The increasing use of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) has substantially improved the detection of Aspergillus species in patients with suspected pulmonary infections. However, positive mNGS results frequently present a clinical dilemma because Aspergillus may represent invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), airway colonization, or transient fungal detection. The clinical value of quantitative fungal burden assessment remains insufficiently defined, particularly regarding risk stratification among untreated patients. We conducted a retrospective real-world cohort study including 114 hospitalized patients with BALF mNGS-positive Aspergillus detected between April 2024 and November 2025. Patients were classified according to clinical IPA diagnosis, antifungal treatment status, and occurrence of respiratory deterioration during a 3-month follow-up period. Quantitative fungal burden was expressed as reads per ten million (RPTM). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, logistic regression, integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), and category-free net reclassification improvement (NRI) were used to evaluate diagnostic and prognostic performance. Among 114 patients, 31 met clinical diagnostic criteria for IPA and 83 were classified as non-IPA. Aspergillus burden was significantly higher in IPA patients than in non-IPA patients (logarithmic scale median RPTM 2.46 vs. 0.30, P < 0.001). ROC analysis identified an exploratory cohort-derived diagnostic threshold of 75 RPTM for IPA discrimination (AUC = 0.853, 95% CI 0.745-0.960). Among 77 patients who did not receive antifungal therapy, 31 experienced respiratory deterioration during follow-up. Higher RPTM values were independently associated with deterioration (adjusted OR = 5.27, 95% CI 1.78-17.06, P = 0.001). An exploratory RPTM threshold of 2.5 showed modest discriminatory ability for subsequent respiratory deterioration, with an AUC of 0.682. Incorporation of quantitative fungal burden significantly improved discrimination and reclassification performance beyond conventional clinical variables. In contrast, baseline RPTM showed no significant association with respiratory deterioration among patients receiving antifungal therapy. Quantitative interpretation of Aspergillus-positive BALF mNGS results may provide additional information beyond simple pathogen detection. Two exploratory cohort-derived thresholds were identified: a higher threshold associated with clinical IPA adjudication and a lower threshold associated with subsequent respiratory deterioration among untreated patients. These findings are hypothesis-generating and require external validation before clinical application. RPTM should be interpreted as an adjunctive marker within the overall clinical context rather than as a standalone diagnostic or prognostic threshold.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed vulnerabilities in global health systems while accelerating the adoption of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) as a transformative tool for culture-independent, unbiased microbial detection. In clinical diagnostics, mNGS enables simultaneous detection of diverse pathogens without prior hypothesis, though its yield depends heavily on specimen type and clinical context. In public health, mNGS has demonstrated remarkable utility in outbreak tracing, novel pathogen discovery, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance, and One Health initiatives. However, massive data volumes pose persistent challenges in bioinformatics, standardization, and computational demands. Future integration of artificial intelligence, automated platforms, and multi-omics approaches will enhance the conversion of raw data into actionable insights. Collectively, mNGS is poised to drive a paradigm shift from reactive responses to proactive, system-level microbial surveillance across human, animal, and environmental health.
Resmetirom and semaglutide are the first drugs to be approved for the pharmacological treatment of metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and moderate-to-severe liver fibrosis. However, approval was based on histological endpoints obtained during a relatively short trial period, leaving some important questions unanswered. Resmetirom acts directly on the liver by activating thyroid hormone receptor β. Semaglutide acts systemically, reducing weight and improving metabolism. Both drugs induce resolution of MASH and improve liver fibrosis in a significant proportion of patients. The drugs are generally well tolerated, but significant gastrointestinal side effects can occur. Patient selection for treatment and efficacy evaluation should be based on noninvasive tests (NITs), but a substantial unresolved issue remains. Further issues include monitoring and the duration of treatment, as well as the impact of treatment on hepatic and systemic disease outcomes. Ensuring fair access to treatment for all is a challenge facing the global health community. This review explores the current approach to issues and challenges associated with using resmetirom and semaglutide in patients with MASH, proposing reference points to assist physicians in their clinical practice. Furthermore, we emphasize the importance of implementing interventions within the healthcare system to ensure equitable access to therapies.
Monometallic, bimetallic, and trimetallic fluorescent nanoclusters (NCs) stabilized by lysozyme (Lyz), glutathione (GSH), and 4-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) were synthesized using gold (Au), silver (Ag), and cadmium (Cd) via a simple chemical route. Among the synthesized NCs, the trimetallic systems demonstrated superior photoluminescent and sensing properties. Specifically, the quantum yields of AuAgCd-Lyz and AuAgCd-GSH nanoclusters were determined to be 1.42% and 2.09%, respectively. Comparative analysis revealed that trimetallic NCs exhibited significantly enhanced sensitivity in the detection of the narcotic drugs amphetamine and morphine, supported by distinct differences in their photoluminescence (PL) lifetimes. Furthermore, AuAgCd-Lyz clusters outperformed their GSH- and MPA-stabilized counterparts, which is attributed to weaker Au-amide interactions compared to the stronger Au-thiol bonds, allowing for more favorable analyte-cluster interactions. Binding constant values calculated using the Benesi-Hildebrand equation were found to be Ka = 5.82 × 10³ M⁻¹ for amphetamine and 7.89 × 10³ M⁻¹ for morphine. These findings establish trimetallic nanoclusters, particularly those stabilized by lysozyme, as highly effective and selective fluorescent probes for drug sensing, surpassing the capabilities of mono- and bimetallic analogues. TOC GRAPHICS.
Hydrogel-based skin adhesives have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional wound-closure methods such as sutures and staples because they can establish conformal contact with soft, irregular, and wet tissue surfaces. Recent advances in polymer chemistry and biointerface engineering have enabled the development of hydrogel adhesives that combine strong wet adhesion with mechanical compliance, cytocompatibility, and therapeutic functionality. In this review, we summarize recent progress in the design of hydrogel-based skin adhesives, with particular emphasis on the chemical and interfacial mechanisms governing tissue adhesion, including covalent bonding, supramolecular interactions, and bioinspired polyphenol-mediated adhesion. We first outline key features of skin structure and wound healing that define the functional requirements of skin adhesives. We then discuss methods for evaluating adhesive performance, highlighting interfacial toughness and the need for standardized testing under clinically relevant conditions. Emerging strategies for on-demand debonding that enable atraumatic removal after wound closure are also reviewed. In addition, we examine key biological design considerations, including cytocompatibility, immune regulation, angiogenesis, and antibacterial activity. Finally, we highlight current challenges and future opportunities for multifunctional hydrogel adhesive that not only close wounds but also actively support tissue repair and regeneration.
High-voltage lithium (Li) metal batteries (LMBs) are regarded as strong candidates for next-generation high-specific-energy storage devices. However, interfacial side reactions (ISRs) (particularly the often-overlooked chemical corrosion) and Li dendrite lead to severe depletion of active Li and even pose safety hazards, significantly hindering the practical applications of LMBs. Herein, an oxygen-vacancy-engineered BaTiO3 pre-adsorbed with NO3 - (BTOVN) layer is integrated onto a polypropylene separator to selectively lower the energy level of target anion via ferroelectric dipoles, thus passivating the anode/electrolyte interface and improving the long-term storage and cycle stability of LMBs. Combining cryo-electron microscopy with multi-scale spectroscopies, we reveal that the ferroelectric BTOVN layer targets NO3 - to the interface and promotes the reductive decomposition of both NO3 - and PF6 - to form a thinner and tougher solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) rich in inorganic Li2O, Li3N, and LiF, which effectively suppresses persistent ISRs and Li dendrite proliferation while enhancing Li+ transport kinetics and interfacial stability. As a result, high-voltage Li metal full cells delivery a substantially enhanced capacity retention of 89.1% after 500 cycles, and remarkably, even after long-term resting, they maintain exceptionally stable operation. The work provides a novel perspective on precisely engineering SEI chemistry through targeting anionic species into the interphase layer.
Coordinated signaling among neurons, glia, and the vasculature is essential for nervous system development. In the developing retina, spontaneous cholinergic retinal waves are the primary source of neural activity during the early maturation of the vasculature. Here, we test the hypothesis that retinal waves influence angiogenesis and the maturation of the glial-vascular interface. We first found that retinal vasculature grew normally in mice lacking β2-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-mediated retinal waves, demonstrating that early spontaneous activity is not required for angiogenesis. We next examined how Müller glia establish and signal at the developing glial-vascular interface. Sparse labeling and immunohistochemistry revealed that Müller glial lateral processes closely associate with endothelial tip cells during intermediate and deep layer angiogenesis and establish Aquaporin-4-enriched endfeet at vascular contact sites from the earliest stages of vascular growth. These associations were stable across development and persisted even when diving-vessel trajectories were disrupted in Piezo2 conditional knockouts. To determine whether glial signaling at the vascular interface is coupled to retinal waves, we combined two-photon calcium imaging with simultaneous retinal ganglion cell voltage-clamp recordings. Müller glial endfeet exhibited robust, compartmentalized calcium transients that were largely uncorrelated with retinal waves. Although blocking GABA-A receptors with gabazine increased wave-correlated activity in all glial compartments, the majority of endfoot calcium signaling remained wave-independent. Together, these findings support a model in which both angiogenesis and establishment of the Müller glial-vascular interface proceed through wave-independent developmental programs.
As a next-generation energy storage technology, seawater-based zinc-air batteries (SZABs) hold great promise for efficiently utilizing marine energy. However, oxygen electrocatalysis at the air cathode remains severely impeded by inherent sluggish kinetics and detrimental Cl- interference in chloride-rich electrolytes. To address this bottleneck, we report an electronic metal-support interactions (EMSIs)-driven spin-state engineering strategy, wherein Fe-NC support is integrated with low-loading PtFeCu alloy nanoparticles. Experimental and theoretical studies reveal that the EMSIs trigger a critical spin-state transition of Fe-N4 centers from a low-spin (t2g 6 eg 0) to an intermediate-spin (t2g 5 eg 1) configuration, which effectively adjusts Fe-O d-p orbital interactions and mitigates Cl- binding. The resulting catalyst delivers remarkable bifunctional activity and long-term stability in alkaline seawater, delivering a high oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) half-wave potential of 0.909 V, a low oxygen evolution reaction (OER) overpotential of 346 mV at 10 mA cm- 2, and a narrow voltage gap of only 0.67 V. The assembled SZABs exhibit excellent power density and durability, demonstrating practical potential for maritime emergency and wearable energy devices. This work establishes spin-state engineering as a potent paradigm for developing efficient and chloride-tolerant seawater electrocatalysts, and offers mechanistic insights into spin-state-dependent catalysis.
In modern days, drug-eluting stent (DES) acts as a kingpin for the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) and it has a dramatic reduction rate of in-stent restenosis (ISR) in compare to a bare metal stent (BMS). To replicate the drug release from therapeutic devices and its corresponding transportation in the physiological atmosphere, mathematical and computational simulations have become an effective technique. The present article is developed by a thorough comparative analysis of drug transport mechanisms between half-embedded trapezoidal-shaped and circular-shaped struts and also its optimality in stent-based drug delivery. The geometry of the implanted struts (trapezoidal-shaped and circular-shaped) is modeled in a two-dimensional axi-symmetric environment and the target lesion is considered as a single homogeneous layer with identical diffusivity. Due to the hydrostatic pressure of blood, plasma filtration is allowed through the blood-tissue interface along the transmural direction and the flow of interstitial fluid within the porous arterial wall is governed by the unsteady Navier-Stokes equation and the equation of continuity. While the drug is distributed within the arterial wall, tissue receptors grip the drug molecules, so the present study includes the binding of drug along with free drug. An unsteady convection-diffusion-reaction process demonstrates the transportation of free drug, but only reaction process manifests the transportation of bound drug. The mathematical equations of interstitial fluid flow and the transportation of drug along with pertinent initial and boundary conditions are penciled by using a two-dimensional (2D) cylindrical polar coordinate system. A staggered grid generation technique is also leveraged to discretize all the governing equations and boundary conditions, which are then successfully solved numerically by using Marker-and-Cell (MAC) method. The coefficient of variance (CV), a statistical parameter, is introduced in this present drug delivery system to access the consistency of the drug distribution. The study incorporates several necessary factors, such as drug efficacy, tissue drug content, and therapeutic effectiveness to optimize the choice of strut shape and the overall performance of the stent. To achieve the best possible outcomes, a robust sensitivity analysis of several perturbed parameters is carried out by implementing one-way ANOVA. The results highlight that, for long-term safety and efficacy, trapezoidal-shaped struts may be a good choice in compared to circular ones. Furthermore, the tailored combination of strut shape and drug delivery strategy presented herein offers a significant advancement in designing the next-generation DES.
Electrocatalytically amplified electrochemical immunosensing is a powerful strategy for sensitive and interference-free detection of biomarkers. Herein, we report a high-performance electrochemical immunosensor enabled by a hierarchical hybrid architecture comprising Ru nanodots anchored on titanium oxynitride nanoflakes dispersed on graphene oxide (Ru/TiON-GO), linked via APTES to biorecognition building blocks. The engineered heterostructure exhibits advanced electrocatalytic activity, arising from synergistic electronic coupling between Ru nanodots and the highly conductive TiON-GO support, effectively promoting interfacial electron transport between the electrocatalytic surface and the [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- redox probe. Leveraging this electrocatalytic platform, a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) impedimetric immunosensor was constructed, achieving a limit of detection of 0.06 ng mL-1 (2.3 pM) and a wide linear response covering clinically relevant concentration range. The immunosensor demonstrates excellent selectivity in human serum, operating in interference-free mode even in the presence of common coexisting biomolecules, highlighting suitability for medical diagnostics. Density functional theory calculations further elucidate the origin of the enhanced electrocatalytic performance, with charge density difference plots and density of states analysis revealing Ru-driven electron redistribution and increased density of states near the Fermi level. This work establishes the Ru/TiON-GO nanocomposite as a robust electrocatalytic platform for advanced immunosensing applications, paving the way toward next-generation electrochemical diagnostic devices.
Electronic textile is a promising platform for next-generation wearable systems, where transparent conductive fibers are essential building blocks for optoelectronic functions. Current transparent conductive fibers are typically realized by coating conductive nanomaterials onto a polymer fiber substrate. However, this strategy generally suffers from weak interfacial adhesion and thus causes conductivity degradation under mechanical deformations or environmental exposure. In this work, we report a high-performance transparent conductive fiber based on disulfide-functionalized thermoplastic polyurethane. Silver nanowires (AgNWs) react with sulfur atoms in the disulfide groups to form robust Ag-S covalent linkages, thereby stabilizing the AgNWs network. The resulting fibers exhibit a balanced combination of high conductivity (2.7 × 103 S/m) and optical transmittance (81%). Their conductivity and optical transmittance can be tuned by adjusting the AgNWs loading, while maintaining high transparency and superior mechanical durability under harsh conditions, including 1000 cycles of bending, twisting, and abrasion. We further integrate these fibers into electroluminescent fibers and display textiles through wrapping or weaving. These devices exhibit high brightness, uniform emission, and long-term operational stability. This interfacial engineering strategy improves compatibility between conductive networks and flexible polymers, enabling high-performance electronic fibers and textiles.
Bertolotti syndrome (BS), associated with lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTVs), is characterized by back pain and/or radicular symptoms due to the compression of the fifth lumbar (L5) exiting nerve roots. The surgical treatment of BS by partial resection of L5 transverse process (TP) or sacral alar via diverse techniques achieves encouraging clinical results. However, related reports on endoscopic surgery for adolescent patients with BS are rare. We here present a case of a 17-year young girl with BS who underwent endoscopic resection of left side L5/S1 pseudoarthrosis by using a unilateral biportal endoscopic spinal surgery (UBESS, UBE) technique. The current study presented a 17-year-old high-school girl who suffered from 4 months persistent lower back pain (LBP) at her first visit to our hospital. After 3 months conservative treatment, the young girl presented a severe back pain combined with left radicular pain for 1.5 months. Preoperative imaging revealed an obviously LSTV (type of Castellvi IIa) and a left side L5/S1 pseudoarthrosis. After carefully preoperative preparation and a diagnostic anesthetic block, the patient accepted an endoscopic decompression surgery via a UBE technique. During the surgery, the left hypertrophic L5 TP as well as the sacral alar were partially resected and the L5 nerve root was decompressed. Under the intraoperative endoscopic view, the left L5/S1 pseudoarthrosis was removed by using a high-speed bur. And the left L5 nerve root was perfectly decompressed without vice injury. The lower back pain and radicular pain were greatly relieved on the next postoperative day after the minimally invasive spinal surgery. The visual analogue scale (VAS) back pain score was improved from 8 points preoperative to 2 points postoperative, while the leg pain score was improved from 8 points preoperative to 1 points postoperative. The symptoms of back pain and radiculopathy were thoroughly vanished at the 3-month follow-up. And the patient never returned back to our clinic for further medical consultation. Endoscopic decompression via an UBE technique can be an effective choice for adolescent patients with BS after failed conservative therapy.
The functional significance of monozygotic and dizygotic twinning is explored. The specific question of why twinning is maintained in human populations, despite the risks to mothers and infants, will be addressed. Next, summaries of recent and current research will be presented. The topics cover congenital chimerism, parental favoritism toward one twin, parasitic twins, and a twin study of primal world beliefs. In the final section of this essay a variety of informative general interest stories are considered. They include twins' matching lives; the birth of three triplet sets; a pair of Chinese reared-apart twins; and a landmark conjoined twin separation.
High-temperature electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide in solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) has been considered a highly promising strategy for efficient carbon utilization and sustainable energy storage. Among various cathode materials, perovskite oxides have attracted significant attention owing to their structural versatility, redox stability, and physicochemical compatibility with electrolytes. However, their intrinsically limited catalytic activity for CO2 electrolysis remains a major challenge, limiting their practical application. This article systematically reviews the modification strategies for perovskite-based cathodes for carbon dioxide electrolysis in SOECs and provides a comprehensive perspective on them. These strategies are classified into three categories: bulk structure engineering, surface modification engineering, and interface catalytic engineering. Their roles in tuning electronic structure, defect chemistry, catalytic activity, and interfacial processes are critically discussed. Finally, the conclusions and future research directions are highlighted, providing insights into the rational design of next-generation perovskite cathodes with enhanced activity, durability, and scalability for practical SOEC applications.
Targeted Drug Delivery Systems (TDDS) have been proposed as an innovative approach for enhancing therapeutic efficiency through selective targeting of drugs. Although there has been substantial progress in the area of targeted therapy, the application of TDDS into clinical practice has been impeded by difficulties in their bioanalysis. Existing bioanalytical methods designed for small-molecule drugs are not sufficient for proper characterization of the complex structure, dynamics, and functionality of the advanced delivery systems. This article reviews various methods of bioanalysis used in the assessment of TDDS at the molecular,cellular, tissue,and in vivo levels. Special emphasis is placed on problems such as separation of encapsulated and released drugs, the formation of the protein corona, matrix effects, biodistribution analysis, and detection of very low drug concentrations. Additionally, the review highlights important translational bottlenecks, such as non-standardization of protocols, regulatory challenges, method validation difficulties, and scaling problems.Emerging approaches like artificial intelligence-enabled bioanalysis, multi-omics, smart biosensing, personalized assessment, and digital twin technology are analyzed as possible remedies to tackle the existing challenges.Collectively, these advancements underscore the importance of integrated and standardized bioanalytical frameworks for bridging preclinical evaluation with clinical translation, thereby enabling the successful development and implementation of next-generation targeted drug delivery systems.
The detection of single particles or molecules represents a critical milestone in the development of biosensing technologies. Optical sensors based on quasi-bound states in the continuum (qBICs) have primarily focused on detecting global refractive index changes, whereas detection of local refractive index perturbations, such as the binding of a nanometer-sized molecule on a surface, remains elusive because of limited quality (Q) factors and relatively large mode volumes. Here, we demonstrate low-contrast BIC metasurfaces that can perform sensing with a virus-sized single-nanoparticle resolution. The qBIC resonance operating at the critical coupling condition exhibits an experimental Q factor of 4.5 × 104 in heavy water. The strong interactions between the localized electric field and polystyrene nanoparticles with a diameter of 100 nm enable the experimental observation of step-like resonance wavelength shifts, serving as signatures of individual particle binding events. Furthermore, binding-induced modifications to the qBIC resonance alter the optical confinement and asymmetry factor, inducing changes not only in the resonance wavelength but also in the linewidth and amplitude with single-particle sensitivity. Combined with position-insensitive response and free-space accessible features, low-contrast BIC metasurfaces provide a user-friendly platform for next-generation single-nanoparticle sensing integrated with microfluidic systems.
ALK rearrangements are rare in gastric cancer, and their therapeutic relevance remains poorly defined. While ALK inhibitors have demonstrated efficacy in lung cancer and other malignancies, data in gastric tumors are limited. We report a 52-year-old woman with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma harboring a rare SPTBN1-ALK fusion detected at a low variant allele frequency (0.65%). The tumor was negative for HER2 amplification, microsatellite instability, and PD-L1 expression. After failure of chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy, treatment with the ALK inhibitor iruplinalkib resulted in rapid clinical improvement and a durable partial response lasting approximately 14 months. Serial next-generation sequencing at progression demonstrated enrichment of the fusion-positive clone (variant allele frequency increased to 5.94%), accompanied by expansion of TP53-mutant alleles and acquisition of additional genomic alterations. Subsequent histologic transformation to small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma was observed, with loss of RB expression and markedly elevated Ki-67. No canonical ALK kinase domain resistance mutations were detected, suggesting a non-on-target resistance mechanism. This case highlights that even low-allele-frequency ALK fusions may have important clinical relevance in gastric cancer and may identify patients who could benefit from ALK-targeted therapy. It also illustrates the dynamic evolutionary trajectory of oncogene-driven tumors under therapeutic pressure, with histologic transformation to small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma that may reflect lineage plasticity. Comprehensive genomic profiling and longitudinal molecular monitoring may facilitate the identification of rare actionable alterations and improve understanding of resistance mechanisms in advanced gastric cancer.
Porous carbons are indispensable for supercapacitors and as hosts for silicon anodes in next-generation lithium-ion batteries, yet their commercialization is crippled by the low carbon yield of phenolic resin precursors. What fundamentally controls the yield and how to improve it have long puzzled both academia and industry. Here, we address the root cause by systematically tuning the formaldehyde-to-phenol (F/P) molar ratio. We discover that the methylene bridge density in the cured resin is the key determinant of carbon yield. At the optimal F/P ratio of 2.0, the resin achieves the most complete crosslinked network, boosting the porous carbon yield from below 36% (PC-1.0) to 47.15% (PC-2.0), without compromising pore development. PC-2.0 retains a high specific surface area of 2580.6 m2·g-1 and delivers an outstanding specific capacitance of 371.8 F·g-1 at 0.5 A·g-1. Moreover, it exhibits a high capacitance retention of 95.76% after 10 000 cycles at a current density of 10 A·g-1, demonstrating competitive advantages over various electrode materials reported in recent years. Quantitative analysis confirms a strong positive correlation between methylene content and yield, solving the long-standing puzzle. This work provides a simple, scalable strategy to break the yield-performance trade-off, reducing raw material cost by 16.47% compared with commercial resin.
Precise control over liquid-solid interactions is central to the development of next-generation functional interfaces for adaptive and intelligent material systems. Bioinspired slippery liquid-infused surfaces (SLIPS) have emerged as a compelling alternative to conventional superhydrophobic coatings, offering low adhesion, omniphobicity, and inherent defect tolerance. However, the intrinsically static nature of early SLIPS has limited their utility under dynamic and complex operating conditions. Recently, this field has advanced towards stimuli-responsive slippery surfaces (SRSS), which enables reversible switching between slippery and non-slippery states under external stimuli such as temperature, light, electric or magnetic fields, pH, and mechanical deformation. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the fundamental design principles, material platforms, and interfacial mechanisms governing stimuli-responsive and multifunctional slippery surfaces. We first summarize the wetting physics and thermodynamic criteria governing lubricant-infused systems, with emphasis on interfacial energy balance and lubricant stability. SRSS are then systematically classified according to their dominant stimulus-response mechanisms, highlighting fabrication strategies, reversible wetting transitions, and dynamic modulation of interfacial properties. Emerging material architectures-including phase-change lubricants, liquid crystals, soft elastomers, nanocomposites, and hierarchical porous scaffolds-are discussed as key enablers for programmable control over droplet and bubble mobility. Finally, we examine multifunctional applications of SRSS in droplet and bubble manipulation, microfluidics, anti-icing and icephobic coatings, anti-biofouling interfaces, self-healing surfaces, and adaptive fluidic systems. By bridging interfacial science with responsive materials engineering, this review outlines current challenges and future directions towards scalable, durable, and intelligent slippery interfaces, positioning SRSS as a versatile platform for advanced functional materials.
SARS-CoV-2 antigenic evolution continues to erode the activity of first-generation monoclonal antibodies, underscoring the value of antibodies that recognize conserved features within the spike receptor-binding domain (RBD). As a model for breadth-oriented engineering, we assessed the RBD-directed antibody XG83, which has a CDRH3-dominated paratope. Utilizing the XG83-Wuhan RBD crystal structure as a reference, we integrated MOE alanine scanning and residue scanning with CDRH3 (A116-Y132) to identify chemically reasonable replacements and test interaction to an Omicron BA.1 RBD. The parental CDRH3-centric pose in comparative docking had a better score (-280.18) than the mutant MuXG83 (-254.2), along with 100-ns molecular dynamics showed that MuXG83 was less stable (with higher RMSD/RMSF with less favorable interaction energy). The ELISA results against Omicron BA.1 RBD demonstrated that XG83 had 40% stronger binding than MuXG83; convergence happened only at the highest concentration, concordant with SPR studies and the fact that mutation increased dissociation. According to this binding gap, BA.1 pseudovirus neutralization demonstrated that XG83 was much more powerful than MuXG83, showing that the E118L/F130H CDR-H3 alterations decreased functional activity against Omicron BA.1. These results imply that allosteric influences on interface stability and conformational dynamics by non-epitope CDR-H3 residues can affect antibody performance. Functional testing was confined to Omicron BA.1; therefore, larger variant-panel studies are needed to ascertain if such mutations affect antibody breadth. Our findings highlight a structure-guided approach for optimizing paratopes and indicate that non-epitope (potentially allosteric) changes to CDRH3 are also important while investigating potential development and neutralization before advancement. This study shows how modest allosteric characteristics in CDR-H3 control the delicate balance between neutralizing potency and breadth, making a timely and significant addition to SARS-CoV-2 antibody engineering. Using crystallography, alanine scanning, residue scanning, docking, molecular dynamics, and experimental ELISA and neutralization assays, this study offers a structure-guided framework for rational paratope optimization. The discovery of CDR-H3 residues that regulate long-range stability rather than just direct epitope contacts reveals an unappreciated aspect of antibody design and explains why some alterations improve anticipated interactions but degrade functional performance. Importantly, the comparison of wild-type XG83 and modified MuXG83 shows how allosteric tuning affects antibody-antigen compatibility in developing variations like Omicron. These findings illuminate conserved RBD recognition and offer strategies for building next-generation therapeutic antibodies that are more resistant to viral evolution.