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Current catheter devices in minimally invasive surgery still possess limited functional options, lacking multimodal integration of both sensing and therapy. Catheter devices usually operate outside the tissue, incapable to detect intra‐tissue biochemical information for accurate localization and assessment of lesions during surgery. Inspired by the feature and functions of Petromyzontidae, here a multimodal core‐shell microneedles‐integrated bioelectronic catheter (MNIBC) for tissue‐penetrating theranostics in endoscopic surgery is developed. The microneedle (MN) device possesses individually addressable functionality at single‐MN tip resolution, enabling multiplex functions (a total of 11 functions distributed in three types of catheters) including biochemical sensing, myoelectric modulation, electroporation, and drug delivery in a submucosal environment. The MNIBC is prepared through hybrid fabrication and dimensionality reduction strategies, where the MN electrodes are functionalized with an MXene‐carbon nanotube (MXene‐CNT)‐based electron mediator, addressing the challenge of reduced electrode sensitivity on ultra‐small MN tip. The functionalities of MNIBC are demonstrated both ex vivo and in vivo on anesthetized rabbits via laparoscopy, simulated cystoscopy, and laparotomy. The MNIBC can effectively detect intra‐tissue biochemical signals in the bladder, and offers localized electroporation and intra‐tissue drug delivery for precise treatments of lesions. The versatile features of the MNIBC present a highly advanced platform for precise surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why invasive species can rapidly adapt to novel environments is a puzzling question known as the genetic paradox of invasive species. This paradox is explainable in terms of transposable elements (TEs) activity, which are theorized to be powerful mutational forces to create genetic variation. Mikania micrantha, a noxious invasive weed, in this sense provides an excellent opportunity to test the explanation. The genetic and epigenetic variation of 21 invasive populations of M. micrantha in southern China have been examined by using transposon display (TD) and transposon methylation display (TMD) techniques to survey 12 TE superfamilies. Our results showed that M. micrantha populations maintained an almost equally high level of TE‐based genetic and epigenetic variation and they have been differentiated into subpopulations genetically and epigenetically. A similar positive spatial genetic and epigenetic structure pattern was observed within 300 m. Six and seven TE superfamilies presented significant genetic and epigenetic isolation by distance (IBD) pattern. In total, 59 genetic and 86 epigenetic adaptive TE loci were identified. Of them, 51 genetic and 44 epigenetic loci were found to correlate with 25 environmental variables (including precipitation, temperature, vegetation coverage, and soil metals). Twenty‐five transposon‐inserted genes were sequenced and homology‐based annotated, which are found to be involved in a variety of molecular and cellular functions. Our research consolidates the importance of TE‐associated genetic and epigenetic variation in the rapid adaptation and invasion of M. micrantha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A closed‐loop system that can mini‐invasively track blood glucose and intelligently treat diabetes is in great demand for modern medicine, yet it remains challenging to realize. Microneedles technologies have recently emerged as powerful tools for transdermal applications with inherent painlessness and biosafety. In this work, for the first time to the authors' knowledge, a fully integrated wearable closed‐loop system (IWCS) based on mini‐invasive microneedle platform is developed for in situ diabetic sensing and treatment. The IWCS consists of three connected modules: 1) a mesoporous microneedle‐reverse iontophoretic glucose sensor; 2) a flexible printed circuit board as integrated and control; and 3) a microneedle‐iontophoretic insulin delivery component. As the key component, mesoporous microneedles enable the painless penetration of stratum corneum, implementing subcutaneous substance exchange. The coupling with iontophoresis significantly enhances glucose extraction and insulin delivery and enables electrical control. This IWCS is demonstrated to accurately monitor glucose fluctuations, and responsively deliver insulin to regulate hyperglycemia in diabetic rat model. The painless microneedles and wearable design endows this IWCS as a highly promising platform to improve the therapies of diabetic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise of the Study: New microsatellite markers were developed for the vulnerable conifer species Amentotaxus argotaenia (Taxaceae) to investigate population genetic variation and the effects of environmental heterogeneity on genetic structure. Methods and Results: A total of 27 microsatellite loci were developed from A. argotaenia through a Fast Isolation by AFLP of Sequences COntaining repeats (FIASCO) protocol, of which 23 were polymorphic. These markers yielded 1–13 alleles and 1.0–7.9 effective alleles per locus; levels of observed and expected heterozygosity varied from 0.000–1.000 and 0.000–0.873, respectively. In total, 18 of the markers were transferable to the related species A. yunnanensis. Conclusions: These polymorphic markers are a valuable genetic resource for investigating population genetic variation and the potential for local adaptation in A. argotaenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]