Enhancing Colorectal Cancer Screening with Droplet Digital PCR Analysis of Fusobacterium nucleatum in Fecal Immunochemical Test Samples.

Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) followed by colonoscopy in positive cases is commonly used for population-based colorectal cancer screening. However, specificity of FIT for colorectal cancer is not ideal and has poor performance for advanced adenoma detection. Fecal Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) detection has been proposed as a potential noninvasive biomarker for colorectal cancer and advanced adenoma detection. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of Fn detection using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) in FIT samples from individuals enrolled in a colorectal cancer screening program with colorectal adenoma or cancer. We evaluated Fn presence in DNA isolated from FIT leftover material of 300 participants in a colorectal cancer screening program using ddPCR. The Fn DNA amount was classified as Fn-low/negative and Fn-high, and the association with patients' clinicopathological features and accuracy measurements was calculated. Fn-high levels were more prevalent in FIT-positive (47.2%, n = 34 of 72) than FIT-negative samples (28.9%, n = 66 of 228; P < 0.04). Among FIT-positive samples, high Fn levels were significantly more frequent in patients with cancer (CA, n = 8) when compared to normal (NT, n = 16; P = 0.02), non-advanced adenomas (NAA, n = 36; P = 0.01), and advanced adenomas (AA, n = 12; P = 0.01). Performance analysis of Fn in FIT-positive samples for colorectal cancer detection yielded an AUC of 0.8203 [confidence interval (CI), 0.6464-0.9942], with high sensitivity (100%) and specificity of 50%. Concluding, we showed the feasibility of detecting Fn in FIT leftovers using the ultrasensitive ddPCR technique. Furthermore, we highlighted the potential use of Fn levels in fecal samples to ameliorate colorectal cancer detection. Prevention Relevance: Fusobacterium nucleatum detection by droplet digital PCR could prioritize the selection of fecal immunochemical test-positive individuals who might benefit the most from the colonoscopy procedure.

Physiological and Perceptual Responses of a Guard Passing Test and a Simulated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Combat: A Pilot Study.

ABSTRACT: Rufino, HVdO, Franchini, E, Forte, LDM, da Silva, TBO, Meireles, CLS, and Soares, YM. Physiological and perceptual responses of a guard passing test and a simulated Brazilian jiu-jitsu combat: a pilot study. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling combat sport characterized by high-intensity efforts during the scoring actions interspersed by low-intensity actions or pause during the referee stoppage. Therefore, understanding of the physiological response to a BJJ match and BJJ-specific test can contribute to both athletes testing and training prescription. Thus, the present study aimed to compare the physiological and perceptual responses to a guard passing test (GPT) and to a simulated BJJ combat (simulated combat [SC]). For that, 7 male BJJ athletes performed a BJJ SC and the GPT at different days at random order. GPT was composed by 6 sets of all-out guard passing movements. Heart rate, blood lactate concentration ([La]), and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured immediately after SC and after each set of GPT. RPE increased after sets 4, 5, and 6 compared with set 1, with no differences to SC (p < 0.001). In additionally, no differences were observed between [La] or heart rate after SC to GPT. Results suggests that GPT is an efficient training protocol that elicits similar physiological and perceptual responses to BJJ combat. Future studies should investigate GPT reliability and validity for performance assessment.

Management strategy influences coral oxidative stress responses in a marine protected area in the Southwestern Atlantic.

Coral reefs are experiencing accelerated degradation due to global and local stressors. The understanding of how corals cope with these disturbances is urgent. We focused on elucidating antioxidant capacity responses of the Mussismilia harttii and Siderastrea sp. corals, in reefs with use management in a marine protected area. We tested whether the activity of antioxidant enzymes in healthy colonies is higher at multiple-use reefs than at no-take reef, and whether the activity of antioxidant enzymes is higher for bleached than for healthy Siderastrea sp. colonies. Lipid peroxidation and enzymatic activity found in bleached colonies evidence chronic stress and cellular damage not related to thermal anomalies. Chronic stress in healthy colonies was also found but responses differed among species, being higher at multiple use reefs, mainly for Siderastrea sp. We highlight the role of the local conservation actions in the integrity of coral physiology and reef resilience under global climate changes.

Automatic Calibration of Microscopic Traffic Simulation Models Using Artificial Neural Networks.

Traffic simulations are valuable tools for urban mobility planning and operation, particularly in large cities. Simulation-based microscopic models have enabled traffic engineers to understand local transit and transport behaviors more deeply and manage urban mobility. However, for the simulations to be effective, the transport network and user behavior parameters must be calibrated to mirror real scenarios. In general, calibration is performed manually by traffic engineers who use their knowledge and experience to adjust the parameters of the simulator. Unfortunately, there is still no systematic and automatic process for calibrating traffic simulation networks, although some methods have been proposed in the literature. This study proposes a methodology that facilitates the calibration process, where an artificial neural network (ANN) is trained to learn the behavior of the transport network of interest. The ANN used is the Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), trained with back-propagation methods. Based on this learning procedure, the neural network can select the optimized values of the simulation parameters that best mimic the traffic conditions of interest. Experiments considered two microscopic models of traffic and two psychophysical models (Wiedemann 74 and Wiedemann 99). The microscopic traffic models are located in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil. Moreover, we tested the different configurations of the MLP (layers and numbers of neurons) as well as several variations of the backpropagation training method: Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD), Adam, Adagrad, Adadelta, Adamax, and Nadam. The results of the experiments show that the proposed methodology is accurate and efficient, leading to calibration with a correlation coefficient greater than 0.8, when the calibrated parameters generate more visible effects on the road network, such as travel times, vehicle counts, and average speeds. For the psychophysical parameters, in the most simplified model (W74), the correlation coefficient was greater than 0.7. The advantage of using ANN for the automatic calibration of simulation parameters is that it allows traffic engineers to carry out comprehensive studies on a large number of future scenarios, such as at different times of the day, as well as on different days of the week and months of the year.

Genetic diversity patterns of lionfish in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean reveal a rapidly expanding stepping-stone bioinvasion process.

In 2020, multiple lionfish (Pterois spp.) records along the equatorial Southwestern (SW) Atlantic revealed a new expansion of these potentially damaging invasive populations, which could impact over 3500 km of Brazilian coastline over the next few years, as well as unique ecosystems and marine protected areas in its path. To assess the taxonomic status, invasion route, and correlation with other centres of distribution, we investigated the genetic diversity patterns of lionfish caught in 2022 at the Amazonia, Northeastern Brazil, and Fernando de Noronha and Rocas Atoll ecoregions, using two molecular markers, the mitochondrial COI and the nuclear S7 RP1. The data indicate that all studied lionfish belong to what is generally accepted as P. volitans, and share the same genetic signature as lionfish present in the Caribbean Sea. The shared haplotypes and alleles indicate that the SW Atlantic invasion derives from an active movement of adult individuals from the Caribbean Sea into the Brazilian coast. The Amazon mesophotic reefs likely served as a stepping-stone to overcome the biogeographical barrier represented by the Amazon-Orinoco River plume. New alleles found for S7 RP1 suggest the onset of local genetic diversification, heightening the environmental risks as this bioinvasion heads towards other South Atlantic ecoregions.

Model-Based Analysis of Lactuca sativa Root Growth under the Action of Herbicides in Milli-Channel Arrays with In Situ Imaging.

Extracting practical information from the large amounts of data gathered during the live imaging analysis of plant organs is a challenging issue. The present work investigates the use of the logistic growth model to analyze experimental data from root elongation assays performed in milli-fluidic devices with in situ imaging. Lactuca sativa was used as a bioindicator and was subjected to wide concentration ranges of four different herbicides: 2,4-D, atrazine, glyphosate, and paraquat. The model parameters were directly connected to standard indicators of toxicity and plant development, such as the LD50 and the absolute growth rate, respectively. In addition, it was found that realistic predictions of the maximum root length can be achieved about 60 h before the bioassay end point, which could significantly shorten the turnaround time. The combination of milli-fluidic devices, real-time imaging, and model-based data analysis becomes a powerful tool for environmental studies and ecotoxicity testing.

Valveless On-Chip Aliquoting for Molecular Diagnosis.

The detection of nucleic acids as specific markers of infectious diseases is commonly implemented in molecular biology laboratories. The translation of these benchtop assays to a lab-on-a-chip format demands huge efforts of integration and automation. The present work is motivated by a strong requirement often posed by molecular assays that combine isothermal amplification and CRISPR/Cas-based detection: after amplification, a 2-8 microliter aliquot of the reaction products must be taken for the subsequent reaction. In order to fulfill this technical problem, we have designed and prototyped a microfluidic device that is able to meter and aliquot in the required range during the stepped assay. The operation is achieved by integrating a porous material that retains the desired amount of liquid after removing the excess reaction products, an innovative solution that avoids valving and external actuation. The prototypes were calibrated and experimentally tested to demonstrate the overall performance (general fluidics, metering, aliquoting, mixing and reaction). The proposed aliquoting method is fully compatible with additional functions, such as sample concentration or reagent storage, and could be further employed in alternative applications beyond molecular diagnosis.

Genetic Ancestry, Race, and Severity of Acutely Decompensated Cirrhosis in Latin America.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Genetic ancestry or racial differences in health outcomes exist in diseases associated with systemic inflammation (eg, COVID-19). This study aimed to investigate the association of genetic ancestry and race with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), which is characterized by acute systemic inflammation, multi-organ failure, and high risk of short-term death. METHODS: This prospective cohort study analyzed a comprehensive set of data, including genetic ancestry and race among several others, in 1274 patients with acutely decompensated cirrhosis who were nonelectively admitted to 44 hospitals from 7 Latin American countries. RESULTS: Three hundred ninety-five patients (31.0%) had ACLF of any grade at enrollment. Patients with ACLF had a higher median percentage of Native American genetic ancestry and lower median percentage of European ancestry than patients without ACLF (22.6% vs 12.9% and 53.4% vs 59.6%, respectively). The median percentage of African genetic ancestry was low among patients with ACLF and among those without ACLF. In terms of race, a higher percentage of patients with ACLF than patients without ACLF were Native American and a lower percentage of patients with ACLF than patients without ACLF were European American or African American. In multivariable analyses that adjusted for differences in sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, the odds ratio for ACLF at enrollment was 1.08 (95% CI, 1.03-1.13) with Native American genetic ancestry and 2.57 (95% CI, 1.84-3.58) for Native American race vs European American race CONCLUSIONS: In a large cohort of Latin American patients with acutely decompensated cirrhosis, increasing percentages of Native American ancestry and Native American race were factors independently associated with ACLF at enrollment.

Complete Genome Sequences of Avian Metapneumovirus Subtype B Vaccine Strains from Brazil.

Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) causes a highly contagious upper respiratory and reproductive disease in chickens, turkeys, and ducks. Here, complete genome sequences of aMPV-B vaccine strains BR/1890/E1/19 (PL21, Nemovac; Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, Brazil) and BR/1891/E2/19 (1062; Hipraviar, France) were sequenced and compared with the pathogenic field strain VCO3/60616.

Toward droplets displaying life-like interaction behaviors.

Developments in synthetic biology usually bring the conception of individual artificial cells. A key feature of living systems is, however, the interaction between individuals, in which living units can interact autonomously and display a role differentiation such as the case of entities chasing each other. On the other hand, droplets have become a very useful and exciting medium for modern microengineering and biomedical technologies. In this Perspective, we show a brief discussion-outlook of different approaches to recreate predator-prey interactions in both swimmer and crawling droplet systems toward a new generation of synthetic life with impact in both fundamental insights and relevant applications.

Lessons from the invasion front: Integration of research and management of the lionfish invasion in Brazil.

After successful invasions in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, lionfish (Pterois spp.) have recently invaded another important biogeographical region -the Brazilian Province. In this article, we discuss this new invasion, focusing on a roadmap for urgent mitigation of the problem, as well as focused research and management strategies. The invasion in Brazil is already in the consolidation stage, with 352 individuals recorded so far (2020-2023) along 2766 km of coastline. This includes both juveniles and adults, including egg-bearing females, ranging in length from 9.1 to 38.5 cm. Until now, most of the records in the Brazilian coast occurred in the equatorial southwestern Atlantic (99%), mainly on the Amazon mesophotic reefs (15% of the records), northeastern coast of Brazil (45%), and the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (41%; an UNESCO World Heritage Site with high endemism rate). These records cover a broad depth range (1-110 m depth), twelve protected areas, eight Brazilian states (Amapá, Pará, Maranhão, Piauí, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba, and Pernambuco) and multiple habitats (i.e., mangrove estuaries, shallow-water and mesophotic reefs, seagrass beds, artificial reefs, and sandbanks), indicating a rapid and successful invasion process in Brazilian waters. In addition, the lack of local knowledge of rare and/or cryptic native species that are potentially vulnerable to lionfish predation raises concerns regarding the potential overlooked ecological impacts. Thus, we call for an urgent integrated approach with multiple stakeholders and solution-based ecological research, real-time inventories, update of environmental and fishery legislation, participatory monitoring supported by citizen science, and a national and unified plan aimed at decreasing the impact of lionfish invasion. The experience acquired by understanding the invasion process in the Caribbean and Mediterranean will help to establish and prioritize goals for Brazil.

Authentication of beef cuts by multielement and machine learning approaches.

BACKGROUND: Brazil has consolidated a relevant position in the world market, being the largest exporter and second producer of beef. Genetics, feeding system, geographic origin and climate influence the multielement profile of beef. The feasibility of combining classification algorithms with major and trace elements was evaluated as a tool for authentication of beef cuts. METHODS: Animals of Angus, Nelore and Wagyu crossbreeds, raised in a vertically integrated system, were sampled at the slaughterhouse for chuck steak, rump cap and sirloin steak. Supervised learning algorithms i.e. Classification and Regression Tree (CART), Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), Naïve Bayes (NB), Random Forest (RF) and Sequential Minimal Optimization (SMO) were used to build classification models based on the multielement profile of beef determined by neutron activation analysis. RESULTS: Br, Co, Cs, Fe, K, Na, Rb, Se and Zn were determined in the beef samples. The classification accuracy values obtained for the beef cuts were 96% (MLP), 95% (SMO), 91% (RF), 86% (NB) and 70% (CART). CONCLUSION: The Multilayer Perceptron algorithm provided the best classification performance towards authentication of beef cuts on basis of major and trace element mass fractions.

Field-deployable aptasensor with automated analysis of stain patterns for the detection of chlorpyrifos in water.

Organophosphorus compounds such as chlorpyrifos (CPS) are causing serious environmental problems worldwide. Efficient monitoring of the CPS levels in water resources demands portable devices for on-field testing. Here we report the development of a CPS sensor coupled with smartphones for automated reading and data analysis. The sensing mechanism makes use of gold nanoparticles stabilized by a CPS-specific aptamer, where colloidal destabilization occurs in presence of competing CPS molecules. In particular, an innovative readout is proposed: quantitative analysis of the stain patterns left by evaporating drops of the test solutions. We have found that the CPS-induced destabilization suppresses the typical coffee-ring stain of the colloidal gold, and then exploited the phenomenon to quantitatively determine the CPS concentration in water samples. A strong correlation between CPS level in samples and the alteration of the stain patterns was established for a wide range of CPS concentrations (0.048 µM-482 µM). The limit of detection of the sensor was 0.2 µM. The assay was implemented on Whatman filter paper cards that were specially patterned by wax-printing. A smartphone-based Python program was written for fully automated image capture and processing. Notably, as we analyze the spatial configuration of the stains, the reading system is independent of external illumination. The system also enables data management and traceability, which are highly desirable attributes for environmental monitoring.

Isolated vitamin D supplementation improves the adipokine profile of postmenopausal women: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation alone on the adipokine profile of postmenopausal women. METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial, 160 women were randomized to 2 groups: oral supplementation with 1,000 IU cholecalciferol/d (vitamin D, n = 80) or placebo (PL, n = 80). Women with amenorrhea 12 months or more and aged 50 to 65 years were included. Women with established cardiovascular disease, insulin-dependent diabetes, renal failure, liver diseases, and previous use of menopausal hormone therapy and vitamin D were excluded. The intervention lasted 9 months and serum adiponectin, resistin, and adipsin levels were determined at the start and end of treatment. Intention to treat was adopted as the statistical method using a repeated measures design, followed by Wald's multiple comparison test adjusted for group × time interaction. RESULTS: After 9 months, 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations increased from 15.0 ± 7.5 to 27.5 ± 10.4 ng/mL (+45.4%) in the vitamin D group and decreased from 16.9 ± 6. to 13.8 ± 6.0 ng/mL (-18.5%) in the PL group ( P < 0.001). In the vitamin D group, there was an increase in adiponectin (+18.6%) and a decrease in resistin (-32.4%, P < 0.05). At the end point, a difference was observed between the PL and vitamin D groups in mean adiponectin and resistin levels (11.5 ± 5.5 vs 18.5 ± 21.8 ng/mL, P = 0.047, and 16.5 ± 3.5 vs 11.7 ± 3.3 ng/mL, P = 0.027, respectively). There were no significant intervention effects on serum adipsin levels. CONCLUSIONS: Daily supplementation with 1,000 IU of vitamin D alone was associated with an increase in adiponectin and a decrease in resistin, suggesting a beneficial effect on the adipokine profile of postmenopausal women with vitamin D deficiency.

Generation of curcumin-loaded albumin nanoparticles by using off-the-shelf microfluidics driven by gravity.

The generation albumin-based nanocarriers by precipitation from solution has great interest in the formulation of advanced nutritional products. Microfluidic techniques enable the implementation of low energy and continuum processes, with fast mass transfer and homogeneous mixing at the microscale. Here we describe the microfluidic generation of curcumin-loaded alpha lactalbumin nanoparticles in a simple and inexpensive way, by using off-the-shelf devices designed to produce solvent-shifting nanoprecipitation in core-sheath flows driven by gravity, which has not been reported before. Nanoparticles were characterized by dynamic light scattering, electron microscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. The microfluidic operating conditions were defined by theory and experiments, and the critical parameters controlling the nanoparticles diameter were identified. The prepared nanoparticles resulted practically monodisperse, the curcumin entrapment efficiency was about 40 %, and almost 70 % of the bioactive was gradually delivered in release experiments. The proposed methodology is a promising route to scale up the microfluidic elaboration of nanoparticles for the entrapment of active ingredients.

Phox2b mutation mediated by Atoh1 expression impaired respiratory rhythm and ventilatory responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia.

Mutations in the transcription factor Phox2b cause congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS). The syndrome is characterized by hypoventilation and inability to regulate breathing to maintain adequate O2 and CO2 levels. The mechanism by which CCHS impact respiratory control is incompletely understood, and even less is known about the impact of the non-polyalanine repeat expansion mutations (NPARM) form. Our goal was to investigate the extent by which NPARM Phox2b mutation affect (a) respiratory rhythm; (b) ventilatory responses to hypercapnia (HCVR) and hypoxia (HVR); and (c) number of chemosensitive neurons in mice. We used a transgenic mouse line carrying a conditional Phox2bΔ8 mutation (same found in humans with NPARM CCHS). We crossed them with Atoh1cre mice to introduce mutation in regions involved with respiratory function and central chemoreflex control. Ventilation was measured by plethysmograph during neonatal and adult life. In room air, mutation in neonates and adult did not greatly impact basal ventilation. However, Phox2bΔ8, Atoh1cre increased breath irregularity in adults. The HVR and HCVR were impaired in neonates. The HVR, but not HCVR, was still partially compromised in adults. The mutation reduced the number of Phox2b+/TH--expressing neurons as well as the number of fos-activated cells within the ventral parafacial region (also named retrotrapezoid nucleus [RTN] region) induced by hypercapnia. Our data indicates that Phox2bΔ8 mutation in Atoh1-expressing cells impaired RTN neurons, as well as chemoreflex under hypoxia and hypercapnia specially early in life. This study provided new evidence for mechanisms related to NPARM form of CCHS neuropathology.

Detection and Genome Sequence Analysis of Avian Metapneumovirus Subtype A Viruses Circulating in Commercial Chicken Flocks in Mexico.

Avian metapneumoviruses (aMPV subtypes A-D) are respiratory and reproductive pathogens of poultry. Since aMPV-A was initially reported in Mexico in 2014, there have been no additional reports of its detection in the country. Using nontargeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) of FTA card-spotted respiratory samples from commercial chickens in Mexico, seven full genome sequences of aMPV-A (lengths of 13,288-13,381 nucleotides) were de novo assembled. Additionally, complete coding sequences of genes N (n = 2), P and M (n = 7 each), F and L (n = 1 each), M2 (n = 6), SH (n = 5) and G (n = 2) were reference-based assembled from another seven samples. The Mexican isolates phylogenetically group with, but in a distinct clade separate from, other aMPV-A strains. The genome and G-gene nt sequences of the Mexican aMPVs are closest to strain UK/8544/06 (97.22-97.47% and 95.07-95.83%, respectively). Various amino acid variations distinguish the Mexican isolates from each other, and other aMPV-A strains, most of which are in the G (n = 38), F (n = 12), and L (n = 19) proteins. Using our sequence data and publicly available aMPV-A data, we revised a previously published rRT-PCR test, which resulted in different cycling and amplification conditions for aMPV-A to make it more compatible with other commonly used rRT-PCR diagnostic cycling conditions. This is the first comprehensive sequence analysis of aMPVs in Mexico and demonstrates the value of nontargeted NGS to identify pathogens where targeted virus surveillance is likely not routinely performed.

Genome Sequence Variations of Infectious Bronchitis Virus Serotypes From Commercial Chickens in Mexico.

New variants of infectious bronchitis viruses (IBVs; Coronaviridae) continuously emerge despite routine vaccinations. Here, we report genome sequence variations of IBVs identified by random non-targeted next generation sequencing (NGS) of vaccine and field samples collected on FTA cards from commercial flocks in Mexico in 2019-2021. Paired-ended sequencing libraries prepared from rRNA-depleted RNAs were sequenced using Illumina MiSeq. IBV RNA was detected in 60.07% (n = 167) of the analyzed samples, from which 33 complete genome sequences were de novo assembled. The genomes are organized as 5'UTR-[Rep1a-Rep1b-S-3a-3b-E-M-4b-4c-5a-5b-N-6b]-3'UTR, except in eight sequences lacking non-structural protein genes (accessory genes) 4b, 4c, and 6b. Seventeen sequences have auxiliary S2' cleavage site located 153 residues downstream the canonically conserved primary furin-specific S1/S2 cleavage site. The sequences distinctly cluster into lineages GI-1 (Mass-type; n = 8), GI-3 (Holte/Iowa-97; n = 2), GI-9 (Arkansas-like; n = 8), GI-13 (793B; n = 14), and GI-17 (California variant; CAV; n = 1), with regional distribution in Mexico; this is the first report of the presence of 793B- and CAV-like strains in the country. Various point mutations, substitutions, insertions and deletions are present in the S1 hypervariable regions (HVRs I-III) across all 5 lineages, including in residues 38, 43, 56, 63, 66, and 69 that are critical in viral attachment to respiratory tract tissues. Nine intra-/inter-lineage recombination events are present in the S proteins of three Mass-type sequences, two each of Holte/Iowa-97 and Ark-like sequence, and one each of 793B-like and CAV-like sequences. This study demonstrates the feasibility of FTA cards as an attractive, adoptable low-cost sampling option for untargeted discovery of avian viral agents in field-collected clinical samples. Collectively, our data points to co-circulation of multiple distinct IBVs in Mexican commercial flocks, underscoring the need for active surveillance and a review of IBV vaccines currently used in Mexico and the larger Latin America region.

Droplets in underlying chemical communication recreate cell interaction behaviors.

The sensory-motor interaction is a hallmark of living systems. However, developing inanimate systems with "recognize and attack" abilities remains challenging. On the other hand, controlling the inter-droplet dynamics on surfaces is key in microengineering and biomedical applications. We show here that a pair of droplets can become intelligently interactive (chemospecific stimulus-response inter-droplet autonomous operation) when placed on a nanoporous thin film surface. We find an attacker-victim-like non-reciprocal interaction between spatially separated droplets leading to an only-in-one shape instability that triggers a drop projection to selectively couple, resembling cellular phenomenologies such as pseudopod emission and phagocytic-like functions. The nanopore-driven underlying communication and associated chemical activity are the main physical ingredients behind the observed behavior. Our results reveal that basic features found in many living cell types can emerge from a simple two-droplet framework. This work is a promising step towards the design of microfluidic smart robotics and for origin-of-life protocell models.

A free customizable tool for easy integration of microfluidics and smartphones.

The integration of smartphones and microfluidics is nowadays the best possible route to achieve effective point-of-need testing (PONT), a concept increasingly demanded in the fields of human health, agriculture, food safety, and environmental monitoring. Nevertheless, efforts are still required to integrally seize all the advantages of smartphones, as well as to share the developments in easily adoptable formats. For this purpose, here we present the free platform appuente that was designed for the easy integration of microfluidic chips, smartphones, and the cloud. It includes a mobile app for end users, which provides chip identification and tracking, guidance and control, processing, smart-imaging, result reporting and cloud and Internet of Things (IoT) integration. The platform also includes a web app for PONT developers, to easily customize their mobile apps and manage the data of administered tests. Three application examples were used to validate appuente: a dummy grayscale detector that mimics quantitative colorimetric tests, a root elongation assay for pesticide toxicity assessment, and a lateral flow immunoassay for leptospirosis detection. The platform openly offers fast prototyping of smartphone apps to the wide community of lab-on-a-chip developers, and also serves as a friendly framework for new techniques, IoT integration and further capabilities. Exploiting these advantages will certainly help to enlarge the use of PONT with real-time connectivity in the near future.