Enhanced Luminescent Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells by a 3D Printed Immunomagnetic Concentrator.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are an indicator of metastatic progression and relapse. Since non-CTC cells such as red blood cells outnumber CTCs in the blood, the separation and enrichment of CTCs is key to improving their detection sensitivity. The ATP luminescence assay can measure intracellular ATP to detect cells quickly but has not yet been used for CTC detection in the blood because extracellular ATP in the blood, derived from non-CTCs, interferes with the measurement.

Probing mechanobiological role of filamin A in migration and invasion of human U87 glioblastoma cells using submicron soft pillars.

Filamin A (FLNa) belongs to an actin-binding protein family in binding and cross-linking actin filaments into a three-dimensional structure. However, little attention has been given to its mechanobiological role in cancer cells. Here, we quantitatively investigated the role of FLNa by analyzing the following parameters in negative control (NC) and FLNa-knockdown (KD) U87 glioma cells using submicron pillars (900 nm diameter and 2 μm height): traction force (TF), rigidity sensing ability, cell aspect ratio, migration speed, and invasiveness.

Conformally Gated Surface Conducting Behaviors of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Thin-Film-Transistors.

Semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (s-SWCNTs) have gathered significant interest in various emerging electronics due to their outstanding electrical and mechanical properties. Although large-area and low-cost fabrication of s-SWCNT field effect transistors (FETs) can be easily achieved via solution processing, the electrical performance of the solution-based s-SWCNT FETs is often limited by the charge transport in the s-SWCNT networks and interface between the s-SWCNT and the dielectrics depending on both s-SWCNT solution synthesis and device architecture. Here, we investigate the surface and interfacial electro-chemical behaviors of s-SWCNTs.

Enhanced Sensing Behavior of Three-Dimensional Microfluidic Paper-Based Analytical Devices (3D-μPADs) with Evaporation-Free Enclosed Channels for Point-of-Care Testing.

Despite the potential in fabrication of microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) for point-of-care testing (POCT) kits, the development of simple, accurate, and rapid devices with higher sensitivity remains challenging. Here, we report a novel method for 3D-μPAD fabrication with enclosed channels using vat photopolymerization to avoid fluid evaporation. In detail, height of the enclosed channels was adjusted from 0.

Three-Dimensional Paper-Based Microfluidic Analysis Device for Simultaneous Detection of Multiple Biomarkers with a Smartphone.

Paper-based microfluidic analysis devices (μPADs) have attracted attention as a cost-effective platform for point-of-care testing (POCT), food safety, and environmental monitoring. Recently, three-dimensional (3D)-μPADs have been developed to improve the performance of μPADs. For accurate diagnosis of diseases, however, 3D-μPADs need to be developed to simultaneously detect multiple biomarkers.

A multicentre, randomised, open-label, parallel-group Phase 2b study of belotecan versus topotecan for recurrent ovarian cancer.

Background: This Phase 2b study compared the efficacy and toxicity of belotecan and topotecan in recurrent ovarian cancer.

Methods: Patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent or platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer (PRROC) were randomised 1:1 to receive belotecan 0.5 mg/m or topotecan 1.

Highly Scalable and Robust Mesa-Island-Structure Metal-Oxide Thin-Film Transistors and Integrated Circuits Enabled by Stress-Diffusive Manipulation.

The increasing interest in flexible and wearable electronics has demanded a dramatic improvement of mechanical robustness in electronic devices along with high-resolution implemented architectures. In this study, a site-specific stress-diffusive manipulation is demonstrated to fulfill highly robust and ultraflexible amorphous indium-gallium-zinc oxide (a-IGZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) and integrated circuits. The photochemically activated combustion sol-gel a-IGZO TFTs on a mesa-structured polyimide show an average saturation mobility of 6.

Electron tunneling of hierarchically structured silver nanosatellite particles for highly conductive healable nanocomposites.

Healable conductive materials have received considerable attention. However, their practical applications are impeded by low electrical conductivity and irreversible degradation after breaking/healing cycles. Here we report a highly conductive completely reversible electron tunneling-assisted percolation network of silver nanosatellite particles for putty-like moldable and healable nanocomposites.

Three-Dimensional Paper-Based Microfluidic Analytical Devices Integrated with a Plasma Separation Membrane for the Detection of Biomarkers in Whole Blood.

Paper-based microfluidic analytical devices (μPADs) have recently attracted attention as a point-of-care test kit because of their low cost and nonrequirement for external forces. To directly detect biomarkers in whole blood, however, they need to be assembled with a filter such as a plasma separation membrane (PSM) because the color of the blood cells interferes with the colorimetric assay. However, this assembly process is rather complicated and cumbersome, and the fluid does not uniformly move to the detection zone when the adhesion between the paper and PSM is not perfect.

Dual anode single-photon avalanche diode for high-speed and low-noise Geiger-mode operation.

The after-pulsing effect is a common problem in high-speed and low-noise single-photon detection based on single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs). This article presents a dual anode InGaAs/InP SPAD (DA-SPAD) with two separate anode output ports that can be utilized for discriminating relatively weak avalanche signals, providing a simple and robust configuration of the SPAD-based single-photon detection system. Weak avalanche signals with amplitudes below the amplitude of the parasitic capacitive response of the SPAD were easily detected by the DA-SPAD and a simple subtraction circuit.

Double-sided 3D printing on paper towards mass production of three-dimensional paper-based microfluidic analytical devices (3D-μPADs).

Recently, much effort has been focused on developing three-dimensional, paper-based microfluidic analytical devices (3D-μPADs) targeting in vitro diagnostics. However, 3D-μPAD fabrication typically requires tedious assembly that hinders mass production. Here, we report on a fabrication method for 3D-μPADs made of plastics without the need for additional assembly.

Design of Rehabilitation Treatment Coach Robot.

In the rehabilitation treatment for at-home patients, it is not only costly for a patient to hire a professional therapist or personal trainer, but also time consuming for a therapist or trainer to visit all the patients. To improve the situation, we propose the rehabilitation treatment coach robot which helps the patient to do rehabilitation exercises alone. Designed economically with cheap parts, our robot provides multiple functions: rehabilitation program suggestion, rehabilitation posture correction, and emergency detection.

Dual Mechanism of Action of 5-Nitro-1,10-Phenanthroline against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

New chemotherapeutic agents with novel mechanisms of action are urgently required to combat the challenge imposed by the emergence of drug-resistant mycobacteria. In this study, a phenotypic whole-cell screen identified 5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline (5NP) as a lead compound. 5NP-resistant isolates harbored mutations that were mapped to and were also resistant to the bicyclic nitroimidazole PA-824.

Intersubband transition in lattice-matched BGaN/AlN quantum well structures with high absorption coefficients.

Intersubband absorption properties of lattice-matched BGaN/AlN quantum well (QW) structures grown on AlN substrate are theoretically investigated using an effective mass theory considering the nonparabolicity of the conduction band. These results are compared with those of GaN/AlN QW structures. The intersubband absorption coefficient of the BGaN/AlN QW structure is shown to be enhanced significantly, compared to that of the conventional GaN/AlN QW structure.

3D-printed microfluidic magnetic preconcentrator for the detection of bacterial pathogen using an ATP luminometer and antibody-conjugated magnetic nanoparticles.

Various types of microfluidic systems have been developed to detect bacterial pathogens. However, most of these require enrichment steps that take at least several hours when detecting bacteria that are present with a low number of cells and, in addition, fabrication requires complicated assembly steps. In this study, we report the development of 3D microfluidic magnetic preconcentrator (3DμFMP) made of plastic via 3D printing without the need for any assembly.

Effect of number of retrieved lymph nodes on prognosis in FIGO stage IB-IIA cervical cancer patients treated with primary radical surgery.

Aim: In the treatment of cervical cancer, the extent of lymphadenectomy is a matter of debate. The goal of the current study was to examine the question of whether the number of retrieved lymph nodes (RLN) can influence survival of patients with early stage cervical cancer.

Methods: The medical records of 180 FIGO stage IB-IIA cervical cancer patients treated with primary radical surgery were reviewed.

IinQ attenuates systemic inflammatory responses via selectively impairing the Myddosome complex formation upon TLR4 ligation.

A specific small-molecule inhibitor of the TLR4 signaling complex upstream of the IKK would likely provide therapeutic benefit for NF-κB-mediated inflammatory disease. We previously identified brazilin as a selective upstream IKK inhibitor targeting the Myddosome complex. In this study, using a cell-based ubiquitination assay for IRAK1 and a chemical library comprising a series of structural analogues of brazilin, a novel small molecule, 2-hydroxy-5,6-dihydroisoindolo[1,2-a]isoquinoline-3,8-dione (IinQ), was identified as a selective and potent inhibitor of IRAK1-dependent NF-κB activation upon TLR4 ligation.

The influence of number of high risk factors on clinical outcomes in patients with early-stage cervical cancer after radical hysterectomy and adjuvant chemoradiation.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognosis according to the number of high risk factors in patients with high risk factors after radical hysterectomy and adjuvant chemoradiation therapy for early stage cervical cancer.

Methods: Clinicopathological variables and clinical outcomes of patients with FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage IB1 to IIA cervical cancer who had one or more high risk factors after radical hysterectomy and adjuvant chemoradiation therapy were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the number of high risk factors (group 1, single high risk factor; group 2, two or more high risk factors).

Synthesis and anti-tubercular activity of 2-nitroimidazooxazines with modification at the C-7 position as PA-824 analogs.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global health problem, and new drug targets and scaffolds need to be identified to combat the emergence of drug resistant TB. The nitroimidazooxazine PA-824 represents a new class of bio-reductive drug to treat TB. In this study we report a 2-nitroimidazooxazine derivative with modification at the C-7 position that exhibited better activity than PA-824 against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) H37Rv strain in vitro.

Human papillomavirus 18 as a poor prognostic factor in stage I-IIA cervical cancer following primary surgical treatment.

Objective: This study evaluates the effect of the specific human papillomavirus (HPV) genotype as a prognostic factor in stage I-IIA cervical cancer patients following primary surgical treatment.

Methods: The medical records of 116 cervical cancer patients treated with primary surgical treatment were reviewed. The HPV genotypes were categorized into following groups: negative and unclassified, HPV 16, HPV 18, and other high risk (HPV 31, 33, 35, 45, 51, 52, 56, and 58).

The feasibility and efficacy of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists for prevention of chemotherapy induced ovarian failure in patient with gynecological malignancies.

Objective: To assess the effects of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) depot (Leuprolide acetate) in women with gynecologic cancer receiving chemotherapy while taking a continuous add-back on the prevention of premature ovarian failure.

Methods: Fourteen premenopausal patients with gynecological malignancies who had undergone conservation of ovaries surgery received a GnRH-a depot plus add-back until chemotherapy was completed. Four weeks thereafter, a hormonal profile (follicle stimulating hormone) was measured.

Metabolic components and recurrence in early-stage cervical cancer.

Epidemiological evidence suggests that the metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased risk of cervical cancer. However, research on the impact of MetS on prognosis in cervical cancer is lacking. This study investigated the association between MetS and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients with early-stage cervical cancer.