BINA

X ray fluorescence ghost imaging (XRF-GI) was recently demonstrated for x ray lab sources. It has the potential to reduce the acquisition time and deposited dose by choosing their trade-off with a spatial resolution while alleviating the focusing constraints of the probing beam. Here, we demonstrate the realization of synchrotron-based XRF-GI: we present both an adapted experimental setup and its corresponding required computational technique to process the data. This extends the above-mentioned potential advantages of GI to synchrotron XRF imaging. In addition, it enables new strategies to improve resilience against drifts at all scales and the study of previously inaccessible samples, such as liquids.

Iron–nitrogen–carbon (FeNC) catalysts are a viable alternative to platinum, but still lack the necessary performance. Now, pyrolysis under forming gas is found as a path to boosting their site density, activity and durability.

Iron–nitrogen–carbon (FeNC) catalysts are a viable alternative to platinum, but still lack the necessary performance. Now, pyrolysis under forming gas is found as a path to boosting their site density, activity and durability.

Tissue-integrated micro-electronic devices for neural stimulation hold great potential in restoring the functionality of degenerated organs, specifically, retinal prostheses, which are aimed at vision restoration. The fabrication process of 3D polymer-metal devices with high resolution and a high aspect-ratio (AR) is very complex and faces many challenges that impair its functionality. Here we describe the optimization of the fabrication process of a bio-functionalized 3D high-resolution 1mm circular subretinal implant composed of SU-8 polymer integrated with dense gold microelectrodes (23μm pitch) passivated with 3D micro-well-like structures (20μm diameter, 3μm resolution). The main challenges were overcome by step-by-step planning and optimization while utilizing a two-step bi-layer lift-off process; bio-functionalization was carried out by N2 plasma treatment and the addition of a bio-adhesion molecule. In-vitro and in-vivo investigations, including SEM and FIB cross section examinations, revealed a good structural design, as well as a good long-term integration of the device in the rat sub-retinal space and cell migration into the wells. Moreover, the feasibility of subretinal neural stimulation using the fabricated device was demonstrated in-vitro by electrical activation of rat’s retina. The reported process and optimization steps described here in detail can aid in designing and fabricating retinal prosthetic devices or similar neural implants.

The European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to funding and coordinating scientific and technological research in Europe, fostering collaboration among researchers and institutions across countries. Recently, COST Action funded the "Genome Editing to treat Human Diseases" (GenE-HumDi) network, uniting various stakeholders such as pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, regulatory agencies, biotech firms, and patient advocacy groups. GenE-HumDi's primary objective is to expedite the application of genome editing for therapeutic purposes in treating human diseases. To achieve this goal, GenE-HumDi is organized in several working groups, each focusing on specific aspects. These groups aim to enhance genome editing technologies, assess delivery systems, address safety concerns, promote clinical translation, and develop …

Forward Brillouin scattering fiber sensors can detect and analyze media outside the cladding of standard fibers, where guided light does not reach. Nearly all such sensors reported to-date have relied on the radially symmetric guided acoustic modes of the fiber. Wave motion in these modes is strictly dilatational. However, forward Brillouin scattering also takes place through torsional–radial guided acoustic modes of the fiber. Torsional–radial modes exhibit more complex tensor characteristics, and they consist of both dilatational and shear wave contributions. In this work, we show that forward Brillouin sensing through torsional–radial acoustic modes is qualitatively different from processes based on the radial ones. While dilatational wave components may dissipate toward liquids outside the fiber cladding, shear waves do not. Consequently, the effect of outside liquids varies among torsional–radial modes. Those …

Understanding the physical underpinnings and geometry of molecular clusters is of great importance in many fields, ranging from studying the beginning of the universe to the formation of atmospheric particles. To this end, several approaches have been suggested, yet identifying the most stable cluster geometry (i.e., global potential energy minimum) remains a challenge, especially for highly symmetric clusters. Here, we suggest a new funneled Monte Carlo-based simulated annealing (SA) approach, which includes two key steps: generation of symmetrical clusters and classification of the clusters according to their geometry using machine learning (MCSA-ML). We demonstrate the merits of the MCSA-ML method in comparison to other approaches on several Lennard-Jones (LJ) clusters and four molecular clusters─Ser8(Cl–)2, H+(H2O)6, Ag+(CO2)8, and Bet4Cl–. For the latter of these clusters, the correct …

Natural killer (NK) cells are a vital component of cancer immune surveillance. They provide a rapid and potent immune response, including direct cytotoxicity and mobilization of the immune system, without the need for antigen processing and presentation. NK cells may also be better tolerated than T cell therapy approaches and are susceptible to various gene manipulations. Therefore, NK cells have become the focus of extensive translational research. Gamida Cell’s nicotinamide (NAM) platform for cultured NK cells provides an opportunity to enhance the therapeutic potential of NK cells. CD38 is an ectoenzyme ubiquitously expressed on the surface of various hematologic cells, including multiple myeloma (MM). It has been selected as a lead target for numerous monoclonal therapeutic antibodies against MM. Monoclonal antibodies target CD38, resulting in the lysis of MM plasma cells through various antibody-mediated mechanisms such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), complement-dependent cytotoxicity, and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis, significantly improving the outcomes of patients with relapsed or refractory MM. However, this therapeutic strategy has inherent limitations, such as the anti-CD38-induced depletion of CD38-expressing NK cells, thus hindering ADCC. We have developed genetically engineered NK cells tailored to treat MM, in which CD38 was knocked-out using CRISPR-Cas9 technology and an enhanced chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting CD38 was introduced using mRNA electroporation. This combined genetic approach allows for an improved cytotoxic activity directed against …

In article number 2200029, Vasily Astratov and colleagues representing 27 research teams worldwide created a roadmap on label-free super-resolution imaging. Its scope spans from diffraction-limited interference detection techniques to methods allowing to overcome classical diffraction limit without using fluorescent markers, which are based on information science; structured illumination; near-field, nonlinear, and transformation optics; and advanced superlens designs. Cover images are provided by Aydogan Ozcan and Nikolay Zheludev participating in this Roadmap.

Maintaining protein homeostasis is critical for cellular function, as disruptions can result in accumulation of misfolded proteins associated with various diseases. RNA editing, particularly deamination by base-editing enzymes like ADAR, can modify the transcriptome, potentially influencing amino acid sequences and protein diversity. We hypothesize that irregular RNA editing, leading to a more complex proteome, may generate defective proteins, triggering cellular toxicity. Using an editing-naïve yeast system expressing a robust ADAR enzyme, we demonstrated that extensive RNA editing results in non-synonymous protein changes, correlated with increased protein ubiquitination and reliance on quality control pathways. This suggests that extensive editing in yeast produces abnormal proteins prone to misfolding and degradation. While mouse and human genomes are well-adapted to the ADAR enzymes, introduction of base editors into human cells is found to increase activity in proteotoxic-stress-related pathways due to off-target editing. Signs of proteotoxic stress are also observed in human samples exhibiting elevated activity of endogenous ADARs. These findings emphasize the detrimental impact of dysregulated RNA editing on protein balance and suggest a potential role for aberrant editing in disease onset and progression.

Understanding the physical underpinnings and geometry of molecular clusters is of great importance in many fields, ranging from studying the beginning of the universe to the formation of atmospheric particles. To this end, several approaches have been suggested, yet identifying the most stable cluster geometry (i.e., global potential energy minimum) remains a challenge, especially for highly symmetric clusters. Here, we suggest a new funneled Monte Carlo-based simulated annealing (SA) approach, which includes two key steps: generation of symmetrical clusters and classification of the clusters according to their geometry using machine learning (MCSA-ML). We demonstrate the merits of the MCSA-ML method in comparison to other approaches on several Lennard-Jones (LJ) clusters and four molecular clusters─Ser8(Cl–)2, H+(H2O)6, Ag+(CO2)8, and Bet4Cl–. For the latter of these clusters, the correct …

Understanding the physical underpinnings and geometry of molecular clusters is of great importance in many fields, ranging from studying the beginning of the universe to the formation of atmospheric particles. To this end, several approaches have been suggested, yet identifying the most stable cluster geometry (i.e., global potential energy minimum) remains a challenge, especially for highly symmetric clusters. Here, we suggest a new funneled Monte Carlo-based simulated annealing (SA) approach, which includes two key steps: generation of symmetrical clusters and classification of the clusters according to their geometry using machine learning (MCSA-ML). We demonstrate the merits of the MCSA-ML method in comparison to other approaches on several Lennard-Jones (LJ) clusters and four molecular clusters─Ser8(Cl–)2, H+(H2O)6, Ag+(CO2)8, and Bet4Cl–. For the latter of these clusters, the correct …

BackgroundSpontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP) poses a significant risk to cirrhosis patients with ascites, emphasizing the critical need for early detection and intervention. This retrospective observational study spanning a decade aimed to devise predictive models for SBP using routine laboratory tests. Additionally, it aimed to propose a novel scoring system to aid SBP diagnosis.MethodsData analysis encompassed 229 adult cirrhotic patients hospitalized for ascites between 2012 and 2021. Exclusions eliminated cases of secondary ascites unrelated to liver cirrhosis. Patients were categorized into SBP-positive (n= 110) and SBP-negative (n= 119) groups. Comparative analysis of demographic details and various laboratory indicators (Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Mean Platelet Volume (MPV), C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Platelet (PLT), Alanine Transaminase (ALT), Aspartate Amino Transferase (AST …

Given the current status of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a global pandemic, it is of high priority to gain a deeper understanding of the disease's development and how the virus impacts its host. Adenosine (A)-to-Inosine (I) RNA editing is a post-transcriptional modification, catalyzed by the ADAR family of enzymes, that can be considered part of the inherent cellular defense mechanism as it affects the innate immune response in a complex manner. It was previously reported that various viruses could interact with the host's ADAR enzymes, resulting in epigenetic changes both to the virus and the host. Here, we analyze RNA-seq of nasopharyngeal swab specimens as well as whole-blood samples of COVID-19 infected individuals and show a significant elevation in the global RNA editing activity in COVID-19 compared to healthy controls. We also detect specific coding sites that exhibit higher editing …

The exploration of cathode and anode materials that enable reversible storage of mono and multivalent cations has driven extensive research on organic compounds. In this regard, polyimide (PI)‐based electrodes have emerged as a promising avenue for the development of post‐lithium energy storage systems. This review article provides a comprehensive summary of the syntheses, characterizations, and applications of PI compounds as electrode materials capable of hosting a wide range of cations. Furthermore, the review also delves into the advancements in PI based solid state batteries, PI‐based separators, current collectors, and their effectiveness as polymeric binders. By highlighting the key findings in these areas, this review aims at contributing to the understanding and advancement of PI‐based structures paving the way for the next generation of energy storage systems.

Among numerous approaches for treating cancer, clinically approved photodynamic therapy (PDT) is considered a promising non‐invasive therapeutic strategy for solid tumors. While PDT has distinct advantages over conventional cancer treatments, systemic exposure to the photosensitizer and its stability are some of the limitations of clinical PDT. Herein, a therapeutic strategy for highly localized focal PDT is introduced based on direct biolistic delivery of photosensitizer‐loaded carriers to cancerous tumors. Degradable porous silicon microparticles (PSiMPs) are used as efficient carriers for the photosensitizer, meso‐tetrahydroxy‐phenylchlorin (mTHPC), and its conjugates with gold nanoparticles (AuNP‐mTHPC conjugates). The loaded PSiMP carriers are successfully bombarded using a pneumatic gene gun to breast cancer cells in vitro and into tumor xenografts in vivo, and subsequent uptake of the released …

Effective and accessible treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD) are urgently needed. Soluble Aβ oligomers are identified as neurotoxic species in AD and targeted in antibody‐based drug development to mitigate cognitive decline. However, controversy exists concerning their efficacy and safety. In this study, an alternative strategy is proposed to inhibit the formation of Aβ oligomers by selectively oxidizing specific amino acids in the Aβ sequence, thereby preventing its aggregation. Targeted oxidation is achieved using biocompatible and blood‐brain barrier‐permeable multicomponent nanoscintillators that generate singlet oxygen upon X‐ray interaction. Surface‐modified scintillators interact selectively with Aβ and, upon X‐ray irradiation, inhibit the formation of neurotoxic aggregates both in vitro and in vivo. Feeding transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans expressing human Aβ with the nanoscintillators and …

This paper revisits the geometric foundations of electromagnetic theory, by studying Faraday's concept of field lines. We introduce "covariant electromagnetic field lines," a novel construct that extends traditional field line concepts to a covariant framework. Our work includes the derivation of a closed-form formula for the field line curvature in proximity to a moving electric charge, showcasing the curvature is always non-singular, including nearby a point charge. Our geometric framework leads to a geometric derivation of the Lorentz force equation and its first-order corrections, circumventing the challenges of self-force singularities and providing insights into the problem of radiation-reaction. This study not only provides a fresh geometric perspective on electromagnetic field lines but also opens avenues for future research in fields like quantum electrodynamics, gravitational field theory, and beyond.

Disordered metallic nanostructures have features that are not realized in well‐defined nanometallic counterparts, such as broadband light localization and inhomogeneous refraction index at the nanoscale. Disordered metal systems with a networked inner architecture have both particles and voids with subwavelength dimensions which are randomly 3D organized in space. These disordered structures are benefited from high surface area and damage stability, permit guest materials permeability, and can be achieved in large scales employing less costs and expertise. Their abundant nanosize gaps and sharp tips can interact with incident light over a broadband range to generate a rich pattern of hot‐spots and can therefore function as an artificial leaf, for example. Here, the linear and nonlinear optical properties of both well‐defined and disordered plasmonic structures are reviewed with a focus on largescale 3D …

Forward Brillouin scattering fiber sensors can detect and analyze media outside the cladding of standard fibers, where guided light does not reach. Nearly all such sensors reported to-date have relied on the radially symmetric guided acoustic modes of the fiber. Wave motion in these modes is strictly dilatational. However, forward Brillouin scattering also takes place through torsional–radial guided acoustic modes of the fiber. Torsional–radial modes exhibit more complex tensor characteristics, and they consist of both dilatational and shear wave contributions. In this work, we show that forward Brillouin sensing through torsional–radial acoustic modes is qualitatively different from processes based on the radial ones. While dilatational wave components may dissipate toward liquids outside the fiber cladding, shear waves do not. Consequently, the effect of outside liquids varies among torsional–radial modes. Those …