Elastocaloric determination of the phase diagram of SrRuO.

One of the main developments in unconventional superconductivity in the past two decades has been the discovery that most unconventional superconductors form phase diagrams that also contain other strongly correlated states. Many systems of interest are therefore close to more than one instability, and tuning between the resultant ordered phases is the subject of intense research. In recent years, uniaxial pressure applied using piezoelectric-based devices has been shown to be a particularly versatile new method of tuning, leading to experiments that have advanced our understanding of the fascinating unconventional superconductor SrRuO (refs.

High-sensitivity heat-capacity measurements on SrRuO under uniaxial pressure.

A key question regarding the unconventional superconductivity of [Formula: see text] remains whether the order parameter is single- or two-component. Under a hypothesis of two-component superconductivity, uniaxial pressure is expected to lift their degeneracy, resulting in a split transition. The most direct and fundamental probe of a split transition is heat capacity.

Spatial control of heavy-fermion superconductivity in CeIrIn.

Although crystals of strongly correlated metals exhibit a diverse set of electronic ground states, few approaches exist for spatially modulating their properties. In this study, we demonstrate disorder-free control, on the micrometer scale, over the superconducting state in samples of the heavy-fermion superconductor CeIrIn We pattern crystals by focused ion beam milling to tailor the boundary conditions for the elastic deformation upon thermal contraction during cooling. The resulting nonuniform strain fields induce complex patterns of superconductivity, owing to the strong dependence of the transition temperature on the strength and direction of strain.

Open abdomen in trauma patients: a double-edged sword.

The use of open abdomen (OA) as a technique in the treatment of exsanguinating trauma patients was first described in the mid-19(th) century. Since the 1980s, OA has become a relatively new and increasingly common strategy to manage massive trauma and abdominal catastrophes. OA has been proven to help reduce the mortality of trauma.

Decreased FOXF1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma tumorigenesis, invasion, and stemness and is associated with poor clinical outcome.

Forkhead box F1 (FOXF1), a member of the forkhead transcription factor superfamily, plays critical roles in the progression of certain types of cancers. However, the expression and function of FOXF1 in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are still unclear. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry detected the relatively lower expression status of FOXF1 in HCC cases.

Individualized treatment strategies and predictors of virological response for chronic hepatitis C: a multicenter prospective study from China.

Combination therapy comprising pegylated interferon-alpha (PegIFNα) and ribavirin (RBV) has been the standard of care for the chronic hepatitis C patients for more than a decade. Recently, direct antiviral agents show better efficacy, tolerance, and shorter treatment duration. However, the prohibitive costs of the regimens limit their use in developing countries where most of the HCV infection exists.

[Bacteriological spectrum and drug susceptibility of pus from severe intra-abdominal infected patients with abdominal trauma].

Objective: To retrospectively analyze the bacteriological spectrum and drug susceptibility of pus flora from abdominal traumatic patients with severe intra-abdominal infection.

Methods: A total of 41 severe intra-abdominal infected patients with abdominal trauma were recruited to collect 123 abdominal pus specimens. And the results of laboratory microbiology and drug sensitivity were analyzed with the WHONET 5.

[Relation of IL-17 polymorphisms and serum levels in patients with chronic HCV infection].

Objective: To investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the interleukin 17 (IL-17) gene and serum protein levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Methods: A total of 228 patients with chronic HCV infection and 81 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. The frequencies of IL-17 rs8193036 and rs2275913 polymorphisms were detected by the TaqMan SNP genotyping assay.

Development of two enteroatmospheric fistulae after split-thickness skin grafting: a case report.

An enteroatmospheric fistula is a devastating complication in the open abdomen. Usually the fistula forms before the completion of split-thickness skin graft surgery. A 35-year-old woman admitted with pancreatic and liver injuries, and postoperative sepsis underwent open abdomen treatment and developed two enteroatmospheric fistulae 14 days after split-thickness skin grafting.

[Laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of 12 patients with radiogenic small bowel damage].

Objective: To summarize the preliminary experience of laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of radiogenic small bowel damage.

Methods: Clinical data of 12 patients with radiogenic small bowel damage undergoing laparoscopic operation in our department from January 2012 to January 2013 were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: Two patients were transferred to laparotomy because of dense adhesion in the entire abdomen and uncertainty of metastatic malignancy, respectively.

[Study of using an individualized treatment strategy to treat patients with chronic hepatitis C].

Objective: To investigate the outcomes of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients treated with antiviral regimens of interferon (IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) using individualized doses and durations.

Methods: This study was designed as an open-label, prospective clinical trial to analyze the virological responses of 169 CHC patients who received individualized dosages of IFNa-2b or pegylated (Peg)IFNa-2a combined with RBV based on their weight ( less than 60 kg or more than or equal to 60 kg), age (less than 65 years or 65-75 years), morbid state (liver cirrhosis or not), and complications (such as heart disease, diabetes, thyroid disorder). Treatment duration was calculated using the time required to induce HCV RNA negativity.

Pathogenesis and treatment of parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease.

Background: Parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease (PNALD) has been common in patients who require long-term parenteral nutrition. PNALD develops in 40%-60% of infants on long-term parenteral nutrition compared with 15%-40% of adults on home parenteral nutrition for intestinal failure. The pathogenesis of PNALD is multifactorial and remains unclear.

[Damage control surgery for pancreatic injuries after blunt abdominal trauma].

Objective: To summarize the management of pancreatic injuries after blunt abdominal trauma.

Methods: The clinical data of 42 patients with blunt pancreatic injury admitted from January 2001 to December 2010 was analyzed retrospectively. There were 38 male and 4 female patients, aging from 13 to 65 years with a mean of 31 years.

[Perioperative goal-directed fluid therapy: grand progress and controversy].

Fluid therapy is one of the most controversial topics in perioperative management. Current perioperative fluid therapy is largely based on concepts developed restricted and liberal perioperative fluid administration in the late 1950s and 1960s. However, there are increasing reports of perioperative excessive intravascular volume leading to increased postoperative morbidity and mortality.

[Outcomes of chronic radiation intestinal injury treated with surgical interventions].

Objective: To explore the surgical approaches and clinical outcomes of chronic radiation intestinal injury (CRII).

Methods: From January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2010, at Department of Surgery, Nanjing General Hospital of Nanjing Command a consecutive series of 206 CRII patients undergoing surgical interventions was reviewed retrospectively. There were 64 males and 142 females with an age range of (50 ± 11) years old.

Growth hormone for intestinal adaptation in patients with short bowel syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objectives: The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy of growth hormone (GH) treatment in patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS).

Methods: Electronic searches were performed to identify all publications describing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the use of GH with or without glutamine for the treatment of patients with SBS. The outcomes of interest were body weight, lean body mass, and intestinal absorption function.

[Preliminary experience with partial tolerance protocol in small bowel transplantation].

Objective: To report the preliminary experience of 4 cases of small bowel transplantation.

Methods: Thirty microgram of Campath 1H was infused during the small bowel transplantation. The patients received 1 gram of Solu-Medrol followed by the Campath 1H and another gram of Solu-Medrol before reperfusion.

[Preliminary experience with Campath 1H induction combined with low-dose monotherapy of tacrolimus in small bowel transplantation].

Objective: To report preliminary experience of the protocol of combining Campath 1H induction with low-dose monotherapy of tacrolimus and no steroid in two cases of small bowel transplantation.

Methods: Campath 1H 30 mg was infused during the small bowel transplantation, and the patients were given 1 gram of methylprednisolone followed by the Campath 1H and another gram of methylprednisolone before reperfusion. Tacrolimus was infused just after the reperfusion.

Immunological protection of small bowel by simultaneously transplanted liver graft in pigs.

Background: A simultaneously transplanted liver shields a bowel graft from immunologic attack in small animals, while the possible immuno-tolerance induced by the liver in liver and small bowel transplantation (LSBT) is uncertain in large animal models. To investigate the clinically suspected beneficial effect of the liver on small bowel allograft, we developed a new model of composite LSBT in the pig.

Methods: Seventy outbred long-white pigs were randomized into four groups.

The current status of multivisceral transplantation.

Background: Multivisceral transplantation (MVTx) is concurrent transplantation of the stomach, spleen, pancreaticoduodenal complex, and intestine, with (MVTx) or without (modified MVTx) the liver. MVTx has been performed more frequently worldwide, and the survival of patients approximates that of patients who have undergone transplantation of other solid organs. This review introduces the recent development in MVTx.

[Pathological monitoring of intestinal graft acute rejection in auxiliary en-bloc liver-small bowel transplantation].

Objective: To investigate the pathologic monitoring of intestinal graft rejection in auxiliary en-bloc liver-small bowel transplantation in pigs.

Methods: Fifty outbred long-white pigs were randomized into three groups, and the auxiliary composite liver-small bowel allotransplantations were undertaken in 10 pigs in group A and group B while segment small bowel allotransplantations were undertaken in 10 pigs in group C. Group A and C were not treated with immunosuppressive drugs while group B was treated with cyclosporine A and methylprednisolone.

Cervical heterotopic kidney transplantation in rats using non-suturing and preserving-bag techniques.

Background: This study describes a simple and stable cervical heterotopic kidney transplantation method in rats that uses artery sleeve anastomosis, vein cuff anastomosis and preserving-bag techniques.

Methods: The donor graft, consisting of kidney, renal vein (RV), renal artery (RA) and a ureterocystic flap, was removed en bloc and perfused in situ. The donor RA was end-to-end anastomosed to the recipient left common carotid artery (CCA) using a sleeve anastomosis, and the donor RV was connected to the recipient right external jugular vein (EJV) using a cuff technique.

Infections following damage control laparotomy with abdominal packing.

Our objective was to describe postoperative infections for patients undergoing damage control laparotomy (DCL) with abdominal packing. We retrospectively reviewed data on packing patients in Jinling hospital (China) during a 5-y period. Of 26 patients, 15 (57.