Biological cell trapping and manipulation of a photonic nanojet by a specific microcone-shaped optical fiber tip.

Trapping and manipulating mesoscopic biological cells with high precision and flexibility are very important for numerous biomedical applications. In particular, a photonic nanojet based on a non-resonance focusing phenomenon can serve as a powerful tool for manipulating red blood cells and tumor cells in blood. In this study, we demonstrate an approach to trap and drive cells using a high-quality photonic nanojet which is produced by a specific microcone-shaped optical-fiber tip. The dynamic chemical etching method is used to fabricate optical-fiber probes with a microcone-shaped tip. Optical forces and potentials exerted on a red blood cell by a microcone-shaped fiber tips are analyzed based on finite-difference time-domain calculations. Optical trapping and driving experiments are done using breast cancer cells and red blood cells. Furthermore, a cell chain is formed by adjusting the magnitude of the optical force. The real-time backscattering intensities of multiple cells are detected, and highly sensitive trapping is achieved. This microcone-shaped optical fiber probe is potentially a powerful device for dynamic cell assembly, optical sorting, and the precise diagnosis of vascular diseases.

A new classification of periampullary diverticulum: cannulation of papilla on the inner margins of the diverticulum (Type IIa) is more challenging.

BACKGROUND: Periampullary diverticulum (PAD) may make the performance of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with choledocholithiasis more difficult and may increase complication rates. The present study evaluated the effects of PAD on first-time ERCP in patients with choledocholithiasis. METHODS: Outcomes were compared in patients with and without PAD and in those with four types of PAD: papilla located completely inside the diverticulum (type I), papilla located in the inner (type II a) and outer (type II b) margins of the diverticulum; and papilla located outside the diverticulum (type III). Parameters compared included cannulation time and rates of difficult cannulation, post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) and perforation. RESULTS: The median cannulation times in patients with types I, II a, II b, III PAD and in those without PAD were 2.0 min, 5.0 min, 0.67 min, 3.5 min, and 3.5 min, respectively, with difficult cannulation rates in these groups of 7.4%, 31.4%, 8.3%, 18.9%, and 23.2%, respectively. The rates of PEP in patients with and without PAD were 5.3% and 5.1%, respectively. Four patients with and one without PAD experienced perforation. CONCLUSIONS: The division of PAD into four types may be more appropriate than the traditional division into three types. Cannulation of type I and II b PAD was easier than cannulation of patients without PAD, whereas cannulation of type II a PAD was more challenging. PAD may not increase the rates of PEP.

Ti3C2Txnanohybrids: tunable local conductive network and efficient EMI shielding performance for multifunctional materials and devices.

Ti3C2Txis an important member of the MXenes family. Due to its excellent electrical conductivity, adjustable atomic layer, and modifiable active surface, Ti3C2Txhas attracted great attention in the field of electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. This paper introduces the important role of regulating conductive network to improve the EMI shielding performance of materials and summarizes the EMI shielding performance of Ti3C2Txnanohybrids reported in recent years. In addition, Ti3C2Txbased EMI shielding materials towards multifunctional devices are also systematically introduced. After that, the development status of Ti3C2Txnanohybrids in the field of EMI shielding is objectively described, and the main problems and challenges are evaluated. Finally, the prospect of Ti3C2Txnanohybrids for advanced and green EMI shielding materials is forecasted.

Correction to: Exosomal miR-21 regulates the TETs/PTENp1/PTEN pathway to promote hepatocellular carcinoma growth.

Following the publication of article [1], the authors found that the images of Transwell Matrigel invasion (Fig. 7d) are incorrect.

Exosomal miR-21 regulates the TETs/PTENp1/PTEN pathway to promote hepatocellular carcinoma growth.

BACKGROUND: As an important means of communication, exosomes play an important role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Bioinformatics analysis, dual-luciferase reporter assays, methylation-specific quantitative PCR, and ChIP-PCR analysis were used to gain insight into the underlying mechanism of miR-21 in HCC. RESULTS: The detection of miRNAs in exosomes of HCC showed that miR-21 expression in exosomes was positively correlated with the expression level of miR-21 in cells and negatively correlated with the expression of its target genes PTEN, PTENp1 and TETs. HCC cell-derived exosomes could increase miR-21 and p-Akt expression in HCC cells and downregulate the expression of PTEN, PTENp1 and TETs. MiR-21 inhibitors or PTENp1 overexpression vectors could weaken the effect of the abovementioned exosomes and simultaneously weaken their role in promoting cell proliferation and migration and inhibiting apoptosis. Further studies showed that miR-21 not only directly regulated the expression of PTEN, PTENp1 and TETs but also increased the methylation level of the PTENp1 promoter by regulating the expression of TETs, thereby inhibiting the expression of PTENp1 and further downregulating the expression of PTEN. CONCLUSIONS: Exosomal miR-21 can regulate the expression of the tumor suppressor genes PTEN and PTENp1 in various ways and affect the growth of HCC cells.

Effect of balloon dilation eustachian tuboplasty combined with tympanic tube insertion in the treatment of chronic recurrent secretory otitis media.

PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term clinical effect of balloon dilation eustachian tuboplasty (BET) combined with tympanic tube insertion (TTI) in the treatment of chronic recurrent secretory otitis media (CRSOM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 30 cases of CRSOM treated with BET combined with TTI under general anesthesia between August 2014 and September 2016. Thirty cases of CRSOM treated with TTI in the same period were taken as the control group. All cases were followed over 24 months. The scores of eustachian tube (ET) function preoperation, 1 month, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months postoperation were collected and analyzed, respectively. A satisfaction questionnaire was used to evaluate the therapy at 24-months postoperation. RESULTS: The symptoms were significantly improved and the ET score was obviously increased postsurgery in most cases treated with BET plus TTI compared with those treated with TTI alone. The highest ET score was obtained at 6 months post BET. Five (14%) cases (6 ears) of CRSOM recurred. The 24-month postoperation follow-up questionnaire showed that 84.6% of the patients were satisfied with the treatment, while ten cases (25%) in the TTI group recurred. CONCLUSION: BET combined with TTI surgery is an effective therapy for patients with CRSOM.

Round Window Niche Drilling with Intratympanic Steroid Is a Salvage Therapy of Sudden Hearing Loss.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness and safety of round window niche drilling combined with intratympanic methylprednisolone injection for the salvage treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and its associated tinnitus after failed primary treatment. METHOD: SSNHL patients who showed a less than 10-dB improvement of pure-tone average after receiving standard systemic treatment and intratympanic steroid injection were enrolled. All included patients were randomly divided into two groups (control and study). Patients in the study group received round window niche drilling combined with daily intratympanic methylprednisolone for 7 times; the control group received only daily intratympanic methylprednisolone for 7 times. One month after treatment, the improvements of PTA, speech discrimination score (SDS), tinnitus and the incidence of adverse events were analyzed. RESULTS: 20 patients (10 for each group) were included in this study. The baseline between two groups showed no statistical significance. Patients in the study group experienced an average hearing improvement of 20.38 dB, SDS 19.3 compared with 2.1 dB and SDS 2.0 in the control group. None (0%) in the control group and 4 patients (40%) showed marked recovery, 5 patients (50%) showed slight improvement of hearing in the study group after 1 month. All patients in the study group showed significant recovery of tinnitus. Both tinnitus handicap inventory and a symptom visual analogue scale between two groups revealed statistical differences (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, respectively). None in the control and study groups experienced vertigo, infection and facial paralysis. CONCLUSION: Round window niche drilling increases the contact area and time of methylprednisolone. It is an effective and safe salvage therapy of idiopathic SSNHL and its induced tinnitus.

Effects of combination of balloon Eustachian tuboplasty with methylprednisolone irrigation on treatment of chronic otitis media with effusion in adults.

PURPOSE: Adult chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) is characterized by Eustachian tube dysfunction and mucosal inflammation, which management has long been a challenge because of high recurrence. This study was to investigate the pathological changes of Eustachian tube mucosa and optimized treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of four groups: I: tympanic paracentesis, II: balloon Eustachian tuboplasty (BET), III: BET plus tympanic paracentesis, IV: BET and tympanic paracentesis with methylprednisolone irrigation. Biopsy of Eustachian tube mucosa was obtained preoperative and 1 month post. Recurrence ratio and Eustachian tube scores (ETS) were used to evaluate the effect of treatments. RESULTS: All patients showed narrowed with edematous and thickened Eustachian tube mucosa. At 1 month post-treatment, BET with methylprednisolone irrigation significantly decreased intraepithelial inflammation and restored the quality of epithelium and cilia. For group II to IV, The recurrence rate was significantly lower in group IV compared with the other two, but only significantly lower in group IV VS group II at 3 months and 6 months, no significant difference at 12 months. The recurrence rate was significantly higher in group I during follow-up. The ETS were improved in group II, III and IV after treatment. At 1 month and 3 months posttreatment, group IV had significant higher ETS compared with other groups (P < 0.05). There was no serious complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Methylprednisolone irrigation could help to recover mucosal function. BET and tympanic paracentesis with methylprednisolone irrigation could be regarded as a good choice for COME in adults, which has less recurrence rate and prompt recovery of ET function.