Scattered beam control of encoded metasurface based on near-field coupling effects of elements

The coupling effect between the element structures of the traditional Huygens metasurface is easy to cause the efficiency of the designed functional devices to be reduced. In order to eliminate or reduce the coupling effect between the element structures, a border-type Huygens metasurface element structure is proposed. In order to confirm that the bounding element structure can significantly reduce the coupling effect, the near-field distribution and far-field properties of two Huygens metasurfaces with and without bounding are compared. Through comparative analysis, we find that the bounding Huygens element structure can significantly reduce the coupling effect between the element structures, and the far-field scattering angle is more consistent with the theoretical calculation value. In order to realize the free regulation of the far-field scattering angle of THz waves, we introduce the Fourier convolution principle in digital signal processing, and operate the element sequence of Huygens metasurface on the addition principle to realize the free regulation of scattered beams. In addition, we performed functional addition operations on the bounding and unbounding coding sequences. The bounding code structure can accurately achieve the synthesis of functions.

Outcomes of Consolidative Thoracic Radiation within First-Line Chemoimmunotherapy in Extensive-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Results from a Single Cancer Center

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Thoracic radiation (TRT) benefits local control undoubtedly and survival with some minor controversy in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) patients undergoing radiotherapy in the chemoradiotherapy era. However, whether TRT could further enhance the benefit of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) maintenance on outcomes in the immunotherapy era is still unclear. This study aims to investigate the role of consolidative TRT in ES-SCLC patients receiving first-line chemoimmunotherapy followed by immunotherapy maintenance.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Outcomes of patients who were treated with first-line chemo-immunotherapy followed by ICIs maintenance for ES-SCLC were reviewed. Based on TRT or not, patients were allocated to TRT group or non-TRT group. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and local-recurrence free survival (LRFS) were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by log-rank test.

RESULTS

A total of 100 patients with no progressive disease after 4 cycles of chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed between January 2020 and December 2021 and were allocated into TRT group (n = 47) and non-TRT group (n = 53). The median follow-up time was 20.3 months. The median PFS and OS in TRT were 9.1 months and 21.8 months, versus 8.8 months (p = 0.93) and 24.3 months (p = 0.63), respectively, in non-TRT. ICIs agents consisted of Durvalumab (59.0%) and Atezolizumab (41.0%). The median dose of TRT is 50 Gy (IQR: 45 - 54), while the median interval time from chemotherapy completion to TRT was 31 days (IQR: 12 - 44.5). Only 10 (21.3%) patients terminated ICIs in the period of TRT. The rate of intrathoracic progression after the first-line therapy in TRT significantly decreased compared to that with non-TRT (20.0% versus 55.9%, p = 0.003). The median LRFS time in TRT was not reached, but significantly longer than 10.8 months in non-TRT (HR = 0.27, p < 0.01). Second-line chemotherapy significantly prolonged survival compared to that with chemo-free patients (mOS: 24.5 vs. 21.4 months, p = 0.026). The subgroup analysis showed a trend of patients with brain metastases benefit from TRT (21.8 versus 13.7 months, HR 0.61, p = 0.38) while liver metastases did not (13.3 versus 15.0 months, HR 1.80, p = 0.21). Of 47 patients with TRT, only 10.6% of patients experienced grade 3 radiation-induced pneumonitis, while no grade 4 or 5 adverse events occurred. None of patients experienced grade ≥ 3 treatment-related cardiac events.

CONCLUSION

Consolidative TRT in the period of immunotherapy maintenance followed first-line chemo-immunotherapy did not prolong OS and PFS but increased LRFS in ES-SCLC.

High-Q Quasi-Bound States in the Continuum in Terahertz All-Silicon Metasurfaces

Bound states in the continuum (BIC)-based all-silicon metasurfaces have attracted widespread attention in recent years because of their high quality (Q) factors in terahertz (THz) frequencies. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate an all-silicon BIC metasurface consisting of an air-hole array on a Si substrate. BICs originated from low-order TE and TM guided mode resonances (GMRs) induced by (1,0) and (1,1) Rayleigh diffraction of metagratings, which were numerically investigated. The results indicate that the GMRs and their Q-factors are easily excited and manipulated by breaking the lattice symmetry through changes in the position or radius of the air-holes, while the resonance frequencies are less sensitive to these changes. The measured Q-factor of the GMRs is as high as 490. The high-Q metasurfaces have potential applications in THz modulators, biosensors, and other photonic devices.

Broadband stealth devices based on encoded metamaterials

Based on the generalized Snell's law, the relationship between the phase gradient of the metasurface and the incident frequency is demonstrated, and the principle of the achromatic metasurface is developed. By adjusting the phase gradient and linear dispersion simultaneously, the function of achromatic aberration is realized, and the influence of chromatic aberration on the metasurface is reduced. We propose a metasurface stealth device with achromatic multilayer frame metasurfaces with beam deflection, steering, and collection functions so that the incident electromagnetic beam is transmitted around the stealth object without scattering. In the range of 0.45-0.9 THz, the stealth function can be achieved. We have shown that the achromatic principle, design method, and stealth structure provide a guide for achieving transmissive cloaking.

Multi-Function Reflective Vector Light Fields Generated by All-Dielectric Encoding Metasurface

Traditional optics usually studies the uniform polarization state of light. Compared with uniform vector beams, non-uniform vector beams have more polarization information. Most of the research on generating cylindrical vector beams using metasurfaces focuses on generating transmitted beams using the geometric phase. However, the geometric phase requires the incident light to be circularly polarized, which limits the design freedom. Here, an all-dielectric reflective metasurface is designed to generate different output light according to the different polarization states of the incident light. By combining the two encoding arrangements of the dynamic phase and the geometric phase, the output light is a radial vector beam when the linearly polarized light is incident along the x-direction. Under the incidence of linearly polarized light along the y-direction, the generated output light is an azimuthal vector beam. Under the incidence of left-handed circularly polarized light, the generated output light is a vortex beam with a topological charge of -1. Under the incidence of right-handed circularly polarized light, the generated output light is a vortex beam with a topological charge of +1. The proposed reflective metasurface has potential applications in generating vector beams with high integration.

Improvement of beam shaping on a metasurface by eliminating the interaction between coding units

The interaction between subwavelength elements must be considered when constructing a metasurface. Generally, the interaction between cell structures is ignored when metasurface optoelectronic devices are designed, which results in a significant decrease in the design performance and efficiency of the overall metasurface structure. To reduce or further eliminate the interaction between cell structures, we propose a cell structure with borders to construct coded metasurface sequences. At the same time, we design a common frameless cell structure to construct a traditional coding metasurface. By numerical simulation of the near-field distribution and far-field scattering characteristics of these two types of coded metasurface sequences, we find that the element structure with a medium frame can attenuate the interaction between adjacent encoded particles. In the process of transmission on the encoding metasurface with a frame, different encoded particles can independently express their transmission phase and are not affected by adjacent structures, thus realizing a low coupling coding metasurface.

A Dual-Mode Optical Thermometer with High Sensitivity Based on BaAl12O19:Sm2+/SrAl12O19:Sm3+ Solid Solution Phosphors

A series of BaAl₁₂O₁₉:Sm²⁺/SrAl₁₂O₁₉:Sm³⁺ mixed-phase phosphors were produced in one step using the traditional high-temperature solid-phase process. Because Sm is divalent in BaAl₁₂O₁₉ and trivalent in SrAl₁₂O₁₉, the coexistence of Sm²⁺ and Sm³⁺ is realized in the mixed-phase host. Since the temperature sensitivity of Sm²⁺ and Sm³⁺ in the solid solution host is significantly different, this makes it possible for the sample to measure temperature based on the fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR). The crystal model, ion emission spectrum, and temperature sensitivity of these phosphors are studied in detail. Under the co-excitation of a 410 nm excitation source, this sample has excellent temperature measurement performance in the range of 313-513 K. Based on the FIR method, the maximum absolute temperature sensitivity (S_a) is 0.55 K^-1 at 513 K, and the maximum relative temperature sensitivity (S_r) is 2.47%K^-1 at 453 K. Moreover, based on the photoluminescence lifetime temperature measurement mode, the largest value of S_a at 413 K is 0.046 K^-1, and the maximum value of S_r at 473 K is 3.10%K^-1. In short, the BaAl₁₂O₁₉:Sm²⁺/SrAl₁₂O₁₉:Sm³⁺ solid solution is a kind of phosphor with nice temperature measurement ability, and it has very strong potential in the application of noncontact optical thermometers.

Transmission terahertz power beam splitter based on a single-layer metal metasurface

A periodic metasurface composed of a single layer of copper structure is proposed. The general transmission power beam splitter is composed of a multilayer structure, which is difficult to fabricate. The proposed single-layer terahertz wave power beam splitter contains only a single-layer circular hole cell structure, and it can control the transmission angle by controlling the arrangement mode of the coding cells. At the same time, we can control the transmission angle and the transmitted energy distribution of each beam based on different incident angles. A simple monolayer round-hole metasurface was prepared and its transmission characteristics were analyzed based on a terahertz time domain spectrometer. Compared with traditional splitter devices, our coding metasurface beam splitters with a single layer have the potential to promote the development of integrated optical systems.

Highly sensitive biosensor based on an all-dielectric asymmetric ring metasurface

We propose an all-dielectric asymmetric ring-cylindrical metasurface. Based on the analysis of transmission characteristics and the calculation of electromagnetic field distribution of the metasurface with this element structure, it is found that the high Q resonance of the ultra-narrowband can be realized when the symmetry of the ring-cylindrical structure is broken. Meanwhile, it is found that the degree of asymmetry of the ring, the refractive index of the material, the radius of the ring, and the substrate have great influence on the Q value and resonant frequency of the metasurface. Our proposed metasurface structure is applied to the detection of biological molecules based on the change in refractive index of biomolecular solutions. The designed metasurface with high sensitivity to detect biomolecules with different refractive indices, the Q value can reach 365.03, and the sensitivity is increased by 90.36 GHz/RIU compared to that without substrate, while the figure of merit value is as high as 100.56, providing label-free detection of biomolecules.

[Vascular endothelial growth factor promotes cancer stemness of triple-negative breast cancer via MAPK/ERK pathway]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in regulating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) stem cells and the possible pathways involved in this regulatory mechanism.

METHODS

The Oncomine database, UALCAN database and Human Protein Atlas (HPA) database were used to analyze the expression of VEGF in breast cancer and its association with the molecular subtypes and prognosis of breast cancer. Sphere formation assay was carried out to examine the effects of hVEGF₁₆₅ on sphere formation ability of TNBC MDA-MB-231 cell line; Western blotting and RT-qPCR were performed to detect the expression of the tumor stem cell markers including CD44, c-Myc, Nanog, and ALDH1 and the activation of the related pathways.

RESULTS

Data from the online databases all showed a significant increase of VEGF expression in breast cancer tissues than in the adjacent tissues (P < 0.0001), and its expression level was associated with the molecular subtypes of breast cancer. Specifically, the expression of VEGF was markedly higher in TNBC than in other subtypes of breast cancer. Survival analysis showed that breast cancer patients with a high VEGF expression had a significantly shortened overall survival (P < 0.0001). In the cell experiments, the sphere formation ability of MDA-MB-231 cells was significantly enhanced after treatment with hVEGF₁₆₅ (P=0.0029). Compared with the monolayer cells, MDA-MB-231 spheres showed significantly increased expressions of VEGF, NRP-1, CD44, Nanog and c-Myc. Treatment with hVEGF₁₆₅ resulted in significant time-dependent up-regulation of the expressions of CD44, c-Myc, Nanog and ALDH1 and down-regulation of CD24 expression in the cells. The results of Western blotting demonstrated that treatment with hVEGF₁₆₅ caused significant activation of the ERK/MAPK pathway in MDA-MB-231 cells.

CONCLUSION

VEGF promotes cancer stemness of triple-negative breast cancer possibly through the ERK/MAPK pathway.

Enhancement of efficiency on the Pancharatnam-Berry geometric phase metalens in the terahertz region

Traditional terahertz lenses face high thickness, low transmittance, difficult processing, and other problems that are not conducive to mass production and integration. Here, we propose a wideband all-dielectric Pancharatnam-Berry geometric phase cell structure to construct a metasurface flat lens. However, when the geometrical phase element structure rotates, the transmission efficiency of the periodic element structure obviously decreases, which will lead to the decrease of the efficiency of the designed flat lens. In order to improve the efficiency, we propose to add a layer of tapered microstructure on the flat substrate to greatly improve the transmission efficiency of the element structure, thus leading to the improvement of the efficiency of the metasurface lens. By comparing the metasurface lens with conical and planar substrates, the metasurfaces with conical structure can greatly improve the transmission efficiency at broadband and wide angle ranges.

Analogue of Electromagnetically Induced Transparency in an All-Dielectric Double-Layer Metasurface Based on Bound States in the Continuum

Bound states in the continuum (BICs) have attracted much attention due to their infinite Q factor. However, the realization of the analogue of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) by near-field coupling with a dark BIC in metasurfaces remains challenging. Here, we propose and numerically demonstrate the realization of a high-quality factor EIT by the coupling of a bright electric dipole resonance and a dark toroidal dipole BIC in an all-dielectric double-layer metasurface. Thanks to the designed unique one-dimensional (D)-two-dimensional (2D) combination of the double-layer metasurface, the sensitivity of the EIT to the relative displacement between the two layer-structures is greatly reduced. Moreover, several designs for widely tunable EIT are proposed and discussed. We believe the proposed double-layer metasurface opens a new avenue for implementing BIC-based EIT with potential applications in filtering, sensing and other photonic devices.

Transmission and reflection cloaking by using a zero-refractive-index photonic crystal in the microwave region

We propose a rectangular column two-dimensional square lattice photonic crystal to realize zero refractive index. Through analysis of the energy band structure of the photonic crystal structure, the lattice constant and side length of the rectangular columns can be optimized, and the Dirac cone dispersion appears at the center of the Brillouin zone. The Dirac cone is formed by the interaction of a monopolar eigenstate and a dipolar eigenstate to form a triple accidental degenerate state. The effective medium theory is used to invert the effective electromagnetic parameters of the photonic crystal with a double zero refractive index. The zero-phase change and the focusing characteristic of the concave lens of this kind of zero-refractive-index material are verified. Importantly, we have achieved transmission and reflection cloaking with this zero-index medium. Through the analysis of the amplitude and phase distribution characteristics of the electromagnetic field, it is proved that the designed cloaking devices have obvious cloaking effect.

Poroid hidradenoma of the scalp in a US Veteran's Administration (VA) patient

Poroid hidradenomas are a rare subtype of hidradenoma. A Veteran’s Administration patient presented with a mobile, cystic scalp lesion. Intraoperatively the mass spontaneously ruptured. We hope clinicians will consider this entity on their differential when treating patients presenting with similar scalp lesions and intraoperative findings.

Analogue of electromagnetically induced transparency in a metal-dielectric bilayer terahertz metamaterial

We realize and numerically demonstrate the analogue of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) with a high-Q factor in a metal-dielectric bilayer terahertz metamaterial (MM) via bright-bright mode coupling and bright-dark mode coupling. The dielectric MM with silicon dimer rectangular-ring-resonator (Si-DRR) supports either a bright high-Q toroidal dipole resonance (TD) or a dark TD with infinite Q value, while plasmonic MM with metallic rectangular-ring-resonator (M-RR) supports a low-Q electric dipole resonance (ED). The results show that the near-field coupling between the dark TD and bright ED behaves just as that between the two bright modes, which is dependent on the Q factor of the TD resonance. Further, due to the greatly enhanced near-field coupling between the bright ED and dark TD, the coupling distance is significantly extended to about 1.9 times of the wavelength (in media), and robust EIT with large peak value over 0.9 and high Q-factor is achieved. The proposed bilayer MM provides a new EIT platform for design and applications in high-Q cavities, sensing, and slow-light based devices.

CircRNA_100395 protects breast carcinoma deterioration by targeting MAPK6

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to uncover the differential expression of circRNA_100395 in breast carcinoma specimens, and its regulatory effect on cancer cell phenotypes. The role of circRNA_100395 in affecting breast carcinoma progression and the molecular mechanism are explored as well.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

CircRNA_100395 expressions in breast carcinoma and paracancerous tissues were detected. The influence of circRNA_100395 level on clinical indicators of breast carcinoma patients was analyzed. In vitro regulations of circRNA_100395 on phenotypes of breast carcinoma cells were examined by CCK-8, colony formation, and transwell assay. The interaction between circRNA_100395 and MAPK6 was confirmed by Dual-Luciferase reporter assay and rescue assays.

RESULTS

CircRNA_100395 was downregulated in breast carcinoma tissues and cell lines. Its level was negatively correlated to tumor staging and tumor size of breast carcinoma. Overexpression of circRNA_100395 in SKBR3 and MDA-MB-231 cells weakened proliferative and migratory abilities. MAPK6 was the target gene of circRNA_100395. Overexpression of MAPK6 reversed the anti-cancer effect of circRNA_100395 on breast carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

CircRNA_100395 serves as an anti-cancer gene in breast carcinoma progression by targeting MAPK6, and its level is negatively correlated to tumor staging and tumor size of breast carcinoma. CircRNA_100395 can be utilized as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target of breast carcinoma.

High-efficiency transmissive invisibility cloaking based on all-dielectric multilayer frame structure metasurfaces

Metasurfaces provide a completely new path to realize the cloaking effect due to their excellent electromagnetic wavefront manipulation. However, most previous metasurfaces realized cloaking by using phase compensation, which is limited by the reflection phase formula and can be used only for reflection mode. We use the generalized Snell's law to propose a free-space transmission stealth device, consisting of multilayer all-dielectric metasurfaces. We utilize three phase gradient all-dielectric silicon metasurfaces that, respectively, play the role of beam splitting, steering, and collection to guide incident waves around the object, thereby forming an ideal stealth area in free space. All-dielectric metasurfaces can greatly reduce transmission loss and enhance efficiency to a large extent. The advantage of choosing an all-dielectric material is that it is easy to process and more suitable in practice. Simulation results of the near field and far field prove that this cloak has a cloaking effect at 1 THz. Our work opens up a new path for transmissive stealth.

Design of two invisibility cloaks using transmissive and reflective metamaterial-based multilayer frame microstructures

Ultrathin metamaterials provide new possibilities for the realization of cloaking devices because of their ability to control electromagnetic waves. However, applications of metamaterials in cloaking devices have been limited primarily to reflection-type carpet cloaks. Hence, a transmissive free-space cloak was developed using a multilayer frame structure, wherein highly transparent metamaterials were used to guide incident waves into propagating around an object. The cloaking effect was quantitatively verified using near-field and far-field distributions. Metamaterials allow for the cloaking shells of transmissive cloaks to be developed without spatially varying extreme parameters. Moreover, a transmissive invisible cloak with metamaterial-based mirrors was designed. The design principle of this cloak with a frame structure consists of four metamaterial-based mirrors and two metal mirrors. After covered with the designed metamaterials-based mirrors cloak, the outgoing electromagnetic wave is restored greatly as if the wave passes directly through the obstacle without distortion. This cloak used the metamaterials mirrors to adjust the reflected angle, so that the outgoing electromagnetic wave does not change direction, thereby achieving the cloaking effect.

Manipulation of the arbitrary scattering angle based on all-dielectric transmissive Pancharatnam Berry phase coding metasurfaces in the visible range

In order to improve the transmitted efficiency of the metasurface in the visible range, an all-dielectric Pancharatnam-Berry phase unit structure was proposed. Using these Pancharatnam-Berry phase element particles with different rotation angles, all-dielectric encoding metasurfaces can be constructed. The encoding metasurface connects the physical coding particles with digital coding in digital signal processing. The manipulation of the continuous transmission angle requires the continuous change of the encoding metasurface period. Since the size of encoding particles on the coded metasurfaces cannot be designed to be infinitesimally small, it is impossible to obtain the continuously changing period of the coded metasurfaces. To manipulate effectively and freely the angle of scattering in the visible range, Fourier convolution principle in digital signal processing was introduced on all-dielectric encoding metasurfaces with Pancharatnam-Berry phase meta-atoms. The addition and subtraction operations on two initial encoding sequences can be implemented to obtain a new encoding sequence. The manipulation of the arbitrary scattering pattern after Fourier convolution operations on different encoding sequences can be realized, especially for larger abnormal deflection angles. The checkerboard encoding metasurface was also designed to further prove the applicability of the Fourier convolution principle. Moreover, by using the proposed all-dielectric highly efficient Pancharatnam-Berry phase encoding meta-atoms, these coded particles with different rotation angles can be precisely arranged to build the generators of the orbital angular momentum beam with different topological charges.

Large-scale two-dimensional titanium carbide MXene as SERS-active substrate for reliable and sensitive detection of organic pollutants

As a new class of two-dimensional material, MXene not only has the unique planar structure, electronic and optical properties, but also has a large surface area and hydrophilicity, which make them to build as potential SERS substrates with good sensitivity and stability. In this work, we reported a modified method by adjusting the ratio of HCl to LiF and reducing sonicate time to form large-sized monolayer Ti₃C₂T_x nanosheets. SERS performance of Ti₃C₂T_x was demonstrated by detecting dye molecules such as CV, R6G and MG. A remarkable enhanced effect was obtained, and Raman signals up to 10^-8 M could be detected. Furthermore, the relationship between SERS effects and illumination laser wavelengths of different probe molecules has been studied, the results showed the selectivity between dye molecules and the excitation wavelengths. Besides, the uniformity and stability of the substrates have been proved by mapping experiments in a large area (80 × 80 μm²). The results demonstrated that Ti₃C₂T_x nanosheets can be built as lager-sized, uniform and stable sensor for ultra-sensitive detection of organic dye pollutant molecules.

COVID-19 with bronchogram - a potential indication of prolonged treatment

Novel coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has widely spread all over the world and seriously threatened people's health. This disease is currently diagnosed by clinical features, chest computed tomography (CT) scan, and nucleic acid test of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Recently, some studies have suggested parenchymal consolidation and air bronchogram in severe cases. However, the effective treatment for COVID-19 patients with bronchogram has not been discussed. Herein, we report a case of 47-year-old woman who suffered from COVID-19 with bronchogram. These findings revealed that the body temperature and clinical laboratory test all returned to normal after this patient received a prolonged treatment. Furthermore, chest CT showed the bronchogram and consolidation resolved and nucleic acid retest of SARS-CoV-2 was also negative. These results provide an important reference for treatment option of COVID-19 with bronchogram.

Comparison of functional outcomes and health-related quality of life one year after treatment in patients with oral and oropharyngeal cancer treated with three different reconstruction methods

We evaluated the functional outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of 117 patients (who had had primary operations for oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma) using the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire version 4 (UW- QOL V4), European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire version 3 (EORTC QLQ-C30 v3) and Head and Neck version 1 (EORTC H&N35 v1). The patients were divided into groups according to the reconstruction techniques used: primary closure, submental island pedicled flap (SIPF), and radial forearm free flap (RFFF). Patients who had reconstruction with RFFF had better HRQoL as measured by swallowing, mastication, speaking, and overall score, than the primary closure group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the RFFF and SIPF groups in overall QOL one year postoperatively. The HRQoL of the SIPF group was also better than that of the primary closure group in terms of mastication, speaking, and loss of appetite. Swallowing, mastication, and speaking are major factors that affect the HRQoL of patients one year after operation for oral and oropharyngeal cancer. Flap reconstruction can improve patients' QoL postoperatively. They can regain their ability to speak and swallow through training, and the importance of this issue must be addressed postoperatively.

The PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in osteoarthritis: a narrative review

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complicated degenerative disease that affects whole joint tissue. Currently, apart from surgical approaches to treat late stage OA, effective treatments to reverse OA are not available. Thus, the mechanisms leading to OA, and more effective approaches to treat OA should be investigated. According to available evidence, the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is essential for normal metabolism of joint tissues, but is also involved in development of OA. To provide a wide viewpoint to roles of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in osteoarthritis, a comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed terms 'PI3K OR AKT OR mTOR' and 'osteoarthritis'. This review highlights the role of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in cartilage degradation, subchondral bone dysfunction, and synovial inflammation, and discusses how this signaling pathway affects development of the disease. We also summarize recent evidences of therapeutic approaches to treat OA by targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, and discuss potential challenges in developing these strategies for clinical treatment of OA.

Supramolecular Copolymerization Strategy for Realizing the Broadband White Light Luminescence Based on N-Deficient Porous Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g-C3N4)

The N-deficient porous g-C₃N₄ with broadband white light emission was constructed by supramolecular copolymerization design, which combined organic copolymers cyanuric acid and 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine with melamine upon the mixture gas environment of (95%)N₂/(5%)H₂. Herein, we achieved great breakthrough in narrowing the band gap of g-C₃N₄ from 2.64 to 1.39 eV. Furthermore, in contrast to pristine g-C₃N₄, we demonstrated that the emission wavelengths of N-deficient porous g-C₃N₄ can be tuned from narrow blue to broadband white range, where the optimal white light coordinate position is (0.297, 0.345). The prepared N-deficient porous g-C₃N₄ overcomes the limitation of the narrow adjusting range of optical properties while using conventional g-C₃N₄ and makes it more promising for applications in solid-state displays.

Association between Statin Use and Physical Function among Older Chinese Inpatients with Type 2 Diabetes

PURPOSE

Multiple statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS) risk factors usually coexist in a given older diabetic patient, but the association between statin use and physical function in older Asian persons with T2MD remains uncertain. The present study therefore sought to provide insight into this uncertainty through a focused assessment of statin-associated outcomes in Chinese diabetic adults.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS

The study included 146 participants with T2MD in the Center of Gerontology and Geriatric, West China Hospital.

MEASUREMENTS

The participants received the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). Statin use and other medical data for each patient were determined via assessment of the inpatient hospital information system. Assessments of physical functions included ADLs, IADLs and the Timed "Up and Go" (TUG) test. Multiple regression analyses were then performed in order to determine the relationship between statin utilization and physical function.

RESULTS

The average age of these 146 participants (32 women, 21.9%) was 80.00±5.60 years. At enrollment, 78 (53.4%) of the 146 patients were treated with statins. Among the statin users, 48.7% presented with a lack of TUG ability, which was significantly greater than in non-statin users (27.9%). However, the rates of IADL and ADL disabilities did not differ significantly between groups. In a multiple regression analyses, statin use was associated with a three-fold (95% CI 1.06, 9.51) increase in the risk of TUG inability, after adjusted all covariates.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a significant association between statin use and TUG inability in older Chinese inpatients with diabetes.

Analogue of electromagnetically induced transparency with high-Q factor in metal-dielectric metamaterials based on bright-bright mode coupling

Based on bright-bright mode coupling, we numerically demonstrated the analogue of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) with a high quality factor (Q) in a stacked metal-dielectric metamaterial (MM) in the near-infrared regime. The optical coupling between a high-Q toroidal dipole mode supported by a silicon rod array and a low-Q dipole mode supported by a silver strip array was investigated from the near-field to the far-field regimes. We realized and significantly enhanced the long-range coupling between the two resonance modes through the MM-induced Fabry-Pérot (FP) effect. EIT with a Q factor greater than 1×10⁴ could be achieved even when the two resonant structures were approximately a wavelength apart. These findings may open new avenues for realizing high-Q EIT, which is useful for photonic devices and biosensing applications. The proposed method can be extended to microwaves and terahertz waves.

Enhancement of bandwidth and angle response of metasurface cloaking through adding antireflective moth-eye-like microstructure

Ultrathin metasurface provides a completely new path to realize cloaking devices on account of their fascinating ability to control electromagnetic wave. However, the conventional cloaking devices are limited by their narrow bandwidth. To overcome this challenge, we present the realization of ultrabroadband and wide angle metasurface cloaking through high refractive index dielectric layer and antireflective "moth-eye-like" microstructure in this work. Two options are proposed and demonstrated numerically in terahertz region. By using local phase compensation, the proposed carpet cloaks can suppress significantly the unexpected scattering and reconstruct wavefront. The cloaking effects of the proposed design are verified from 0.65THz to 0.9THz with a wide range of angles. Moreover, the proposed metasurface cloaking is probable to extend to the optical and microwave domains and can be applied in stealth, illusion optic, radar and antenna systems.

Fe3+-selective and sensitive "on-off" fluorescence probe based on the graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets

An effective and facile "on-off" fluorescence sensing approach for the determination of Fe³⁺ ion using a large area and relatively uniform size graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (GCNS) was developed. The prepared GCNS have blue and stable emission, as well as excellent water dispersion, and were applied as an effective fluorescent probe that based on the quenched fluorescence for selective and sensitive detection of Fe³⁺ ion. Herein, we explain the ambiguous fluorescence quenching mechanism between the GCNS and Fe³⁺, which mainly springs from the redox potential and empty d orbital of Fe³⁺. The redox potential and unfilled d orbit of Fe³⁺ endow it excellent binding force with GCNS, which generates most obvious fluorescence quenching effect with respect to other metal ions. The limit of detection (LOD) for Fe³⁺ was found to be about 2.06 μM. Therefore, the prepared GCNS has the potential to be used as a fluorescent probe for detection.

Correction: Core–shell like glass containing lanthanide doped nanocrystals for efficient luminescence

Correction for ‘Core–shell like glass containing lanthanide doped nanocrystals for efficient luminescence’ by Qunhuo Liu et al., Chem. Commun., 2018, 54, 13092–13095.

Core-shell like glass containing lanthanide doped nanocrystals for efficient luminescence

We constructed a core-shell like nanoarchitecture in Yb/Er ion and Yb/Ho SrTiO3 nanocrystal-codoped tellurite-borate glass. We demonstrated that the adverse energy transfer between Er3+ ions in the glass region and Ho3+ ions in the crystal region was effectively prohibited, which permits independent and highly efficient emission from Er3+ and Ho3+ ions.

Flexible control of transmitting terahertz beams based on multilayer encoding metasurfaces

The concept of encoding metasurfaces makes a connection between the physical metamaterial particles and the digital code so the digital coding can be performed on the coding surface for signal processing to achieve unusual physical phenomena. Here, a complete 2π transmission phase with high efficiency at the target frequency can be manipulated by a multilayer metasurface structure. Different period sequence codes are designed to obtain the deflection angles, and then a new sequence is obtained through a four-bit system operation sequence according to the Fourier convolution principle. This study shows that Fourier calculation provides an efficient way to optimize the coding to achieve a pre-designed transmitted beam. The advantage of this method over previous solutions in generating an anomalous single transmission beam is its flexibility and continuous control of arbitrary directions, and it is possible to transmit a normally incident terahertz beam to an abnormal arbitrary direction with cross-polarization. This work opens up a new digital perspective on the new approach to metamaterials, predicting the possibility of combining electromagnetic wave operations with the convolution theorems in digital signal processing and the transcoding surface.

Committee II: Guidelines for cytologic sampling techniques of lung and mediastinal lymph nodes

The Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology has developed a set of guidelines for pulmonary cytology including indications for bronchial brushings, washings, and endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial fine-needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA), technical recommendations for cytological sampling, recommended terminology and classification schemes, recommendations for ancillary testing and recommendations for post-cytological management and follow-up. All recommendations are based on the expertise of the authors, an extensive literature review and feedback from presentations at national and international conferences. This document selectively presents the results of these discussions. The present document summarizes recommendations regarding techniques used to obtain cytological and small histologic specimens from the lung and mediastinal lymph nodes including rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE), and the triage of specimens for immunocytochemical and molecular studies.

Human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells combined with an acellular cartilage extracellular matrix scaffold improve cartilage repair compared with microfracture in a caprine model

OBJECTIVE

As a novel and promising seed cell, human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (hWJMSCs) are widely applied in tissue engineering. However, whether hWJMSCs can better repair and regenerate the articular cartilage in big animals than microfracture (MF, a predominant clinical treatment strategy for damaged cartilage) is unclear. Evaluation of the validity, and safety of hWJMSCs in a caprine model with a full-thickness femoral condyle articular cartilage defect, compared with MF is required.

METHODS

After cultivation and identification, hWJMSCs were seeded in an acellular cartilage extracellular matrix (ACECM)-oriented scaffold to construct cell-scaffold complex. Six goats with full-thickness femoral condyle articular cartilage defects were randomized to MF (microfracture group, MFG) and cell-scaffold complexes (experimental group, EG). At 2 and 4 weeks, joint fluid was used to assess immuno-inflammatory responses. At 6 and 9 months, all goats were euthanized for assessment of morphology, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), histology staining, and evaluation of the elasticity modulus and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) contents of the repaired regions.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the two groups in immuno-inflammatory parameters. MRI demonstrated higher-quality cartilage and complete subchondral bone at defect sites in the EG at 9 months. Histological staining showed that extracellular cartilage, cartilage lacuna and collagen type II levels were higher in the EG compared to the MFG, while the EG exhibited a higher elasticity modulus.

CONCLUSIONS

The hWJMSCs-ACECM scaffold complex achieved better quality repair and regeneration of hyaline cartilage without cartilage-inducing factor, while retaining the structure and functional integrity of the subchondral bone, compared with MF.

Whole exome sequencing as a diagnostic adjunct to clinical testing in fetuses with structural abnormalities

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the diagnostic yield of prenatal whole exome sequencing (WES) for monogenic disorders in fetuses with structural malformations and normal results on cytogenetic testing, and to describe information on pathogenic variants that is provided by WES.

METHODS

Karyotyping, chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) and WES were performed sequentially on stored samples from a cohort of 3949 pregnancies with fetal structural abnormalities detected on ultrasound and/or magnetic resonance imaging, referred between January 2011 and December 2015. Diagnostic rates of the three techniques were investigated overall, for phenotypic subgroups and for proband-only vs fetus-mother-father samples. Information on pathogenic variants was identified by WES.

RESULTS

Overall, 18.2% (720/3949) of fetuses had an abnormal karyotype. Pathogenic copy number variants were detected on CMA in 8.2% (138/1680) of fetuses that had a normal karyotype result. WES performed on a subgroup of 196 fetuses with normal CMA and karyotype results revealed the putative genetic variants responsible for the abnormal phenotypes in 47 cases (24%). The molecular diagnosis rates for fetus-mother-father and proband-only samples were 26.5% (13/49) and 23.1% (34/147), respectively. Variants of uncertain significance were detected in 12.8% (25/196) of fetuses, of which 22 were identified in the fetal proband-only group (15%; 22/147) and three in the fetus-mother-father group (6.1%; 3/49). The incidental finding rate was 6.1% (12/196).

CONCLUSIONS

WES is a promising method for the identification of genetic variants that cause structural abnormalities in fetuses with normal results on karyotyping and CMA. This enhanced diagnostic yield has the potential to improve the clinical management of pregnancies and to inform better the reproductive decisions of affected families. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Novel biomolecular information in rotenone-induced cellular model of Parkinson's disease

In order to uncover the remarkable pathogenic genes or molecular pathological process in Parkinson's disease (PD), we employed a microarray analysis upon the cellular PD model induced by rotenone. Compared to the control group, 2174 genes were screened out to be expressed differently in the rotenone-induced group by certain criterion. GO analysis and the pathways analysis showed the significant enrichment of genes that were associated with the biological process of cell cycle, apoptotic process, organelle fusion, mitochondrial lesion, endoplasmic reticulum stress and so on. Among these significant DE genes, some were sorted out to be involved in cell cycle and protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum. As the PPI network analysis showed, the interaction relationship of the DEGs involved in the process of protein generation in endoplasmic reticulum(ER) was clearly showed up. As a prediction, we emphasized the genes EDEM1, ATF4, TRAF2 might play central roles in the protein misfolding process during the progression of Parkinson's disease and these new-found genes might be the future research focus and therapeutic targets in PD.

Numerical investigation of terahertz polarization-independent multiband ultrahigh refractive index metamaterial by bilayer metallic rectangular ring structure

Multiband high index of refraction can be realized by thin ring-type terahertz metamaterials composed of multilayer coupled unit cells. We have focused on the numerical investigation of this type of a metamaterial. By drastically decreasing the diamagnetic effect with a thin metallic structure in the unit cell and by increasing the effective permittivity through strong capacitive coupling, a bandwidth of 1.5 THz with an index of more than 24 can be achieved using a single-layer thin brick-type metamaterial. The refractive index peak is 35. Then, we design a ring-type metamaterial structure, achieving a refractive index of 91 at about 0.45 THz, which is due to a decrease in the diamagnetic effect with smaller area surrounded by toroidal currents. Based on the coupling effects of double layer ring-type metamaterials or single-layer double ring-type structures, the refractive index peaks reach 43.2 and 18.68 at 0.43 THz and 0.92 THz, respectively. A three-layer ring-type metamaterial structure is proposed to obtain three band high index metamaterials.

Multiband high index of refraction can be realized by thin ring-type terahertz metamaterials composed of multilayer coupled unit cells.

Different dominant transitions in holmium and ytterbium codoped oxyfluoride glass and glass ceramics originating from varying phonon energy environments

Transparent oxyfluoride glass and glass ceramics doped with 0.5% Ho³⁺ and 1.0% Yb³⁺ ions have been prepared. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the formation of NaYF₄ nanocrystals during the heat treatment process. Raman spectra indicated the variation of glass structure brought about by the formation of NaYF₄ nanocrystals. XRD curves and Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters confirmed the incorporation of Ho³⁺ into NaYF₄ nanocrystals. Significantly enhanced visible upconversion and 2.85 μm emissions were achieved in glass ceramic under 980 nm laser diode pumping. A broadband spectrum with a full-width at half-maximum close to 132 nm was obtained in the glass ceramic. Besides, the calculated peak emission cross section was 0.6 × 10^-20 cm², suggesting that the glass ceramic is a promising gain material that can be applied to broadband amplifiers in the mid-infrared region. Furthermore, energy transfer mechanisms in glass and glass ceramics were proposed based on visible to mid-infrared emission spectra. It was found that the change in the photon energy environment around rare earth ions induced different dominant transitions in glass and glass ceramic. Finally, the influence of phonon energy on the transition processes was further quantitatively investigated, which may provide useful guidance for obtaining highly efficient 2.85 μm emission of holmium.

Microarray analysis of an synthetic α-synuclein induced cellular model reveals the expression profile of long non-coding RNA in Parkinson's disease

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a new research focus that are reported to influence the pathogenetic process of neurodegenerative disorders. To uncover new disease-associated genes and their relevant mechanisms, we carried out a gene microarray analysis based on a Parkinson's disease (PD) in vitro model induced by α-synuclein oligomers. This cellular model induced by 25 μmol/L α-synuclein oligomers has been confirmed to show the stable, transmissible neurotoxicity of α-synuclein, a typical PD pathological marker. And several differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs were identified in this model, such as G046036, G030771, AC009365.4, RPS14P3, CTB-11I22.1, and G007549. Subsequent ceRNA analysis determined the potential relationships between these lncRNAs and their associated mRNAs and microRNAs. The results of the present study widen our horizon of PD susceptibility genes and provide new pathways towards efficient diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for PD.

Rifampicin pre-treatment inhibits the toxicity of rotenone-induced PC12 cells by enhancing sumoylation modification of α-synuclein

Our previous research revealed that rifampicin could protect PC12 (pheochromocytoma 12) cells from rotenone-induced cytotoxicity by reversing the aggregation of α-synuclein. Furthermore, increasing evidence indicated that the misfolded α-synuclein with SUMOylation, an important protein posttranslational modification, was easier to solubilize and was less toxic. Here, we investigated whether rifampicin could stabilize α-synuclein and prevent rotenone-induced PC12 cells from undergoing apoptosis by enhancing SUMOylation of α-synuclein. The expression of SUMO1 and SUMO2/3, the two main proteins responsible for the SUMOylation modification in PC12 cells, were detected by western blotting. Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to compare qualitatively the SUMOylation modification of α-synuclein. The cell viability and apoptosis rate were measured by a CCK-8 assay kit and flow cytometry, respectively. We targeted Ubc9 as a key enzyme in the SUMOylation modification pathway and knocked down the UBC9 gene using a short interfering RNA. Treatment with 150 μmol/L rifampicin, increased the expressions of SUMO1 and SUMO2/3 in cells by 1.5 times compared with the control group; meanwhile, the cell viability of rotenone-induced cells increased from 20 to 80% (P < 0.05). In addition, the increased SUMOylation activity in the cells stimulated by rifampicin was observed 18 h earlier compared with cells treated by rotenone alone. SUMOylation of α-synuclein was more significant in rifampicin-treated cells and Ubc9 upregulated cells. However, the same phenomenon and the protective effect of rifampicin were reversed after UBC9 knockout. In conclusion, rifampicin might reduce the cytotoxicity of rotenone-induced PC12 cells by promoting SUMOylation of α-synuclein.

Manipulation of dual band ultrahigh index metamaterials in the terahertz region

By drastically decreasing the diamagnetic effect with a thin metallic structure in the unit cell and increasing the effective permittivity through strong capacitive coupling, we designed the crossed I-shaped metallic patches metamaterial with an extremely high refractive index in the dual band terahertz region. The peak index of refraction of near 80 at about 0.75 THz is predicted, along with another peak index of about 25 at 2.85 THz. Based on the careful analysis of the high index on the dependence of the electric field coupling effect, the magnetic field diamagnetic response, and the geometric parameters in the unit cell, it is found that both of the high index bands respectively correspond to different components in the metamaterial structure. To realize a higher effective refractive index for the second band as well as for the first one, we proposed the triple I-shaped metallic metamaterial structure.

MicroRNA-101 regulated transcriptional modulator SUB1 plays a role in prostate cancer

MicroRNA-101, a tumor suppressor microRNA (miR), is often downregulated in cancer and is known to target multiple oncogenes. Some of the genes that are negatively regulated by miR-101 expression include histone methyltransferase EZH2 (enhancer of zeste homolog 2), COX2 (cyclooxygenase-2), POMP (proteasome maturation protein), CERS6, STMN1, MCL-1 and ROCK2, among others. In the present study, we show that miR-101 targets transcriptional coactivator SUB1 homolog (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)/PC4 (positive cofactor 4) and regulates its expression. SUB1 is known to have diverse role in vital cell processes such as DNA replication, repair and heterochromatinization. SUB1 is known to modulate transcription and acts as a mediator between the upstream activators and general transcription machinery. Expression profiling in several cancers revealed SUB1 overexpression, suggesting a potential role in tumorigenesis. However, detailed regulation and function of SUB1 has not been elucidated. In this study, we show elevated expression of SUB1 in aggressive prostate cancer. Knockdown of SUB1 in prostate cancer cells resulted in reduced cell proliferation, invasion and migration in vitro, and tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Gene expression analyses coupled with chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed that SUB1 binds to the promoter regions of several oncogenes such as PLK1 (Polo-like kinase 1), C-MYC, serine-threonine kinase BUB1B and regulates their expression. Additionally, we observed SUB1 downregulated CDKN1B expression. PLK1 knockdown or use of PLK1 inhibitor can mitigate oncogenic function of SUB1 in benign prostate cancer cells. Thus, our study suggests that miR-101 loss results in increased SUB1 expression and subsequent activation of known oncogenes driving prostate cancer progression and metastasis. This study therefore demonstrates functional role of SUB1 in prostate cancer, and identifies its regulation and potential downstream therapeutic targets of SUB1 in prostate cancer.

Effect of Telmisartan or Insulin on the Expression of Adiponectin and its Receptors in the Testis of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

This study investigated the effect of insulin and telmisartan on the expression of adiponectin and its receptors, oxidative stress, and inflammatory cytokines in the testis of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control (C, n=8), diabetic (D, n=8), diabetic treated with insulin (DI, n=8), and diabetic treated with telmisartan (DT, n=8). Diabetic was induced by the peritoneal injection of a single dose of streptozotocin. Eight weeks later, bilateral testes were immediately removed after the rat was sacrificed. Epididymis was harvested to prepare sperm suspension. Plasma adiponectin, testicular interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA or protein expression of testicular adiponectin receptor 1 (adipoR1) and 2 (adipoR2), p22phox, transcription factor NF-E2 associated factor 2 (Nrf2), NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), AMPK-α, Akt, and eNOS was assayed by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR or Western blot. There were significant pathological changes in the testes of diabetic rats. The levels of testicular weight, sperm number and motility, serum and testicular testosterone, plasma insulin and adiponectin, testicular adiponectin and its receptor 1, Nrf2, NQO1, HO-1, and phosphorylated-AMPK were significantly decreased in diabetic rats. The levels of blood glucose and lipids, and the levels of testicular p22phox, IL-6, TNF-α, phosphorylated-AKT, e-NOS, and nitric oxide (NO) were significantly increased in diabetic rats. These changes could be significantly reversed by insulin treatment. Similar results were observed with telmisartan treatment except for NQO1 mRNA and phosphorylated-AMPK. There was no significant difference in the expression of testicular adiponectin receptor 2 among 4 groups. The decreased adiponectin and its receptors, and the increased oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines may play an important role in the testopathy of type 1 diabetic rats. Insulin and telmisartan may produce the protective effect on the testes of diabetic rats by upregulating the expression of adiponectin and its receptors and downregulating the level of oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines.

Evolutionary conservation of candidate osmoregulation genes in plant phloem sap-feeding insects

The high osmotic pressure generated by sugars in plant phloem sap is reduced in phloem-feeding aphids by sugar transformations and facilitated water flux in the gut. The genes mediating these osmoregulatory functions have been identified and validated empirically in the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum: sucrase 1 (SUC1), a sucrase in glycoside hydrolase family 13 (GH13), and aquaporin 1 (AQP1), a member of the Drosophila integral protein (DRIP) family of aquaporins. Here, we describe molecular analysis of GH13 and AQP genes in phloem-feeding representatives of the four phloem-feeding groups: aphids (Myzus persicae), coccids (Planococcus citri), psyllids (Diaphorina citri, Bactericera cockerelli) and whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 and MED). A single candidate GH13-SUC gene and DRIP-AQP gene were identified in the genome/transcriptome of most insects tested by the criteria of sequence motif and gene expression in the gut. Exceptionally, the psyllid Ba. cockerelli transcriptome included a gut-expressed Pyrocoelia rufa integral protein (PRIP)-AQP, but has no DRIP-AQP transcripts, suggesting that PRIP-AQP is recruited for osmoregulatory function in this insect. This study indicates that phylogenetically related SUC and AQP genes may generally mediate osmoregulatory functions in these diverse phloem-feeding insects, and provides candidate genes for empirical validation and development as targets for osmotic disruption of pest species.