Enhanced 2-µm and upconversion luminescence properties regulated by network structure in Ho3+/Yb3+ co-doped germanate laser glasses.

Rare-earth (RE) ions doped laser glass has attracted the interest of many researchers because of its numerous potential applications in planar waveguides and fiber lasers. In this work, the 2-µm and upconversion luminescence properties of Ho3+ are simultaneously enhanced through the design of components used to regulate the network structure of the germanate glass. Furthermore, the thermal, structural, and spectroscopic properties of the Ho3+/Yb3+ co-doped germanate laser glass are systematically investigated. It is noted that the calculated gain coefficient of the Nb2O5 modified germanate laser glass can reach as high as 3.05 cm-1 at 2047 nm. These results suggest that the prepared germanate laser glass with superior performances is a promising candidate for 2-µm mid-infrared laser materials applications.

Broadband 1.0†µm emission in Nd3+/Yb3+ co-doped phosphate glasses and fibers for photonic applications.

In this work, the spectroscopic properties of 1.0 µm emission in Nd3+/Yb3+ co-doped phosphate glasses were systematically investigated under 808 nm excitation. Notably, broadband 1.0 µm emission with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 96 nm was obtained in the phosphate glass doped with 2 mol.% Nd2O3 and 1 mol.% Yb2O3. In addition, the energy transfer microscopic parameter and transfer efficiency were analyzed. What is more, multimaterial fibers with Nd3+/Yb3+ co-doped phosphate glass core and silicate cladding were successfully drawn by using the molten core method. An intense 1.0 µm amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) can be realized in a 3 cm long multimaterial fiber. More importantly, the FWHM of the ASE can reach as large as 60 nm when excited at 976 nm. These results demonstrate that the Nd3+/Yb3+ co-doped phosphate glasses and fibers are promising gain materials for amplifier and laser applications in photonics.

Broadband near-infrared amplified spontaneous emission of Er3+-doped germanate glass fiber.

Er3+-doped glass and fiber are very attractive for near-infrared (NIR) lasers and photonic applications. In this work, the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of NIR fluorescence emission of the Er3+-doped germanate glass can be broadened from 72 to 99 nm when Al2O3 was added. In addition, the spectroscopic properties, including absorption and emission spectra, Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters, absorption and emission cross sections, gain coefficient, and fluorescence lifetime, of the Al2O3-modified germanate glass were systematically investigated. What is more, silicate-clad heavily Er3+-doped germanate core multimaterial fibers were successfully drawn by a rod-in-tube method. Notably, broadband NIR amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) with an FWHM of 120 nm was achieved in this new fiber. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest FWHM reported for Er3+-doped germanate glass fibers. These results suggest that the as-drawn Er3+-doped germanate glass fiber with superior performances is a promising candidate for broadband optical amplification.

Broadband high-gain Tm3+/Ho3+ co-doped germanate glass multimaterial fiber for fiber lasers above 2 µm.

High-gain Tm3+/Ho3+ co-doped optical fibers are urgently desired for high-repetition-rate mode-locked fiber lasers at >2 µm. Here, Tm3+/Ho3+ co-doped germanate glass with low hydroxyl (OH-) content was prepared by the conventional melt-quenching method combined with the reaction atmosphere procedure (RAP) dehydration technique. The doping concentrations of Tm2O3 and Ho2O3 are 2.5 mol.% (7.1 wt.%) and 0.25 mol.% (0.7 wt.%), respectively. Thanks to the high Tm3+ doping (7.1 wt.%) and low energy transfer efficiency (19.8%) between Tm3+ and Ho3+ ions, it enables achieving broadband and high-gain performance in the 2 µm region. Then a silicate-clad Tm3+/Ho3+ co-doped germanate core multimaterial fiber was successfully drawn by using the rod-in-tube method, which has a broadband amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) with a full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of 247.8 nm at 2 µm. What is more, this new fiber has a high gain per unit length of 4.52 dB/cm at 1.95 µm. Finally, an all-fiber-integrated passively mode-locked fiber laser was built by using this broadband high-gain fiber. The mode-locked pulses operate at 2068.05 nm, and the fundamental repetition rate is up to 4.329 GHz. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest fundamental repetition rate for the all-fiber passively mode-locked fiber laser above 2 µm. These results suggest that the as-drawn multimaterial fibers with broadband high-gain characteristics are promising for high-repetition-rate ultrafast fiber lasers.

Lighting quantity indexes for lighting traditional Chinese paintings based on pigments protection and substrates protection in museums.

In museum lighting, traditional Chinese paintings are the artworks with the highest light sensitivity. They are vulnerable to the color damage to pigments and the mechanical damage to substrates after the irradiation from light sources. As the basis of effective preventive protection, the research on the two lighting quantity indexes of illuminance and annual exposure (illuminance × time) is currently missing. In this study, the halogen lamp was used as the experimental light source to conduct a 1440 h irradiation experiment on the samples of paper and silk substrates under 4 illuminance levels, respectively, and the test of infrared spectrum was carried out on the samples every 240 h. The oxidation index of paper and crystallinity degree of silk were calculated then. Three-dimensional visual curved surface plots of mechanical damage to samples with the change of illuminance and time were established and then fitted into damage evaluation equations, which revealed and described mathematically the mechanical damage law of samples. Through the equations, the recommended values of illuminance and annual exposure for samples could be calculated. Combining the previous researches on pigments, the lighting quantity indexes of traditional Chinese paintings with different combinations of substrates and pigments were proposed.

Raman spectroscopy-based method for evaluating LED illumination-induced damage to pigments in high-light-sensitivity art.

Because commonly used organic pigments are highly responsive to visible light, high-light-sensitivity art is vulnerable to irreversible illumination-induced damage caused by radiation from light sources. With application of the four primary white light-emitting diodes (fp-WLEDs) in museums, it is urgent to evaluate the illumination-induced damage to high-light-sensitivity art caused by the fp-WLEDs. Four narrowband LEDs with different peak wavelengths of 450, 510, 583, and 650 nm that constitute the spectra of the fp-WLEDs were used to irradiate three commonly used organic pigments: safflower, gamboge, and indigo. Based on the fundamental reason for the illumination-induced damage, that is, photochemical reactions, Raman spectroscopy was introduced into the study. The Raman spectra of pigments were measured before and after illumination. The characteristic Raman peaks corresponding to the functional groups that determine color and structure of pigments were selected, and the variations in their peak intensities were calculated. The illumination-induced damage coefficients of four narrowband LEDs on three organic pigments were obtained, providing a data basis for illumination-induced damage evaluation equation proposed in this study, which was expected to further realize museum admission evaluation of the new fp-WLEDs.

Selectivity Switch in a Rhodium(II) Carbene Triggered Cyclopentannulation: Divergent Access to Three Polycyclic Indolines.

A selectivity switch in a RhII /carbene-triggered cyclopentannulation with catalytic InCl3 is reported for the first time, affording both diastereomers of the fused spiroindolines and an unusual bridged tetracyclic indoline in high yields with excellent selectivities. Mechanistic studies indicate an intramolecular annulation of the indole with an in situ formed aminocyclopropane. The stepwise thermal conversions from the kinetic spiroindoline to the metastable bridged indoline, and then to the thermodynamic spiroindoline, involving a ring-opening rearrangement of a cyclopentane, is crucial for selectivity control.

Highly Enantioselective [3+2] Annulation of Indoles with Quinones to Access Structurally Diverse Benzofuroindolines.

A facile and efficient method to produce optically pure benzofuroindolines, especially those without 3-substituents that are susceptible to rearomatization, through [3+2] annulation of indoles with quinones is described. The suitable combination of a BOX ligand CuII hydrate complex and freshly activated molecular sieves functions to give controllably dynamic release of water, which enables the success of this reaction. This reaction can be performed on a gram scale with only 0.5 mol % catalyst loading.

Synthesis of Hydroxy-Functionalized Cyclic Olefin Copolymer and Its Block Copolymers with Semicrystalline Polyolefin Segments.

Synthesis of hydroxy-functionalized cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) is achieved with remarkably high activity (up to 5.96 × 107 g-polymer mol-Ti-1 h-1 ) and controlled hydroxy group in a wide range (≈17.1 mol%) by using ansa-dimethylsilylene (fluorenyl)(amido)titanium complex. The catalyst also promotes living/controlled copolymerization to afford novel diblock copolymers consisting of hydroxy-functionalized COC and semicrystalline polyolefin sequence such as polyethylene and syndiotactic polypropylene, where the glass transition temperature of the norbornene/10-undecen-1-ol segment and each block length are controlled by comonomer composition and copolymerization time, respectively.

Facile Synthesis of Novel Polyethylene-Based A-B-C Block Copolymers Containing Poly(methyl methacrylate) Using a Living Polymerization System.

Ethylene-propylene-methyl methacrylate (MMA) and ethylene-hexene-MMA A-B-C block copolymers with high molecular weight (>100,000) are synthesized using fluorenylamide-ligated titanium complex activated by modified methylaluminoxane and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol for the first time. After diblock copolymerization of olefin is conducted completely, MMA is added and activated by aluminum Lewis acid to promote anionic polymerization. The length of polyolefin and poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is controllable precisely by the change of the additive amount of olefin and polymerization time, respectively. A soft amorphous polypropylene or polyhexene segment is located between two hard segments of semicrystalline polyethylene and glassy PMMA blocks.

The oncoplastic breast surgery with pedicled omental flap harvested by laparoscopy: initial experiences from China.

BACKGROUND: A new technique of oncoplastic breast surgery (OBS) using laparoscopically harvested pedicled omental flap has been developed in the past 10 years. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of this technique. METHODS: Twenty-five patients underwent OBS using laparoscopically harvested omental flap. Operative time, blood loss, complications, recurrence, and cosmetic outcomes were prospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Between June 2010 and March 2014, 25 patients were recruited in our study. The surgery was performed successfully in 24 patients. All these patients recovered uneventfully after the surgery. Mean operative time was 310 min, ranging from 205 to 410 min. Mean blood loss was 70 ml, ranging from 20 to 150 ml. Patients were followed up for 32 months on average, ranging from 6 to 51 months. Four patients complained of mild epigastric discomfort. One patient had local recurrence and distant bone and liver metastasis and died 11 months after the surgery. One patient was diagnosed with metastases in the lung, bone, and liver without local recurrence 2 years after surgery. The cosmetic satisfaction rate was 91.7% and 95.8% by surgeon and patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: OBS with laparoscopically harvested omental flap might be a feasible technique with a good cosmetic outcome.

Application of Clavien-Dindo classfication-grade in evaluating overall efficacy of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Background: The Clavien-Dindo classification (CDC) has been widely accepted and applied in clinical practice. We investigated its effectiveness in prediction of major complications (LPPC) after laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) and associated risk factors. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted covering clinical data of 793 patients undergoing LPD from April 2015 to November 2021. CDC was utilized to grade postoperative complications and analyze the differences. Risk factors of LPPC were identified according to univariate and multivariate analyses. Resluts: For the 793 patients undergoing laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy in the northeast of China, LPPC was reported in 260 (32.8%) patients, pancreatic fistula in 169 (21.3%), biliary fistula in 44 (5.5%), delayed gastric emptying in 17(2.1%), post pancreatectomy hemorrhage in 55 (6.9%), intestinal fistula in 7 (0.8%), abdominal infections in 59 (7.4%) and pulmonary complication in 28 (3.5%). All complications were classified into five levels with the C-D classification (Grade I-V), with 83 (31.9%) patients as grade I, 91 (35.0%) as grade II, 38 (14.6%) as grade IIIa, 24 (9.2%) as grade IIIb, 9 (3.5%) as grade IV and 15 (5.8%) as grade V. 86 (10.8%) patients experienced major complications (grade III-V).The results of univariate and multivariate analysis revealed the independent risk factors for laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy complications to be preoperative total bilirubin (P = 0.029, OR = 1.523), soft pancreas texture (P < 0.001, OR = 1.399), male (P = 0.038, OR = 1.396) and intraoperative transfusion (P = 0.033, OR = 1.517). Preoperative total bilirubin (P = 0.036, OR = 1.906) and intraoperative transfusions (P = 0.004, OR = 2.123) were independently associated with major postoperative complications. The influence of different bilirubin levels on C-D grade of complications was statistically significant (P = 0.036, OR = 1.906). Conclusions: The Clavien-Dindo classification (CDC) may serve as a valid tool to predict major postoperative complications and contribute to perioperative management and comparison of surgical techniques in different medical centers.

New nomogram for predicting lymph node positivity in pancreatic head cancer.

Background: Pancreatic cancer is one of the most malignant cancers worldwide, and it mostly occurs in the head of the pancreas. Existing laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) surgical techniques have has undergone a learning curve, a wide variety of approaches for the treatment of pancreatic cancer have been proposed, and the operation has matured. At present, pancreatic head cancer has been gradually changing from "surgeons' evaluation of anatomical resection" to "biologically inappropriate resection". In this study, the risk of lymph node metastasis in pancreatic head cancer was predicted using common preoperative clinical indicators. Methods: The preoperative clinical data of 191 patients with pancreatic head cancer who received LPD in the First Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University from May 2016 to December 2021 were obtained. A univariate regression analysis study was conducted, and the indicators with a significance level of P<0.05 were included in the univariate logistic regression analysis into multivariate. Lastly, a nomogram was built based on age, tumor size, leucocyte,albumin(ALB), and lymphocytes/monocytes(LMR). The model with the highest resolution was selected by obtaining the area under a curve. The clinical net benefit of the prediction model was examined using decision curve analyses.Risk stratification was performed by combining preoperative CT scan with existing models. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis found age, tumor size, WBC, ALB, and LMR as five independent factors. A nomogram model was constructed based on the above indicators. The model was calibrated by validating the calibration curve within 1000 bootstrap resamples. The ROC curve achieved an AUC of 0.745(confidence interval of 95%: 0.673-0.816), thus indicating that the model had excellent discriminative skills. DCA suggested that the predictive model achieved a high net benefit in the nearly entire threshold probability range. Conclusions: This study has been the first to investigate a nomogram for preoperative prediction of lymphatic metastasis in pancreatic head cancer. The result suggests that age, ALB, tumor size, WBC, and LMR are independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis in pancreatic head cancer. This study may provide a novel perspective for the selection of appropriate continuous treatment regimens, the increase of the survival rate of patients with pancreatic head cancer, and the selection of appropriate neoadjuvant therapy patients.

Predicting the Clinical Outcome of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Based on the Gene Expression Characteristics of Necroptosis and Different Molecular Subtypes.

Necroptosis, a kind of programmed necrotic cell apoptosis, is the gatekeeper for the host to defend against the invasion of pathogens. It helps to regulate different biological processes regarding human cancer. Nevertheless, studies that determine the impact of death on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are scarce. Therefore, this paper has comprehensively examined the expression as well as clinical significance of necroptosis in TNBC. ConsensusClusterPlus was used to establish a stable molecular classification that used the expression regarding the necroptosis-linked genes. The clinical and immune characteristics of different subclasses were evaluated. Then, the weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) assisted in determining key modules, and we selected the genes exhibiting obvious association with necroptosis prognosis through the relationship with prognosis. The univariate Cox regression analysis together with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) techniques served for the construction of the necroptosis-related prognostic risk score (NPRS) model, and the pathway characteristics of NPRS model grouping were further studied. Finally, the NPRS, taking into account the clinicopathological features, used the decision tree model for enhancing the prognostic model as well as the survival prediction. First, two stable molecular subtypes with different prognosis and immune characteristics were identified using necroptosis marker genes. Then, the key modules were identified, and 10 genes significantly related to the prognosis of necroptosis were selected. Then, the clinical prognostic model of NPRS was developed considering the prognosis-linked necroptosis genes. Finally, the NPRS model, taking into account the clinicopathological features, adopted the decision tree model for enhancing the prognostic model as well as the survival prediction. Herein, two new molecular subgroups considering necroptosis-linked genes are proposed, and an NPRS model composed of 10 genes is developed, which maybe assist in the personalized treatment and clinical treatment guidance of TNBC patients.

Generation of host-directed and virus-specific antivirals using targeted protein degradation promoted by small molecules and viral RNA mimics.

Targeted protein degradation (TPD), as exemplified by proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC), is an emerging drug discovery platform. PROTAC molecules, which typically contain a target protein ligand linked to an E3 ligase ligand, recruit a target protein to the E3 ligase to induce its ubiquitination and degradation. Here, we applied PROTAC approaches to develop broad-spectrum antivirals targeting key host factors for many viruses and virus-specific antivirals targeting unique viral proteins. For host-directed antivirals, we identified a small-molecule degrader, FM-74-103, that elicits selective degradation of human GSPT1, a translation termination factor. FM-74-103-mediated GSPT1 degradation inhibits both RNA and DNA viruses. Among virus-specific antivirals, we developed viral RNA oligonucleotide-based bifunctional molecules (Destroyers). As a proof of principle, RNA mimics of viral promoter sequences were used as heterobifunctional molecules to recruit and target influenza viral polymerase for degradation. This work highlights the broad utility of TPD to rationally design and develop next-generation antivirals.

Light extraction efficiency improvement by multiple laser stealth dicing in InGaN-based blue light-emitting diodes.

We report a multiple laser stealth dicing (multi-LSD) method to improve the light extraction efficiency (LEE) of InGaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) using a picosecond (Ps) laser. Compared with conventional LEDs scribed by a nanosecond (Ns) laser and single stealth-diced LEDs, the light output power (LOP) of the LEDs using multi-LSD method can be improved by 26.5% and 11.2%, respectively. The enhanced LOP is due to the increased side emission from the large-area roughened sidewalls of the sapphire substrates fabricated in the multi-LSD process. Numerical simulation results show that the multi-LSD process has little thermal damages to the multiple quantum wells (MQWs) of the LEDs.

Strangulated intestinal obstruction secondary to a typical obturator hernia: a case report with literature review.

Obturator hernia is a rare pelvic hernia with incidence of 1%. It's a significant cause of intestinal obstruction in emaciated elderly women. Delayed diagnosis and surgical intervention contributed to its relatively high morbidity and mortality. We present a typical case of obturator hernia with positive Howship-Romberg sign and Hannington-Kiff sign. The diagnosis was confirmed by spiral CT preoperatively. During the emergency laparotomy, the incarcerated intestine was reduced and removed. Obturator foramen was repaired by simple suture. The patient recovered uneventfully and no recurrence occurred during the follow-up. The obturator hernia should be included in the differential diagnosis if clinically suspected. Early diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment are essential to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with obturator hernia.

A TP53-associated immune prognostic signature for the prediction of the overall survival and therapeutic responses in pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly fatal disease correlated with an inferior prognosis. The tumor protein p53 (TP53) is one of the frequent mutant genes in PC and has been implicated in prognosis. We collected somatic mutation data, RNA sequencing data, and clinical information of PC samples in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. TP53 mutation was an independent prognostic predictor of PC patients. According to TP53 status, Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) suggested that TP53 mutations were related to the immunophenotype of pancreatic cancer. We identified 102 differentially expressed immune genes (DEIGs) based on TP53 mutation status and developed a TP53-associated immune prognostic model (TIPM), including Epiregulin (EREG) and Prolactin receptor (PRLR). TIPM identified the high-risk group with poor outcomes and more significant response potential to cisplatin, gemcitabine, and paclitaxel therapies. And we verified the TIPM in the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) cohort (PACA-AU) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) cohort (GSE78229 and GSE28735). Finally, we developed a nomogram that reliably predicts overall survival in PC patients on the bias of TIPM and other clinicopathological factors. Our study indicates that the TIPM derived from TP53 mutation patterns might be an underlying prognostic therapeutic target. But more comprehensive researches with a large sample size is necessary to confirm the potential.

The mathematical expression of damage law of museum lighting on dyed artworks.

Dyed artworks are highly sensitive to light and are easily affected by museum lighting, resulting in irreversible permanent color damage such as fading and discoloration. Exposure, light source spectrum and material properties are the three indicators causing damage to artworks. Therefore, it is the basis for effective lighting protection to reveal the quantitative influence of exposure and light source spectrum composition on the damage degree of different pigments and establish a mathematical model that can accurately express the above rules. At present, the color damage calculation model of dyed artworks under three parameters' coupling action is missing. This research established a visual three-dimensional change surface of the color difference values of 23 pigments varying with the spectral wavelength and exposure through experimental methods. The relative responsivity function ΔEn = fn(λ, Q), where n = 1 ~ 23, was obtained for 23 pigments under the coupling effects of exposure and light source spectra. Furthermore, a mathematical model [Formula: see text] calculating the color damage of pigments in the range of visible light was proposed. The proposed model was verified by the experimental method, which realizes the mathematical expression of the damage law of museum lighting on dyed artworks.

Anthracycline-containing versus carboplatin-containing neoadjuvant chemotherapy in combination with trastuzumab for HER2-positive breast cancer: the neoCARH phase II randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Although dual blockade HER2-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy is associated with excellent outcomes for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer, pertuzumab is not available to all patients due to cost. The optimal neoadjuvant chemotherapy for HER2-positive breast cancer in the presence of a single HER2 blockade is unknown. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of epirubicin/cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel/trastuzumab (EC-TH) with docetaxel/carboplatin/trastuzumab (TCH) neoadjuvant setting for HER2-positive breast cancer under the single HER2 blockade. METHODS: Patients with stage II-IIIC HER2-positive breast cancer were randomly assigned to either eight cycles of EC-TH every 3 weeks during all chemotherapy cycles, or six cycles of TCH every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was pathological complete response (pCR) (defined as the absence of invasive tumor cells in breast and axilla, ypT0/is ypN0). RESULTS: From May 2017 to November 2019, 140 patients were randomly assigned, and 135 patients were ultimately found evaluable for the primary endpoint. The pCR was recorded in 25 of 67 patients [37.3%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 25.8-50.0] in the EC-TH group and in 38 of 68 patients (55.9%, 95% CI, 43.3-67.9) in the TCH group (p = 0.032). The most common adverse events (AEs) were neutropenia in 24 of 67 (35.8%) patients in the EC-TH group versus 27 of 68 (39.7%) in the TCH group (p = 0.642), anemia in 33 of 67 (49.3%) patients in the EC-TH group versus 34 of 68 (50.0%) in the TCH group (p = 0.931), and thrombocytopenia in five of 67 (7.5%) patients in the EC-TH group versus 17 of 68 (25.0%) in the TCH group (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: For patients receiving the single HER2 blockade trastuzumab for HER2-positive breast cancer, TCH regimen might be a preferred neoadjuvant therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03140553) on 2 May 2017.