Valley-Polarized Quantum Hall Phase in a Strain-Controlled Dirac System.

In multivalley systems, the valley pseudospin offers rich physics going from encoding of information by its polarization (valleytronics), to exploring novel phases of matter when its degeneracy is changed. Here, by strain engineering, we reveal fully valley-polarized quantum Hall phases in the Pb_{1-x}Sn_{x}Se Dirac system. Remarkably, when the valley energy splitting exceeds the fundamental band gap, we observe a "bipolar quantum Hall phase," heralded by the coexistence of hole and electron chiral edge states at distinct valleys in the same quantum well. This suggests that spatially overlaid counterpropagating chiral edge states emerging at different valleys do not interfere with each other.

Histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis in mediastinum mimicking thymoma or lymphoma - case presentation and literature review of Kikuchi Fujimoto disease.

Kikuchi Fujimoto disease (KFD) as a rare self-limiting lymphadenopathy of short and benign course concerns most frequently the lymph nodes of the neck. The most common symptoms are painfulness of the diseased area, fever and night sweating. The etiology is not well understood, but in the role of pathogenesis viral, autoimmune and genetic factors are taken into account. In the presented case of 37-year-old female it was necessary to exclude diseases such as lymphoma or thymoma because of atypical mediastinal location of Kikuchi Fujimoto disease. After multidisciplinary consultation the lymph node was resected from the mediastinum with videothoracoscopic approach. The diagnosis was difficult for the pathologist because of the large percentage of necrosis of the lymph node but the image was typical for histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis. Two cases of patients with KFD limited to the mediastinum have been previously reported in the literature. This article presents the world's first reported case of this disease in the topographic location of the thymus. Furthermore, a review of current literature was made.

Assessment of flax and hemp fibres in terms of their impact on the growth performance and health status of weaned piglets.

Weaning is a critical phase in intensive piglet production marked by the frequent occurrence of digestive disorders posing health and economic burden. To stave off such weaning-related problems, antibiotics and supplements containing high levels of ZnO are often used. In this study, we investigated whether natural fibres obtained from two plants known for their dietary fibre profile and antioxidant properties: flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) and hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), can serve as a health-promoting diet supplement. The study was conducted on a total of 191 Polish Large White piglets from 18 L, from their birth to 56 days of age. Piglets were divided by litters into six groups: W1.5, F1.5, H1.5, W2.0, F2.0, and H2.0. Groups W1.5, F1.5, and H1.5 received feed supplemented with 1.5% fibre from wood cellulose (W), flax (F), and hemp (H), respectively, while groups W2.0, F2.0, and H2.0 received feed with a higher 2.0% content of the same fibres. Flax and hemp fibres were characterised by a complex composition, antioxidant properties due to the presence of phenolic acids, and low risk of mycotoxin contamination. Flax fibre resulted in best weight gains and feed conversion ratio (P ≤ 0.05) of piglets, while hemp fibre had higher positive effect on antioxidant status (P ≤ 0.05) compared to the other two fibre additives. Neither flax nor hemp fibres had any adverse effect on the haematological and biochemical blood parameters. Piglets receiving a diet with 1.5% added fibre showed better growth performance, while diet supplementation with 2% fibre had a beneficial effect on the content of butyric acid in the small intestinal chyme (P ≤ 0.05). The results suggested that both flax and hemp fibres can be innovative feed additives for weaned piglets. However, further studies should be conducted in commercial farms, as the effects of dietary fibre could vary in more challenging environmental conditions.

Electronic properties of TaAs2topological semimetal investigated by transport and ARPES.

We have performed electron transport and angle-resolved photo-emission spectroscopy (ARPES) measurements on single crystals of transition metal dipnictide TaAs2cleaved along the (2¯01) surface which has the lowest cleavage energy. A Fourier transform of the Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations shows four different peaks whose angular dependence was studied with respect to the angle between magnetic field and the [2¯01] direction. The results indicate elliptical shape of the Fermi surface cross-sections. Additionally, a mobility spectrum analysis was carried out, which also reveals at least four types of carriers contributing to the conductance (two kinds of electrons and two kinds of holes). ARPES spectra were taken on freshly cleaved (2¯01) surface and it was found that bulk states pockets at constant energy surface are elliptical, which confirms the magnetotransport angle dependent studies. First-principles calculations support the interpretation of the experimental results. The theoretical calculations better reproduce the ARPES data if the theoretical Fermi level (FL) is increased, which is due to a small n-doping of the samples. This shifts the FL closer to the Dirac point, allowing investigating the physics of the Dirac and Weyl points, making this compound a platform for the investigation of the Dirac and Weyl points in three-dimensional materials.

Surgical treatment of lung cancer in patients under 45 years of age.

AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the characteristics and prognosis of radical surgical treatment in young patients under the age of 45 with lung cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the data of 85 young patients and 211 older patients who underwent anatomical lung resections in Wroclaw Thoracic Surgery Centre. RESULTS: Less lobectomies were performed (p = 0.048), the incidence of carcinoid was significantly higher (p < 0.0001), stage I of lung cancer was observed less frequently (p = 0.023), the frequency of metastasis to subcarinal lymph nodes was higher (p = 0.007), a bronchial stump was microscopically infiltrated more frequently, the complete resection was noted rarer (p = 0.016) and 3-year survival rate of squamous cell carcinoma patients was worse in younger group (p = 0.017). The statistical significance was not observed between the frequency of recurrences and overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Lung cancer in younger patients seems to be more advanced at the time of surgery. It is probable that the group of younger patients with squamous cell carcinoma will require additional treatment after surgery.

Leiomyoma of the lung.

A case of asymptomatic pulmonary leiomyoma diagnosed by routine chest radiography and treated by lobectomy is reported. There is no particular clinical pattern that distinguishes this lesion, and diagnostic maneuvers to identify its nature are generally unrewarding except for biopsy. Resection is the recommended treatment.

Surface topography dependent desorption of alkali halides

Electron-stimulated desorption of the (100)KBr surface has been investigated in vacuum with noncontact atomic force microscopy and mass spectroscopy. It has been found that both desorption components (K and Br) show oscillatory dependence on the electron dose with the oscillation amplitude decaying gradually. These results correspond with periodically varying, as a result of a layer-by-layer desorption, surface topography. It is proposed that the surface terrace edges act as traps for excited F centers diffusing in the crystal. The oscillating density of terrace edges varies surface recombination/reflection rates for the F centers and modulates the balance between surface and bulk deexcitation of the crystal.

Human lung fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase is localized in pneumocytes II.

The localization of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (Fru-1,6-Pase EC 3.1.3.11) in human alveolar epithelium was determined immunohistochemically using a polyclonal antibody raised against the enzyme purified from human liver. The immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the Fru-1,6-Pase was localized in pneumocytes II and was absent in pneumocytes I. Hypothetically Fru-1,6-Pase participating in glucose-6-phosphate synthesis from noncarbohydrate precursors increases NADPH level which is used for surfactant synthesis and for glutathione redox cycle.

CEA and NCA levels in peripheral and tumour venous blood of patients with gastric and colonic carcinomas estimated by RIA and EIA methods.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and nonspecific cross-reacting antigen (NCA) levels in draining tumour blood were compared with concentrations of these antigens in peripheral blood of patients with gastric and colonic malignancies. The controls were cases with gastric and duodenal ulcers. The results obtained by radioimmunoassay (RIA) were compared with enzyme immunoassay (EIA). It was shown that patients with high CEA levels in draining tumour blood also had elevated values of this antigen in peripheral blood, but that the CEA values in blood flowing from tumours were usually higher than in peripheral blood. CEA concentrations in tumour venous blood and in peripheral blood depended on clinical advancement and neoplastic venous invasion. NCA determination had no significance in clinical monitoring of studied neoplasms. CEA level determinations performed by the RIA using CEA standard prepared in our laboratory and assays with use of Abbott CEA-EIA kit gave fully comparable results.

Aggressive chemotherapy with autologous bone marrow transplantation in small cell lung carcinoma.

16 patients with an advanced stage SCLC were treated with the use of aggressive chemotherapy with bone marrow transplantation. With the gaining of experience the doses have been increased from standard-dose induction and 7 g/m2 of CTX in intensification to more aggressive induction (160 mg/kg of bw of CTX and 1.6 g/m2 VP-16 in two courses in 28 days interval) and intensification (CTX 7 g/m2 and VP-16 from 1.5 to 2.0 g/m2. Most recently, we used the following intensification which, in addition to the high dose CTX (6 g/m2), consisted of VP-16 0.9 g/m2 and BCNU 0.5 g/m2. The procedure proved to be safe. Hematological recovery emerged in all patients at a very similar time after autografting, irrespective to the late intensification regime. All cases, except one, received, after the hematological recovery, prophylactic cranial and at the primary tumor site irradiation as well as 2 to 4 courses of standard dose maintenance chemotherapy. The response rate was higher in the group receiving more aggressive induction and intensification. Long-term survival was seen only in patient which received more aggressive induction and intensification. Median survival of all cases was 13 months including 3 cases which are disease-free 24, 21 and 14 months after the beginning of the treatment.

Cobalt-activated acylase and aminoacylase I in human malignant tumors.

The activities and isoenzyme pattern of cobalt-activated acylase and of aminoacylase I were estimated in carcinomas of bronchi, lung, thorax, stomach, colon and uterus. In all cancer tissues the activity of cobalt-activated acylase was markedly increased as compared with the normal tissue. Alterations of the isoenzyme pattern of cobalt-activated acylase were found in the carcinoma of stomach and of uterus, with the increased expression of the form-1 of the enzyme. No regularity in the aminoacylase I changes in tumor tissues has been observed.

Lymphocyte subsets in patients with lung cancer treated with thiophosphoric acid alkaloid derivatives from Chelidonium majus L. (Ukrain).

Lymphocyte subsets were evaluated in nine men (aged 42-68 years, mean 57 years) with histologically proven lung cancer, previously untreated. Lymphocyte subpopulations were quantified by immunofluorescence using monoclonal antibodies against total T-cells, T-helper and T-suppressor cells. In addition, the percentage of NK cells and the helper/suppressor (H/S) ratio were evaluated. The number of B-cells was determined by surface immunoglobulin immunofluorescence. Chelidonium majus L. (preparation Ukrain) was applied as an intravenous injection every three days. One course consisted of 10 applications of 10 mg each. All immunological tests were performed before and after drug administration. The treatment was generally well tolerated. The results showed an increase in the proportion of total T-cells, and a significant decrease in the percentage of T-suppressor cells. The normalization of the H/S ratio was also noted. However, there were no signs of activation of NK, T-helper and B-cells. The restoration of cellular immunity was accompanied by an improvement in the clinical course of the disease. This effect was particularly pronounced in patients who responded to further chemotherapy. Objective tumour regression (CR+PR) was seen in 44.4% of treated patients. Four out of nine patients (44.4%) died of progressive disease during the course of this study. It is concluded that Ukrain can be immunologically effective in lung cancer patients and can improve human cellular response.

Bombardment Induced Electron-Capture Processes at Sodium Halide Surfaces.

Discrete features observed in the energy distribution of electrons emitted from ion-bombarded sodium halide surfaces can be attributed to a new type of collisional deexcitation mechanism. Such a mechanism involves sodium atoms in bombardment-excited autoionizing states that are the result of cascade collisions within the crystal lattice. This deexcitation process, in contrast to that for a metal, is not simply a consequence of the inner-shell lifetime of the initial collisionally excited sodium Na+* ion. Rather, the deexcitation consists of a sequence of lattice collisions during which the excited Na+* ion captures an electron to form the inner-shell-excited Na0* states responsible for the observed transitions. The formation of such autoionizing Na0* states is described within the framework of a new model in which excitation processes and localized collisional electron-transfer mechanisms are taken into account. These localized electron-transfer processes make possible new channels for electronic deexcitation, chemical dissociation, and defect production; they are critical for understanding inelastic ion-surface collisions in solids.

[Susceptibility to antibiotics of bacterial strains isolated from the vagina of women in labor]. / Wrazliwosc na antybiotyki szczepów bakterii izolowanych z pochwy rodzacych.

On the basis of vaginal secretion cultures in 520 pregnant women admitted for labour, the susceptibility to drugs was studied of bacteria present in it. Four basic antibiotic groups were taken into account: penicillin derivatives, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, cephalosporins. A higher resistance to the studied drugs was found of Gram (+) than Gram (-) bacteria, while the highest susceptibility was found to cephalosporins, and the lowest to aminoglycosides. Of interest was the high sensitivity of microorganisms to penicillin derivatives, which is of significant importance in view of their slight side effects and relatively low treatment cost.

[Medico-legal certification of fatal cases after drug: abuse in the light of modern toxicological analysis]. / Opiniowanie sadowo-lekarskie w narkomanii w swietle nowoczesnej analityki toksykologicznej.

Introduction of modern instrumental methods for toxicological analysis make possible a detection and identification of xenobiotics in different kind of multicomponents biological samples (plant sources of narcotics, body fluids and tissues of abusers) on a low concentration level. In this way a range of possibilities for the interpretation of toxicological results was enlarged. General medicolegal trends are strictly connected with modern analytics and they can be discussed on the basis of drug--users and fatal cases of intoxications with narcotics. Toxicological findings of these cases were worked out by means of modern analytical method--liquid chromatography with mass detection (LC/MS).

[Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in myeloid leukemia: chemical conditioning, clinical course and results]. / Allogeniczny przeszczep szpiku w bialaczkach szpikowych: uwarunkowanie chemiczne przeszczepu, przebieg kliniczny, wyniki.

10 patients between the ages of 5 and 40 yrs with myeloid leukemia (4 acute, 6 chronic) in early (5 cases) or intermediate stage of the disease were given Cyclophosphamide and Busulfan (6 cases) or Cyclophosphamide, Busulfan and VP-16 (4 cases with CML) and bone marrow transplants from HLA-matched donors (in 9 cases from siblings and in one case from HLA phenotypically matched father). There was one transplant related death and 3 relapses in CML cases. In cases which relapsed GvHD was not observed. Altogether acute GvH and chronic GvHD was seen in 2 and 4 cases, respectively. All grafted cases with AML survive in continuous remission lasting more than 2 years (median 30.5 month).