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Re-entrant texturing may potentially improve the hydrophobicity and oleophobicity of a surface. The food industry requires a microfabrication method to keep surfaces clean without leaving a packaging residue for applications such as food bottles, food containers, and preservation bags. The goal of this study is thus to establish a microfabrication method for re-entrant texturing with spherical curvature to produce hydrophobic/oleophobic surfaces for liquid foods, such as soy sauce and canola oil. Samples with a spherical curvature are created from an ultra-violet-cure (UV-cure) resin and poly (tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) microbeads with diameters between 2.26 to 1,353 microns by spin coating on a glass substrate. The resin thickness, the mass and diameter of the microbeads, and the spin coater rotation speed are used as the microfabrication parameters. A side view of samples showing the spherical curvature reveals that a re-entrant texture indeed forms. Distilled water, soy sauce, and canola oil are dropped softly onto the re-entrant surface, however, the droplets cannot be placed stably. For appropriate microbead diameters, the apparent contact angles of soy sauce and canola oil showed 130.2 and 119.4 degrees, respectively. This facile fabrication method for re-entrant surfaces could prove useful for generating hydrophobic/oleophobic surfaces for Newtonian liquid foods.

The direct signal amplification of target molecules could be an effective means of increasing the sensitivity and reducing the size of biosensors. The purpose of this study was to propose a novel signal amplification method suitable for the detection of biomolecules using microcapsules that can quickly respond to concentration variation. This microcapsule-based amplification method consists of two elements—microcapsules and a well-array. The microcapsules consist of (i) an inner shell fabricated through layer-by-layer assembly, (ii) a lipid bilayer, and (iii) loaded target molecules. In this method, the inner surface of the well-array was modified using TiO2 as a photocatalyst. The diameter and thickness of the fabricated micro-capsules for biomarker loading were shown to be 2.7 μm and 78 nm, respectively. An ultraviolet (UV) irradiation time of 5 min was needed when the change in optical density reached 90% saturation of the optical density change. Dye molecules were incorporated into the microcapsules and were subsequently released, and the concentration of the released solution changed in proportion with the encapsulated dye concentration. This demonstrates the proof of concept for this novel signal amplification method based on microcapsules.

Nanostructured polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (nano-PDLCs) are transparent and optically isotropic materials in which submicron-sized liquid crystal (LC) domains are dispersed within a polymer matrix. Nano-PDLCs can induce birefringence by applying an electric field (E-field) based on the reorientation of the LC molecules. If nano-PDLCs are utilized as light-scattering-less birefringence memory materials, it is necessary to suppress the relaxation of the LC molecule orientation after the removal of the E-field. We focused on the ferroelectric smectic A (SmA) phase to suppress the relaxation of LC molecules, owing to its layered structure and high viscosity. Although nano-PDLCs require a strong E-field to reorient their LC molecules because of the anchoring effect at the LC/polymer interface, the required field strength can be reduced using a ferroelectric smectic A (SmAF) LC with a large dielectric constant. In this study, we fabricated a nano-PDLC by shining an ultraviolet light on a mixture comprised an SmAF LC, photocurable monomers, and a photo-initiator. The electro-birefringence effect was evaluated using polarizing optical microscopy. After the removal of the E-field, an enhanced memory effect was observed in the sample using SmAF LC compared with nematic LC-based nano-PDLCs.

Biomimetic periodic structures have garnered attention due to their excellent water repellency. The normal-taper angle, which is aspects of the cross-sectional structure, is important factor in achieving water repellency and pressure resistance; however, the underlying physical phenomenon has not been fully explained. Moreover, once a surface becomes hydrophobic, it is difficult to measure the apparent contact angle. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the taper angle that provides high water repellency under pressure impact conditions by formulating the relationship between the taper angle and the height of a droplet bouncing, instead of traditional contact angles, using experimental results. We fabricated multiple samples with different taper angles and groove width/tooth width ratios, through micro-processing using a femtosecond-pulsed laser and a control algorithm, and investigated their effects on water repellency. By using height of a droplet bouncing as an evaluation parameter, we were able to effectively differentiate between taper angles in terms of water repellency. Additionally, we suggested that in the bouncing phenomenon, where droplets are given velocity by falling, the sidewall of the periodic structure and the taper angle affect liquid repellency. To explain this phenomenon, we proposed a pressured-taper angle model where a droplet is pressed against the taper angle. Based on both experimental findings and the pressured-taper angle model, a relationship between the equilibrium contact angle, the taper angle, and the lifting force angle was revealed. Moreover, using this pressured-taper angle model, the taper angle of the periodic structure to achieve maximum liquid repellency was estimated from the equilibrium contact angle of the base material.

This research proposes a mass sensor based on mechanical resonance that is free from power supply lines (line-free) and incorporates both microfluidic mechanisms and label-free techniques to improve its sensitivity and reusability. The microfluidic line-free mass sensor comprises a disk-shaped mechanical resonator, a separate piezoelectric element used to excite vibrations in the resonator, and a microfluidic mechanism. Electrical power is used to actuate the piezoelectric element, leaving the resonator free from power lines. The microfluidic mechanism allows for rapid, repeat washings to remove impurities from a sample. The microfluidic line-free mass sensor is designed as a label-free sensor to enable high-throughput by modifying and dissociating an antibody on the resonator. The resonator was fabricated by photolithography and the diameter and thickness were 4 mm and 0.5 mm, respectively. The line-free mass sensor enabled a high Q-factor and resonance frequency of 7748 MHz and 1.402 MHz, respectively, to be achieved even in liquids, facilitating the analysis of human salivary cortisol. The line-free mass sensor could be used for repeated measurements with the microfluidic mechanism, and the resonator could be fully washed out. It was concluded that the microfluidic line-free mass sensor was suitable to analyze the concentration of a salivary hormone, cortisol, in human saliva samples, and that it provided high-throughput suitable for point-of-care testing.

Cancer-related activation of cytokine networks are central aspects of tumor development. The goal of the study was to examine the possibility of plasma cytokines for the screening of colorectal cancer (CRC). We carried out a multicenter, hospital-based case-control study in 66 adult Japanese patients with CRC and 87 healthy adult Japanese. A multiplex bead array immunoassay was used to examine 27 different plasma cytokines. Their association with the presence of CRC was evaluated by logistic regression analysis after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Thirteen plasma cytokines were notably associated with the presence of CRC (p< 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that the combinatorial assessment of some of these plasma cytokines showed \"good\" capability for discriminating between CRC patients and control subjects (area under the curve (AUC): 0.819 for the combination of IL-9, Eotaxin, G-CSF, and TNF-α; 0.832 for the combination of IL-4, IL-8, Eotaxin, IP-10, and TNF-α). Individual cytokine assessments presented lower AUCs (0.657-0.755) than the combinatorial cytokine assessments. The levels of several plasma cytokines varied significantly between CRC patients and control subjects, suggesting the possibility of differentially expressed plasma cytokines as potential biomarkers for detecting the presence of CRC. Our results should be validated in other populations.

Objective To quantitate plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in healthy individuals and to clarify how these levels are affected by blood sample handling procedures during short-term storage. Methods Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-treated plasma samples were simultaneously collected from 14 healthy individuals and stored on ice prior to analysis of the IL-6 levels. White blood cells (WBCs), red blood cells, and platelets were counted immediately after blood collection. IL-6 levels were analyzed every 30 minutes using a commercial electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Results Correlation coefficients between plasma IL-6 levels and WBC counts ranged between 0.605 and 0.554, higher than those for other cell types. The lowest IL-6 value in healthy individuals was estimated at 0.04 pg/mL and the mean values remained under 2 pg/mL over time. Conclusion Analysis of IL-6 levels in EDTA-treated plasma samples centrifuged within 1 hour and stored on ice can be performed within 90 minutes of short-term storage if the analytical method has a sensitivity in the range of 10 fg/mL.

Objective To develop a combinatorial panel of salivary cytokines that manifests the presence of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that will eventually improve prognosis by facilitating the early diagnosis and management of this common cancer. Methods We performed a case-control study comparing salivary cytokine profiles of 35 adult subjects with NSCLC with those of 35 matched, healthy nonsmokers. Multiplex bead array assays were used to quantify 27 cytokines in saliva, serum, and oral mucosal transudate samples. Logistic regression analysis was used to develop an informative cytokine panel. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to evaluate the discriminant ability of the panel. Results A combinatorial 12-cytokine panel (interleukin receptor antagonist [IL1RN], IL1B, IL6, IL7, IL8, IL10, C-C motif chemokine ligand 11 [CCL11], tumor necrosis factor, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 [CXCL10], C-C motif chemokine ligand 3, C-C motif chemokine ligand 4, and platelet-derived growth factor-BB) distinguished patients with NSCLC from healthy controls. Further, ROC analysis revealed that a cytokine panel comprising IL10 (odds ratio, 1.156) and CXCL10 (odds ratio, 1.000) discriminated NSCLC with a sensitivity of 60.6% and specificity of 80.8% (area under the ROC curve, 0.701). Conclusion A combinatorial panel of select salivary cytokines indicates the presence of NSCLC.

Sutimlimab, a complement inhibitor, has recently been approved in Japan for treating cold agglutinin disease (CAD). We report the safety and efficacy of sutimlimab in Japanese patients with CAD who completed a global phase 3 clinical trial (CARDINAL/CADENZA: 26-week treatment with 1–2 years of open-label extension [OLE] periods) and subsequently participated in the Japanese OLE study. Patients with a recent history of blood transfusion (CARDINAL, n = 3) and those without (CADENZA, n = 4) were analyzed (71.4% female; median [range] baseline age: 70 [46–83] years). For CARDINAL/CADENZA, the treatment duration (median [range]) was 140.9 (104.9–157.3) weeks, and the cessation period was 70 (61–133) weeks. For the Japanese OLE study, the treatment duration was 47.1 (15.1–49.1) weeks. Three (42.9%) patients experienced treatment-related and treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs): injection site erythema, cystitis bacterial, viral infection, and blood pressure increased during CARDINAL/CADENZA. One (14.3%) patient experienced one treatment-related TEAE (urinary tract infection) during the Japanese OLE study. One patient died of renal failure, considered unrelated to sutimlimab, that was exacerbated by hepatorenal syndrome due to liver cirrhosis and bacterial peritonitis, in addition to CKD. Hemoglobin and bilirubin levels improved during treatment but deteriorated after withdrawal and recovered on retreatment. Sutimlimab was well tolerated over a median of 3.8 years, with no new safety concerns identified during retreatment.

Gene rearrangements of MLL/KMT2A or RUNX1 are the major cause of therapy‐related leukemia. Moreover, MLL rearrangements are the major cause of infant leukemia, and RUNX1 rearrangements are frequently detected in cord blood. These genes are sensitive to topoisomerase II inhibitors, and various genes have been identified as potential fusion partners. However, fetal exposure to these inhibitors is rare. Therefore, we postulated that even a proliferation signal itself might induce gene rearrangements in hematopoietic stem cells. To test this hypothesis, we detected gene rearrangements in etoposide‐treated or non–treated CD34+ cells cultured with cytokines using inverse PCR. In the etoposide‐treated cells, variable‐sized rearrangement bands were detected in the RUNX1 and MLL genes at 3 hours of culture, which decreased after 7 days. However, more rearrangement bands were detected in the non–treated cells at 7 days of culture. Such gene rearrangements were also detected in peripheral blood stem cells mobilized by cytokines for transplantation. However, none of these rearranged genes encoded the leukemogenic oncogene, and the cells with rearrangements did not expand. These findings suggest that MLL and RUNX1 rearrangements, which occur with very low frequency in normal hematopoietic progenitor cells, may be induced under cytokine stimulation. Most of the cells with gene rearrangements are likely eliminated, except for leukemia‐associated gene rearrangements, resulting in the low prevalence of leukemia development. MLL and RUNX1 rearrangements, which occur with very low frequency in normal hematopoietic progenitor cells, may be induced under cytokine stimulation. Most of the cells with gene rearrangements are likely eliminated, except for leukemia‐associated gene rearrangements, resulting in the low prevalence of leukemia development.