Superconductivity switch from spin-singlet to -triplet pairing in a topological superconducting junction.

The interedge coupling is the cardinal characteristic of the narrow quantum spin Hall (QSH) insulator, and thus could bring about exotic transport phenomena. Herein, we present a theoretical investigation of the spin-resolved Andreev reflection (AR) in a QSH insulator strip touching on two neighbouring ferromagnetic insulators and one s-wave superconductor. It is demonstrated that, due to the interplay of the interedge coupling and ferromagnetic configuration, there could be not only usual local ARs leading to the spin-singlet pairing with the incident electron and Andreev-reflected hole from different spin subbands, but also novel local ARs giving rise to the spin-triplet pairing from the same spin subband. However, only the latter exists in the absence of the interedge coupling, and therefore the two pairings in turn testify the helical spin texture of the edge states. By proper tuning of the band structures of the ferromagnetic layers, under the resonance bias voltage, the usual and novel local ARs of [Formula: see text] can be all exhibited, resulting in fully spin-polarized pure spin-singlet superconductivity and pure spin-triplet superconductivity, respectively, which suggests a superconductivity switch from spin-singlet to -triplet pairing by electrical control. The results can be experimentally confirmed by the tunneling conductance and the noise power.

Identification of Magnolia wufengensis (Magnoliaceae) cultivars using phenotypic traits, SSR and SRAP markers: insights into breeding and conservation.

A combination of phenotypic characterization and molecular markers may provide reliable information on new plant varieties and elucidate the conservation status of rare species. Five newly developed Magnolia wufengensis cultivars, an endangered plant species endemic to Hubei Province, China, possess more distinctive phenotypes than common Magnolia cultivars. With reference to a wild species population of M. wufengensis and a population of Magnolia denudata, morphological traits of flower organs, simple sequence repeat (SSR), and sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers were used. In the morphological study, six traits of floral organs were investigated and their relationships were analyzed between cultivars. In the genetic study, 9 SSR primer pairs and 10 SRAP primer combinations were screened. The five cultivars maintained a high level of genetic diversity. Genetic diversity of each M. wufengensis cultivar was much lower than that of the wild population, but was slightly higher than that of the M. denudata population. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that genetic variation among populations was 20% (SRAP) and 30% (SSR), which showed a high degree of genetic differentiation among populations of the five cultivars. The dendrograms illustrated a clear separation between M. wufengensis populations and outer species, and identified two major groups among cultivars. Correlation analysis indicated a good fit between the two marker systems, but a relatively low fit between morphological and genetic traits (SRAP: r = 0.60, SSR: r = 0.52). These findings provide reliable references for the application of these molecular markers in the breeding and conservation of M. wufengensis.

Transfer and expression of the rabbit defensin NP-1 gene in lettuce (Lactuca sativa).

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is an annual plant of the daisy family, Asteraceae, with high food and medicinal value. However, the crop is susceptible to several viruses that are transmitted by aphids and is highly vulnerable to post-harvest diseases, as well as insect and mammal pests and fungal and bacterial diseases. Here, the rabbit defensin gene NP-1 was transferred into lettuce by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation to obtain a broad-spectrum disease-resistant lettuce. Transgenic lettuce plants were selected and regenerated on selective media. The presence of the NP-1 gene in these plants was confirmed by western blot analyses. Resistance tests revealed native defensin NP-1 expression conferred partial resistance to Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which suggests new possibilities for lettuce disease resistance.

Coexistence of perfect spin filtering for entangled electron pairs and high magnetic storage efficiency in one setup.

For Entangled electron pairs superconducting spintronics, there exist two drawbacks in existing proposals of generating entangled electron pairs. One is that the two kinds of different spin entangled electron pairs mix with each other. And the other is a low efficiency of entanglement production. Herein, we report the spin entanglement state of the ferromagnetic insulator (FI)/s-wave superconductor/FI structure on a narrow quantum spin Hall insulator strip. It is shown that not only the high production of entangled electron pairs in wider energy range, but also the perfect spin filtering of entangled electron pairs in the context of no highly spin-polarized electrons, can be obtained. Moreover, the currents for the left and right leads in the antiferromagnetic alignment both can be zero, indicating 100% tunnelling magnetoresistance with highly magnetic storage efficiency. Therefore, the spin filtering for entangled electron pairs and magnetic storage with high efficiencies coexist in one setup. The results may be experimentally demonstrated by measuring the tunnelling conductance and the noise power.

Clinical and microbiologic characteristics of adult patients with recurrent bacteraemia caused by extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae.

The characteristics of patients with recurrent bacteraemia caused by extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae (EK) are rarely described. Flomoxef belongs to the cephamycins group and demonstrates in vitro activity against ESBL-producing organisms. Whether flomoxef may be used for the treatment of such infections remains controversial. This retrospective case-control study enrolled adult patients who had bacteraemia caused by ESBL-EK during 2005-2011. Case patients were those who had more than one episode of ESBL-EK bacteraemia. Controls were those who were matched for age and interval time of blood sampling and had only one episode of ESBL-EK bacteraemia with subsequent bacteraemia episodes caused by other non-ESBL-EK bacteria. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and microbiologic profiles of the initial and subsequent ESBL-EK isolates were analysed. During the study period, 424 patients were found to have at least one positive blood culture after the first ESBL-EK bacteraemia episode, and 67 (15.8%) had a second episode of ESBL-EK bacteraemia. Bacteraemia resulting from vascular catheter-related infection (odds ratio, 3.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.31-8.05), and definitive therapy with flomoxef (odds ratio, 2.99; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-8.15) were both independent risk factors for the recurrence. Among the 56 patients with available ESBL-EK isolates for analysis, 38 (67.8%) were infected by genetically similar strains. In three of these 38 recurrent ESBL-EK bacteraemia cases caused by an identical strain, the minimum inhibitory concentrations of carbapenem for the subsequent K. pneumoniae isolates were fourfold or higher than the initial isolates. Recurrent bacteraemia was not uncommon in our patients with ESBL-EK bacteraemia, and most of the episodes were caused by identical strains.

Mediating effects on health-related quality of life in adults with osteoporosis: a structural equation modeling.

UNLABELLED: Participants with physical limitation and high degree of pain had poor mental and physical health-related quality of life. In addition, the more support and exercise that the participants had, the more likely they were to report better health-related quality of life. INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis is a public health threat worldwide. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of individual demographics, disease characteristics, and social support on health-related quality of life (HrQoL) of adults with osteoporosis. Most psychosocial studies focused on the relationships but not the specific construct of social support on HrQoL. METHODS: In a correlational design, face-to-face, structured interviews were employed to collect information. Study questionnaires included a demographic sheet, the modified Social Support Inventory, and the Short-Form 36 scales on a convenience sample of 161 individuals recruited from four outpatient centers. Using the structural equation modeling approach, all relationships among factors, mediators, and HrQoL were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean duration of osteoporosis was longer than 5 years. Participants who exercised more than three times per week had greater HrQoL than individuals who exercised less frequently. Participants with physical limitation and high degree of pain had poor mental and physical HrQoL. The more support that the participants perceived, the more likely they were to report better HrQoL. The best fitted structural equation modeling (SEM) model included individual demographics and physical function, and social support as significant predictors on HrQoL, with informational support and physical function acting as mediators in those relationships. Moreover, this structural model explained 35, 42, and 40 % of the variance on activity of daily living (ADL), physical, and mental health-related quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The more informational support that individuals have, the more likely they were to report better HrQoL. Individuals with osteoporosis who have lower pain and more exercise are considered having better HrQoL. Further longitudinal research will help clarify the direction of these relationships.

Distinctive microRNAs in esophageal tumor: early diagnosis, prognosis judgment, and tumor treatment.

Esophageal tumor (ET) is aggressive and has poor prognosis. Although the incidence of ET has been reduced by the changing tumor profile, the 5-year survival and mortality rate of ET has not significantly changed, and the outlook has remained bleak. Therefore, new molecular markers for early diagnosis and prognosis judgment are urgently required. In recent years, tumor has been widely regarded as genetic disease along with epigenetic abnormalities. DNA methylation, histone deacetylation, chromatin remodeling, gene imprinting, and noncoding RNA regulation are the major parts of epigenetic regulation. Mounting evidence exists that miRNAs (microRNA), a class of small, endogenous, and non-protein-coding RNAs, provide a novel tool for early clinical diagnosis, prognosis judgment, and gene therapy of ET. In this review, we provide a general overview of the connection between miRNA profiles and their target genes. We also describe in detail in ET from the aspect of clinical insights, the potential application of miRNAs as biomarkers, potential diagnostic and therapeutic tools.

Locus coeruleus activation by foot shock or electrical stimulation inhibits amygdala neurons.

The noradrenergic nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) has a direct projection to the basal lateral amygdala (BLA). Behavioral, lesion and pharmacological studies suggest that this pathway has an important role in mediating responses to emotional stimuli and in the formation of long term memory. The effect of LC activation on the activity of BLA neurons in vivo is not known. Therefore, in the present experiments, simultaneous extracellular unit recordings were made in the two regions while the anesthetized rat received electrical stimulation of the paw to simulate a real-life acute stressor, commonly used as an aversive reinforcer in conditioning experiments. All LC neurons exhibited a multiphasic excitatory response followed by prolonged inhibition. Responses of BLA cells were more heterogeneous, but predominantly inhibitory, with a release from inhibition during the refractory phase of LC. Direct electrical stimulation of the LC with a single pulse also elicited an inhibitory response in BLA. BLA response to both footshock and LC stimulation was partially blocked by the beta adrenergic receptor antagonist, timolol, infused into the BLA. These experiments are the first to report in vivo effects of activation of the noradrenergic system on neuronal activity in the BLA.

Fungal Parasitism of Heterodera glycines Eggs as Influenced by Egg Age and Pre-colonization of Cysts by Other Fungi.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of egg age and pre-colonization of cysts by a saprophytic or parasitic fungus on parasitism of Heterodera glycines eggs by other parasitic fungi. In agar and in soil tests, fungi generally parasitized more eggs in early developmental stages than eggs containing a juvenile. The effect of pre-colonization of cysts by a fungus on parasitism of eggs by other fungi depended on the fungi involved. In most cases, pre-colonization of cysts by an unidentified, saprophytic fungal isolate (A-1-24) did not affect parasitism of eggs in the cysts subsequently treated with other fungi. However, pre-colonization of cysts by A-1-24 reduced fungal parasitism of eggs in cysts subsequently treated with Cylindrocarpon destructans isolate 3. In agar tests, pre-colonization of cysts by Chaetomium cochliodes, a saprophytic or weakly parasitic fungus, reduced parasitism of eggs in cysts subsequently treated with Verticillium chlamydosporium Florida isolate, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, ARF18, and another sterile fungus. However, in soil tests, pre-colonization of cysts by C. cochliodes had no effect on parasitism of eggs by subsequent fungal parasites. In another test, parasitism of eggs by V. chlamydosporium in cysts was not affected by pre-colonizing fungi C. destructans, F. oxysporum, and F. solani but was reduced by Mortierella sp., Pyrenochaeta terrestris, and C. cochliodes. Parasitism of eggs in cysts by ARF18 was reduced by pre-colonizing fungi C. destructans, F. oxysporum, F. solani, P. terrestris, and C. cochliodes but not Mortierella sp.

Emergence of reduced susceptibility and resistance to fluoroquinolones in Escherichia coli in Taiwan and contributions of distinct selective pressures.

A survey of 1,203 Escherichia coli isolates from 44 hospitals in Taiwan revealed that 136 (11.3%) isolates were resistant to fluoroquinolones and that another 261 (21.7%) isolates had reduced susceptibility. Resistance was more common in isolates responsible for hospital-acquired (mostly in intensive care units) infections (17.5%) than in other adult inpatient (11.4%; P = 0.08) and outpatient isolates (11.9%; P > 0.1). Similarly, reduced susceptibility was more common in isolates responsible for hospital-acquired infections (30.9%) than in other adult inpatient (21.0%; P = 0.04) and outpatient (21.4%; P = 0.06) isolates. Isolates from pediatric patients were less likely to be resistant (1.3 versus 12.0%; P < 0.01) but were nearly as likely to have reduced susceptibility (17.7 versus 21.9%; P > 0.1) as nonpediatric isolates. There was an inverse relationship in the proportion of isolates that were resistant versus the proportion that had reduced susceptibility among isolates from individual hospitals (R = 0.031; P < 0.05). In an analysis of isolates from two hospitals, all 9 resistant strains possessed double point mutations in gyrA and all 19 strains with reduced susceptibility strains had single point mutations; no mutations were found among fully susceptible strains. Risk factors for resistance included underlying cancer (odds ratio [OR], 83; 95% confidence interval [CI(95)], 7.3 to 2,241; P < 0.001), exposure to a quinolone (OR, undefined; P = 0.02), and exposure to a nonquinolone antibiotic (OR, 20; CI(95), 2.2 to 482; P < 0.001); underlying cancer was the only independent risk factor (OR, 83; CI(95), 8.6 to 807; P < 0.001). There were no significant associations between any of these factors and reduced susceptibility. Whereas acute and chronic quinolone use in cancer patients is a major selective pressure for resistance, other undetermined but distinct selective pressures appear to be more responsible for reduced susceptibility to fluoroquinolones in E. coli.

Antihyperglycemic effects of N-containing sugars from Xanthocercis zambesiaca, Morus bombycis, Aglaonema treubii, and Castanospermum australe in streptozotocin-diabetic mice.

The aqueous MeOH extract of the leaves and root of Xanthocercis zambesiaca (Leguminosae) and eight structurally related nitrogen-containing sugars, fagomine (1), 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylfagomine (2), 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylfagomine (3), 3-epifagomine (4), 2,5-dideoxy-2,5-imino-D-mannitol (5), castanospermine (6), alpha-homonojirimycin (7), and 1-deoxynojirimycin (8) were evaluated for antihyperglycemic effects in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic mice. The insulin-releasing effects of 1 were also investigated. The blood glucose level fell after i.p. injection of the extract (50 mg/kg). Compounds 1, 2, 5, and 6 reduced the blood glucose level after i.p. injection of 150 mumol/kg. Compound 1 increased plasma insulin level in STZ-diabetic mice and potentiated the 8.3-mM glucose-induced insulin release from the rat isolated-perfused pancreas. The 1-induced potentiation of insulin release may partly contribute to antihyperglycemic action.

Therapeutic effects of diuretics and paracentesis on lung function in patients with non-alcoholic cirrhosis and tense ascites.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ascites may cause or aggravate pulmonary dysfunction in patients with liver cirrhosis. Diuretics and paracentesis are the main therapies for ascites. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the therapeutic effects of diuretics and large-volume paracentesis on lung function in 26 male patients with non-alcoholic cirrhosis and tense ascites. METHODS: The patients were divided into two groups. Group A was composed of 13 subjects who were treated with diuretics including spironolactone (100-400 mg/day) and furosemide (80-320 mg/day). In group B, 13 subjects received large-volume paracentesis plus intravenous albumin (6-8 g/l ascites removed). Pulmonary function tests including spirometry, plethysmography, single-breath carbon-monoxide diffusing capacity (DLco) and arterial blood gases, were done 1 day before diuretic treatment and 1 day after termination of the study in group A patients, and 1 day before and after large-volume paracentesis in group B subjects. RESULTS: Before treatment, the clinical and laboratory data were comparable between the two groups. After treatment, ventilatory function as evidenced by forced expiratory volume in 1 s, forced vital capacity, total lung capacity, functional residual capacity and expiratory reserve volume, and DLco increased significantly in both groups. Arterial PO2 and PCO2 increased significantly and AaPO2 (alveolar-arterial PO2 difference) decreased significantly in the subjects treated with diuretics. Nevertheless, paracentesis did not improve arterial blood gases. The changes in lung volumes, DLco and PaO2 after treatment (the data after minus those before treatment) were comparable, except that a significant decrease in AaPO2 was observed in the diuretic group. CONCLUSIONS: Both diuretic therapy and large-volume paracentesis significantly improved the ventilatory function in patients with tense cirrhotic ascites. In terms of oxygenation improvement as evaluated by AaPO2, diuretic treatment may be superior to large-volume paracentesis.

[Breast tuberculosis, A case report and a review of the literature]. / Tuberculosis mamaria. Presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

Breast tuberculosis is considered a rare entity throughout the world. A case of tuberculous mastitis in a 39 year woman who presented with a breast mass with initial diagnosis of carcinoma is described. A review of literature was also done.

Gene expression of IL-10 in relationship to TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-2 in the rat brain following middle cerebral artery occlusion.

To systematically elucidate the gene expression of inflammatory and immune modulators following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in the rat, we studied interleukin-10 (IL-10) along with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin-2 (IL-2). Gene expression of these cytokines was studied ipsilateral and contralateral to the MCAO, with mRNA expression levels evaluated 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 h following permanent MCAO by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In the ischemic hemisphere TNF-alpha and IL-1beta mRNA increased at 2 h following MCAO and peaked at 6 h, with IL-10 mRNA detected only at 6 h. Contralaterally, both TNF-alpha and IL-1beta mRNAs were expressed with a similar pattern to that in the ischemic hemisphere, but at lower levels, with no contralateral IL-10 expression. There was no difference in IL-2 gene expression between control and experimental animals in either hemisphere. These results demonstrate that IL-10 and TNF-alpha, IL-1beta gene expression is induced early following MCAO. The temporal profile of these cytokines is similar to that seen in sepsis, where TNF-alpha induces IL-10; subsequently IL-10 inhibits TNF-alpha expression. The similarity of the temporal profile of cytokine expression in sepsis and cerebral ischemia suggests that IL-10 should be studied as a potential inhibitor of TNF-alpha production in ischemic brain tissue. The factors inducing contralateral expression of the inflammatory cytokines, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta, along with the potential clinical significance of this remote cytokine gene expression, merit further study.

Mucoid impaction of the trachea simulating a tumor: a case report.

Mucoid impaction of the trachea simulating a tumor has been rarely reported. We report such a case tomographically presenting as a tumor in a 75-year-old woman with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A rapid change in the shape of tracheal shadow with sharp angle was also shown tomographically. It is suggested that a changing shadow in the trachea demonstrated by tomography may be of value in distinguishing mucoid impaction of the trachea from true neoplasm.

The streptozocin-diabetic state depresses saliva secretion stimulated by pilocarpine and noradrenaline in mice.

We investigated the influence of the streptozocin (STZ)-diabetic state on the dose-response curves for salivary flow and protein content in saliva stimulated by pilocarpine and noradrenaline in mice. The diabetic state increased the relative weights of parotid and sublingual salivary glands but not the weight of submandibular glands, despite body weight loss. In the dose-response curves, (1) the maximal responses to stimulation with pilocarpine and noradrenaline on salivary flow, and with noradrenaline on protein content in saliva, were depressed by the diabetic state, and (2) the value of the 50% effective dose for salivary flow with pilocarpine, but not with noradrenaline, was decreasingly altered by diabetic mice. These results suggest that xerostomia, one of the complications of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, is caused in part by muscarinic and adrenergic receptor dysfunction in the salivary glands.

The half-moon sign. A useful roentgen sign of saccular aneurysm of the aortic arch.

OBJECTIVE: The half-moon sign is defined as a shadow seen on the lateral chest radiograph consisting of a smooth, partially demarcated opacity with the rounded portion of the half moon projecting over the aortic lumen at the level of the aortic arch, but the rest of the opacity merging with the aorta. In this study, we intended to evaluate the clinical usefulness of half-moon sign in aiding a diagnosis of saccular aneurysm of the aortic arch. METHODS: This series consisted of 57 patients with aortic arch aneurysm and 46 patients with a variety of nonvascular intrathoracic masses that presented as soft-tissue masses adjacent to the aortic arch on the frontal chest radiographs. The half-moon sign was evaluated independently by two senior chest radiologists who had no knowledge of the final causes. RESULTS: The half-moon sign was shown on the lateral chest radiographs in 5 of 10 patients with saccular aortic arch aneurysm but absent in 47 patients with fusiform aortic arch aneurysm. Furthermore, this roentgen sign was not seen on the lateral chest radiographs in 46 patients with nonvascular intrathoracic masses. In this selected population, the sensitivity and specificity of the half-moon sign in aiding a diagnosis of saccular aneurysm of the aortic arch were 50% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The half-moon sign shown on the lateral chest radiograph is highly suggestive of the saccular aortic arch aneurysm.

[Obstetrical hysterectomy. Retrospective study over the past 3 years. General Hospital of Mexico]. / Histerectomía obstétrica. Estudio retrospectivo en los últimos tres años. Hospital General de México.

A retrospective, observational and analytical study about Obstetric-Hysterectomy on Hospital General of Mexico patients during a period of 3 years of study. The mean objective was to analyze the Hysterectomy in the pregnant puerperal stage (Obstetric-Hysterectomy), during the resolution of the problems that the pregnancy, delivery and puerperium determinate, as soon as the association of the complications during the pregnant puerperal stage that condition on the realization of this procedure, so that we can diminish the morbimortality of this procedure. We analyzed the following variables: age, ginecobstetric history, surgery indication, diagnostic omission, surgeons, surgery time, the turn when it was made, reintervention, surgery complications, the use of blood and antibiotics, days at hospital and mortality. We concluded the necessity of a national incidence, to know the most frequent indications and the morbimortality set the example to determine the diminution of the complications, the mortality and know the guides to follow in this procedure.

A reproducible model of middle cerebral infarcts, compatible with long-term survival, in aged rats.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stroke is a disease associated with aging, but experimental stroke studies are generally done in young male animals. Because there are numerous differences associated with aging, such as an altered immune system and altered neurochemistry, that could affect the outcome of these experiments, a model of reproducible cerebral infarction in aged rats is needed. METHODS: We attempted to produce middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarcts in aged (22 months of age) rats using two standard methods. A nylon suture with a heat-induced bulb was passed through the external carotid artery in seven animals, with an attempt to place the tip at the origin of the MCA. The MCA was ligated through a craniotomy just proximal to the internal cerebral vein in 14 rats. Survival potential was tested by attempting 2-week survival in four rats and 2-month survival in one rat. RESULTS: The suture model failed to produce MCA infarcts, even when the bulb of the suture was properly placed in the MCA. The intracranial MCA occlusion resulted in reproducible MCA infarcts. There were no deaths, including the animals allowed to survive 2 weeks and 2 months. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that reproducible MCA infarcts can be produced in aged rats by craniotomy and that these lesions may be compatible with long-term survival. This should be a useful technique for studying therapeutic interventions and rehabilitation strategies in an animal model that immunologically and neurochemically more closely resembles humans at risk for stroke.