Hongbo Yin

Ongoing miniaturization and integration of electronic devices are driving a growing demand for multifunctional and reliable micro/nano electrodes that enable microscale energy storage and harvesting. This review summarizes recent advances enabled by laser processing, an inherently maskless, precise, multi-dimensional (across one, two, and three dimensions), and designable toolkit for fabricating and enhancing micro/nano electrodes, with a focus on process–structure–property relationships, which are highly important for device and system-level implementation. Laser–material interactions are elucidated by distinguishing physical modifications from chemical transformations, and the connection between processing windows and the resulting architectures and properties is established. Laser processing plays a vital role in enhancing electrode performance, including higher specific surface area, faster ion transport, higher energy/power density, and enhanced reliability (robust cycling stability and strong substrate adhesion). Emphasis is placed on energy storage applications, including on-chip and high-energy-density micro-supercapacitors, where these miniaturized electrodes enable exceptional capacitance and electrical conductivity. Beyond energy storage, broader prospects such as multifunctional electrodes that simultaneously serve as energy storage and sensing components in compact heterointegrated devices are attracting research interest. Emerging ultrafast laser processing and combinational fabrication techniques, coupled with multifunctional hierarchical designs, are considered as effective routes toward micro/nano electrodes with higher performance and integration levels, opening avenues for next-generation integrated devices.

A scenario-driven design of a bifunctional PVDF/MXene membrane combines robust piezoelectric output with on-demand photothermal antibacterial capability.

Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) is a rare condition characterized by early-onset and progressive visual impairment. Individuals with PCA have relatively early-onset and progressive dementia, posing certain needs for early detection. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the association of alterations in outer retinal and choroidal structure and microvasculature with PCA neuroimaging and clinical features and the possible effects of apolipoprotein E(APOE) ε4 allele on outer retinal and choroidal alterations in participants with PCA, to detect potential ocular biomarkers for PCA screening. This cross-sectional study included PCA and age- and sex-matched healthy control participants from June 2022 to December 2023. All participants with PCA completed a comprehensive neurological evaluation. All participants were recorded baseline information and underwent an ophthalmic evaluation. Quantitative analyses were performed using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and angiography (SS-OCTA). Adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AO-SLO) was performed in some patients. In participants with PCA, the influence of APOE ε4 on outer retinal and choroidal alterations and the correlation of outer retinal and choroidal alterations with PCA neuroimaging and clinical features in participants with PCA were investigated. A total of 28 participants (53 eyes) with PCA and 56 healthy control participants (112 eyes) were included in the current study. Compared with healthy control participants, participants with PCA had significantly reduced outer retinal thickness (ORT) (p < 0.001), choriocapillaris vessel density (VD) (p = 0.007), choroidal vascular index (CVI) (p = 0.005) and choroidal vascular volume (CVV) (p = 0.003). In participants with PCA, APOE ε4 carriers showed thinner ORT (p = 0.009), and increased choriocapillaris VD (p = 0.004) and CVI (p = 0.004). The PCA neuroimaging features were positively associated with the ORT, CVI and CVV. Furthermore, differential correlations were observed of PCA clinical features with the CRT, CVV and CVI. Our findings highlighted the association of outer retinal and choroidal alterations with PCA neuroimaging and clinical features in participants with PCA. Noninvasive SS-OCT and SS-OCTA can provide potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and management of PCA, improving awareness of PCA syndrome among ophthalmologists, neurologists, and primary care providers.

Introduction Immune checkpoint inhibitors have made tremendous progress over the last decade in the treatment of cutaneous melanoma, but their application in uveal melanoma treatment is less successful, owing in part to the immunological privilege of the eye and the liver, the most frequent site of metastasis. Nevertheless, the therapeutic outcomes reported currently are less pessimistic. Methods In this review, we provide an overview of recent studies of immune checkpoint inhibitors in uveal melanoma and its metastasis and classify studies in this field into three groups: monotherapy of immune checkpoint inhibitors, dual-agent immune checkpoint inhibitors, and immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with other systemic or regional therapies. Results Briefly, monotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors performed poorly. Dual-agent immune checkpoint inhibitors had slightly better outcomes than traditional treatments, especially in specific patient populations. As for the combination therapy, the combination with other systemic therapies did not show superiority over dual-agent immune checkpoint inhibitors, but combination with hepatic regional therapies was quite promising. Moreover, research on emerging checkpoints is currently limited to the stage of mechanistic studies. Conclusion We propose that immune checkpoint inhibitors remain alternative treatments for patients with uveal melanoma, but factors such as cost-effectiveness should also be taken into account. The combination therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors deserves to be further explored.

Purpose To explore whether implantable collamer lens implantation has any effect on the postoperative objective indicators of dry eye and to determine the severity of its influence on each indicator. Methods This prospective observational trial was performed in the Department of Ophthalmology of West China Hospital and was approved by the Biomedical Ethics Sub-Committee of the West China Hospital of Sichuan University. A total of 89 non-dry eye patients (178 eyes in total) who received ICL implantation surgery at West China Hospital of Sichuan University were enrolled. The noninvasive keratograph tear film breakup time (NIKBUT), noninvasive keratograph tear meniscus height (NIKTMH), score of lipid layer, score of meibomian gland function, and hyperemia index were obtained via the OCULUS Keratograph for all subjects before surgery and at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery. The fluorescein tear film breakup time (FBUT), corneal fluorescein staining score (CFS), and Schirmer test I were also measured at the same time. Results A total of 178 eyes completed the 1-week and 1-month follow-up, and 40 eyes completed the 3-month follow-up. Compared with the preoperative baseline, there was no significant difference in the NIKBUT or the corneal fluorescein staining score at each follow-up time point (P > 0.05, P > 0.05, P > 0.05). The FBUT and Schirmer test I at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery were significantly higher than the preoperative baseline (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.01). The NIKTMH and the score of lipid layer were significantly lower than the preoperative baseline at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The score of meibomian gland function and hyperemia index were significantly lower than the preoperative baseline 1 week after surgery (P < 0.01). Conclusion ICL implantation has no adverse effect on the occurrence of postoperative dry eye, but it reduces the basal tear secretion of patients after surgery and has adverse effects on the indices of meibomian gland function in the short term postoperatively.

Purpose In the conventional technique, viscoelastic agents are typically rinsed away with balanced salt solution (BSS), but it may lead to a series of complications such as viscoelastic residue, anterior chamber instability and intraoperative TICL rotation. The utilization of irrigation and aspiration (I/A) has been shown to be effective in maintaining anterior chamber stability, reducing the incidence of postoperative high intraocular pressure, and minimizing postoperative fundus complications. However, there is a lack of previous studies investigating the impact of I/A on corneal endothelial cells during ICL implantation. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of I/A on corneal endothelial cells in patients undergoing myopia correction through implantation of Implantable Collamer Lens with a central hole (V4c ICL). Methods A retrospective selection was made of 344 eyes from 172 patients who underwent V4c ICL implantation and I/A to remove viscoelastic agent from the anterior chamber between 2021 and 2022. The intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured at 1 h, 2 h and 3 h after surgery. Corneal endothelial cell density (ECD), coefficient of variation in cell size (CV), standard deviation of cell area (SD), and percentage of hexagonal cells (HEX) were evaluated at 1 week postoperatively to assess corneal endothelial cells. The first two represent polymegethism or morphological variation, while the third parameter represents the degree of polymorphism of the corneal endothelial cells. Electronic medical records were utilized for data collection purpose. Results All surgeries proceeded without complications. The IOP was 16.50 ± 3.42 mmHg (range: 11.5–22.3 mmHg) prior to surgery and increased to 21.25 ± 5.61 mmHg (range: 9.5–34.8 mmHg), 19.85 ± 5.18 mmHg (range: 11.4–36.2 mmHg) and finally settled at an average of 18.81 ± 4.57 mmHg (range: 10.1–38.8 mmHg) at the respective time points of 1 h, 2 h and 3 h after surgery. The preoperative ECD was recorded as being approximately 3004 ± 295 cell/mm², which exhibited a marginal decreased of 1.17% postoperatively, resulting in an average ECD value of 2969 ± 303 cell/mm² one week after surgery (P = 0.12). Similarly, the preoperative CV was determined as 31.10 ± 3.78%, and it experienced a slight reduction with an average CV value of 30.74 ± 3.77% at week after surgery (P = 0.21). And, the preoperative SD was reported as 104.76 ± 17.26, and it remained virtually unchanged with an average SD value of 104.85 ± 18.75 at one week after surgery (P = 0.95). The preoperative HEX was calculated as 55.38 ± 8.94%, and it remained its stability with an average HEX value of 55.45 ± 8.73% one week after surgery (P = 0.92). Conclusion The utilization of I/A led to a slight decrease in postoperative ECD when compared to conventional surgical techniques. Nevertheless, the reduction in ECD remained within acceptable limits, taking into accout the avervantaged it offered, such as stabilization of the anterior chamber and decreased occurrence of viscoelastic residue after surgery. It is challenging to anticipate the long-term safety of corneal endothelial cells based on current short-term studies. However, this study provides a valuable reference indicating that neither anterior chamber irrigation nor I/A aspiration have an adverse impact on the safety of corneal endothelial cells in the short term. Further research is imperative to enhance our understanding of their effects over an extended period.

Corneal crosslinking (CXL) is the recognized technique to strengthen corneal collagen fibers through photodynamic reaction, aiming to halt progressive and irregular changes in corneal shape. CXL has greatly changed the treatment for keratoconus (KCN) since it was introduced in the late 1990’s. Numerous improvements of CXL have been made during its developing course of more than 20 years. CXL involves quite a lot of materials, including crosslinking agents, enhancers, and supplements. A general summary of existing common crosslinking agents, enhancers, and supplements helps give a more comprehensive picture of CXL. Either innovative use of existing materials or research and development of new materials will further improve the safety, effectiveness, stability, and general applicability of CXL, and finally benefit the patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) eye drops in a murine model of dry eye disease (DED).Methods: Six- to eight-week-old female C57BL/6 mice were subjected to a combination of desiccating stress (DS) and topical benzalkonium chloride (BAC) to induce DED. Five microliters of LBP eye drops (0.625, 2.5, or 12.5 mg/ml) or PBS was applied topically 3 times per day for 10 days to subsequently test their efficacy. Tear secretion, tear breakup time (TBUT), corneal irregularity, and corneal fluorescein staining scores were measured on days 3 and 10 after treatment. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the cornea was assessed by quantitative (q) RT–PCR on days 10. The ocular irritation of LBP eye drops of corresponding concentrations was evaluated on 10- to 12-week-old female Sprague–Dawley rats.Results: Compared with PBS-treated groups, mice treated with 0.625, 2.5, and 12.5 mg/ml LBP showed a significant improvement in the clinical signs of DED in a dose-dependent manner, including corneal epithelial integrity, corneal regularity, and tear production, as well as significant inhibition of inflammatory cell infiltration and TNF-α expression levels in the cornea. All corresponding concentrations of LBP eye drops revealed no obvious ocular irritation.Conclusion: Topical application of LBP could ameliorate dry eye in a murine model of DED without obvious ocular irritation.

Purpose: To investigate the impact of tissue derived biological particles on enzyme-mediated weakened corneas. Methods: Rabbit corneas were treated with enzymes to create an ex vivo ectatic model that simulated representative characteristics of keratoconus (KC). Porcine cornea, cartilage, and lymph node tissues were processed to remove most cellular components and cryomilled into microparticles. The KC corneas were cultured in medium containing the tissue-derived biological particles (TDP) overnight. The mechanical, thermal, ultrastructural changes, and gene expressions of corneal stromal cells were characterized to evaluate the effects of the TDP treatment. Results: The enzyme treatment significantly reduced corneal mechanics and thermal stability, and also disrupted the extracellular matrix ultrastructure. After culturing with TDP medium, the Young’s modulus of the modeled KC corneas increased by ~50%, comparable to normal cornea controls. Similarly, the thermal denaturation temperature of the corneas was restored. These findings also corresponded to a significant increase in collagen fibril density after TDP treatment. Furthermore, corneas cultured in TDP medium significantly downregulated expression of the pro-inflammatory gene Tnfα, and restored the expression of the key keratocyte markers Aldh, keratocan, and biglycan. Conclusions: Tissue-derived biological particles reinforce mechanical and thermal properties of corneal tissue in an ex vivo model of KC. Through this study, we demonstrate and characterize the previously unexplored impact of tissue-derived biological scaffolds on corneal biomechanics, thermal stability, and gene expression, presenting a potential new therapy for ocular disease.