Herein, we demonstrate a cavity-enhanced hyperspectral refractometric imaging using an all-dielectric photonic crystal slab (PhCS). Our approach takes advantage of the synergy between two mechanisms, surface-enhanced fluorescence (SEF) and refractometric sensing, both based on high-Q resonances in proximity of bound states in the continuum (BICs). The enhanced local optical field of the first resonance amplifies of 2 orders of magnitude the SEF emission of a probe dye. Simultaneously, hyperspectral refractometric sensing, based on Fano interference between second mode and fluorescence emission, is used for mapping the spatially variant refractive index produced by the specimen on the PhCS. The spectral matching between first resonance and input laser is modulated by the specimen local refractive index, and thanks to the calibrated dependence with the spectral shift of the Fano resonance, the cavity tuning is used to achieve an enhanced correlative refractometric map with a resolution of 10-5 RIU within femtoliter-scale sampling volumes. This is experimentally applied also on live prostate cancer cells grown on the PhCS, reconstructing enhanced surface refractive index images at the single-cell level. This dual mechanism of quasi-BIC spatially variant gain tracked by quasi-BIC refractometric sensing provides a correlative imaging platform that can find application in many fields for monitoring physical and biochemical processes, such as molecular interactions, chemical reactions, or surface cell analysis.As a commercial adsorbent, TiO2 shows a high adsorption capacity for lead (Pb(II)). However, the molecular structure of Pb(II) adsorption on TiO2 is still unknown. Meanwhile, as a widely used corrosion inhibitor, phosphate (PO4) is usually added into drinking water, and its influential mechanism on Pb(II) removal by TiO2 remains unknown. Here, the mechanisms of Pb(II) adsorption on TiO2 and the effect of PO4 were systematically investigated using a combination of spectroscopic analyses and surface complexation modeling. The adsorption structure of Pb(II) on TiO2 was revealed as a tridentate mononuclear configuration by the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis. In the presence of 0.1-5 mg/L PO4, Pb(II) was removed mainly by adsorption on TiO2 rather than precipitation. Ternary complexation between Pb(II) and PO4 on TiO2 surfaces was found based on EXAFS and in situ Fourier transform infrared characterizations. These complexation structures were used to build a surface complexation model to accurately simulate and predict Pb(II) removal under different conditions. This study provides essential information about the mechanisms of Pb(II) removal by TiO2 and develops a model to predict adsorption behaviors, especially in the presence of PO4.The stability, dispersity, and surface chemical properties of colloidal nanoparticles are crucial for the reliable and desired chemical sensing in various applications. Here, we report an effective strategy to engineer the surface properties of mesoporous Au nanoparticles (meso-Au NPs) via PVP ligand modification, template removal, and surface purification. Monodispersed 3D meso-Au NPs with well-defined sizes and shapes were obtained using a general soft-enveloping strategy. During surface modification, the addition of PVP ligands and the concentration of HF solutions play key roles in the stability, shape, and size distributions of ordered Au networks. In order to obtain an improved sensing performance, the morphologies of meso-Au NPs were optimized with smaller mesopore size, and NaBH4 solution was used to efficiently remove the adsorbed PVP ligands. Due to the characteristics of high-density porosities and large surface area, the purified meso-Au NPs could be a kind of promising plasmonic-enhanced nanomaterial and provide abundant “hot spots.” Combined with the enrichment effect using a slippery liquid-infused porous surface, the lowest detection limits of crystal violet molecule could be down to 0.1 pM, demonstrating an excellent SERS sensitivity. Moreover, a realistic illegal drug containing aspirin could be sensitively detected with a limit of 2.8 × 10-6 M, showing great potential for practical molecular sensing and applications.

The Bascom cleft lift flap and the pilonidal pits-excision procedures, both have good success rates, this includes a short healing time and a low a recurrence rate. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of the Bascom cleft lift (flap) and the pilonidal pits excision (Gips procedure).

The records of all the patients who underwent pilonidal sinus excision between November 2013 and August 2017 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria included either pilonidal pits excision or the Bascom cleft lift procedure. All procedures were performed by a single surgeon. Perioperative complications and recurrence rates were reviewed.

Fifty-three patients met the inclusion criteria. Male/female ratio was 36/17, with a mean age of 23.4 ± 7 years. In this study, 21 patients underwent the Bascom cleft lift (skin flap) procedure and 32 underwent the Gips-style operation. Z-VAD(OH)-FMK concentration The mean follow-up was 3.5 months. Twenty-eight patients (52.8%) underwent prior drainage of pilonidal abscess. Eleven patients had a previous wide local excied use of the wide excision technique used by most surgeons in this country and abroad.Here we describe the neurodevelopmental outcomes of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (birth weight ≤1500 g) at 3 years of age in the Neonatal Research Network of Japan (NRNJ) database in the past decade and review the methodological issues identified in follow-up studies. The follow-up protocol for children at 3 years of chronological age in the NRNJ consists of physical and comprehensive neurodevelopmental assessments in each participating center. Neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) – moderate to severe neurological disability – is defined as cerebral palsy (CP) with a Gross Motor Function Classification System score ≥2, visual impairment such as uni- or bilateral blindness, hearing impairment requiring hearing amplification, or cognitive impairment with a developmental quotient (DQ) of Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development score less then 70 or judgment as delayed by pediatricians. We used death or NDI as an unfavorable outcome in all study subjects and NDI in survivors using number of assessed infants as the denominator.