The superconducting state is characterized by a pairing of electrons with a superconducting gap on the Fermi surface. In iron-based superconductors, an unconventional pairing state has been argued ...for theoretically. We used scanning tunneling microscopy on Fe(Se,Te) single crystals to image the quasi-particle scattering interference patterns in the superconducting state. By applying a magnetic field to break the time-reversal symmetry, the relative sign of the superconducting gap can be determined from the magnetic-field dependence of quasi-particle scattering amplitudes. Our results indicate that the sign is reversed between the hole and the electron Fermi-surface pockets (s±-wave), favoring the unconventional pairing mechanism associated with spin fluctuations.
The Lifshitz transition, a change in Fermi surface topology, is likely to greatly influence exotic correlated phenomena in solids, such as high-temperature superconductivity and complex magnetism. ...However, since the observation of Fermi surfaces is generally difficult in the strongly correlated systems, a direct link between the Lifshitz transition and quantum phenomena has been elusive so far. Here, we report a marked impact of the pressure-induced Lifshitz transition on thermoelectric performance for SnSe, a promising thermoelectric material without a strong electron correlation. By applying pressure up to 1.6 GPa, we have observed a large enhancement of the thermoelectric power factor by more than 100% over a wide temperature range (10-300 K). Furthermore, the high carrier mobility enables the detection of quantum oscillations of resistivity, revealing the emergence of new Fermi pockets at ∼0.86 GPa. The observed thermoelectric properties linked to the multivalley band structure are quantitatively reproduced by first-principles calculations, providing novel insight into designing the SnSe-related materials for potential valleytronic as well as thermoelectric applications.
As-Based Zintl compounds Ba1−xKxCd2As2 crystallized in the CaAl2Si2-type structure (space group P3m1) were prepared using solid-state reactions followed by hot-pressing. We have successfully ...substituted K for Ba up to x = 0.08, producing hole-carrier doping with concentrations up to 1.60 × 1020 cm−3. We have determined the band-gap value of non-doped BaCd2As2 to be 0.40 eV from the temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity. Both the electrical resistivity and the Seebeck coefficient decrease with hole doping, leading to a power factor value of 1.28 mW m−1 K−2 at 762 K for x = 0.04. A first-principles band calculation shows that the relatively large power factor mainly originates from the two-fold degeneracy of the bands comprising As px,y orbitals and from the anisotropic band structure at the valence-band maximum. The lattice thermal conductivity is suppressed by the K doping to 0.46 W m−1 K−1 at 773 K for x = 0.08, presumably due to randomness. The effect of randomness is compensated by an increase in the electronic thermal conductivity, which keeps the total thermal conductivity approximately constant. In consequence, the dimensionless figure-of-merit ZT reaches a maximum value of 0.81 at 762 K for x = 0.04.
Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), defined as the presence of altered organ function in an acutely ill patient such that homeostasis cannot be maintained without intervention, is a cause of ...high morbidity and mortality in humans and animals. Many advances have been made in understanding the pathophysiology and treatment of this syndrome in human medicine, but much still is unknown. This comparative review will provide information regarding the history and pathophysiology of MODS in humans and discuss how MODS affects each major organ system in animals.
Background
According to the Japanese Esophageal Society (JES) guidelines, risk factors for lymph node (LN) metastasis in the muscularis mucosa (MM)/submucosa to a depth of up to 200 μm (SM1) in cases ...of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) include the presence of lymphatic invasion (ly), venous invasion (v), infiltration pattern (INF)c, and SM1. The long-term prognoses of these patients are unclear, and there are very few reports on the validation of the curative criteria for MM/SM1 ESCCs.
Aims
To examine the long-term prognoses of these patients and the risk factors for LN metastasis of MM/SM1 ESCCs after endoscopic resection (ER).
Methods
This study included patients with MM/SM1 ESCCs who underwent ER at Hiroshima University Hospital from December 1990 to November 2016. We evaluated the clinicopathological characteristics of 98 patients and overall survival, disease-specific survival, recurrence-free survival, and recurrence rates in the e-curative and non-e-curative groups.
Results
The mean observation period was 75 months. There was no significant difference in disease-specific survival rate between the e-curative and non-e-curative groups (100 vs. 98%). There was no significant difference in disease-specific survival rates between the groups (100 vs. 98%). In contrast, the LN recurrence-free survival rate in patients with INFa, ly(−), and v(−) was significantly higher than that in patients with INFb/c, ly(+), or v(+) (100 and 87%,
P
< 0.05).
Conclusion
Contrary to the JES guidelines, our findings suggest that new criteria (MM/SM1, INFa, negative vertical margin (VM0), ly-, and v-) may be associated with curative ER without additional treatment.
Summary Objective To test the hypothesis that changes in subchondral bone are significantly different among three canine models of osteoarthritis (OA). Design In 21 purpose-bred mongrel dogs, OA was ...induced in one knee joint via either anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLt; n = 5), medial femoral condylar groove creation (GR; n = 6), or medial meniscal release (MR; n = 5). Five dogs that had sham surgery (SH; n = 5) in one knee joint served as controls. Lameness scoring was performed every 4 weeks. Twelve weeks after surgery, the knee joints were examined by histology and histomorphometry. Results Articular cartilage pathology as determined by Mankin scores was significantly severe in all three OA models compared to SH controls in the medial tibia ( P < 0.001 to P = 0.026). ACLt had significantly thinner subchondral plate thickness (Sp.Th) in both the medial and lateral tibias while MR had significantly thicker Sp.Th in the medial tibia compared to SH controls ( P < 0.001 to P = 0.011). Trabecular bone volume (BV/TV) and trabecular bone thickness (Tb.Th) for ACLt were significantly less than SH controls in the tibias ( P < 0.001 to P = 0.011). Tibial Sp.Th, BV/TV, and Tb.Th were all moderately to strongly correlated with lameness scores obtained throughout the study period ( r = −0.436 to r = −0.738, P < 0.001 to P = 0.047) while Mankin scores showed moderate to strong correlations with Sp.Th in each OA model ( r = 0.465 to r = 0.816, P < 0.001 to P = 0.033). Conclusions Changes in Sp.Th are associated with articular cartilage damage while tibial Sp.Th and BV/TV and Tb.Th appear to be all influenced by joint loading alterations.
Summary The dog is a common model for study of osteoarthritis (OA). Subjective histologic scoring systems have often served as the reference standard for presence and severity of OA. However, these ...scoring systems have perceived shortcomings. The system developed for this report attempts to address these shortcomings by providing a standardized methodology for global assessment of the joint, versatility and the potential for relative weighting of pathology, allowing for comparison among time points, studies, and centers, and critical analysis of the system’s reliability. The proposed system for assessment of canine tissues appears to provide an effective method for global assessment of articular pathology in OA. The system is versatile, comprehensive, and reliable and appears to have advantages over conventional scoring systems.
Animal models of cartilage repair Cook, J L; Hung, C T; Kuroki, K ...
Bone & joint research,
04/2014, Letnik:
3, Številka:
4
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Cartilage repair in terms of replacement, or regeneration of damaged or diseased articular cartilage with functional tissue, is the 'holy grail' of joint surgery. A wide spectrum of strategies for ...cartilage repair currently exists and several of these techniques have been reported to be associated with successful clinical outcomes for appropriately selected indications. However, based on respective advantages, disadvantages, and limitations, no single strategy, or even combination of strategies, provides surgeons with viable options for attaining successful long-term outcomes in the majority of patients. As such, development of novel techniques and optimisation of current techniques need to be, and are, the focus of a great deal of research from the basic science level to clinical trials. Translational research that bridges scientific discoveries to clinical application involves the use of animal models in order to assess safety and efficacy for regulatory approval for human use. This review article provides an overview of animal models for cartilage repair. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2014;4:89-94.
We report 75As NMR experiments in heavily electron-doped LaFePnO0.75H0.25 (Pn=As1−xSbx and As1−x′Px′) compounds with the maximum Tcmax(∼33.1K), and compare with the previous results in lightly ...electron-doped LaFePn(O,F) compounds. The Tc of this series can be sensitively controlled by the pnictogen height (hPn) through the substitution at Pn site, and the electron doping level through the substitution at the O site with H or F. In heavily electron-doped LaFePnO(La1111) compounds, we found that spin fluctuations at low-energies were moderately suppressed upon cooling in the Sb-substituted high Tc compounds with high hPn (x ≥ 0), although they are completely suppressed in P-substituted non-superconducting compounds (x′ ≥ 0.2) with lower hPn. This feature is largely different from that in the lightly doped La1111 compounds with the well-nested Fermi surfaces, where the spin fluctuations are critically enhanced upon cooling. Here, we present the characteristics of spin fluctuations over wide doping region of La1111-based compounds, and discuss the relationship with the superconductivity.
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