Scaling of the strange-metal scattering in unconventional superconductors.

Marked evolution of properties with minute changes in the doping level is a hallmark of the complex chemistry that governs copper oxide superconductivity as manifested in the celebrated superconducting domes and quantum criticality taking place at precise compositions1-4. The strange-metal state, in which the resistivity varies linearly with temperature, has emerged as a central feature in the normal state of copper oxide superconductors5-9. The ubiquity of this behaviour signals an intimate link between the scattering mechanism and superconductivity10-12. However, a clear quantitative picture of the correlation has been lacking. Here we report the observation of precise quantitative scaling laws among the superconducting transition temperature (Tc), the linear-in-T scattering coefficient (A1) and the doping level (x) in electron-doped copper oxide La2-xCexCuO4 (LCCO). High-resolution characterization of epitaxial composition-spread films, which encompass the entire overdoped range of LCCO, has enabled us to systematically map its structural and transport properties with unprecedented accuracy and with increments of Δx = 0.0015. We have uncovered the relations Tc ~ (xc - x)0.5 ~ (A1□)0.5, where xc is the critical doping in which superconductivity disappears and A1□ is the coefficient of the linear resistivity per CuO2 plane. The striking similarity of the Tc versus A1□ relation among copper oxides, iron-based and organic superconductors may be an indication of a common mechanism of the strange-metal behaviour and unconventional superconductivity in these systems.

Huaier granule prevents the recurrence of early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma after thermal ablation: A cohort study.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Clinical trials have demonstrated that Trametes robinophila Murr (Huaier granule) can inhibit recurrence and metastasis after hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) resection, but its efficacy as an adjuvant therapy after thermal ablation of early HCC is unknown. AIM OF THE STUDY: To analyze the prognostic value and side effects of Huaier granules in HCC patients undergoing thermal ablation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical information from 340 eligible subjects with early-stage HCC who were admitted to our department from September 1, 2008 to January 1, 2019 was extracted from the electronic medical record database. They were divided into the thermal ablation + TCM group and the thermal ablation group. Differences in their overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), extrahepatic metastatic rate (EMR), and therapeutic side effects (TSEs) between the two groups were compared. Beneficiaries of the integrated treatment and adequate treatment length were predicted. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 32.5 months (range 2-122 months). The 1-year, 3-year and 5-year OS rates in the integrated treatment group and the control group were 93.2% vs. 92.6%, 54.5% vs. 51.4%, 23.5% vs. 19.7% (p = 0.110, HR 0.76(0.54-1.07)). The 1-year, 3-year and 5-year PFS rates were 78.8% vs. 69.4%, 50.6% vs. 40.6%, 35.3% vs. 26.5%, respectively (p = 0.020, HR 0.67(0.48-0.94)). The median OS (35 vs. 31 months) and PFS (24 vs. 12.5 months) were longer in the integrated treatment group. The EMR in the integrated treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p = 0.018, HR 0.49 (0.27-0.89)). Patients with any two of the following three factors might be predicted to be beneficiaries of the integrated treatment, including younger than 65 years (p =0.039, HR 0.70 (0.50-0.98)), single tumor (p = 0.035, HR 0.70 (0.50-0.98), and tumor size ≤3 cm (p = 0.029, HR 0.69 (0.50-0.96). Patients with continuous oral administration of TCM following ablation had a lower probability of recurrence and metastasis within 2 years (p = 0.015, HR 0.67 (0.49-0.93)). Although the integrated treatment group reported a higher incidence of nausea and emesis, there were no significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSION: TCM following ablation may prolong PFS and suppress recurrence in patients with HCC, with continuous oral administration for more than 2 years maybe experience a greater benefit. The TSEs of the treatment are mild and can be tolerated.

Predictive effects of a combined indicator in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after thermal ablation.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the predictive power of the combination of Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII) and albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade in prognosis outcomes of early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after thermal ablation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was reviewed and approved by our institutional review board, and written informed consent was obtained from each patient. According to the Milan criteria, a total of 405 treatment-naïve patients with clinicopathologically confirmed HCC were enrolled who subsequently underwent thermal ablation from 2011 to 2016. The outcomes of overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The median follow-up time of this study was 45.1 months (range, 1.3-83.2 months). After thermal ablation in patients with SII-ALBI Grades 1, 2, and 3, the cumulative 5-year OS rates were 81.7%, 63.2%, and 26.9%; the 5-year CSS rates were 82.4%, 67.5%, and 26.9%; and the 5-year RFS rates were 49.3%, 44.6%, and 25.3%, respectively (all P < 0.001). On multivariate Cox regression analyses, SII-ALBI was independently associated with the three outcomes after adjustment for various confounders (all P < 0.05). In addition, SII-ALBI played a predictive role in OS, CSS, and RFS for patients with negative alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (P < 0.05). Compared with SII and ALBI, the AUCs for the prediction of OS and CSS using SII-ALBI were superior to single indicator (bothP < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Elevated preablation SII-ALBI is associated with shorter OS, CSS, and RFS in patients with early-stage HCC. Our indicator showed the potential to be a supplement tool for patients with negative AFP during follow-up.

Experimental and Preliminary Clinical Study of Real-Time Registration in Liver Tumors During Respiratory Motion Based on a Multimodality Image Navigation System.

PURPOSE: To develop a fusion imaging system that combines ultrasound and computed tomography for real-time tumor tracking and to validate the accuracy of performing registration via this approach during a specific breathing phase. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The initial part of the experimental study was performed using iodized oil injection in pig livers and was focused on determining the accuracy of registration. Eight points (A1-4 and B1-4) at different positions and with different target sizes were selected as target points. During respiratory motion, we used our self-designed system to perform the procedure either with (experimental group, E) or without (control group, C) the respiratory monitoring module. The registration errors were then compared between the 2 groups and within group E. The second part of this study was designed as a preliminary clinical study and was performed in 18 patients. Screening was performed to determine the combination of points on the body surface that provided the highest sensitivity to respiratory motion. Registration was performed either with (group E) or without (group C) the respiratory monitoring module. Registration errors were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: In part 1 of this study, there were fewer registration errors at each point in group E than at the corresponding points in group C (P < .01). In group E, there were more registration errors at points A1 and B1 than at the other points (P < .05). There was no significant difference in registration errors among the remaining points. During part 2 of the study, there was a significant difference in the registration errors between the 2 groups (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Real-time fusion registration is feasible and can be accurately performed during respiratory motions when using this system.

[Spatial distribution of Se in soils from different land use types and its influencing factors within the Yanghe Watershed, China].

Based on different land use types, altitudes, soil and vegetation types etc, 171 representative topsoils (0-10 cm) were collected within the Yanghe watershed, China for determining the total concentrations, spatial distribution and influencing factors of selenium (Se). The results showed that the total selenium concentrations in soils within the watershed ranged from 0.02 to 3.24 mg x kg(-1) dry weight (dw). The geometric mean of Se in soils within the watershed was 0.30 mg x kg(-1), which was higher than those in Beijing plain (0.20 mg x kg(-1)), Hebei plain (0.19 mg x kg(-1)) and China (0.29 mg x kg(-1)). Soils which lacked Se (0.13-0.18 mg x kg(-1)) were mainly distributed in Huaian, Xuanhua, and Huailai counties. Se concentrations in most areas within the watershed were sufficient (0.18-0.45 mg x kg(-1)). In addition, Wanquan, Xinghe, Tianzhen and Yanggao counties also had some selenium-rich areas. Concentrations of Se were different under different land use types. They were of the following order: forest land > industrial and mining land > grassland > agricultural land. Agricultural land had the lowest concentrations of Se, with a mean concentration of 0.28 mg x kg(-1). We also found that parent materials and soil types had no significant effects on soil Se concentrations within the Yanghe Watershed. The results indicated that Se concentrations were positively and significantly correlated with clay contents and altitudes, but negatively and significantly with pH values. Furthermore, TOC, Fe and Al concentrations were also important factors influencing the Se concentrations in soils within the Yanghe Watershed.

Imaging manifestation of conventional and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in percutaneous microwave ablation for the treatment of uterine fibroids.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the image changes and the relationship between conventional ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the perioperative period of microwave (MW) ablation for uterine fibroids; to guide clinical ablation therapy and evaluate the efficacy of MW. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with 31 uterine fibroids were recruited in this study. All patients received conventional ultrasound as well as CEUS examination before, immediately after and 12-24 h after MW, in order to detect variations of echo and characteristics of blood supply. t-Tests were used to compare the hyperecho area on gray-scale ultrasound to immediately after ablation non-enhanced CEUS measurements, as well as to compare the immediately after ablation non-enhanced CEUS measurements to the 12-24 h after ablation measurements. RESULTS: Immediately after ablation, the average hyperecho area in gray-scale was 82.20±72.32 cm3; the average non-enhancement area was 76.34±70.63 cm3 by CEUS, showing a strong correlation (r=0.997, P<0.01) to the hyperecho area in gray-scale. The average non-enhancement area measured by CEUS immediately after ablation was 90.55±74.41 cm3 and average 12-24h after ablation was 98.29±78.25 cm3; no statistically significant difference was detected between the two time points (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Measurements made by hyperechoic range on gray-scale ultrasonography is strongly correlated to the no enhancement area by CEUS. The hyperechoic range on gray-scale image can represent the ablated area immediately after MW.