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Topological side surface, characterization of a weak topological insulator (WTI), has rarely been investigated. Here, Zhang et al. visualize a quasi-one dimensional, spin-momentum locked band on the side surface of the WTI candidate ZrTe5, and manipulate the bulk band gap by strain.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136681.].

Small caliber vascular prostheses are not clinically available because synthetic vascular prostheses lack endothelial cells which modulate platelet activation, leukocyte adhesion, thrombosis, and the regulation of vasomotor tone by the production of vasoactive substances. We developed a novel method to create scaffold-free tubular tissue from multicellular spheroids (MCS) using a "Bio-3D printer"-based system. This system enables the creation of pre-designed three-dimensional structures using a computer controlled robotics system. With this system, we created a tubular structure and studied its biological features.Using a "Bio-3D printer," we made scaffold-free tubular tissues (inner diameter of 1.5 mm) from a total of 500 MCSs (2.5× 104 cells per one MCS) composed of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (40%), human aortic smooth muscle cells (10%), and normal human dermal fibroblasts (50%). The tubular tissues were cultured in a perfusion system and implanted into the abdominal aortas of F344 nude rats. We assessed the flow by ultrasonography and performed histological examinations on the second (n = 5) and fifth (n = 5) day after implantation. All grafts were patent and remodeling of the tubular tissues (enlargement of the lumen area and thinning of the wall) was observed. A layer of endothelial cells was confirmed five days after implantation.The scaffold-free tubular tissues made of MCS using a Bio-3D printer underwent remodeling and endothelialization. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanism of endothelialization and its function, as well as the long-term results.

Continuing the project undertaken by Kato et al. (2009), we collected times of superhump maxima for 56 SU UMa-type dwarf novae mainly observed during the 2013-2014 season and characterized these objects. We detected negative superhumps in VW Hyi and indicated that the low number of normal outbursts in some supercycles can be interpreted as a result of disk tilt. This finding, combined with the Kepler observation of V1504 Cyg and V344 Lyr, suggests that disk tilt is responsible for modulating the outburst pattern in SU UMa-type dwarf novae. We also studied the deeply eclipsing WZ Sge-type dwarf nova MASTER OT J005740.99+443101.5 and found evidence of a sharp eclipse during the phase of early superhumps. The profile can be reproduced by a combination of the eclipse of the axisymmetric disk and the uneclipsed light source of early superhumps. This finding shows the lack of evidence for a greatly enhanced hot spot during the early stage of WZ Sge-type outburst. We detected growing (stage A) superhumps in MN Dra and give a suggestion that some of SU UMa-type dwarf novae situated near the critical condition of tidal instability may show long-lasting stage A superhumps. The large negative period derivatives reported in such systems can be understood as a result of the combination of stage A and B superhumps. Two WZ Sge-type dwarf novae, AL Com and ASASSN-13ck, showed a long-lasting (plateau-type) rebrightening. In the early phase of their rebrightenings, both objects showed a precursor-like outburst, suggesting that the long-lasting rebrightening is triggered by a precursor outburst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haptoglobin exerts renal protective function by scavenging free hemoglobin from the urine and blood stream in patients with hemolytic disorders. Recent studies elucidate the relationships between haptoglobin and inflammation. In addition, coagulopathy is often induced by systemic inflammation characterized by the presence of vascular endothelial damage. We hypothesize that haptoglobin might have an anti-inflammatory effect and affect hypercoagulability using rat burn model. Thirty anesthetized rats of six-weeks of age received over 30% full-thickness scald burn on the dorsal skin surface. All rats were injected with either haptoglobin (Hpt) or normal saline (NS) intraperitoneally. The rats were divided into three groups: 1) control group (NS 20 mL/kg); 2) low concentration of Hpt group, L-Hpt, (Hpt 4 mL (80 U)/kg+NS 16 mL/kg); and 3) high concentration of Hpt group, H-Hpt, (Hpt 20 mL (400 U)/kg). While under anesthesia, all rats were euthanized by exsanguination at 6 hours (N=5) and 24 hours (N= 5). Inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines were measured and whole-blood viscoelastic tests were performed by thromboelastometry (ROTEM). Haptoglobin significantly reduced free hemoglobin 24 hours after the injury. Improvement of hematuria was confirmed in the H-Hpt group. There were no differences in thrombin-antithrombin complex and plasmin-α2 plasmin inhibitor complex. The haptoglobin tended to decrease interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in H-Hpt group. ROTEM findings of the L-Hpt group showed significantly higher clot firmness and shorter time to maximum clot formation velocity than the control group. Haptoglobin reduced INF-γ, and accelerated speed of clot formation in acute phase of severe burn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]