Flexible wafer-scale bifunctional metasurface based on nanoimprinting.

Metasurfaces have demonstrated remarkable capabilities in manipulating light fields across diverse applications. However, current research tends to examine these functionalities in isolation, prompting a growing interest in integrating different functionalities within a singular metasurface device. In this paper, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a bifunctional metasurface capable of providing concealment and sensing functions simultaneously. Specifically, the proposed nanostructure effectively operates as a one-way mirror, exhibiting an average reflection rate of approximately 90% under external illumination, alongside an absorption rate of 87.9% from the opposite direction of incidence. This functionality renders it suitable for privacy-enhancing building windows. Meanwhile, this nanostructure also integrates liquid sensing capabilities boasting a sensitivity of 464 nm/RIU, which is particularly valuable for monitoring liquid-based corrosion. The experimental performance of the prepared 6-inch nanohole-patterned metasurface closely aligns with the simulations, and the utilization of flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, coupled with nanoimprint lithography technology, enables a direct and cost-effective manufacturing process that can be scaled up for widespread applications.

Charge Neutralization Strategy to Construct Salt-Tolerant and Cell-Permeable Nanoprobes: Application in Ratiometric Sensing and Imaging of Intracellular pH.

Intracellular pH homeostasis is essential for the survival and function of biological cells. Negatively charged molecular probes, such as pyranine (HPTS), tend to exhibit poor salt tolerance and unsatisfactory cell permeability, limiting their widespread use in intracellular assays. Herein, we explored a charge neutralization strategy using multicharged cationic nanocarriers for an efficient and stable assembly with the pH-sensitive HPTS. Through immobilization and neutralization with poly(allylamine hydrochloride)-stabilized red-emitting gold nanoclusters (PAH-AuNCs), the resulting nanoprobes (HPTS-PAH-AuNCs) offered improved salt tolerance, satisfactory cell permeability, and dual-emission properties. The fluorescence ratio exhibited a linear response over the pH range of 3.0-9.0. Moreover, the proposed HPTS-PAH-AuNCs were successfully applied to determine and visualize lysosomal pH variations in living cells, which indicated great potential for biosensing and bioimaging applications in living systems. Benefiting from the charge neutralization strategy, various types of probes can be expected to achieve broader analytical applications.

Circ_0007331 knock-down suppresses the progression of endometriosis via miR-200c-3p/HiF-1α axis.

Endometriosis is considered a benign gynaecological disease with cancer-like characterizations, which has a high incidence among women of reproductive age. However, this disease has so far lacked timely diagnosis and effective treatment owing to its unclear aetiology. In this study, we identified aberrant high expression of circ_0007331 in ectopic endometrial cells by comparing the endometrial samples from patients with and without endometriosis. Further functional experiments revealed that circ_0007331 knock-down effectively suppressed the viability, proliferation and invasive capacity of ectopic endometrial cells. Additionally, we attempted to define the molecular mechanism of circ_0007331 in the initiation and progression of endometriosis. Circ_0007331 acted as a miRNA sponge for miR-200c-3p to indirectly regulate the function of HIF-1α, which plays a key role in the local angiogenesis and hypoxic mechanisms of ectopic endometrium. A final in vivo experiment confirmed that circ_0007331 knock-down could suppress the development of endometriosis through down-regulating the expression of HIF-1α. Collectively, we preliminarily characterized the role and possible insights of circ_0007331/miR-200c-3p/HIF-1α axis in the proliferation and invasion of ectopic endometrial cells. We hope that by exploring the potential function and molecular mechanism of circ_0007331, we can increase our biological insight into the pathogenesis of endometriosis, which will bring the new ways for the diagnosis and therapy of this disease.

mInscuteable regulates meiotic spindle organization during mouse oocyte meiotic maturation.

Establishment of cellular polarity is one of the key events during oocyte maturation. Inscuteable (Insc) has been identified as a key regulator of cell polarity during asymmetric division in Drosophila. However, the function of its evolutionarily conserved mammalian homologue, mInscuteable (mInsc), in mouse meiotic maturation is not clear. In this study, we investigated the roles of mInsc in mouse oocyte maturation. mInsc was detected at all stages of oocyte maturation. The protein level of mInsc was slightly higher at the germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) stage and remained constant during mouse oocyte maturation. The subcellular localization of mInsc overlapped with spindle microtubules. Disruption of microtubules and microfilaments caused changes in the localization of mInsc. Depletion or overexpression of mInsc significantly decreased the maturation rates of mouse oocytes. Depletion of mInsc significantly affected asymmetric division, spindle assembly, alignments of chromosomes and actin cap formation. Taken together, our results demonstrated that mInsc regulates meiotic spindle organization during mouse meiotic maturation.

Micelle-Mediated Chemiluminescence as an Indicator for Micellar Transitions.

The structural phase of micelles plays an important role in controlling the micellar performance. Despite the great developments of some advanced characterization techniques, it remains challenging to achieve fast and sensitive determination of micellar transitions in solution. Herein, a novel indicator system for micellar transitions was developed based on the micelle-mediated peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence that showed a sensitive response toward the changes of micellar morphologies. A peroxyoxalate derivative and a fluorophore were first coassembled into the hydrophobic cavities of micelles of the typical cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). A strong and rapidly falling chemiluminescence response was exhibited in spherical micelles as a result of the loose arrangement of CTAB molecules. By contrast, rodlike or wormlike micelles transformed from spherical micelles could induce a compact arrangement of CTAB molecules, leading to a weak chemiluminescence emission with a slow decay rate. The practicability and universality of the chemiluminescent indicator were demonstrated by determining the micellar transitions in a variety of surfactant solutions (ionic, nonionic, and polymeric). These findings open attractive perspectives for the practice of chemiluminescence technique in micelle characterization.

Salvage Perioperative Interstitial High-Dose-Rate Interventional Radiotherapy (Brachytherapy) for Local Recurrences of the Chest Wall Following Mastectomy and Previous External Irradiation.

(1) Background: To investigate the technical feasibility, safety, and efficacy of interstitial perioperative high-dose-rate interventional radiotherapy (HDR-IRT, brachytherapy) as a local salvage treatment combined with surgery for local chest wall recurrences following mastectomy and subsequent external beam radiation treatment (EBRT). (2) Methods: A retrospective analysis of 56 patients treated with interstitial HDR-IRT in combination with local surgery of a chest wall recurrence of breast cancer after previous treatment with mastectomy and EBRT from 2008 to 2020. (3) Results: Local recurrence following HDR-IRT was encountered in seven (12.5%) patients. The 1-year local recurrence-free survival (RFS), 3-year RFS, and 5-year RFS were 91%, 82%, and 82%, respectively. The 1-year overall survival (OS), 3-year OS, and 5-year OS was 85.5%, 58%, and 30%, respectively. Acute grade 1-2 radiation dermatitis was observed in 22 (39.3%) patients. Late ≥grade 3 toxicities were encountered in five (8.9%) patients. (4) Conclusions: Salvage perioperative interstitial high-dose-rate interventional radiotherapy (brachytherapy) combined with surgery seems to be an effective interdisciplinary management with acceptable treatment-related toxicity for local recurrences of the chest wall following mastectomy and previous external irradiation.

Reconstructive laparoscopic prolapse surgery to avoid mesh erosions.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of the study is to examine the efficacy of the purely laparoscopic reconstructive management of cystocele and rectocele with mesh, to avoid the risk of erosion by the graft material, a well known complication in vaginal mesh surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a prospective, single-case, non-randomized study in 325 patients who received laparoscopic reconstructive management of pelvic organe prolaps with mesh. The study was conducted between January 2004 and December 2012 in a private clinic in India. The most common prolapse symptoms were reducible vaginal lump, urinary stress incontinence, constipation and flatus incontinence, sexual dysfunction and dypareunia. The degree e of the prolaps was staged according to POPQ system. The approach was purely laparoscopic and involved the use of polypropylene (Prolene) or polyurethane with activated regenerated cellulose coating (Parietex) mesh. RESULTS: The mean age was 55 (30-80) years and the most of the patients were multiparous (272/325). The patients received a plastic correction of the rectocele only (138 cases), a cystocele and rectocele (187 cases) with mesh. 132 patients had a concomitant total hysterectomy; in 2 cases a laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy was performed and 190 patients had a laparoscopic colposuspension. The mean operation time was 82.2 (60-210) minutes. The mean follow up was 3.4 (3-5) years. Urinary retention developed in 1 case, which required a new laparoscopical intervention. Bladder injury, observed in the same case was in one session closed with absorbable suture. There were four recurrences of the rectocele, receiving a posterior vaginal colporrhaphy. Erosions of the mesh were not reported or documented. CONCLUSION: The pure laparoscopic reconstructive management of the cystocele and rectocele with mesh seems to be a safe and effective surgical procedure potentially avoiding the risk of mesh erosions.