Abnormally autofocusing vortex Swallowtail Gaussian vector beam with low spatial coherence

The precondition for the application of light beams is the ability to devise light distribution with high precision. Controlling more dimensions for structured light fields is an effective method to improve the ability to devise light distribution. The Swallowtail beam, due to its rich regulatory parameters, provides the possibility to design a light field with a specific intensity distribution. Utilizing the Swallowtail beam as a foundation, we design its initial phase, polarization, and coherent structure, and propose a partially coherent azimuthally polarized circular vortex Swallowtail Gaussian beam (PCAPCVSGB) in our paper. This beam exhibits an abnormal self-focusing ability and forms an easily adjustable optical potential well at the focal plane, providing another effective tool for achieving optical manipulation. In addition, the PCAPCVSGB also shows an interesting vector property. It possesses a stable polarization singularity even with changes in coherence and topological charges, which exhibits a potential application value in optical communication

Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Candidemia in a Large Tertiary Teaching Hospital in Western China: A Retrospective 5-Year Study from 2016 to 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the current status of candidemia and evaluate the clinical characteristics, risk factors and outcomes among different species. We conducted a retrospective study by univariate and multivariate analysis between Candida albicans and non-albicans Candida (NAC) species in a Chinese national medical center from 2016 to 2020. Among the 259 episodes, C. albicans (38.6%) was the leading species, followed by C. tropicalis (24.3%), C. parapsilosis (20.5%), and C. glabrata (12.4%). Most C. albicans and C. parapsilosis were susceptible to nine tested antifungal agents, whereas C. tropicalis showed 30.2~65.9% resistance/non-wild-type to four azoles with great cross-resistance, indicating that fluconazole should not be used for empirical antifungal treatment. In multivariable models, the factor related to an increased risk of NAC was glucocorticoid exposure, whereas gastrointestinal hemorrhage and thoracoabdominal drainage catheters were associated with an increased risk in C. albicans. Subgroup analysis revealed leukemia and lymphoma, as well as glucocorticoid exposure, to be factors independently associated with C. tropicalis in comparison with C. albicans candidemia. No significant differences in 7-day mortality or 30-day mortality were observed between C. albicans and NAC. This study may provide useful information with respect to choosing empirical antifungal agents and exploring differences in molecular mechanisms

Picomolar detection of carcinoembryonic antigen in whole blood using microfluidics and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a wide-spectrum biomarker. Clinically, we generally use serum sample to detect CEA, which needs to be centrifuged to pretreat the raw blood sample. In this study, we realized direct CEA detection in raw blood samples exploiting microfluidics. The LOD was as low as 10(-12) M

Establishment and Application of Peristaltic Human Gut-Vessel Microsystem for Studying Host-Microbial Interaction

Intestinal floras influence a lot of biological functions of the organism. Although animal model are strong tools for researches on the relationship between host and microbe, a physiologically relevant in vitro human gut model was still required. Here, a novel human gut-vessel microfluidic system was established to study the host-microbial interaction. Peristaltic motion of the cells on the chip was driven by a pneumatic pump. When intestinal epithelial cells (Caco2) were co-cultured with vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) on the peristaltic microfluidic chip, Caco2 showed normal barrier and absorption functions after 5 days cultivation, which generally took 21 days in static Transwell models. Intestinal microvilli and glycocalyx layer were seen after 4 days cultivation, and Lactobacillus casei was successfully co-cultured for a week in the intestinal cavity. A model for intestinal damage and inflammatory responses caused by E. coli was set up on this chip, which were successfully suppressed by Lactobacillus casei or antibiotic. In summary, this human gut-vessel microfluidic system showed a good potential for investigating the host-microbial interaction and the effect and mechanism of microbiome on intestinal diseases in vitro