Dual channel chemosensor for successive detection of environmentally toxic Pd2+ and CN- ions and its application to cancer cell imaging.

BACKGROUND: Detecting and neutralizing Pd2+ ions are a significant challenge due to their cytotoxicity, even at low concentrations. To address this issue, various chemosensors have been designed for advanced detection systems, offering simplicity and the potential to differentiate signals from different analytes. Nonetheless, these chemosensors often suffer from limited emission response and complex synthesis procedures. As a result, the tracking and quantification of residual palladium in biological systems and environments remain challenging tasks, with only a few chemosensing probes available for commercial use. RESULTS: In this paper, a straightforward approach for the selective detection of Pd2+ ions is proposed, which involves the design, synthesis, and utilization of a propargylated naphthalene-derived probe (E)-N'-((2-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)naphthalen-1-yl)methylene)benzohydrazide (NHP). The NHP probe exhibits sensitive dual-channel colorimetry and fluorescence Pd2+ detection over other tested metal ions. The detection process is performed through a catalytic depropargylation reaction, followed by an excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process, the detection limit is as low as 11.58 × 10-7 M under mild conditions. Interestingly, the resultant chemodosimeter adduct (E)-N'-((2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylene)benzohydrazide (NHH) was employed for the consecutive detection of CN- ions, exhibiting an impressive detection limit of 31.79 × 10-8 M. Validation of both detection processes was achieved through 1H nuclear magnetic resonance and density functional theory calculations. For real-time applications of the NHP and NHH probes, smartphone-assisted detection, and intracellular detection of Pd2+ and CN- ions within HeLa cells were studied. SIGNIFICANCE: This research presents a novel naphthalene derivative for visually detecting environmentally toxic Pd2+ and CN- ions. The synthesized probe selectively binds to Pd2+, forming a chemodosimeter. It successfully detects CN- ions through colorimetry and fluorimetry, offering a low detection limit and quick response. Notably, it's the first naphthalene-based small molecule to serve as a dual probe for toxic analytes - palladium and cyanide. Moreover, it effectively detects Pd2+ and CN- intracellularly in cancer cells.

Biphasic water-oil systems for functional augmentation of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus nanoencapsulated in luteolin-Fe3+ shells.

Single-cell nanoencapsulation (SCNE) has great potential in the enhancement of therapeutic effects of probiotic microbes. However, the material scope has been limited to water-soluble compounds to avoid non-biocompatible organic solvents that are harmful to living cells. In this work, the SCNE of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus with water-insoluble luteolin and Fe3+ ions is achieved by the vortex-assisted, biphasic water-oil system. The process creates L. acidophilus nanoencapsulated in the luteolin-Fe3+ shells that empower the cells with extrinsic properties, such as resistance to lysozyme attack, anti-ROS ability, and α-amylase-inhibition activity, as well as sustaining viability under acidic conditions. The proposed protocol, embracing water-insoluble flavonoids as shell components in SCNE, will be an advanced add-on to the chemical toolbox for the manipulation of living cells at the single-cell level.

Artificial intelligence-driven drug repositioning uncovers efavirenz as a modulator of α-synuclein propagation: Implications in Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder with an unclear etiology. Despite significant research efforts, developing disease-modifying treatments for PD remains a major unmet medical need. Notably, drug repositioning is becoming an increasingly attractive direction in drug discovery, and computational approaches offer a relatively quick and resource-saving method for identifying testable hypotheses that promote drug repositioning. We used an artificial intelligence (AI)-based drug repositioning strategy to screen an extensive compound library and identify potential therapeutic agents for PD. Our AI-driven analysis revealed that efavirenz and nevirapine, approved for treating human immunodeficiency virus infection, had distinct profiles, suggesting their potential effects on PD pathophysiology. Among these, efavirenz attenuated α-synuclein (α-syn) propagation and associated neuroinflammation in the brain of preformed α-syn fibrils-injected A53T α-syn Tg mice and α-syn propagation and associated behavioral changes in the C. elegans BiFC model. Through in-depth molecular investigations, we found that efavirenz can modulate cholesterol metabolism and mitigate α-syn propagation, a key pathological feature implicated in PD progression by regulating CYP46A1. This study opens new avenues for further investigation into the mechanisms underlying PD pathology and the exploration of additional drug candidates using advanced computational methodologies.

Efficacy of Filter Trocar for Clear Visualization during Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

Filter trocar designed to eliminate harmful smoke is also regarded as effective for improving surgical visualization. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of filter trocar in maintaining clear operative view. From 2019 to 2020, 100 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and they were randomized to either the control or filter group. The primary end point was a laparoscopic operative view score (1, clear; 2, slightly blurry; 3, completely blurry) during gallbladder dissection from the liver bed when dissection was started (LV1), when dissection was half completed (LV2) and when dissection was completed (LV3). Between the control and filter groups, there were no significant differences in mean LV1 (1.44 vs. 1.40, p = 0.234) and LV3 (1.86 vs. 2.01, p = 0.880). There was no significant difference in the mean duration of suction after dissection (3.82 s vs. 3.67 s, p = 0.097) and the mean number of laparoscope removals from inside to outside the body to clean during gallbladder dissection from the liver bed (0.55 vs. 0.22, p = 0.963) or the mean amount of time required to dissect the gallbladder from the liver bed (221.58 s vs. 177.09 s, p = 0.253). The study demonstrated that filter trocar is not as effective as expected in the maintenance of clear operative view. Further study is needed to develop devices to improve clear surgical visualization.

Nonconventional Strain Engineering for Uniform Biaxial Tensile Strain in MoS2 Thin Film Transistors.

Strain engineering has been employed as a crucial technique to enhance the electrical properties of semiconductors, especially in Si transistor technologies. Recent theoretical investigations have suggested that strain engineering can also markedly enhance the carrier mobility of two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). The conventional methods used in strain engineering for Si and other bulk semiconductors are difficult to adapt to ultrathin 2D TMDs. Here, we report a strain engineering approach to apply the biaxial tensile strain to MoS2. Metal-organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD)-grown large-area MoS2 films were transferred onto SiO2/Si substrate, followed by the selective removal of the underneath Si. The release of compressive residual stress in the oxide layer induces strain in MoS2 on top of the SiO2 layer. The amount of strain can be precisely controlled by the thickness of oxide stressors. After the transistors were fabricated with strained MoS2 films, the array of strained transistors was transferred onto plastic substrates. This process ensured that the MoS2 channels maintained a consistent tensile strain value across a large area.

Strain modulation in crumpled Si nanomembranes: Light detection beyond the Si absorption limit.

Although Si is extensively used in micro-nano electronics, its inherent optical absorption cutoff at 1100-nm limits its photonic and optoelectronic applications in visible to partly near infrared (NIR) spectral range. Recently, strain engineering has emerged as a promising approach for extending device functionality via tuning the material properties, including change in optical bandgap. In this study, the reduction in bandgap with applied strain was used for extending the absorption limit of crystalline Si up to 1310 nm beyond its intrinsic bandgap, which was achieved by creating the crumpled structures in Si nanomembranes (NMs). The concept was used to develop a prototype NIR image sensor by organizing metal-semiconductor-metal-configured crumpled Si NM photosensing pixels in 6 × 6 array. The geometry-controlled, self-sustained strain induction in Si NMs provided an exclusive photon management with shortening of optical bandgap and enhanced photoresponse beyond the conventional Si absorption limit.

Degradation of Various Organic Coatings via UV-Generated Sulfate Radicals.

Degradation of organic coatings is essential for recycling valuable substrates. Despite the development of strategies for this purpose, the resulting degradations are typically constrained by the composition of the coating. This paper presents a simple strategy utilizing radicals induced by UV for the degradation of diverse organic coatings. The sulfate radicals, generated from UV-exposed ammonium persulfates, induce the degradation of various organic coatings, including layer-by-layer assembled coating composed of alginate and chitosan polymers as well as polydopamine coating. This strategy also facilitates the separation of two adhered substrates by degrading the adhesive polymer layer positioned between them. This novel approach enables the complete degradation of various organic coatings in aqueous conditions without imposing restrictions on their composition, leading to the recovery of the original surface properties of the substrate.

2D Materials in Flexible Electronics: Recent Advances and Future Prospectives.

Flexible electronics have recently gained considerable attention due to their potential to provide new and innovative solutions to a wide range of challenges in various electronic fields. These electronics require specific material properties and performance because they need to be integrated into a variety of surfaces or folded and rolled for newly formatted electronics. Two-dimensional (2D) materials have emerged as promising candidates for flexible electronics due to their unique mechanical, electrical, and optical properties, as well as their compatibility with other materials, enabling the creation of various flexible electronic devices. This article provides a comprehensive review of the progress made in developing flexible electronic devices using 2D materials. In addition, it highlights the key aspects of materials, scalable material production, and device fabrication processes for flexible applications, along with important examples of demonstrations that achieved breakthroughs in various flexible and wearable electronic applications. Finally, we discuss the opportunities, current challenges, potential solutions, and future investigative directions about this field.

Kirigami-Structured, Low-Impedance, and Skin-Conformal Electronics for Long-Term Biopotential Monitoring and Human-Machine Interfaces.

Epidermal dry electrodes with high skin-compliant stretchability, low bioelectric interfacial impedance, and long-term reliability are crucial for biopotential signal recording and human-machine interaction. However, incorporating these essential characteristics into dry electrodes remains a challenge. Here, a skin-conformal dry electrode is developed by encapsulating kirigami-structured poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/silver nanowires (Ag NWs) film with ultrathin polyurethane (PU) tape. This Kirigami-structured PEDOT:PSS/PVA/Ag NWs/PU epidermal electrode exhibits a low sheet resistance (≈3.9 Ω sq-1 ), large skin-compliant stretchability (>100%), low interfacial impedance (≈27.41 kΩ at 100 Hz and ≈59.76 kΩ at 10 Hz), and sufficient mechanoelectrical stability. This enhanced performance is attributed to the synergistic effects of ionic/electronic current from PEDOT:PSS/Ag NWs dual conductive network, Kirigami structure, and unique encapsulation. Compared with the existing dry electrodes or standard gel electrodes, the as-prepared electrodes possess lower interfacial impedance and noise in various conditions (e.g., sweat, wet, and movement), indicating superior water/motion-interference resistance. Moreover, they can acquire high-quality biopotential signals even after water rinsing and ultrasonic cleaning. These outstanding advantages enable the Kirigami-structured PEDOT:PSS/PVA/Ag NWs/PU electrodes to effectively monitor human motions in real-time and record epidermal biopotential signals, such as electrocardiogram, electromyogram, and electrooculogram under various conditions, and control external electronics, thereby facilitating human-machine interactions.

Perovskite Light-Emitting Diode Display Based on MoS2 Backplane Thin-Film Transistors.

The uniform deposition of perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) and their integration with backplane thin-film transistors (TFTs) remain challenging for large-area display applications. Herein, an active-matrix PeLED display fabricated via the heterogeneous integration of cesium lead bromide LEDs and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2 )-based TFTs is presented. The single-source evaporation method enables the deposition of highly uniform perovskite thin films over large areas. PeLEDs are integrated with MoS2 TFTs to fabricate an active-matrix PeLED display with an 8 × 8 array, which exhibits excellent brightness control capability and high switching speed. This study demonstrates the potential of PeLEDs as candidates for next-generation displays and presents a novel approach for fabricating optoelectronic devices via the heterogeneous integration of 2D materials and perovskites, thereby paving the way toward the fabrication of practical future optoelectronic systems.

Influence of Procedural Volume on the Outcome of Gastric Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: A Nationwide Population-Based Study Using Administrative Data.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a well-established treatment modality for gastric neoplasms. We aimed to investigate the effect of procedural volume on the outcome of ESD for gastric cancer or adenoma. METHODS: In this population-based cohort study, patients who underwent ESD for gastric cancer or adenoma from November 2011 to December 2017 were identified using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. Operational definitions to identify the target population and post-procedural complications were created using diagnosis and procedure codes and were validated using hospital medical record data. Outcomes included hemorrhage, perforation, pneumonia, 30-day mortality, a composite outcome comprising all of these adverse outcomes, and additional resection. Hospital volume was categorized into 3 groups based on the results of the threshold analysis: high-, medium-, low-volume centers (HVCs, MVCs, and LVCs, respectively). Inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis was applied to enhance comparability across the volume groups. RESULTS: There were 94,246 procedures performed in 88,687 patients during the study period. There were 5886 composite events including 4925 hemorrhage, 447 perforation, and 703 pneumonia cases. There were significant differences in ESD-related adverse outcomes among the 3 hospital volume categories, showing that HVCs and MVCs were associated with a lower risk of a composite outcome than LVCs (inverse probability of treatment-weighted odds ratio [OR], 0.651; 95% CI, 0.521-0.814; inverse probability of treatment-weighted OR, 0.641; 95% CI, 0.534-0.769). Similar tendencies were also shown for hemorrhage, perforation, and pneumonia; however, these were not evident for additional resection. CONCLUSIONS: Procedural volume was closely associated with clinical outcome in patients undergoing ESD for gastric cancer or adenoma.

Monolithic 3D integration of 2D materials-based electronics towards ultimate edge computing solutions.

Three-dimensional (3D) hetero-integration technology is poised to revolutionize the field of electronics by stacking functional layers vertically, thereby creating novel 3D circuity architectures with high integration density and unparalleled multifunctionality. However, the conventional 3D integration technique involves complex wafer processing and intricate interlayer wiring. Here we demonstrate monolithic 3D integration of two-dimensional, material-based artificial intelligence (AI)-processing hardware with ultimate integrability and multifunctionality. A total of six layers of transistor and memristor arrays were vertically integrated into a 3D nanosystem to perform AI tasks, by peeling and stacking of AI processing layers made from bottom-up synthesized two-dimensional materials. This fully monolithic-3D-integrated AI system substantially reduces processing time, voltage drops, latency and footprint due to its densely packed AI processing layers with dense interlayer connectivity. The successful demonstration of this monolithic-3D-integrated AI system will not only provide a material-level solution for hetero-integration of electronics, but also pave the way for unprecedented multifunctional computing hardware with ultimate parallelism.

Developing Operational Definitions Related to Helicobacter pylori Eradication Therapy.

BACKGROUND: The lack of well-established operational definitions is a major limitation of Helicobacter pylori eradication studies that use secondary databases. We aimed to develop and validate operational definitions related to H. pylori eradication therapy. METHODS: Operational definitions were developed by analyzing a nationwide H. pylori eradication registry and validated using real-world data from hospital medical records. The primary endpoint was the sensitivity of the operational definitions in identifying individuals who received H. pylori eradication therapy. The secondary endpoint was the sensitivity and specificity of the operational definition in identifying successful H. pylori eradication therapy. RESULTS: H. pylori eradication therapy was defined as a prescription for one of the following combinations: 1) proton pump inhibitor (PPI) + amoxicillin + clarithromycin, 2) PPI + amoxicillin + metronidazole, 3) PPI + metronidazole + tetracycline, 4) PPI + amoxicillin + levofloxacin, 5) PPI + amoxicillin + moxifloxacin, or 6) PPI + amoxicillin + rifabutin. In the validation set, the sensitivity of the operational definition for identifying individuals who received H. pylori eradication therapy was 99.7% and 99.8% for the first- and second-line therapies, respectively. Operational definition to determine success or failure of the H. pylori eradication therapy was developed based on a confirmatory test and the prescription of rescue therapy. The sensitivity and specificity of the operational definition for predicting successful eradication were 97.6% and 91.4%, respectively, in first-line therapy and 98.6% and 54.8%, respectively, in second-line therapy. CONCLUSION: We developed and validated operational definitions related to H. pylori eradication therapy. These definitions will help researchers perform various H. pylori eradication-related studies using secondary databases.

Monitoring α-synuclein Aggregation Induced by Preformed α-synuclein Fibrils in an In Vitro Model System.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the presence of α-synuclein (α-syn) inclusions in the brain and the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons. There is evidence to suggest that the progression of PD may be due to the prion-like spread of α-syn aggregates, so understanding and limiting α-syn propagation is a key area of research for developing PD treatments. Several cellular and animal model systems have been established to monitor α-syn aggregation and propagation. In this study, we developed an in vitro model using A53T α-syn-EGFP overexpressing SH-SY5Y cells and validated its usefulness for high-throughput screening of potential therapeutic targets. Treatment with preformed recombinant α-syn fibrils induced the formation of aggregation puncta of A53T α-syn-EGFP in these cells, which were analyzed using four indices: number of dots per cell, size of dots, intensity of dots, and percentage of cells containing aggregation puncta. Four indices are reliable indicators of the effectiveness of interventions against α-syn propagation in a one-day treatment model to minimize the screening time. This simple and efficient in vitro model system can be used for high-throughput screening to discover new targets for inhibiting α-syn propagation.

Low-temperature growth of MoS2 on polymer and thin glass substrates for flexible electronics.

Recent advances in two-dimensional semiconductors, particularly molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), have enabled the fabrication of flexible electronic devices with outstanding mechanical flexibility. Previous approaches typically involved the synthesis of MoS2 on a rigid substrate at a high temperature followed by the transfer to a flexible substrate onto which the device is fabricated. A recurring drawback with this methodology is the fact that flexible substrates have a lower melting temperature than the MoS2 growth process, and that the transfer process degrades the electronic properties of MoS2. Here we report a strategy for directly synthesizing high-quality and high-crystallinity MoS2 monolayers on polymers and ultrathin glass substrates (thickness ~30 µm) at ~150 °C using metal-organic chemical vapour deposition. By avoiding the transfer process, the MoS2 quality is preserved. On flexible field-effect transistors, we achieve a mobility of 9.1 cm2 V-1 s-1 and a positive threshold voltage of +5 V, which is essential for reducing device power consumption. Moreover, under bending conditions, our logic circuits exhibit stable operation while phototransistors can detect light over a wide range of wavelengths from 405 nm to 904 nm.

Correlation Between Articulatory Diadochokinetic Parameters and Dysphagia Parameters in Subacute Stroke Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine correlations of alternation motor rate (AMR), sequential motor rate (SMR), and maximum phonation time (MPT) with the severity of dysphagia in subacute stroke patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review study. Data of 171 subacute stroke patients were analyzed. Patient's AMR, SMR, and MPT data were collected from their language evaluations. Video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) was done. Data of dysphagia scales including penetration-aspiration scale (PAS), American Speech-Language-Hearing Association National Outcomes Measurement System (ASHA-NOMS) scale, clinical dysphagia scale (CDS), and videofluoroscopic dysphagia scale (VDS) were obtained. AMR, SMR, and MPT were compared between a non-aspirator group and an aspirator group. Correlations of AMR, SMR, and MPT with dysphagia scales were analyzed. RESULTS: AMR ("ka"), SMR, and modified Rankin Scale were significant associated factors between non-aspirator group and aspirator group, while AMR ("pa"), AMR ("ta"), and MPT were not. AMR, SMR, and MPT showed significant correlations with PAS score, ASHA-NOMS scale, CDS, VDS oral, and VDS pharyngeal scores. The cut-off value for distinguishing non-aspirator group and aspiration group was 18.5 for AMR ("ka") (sensitivity of 74.4%, specificity of 70.8%) and 7.5 for SMR (sensitivity of 89.9%, specificity of 61.0%). AMR and SMR were significantly lower in before-swallow aspiration group. CONCLUSION: Articulatory diadochokinetic tasks that can be easily performed at the bedside would be particularly helpful in determining the oral feeding possibility of subacute stroke patients who cannot undergo VFSS, which is the gold standard for dysphagia assessment.

An Exploration of Multiple Component Peptide Assemblies by Enzyme-Instructed Self-Assembly.

Based on the motifs (RNISY (M) and DEEVELILGDT (D)) in the protein crystal structures of Merlin and CRL4DCAF-1, we phosphorylated the tyrosine residue in M and conjugated M to a self-assembling motif to produce a phosphopeptide (1P) and examined enzyme-instructed self-assembly (EISA) of 1P with and without the presence of D (4). Our results show that EISA of 1P forms a hydrogel at exceedingly low volume fraction (~ 0.03%) even with the presence of the hydrophilic peptide, 4. Unlike 1P, 2P (a diastereomer of 1P) or 3P (the enantiomer of 1P) forms a hydrogel via EISA when their concentration is four or three times that of 1P, respectively. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra show that increasing the concentration of the phosphopeptides lowers the CD signals of the mixtures, and the magnitudes of the CD signals depends on the interaction between M and D. This work contributes insight for understanding multi-component hydrogels formed by self-assembly that involves both specific intermolecular interaction and enzymatic reactions.

A 6-year nationwide population-based study on the current status of gastric endoscopic resection in Korea using administrative data.

Gastric endoscopic resection (ER) is widely performed in Korea. This study aimed to investigate the overall status of gastric ER in Korea. We enrolled ESD or EMR cases performed for gastric cancer and adenoma from 2012 to 2017 by searching the NHIS database. The annual trend of gastric ER and the clinical characteristics were investigated. Institutions were classified into very high-, high-, low-, and very low volume centers (VHVC, HVC, LVC, and VLVC) by the procedure numbers, and institutional types, regional distributions, and medical resources were investigated accordingly. There were 175,370 ER cases during the study period, with an increasing trend over time. The average annual ESD procedure numbers were 3.9, 54.5, 249.5, and 540.3 cases in 131 VLVCs, 119 LVCs, 24 HVCs, and 12 VHVCs, respectively. Among ESD-performing institutions, 44.8% were located in the Seoul Capital Area. The distribution of medical resources showed a positive correlation with the procedural volume. Similar tendencies were also demonstrated in EMR, with some differences in hospital types and regional distribution. Gastric ER and ESD are increasing in Korea. There was a significant variance in the number of ER procedures and the distribution of types, regions, and medical resources according to the procedural volume.

Highly Trustworthy In-Sensor Cryptography for Image Encryption and Authentication.

The prevailing transmission of image information over the Internet of Things demands trustworthy cryptography for high security and privacy. State-of-the-art security modules are usually physically separated from the sensory terminals that capture images, which unavoidably exposes image information to various attacks during the transmission process. Here we develop in-sensor cryptography that enables capturing images and producing security keys in the same hardware devices. The generated key inherently binds to the captured images, which gives rise to highly trustworthy cryptography. Using the intrinsic electronic and optoelectronic characteristics of the 256 molybdenum disulfide phototransistor array, we can harvest electronic and optoelectronic binary keys with a physically unclonable function and further upgrade them into multiple-state ternary and double-binary keys, exhibiting high uniformity, uniqueness, randomness, and coding capacity. This in-sensor cryptography enables highly trustworthy image encryption to avoid passive attacks and image authentication to prevent unauthorized editions.

Optoelectronic graded neurons for bioinspired in-sensor motion perception.

Motion processing has proven to be a computational challenge and demands considerable computational resources. Contrast this with the fact that flying insects can agilely perceive real-world motion with their tiny vision system. Here we show that phototransistor arrays can directly perceive different types of motion at sensory terminals, emulating the non-spiking graded neurons of insect vision systems. The charge dynamics of the shallow trapping centres in MoS2 phototransistors mimic the characteristics of graded neurons, showing an information transmission rate of 1,200 bit s-1 and effectively encoding temporal light information. We used a 20 × 20 photosensor array to detect trajectories in the visual field, allowing the efficient perception of the direction and vision saliency of moving objects and achieving 99.2% recognition accuracy with a four-layer neural network. By modulating the charge dynamics of the shallow trapping centres of MoS2, the sensor array can recognize motion with a temporal resolution ranging from 101 to 106 ms.