Gapless topological Fulde-Ferrell superfluidity in spin-orbit coupled Fermi gases

Topological superfluids usually refer to a superfluid state which is gapped in the bulk but metallic at the boundary. Here we report that a gapless, topologically non-trivial superfluid with inhomogeneous Fulde-Ferrell pairing order parameter can emerge in a two-dimensional spin-orbit coupled Fermi gas, in the presence of both in-plane and out-of-plane Zeeman fields. The Fulde-Ferrell pairing - induced by the spin-orbit coupling and in-plane Zeeman field - is responsible for this gapless feature. This exotic superfluid has a significant Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless (BKT) transition temperature and has robust Majorana edge modes against disorder owing to its topological nature.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures; add the results on the critical BKT temperature and superfluid density, as well as the discussion on the robustness of the chiral edge states against disorde

Correlation of the Cerebral Microvascular Blood Flow with Brain Temperature and Electro-Acupuncture Stimulation

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between the temperature and the microvascular blood flow of the cerebral cortex, and the influence of electro-acupuncture (EA) on the cortical microcirculation.MethodsHigh temperature spots on the anterior ectosylvian and low temperature spots on the posterior suprasylvian on the cortical surface of 20 cats were identified using cortical infrared thermography (CIT); the blood flow in the microcirculation on these spots was measured with laser-Doppler flowmetry. EA was given at Zusanli (ST 36) and changes in the blood flow in the cerebral cortex microcirculation were detected.Results1) The mean temperatures on the high (34.83±0.24°C) and low (32.28±0.27°C) temperature spots were significantly different (P<0.001); this was indicative of a temperature difference on the cortical surface; 2) The average blood flow in the microcirculation of the high (266.8±19.2 PU) and low (140.8±9.9 PU) temperature spots was significantly different (P<0.001). 3) On the cortical high temperature spots, the mean blood flow in the microcirculation significantly increased from 266.8±86.8 PU before EA, to 422.5±47.4 PU following 5 minutes of EA (58.35%; P<0.01), and 431.8±52.8 PU 5 minutes after ceasing EA (61.84%; P<0.01). 4) On the low temperature spots, there were no significant differences in blood flow following 5 minutes of EA (146.3±11.5 PU), and 5 minutes after ceasing EA (140.5±11.6 PU), when compared with that before acupuncture (140.8±9.9 PU; P>0.9).ConclusionThe high temperature spots of the cortex are active functional regions of neurons with higher blood flow and a stronger response to EA. EA induces a significant increase in blood flow in the high temperature spots of the cortex

A giant hemolymphangioma of the pancreas in a 20-year-old girl: a report of one case and review of the literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hemolymphangioma of the pancreas is a very rare benign tumor. There were only six reports of this disease until December 2008. Herein, we report a case of giant hemolymphangioma of the pancreas in a 20-year-old girl.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We describe a 20-year-old girl who presented with a mass in abdominal cavity and epigastric discomfort about a week. Physical examination showed a great abdominal mass. Abdominal computed tomography showed extrinsic duodenal compression due to a large retroperitoneal tumor possibly arising from pancreas. The tumor enucleation was performed and a diagnosis of hemolymphangioma of the pancreas was made. The patient had a complication of chylous leakage, which was successfully managed. The patient is alive and well, after 26 months of follow-up, with no complaints or recurrence.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>From this case and literature, we can conclude that hemolymphangioma of the pancreas in adult is a rare benign tumor, and accurate diagnosis can not be preoperatively established. Tumor resection should be performed whenever possible. The risk of recurrence seems very low.</p

(8S,9S,10R)-4-(4-Chloro­benz­yloxy)-7,8-didehydro-3,7-dimeth­oxy-17-methyl­morphinan-6-one monohydrate

In the title compound, C26H28ClNO4·H2O, the dihedral angle betwene the two aromatic rings is 69.73 (6)°. The N-containing ring exhibits a chair conformation, while the other non-aromatic rings are in approximate envelope conformations. In the crystal, the water mol­ecule forms O—H⋯O and O—H⋯N hydrogen bonds and a C—H⋯O link also occurs

Effect of low-degree astigmatism on the objective visual quality

AIM: To evaluate the effect of low-degree astigmatism on objective visual quality through the Optical Quality Analysis System (OQAS). METHODS: This study enrolled 46 participants (aged 23 to 30y, 90 eyes) with normal or corrected-to-normal vision. The cylindrical lenses (0, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, and 1.25 D) were placed at the axial direction (180°, 45°, 90°, and 135°) in front of the eyes with the best correction to form 16 types of regular low-degree astigmatism. OQAS was used to detect the objective visual quality, recorded as the objective scattering index (OSI), OQAS values at contrasts of 100%, 20%, and 9% predictive visual acuity (OV100%, OV20%, and OV9%), modulation transfer function cut-off (MTFcut-off) and Strehl ratio (SR). The mixed effect linear model was used to compare objective visual quality differences between groups and examine associations between astigmatic magnitude and objective visual quality parameters. RESULTS: Apparent negative relationships between the magnitude of low astigmatism and objective visual quality were observed. The increase of OSI per degree of astigmatism at 180°, 45°, 90°, and 135° axis were 0.38 (95%CI: 0.35, 0.42), 0.50 (95%CI: 0.46, 0.53), 0.49 (95%CI: 0.45, 0.54) and 0.37 (95%CI: 0.34, 0.41), respectively. The decrease of MTFcut-off per degree of astigmatism at 180°, 45°, 90°, and 135° axis were -10.30 (95%CI: -11.43, -9.16), -12.73 (95%CI: -13.62, -11.86), -12.75 (95%CI: -13.79, -11.70), and -9.97 (95%CI: -10.92, -9.03), respectively. At the same astigmatism degree, OSI at 45° and 90° axis were higher than that at 0° and 135° axis, while MTFcut-off were lower. CONCLUSION: Low astigmatism of only 0.50 D can significantly reduce the objective visual quality

Protection Effect of Zhen-Wu-Tang on Adriamycin-Induced Nephrotic Syndrome via Inhibiting Oxidative Lesions and Inflammation Damage

Zhen-wu-tang (ZWT), a well-known formula in China, is widely used to treat chronic kidney diseases. However, very little information on ZWT’s mechanism of action is currently available. In this study, we investigated the possible protective role and underlying mechanism of ZWT on nephrotic syndrome (NS) induced by Adriamycin (intravenous injection, 6.0 mg/kg) in rats using biochemical and histopathological approaches. ZWT decreased urine protein excretion and the serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine significantly in diseased rats. A decrease in plasma levels of total protein and albumin was also recorded in nephropathic rats. Pathological results show an improved pathological state and recovering glomerular structure in ZWT treatment groups. ZWT decreased renal IL-8 level but increased renal IL-4 level. In addition, rats subjected to ZWT exhibited less IgG deposition in glomerulus compared with model group. RT-PCR results showed that ZWT decreased the mRNA expression of NF-κB p65 and increased the mRNA expression of IκB. Furthermore, ZWT reduced the level of MDA and increased SOD activity. These results demonstrated that ZWT ameliorated Adriamycin-induced NS in rats possibly by inhibiting Adriamycin-induced inflammation damage, enhancing body’s antioxidant capacity, thereby protecting glomerulus from injury

Anticarcinogenic potentials of tea catechins

Catechins are a cluster of polyphenolic bioactive components in green tea. Anticarcinogenic effects of tea catechins have been reported since the 1980s, but it has been controversial. The present paper reviews the advances in studies on the anticarcinogenic activities of tea and catechins, including epidemiological evidence and anticarcinogenic mechanism. Tea catechins showed antagonistic effects on many cancers, such as gynecological cancers, digestive tract cancers, incident glioma, liver and gallbladder cancers, lung cancer, etc. The mechanism underlying the anticarcinogenic effects of catechins involves in inhibiting the proliferation and growth of cancer cells, scavenging free radicals, suppressing metastasis of cancer cells, improving immunity, interacting with other anticancer drugs, and regulating signaling pathways. The inconsistent results and their causes are also discussed in this paper