24 research outputs found
Symmetry Protected Josephson Supercurrents in Three-Dimensional Topological Insulators
Coupling the surface state of a topological insulator (TI) to an s-wave
superconductor is predicted to produce the long-sought Majorana quasiparticle
excitations. However, superconductivity has not been measured in surface states
when the bulk charge carriers are fully depleted, i.e., in the true topological
regime that is relevant for investigating Majorana modes. Here, we report
measurements of DC Josephson effects in TI-superconductor junctions as the
chemical potential is moved from the bulk bands into the band gap, or through
the true topological regime characterized by the presence of only surface
currents. We examine the relative behavior of the system at different
bulk/surface ratios, determining the effects of strong bulk/surface mixing,
disorder, and magnetic field. We compare our results to 3D quantum transport
simulations to conclude that the supercurrent is largely carried by surface
states, due to the inherent topology of the bands, and that it is robust
against disorder
21-O-Angeloyltheasapogenol E3, a Novel Triterpenoid Saponin from the Seeds of Tea Plants, Inhibits Macrophage-Mediated Inflammatory Responses in a NF- κ
Effects of a nonviolent communication-based training program for inpatient alcoholics in South Korea
Purpose This study aimed to evaluate a communication skills program based on nonviolent communication targeted on inpatient alcoholics at the alcoholics specialized ward. Design and Methods The sample for this mixed methods quasi-experimental study comprised 47 patients who were hospitalized in the alcoholic wards of two psychiatric hospitals in South Korea. Findings The program effectively improved participants' empathy, anger expression, communication competence, and alcohol abstinence self-efficacy (p < .001). Practice implications This program could be implemented in community-based alcoholic care with the aim of preventing relapse and serve as the basis for developing similar programs for family members.N
Retinal vasculitis associated with CREST syndrome
Purpose: To report two cases of retinal vasculitis associated with CREST syndrome, a novel ocular finding. Observations: We report two cases of patients with CREST syndrome with ocular inflammatory disease. Patient 1 presented with a right unilateral panuveitis with extensive retinal vasculitis and evidence of prior uveitis in the contralateral eye. Patient 2 presented with a left branch retinal artery occlusion and bilateral retinal vasculitis. Both patients underwent treatment with prednisone and mycophenolate motefil. Conclusions and importance: Retinal vasculitis has not been previously reported in CREST syndrome. Prompt therapy with immunomodulatory therapy can potentially minimize ocular morbidity. Keywords: CREST syndrome, Retinal vasculiti
Effects of the Use of Rice Grain on Growth Performances, Blood Metabolites, Rumen Fermentation, and Rumen Microbial Community in Fattening Hanwoo Steers
This study aimed to assess the influence of rice grain in the total mixed ration (TMR) on the growth performance, blood metabolites, rumen fermentation, and rumen microbial community of fattening Hanwoo steers. Two experimental diets were prepared: (i) a TMR containing 33% dry matter (DM) corn grains (Corn TMR) and (ii) a TMR containing 33% DM rice grains (Rice TMR). Twenty-two Hanwoo steers (body weight [BW], 498 ± 32 kg; months, 17 ± 0.5) were distributed into two treatment groups in a completely randomized block design according to BW. The Rice TMR group had a higher final BW and DM intake (DMI) compared to those in the Corn TMR group (p p Streptococcus bovis tended to be higher in the Rice TMR (p = 0.09). The results of this study suggest that using rice grain as the primary starch source in TMRs may be an alternative option for fattening Hanwoo steers
Progressive Venous Stasis Retinopathy and Open-Angle Glaucoma Associated With Primary Pulmonary Hypertension
21-O-Angeloyltheasapogenol E3, a Novel Triterpenoid Saponin from the Seeds of Tea Plants, Inhibits Macrophage-Mediated Inflammatory Responses in a NF-B-Dependent Manner
) is a triterpenoid saponin recently isolated from the seeds of the tea tree Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze. ATS-E3 has several beneficial properties including anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antiatherosclerotic, and anticancer effects. Unlike other phenolic compounds isolated from tea plants, there are no studies reporting the pharmacological action of ATS-E3. In this study, we therefore aimed to explore the cellular and molecular inhibitory activities of ATS-E3 in macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses. ATS-E3 remarkably diminished cellular responses of macrophages such as FITCdextran-induced phagocytic uptake, sodium nitroprusside-(SNP-) induced radical generation, and LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production. Analysis of its molecular activity showed that this compound significantly suppressed the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-(NF-) B subunits (p50 and p65), phosphorylation of inhibitor of B kinase (IKK), and the enzyme activity of AKT1. Taken together, the novel triterpenoid saponin compound ATS-E3 contributes to the beneficial effects of tea plants by exerting anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities in an AKT/IKK/NF-B-dependent manner
21-O-Angeloyltheasapogenol E3, a Novel Triterpenoid Saponin from the Seeds of Tea Plants, Inhibits Macrophage-Mediated Inflammatory Responses in a NF-κB-Dependent Manner
21-O-Angeloyltheasapogenol E3 (ATS-E3) is a triterpenoid saponin recently isolated from the seeds of the tea tree Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze. ATS-E3 has several beneficial properties including anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antiatherosclerotic, and anticancer effects. Unlike other phenolic compounds isolated from tea plants, there are no studies reporting the pharmacological action of ATS-E3. In this study, we therefore aimed to explore the cellular and molecular inhibitory activities of ATS-E3 in macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses. ATS-E3 remarkably diminished cellular responses of macrophages such as FITC-dextran-induced phagocytic uptake, sodium nitroprusside- (SNP-) induced radical generation, and LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production. Analysis of its molecular activity showed that this compound significantly suppressed the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), nuclear translocation of nuclear factor- (NF-) κB subunits (p50 and p65), phosphorylation of inhibitor of κB kinase (IKK), and the enzyme activity of AKT1. Taken together, the novel triterpenoid saponin compound ATS-E3 contributes to the beneficial effects of tea plants by exerting anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities in an AKT/IKK/NF-κB-dependent manner