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To address yttrium (Y) contamination from ion adsorption mining, this study developed a combined microbial phytoremediation strategy for dual objectives: ensuring crop safety in and enhancing Y recovery by . Two specific microbial consortia were constructed from rare earth tailings isolates: inoculant I (bacterial: sp., sp., sp.) applied to , and inoculant II (fungal: sp., sp., sp.) applied to . Inoculant I increased biomass by 26% while reducing Y content in roots and rhizosphere soil solution by 47% and 56%, respectively, potentially through down-regulation of amino acid metabolites. Inoculant II increased Y content in the rhizosphere soil solution by 89%, linked to up-regulation of organic acids and coumarin derivatives. Both consortia reduced plant stress markers and enhanced soil enzyme activities. These findings demonstrate that specialized microbial consortia can differentially regulate Y behavior in the rhizosphere-immobilizing it in a crop for food safety, while enhancing its bioavailability for a hyperaccumulator-offering a targeted strategy for managing rare earth element-contaminated agricultural soils.

HighlightsA novel stem cell delivery core-shell biomass microcapsule was generated by an all-aqueous phase microfluidic electrospray technique.Microcapsule with a certain mechanical strength and porous structure is beneficial for substances exchange between cells and the external environment, together with avoiding cell damage during treatment.Core-shell microcapsule provided a favorable cell growth microenvironment, which mimics a physicochemical microenvironment and protects the cells from the immune attack from body.Bone defects caused by trauma, tumor, or osteoarthritis remain challenging due to the lack of effective treatments in clinic. Stem cell transplantation has emerged as an alternative approach for bone repair and attracted widespread attention owing to its excellent biological activities and therapy effect. The attempts to develop this therapeutic approach focus on the generation of effective cell delivery vehicles, since the shortcomings of direct injection of stem cells into target tissues. Here, we developed a novel core-shell microcapsule with a stem cell-laden core and a biomass shell by using all-aqueous phase microfluidic electrospray technology. The designed core-shell microcapsules showed a high cell viability during the culture procedure. In addition, the animal experiments exhibited that stem cell-laden core-shell microcapsules have good biocompatibility and therapeutic effect for bone defects. This study indicated that the core-shell biomass microcapsules generated by microfluidic electrospray have promising potential in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Management of infected wounds has raised worldwide concerns. Attempts in this field focus on the development of intelligent patches for improving the wound healing. Here, inspired by the cocktail treatment and combinational therapy stratagem, we present a novel Janus piezoelectric hydrogel patch via 3-dimensional printing for sonodynamic bacteria elimination and wound healing. The top layer of the printed patch was poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate hydrogel with gold-nanoparticle-decorated tetragonal barium titanate encapsulation, which realizes the ultrasound-triggered release of reactive oxygen species without leaking nanomaterials. The bottom layer is fabricated with methacrylate gelatin and carries growth factors for the cell proliferation and tissue reconstruction. Based on these features, we have demonstrated in vivo that the Janus piezoelectric hydrogel patch can exert substantial infection elimination activity under the excitation of ultrasound, and its sustained release of growth factors can promote tissue regeneration during wound management. These results indicated that the proposed Janus piezoelectric hydrogel patch had practical significance in sonodynamic infection alleviation and programmable wound healing for treating different clinical diseases.

Porous particles have found widespread applications in therapeutic diagnosis, drug delivery, and tissue engineering due to their typical properties of large surface area, extensive loading capacity, and hierarchical microstructures. Attempts in this aspect are focusing on the development of effective methods to generate functional porous particles. Herein, a simple droplet microfluidics for continuously and directly generating porous particles by introducing bubble‐propelled nanomotors into the system is presented. As the nanomotors can continuously generate gas bubbles in the unsolidified droplet templates, the desirable porous microparticles can be obtained after droplet polymerization. It is demonstrated that the generation process is highly controlled and the resultant microparticles show excellent porosity and monodispersity. In addition, the obtained porous microparticles can serve as microcarriers for 3D cell culture, because of their characteristic porous structures and favorable biocompatibility. Moreover, owing to the existence of oxygen in these microparticles, they can be used to improve the healing effects of wounds in the type I diabetes rat models. These remarkable features of the generation strategy and the porous microparticles point to their potential values in various biomedical fields. The biomedical porous microparticles can be generated through simple droplet microfluidics by introducing bubble‐propelled nanomotors into the system. These particles can serve as microcarriers for 3D cell culture due to their porous structures and favorable biocompatibility; they also can promote wound healing process in the type I diabetes rat models owing to the existence of oxygen.

Antibiotics provide promising strategies for treating periodontitis, while their delivery and controllable release with desired oral retention remain challenging. Here, inspired by the unique suction‐cup structures of abalones, a novel adhesive and photo‐responsive microparticle (MP) delivery system is developed to treat periodontitis through microfluidic electrospray technology. Such MPs are generated by quickly ionic cross‐linking of sodium alginate together with photo‐curing of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate of the distorted microfluidic droplets during their high‐speed dropping into calcium chloride solution. Attributing to their unique concave structures, the abalone‐inspired MPs exhibit desired underwater adhesion ability and stability under running water. In addition, due to the loading of antibiotics minocycline hydrochloride and near‐infrared (NIR)‐responsive black phosphorus during their fabrication, the resultant MPs can not only eradicate bacteria directly, but also realize a controllable and effective drug release upon NIR irradiation. Based on these features, it is demonstrated from in vivo periodontitis that the abalone‐inspired MPs are firmly adhesive and can controlled‐release drugs on the tooth, and thus have outstanding antibacterial efficacy against Porphyromonas gingivalis. These results indicate the particular values of the abalone‐inspired MPs for oral‐related disease treatment. By encapsulating the black phosphorus and minocycline hydrochloride, the abalone‐inspired microparticles with the enhanced adhesive ability and controllable drug release capacity can realize antibacterial photothermal therapy on the tooth.

Balloon catheters exhibit important values in treating cardiovascular diseases, while their functions are still under improvements. Here, inspired by the thorn‐hiding and deflating–inflating characteristics of globefish, intelligent balloon catheters decorated with invisible microneedles are presented for endovascular drug delivery to inhibit postintervention restenosis (PIRS). These microneedle balloon catheters (MNBCs) fabricated by dipping and rolling‐assisted template replication contain three coating layers of sandwiched drug‐carrying microneedles and black phosphorus (BP)‐carrying gelatin. During the emplacement, the microneedles of MNBCs are hidden under the outermost gelatin protective layer, allowing smooth movements inside the blood vessel. After reaching the destination, the embedded BP converts near infrared (NIR) into heat, increases local temperature, and melts the gelatin layer, enabling the exposure and vascular penetration of the microneedles. Besides, as the innermost gelatin also melts, the microneedles can detach from the balloon catheter and be left inside the blood vessel for continuous drug release. Based on advantages of responsiveness, penetration capacity, and biosafety, it is demonstrated that the MNBCs behave satisfactorily in delivering rapamycin to inhibit abdominal aorta restenosis in rats. All these features indicate that these MNBCs are promising medical devices for clinical applications. Inspired by changeable thorny appearances and inflatable behaviors of globefish, intelligent hierarchical balloon catheters with concealed microneedles are fabricated for treating cardiovascular disorders. These balloon catheters contain drug‐carrying microneedles between photothermal‐responsive gelatin layers. The pointed microneedles are hidden during placement, while they are exposed and left inside tissues under near infrared (NIR) for responsive and continuous endovascular drug delivery.

Micromotors have opened novel avenues for drug delivery due to their capacity for self‐propelling. Attempts in this field trend towards ameliorating their functions to promote their clinical applications. In this paper, an ingenious suction‐cup‐inspired micromotor is presented with adhesive properties for drug delivery in the stomach. The micromotors are fabricated by using hydrogel replicating the structure of suction‐cup‐like microparticles, which derive from self‐assembly of colloidal crystals under rapid solvent extraction, followed by loading magnesium (Mg) in the bottom spherical surface. The Mg‐loaded micromotors can realize spontaneous movement due to the continual generation of hydrogen bubbles in gastric juice. The combination of unique suction‐cup‐like structure with excellent motion performance makes the micromotor an ideal carrier for drug delivery as they can efficiently adhere to the tissue. Moreover, benefiting from the porous structure, the hydrogel micromotors exhibit a high volume‐surface ratio, which enables efficient drug loading. It is demonstrated that the suction‐cup‐inspired micromotors can adhere efficiently to the ulcer‐region in the stomach and release drugs due to their distinctive architecture and spontaneous motion, exhibiting desirable curative effect of gastric ulcer. Thus, the suction‐cup‐inspired micromotors with adhesive properties are expected to advance the development of micromotor in clinical applications. Herein, inspired by the suction‐cups of Octopi, an ingenious micromotor with adhesive property for drug delivery in the stomach. These micromotors can self‐drive and efficiently adhere to the wall in the harsh stomach environment for drug delivery, which are expected to advance the development of micromotor in clinical applications.

Oral drug administration has an important role in medical treatment. Attempts to develop drug microcarriers with desired features for extended duration and improved absorption is highly sought. Herein, inspired by the physical phenomenon of the Cheerios effect, a novel microfluidic electrospray microbubble carrier is presented that can suspend and actively adhere to the stomach for durable oral delivery. Compared with conventional fabrication methods, the present strategy shows stability and controllability of the product. Benefiting from their uniform hollow structure, the resultant microbubbles present the same behavior of the Cheerios and can float in the gastric juice, adhere and remain to the stomach wall, which thus enhance the duration and absorption of the loaded drugs. Based on these, it is demonstrated as a proof of concept that the dexamethasone‐loaded hollow microbubbles can be applied to oral administration and remain suspended and adhered to the stomach of murine for more than 1 d, showing good therapeutic effect in treating lupus erythematosus. Thus, it is believed that the microbubbles floating system will find important values in long‐term oral administration. The cheerios effect inspired microbubbles are presented through microfluidic electrospray with features of suspending and actively adhering to stomach. These microbubbles can stay in the stomach without relying on water and can also stick to the stomach after the liquid is empty. Thus, it contributes to improved values in long‐term oral administration.

Microneedles loaded with bioactive substances have demonstrated efficacy in wound healing, while their application in the elderly chronic wounds, aggravated by cellular senescence, is still a significant challenge. Here, a novel therapeutic strategy is presented utilizing Thymosin β4 (Tβ4)‐modified adipose‐derived stem cell extracellular vesicles (ADSC‐EVs) delivered via separable microneedle patches (MN@EVsTβ4). The therapeutic EVsTβ4 are derived from ADSCs that overexpress Tβ4, a factor that reverses cellular senescence. Leveraging the drug‐loading and release properties of gelatin methacryloyl and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate, EVsTβ4 are encapsulated within the tips of the microneedles. Notably, the soluble hyaluronic acid base layer dissolves rapidly and separates from the tips upon exudate absorption, enabling a sustained release of EVsTβ4. Subsequently, it is demonstrated its ability to mitigate senescence and improve function via the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway. Furthermore, MN@EVsTβ4 patches showed significant efficacy in reversing senescence and promoting wound healing in diabetic wound models. Thus, the engineered ADSC‐EVs, combined with separable microneedle patches, represent a promising bioengineering strategy for clinical wound management. A separable microneedle patch is designed for Tβ4–modified ADSC‐derived extracellular vesicles delivery. The overexpressed Tβ4 released from the microneedles can mitigate cellular senescence and promote wound healing via the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway, offering a promising approach for diabetic wound treatment. This bioengineered therapeutic system serve as a promising strategy for clinical wound management.

Developing a biocompatible and multifunctional adhesive hydrogel with injectability and self-healing ability for promoting wound healing is highly anticipated in various clinical applications. In this paper, we present a novel natural biopolymer-derived hydrogel based on the aldehyde-modified oxidized guar gum (OGG) and the carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) for efficiently improving wound healing with the encapsulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). As the hydrogels are synthesized via the dynamically reversible Schiff base linkages, it is imparted with excellent self-healing ability and good shear thinning behavior, which make the hydrogel be easily and conveniently injected through a needle. Besides, the physiochemical properties, including porous structure, mechanical strength and swelling ratio of the hydrogel can be well controlled by regulating the concentrations of the OGG. Moreover, the hydrogel can attain strong adhesion to the tissues at physiological temperature based on the Schiff base between the aldehyde group on the hydrogel and the amino group on the tissue. Based on these features, we have demonstrated that the VEGF encapsulated hydrogel can adhere tightly to the defect tissue and improve wound repair in the rat model of defected skin by promoting cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and collagen secretion. These results indicate that the multifunctional hydrogel is with great scientific significance and broad clinical application prospects.