512 research outputs found
Struma ovarii associated with pseudo-Meigs' syndrome and elevated serum CA 125: a case report and review of the literature
The association of pseudo-Meigs' syndrome, elevation of CA 125 to the struma ovarii is a rare condition. So far only nine cases have been reported in English literature through MEDLINE search. Here we report a 46-year-old case of the struma ovarii, presented with ascites, hydrothorax, right ovarian mass and elevated serum CA 125 level. These findings were misdiagnosed for an ovarian malignancy at the first impression. Immediate resolution of the ascites, hydrothorax and normalization of the serum CA 125 level were followed by ovarian mass removal. Struma ovarii could be a rare cause of ascites, hydrothorax, ovarian mass and elevated CA 125. This rare condition should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patents with ascites and pleural effusions but with negative cytology
Deconfined quantum criticality and emergent symmetry in SrCu2(BO3)2
The deconfined quantum critical point (DQCP) represents a paradigm shift in
theories of quantum matter, presenting a "beyond Landau" scenario for
order-order transitions. Its experimental realization, however, has remained
elusive. Here we demonstrate by high-pressure 11B NMR measurements on the
quantum magnet SrCu2(BO3)2 that the magnetic field induced plaquette-singlet to
antiferromagnetic transition above 1.8 GPa is proximate to a DQCP. We find a
weak first-order transition between the two phases at a remarkably low
temperature, Tc~0.07 K. Above Tc we observe quantum critical scaling at the
highest pressure, 2.4 GPa. We explain the low first-order Tc values by a
DQCP-induced emergent O(3) symmetry that is broken in the coexistence state.
Our findings take the DQCP from a theoretical concept to a concrete
experimental platform
Can eccentric binary millisecond pulsars form by accretion induced collapse of white dwarfs?
Binary radio pulsars are generally believed to have been spun up to
millisecond periods (i.e. recycling) via mass accretion from their donor stars,
and they are the descendants of neutron star low-mass X-ray binaries. However,
some studies indicate that the formation of pulsars from the accretion-induced
collapse (AIC) of accreting white dwarfs (WDs) cannot be excluded. In this
work, we use a population synthesis code to examine if the AIC channel can
produce eccentric binary millisecond pulsars (BMSPs) in the Galaxy. Our
simulated results indicate that, only when the natal MSPs receive a relatively
strong kick (\ga100\rm km\,s^{-1}), can the AIC channel produce
eccentric () BMSPs in the Galaxy, most of which are accompanied by a
Helium star. Such a kick seems to be highly unlikely in the conventional AIC
process, hence the probability of forming eccentric BMSPs via the AIC channel
can be ruled out. Even if a high kick is allowed, the AIC channel cannot
produce eccentric BMSPs with an orbital period of \ga 20 days. Therefore, we
propose that the peculiar BMSP PSR J1903+0327 cannot be formed by the AIC
channel. However, the AIC evolutionary channel may produce some fraction of
isolated millisecond pulsars, and even sub-millisecond pulsars if they really
exist.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA
Intramyocardial Injection of Recombinant Adeno-Associated Viral Vector Coexpressing PR39/Adrenomedullin Enhances Angiogenesis and Reduces Apoptosis in a Rat Myocardial Infarction Model
Cotransfer of angiogenic and antiapoptotic genes could be the basis of new gene therapy strategies for myocardial infarction. In this study, rAAV-PR39-ADM, coexpressing antimicrobial peptide (PR39) and adrenomedullin (ADM), was designed with the mediation of recombinant adeno-associated virus. In vitro, CRL-1730 cells were divided into four groups, namely, the sham group, the AAV-null group, the NS (normal saline) group, and the PR39-ADM group. Immunocytochemistry analysis, CCK-8 assays, Matrigel assays, and apoptotic analysis were performed; in vivo, myocardial infarction model was established through ligation of the left coronary artery on rats, and treatment groups corresponded to those used in vitro. Myocardial injury, cardiac performance, and the extent of myocardial apoptosis were assessed. Results suggested that rAAV-PR39-ADM administration after myocardial infarction improved cell viability and cardiac function, attenuated apoptosis and myocardial injury, and promoted angiogenesis. Subsequently, levels of 6×His, HIF-1α, VEGF, p-Akt, Akt, ADM, Bcl-2, and Bax were measured by western blot. rAAV-PR39-ADM increased p-Akt, HIF-1α, and VEGF levels and induced higher Bcl-2 expression and lower Bax expression. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that rAAV-PR39-ADM mitigates myocardial injury by promoting angiogenesis and reducing apoptosis. This study suggests a potential novel gene therapy-based method that could be used clinically for myocardial infarction
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