A fully integrated breathable haptic textile.

Wearable haptics serve as an enhanced media to connect humans and VR/robots. The inevitable sweating issue in all wearables creates a bottleneck for wearable haptics, as the sweat/moisture accumulated in the skin/device interface can substantially affect feedback accuracy, comfortability, and create hygienic problems. Nowadays, wearable haptics typically gain performance at the cost of sacrificing the breathability, comfort, and biocompatibility. Here, we developed a fully integrated breathable haptic textile (FIBHT) to solve these trade-off issues, where the FIBHT exhibits high-level integration of 128 pixels over the palm, great stretchability of 400%, and superior permeability of over 657 g/m2/day (moisture) and 40 mm/s (air). It is a stand-alone haptic system totally composed of stretchable, breathable, and bioadhesive materials, which empowers it with precise, sweating/movement-insensitive and dynamic feedback, and makes FIBHT powerful for virtual touching in broad scenarios.

Effect of ß-1,4-GalTI on the biological function of astrocytes treated by LPS.

Inflammation of the central nervous system (CNS) is a common feature of neurological disorders and infections, playing a crucial role in the development of CNS-related conditions. CNS inflammation is primarily regulated by glial cells, with astrocytes being the most abundant type in the mammalian CNS. Numerous studies have demonstrated that astrocytes, as immunocompetent cells, perform diverse and complex functions in both health and disease. Glycosylation, a critical post-translational modification of proteins, regulates numerous biological functions. The expression and activity of glycosyltransferases, the enzymes responsible for glycosylation, are closely associated with the pathogenesis of various diseases. ß-1,4-GalTI, a mammalian glycosyltransferase, plays a significant role in cell-cell interactions, adhesion, and migration. Although many studies have focused on ß-1,4-GalTI, few have explored its effects on astrocyte function. In this study, we constructed lentiviral vectors for both interference and overexpression of ß-1,4-GalTI and discovered that ß-1,4-GalTI knockdown inhibited astrocyte migration and proliferation, while its overexpression promoted these processes. Concurrently, ß-1,4-GalTI knockdown reduced the expression of TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6, whereas overexpression enhanced the expression of these cytokines. These findings suggest that modulating ß-1,4-GalTI activity can influence the molecular functions of astrocytes and provide a theoretical foundation for further research into ß-1,4-GalTI as a potential therapeutic target in astrocyte-mediated inflammation.

Immune Cells Promote BDNF Expression by Infiltrated Macrophages via Interleukin 4 in the Cerebral Ischemia of Male Rats.

We reported that infiltrated Ly6C+ macrophages express brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) only at the cerebral cortex infarct in a rat dMCAO model. However, the changein neuron-expressed BDNF, the niche components that induce the Ly6C+ cells to express BDNF, and the cellular sources of these components, remain unclear. In this study, immunofluorescence double staining was performed to label BDNF and Ly6C on brain sections at 3, 24, and 48 h following distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (dMCAO) of male rats, and to stain BDNF with Ly6C, IL-4R, and IL-10R. A neutralizing anti-IL-4 antibody was injected into the infarct, and the IL-4 and BDNF concentrations in the subareas of the infarct were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. To find out the cellular sources of IL-4, the markers for microglia, T cells, and neurons were co-stained with IL-4 separately. In certain infarct subareas, the main BDNF-expressing cells shifted quickly from NeuN+ neurons to Ly6C+ cells during 24-48 h post-stroke, and the Ly6C+/BDNF+ cells mostly expressed IL-4 receptor. Following IL-4 neutralizing antibody injection, the BDNF, IL-4 protein levels, and BDNF+/Ly6C+ cells decreased significantly. The main IL-4-expressing cell type in this infarct subarea is not neuron either, but immune cells, including microglia, monocyte, macrophages, and T cells. The neurons, maintained BDNF and IL-4 expression in the peri-infarct area. In conclusion, in a specific cerebral subarea of the rat dMCAO model, IL-4 secreted by immune cells is one of the main inducers for Ly6C+ cells to express BDNF.

Bmi-1 Epigenetically Orchestrates Osteogenic and Adipogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Delay Bone Aging.

With the increase in the aging population, senile osteoporosis (SOP) has become a major global public health concern. Here, it is found that Prx1 and Bmi-1 co-localized in trabecular bone, bone marrow cavity, endosteum, and periosteum. Prx1-driven Bmi-1 knockout in bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) reduced bone mass and increased bone marrow adiposity by inhibiting osteoblastic bone formation, promoting osteoclastic bone resorption, downregulating the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, and upregulating the adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs. However, Prx1-driven Bmi-1 overexpression showed a contrasting phenotype to Prx1-driven Bmi-1 knockout in BMSCs. Regarding mechanism, Bmi-1-RING1B bound to DNMT3A and promoted its ubiquitination and inhibited DNA methylation of Runx2 at the region from 45047012 to 45047313 bp, thus promoting the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Moreover, Bmi-1-EZH2 repressed the transcription of Cebpa by promoting H3K27 trimethylation at the promoter region -1605 to -1596 bp, thus inhibiting the adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs. It is also found that Prx1-driven Bmi-1 overexpression rescued the SOP induced by Prx1-driven Bmi-1 knockout in BMSCs. Thus, Bmi-1 functioned as a hub protein in the epigenetic regulation of BMSCs differentiation to delay bone aging. The Prx1-driven Bmi-1 overexpression in BMSCs can be used as an approach for the translational therapy of SOP.

Molecular Mechanisms of Plant Responses to Copper: From Deficiency to Excess.

Copper (Cu) is an essential nutrient for plant growth and development. This metal serves as a constituent element or enzyme cofactor that participates in many biochemical pathways and plays a key role in photosynthesis, respiration, ethylene sensing, and antioxidant systems. The physiological significance of Cu uptake and compartmentalization in plants has been underestimated, despite the importance of Cu in cellular metabolic processes. As a micronutrient, Cu has low cellular requirements in plants. However, its bioavailability may be significantly reduced in alkaline or organic matter-rich soils. Cu deficiency is a severe and widespread nutritional disorder that affects plants. In contrast, excessive levels of available Cu in soil can inhibit plant photosynthesis and induce cellular oxidative stress. This can affect plant productivity and potentially pose serious health risks to humans via bioaccumulation in the food chain. Plants have evolved mechanisms to strictly regulate Cu uptake, transport, and cellular homeostasis during long-term environmental adaptation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the diverse functions of Cu chelators, chaperones, and transporters involved in Cu homeostasis and their regulatory mechanisms in plant responses to varying Cu availability conditions. Finally, we identified that future research needs to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms regulating Cu deficiency or stress in plants. This will pave the way for improving the Cu utilization efficiency and/or Cu tolerance of crops grown in alkaline or Cu-contaminated soils.

Evolution of Digital Health and Exploration of Patented Technologies (2017-2021): Bibliometric Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The significant impact of digital health emerged prominently during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, there is a paucity of bibliometric analyses focusing on technologies within the field of digital health patents. Patents offer a wealth of insights into technologies, commercial prospects, and competitive landscapes, often undisclosed in other publications. Given the rapid evolution of the digital health industry, safeguarding algorithms, software, and advanced surgical devices through patent systems is imperative. The patent system simultaneously acts as a valuable repository of technological knowledge, accessible to researchers. This accessibility facilitates the enhancement of existing technologies and the advancement of medical equipment, ultimately contributing to public health improvement and meeting public demands. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study is to gain a more profound understanding of technology hotspots and development trends within the field of digital health. METHODS: Using a bibliometric analysis methodology, we assessed the global technological output reflected in patents on digital health published between 2017 and 2021. Using Citespace5.1R8 and Excel 2016, we conducted bibliometric visualization and comparative analyses of key metrics, including national contributions, institutional affiliations, inventor profiles, and technology topics. RESULTS: A total of 15,763 digital health patents were identified as published between 2017 and 2021. The China National Intellectual Property Administration secured the top position with 7253 published patents, whereas Koninklijke Philips emerged as the leading institution with 329 patents. Notably, Assaf Govari emerged as the most prolific inventor. Technology hot spots encompassed categories such as "Medical Equipment and Information Systems," "Image Analysis," and "Electrical Diagnosis," classified by Derwent Manual Code. A patent related to the technique of receiving and transmitting data through microchips garnered the highest citation, attributed to the patentee Covidien LP. CONCLUSIONS: The trajectory of digital health patents has been growing since 2017, primarily propelled by China, the United States, and Japan. Applications in health interventions and enhancements in surgical devices represent the predominant scenarios for digital health technology. Algorithms emerged as the pivotal technologies protected by patents, whereas techniques related to data transfer, storage, and exchange in the digital health domain are anticipated to be focal points in forthcoming basic research.

Gastrointestinal Dysmotility Predisposes to Colitis through Regulation of Gut Microbial Composition and Linoleic Acid Metabolism.

Disrupted gastrointestinal (GI) motility is highly prevalent in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but its potential causative role remains unknown. Herein, the role and the mechanism of impaired GI motility in colitis pathogenesis are investigated. Increased colonic mucosal inflammation is found in patients with chronic constipation (CC). Mice with GI dysmotility induced by genetic mutation or chemical insult exhibit increased susceptibility to colitis, dependent on the gut microbiota. GI dysmotility markedly decreases the abundance of Lactobacillus animlalis and increases the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila. The reduction in L. animlalis, leads to the accumulation of linoleic acid due to compromised conversion to conjugated linoleic acid. The accumulation of linoleic acid inhibits Treg cell differentiation and increases colitis susceptibility via inducing macrophage infiltration and proinflammatory cytokine expression in macrophage. Lactobacillus and A. muciniphila abnormalities are also observed in CC and IBD patients, and mice receiving fecal microbiota from CC patients displayed an increased susceptibility to colitis. These findings suggest that GI dysmotility predisposes host to colitis development by modulating the composition of microbiota and facilitating linoleic acid accumulation. Targeted modulation of microbiota and linoleic acid metabolism may be promising to protect patients with motility disorder from intestinal inflammation.

MircoRNA-25-3p in skin precursor cell-induced Schwann cell-derived extracellular vesicles promotes axon regeneration by targeting Tgif1.

Nerve injury often leads to severe dysfunction because of the lack of axon regeneration in adult mammal. Intriguingly a series of extracellular vesicles (EVs) have the obvious ability to accelerate the nerve repair. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms to describe that EVs switch neuron from a transmitter to a regenerative state have not been elucidated. This study elucidated the microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles of two types of EVs that promote nerve regeneration. The functions of these miRNAs were screened in vitro. Among the 12 overlapping miRNAs, miR-25-3p was selected for further analysis as it markedly promoted axon regeneration both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, knockdown experiments confirmed that PTEN and Klf4, which are the major inhibitors of axon regeneration, were the direct targets of miR-25-3p in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. The utilization of luciferase reporter assays and functional tests provided evidence that miR-25-3p enhances axon regeneration by targeting Tgif1. Additionally, miR-25-3p upregulated the phosphorylation of Erk. Furthermore, Rapamycin modulated the expression of miR-25-3p in DRG neurons. Finally, the pro-axon regeneration effects of EVs were confirmed by overexpressing miR-25-3p and Tgif1 knockdown in the optic nerve crush model. Thus, the enrichment of miR-25-3p in EVs suggests that it regulates axon regeneration, proving a potential cell-free treatment strategy for nerve injury.

A prognostic nomogram integrating carcinoembryonic antigen levels for predicting overall survival in elderly patients with stage II-III colorectal cancer.

Background: With the aging of the population, colorectal surgeons will have to face more elderly colorectal cancer (CRC) patients in the future. We aim to analyze independent risk factors affecting overall survival in elderly (age ≥65 years) patients with stage II-III CRC and construct a nomogram to predict patient survival. Methods: A total of 3,016 elderly CRC patients with stage II-III were obtained from the SEER database. Univariate Cox regression and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analyses were used to screen independent prognostic factors, and a survival prediction nomogram was constructed based on the results. The consistency index (C-index), decision curve analysis (DCA), Akaike information criterion (AIC), and Bayesian information criterion (BIC) were used to compare the predictive ability between the nomogram and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage system. All patients were classified into high-risk and low-risk groups based on risk scores calculated by nomogram. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare the survival differences between two groups. Results: The 3- and 5-year area under the curve (AUC) values of the prediction nomogram model were 76.6% and 74.8%, respectively. The AIC, BIC, and C-index values of the nomogram model were 6,032.502, 15,728.72, and 0.707, respectively, which were better than the TNM staging system. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a significant survival difference between high-risk and low-risk groups (P<0.0001). Conclusions: We constructed a prediction nomogram for stage II-III elderly CRC patients by combining pre-treatment carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels, which can accurately predict patient survival. This facilitates clinicians to accurately assess patient prognosis and identify high-risk patients to adopt more aggressive and effective treatment strategies.

A three-dimensional liquid diode for soft, integrated permeable electronics.

Wearable electronics with great breathability enable a comfortable wearing experience and facilitate continuous biosignal monitoring over extended periods1-3. However, current research on permeable electronics is predominantly at the stage of electrode and substrate development, which is far behind practical applications with comprehensive integration with diverse electronic components (for example, circuitry, electronics, encapsulation)4-8. Achieving permeability and multifunctionality in a singular, integrated wearable electronic system remains a formidable challenge. Here we present a general strategy for integrated moisture-permeable wearable electronics based on three-dimensional liquid diode (3D LD) configurations. By constructing spatially heterogeneous wettability, the 3D LD unidirectionally self-pumps the sweat from the skin to the outlet at a maximum flow rate of 11.6 ml cm-2 min-1, 4,000 times greater than the physiological sweat rate during exercise, presenting exceptional skin-friendliness, user comfort and stable signal-reading behaviour even under sweating conditions. A detachable design incorporating a replaceable vapour/sweat-discharging substrate enables the reuse of soft circuitry/electronics, increasing its sustainability and cost-effectiveness. We demonstrated this fundamental technology in both advanced skin-integrated electronics and textile-integrated electronics, highlighting its potential for scalable, user-friendly wearable devices.

Magnetic soft microfiberbots for robotic embolization.

Cerebral aneurysms and brain tumors are leading life-threatening diseases worldwide. By deliberately occluding the target lesion to reduce the blood supply, embolization has been widely used clinically to treat cerebral aneurysms and brain tumors. Conventional embolization is usually performed by threading a catheter through blood vessels to the target lesion, which is often limited by the poor steerability of the catheter in complex neurovascular networks, especially in submillimeter regions. Here, we propose magnetic soft microfiberbots with high steerability, reliable maneuverability, and multimodal shape reconfigurability to perform robotic embolization in submillimeter regions via a remote, untethered, and magnetically controllable manner. Magnetic soft microfiberbots were fabricated by thermal drawing magnetic soft composite into microfibers, followed by magnetizing and molding procedures to endow a helical magnetic polarity. By controlling magnetic fields, magnetic soft microfiberbots exhibit reversible elongated/aggregated shape morphing and helical propulsion in flow conditions, allowing for controllable navigation through complex vasculature and robotic embolization in submillimeter regions. We performed in vitro embolization of aneurysm and tumor in neurovascular phantoms and in vivo embolization of a rabbit femoral artery model under real-time fluoroscopy. These studies demonstrate the potential clinical value of our work, paving the way for a robotic embolization scheme in robotic settings.

Identification of Candidate Expansin Genes Associated with Seed Weight in Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.).

Seed weight is an important target trait in pomegranate breeding and culture. Expansins act by loosening plant cell walls and cellulosic materials, permitting turgor-driven cell enlargement. However, the role of expansin genes (EXPs) in pomegranate seed weight remains elusive. A total of 29 PgrEXPs were identified in the 'Dabenzi' genome. These genes were classified into four subfamilies and 14 subgroups, including 22 PgrEXPAs, 5 PgrEXPBs, 1 PgrEXPLA, and 1 PgrEXPLB. Transcriptome analysis of PgrEXPs in different tissues (root, leaf, flower, peel, and seed testa) in 'Dabenzi', and the seed testa of the hard-seeded pomegranate cultivar 'Dabenzi' and soft-seeded cultivar 'Tunisia' at three development stages showed that three PgrEXPs (PgrEXPA11, PgrEXPA22, PgrEXPA6) were highly expressed throughout seed development, especially in the sarcotesta. SNP/Indel markers of these PgrEXPs were developed and used to genotype 101 pomegranate accessions. The association of polymorphic PgrEXPs with seed weight-related traits (100-seed weight, 100-kernel weight, 100-sarcotesta weight, and the percentage of 100-sarcotesta to 100-seed weight) were analyzed. PgrEXP22 was significantly associated with 100-seed weight and 100-sarcotesta weight and is a likely candidate for regulating seed weight and sarcotesta development in particular. This study provides an effective tool for the genetic improvement of seed weight in pomegranate breeding programs.

Heterogeneity of diabetic dyslipidemia, data from the NHANES (2011-2016).

Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that diabetes amplifies the effects of dyslipidemia as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). A better understanding of lipid profiles is important for lipid-lowering treatment and reducing cardiovascular risk in populations with diabetes. To describe the dyslipidemia patterns in patient with and without diabetes in the adult US population. Data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011 to 2016 was analyzed. Surprisingly, 49.9% of the people with diabetes have both normal triglycerides (TGs) and normal high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). 33.4% of the people with diabetes have elevated TGs and 36.1% of them have low HDL-C. Only 19.3% of them have both elevated TGs and low HDL-C. Among people without diabetes, 67.5% have normal TGs and normal HDL-C, 28.0% have elevated TGs, 23.9% have low HDL-C and 8.8% have both elevated TGs and low HDL-C. The differences in the proportions of individuals with both elevated TGs and low HDL-C between the diabetic group and the nondiabetic group were more obvious in females: 7.7% in women without diabetes and 22.7% in women with diabetes. The proportion of individuals in the TG↑HDL-C↓group in the population with diabetes exhibited a decreasing trend in age groups > 30 years old, and the 30 to 40 years group of individuals with diabetes had the highest proportion of atherogenic dyslipidemia. The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) to apoB ratio is generally lower in people with diabetes, with the lowest level in the TG↑HDL-C↓group. Dyslipidemia patterns in diabetes patients are highly heterogeneous. Deep phenotyping sub-groups of dyslipidemia is warranted to identify higher-risk patients for evaluation of non-LDL-C therapies. This explained at least partially of the difficult search for novel therapies in the post-LDL-C era.

Patterned Manipulated Surface Based on Femtosecond Laser with Adjustable Wetting Speed and Directional Fluid Delivery.

Recently, due to the crucial roles of multifunctional liquid manipulation surfaces in biomedical transportation, microfluidics, and chemical engineering, the demand for controllable and functional aspects of directed liquid transportation has increased significantly. However, designing an intelligent manipulation surface that is easy to manufacture and fully functional remains an immense challenge. To address this challenge, a smart surface that can regulate the rate of liquid transport within a patterned channel by temperature is reported. A synergistically controlled approach of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and micropillar shape-memory polymers (SMPs) was used to modulate the wetting rate of liquids on surfaces. By femtosecond laser direct writing, temperature-responsive composite surfaces are embedded in the microstructure of shape-memory polymers (SMPs) in a patterned manner, resulting in the preparation of novel programmable liquid manipulation surfaces incorporating boundaries possessing asymmetric wettability. Since the smart surface is based on SMP, the superhydrophobic part in the superhydrophobic/controllable wettability patterning platform is also programmed for droplet directional transport, which takes advantage of the difference in wettability between the rewritable indentation track and the periphery to allow droplets to flow into the temperature-controlled velocity track, enriching the functionality of the surface. In addition, based on its excellent controllability and patterning, the surface has been shown to be used in microfluidic circuit chips with self-cleaning properties, which provides new ideas for circuit timing control. This study provides promising prospects for the effective development of multifunctional liquid steering surfaces, lab-on-a-chip, and microfluidic devices.

Mechanochemical synthesis of organoselenium compounds.

We disclose herein a strategy for the rapid synthesis of versatile organoselenium compounds under mild conditions. In this work, magnesium-based selenium nucleophiles are formed in situ from easily available organic halides, magnesium metal, and elemental selenium via mechanical stimulation. This process occurs under liquid-assisted grinding (LAG) conditions, requires no complicated pre-activation procedures, and operates broadly across a diverse range of aryl, heteroaryl, and alkyl substrates. In this work, symmetrical diselenides are efficiently obtained after work-up in the air, while one-pot nucleophilic addition reactions with various electrophiles allow the comprehensive synthesis of unsymmetrical monoselenides with high functional group tolerance. Notably, the method is applied to regioselective selenylation reactions of diiodoarenes and polyaromatic aryl halides that are difficult to operate via solution approaches. Besides selenium, elemental sulfur and tellurium are also competent in this process, which showcases the potential of the methodology for the facile synthesis of organochalcogen compounds.

Energy consumption analysis of power grid distribution transformers based on an improved genetic algorithm.

With the promotion of energy transformation, the utilization ratio of electrical power is progressively rising. Since electrical power is challenging to store, real-time production and consumption become imperative, imposing significant demands on the dependability and operational efficiency of electrical power apparatus. Suppose the load distribution among multiple transformers within a transformer network exhibits inequality. In such instances, it will amplify the total energy consumption during the voltage conversion process, and local, long-term high-load transformer networks become more susceptible to failures. In this article, we scrutinize the matter of transformer energy utilization in the context of electricity transmission within grid systems. We propose a methodology grounded on genetic algorithms to optimize transformer energy usage by dynamically redistributing loads among diverse transformers based on their operational status monitoring. In our experimentation, we employed three distinct approaches to enhance energy efficiency. The experimental findings evince that this approach facilitates swifter attainment of the optimal power level and diminishes the overall energy consumption during transformer operation. Moreover, it exhibits a heightened responsiveness to fluctuations in power demand from the electrical grid. Experimental results manifest that this technique can truncate monitoring time by 27% and curtail the overall energy consumption of the distribution transformer network by 11.81%. Lastly, we deliberate upon the potential applications of genetic algorithms in the realm of power equipment management and energy optimization issues.

Design of a trichogramma balls UAV delivery system and quality analysis of delivery operation.

The field boundaries in our country are complex. In attempts to control pests via trichogramma-dominated biological control, the long-term practice of manual trichogramma release has resulted in low control efficiency, thereby impeding sustainable agricultural development. Currently, the novel approach involves utilizing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for trichogramma balls delivery; however, the system is still in its nascent stages, presenting opportunities for enhancement in terms of stability and accuracy. Furthermore, there is a notable absence of comprehensive operational quality assessment standards. In this study, we establish a stable and accurate trichogramma balls delivery system using a four-axis plant protection UAV and introduce a comprehensive evaluation method for trichogramma balls delivery system. When dealing with fields with complex boundaries, it is beneficial to divide them into rectangular, trapezoidal, and stepped small fields at the boundary and perform operations within these small fields. According to our proposed evaluation method, when only considering the effect of field operations, the most effective boundary division shape is trapezoidal, followed by rectangular. and the worst is stepped. If both field operation effectiveness and the utilization effect of placed trichogramma balls are considered, the optimal shape is trapezoidal, then stepped, with rectangular being the least effective. Consequently, for UAV sub-area operations in complex boundary fields, it is advisable to divide the boundaries into trapezoids wherever possible. Field experiment results indicate that the system's delivery area can reach up to 4158 m²/min and the coverage rate of released trichogramma balls can exceed 97%. The system design methodology and comprehensive operational quality evaluation method proposed in this article provide technical support and scientific basis for the application and promotion of UAV delivery trichogramma balls system. This is conducive to the high-quality development of agriculture.

Wearable and battery-free wound dressing system for wireless and early sepsis diagnosis.

Sepsis is a severe organ dysfunction typically caused by wound infection which leads to septic shock, organ failure or even death if no early diagnosis and property medical treatment were taken. Herein, we report a soft, wearable and battery-free wound dressing system (WDS) for wireless and real-time monitoring of wound condition and sepsis-related biomarker (procalcitonin [PCT]) in wound exudate for early sepsis detection. The battery-free WDS powered by near-field communication enables wireless data transmission, signal processing and power supply, which allows portable intelligent wound caring. The exudate collection associates with soft silicone based microfluidic technologies (exudate collection time within 15 s), that can filtrate contamination at the cell level and enable a superior filtration rate up to 95% with adopting microsphere structures. The battery-free WDS also includes state-of-the-art biosensors, which can accurate detect the pH value, wound temperature, and PCT level and thus for sepsis diagnosis. In vivo studies of SD rats prove the capability of the WDS for continuously monitoring wound condition and PCT concentration in the exudate. As a result, the reported fully integrated WDS provides a potential solution for further developing wearable, multifunctional and on-site disease diagnosis.

Smart Surfaces with pH-Responsiveness Enhanced by Multiscale Hierarchical Structures Fabricated by Laser Direct Writing.

In contemporary applications, smart surfaces capable of altering their properties in response to external stimuli have garnered significant attention. Nonetheless, the efficient creation of smart surfaces exhibiting robust and rapid responsiveness and meticulous controllability on a large scale remains a challenge. This paper introduces an innovative approach to fabricate smart surfaces with strong pH-responsiveness, combining femtosecond laser direct writing (LDW) processing technology with stimulus-responsive polymer grafting. The proposed model involves the grafting of poly(2-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDEAEMA) onto rough and patterned Au/polystyrene (PS) bilayer surfaces through Au-SH bonding. The incorporation of LDW processing technology extends the choice of microstructures and roughness achievable on material surfaces, while PDEAEMA imparts pH responsiveness. Our findings revealed that the difference in contact angle between acidic and basic droplets on the rough PDEAEMA-g-Au surface (∼118°) greatly surpasses that on the flat PDEAEMA-g-Au surface (∼72°). Next, by leveraging the precision control over surface microstructures enabled by the LDW processing technique, this difference was further augmented to ∼127° on the optimized patterned PDEAEMA-g-Au surface. Further, we created two distinct combined smart surfaces with varying wettability profiles on which the hydrophilic-hydrophobic boundaries exhibit reliable asymmetric wettability for acidic and basic droplets. Additionally, we prepared a separator, realizing a better visual distinction between acid and base and collecting them separately. Given the effective abilities found in this study, we postulate that our smart surfaces hold substantial potential across diverse applications, encompassing microfluidic devices, intelligent sensors, and biomedicine.