Phase transitions in the Haldane-Hubbard model

The Haldane-Hubbard model is a prime example of the combined effects of band topology and electronic interaction. We revisit its spinful phase diagram at half-filling as a consensus on the presence of SU($2$) symmetry is currently lacking. To start, we utilize the Hartree-Fock mean-field method, which offers a direct understanding of symmetry breaking through the effective mass term that can acquire spin dependence. Our results, in agreement with previous studies, provide an instructive insight into the regime where the Chern number $C=1$, with only one spin species remaining topological. Besides that, we numerically study the phase diagram of the Haldane-Hubbard model via a large-scale infinite-density matrix renormalization group (iDMRG) method. The phase boundaries are determined by the Chern number and the correlation lengths obtained from the transfer-matrix spectrum. Unlike previous studies, the iDMRG method investigates the Haldane-Hubbard model on a thin and infinitely long cylinder and examines scenarios consistent with the two-dimensional thermodynamic limit. Here, the phase diagram we obtained qualitatively goes beyond the Hartree-Fock scope, particularly in the $C=1$ region, and serves as a quantitative benchmark for further theoretical and experimental investigations.Comment: 12 pages, 9 figure

Amiodarone Induces Cell Proliferation and Myofibroblast Differentiation via ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK Signaling in Fibroblasts

Amiodarone is a potent antidysrhythmic agent that can cause potentially life-threatening pulmonary fibrosis. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that myofibroblast differentiation is related to the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. In the present study, we treated human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HELFs) with amiodarone, and investigated the relative molecular mechanism of amiodarone-induced pulmonary fibrosis and pathway determinants PD98059 (extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor) and SB203580 (p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor). Cell proliferation was assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). The secretion of collagen Ⅰ was detected by ELISA. The expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), vimentin, phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2), ERK1/2, phosphorylated p38 MAPK (p-p38), and p38 MAPK were investigated using Western blot analysis. The levels of α-SMA and vimentin were also determined by immunofluorescence and qRT-PCR. We report that amiodarone promoted cell proliferation and collagen Ⅰ secretion, induced α-SMA and vimentin protein and mRNA expression accompanied by increased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK, and furthermore, PD98059 and SB203580 remarkably reduced the proliferative response of HELFs compared with amiodarone group and greatly attenuated α-SMA, vimentin and collagen Ⅰ protein production induced by amiodarone. Taken together, our study suggests that amiodarone regulates cell proliferation and myofibroblast differentiation in HELFs through modulating ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK pathways, and these signal pathways may therefore represent an attractive treatment modality in amiodarone-induced pulmonary fibrosis

Corrigendum to “Amiodarone Induces Cell Proliferation and Myofibroblast Differentiation via ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK Signaling in Fibroblasts” (Biomedicine & Amp; Pharmacotherapy (2019) 115, (S0753332218378752), (10.1016/j.biopha.2019.108889))

The authors regret the order and address of corresponding authors of the original article were given incorrectly. The correct order of all authors is as follows: Jie Weng1, Mengyun Tu1, Peng Wang, Xiaoming Zhou, Chuanyi Wang, Xinlong Wan, Zhiliang Zhou, Liang Wang, Xiaoqun Zheng, Junjian Li, Chan Chen**, Zhiyi Wang**, Zhibin Wang*. The correct corresponding author at: Institute of Bioscaffold Transplantation and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China. This reflects the fact that Zhibin Wang was the main contributing corresponding author to the original article. The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused

Downregulation of Integrin β4 Decreases the Ability of Airway Epithelial Cells to Present Antigens

Airway epithelial cells have been demonstrated to be accessory antigen presentation cells (APC) capable of activating T cells and may play an important role in the development of allergic airway inflammation of asthma. In asthmatic airways, loss of expression of the adhesion molecule integrin β4 (ITGB4) and an increase in Th2 inflammation bias has been observed in our previous study. Given that ITGB4 is engaged in multiple signaling pathways, we studied whether disruption of ITGB4-mediated cell adhesion may contribute to the adaptive immune response of epithelial cells, including their ability to present antigens, induce the activate and differentiate of T cells. We silenced ITGB4 expression in bronchial epithelial cells with an effective siRNA vector and studied the effects of ITGB4 silencing on the antigen presentation ability of airway epithelial cells. T cell proliferation and cytokine production was investigated after co-culturing with ITGB4-silenced epithelial cells. Surface expression of B7 homologs and the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II was also detected after ITGB4 was silenced. Our results demonstrated that silencing of ITGB4 resulted in impaired antigen presentation processes and suppressed T cell proliferation. Meanwhile, decrease in Th1 cytokine production and increase in Th17 cytokine production was induced after co-culturing with ITGB4-silenced epithelial cells. Moreover, HLA-DR was decreased and the B7 homologs expression was different after ITGB4 silencing. Overall, this study suggested that downregulation of ITGB4 expression in airway epithelial cells could impair the antigen presentation ability of these cells, which further regulate airway inflammation reaction in allergic asthma

Efficacy and safety of single-pill amlodipine/losartan versus losartan in patients with inadequately controlled hypertension after losartan treatment: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized phase III clinical trial

ObjectiveSingle-pill amlodipine besylate (AML) plus losartan (LOS) has been used to treat inadequately controlled hypertension after antihypertensive monotherapy; however, relevant data in China are limited. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of single-pill AML/LOS and LOS alone in Chinese patients with inadequately controlled hypertension after LOS treatment.MethodsIn this multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled phase III clinical trial, patients with inadequately controlled hypertension after 4 weeks of LOS treatment were randomized to receive daily single-pill AML/LOS (5/100 mg, AML/LOS group, N = 154) or LOS (100 mg, LOS group, N = 153) tablets for 8 weeks. At weeks 4 and 8 of treatment, sitting diastolic and systolic blood pressure (sitDBP and sitSBP, respectively) and the BP target achievement rate were assessed.ResultsAt week 8, the sitDBP change from baseline was greater in the AML/LOS group than in the LOS group (−8.84 ± 6.86 vs. −2.65 ± 7.62 mmHg, P < 0.001). In addition, the AML/LOS group also showed greater sitDBP change from baseline to week 4 (−8.77 ± 6.60 vs. −2.99 ± 7.05 mmHg) and sitSBP change from baseline to week 4 (−12.54 ± 11.65 vs. −2.36 ± 10.33 mmHg) and 8 (−13.93 ± 10.90 vs. −2.38 ± 12.71 mmHg) (all P < 0.001). Moreover, the BP target achievement rates at weeks 4 (57.1% vs. 25.3%, P < 0.001) and 8 (58.4% vs. 28.1%, P < 0.001) were higher in the AML/LOS group than those in the LOS group. Both treatments were safe and tolerable.ConclusionSingle-pill AML/LOS is superior to LOS monotherapy for controlling BP and is safe and well tolerated in Chinese patients with inadequately controlled hypertension after LOS treatment

Progress in blood biomarkers of subjective cognitive decline in preclinical Alzheimer's disease

Abstract. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that gradually impairs cognitive functions. Recently, there has been a conceptual shift toward AD to view the disease as a continuum. Since AD is currently incurable, effective intervention to delay or prevent pathological cognitive decline may best target the early stages of symptomatic disease, such as subjective cognitive decline (SCD), in which cognitive function remains relatively intact. Diagnostic methods for identifying AD, such as cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and positron emission tomography, are invasive and expensive. Therefore, it is imperative to develop blood biomarkers that are sensitive, less invasive, easier to access, and more cost effective for AD diagnosis. This review aimed to summarize the current data on whether individuals with SCD differ reliably and effectively in subjective and objective performances compared to cognitively normal elderly individuals, and to find one or more convenient and accessible blood biomarkers so that researchers can identify SCD patients with preclinical AD in the population as soon as possible. Owing to the heterogeneity and complicated pathogenesis of AD, it is difficult to make reliable diagnoses using only a single blood marker. This review provides an overview of the progress achieved to date with the use of SCD blood biomarkers in patients with preclinical AD, highlighting the key areas of application and current challenges

Differences in the prevalence and risk factors of osteoporosis in chinese urban and rural regions: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Bone mineral density (BMD) and prevalence of osteoporosis may differ between urban and rural populations. This study aimed to investigate the differences in BMD characteristics between urban and rural populations in Jiangsu, China. Methods A total of 2,711 participants aged 20 years and older were included in the cross-sectional study. Multistage and stratified cluster random sampling was used as the sampling strategy. BMD was measured by the method of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Data were collected through questionnaires/interview. BMD values at the lumbar spine (L1-L4), femoral neck, total hip, and greater trochanter were collected. Descriptive statistics were used to demonstrate the characteristics of urban and rural participants. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to analyze the factors that may be associated with osteoporosis in urban and rural populations. Results Of these participants, 1,540 (50.49%) were females and 1,363 (42.14%) were from urban. The prevalence of osteoporosis in urban and rural populations was 5.52% and 10.33%, respectively. In terms of gender, the prevalence of osteoporosis was 2.68% in males and 13.82% in females. For menopausal status, the prevalence of osteoporosis was 30.34% in postmenopausal females and 4.78% in premenopausal females. In urban populations, older age [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.36, 95%CI, 2.35–2.36), hypertension (AOR = 1.37, 95%CI, 1.36–1.37), unmarried (AOR = 4.04, 95%CI, 3.99–4.09), smoking everyday (AOR = 2.26, 95%CI, 2.23–2.28), family history of osteoporosis (AOR = 1.66, 95%CI, 1.65–1.67), dyslipidemia (AOR = 1.05, 95%CI, 1.04–1.05), and higher β-crosslaps (β-CTX) level (AOR = 1.02, 95%CI, 1.02–1.02) were associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis, while males (AOR = 0.04, 95%CI, 0.04–0.04), higher education level (AOR = 0.95, 95%CI, 0.95–0.95), and aquatic product intake (AOR = 0.99, 95%CI, 0.99–0.99) were related to decreased risk of osteoporosis. Similar results were also observed in rural populations, and (all P < 0.05). Conclusion The prevalence of osteoporosis in rural populations was higher than that in urban populations, and the factors associated with the risk of osteoporosis were similar in urban and rural populations

Field-induced quantum spin disordered state in spin-1/2 honeycomb magnet Na2Co2TeO6

Spin-orbit coupled honeycomb magnets with the Kitaev interaction have received a lot of attention due to their potential of hosting exotic quantum states including quantum spin liquids. Thus far, the most studied Kitaev systems are 4d/5d-based honeycomb magnets. Recent theoretical studies predicted that 3d-based honeycomb magnets, including Na2Co2TeO6 (NCTO), could also be a potential Kitaev system. Here, we have used a combination of heat capacity, magnetization, electron spin resonance measurements alongside inelastic neutron scattering (INS) to study NCTO’s quantum magnetism, and we have found a field-induced spin disordered state in an applied magnetic field range of 7.5 T < B (⊥ b-axis) < 10.5 T. The INS spectra were also simulated to tentatively extract the exchange interactions. As a 3d-magnet with a field-induced disordered state on an effective spin-1/2 honeycomb lattice, NCTO expands the Kitaev model to 3d compounds, promoting further interests on the spin-orbital effect in quantum magnets