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Abstract Profiling molecular expression in situ allows the integration of biomolecular and cellular features, enabling an in-depth understanding of biological systems. Multiplexed immunofluorescence methods can visualize tens to hundreds of proteins from individual tissue samples, but their application is usually limited to thin tissue sections. Multiplexed immunofluorescence of thick tissues or intact organs will enable high-throughput profiling of cellular protein expression within 3D tissue architectures (e.g., blood vessels, neural projections, tumors), opening a new dimension in diverse biological research and medical applications. We will review current multiplexed immunofluorescence methods and discuss possible approaches and challenges to achieve 3D multiplexed immunofluorescence.

Vision: bringing the two sides together A protein regulating gene expression called Vax1 is essential for building the optic chiasm (OC), a brain structure where nerves from the left and right eyes cross to the other side of the brain. Signals from both eyes must be integrated for space and depth perception. Although some cues guiding optic nerve growth are known, those for the OC are not. Jin Woo Kim at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea, and co-workers investigated visual development in mice expressing a mutant Vax1. They found that the mutant Vax1 could not support the optic nerve, which grew slowly and failed to connect to the other side of the brain. Consequently, the mice had impaired depth perception and low vision. These results show the importance of Vax1 for the development of binocular vision.

Background and Objectives: This study aims to elucidate the positive rate and the clinicopathological significance of surgical margin after radical prostatectomy (RP) through a meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: This meta-analysis finally used 59 studies, including the information about the positive surgical margin (PSM) and those clinicopathological significances after RP. The subgroup analysis for the estimated rates of PSM was evaluated based on types of surgery, grade groups, and pathological tumor (pT) stages. We compared the clinicopathological correlations between positive and negative surgical margins (NSM). Results: The estimated PSM rate was 25.3% after RP (95% confidence interval [CI] 21.9–29.0%). The PSM rates were 26.0% (95% CI 21.5–31.1%) 28.0% (95% CI 20.2–37.5%) in robot-assisted RP and nerve-sparing RP, respectively. The PSM rate was significantly higher in high-grade groups than in low-grade groups. In addition, the higher pT stage subgroup had a high PSM rate compared to the lower pT stage subgroups. Patients with PSM showed significantly high PSA levels, frequent lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, and extraprostatic extension. Biochemical recurrences (BCRs) were 28.5% (95% CI 21.4–36.9%) and 11.8% (95% CI 8.1–16.9%) in PSM and NSM subgroups, respectively. Patients with PSM showed worse BCR-free survival than those with NSM (hazard ratio 2.368, 95% CI 2.043–2.744%). Conclusions: Our results showed that PSM was significantly correlated with worse clinicopathological characteristics and biochemical recurrence-free survival. Among the results in preoperative evaluations, grade group and tumor stage are useful for the prediction of PSM.

Background: According to the recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic experience, many emergency departments experience difficulties in responding to emerging infectious diseases and this has led to a public health crisis. Our emergency department (ED) is designed to respond to mass outbreaks of infection. Three major preparations were taken to respond to infectious disease; first, to improve the emergency department facilities; second, to created programs to respond to each phase of an epidemic of COVID-19; lastly, to implemented education and training to promote the safety of medical staff. We would like to share the actual responses and statistics of patients visiting emergency department during COVID-19 periods of pandemic. Materials and Methods: This research was conducted through a retrospective chart analysis provided by a public medical center with 502 beds since the first report of a COVID-19 confirmed case on January 19, 2020 to June 15, 2020 in Seoul, the capital of Korea. Our emergency department was designed based on Korean Regional Emergency Center Facility Standards, and modified throughout each phases of COVID-19 outbreak. Patients suspected to be infectious are screened in the triage, separating them from general patients, and then receive isolation treatment in isolated wards. Results: A total of 4,352 patients visited the ED. 3,202 screenings were conducted with 5 confirmed cases. Another 1,150 patients were treated with general emergent symptoms. There were no problems such as closure of the emergency department or isolation of medical staff while managing COVID-19 confirmed patients. Conclusion: Improving emergency department facilities, create an operational program to respond to each phase of COVID-19 outbreak and implement educational programs enabled large number of screening tests and hospitalization for COVID-19 suspected patients while maintaining general medical services. Research in emergency department designs and operational programs should increase to combine research data with better ideas to respond not only during regular periods but also during periods of pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Recently, biocompatible optical sources have been surfacing for new-rising biomedical applications, allowing them to be used for multi-purpose technologies such as biological sensing, optogenetic modulation, and phototherapy. Especially, vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) is in the spotlight as a prospective candidate for optical sources owing to its low-driving current performance, low-cost, and package easiness in accordance with two-dimensional (2D) arrays structure. In this study, we successfully demonstrated the actualization of biocompatible thin-film 930 nm VCSELs transferred onto a Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) carrier. The PDMS feature with biocompatibility as well as biostability makes the thin-film VCSELs well-suited for biomedical applications. In order to integrate the conventional VCSEL onto the PDMS carrier, we utilized a double-transfer technique that transferred the thin-film VCSELs onto foreign substrates twice, enabling it to maintain the p-on-n polarity of the conventional VCSEL. Additionally, we employed a surface modification-assisted bonding (SMB) using an oxygen plasma in conjunction with silane treatment when bonding the PDMS carrier with the substrate-removed conventional VCSELs. The threshold current and maximum output power of the fabricated 930 nm thin-film VCSELs are 1.08 mA and 7.52 mW at an injection current of 13.9 mA, respectively.

Abstract Thin-film vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) mounted onto heatsinks open up the way toward low-power consumption and high-power operation, enabling them to be widely used for energy saving high-speed optical data communication and three-dimensional sensor applications. There are two conventional VCSEL polarity structures: p-on-n and n-on-p polarity. The former is more preferably used owing to the reduced series resistance of n-type bottom distributed Bragg reflection (DBR) as well as the lower defect densities of n-type GaAs substrates. In this study, the p-on-n structures of thin-film VCSELs, including an etch stop layer and a highly n-doped GaAs ohmic layer, were epitaxially grown in upright order by using low-pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (LP-MOCVD). The p-on-n structures of thin-film VCSELs were transferred onto an aluminum heatsink via a double-transfer technique, allowing the top-emitting thin-film VCSELs to keep the p-on-n polarity with the removal of the GaAs substrate. The threshold current (I th ) and voltage (V th ) of the fabricated top-emitting thin-film VCSELs were 1 mA and 2.8 V, respectively. The optical power was 7.7 mW at a rollover point of 16.1 mA.

Background. This study aimed at investigating whether the length of stay (LOS) in the emergency department (ED) is associated with mortality in elderly patients with infections admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Delayed admission to the ICU may be associated with adverse clinical outcomes in elderly patients with infections. Methods. This was a retrospective study conducted with subjects over 65 years of age admitted to the ICU from 5 EDs. We recorded demographic data, clinical findings, initial laboratory results, and ED LOS. Outcomes were all-cause in-hospital mortality and hospital LOS. A multivariable regression model was applied to identify factors predictive of mortality. Results. A total of 439 patients admitted to the ICU via the ED were included in this study, 132 (30.1%) of whom died in the hospital. The median (IQR) age was 78 (73, 83) years. In multivariable analysis, a history of malignancy (OR: 3.76; 95% CI: 1.88–7.52; p12 hours had a longer hospital LOS (p=0.018), and those with an ED LOS > 24 hours had a longer hospital LOS and higher mortality rate (p=0.044, p=0.008). Conclusions. This study shows that prolonged ED LOS is independently associated with all-cause in-hospital mortality in elderly patients with infections requiring ICU admission. ED LOS should be considered in strategies to prevent adverse outcomes in elderly patients with infections who visit the ED.

We report self-assembled novel triphenylphosphonium-conjugated dicyanostilbene-based as selective fluorescence turn-on probes for 1O2 and ClO−. Mono- or di-triphenylphosphonium-conjugated dicyanostilbene derivatives 1 and 2 formed spherical structures with diameters of ca. 27 and 56.5 nm, respectively, through π-π interaction between dicyanostilbene groups. Self-assembled 1 showed strong fluorescent emission upon the addition of 1O2 and ClO− compared to other ROS (O2−, •OH, NO, TBHP, H2O2, GSH), metal ions (K+, Na+), and amino acids (cysteine and histidine). Upon addition of 1O2 and ClO−, the spherical structure of 1 changed to a fiber structure (8-nm wide; 300-nm long). Upon addition of 1O2 and ClO−, the chemical structural conversion of 1 was determined by FAB-Mass, NMR, IR and Zeta potential analysis, and the strong emission of the self-assembled 1 was due to an aggregation-induced emission enhancement. This self-assembled material was the first for selective ROS as a fluorescence turn-on probe. Thus, a nanostructure change-derived turn-on sensing strategy for 1O2 or ClO− may offer a new approach to developing methods for specific guest molecules in biological and environmental subjects.