Granzyme B+ B cells detected by single-cell sequencing are associated with prognosis in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma following liver transplantation.

B cells possess anti-tumor functions mediated by granzyme B, in addition to their role in antigen presentation and antibody production. However, the variations in granzyme B+ B cells between tumor and non-tumor tissues have been largely unexplored. Therefore, we integrated 25 samples from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and analyzed the tumor immune microenvironment. The findings uncovered significant inter- and intra-tumoral heterogeneity. Notably, single-cell data showed higher proportions of granzyme B+ B cells in tumor samples compared to control samples, and these levels were positively associated with disease-free survival. The elevated levels of granzyme B+ B cells in tumor samples resulted from tumor cell chemotaxis through the MIF- (CD74 + CXCR4) signaling pathway. Furthermore, the anti-tumor function of granzyme B+ B cells in tumor samples was adversely affected, potentially providing an explanation for tumor progression. These findings regarding granzyme B+ B cells were further validated in an independent clinic cohort of 40 liver transplant recipients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Our study unveils an interaction between granzyme B+ B cells and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, opening up potential avenues for the development of novel therapeutic strategies against this disease.

Soliton interaction in a MXene-based mode-locked fiber laser.

MXenes are a class of two-dimensional layered structure ternary metal carbide or/and nitride materials. Recently, the MXene V2CTx has demonstrated excellent long-term stability, strong saturable absorption, and fast optical-switching capability, used to generate Q-switched and ultrashort pulsed lasers. However, bound-state fiber lasers based on V2CTx have not been reported yet. In this study, V2CTx is combined with a D-shaped fiber to form a saturable absorber device, whose modulation depth is measured to be 1.6%. By inserting the saturable absorber into an Er-doped fiber laser, bound states with different soliton separation and munbers are successfully obtained. Additionally, bound states with a compound soliton structure, such as the (2 + 2)- and (2 + 1)-type, are also realized. Our findings show that V2CTx can be developed as an efficient ultrafast photonics candidate to further understand the complex nonlinear dynamics of bound-state pulses in fiber lasers.

Laser-reduced graphene oxide for a flexible liquid sliding sensing surface.

Flexible electronic skin is a flexible sensor system that imitates human skin. Recently, flexible sensors have been successfully developed. However, the droplet sliding sensing technology on a flexible electronic skin surface is still challenging. In this Letter, a flexible droplet sliding sensing surface is proposed and fabricated by laser-reduced graphene oxide (LRGO). The LRGO shows porous structures and low surface energy, which are beneficial for infusing lubricants and fabricating stable slippery surfaces. The slippery surface guarantees free sliding of droplets. The droplet sliding sensing mechanism is a combination of triboelectricity and electrostatic induction. After a NaCl droplet slides from lubricant-infused LRGO, a potential difference (∼0.2 mV) can be measured between two Ag electrodes. This study reveals considerable potential applications in intelligent robots and the medical field.

Reconfigurable, Reversible, and Redefinable Deformation of GO Based on Quantum-Confined-Superfluidics Effect.

Graphene oxide (GO) films with natural "quantum-confined-superfluidics" (QSF) channels for moisture actuation have emerged as a smart material for actuators and soft robots. However, programming the deformation of GO by engineering QSF nanochannels around 1 nm is extremely challenging. Herein, we report the reconfigurable, reversible, and redefinable deformation of GO under moisture actuation by tailoring QSF channels via moisture-assisted strain-induced wrinkling (MSW). The shape fixity ratio of a general GO film can reach ∼84% after the MSW process, and the shape recovery ratio is ∼83% at room temperature under moisture actuation. The flexible shaping and deformation abilites, as well as the self-healing property of GO make it possible to fabricate soft robots using GO. Besides, as a proof-of-concept, passive electronics and soft robots capable of crawling, turning, switching circuit, and automatic somersault are demonstrated. With unique shaping and deformation abilities, GO may bring great implications for future soft robotics.

Isolation and identification of a new biocontrol bacteria against Salvia miltiorrhiza root rot and optimization of culture conditions for antifungal substance production using response surface methodology.

BACKGROUND: S. miltiorrhiza root rot is a soil-borne disease mainly caused by Fusarium solani and Fusarium oxysporum, which has spread rapidly in China in recent years. To reduce the amount of pesticides to control this plant fungal disease, biological control using endophytic bacteria is a promising method. Many endophytic bacteria show good biocontrol potential against various plant fungal diseases. The aims of this study were to isolate and identify endophytic bacteria with antifungal activity from Salvia miltiorrhiza plant tissue. In order to increase antifungal substances production, the culture conditions of the isolated DS-R5 strain were optimized through response surface methodology. RESULTS: Thirteen endophytic bacteria with antifungal activity against the target pathogenic fungus were successfully screened. The DS-R5 strain that had the strongest antifungal activity was identified based on morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics, 16S rRNA and gyrB sequence analysis.The results of response surface methodology experiments showed that the optimal values of the three significant factors were as follows: medium volume, 51.0 ml; initial pH, 6.7; fermentation temperature, 33.1 °C. Under these optimal culture conditions, the titer of antifungal substances produced by the DS-R5 strain was 77.6% higher than that under the initial culture conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The antifungal activity of endophytic bacteria from Salvia miltiorrhiza has been demonstrated for the first time, which may benefit future crop quality and production. In addition, response surface methodology can be well applied the optimization of culture conditions for antifungal substance, which lays the foundation for further research on strain DS-R5.

Flexible wavelength-, pulse-controlled mode-locked all-fiber laser based on a fiber Lyot filter.

In this paper, we report a flexible wavelength-, pulse-controlled mode-locked all-fiber laser based on a novel fiber optic Lyot filter. The wavelength, pulse duration and spectral bandwidth of passive mode-locked lasers can be tuned by controlling the polarization controller. The proposed Lyot filter was constructed by a single-mode fiber insertion between two polarization-maintaining fibers. The filter bandwidth and laser output tunability were based on the birefringence characteristics of the polarization-maintaining fibers. This all-fiber laser is simple and stable and can be used for various applications where width-tunable or wavelength-tunable pulses are necessary.

Ultra-broadband flat-top circular polarizer based on chiral fiber gratings near the dispersion turning point.

Based on the dual-resonance principle around the dispersion turning point, a scheme of chiral long-period fiber gratings (CLPGs) formed by twisting a high-birefringence (Hi-Bi) fiber is herein proposed to realise ultra-broadband flat-top circular polarizers. The coupling bandwidth is approximately seven times larger than that of traditional CLPGs. In addition, by introducing chirp characteristics in these CLPGs, an ultra-broadband flat-top circular polarizer with ∼200 nm@3 dB was conveniently achieved. Subsequently, by optimising the chirped CLPGs, a circular polarizer with a bandwidth extinction ratio of approximately 30 dB and a high level of ∼100 nm at 1 dB was realised. It was shown that the mode-controlling performances of the CLPGs can be remarkably improved, which has significant applications in light-field regulation. Finally, for the first time, it was proved that the CLPG cannot generate a vortex beam.

Non-uniform angular spectrum method in a complex medium based on iteration.

The traditional angular spectrum method has an inherent problem that the region of diffraction propagation should be homogeneous. However, in some cases, the medium of the diffraction propagation region is inhomogeneous. In this Letter, based on iteration we proposed the non-uniform angular spectrum method for diffraction propagation calculation in a complex medium. By phase pre-processing in the spatial domain and diffraction calculation in the spatial frequency domain, the diffraction propagation problem of the light field in a complex medium is solved. Theoretical formulation and numerical examples as well as experimental investigation are presented to confirm the validity of the proposed method. The advantages of this method include faster computation, smaller memory requirement, and the ability to compute a larger area compared with the finite element method as well as the ability to compute the non-paraxial case compared with the standard fast Fourier transform beam propagation method.

Comparative analysis on the outcomes in circumcising children using modified Chinese ShangRing and conventional surgical circumcision.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the differences and outcomes of surgical procedures, clinical effect, complications and patients' satisfaction between disposable oval-shaped circumcision device (Modified Chinese ShangRing series, Kiddie love®) and conventional circumcision in the treatment of children with phimosis or redundant prepuce. METHODS: The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed in 114 children with phimosis or redundant foreskin undergone circumcision using a disposable oval-shaped circumcision device, a modified Chinese ShangRing series, Kiddie Love® (Kiddie Love group) in our hospital between January 2018 and February 2020, and another 114 children with similar conditions circumcised by conventional surgical procedure before January 2018 (conventional group). The two groups were compared regarding the operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative pain scores, healing time, the incidence of complications and guardian's satisfaction. RESULTS: Circumcision was successfully completed in children in both groups. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative pain scoring in 24 h by VAS, pain at the removal of the device or stitches and wound healing were (6.4 ± 1.6) min, (34.1 ± 6.4) min; (0.7 ± 0.2) ml, (2.6 ± 0.6) ml; (2.2 ± 1.0) points, (1.3 ± 0.5) points; (23.7 ± 3.9)day, (15.9 ± 2.8)day, respectively for Kiddie Love group and conventional group(either P < 0.05 or P > 0.05). The two groups were significantly different in the incidence of hematoma, edema and incision dehiscenceyet were insignificant in incision infection. Children in both groups were followed up from 6 to 31 months (mean: 23 months), and the satisfaction rate was 94.7% (108/114) in parents of the children circumcised by the ShangRing and 83.3% (95/114) in those of children treated by conventional circumcision (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Modified Chinese ShangRing, Kiddie Love®, has superiorities, including simpler procedure, shorter operative time, less blood loss, fewer complications, better cosmetic results and higher satisfaction of patients over conventional circumcision in the treatment of children with phimosis or redundant foreskin, and worthy of wider clinical recommendation.

1.9 µm all-optical wavelength converter based on a graphene oxide coated microfiber.

An all-optical wavelength converter based on graphene oxide (GO) is proposed at the 1.9 µm band. The homemade GO-coated microfiber is acquired through the optical deposition method, which shows a remarkable nonlinear optical response. Stable conversion efficiency up to -45.52 dB is obtained with 1 nm wavelength interval, and the wavelength tuning range can reach 6 nm (1969-1975 nm). With fixed wavelength interval, the conversion efficiency can increase with the increase of pump power. Simultaneously, the fluctuation of conversion efficiency is ±0.41 dB within 2 hours. The demonstrated all-optical wavelength converter based on GO can play an outstanding role in the future of all-optical communications and networks.

Excitation of high-quality orbital angular momentum vortex beams in an adiabatically helical-twisted single-mode fiber.

A novel method to control the parameters of a chiral fiber grating structure is proposed. Mode couplings are controlled in real time during the twisting fabrication process. This chiral grating structure can satisfy the phase-matching condition for generating high-quality orbital angular momentum (OAM) beams, with an order mode of conversion efficiency over 99.9%. Both theoretical analysis and experimental results of this OAM mode conversion have been investigated, with good agreement. The results demonstrate a dual-OAM beam converter with a charge of ±1 for the right- and left-handed CLPGs, respectively. The high-quality OAM beam generated in this twisted single-mode fiber process may find excellent applications in optical communications.

Transvaginal natural orifice specimen extraction surgery (NOSES) in 3D laparoscopic partial or radical nephrectomy: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: With the development of minimally invasive technology, more and more people pay attention to aesthetics of the wound after operation. This study is aim to introduce a new surgical technique of transvaginal natural orifice specimen extraction surgery (NOSES) in 3D laparoscopic partial or radical nephrectomy and evaluate the safety, feasibility and clinical effect. METHODS: Eleven patients who underwent 3D laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (n = 7) or radical nephrectomy (n = 4) and NOSES were included in this study. The surgical procedures and techniques, especially the NOSES operation, are reported in detail. In addition, the basic clinical data, perioperative related data, perioperative complications were analyzed. RESULTS: All 11 patients were performed successfully without conversion to open surgery. The mean total operative time was 133 (84, 150) min. NOSES time was 15 (13, 16) min, and the postoperative hospital stay was 5 (5, 5) d. The mean visual analogue score (VAS) was 3 (2, 4) point and 1 (0, 1) point at 24 h and 48 h after operation, respectively. No patient had recurrence, metastasis and death during the follow-up period of 3 to 17 months. The median Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) was 1 (1, 1) point. The mean of Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was 21.60 (20.20, 21.60), 21.80 (19.80, 21.80) respectively between preoperative and postoperative 3 months, which has no statistical difference (P = 0.179). There was no statistical difference in the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-short form 20 (PFDI-20) score between preoperative and postoperative 3 months (P = 0.142). CONCLUSIONS: Transvaginal NOSES is safe and feasible in 3D laparoscopic partial or radical nephrectomy. Furthermore, it results in low incision-related pain without affecting the pelvic floor and sexual function.

Ag nanoparticle ink coupled with graphene oxide cellulose paper: a flexible and tunable SERS sensing platform.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is highly promising for ultra-sensitive detection in a series of applications. Although extensive advances have been achieved in SERS technologies, the preparation of highly efficient SERS substrates still suffers from several limitations, including complex preparation procedures, high cost, and instability for long time storage. To address these problems, we report a novel, to the best of our knowledge, SERS platform that combines graphene oxide (GO) and cellulose composite paper with colloidal silver nanoparticle (Ag NP) ink. As an efficient substrate, the GO and cellulose composite paper that features hierarchical micro-nanostructures and improved interaction with target molecules can be fabricated on a large scale, and the Ag NP ink can be well stored, avoiding being oxidized in ambient conditions. In this way, our SERS platform not only reduces the cost, but also improved the stability. The sensitivity, reproducibility, and tunable SERS detection performance were evaluated using rhodamine 6G as probing molecules. To demonstrate the capability of our SERS platform in practical analysis, the SERS spectra of two monosodium salt solutions of different concentrations have been collected. The SERS platform has revealed great potential for practical application of SERS technologies.

Hierarchically structuring and synchronous photoreduction of graphene oxide films by laser holography for supercapacitors.

Herein, we report a simple laser holography technology for hierarchically structuring and synchronous photoreduction of graphene oxides (GO), toward the development of efficient graphene-based electrodes for supercapacitor applications in cost effectively manners. Hierarchical micro-nanostructures, formed due to laser treatment induced photoreduction and ablation effect. Interestingly, both the morphology and reduction degree of the laser holography reduced GO (LHRGO) show strong dependence on the laser intensity, providing the feasibility for controlling the micro-nanostructures, chemical composition, and the conductivity of the graphene electrodes. Furthermore, the supercapacitors based on LHRGO show higher capacitance values and better electrochemical performance compared to that based on thermal reduced GO (TRGO) of same reduction level. Photoredution and micro-nanostructuring of GO using laser holography may hold great promise for production of effective carbon-based electrodes towards practical applications in energy storage devices.

Kraft Mesh Origami for Efficient Oil-Water Separation.

Inspired from fish scales that exhibit unique underwater superoleophobicity, artificial porous membranes featuring similar wettability have been successfully developed for oil-water separation. However, most of the superoleophobic meshes are workable only for underwater oil/water separation and become disabled in air. In this article, we reported the facile fabrication of underwater superoleophobic kraft mesh and demonstrated efficient oil-water separation using kraft mesh origamis. Kraft paper that features porosity, natural hydrophilicity, and relatively high elasticity and tear resistance has been found to be an ideal candidate for developing underwater superoleophobic origami. Direct laser drilling has been employed to make microhole arrays on the kraft paper, forming a flexible mesh. The hydrophilic nature and the hierarchical microstructures that consist of microhole arrays and porous microfiber networks make the resultant kraft mesh superoleophobic underwater, enabling oil-water separation. More importantly, the kraft mesh can retain a large amount of water (2.5 times its weight under dry conditions) owing to its porous and hydrophilic structure. Thus, the wet kraft mesh became a slippery surface for oil droplets when it was taken out of the water. This unique feature makes it possible to directly fish out oil droplets from water using a simple kraft mesh origami. Direct laser drilling of paper mesh for flexible origami may open up a new route to the rational design and fabrication of oil-water separation devices.

Comparatively study on the insulin-regulated glucose homeostasis through brain-gut peptides in Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus after intraperitoneal and oral administration of glucose.

The present study comparatively analyzed the blood glucose and insulin concentration, the temporal and spatial expression of brain-gut peptides and the key enzymes of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis in Japanese flounder by intraperitoneal injection (IP) and oral administration (OR) of glucose. Samples were collected at 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 24 and 48 h after IP and OR glucose, respectively. Results showed that the hyperglycemia lasted for about 10 h and 21 h in OR and IP group, respectively. The serum insulin concentration significantly decreased at 3 h (1.58 ±â€¯0.21 mIU/L) after IP glucose. However, it significantly increased at 3 h (3.37 ±â€¯0.341 mIU/L) after OR glucose. The gene expressions of prosomatostatin, neuropeptide Y, cholecystokinin precursor and orexin precursor in the brain showed different profiles between the OR and IP group. The OR not IP administration of glucose had significant effects on the gene expressions of preprovasoactive intestinal peptide, pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide and gastrin in intestine. In conclusion, brain-gut peptides were confirmed in the present study. And the serum insulin and the brain-gut peptides have different responses between the IP and OR administration of glucose. The OR could stimulate the brain-gut peptide expressions, which have effects on the insulin secretion and then regulate the blood glucose levels. However, in IP group, there is little chance to stimulate brain-gut peptide expression to influence the insulin secretion, which leads to a longer hyperglycemia.

Tailoring the d-Band Centers Enables Co4 N Nanosheets To Be Highly Active for Hydrogen Evolution Catalysis.

Endowing materials with specific functions that are not readily available is always of great importance, but extremely challenging. Co4 N, with its beneficial metallic characteristics, has been proved to be highly active for the oxidation of water, while it is notoriously poor for catalyzing the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), because of its unfavorable d-band energy level. Herein, we successfully endow Co4 N with prominent HER catalytic capability by tailoring the positions of the d-band center through transition-metal doping. The V-doped Co4 N nanosheets display an overpotential of 37 mV at 10 mA cm-2 , which is substantially better than Co4 N and even close to the benchmark Pt/C catalysts. XANES, UPS, and DFT calculations consistently reveal the enhanced performance is attributed to the downshift of the d-band center, which helps facilitate the H desorption. This concept could provide valuable insights into the design of other catalysts for HER and beyond.

Facile fabrication of flexible graphene FETs by sunlight reduction of graphene oxide.

We reported here a facile fabrication of flexible graphene-based field effect transistors (FETs) by sunlight reduction of graphene oxide (GO) as channel material. As a mask-free and chemical-free method, sunlight photoreduction of GO without the use of any complex equipments is simple and green. The resultant FET demonstrated excellent electrical properties (e.g., an optimized Ion/Ioff ratio of 111, hole mobility of 0.17 cm2 V-1 s-1), revealing great potential for development of flexible microelectrics. Additionally, since the reduced GO channel could be fabricated by sunlight treatment between two pre-patterned electrodes, the process features post-fabrication capability, which makes it possible to integrate graphene-based devices with given device structures.

Prognostic values of Ki-67 in neoadjuvant setting for breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: To assess the prognostic values of Ki-67 in neoadjuvant setting for breast cancer patients. METHODS: PubMed and EMBASE were searched. Revman software was used to conduct random-effect model meta-analysis. RESULTS: 49 studies (14,076 patients) were included. High Ki-67 before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy were associated with worse overall survival (OS; before: hazard ratio [HR]: 2.29; 95% CI: 1.42-3.69; after: HR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.82-2.75) and disease-free survival (DFS; before: HR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.23-1.95; after: HR: 2.08; 95% CI: 1.83-2.37). Low/no reduction or increase might be associated with worse DFS (HR: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.51-3.02) and OS. CONCLUSION: Ki-67 before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, as well as the change could predict the prognosis for breast cancer patients.

The predictive value of Ki-67 before neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: To review the predictive values of Ki-67 before neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for breast cancer patients. METHODS: PubMed and EMBASE were searched. Random-effect model meta-analysis was conducted using Revman software. RESULTS: High Ki-67 was associated with more pathological complete responses (pCRs) events (odds ratio: 3.10; 95% CI: 2.52-3.81; 53 studies, 10,848 patients) regardless of HR+, HER2+ and triple-negative breast cancer types, the definitions of pCR and cut-off points for Ki-67. Ki-67 could predict pCR in those who received anthracyclines plus taxanes, and anthracyclines only, and those from Asia and Europe. CONCLUSION: High Ki-67 before NAC was a predictor for pCR in neoadjuvant setting for breast cancer patients.