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Ringed seals Pusa hispida are reliant on snow and sea ice for denning, and a better understanding of ringed seal habitat selection and timing of emergence from snow dens (also called lairs) is needed to quantify and predict effects of climate change in the Arctic. We used generalized additive models to assess relationships between ringed seal counts, from spring aerial surveys in the Bering Sea (2012 and 2013) and Chukchi Sea (2016), and spatiotemporal covariates including survey date, remotely sensed snow and sea-ice values, and short-term weather data. We produced separate models for total ringed seal counts and for pup counts within each region. Our models showed that in both areas, total ringed seal counts increased over the course of the spring, especially after 15 May, indicating emergence from lairs and/or the onset of basking behavior. For the more northerly Chukchi Sea, we found a substantial unimodal effect of snow melt progression and a positive effect of snow depth on total ringed seal counts. In contrast, Bering Sea total ringed seal counts and pup counts in both regions were affected much more strongly by date than by habitat variables. Overall, our findings demonstrate that snow depth and melt play an important role in the timing of ringed seal den emergence, particularly in the Chukchi Sea, and suggest that ringed seal denning may be affected by continued shifts in melt and snow depth associated with climate change.

Open droplet microfluidics is an emerging technology that generates, manipulates, and analyzes droplets in open configuration systems. Droplets function as miniaturized reactors for high-throughput analysis due to their compartmentalization and parallelization, while openness enables addressing and accessing the targeted contents. The convergence of two technologies facilitates the localization and intricate manipulation of droplets using external tools, showing great potential in large-scale chemical and biological applications, particularly in cell analysis. In this review, we first introduce various methods of droplet generation and manipulation in open environments. Next, we summarize the typical applications of open droplet systems in cell culture. Then, a comprehensive overview of cell analysis is provided, including nucleic acids, proteins, metabolites, and behaviors. Finally, we present a discussion of current challenges and perspectives in this field.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are pivotal biomarkers in tumor metastasis, however, the underlying molecular mechanism of CTCs behavioral heterogeneity during metastasis remains unexplored. Here, an integrative workflow is developed to link behavior characteristics to metabolic profiling within individual CTCs, which simulates the metastatic process on a microfluidic system and combined with single-cell mass spectrometry (MS) detection. Spheroid-derived HCT116 cells are tracked and extracted via a temporary vascular system, revealing various arrest patterns under biomimetic vascular shear flow. Downstream MS analysis characterizes 17 cellular metabolites and associates metabolic profiles with de-adhesion behaviors of the same CTCs, identifying a potential high-metastatic subpopulation with enhanced arrest ability and evaluating critical metabolites involved in metastasis pathways. Additionally, the metastasis-inhibiting effect of anti-tumor drug 5-fluorouracil by reducing high-metastatic cells in spheroids is elucidated. This approach offers a valuable opportunity to dissect the interplay of the metastatic behavior and metabolic profiles of CTCs and foster insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying behavioral phenotypes in the tumor metastasis process., (© 2025 The Author(s). Advanced Science published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Multiplexed microRNA (miRNA) detection has proven valuable in disease diagnosis; yet, the development of advanced tools for their analysis remains a subject of broad interest. Here, we propose a novel single-particle method for multiplexed miRNA detection using self-directed hydrogel microspheres, which feature supersegmented compartments for loading analyte probes and an air-encapsulated region that grants the microsphere a unique preferred posture in aqueous solutions. By exploiting microfluidic technology, we can widely adjust the size of the microspheres and the number of compartments can be widely adjusted. The air-encapsulated region is located at the edge of the microsphere's symmetry axis, resulting in a spontaneous orientation that facilitates efficient multitarget signal readout in a standard manner without requiring active energy input. The microspheres exhibit excellent temperature stability, ensuring consistent performance under varying thermal conditions. Additionally, signal amplification strategies, such as hybridization chain reaction, are compatible with microspheres, enabling sensitive miRNA quantification. As a concept of proof, precise miRNA detection was demonstrated using these features. We hope that the proposed biocompatible microsphere tools will find broader application prospects in various clinical diagnostic settings.

The dehydrogenative cross-coupling reaction is the premier route for synthesizing important 4-quinazolinone drugs. However, it usually requires high reaction temperature and long reaction time, and the yield of the final product is low. Here two stable and photosensitive covalent-organic frameworks (COFs), TAPP-An and TAPP-Cu-An are purposefully designed and constructed to serve as unprecedented heterogeneous tandem catalysts to complete dehydrogenative cross-coupling reactions in a short time and under mild reaction conditions (room temperature and light), leading to the high-efficient photosynthesis of 4-quinazolinones. Particularly, TAPP-Cu-An is the best heterogeneous catalyst currently available for the synthesis of 4-quinazolinones, even surpassing all the catalysts reported so far. It also enables one-step photosynthesis of 4-quinazolinones with higher conversion (>99%) and selectivity (>99%) in a shorter time, and the product can be easily prepared on a gram scale. Extensive experiments combined with theoretical calculations show that the excellent photogenerated charge separation and transport capability, as well as the synergistic An-Cu catalysis in TAPP-Cu-An are the main driving forces for this efficient reaction., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Considerable efforts have been made to develop microscale multiplexing strategies. However, challenges remain due to the difficulty in deploying functional objects and decoding high-density signals on anisotropic microcarriers. Here, we report a microfluidic method to fabricate architecture-marked anisotropic particles for performing designable multiplexed assays in a label-free manner. By controlling fluid assembly and rapid in-air cross-linking, the particles are endowed with multiple functional regions and a unique architecture identifier. The marked architecture enables an addressing mechanism that allows the profiling of embedded label-free objects by mapping a well-defined reference architecture onto the target particle. By loading analytes of interest, such as molecular probes or cells, we showed the potential of these structurally flexible particles for detecting microRNAs and studying cell interactions. The architecture-marked particles represent a new approach for single-entity assays and can be the basis for exploring more advanced microscale multiplexed applications., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2025 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Coherent diffraction microscopy (CDM) is a robust direct imaging method due to its unique 2D/3D phase retrieval capacity. Nonetheless, its resolution faces limitations due to a diminished signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in high-frequency regions. Addressing this challenge, X-ray ensemble diffraction microscopy (XEDM) emerges as a viable solution, ensuring an adequate SNR in high-frequency regions and effectively surmounting resolution constraints. In this article, two experiments were conducted to underscore XEDM's superior spatial resolution capabilities. These experiments employed 55 nm-sized silicon-gold nanoparticles (NPs) and 19 nm-sized nodavirus-like particles (NV-LPs) on the coherent X-ray scattering beamline of the Taiwan Photon Source. The core-shell density distribution of the silicon-gold NPs was successfully obtained with a radial resolution of 3.4 nm per pixel, while NV-LPs in solution were reconstructed at a radial resolution of 1.3 nm per pixel. The structural information was directly retrieved from the diffraction intensities without prior knowledge and was subsequently confirmed through transmission electron microscopy., (open access.)

Triphenylamine-based Y-shaped organic sensitizers, specifically TPA-MN (1), TPA-CA (2), TPAT-MN (3), and TPAT-CA (4), are synthesized and utilized as p-type self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) for tin-based perovskite solar cells (TPSCs). These SAMs are developed using low-cost starting materials, primarily from triphenylamine (TPA) components. An extensive analysis is conducted to examine the crystalline, morphological, thermal, optical, electrochemical, and optoelectronic characteristics of SAMs 1-4, and the results are compared. A two-step method is employed to successfully develop tin perovskite layers on all four SAM surfaces. The resulting devices demonstrates PCE in the following order: TPAT-CA (8.1%) > TPAT-MN (6.1%) > TPA-MN (5.0%) > TPA-CA (4.2%). The TPAT-CA molecule, which contains a thiophene spacer, performed better than the other three SAMs in terms of rapid hole extraction rate, high hole mobility, and retarded charge recombination. Consequently, SAM TPAT-CA exhibited the highest device performance with excellent stability over time, retaining ≈90% from the beginning values after storage for 3000 h. The innovative Y-shaped SAMs describe in this study, characterized by their simple and efficient design, have the potential to contribute significantly to the advancement of perovskite photovoltaics, particularly in the development of cost-effective TPSC technology., (© 2024 The Author(s). Small published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Cellular metabolism is a dynamic and essential process, with alterations in metabolic pathways serving as hallmark features of cancer. In this study, we developed a chip-based solid-phase extraction mass spectrometry (Chip-SPE-MS) platform for high-sensitivity, high-throughput analysis of cellular metabolites and real-time tracking of metabolic fluxes. The system achieved detection limits ranging from 0.10 to 9.43 μmol/mL for various amino acids and organic acids, with excellent linearity (r ≥ 0.992). By incorporating isotope tracing, the platform enabled derivatization-free, real-time monitoring of 13 C-labeled metabolites, such as lactic acid. Our analysis revealed significant metabolic differences between normal (L02) and cancerous (HepG2, HCT116) cells, including enhanced glycolytic activity and elevated lactate production in cancer cells. Furthermore, treatment with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 was shown to suppress glucose uptake and modulate metabolic activity in HCT116 cells, highlighting the regulatory effects of vitamin D3 on cancer metabolism. This study not only provides novel insights into the metabolic reprogramming associated with cancer but also demonstrates the potential of the Chip-SPE-MS platform as a powerful tool for real-time monitoring of dynamic metabolic processes. The findings have broad implications for cancer therapy and the study of metabolic diseases., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Oil is widely used as a lubricant in many industries. However, in the final product, oil is often considered a contaminant. In various production processes, such as semiconductor manufacturing, precision machining, and optical device fabrication, ultra-clean surfaces are crucial. Oil residues on these surfaces can adversely affect product performance and quality. Detecting and controlling oil residues enables enhancing product reliability and consistency. Previous lipid detection studies necessitate complex pre-processing, large instruments, or specialized manipulation and data reading capabilities. Existing methods for trace oil detection still cannot achieve on-site real-time monitoring. This study presents a photothermal conversion-based platform for trace oil adsorption and detection. Using polyester fiber membranes as the substrate, a composite material of chitosan and MXene was modified to remove trace oil on ultra-clean surfaces. Due to their inherent thermal conductivity and ability to trap heat inside, the oil molecules intensify the material's temperature rise under near-infrared excitation at 808 nm. By connecting a thermal imaging module to a smartphone, real-time detection of trace oil can be achieved., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Protein retention expansion microscopy (ExM) retains fluorescent signals in fixed tissue and isotropically expands the tissue to allow nanoscale (<70 nm) resolution on diffraction-limited confocal microscopes. Despite the numerous advantages of ExM, the protocol is time-consuming. Here, we adapted an ExM protocol to vibratome-sectioned brain tissue of Xenopus laevis tadpoles and implemented a microwave (M/W)-assisted protocol ( M/W ExM) to reduce the workflow from days to hours. Our M/W ExM protocol maintains the superior resolution of the original ExM protocol and yields a higher magnitude of expansion, suggesting that M/W radiation may also facilitate the expansion process. We then adapted the M/W protocol to the whole-mount brain of Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies, and successfully reduced the processing time of a widely used Drosophila IHC-ExM protocol from 6 to 2 days. This demonstrates that with appropriate adjustment of M/W parameters, this protocol can be readily adapted to different organisms and tissue types to greatly increase the efficiency of ExM experiments., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The robotic hair transplant technology, ARTAS, has a series of fine mechanical structure and an intelligent recognition system that allows it to independently select hair follicular units (FUs) and effectively harvest hair. After entering China in 2016, ARTAS has attracted the attention of hair transplant surgeons and hair loss patients given its advantages in a short learning curve and simple operation., Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety between the ARTAS system and follicular unit excision (FUE) in the treatment of male androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and to further promote the improvement and upgrading of ARTAS technology concerning hair transplantation., Methods: Thirteen Chinese male patients with Norwood-Hamilton II-IV AGA aged 25-35 years were enrolled in this study. The donor site of each patient was randomly divided into left and right regions, receiving ARTAS on one side and FUE on the other. Yield, transection, and discard rates of hair FUs from both sides were compared. Safety of the procedures in whole, as well as follow-up results were investigated and evaluated., Results: The total yield rate on the ARTAS side was lower than on the FUE side (82.05% vs. 90.03%, p > 0.05); the total discard rate on the ARTAS side was higher than on the FUE side (10.71% vs. 5.46%, p < 0.05); the total transection rate on the ARTAS side was lower than on the FUE side (13.17% vs. 13.96%, p > 0.05). No significant difference was found in patient satisfaction (efficacy), and no side effects or complications were detected during or after all surgeries., Conclusion: The current iteration of Robotic hair transplant technology is effective and safe, and can be recommended for AGA hair transplantation surgery., (© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

This study investigates backbone engineering and evaluates the thermoelectric properties of FeCl 3 -doped naphthobisthiadiazole (NTz)-based donor-acceptor (D-A) conjugated polymer films. The NTz acceptor unit is coupled with three distinct donor units, namely dialkylated terthiophene (3T), dialkylated quaterthiophene (4T), and dialkylated bisthienyl thienothiophene (2T-TT) to yield copolymers designated as PNTz3T, PNTz4T, and PNTzTT. The difference in donor units leads to diverse molecule stacking and electronic properties, which can be systematically discovered via the three polymers. The linear structure of PNTz4T enables an orderly arrangement of side chains, thereby promoting dopant intercalation for enhanced carrier concentration. Additionally, this linear structure leads to an edge-on stacking mode, thereby improving the in-plane carrier mobility. As a result, the doped PNTz4T exhibits the highest electrical conductivity (σ) of 88.3 S cm -1 along with a Seebeck coefficient (S) of 62.2 µV K -1 , thereby achieving the highest power factor (PF) of 34.2 µW m -1 K -2 . These results highlight the relationship between the molecular design, microstructure, and doping effects in manipulating the thermoelectric performance of doped NTz-based D-A polymers., (© 2024 The Author(s). Advanced Science published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Background: Skin fibrosis is the typical pathological manifestation of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and localized scleroderma (LS); it has an unclear aetiology and few effective treatments. Although excessive collagen secretion by fibroblasts is the primary cause of skin fibrosis, evidence has suggested that vascular damage is the initiating event and that various cell types, including fibroblasts, work together to contribute to the pathogenesis of skin fibrosis., Objectives: To explore the relationship between vascular endothelial cell lesions and immune cell infiltration, along with the interactions between various cell types within the fibrotic skin ecosystem., Methods: Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on skin biopsies from three healthy donors and seven patients with SSc. Additional data from three patients with localized scleroderma available in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GSE160536) were integrated by Harmony. CellChat (version 1.5.0) was used to analyse the cell communication network. A Transwell® assay and a bleomycin (BLM) mouse model were used to explore the role of atypical chemokine receptor 1 (ACKR1; 'Duffy antigen') in immune cell infiltration. Milo single-cell Western blot was used to show fibroblast subcluster activation., Results: A total of 62 295 cells were obtained and subpopulations of stromal and immune cells identified. Interaction network analysis found that multiple chemokines secreted by macrophages, pericytes and proinflammatory fibroblasts could bind with ACKR1, which was highly expressed by endothelial cells in lesional skin. The Transwell® assay revealed that overexpression of ACKR1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells facilitated leucocyte infiltration following treatment with interleukin-8. BLM mice showed enhanced ACKR1 expression, massive immune cell infiltration and skin fibrosis that was attenuated by ACKR1 inhibition. Furthermore, infiltrated macrophages expressing high levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 or platelet-derived growth factor B (PDGFB) could activate secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (SFRP2)/asporin (ASPN)+ fibroblasts to contribute to the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix. It was also found that the SOX4-ASPN axis plays an important role in the TGF-β signalling cascade and the aetiology of skin fibrosis., Conclusions: Our results reveal that high expression of ACKR1 by endothelial cells in fibrotic skin tissue promotes immune cell infiltration and that SFRP2/ASPN+ fibroblasts synergize to exacerbate skin fibrosis., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of British Association of Dermatologists. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Microplastics, defined as minuscule plastic particles measuring less than five millimeters （5 mm） in size, have become pervasive in various environments. Watershed areas, perpetually subjected to escalating human activities, face a growing and persistent threat from microplastic pollution. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics and ecological risk posed by microplastic pollution in the Houxi River watershed of Xiamen. A comprehensive analysis was conducted, employing field sampling, stereomicroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, as well as the risk index （ H ） and pollution load index （PLI） model. The findings revealed a 100% detection rate of microplastics at various points within the watershed. The average abundance of microplastics in water, sediment, and soil was found to be （3.65±0.51） n·L -1 , （354.56±18.22） n·kg -1 , and （1 509.55±69.90） n·kg -1 , respectively. Significantly lower microplastic abundance was observed in the upper reaches of the watershed, attributed to the enhanced ecological protection in this area. In contrast, the middle and lower reaches, characterized by dense populations, exhibited higher microplastic levels due to increased production and domestic pollution. The majority of microplastics had a particle size of &lt; 0.5 mm, constituting an average proportion of over 70%. Larger particles exhibited a smaller proportion. Fragmented particles dominated in shape, comprising over 50%, followed by fibers and films, with foam having the lowest proportion. The predominant polymer type identified in microplastics was PE, accounting for over 50%, followed by PP, while PET and PA represented the least. The regional microplastic risk index （ H ） consistently fell within the low-risk level I, yet it approached the level II risk. The pollution load index （PLI） of microplastics indicated a low-risk level I. These findings contribute valuable insights for regional microplastic pollution prevention and risk assessment efforts.

Food security related to bacterial pathogens has seriously threatened human life and caused public health problems. Most of the reported methods are targeted at known major pathogens commonly found in food samples, but to some extent, they have the disadvantage of lacking simplicity, speed, high throughput, and high sensitivity. Microfluidics has become a promising tool for foodborne bacteria analysis and addresses the above limitations. In this perspective, we briefly discussed the ongoing research and development in this field. We outline the major types of microfluidics, the strategies of target biorecognition, and signal amplification technologies in the microfluidic system for the foodborne bacteria analysis. We also proposed the future directions of microfluidics for foodborne bacterial analysis, which aims to integrate multiple technologies toward intelligent analysis with high selectivity and sensitivity for unknown samples, multiple bacterial detection, and simultaneous detection of multiple food pollutants., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts to disclose., (© 2024 Author(s).)

Integrating structural colors and conductivity into aqueous inks has the potential to revolutionize wearable electronics, providing flexibility, sustainability, and artistic appeal to electronic components. This study aims to introduce bioinspired color engineering to conductive aqueous inks. Our self-assembly approach involves mixing poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) with sulfonic acid-modified polystyrene (sPS) colloids to generate non-iridescent structural colors in the inks. This spontaneous structural coloration occurs because PEDOT:PSS and sPS colloids can self-assemble into core-shell structures and reversibly cluster into photonic aggregates of maximally random jammed packing within the aqueous environment, as demonstrated by small-angle X-ray scattering. Dissipative particle dynamics simulation confirms that the self-assembly aggregation of PEDOT:PSS chains and sPS colloids can be manipulated by the polymer-colloid interactions. Utilizing the finite-difference time-domain method, we demonstrate that the photonic aggregates of the core-shell colloids achieve close to maximum jammed packing, making them suitable for producing vivid structural colors. These versatile conductive inks offer adjustable color saturation and conductivity, with conductivity levels reaching 36 S cm -1 through the addition of polyethylene glycol oligomer, while enhanced water resistance and mechanical stability are achieved by doping with a cross-linker, poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether. With these unique features, the inks can create flexible, patterned circuits through processes like coating, writing, and dyeing on large areas, providing eco-friendly, visually appealing colors for customizable, stylish, comfortable, and wearable electronic devices.

Methyl iodide (CH 3 I) gas as a toxic gas causes great harm to organisms due to its high volatility and high reactivity with biological nucleophiles. Unfortunately, the sensing and detection of CH 3 I gas are challenging because of the diffusive nature of the gases and its low concentrations in the environment. Herein, we have developed a fast, green, and sensitive CH 3 I gas visual sensing method based on the capture technology of toxic gases by natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) coupled to the halide rapid exchange capability of perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs). In this strategy, NADESs are used as an absorption solution to adsorb gaseous CH 3 I, while simultaneously exposing I - through the action of the nucleophilic reagent; then, CsPbBr 3 PNCs were synthesized in NADESs and used as sensing material to achieve I - exchange. Benefiting from the capture and enrichment of CH 3 I gas, the sensitivity of the gas sensor was highly improved. The sensor exhibited the lowest detection limit (limits of detection) of 164.15 μmol/m 3 , below the minimum safe level for human inhalation, which is 200 μmol/m 3 . This breakthrough offers greater possibilities for the quantitative detection of CH 3 I gas.

Interaction between tumor-associated macrophages and tumor cells is crucial for tumor development, metastasis, and the related immune process. However, the macrophages are highly heterogeneous spanning from anti-tumorigenic to pro-tumorigenic, which needs to be understood at the single-cell level. Herein, a sessile microdroplet system designed for monitoring cellular behavior and analyzing intercellular interaction, demonstrated with macrophage-tumor cell pairs is presented. An automatic procedure based on the inkjet printing method is utilized for the precise pairing and co-encapsulation of heterotypic cells within picoliter droplets. The sessile nature of microdroplets ensures controlled fusion and provides stable environments conducive to adherent cell culture. The nitric oxide generation and morphological changes over incubation are explored to reveal the complicated interactions from a single-cell perspective. The immune response of macrophages under distinct cellular microenvironments is recorded. The results demonstrate that the tumor microenvironment displays a modulating role in polarizing macrophages from anti-tumorigenic into pro-tumorigenic phenotype. The approach provides a versatile and compatible platform to investigate intercellular interaction at the single-cell level, showing promising potential for advancing single-cell behavior studies., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) is a common mycotoxin that is of significant global concern due to its impact on food safety. Herein, we innovatively develop a sensing platform to detect AFB 1 based on evaporation of surfactant solutions on the hydrophobic surface, resulting in dried patterns with varied sizes. The surfactant CTAB solution produces a relatively large dried pattern due to the surface wetting. However, the reduction in the dried pattern size is found when the mixture of CTAB and AFB 1 aptamer is tested, because the formation of CTAB/aptamer complex. Moreover, the dried pattern size of the mixture of CTAB, aptamer, and AFB 1 increases due to the specific binding of AFB 1 to its aptamer. Using this innovative strategy, the AFB 1 detection can be fulfilled with a detection limit of 0.77 pg/mL. As a simple, convenient, inexpensive, and label-free method, the surfactant-mediated surface droplet evaporation-based biosensor is very promising for various potential applications., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Investigating oncogenes and the mechanisms driving oncogenic processes in human tumors is imperative for the development of efficient therapies. Peroxidasin (PXDN) has been reported to play a critical role in tissue development and homeostasis. However, the role of PXDN in the occurrence and development of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) remains unknown., Methods: Data from multiple databases, including GEO and TCGA, were used to analyze the expression levels of PXDN. Taking nasopharyngeal carcinoma as an example, in vitro experiments were conducted to explore the biological functions of PXDN. Overexpression of stable cell lines was achieved through lentiviral infection, cell proliferation was examined using CCK8 and BrdU incorporation assays, and clone formation experiments were performed to assess cell growth. Transwell and wound healing assays were employed to evaluate cell invasion and migration abilities. Additionally, immunofluorescence staining with multiple targets was used to analyze the immune microenvironment of the tumor tissues. Co-culture experiments, followed by clone formation and CFSE incorporation assays, were conducted to observe the impact of NPC stable cell lines on T cells. Flow cytometry was performed to detect surface markers and cytokines in T cells after co-culture to assess T cell function., Results: PXDN was highly expressed in multiple tumors, and its high expression and mutation profile were correlated with poor survival. Functionally, PXDN plays a crucial role in promoting oncogenic processes by enhancing NPC cell proliferation and metastasis. Mechanistically, PXDN activates extracellular matrix (ECM) signaling pathways while simultaneously inhibiting T-cell infiltration and activation, thereby facilitating cancer progression., Conclusion: We characterized PXDN as a valuable biomarker for pan-cancer diagnosis and prognosis. We also uncovered new oncogenic roles for PXDN in promoting cancer progression and regulating T-cell immunosuppressive function in NPC., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Li, Xiao, Chen, Xiao, Lin, Cai, Zeng, Ye, Yu, Yuan and Li.)

Background: The relationship between uterine fibroids and keloid/hypertrophic scars has been contradictory. Our research employs a bidirectional Mendelian Randomization (MR) approach to establish a clearer understanding of this potential causal link., Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of uterine fibroids on keloid/hypertrophic scars and the effect of keloid/hypertrophic scars on uterine fibroids., Purpose: We aimed to demonstrate the relationship between uterine fibroids and keloid/ hypertrophic scars., Method: Our bidirectional MR study utilized summarized data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) focused on European populations. Our primary tool for establishing causality was the Inverse-Variance Weighted (IVW) method. To reinforce the IVW findings, we also applied four alternative MR methods: MR-Egger, Maximum Likelihood, Weighted Mode, and Weighted Median., Result: The IVW method indicated a significant causal link, with uterine fibroids greatly raising the likelihood of developing keloids (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.202, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.045-1.381; P=0.010) and hypertrophic scars (OR = 1.256, 95% CI: 1.039-1.519; P=0.018). Parallel results were observed with the MR-Egger, Maximum Likelihood, Weighted Mode, and Weighted Median methods. Sensitivity analyses indicated robustness in these findings, with no evidence of heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy. Conversely, the reverse MR analysis did not demonstrate an increased risk of uterine fibroids due to keloids or hypertrophic scars., Conclusion: This study elucidates a significant causal effect of uterine fibroids on the development of keloid and hypertrophic scars, offering valuable insights into their pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Three functionalized thienopyrazines (TPs), TP-MN (1), TP-CA (2), and TPT-MN (3) were designed and synthesized as self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) deposited on the NiOx film for tin-perovskite solar cells (TPSCs). Thermal, optical, electrochemical, morphological, crystallinity, hole mobility, and charge recombination properties, as well as DFT-derived energy levels with electrostatic surface potential mapping of these SAMs, have been thoroughly investigated and discussed. The structure of the TP-MN (1) single crystal was successfully grown and analyzed to support the uniform SAM produced on the ITO/NiOx substrate. When we used NiOx as HTM in TPSC, the device showed poor performance. To improve the efficiency of TPSC, we utilized a combination of new organic SAMs with NiOx as HTM, the TPSC device exhibited the highest PCE of 7.7 % for TP-MN (1). Hence, the designed NiOx/TP-MN (1) acts as a new model system for the development of efficient SAM-based TPSC. To the best of our knowledge, the combination of organic SAMs with anchoring CN/CN or CN/COOH groups and NiOx as HTM for TPSC has never been reported elsewhere. The TPSC device based on the NiOx/TP-MN bilayer exhibits great enduring stability for performance, retaining ~80 % of its original value for shelf storage over 4000 h., (© 2024 The Authors. Angewandte Chemie International Edition published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Long nanowires offer an increased surface area for biomolecule immobilization, facilitating enhanced binding capacity and sensitivity in the detection of target analytes. However, robust long-nanowire fabrication remains a significant challenge. In this paper, we developed a novel construction of a micro chemical pen (MCP), called a clean-assisted micro chemical pen (CAMCP), for robust long-nanowire fabrication. CAMCP, based on localized hydrodynamic flow confinement, was conducted by incorporating a clean phase to effectively dissolve aggregated silver particles in the aspiration channel's shell, thereby enhancing the MCP's longevity by 60.84%, allowing for an 840 μm extension in nanowire patterning capability. A 4600-aspect ratio (length:1200 μm, width: 260 nm) nanowire was fabricated by CAMCP and utilized as a nanowire sensor, showing a 39.7% increase in IgA detection sensitivity compared to a 3000-aspect ratio sensor. Furthermore, the longer nanowire sensor exhibited enhanced signal responses, a higher signal-to-noise ratio, and a lower limit of detection (LOD). The preponderant bioassay performances of the longer nanowire sensor in bioassays, facilitated by CAMCP, open up its possibilities for chemical-synthesis nanowires (NWs) in ultrasensitive biodetection.

The inherent ambiguity in reconstructed images from coherent diffraction imaging (CDI) poses an intrinsic challenge, as images derived from the same dataset under varying initial conditions often display inconsistencies. This study introduces a method that employs the Noise2Noise approach combined with neural networks to effectively mitigate these ambiguities. We applied this methodology to hundreds of ambiguous reconstructed images retrieved from a single diffraction pattern using a conventional retrieval algorithm. Our results demonstrate that ambiguous features in these reconstructions are effectively treated as inter-reconstruction noise and are significantly reduced. The post-Noise2Noise treated images closely approximate the average and singular value decomposition analysis of various reconstructions, providing consistent and reliable reconstructions., (open access.)

With the advantages of high-throughput manufacturing and customizability, on-microsphere construction of in vitro multicellular analytical systems has garnered significant attention. However, achieving a precise, biocompatible cell arrangement and spatial signal analysis in hydrogel microspheres remains challenging. In this work, a microfluidic method is reported for the biocompatible generation of addressable supersegmented multicompartmental microspheres. Additionally, these microspheres are developed as novel label-free multicellular systems. In the microfluidic approach, controllable microfluidics is used to finely tune the internal microstructure of the microspheres, and the gas ejector ensures the biocompatibility of the preparation process. As a proof of concept, six- and twenty-compartment microspheres were obtained without the addition of any biohazardous reagents. For microsphere decoding, the visualization of two basic compartments can provide clues for identifying label-free cells due to the structural regularity of the microspheres. Finally, by encapsulating cells of different types, these microspheres as multicellular systems were successfully used for cell coculture and drug testing. These biocompatible, scalable, and analyzable microspheres will open up new prospects for biomedical analysis.

Background: Psoriasis is a T cell-mediated chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by the interaction of T cells with various cell types, forming an inflammatory microenvironment that sustains psoriatic inflammation. Homeostasis of these tissue-resident T cells is supported by fibroblasts, the primary structural cells in the dermis. In psoriasis, there is increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), mediating structural alterations in skin tissues and modulating inflammation. Additionally, the CD100-plexin-B2 (PLXNB2) axis is known to enhance psoriasis inflammation via keratinocytes, and CD103 levels are associated with the severity of psoriasis upon relapse., Objectives: To elucidate the role of fibroblasts and the MMP2-CD100 axis in modulating psoriasis inflammation., Methods: CD100 expression and function in psoriasis were assessed using immunofluorescence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, single-cell transcriptome sequencing, cellular interaction analyses and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. CD8+ T cells from people with psoriasis were isolated using magnetic beads, to investigate the regulatory effect of MMP2 on CD100 expression on their membranes. Single-cell transcriptome sequencing, spatial transcriptome sequencing, mimetic timing analysis, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry were used to determine the origin of MMP2 and its impact on CD103+ CD8+ T cells. The hypotheses were further validated in vivo using MMP2 and CD100 inhibitors., Results: Soluble CD100 (sCD100) was significantly upregulated in both psoriatic lesions and peripheral blood, amplifying psoriasis inflammation by promoting the production of inflammatory cytokines by keratinocytes, fibroblasts and endothelial cells via the sCD100-PLXNB2 axis. Fibroblasts that highly expressed MMP2 (MMP2hi) exacerbated psoriasis symptoms by facilitating CD100 shedding from CD8+ T-cell membranes. Additionally, it was shown that fibroblasts enhance the upregulation of the CD8+ T-cell residency factor CD103 in co-cultures with CD8+ T cells. Inhibitors targeting MMP2 and CD100 were effective in reducing inflammation in an imiquimod-induced psoriasis model., Conclusions: Our findings underscore the pivotal role of MMP2hi fibroblasts in the amplification and recurrence of inflammatory responses in psoriasis. These fibroblasts augment psoriasis inflammation through the CD100-PLXNB2 axis by facilitating CD100 shedding on CD8+ T-cell membranes and by upregulating CD103, thereby enhancing CD8+ T-cell residency., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of British Association of Dermatologists. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)