Optomechanical manipulation with hyperbolic metasurfaces

Auxiliary nanostructures introduce additional flexibility into optomechanical manipulation schemes. Metamaterials and metasurfaces capable to control electromagnetic interactions at the near-field regions are especially beneficial for achieving improved spatial localization of particles, reducing laser powers required for trapping, and for tailoring directivity of optical forces. Here, optical forces acting on small particles situated next to anisotropic substrates, are investigated. A special class of hyperbolic metasurfaces is considered in details and is shown to be beneficial for achieving strong optical pulling forces in a broad spectral range. Spectral decomposition of the Green functions enables identifying contributions of different interaction channels and underlines the importance of the hyperbolic dispersion regime, which plays the key role in optomechanical interactions. Homogenised model of the hyperbolic metasurface is compared to its metal-dielectric multilayer realizations and is shown to predict the optomechanical behaviour under certain conditions related to composition of the top layer of the structure and its periodicity. Optomechanical metasurfaces open a venue for future fundamental investigations and a range of practical applications, where accurate control over mechanical motion of small objects is required

Synthesis, molecular structures and EPR spectra of the paramagnetic cuboidal clusters with Mo3S4Ga cores

Electron precise [Mo3(l3-S)(l-S)3(diphos)3Br3]Br (diphos = dppe, dmpe) incomplete cuboidal clusters with six cluster skeletal electrons (CSE) were converted into paramagnetic cuboidal [Mo3(GaBr)(l3-S)4- (diphos)3Br3] clusters by treatment with elemental Ga. The new heterobimetallic complexes with nine CSE possess a doublet ground state with the unpaired electron density delocalized over the three molybdenum atoms

Synthesis, molecular and electronic structure of an incomplete cuboidal Re3S4 cluster with an anusual quadruplet ground state

A Re(IV) cluster complex [Re3(μ3-S)(μ-S)3(dppe)3Br3]+ with nine cluster skeletal electrons (CSE) and a quadruplet ground state has been prepared by treatment of [Re3S7Br6]Br with 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) in MeCN

The Study of Dielectric Properties of Biological Tissue under Thermal Modification in vitro

The aim of this paper is to study the dynamics of the dielectric properties of the tissue in the experimental controlled thermal modification. Material and methods: the experiment was performed on equal in volume and mass samples of intraoperatively removed tissue of Palmar aponeurosis (n=8). The thermal effect was simulated by placing tissue fragments in a thermostat (processing time – 5 min., temperature – 60 C). Duration of exposure after thermal modification was 5 min. Dielectric properties of tissues was determined using an original hardware-software complex for near-field resonant microwave sensing. Results: the study made it possible to verify the shifts in dielectric properties of the tissue that occur under short-term exposure to high temperature in vitro. It is shown that the dielectric permeability and conductivity of the biological object are significantly reduced under the influence of this factor, which is primarily due to a decrease of its hydration degree

Opisthorchis felineus infection, risks, and morbidity in rural Western Siberia, Russian Federation

The liver fluke, Opisthorchis felineus, is widely distributed throughout Europe and large parts of the Russian Federation. In Western Siberia, information about opisthorchiasis is lacking although infection may lead to severe liver and bile duct diseases. We aimed to assess the current prevalence of O. felineus infection along with associated risk factors and morbidity in rural Western Siberia.; We conducted a community-based, cross-sectional study in the rural Shegarskiy district, Tomsk Oblast, Russian Federation. All household members (≥ 7 years) present on the survey day were enrolled (n = 600). Two stool samples per person were examined for helminth eggs, using PARASEP (DiaSys Ltd, UK). The number of eggs per gram (EPG) of feces was recorded. Each study participant was interviewed to determine risk factors, using a pre-tested questionnaire. An abdominal ultrasonography examination of liver and bile ducts was performed with a mobile, high resolution ultrasound device. In total, 488 persons completed assessments (two stool samples, completed questionnaires); of those, 436 individuals had an ultrasonography (US) examination.; We observed a prevalence of O. felineus infection of 60.2%. Significant risk factors for infection were the consumption of river fish (odds ratio from adjusted analysis [aOR] 2.4, 95% CI 1.52-3.95, p<0.001), particularly stock fish (OR from multivariable analysis [mOR] 3.2, 95% CI 2.63-3.80, p<0.001), smoked fish (mOR 1.5, 95% CI 1.24-1.72, p<0.001), frozen fish (mOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.29-2.02, p<0.001), and raw fish (mOR 1.4, 95% CI 1.05-1.84, p = 0.02); and fishing activities (mOR 1.2, 95% CI 1.03-1.43, p = 0.019). Women had a higher risk of infection than men. Infection was associated positively with age and negatively with socio-economic status. The respondents' general awareness of opisthorchiasis was quite high (93.2%), but their knowledge about infection transmission and prevention was insufficient. Children aged 7-18 years old had a lower level of awareness compared to adults. The abdominal ultrasonography results demonstrated a strong association between O. felineus infection and gallbladder stones (mOR 2.8, 95% CI 1.33-6.04, p = 0.007) and periductal fibrosis of intrahepatic bile ducts (mOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.08-3.46, p = 0.026).; O. felineus infection is highly prevalent in rural regions of Western Siberia, and associated with severe hepatobiliary pathology. Identified risk factors will be used to develop a comprehensive targeted O. felineus infection control program

Commercial articulated collaborative in situ 3D bioprinter for skin wound healing

In situ bioprinting is one of the most clinically relevant techniques in the emerging bioprinting technology because it could be performed directly on the human body in the operating room and it does not require bioreactors for post-printing tissue maturation. However, commercial in situ bioprinters are still not available on the market. In this study, we demonstrated the benefit of the originally developed first commercial articulated collaborative in situ bioprinter for the treatment of full-thickness wounds in rat and porcine models. We used an articulated and collaborative robotic arm from company KUKA and developed original printhead and correspondence software enabling in situ bioprinting on curve and moving surfaces. The results of in vitro and in vivo experiments show that in situ bioprinting of bioink induces a strong hydrogel adhesion and enables printing on curved surfaces of wet tissues with a high level of fidelity. The in situ bioprinter was convenient to use in the operating room. Additional in vitro experiments (in vitro collagen contraction assay and in vitro 3D angiogenesis assay) and histological analyses demonstrated that in situ bioprinting improves the quality of wound healing in rat and porcine skin wounds. The absence of interference with the normal process of wound healing and even certain improvement in the dynamics of this process strongly suggests that in situ bioprinting could be used as a novel therapeutic modality in wound healing.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Роль компонентов микробиоты в модификации иммунного ответа при отдельных вариантах течения хронической обструктивной болезни легких

Background. According to the World Health Organization, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. COPD with frequent exacerbations is a most challenging variant of the disease. Currently it is not clear how respiratory microbiota can modify the immune response in this disease.Aim. To establish the role of bacterial oligonucleotides in modification of the immune response in patients with COPD.Materials and мethods. In accordance with the protocol of the study, 10 patients with stable COPD with frequent exacerbations and 10 patients without frequent exacerbations were included. Immature dendritic cells were obtained by culturing the monocyte fraction of the peripheral blood of patients with COPD. The cells were stimulated by addition of bacterial lipopolysaccharide and small oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN) of A or B classes. Then the immunophenotypical profile of the obtained cells was determined by flow-cytometry with the use of monoclonal antibodies to antigens CD40, CD83, CD86. To determine the antigen-presenting properties, these dendritic cells were cultivated with CD4+, and then the phenotypic profile of the obtained T-lymphocytes was evaluated by using antibodies to CD4, CD25, CD127, and CD45RO.Results. Cultivation of stimulated dendritic cells by СpG-ODN of A class with T-cells in COPD patients without exacerbations leads to an increase of the amount of lymphocytes of CD25+CD45RO phenotype (15% increase after stimulation), in contrast to the group of patients with frequent exacerbations of COPD (p = 0,018). It may indicate inadequate control of persistent inflammation, mediated by CD25+CD45RO pool of cells in the group of COPD patients with frequent exacerbations.Conclusion. This study demonstrated the presence of discoordination of the immune response of a bidirectional nature in patients with COPD with frequent and infrequent exacerbations. По данным Всемирной организации здравоохранения, хроническая обструктивная болезнь легких (ХОБЛ) является одной из ведущих причин заболеваемости и смертности в мире. Неблагоприятным вариантом течения болезни, с точки зрения прогноза, является ХОБЛ с частыми обострениями. В настоящее время недостаточно изучен вклад компонентов микробиоты на изменение иммунного ответа при данной болезни.Цель работы. Установить роль компонентов бактерий – бактериальных олигонуклеотидов в модификации иммунного ответа при ХОБЛ.Материал и методы. В соответствии с протоколом в исследование включены 10 пациентов со стабильной ХОБЛ с частыми обострениями и 10 пациентов без частых обострений. Незрелые дендритные клетки, полученные при культивировании моноцитарной фракции периферической крови больных ХОБЛ, стимулировали путем добавления бактериального липополисахарида, а также малых олигодеоксинуклеотидов (ODN) с неметилированными CpG (CpG-ODN) классов А или В, после чего определяли иммунофенотипический профиль полученных клеток методом проточной цитофлуориметрии с использованием моноклональных антител к антигенам CD40, CD83, CD86. Для определения антиген-представляющих свойств полученных дендритных клеток их сокультивировали с CD4+, после чего оценивали фенотипический профиль полученных Т-лимфоцитов с использованием антител к CD4, CD25, CD127 и CD45RO.Результаты. Сокультивирование стимулированных СpG-ODN класса А-дендритных клеток с Т-клетками у больных ХОБЛ без обострений приводит к увеличению содержания лимфоцитов с фенотипом CD25+CD45RO- на 15% после стимуляции в отличие от группы пациентов с частыми обострениями ХОБЛ (р = 0,018). Это может свидетельствовать о недостаточном контроле над персистирующим воспалением, опосредованным CD25+CD45RO-пулом клеток, в группе больных ХОБЛ с частыми обострениями.Выводы и заключение. Проведенное исследование продемонстрировало наличие дискоординации иммунного ответа разнонаправленного характера при ХОБЛ с частыми и редкими обострениями, что может быть основой развития варианта течения ХОБЛ с частыми обострениями.

Roadmap on holography

From its inception holography has proven an extremely productive and attractive area of research. While specific technical applications give rise to 'hot topics', and three-dimensional (3D) visualisation comes in and out of fashion, the core principals involved continue to lead to exciting innovations in a wide range of areas. We humbly submit that it is impossible, in any journal document of this type, to fully reflect current and potential activity; however, our valiant contributors have produced a series of documents that go no small way to neatly capture progress across a wide range of core activities. As editors we have attempted to spread our net wide in order to illustrate the breadth of international activity. In relation to this we believe we have been at least partially successful.This work was supported by Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (Spain) under projects FIS2017-82919-R (MINECO/AEI/FEDER, UE) and FIS2015-66570-P (MINECO/FEDER), and by Generalitat Valenciana (Spain) under project PROMETEO II/2015/015