Perpendicular Fashion Research Articles

Control of Photoinduced Charge Transfer Through Selective Cyanation of Spirofluorene‐Bridged N‐Heterotriangulenes

AbstractA series of selectively cyanated spirofluorene‐bridged N‐heterotriangulenes (N‐HTAs) with three to nine cyano groups are synthesized via a newly developed synthetic strategy. X‐ray crystallographic analysis of the compounds revealed a tripod‐like molecular shape with the fluorenyl moieties arranged in a perpendicular fashion around the nitrogen‐centered N‐HTA core. The solid state packing is found to be strongly influenced by the dipolar cyano functions. Under electrochemical conditions, the N‐HTA core is prone to undergo a reversible one‐electron oxidation toward the nitrogen‐centered radical cation, which becomes increasingly difficult as the number of the cyano acceptors, and consequently the ionization potential, increases. While a clear bathochromic shift is observed in the steady‐state UV–vis absorption spectra, the fluorescence behavior is complex and strongly dependent on the position and number of the cyano groups. The compound with six cyano functions at the fluorenyl flanks is unique within the series and shows a broad emission maximum at 499 nm and an unusually large Stokes shift of 10 171 cm−1. Time‐resolved absorption and fluorescence measurements, supported by quantum chemical calculations, identified this spectroscopic signature to originate from fast and robust photoinduced intramolecular charge transfer.

Step-by-Step Nanoscale Top-Down Blocking and Etching Lead to Nanohexapods with Cartesian Geometry.

In this research, we designed a stepwise synthetic method for Au@Pt hexapods where six elongated Au pods are arranged in a pairwise perpendicular fashion, sharing a common point (the central origin in a Cartesian-coordinate-like hexapod shape), featured with tip-selectively decorated Pt square nanoplates. Au@Pt hexapods were successfully synthesized by applying three distinctive chemical reactions in a stepwise manner. The Pt adatoms formed discontinuous thin nanoplates that selectively covered six concave facets of a Au truncated octahedron and served as etching masks in the succeeding etching process, which prevented underlying Au atoms from being oxidized. The subsequent isotropic etching proceeded radially, starting from the bare Au surface, carving the central nanocrystal in a concave manner. By controlling the etching conditions, Au@Pt hexapods were successfully fabricated, wherein the core Au domain is connected to six protruding arms, which hold Pt nanoplates at the ends. Due to their morphology, Au@Pt hexapods feature distinctive optical properties in the near-infrared region, as a proof of concept, allowing for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based monitoring of in situ CO electrooxidation. We further extended our synthetic library by tailoring the size of the Pt nanoplates and neck widths of Au branches, demonstrating the validity of selective blocking and etching-based colloidal synthesis.

A benzimidazole scaffold as a promising inhibitor against SARS-CoV-2

The manuscript reports the green-chemical synthesis of a new diindole-substituted benzimidazole compound, B1 through a straightforward route in coupling between indolyl-3-carboxaldehyde and o-phenylenediamine in water medium under the aerobic condition at 75 ºC. The single crystal X-ray structural analysis of B1 suggests that the disubstituted benzimidazole compound crystallizes in a monoclinic system and the indole groups exist in a perpendicular fashion with respect to benzimidazole moiety. The SARS-CoV-2 screening activity has been studied against 1 × 10e4 VeroE6 cells in a dose-dependent manner following Hoechst 33342 and nucleocapsid staining activity with respect to remdesivir. The compound exhibits 92.4% cell viability for 30 h and 35.1% inhibition against VeroE6 cells at non-cytotoxic concentration. Molecular docking studies predict high binding propensities of B1 with the main protease (Mpro) and non-structural (nsp2 and nsp7-nsp8) proteins of SARS-CoV-2 through a number of non-covalent interactions. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation analysis for 100 ns confirms the formation of stable conformations of B1-docked proteins with significant changes of binding energy, attributing the potential inhibition properties of the synthetic benzimidazole scaffold against SARS-CoV-2. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

“French Position” for Open Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Coming Back from Laparoscopy to Open Surgery

Introduction: Minimally invasive surgery has arrived slowly in pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Even that, most of PDs remains performed Open. Some advantages of laparoscopy can be reintroduced to Open surgery. We propose the “French position” to Open PD, to facilitate the access of the second assistant (usually a Fellow or Resident). Methods: After a pair of conversions of laparoscopic PD to open, we realized that French position (supine with open legs) allows a better performance for the surgical team, specially the second assistant participation. After that, one of the authors (HF) proposed to start open PDs using the advantages of French position. Results: In last 20 Open PDs we start with the patient in French position. Surgeon remains on the right side of the patient, first assistant of the left side and second assistant between de patient legs. We feel that this position allows a better participation of the second assistant and the surgeon have more room to work. In some cases, the surgeon changed the position between the patient's legs, during uncinate process dissection, taking advantage for dissection parallel to mesenteric vessel instead of perpendicular fashion. Another advantage is to get open the patient's arms if is required for the anesthetist. Some limitations: it requires special attention to avoid pressure areas. Conclusion: French position to perform Open PDs can facilitate the disposition of the surgical team and in some cases the surgeon can operate in front of the uncinate process changing the direction in parallel instead of perpendicular.

Biological efficacy of perpendicular type-I collagen protruded from TiO2-nanotubes

The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological efficacy of a unique perpendicular protrusion of type-I collagen (Col-I) from TiO2 nanotubes (NT-EPF surface). We hypothesized that the NT-EPF surface would play bifunctional roles in stimulating platelet-mediated fibroblast recruitment and anchoring fibroblast-derived Col-I to form a perpendicular collagen assembly, mimicking the connective tissue attachment around natural teeth for the long-term maintenance of dental implants. Ti surface modification was accomplished in two steps. First, TiO2 nanotubes (NT) array was fabricated via anodization. Diameters and depths of NTs were controlled by applied voltage and duration. Subsequently, an electrophoretic fusion (EPF) method was applied to fuse Col-I into nanotube arrays in a perpendicular fashion. Surface wettability was assessed by contact angle measurement. The bioactivity of modified TiO2 surfaces was evaluated in terms of NIH3T3 fibroblast attachment, platelet activation, and collagen extension. Early attachment, aggregation, and activation of platelets as well as release of platelet-related growth factors were demonstrated on NT-EPF surfaces. Platelet-mediated NIH3T3 cells migration toward NT-EPF was significantly increased and the attached cells showed a typical fibrous morphology with elongated spindle shape. A direct linkage between pseudopod-like processes of fibroblasts to NT-EPF surfaces was observed. Furthermore, the engineered EPF collagen protrusion linked with cell-derived collagen in a perpendicular fashion. Within the limitation of this in vitro study, the TiO2 nanotube with perpendicular Col-I surface (NT-EPF) promoted better cell attachment, induced a strong platelet activation which suggested the ability to create a more robust soft tissue seal.

Immobilization of a Polar Sulfone Moiety onto the Pore Surface of a Humid-Stable MOF for Highly Efficient CO2 Separation under Dry and Wet Environments through Direct CO2-Sulfone Interactions.

The stability of microporous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in moist environments must be taken into consideration for their practical implementations, which has been largely ignored thus far. Herein, we synthesized a new moisture-stable Zn-MOF, {[Zn2(SDB)2(L)2]·2DMA}n, IITKGP-12, by utilizing a bent organic linker 4,4'-sulfonyldibenzoic acid (H2SDB) containing a polar sulfone group (-SO2) and a N, N-donor spacer (L) with a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of 216 m2 g-1. This material displays greater CO2 adsorption capacity over N2 and CH4 with high IAST selectivity, which is also validated by breakthrough experiments with longer breakthrough times for CO2. Most importantly, the separation performance is largely unaffected in the presence of moisture of simulated flue gas stream. Temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) analysis shows the ease of the regeneration process, and the performance was verified for multiple cycles. In order to understand the structure-function relationship at the atomistic level, grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) calculation was performed, indicating that the primary binding site for CO2 is between the sulfone moieties in IITKGP-12. CO2 is attracted to the bonded structure (V-shape) of the sulfone moieties in a perpendicular fashion, where CCO2 is aligned with S, and the CO2 axis bisects the SO2 axis. Thus, the strategic approach to immobilize the polar sulfone moiety with a high number of inherent stronger M-N coordination and the absence of coordination unsaturation made this MOF potential toward practical CO2 separation applications.

The force stability of tissue contact and lesion size index during radiofrequency ablation: An ex-vivo study.

Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is a commonly used tool in the invasive electrophysiology laboratory to treat a variety of rhythm disorders. Reliable creation of transmural ablation lesions is crucial for long-term success. Lesion size index (LSI) is a multiparametric index that incorporates time, power, contact force (CF), and impedance data recorded during RF ablation in a weighted formula and has been shown to predict the extent of myocardial tissue lesions. Whether the force stability of contact influences lesion size in LSI-guided ablations is unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of the force stability of contact on lesion size during LSI-guided ablations in an ex-vivo model. A total of 267 RF lesions (n=6 hearts) were created on porcine myocardial slabs by using an open-tip irrigated ablation catheter with the following settings: 35 W with either intermittent (varied between 0 and up to 20g), variable (10 to 20g), or constant tissue contact (15g) in a perpendicular or parallel fashion (applied manually) up to a target LSI of either 5 or 6. Subsequently, lesion width and depth were determined. Lesion width was mainly influenced by catheter tip orientation and LSI, whereas lesion depth was mainly influenced by LSI alone. The force stability of catheter contact had no relevant impact on lesion width or depth. The force stability of catheter contact has only little effect on lesion depth or width in LSI-guided catheter ablation while the catheter orientation primarily affects lesion width.

Recyclable Raman chip for detection of trace Mercury ions

Due to enrichment effect of Mercury ions (Hg2+), even if the concentration of Hg2+ is very low, it will do harm to human health. Precise detection of trace Hg2+ is important for environment protection and human health monitoring. In this work, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are immobilized on the surface of ITO with aid of inositol-hexaphosphate as linker agent and then 4-pyridinethiol (4-MPy) is decorated to form a 4-MPy/AuNPs/ITO chip. 4-MPy in the chip acts two roles involving the capture agent for Hg2+ and Raman signal reporter. With the adding of Hg2+, the linear increase of SERS response of 4-MPy is in the range from 1.0 ppt to 100 ppb (R2 = 0.9896) and the limit of detection could be down to 1 ppt. The mechanism of the Raman chip was also explored by molecular simulation. It is found that the interaction between Hg2+ and the nitrogen atoms changes the electron distribution of pyridine ring and induces reorientation of the 4-MPy molecules tending to more perpendicular adsorption fashion with respect to AuNPs surface, which leads to enhancement of the intensity of the pyridine breathing vibration peak at 1093 cm−1. The as-prepared SERS sensor chip features excellent stability and reproducibility as well as could be reused. The rapid 4-MPy/AuNPs/ITO-chip-based Raman protocol with capability against interference is competent for monitoring trace Hg2+ in river water samples.

Morphometry of infraorbital foramen applied to local anesthesia in hoary fox (Lycalopex vetulus Lund, 1842)

Abstract Whilst considering the need anesthetic techniques supported by species-specific morphology, it has been sought to describe the morphometry of the Hoary Fox's infraorbital foramen with aims at correlating its topography with points of anatomic reference in the skull, thereby providing subsidy for a more effective local anesthetic block in that species. Four skulls of Lycalopex vetulus had been used, from which all of the measurements in each antimere were performed. The infraorbital foramen was located at the maxilla bone, dorsally-wise from the third upper pre-molar tooth, and, from the ventral end of its caudal margin, it would stand apart from the alveolar margin of that bone by 4.19 mm, in average; from the orbital margin at the level of the lacrimal foramen by 14.10 mm; from the dorsal end of the frontal process of the zygomatic bone by 37.10 mm; from the rostral end of the alveolar margin of the first upper incisor tooth by 38.54 mm; and, from the caudal end of the nuchal crest by 100.53mm - at the level of the median sagittal plane; as it also presented a sagittal axis of 5.21 mm in average. It is suggested that, for the Hoary Fox, the needle be introduced by 4.19 mm in contact with the maxilla bone, in a perpendicular fashion, and in a ventral-dorsal orientation from the alveolar margin of the same - whilst using, as an anatomic reference, the diastema that exists between the third and the fourth upper pre-molar teeth.

Effect of ring size on the properties of μ3-Cycloalkyne complexes: Synthesis of triruthenium complexes containing a perpendicularly coordinated μ3-Allenyl ligand

A series of triruthenium complexes, [{Cp*Ru(μ-H)}3(μ3-η2:η2-CnH2n-4)] (2a, n = 6; 2b, n = 7; 2c,n = 8), containing a triply bridgin cycloalkyne ligand was synthesized. Although no noticeable differences were detected in the ground state, the rate of dynamic motion of the cycloalkyne ligand increased remarkably as the ring size increased. Owing to the flexibility of the larger rings, an allylic CH bond can interact with one of the metal centers, stabilizing the transition state of the dynamic process. This interaction also caused allylic CH bond scission upon chemical oxidation. In the case of 2b and 2c, a cationic μ3-η2:η2:η2-allenyl complex, [{Cp*Ru(μ-H)}3(μ3-η2:η2:η2-CnH2n-5)]+ (3b, n = 7; 3c, n = 8), was obtained. X-ray diffraction studies of 3 clearly show that the allenyl group is coordinated to one of the Ru-Ru bonds in a perpendicular fashion, unlike the known "parallel" μ3-allenyl complexes. In contrast to the reactions of 2b and 2c, chemical oxidation of 2a occurred via the incorporation of adventitious H2O rather than intramolecular C-H bond cleavage. Consequently, cationic μ3-cyclohexyne-μ-hydroxo complex, [{Cp*Ru(μ-H)}3(μ-OH)(μ3-η2-C6H8)]+ (5a) was obtained in 38% yield by the reaction with 2 equiv [Cp2Fe]+ in the presence of excess water. These results clearly show that the reaction pathway of the μ3-cycloalkyne complex varies with the ring size.

In vivo imaging of the fibrillar architecture of the posterior vitreous and its relationship to the premacular bursa, Cloquet's canal, prevascular vitreous fissures, and cisterns.

To describe the fibrillar architecture of the posterior cortical vitreous and identify variations across eyes of different axial lengths in vivo. Sixty-four eyes of 32 subjects were examined with swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). Grading of vitreous degeneration, presence of vitreous cisterns/lacunae, posterior hyaloid status, directionality of vitreous fibers and their relations to vitreous spaces, and lamellar reflectivity of the posterior vitreous were assessed. A consistent pattern of fibrillar organization was discovered. Eyewall parallel fibers formed a dense meshwork over the retinal surface and fibers oriented in a perpendicular fashion to this meshwork were found to envelop the various vitreous spaces, intersecting at variable angles of insertion to the eyewall parallel fibers. Lamellar reflectivity suggestive of splitting of the cortical fibrillar meshwork was detected in 27 eyes (42%) with 56% of these eyes demonstrating perpendicularly oriented intersecting fibers. Fifty-six percent of eyes with lamellar reflectivity had an axial length > 25mm. SS-OCT imaging revealed fibrillar organization of the posterior vitreous. Eye wall parallel hyperreflectivity of cortical vitreous was a universal finding. This pattern is suggestive of a splitting of cortical vitreous tissue and may represent a precursor to vitreoschisis. Perpendicular fibers appear to be important constituents of the walls of the various liquid vitreous spaces.

Tripod-shaped molecules: Synthesis and immobilization on Au(1 1 1) substrates

We describe design and synthesis of novel tripod-shaped molecules that are potentially capable of monomolecular assembly on noble metal substrates, maintaining, due to their rigidity and specific geometry, the orientation of the functional arm in a perpendicular fashion with respect to the substrate. Using a combination of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy, the ability of these molecules to form well-defined and densely packed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on Au(1 1 1) was demonstrated, with the majority of the molecules adsorbed in the predefined tripodal geometry, relying on the thiolate-gold anchors. The functionality of the respective monomolecular templates was proved by click reaction between the terminal alkyne groups of the monolayers and complementary azide-substituted substituent (theophylline), which served potentially as specific protein receptor. The resulting theophylline-terminated films were successfully tested for specific protein adsorption, verifying the validity and reliability of the presented concept, in terms of the tripod design and its “activation” by the click reaction.

Solution-synthesized SnO2 nanorod arrays for highly stable and efficient perovskite solar cells

We report a simple and low-cost approach to enhance the longstanding stability of the perovskite solar cell (PSC) through the application of low-temperature grown SnO2 nanorod (NR) arrays. SnO2 NR arrays were fabricated by an aqueous synthesis method in the presence of hydrochloric acid and using thin compact SnO2 as seeds. The influence of HCl concentration on the photovoltaic (PV) performance of the SnO2 NR array based PSC device was investigated. The formed crystalline SnO2 nanorods with square transversal-sections were oriented on the FTO facets in a well-defined and perpendicular fashion at an optimal HCl concentration. The optimized width and length for SnO2 nanorods were 30 nm and 150 nm, respectively. Consequently, efficient and stable SnO2 nanorod based perovskite devices were obtained with an average power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 16.57%. The SnO2 nanorod array based PSCs demonstrated considerably better ultraviolet (UV) and ambient air stability than the planar SnO2 and notably mesoporous TiO2 solar cells. This paper provides a prospective scheme to grow high-quality three-dimensional SnO2 nanorod arrays for highly stable and efficient PSCs.

Method of visualising relations between tweets to facilitate discussions via Twitter

It is common for Twitter users to adopt clients that display posts (tweets) as textboxes lined up in a perpendicular fashion. In a discussion with multiple participants, tweets are commonly used as 'replies'. However, it is difficult for users of these types of displays to follow the context and make further contributions to the conversations. In this study, we will also be proposing a system which visualises relations of tweets by usage of digraphs, along with an evaluation of the proposed system on how it fares with existing solutions.

Analysis of a Wideband Circularly Polarized Cylindrical Dielectric Resonator Antenna With Broadside Radiation Coupled With Simple Microstrip Feeding

In this paper, a wideband circularly polarized cylindrical shaped dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) with simple microstrip feed network has been designed and investigated. The proposed design uses dual vertical microstrip lines arranged in a perpendicular fashion to excite fundamental orthogonal hybrid ${HE}_{11\delta }^{x}$ and ${HE}_{11\delta }^{y}$ modes in the cylindrical DR. The Phase quadrature relationships between orthogonal modes have been attained by varying corresponding microstrips heights. To ratify the simulation results, an antenna prototype is fabricated and measured. Measured input reflection coefficient and axial ratio bandwidth (at $\Phi =0^{\circ }$ , $\theta =0^{\circ }$ ) of 30.37% (2.82–3.83 GHz) and 24.6% (2.75–3.52 GHz) has been achieved, respectively. This antenna design achieves an average gain of 5.5 dBi and radiation efficiency of above 96% over operational frequency band. Justifiable agreement between simulated and fabricated antenna results are obtained.

CuII and ZnII β-diketonate coordination polymers based on pyrimidin-2-amine, pyrazine and 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane.

Copper(II) and zinc(II) bis(4,4,4-trifluoro-1-phenylbutane-1,3-dionato) compounds with pyrimidin-2-amine (pyr2a), pyrazine (pyz) and 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane (dpet) were prepared and solid-state structures of coordination polymers [M(tfpb)2(pyr2a)]∞ [M = Cu (1), Zn (2); tfpb = 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-phenylbutane-1,3-dionate], [M(tfpb)2(pyz)]∞ [M = Cu (3), Zn (4a, 4b)] and [Cu(tfpb)2(dpet)]∞ (5), respectively, were determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The coordination of metal centers in all compounds is octahedral with nitrogen ligands occupying the axial positions. Compound (1) crystallizes in the triclinic space group P\bar 1, whereas (2) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2/n. Differences are due to the different orientation of adjacent M(tfpb)2 units, whereas the orientation of pyrimidin-2-amine is the same in both compounds. Polymeric chains in (1) and (2) contain intramolecular N-H...O hydrogen bonding between amino and carbonyl groups. Room-temperature structures (3) and (4a) are isomorphous adopting the monoclinic space group C2/m; however, on cooling crystals (4a) to 150 K a single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation to (4b) possessing the triclinic space group P\bar 1 was observed. Compound (5) crystallizes in the triclinic space group P\bar 1 and contains a parallel aggregation of chains in contrast to the known structure of the non-fluorinated benzoylacetonato ligand, where chains aggregate in a perpendicular fashion. In the compounds studied intramolecular C-H...O and/or C-H...F interactions are present. The neighboring chains are linked by π...π interactions and in some compounds also by C-H...π interactions [(1), (4b), (5)].

Oblique Terminal Screw Placement: Does It Improve Fixation in Plate Osteosynthesis?

The technique of placing an oblique screw in the terminal hole of a plate to increase screw pullout strength is widely taught in the operating room. The origin of this technique is unclear; however, it may have been used simply as a means to identify radiographs and misinterpreted to have some biomechanical benefit. The objective of this study was to measure the structural effect of oblique terminal screw placement (OTSP) during plate osteosynthesis. Foam blocks and limited contact dynamic compression plates and screws were used along with a custom fixture device. The terminal screw was placed in either an oblique (30-degree angle outward) or perpendicular fashion. A load was applied perpendicular to the plate in cantilever bending until failure. The oblique screw construct was significantly weaker than the perpendicular screw construct (399N vs. 465N, P < 0.001), independent of the block of material used. Post hoc analysis showed that the screw angle (P < 0.001) was a significant determinant of the load required to cause screw pullout. OTSP led to a decrease in pullout strength compared with a perpendicular screw in a deformable foam medium similar in density to osteoporotic bone. In patients with poor bone quality, OTSP may create a suboptimal fracture fixation construct.

Crystal structure of 2-(thio-phen-3-yl)ethyl pyrene-1-carboxyl-ate.

In the title compound, C23H16O2S, the thio­phene group is rotationally disordered into two fractions almost parallel to each other, with occupation factors of 0.523 (7) and 0.477 (7), and subtending dihedral angles of 10.5 (5) and 9.3 (5)°, respectively, to the thio­phene group. The mol­ecules are held together by weak C—H⋯O and C—H⋯π hydrogen bonds, producing a laminar arrangement, which are further connected in a perpendicular fashion by S⋯π contacts [S⋯centroid = 3.539 (8) and 3.497 (8) Å]. In spite of the presence of the entended pyrene group, the structure does not present any parallel π–π stacking inter­actions. The structure was refined as an inversion twin.

Photolysis of triruthenium μ3-alkyne complexes capped by a μ3-oxo ligand

Triruthenium alkyne complexes containing a triply bridging oxo ligand, (Cp*Ru)3{μ3-η2(||)-RCCH}(μ3-O)(μ-H) (9a, R = Ph; 9b, R = n-Pr; 9c, R = t-Bu), were synthesized. Although 9 was quite stable under thermal conditions, photolysis by 313 nm light caused the transformation of 9 into the μ3-acetylido complexes, (Cp*Ru)3(μ3-η2:η2-CCR)(μ3-O) (10a–c). In contrast, a 47-electron alkyne complex, (Cp*Ru)3{μ3-η2:η2(⊥)-PhCCPh}(μ3-O) (11d), in which the alkyne ligand was coordinated to one of the Ru–Ru bonds in a perpendicular fashion, was obtained by the irradiation of the internal alkyne complex (Cp*Ru)3{μ3-η2(||)-PhCCPh}(μ3-O)(μ-H) (9d) by hydride abstraction. Dynamic property of the μ3-acetylido ligand, so called “edge hopping” motion, was also studied using variable-temperature 1H NMR techniques, which clearly demonstrated that the mobility of the acetylido ligand increases along with the bulkiness of the substituent on the β-carbon.

Development of new and accurate measurement devices (TruSlice and TruSlice Digital) for use in histological dissection: an attempt to improve specimen dissection precision

ABSTRACTHistological dissection of human tissue has relied on conventional procedures, which have largely remained unchanged for decades. Practices to determine measurement parameters employed in these procedures have largely relied on the use of rulers and weighing scales. It is well documented in the scientific literature that both fixation and processing of tissue can significantly affect the viability of the of tissue sections both for tinctorial and immunocytochemical investigations. Both of these factors can be compounded in their negative effects by inappropriate sampling of tissue at histological cut up. There are five key factors to ensure good surgical grossing technique, flat uniformly perpendicular specimen cutting face, appropriate immobilisation of the tissue specimen during grossing, good visualisation of the cutting tissue face, sharp cutting knives and the grossing knife action. Meeting these factors implies the devices are fit for purpose. Here we describe an innovative approach to designing cut up devices to improve accuracy and precision, which take these five key requirements into consideration. The devices showed accuracy and precision, enabling tissue slices to be produced in a uniformly perpendicular fashion to within 2 mm in thickness and to enable consistency and reproducibility of performance across a series of tissue types. The application of a digital rule on one of these devices ensures accuracy and also enables quality control issues to be clearly assessed. As cellular pathology laboratories conform to ever increasing standards of compliance and performance in practice, the advent of assured precision and accuracy at cut up is awaited. Recommendations from accreditation bodies such as the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) continue to push for improvements in this area of histological investigation. These newly designed devices may give the answers to these requirements and provide the impetus for a new generation of innovative equipment for histological dissection.