RESUMEN
CrNx/Ag multilayer coatings and a comparative CrNx single layer were deposited via reactive magnetron sputtering. In multilayer coatings, the thickness of each CrNx layer was constant at 60 nm, while that of the Ag layer was adjusted from 3 to 10 nm. Microstructure of the films was characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron spectroscopy. The results suggest that the film containing 3 nm of Ag layer presents a nanocomposite structure comprising fine nano-grains and quasi-amorphous clusters. With Ag layer thickness reaching 4.5 nm and above, Ag grains coalesce to produce continuous an Ag layer and exhibit (111) preferential crystallization. Hardness of the films was detected by nanoindentation and it reveals that with increasing the Ag layer thickness, the hardness continuously decreases from 30.2 to 11.6 GPa. Wear performance of the films was examined by the ball-on-disk test at 500 °C. The result suggests that the out-diffusion of Ag towards film surface contributes to the friction reduction, while the wear performance of films depends on the thickness of the Ag layer.
RESUMEN
Unlike tumor biopsies that can be constrained by problems such as sampling bias, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are regarded as the "liquid biopsy" of the tumor, providing convenient access to all disease sites, including primary tumor and fatal metastases. Although enumerating CTCs is of prognostic significance in solid tumors, it is conceivable that performing molecular and functional analyses on CTCs will reveal much significant insight into tumor biology to guide proper therapeutic intervention. We developed the Thermoresponsive NanoVelcro CTC purification system that can be digitally programmed to achieve an optimal performance for purifying CTCs from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The performance of this unique CTC purification system was optimized by systematically modulating surface chemistry, flow rates, and heating/cooling cycles. By applying a physiologically endurable stimulation (i.e., temperature between 4 and 37 °C), the mild operational parameters allow minimum disruption to CTCs' viability and molecular integrity. Subsequently, we were able to successfully demonstrate culture expansion and mutational analysis of the CTCs purified by this CTC purification system. Most excitingly, we adopted the combined use of the Thermoresponsive NanoVelcro system with downstream mutational analysis to monitor the disease evolution of an index NSCLC patient, highlighting its translational value in managing NSCLC.