A Highly Sensitive Strain Sensor with Wide Linear Sensing Range Prepared on a Hybrid-Structured CNT/Ecoflex Film via Local Regulation of Strain Distribution

With the development of information technology, high-performance wearable strain sensors with high sensitivity and stretchability have played a significant role in motion detection. However, many high-sensitivity and outstanding-stretchability strain sensors possess a limited linear sensing range, which limits the enhancement of the flexible strain sensors’ performance. Herein, we develop a hybrid-structured carbon nanotube (CNT)/Ecoflex strain sensor with laser-engraved grooves along with punched circular holes in a composite CNT/Ecoflex film by vacuum filtration and permeation. By optimizing the distribution of grooves and circular holes, the strain in the sensing layer can be locally regulated, which alters the morphology of cracks under strain and allows the hybrid-structured CNT/Ecoflex strain sensor to simultaneously exhibit high sensitivity (GF = 43.8) as well as a wide linear sensing range (200%). On the basis of excellent performance, the hybrid-structured CNT/Ecoflex strain sensor is capable of detecting movements in various parts of the human body, including movements of larynx and joint bending

Laser-Induced Graphene Electrodes on Poly(ether–ether–ketone)/PDMS Composite Films for Flexible Strain and Humidity Sensors

Laser-induced graphene prepared on polymer substrates with a high modulus is a widely applied method to fabricate varied flexible electronics; however, the resulting relatively poor stretchability considerably limits its applicability. In this paper, an elastic composite consisting of poly(ether–ether–ketone) powder and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) is reported to fabricate stretchable electrodes using direct laser-induced graphitization without transferring. The liquid composites before curing can be cast into various shapes for different applications. To balance the conductivity and stretchability of stretchable electrodes, we optimized the composite mass ratios and laser parameters and performed a series of morphological and performance characterizations on the composites; furthermore, we analyzed the elemental composition and functional groups of the laser-induced products. With the proper encapsulating method, strain sensors were prepared, exhibiting high sensitivity (a gauge factor of 78) and a stable resistance response over 50% operating range with the ability to monitor both fine pulse beats and larger strains such as human joint movement. Furthermore, a humidity sensor composited with laser-patterned interdigital electrode and graphene oxide on the elastic composite substrate had characteristics of high sensitivity (14.18 pF/%RH) and fast recovery time (9 s), which could be used for breathing monitoring and noncontact sensing. In conclusion, laser-induced graphene prepared in one step on a stretchable composite film of polymers with a high modulus and low modulus is a promising method to fabricate wearable electronics

Programmable and Weldable Superelastic EGaIn/TPU Composite Fiber by Wet Spinning for Flexible Electronics

As an essential component of flexible electronics, superelastic conductive fibers with good mechanical and electrical properties have drawn significant attention, especially in their preparation. In this study, we prepared a superelastic conductive fiber composed of eutectic gallium–indium (EGaIn) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) by simple wet spinning. The composite conductive fiber with a liquid metal (LM) content of 85 wt % achieved a maximum strain at a break of 659.2%, and after the conductive pathway in the porous structure of the composite fibers was fully activated, high conductivity (1.2 × 105 S/m) was achieved with 95 wt % LM by mechanical sintering and training processes. The prepared conductive fibers exhibited a stable resistive response as the fibers were strained and could be sewn into fabrics and used as wearable strain sensors to monitor various human motions. These conductive fibers can be molded into helical by heating, and they have excellent electrical properties at a maximum mechanical strain of 3400% (resistance change <0.27%) with a helical index of 11. Moreover, the conductive fibers can be welded to various two or three-dimensional conductors. In summary, with a scalable manufacturing process, weldability, superelasticity, and high electrical conductivity, EGaIn/TPU composite fibers fabricated by wet spinning have considerable potential for flexible electronics

Polyimide-Sputtered and Polymerized Films with Ultrahigh Moisture Sensitivity for Respiratory Monitoring and Contactless Sensing

Respiratory monitoring and contactless sensing using the moisture produced by respiration and perspiration have garnered considerable attention in recent years. In this study, we fabricated polyimide-sputtered and polymerized (PSP) humidity sensors with ultrahigh capacitive sensitivity, fast response, and a wide working range of relative humidity (RH). The sensors produced >40 000 times increment in the sensing signal over the 10–95% RH range at 10 Hz and exhibited good performance at low RH levels (<40%) as well. These sensors displayed excellent sensing properties with small hysteresis, long-time stability, and fast response and recovery times (2.4 and 1.2 s, respectively). In the mechanism study of PSP humidity sensors, we found that the high sensitivity can be attributed to massive hydrophilic functional groups formed on the polymer chains by moist aging with oxidation and the fast response speed is due to the mesoporous structure of PSP films. We also fabricated a 5 × 5 array of PSP humidity sensors to identify the shapes of wet objects and of leaves during transpiration. Thus, we reported a novel and effective method for fabricating high-performance humidity polymer films, channeling new pathways for the development of advanced humidity and gas sensors

DataSheet1_Diagnosis potential of subarachnoid hemorrhage using miRNA signatures isolated from plasma-derived extracellular vesicles.zip

The diagnosis and clinical management of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is currently limited by the lack of accessible molecular biomarkers that reflect the pathophysiology of disease. We used microRNAs (miRNAs) as diagnostics to characterize plasma extracellular vesicles in aSAH. It is unclear whether they can diagnose and manage aSAH. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to detect the miRNA profile of plasma extracellular vesicles (exosomes) in three patients with SAH and three healthy controls (HCs). We identified four differentially expressed miRNAs and validated the results using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) with 113 aSAH patients, 40 HCs, 20 SAH model mice, and 20 sham mice. Exosomal miRNA NGS revealed that six circulating exosomal miRNAs were differentially expressed in patients with aSAH versus HCs and that the levels of four miRNAs (miR-369-3p, miR-410-3p, miR-193b-3p, and miR-486-3p) were differentially significant. After multivariate logistic regression analysis, only miR-369-3p, miR-486-3p, and miR-193b-3p enabled prediction of neurological outcomes. In a mouse model of SAH, greater expression of miR-193b-3p and miR-486-3p remained statistically significant relative to controls, whereas expression levels of miR-369-3p and miR-410-3p were lower. miRNA gene target prediction showed six genes associated with all four of these differentially expressed miRNAs. The circulating exosomes miR-369-3p, miR-410-3p, miR-193b-3p, and miR-486-3p may influence intercellular communication and have potential clinical utility as prognostic biomarkers for aSAH patients.</p

Zr-Based Metal–Organic Framework with Wall-Shared Dual Ultramicroporous Channels for Effective CH₄/N₂ Separation

The adsorptive separation of methane (CH4) and nitrogen (N2) is a challenging yet crucial process in the purification of unconventional natural gas. In this work, we report a robust Zr-based metal–organic framework, termed as MIP-203-F, for the selective adsorption of CH4 from CH4/N2 mixtures with varied concentrations. The framework possesses a rhombic one-dimensional (1D) micropore structure that is effectively divided into two symmetric wall-shared triangular pores by the presence of pendent −OH groups, which endow the material with an optimal pore size and a plethora of synergistic polar sites, facilitating the efficient adsorption of CH4 with a high polarizability and overcoming the trade-off between CH4 capacity and CH4/N2 selectivity. The exceptional separation performance of MIP-203-F was validated through comprehensive experimental investigations encompassing thermodynamic analyses, breakthrough experiments, and theoretical calculations. These findings underscore the immense potential of MIP-203-F as a promising candidate for the adsorptive separation of CH4/N2

Overexpression of LAPTM4B-35: A Novel Marker of Poor Prognosis of Prostate Cancer

<div><p>Background</p><p>Lysosome-associated protein transmembrane 4b-35 (LAPTM4B-35) is a member of the mammalian 4-tetratransmembrane spanning protein superfamily, which is overexpressed in several solid malignancies. However, the expression of LAPTM4B-35 and its role in the progression of prostate cancer (PCa) is unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the LAPTM4B-35 expression in PCa and its potential relevance to clinicopathological variables and prognosis.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression of LAPTM4B-35 protein in 180 PCa tissues in comparison with 180 normal benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) specimens. The correlation between the expression of the LAPTM4B-35 protein and the clinicopathologic characteristics of patients with PCa was analyzed.</p><p>Results</p><p>Statistical analysis showed that LAPTM4B-35 expression was significantly elevated in PCa compared with the BPH controls. High LAPTM4B-35 staining was present in 71.11% of all the cases with PCa. The overexpression of LAPTM4B-35 was significantly associated with the lymph node metastasis, seminal vesicle invasion, PCa stage, higher Gleason score, higher preoperative PSA, and biochemical recurrence (BCR). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the high expression of LAPTM4B-35 was related to the poor overall survival and BCR-free survival of patients with PCa. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that LAPTM4B-35 was an independent prognostic factor for both overall survival and BCR-free survival of patients with PCa.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Overexpression of LAPTM4B-35 may be associated with tumor progression and poor prognosis in PCa and thus may serve as a new molecular marker to predict the prognosis of PCa patients.</p></div

Prognostic value of LAPTM4B-35 expression for the overall survival in univariate and multivariate analyses by Cox regression.

<p>Prognostic value of LAPTM4B-35 expression for the overall survival in univariate and multivariate analyses by Cox regression.</p

Expression of LAPTM4B-35 in prostate specimens.

<p>Expression of LAPTM4B-35 in prostate specimens.</p

Prognostic value of LAPTM4B-35 expression for the biochemical recurrence-free survival in univariate and multivariate analyses by Cox regression.

<p>Prognostic value of LAPTM4B-35 expression for the biochemical recurrence-free survival in univariate and multivariate analyses by Cox regression.</p