Establishing an accurate, simple, and rapid serodiagnosis method aiming for specific cancer antigens is critically important for the clinical diagnosis, therapy, and prognostication of cancer. ...Currently, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) readout techniques challenge fluorescent-based detection methods in terms of both optical stability and more importantly multiple detection capability, which become more desirable for clinical diagnostics. We thus started using an interference-free mixing SERS emission (m-SERS) readout to simultaneously indicate, for the first time, three specific liver cancer antigens, including α-fetoprotein (AFP), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and ferritin (FER), even in one clinical serum sample. Here, three triple bonds (CN and CC) coded SERS tags contribute separate SERS emissions located at 2105, 2159, and 2227 cm–1, respectively; must have one-to-one correspondence from AFP, to FER, to CEA, In the process of detection, the mature double antibody sandwich allows the formation of microscale core–satellite assembly structure between a magnetic bead (MB) and single SERS tags, and therefore a pure and single SERS emission can be observed under the routine excitation laser spot. Because of the action of magnetic force, the uniform 3D packing of SERS tags absorbed MBs will in contrast generate a so-called m-SERS signals. With the help of enrichment and separation by MBs, the proposed m-SERS immunoassay provides an extremely rapid, sensitive, and accurate solution for multiplex detection of antigens or other biomarkers. Herein, the limit of detection (LOD) for simultaneous m-SERS detection of AFP, CEA, and FER was 0.15, 20, and 4 pg/mL, respectively. As expected for 39 clinical serum samples, simultaneous detection of ternary specific antigens can significantly improve the accuracy of liver cancer diagnosis.
Magnetic tunneling junctions (MTJs) have atomic thickness due to the use of two-dimensional (2D) materials. Combining density functional theory with non-equilibrium Green's function formalism, we ...systematically investigate the structural and magnetic properties of CrX3/h-BN/CrX3 (X = Br, I) MTJs, as well as their spin-dependent transport characteristics. Through calculation of the transmission spectrum, the large tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) effect was observed in these MTJs. Moreover, their conductance based on two-dimensional materials was greatly improved over that of traditional MTJs. The transmission mechanism was analyzed using the symmetry of the orbit and the eigenstates of the transmitted electrons. We also discuss the problem of Schottky contact between different metal electrodes and devices. Our results suggest that MTJs based on two-dimensional ferromagnets are feasible.
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a central role in regulating heart diseases. In the present study, we examined the effects of lncRNA taurine up-regulated gene 1 (TUG1) in ischemia/reperfusion ...(I/R)- or hydrogen peroxide-challenged cardiomyocytes, with specific focus on autophagy-induced cell apoptosis.
The expressions of miR-142-3p and TUG1 in H2O2-challenged cardiomyocytes and I/R-injured heart tissue were measured by RT-qPCR. Cell death was measured by trypan blue staining assay. Cell apoptosis was determined by Annexin V/PI staining and TUNEL assay. Autophagy was examined by quantifying cells or tissues containing LC3+ autophagic vacuoles by immunofluorescence, or by measuring the expressions of autophagy-related biomarkers by Western blot. The direct interaction between miR-142-3p and TUG1, high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), or Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) was examined using luciferase reporter assay. The significance of miR-142-3p and TUG1 on cell apoptosis or autophagy was examined using both gain-of-function and loss-of-function approaches. The importance of HMGB1 or Rac1 was assessed using siRNA-mediated gene silencing.
miR-142-3p was down-regulated, while TUG1 up-regulated in H2O2-challenged cardiomyocytes in vitro and I/R-injured heart tissues in vivo. Functionally, inhibition of TUG1 and overexpression of miR-142-3p inhibited cell apoptosis and autophagy in cardiomyocytes. The function of TUG1 were achieved by sponging miR-142-3p and releasing the suppression of the putative targets of miR-142-3p, HMGB1 and Rac1. Both HMGB1 and Rac1 essentially mediated cell apoptosis and autophagy induced by TUG1.
TUG1, by targeting miR-142-3p and up-regulating HMGB1 and Rac1, plays a central role in stimulating autophagic cell apoptosis in ischemia/hypoxia-challenged cardiomyocytes. Down-regulating TUG1 or up-regulating miR-142-3p may ameliorate myocardial injury and protect against acute myocardial infarction.
Since the advent of digital coding metamaterials, a new paradigm is unfolded to sample, compute and program electromagnetic waves in real time with one physical configuration. However, one ...inconvenient truth is that actively tunable building blocks such as diodes, varactors, and biased lines must be individually controlled by a computer‐assisted field programmable gate array and physically connected by electrical wires to the power suppliers. This issue becomes more formidable when more elements are needed for more advanced and multitasked metadevices and metasystems. Here, a remote‐mode metasurface is proposed and realized that is addressed and tuned by illuminating light. By tuning the intensity of light‐emitting diode light, a digital coding metasurface composed of such light‐addressable elements enables dynamically reconfigurable radiation beams in a control‐circuitry‐free way. Experimental demonstration is validated at microwave frequencies. The proposed dynamical remote‐tuning metasurface paves a way for constructing unprecedented digital metasurfaces in a noncontact remote fashion.
A remote‐mode metasurface addressed and tuned by the illuminating light is proposed and realized. By tuning the intensity of illuminating light, a digital coding metasurface composed of such light‐addressable elements enables dynamically reconfigurable radiation beams in a control‐circuitry‐free way. The proposed dynamical remote‐tuning metasurface paves a way for constructing unprecedented digital metasurfaces in a noncontact remote fashion.
Dendritic spine development is crucial for the establishment of excitatory synaptic connectivity and functional neural circuits. Alterations in spine morphology and density have been associated with ...multiple neurological disorders. Autism candidate gene disconnected-interacting protein homolog 2 A (DIP2A) is known to be involved in acetylated coenzyme A (Ac-CoA) synthesis and is primarily expressed in the brain regions with abundant pyramidal neurons. However, the role of DIP2A in the brain remains largely unknown. In this study, we found that deletion of Dip2a in mice induced defects in spine morphogenesis along with thin postsynaptic density (PSD), and reduced synaptic transmission of pyramidal neurons. We further identified that DIP2A interacted with cortactin, an activity-dependent spine remodeling protein. The binding activity of DIP2A-PXXP motifs (P, proline; X, any residue) with the cortactin-Src homology 3 (SH3) domain was critical for maintaining the level of acetylated cortactin. Furthermore, Dip2a knockout (KO) mice exhibited autism-like behaviors, including excessive repetitive behaviors and defects in social novelty. Importantly, acetylation mimetic cortactin restored the impaired synaptic transmission and ameliorated repetitive behaviors in these mice. Altogether, our findings establish an initial link between DIP2A gene variations in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and highlight the contribution of synaptic protein acetylation to synaptic processing.
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Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The existing phase shifter models adopted for reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) have ignored the electromagnetic (EM) waves propagation behavior, thus cannot reveal practical effects of RIS ...on wireless communication systems. Based on the equivalent circuit, this letter introduces an angle-dependent phase shifter model for varactor-based RISs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first phase shifter model which reveals that the incident angle of EM waves has influence on the reflection coefficient of RIS. In addition, the angle-reciprocity on RIS is investigated and further proved to be tenable when the reflection phase difference of adjacent RIS unit cells is invariant for an impinging EM wave and its reverse incident one. The angle-dependent characteristic of RIS is verified through full-wave simulation. According to our analysis and the simulation results, we find that the angle-reciprocity of varactor-based RIS only holds under small incident angles of both forward and reverse incident EM waves, thus limits the channel reciprocity in RIS-assisted TDD systems.
Electric vehicles that utilize lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) as a power source provides viable solution to realize the decarbonization of transportation sector. However, their future application is ...severely hindered by the temperature sensitivity of LIBs. Thus, a well-designed battery thermal management system (BTMS) is recommended to ensure proper temperature environment for improving LIBs' performance. Here, the aim is to provide a clear and detailed understanding on the two-phase heat transfer technologies for BTMS, especially given the urgent demands for fast-charging and harsh operating conditions. The fundamentals of BTMS, including battery working principles, adverse temperature effects, and modelling approaches are first analyzed. What's more, typical battery cooling methods are briefly discussed and categorized in terms of working mediums. However, with the ever-growing trend towards high energy density and fast charging, these methods are insufficient to effectively regulate the temperature of batteries. To address the rigorous demands, two-phase heat transfer strategies, with heat transfer rate several orders of magnitude higher than typical BTMS, have gained great interests. The up-to-date progresses of such system based on refrigerant flow boiling, immersion boiling, spray cooling, and other strategies, are comprehensively reviewed. Besides, discussions on battery thermal management studies are presented from the perspectives of heat transfer mechanism, pros and cons, and future insights. This state-of-the-art review is expected to deliver guidance and draw more attention to the development of advanced thermal management approaches in EV applications.
•A review of emerging two-phase battery thermal management strategies is presented.•Two-phase heat transfer-based BTMSs effectively control battery temperature.•The mechanism, limitations and future insights of emerging BTMS are discussed.
Programmable metasurfaces allow dynamic and real‐time control of electromagnetic (EM) waves in subwavelength resolution, holding extraordinary potentials to establish meta‐systems. Achieving ...independent and real‐time controls of orthogonally‐polarized EM waves via the programmable metasurface is attractive for many applications, but remains considerably challenging. Here, a polarization‐controlled dual‐programmable metasurface (PDPM) with modular control circuits is proposed, which enables a dibit encoding capability in modifying the phase profiles of x‐ and y‐polarized waves individually. The constructed extended interface circuit is able to extend the number of control interfaces from a field programmable gate array by orders of magnitude and also possesses memory function, which enhance hugely the rewritability, scalability, reliability, and stability of PDPM. As a proof‐of‐concept, a wave‐based exclusive‐OR logic gate platform for spin control of circularly‐polarized waves, a fixed‐frequency wide‐angle dual‐beam scanning system, and a dual‐polarized shared‐aperture antenna are demonstrated using a single PDPM. The proposed PDPM opens up avenues for realizing more advanced and integrated multifunctional devices and systems that have two independent polarization‐controlled signal channels, which may find many applications in future‐oriented intelligent communication, imaging, and computing technologies.
A polarization‐controlled dual‐programmable metasurface that can independently control orthogonally‐polarized microwaves in real time is proposed and realized experimentally. The dual‐programmable metasurface can achieve a lot of independent control channels via only one field‐programmable gate array based on the designed extensional interface circuit, thus providing attractive functions, including wave‐based exclusive‐OR logic operation for spin control, wide‐angle dual‐beam scanning, and dual‐polarized aperture sharing.
Statins are lipid-lowering therapeutics with favorable anti-inflammatory profiles and have been proposed as an adjunct therapy for COVID-19. However, statins may increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2 viral ...entry by inducing ACE2 expression. Here, we performed a retrospective study on 13,981 patients with COVID-19 in Hubei Province, China, among which 1,219 received statins. Based on a mixed-effect Cox model after propensity score-matching, we found that the risk for 28-day all-cause mortality was 5.2% and 9.4% in the matched statin and non-statin groups, respectively, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.58. The statin use-associated lower risk of mortality was also observed in the Cox time-varying model and marginal structural model analysis. These results give support for the completion of ongoing prospective studies and randomized controlled trials involving statin treatment for COVID-19, which are needed to further validate the utility of this class of drugs to combat the mortality of this pandemic.
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•Statin treatment among 13,981 patients with COVID-19 was retrospectively studied•Statin use in this cohort was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality•Adding an ACE inhibitor or an ARB did not affect statin-associated outcome in the cohort•The benefit of statins among this cohort may be due to immunomodulatory benefits
Statins have anti-inflammatory benefits and were suggested as an adjunct therapy for COVID-19. But statins may increase the expression of ACE2, the receptor for SARS-CoV-2. Here, Zhang et al. retrospectively analyzed 13,981 COVID-19 cases and found that in-hospital statin use is associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality.
We present a novel antenna based on 2 bit digital coding metasurface and perform convolution operations on the coding antenna to manipulate the radiation waves. Different from the conventional array ...antennas, we propose to use the metasurface to change the radiation phase of elementary antenna (EA) in a more modular and simpler manner. The radiation beams can be arbitrarily controlled by designing the 2 bit digital coding sequence, and the center operating frequency of the coding antenna is designed at 7.29 GHz. The experimental results of the fabricated prototype antenna show good agreement with the numerical simulations. The proposed 2 bit coding antenna has been demonstrated to possess the capability of achieving beam deflection, multibeam, and perform Fourier operations on the coding antenna. This article raises a new design method of antenna array to control radiation beams.
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