface consisting of one electron pocket and two hole pockets with the measured areas and masses is consistent with a Fermi-surface reconstruction by the charge-density-wave order observed in YBa2Cu3Oy, provided other parts of the reconstructed Fermi surface are removed by a separate mechanism, possibly the pseudogap.

The glucose-lowering potential of exenatide delivered orally via goblet cell-targeting nanoparticles

PURPOSE

Exenatide, a potent insulinotropic agent, can be used for the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. However, the need for frequent injections seriously limits its therapeutic utility. The aim of present report was to develop an orally available exenatide formulation using goblet cell-targeting nanoparticles (NPs).

METHOD

The exenatide-loaded nanoparticles were prepared with modified chitosan which was conjugated with a goblet cell-target peptide, CSKSSDYQC (CSK) peptide.

RESULTS

The CSK-chitosan nanoparticles shown reduced chitosan toxicity and enhanced the permeation of drugs across the Caco-2/HT-29 co-cultured cell monolayer, which simulated the intestinal epithelium. Following the oral administration of near-infrared fluorescent probe Cy-7-loaded NPs to mice, the distribution of the drugs was investigated with a near-infrared in vivo image system (FX Pro, Bruker, USA). The results showed that Cy-7 fluorescence disseminated from the oesophagus, then to stomach and small intestine and then was absorbed into hepatic, finally into the bladder; over time, Cy-7 was metabolized and excreted. The bioavailability of the modified nanoparticles was found to be 1.7-fold higher compared with the unmodified ones, and the hypoglycemic effect was also better.

CONCLUSION

CSK peptide-modified chitosan nanoparticles could be a potential therapeutics for Type II diabetes patients.

Efficacy and safety of gabapentin for treatment of postherpetic neuralgia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common type of neuropathic pain occurring after resolution of herpes zoster rash. Although gabapentin is a widely used treatment, some disagreements exist about its efficacy and safety. Meta-analysis was performed to better evaluate the efficacy and safety of gabapentin for management of PHN.

METHODS

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of gabapentin to treat PHN were identified by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases. Searches were restricted to studies published in English.

RESULTS

Seven trials involving a total of 2039 participants were identified. Pooled analysis showed that gabapentin reduced PHN-related pain significantly more than placebo (mean difference, MD=-0.89, 95% CI -1.58 to -0.18, P<0.001). Gabapentin reduced pain below baseline by at least 50% in significantly more patients than did placebo (RR=1.59, 95% CI 1.35 to 1.88, P<0.001). Gabapentin was significantly more likely than placebo to lead patients to rate their global impression of change as "much improved" or "very much improved" (RR=1.82, 95% CI 1.41 to 2.35, P=0.003). Gabapentin also improved sleep quality significantly more than did placebo (MD=-0.62, 95% CI -0.67 to -0.57, P<0.001). On the other hand, patients given gabapentin were significantly more likely to experience dizziness, somnolence, peripheral edema, ataxia or gait disturbance and diarrhea. Subgroup analysis on formulation of gabapentin showed that gabapentin enacarbil had similar efficacy of pain relief with other formulations while it may be superior to others in term of compliance and safety.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis indicates that gabapentin is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for patients with PHN.

Direct measurement of the upper critical field in cuprate superconductors

In the quest to increase the critical temperature Tc of cuprate superconductors, it is essential to identify the factors that limit the strength of superconductivity. The upper critical field Hc2 is a fundamental measure of that strength, yet there is no agreement on its magnitude and doping dependence in cuprate superconductors. Here we show that the thermal conductivity can be used to directly detect Hc2 in the cuprates YBa2Cu3Oy, YBa2Cu4O8 and Tl2Ba2CuO6+δ, allowing us to map out Hc2 across the doping phase diagram. It exhibits two peaks, each located at a critical point where the Fermi surface of YBa2Cu3Oy is known to undergo a transformation. Below the higher critical point, the condensation energy, obtained directly from Hc2, suffers a sudden 20-fold collapse. This reveals that phase competition-associated with Fermi-surface reconstruction and charge-density-wave order-is a key limiting factor in the superconductivity of cuprates.

Quercetin and daidzein β-apo-14'-carotenoic acid esters as membrane antioxidants

Esterification by β-apo-14'-carotenoic acid was found to have opposite effects on antioxidant activity of quercetin (at B4', B3' hydroxyl) as of daidzein (at A7 hydroxyl) in phosphatidylcholine liposomes. The daidzein ester had increased activity, while quercetin had a significant decreased activity. Quantum mechanical calculations using density function theory (DFT) indicate a modest decrease in bond dissociation enthalpy, BDE, for (weakest) hydrogen-oxygen phenolic bond in daidzein from 368.4 kJ · mol(- 1) to 367.7 kJ · mol(- 1) compared to a significant increase in quercetin from 329.5 kJ · mol(- 1) to 356.6 kJ · mol(- 1) upon derivatization. These opposite changes in tendency for hydrogen atom transfer from phenolic groups to lipid radicals combined with an increase in A-to-B dihedral angle from 0.0° to 36.4° and in dipole moment from 0.40 D to 6.01 D for quercetin upon derivatization, while less significant for daidzein (36.4°-36.7° and 3.26 D-7.87 D, respectively), together provide a rationale for the opposite effect of esterification on antioxidation.