In-Field Detectionof Plant Pathogens Using Three-Dimensional-PrintedMicroneedles and a Portable Platform

Fabrication of Rapidly Separable Microneedles for Transdermal Delivery of Metformin on Diabetic Rats.

It is extremely important to develop a minimally invasive and efficient approach for treatment of superficial skin tumors (SSTs). In this work, a near-infrared (NIR)-triggered transdermal therapeutic system based on two-stage separable microneedles (MNs) has been proposed for synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy against SSTs. Lauric acid and polycaprolactone as phase-change materials have been used to prepare the arrowheads of the two-stage separable MNs in which an anticancer drug (doxorubicin, DOX) and photothermal agent (indocyanine green, ICG) were embedded. The arrowheads are capped on the dissolvable support bases that consisted of poly(vinyl alcohol)/polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVA/PVP). After inserting into skin tissue, the PVA/PVP support bases can be dissolved quickly owing to the absorption of the interstitial fluid, leading the arrowheads to be left in the skin tissue. Under NIR irradiation, the arrowheads embedded in the skin can be ablated because of the photothermal conversion of the ICG, resulting in liberation and penetration of the DOX from the MNs into the tumor tissue. A mouse model of melanoma tumor has been established to evaluate the synergistic effect of two-stage separable MN phototherapy and chemotherapy in the treatment of skin cancer.

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a leading cause of evaporative dry eye disease, presenting a challenge for targeted treatment. Traditional topical ocular drug delivery methods often fail to effectively reach the meibomian glands (MGs). To address this, the study has developed a soluble microneedles (MN) patch comprising poly(vinyl alcohol), cyclodextrin modified polyacrylic acid, and new indocyanine green. This innovative MN patch facilitates the transdermal release of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPAR‐γ) agonists, such as rosiglitazone in response to near‐infrared ray induced temperature changes. By safely optimizing temperature, the patch effectively liquefied meibum lips, thereby alleviating duct obstruction while releasing the drug. MN patches exhibit sufficient mechanical strength for effective skin penetration, and its biosafety for eyelid application has been rigorously assessed in vitro and in vivo. The therapeutic efficiency of rosiglitazone loaded MN (ROSI‐MN) treatment for MGD is evaluated in high‐fat mice. After three months of treatments, ROSI‐MN administration significantly alleviated MGD clinical manifestations, including ocular surface damage, lipid deposits, glandular hypertrophy, and inflammatory infiltration, ultimately improving the microstructure and biofunction of MGs. In conclusion, the soluble MN patches hold promise as an effective drug delivery strategy for treating ocular surface diseases beyond MGD.

Melanoma, a malignant skin tumor originating from melanocytes, is typically treated with surgery in its early stages. However, chemotherapy becomes the primary treatment as the disease progresses to intermediate and advanced stages. The parenteral administration of chemotherapy can cause anxiety, discomfort, and infection risks, especially in immunocompromised cancer patients. Additionally, the circulating drugs can lead to systemic toxicity and side effects. Microneedles (MNs) provide a safer, less invasive alternative to address these issues. Herein, we demonstrated the effectiveness of integrating antimicrobial MNs with combined photothermal and chemotherapy treatment modalities against melanoma, presenting a promising approach to improving cancer treatment outcomes while minimizing associated risks. By leveraging the unique properties of chitosan (CS) and the versatility of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), we fabricated physically cross-linked MNs with inherent antibacterial and antiviral properties. The physical cross-linked network not only accommodated polypyrrole nanoparticles (PPy NPs) for photothermal capabilities but also facilitated drug [doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX)] loading and release over an extended period. Interestingly, in vitro and in vivo studies revealed that the MNs possess intrinsic antimelanoma properties. Compared to monotherapies, the combination of photothermal therapy and chemotherapy exhibited enhanced effectiveness against melanoma. This research paves the way for safer, more effective cancer treatment strategies.

Sol-gel processing of a covalent organic framework for the generation of hierarchically porous monolithic adsorbents

Mechanically robust antifouling coating with dual-functional antifouling strategy by infiltrating PDMS into plasma-sprayed porous Al2O3-Cu coating

Directly interface microreaction tube and test strip for the detection of Salmonella in food with combined isothermal amplification and lateral flow assay

The detection of a Cytochrome b gene (cytb) for species differentiation in fish is intensively used. A fast alternative to expensive and time-consuming DNA barcoding is loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) in combination with efficient readout systems. For this reason, we developed LAMP assays for rapid species detection of Pleuronectes platessa and Solea solea, two economically important flatfish species in Europe that are prone to mislabeling. Species-specific primer sets targeting cytb were designed, and LAMP assays were optimized. With the optimized LAMP assays, we were able to detect up to 0.1 and 0.01 ng of target DNA of P. platessa and S. solea, respectively, and in each case up to 1% (w/w) of target species in mixtures with nontarget species. For future on-site detection, a lateral flow assay and a pocket-sized lab-on-phone assay were used as readout systems. The lab-on-phone assay with the S. solea specific primer set revealed cross-reactivity to Solea senegalensis. The assay targeting P. platessa proved to be highly specific. Both assays could be performed within 45 min and provided rapid and easy detection of fish species.

Introduction Advances in diagnostic technologies, particularly Point-of-Care Diagnostics (POCDs), have revolutionized clinical practice by providing rapid, user-friendly, and affordable testing at or near the patient’s location. POCDs have been increasingly introduced in medical mycology and hold promise to improve patient outcomes in a variety of important human fungal diseases. Areas covered This review focuses on validated POCDs, particularly lateral flow assays (LFAs), for various fungal diseases. Additionally, we discuss emerging innovative techniques such as body fluid analysis, imaging methods, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), microfluidic systems, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based diagnostics, and the emerging role of artificial intelligence. Expert opinion Compact and user-friendly POCDs have been increasingly introduced in medical mycology, and some of these tests (e.g. Cryptococcus and Histoplasma antigen LFAs) have become mainstream diagnostics, while others, such as LFA in invasive aspergillosis show promise to become part of our routine diagnostic armamentarium. POCDs offer immense benefits such as timely and accurate diagnostic results, reduced patient discomfort, and lower healthcare costs and might contribute to antifungal stewardship. Integrated fluidics combined with microtechnology having multiplex capabilities will be pivotal in medical mycology.

In this study, microneedles (MNs) arrays with microchannels were prepared based on poly(vinyl alcohol) and hydroxyethylcellulose composite materials. The finite element method was adopted to optimize the size of microchannels and the needle tip by establishing the skin penetration model and the human interstitium fluid (ISF) extraction model. The results show that they are positively correlated with the stress during skin penetration. The extraction rate of ISF varies as a function of the microchannel size, initially increasing and then decreasing (with the peak extraction speed occurring at a diameter of 10 μm). Comprehensively considering the manufacture and structural strength, the MNs array with the extremely fast ISF extraction (45.0 ± 2.1 s) and excellent skin penetration ability was prepared (with the microchannel diameter of 4 μm and the needle tip diameter of 10 μm). Furthermore, the microchannel of MNs arrays prepared with soluble materials can continuously increase with the extraction of ISF, enabling it to have a faster extraction speed of ISF while also demonstrating the excellent skin penetration ability. This has halved the time for the MNs sensor to complete the detection. This work lays the foundation for the development of efficient ISF acquisition and the realization of in situ ISF detection technology.

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is a global animal pathogen. Traditional identification methods are time-consuming necessitating a more efficient approach. This study validated and enhanced the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique by integration it with a lateral flow dipstick (LFD) assay for the detection of S. pseudintermedius and methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) strains. Conventional identification methods were compared with LAMP and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The isolates were tested for MRSP detection using oxacillin and cefoxitin disk diffusion tests alongside the LAMP assay targeting the mecA gene, a marker for methicillin resistance. Results showed that LAMP combined with LFD effectively detected S. pseudintermedius and MRSP. This study identified 53 isolates as S. pseudintermedius by conventional and LAMP methods, with MALDI-TOF MS correctly identifying 39.62% (21/53). The mecA gene, crucial for methicillin resistance, was detected in all PCR-positive isolates (n = 33) by LAMP, while the disk diffusion method identified 69.70% (23/33) of mecA-positive strains. LAMP and conventional methods exhibited superior accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity (all 100%) compared to MALDI-TOF MS, which showed lower sensitivity (39.62%) for S. pseudintermedius identification. Similarly, the LAMP assay demonstrated higher accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity (all 100%) for MRSP detection compared to the disk diffusion method (83.33%, 69.70%, and 94.87%, respectively). The LAMP assay coupled with the LFD method proved suitable for routine bacterial identification in laboratories, offering adequate sensitivity and specificity with simple steps and short reaction time.

Organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), which possess wonderful device performance and mechanical robustness have been extensively explored in textile lighting applications. In this work, an ITO‐free, PEDOT:PSS/Ag‐fiber hybrid transparent conducting electrode (TCE) embedded in polymeric substrate (denoted as hybrid‐fiber TCE henceforth) for the fabrication of large‐area OLEDs is designed. The optimum hybrid‐fiber TCE with a pitch of 150 µm shows extraordinarily low sheet resistance (Rsheet = 1.3 Ω ▫−1) and exceptional mechanical flexibility, exhibiting ≈100% Rsheet retention at a bending radius of up to ≈0.5 mm. The device performance of the resulting OLEDs based on hybrid‐fiber TCEs (fiber‐OLEDs) is on‐par with that of ITO‐based OLED analogues. More fascinatingly, organic light emitting fibers (OLEFs), obtained via slitting the fiber‐OLEDs, display a maximum luminance efficiency of ≈38.2 cd A−1 and a maximum external quantum efficiency of ≈10.9%, which surpasses all previously reported results. In addition, the OLEFs are mechanically robust and able to withstand a high degree of deformation, thus can be woven into fabric matrix for smart textile application. The vacuum‐free, scalable fabrication of the high performance OLEFs demonstrated herein is significant for the development of extremely large‐area smart textile applications.

Biological self-healing strategies from mechanically robust heterophasic liquid metals

In this paper we present a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) that uniquely combines ionic conductivity and mechanical robustness. This is achieved with a diblock copolymer poly(benzyl methacrylate)-poly(ε-caprolactone-r-trimethylene carbonate). The SPE with 16.7 wt% lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) showed the highest ionic conductivity (9.1×10−6 S cm−1 at 30 °C) and apparent transference number (T+) of 0.64 ± 0.04. Due to the employment of the benzyl methacrylate hard-block, this SPE is mechanically robust with a storage modulus (E') of 0.2 GPa below 40 °C, similar to polystyrene, thus making it a suitable material also for load-bearing constructions. The cell Li|SPE|LiFePO4 is able to cycle reliably at 30 °C for over 300 cycles. The promising mechanical properties, desired for compatibility with Li-metal, together with the fact that BCT is a highly reliable electrolyte material makes this SPE an excellent candidate for next-generation all-solid-state batteries.

Passive radiative cooling, as a zero‐energy, environmentally friendly refrigeration technology, holds significant application potential in mitigating global warming and related fields. However, a critical bottleneck persists: the inherent trade‐off between its optical cooling performance and mechanical robustness, which severely limits its practical deployment. This paper proposes a one‐pot ball milling process that simultaneously refines, mixes, and chemically fuses microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and silica (SiO 2 ) to fabricate hierarchical MCC/SiO 2 hybrid particles. The engineered fillers are then seamlessly integrated into a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix, ultimately yielding flexible, mechanically robust, and highly efficient radiative cooling composite MCC/SiO 2 /PDMS film for synergistic enhancement of optical and mechanical properties. The optimized film exhibits a record‐high solar reflectance of 94.58% and a long‐wave infrared emissivity of 95.22%. Notably, it breaks the traditional performance trade‐off: the incorporation of MCC/SiO 2 enhances the mechanical strength and toughness of PDMS by 1.6 MPa and 1.02 MJ cm −3 . Outdoor tests demonstrate an average sub‐ambient cooling effect of 8°C under direct sunlight. This work provides a novel paradigm for designing sustainable high‐performance materials through microstructural engineering of hybrid fillers.