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Yi-Qi Cong-Ming (YQCM) decoction has been widely used to prevent age-related hearing loss (ARHL), the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease in the elderly.To explore the mechanism of YQCM decoction in the treatment of ARHL.The chemical constituents of YQCM were screened from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database. Potential targets of YQCM against ARHL were predicted by DrugBank, GeneCards, and OMIM database. Protein-protein network and enrichment analysis were used for exploring possible molecular mechanisms. Molecular docking and anThe main compounds have good affinities with hub targets, especially AKT1, PTGS2, and CASP3. GO and KEGG analysis showed that the main biological process and key targets were related to negative regulation of the apoptotic process. HOur study suggested that YQCM prevents ARHL by modulating the apoptosis process in auditory hair cells. Moreover, this study proved that bioinformatics analysis combined with molecular docking and cell model is a promising method to explore other possible pharmacological interventions of ARHL.

Background The emergence of concurrent levofloxacin- and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX)-resistant Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (LTSRSM) in Taiwan is becoming a serious problem, but clinical data analysis on this has not been reported. Methods A matched case-control-control study was conducted to investigate risk factors for LTSRSM occurrence in hospitalized patients. For patients with LTSRSM infection/colonization (the case group), two matched control groups were used: control group A with levofloxacin- and TMP/SMX-susceptible S. maltophilia (LTSSSM) and control group B without S. maltophilia. Besides, tigecycline, ceftazidime, cefepime, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, amikacin, and colistin susceptibilities in collected LTSRSM and levofloxacin- and TMP/SMX-susceptible S. maltophilia (LTSSSM) isolates were compared. Results From January 2014 to June 2016, 129 LTSRSM from cultured 1213 S. maltophilia isolates (10.6%) were identified. A total of 107 LTSRSM infected patients paired with 107 LTSSSM-, and 107 non-S. maltophilia-infected ones were included. When compared with control group A, previous fluoroquinolone and TMP/SMX use was found to be independently associated with LTSRSM occurrence. When compared with control group B, mechanical ventilation, cerebrovascular disease, and previous fluoroquinolone use were risk factors for LTSRSM occurrence. Eighty-five LTSRSM and 85 LTSSSM isolates were compared for antibiotic susceptibilities; the resistance rates and minimum inhibitory concentrations of tigecycline and ceftazidime were significantly higher for LTSRSM than for LTSSSM isolates. Conclusion The emergence of LTSRSM showing cross resistance to tigecycline and ceftazidime would further limit current therapeutic options. Cautious fluoroquinolone and TMP/SMX use may be helpful to limit such high-level resistant strains of S. maltophilia occurrence.

Aims: The aims of this study were to identify the risk factors and describe molecular epidemiology carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii complex (ACB complex) at a district hospital in Taiwan. Materials and Methods: This is a case–control study at a district hospital in the Penghu Islands, Taiwan, from May 2014 to June 2016. Patients with carbapenem-resistant ACB complex and controls with carbapenem-nonresistant ACB complex were identified, and relevant clinical data obtained from them were compared. Risk factors for carbapenem-resistant ACB complex isolation were searched using bivariable and multivariable analysis. The available isolates from patients were genotyped using a pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) method. Results: A total of 70 patients were included in this study (36 cases and 34 controls). A bivariable analysis showed that patients who had a hospital admission within the past 3 months and had a recent nasogastric tube insertion had a tendency for subsequent carbapenem-resistant ACB complex isolation (P = 0.066 and 0.051, respectively). Previous exposure to fluoroquinolones was significantly associated with the occurrence of carbapenem-resistant ACB complex (P = 0.028). Further multivariable analysis showed that previous exposure to fluoroquinolones (odds ratio, 10.477; 95% confidence interval, 1.117–98.270; P = 0.040) was an independent risk factor associated with the occurrence of carbapenem-resistant ACB complex. According to PFGE for available carbapenem-resistant ACB complex isolates, one major clone was disseminated in the hospital. Conclusions: The antibiotic selective pressure of fluoroquinolone and interpatient dissemination contributed to the occurrence of carbapenem-resistant ACB complex.

With absorption and interference cancellation, lossy metamaterials can achieve broadband electromagnetic wave absorption. However, the design of such metamaterial absorbers (MMAs) is very complicate, because tremendous meta-atoms and their configuration parameters need to be determined. The conventional methods, such as parameter sweep and adjoint-based optimization, suffer from slow convergence and local minimum problem. In this letter, a deep neural network (DNN) is used to map the configuration parameters of a type of meta-atom onto its reflection coefficients. The DNN well predicts the reflection coefficients and is applied to design the MMA under the demand of −10 dB backscattering reduction (BSR) covering the microwave S to Ku bands with the smallest thickness. By globally searching the configuration parameter space using particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, which automatically cooperates the absorption and phase cancelation (or diffusion) of meta-atoms, we obtain the optimized configuration of the meta-atoms and corresponding filling ratios. The designed MMA realizes −10 dB absorption bandwidth covering 2.2–18 GHz with the thickness only 4 mm, which is further verified by experiments. The performance of our absorber is better than other similar absorbers reported. Our letter provides a useful method for ultrathin broadband MMA design, which can also be applied to other functional devices based on metamaterials.

Periodontal tissue is a highly dynamic and frequently stimulated area where homeostasis is easily destroyed, leading to proinflammatory periodontal diseases. Bacteria–bacteria and cell–bacteria interactions play pivotal roles in periodontal homeostasis and disease progression. Several reviews have comprehensively summarized the roles of bacteria and stem cells in periodontal homeostasis. However, they did not describe the roles of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from bacteria and cells. As communication mediators evolutionarily conserved from bacteria to eukaryotic cells, EVs secreted by bacteria or cells can mediate interactions between bacteria and their hosts, thereby offering great promise for the maintenance of periodontal homeostasis. This review offers an overview of EV biogenesis, the effects of EVs on periodontal homeostasis, and recent advances in EV-based periodontal regenerative strategies. Specifically, we document the pathogenic roles of bacteria-derived EVs (BEVs) in periodontal dyshomeostasis, focusing on plaque biofilm formation, immune evasion, inflammatory pathway activation and tissue destruction. Moreover, we summarize recent advancements in cell-derived EVs (CEVs) in periodontal homeostasis, emphasizing the multifunctional biological effects of CEVs on periodontal tissue regeneration. Finally, we discuss future challenges and practical perspectives for the clinical translation of EV-based therapies for periodontitis. Graphical Abstract

We report a resonance-enhanced nonreciprocal Goos-Hänchen (GH) shift for the wave reflected from the coupled gyromagnetic chains. We demonstrate that the Fano resonance enhances the GH shift with high reflectivity at normal incidence, and the resonance results from the interference between the leaky guided modes of the coupled chains. Furthermore, we show that the GH shift can be controlled by the number of stacked chains. The Fano resonance-enhanced GH shift offers a new efficiently way to enhance and control the GH shift for reflected wave beam. Such coupled gyromagnetic chains provide an extremely compact way for the devices such as unidirectional couplers and other integration photonic components, paving the way for the applications of nonreciprocal GH shift.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between appropriate antibiotic therapy and the outcome in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with bloodstream infection (BSI) due to Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Methods: ICU patients with monomicrobial BSI due to S. maltophilia admitted during the period from January 2004 to December 2019 were included. The included patients were divided into two groups—those with- and without appropriate antibiotic therapy after BSI—for comparison. The primary outcome was the relationship between appropriate antibiotic therapy and 14-day mortality. The secondary outcome was the influence of different antibiotic therapies: levofloxacin- and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole-containing regimens, on 14-day mortality. Results: A total of 214 ICU patients were included. One hundred thirty-three patients receiving appropriate antibiotic therapy after BSI had a lower 14-day mortality than those (n = 81) who did not receive an appropriate antimicrobial therapy (10.5% vs. 46.9%, p < 0.001). After a propensity score matching, 61 well-balanced matched pairs showed similar results of regarding the association of appropriate antibiotic therapy with a lower 14-day mortality (11.5% vs. 39.3%, p< 0.001). Furthermore, proportional hazards regression for propensity score-matched cohort consistently revealed that APACHE score (hazard ratio (HR) 1.118, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.056–1.184, p < 0.001) and appropriate antibiotic therapy (HR 0.222, 95% CI 0.095–0.518, p = 0.001) were independent factors associated with 14-day mortality. Among ICU patients receiving appropriate antibiotic therapy, those receiving a levofloxacin-containing regimen exhibited a trend toward lower 14-day mortality after BSI onset than those receiving a trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole regimen (HR 0.233, 95% CI 0.050–1.084, p = 0.063) Conclusion: Appropriate antibiotic therapy was associated with decreased 14-day mortality in ICU patients with S. maltophilia BSI. No significant efficacy differences were noted between levofloxacin- and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole-containing regimens in treating S. maltophilia BSI.

Background High glucose-induced damage to the osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) has long been a challenge to periodontal regeneration for diabetic individuals. Metformin is an anti-hyperglycemic drug that exhibits abundant biological activities associated with cell metabolism and downstream tissue regeneration. However, how metformin combats damage to PDLSC osteogenic differentiation under high glucose and the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Methods Osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs was assessed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, ALP activity, Alizarin Red staining and quantitative assay, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. RNA-seq analysis was performed to screen target genes of metformin, and the effects of target genes were confirmed using lentivirus transfection. Western blot analysis was also used to detect the protein level of underlying signaling pathways. Results We found that osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs under high glucose was decreased, and metformin addition enhanced this capacity of differentiation. Furthermore, the results of RNA-seq analysis showed that natriuretic peptide receptor 3 (NPR3) was upregulated in PDLSCs under high glucose and downregulated after metformin addition. When the underlying pathways involved were investigated, we found that upregulation of NPR3 can compromise the metformin-enhanced PDLSC osteogenic differentiation and activate the MAPK pathway (especially the p38 MAPK and Erk1/2 pathway), and that inhibition of the NPR3-mediated p38 MAPK or Erk1/2 pathway enhanced the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs under high glucose. Conclusions The present study suggests that metformin may enhance the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs under high glucose via downregulation of NPR3 and inhibition of its downstream MAPK pathway. This is the first report identifying the involvement of NPR3-mediated MAPK pathway in the metformin-enhanced osteogenic differentiation, indicating that NPR3 antagonists, such as metformin, may be feasible therapeutics for periodontal tissue regeneration in diabetic individuals.

The repetitive applications of vaccine boosters have been brought up in face of continuous emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants with neutralization escape mutations, but their protective efficacy and potential adverse effects remain largely unknown. Here, we compared the humoral and cellular immune responses of an extended course of recombinant receptor binding domain (RBD) vaccine boosters with those from conventional immunization strategy in a Balb/c mice model. Multiple vaccine boosters after the conventional vaccination course significantly decreased RBD-specific antibody titers and serum neutralizing efficacy against the Delta and Omicron variants, and profoundly impaired CD4

Summary Background Levofloxacin has been considered as an alternative treatment for Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infection. However, levofloxacin-resistant S. maltophilia (LRSM) are emerging worldwide. Aim To investigate LRSM risk factors in hospitalized patients and to determine antibiotic susceptibility patterns of LRSM isolates. Methods In a retrospective matched case–control–control study, LRSM patients (the case group) were compared with two control groups: levofloxacin-susceptible S. maltophilia (LSSM) patients (control group A) and non-S. maltophilia-infected patients (control group B). Conditional logistic regression was used to analyse risk factors for LRSM occurrence. Tigecycline, ceftazidime, colistin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) susceptibilities in collected LRSM clinical isolates were determined. Findings A total of 105 LRSM, 105 LSSM, and 105 non-S. maltophilia-infected patients were analysed. The first multivariate analysis (cases vs group A) revealed that previous fluoroquinolones use was significantly associated with LRSM occurrence, and the second multivariate analysis (cases vs group B) revealed that previous fluoroquinolone use, previous intensive care unit stay, and the number of previous exposures to different classes of antibiotics were significantly associated with LRSM occurrence. Of all the LRSM isolates tested for antibiotic susceptibility, ceftazidime, TMP/SMX, tigecycline, and colistin resistance rates were 42.0, 99.0, 78.0, and 40.0%, respectively. Conclusion LRSM antibiotic susceptibility patterns revealed multiple-drug resistance, which further limits treatment options for clinicians. To reduce LRSM occurrence, proper use of antibiotics, especially fluoroquinolones, is mandatory.

Background High glucose-induced damage to the osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) has long been a challenge to periodontal regeneration for diabetic individuals. Metformin is an anti-hyperglycemic drug that exhibiting abundant biological activities associated with cell metabolism and downstream tissue regeneration. However, how metformin combats damage to PDLSC osteogenic potential under high glucose and the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Methods Osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs was assessed by Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, ALP activity, Alizarin red staining and quantitative assay, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. RNA-seq analysis was performed to screen target genes of metformin, and the effects of target genes were confirmed using lentivirus transfection. Western blot analysis was also used to detect the protein level of underlying signaling pathways. Results Osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs under high glucose was decreased and metformin addition enhanced the capacity of differentiation. Furthermore, natriuretic peptide receptor 3 (NPR3) was upregulated in PDLSCs under high glucose and downregulated after metformin addition. Additionally, we demonstrated that upregulation of NPR3 compromised the metformin-enhanced PDLSC osteogenic differentiation through activating the MAPK pathway, and that inhibition of p38 MAPK or Erk1/2 pathway enhanced the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs with NPR3 upregulation. Conclusions The present study suggests that metformin may enhance the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs under high glucose via downregulation of NPR3 and inhibition of its downstream MAPK pathway. This is the first report identifying the involvement of NPR3-mediated MAPK pathway in the metformin-enhanced osteogenic differentiation, indicating that NPR3 antagonists, such as metformin, may be feasible therapeutics for periodontal tissue regeneration in diabetic individuals.

A highly feasible approach to achieve a broadband radar cross section (RCS) reduction using a simple magnetic metasurface is presented. A magnetic absorbing material (MAM) with high permittivity and magnetic loss is introduced into the metasurface design instead of the more common dielectric material to considerably reduce its thickness. The metasurface is composed of an optimized two-dimensional array of MAM meta-atoms and a metal plate in back. The meta-atoms share a simple square ring shape but with variable geometrical parameters, forming strong absorption in different frequency bands with large reflection phase differences. By hybridizing the absorption and phase-cancelation technique, a 10-dB RCS reduction from 3.4 to 18 GHz is achieved at a thickness of only 4 mm. Further experimental measurements are provided to evaluate the performance. Our work provides a promising way to broaden the bandwidth of RCS reduction with low density, reduced thickness, and stable performance, which can be utilized in harsh physical and chemical environments.

Recently, we found that although high-stiffness matrices stimulated osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived stromal cells (BMSCs), the macrophages (Mφs) in high-stiffness transglutaminase crosslinked gelatins (TG-gels) tended to undergo M1 polarization and hence compromised cell osteogenesis. In this study, we hypothesized that the copresentation of interleukin (IL)-4 and stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1α in high-stiffness TG-gels may enhance periodontal regeneration by modulating Mφ polarization and promoting endogenous stem cell recruitment. We found that Mφs were more likely to polarize toward an immunomodulatory M2 state in the presence of IL-4 and hence positively influence the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs when these cells coexisted in either indirect or direct co-culture systems. In cell migration assays, BMSCs exhibited an enhanced capability to move toward gels containing SDF-1α, and more cells could be recruited into the three-dimensional matrix of TG-gels. When TG-gels containing IL-4 and/or SDF-1α were used to repair periodontal defects, more new bone (MicroCT) was formed in animals that received the dual cytokine-loaded transplants at 4 weeks postsurgery. Mφs were recruited to all the transplanted gels, and after one week, more M1-phenotype cells were found in the groups without IL-4, while the presence of IL-4 was more likely to result in M2 polarization (immunofluorescence staining). When the tissue biopsies were histologically examined, the TG-gels containing both IL-4 and SDF-1α led to a generally satisfactory regeneration with respect to attachment recovery (epithelial and connective tissue) and hybrid tissue regeneration (bone, periodontal ligament and cementum). Our data suggest that the incorporation of IL-4 into high-stiffness TG-gels may promote the M2 polarization of Mφs and that SDF-1α can be applied to guide endogenous cell homing. Overall, building capacity for Mφ modulation and cell recruitment in high-stiffness hydrogels represents a simple and effective strategy that can support high levels of periodontal tissue regeneration. Statement of significance The development of hydrogel-based regenerative therapies centered on the mobilization and stimulation of native cells for therapeutics opens a window toward realizing periodontal endogenous regeneration. In the present study, the parallel use of immunomodulatory and homing factors in high-stiffness hydrogel materials is shown to induce stem cell homing, modulate cell differentiation and indeed induce regrowth of the periodontium. We found that incorporation of interleukin (IL)-4 in high-stiffness TG-gels coaxed macrophages to polarize into M2 phenotypes, and stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1α could be applied to direct endogenous cell homing. Hence, we present for the first time a clinically relevant strategy based on macrophage modulation and host cell recruitment that can support high levels of periodontal tissue regeneration.

Although substantial data indicate that the osteogenic potential of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) is compromised under inflammatory conditions, the underlying mechanism remains largely unexplored. In this study, we found that both the autophagy levels and autophagic flux levels were decreased in PDLSCs incubated under inflammatory conditions (I-PDLSCs). Based on the increased expression of LC3 II (at an autophagy level) and decreased accumulation of LC3 II (at an autophagic flux level) in I-PDLSCs, we speculated that the disruption of I-PDLSC autophagy arose from dysfunction of the cellular autophagy-lysosome system. Subsequently, our hypothesis was demonstrated by inhibited autophagosome-lysosome fusion, damaged lysosomal function, and suppressed activation of transcription factor EB (TFEB, a master regulator of the autophagy-lysosome system) in I-PDLSCs and verified by TFEB overexpression in I-PDLSCs. We found that gold nanoparticle (Au NP) treatment rescued the osteogenic potential of I-PDLSCs by restoring the inflammation-compromised autophagy-lysosome system. In this context, Au NP ceased to be effective when TFEB was knocked down in PDLSCs. Our data demonstrate the crucial role of the autophagy-lysosome system in cellular osteogenesis under inflammatory conditions and suggest a new target for rescuing inflammation-induced cell dysfunction using nanomaterials to aid cell biology and tissue regeneration.

In the current complex electronic countermeasures environment, the antenna greatly restricts the performance of the aircraft. A ferrite reconfigurable stealth antenna based on electromagnetic bandgap structure is designed in this paper. By controlling the intensity or position of the bias magnetic field of the ferrite, the frequency band and pattern of the antenna can be reconstructed, and the radar cross section is reduced. Therefore, the antenna can be used in aircraft to achieve better performance.

Illusion devices, such as superscatterer and invisible gateway, have been theoretically studied under the theory of transformation optics and folded geometry transformations. The realization of these devices needs building blocks of metamaterials with negative permittivities and permeabilities. However, superscattering effects, such as stopping wave propagation in an air channel, have not been verified from illusion devices physically because of the challenge of metamaterial design, fabrication, and material loss. In this Letter, we implement a big metamaterial superscatterer, and experimentally demonstrate its superscattering effect at microwave frequencies by field-mapping technology. We confirm that superscattering is originated from the excitation of surface plasmons. Integrated with superscatterer, we experimentally display that an invisible gateway could stop electromagnetic waves in an air channel with a width much larger than the cutoff width of the corresponding rectangular waveguide. Our results provide a first direct observation of superscattering effect of double negative metamaterials and invisible gateway for electromagnetic waves. It builds up an ideal platform for future designs of other illusion devices.

We implemented a novel compact antenna by applying a metasurface with stereo elements (stereo-MS) as the superstrate of a patch antenna. The stereo-MS, an array of stereo patches printed on a grooved dielectric substrate, enabled the footprint miniaturization and bandwidth enhancement of the patch antenna. The overall size reduction of the stereo-MS antenna is over 38% compared with the conventional plane metasurface (plane-MS) antenna working in the same frequency range. A prototype antenna working at 5.3 GHz was designed, fabricated, and measured. Experiments demonstrated the fractional impedance bandwidth of the antenna was 44.5% at criteria |S11 |< −10 dB, covering the frequencies 4.18 to 6.56 GHz, and the average gain about 6.9 dBi in the band. Experimental results were found in very good agreement with the design, which confirms the functionality of stereo-MS in antenna minimization. Our antenna features a compact size (0.409 λ 0 2 ) and low profile (3.024 mm). The stereo-MSs provide a new way for the size miniaturization of microwave and optical devices, such as antennas.

A novel circular-polarized (CP) antenna, which is fed by a coplanar waveguide is introduced. The structure of antenna is comprised of a specific L-shaped grounded and a T-shaped strips, exhibits left-hand CP (LHCP) at the broadside direction. From the simulation results, it can be seen that from 3.0 to 6.5 GHz the 3 dB axial ratio (AR) bandwidth ranges from 3.46 to 6.10 GHz. The results of test and simulation are basically consistent. The designed antenna has many advantages, such as small size, simple structure and wideband axial ratio.

Lumped elements always show a different frequency response from ideal ones when they work at higher frequencies such as microwave band, therefore they have to be modeled by equivalent circuits. To derive the circuit by experiments, we considered the lumped elements as a two-port network which was inserted into a microstrip transmission line for measurements. The network was first modeled as a general PI circuit first, and then finalized by the measured S-parameters. The method was applied to a surface-mounted device (SMD) resistor, a varactor diode, and a phototransistor working at the frequencies of 0.5-5 GHz. The derived circuit models were verified by their simulated S-parameters, which were in a very good agreement with the experiments. Our method provides a simple and effective way to build circuit models for lumped elements, which is helpful for their applications at microwave frequency. Specifically, our circuit model shows how the phototransistor changes its response under different illumination, which provides a way to use it in light-tunable devices.

An in-depth understanding of biomaterial cues to selectively polarize macrophages is beneficial in the design of “immuno-informed” biomaterials that positively interact with the immune system to dictate a favorable macrophage response following implantation. Given the promising future of ECM-mimicking nanofibrous biomaterials in biomedical application, it is essential to elucidate how their intrinsic cues, especially the nanofibrous architecture, affect macrophages. In the present study, we evaluated how the nanofibrous architecture of a gelatin matrix modulated macrophage responses from the perspectives of cellular behaviors and a transcriptome analysis. In our results, the nanofibrous surface attenuated M1 polarization and down-regulated the inflammatory responses of macrophages compared with a smooth surface. Besides, the cell-material interaction was up-regulated and the adhered macrophages tended to maintain an original, non-polarized state on the nanofibrous matrix. Accordingly, whole transcriptome analysis revealed that nanofibrous architecture up-regulated the pathways related to ECM-receptor interaction and down-regulated pathways related to pro-inflammation. This study provides a panoramic view of the interaction between macrophages and nanofibers, and offers valuable information for the design of immunomodulatory ECM-mimicking biomaterials for tissue regeneration.

We demonstrate that a topological edge state can enhance the Goos–Hänchen (GH) shift on the interface of a magnetic photonic crystal (MPC) fabricated by ferrite rings in a square lattice. The GH shift is nonreciprocal because of the time reversal symmetry breaking, and the shift is negative, which is associated with the incident angles and direction of bias DC magnetic field. In particular, the nonreciprocal GH shift presents at normal incidence, and is further verified by experiments. The nonreciprocal negative GH shifts provide a new way to control the flow of light, which could be applied to sensing and even the slow light waveguide to trap the light.

We theoretically and experimentally demonstrate that magnetic plasmonic gradient metasurfaces (GMSs) can convert a spatially propagating wave to a one-way edge state or vice versa with high efficiency. Consisting of an array of ferrite rods with a rotation gradient introduced to the rod dimers in the unit cell, GMSs can covert an incident wave beam to a one-way edge state with efficiency over 77%, and almost fully radiate into free space from the one-way edge state. The phenomenon arises from the unidirectional coupling of the spatial electromagnetic wave with magnetic plasmonic GMSs, which is evidenced from the photonic band diagrams of the edge state. The one-way edge state can radiate to or be excited from air with different angles by either engineering the gradient of the GMSs or tuning the bias magnetic field. By designing magnetic plasmonic GMSs with more exquisite configurations, we can expect many more nonreciprocal properties, adding additional freedom in manipulating electromagnetic waves.

We present a rectangular loop Yagi–Uda antenna based on the three-dimensional (3-D) printing technology. The antenna comprises a ground plane, a rectangular loop driven element, and rectangular loop directors. The loop driven element is about λ0/20 above the ground plane and is fed by a 50 Ω microstrip feedline. We fabricated the Yagi–Uda antenna by two materials 3-D printing technology and the following chemical plating process. The measured results show the antenna's working frequency is at 2.392 GHz while the |S 11|, gain, and efficiency are –12.63 dB, 8.99 dBi, and 79.5%, respectively. The experimental results are in a good agreement with the design. Our loop Yagi–Uda antenna features good antenna performances, small size, and easy fabrication, which can be an excellent candidate for antenna arrays and applications that need directional radiation property. Our work paves the way to the application of 3-D printing technology in the field of antennas.

Over the past two decades, an accumulating body of evidence indicates that well-designed biomaterials are able to coax the homing of resident stem cells to injured sites and orchestrate their behaviors and functions to promote tissue regeneration. This paradigm opens a new research avenue, termed endogenous regenerative medicine (ERM) in this manuscript, that takes advantage of the body's own regenerative capacity to manage a broad spectrum of ischemic and degenerative diseases. By building on the hidden regenerative potential of resident stem cells, ERM circumvents the complex processes involved in tissue engineering and thereby facilitates the development of clinically translatable regenerative approaches. In fact, tremendous progress has been achieved in the field of ERM, and a large body of literature covering both biological discoveries made in the laboratory and preclinical successes in animal models supports the notion that ERM technologies should be translated to clinical scenarios aimed at curing disease states. In this manuscript, we summarize the strategies with either demonstrated effectiveness or significant potential for harnessing stem cell homing in therapeutics with the aims of defining new criteria for biomaterial design in the field of ERM and predicting future developments in this ever-evolving and rapidly advancing arena.

Two-dimensional topological photonic crystals have rapidly emerged as a recent and fascinating branch of photonic research. However, most of them were limited to a specific type of polarization, TE or TM polarization. Here, we explored the dual-polarization topological phases in two-dimensional magnetic photonic crystal (PC) which are composed of ferrite rod clusters in the plasma background. Under the perturbations of the bias magnetic field and/or the cluster distortion in the unit cell, the PC exhibited dual-polarization topological phases, including the quantum Hall (QH) phase, the higher-order quantum spin Hall (HO-QSH) phase and the conventional insulator (CI) phase. We studied the topological nature of these phases by the Wilson loop, Chern number, and unidirectional edge states. Intriguingly, we showed that the HO-QSH phases could present in PC of C 3v symmetry instead of being restricted to C 6v symmetry. The lower symmetry enlarges the gap in the edge states, which helps for the emergence of corner states. By continuously deforming the unit cell configuration, we demonstrated the phase transition in the system was dual-polarization. Our results extend the topological phases in the PCs and pave the way for the dual-polarization topological devices and their applications.

Multifunctional metasurfaces have attracted extensive attention due to their ability to achieve diversified wavefront controls in flat devices. To date, most designs through metasurface are confined to realize one or two functionalities. In this work, we implement a broadband trifunctional metasurface by using different meta-atoms of the same type. The meta-atoms can independently manipulate the amplitude and phase of transmitted waves and the phase of reflected waves in a wide frequency range. Thus, they help the metasurface achieving the functionalities of beam deflection, diffuse scattering, and beam focusing according to the polarization and the direction of incident waves. The metasurface is applied to a metalens antenna, which features broadband, low side-lobe, and stealth. The metalens antenna works at the frequency range 9.8 GHz to 11.6 GHz with gain over 25 dBi. Experiments verify the functions of the trifunctional metasurface and are in good agreement with the designs. Our approach provides a solid platform for high-efficiency wideband metadevices with diverse functionalities.

Background/Purpose: Infection is the most common cause of death following burn injury. The study was conducted to compare the diagnostic value of serum procalcitonin (PCT) with the other current benchmarks as early predictors of septic shock and bloodstream infection in burn patients. Methods: We included 24 patients admitted to the Burn Unit of a medical center from June 2015 to December 2015 from the Formosa Fun Coast dust explosion. We categorized all patients at initial admission into either sepsis or septic shock groups. Laboratory tests including the worst PCT and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, platelet (PLT), and white blood cell (WBC) count were performed at

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a frequency reconfigurable antenna using ferrite loaded half-mode substrate integrated waveguide (SIW). The antenna design is based on a SIW cavity with an embedded ferrite slab, which causes the resonant frequency of the cavity tunable under bias magnetic field. The antenna features omni-direction radiation and small size. A prototype antenna is designed and fabricated. The measurements show the tunable frequency bandwidth is over 11% covering frequencies 5.04–5.62 GHz in low bias magnetic field region, and 5% covering 4.28–4.5 GHz in high bias magnetic field region. The measurement is in good agreement with simulations. The gain of antenna is all over 1.6 dBi, and the frequency reconfiguration does not affect the radiation pattern of the antenna, providing a preferable feature for frequency reconfigurable antenna. This type of antenna may be a good candidate for practical applications such as base stations and satellites. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:1365–1371, 2017

A three-dimensional printing technology that can be applied to stereo antennas fabrication is presented. The main steps of the fabrication include printing antenna model by dual materials fused deposition modelling and the following selective chemical plating. As a demonstration of this powerful technology, a typical stereo antenna, the Yagi-Uda antenna, is designed and fabricated. Measured results show the printed antenna has good performances and agree well with simulated results. The technology provides a simple, straightforward way for antenna fabrication, and is especially suitable for the fabrication of stereo structure antennas.

This paper present an expand polypropylene (EPP) based carbon loaded high-performance electromagnetic (EM) absorber for electromagnetic anechoic chamber. Through the raw material design and shape optimization of the EPP absorber, the excellent broadband and low-frequency absorption is achieved at the height of 1600mm. The reflectivity is better than −40dB at 0.2GHz and −45dB at 0.3GHz in normal incidence.

Near-field communication is a new kind of low-cost wireless communication technology developed in recent years, which brings great convenience to daily life activities such as medical care, food quality detection, and commerce. The integration of near-field communication devices and sensors exhibits great potential for these real-world applications by endowing sensors with new features of powerless and wireless signal transferring and conferring near field communication device with sensing function. In this review, we summarize recent progress in near field communication sensors, including the development of materials and device design and their applications in wearable personal healthcare devices. The opportunities and challenges in near-field communication sensors are discussed in the end.

We experimentally presented electromagnetic one-way transmission in 2D magnetic photonic crystal (MPC) with only 1 Oe remnant magnetism. Such nonreciprocal edge state is independent on the degenerated point but extends from the bulk mode instead. We proved the edge state exists in both PEC and PMC boundary conditions. Distinguished from those under fully saturated magnetization, the nonreciprocal transmission in this paper requires very low, even near-zero biased magnetic field, which is flexible to implement and opens up a new avenue in nonreciprocal device design.

In this paper, a novel broadband metamaterial absorber structure based on dual-layered resistive square rings (RSRs) arrays with compound periodic lattices was proposed and demonstrated. The periodic lattices of upper and lower layer arrays were specifically designed so that they can absorb incident electromagnetic (EM) wave at different frequencies, respectively. Equivalent circuit model and full-wave electromagnetic simulation were used to analyze and optimize this absorber. Abroad combined absorption band was obtained by fine tuning the structure parameters of RSRs in different layers. The prototype of optimized absorber structure was fabricated and measured. Both the theoretical and experimental results indicated that this absorber has low reflectivity of ≤−10dB from 3.9 to 29.7 GHz at normal incidence.

Although macrophage (Mφ) polarization has been demonstrated to play crucial roles in cellular osteogenesis across the cascade of events in periodontal regeneration, how polarized Mφ phenotypes influence the cementoblastic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) remains unknown. In the present study, human monocyte leukemic cells (THP-1) were induced into M0, M1, and M2 subsets, and the influences of these polarized Mφs on the cementoblastic differentiation of PDLSCs were assessed in both conditioned medium-based and Transwell-based coculture systems. Furthermore, the potential pathways and cyto-/chemokines involved in Mφ-mediated cementoblastic differentiation were screened and identified. In both systems, M2 subsets increased cementoblastic differentiation-related gene/protein expression levels in cocultured PDLSCs, induced more PDLSCs to differentiate into polygonal and square cells, and enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity in PDLSCs. Furthermore, Akt and c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) signaling was identified as a potential pathway involved in M2 Mφ-enhanced PDLSC cementoblastic differentiation, and cyto-/chemokines (interleukin (IL)-10 and vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]) secreted by M2 Mφs were found to be key players that promoted cell cementoblastic differentiation by activating Akt signaling. Our data indicate for the first time that Mφs are key modulators during PDLSC cementoblastic differentiation and are hence very important for the regeneration of multiple periodontal tissues, including the cementum. Although the Akt and JNK pathways are involved in M2 Mφ-enhanced cementoblastic differentiation, only the Akt pathway can be activated via a cyto-/chemokine-associated mechanism, suggesting that players other than cyto-/chemokines also participate in the M2-mediated cementoblastic differentiation of PDLSCs. Stem Cells 2019;37:1567–1580

A modified reflective metasurface, which is constructed by replacing the metal ground of the reflective coding metasurface with a bandpass frequency-selective surface, is proposed. The metasurface has transmission and reduction of radar cross-section characteristics. This allows the metasurface to overcome the drawbacks of conventional realizations, which use lossy materials. The modified metasurface provides high-efficiency transmission in the passband of a frequency-selective surface and broadband reduction of the radar cross section in the rejection band of the frequency-selective surface. Transmission of -0.24 dB was achieved at 4.6 GHz, as well as a -15 dB reduction of radar cross section from 8.5 to 13.5 GHz. This work provides advancements in metasurface applications.

Extracellular matrices (ECMs) derived from native tissues/organs have been used as biomaterials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine in a wide range of preclinical and clinical settings. The success or failure of these applications is largely contingent on the host responses to the matrices in vivo. Despite retaining their native structural and functional proteins, bone ECM-based transplants have been reported to evoke adverse immune responses in many cases; thus, optimizing the immunomodulatory properties of bone ECMs is critical for ensuring downstream regenerative outcomes. Using a simple digestion-neutralization protocol, we transformed the commonly used bone-derived filler particles into gel bioscaffolds. Instead of inducing macrophages toward proinflammatory (M1) polarization, as reported in the literature and confirmed in the present study for ECM particles, the ECM gels were found to be more likely to polarize macrophages toward regulatory/anti-inflammatory (M2) phenotypes, leading to enhanced tissue regeneration in a rat periodontal defect model. The present work demonstrates a simple, practical and economical strategy to modify the immunomodulatory properties of bone ECMs before their in vivo transplantation and hence has important implications that may facilitate the use of ECM-based bioscaffolds derived from diverse sources of tissues for regenerative purposes.

Recent studies have shown that patients with pycnodysostosis caused by cathepsin K (CTSK) genetic mutations exhibit significantly abnormal periodontal hard tissue structure. This finding suggests that CTSK may play a role in regulating the development of alveolar bone and cementum. However, the source of CTSK in the periodontal environment and the role of CTSK in periodontal regeneration, particularly hard tissue regeneration and development, remain unclear. After the isolation, cultivation, identification, and multi-lineage induction of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs), the present study used light and scanning electron microscopy, reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, micro-computed tomography, immunohistochemical assays and ectopic hard tissue formation experiments to examine CTSK expression in hPDLSCs. The results indicated that CTSK expression was significantly upregulated in hPDLSCs during Emdogain induction but underwent minimal change during osteogenic or adipogenic induction. The present study also showed that the downregulation of CTSK expression inhibited osteogenic/cementogenic differentiation and ectopic hard tissue formation of hPDLSCs. It is therefore concluded that hPDLSCs expressed CTSK and that CTSK levels were significantly upregulated during Emdogain induction. Furthermore, CTSK promoted not only the osteogenic/cementogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs but also their ability to form ectopic hard tissue. These new findings may enhance the understanding of periodontal hard tissue development and functional regeneration. However, the specific underlying mechanisms require further investigation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.