Bridging the Gap—Thermofluidic Designs for Precision Bioelectronics

Bioelectronics, the merging of biology and electronics, can monitor and modulate biological behaviors across length and time scales with unprecedented capability. Current bioelectronics research largely focuses on devices’ mechanical properties and electronic designs. However, the thermofluidic control is often overlooked, which is noteworthy given the discipline's importance in almost all bioelectronics processes. It is believed that integrating thermofluidic designs into bioelectronics is essential to align device precision with the complexity of biofluids and biological structures. This perspective serves as a mini roadmap for researchers in both fields to introduce key principles, applications, and challenges in both bioelectronics and thermofluids domains. Important interdisciplinary opportunities for the development of future healthcare devices and precise bioelectronics will also be discussed

Sacral terminal filar cyst: a distinct variant of spinal meningeal cyst and midterm clinical outcome following combination resection surgery

ObjectiveSpinal meningeal cysts (SMCs) are currently classified into three types: extradural cysts without nerve root fibers (Type I), extradural cysts with nerve root fibers (Type II), and intradural cysts (Type III). However, the sacral terminal filar cyst is a distinct subtype with the filum terminale rather than nerve roots within the cyst. This study aimed to investigate the clinicoradiological characteristics and surgical outcomes of sacral terminal filar cysts.MethodsA total of 32 patients with sacral terminal filar cysts were enrolled. Clinical and radiological profiles were collected. All patients were surgically treated, and preoperative and follow-up neurological functions were evaluated.ResultsChronic lumbosacral pain and sphincter dysfunctions were the most common symptoms. On MRI, the filum terminale could be identified within the cyst in all cases, and low-lying conus medullaris was found in 23 (71.9%) cases. The filum terminale was dissociated and cut off in all cases, and the cyst wall was completely resected in 23 (71.9%) cases. After a median follow-up period of 26.5 ± 15.5 months, the pain and sphincter dysfunctions were significantly improved (both P < 0.0001). The cyst recurrence was noted in only 1 (3.1%) case.ConclusionsSacral terminal filar cysts are rare, representing a distinct variant of SMCs. Typical MRI features, including filum terminale within the cyst and low-lying conus medullaris, may suggest the diagnosis. Although the optimal surgical strategy remains unclear, we recommend a combination of resection of the cyst wall and dissociation of the filum terminale. The clinical outcomes can be favorable

Intra-Familial Phenotypic Heterogeneity and Telomere Abnormality in von Hippel- Lindau Disease: Implications for Personalized Surveillance Plan and Pathogenesis of VHL-Associated Tumors

von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is a hereditary cancer syndrome with poor survival. The current recommendations have proposed uniform surveillance strategies for all patients, neglecting the obvious phenotypic varieties. In this study, we aim to confirm the phenotypic heterogeneity in VHL disease and the underlying mechanism. A total of 151 parent-child pairs were enrolled for genetic anticipation analysis, and 77 sibling pairs for birth order effect analysis. Four statistical methods were used to compare the onset age of patients among different generations and different birth orders. The results showed that the average onset age was 18.9 years earlier in children than in their parents, which was statistically significant in all of the four statistical methods. Furthermore, the first-born siblings were affected 8.3 years later than the other ones among the maternal patients. Telomere shortening was confirmed to be associated with genetic anticipation in VHL families, while it failed to explain the birth order effect. Moreover, no significant difference was observed for overall survival between parents and children (p = 0.834) and between first-born patients and the other siblings (p = 0.390). This study provides definitive evidence and possible mechanisms of intra-familial phenotypic heterogeneity in VHL families, which is helpful to the update of surveillance guidelines

Vapor-stimuli shape transformation cycles of assembled dipeptide film

Stimuli-responsive peptide assembly has an excellent ability to change morphology, property or functions through response to appropriate external stimuli owing to the existence of noncovalent connections between their building blocks. However, study on vapor-responsive dipeptide assembly is still desirable for the development of peptide structure formation and regulation. Here, we reported the reversible cycles of vapor-responsive shape transformation based on diphenylalanine (FF) film. We prepared an amorphous FF film via dip-coating approach. With different vapor-stimuli (HCl, NH3 or H2O), this amorphous film could transform to different morphology, such as grain-like, flake-like shape, or fibers with time increasing.H2O vapor can change hydrophobic /hydrogen-bonding interactions, while HCl and NH3 vapor can change the proton/deproton behavior of FF molecules and all of them may participant the arrangement of molecular packing, inducing the shape transformation. The shape transformation cycle may offer a concise and easy-controllable strategy for peptide-based assemble materials. In addition, the vapor-stimuli shape transition also changed the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of the film surfaces, which may have potential applications in the area of hydrophobic coatings in further research

Vapor-stimuli shape transformation cycles of assembled dipeptide film

Stimuli-responsive peptide assembly has an excellent ability to change morphology, property or functions through response to appropriate external stimuli owing to the existence of noncovalent connections between their building blocks. However, study on vapor-responsive dipeptide assembly is still desirable for the development of peptide structure formation and regulation. Here, we reported the reversible cycles of vapor-responsive shape transformation based on diphenylalanine (FF) film. We prepared an amorphous FF film via dip-coating approach. With different vapor-stimuli (HCl, NH3 or H2O), this amorphous film could transform to different morphology, such as grain-like, flake-like shape, or fibers with time increasing.H2O vapor can change hydrophobic /hydrogen-bonding interactions, while HCl and NH3 vapor can change the proton/deproton behavior of FF molecules and all of them may participant the arrangement of molecular packing, inducing the shape transformation. The shape transformation cycle may offer a concise and easy-controllable strategy for peptide-based assemble materials. In addition, the vapor-stimuli shape transition also changed the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of the film surfaces, which may have potential applications in the area of hydrophobic coatings in further research

Rapid Blade Shape Optimization for Contra-Rotating Propellers for eVTOL Aircraft Considering the Aerodynamic Interference

The rising interest in the evolvability of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) promises substantial potential in the field of urban air mobility (UAM). Challenges in energy storage density and geometry restriction both emphasize the propeller efficiency for endurance and takeoff weight, whereas the contra-rotating propellers (CRP) advantage is balancing high thrust and efficiency over a single propeller. The aim of this paper is twofold: (i) to present a novel rapid CRP blade shape optimization framework and (ii) to study the impact of the dual propellers revolution speed allocations on the overall CRP power efficiency. The core of the framework is the blade element momentum theory (BEMT)-based blade shape optimization considering the wake effect of the upper propeller by the rotational CFD (computational fluid dynamics) actuator-disc simulation method. The results show that for the same thrust, the optimized CRP at the equal revolution speed is superior to the original (upper-lower-identical) one by 5.9% in thrust-to-power ratio. The overall efficiency can be additionally lifted by 5.3% when the dual propellers share similar torques. By excluding the integral propeller CFD simulation and empirical parameters estimation, the framework enables the swift obtaining of an optimized CRP scheme while maintaining robustness as well