Gate-tuned quantum Hall states in Dirac semimetal (Cd1-xZnx)3As2

The recent discovery of topological Dirac semimetals (DSM) has provoked intense curiosity not only on Weyl physics in solids, but also on topological phase transitions originating from DSM. One example is controlling the dimensionality to realize two-dimensional quantum phases such as quantum Hall and quantum spin Hall states. For investigating these phases, the Fermi level is a key controlling parameter. From this perspective, we report here the carrier-density control of quantum Hall states realized in thin films of DSM Cd3As2. Chemical doping of Zn combined with electrostatic gating has enabled us to tune the carrier density over a wide range and continuously even across the charge neutrality point. Comprehensive analyses of the gate-tuned quantum transport have revealed Landau level formation from linearly dispersed sub-bands and its contribution to the quantum Hall states. Our achievements pave the way also for investigating the low energy physics near the Dirac points of DSM.Comment: 20 pages, 4 figure

QOL in schizophrenia inpatients

Objective : The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between quality of life (QOL) and clinical factors in inpatients with schizophrenia. Methods : Subjects were 50 hospitalized patients with schizophrenia. Their mean age was 56.48 (Standard Deviation = 11.93) years. Japanese version of the schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale (JSQLS) and Subjective Well-being under Neuroleptic drug Treatment Short form, Japanese version (SWNS-J) were used to assess subjective QOL, and Mini Mental State Examination-Japanese was used to evaluate cognitive function. Japanese version of the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (JCDSS), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, and Drug-Induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms Scale were used to assess depression severity, psychotic symptoms, and drug-induced extrapyramidal symptoms, respectively. Stepwise regression analyses were conducted to find factors influencing JSQLS and SWNS-J. Results : JCDSS was a predictor of two scales of JSQLS, and JCDSS also predicted SWNS-J Total and it’s two subscales. However, other clinical factors were not related to JSQLS and SWNS-J. Conclusion : The results indicate that treating depressive symptoms may lead to improvement of subjective QOL in inpatients with schizophrenia

Structural characterisation of high-mobility Cd3As2 films crystallised on SrTiO3

Cd3As2 has long been known as a high-mobility semiconductor. The recent finding of a topological semimetal state in this compound has demanded growth of epitaxial films with high crystallinity and controlled thickness. Here we report the structural characterisation of Cd3As2 films grown on SrTiO3 substrates by solid-phase epitaxy at high temperatures up to 600 C by employing optimised capping layers and substrates. The As triangular lattice is epitaxially stacked on the Ti square lattice of the (001) SrTiO3 substrate, producing (112)-oriented Cd3As2 films exhibiting high crystallinity with a rocking-curve width of 0.02 and a high electron mobility exceeding 30,000 cm2/Vs. The systematic characterisation of films annealed at various temperatures allowed us to identify two-step crystallisation processes in which out-of-plane and subsequently in-plane directions occur with increasing annealing temperature. Our findings on the high-temperature crystallisation process of Cd3As2 enable a unique approach for fabricating high-quality Cd3As2 films and elucidating quantum transport by back gating through the SrTiO3 substrate.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure

Formation mechanisms of molecular compound in saturated-unsaturated mixed-acid triacylglycerols mixture systems and its edible applications

The triacylglycerols (TAGs) containing saturated (Sat)-unsaturated (U) fatty acid moieties (Sat-U mixed acid TAGs) are widely present in most natural fats and employed in many industrial applications. The mixing behavior of different Sat-U mixed acid TAGs acts important roles in the physicochemical properties TAG-based materials. Among the three main mixing states of miscible, eutectic and molecular compound (MC) forming mixtures, fundamental research has been conducted on the MC crystals formed by different Sat-U mixed acid TAGs to understand the structures, phase behavior and crystallization properties. This article reviews studies to date on the complex thermodynamic, kinetic and structural factors that affect the formation of MC crystals in binary and ternary mixtures of Sat-U mixed acid TAGs (SatUSat, SatSatU, USatU and UUSat) through specific molecular interactions among the component TAGs. Furthermore, the application of the MC-forming mixtures containing cacao butter to new types of cocoa butter alternative is reviewed

Using a double-plicated posterior leaflet as an anchor for mitral valve replacement: a case of mitral annular calcification

We present a 62-year-old man with mitral regurgitation whose posterior annulus had severe calcification. Mitral valve replacement was performed by anchoring the cuff on a double-plicated posterior leaflet, and reinforcing with an equine pericardium. The patient is doing well 13 years after surgery with echocardiography showing no problems

Estimation of Malignant Potential in Breast Cancer Using Helix Pomatia Agglutinin

The binding of peroxidase-labelled Helix Pomatia Agglutinin (HPA) to a series of 164 primary breast cancers and 30 samples from lymph node metastasis was studied. The positive HPA staining rate was 62.2% (104/164) for the primary tumors. There was a highly significant correlation between the positive staining rate and histological differentiation. The positive rate of HPA binding significantly tended to be higher as the disease progressed according to the stage of the disease (TNM classification). Correlation of HPA binding with clinicopathological features showed that positive HPA staining rate related to lymph node involvement (P< 0.0001), tumor size (P= 0.0010), nuclear DNA content patterns (P= 0.0259), disease-free interval rate (P= 0.0009) and survival rate (P= 0.0176). Further, there was a positive correlation between HPA staining of original tumors and HPA staining of cells from lymph node (P< 0.0001). This study demonstrates that a simple assessment of ability of lectin binding can provide prognostic information in primary breast cancer.departmental bulletin pape

Resected or Remnant Liver Volume and Standard Liver Volume Ratio in Patients with Major Hepatectomy

To clarify the relationship between resected (RSV) or remnant hepatic volume (RMV) in major hepatectomy, and standard liver volume (SLV) and its clinical significance, the RSV/SLV, RMV/SLV and the volume of regeneration (RGV)/RMV were examined in 41 patients including 19 with chronic hepatitis and 5 with obstructive jaundice who underwent lobectomy or extended lobectomy. The hepatic function was maintained in all patients. SLV was calculated by the body-surface area using Urata\u27s formula. RGV was calculated by subtracting the RMV from the remnant liver volume at day 28 after hemi-hepatectomy. Measurement of the hepatic volume was performed by computed tomography. The means of RSV, RMV, RGV and SLV were 591 ﾂｱ 173, 459 ﾂｱ 119, 667 ﾂｱ 129 and 1128 ﾂｱ 129cm3, respectively. The means of RSV/SLV, RMV/SLV and RGV/RMV were 0.52 ﾂｱ 0.14, 0.41 ﾂｱ 0.12 and 1.54 ﾂｱ 0.47, respectively. RGV was inversely correlated with RMV/SLV (p<0.001) but not with the other parameters. RSV/SLV and RMV/SLV were not associated with long-term ascites and hepatic failure. The tendency of these results was similar in each patient with a normal liver, obstructive jaundice and chronic viral hepatitis. If the hepatic functional reserve is maintained, a liver with lower hepatic volume has potentially sufficient regeneration even in patients with an injured liver

Allogeneic Stem Cell Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke: The Phase 2/3 TREASURE Randomized Clinical Trial.

IMPORTANCE: Cell therapy is a promising treatment approach for stroke and other diseases. However, it is unknown whether MultiStem (HLCM051), a bone marrow-derived, allogeneic, multipotent adult progenitor cell product, has the potential to treat ischemic stroke. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of MultiStem when administered within 18 to 36 hours of ischemic stroke onset. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The Treatment Evaluation of Acute Stroke Using Regenerative Cells (TREASURE) multicenter, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled phase 2/3 randomized clinical trial was conducted at 44 academic and clinical centers in Japan between November 15, 2017, and March 29, 2022. Inclusion criteria were age 20 years or older, presence of acute ischemic stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score of 8-20 at baseline), confirmed acute infarction involving the cerebral cortex and measuring more than 2 cm on the major axis (determined with diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging), and a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0 or 1 before stroke onset. Data analysis was performed between May 9 and August 15, 2022. EXPOSURE: Patients were randomly assigned to either intravenous MultiStem in 1 single unit of 1.2 billion cells or intravenous placebo within 18 to 36 hours of ischemic stroke onset. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary end points were safety and excellent outcome at day 90, measured as a composite of a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 1 or less, a NIHSS score of 1 or less, and a Barthel index score of 95 or greater. The secondary end points were excellent outcome at day 365, mRS score distribution at days 90 and 365, and mRS score of 0 to 1 and 0 to 2 at day 90. Statistical analysis of efficacy was performed using the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test. RESULTS: This study included 206 patients (104 received MultiStem and 102 received placebo). Their mean age was 76.5 (range, 35-95) years, and more than half of patients were men (112 [54.4%]). There were no between-group differences in primary and secondary end points. The proportion of excellent outcomes at day 90 did not differ significantly between the MultiStem and placebo groups (12 [11.5%] vs 10 [9.8%], P = .90; adjusted risk difference, 0.5% [95% CI, -7.3% to 8.3%]). The frequency of adverse events was similar between treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this randomized clinical trial, intravenous administration of allogeneic cell therapy within 18 to 36 hours of ischemic stroke onset was safe but did not improve short-term outcomes. Further research is needed to determine whether MultiStem therapy for ischemic stroke has a beneficial effect in patients who meet specific criteria, as indicated by the exploratory analyses in this study. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0296150