Thermal Gradient-Driven Heterogeneous Actuation of Liquid Crystal Elastomers for a Crawling Robot.

Emerging soft robots based on liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) exhibit remarkable capabilities for large reversible shape morphing, enabling them to adapt to complex environments and perform diverse tasks such as locomotion and camouflage. Despite extensive studies, current methods for locally controlled actuation of LCE-based soft robots often involve intricate structural design, complex programming of LCEs, incorporation of multiple materials, or complex actuation methods. Here, we present a simple and efficient approach to achieve multiple deformation modes within a simply programmed LCE structure by harnessing Joule heating-induced thermal gradients across the LCE volume.

Liquid-based encapsulation for implantable bioelectronics across broad pH environments.

Wearable and implantable bioelectronics that can interface for extended periods with highly mobile organs and tissues across a broad pH range would be useful for various applications in basic biomedical research and clinical medicine. The encapsulation of these systems, however, presents a major challenge, as such devices require superior barrier performance against water and ion penetration in challenging pH environments while also maintaining flexibility and stretchability to match the physical properties of the surrounding tissue. Current encapsulation materials are often limited to near-neutral pH conditions, restricting their application range.

Viscoelasticity of Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels Regulates Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Spinal Cord Organoid Patterning and Vascularization.

Recently, it has been recognized that natural extracellular matrix (ECM) and tissues are viscoelastic, while only elastic properties have been investigated in the past. How the viscoelastic matrix regulates stem cell patterning is critical for cell-ECM mechano-transduction. Here, this study fabricated different methacrylated hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels using covalent cross-linking, consisting of two gels with similar elasticity (stiffness) but different viscoelasticity, and two gels with similar viscoelasticity but different elasticity (stiffness).

Tough and Elastic Cellulose Composite Hydrogels/Films for Flexible Wearable Sensors.

Cellulose and its composites, despite being abundant and sustainable, are typically brittle with very low flexibility/stretchability. This study reports a solution processing method to prepare porous, amorphous, and elastic cellulose hydrogels and films. Native cellulose dissolved in a water-ZnCl mixture can form ionic gels through in situ polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) to poly(acrylic acid) (PAA).

Longitudinal Cervical Length Measurements and Spontaneous Preterm Birth in Singleton and Twin Pregnancies.

Importance: Changes in cervical length in twin pregnancies exhibit various patterns, but it is unclear whether the mechanism underlying spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) is consistent. The existence of detailed phenomena in singleton pregnancies is also unclear.

Objectives: To explore the different patterns in cervical length trajectories in singleton and twin pregnancies and to analyze whether the immunological mechanisms of sPTB are consistent among these cervical length patterns.

The changing Doppler patterns and perinatal outcomes of monochorionic diamniotic twins with selective fetal growth restriction.

Objectives: To investigate the clinical outcomes and Doppler patterns changes in monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twins with selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 362 sFGR cases from January 2010 to May 2016 at a single tertiary referral center. The Doppler waveforms of umbilical artery end-diastolic flow were collected, and all neonates were subjected to an early neonatal brain scan.

Serum lipid reference values recommended during a twin pregnancy and evaluating its association with perinatal outcomes.

Background: Maternal lipid metabolism fluctuations have been shown to increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, there is no consensus over what constitutes normal maternal lipid values during twin pregnancy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish a serum lipid reference range for a twin pregnancy.

A study on the correlation of placental anastomosis and superficial vascular branches of selective fetal growth restriction in monochorionic diamniotic twins.

Introduction: The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the correlation between placental anastomosis and superficial vascular branches in selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR) in monochorionic diamniotic twins.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of the pregnancy data and placental perfusion of 395 patients with monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twin pregnancies delivered at our hospital from April 2013 to April 2020. We divided the patients into two groups and compared the number of placental superficial vascular branches in sFGR twins and normal MCDA twins.

Thick artery-artery anastomoses delay the onset of selective fetal growth restriction in monochorionic diamniotic twins: a 7-year single-center cohort study.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate differences in placental characteristics between early- and late-onset selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR) in monochorionic diamniotic twins.

Methods: A total of 253 patients with sFGR between April 2013 and April 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Placental characteristics of early- and late-onset sFGR were compared.

Outcomes of fetal reduction versus expectant management in dichorionic triamniotic triplets.

Objective: To compare the outcomes of dichorionic triamniotic (DCTA) triplets who underwent fetal reduction (FR) to singletons or twins with those managed expectantly.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of DCTA triplets with three living fetuses at 11-14 weeks over a 7-year period. Pregnancy outcomes were compared following different management strategies.

Soft, flexible pressure sensors for pressure monitoring under large hydrostatic pressure and harsh ocean environments.

Traditional rigid ocean pressure sensors typically require protection from bulky pressure chambers and complex seals to survive the large hydrostatic pressure and harsh ocean environment. Here, we introduce soft, flexible pressure sensors that can eliminate such a need and measure a wide range of hydrostatic pressures (0.1 MPa to 15 MPa) in environments that mimic the ocean, achieving small size, high flexibility, and potentially low power consumption.

Soft, flexible conductivity sensors for ocean salinity monitoring.

Flexible electrochemical sensors that measure the concentrations of specific analytes (, ions, molecules, and microorganisms) provide valuable information for medical diagnosis, personal health care, and environmental monitoring. However, the conductive electrodes of such sensors need to be exposed to the surrounding environments like chloride-containing aqueous solutions during their operation, where chloride ions (Cl) can potentially cause corrosion and dissolution of the sensors, negatively impacting their performance and durability. In this work, we develop soft, flexible conductivity sensors made of gold (Au) electrodes and systematically study their electrochemical behaviors in sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions to prevent chloride-induced corrosion and enhance their sensitivity for marine environmental monitoring.

The role of E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases in bladder cancer development and immunotherapy.

Bladder cancer is one of the common malignant urothelial tumors. Post-translational modification (PTMs), including ubiquitination, acetylation, methylation, and phosphorylation, have been revealed to participate in bladder cancer initiation and progression. Ubiquitination is the common PTM, which is conducted by E1 ubiquitin-activating enzyme, E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme and E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase.

The Proteome Landscape of Human Placentas for Monochorionic Twins with Selective Intrauterine Growth Restriction.

In perinatal medicine, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is one of the greatest challenges. The etiology of IUGR is multifactorial, but most cases are thought to arise from placental insufficiency. However, identifying the placental cause of IUGR can be difficult due to numerous confounding factors.

Inflammatory Response and Exosome Biogenesis of Choroid Plexus Organoids Derived from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells.

The choroid plexus (ChP) is a complex structure in the human brain that is responsible for the secretion of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and forming the blood-CSF barrier (B-CSF-B). Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have shown promising results in the formation of brain organoids in vitro; however, very few studies to date have generated ChP organoids. In particular, no study has assessed the inflammatory response and the extracellular vesicle (EV) biogenesis of hiPSC-derived ChP organoids.

Nanoparticles overcome adaptive immune resistance and enhance immunotherapy targeting tumor microenvironment in lung cancer.

Lung cancer is one of the common malignant cancers worldwide. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has improved survival of lung cancer patients. However, ICI therapy leads to adaptive immune resistance and displays resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade in lung cancer, leading to less immune response of lung cancer patients.

Long noncoding RNAs regulate intrauterine adhesion and cervical cancer development and progression.

Intrauterine adhesion, one of reproductive system diseases in females, is developed due to endometrial injury, such as infection, trauma, uterine congenital abnormalities and uterine curettage. Intrauterine adhesion affects female infertility and causes several complications, including amenorrhoea, hypomenorrhoea, and recurrent abortion. Cervical cancer is one of the common gynecological tumors and the fourth leading cancer-related death in women worldwide.

Covalently Attached Slippery Surface Coatings to Reduce Protein Adsorptions on Poly(dimethylsiloxane) Planar Surfaces and 3D Microfluidic Channels.

Silicone elastomers, such as poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), have a broad range of applications in basic biomedical research and clinical medicine, ranging from the preparation of microfluidic devices for organs-on-chips and ventriculoperitoneal shunts for the treatment of hydrocephalus to implantable neural probes for neuropharmacology. Despite the importance, the protein adsorptions on silicone elastomers in these application environments represent a significant challenge. Surface coatings with slippery lubricants, inspired by the pitcher plants, have recently received much attention for reducing protein adsorptions.

Research progress of neoantigen-based dendritic cell vaccines in pancreatic cancer.

The mutation of the crucial genes such as tumor suppressors or oncogenes plays an important role in the initiation and development of tumors. The non-synonymous mutations in the tumor cell genome will produce non-autologous proteins (neoantigen) to activate the immune system by activating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Neoantigen-based peptide vaccines have exhibited exciting therapeutic effects in treating various cancers alone or in combination with other therapeutic strategies.

Studying the Inflammatory Responses to Amyloid Beta Oligomers in Brain-Specific Pericyte and Endothelial Co-culture from Human Stem Cells.

Background: Recently, the blood brain barrier (BBB) models derived from human pluripotent stem cells have been given extensive attention in therapeutics due to the implications it has with the health of the central nervous system. It is essential to create an accurate BBB model in order to better understand the properties of the BBB and how it can respond to inflammatory stimulation and be passed by targeted or non-targeted cell therapeutics, more specifically extracellular vesicles.

Methods: Brain-specific pericytes (iPCs) were differentiated from iPSK3 cells using dual SMAD signaling inhibitors and Wnt activation plus fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2).

Biosensor integrated tissue chips and their applications on Earth and in space.

The development of space exploration technologies has positively impacted everyday life on Earth in terms of communication, environmental, social, and economic perspectives. The human body constantly fluctuates during spaceflight, even for a short-term mission. Unfortunately, technology is evolving faster than humans' ability to adapt, and many therapeutics entering clinical trials fail even after being subjected to vigorous in vivo testing due to toxicity and lack of efficacy.

Progress of radiological‑pathological workflows in the differential diagnosis between primary central nervous system lymphoma and high‑grade glioma (Review).

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) and high‑grade glioma (HGG) are distinct entities of the CNS with completely distinct treatments. The treatment of PCNSL is chemotherapy‑based, while surgery is the first choice for HGG. However, the clinical features of the two entities often overlap, and a clear pathological diagnosis is important for subsequent management, especially for the management of PCNSL.

Head-To-Head Comparison of Ga-FAPI PET/CT and FDG PET/CT for the Detection of Peritoneal Metastases: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

FDG PET/CT has limited diagnostic performance in the detection of peritoneal metastasis (PM). Gallium-68-labeled fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) targets tumor stroma, leading to high accumulation across cancer types. The purpose of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis to compare the diagnostic performances of Ga-FAPI PET/CT and FDG PET/CT in detecting PM on the basis of studies providing head-to-head comparisons between the two tests.