Automated intelligent design of modified uni-traveling carrier photodectors.

This paper introduces an automatic intelligent design method for the modified uni-traveling carrier photodetector (MUTC-PD). The conventional photodetector design process often relies on the numerical solution of complex nonlinear partial differential equations to simulate and optimize device performance, which is not only computationally intensive but also inefficient. To overcome this challenge, we apply the charge control principle to calculate the photodetector bandwidth, which improves the computational speed by a factor of approximately 1800 compared to the numerical solution of nonlinear partial differential equations. To further optimize the structure of the photodetector, we incorporate the Velocity Varying Climbing Particle Swarm Optimization (VVCPSO) algorithm. This is an improved algorithm based on the traditional particle swarm algorithm, which is able to quickly find the optimal solution in a complex parameter space. By applying the VVCPSO algorithm, we successfully fine-tuned the photodetector structure and obtained structural parameters with optimal performance. Our thorough verification process confirms that the proposed method is consistent with the results of ATLAS simulation software. Automated design has resulted in a high-performance MUTC-PD with a responsivity of 0.52A/W and a bandwidth of 60 GHz (@-3 V) at a mesa diameter of 16µm. Compared to the pre-optimized device, the bandwidth is increased to three times the original. By reducing the mesa diameter to 4µm, the bandwidth can be further increased to 82 GHz (@-3 V). The proposed method's calculation speed is fast enough, enabling extensive parameter studies to optimize device performance.

Neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy followed by robot esophagectomy has no effect on short-term results compared with surgery alone.

BACKGROUND: To determine the safety and efficacy of robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy (NCI). METHODS: Data from patients who underwent RAMIE between January 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The oncological and operative outcomes of the NCI and surgery-only (S) groups were compared by both unmatched and 1:1 propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis. RESULTS: A total of 201 patients with ESCC who underwent three-incision RAMIE were included in this study (143 patients in the S group and 58 patients in the NCI group). Of the 58 patients who underwent NCI, a pathologically complete response (pCR) (ypT0N0) was identified in 14 (24.1%) patients. The patients in the NCI group were younger than those in the S group (p = 0.017), and had more advanced cT (p < 0.001) and cN stage diseases (p = 0.002). After 1:1 PSM of the confounders, 55 patients were allocated to each of the NCI and S groups. No significant differences were found in oncological and operative results, including surgical blood loss, operative time, and lymph node harvest (all p > 0.05). However, the NCI group exhibited a lower rate of pulmonary complications than the S group (3.6% vs. 14.5%, p = 0.047). No significant difference between the groups was found for other complications (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that NCI could result in a high pCR rate without increased complications in locally advanced ESCC. RAMIE is safe and feasible in patients with ESCC after NCI.

Device Structure, Light Source Height, and Sunset Time Affect the Light-Trap Catching of Tea Leafhoppers.

Device structure, light source height, and climatic factors can potentially affect the catching of target pests in light traps. In this study, the installation of an anti-escape cover in a newly designed light trap significantly increased the number of catches of tea leafhoppers, Empoasca onukii, an economically significant pest of tea gardens, and it prevented 97.95% of leafhoppers from escaping. A series of assessments were performed in the field and showed that the optimal trapping window of the light trap was between 1.5 and 2.5 h (2 ± 0.35 h) after sunset, and the starting time of the window was positively correlated with the sunset time. The number of leafhopper catches decreased sharply when the height of the light source was above the flight height range of E. onukii adults. The height of the light source was optimal between 20 and 40 cm above the tea canopy. The efficacy of the light traps for capturing leafhoppers decreased in the autumn peak period. High numbers of leafhopper catches by the newly designed light trap in the summer could reduce E. onukii population sizes in the autumn. Overall, the newly designed light trap can be used to reduce E. onukii adult populations in tea gardens.

A Novel Multi-compartment Rotating Bioreactor for Improving ADSC--Spheroid Formation and its Application in Neurogenic Erectile Dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to construct a multicompartment synchronous rotating bioreactor (MCSRB) for batch-production of homogenized adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC) microspheres and treat neurogenic erectile dysfunction (ED). METHODS: Firstly, an MCSRB was constructed using a centrifugal device and hinged trays. Secondly, influence factors (density, rotational speed) on the formation of ADSC-spheroids were explored. Finally, a neurogenic ED model was established to verify the effectiveness and safety of ADSC-spheroids for ED treatment. RESULTS: An MCSRB promoted ADSCs to gather microspheres, most of which were 90-130 µm in diameter. Supernatant from three-dimensional culture led to a significant increase in cytokine expression in ADSCs and migration rate in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) compared to control groups. The erectile function and pathological changes of the penis were improved in the ADSC-spheroids treatment group compared to the traditional ADSCs treatment group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Efficient, batch, controlled and homogenized production of ADSC stem cell microspheres, and effective improvement of erectile dysfunction in neurogenic rats can be achieved using the MCSRB device.

Quercetin ameliorates bone loss in OVX rats by modulating the intestinal flora-SCFAs-inflammatory signaling axis.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis (OP) is a common systemic skeletal disorder characterized by an imbalance in bone homeostasis, involving increased osteoclastic bone formation and decreased osteoblastic bone resorption. Quercetin is a plant polyphenol that has been found to exhibit various biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. Previous studies have demonstrated its potential to improve postmenopausal OP, although the exact mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the anti-osteoporotic mechanism of quercetin based on the "intestinal flora - short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) - inflammatory" signaling axis. METHODS: In this study, we established an ovariectomized (OVX)-induced rat model, quercetin intervention and evaluated the effects on rats following antibiotic (ABX) treatment and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). After 6 weeks of intervention, the rats were euthanized, and samples from their femur, tibia, lumbar spine, serum, colon and feces were collected, and bone strength, intestinal flora structure, SCFAs levels and cytokine levels were assessed. RESULTS: Quercetin modulates the intestinal flora by increasing potentially probiotic bacteria (i.e., Lactobacillales, Prevotellaceae, and Blautia) and decreasing potentially pathogenic bacteria (Desulfobacterota, Erysipelotrichales, Romboutsia, and Butyricoccaceae). It also increases SCFAs content and reduces colonic permeability by enhancing tight junction proteins (ZO-1, Occludin). Furthermore, quercetin lowers proinflammatory cytokine levels (LPS, IL-1ß, and TNF-α), which enhances bone strength and prevents OVX-induced bone loss. CONCLUSIONS: Quercetin may effectively reduce bone loss in OVX rats via the "intestinal flora - SCFAs - inflammatory" signaling pathway.

Neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy was associated with better short-term survival of patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma compared to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: The chemotherapy and immunotherapy combination is currently the primary strategy to treat metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy (NCIT) is being intensively investigated for treating locally advanced ESCC. OBJECTIVE: We compared the efficacy and safety of NCIT and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) to treat locally advanced ESCC. METHODS: We included 214 locally advanced ESCC patients who were administered neoadjuvant therapy from May 2014 to April 2022. The patients were grouped according to two neoadjuvant protocols (NCIT and NCRT) routinely used at our institution. Perioperative findings, pathological results, and survival data were compared between the two groups by conducting unmatched and 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) analyses. RESULTS: Following 1:1 PSM analysis of the confounders, 66 patients were allocated to each of the two groups. Time span between neoadjuvant therapy completion and esophagectomy was significantly longer after NCRT than that after NCIT (47.1 ± 13.2 days vs. 34.7 ± 8.8 days; p < 0.001). The NCIT group exhibited significantly greater number of harvested lymph nodes than the NCRT group (33.6 ± 12.7 vs. 21.7 ± 10.2; p < 0.001). The pathological complete response and major pathological response rates were similar between the two groups [NCIT group: 25.8% (17/66) and 62.1% (41/66), respectively; NCRT group: 27.3% (18/66) and 56.1% (37/66), respectively (p > 0.05)]. The overall incidence of pneumonia, anastomotic leakage, or postoperative complications did not differ significantly between the two groups. The 2-year cumulative overall survival rates and the 2-year disease-free survival rates of the NCIT and NCRT groups were 80.2% and 62.2%, respectively (p = 0.029) and 70.0% and 50.8%, respectively (p = 0.023). CONCLUSION: In locally advanced ESCC patients, short-term survival after NCIT is superior to that after NCRT, with similar perioperative and pathological outcomes.

Piezoelectrically-activated antibacterial catheter for prevention of urinary tract infections in an on-demand manner.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is a common clinical problem, especially during long-term catheterization, causing additional pain to patients. The development of novel antimicrobial coatings is needed to prolong the service life of catheters and reduce the incidence of CAUTIs. Herein, we designed an antimicrobial catheter coated with a piezoelectric zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs)-incorporated polyvinylidene difluoride-hexafluoropropylene (ZnO-PVDF-HFP) membrane. ZnO-PVDF-HFP could be stably coated onto silicone catheters simply by a one-step solution film-forming method, very convenient for industrial production. In vitro, it was demonstrated that ZnO-PVDF-HFP coating could significantly inhibit bacterial growth and the formation of bacterial biofilm under ultrasound-mediated mechanical stimulation even after 4 weeks. Importantly, the on and off of antimicrobial activity as well as the strenth of antibacterial property could be controlled in an adaptive manner via ultrasound. In a rabbit model, the ZnO-PVDF-HFP-coated catheter significantly reduced the incidence CAUTIs compared with clinically-commonly used catheters under assistance of ultrasonication, and no side effect was detected. Collectively, the study provided a novel antibacterial catheter to prevent the occurrence of CAUTIs, whose antibacterial activity could be controlled in on-demand manner, adaptive to infection situation and promising in clinical application.