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ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a hybrid Glubran-supported single-Proglide technique for large bore femoral access closure during percutaneous access endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).MethodsA retrospective cohort study was performed for all percutaneous EVARs at our center from January 2023 to June 2023. All patients received the hybrid Glubran-supported single-Proglide technique involving a mixture of surgical glue and Lipiodol injection after single suture placement for femoral access closure. Technical success was defined as achieving complete hemostasis without a bailout strategy. Vascular complications and bleeding were defined by Valve Academic Research Consortium-3 (VARC-3) criteria. Vascular access changes and 30-day mortality were recorded.ResultsThe technique success rate for the entire study population was 100% (55 femoral access in 37 patients; median age: 72; 78% males). The mean sheath size was 20.4 ± 2.3F. The mean manual compression time was 3.5 ± 1.4 min, the mean hemostasis time was 9.0 ± 2.5 min, and the mean procedural time was 103.9 ± 34.7 min. One patient (1.6%) developed an access site infection and recovered conservatively. No VARC-3 vascular complications and access changes were observed. No 30-day mortality happened.ConclusionsThe hybrid Glubran-supported single-Proglide technique is feasible for large bore access closure during EVAR and may be a viable alternative; however, larger prospective studies are required to confirm its efficacy.

Aluminum nitride (AlN) film is a promising material which is used in various fields. In this study, AlN films with different plasma powers were grown by remote plasma atomic layer deposition. Saturation experiments have been applied in the plasma power between 1000 and 3000 W. The influence of plasma power on preferential orientation, chemical, optical, and electrical properties of AlN films are investigated. AlN films displayed multiphase hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure with (002) preferential orientation for higher plasma power, while the predominant orientation shifted toward (100) at lower plasma power. The optical emission spectroscopy analyses show that NH and NH2 radicals conduce to the deposition of AlN films and H radicals selectively dissociate Al–OH bonds which were on AlN film surface and etch deposition films. Atomic force microscopy measurements show that the 1500 W prepared AlN film with smallest surface roughness may be related to the relatively smaller concomitant crystal grains of (100) and (002). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy investigation presents that oxygen content decreases as the plasma power increases. The obtained maximum value of dielectric constant and breakdown electrical field of AlN film deposited at 3000 W is 8.23 and 5.42 MV/cm, respectively.

Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumours carry multiple gene mutations and respond poorly to treatments. There is currently an unmet need for drug carriers that can deliver multiple gene cargoes to target high solid tumour burden like PDAC. Here, we report a dual targeted extracellular vesicle (dtEV) carrying high loads of therapeutic RNA that effectively suppresses large PDAC tumours in mice. The EV surface contains a CD64 protein that has a tissue targeting peptide and a humanized monoclonal antibody. Cells sequentially transfected with plasmid DNAs encoding for the RNA and protein of interest by Transwell®-based asymmetric cell electroporation release abundant targeted EVs with high RNA loading. Together with a low dose chemotherapy drug, Gemcitabine, dtEVs suppress large orthotopic PANC-1 and patient derived xenograft tumours and metastasis in mice and extended animal survival. Our work presents a clinically accessible and scalable way to produce abundant EVs for delivering multiple gene cargoes to large solid tumours.

Rab GTPase 3C (RAB3C) is a peripheral membrane protein that is involved in membrane trafficking (vesicle formation) and cell movement. Recently, researchers have noted the exocytosis of RAB proteins, and their dysregulation is correlated with drug resistance and the altered tumor microenvironment in tumorigenesis. However, the molecular mechanisms of exocytotic RABs in the carcinogenicity of colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unknown. Researchers have used various in silico datasets to evaluate the expression profiles of RAB family members. We confirmed that RAB3C plays a key role in CRC progression. Its overexpression promotes exocytosis and is related to the resistance to several chemotherapeutic drugs. We established a proteomic dataset based on RAB3C, and found that dystrophin is one of the proteins that is upregulated with the overexpression of RAB3C. According to our results, RAB3C‐induced dystrophin expression promotes vesicle formation and packaging. A connectivity map predicted that the cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) agonists reverse RAB3C‐associated drug resistance, and that these agonists have synergistic effects when combined with standard chemotherapy regimens. Moreover, we found high dystrophin expression levels in CRC patients with poor survival outcomes. A combination of the dystrophin and RAB3C expression profiles can serve as an independent prognostic factor in CRC and is associated with several clinicopathological parameters. In addition, the RAB3C–dystrophin axis is positively correlated with the phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate 3‐kinase catalytic subunit alpha isoform (PIK3CA) genetic alterations in CRC patients. These findings can be used to provide novel combined therapeutic options for the treatment of CRC.

Abstract Many methods are used to locate preoperative small pulmonary nodules. However, deficiencies of complications and success rates exist. We introduce a novel magnetic gel for small pulmonary nodules localization in rabbit model, and furtherly evaluate its safety and feasibility. Rabbits were used as the experimental objects. A magnetic gel was used as a tracer magnet, mixed as sodium alginate-Fe3O4 magnetic fluid and calcium gluconate solution. In short-term localization, a coaxial double-cavity puncture needle was applied to inject the gel into the lung after thoracotomy, and a pursuit magnet made of Nd-Fe-B permanent magnetic materials was used to attract the gel representing location of the nodule. In long-term localization, the gel was injected under X-ray guidance. Imaging changes to the lung were observed under X-ray daily. Thoracotomy was performed to excise tissue containing the gel, and hematoxylin–eosin staining was used to observe the tissue on postoperative days 1, 3, 5, and 7. Observe tissues morphology of heart, liver, spleen, and kidney in the same way. The gel was formed after injection and drew lung tissue to form a protrusion from the lung surface under the applied magnetic field. No complication was observed. The shape and position of the gel had not changed when viewed under X-ray. Pathological analysis showed the gel had a clear boundary without diffusion of magnetic fluid. All tissues retained good histologic morphology and no magnetic fluid was observed. Our study preliminarily suggested that the technique using sodium alginate-Fe3O4 magnetic gel to locate small pulmonary nodules with guidance of X-ray, and to search for them under an applied magnetic field during the operation is safe and feasible.

The promising functional tin oxide (SnOx) has attracted tremendous attention due to its transparent and conductive properties. The stoichiometric composition of SnOx can be described as common n-type SnO2 and p-type Sn3O4. In this study, the functional SnOx films were prepared successfully by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) at different substrate temperatures from 100 to 400 °C. The experimental results involving optical, structural, chemical, and electrical properties and morphologies are discussed. The SnO2 and oxygen-deficient Sn3O4 phases coexisting in PEALD SnOx films were found. The PEALD SnOx films are composed of intrinsic oxygen vacancies with O-Sn4+ bonds and then transformed into a crystalline SnO2 phase with increased substrate temperature, revealing a direct 3.5–4.0 eV band gap and 1.9–2.1 refractive index. Lower (300 °C) substrate temperatures can cause precursor condensation and desorption, respectively, resulting in reduced film qualities. The proper composition ratio of O to Sn in PEALD SnOx films near an estimated 1.74 suggests the highest mobility of 12.89 cm2 V−1 s−1 at 300 °C.

Abstract Background There is little information on which pattern should be chosen to perform lymph node dissection for stage I non-small-cell lung cancer. This study aimed to develop a model for predicting lymph node metastasis using pathologic features of patients intraoperatively diagnosed as stage I non-small-cell lung cancer. Methods We collected pathology data from 284 patients intraoperatively diagnosed as stage I non-small-cell lung cancer who underwent lobectomy with complete lymph node dissection from 2013 through 2014, assessing various factors for an association with metastasis to lymph nodes (age, gender, pathology, tumour location, tumour differentiation, tumour size, pleural invasion, bronchus invasion, multicentric invasion and angiolymphatic invasion). After analysing these variables, we developed a multivariable logistic model to estimate risk of metastasis to lymph nodes. Results Univariate logistic regression identified tumour size >2.65 cm (p 2.65 cm (p 0.80, 0.43 2 cm and ŷ ≤0.43 plus tumour size ≤2 cm yielded positive lymph node metastasis predictive values of 44%, 18%, 14% and 0%, respectively. Conclusions A non-invasive prediction model including tumour size, tumour differentiation and bronchus invasion may be useful to give thoracic surgeons recommendations on lymph node dissection for patients intraoperatively diagnosed as Stage I non-small cell lung cancer.

Indium oxide (In2O3) film has excellent optical and electrical properties, which makes it useful for a multitude of applications. The preparation of In2O3 film via atomic layer deposition (ALD) method remains an issue as most of the available In-precursors are inactive and thermally unstable. In this work, In2O3 film was prepared by ALD using a remote O2 plasma as oxidant, which provides highly reactive oxygen radicals, and hence significantly enhancing the film growth. The substrate temperature that determines the adsorption state on the substrate and reaction energy of the precursor was investigated. At low substrate temperature (100–150 °C), the ratio of chemically adsorbed precursors is low, leading to a low growth rate and amorphous structure of the films. An amorphous-to-crystalline transition was observed at 150–200 °C. An ALD window with self-limiting reaction and a reasonable film growth rate was observed in the intermediate temperature range of 225–275 °C. At high substrate temperature (300–350 °C), the film growth rate further increases due to the decomposition of the precursors. The resulting film exhibits a rough surface which consists of coarse grains and obvious grain boundaries. The growth mode and properties of the In2O3 films prepared by plasma-enhanced ALD can be efficiently tuned by varying the substrate temperature.

In this study, silicon oxide (SiO2) films were deposited by remote plasma atomic layer deposition with Bis(diethylamino)silane (BDEAS) and an oxygen/argon mixture as the precursors. Oxygen plasma powers play a key role in the quality of SiO2 films. Post-annealing was performed in the air at different temperatures for 1 h. The effects of oxygen plasma powers from 1000 W to 3000 W on the properties of the SiO2 thin films were investigated. The experimental results demonstrated that the SiO2 thin film growth per cycle was greatly affected by the O2 plasma power. Atomic force microscope (AFM) and conductive AFM tests show that the surface of the SiO2 thin films, with different O2 plasma powers, is relatively smooth and the films all present favorable insulation properties. The water contact angle (WCA) of the SiO2 thin film deposited at the power of 1500 W is higher than that of other WCAs of SiO2 films deposited at other plasma powers, indicating that it is less hydrophilic. This phenomenon is more likely to be associated with a smaller bonding energy, which is consistent with the result obtained by Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy. In addition, the influence of post-annealing temperature on the quality of the SiO2 thin films was also investigated. As the annealing temperature increases, the SiO2 thin film becomes denser, leading to a higher refractive index and a lower etch rate.

In this study, the effect of radical intensity on the deposition mechanism, optical, and electrical properties of tin oxide (SnO2) thin films is investigated. The SnO2 thin films are prepared by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition with different plasma power from 1000 to 3000 W. The experimental results show that plasma contains different amount of argon radicals (Ar*) and oxygen radicals (O*) with the increased power. The three deposition mechanisms are indicated by the variation of Ar* and O* intensities evidenced by optical emission spectroscopy. The adequate intensities of Ar* and O* are obtained by the power of 1500 W, inducing the highest oxygen vacancies (OV) ratio, the narrowest band gap, and the densest film structure. The refractive index and optical loss increase with the plasma power, possibly owing to the increased film density. According to the Hall effect measurement results, the improved plasma power from 1000 to 1500 W enhances the carrier concentration due to the enlargement of OV ratio, while the plasma powers higher than 1500 W further cause the removal of OV and the significant bombardment from Ar*, leading to the increase of resistivity.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) has drawn much attention due to its excellent optical and electrical properties. In this study, ZnO film was prepared by a high-deposition-rate spatial atomic layer deposition (ALD) and subjected to a post-annealing process to suppress the intrinsic defects and improve the crystallinity and film properties. The results show that the film thickness increases with annealing temperature owing to the increment of oxide layer caused by the suppression of oxygen vacancy defects as indicated by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra. The film transmittance is seldom influenced by annealing. The refractive index increases with annealing temperature at 300–700 °C, possibly due to higher density and crystallinity of the film. The band gap decreases after annealing, which should be ascribed to the decrease in carrier concentration according to Burstein–Moss model. The carrier concentration decreases with increasing annealing temperature at 300–700 °C since the oxygen vacancy defects are suppressed, then it increases at 800 °C possibly due to the out-diffusion of oxygen atoms from the film. Meanwhile, the carrier mobility increases with temperature due to higher crystallinity and larger crystallite size. The film resistivity increases at 300–700 °C then decreases at 800 °C, which should be ascribed primarily to the variation of carrier concentration.

R1612 --> Introduction: Cancer is listed by the National Cancer Institute‐National Institutes of Health (NIH NCI) in the US as a major disease which requires new therapeutic strategies to reduce its current high mortality. Glioblastoma (GBM) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are two highly aggressive cancer types originated from organs that are difficult to diagnose and trace in vivo. Experimental design: To evaluate the feasibility of using single atom nanozyme (SAN) containing extracellular vesicles (EVs) to treat GBM and PDAC mouse models, we first mixed SAN particulates with HEK293T cells and collected cell‐released exosomes in culture medium. We then purified SAN@EVs and added folic acid molecules on the surface of EVs to generate the tumor targeting function. The functionalized EVs were tested inn vitro for the photodynamic treatment of GBM and PDAC cell lines, and then in vivo using xenograft mouse models. Results: We have demonstrated that electrical stimulation led to a short‐term leakage of cell membrane for facilitated SAN uptake and increased EV production. Our preliminary data showed that many released EVs carry the payload of SAN. High quality SAN@EVs are enriched and purified using ultracentrifuge and sucrose gradient. After modifying the EV surface by folic acid‐targeted monoclonal antibodies, SAN@EV‐FA could be uptaken efficiently by cancer cells to greatly suppress the growth of cancer cells in vitro and could accumulate well in tumor and slow down tumor growth in vivo. Conclusions: In animal biodistribution experiments, our results show that SAN@EV‐FA particulates were mainly accumulated in the GBM and PDAC tumor. Moreover, the SAN@EV‐FA particulates showed a good photodynamic therapeutic effect for the GBM and PDAC treatment. This novel theranostic nanoplatform has potential for cancer treatment in human in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]