Tungsten Diselenide Nanoparticles Produced via Femtosecond Ablation for SERS and Theranostics Applications.

Due to their high refractive index, record optical anisotropy and a set of excitonic transitions in visible range at a room temperature, transition metal dichalcogenides have gained much attention. Here, we adapted a femtosecond laser ablation for the synthesis of WSe nanoparticles (NPs) with diameters from 5 to 150 nm, which conserve the crystalline structure of the original bulk crystal. This method was chosen due to its inherently substrate-additive-free nature and a high output level.

Optically Controlled Dissolution Kinetics of Vaterite Microcapsules: Toward Novel Crystal Growth Strategies.

Controllable continuous release of functional materials from capsules is one of the unmet functions of theragnosis particles; on this way, understanding cargo-fluid interactions in vitro is an essential milestone. We develop a flexible platform to investigate single particle-fluid interactions utilizing a glass micropipette as a highly localized flow source around an optically trapped particle. In proof-of-concept experiments, this microparticle is sensitive to local microflow distribution, thus serving as a probe.

Gilded vaterite optothermal transport in a bubble.

Laser beams, capable of controlling the mechanical motion of micron-scale objects, can serve as a tool, enabling investigations of numerous interaction scenarios under full control. Beyond pure electromagnetic interactions, giving rise to conventional gradient forces and radiation pressure, environment-induced thermal effects can play a role and, in certain cases, govern the dynamics. Here we explore a thermocapillary Marangoni effect, which is responsible for creating long-range few hundreds of nano-Newton forces, acting on a bubble around a 'gilded vaterite' nanoparticle.

A versatile technology for colloidal crystal transfer using parylene coatings and hydrosoluble polymers.

We propose a novel versatile colloidal crystal transfer technique compatible with a wide range of water-insoluble substrates regardless of their size, material, and wettability. There are no inherent limitations on colloidal particles material and size. The method possibilities are demonstrated via the colloidal transfer on quartz, glass substrates with a flat and curved surface, and via the fabrication of 3D colloidal structure with 5 overlaid colloidal monolayers.

Compensation of disorder for extraordinary optical transmission effect in nanopore arrays fabricated by nanosphere photolithography.

The work considers the effect of extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) in polycrystalline arrays of nanopores fabricated via nanosphere photolithography (NPL). The use of samples with different qualities of polycrystalline structure allows us to reveal the role of disorder for EOT. We propose a phenomenological model which takes the disorder into account in numerical simulations and validate it using experimental data.

Subwavelength diffraction gratings with macroscopic moiré patterns generated via laser interference lithography.

We propose a simple and flexible fabrication approach based on the moiré effect of photoresist gratings for rapid synthesis of apodized structures with continuously varying depth. Minor modifications in a standard laser interference lithography setup allow creating macroscopic, visible by naked eye moiré patterns that modulate the depth of subwavelength diffraction gratings. The spatial frequency of this modulation is easily controlled in a wide range, allowing to create a quasicrystal in extreme cases.

Systematic study of resonant transmission effects in visible band using variable depth gratings.

The article focuses on depth-dependent visible band transmission effects in a symmetrical "insulator-metal-insulator" diffraction system based on a variable depth grating. These effects were studied both experimentally and theoretically in TM and TE polarizations. In particular, the existence of an optimized grating depth for plasmon-mediated resonant transmission was confirmed experimentally, and differences in TE and TM transmission behavior are discussed.

Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy in diagnosis of desquamative interstitial pneumonia in nonsmoker.

Desquamative interstitial pneumonia is a rare disease that is predominantly associated with smoking. Surgical biopsy is usually recommended for the diagnosis of this disorder. Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) is a new method of minimally invasive in vivo microscopic image of airways and alveoli.

Probe-based Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy in Metastatic Pulmonary Calcification.

We report a case of metastatic pulmonary calcification in a patient with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis and secondary hyperparathyroidism. The diagnosis was made by using a probe-based confocal endomicroscopy which showed specific structures in the lung tissue and was proven by a transbronchial lung biopsy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of the confocal endomicroscopy findings in a patient with metastatic pulmonary calcification.

Concurrency of anisotropy and spatial dispersion in low refractive index dielectric composites.

The article demonstrates uncommon manifestation of spatial dispersion in low refractive index contrast 3D periodic dielectric composites with periods of about one tenth of the wavelength. First principles simulations by the well established plane wave method reveal that spatial dispersion leads to appearance of additional optical axes and can compensate anisotropy in certain directions.

Rational catalysis design on the basis of mechanistic understanding: highly efficient Pd-catalyzed cyanation of aryl bromides with NaCN in recyclable solvents.

Rational catalysis design on the basis of a detailed mechanistic understanding has been used to successfully develop the first efficient general Pd-catalyzed aromatic cyanation reaction under the highly sought after practicable conditions: (i) MCN (M = Na or K) as a cyanide source; (ii) low-boiling recyclable solvents; and (iii) minimal quantities of inexpensive, nontoxic promoters. The developed catalytic reaction converts aromatic bromides to the corresponding nitriles in 88-99% isolated yield with NaCN and 0.5-1.

Role of Cu2+ in free radical oxidation of human serum albumin and L-tyrosine dipeptide with multicomponent metal-containing xenobiotic.

Cu(2+) entering the composition of multicomponent metal-containing xenobiotic in vitro initiated free radical oxidation of human serum albumin and L-tyrosine dipeptide. Oxidative modification was accompanied by the formation of derivatives of amino acids tyrosine and tryptophan and structural changes in human serum albumin.

[Estimation of potential mutagenic activity of 24-epibrassinolide].

Genotoxic effect of synthetic phytohormone analogue of steroid origin epibrassinolide was studied in in vitro- and in vivo-tests. Epibrassinolide did not display mutagenic properties in Ames' test (S. typhimurium, TA100) and DNA damaging activity test (DNA of phage lambda).

[Occupational regulations of the use of terpene compounds in the air of the workplace].

Based on results of 15-years complex study, the authors present toxicological and hygienic characteristics of terpene compounds (with mono- and bicyclic structure) and their compositions. The article deals with toxicodynamics and toxicokinetics of terpenoids, dependence of toxic properties on the chemical structure. The article also touches upon studies of biologic and specific (sensibilizing activity, embryotoxic and gonadotropic, membranotropic) effects of terpenoids.

[An experimental validation of the maximum permissible concentration of a mixture of mono- and bicyclic terpenoid alcohols in water].

The maximum permissible concentrations (MPC) of Viterol in water were established, which was equal to 0.14 mg/l. Its organoleptic and general sanitary thresholds were determined at the same level.