Inhalable Polymeric Microparticles for Phage and Photothermal Synergistic Therapy of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Pneumonia.

Acute methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pneumonia is a common and serious lung infection with high morbidity and mortality rates. Due to the increasing antibiotic resistance, toxicity, and pathogenicity of MRSA, there is an urgent need to explore effective antibacterial strategies. In this study, we developed a dry powder inhalable formulation which is composed of porous microspheres prepared from poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), internally loaded with indocyanine green (ICG)-modified, heat-resistant phages that we screened for their high efficacy against MRSA. This formulation can deliver therapeutic doses of ICG-modified active phages to the deep lung tissue infection sites, avoiding rapid clearance by alveolar macrophages. Combined with the synergistic treatment of phage therapy and photothermal therapy, the formulation demonstrates potent bactericidal effects in acute MRSA pneumonia. With its long-term stability at room temperature and inhalable characteristics, this formulation has the potential to be a promising drug for the clinical treatment of MRSA pneumonia.

Silica nanoparticle design for colorectal cancer treatment: Recent progress and clinical potential.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide and the second most common cause of cancer death. Nanotherapies are able to selectively target the delivery of cancer therapeutics, thus improving overall antitumor efficiency and reducing conventional chemotherapy side effects. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have attracted the attention of many researchers due to their remarkable advantages and biosafety. We offer insights into the recent advances of MSNs in CRC treatment and their potential clinical application value.

Ratiometric Fluorescence Probes for In Situ Imaging of Membrane Tension in Live Cells.

Membrane tension is an important physical parameter of describing cellular homeostasis, and it is widely used in the study of cellular processes involving membrane deformation and reorganization, such as cell migration, cell spreading, and cell division. Despite the importance of membrane tension, direct measurement remains difficult. In this work, we developed a ratiometric fluorescent probe sensitive to membrane tension by adjusting the carbon chain structure based on polarity-sensitive fluorophores. The probe is sensitive to changes in membrane tension after cells were subjected to physical or chemical stimuli, such as osmotic shock, lipid peroxidation, and mechanical stress. When the polarity of the plasma membrane increases (the green/red ratio decreases) and the membrane tension increases, the relative magnitude of the membrane tension can be quantitatively calculated by fluorescence ratio imaging. Thus, the probe proved to be an efficient and sensitive membrane tension probe.

Potentiating dual-directional immunometabolic regulation with nanomedicine to enhance anti-tumor immunotherapy following incomplete photothermal ablation.

Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising cancer treatment method due to its ability to induce tumor-specific T cell responses and enhance therapeutic outcomes. However, incomplete PTT can leave residual tumors that often lead to new metastases and decreased patient survival in clinical scenarios. This is primarily due to the release of ATP, a damage-associated molecular pattern that quickly transforms into the immunosuppressive metabolite adenosine by CD39, prevalent in the tumor microenvironment, thus promoting tumor immune evasion. This study presents a photothermal nanomedicine fabricated by electrostatic adsorption among the Fe-doped polydiaminopyridine (Fe-PDAP), indocyanine green (ICG), and CD39 inhibitor sodium polyoxotungstate (POM-1). The constructed Fe-PDAP@ICG@POM-1 (FIP) can induce tumor PTT and immunogenic cell death when exposed to a near-infrared laser. Significantly, it can inhibit the ATP-adenosine pathway by dual-directional immunometabolic regulation, resulting in increased ATP levels and decreased adenosine synthesis, which ultimately reverses the immunosuppressive microenvironment and increases the susceptibility of immune checkpoint blockade (aPD-1) therapy. With the aid of aPD-1, the dual-directional immunometabolic regulation strategy mediated by FIP can effectively suppress/eradicate primary and distant tumors and evoke long-term solid immunological memory. This study presents an immunometabolic control strategy to offer a salvage option for treating residual tumors following incomplete PTT.

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Metropolitan integration development refers to the interconnection between cities and the coordinated development of various aspects such as economy, society, culture, and nature, which is the goal of metropolitan area development. With the Zhengzhou metropolitan area as the research area and based on nighttime light data from 2012 to 2021, we comprehensively used landscape index and landscape morphology spatial pattern analysis methods, systematically evaluated the integration process of the metropolitan area from the perspective of spatial expansion and spatial connection, analyzed the spatiotemporal variations of the landscape pattern of the metropolitan area, and revealed the spatiotemporal expansion and connection patterns of the metropolitan area. The results showed that the area of the Zhengzhou metropolitan area expanded year by year from 2012 to 2021, with the number of landscape patches continuously increasing, showing an agglomeration phenomenon. In the metropolitan area, there was a trend towards stability and multi-directional coordinated growth. The contribution of non-central cities to expansion increased annually, while the expansion patterns of various constituent cities gradually shifted from internal filling to external expansion. The connection scale within the metropolitan area had been expanding annually, with enhanced intercity connections. Intercity connection belts and channels for material and information exchange were emerging, and the integrated network of urban agglomeration connections was gradually forming. Metropolitan integration planning provided positive guidance for the development of metropolitan areas. We should fully leverage the driving effects of metropolitan areas, pay attention to the integration of Zhengzhou-Kaifeng and Zhengzhou-Xuchang, promote the formation of emerging growth poles in Xinxiang and Jiaozuo, as well as regional coordinated development, strengthen the network of policies, economy, transportation, information, etc., and form a diversified and integrated development situation.

Thermal Hazard Analysis of Two Non-Ideal Explosives Based on Ammonium Perchlorate/Ammonium Nitrate and Aluminium Powder.

In recent years, various kinds of civil explosive detonation accidents have occurred frequently around the world, resulting in substantial human casualties and significant property losses. It is generally believed that thermal stimulation plays a critical role in triggering the detonation of explosives; consequently, the study of the thermal hazards of explosives is of great significance to many aspects of safety emergency management practices in the production, transportation, storage, and use of explosives. It is known that the thermal stability of the ammonium perchlorate-aluminium system and the ammonium nitrate-aluminium system has been extensively investigated previously in the literature. However, there is a paucity of research on the thermal hazard characteristics of non-ideal explosives under varying oxygen balance conditions within the academic sphere. Therefore, this research focused on the study of the thermal hazards of non-ideal explosives based on thermokinetic analysis. The thermal hazards of non-ideal explosive mixtures of ammonium perchlorate and aluminium and of ammonium nitrate and aluminium were studied by thermal analysis kinetics. The thermokinetic parameters were meticulously studied through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The results showed that the peak reaction temperature and activation energy of the ammonium perchlorate-aluminium system were significantly higher than those of the ammonium nitrate-aluminium system. Under the condition of zero oxygen balance, the peak reaction temperature of the ammonium nitrate-aluminium system was 259 °C (heating rate 5 °C/min), and the activation energy was 84.7 kJ/mol. Under the same conditions, the peak reaction temperature and activation energy of the ammonium perchlorate-aluminium system were 292 °C (heating rate 5 °C/min) and 94.9 kJ/mol, respectively. These results indicate that the ammonium perchlorate-aluminium system has higher safety under the same thermal stimulation conditions. Furthermore, research on both non-ideal explosive systems reveals that the activation energy is at its peak under negative oxygen balance conditions, recorded at 104.2 kJ/mol (ammonium perchlorate-aluminium) and 86.2 kJ/mol (ammonium nitrate-aluminium), which indicates a higher degree of safety. Therefore, the investigation into the thermal hazards of non-ideal explosive systems under different oxygen balance conditions is of utmost importance for the enhancement and improvement of safety emergency management practices.

Research on the Influence of Cold Drawing and Aging Heat Treatment on the Structure and Mechanical Properties of GH3625 Alloy.

With the development of the petroleum industry, the demand for materials for oilfield equipment is becoming increasingly stringent. The strength increase brought about by time strengthening is limited in meeting the needs of equipment development. The GH3625 alloy with different strength levels can be obtained through cold deformation and heat treatment processes. A study should be carried out to further develop the potential mechanical properties of GH3625. In this study, the GH3625 alloy was cold drawn with different reductions in area (0-30%) and heat treated, and its mechanical properties were tested. The microstructure of the alloy during deformation and heat treatment was characterized by methods such as optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) based on the principles of physical metallurgy. The strength increase caused by dislocation strengthening was calculated from the dislocation density, tested by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The calculated value was compared to the measured value, elucidating the strengthening effect of cold deformation and heat treatment. The results showed that the yield strength and yield ratio of the cold-drawn alloy significantly reduced after aging at 650 °C and 760 °C. Heat treatment can make a cold-deformed material recover, ablate dislocations, and greatly reduce the dislocation density in the microstructure of the GH3625 alloy, which was the main factor in the decrease in yield strength. The work-hardening gradient of the cold-drawn material varied greatly with different reductions in area. When the reduction in area was small (10%), the hardness gradient was obvious. When it increased to 30%, the alloy was uniformly strengthened as the deformation was transmitted to the axis. This study can provide more mechanical performance options for GH3625 alloy structural components in the petrochemical industry.

Prussian blue nanoparticles coated with tumor cell membranes for precise photothermal therapy and subsequent inflammation reduction.

The utilization of photothermal agents (PTAs) in photothermal therapy (PTT) is faced with challenges such as immune clearance and inadequate concentration, which consequently result in residual tumors and an increased risk of recurrence and metastasis. Conversely, excessive treatment can lead to heightened inflammation and inevitable harm to adjacent healthy tissues. To address these issues, we developed a nanosystem (M@PB) consisting of Prussian blue coated with tumor cell membrane for precise photothermal therapy (PTT) and subsequent reduction of inflammation. This system not only evades immune attack due to the homologous biological characteristics of the encapsulating cell membrane but also exhibits active targeting capabilities towards homologous tumors. Furthermore, it effectively reduces excessive phototoxicity by leveraging the distinctive photothermal and anti-inflammatory characteristics of PB nanoparticles. The resulting M@PB nanosystem demonstrates effective photothermal ablation under 808 nm laser irradiation while mitigating the inflammatory response through inhibiting of local production of inflammatory mediators. Our study provides valuable insights into achieving targeted PTT with high efficiency while minimizing post-treatment inflammatory responses.

The PPP2R1A cancer hotspot mutant p.R183W increases clofarabine resistance in uterine serous carcinoma cells by a gain-of-function mechanism.

PURPOSE: Uterine serous carcinoma (USC) is generally associated with poor prognosis due to a high recurrence rate and frequent treatment resistance; hence, there is a need for improved therapeutic strategies. Molecular analysis of USC identified several molecular markers, useful to improve current treatments or identify new druggable targets. PPP2R1A, encoding the Aα subunit of the tumor suppressive Ser/Thr phosphatase PP2A, is mutated in up to 40% of USCs. Here, we investigated the effect of the p.R183W PPP2R1A hotspot variant on treatment response to the nucleoside analogue clofarabine. METHODS AND RESULTS: USC cells stably expressing p.R183W Aα showed increased resistance to clofarabine treatment in vitro and, corroborated by decreased clofarabine-induced apoptosis, G1 phase arrest, DNA-damage (γH2AX) and activation of ATM and Chk1/2 kinases. Phenotypic rescue by pharmacologic PP2A inhibition or dicer-substrate siRNA (dsiRNA)-mediated B56δ subunit knockdown supported a gain-of-function mechanism of Aα p.R183W, promoting dephosphorylation and inactivation of deoxycytidine kinase (dCK), the cellular enzyme responsible for the conversion of clofarabine into its bioactive form. Therapeutic assessment of related nucleoside analogues (gemcitabine, cladribine) revealed similar effects, but in a cell line-dependent manner. Expression of two other PPP2R1A USC mutants (p.P179R or p.S256F) did not affect clofarabine response in our cell models, arguing for mutant-specific effects on treatment outcome as well. CONCLUSIONS: While our results call for PPP2R1A mutant and context-dependent effects upon clofarabine/nucleoside analogue monotherapy, combining clofarabine with a pharmacologic PP2A inhibitor proved synergistically in all tested conditions, highlighting a new generally applicable strategy to improve treatment outcome in USC.

Controlled release of vitamin A palmitate from crosslinked cyclodextrin organic framework for dry eye disease therapy.

Controlled release drug delivery systems of eye drops are a promising ophthalmic therapy with advantages of good patient compliance and low irritation. However, the lack of a suitable drug carrier for ophthalmic use limits the development of the aforementioned system. Herein, the crosslinked cyclodextrin organic framework (COF) with a cubic porous structure and a uniform particle size was synthesized and applied to solidify vitamin A palmitate (VAP) by using the solvent-free method. The VAP@COF suspension eye drops were formulated by screening co-solvents, suspending agents, and stabilizing agents to achieve a homogeneous state and improve stability. According to the in vitro release study, the VAP@COF suspension exhibited a controlled release of VAP within 12 h. Both the ex vivo corneal contact angle and in vivo fluorescence tracking indicated that the VAP@COF suspension prolonged the VAP residence time on the ocular surface. This suspension accelerated the recovery of the dry eye disease (DED) model in New Zealand rabbits. Furthermore, the suspension was non-cytotoxic to human corneal epithelial cells and non-irritation to rabbit eyes. In summary, the particulate COF is an eye-acceptable novel carrier that sustains release and prolongs the VAP residence time on the ocular surface for DED treatment.

Metabolomic biomarkers for benign conditions and malignant ovarian cancer: Advancing early diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer (OC) is a major global cause of death among gynecological cancers, with a high mortality rate. Early diagnosis, distinguishing between benign conditions and early malignant OC forms, is vital for successful treatment. This research investigates serum metabolites to find diagnostic biomarkers for early OC identification. METHODS: Metabolomic profiles derived from the serum of 60 patients with benign conditions and 60 patients with malignant OC were examined using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Comparative analysis revealed differential metabolites linked to OC, aiding biomarker identification for early-diagnosis of OC via machine learning features. The predictive ability of these biomarkers was evaluated against the traditional biomarker, cancer antigen 125 (CA125). RESULTS: 84 differential metabolites were identified, including 2-Thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (TTCA), Methionyl-Cysteine, and Citrulline that could serve as potential biomarkers to identify benign conditions and malignant OC. In the diagnosis of early-stage OC, the area under the curve (AUC) for Citrulline was 0.847 (95 % Confidence Interval (CI): 0.719-0.974), compared to 0.770 (95 % CI: 0.596-0.944) for TTCA, and 0.754 for Methionine-Cysteine (95 % CI: 0.589-0.919). These metabolites demonstrate a superior diagnostic capability relative to CA125, which has an AUC of 0.689 (95 % CI: 0.448-0.931). Among these biomarkers, Citrulline stands out as the most promising. Additionally, in the diagnosis of benign conditions and malignant OC, using logistic regression to combine potential biomarkers with CA125 has an AUC of 0.987 (95 % CI: 0.9708-1) has been proven to be more effective than relying solely on the traditional biomarker CA125 with an AUC of 0.933 (95 % CI: 0.870-0.996). Furthermore, among all the differential metabolites, lipid metabolites dominate, significantly impacting glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway. CONCLUSION: The discovered serum metabolite biomarkers demonstrate excellent diagnostic performance for distinguishing between benign conditions and malignant OC and for early diagnosis of malignant OC.

In Situ Quantitative Imaging of Plasma Membrane Stiffness in Live Cells Using a Genetically Encoded FRET Sensor.

Cell membrane stiffness is critical for cellular function, with cholesterol and sphingomyelin as pivot contributors. Current methods for measuring membrane stiffness are often invasive, ex situ, and slow in process, prompting the need for innovative techniques. Here, we present a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based protein sensor designed to address these challenges. The sensor consists of two fluorescent units targeting sphingomyelin and cholesterol, connected by a linker that responds to the proximity of these lipids. In rigid membranes, cholesterol and sphingomyelin are in close proximity, leading to an increased FRET signal. We utilized this sensor in combination with confocal microscopy to explore changes in plasma membrane stiffness under various conditions, including differences in osmotic pressure, the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and variations in substrate stiffness. Furthermore, we explored the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on membrane stiffness and the distribution of ACE2 after attachment to the cell membrane. This tool offers substantial potential for future investigations in the field of mechanobiology.

A Cyanine with 83.2% Photothermal Conversion Efficiency and Absorption Wavelengths over 1200 nm for Photothermal Therapy.

Developing small-molecule photothermal agents (PTAs) with good near-infrared-II (NIR-II) response for deeper tissue penetration and minimizing damage to healthy tissues has attracted much attention in photothermal therapy (PTT). However, concentrating ultra-long excitation wavelengths and high photothermal conversion efficiencies (PCEs) into a single organic small molecule is still challenging due to the lack of suitable molecular structures. Here, six polymethine cyanine molecules based on the structure of indocyanine green are synthesized by increasing the conjugated structure of the two-terminal indole salts and the number of rigid methine units, and incorporating longer alkyl side chains into the indole salts. Ultimately, IC-1224 is obtained with an absorption wavelength of more than 1200 nm, which has a high PCE up to 83.2% in the NIR-II window and exhibits excellent PTT tumor ablation performance. This provides a high-performance NIR-II-responsive PTA, and offers further possibilities for the application of PTT in biomedical fields.

Associations of collagen type 1 α1 gene polymorphisms and musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries: a meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis.

Numerous studies have investigated the role of collagen type 1 α1 (COL1A1) polymorphisms in musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries (MSTIs), yielding conflicting results. This study was designed to synthesize existing evidence and clarify the relationship between COL1A1 polymorphisms and MSTI susceptibility. We conducted a comprehensive literature search using PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Wanfang databases. Associations were assessed using odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) across five genetic models. Subgroup analyses were performed based on ethnicity and injury type. Additionally, trial sequential analysis (TSA) was utilized to assess information size and statistical power. We analyzed a total of 16 articles from 358 retrieved studies, encompassing 2094 MSTI cases and 4105 controls. Our pooled data revealed that individuals with the TT genotype of the rs1800012 polymorphism had a significantly reduced risk of MSTIs (TT vs. GG, OR = 0.53, 95% CI 0.35-0.82, P = 0.004; TT vs. TG + GG, OR = 0.54, 95% CI 0.36-0.80, P = 0.002). Ethnicity-based stratification showed a significant association in Caucasians but not Asians. However, no significant association was observed between the rs1107946 polymorphism and MSTIs, regardless of ethnicity or injury type. TSA indicated that the sample sizes may have been insufficient to yield conclusive results. In conclusion, our study supports the protective effect of the TT genotype of the rs1800012 polymorphism against MSTIs, particularly among Caucasians. However, the rs1107946 polymorphism does not appear to influence MSTI susceptibility.

Higher-order topological states in T-graphene and their realization in photonic crystals.

Higher-order topological states extend the power of nontrivial topological states beyond the bulk-edge correspondence. Here we study the higher-order topological states (corner states) in an open-boundary two-dimensional T-graphene lattice. Unlike the common zero-energy corner states, our findings reveal non-zero energy corner states in such lattice systems, and the energy could be controlled by modifying the hopping parameters. Moreover, the corner states could be transferred away from the lattice corners by designing the position-specific vacancy defects. The strong robustness of the corner states is also demonstrated against the uniaxial strain and vacancy defects, respectively. A plasmonic crystal is constructed to testify to the theory, in which the corner states are realized in optical modes and their higher-order topological properties are verified. Our results open the avenue of corner-states engineering, which holds significant physical implications of higher-order topological states for the design of photonic and electronic devices with specialized functionalities.

NIR-II Fluorescence Imaging for In Vivo Quantitative Analysis.

In vivo real-time qualitative and quantitative analysis is essential for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as tumors. Near-infrared-II (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) bioimaging is an emerging visualization modality based on fluorescent materials. The advantages of NIR-II region fluorescent materials in terms of reduced photon scattering and low tissue autofluorescence enable NIR-II bioimaging with high resolution and increasing depth of tissue penetration, and thus have great potential for in vivo qualitative and quantitative analysis. In this review, we first summarize recent advances in NIR-II imaging, including fluorescent probe selection, quantitative analysis strategies, and imaging. Then, we describe in detail representative applications to illustrate how NIR-II fluorescence imaging has become an important tool for in vivo quantitative analysis. Finally, we describe the future possibilities and challenges of NIR-II fluorescence imaging.

Amplifying STING Activation and Alleviating Immunosuppression through a Mn2+-Based Metal-Organic Framework Nanosystem for Synergistic Cancer Therapy.

The field of immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), holds immense potential in mitigating the progression of cancer. However, the challenges of insufficient tumor antigen production and the immunosuppressive state in the tumor microenvironment substantially impede patients from deriving benefits. In this research, we present a tumor-microenvironment-modulation manganese-based nanosystem, PEG-MnMOF@PTX, aiming to improve the responsiveness of ICB. Under acidic conditions, the released Mn2+ accomplishes multiple objectives. It generates toxic hydroxyl radicals (•OH), together with the released paclitaxel (PTX), inducing immunogenic cell death of tumor cells and normalizing tumor blood vessels. Concurrently, it facilitates the in situ generation of oxygen (O2) from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), ameliorating the microenvironmental immunosuppression and increasing the efficacy of immunotherapy. In addition, this study demonstrates that PEG-MnMOF@PTX can promote the maturation of dendritic cells and augment the infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes through activation of the cyclic guanosine 5'-monophosphate-adenosine 5'-monophosphate synthase (cGAS) and interferon gene stimulator (STING) pathways, namely cGAS-STING pathways, thereby heightening the sensitivity to ICB immunotherapy. The findings of this study present a novel paradigm for the progress in cancer immunotherapy.

Regulation of Protein Conformation Enables Cell-Selective Targeting of Virus-Mimicking Nanoparticles for siRNA Therapy of Glioblastoma.

Orthotopic glioblastoma (GBM) has an aggressive growth pattern and complex pathogenesis, becoming one of the most common and deadly tumors of the central nervous system (CNS). The emergence of RNA therapies offers promise for the treatment of GBM. However, the efficient and precise delivery of RNA drugs to specific tumor cells in the brain with high cellular heterogeneity remains ongoing. Here, a strategy is proposed to regulate protein conformation through lipid nanoenvironments to custom-design virus-mimicking nanoparticles (VMNs) with excellent selective cell targeting capabilities, leading to efficient and precise delivery of small interfering RNA for effective treatment of GBM. The optimized VMNs not only retain the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and release the RNA by lysosomal escape like natural viruses but also ensure precise enrichment in the GBM area. This study lays the conceptual foundation for the custom design of VMNs with superior cell-selective targeting capabilities and opens up the possibility of RNA therapies for the efficient treatment of GBM and CNS tumors.

Bioinspired Robust Gas-Permeable On-Skin Electronics: Armor-Designed Nanoporous Flash Graphene Assembly Enhancing Mechanical Resilience.

Soft on-skin electrodes play an important role in wearable technologies, requiring attributes such as wearing comfort, high conductivity, and gas permeability. However, conventional fabrication methods often compromise simplicity, cost-effectiveness, or mechanical resilience. In this study, a mechanically robust and gas-permeable on-skin electrode is presented that incorporates Flash Graphene (FG) integrated with a bioinspired armor design. FG, synthesized through Flash Joule Heating process, offers a small-sized and turbostratic arrangement that is ideal for the assembly of a conductive network with nanopore structures. Screen-printing is used to embed the FG assembly into the framework of polypropylene melt-blown nonwoven fabrics (PPMF), forming a soft on-skin electrode with low sheet resistance (125.2 ± 4.7 Ω/□) and high gas permeability (≈10.08 mg cm⁻2 h⁻¹). The "armor" framework ensures enduring mechanical stability through adhesion, washability, and 10,000 cycles of mechanical contact friction tests. Demonstrating capabilities in electrocardiogram (ECG) and electromyogram (EMG) monitoring, along with serving as a self-powered triboelectric sensor, the FG/PPMF electrode holds promise for scalable, high-performance flexible sensing applications, thereby enriching the landscape of integrated wearable technologies.

Straw from Different Crop Species Recruits Different Communities of Lignocellulose-Degrading Microorganisms in Black Soil.

The biological degradation of plant residues in the soil or on the soil surface is an integral part of the natural life cycle of annual plants and does not have adverse effects on the environment. Crop straw is characterized by a complex structure and exhibits stability and resistance to rapid microbial decomposition. In this study, we conducted a microcosm experiment to investigate the dynamic succession of the soil microbial community and the functional characteristics associated with lignocellulose-degrading pathways. Additionally, we aimed to identify lignocellulose-degrading microorganisms from the straw of three crop species prevalent in Northeast China: soybean (Glycine max Merr.), rice (Oryza sativa L.), and maize (Zea mays L.). Our findings revealed that both the type of straw and the degradation time influenced the bacterial and fungal community structure and composition. Metagenome sequencing results demonstrated that during degradation, different straw types assembled carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) and KEGG pathways in distinct manners, contributing to lignocellulose and hemicellulose degradation. Furthermore, isolation of lignocellulose-degrading microbes yielded 59 bacterial and 14 fungal strains contributing to straw degradation, with fungi generally exhibiting superior lignocellulose-degrading enzyme production compared to bacteria. Experiments were conducted to assess the potential synergistic effects of synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) comprising both fungi and bacteria. These SynComs resulted in a straw weight loss of 42% at 15 days post-inoculation, representing a 22% increase compared to conditions without any SynComs. In summary, our study provides novel ecological insights into crop straw degradation by microbes.