Luttinger-volume violating Fermi liquid in the pseudogap phase of the cuprate superconductors

Based on the NMR measurements on Bi$_2$Sr$_{2-x}$La$_x$CuO$_{6+\delta}$ (La-Bi2201) in strong magnetic fields, we identify the non-superconducting pseudogap phase in the cuprates as a Luttinger-volume violating Fermi liquid (LvvFL). This state is a zero temperature quantum liquid that does not break translational symmetry, and yet, the Fermi surface encloses a volume smaller than the large one given by the Luttinger theorem. The particle number enclosed by the small Fermi surface in the LvvFL equals the doping level $p$, not the total electron number $n_e=1-p$. Both the phase string theory and the dopon theory are introduced to describe the LvvFL. For the dopon theory, we can obtain a semi-quantitative agreement with the NMR experiments.Comment: The final version in PR

Low Usefulness of Potassium Monitoring Among Healthy Young Women Taking Spironolactone for Acne

Importance Spironolactone has been shown to be an effective treatment option for hormonally mediated acne but can cause hyperkalemia. The prevalence of hyperkalemia among healthy young women taking spironolactone for acne is unclear. Objective To measure the rate of hyperkalemia in healthy young women taking spironolactone for acne or for an endocrine disorder with associated acne. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective study of healthy young women taking spironolactone for acne. Data from December 1, 2000, through March 31, 2014, were obtained from a clinical data repository. Outpatient data were collected from 2 tertiary care centers in the United States. We analyzed rates of hyperkalemia in 974 healthy young women taking spironolactone for acne. We also analyzed 1165 healthy young women taking and not taking spironolactone to obtain a profile for the baseline rate of hyperkalemia in this population. Exclusion criteria were cardiovascular disease, renal failure, and the use of medications that affect the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Main Outcomes and Measures The rate of hyperkalemia in healthy young women taking spironolactone for acne was calculated. Secondary measures included spironolactone prescriber profiles and potassium monitoring practices. Results There were 13 abnormal serum potassium measurements in 1802 measurements obtained among young women receiving spironolactone therapy, yielding a hyperkalemia rate of 0.72%, equivalent to the 0.76% baseline rate of hyperkalemia in this population. Repeat testing in 6 of 13 patients demonstrated normal values, suggesting that these measurements may have been erroneous. In the remaining 7 patients, no action was taken. Conclusions and Relevance The rate of hyperkalemia in healthy young women taking spironolactone for acne is equivalent to the baseline rate of hyperkalemia in this population. Routine potassium monitoring is unnecessary for healthy women taking spironolactone for acne

The effects of extracts of atractylodes macrocephala koidz combined with transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation in treating the ovariectomized female rats

Background: The present study was to explore the effects of the extracts of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (EAMK) combined with transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on the ovariectomized female rats.Materials and Methods: Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham-operation, model, livial and EAMK+TEAS groups (n=10 in each group). After the individual treatments for 8 weeks ended, the serum levels of estradiol (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), osteocalcin and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured with commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results: We found that in the sham-operation group, the serum E2 and osteocalcin levels were significantly higher, and the serum levels of FSH, LH and IL-6 were markedly lower than those of other groups (P<0.05). No significant differences existed between the livial and EAMK+TEAS groups on the serum E2 and osteocalcin levels (P>0.05), however, the serum FSH and IL-6 levels of EAMK+TEAS group were significantly lower than those of the livial group (P<0.05).Conclusion: EAMK combined with TEAS has promises in treating the ovariectomized female rats.Key words: Extracts of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (EAMK), transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS), osteocalcin, interleukin-6 (IL-6)

Reproducibility studies on OCT rapid and repeated scanning method for the diagnosis of glaucoma

AIM: To evaluate the application ofoptical coherence tomography(OCT)and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness(RNFL)measured by rapid and repeated methods in the diagnosis of glaucoma repeated significance. <p>METHODS: Stratus OCT were measured in 38 normal subjects and 42 patients with the primary RNFL thickness of open angle glaucoma patients. Rapid and repeated scanning was applied respectively to measure the RNFL thickness of patients with normal and primary open angle glaucoma. The average RNFL thickness's related coefficient and various coefficient of the temporal, upper, lower and nasal region made reproducibility assessment. <p>RESULTS: In normal and primary open angle glaucoma patients, the overall average RNFL thickness and lateral temporal, above, nasal, below RNFL thickness, in which two groups did not show differences; repeated scanning average RNFL thickness was measured in fast scanning scheme around the optic disc, and had higher ICC and lower value of CV, there were significant differences in the temporal region(<i>P</i>=0.042). The temporal, nasal, upper and lower area of the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness of the ICC(CV)values were as follows: fast scan was 0.918(7.2%), 0.831(6.82%), 0.856(5.12%), 0.911(7.19%); repeated scans were 0.927(3.21%), 0.962(5.01%), 0.909(6.02%), 0.869(4.67%), 0.918(6.89%).<p>CONCLUSION: In normal subjects and patients with primary open angle glaucoma, the application of rapid and repeated scanning in measurement of RNFL with OCT thickness has repeated significance, but repeated scanning scheme in the assessment of RNFL thickness is more accurate

Effects of Shenlian Extracts () on Atherosclerosis by Inhibition of the Inflammatory Response

ObjectiveInflammation plays a critical role in atherosclerosis, and this inflammatory reaction is being intensively studied. Shenlian Extracts (), an active ingredient of Chinese medicinal herbs, is believed to have multiple therapeutic and preventive effects against human vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. Our work investigated whether Shenlian Extracts serves as an anti-inflammatory agent during atherogenesis.MethodsWe established a model of atherosclerosis in rabbits using balloon angioplasty and a high cholesterol diet. The effects of Shenlian Extracts on vessel structure and inflammation were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining of the femoral artery, measurement of inflammation-related factors in serum or vascular tissue, and radioimmunoassay. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), flow cytometry and western blots were also performed.ResultsWe show that oral pre-treatment with Shenlian Extracts suppressed the pathological changes associated with atherosclerosis and that graded doses of Shenlian Extracts reduced total serum levels of cholesterol (90, 180 and 360 mg/kg), triglyceride (180 and 360 mg/kg), and LDL-c (90, 180 mg/kg). Various doses of Shenlian Extracts reduced serum content of TNF-a (180 and 360 mg/kg), CRP (90, 180 and 360 mg/kg) and IL-8 (360 mg/kg) (P<0.05), but led to no significant changes in IL-1β levels. Treatment with Shenlian Extracts also significantly reduced VCAM-1 levels (90 and 360 mg/kg) and IGF-1 levels (90 and 180 mg/kg) in vascular tissue but had no significant effect on ICAM-1 and MCP-1 levels. Finally, Shenlian Extracts significantly reduced the abnormal expression of CD18 in monocytes in a dose-dependent manner.ConclusionThese results suggest that Shenlian Extracts may play a direct role in preventing and treating atherogenesis by inhibiting the inflammatory reaction, providing insights into the possible mechanism underlying the anti-atherosclerotic actions of Shenlian Extracts

Distinct interactions between fronto-parietal and default mode networks in impaired consciousness

Existing evidence suggests that the default-mode network (DMN) and fronto-pariatal network (FPN) play an important role in altered states of consciousness. However, the brain mechanisms underlying impaired consciousness and the specific network interactions involved are not well understood. We studied the topological properties of brain functional networks using resting-state functional MRI data acquired from 18 patients (11 vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome, VS/UWS, and 7 minimally conscious state, MCS) and compared these properties with those of healthy controls. We identified that the topological properties in DMN and FPN are anti-correlated which comes, in part, from the contribution of interactions between dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of the FPN and precuneus of the DMN. Notably, altered nodal connectivity strength was distance-dependent, with most disruptions appearing in long-distance connections within the FPN but in short-distance connections within the DMN. A multivariate pattern-classification analysis revealed that combination of topological patterns between the FPN and DMN could predict conscious state more effectively than connectivity within either network. Taken together, our results imply distinct interactions between the FPN and DMN, which may mediate conscious state

Zhi-Bai-Di-Huang-Wan, a classic Chinese medicinal formula in relieving menopausal symptoms: A multi-centre and controlled trial from UK and China

Background: To explore the effects of Zhi-Bai-Di-Huang-Wan (ZBDHW), a classic formula of Chinese  medicinal herbs in relieving menopausal symptoms in British and Chinese women.Methods and Materials: Between May 2011 and May 2013, 224 Chinese and British women were  divided into a ZBDHW group with 115 cases and a control group with 109 cases. The clinical menopausal  symptoms were assessed by the modified Kupperman Index Scale. The serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2) were respectively detected before and after the treatment. Results: After 12 weeks of treatment, both groups’ Kupperman index scores markedly decreased  (P&lt;0.05) and no significant difference existed between them (P&gt;0.05). The serum levels of FSH did not change  significantly after the treatment (P&gt;0.05) and no significant difference existed between them (P&gt;0.05). The  serum levels of E2 significantly increased in both of the two groups (P&lt;0.05) and it increased more in the comparison group (P&lt;0.05). No side-effect of the treatment was reported in both of the two groups during the  period of the treatment.Conclusion: The classic Chinese medicinal formula, ZBDHW, showed promise in relieving menopausal  symptoms.Key words: Chinese medicinal herb; Zhi-Bai-Di-Huang-Wan (ZBDHW); menopausal symptom