Black Phosphorus Flake-Enabled Wireless Neuromodulation for Epilepsy Treatment.

Epilepsy is a prevalent and severe neurological disorder and generally requires prolonged electrode implantation and tether brain stimulation in refractory cases. However, implants may cause potential chronic immune inflammation and permanent tissue damage due to material property mismatches with soft brain tissue. Here, we demonstrated a nanomaterial-enabled near-infrared (NIR) neuromodulation approach to provide nongenetic and nonimplantable therapeutic benefits in epilepsy mouse models. Our study showed that crystal-exfoliated photothermal black phosphorus (BP) flakes could enhance neural activity by altering the membrane capacitive currents in hippocampus neurons through NIR photothermal neuromodulation. Optical stimulation facilitated by BP flakes in hippocampal slices evoked action potentials with a high spatiotemporal resolution. Furthermore, BP flake-enabled NIR neuromodulation of hippocampus neural circuits can suppress epileptic signals in epilepsy model mice with minimal invasiveness and high biocompatibility. Consequently, nanomaterial-enabled NIR neuromodulation may open up opportunities for nonimplantable optical therapy of epilepsy in nontransgenic organisms.

[Side effects of adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy concurrently after conservative surgery for breast cancer].

OBJECTIVE: Observe the side effects of adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy concurrently after breast conservative surgery and investigate it feasible. METHODS: 40 breast cancer patients of conservative surgery were divided into two groups randomizedly, 20 patients of the study group were given adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy concurrently, 20 patients of the control group were given adjuvant thermotherapy and radiotherapy sequently. Observe the side effects of the patients in the two groups and follow them 6 months. RESULTS: The leukopenia within the third chemotherapeutic cycle and the oral mucitis within the fourth chemotherapeutic cycle in the study group were more severe than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The other side effects within every chemotherapeutic cycles were similar in both groups, including skin reaction in radiotherapeutic area, gastroenteric reaction, alopecia, arthralgia, neurotoxicity and abnormal hepatic function. Following the patients of the two groups in 6 months, there were no significance in hemogram, hepatic and renal function, electrocardiogram and chest x-ray. CONCLUSION: It is feasible and safe to give the adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy concurrently to the breast cancer patients after conservative surgery.