Self-Assembled TiN-Metal Nanocomposites Integrated on Flexible Mica Substrates towards Flexible Devices.

The integration of nanocomposite thin films with combined multifunctionalities on flexible substrates is desired for flexible device design and applications. For example, combined plasmonic and magnetic properties could lead to unique optical switchable magnetic devices and sensors. In this work, a multiphase TiN-Au-Ni nanocomposite system with core-shell-like Au-Ni nanopillars embedded in a TiN matrix has been demonstrated on flexible mica substrates. The three-phase nanocomposite film has been compared with its single metal nanocomposite counterparts, i.e., TiN-Au and TiN-Ni. Magnetic measurement results suggest that both TiN-Au-Ni/mica and TiN-Ni/mica present room-temperature ferromagnetic property. Tunable plasmonic property has been achieved by varying the metallic component of the nanocomposite films. The cyclic bending test was performed to verify the property reliability of the flexible nanocomposite thin films upon bending. This work opens a new path for integrating complex nitride-based nanocomposite designs on mica towards multifunctional flexible nanodevice applications.

Neuromorphic learning and recognition in WO3-xthin film-based forming-free flexible electronic synapses.

In pursuing advanced neuromorphic applications, this study introduces the successful engineering of a flexible electronic synapse based on WO3-x, structured as W/WO3-x/Pt/Muscovite-Mica. This artificial synapse is designed to emulate crucial learning behaviors fundamental to in-memory computing. We systematically explore synaptic plasticity dynamics by implementing pulse measurements capturing potentiation and depression traits akin to biological synapses under flat and different bending conditions, thereby highlighting its potential suitability for flexible electronic applications. The findings demonstrate that the memristor accurately replicates essential properties of biological synapses, including short-term plasticity (STP), long-term plasticity (LTP), and the intriguing transition from STP to LTP. Furthermore, other variables are investigated, such as paired-pulse facilitation, spike rate-dependent plasticity, spike time-dependent plasticity, pulse duration-dependent plasticity, and pulse amplitude-dependent plasticity. Utilizing data from flat and differently bent synapses, neural network simulations for pattern recognition tasks using the Modified National Institute of Standards and Technology dataset reveal a high recognition accuracy of ∼95% with a fast learning speed that requires only 15 epochs to reach saturation.

Expression and function of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I chain-related A (MICA)*010 in NK cell killing activity.

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I chain-related A (MICA) plays an important role in stress cell recognition. High polymorphisms of MICA are relevant to NKG2D binding capacity, responses of NK cells and tumor progression. In this study, MICA genotyping of 97 cholangiocarcinoma patients was performed using PCR-SSP. MICA*010 was positively associated with a corrected p-value of < 0.001 (RR=2.16 (95 % CI, 1.48-3.14)). MICA*010 was previously reported as a non-expressed allele. Thus, the expression of MICA*010 on the cell surface was studied on both MICA*010 transfected cells (HEK 293 T and L929 cells) and stimulated primary monocytes obtained from homozygous MICA*010 individuals using different clones of antibodies (1H10, 1D10, 1C3.1, 1C3.2, 6D4 and 3H5) for detection. Surprisingly, the expression of MICA*010 could be observed on both transfected cells and stimulated monocytes and effectively bound to the NKG2D-Fc fusion protein. The functional study of various MICA alleles revealed the high relative killing activity of NK cells induced by the MICA*010 transfected C1R cells, not following the previously reported rule of the M129V substitution. The structural analysis highlighted the amino acid at position 36 as another important amino acid relevant to preserving the structural integrity of the MICA protein and NKG2D binding. Our data propose a new aspect of functional MICA contributing motifs and that MICA*010 has a potential effect on NK cell functions and might be applicable to other fields of immune responses.

Isolation of anti-tumor monoclonal antibodies targeting on MICA/B α3 domain by single B cell technology for colon cancer therapy.

Colon cancer (CC) is one of the most common gastrointestinal malignancies. Effectiveness of the existing therapies is limited. Immunotherapy is a promising complementary treatment approach for CC. Major histocompatibility complex class I-related protein A and B (MICA/B) are ligands for NK cells. Shedding of MICA/B from the surface of tumor cells by cleavage of MICA/B at the membrane proxial region in MICA/B α3 structural domain is one of immune evasion strategies leading to escape of cancer cells from immunosurveillance. In this study, we generated a panel of MICA/B monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and identified one of mAbs, mAb RDM028, that had high binding affinity to MICA/B and recognized a site on MICA/B α3 structural domain that is critically important for cleavage of MICA/B. Our study has further demonstrated that RDM028 augmented the surface expression of MICA/B on HCT-116 human CC cells by inhibiting the MICA/B shedding resulting in the enhanced cyotoxicity of NK cells against HCT-116 human CC cells and mediated anti-tumor activity in nude mouse model of colon cancer. These results indicate that mAb RDM028 could be explored for developing as an effective immuno therapy against CC by targeting the MICA/B α3 domain to promot immunosurveillance mediated by MICA/B-NKG2D interaction.

Deciphering geochemical fingerprints and health implications of groundwater fluoride contamination in mica mining regions using machine learning tactics.

The contribution of mica mining activities to fluoride (F-) contamination in groundwater has been chased in this study. For the purpose, groundwater samples (n = 40, replicated thrice) were collected during the post-monsoons (September-October) from a mica mining area in the Tisri block of Giridih district, Jharkhand. The study has employed a synergy of classical aquifer chemistry, statistical approaches, different indices, Self-Organising Maps (SOM), and Sobol sensitivity index (SSI) to unveil the underlying aquifer chemistry, identify the impacts of mining activities on groundwater quality and its associated health hazard. Fluoride levels varied from 0.34 to 2.8 ppm, with 40% of samples exceeding the World Health Organization's permissible limit (1.5 ppm). Physicochemical analysis revealed significant differences in electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH) and major ion concentrations (Na+, HCO3-, Ca2+) between fluoride-contaminated (FC) and fluoride-uncontaminated (FU) groups. Higher Na+ and HCO3- associated with F- contaminated samples, were indicative of silicate weathering and carbonate dissolution as primary geogenic sources for this ion. Health risk assessment (HRA) revealed hazard quotient (HQ) values exceeding unity, indicating non-carcinogenic risks, particularly for children in most samples from group FC. The mean Water Quality Index (WQI) of FC group (156.76 ± 7.30) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than group FU indicating of its unsuitability. SOM could accurately (80%) predict presence of fluoride in water samples based on other major ions. Sobol sensitivity analysis successfully identified fluoride concentration and body weight as most impactful parameters affecting human health. The integration of advanced modelling techniques and geospatial analysis as Inverse Distance Weightage (IDW) maps has provided a robust framework for ongoing groundwater quality monitoring in mining-affected regions and can help proactive intervention in risk-prone areas. Overall, this comprehensive study takes us a step ahead towards ensuring safe drinking water access for the global community.

Growth of Hg0.7Cd0.3Te on Van Der Waals Mica Substrates via Molecular Beam Epitaxy.

In this paper, we present a study on the direct growth of Hg0.7Cd0.3Te thin films on layered transparent van der Waals mica (001) substrates through weak interface interaction through molecular beam epitaxy. The preferred orientation for growing Hg0.7Cd0.3Te on mica (001) substrates is found to be the (111) orientation due to a better lattice match between the Hg0.7Cd0.3Te layer and the underlying mica substrate. The influence of growth parameters (mainly temperature and Hg flux) on the material quality of epitaxial Hg0.7Cd0.3Te thin films is studied, and the optimal growth temperature and Hg flux are found to be approximately 190 °C and 4.5 × 10-4 Torr as evidenced by higher crystalline quality and better surface morphology. Hg0.7Cd0.3Te thin films (3.5 µm thick) grown under these optimal growth conditions present a full width at half maximum of 345.6 arc sec for the X-ray diffraction rocking curve and a root-mean-square surface roughness of 6 nm. However, a significant number of microtwin defects are observed using cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy, which leads to a relatively high etch pit density (mid-107 cm-2) in the Hg0.7Cd0.3Te thin films. These findings not only facilitate the growth of HgCdTe on mica substrates for fabricating curved IR sensors but also contribute to a better understanding of growth of traditional zinc-blende semiconductors on layered substrates.

The glycolytic metabolite methylglyoxal covalently inactivates the NLRP3 inflammasome.

The NLRP3 inflammasome promotes inflammation in disease, yet the full repertoire of mechanisms regulating its activity is not well delineated. Among established regulatory mechanisms, covalent modification of NLRP3 has emerged as a common route for the pharmacological inactivation of this protein. Here, we show that inhibition of the glycolytic enzyme phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1) results in the accumulation of methylglyoxal, a reactive metabolite whose increased levels decrease NLRP3 assembly and inflammatory signaling in cells. We find that methylglyoxal inactivates NLRP3 via a non-enzymatic, covalent-crosslinking-based mechanism, promoting inter- and intraprotein MICA (methyl imidazole crosslink between cysteine and arginine) posttranslational linkages within NLRP3. This work establishes NLRP3 as capable of sensing a host of electrophilic chemicals, both exogenous small molecules and endogenous reactive metabolites, and suggests a mechanism by which glycolytic flux can moderate the activation status of a central inflammatory signaling pathway.

Improvement of histone deacetylase inhibitor efficacy by SN38 through TWIST1 suppression in synovial sarcoma.

Background: Synovial sarcoma (SS) is an SS18-SSX fusion gene-driven soft tissue sarcoma with mesenchymal characteristics, associated with a poor prognosis due to frequent metastasis to a distant organ, such as the lung. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors (HDACis) are arising as potent molecular targeted drugs, as HDACi treatment disrupts the SS oncoprotein complex, which includes HDACs, in addition to general HDACi effects. To provide further molecular evidence for the advantages of HDACi treatment and its limitations due to drug resistance induced by the microenvironment in SS cells, we examined cellular responses to HDACi treatment in combination with two-dimensional (2D) and 3D culture conditions. Methods: Using several SS cell lines, biochemical and cell biological assays were performed with romidepsin, an HDAC1/2 selective inhibitor. SN38 was concomitantly used as an ameliorant drug with romidepsin treatment. Cytostasis, apoptosis induction, and MHC class I polypeptide-related sequence A/B (MICA/B) induction were monitored to evaluate the drug efficacy. In addition to the conventional 2D culture condition, spheroid culture was adopted to evaluate the influence of cell-mass microenvironment on chemoresistance. Results: By monitoring the cellular behavior with romidepsin and/or SN38 in SS cells, we observed that responsiveness is diverse in each cell line. In the apoptotic inducible cells, co-treatment with SN38 enhanced cell death. In nonapoptotic inducible cells, cytostasis and MICA/B induction were observed, and SN38 improved MICA/B induction further. As a novel efficacy of SN38, we revealed TWIST1 suppression in SS cells. In the spheroid (3D) condition, romidepsin efficacy was severely restricted in TWIST1-positive cells. We demonstrated that TWIST1 downregulation restored romidepsin efficacy even in spheroid form, and concomitant SN38 treatment along with romidepsin reproduced the reaction. Conclusions: The current study demonstrated the benefits and concerns of using HDACi for SS treatment in 2D and 3D culture conditions and provided molecular evidence that concomitant treatment with SN38 can overcome drug resistance to HDACi by suppressing TWIST1 expression.

Preparation of WO3-Mica Hybrid Coatings with Electrochromic Properties and Pearl Luster.

Tungsten oxide-mica composites were prepared by adding different amounts of commercial mica (alumina silicate) in order to provide high luster to electrochromic coatings. The mechanical stability was sustained for up to 50 weight % mica for application in aqueous medium. The electrochemical properties, coloration, and luster were investigated. The luster of the composites increased roughly linearly with increased mica content and was retained after coloration. The addition of 10 weight % mica was found to be optimal with respect to the compromise between electrochromic coloration and pearlescent luster. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report on the preparation and characterization of WO3-mica inorganic composites with high luster in both bleached and colored states.

Natural killer cells in cancer immunotherapy.

Natural killer (NK) cells, as innate lymphocytes, possess cytotoxic capabilities and engage target cells through a repertoire of activating and inhibitory receptors. Particularly, natural killer group 2, member D (NKG2D) receptor on NK cells recognizes stress-induced ligands-the MHC class I chain-related molecules A and B (MICA/B) presented on tumor cells and is key to trigger the cytolytic response of NK cells. However, tumors have developed sophisticated strategies to evade NK cell surveillance, which lead to failure of tumor immunotherapy. In this paper, we summarized these immune escaping strategies, including the downregulation of ligands for activating receptors, upregulation of ligands for inhibitory receptors, secretion of immunosuppressive compounds, and the development of apoptosis resistance. Then, we focus on recent advancements in NK cell immune therapies, which include engaging activating NK cell receptors, upregulating NKG2D ligand MICA/B expression, blocking inhibitory NK cell receptors, adoptive NK cell therapy, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered NK cells (CAR-NK), and NKG2D CAR-T cells, especially several vaccines targeting MICA/B. This review will inspire the research in NK cell biology in tumor and provide significant hope for improving cancer treatment outcomes by harnessing the potent cytotoxic activity of NK cells.

Characterisation of the novel MICA*112:02 allele by next generation sequencing.

The novel MICA*112:02 allele was detected by next generation sequencing.

Minimally Invasive Chevron Akin (MICA) Osteotomy Corrects Radiographic Parameters but Not Central Metatarsal Loading in Moderate to Severe Hallux Valgus without Metatarsalgia.

BACKGROUND: Central metatarsal pressure is increased in patients with hallux valgus, but the pedographic outcomes after hallux valgus (HV) correction are inconclusive. No known literature has reported the pedographic outcomes after HV correction with Minimally Invasive Chevron and Akin Osteotomy (MICA). METHODS: A prospective cohort of 31 feet from 25 patients with moderate-to-severe symptomatic HV but without metatarsalgia underwent MICA and was evaluated using radiographic parameters and pedographic measurements (Footscan®, RSscan International, Olen, Belgium). Data were collected preoperatively and 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: The radiographic parameters of the hallux valgus angle, intermetatarsal angle, distal metatarsal articular angle, first metatarsal head lateral shape, and lateral sesamoid grade significantly improved after MICA. The corrected first metatarsal length was significantly shortened by 2.3 mm, with consistent second metatarsal protrusion distance, lateral Meary's angle, and calcaneal pitch angle. Max force, max pressure, cumulative force, and cumulative pressure on the central metatarsals did not show significant changes between pre- and post-operative measurements, while these parameters significantly decreased in the hallux and first metatarsal area. CONCLUSION: MICA effectively corrects radiographic parameters but does not reduce central metatarsal loading in patients with moderate-to-severe HV without metatarsalgia.

Mussel-inspired polydopamine modified mica with enhanced mechanical strength and thermal performance of poly(lactic acid) coating.

Polylactic acid (PLA), as a green functional polymer, has been useful in various coating applications. However, due to the low mechanical strength and thermal stability of PLA, it needs to be improved in order to expand its application areas. In this work, a series of polylactic acid (PLA) nanocomposite films were prepared through introducing polydopamine-modified mica (PDA@MICA) as a self-assemble nanofiller to enhance its mechanical and thermal properties. The results demonstrated that PLA/PDA@MICA shows excellent mechanical properties. Tensile tests showed that PLA/PDA@MICA exhibits a 58.3 % increase in tensile strength and a 16.8 % increase in Young's modulus compared to pure PLA. Meanwhile, thermal performance testing shown the introduction of PDA@MICA led to an increase in crystallinities (Xc = 24.78 %). And the thermal decomposition temperature of PLA/PDA@MICA film (374 °C) was slightly higher than that of PLA film (367 °C). The simultaneous improvement of the mechanical and thermal properties was attributed to the formation of hydrogen bonds between PLA and PDA@MICA. In addition, the parallel arrangement of PDA@MICA and PLA macromolecular chains forms a unique "brick and mortar" structure in the coating, which enhances the mechanical properties of PLA/PDA@MICA composite coatings. This study reports a successful approach to simultaneously address the drawbacks of PLA, specifically its low thermal stability and mechanical strength, thereby promoting its widespread application in the coatings industry.

Nanobody-based CAR NK cells for possible immunotherapy of MICA+ tumors.

The glycoproteins MICA and MICB are upregulated on the surface of cells undergoing stress, for instance due to (viral) infection or malignant transformation. MICA/B are the ligands for the activating receptor NKG2D, found on cytotoxic immune cells like NK cells, CD8+ T cells, and γδ T cells. Upon engagement of NKG2D, these cells are activated to eradicate the MICA/B-positive targets, assisted by the secretion of cytokines. Nanobodies, or VHHs, are derived from the variable regions of camelid heavy-chain only immunoglobulins. Nanobodies are characterized by their small size, ease of production, stability, and specificity of recognition. We generated nanobodies that recognize membrane-bound MICA with high affinity. Here, we use these nanobodies as building blocks for a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to establish VHH-based CAR NK cells. These anti-MICA nanobody-based CAR NK cells recognize and selectively kill MICA-positive tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. We track localization of the VHH-based CAR NK cells to MICA-positive lung metastases by immuno-positron emission tomography imaging.

Innovative Thermocatalytic H2 Sensor with Double-Sided Pd Nanocluster Films on an Ultrathin Mica Substrate.

Hydrogen (H2) is crucial in the future global energy landscape due to its eco-friendly properties, but its flammability requires precise monitoring. This study introduces an innovative thermocatalytic H2 sensor utilizing ultrathin mica sheets as substrates, coated on both sides with Pd nanocluster (NC) films. The ultrathin mica substrate ensures robustness and flexibility, enabling the sensor to withstand high temperatures and mechanical deformation. Additionally, it simplifies the fabrication process by eliminating the need for complex microelectro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology. Constructed through cluster beam deposition, the sensor exhibits exceptional characteristics, including a wide concentration range (from 500 ppm to 4%), rapid response and recovery times (3.1 and 2.4 s for 1% H2), good selectivity, high stability, and repeatability. The operating temperature can be as low as 40 °C, achieving remarkably low power consumption. The study explores the impact of double-sided versus single-sided catalytic layers, revealing significantly higher sensitivity and response with the double-sided configuration due to the increased catalytic surface area. Additionally, the research investigates the relationship between the deposition amount of Pd NCs and the sensor's sensitivity, identifying an optimal value that maximizes performance without excessive use of Pd. The sensor's innovative design and excellent performance position it as a promising candidate for meeting the demands of a hydrogen-based energy economy.

A mica filter enables bacterial enrichment from large volumes of natural water for sensitive monitoring of pathogens by nanopore sequencing.

Nanopore sequencing is extremely promising for the high-throughput detection of pathogenic bacteria in natural water; these bacteria may be transmitted to humans and cause waterborne infectious diseases. However, the concentration of pathogenic bacteria in natural water is too low to be detected directly by nanopore sequencing. Herein, we developed a mica filter to enrich over 85% of bacteria from > 10 L of natural water in 100 min, which led to a 102-fold improvement in the assay limits of the MinION sequencer for assessing pathogenic bacteria. Correspondingly, the sequencing time of S. Typhi detection at a concentration as low as 105 CFU/L was reduced from traditional 48 h to 3 h. The bacterial adsorption followed pseudo-first-order kinetics and the successful adsorption of bacteria to the mica filter was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier infrared spectroscopy et al. The mica filter remained applicable to a range of water samples whose quality parameters were within the EPA standard limits for freshwater water. The mica filter is thus an effective tool for the sensitive and rapid monitoring of pathogenic bacteria by nanopore sequencing, which can provide timely alerts for waterborne transmission events.

Hydrophobic core evolution of major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related protein A for dramatic enhancing binding affinity.

Interface residues at sites of protein-protein interaction (PPI) are the focus for affinity optimisation. However, protein hydrophobic cores (HCs) play critical roles and shape the protein surface. We hypothesise that manipulating protein HCs can enhance PPI interaction affinities. A cell stress molecule, major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related protein A (MICA), binds to the natural killer group 2D (NKG2D) homodimer to form three molecule interactions. MICA was used as a study subject to support our hypothesis. We redesigned MICA HCs by directed mutagenesis and isolated high-affinity variants through a newly designed partial-denature panning (PDP) method. A few mutations in MICA HCs increased the NKG2D-MICA interaction affinity by 325-5613-fold. Crystal structures of the NKG2D-MICA variant complexes indicated that mutagenesis of MICA HCs stabilised helical elements for decreasing intermolecular interactive free energy (ΔG) of the NKG2D-MICA heterotrimer. The repacking of MICA HC mutants maintained overall surface residues and the authentic binding specificity of MICA. In conclusion, this study provides a new method for MICA redesign and affinity optimisation through HC manipulation without mutating PPI interface residues. Our study introduces a novel approach to protein manipulation, potentially expanding the toolkit for protein affinity optimisation.

Enhancing Mechanical and Thermal Properties of 3D-Printed Samples Using Mica-Epoxy Acrylate Resin Composites-Via Digital Light Processing (DLP).

Digital light processing (DLP) techniques are widely employed in various engineering and design fields, particularly additive manufacturing. Acrylate resins utilized in DLP processes are well known for their versatility, which enables the production of defect-free 3D-printed products with excellent mechanical properties. This study aims to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of 3D-printed samples by incorporating mica as an inorganic filler at different concentrations (5%, 10%, and 15%) and optimizing the dispersion by adding a KH570 silane coupling agent. In this study, mica was introduced as a filler and combined with epoxy acrylate resin to fabricate a 3D-printed sample. Varying concentrations of mica (5%, 10%, and 15% w/w) were mixed with the epoxy acrylate resin at a concentration of 10%, demonstrating a tensile strength increase of 85% and a flexural strength increase of 132%. Additionally, thermal characteristics were analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and successful morphological investigations were conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Digital light-processing technology was selected for its printing accuracy and cost-effectiveness. The results encompass comprehensive studies of the mechanical, thermal, and morphological aspects that contribute to the advancement of additive manufacturing technology.

A novel MICA/B-targeted chimeric antigen receptor augments the cytotoxicity of NK cells against tumor cells.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified immune cells have emerged as a promising approach for cancer treatment, but single-target CAR therapy in solid tumors is limited by immune escape caused by tumor antigen heterogeneity and shedding. Natural killer group 2D (NKG2D) is an activating receptor expressed in human NK cells, and its ligands, such as MICA and MICB (MICA/B), are widely expressed in malignant cells and typically absent from healthy tissue. NKG2D plays an important role in anti-tumor immunity, recognizing tumor cells and initiating an anti-tumor response. Therefore, NKG2D-based CAR is a promising CAR candidate. Nevertheless, the shedding of MICA/B hinders the therapeutic efficacy of NKG2D-CARs. Here, we designed a novel CAR by engineering an anti-MICA/B shedding antibody 1D5 into the CAR construct. The engineered NK cells exhibited significantly enhanced cytotoxicity against various MICA/B-expressing tumor cells and were not inhibited by NKG2D antibody or NKG2D-Fc fusion protein, indicating no interference with NKG2D-MICA/B binding. Therefore, the developed 1D5-CAR could be combined with NKG2D-CAR to further improve the obstacles caused by MICA/B shedding.

Minimally invasive Chevron-Akin (MICA) osteotomies without Akin fixation in hallux valgus correction: a case series with 2-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: The minimally invasive Chevron-Akin (MICA) is considered the third generation of minimally invasive hallux valgus (HV) surgery, and its original description included fixation of the Akin osteotomy with a screw. The aim of this study is to evaluate a series of patients undergoing HV correction using the MICA technique without screw fixation of the Akin osteotomy. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 58 consecutive patients who underwent surgical correction for HV between August 2018 and March 2020. A total of 69 feet were evaluated with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Clinical outcomes such as pain (VAS), function (AOFAS), range of movement, criteria personal satisfaction and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: The AOFAS score (mean ± standard deviation) significantly improved from 57.0 ± 8.6 preoperatively to 93.9 ± 8.7 postoperatively (p < .001) with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. The VAS score improved from 6.0 ± 1.8 preoperatively to 0.6 ± 1.4 at 2-year follow-up (p < .001), and the hallux valgus angle reduced from 39.7 ± 6.9 to 8.9 ± 9.0 (p < .001). The majority of patients (95.6%) reported the result as excellent or good, and the most common complication was the need to remove the screw (7.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The use of MICA without Akin osteotomy fixation resulted in successful correction of hallux valgus with improvements in clinical and radiographic parameters. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, case series.