NIR-II fluorescence imaging in liver tumor surgery: A narrative review

In liver tumor surgery,the recognition of tumor margin and radical resection of microcancer focis have always been the crucial points to reduce postoperative recurrence of tumor.However,naked-eye inspection and palpation have limited effectiveness in identifying tumor boundaries,and traditional imaging techniques cannot consistently locate tumors in real time.As an intraoperative real-time navigation imaging method,NIRfluorescence imaging has been extensively studied for its simplicity,reliable safety,and superior sensitivity,and is expected to improve the accuracy of liver tumor surgery.In recent years,the research focus of NIRfluorescence has gradually shifted from the-rst near-infrared window(NIR-I,700–900 nm)to the second near-infrared window(NIR-II,1000–1700 nm).Fluorescence imaging in NIR-II reduces the scattering effect of deep tissue,providing a preferable detection depth and spatial resolution while signi-cantly eliminating liver autofluorescence background to clarify tumor margin.Developingfluorophores combined with tumor antibodies will further improve the precision offluorescence-guided surgical navigation.With the development of a bunch offluorophores with phototherapy ability,NIR-II can integrate tumor detection and treatment to explore a new therapeutic strategy for liver cancer.Here,we review the recent progress of NIR-IIfluorescence technology in liver tumor surgery and discuss its challenges and potential development direction.

Calcium-Doped Boron Nitride Aerogel Enables Infrared Stealth at High Temperature Up to 1300℃

Boron nitride(BN)aerogels,composed of nanoscale BN building units together with plenty of air in between these nanoscale building units,are ultralight ceramic materials with excellent thermal/electrical insulation,great chemical stability and high-temperature oxidation resistance,which offer considerable advantages for various applications under extreme conditions.However,previous BN aerogels cannot resist high temperature above 900℃ in air atmosphere,and hightemperature oxidation resistance enhancement for BN aerogels is still a great challenge.Herein,a calcium-doped BN(Ca-BN)aerogel with enhanced high-temperature stability(up to~1300℃ in air)was synthesized by introducing Ca atoms into crystal structure of BN building blocks via high-temperature reaction between calcium phosphate and melamine diborate architecture.Such Ca-BN aerogels could resist the burning of butane flame(~1300℃)and keep their megashape and microstructure very well.Furthermore,Ca-BN aerogel serves as thermal insulation layer,together with Al foil serving as both low-infrared-emission layer and high-infrared-reflection layer,forming a combination structure that can effectively hide high-temperature target(heated by butane flame).Such successful chemical doping of metal element into crystal structure of BN may be helpful in the future design and fabrication of advanced BN aerogel materials,and further extending their possible applications to extremely high-temperature environments.

One-pot degradation of cellulose into carbon dots and organic acids in its homogeneous aqueous solution

As the abundant biopolymer, cellulose can be used as a feedstock for chemicals and materials. Effective conversion of cellulose by simple processes is a key point. Degradation of cellulose in its homogeneous solution is attractive for the molecular chains are free and spread. Here,microcrystalline cellulose was first dissolved in aqueous solution of Na OH and urea, and then hydrothermal reaction was carried out at various temperature and time. Fluorescence carbon dots(CDs) were generated accompanied with six organic acids: oxalic acid, formic acid, malonic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, and fumaric acid. The yields of all organic acids and CDs, and the fluorescence quantum yield(QY) of CDs were studied at different reaction conditions. It was found that the maximum yield of organic acids and CDs are 80.1% and 6.03%, respectively, and the highest QY of the CDs is 10.9%. Fluorescence studies reveal that the as-prepared CDs has efficient selectivity and sensitivity toward iron ions in acidic condition, indicating it is a potential fluorescent sensor to the detection of Fe3+. Importantly, it provides a panorama to summary the degradation routes of cellulose in its homogeneous aqueous solution with both organic molecules and CDs as products.

Graft Copolymerization of N,N-Dimethylacrylamide to Cellulose in Homogeneous Media Using Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization for Hemocompatibility

In homogeneous media, N,N-Dimethylacrylamide (DMA) was grafted copolymerization to cellulose by a metal-catalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) process. First, cellulose was dissolved in DMAc/LiCl system, and it reacted with 2-bromoisobutyloyl bromide (BiBBr) to produce macroinitiator (cell-BiB). Then DMA was polymerized to the cellulose backbone in a homogeneous DMSO solution in presence of the cell-BiB. Characterization with FT-IR, NMR, and GPC measurements showed that there obtained a graft copolymer with cellulose backbone and PDMA side chains (cell-PDMA) in well-defined structure. The proteins adsorption studies showed that the cellulose membranes modified by the as-prepared cell-PDMA copolymer owns good protein adsorption resistancet.

Influence of species,age and weight on the establishment of a murine model of brachial plexus root avulsion

BACKGROUND： Animal models of brachial plexus root avulsion are required for the study of brachial plexus root injuries. The established ventral approach results in slight injuries, and is similar to mechanisms underlying human brachial plexus root avulsion.OBJECTIVE： To analyze the effects of weight, age, and species on the success rate of brachial plexus root avulsion, and to determine the perfect method for establishing models of brachial plexus root avulsion.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, block design was performed at the Laboratory of Professor Lihua Zhou, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, China from June 2008 to June 2009.MATERIALS： Sprague Dawley （SD） rats, golden hamsters, and BALb/C mice were used in the present study.METHODS： All animals were randomly subjected to classical brachial plexus root avulsion and modified brachial plexus root avulsion.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Success rate of brachial plexus root avulsion. RESULTS： The success rate of brachial plexus root avulsion was greater in the modified group than in the classical group （P〈0.01）. Moreover, the difference was significant in 15-day-old SD rats, 5-week-old SD rats, and 3-month-old BALb/C mice （P〈0.01）. The success rate of brachial plexus root avulsion was greater in the same weight, 15-day-old juvenile SD rats, than in the 3-month-old BALb/C mice （classical group, P〈0.01; modified group, P〈0.05）. The success rate of brachial plexus root avulsion was significantly greater in 3-month-old golden hamsters than in 5-week-old SD rats in the classical group （P〈0.05）. The success rate of brachial plexus root avulsion was significantly lower in the 15-day-old SD rats compared with the 5-week-old and 3-month-old SD rats in the classical group （P〈0.01）. However, there was no significant difference in the success rate of brachial plexus root avulsion between various ages of SD rats in the modified group （P〉0.05）.CONCLUSION： Modified surgery to induce brachial plexus root avulsion significantly increases the success rate of model establishment. Species, age, and weight affect the success rate of brachial plexus root avulsion, and species plays an important role in the success rate.

Dissolution of highly molecular weight cellulose isolated from wheat straw in deep eutectic solvent of Choline/L-Lysine hydrochloride

Green solvents for cellulose dissolution is a key topic for green chemistry,especially natural cellulose with high molecular weight,and there are scarce solvents reported.Deep eutectic solvent(DES)is a typical kind of green solvent that has been attracted much attention recently.Here,high molecular weight natural cellulose(DP>3000)was first isolated from wheat straw and then be directly dissolved in the choline/L-lysine(Ch/Lys)DES.The solution owns excellent stability,and the solubility reaches^5%.Rheological studies revealed that the natural cellulose can be well dispersed in the DES solution and showed gelation at high concentrations.The dissolved cellulose can be regenerated when the dilute acid aqueous solution was added into the solution.It provides an energy conversation and an environmentally friendly route to prepare a cellulose solution,which makes it possible to convert cellulose to valuable chemicals and materials in its homogeneous solution.

Acidity-triggered TAT-presenting nanocarriers augment tumor retention and nuclear translocation of drugs

Hierarchical targeting strategy can combat the sequential drug delivery barriers by changing their properties with response to tumor stimuli. Among these strategies, much less attention has been paid to address the issues of rapid tumor clearance and insufficient cellular translocation. In this work, we demonstrate that a transactivator of transcription （TAT）-presenting nanomedicine （DATAT-NP/Pt）, apart from improving tumor accumulation and cellular uptake, can simultaneously enhance tumor retention and promote nuclear translocation of encapsulated platinum prodrugs, and thus improve therapeutic efficacy. Specifically, a protecting 2,3-dimethylmaleic anhydride （DA） corona on the nanomedicine prevented the TAT peptide from serum. DATAT-NP/Pt efficiently accumulated at the tumor site through the enhanced permeability and retention （EPR） effect, followed by acid-triggered TAT presenting within the tumor acidic microenvironment （pH ~ 6.8）. The exposed TAT peptide augmented tumor retention and nuclear translocation of DATAT-NP/Pt. We used a tumor-on-a-chip microfluidic system to real-time mimic and analyze tumor accumulation and retention at physiological flow conditions and revealed that surface absorption of nanomedicines on tumors was critical in determining their tumor retention and clearance. Furthermore, the TAT peptide rapidly translocated the DATAT-NP/Pt into the perinuclear region, allowing for higher nuclear platinum concentrations and increased Pt-DNA adduct formation in nuclei, which consequently reversed cisplatin resistance. Our work presents a new strategy to overcome path- ophysiological barriers of tumor clearance and insufficient cellular translocation and provides new insights for the design of cancer nanomedicines.

Isolation of highly purity cellulose from wheat straw using a modified aqueous biphasic system

Cellulose samples with molecular weights ranging from 8.39 × 10^4 to 11.00 × 10^4g/mol were obtained from wheat straw. The dewaxed wheat straw was pretreated with aqueous hydrochloric acid followed by delignification using an environmentally benign poly （ethyleneglycol）/salt aqueous biphasic system. The yield of cellulose was in the range of 48.9% 55.5% and the cellulose contained 1.2%-3.2% hemicelluloses, and 0.97%-3.47% lignin. All the isolated cellulose samples could be directly dissolved in a 6 wt-% NaOH/4 wt-% urea aqueous solution through a precooling-thawing process to form a homogenous solution. The separation process was investigated and the obtained cellulose and its solution were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectro- scopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray apparatus, and X-ray diffraction. The results revealed that aqueous soluble cellulose can be directly prepared from wheat straw by this method and this study opens a novel pathway to prepare cellulosic materials from agricultural waste.

Deep eutectic solvents eutectogels:progress and challenges

Deep eutectic solvents(DESs)have received widespread attention for their advantages of good electrical conductivity,stability,environmental friendliness,and easy preparation with a wide range of applications.However,it was not until recent years that DESs were used as gel electrolytes as environmentally friendly alternatives to ionic liquids(ILs).In this mini review,we first introduce the DESs related eutectogels(or ion gels),then introduce the types and applications of the gels,the opportunities and challenges of them are also summarized.

pH-Responsive dye with dual-state emission in both visible and near infrared regions

A new dual-state emission(DSE) dye comprised of tetraphenylethene(TPE), triphenylamine(TPA), and indoline groups has been synthesized, which showed efficient fluorescence in both solution and solid. The dye is comprised of three parts and these parts show different fluorescence properties which can be very useful in some applications since the dye can produce information-rich responses. For example, the dye is p H-sensitive in both solution and solid states, and it emits yellow fluorescence in normal p H and red/NIR fluorescence in acidic condition. Cytotoxicity of the dye is low at concentration of 3 μM which was confirmed by a methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) experiment, and in vitro experiments revealed that the p H responsive performance can be used in bioimaging. It provides a novel p H-sensitive DSE dye ever reported, which has potential application in many fields.

间歇性外斜视儿童视觉功能及阅读学习障碍临床分析

目的:比较间歇性外斜视(IXT)患者与眼位正常儿童在双眼视功能、发生阅读学习障碍方面的差异并分析其相关性。方法:前瞻性临床研究。采用随机数字抽样法收集2021年7月至2022年3月在广州市妇女儿童医疗中心眼科门诊就诊的IXT儿童(39例,作为IXT组)和眼位正常儿童(44例,作为对照组)。检查并记录2组性别、年龄、最佳矫正视力(BCVA)、等效球镜度(SE)、远近水平眼位、集合近点、近立体视、调节幅度、单双眼调节灵活度,完成《儿童汉语阅读障碍量表》和《儿童学习障碍筛查量表》。使用独立样本t检验、非参数检验法差异性检验(曼-惠特尼法)、卡方检验、K-W检验、Spearman相关系数对数据进行统计分析。结果:IXT组与对照组性别、年龄、BCVA、SE比较差异无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。2组儿童远近眼位、近立体视、集合近点、双眼调节灵活度差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.001)。调节幅度和单眼调节灵活度在2组中差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。IXT组的年龄组间各指标差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。IXT组和对照组在阅读障碍发生率和学习障碍评分方面差异有统计学意义(χ^(2)=8.45,P=0.004;t=-4.07;P<0.001)。阅读障碍与远近水平眼位、近立体视、集合近点、双眼Flipper检查结果和学习障碍评分显著相关(r=-0.43、-0.37、-0.57、0.41、-0.54、-0.62,均P<0.05)。结论:IXT患儿与眼位正常儿童相比,存在部分双眼视觉功能异常,容易出现阅读困难及学习障碍。

Local administration of liposomal-based Plekhf1 gene therapy attenuates pulmonary fibrosis by modulating macrophage polarization

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF)is a fatal interstitial lung disease with limited therapeutic options.Macrophages,particularly alternatively activated macrophages(M2),have been recognized to contribute to the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis.Therefore,targeting macrophages might be a viable therapeutic strategy for IPF.Herein,we report a potential nanomedicinebased gene therapy for IPF by modulating macrophage M2 activation.In this study,we illustrated that the levels of pleckstrin homology and FYVE domain containing 1(Plekhf1)were increased in the lungs originating from IPF patients and PF mice.Further functionality studies identified the pivotal role of Plekhf1 in macrophage M2 activation.Mechanistically,Plekhf1 was upregulated by IL-4/IL-13 stimulation,after which Plekhf1 enhanced PI3K/Akt signaling to promote the macrophage M2 program and exacerbate pulmonary fibrosis.Therefore,intratracheal administration of Plekhf1 siRNA-loaded liposomes could effectively suppress the expression of Plekhf1 in the lungs and notably protect mice against BLM-induced lung injury and fibrosis,concomitant with a significant reduction in M2 macrophage accumulation in the lungs.In conclusion,Plekhf1 may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis,and Plekhf1 siRNA-loaded liposomes might be a promising therapeutic approach against pulmonary fibrosis.

CFD based combustion model for sewage sludge gasification in a fluidized bed

Gasification is one potential way to use sewage sludge as renewable energy and solve the environmental problems caused by the huge amount of sewage sludge.In this paper,a three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics(CFD)model has been developed to simulate the sewage sludge gasification process in a fluidized bed.The model describes the complex physical and chemical phenomena in the gasifier including turbulent flow,heat and mass transfer,and chemical reactions.The model is based on the Eulerian-Lagrangian concept using the non-premixed combustion modeling approach.In terms of the CFD software FLUENT,which represents a powerful tool for gasifier analysis,the simulations provide detailed information on the gas products and temperature distribu-tion in the gasifier.The model sensitivity is analyzed by performing the model in a laboratory-scale fluidized bed in the literature,and the model validation is carried out by comparing with experimental data from the literature.Results show that reasonably good agreement was achieved.Effects of temperature and Equivalence Ratio(ER)on the quality of product syngas(H_(2)+CO)are also studied.

Synthesis of lignin-poly(N-methylaniline)-reduced graphene oxide hydrogel for organic dye and lead ions removal

Lignin is one of the major contents of lignocellulose and can be used as feedstock for adsorbent materials for wastewater treatment.Here,a lignin-poly(N-methylaniline)-graphene oxide(lignin-PNMA-rGO)hydrogel has been prepared by a two-step method,microspheres of lignin-PNMA was synthesis by the polymerization of NMA monomer in the presence of lignin in aqueous solution,and then they were encapsulated by the as-prepared reduced graphene oxide(GO)hydrogel via a reduction induced self-assembly of the GO nanosheets.The scanning electron microscopy(SEM),Fourier transform infrared(FT-IR),X-ray diffraction(XRD),and UV-Vis studies have been carried out and revealed that the formation of the 3D porous nanocomposite hydrogel with multilevel structures and sufficient active sites.The lignin-PNMA-rGO adsorbent exhibited high adsorption capacity for both organic dye methylene blue(MB,201.7 mg/g)and Pb 2+ion(753.5 mg/g).The new lignin-based adsorbent is a low-cost,environmentally benign,which is an attractive adsor-bent for wastewater treatment.

Oxidation of furfural to maleic acid and fumaric acid in deep eutectic solvent(DES)under vanadium pentoxide catalysis

Furfural is an alternative feedstock and has been used for the production of maleic acid(MA)and fumaric acid(FA)by an oxidation process.Deep eutectic solvents(DESs)were used as the green solvents while sodium chlorate was used as an oxidant and vanadium pentoxide was used as the catalyst at 70-90°C under atmospheric pressure.It was found that several acidic DESs are valid,such as acetic acid/choline chloride(AA/ChCl)and propionic acid/choline chloride(PA/ChCl),and AA/ChCl DES was selected as the solvent for the conversion.The optimal DES is AA/ChCl,and the effect of the amount of oxidant,time,and temperature on the yield of the MA and FA has been systematically studied,and the conversion of furfural can reach 100%while the yield of the MA and FA reached 66.5%under reaction temperature of 80℃ for 12 h,which provides a new green route to synthesis valuable monomers from furfural.

Advances in Deep Learning-Based Medical Image Analysis

Importance.With the booming growth of artificial intelligence(AI),especially the recent advancements of deep learning,utilizing advanced deep learning-based methods for medical image analysis has become an active research area both in medical industry and academia.This paper reviewed the recent progress of deep learning research in medical image analysis and clinical applications.It also discussed the existing problems in the field and provided possible solutions and future directions.Highlights.This paper reviewed the advancement of convolutional neural network-based techniques in clinical applications.More specifically,state-ofthe-art clinical applications include four major human body systems:the nervous system,the cardiovascular system,the digestive system,and the skeletal system.Overall,according to the best available evidence,deep learning models performed well in medical image analysis,but what cannot be ignored are the algorithms derived from small-scale medical datasets impeding the clinical applicability.Future direction could include federated learning,benchmark dataset collection,and utilizing domain subject knowledge as priors.Conclusion.Recent advanced deep learning technologies have achieved great success in medical image analysis with high accuracy,efficiency,stability,and scalability.Technological advancements that can alleviate the high demands on high-quality large-scale datasets could be one of the future developments in this area.