Bio-inspired multimodal soft actuator with environmental self-adaptation.

Autonomous soft robots with built-in feedback can achieve self-sustained motion under constant, untethered stimuli. However, these systems are constrained to single-mode actuation within a fixed structure under the same type of stimulus and require human intervention to switch modes, lacking the robust and efficient self-adaptation of living organisms in changing environments. Inspired by Gymnura micrura, we developed a light-responsive soft actuator with engineered asymmetry and a dynamic structure, integrating two distinct built-in feedback mechanisms governed by intrinsic bifurcation.

Target Aggregate Data Adjustment Method for Transportability Analysis Utilizing Summary-Level Data From the Target Population.

Transportability analysis is a causal inference framework used to evaluate the external validity of studies by transporting treatment effects from a study sample to an external target population by adjusting for differences in the distributions of their effect modifiers. Most existing methods require individual patient-level data (IPD) for both the source and the target population, narrowing its applicability when only target aggregate-level data (AgD) are available. For survival analysis, accounting for censoring may be needed to reduce bias, yet AgD-based transportability methods in the presence of informative-censoring remain underexplored.

DNA-Templated Spatially Controlled Proteolysis Targeting Chimera for Cyclin D1-CDK4/6 Complex Protein Degradation.

Constraining proximity-based drugs, such as proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs), into their bioactive conformation can significantly impact their selectivity and potency. However, traditional methods for achieving this often involve complex and time-consuming synthetic procedures. Here, we introduced an alternative approach by demonstrating DNA-templated spatially controlled PROTACs (DTACs), which leverage the programmability of nucleic acid-based self-assembly for efficient synthesis and offer precise control over inhibitors' spacing and orientation.

Supramolecular hydrogel actuators with reprogrammable magnetic orientation by locally mediated viscoelasticity and pinning force.

Magnetic soft actuators with reprogrammable deformations have gained substantial attention due to their adaptability for various applications. However, achieving precise and local reorientation of magnetic particles remains challenging. Here, we present a strategy to locally tailor the viscoelasticity of magnetic supramolecular hydrogels, facilitate reorientation of the embedded magnetic particles, and enable reprogrammable magnetoactuated deformation and locomotion of the composite gels.

Noncovalent Aggregation for Diverse Properties in Hydrogels: A Comprehensive Review.

The rapid expansion of hydrogel research over recent decades has bridged fundamental chemistry and physics with advanced materials science applications. This field necessitates comprehensive and in-depth review and discussion of the diverse and rapidly expanding body of research, thereby providing a cohesive understanding that can drive future innovations and applications. This review delves into the role of noncovalent interactions in hydrogel aggregation, a critical mechanism for creating desired microstructures that enhance material properties.

Advancing physical intelligence for autonomous soft robots.

Achieving lifelike autonomy remains a long-term aspiration, yet soft robots so far have mostly demonstrated rudimentary physical intelligence that relies on manipulation of external stimuli to generate continuous motion. To realize autonomous physical intelligence (API) capable of self-regulated sensing, decision-making, and actuation, a promising approach is creating nonlinear time-lag feedback embedded within materials, where a constant stimulus elicits delayed responses to enable autonomous motion. This Review explores such feedback mechanisms, traces the evolution of physically intelligent robots, outlines strategies for embedding API in soft robots under diverse environments, and further discusses challenges and future directions beyond simple locomotion.

A Generalized Phase I/II Dose Optimization Trial Design With Multi-Categorical and Multi-Graded Outcomes.

Pursuing accurate observations and rational assumptions always drives advances in clinical trial design. In recent years, more trials have begun to collect multi-graded outcomes for more informative analyses. At the same time, assumptions other than the traditional monotonicity relationship have been considered in the dose-efficacy curve to be more realistic.

A Hierarchical Multimetal Oxides@Graphene Fabric Electrode with High Energy Density and Robust Cycling Performance for Flexible Supercapacitors.

An advanced structure capable of hosting large electrochemical activity with desired balance in ion diffusion kinetics, faradic charge storage, and robust stability is the key to developing high-performance fabric-based electrochemical supercapacitors (FSCs). Herein, we develop a hierarchical multimetal oxides@graphene fabric (Cu-MO@GFF) as a supercapacitor electrode with accelerated ionic diffusion, adsorption energy, faradic redox reaction kinetics, and electrochemical reversibility. As a result, the Cu-MO@GFF presents excellent mass capacitance (534 F g), high rate performance (266 F g at 10 A g), and good cycle performance (96.

An Indicator Based on Spatial Coordinate Information for Assessing the Capability for Dynamic Machining Performance of Five-Axis Flank Milling.

As a spatial coordinate sensor, the touch-trigger on-machine probe is a key equipment in manufacturing that ensures machining quality, and it has played an important role in five-axis flank milling. However, in flank milling, the utilization of the deviation as a conventional indicator for quality assessment of the machining performance is incomprehensive without considering the characteristics of the machining method. In this paper, the error mutual moment is introduced as an indicator to assess the capability for dynamic machining performance of the machine tool in flank milling based on the spatial coordinate information of the touch-trigger on-machine probe considering the characteristic of the error distribution of the flank milling.

Antagonistic-contracting high-power photo-oscillators for multifunctional actuations.

High-power autonomous soft actuators are in high demand yet face challenges related to tethered power and dedicated control. Light-driven oscillation by stimuli-responsive polymers allows for remote energy input and control autonomy, but generating high output power density is a daunting challenge requiring an advanced material design principle. Here, inspired by the flight muscle structure of insects, we develop a self-oscillator based on two antagonistically contracting photo-active layers sandwiching an inactive layer.

Overcoming cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer: A novel approach via mitochondrial targeting peptide Pal-pHK-pKV.

Cisplatin (DDP) resistance in advanced stages of ovarian cancer significantly reduces survival rates. Mitochondria may serve as a potential therapeutic target for ovarian cancer. Pal-pHK-pKV is a mitochondrial targeting peptide synthesized by supramolecular assembly.

Gut microbiota-derived cholic acid mediates neonatal brain immaturity and white matter injury under chronic hypoxia.

Chronic hypoxia, common in neonates, disrupts gut microbiota balance, which is crucial for brain development. This study utilized cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) patients and a neonatal hypoxic rat model to explore the association. Both hypoxic rats and CCHD infants exhibited brain immaturity, white matter injury (WMI), brain inflammation, and motor/learning deficits.

Fast and Facile Liquid Metal Printing via Projection Lithography for Highly Stretchable Electronic Circuits.

Soft electronic circuits are crucial for wearable electronics, biomedical technologies, and soft robotics, requiring soft conductive materials with high conductivity, high strain limit, and stable electrical performance under deformation. Liquid metals (LMs) have become attractive candidates with high conductivity and fluidic compliance, while effective manufacturing methods are demanded. Digital light processing (DLP)-based projection lithography is a high-resolution and high-throughput printing technique for primarily polymers and some metals.

Investigation of reversible metal ion (Li, Na, Mg, Al) insertion in MoTe for rechargeable aqueous batteries.

In this work, we report the electrochemical reactivity of MoTe for various metal ions with special emphasis on Al ion storage in aqueous electrolytes for the first time. A stable discharge capacity of 100 mA h g over 250 cycles at a current density of 1 Ag could be obtained for the Al ion, whereas inferior storage capacities were shown for other metal ions.

Tough Hydrogel Electrolytes for Anti-Freezing Zinc-Ion Batteries.

As the soaring demand for energy storage continues to grow, batteries that can cope with extreme conditions are highly desired. Yet, existing battery materials are limited by weak mechanical properties and freeze-vulnerability, prohibiting safe energy storage in devices that are exposed to low temperature and unusual mechanical impacts. Herein, a fabrication method harnessing the synergistic effect of co-nonsolvency and "salting-out" that can produce poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel electrolytes with unique open-cell porous structures, composed of strongly aggregated polymer chains, and containing disrupted hydrogen bonds among free water molecules, is introduced.

A Regulatory Loop Involving miR-200c and NF-κB Modulates Mortalin Expression and Increases Cisplatin Sensitivity in an Ovarian Cancer Cell Line Model.

Ovarian cancer is currently the most lethal gynecological cancer. At present, primary debulking surgery combined with platinum-based chemotherapy is the standard treatment strategy for ovarian cancer. Although cisplatin-based chemotherapy has greatly improved the prognosis of patients, the subsequent primary or acquired drug resistance of cancer cells has become an obstacle to a favorable prognosis.

Inattention and hyperactivity in children and adolescents with repaired D-transposition of the great arteries: Prevalence, perioperative risk factors, and clinical outcomes.

Objective: The present study objectives were to determine the prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms (ADHD-like symptoms) in children and adolescent with d-transposition of great artery (D-TGA) after arterial switch operation (ASO) and examine associated risk factors and adverse personal, family dysfunctions.

Methods: This cohort study included 103 patients with D-TGA who underwent ASO in early infancy at Shanghai Children's Medical Center between 2011 and 2016 and then follow-up. Data analysis was conducted from September 2020 to April 2022.

Bubble-Channeling Electrophoresis of Honeycomb-Like Chitosan Composites.

A chitosan composite with a vertical array of pore channels is fabricated via an electrophoretic deposition (EPD) technique. The composite consists of chitosan and polyethylene glycol, as well as nanoparticles of silver oxide and silver. The formation of hydrogen bubbles during EPD renders a localized increase of hydroxyl ions that engenders the precipitation of chitosan.

Mitochondria-specific peptide amphiphiles induce mitochondrial dysfunction and peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL) damage.

Background: Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL) are aggressive lymphomas with poor prognosis, and therefore, there is a pressing need to explore new targets or compounds. Mitochondria may serve as a potential therapeutic target for PTCL. A designed positively-charged segment (pKV) is anchored to the specific 15 amino acid sequence (MIASHLLAYFFTELN) to yield a cell-penetrating peptide (pHK-pKV) and a lipid chain (Pal) is conjugated to the N-terminus of pHK-pKV (Pal-pHK-pKV) are bioactive amphiphilic peptide assemblies targeting the interaction between mitochondrial voltage dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) and hexokinase II (HKII).

Cardiac-type total anomalous pulmonary venous return is not benign.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between morphological variation and postsurgical pulmonary vein (PV) stenosis (PPVS) in patients with cardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC).

Methods: This single-center, retrospective study included 168 pediatric patients who underwent surgical repair of cardiac TAPVC from 2013 to 2019 (connection to the coronary sinus [CS], n = 136; connection directly to the right atrium [RA], n = 32). Three-dimensional computed tomography modeling and geometric analysis were performed to investigate the morphological features; their relevance to the PPVS was examined.

Biochar-supported nZVI for the removal of Cr(VI) from soil and water: Advances in experimental research and engineering applications.

Over the past decade, biochar-supported nZVI composites (nZVI/biochar) have been developed and applied to treat various pollutants due to their excellent physical and chemical properties, especially in the field of chromium (VI) removal. This paper reviewed the factors influencing the preparation and experiments of nZVI/biochar composites, optimization methods, column experimental studies and the mechanism of Cr(VI) removal. The results showed that the difference in raw materials and preparation temperature led to the difference in functional groups and electron transfer capabilities of nZVI/biochar materials.

MORTALIN-Ca axis drives innate rituximab resistance in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, with the combination of rituximab and chemotherapy being the standard treatment for it. Although rituximab monotherapy has a remarkable response rate, drug resistance with unclear mechanisms and lack of effective second-line therapy limit the survival benefits of patients with lymphoma. Here, we report that MORTALIN is highly expressed and correlates with resistance to rituximab-based therapy and poor survival in patients with DLBCL.