Excessive and continuous production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a significant factor contributing to severe inflammation, bacterial infections, and poor angiogenesis, and it can also delay the healing of diabetic wounds. However, traditional clinical treatment methods are unable to effectively eliminate ROS. Herein, a dual ROS-scavenging platform that integrates multifunctional niobium carbide (Nb2C) reinforced with curcumin (Cur) with UV-crosslinked hydrogel microneedles (MN) is presented. In this system, Cur, acting as the primary scavenger, can rapidly neutralize extracellular ROS. Under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, the embedded Nb2C not only triggers the on-demand release of curcumin but also, through its enzyme-like peroxidase-mimicking activity, acts as a secondary scavenger to eliminate deep intracellular ROS, thus providing a two-stage antioxidant defense mechanism. This NIR-enhanced dual-action synergistic effect can balance the oxidative microenvironment, promote the repolarization of macrophages from the M1 type to the M2 type, facilitate angiogenesis, and produce a powerful photothermal combined antibacterial effect. The results of in vivo experiments indicate that the use of Nb2C-CurCD-GelMA MNs can significantly accelerate the healing of full-thickness diabetic wounds. The mechanism lies in coordinating the reduction of inflammation and tissue regeneration. This study offers a sophisticated and safe treatment strategy for refractory diabetic wounds.

Continuous and stable photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide production via π-π engineered microenvironments in covalent organic frameworks enabling spatial separation of radical pathways.

Integrated fabric distillation-crystallizer for zero liquid discharge of hypersaline brines.

Fe-FeOx nanoparticles anchored on nitrogen-doped carbon support: A robust bifunctional catalyst for zinc-air batteries.

Fe3O4-Enhanced Continuous Production of Medium-chain Fatty Acids from Sludge: Metagenomic Perspective on Microbial Synergy.

Foam-transfer assisted solvent evaporation for continuous production of high-loading PLA/protein microspheres

Shear force promoted continuous production of multilayer graphene nanosheets on molten Cu surface

New bi-functional catalysts for a novel continuous production of propylene oxide with in-situ generated hydrogen peroxide

ABSTRACT Hydrogel fibers, which merge the inherent softness and biocompatibility of hydrogels with the high aspect ratio and flexibility of a fibrous structure, are highly sought after for next‐generation fibrous devices. However, their applications suffer from trade‐offs in mechanical robustness, environmental tolerance, and scalable production. Here, we introduce a synergistic freeze‐spinning and salting‐out strategy to overcome these intertwined challenges simultaneously. Freeze‐spinning aligns polyvinyl alcohol chains, enabling continuous production of oriented fibers. Subsequent salting‐out in sodium citrate/glycerol/H 2 O solution synergistically enhances properties: citrate ions induce physical crosslinking to boost strength, orientation, and crystallinity, while glycerol provides freeze resistance and moisture retention. The resulting fibers exhibit an unattainable combination of ultrahigh elongation (1779.08 % ± 130.33 %) and tensile strength (20.50 ± 0.52 MPa), breaking through the performance boundaries of traditional hydrogel fibers. Furthermore, embedded silver nanowires endow the fibers with stable electrical conductivity and strain‐sensing even at −40°C. This work integrates ultra‐high strength, toughness, broad‐temperature environmental tolerance, and electronic functionality into a single hydrogel fiber, opening new avenues for high‐performance fibrous devices.

Nanovesicular systems hold a significant promise for drug delivery, yet their clinical translation is hindered by challenges in scalability and reproducibility. This study introduces in-line homogenization as a continuous, organic solvent-free approach for scalable fabrication of bilayered unilamellar vesicles, NioTherms (Niosome-like) and ThermoSomes (Liposome-like), loaded with model hydrophobic (Posaconazole, PCZ) and hydrophilic (Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate, DEX) drugs. Using a heat-mixing method as the baseline, formulations were scaled from 10mL (1x) to 1 L (100x) via a rotor-stator-based in-line homogenizer. Process parameters including pump speed, homogenizer speed, cycle number, phase ratio and output rate were optimized. The resulting vesicles exhibited uniform particle size and entrapment efficiencies comparable to the lab-scale batches. The formation of vesicles, morphology, internal structure, and integrity of the formed particles was confirmed by TEM and SANS analysis. The system enabled rapid batch processing (< 5min for 1 L) with substantial product yields up to 80%. The process demonstrated excellent reproducibility and eliminated the need for post-processing. This study establishes in-line homogenization as a robust, scalable platform for faster production of nanovesicular drug delivery systems, effectively bridging the gap between bench-scale development and continuous manufacturing.

The electrooxidation of biomass platform molecules to produce highly value-added chemicals represents a promising technology for biomass utilization and carbon emission reduction. However, low production capacity and the lack of well-established engineering paradigms have constrained the practical application of this technology. Here, a green chemical process for the anion-exchange membrane (AEM) electrocatalytic 5-hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation (AEM-HMFOR) is proposed and applied to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) production, with subsequent separation and purification. We demonstrate an optimized hundred-watt-scale AEM-HMFOR stack (164.8 W) for continuous FDCA production, with a high Faradaic efficiency (94.6%) and FDCA yield (96.2%) at 100% single-pass conversion efficiency (SPCE). This stack operates stably for over 100 hours with a space-time yield (STY) of 367.2 mg h-1 cm-2. A membrane separation device is employed to purify FDCA with an overall purity of 99.8%. Techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) have certified the economic viability and environmental sustainability of the proposed AEM-HMFOR technology. These findings represent a significant advancement in the practical application of large-scale AEM-HMFOR systems coupled to green H2 production.

Smart wearable devices have become integrated into people's daily lives, while triboelectric textiles are emerging as one of the most promising wearable power sources since they can harvest biomechanical energy with great wear comfort. However, the low and alternating output as well as the difficulties in large-area fabrication of triboelectric textiles severely restrict their practical applications. Here, core-sheath-structured fibers (CSSF) are obtained by conjugated electrospinning and then woven with cotton fibers and conductive yarns to form a dual-mode triboelectric textile (DMTT). The CSSF is strong enough for the subsequent weaving, sliding, and even washing, making sure the continuous production and great mechanical stability of the DMTT. In sliding mode, direct-current (DC) signals can be obtained via induction by the warp and weft interlaced structure, which achieves electrostatic breakdown. The maximum instantaneous DC output current reaches 420 mA·m-2, which is 6 times higher than the state of the art of DC triboelectric textiles. Moreover, the DMTT can also generate alternating-current signals when pressed by external force. The dual-mode outputs of DMTT make it possible to detect a much wider range of external stimuli, showing its great potential for multi-motion identification.

The resource recovery and high-value utilization of coal gasification slag (CGS) are vital to promoting green and sustainable advancement in the coal chemical industry. However, synthesizing advanced functional materials with stable performance and high economic value from CGS remains a significant challenge. This research presents an approach to utilize coal gasification fine slag (CGFS) as an economical silicon source for the continuous production of SiO2 nanofluids in a spiral microreactor. The excellent mixing efficiency in the developed 3D-printed spiral microreactor is verified through numerical simulation and fluorescence visualization experiments. Following activation and desilication treatment of CGFS, the microreactor enables the continuous production of SiO2 nanofluids, which exhibit homogeneous particle dimensions and outstanding colloidal stability. The flow boiling heat transfer performance of the fabricated nanofluids in high-power chip cooling applications is systematically evaluated. The results reveal that the 0.01 wt % SiO2 nanofluids exhibit the best heat transfer enhancement, achieving a maximum increase of 49.52% in critical heat flux (CHF) and a 34.00% improvement in maximum heat transfer coefficient (HTC) compared to deionized water as the basic fluid. Through bubble visualization combined with deposition surface characteristic analysis, it is found that nanofluids effectively reduce the bubble size and shorten the bubble lifetime by increasing surface nucleation sites, improving wall wettability, and delaying bubble coalescence, thereby enhancing the boiling heat transfer process. This study not only establishes a novel pathway for the high-value utilization of CGFS but also offers theoretical insights and a technical foundation for developing cost-effective, high-performance cooling fluids.

Recently, numerous nations have found themselves in urgent need of an effective water desalination method that utilizes less energy and addresses water scarcity. A low-pressure desalination system is an appropriate technology for many regions due to its benefits, including minimal energy usage to achieve the evaporation threshold, substantial water output, and high-quality pure water. This work primarily aims to ensure the sustainability of low-pressure solar-powered desalination technology combined with a finned natural air-cooling condenser by providing a comprehensive analysis of the exergy, economic, and environmental aspects. Furthermore, innovative technology is a pioneer in generating freshwater continuously without affecting system pressure. Ambient temperature serves as a crucial sign of climate conditions, influencing the level of freshwater productivity, particularly when utilizing a natural air-cooled condenser. Consequently, this temperature has been thoroughly investigated through experiments and exergy analysis. Under the optimal conditions for this study, hsw = 15 cm, Tsw = 80 °C, and Tamb = 28 °C, the maximum productivity and GOR were obtained as 1020 g/hr and 1.2, respectively. Exergetic efficiency can reach a maximum of 3.48%. The economic analysis of the proposed system indicates that the cost of freshwater productivity is USD 0.042 per kilogram. Furthermore, the device’s first cost recovery period is roughly 183 days or 3.6% of its lifetime. The quantity and price of diluted CO2 over the lifetime of the device are 13 tons of CO2/year and 188.5 USD/year, respectively.

Dupuytren's disease is a fibroproliferative disorder of the palmer fascia (PF) characterised by flexion contractures in the hand. Dupuytren's disease can be treated surgically, but disease recurrence rates are high, potentially due to continual production of matrisomal proteins. Here, metabolic labelling and proteomics identified differences in the new synthesis and composition of matrisomal proteins between Dupuytren's tissue and normal PF. Dupuytren's tissue actively synthesised type I collagen, fibronectin (FN1), matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -3 (MMP2, MMP3) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP2). Both tissues actively synthesised insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7). Label-free analysis implicated the transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) pathway in the matrisomal profile of Dupuytren's tissue. The effect of TGFβ isoforms on COL1 mRNA expression was first tested in cultured young and aged equine tenocytes. COL1A1 mRNA responded to treatment with all TGFβ isoforms and was more highly expressed in cells from aged samples. In aged human cells, COL1A1 and COL1A2 mRNA was higher in cells derived from Dupuytren's tissue than normal PF and in response to TGFβ1, but no changes in COL1A1 or COL1A2 CpG methylation were detected. TGFβ1 treatment only resulted in increased type I collagen protein accumulation in the media of Dupuytren's nodule cells. In three-dimensional cultures, COL1A1 mRNA was lower in normal PF than in Dupuytren's cells, but TGFβ1 treatment only increased type I collagen accumulation in the media of normal PF cultures, and TGFβ1 inhibition did not alter new collagen protein synthesis. TGFβ1 inhibition in Dupuytren's tissue explants did not alter the proportion of homotrimeric type I collagen, nor was this changed in skin or tendon of the tight-skin (TSK) mouse, a naturally occurring model of indirect TGFβ1 activation. Therefore, the role of TGFβ in Dupuytren's disease may be predominantly related to myofibroblast phenoconversion and contractility rather than directly altering collagen protein synthesis. © 2026 The Author(s). The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Horses' hypsodont (high-crowned) teeth face permanent dental wear. This is compensated for by a continuous eruption, which requires a high adaptability of odontoblasts; otherwise, the dental pulp would be exposed. Here, we report on how equine odontoblasts respond to the challenge of maintaining a high production rate of dentin. We analyzed CD90, a marker of odontoblastic differentiation, and nestin, a marker of mature odontoblasts, in equine pulpal tissue via immunofluorescence. For comparison, we examined the hypselodont (ever-growing) incisors and brachydont (short-crowned) molars of rats. Immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis of pulpal tissue revealed a higher content of CD90-positive cells in hypsodont equine teeth than in brachydont and hypselodont rat teeth. The odontoblastic layer of hypsodont teeth was positive for CD90 (marker for differentiating odontoblasts), which was not the case for brachydont and hypselodont rat teeth. Most samples of hypsodont teeth were negative for nestin, whereas in hypselodont and brachydont teeth, odontoblasts were positive for nestin (marker for mature odontoblasts). Our findings suggest that there is a constant replacement of odontoblasts in the equine dentition, enabling a continuous high production rate of dentin. These results contradict the idea of lifelong vital, postmitotic and productive odontoblasts.

The maintenance of mammalian spermatogenesis depends on the intricate molecular and cellular interactions between spermatogonial stem cells and their cognate niche in the seminiferous epithelium of the testis. To sustain the continuous production of sperm, spermatogonia proliferate and differentiate under the control of various niche factors, promoting either self-renewal or commitment to spermatogonial differentiation. Single-cell RNA sequencing analyses have identified different subpopulations of spermatogonia in primates based on the expression of specific marker genes (PIWIL4, GFRA1, NANOS3 and KIT). However, the spatial distribution of the different spermatogonial subpopulations and their relationship with the niche has not been described yet. Here, we investigate the topological localization of spermatogonia in primates. To this end, immunohistochemical stainings for PIWIL4, GFRA1, NANOS3 and KIT were performed on Bouin fixed samples of Macaca fascicularis and quantitatively analyzed. Strauss's linear selectivity index (Linear Index, Li) was employed to assess the regional distribution of spermatogonial subpopulations in the basal compartment of seminiferous tubules. Remarkably, PIWIL4+ spermatogonia showed a random distribution along the basal compartment across all the stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle. In contrast, GFRA1+, NANOS3+ and KIT+ spermatogonia displayed stage-dependent localization patterns. The spatial organization of different spermatogonial subpopulations, appeared coordinated with the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium, suggesting a dynamic regulation of spermatogonial behavior throughout the process of sperm production. Our study contributes to the growing body of literature aimed at deciphering the complexities of SSC biology and the regulation of spermatogenesis in mammalian species, with implications for understanding male fertility.

This study proposes an artificial intelligence-integrated Six Sigma framework for reducing multiple critical defects in plastic injection molding using real industrial production data from a washing-machine control-panel manufacturing line. Predictive models were developed under severe class imbalance conditions and combined with SHAP-based interpretability to identify the most influential process parameters. A multi-objective NSGA-II optimization strategy was then employed to simultaneously minimize major defect types, including gas-trapped burn (GTB), short shot (SS), sink mark (SK), and flash (FL). The proposed framework was validated through on-site continuous trial production of 300 parts after process stabilization, demonstrating substantial and consistent defect reduction. The results indicate that the integration of data-driven modeling, explainable artificial intelligence, and evolutionary multi-objective optimization provides a practical and scalable approach for quality improvement in industrial injection molding processes.

Electrocatalysis offers a sustainable pathway for upcycling polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste. However, existing approaches often rely on high precious-metal loadings and suffer rapid deactivation, limiting scalability. Herein, we report a full-molecule valorization strategy for PET hydrolysates. PET-derived benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate (BDC) is upcycled into a bifunctional Pt/Ni-BDC catalyst, thereby reducing noble-metal loading while achieving a remarkable current density of 378.8mA cm-2 for ethylene glycol (EG) oxidation at 1.0V vs. RHE with 90% glycolic acid (GA) selectivity. Mechanistic studies reveal that the Ni-BDC framework enhances EG adsorption, thereby boosting performance. Additionally, the catalyst demonstrates excellent hydrogen evolution reaction activity, requiring only 39.6mV to reach 50mA cm-2, outperforming commercial Pt/C. As a proof-of-concept, the catalyst was employed as the bifunctional electrode in a membrane-free electrolyzer, enabling continuous electrochemical hydrogen production coupled with EG oxidation at ampere-level current. The resulting GA was subsequently polymerized into biodegradable polyglycolic acid (PGA). Moreover, we developed an open-loop flow battery integrating Pt/Ni-BDC, which enables simultaneous electricity generation and GA production, delivering a discharge capacity of 3.53Ah L-1 and an energy efficiency of 81%. By achieving full-molecule valorization of PET hydrolysates, this work delivers a multifunctional platform for closed-loop plastic valorization and green-energy generation.

Tobacco consumption is a worldwide issue that has significant health repercussions. Each year, related diseases result in an expenditure of billions of dollars in healthcare costs and diminished productivity. People are becoming more conscious of the fact that quitting smoking at any age can prolong life and lessen many of the negative consequences of smoking. While there are currently some treatment options available, there is still a substantial demand for novel and efficient pharmacotherapies to assist smokers in achieving and sustaining long-term sobriety. The symptoms of nicotine withdrawal are a significant obstacle to cessation and must be alleviated to prevent early recurrence. This article has discussed the neurotransmitters that are responsible for nicotine reward and the anatomical structures implicated in nicotine withdrawal. A simple hypothesis regarding tobacco addiction posits that nicotine is the primary addictive constituent of tobacco. Anxiety, depression, and stress have intricate effects on every facet of nicotine dependency, including the withdrawal experience. Smokers commonly utilize smoking as a means to reduce tension and anxiety, as it is believed to have a relaxing effect. This increasing knowledge offers a detailed understanding of the mechanisms behind existing and future smoking cessation treatments. Therefore, nicotine withdrawal is a significant factor influencing continued nicotine product use and contributes to unsuccessful cessation attempts. In conclusion, nicotine withdrawal may lead to cognitive changes and attention disturbances in the short term and enhance exercise-related physical abilities in the long term.