Strong anisotropic nodal lines in the TiBe family.

Using first-principles calculations and k·p model analysis, we find that Dirac nodal lines (DNLs) exist in low energy band structures of real materials of the body-centered cubic TiBe family. The nodal lines are protected by mirror reflection symmetries of the systems. The anisotropic electronic state interaction around the Fermi level produces a strong anisotropic quasi-square shape nodal line in the systems. Moreover, all the systems demonstrate drumhead surface states spanning a large energy window showing their potential in terms of high temperature superconductivity. The slight gap induced by spin-orbit coupling (SOC) indicates that materials of the TiBe family are promising candidates for future experimental studies on nontrivial topological semimetals.

Effect of exercise combined with dietary intervention on obese children and adolescents associated with the FTO rs9939609 polymorphism.

OBJECTIVE: Aim of this study was to investigate the association of the FTO rs9939609 polymorphism with the effects of the exercise and dietary intervention on obese adolescents and children in China. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Total 138 chinese children and adolescents (77 males and 61 females, aged 10-18 years) were recruited in the 2012 summer camp in Shanghai. Dietary and exercise intervention was performed for four weeks. Obesity related parameters were detected by the physical examination before and after four-week's intervention. Genotyping of the FTO rs9939609 was performed by using a TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assay. SPSS 19.0 were used to do the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Finally, 135 campers were investigated in this study. The AA, AT and TT genotype frequencies of rs9939609 were 5.2%, 33.3% and 61.5%, respectively. The BMI in individuals with the genotype AA (or AT) was significantly higher compared with their with TT genotype (p = 0.044). The levels of body mass index (BMI), insulin (INS), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), red blood cell (RBC), Hemoglobin (HB) and hematocrit (HCT) in campers were significantly declined by the combined intervention (p < 0.05). Moreover, the levels of TC, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), RBC, HB, and HCT in the camper with genotype AA (or AT) were significantly decreased by the combined intervention compared with the camper with genotype TT (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The effects of exercise combined with dietary intervention on obesity were associated with the FTO rs9939609 polymorphism in chinese adolescents and children.