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The burden of incidence rate and mortality of cancer is increasing rapidly, and the development of precise intervention measures for cancer detection and treatment will help reduce the burden and pain of cancer. At present, the sensitivity and specificity of tumor markers such as CEA and CA-125 used clinically are low, while PET, SPECT, and other imaging diagnoses with high sensitivity possess shortcomings, including long durations to obtain formal reports and the inability to identify the molecular pathological type of cancer. Cancer surgery is limited by stage and easy to recur. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy often cause damage to normal tissues, leading to evident side effects. Aptamers can selectively and exclusively bind to biomarkers and have, therefore, gained attention as ligands to be targeted for cancer detection and treatment. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are considered as promising nano carriers for cancer diagnosis and treatment due to their strong light scattering characteristics, effective biocompatibility, and easy surface modification with targeted agents. The aptamer-gold nanoparticles targeting delivery system developed herein can combine the advantages of aptamers and gold nanoparticles, and shows excellent targeting, high specificity, low immunogenicity, minor side effects, etc., which builds a bridge for cancer markers to be used in early and efficient diagnosis and precise treatment. In this review, we summarize the latest progress in the application of aptamer-modified gold nanoparticles in cancer targeted diagnosis and delivery of therapeutic agents to cancer cells and emphasize the prospects and challenges of transforming these studies into clinical applications.

Biological parameters extracted from electrical signals from various body parts have been used for many years to analyze the human body and its behavior. In addition, electrical signals from cancer cell lines, normal cells, and viruses, among others, have been widely used for the detection of various diseases. Single-cell parameters such as cell and cytoplasmic conductivity, relaxation frequency, and membrane capacitance are important. There are many techniques available to characterize biomaterials, such as nanotechnology, microstrip cavity resonance measurement, etc. This article reviews single-cell isolation and sorting techniques, such as the micropipette separation method, separation and sorting system (dual electrophoretic array system), DEPArray sorting system (dielectrophoretic array system), cell selector sorting system, and microfluidic and valve devices, and discusses their respective advantages and disadvantages. Furthermore, it summarizes common single-cell electrical manipulations, such as single-cell amperometry (SCA), electrical impedance sensing (EIS), impedance flow cytometry (IFC), cell-based electrical impedance (CEI), microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), and integrated microelectrode array (IMA). The article also enumerates the application and significance of single-cell electrochemical analysis from the perspectives of CTC liquid biopsy, recombinant adenovirus, tumor cells like lung cancer DTCs (LC-DTCs), and single-cell metabolomics analysis. The paper concludes with a discussion of the current limitations faced by single-cell analysis techniques along with future directions and potential application scenarios.

High-throughput screening platforms are fundamental for the rapid and efficient processing of large amounts of experimental data. Parallelization and miniaturization of experiments are important for improving their cost-effectiveness. The development of miniaturized high-throughput screening platforms is essential in the fields of biotechnology, medicine, and pharmacology. Currently, most laboratories use 96- or 384-well microtiter plates for screening; however, they have disadvantages, such as high reagent and cell consumption, low throughput, and inability to avoid cross-contamination, which need to be further optimized. Droplet microarrays, as novel screening platforms, can effectively avoid these shortcomings. Here, the preparation method of the droplet microarray, method of adding compounds in parallel, and means to read the results are briefly described. Next, the latest research on droplet microarray platforms in biomedicine is presented, including their application in high-throughput culture, cell screening, high-throughput nucleic acid screening, drug development, and individualized medicine. Finally, the challenges and future trends in droplet microarray technology are summarized. Graphical Abstract

While there are many clinical drugs for prophylaxis and treatment, the search for those with low or no risk of side effects for the control of infectious and non-infectious diseases is a dilemma that cannot be solved by today’s traditional drug development strategies. The need for new drug development strategies is becoming increasingly important, and the development of new drugs from traditional medicines is the most promising strategy. Many valuable clinical drugs have been developed based on traditional medicine, including drugs with single active ingredients similar to modern drugs and those developed from improved formulations of traditional drugs. However, the problems of traditional isolation and purification and drug screening methods should be addressed for successful drug development from traditional medicine. Advances in microfluidics have not only contributed significantly to classical drug development but have also solved many of the thorny problems of new strategies for developing new drugs from traditional drugs. In this review, we provide an overview of advanced microfluidics and its applications in drug development (drug compound synthesis, drug screening, drug delivery, and drug carrier fabrication) with a focus on its applications in conventional medicine, including the separation and purification of target components in complex samples and screening of active ingredients of conventional drugs. We hope that our review gives better insight into the potential of traditional medicine and the critical role of microfluidics in the drug development process. In addition, the emergence of new ideas and applications will bring about further advances in the field of drug development.

Background The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical application value of (platelet × albumin)/lymphocyte ratio (PALR) as a novel prognostic indicator in predicting early postoperative recurrence in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients who have undergone radical surgery. By investigating the association between this inflammatory marker and disease progression, it aims to provide a theoretical basis for early clinical intervention. Methods Clinical data of 739 patients diagnosed with primary colorectal cancer (CRC) in our hospital between February 2022 and May 2023 were retrospectively included. The non-linear association between PALR and the risk of early postoperative recurrence was explored using restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis, and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to evaluate the predictive efficacy of PALR. Patients were stratified into high- and low-PALR groups based on the optimal cutoff value derived from Youden’s index. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify independent predictors of early postoperative recurrence, and sensitivity analysis with PALR quartiles was performed to validate the stability of primary findings. Results A total of 340 eligible primary colorectal cancer (CRC) patients were retrospectively enrolled in this study. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of PALR for predicting early postoperative recurrence or metastasis in CRC patients was 0.659. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis revealed a linear ascending trend between PALR and early postoperative recurrence risk (P value for non-linearity = 0.276). Multivariate logistic regression identified PALR as an independent predictor of early postoperative recurrence (odds ratio [OR] = 2.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12–6.39, P  = 0.026). A nomogram model incorporating PALR and other independent predictors was constructed, with an internally validated concordance index (C-index) of 0.835. Calibration plots and decision curve analysis (DCA) supported the favorable predictive performance and clinical utility of the model, while sensitivity analysis further confirmed the robustness of our findings. Conclusion The PALR serves as an independent predictor for early postoperative recurrence in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, demonstrating substantial clinical utility in risk assessment and guiding personalized intervention strategies.

The illegal use of β-adrenergic agonists during livestock growth poses a threat to public health; the long-term intake of this medication can cause serious physiological side effects and even death. Therefore, rapid detection methods for β-adrenergic agonist residues on-site are required. Traditional detection methods such as liquid chromatography have limitations in terms of expensive instruments and complex operations. In contrast, paper methods are low cost, ubiquitous, and portable, which has led to them becoming the preferred detection method in recent years. Various paper-based fluidic devices have been developed to detect β-adrenergic agonist residues, including lateral flow immunoassays (LFAs) and microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs). In this review, the application of LFAs for the detection of β-agonists is summarized comprehensively, focusing on the latest advances in novel labeling and detection strategies. The use of μPADs as an analytical platform has attracted interest over the past decade due to their unique advantages and application for detecting β-adrenergic agonists, which are introduced here. Vertical flow immunoassays are also discussed for their shorter assay time and stronger multiplexing capabilities compared with LFAs. Furthermore, the development direction and prospects for the commercialization of paper-based devices are considered, shedding light on the development of point-of-care testing devices for β-adrenergic agonist residue detection.

The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cervical cancers has been on the rise, and the affected population is increasingly younger. Early-stage prevention and screening initiatives have emphasized the critical necessity for reliable and rapid HPV detection technique. In this study, we devised a fluorescence-based assay that integrated one-pot Cas12a/13a with recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) for the detection of HPV16 and HPV18. We exploited the cleavage activities of the Cas12a and Cas13a enzymes to specifically target the L1 gene of HPV16 and 18, respectively. The diagnostic efficacy of the CRISPR-Cas12a/13a system was assessed in identifying HPV by analyzing clinical samples and comparing it with the PCR method. The one-pot RPA-Cas12a/13a-based fluorescence assays exhibited a sensitivity of 10 copies/µL, and required only 40 min for completion. Compared with PCR method, the overall sensitivity and specificity of this assay were 97.69% and 100%, respectively, with a kappa value of 0.967. This study presents a novel approach for cervical cancer screening and HPV infection surveillance, which may hold potential for the early diagnosis and prevention of HPV-related cervical malignancies.

This paper investigates the impact of low minority carrier lifetime areas (red-zones) in multi-crystalline silicon ingots on cell efficiency. Wafers, sliced parallel to the sidewall, were analyzed using µ-PCD and PL to determine minority lifetimes and identify crystal defects. These wafers were then processed into solar cells, and their performance was assessed through cell conversion efficiency and electroluminescence (EL) measurements. The findings reveal a decrease in minority lifetime moving from the wall inward, followed by an increase beyond approximately 14 mm. This pattern is mirrored in cell efficiency. Notably, in regions where the minority lifetime is less than 1µs, cell efficiency drastically drops, and shunting areas are visible in EL images. Conversely, in areas with lifetimes exceeding 1µs, cell efficiency returns to normal levels. These results provide guidelines for optimally cropping the sides of the ingot.

Background: Cervical artery dissection (CAD) is a recognized cause of ischemic stroke. Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), i.e. an elevated concentration of plasma homocysteine, is identified as an independent risk factor for stroke prevalence. However, an association between HHcy and CAD has so far remained unknown. Methods: A meta-analysis was performed to analyze the association between HHcy and CAD as well as the relevance of the C677T polymorphism of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), the key enzyme in homocysteine metabolism during CAD. We searched PubMed and Embase for studies reporting homocysteine concentrations or MTHFR genotype frequencies in CAD patients from 1990 to 2013. Outcomes were extracted from studies meeting the inclusion criteria and were subjected to a meta-analysis by the random-effect model. Heterogeneity was assessed by the I 2 test. Results: Eight case-control studies with 2,146 individuals fulfilled the required criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. HHcy was found to be significantly associated with CAD (pooled standardized mean difference: 0.96; 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.42-1.49; p < 0.01). We also found a significantly increased risk of CAD in individuals with the MTHFR C677T polymorphism by both the recessive model (TT vs. CT+CC; odds ratio, OR = 1.81; 95% CI: 1.22-2.67; p = 0.003) and the dominant model (TT+CT vs. CC; OR = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.08-1.99; p = 0.014). Conclusion: Our data suggest positive correlations between HHcy and CAD and between the C677T polymorphism of MTHFR and CAD.

Nowadays, casted multicrystalline silicon is the most important material in photovoltaic industry. In order to reduce the cost of silicon ingots, the recycle of silicon ingot tailings is explored. In this paper, the secondary utilization of silicon block tailings with a thickness of 25 mm, matched with process of diamond wire saw machine was studied. The comparative analysis on technical parameters of bottom red zone and wafers generated by virgin crushed polycrystalline silicon feedstock and secondary utilized tailings was discussed. The result shows that recycle of tailing seeds is feasible. The above-mentioned tailings of diamond wire saw ingots shall be with a thickness of 25 mm. The bottom red zone of area paved by tailings is 2 mm longer than that in area paved by virgin crushed polycrystalline silicon feedstock. But the difference of cell conversion efficiency is negligible, 0.01% lower. Consequently, it is feasible to recycle high-efficiency multicrystalline ingots tailings, which push forward further cost reduction of high-efficiency multicrystalline ingots.