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The understanding of the vector order parameter for Cu0.3Bi2Se3 topological superconductor remains unclear. Here, Kawai et al. report a surprising disappearance of the in-plane upper critical field anisotropy for Cu x Bi2Se3 single crystals with more carriers, indicating a transition from nematic to chiral superconducting gap symmetry.

Background. The lophiid anglerfishes are with commercial importance, but rarely they are documented in Indonesian waters. During the Japanese and Indonesian collaborative surveys in 2004 and 2005, an anglerfish collection was made and it is the aim of this study to identify this collection, to document new records and to provide information further application usage such as fishery assessment from the study area. Materials and methods. Specimens were deposited in the HUMZ collection and examined by the authors. Counts, measurements, and photography were consistent with the commonly used methods. Results. Three genera and eight species in the family were collected, including Sladenia cf. zhui [sensu Ni, Wu et Li, 2012]; Lophiomus setigerus (Vahl, 1797); Lophiodes naresi (Günther, 1880); Lophiodes bruchius Caruso, 1981; Lophiodes endoi Ho et Shao, 2008; Lophiodes lugubris (Alcock, 1894); Lophiodes miacanthus (Gilbert, 1905); and Lophiodes triradiatus (Lloyd, 1909). Of these, Sladenia cf. zhui, L. bruchius, L. endoi, L. lugubris, and L. miacanthus, are described in detail. Conclusion. The diversity of the lophiid anglerfish fauna is relatively low from the eastern Indian Ocean side of Indonesia. All species treated in the presently reported study represent the first records in Indonesian waters. A discussion of lophiid fauna from Indonesia is provided, along with a key to known species in Indonesia.

Background: Hepatitis C (HCV) is the most common indication for liver transplantation in the US. Objective: Since steroids are the major stimulus of viral replication, we postulated that steroid-free immu-nosuppression might be a safer approach. Methods: From January 1995 to October 2002, we used steroid plus calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) immuno-suppression after liver transplantation for HCV (steroid group, n=81). From October 2002 to June 2007, rabbit antithymocyte globulin (RATG) induction, followed by CNI and azathioprine (RATG group, n=73) was utilized. Results: There were no differences in 1- and 3-year patient/allograft survival rates. The incidence of acute rejection rate (19% vs. 28%), of biopsy-proven HCV recurrence (70% vs. 75%), and chronic rejection (6% vs. 9%) were comparable. The mean time to develop recurrent HCV was significantly longer in the RATG group (16.2 vs. 9.2 months, p=0.008). The incidence of severe portal fibrosis appears to be lower in RATG group compared to the steroid group; 14% vs. 4% (p=0.07). Conclusions: RATG induction is safe and effective after liver transplantation for HCV, but has no impact on the incidence of HCV recurrence and patient/allograft survival. However, a significant delay in time to HCV recurrence and a trend toward less rejection and portal fibrosis was observed.

Background: Donor safety is the first priority in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).Objective: To determine the characteristics and outcome of live liver donors who underwent donor hepatectomyfrom January, 1997 to May, 2007 at Massachusetts General Hospital.Methods: 30 patients underwent LDLT between January, 1997 and May, 2007 at our institution.Results: The type of graft was the right lobe (segments 5-8) in 14, left lobe (segments 2-4) in 4, and left lateralsector (segments 2 and 3) in 12 patients. The mean donor age was 36 (range: 26-57) years. The mean follow-up was 48 (range: 18-120) months. No deaths occurred. Overall, 8 (26.6%) patients experienced a total of 14 post-operative complications. Donor complications based on graft type were as follows: left lateralsector (16.7%), left lobe (25%), and right lobe (35.7%). The experience was divided into two periods 1997-2001 (n=15) and 2002-2007 (n=15). Overall complications during 2 periods were 40% and 13.3%, respectively (p

Although the efficacy of the in vivo osteogenic capabilities of synthetic octacalcium phosphate (OCP) crystal implantation can be explained through its stimulatory capacity for the differentiation of the host osteoblastic cell lineage, direct evidence that OCP supports bone regeneration by osteogenic cells in vivo has not been shown. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from 4-week-old male Wistar rat long bones were pre-incubated in osteogenic or maintenance medium in the presence or absence of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). OCP/Collagen (OCP/Col) or collagen disks were seeded with MSCs that had been pre-incubated in osteogenic medium containing bFGF, which exhibited the highest differentiation induction, and then incubated for an additional day. The disks were implanted in critical-sized calvaria defects of 12-week-old male Wistar rats and the specimens were analysed radiographically, histologically, histomorphometrically, and by micro-computed tomography (CT) imaging at 4 and 8 weeks after the implantation. The OCP/Col·MSCs group rapidly induced more bone regeneration, even within 4 weeks, compared to the OCP/Col group without MSCs. The bone mineral density of the OCP/Col·MSCs group was also greater than the OCP/Col group. The Col·MSCs group did not exhibit prominent osteogenicity. These results indicate that OCP crystals in a collagen matrix efficiently promote exogenously introduced osteogenic cells to initiate bone regeneration if the cells are pre-treated in a suitable differentiation condition.

Background: Lymphatic leak and lymphocele are well-known complications after kidney transplantation.Objective: To determine the incidence of lymphatic complications in recipients of living donor kidneys.Methods: Among 642 kidney transplants performed between 1999 and 2007, the incidence of lymphatic complicationswas retrospectively analyzed in recipients of living donor kidneys procured by laparoscopic nephrectomy(LP, n=218) or by open nephrectomy (OP, n=127) and deceased donor kidneys (DD, n=297). A Jackson-Pratt drain was placed in the retroperitoneal space in all recipients and was maintained until the output became less than 30 mL/day.Results: Although the incidence of symptomatic lymphocele, which required therapeutic intervention, was comparable in all groups, the duration of mean±SD drain placement was significantly longer in the LP group—8.6±2.7 days compared to 5.6±1.2 days in the OP group and 5.4±0.7 days in the DD group (p