Superconductivity in graphene-based systems has recently attracted much attention, as either intrinsic behavior or induced by proximity to a superconductor may lead to interesting topological phases ...and symmetries of the pairing function. A prominent system considers the pairing to have chiral symmetry. The question arises as to the effect of possible spin-orbit coupling on the resulting superconducting quasiparticle (QP) spectrum. Utilizing a Bogolyubov-de Gennes (BdG) Hamiltonian, we explore the interplay of different interaction terms in the system, and their role in generating complex Berry curvatures in the QP spectrum, as well as non-trivial topological behavior. We demonstrate that the topology of the BdG Hamiltonian in these systems may result in the appearance of edge states along the zigzag edges of nanoribbons in the appropriate regime. For suitable chemical potential and superconducting pairing strength, we find the appearance of robust midgap states at zigzag edges, well protected by large excitation gaps and momentum transfer.
This paper initiates the study of stochastic differential equations in the context of variable Lebesgue spaces. More precisely, we establish the existence and uniqueness of solutions of stochastic ...Burgers equations in variable Lebesgue spaces. To that end, we are forced to firstly develop a stochastic integration theory with respect to Brownian motions in this framework. The main ingredients of the stochastic integrability are a conditional expectation version of the Lenglart-Lépingle-Pratelli's inequality and Burkholder-Davis-Gundy's inequalities for continuous martingales in variable Lebesgue spaces. As by-products, we obtain similar results for stochastic differential equations of Itô type and stochastic wave equations.
We study pathwise properties and homeomorphic property with respect to the initial values for stochastic differential equations driven by
G
-Brownian motion. We first present a Burkholder–Davis–Gundy ...inequality and an extension of Itô’s formula for the
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-stochastic integrals. Some moment estimates and Hölder continuity of the
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-stochastic integrals and the solutions of stochastic differential equations with Lipschitzian coefficients driven by
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-Brownian motion are obtained. Homeomorphic property with respect to the initial values is also established.
The intestinal epithelial layer serves as a physical and functional barrier between the microbiota in the lumen and immunologically active submucosa. Th17 T-cell function protects the gut epithelium ...from aggression from microbes and their by-products. Loss of barrier function has been associated with enhanced translocation of microbial products which act as endotoxins, leading to local and systemic immune activation. Whereas the inflammatory role of LPS produced by Gram-negative bacteria has been extensively studied, the role of fungal products such as β-D-glucan remains only partially understood. As HIV infection is characterized by impaired gut Th17 function and increased gut permeability, we critically review mechanisms of immune activation related to fungal translocation in this viral infection. Additionally, we discuss markers of fungal translocation for diagnosis and monitoring of experimental treatment responses. Targeting gut barrier dysfunction and reducing fungal translocation are emerging strategies for the prevention and treatment of HIV-associated inflammation and may prove useful in other inflammatory chronic diseases.
To evaluate serum beta-D-glucan (BDG) as a biomarker for endogenous fungal eye infection.
Retrospective case-control study of 88 patients with a BDG test and eye examination at UPenn (2013-2018). ...Cases had endogenous fungal chorioretinitis or endophthalmitis diagnosed by eye examination and confirmed with positive culture; controls were without these fungal eye findings. Charts were reviewed for BDG values, blood/vitreous cultures, and eye examinations. Outcomes were BDG sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for fungal chorioretinitis or endophthalmitis, using prespecified BDG cut-off points of ≥80, ≥250, and ≥500 pg/mL as test positive.
Cases included six chorioretinitis and four endophthalmitis patients. Controls included 78 patients without chorioretinitis or endophthalmitis. Defining BDG ≥80 pg/mL as test positive, the BDG sensitivity (95% confidence interval) was 66.7% (22.3%-95.7%) for chorioretinitis and 100% (39.8%-100%) for endophthalmitis. The specificity was 74.4% (63.2%-83.6%) when BDG values ≥80 pg/mL were test positive, and 85.9% (76.2%-92.7%) when values ≥250 pg/mL were test positive. For a 1% endophthalmitis prevalence and BDG cut-off value of ≥80 pg/mL, the positive predictive value was 3.8% (2.4%-5.2%) and negative predictive value was 100% (99.1%-100%).
For endogenous fungal endophthalmitis, BDG's sensitivity and specificity seem good and the negative predictive value is high; a larger ophthalmic study is indicated.
•The superconducting configuration shows that the vortex core of the nematic state is an elliptic shape.•The local density of states of the vortex core in the nematic state exhibit double peaks ...structure within the superconducting coherence peaks.•The LDOS displays a zero-energy Majorana state in the vortex core in the SC phase.
We investigated the vortex states in the electron-doped BaFe1.8Co0.2As2 using Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations, based on a phenomenological model with competing nematic order and extended s-wave superconductivity. Specifically, we considered the spin-driven nematic order for the optimally doped compound. Our findings suggest that there are no Andreev bound states at the Fermi energy in the nematic phase, and the local density of states exhibits a double-peak structure, consistent with scanning tunneling microscopy experiments. Moreover, we propose an elliptic vortex structure in the local density of states map, which we attribute to the presence of the nematic order.
Serum (1,3)-beta-d-glucan (BDG) assay is a non–culture-based test recommended for the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis owing to its faster results and higher sensitivity than blood cultures. Its ...performance might vary for different Candida species. The aim of this study was to determine in vitro levels of BDG in Candida auris culture supernatants and evaluate BDG levels in patients with C. auris candidemia sustained by these stains.
C. auris strains were collected from blood cultures of patients who had a concomitant (–24 to +72 hours) serum BDG test (Fungitell assay). Supernatants of broth media culture of C. auris strains and two Candida albicans (controls) strains were prepared and tested for BDG.
Ten C auris strains were included. Supernatants of two C. albicans considered as controls had a mean BDG level of 1155 pg/mL (considered 100% reactivity). The median BDG level in supernatants of C. auris strains was 275 pg/mL (IQR 165–523 pg/mL), with a median reactivity of 24% (range 6%–72%). In vivo, the median BDG level was 129 pg/mL (IQR, 28–199 pg/mL). Sensitivity of BDG for C. auris candidemia was 60%. All patients received antifungal treatment with an echinocandin initiated a median of 2 days (IQR –8 to 0) before blood collection for BDG.
Our C. auris strains released lower amounts of BDG when compared to C. albicans. Clinical implications include lower sensitivity of serum BDG for the diagnosis of C. auris candidemia with a consequent impact on management protocols in settings with high prevalence of this species.
Intra-abdominal candidiasis (IAC) has a high mortality rate. However, the correct management of a critically ill patient with suspected IAC remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ...safety of pulsed high-dose liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) in patients with suspected IAC managed with a beta-D-glucan (BDG)-guided strategy.
This phase 2 prospective study enrolled adult patients with intra-abdominal sepsis following surgery. Patients received a single dose of L-AmB 5 mg/kg on day 1. On day 3, L-AmB was discontinued in patients with a negative basal BDG result, and continued (3 mg/kg/daily) in patients with a positive basal BDG result or microbiologically confirmed IAC. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of adverse events, defined using the Common Toxicity Criteria classification.
In total, 40 patients were enrolled from January 2019 to August 2022. Fifteen (37.5%) patients were male, and the median age was 65 interquartile range (IQR) 49–76 years. Thirty-one (77.5%) patients underwent urgent surgery, and the principal indication was secondary/tertiary peritonitis (n=22, 55%); half of the patients had undergone a previous surgical operation within the preceding 30 days. Five (12.5%) patients met the criteria for septic shock at enrolment. The median APACHE II score on admission to the intensive care unit was 12 (IQR 10–15). IAC was excluded in 33 (85%) patients, but IAC was probable and proven in five (12.5%) and two (5%) patients, respectively. The single dose of L-AmB 5 mg/kg was well tolerated in all patients, and no early or late severe adverse events related to the drug were reported. L-AmB was discontinued in 65% of patients following a negative basal BDG result. The all-cause 30-day mortality rate was 15%, and no deaths were related to L-AmB administration or uncontrolled IAC. The mortality rates for patients with and without proven IAC were 0% and 15.8%, respectively (P=0.99).
The rate of proven IAC among critically ill high-risk patients was low (5%). A single dose of L-AmB 5 mg/kg, with prompt withdrawal in the case of a basal negative BDG result, seems to be a safe and effective approach in this population.
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