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Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a chronic and progressive form of hair loss characterized by vascular degeneration in the perifollicular microenvironment, leading to cell apoptosis and eventual loss of hair follicles (HFs). Traditional therapeutic formulations, such as Minoxidil (MXD) tincture, have limitations in reshaping the perifollicular microenvironment and exhibit limited effectiveness. Here, we report a multi-synergistic therapeutic platform for high-performance hair regeneration therapy. The platform combines microneedle (MN) patches loaded with MXD-encapsulated nanostructured lipid carriers (MXD-NLC-MNs) and cold atmospheric plasma (CAP). The MNs' mechanical strength enables efficient transdermal delivery of MXD to the targeted dermal papilla cells, promoting cell proliferation. Furthermore, in collaboration with MXD, the mechanical stimulation exerted by MN application synergistically upregulates the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, leading to neoangiogenesis. Meanwhile, the transient microchannels in the skin created by MNs facilitate the transdermal delivery of CAP-generated nitric oxide (NO) to the sites of HF lesions, whereby the synergistic interaction between MXD and NO boosts perifollicular vasodilation. Consequently, the perifollicular microenvironment can be effectively reshaped to accelerate hair regeneration in AGA murine models. This multi-synergistic combination therapy strategy would hold great promise for effectively treating AGA and promoting hair regrowth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wet-tissue adhesives have long been attractive materials for realizing complicated biomedical functions. However, the hydration film on wet tissues can generate a boundary, forming hydrogen bonds with the adhesives that weaken adhesive strength. Introducing black phosphorus (BP) is believed to enhance the water absorption capacity of tape-type adhesives and effectively eliminate hydration layers between the tissue and adhesive. This study reports a composite patch integrated with BP nanosheets (CPB) for wet-tissue adhesion. The patch's improved water absorption and mechanical properties ensure its immediate and robust adhesion to wet tissues. Various bioapplications of CPB are demonstrated, such as rapid hemostasis (within ~1-2 seconds), monitoring of physical-activity and prevention of tumour-recurrence, all validated via in vivo studies. Given the good practicability, histocompatibility and biodegradability of CPB, the proposed patches hold significant promise for a wide range of biomedical applications. The utility of wet-tissue adhesives has been impeded by the suboptimal adhesive strength. Here the authors report a composite patch integrated with BP nanosheets that improve the wet-tissue adhesion by enhancing the water absorption and mechanical properties of the patch and demonstrate the uses of the patch in hemostasis, physical-activity monitoring and tumour-recurrence prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The leakage of shield tunnels built in confined aquifers of silt or fine sand may result in the erosion of soil. Due to the loss of ground support, significant distortions of the tunnel structure may arise. As an initial insight into the mechanisms driving disaster chains, the erosion morphology of silt or fine sand under converging flow should be made clear first. In this study, a series of laboratory tests were performed to investigate the erosion morphology of fine sand under converging flow and its spatiotemporal evolution. Notably, for consistency with practical engineering, the initial effective stress of the soil was also considered. The initial results indicated that the erosion process may involve the soil arching effect due to the presence of soil effective stress. On this basis, tests with two leakage points were conducted. It was found that successively opening the two leakage points may lead to a larger erosion area of superposition when compared with the case of simultaneously opening two leakage points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]