Flatband polaritonic router in twisted bilayer van der Waals materials.

In recent years, van der Waals (vdW) polaritons excited by the hybrid of matter and photons have shown great promise for applications in nanoimaging, biosensing, and on-chip light guiding. In particular, polaritons with a flatband dispersion allow for mode canalization and diffractionless propagation, which showcase advantages for on-chip technologies requiring long-range transportation of optical information. Here, we propose a flatband polaritonic router based on twisted α-MoO3 bilayers, which allows for on-chip routing of highly confined and low-loss phonon polaritons (PhPs) along multichannel propagating paths under different circular polarized dipole excitations. Our work combines flatband physics and optical spin- orbit coupling, with potential applications in nanoscale light propagation, on-chip optical switching, and communication.

Metasurface circular polarizer based on rotational symmetric nanoholes.

A circular polarizer is proposed based on a single layered metasurface. This metasurface circular polarizer is composed of L-shaped nanoholes etched on the silver film. The L-shaped nanoholes are rotational symmetric, and the special symmetric structure determines the polarization selection transmission of the metasurface. The theoretical analysis elaborates the design process of the metasurface circular polarizer. The proposed metasurface circular polarizers have good polarization selective transmittance, and more interestingly, they take on the opposite circular dichroism at different wavebands. The numerical simulations and experiment measurement confirm the circular dichroism of the proposed circular polarizers. The compact design, ultrathin thickness and available performance can expand the applications of the metasurface circular polarizers in the integrated optics.

Uniform theory of plasmonic vortex generation based on nanoholes.

In view of the wide applications of plasmonic vortices, a uniform theory of plasmonic vortex generation is advanced based on a metasurface consisting of nanometric rectangular holes. Rectangular holes may be located on one circle, two concentric circles, one spiral or two parallel spirals. The key problem in generating the plasmonic vortex is to construct a spiral phase, which can be excited by single or double holes. Theoretical analysis for generation of the plasmonic vortex is implemented in terms of the radiation model of dipoles and the propagation rule of surface plasmon polaritons. Several practical examples are presented and theoretical predictions are verified by the generated plasmonic vortices. The proposed theory is of benefit to the design of plasmonic vortex generators and the applications of plasmonic vortices.

α spiral nanoslit and the higher order plasmonic vortex generation.

In view of the conciseness of a spiral nanoslit and the limited order of the generated vortex, a kind of nanometer spiral, named α spirals, is proposed to generate a higher order plasmonic vortex. Theoretical analysis provides the basis for the advancement of an α spiral. The proposed spiral can generate the plasmonic vortex and the extreme order of the generated vortex depends on parameter α. The numerical simulations express the valid region of the plasmonic vortex generated by the α spiral. Discussions about the validity range of the α spiral nanoslit and the influence of the film material are beneficial to generate a high order vortex. This work builds a platform for the generation of the higher order plasmonic vortex using the simple spiral nanostructure and it can extend the potential applications of higher order plasmonic vortices.

Polarization controllable plasmonic focusing based on nanometer holes.

Two kinds of plasmonic lenses are proposed based on phase compensation. Each kind of plasmonic lens is comprised of four sets of nanohole arrays, and two sets of face-to-face nanohole arrays are planar symmetric. The adjustment of separation and the rotation angle of holes compensates, respectively, for the phase difference of the surface plasmon polaritons reaching to the focal spot. The different design principles make the proposed plasmonic lenses show the different polarization dependence focusing. Two or four foci of the first kind of plasmonic lens and two controllable foci focusing of the second kind of plasmonic lens can be utilized as optical switch and logic judgment. Theoretic analysis, numerical calculations and experiment measurement verify the focusing performance of our proposed plasmonic lenses. The focusing functionality and versatility of our proposed structures are helpful for extending the applications of plasmonic lenses in integrated optics.

Antibacterial evaluation and mode of action study of BIMQ, a novel bacterial cell division inhibitor.

The worldwide spreading of antibiotic resistant bacteria is currently an extremely serious health risk and therefore to develop new antibiotics is an urgent need. In the present study, the antibacterial activity of a new indolyl quinolinium compound and its underline mechanism were investigated. The compound shows an outstanding antibacterial activity against the tested Gram-positive bacteria. The MIC values are in the range of 1-4 µg/mL. The elongation of B. subtilis cells indicates that the compound can inhibit cell division effectively. In addition, the biochemical studies prove that the compound is able to disrupt FtsZ polymerization effectively through a stimulatory mechanism. Furthermore, the compound can delay the development of drug resistance mutants.

Multifocal metalens with a controllable intensity ratio.

A multifocal metalens is proposed based on the optical metasurface consisting of subwavelength gratings etched on silver film. The larger transmission of grating makes the proposed metalens have high focusing efficiency, and the exquisite design of the metasurface enables the metalens to focus the light at multiple spots with the controllable intensity ratio. The intensity ratio of focal spots is controlled by adjusting grating structures. The numerical simulations give the good presentation, and the experiment measurement provides the favorable verification for the performance of the proposed multifocal metalens in light focusing and beam splitting. The advantages of the multifocal metalens, including simple design, compact structure, high efficiency, and the controllable focusing, are a benefit to its applications in optical integration and micromanipulation.

Metalens based on constructive interference.

A metalens consisting of nanometer rectangular holes etched on silver film is proposed, and the focusing effect is actualized in the visible region. The rectangular holes are arranged on concentric circles, and the fields excited by these holes constructively interfere due to having the same propagation phase. The propagation phase is obtained by optimizing the sizes of the rectangular holes and the radii of the circles. This metalens can focus linearly or circularly polarized light, and numerical simulations and experimental measurement confirm its focusing performance. The proposed metalens has the advantages of flexible design, loose constraint to incident polarization, low-cost equipment, and simpler experimental operation, and we believe it will be useful to applications in optical integration and visible light imaging.

lncRNA-Map2k4 sequesters miR-199a to promote FGF1 expression and spinal cord neuron growth.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a common critical illness in clinical practice. SCI prevention, treatment and rehabilitation have become important topics in today's medical profession. Studies have shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) also play an important role in the pathology of SCI. The biology software analysis identified miR-199a binding sites in the lncRNA-Map2k4 and FGF1 sequences, which were confirmed by the subsequent dual luciferase reporter assay. When lncRNA-Map2k4 expression was down-regulated by siRNA, miR-199a expression in neurons was up-regulated and FGF1 expression was down-regulated. In turn, miR-199a up-regulation inhibited lncRNA-Map2k4 and FGF1 expression. But when lncRNA-Map2k4-m (a lncRNA-Map2k4 overexpression vector with mutated miR-199a binding sites) was co-transfected into neuronal cells with miR-199a mimics, lncRNA-Map2k4-m over-expression did not block the inhibition of FGF1 expression by miR-199a. Moreover, lncRNA-Map2k4 and FGF1 promoted the proliferation and inhibited the apoptosis of neuronal cells, whereas miR-199a down-regulated the aforementioned functions of lncRNA-Map2k4 and FGF1; however, lncRNA-Map2k4-m could not block the inhibitory action of miR-199a on proliferation. Thus, lncRNA-Map2k4 regulates neuronal proliferation and apoptosis through a miR-199a/FGF1 pathway. This finding provides more evidence for the role of lncRNAs in SCI.

Ferroelectric BaTiO3 Regulating the Local Electric Field for Interfacial Stability in Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries.

Solid-state Li metal batteries (SSLMBs) are widely investigated since they possess promising energy density and high safety. However, the poor interfacial compatibility between the electrolyte and electrodes limits their promising development. Herein, a robust composite electrolyte (poly(vinyl ethylene carbonate) electrolyte with 3 wt % of BaTiO3, PVEC-3BTO) with excellent interfacial performance is rationally designed by incorporating ferroelectric BaTiO3 (BTO) nanoparticles into the poly(vinyl ethylene carbonate) (PVEC) electrolyte matrix. Benefiting from the high dielectric constant and ferroelectric properties of BTO, the interfacial compatibility between electrolytes and electrodes was significantly improved. The enhanced Li+ transference number (0.64) of solid electrolyte and in situ generated BaF2 inorganic interphase contribute to the enhanced cycling stability of PVEC-3BTO based Li//Li symmetrical batteries. Furthermore, the antioxidation ability of PVEC-3BTO has also been enhanced by modulating the local electric field for good pairing with high-voltage LiCoO2 material. Therefore, in this work, the mechanism of BTO for improving interfacial compatibility is revealed, and also useful methods for addressing the interface issues of SSLMBs have been provided.

Tellurium-driven maple leaf-shaped manganese nanotherapeutics reshape tumor microenvironment via chemical transition in situ to achieve highly efficient radioimmunotherapy of triple negative breast cancer.

The therapeutic efficacy of radioimmunotherapy against triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is largely limited by the complicated tumor microenvironment (TME) and its immunosuppressive state. Thus developing a strategy to reshape TME is expected to achieve highly efficient radioimmunotherapy. Therefore, we designed and synthesized a tellurium (Te)-driven maple leaf manganese carbonate nanotherapeutics (MnCO3@Te) by gas diffusion method, but also provided a chemical catalytic strategy in situ to augment ROS level and activate immune cells for improving cancer radioimmunotherapy. As expected, with the help of H2O2 in TEM, MnCO3@Te heterostructure with reversible Mn3+/Mn2+ transition could catalyze the intracellular ROS overproduction to amplify radiotherapy. In addition, by virtue of the ability to scavenge H+ in TME by carbonate group, MnCO3@Te directly promote the maturation of dendritic cells and macrophage M1 repolarization by stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway activation, resulting in remodeling immuno-microenvironment. As a result, MnCO3@Te synergized with radiotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade therapy effectively inhibited the breast cancer growth and lung metastasis in vivo. Collectively, these findings indicate that MnCO3@Te as an agonist, successfully overcome radioresistance and awaken immune systems, showing promising potential for solid tumor radioimmunotherapy.

[Antitumoral bibenzyl derivatives from tuber of Arundina graminifolia].

OBJECTIVE: To isolate the bibenzyl derivatives from the tuber of Arundina graminifolia and evaluate the anti-tumor activity of these compounds in vitro. METHOD: The constituents have been extracted by 95% alcohol and then isolated by column chromatography on silica gel and Sephedax LH-20. The structures were determined by UV, IR, NMR and MS spectral analysis. RESULT: Six constituents have been isolated, and their structures have been established as 2,7-dihydroxy-1-(p-hydroxylbenzyl)-4-methoxy-9, 10-dihydrophenanthrene (1), 4,7-dihydroxy-1- (p-hydroxylbenzyl)-2-methoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (2), 3, 3'-dihydroxy-5-methoxybibenzyl (3), (2E) -2- propenoic acid-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) -tetracosyl ester (4), (2E) -2-propenoic acid-3- (4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl) -pentacosyl ester (5) and pentadecyl acid (6), respectively. CONCLUSION: All compounds except for 3 were isolated from the tuber of A. graminifolia for the first time. Compound 3 with bibenzyl ring opening exhibits stronger anti-tumor activity than that of compounds 1 and 2 with bibenzyl ring closing.

Triboelectrification-Induced Electricity in Self-Healing Hydrogel for Mechanical Energy Harvesting and Ultra-sensitive Pressure Monitoring.

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have shown huge application potential in the fields of micro-nano energy harvesting and multifunctional sensing. However, the damage of triboelectric material is one of the challenges for their practical applications. Herein, we fabricated a flexible TENG employing self-healing hydrogel and fluorinated ethylene propylene film as triboelectric materials for mechanical energy harvesting and pressure monitoring. The prepared hydrogel not only has excellent flexibility, transparency, and self-healing property but also exhibits good mechanical property without plastic deformation and damage under a large stretchable strain of 200%. The output electric signals of TENGs are as high as 33.0 V and 3 µA under a contact frequency of 0.40 Hz and a pressure of 2.9 N, respectively, which can charge a capacitor of 0.22 µF to 24.3 V within 300 s. Note that the voltage retention rate of TENGs after self-healing is up to 88.0%. Moreover, hydrogel-based TENGs can act as a wearable pressure sensor for monitoring human motion, exhibiting a high sensitivity of 105.9 mV/N or 1.73 nA/N under a contact frequency of 0.40 Hz. This research provides a reference roadmap for designing TENGs and self-powered pressure sensors with flexibility, self-healing, and robustness.

High-Fat Diet Affects Heavy Metal Accumulation and Toxicity to Mice Liver and Kidney Probably via Gut Microbiota.

Previous studies proved that heavy metals could increase the risk of disease by acting on the gut microbiota. Meanwhile, gut microbiota played important roles in detoxifying heavy metals. However, the response of gut microbiota to heavy metals and which microbes dominated this detoxification processes are still unclear. This study investigated the difference of high-fat-diet (HFD) and normal-diet (ND) gut microbiota and their response to and detoxification effects on arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) exposure. Results showed that gut microbiota of ND and HFD was significantly different and responded to As, Pb, and Cd exposure differently, too. When exposed to 100 ppm As, Cd, or Pb, HFD-fed mice accumulated more heavy metals in the liver and kidney along with more severe functional damage than ND-fed mice, indicated by a more dramatic increase of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities and urinary total protein (TPU), urinary uric acid (UUA), and urinary creatinine (Ucrea) content. Among ND gut microbiota, relative abundance of Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, Butyricimonas, and Dorea was significantly increased by arsenic (As) exposure; relative abundance of Faecoccus and Lactobacillus was significantly increased by Cd exposure; relative abundance of Desulfovibrio, Plasmodium, and Roseburia were significantly increased by Pb exposure. However, among HFD gut microbiota, those microbes were not significantly changed. Bivariate association analysis found weak positive correlations between content of fecal excreted heavy metals and richness of total fecal microbiota as well as abundance of some of the heavy metal-enriched microbes. Our study concluded that HFD increased disease risk of heavy metal exposure probably via its gut microbiota which excreted less heavy metal through feces.

NG2 expression in rats with acute T10 spinal cord injury.

Rat models of T10 spinal cord injury were established with a clamp method. NG2 expression was detected with immunohistochemical staining and western blot. Ten days after spinal cord injury, the number of NG2-positive cells in the damaged areas and NG2 absorbance were both significantly increased. The findings indicate that acute T10 spinal cord injury in rats can lead to upregulation of NG2 protein expression in damaged areas.