Alginate-based hydrogels, derived from brown seaweed, represent biocompatible and biodegradable materials whose properties are systematically controlled through molecular structure (M/G composition), crosslinking strategy, and compositional modification. This review synthesizes recent advances in alginate hydrogel design, encompassing fundamental structural properties, three primary crosslinking approaches—ionic coordination with divalent cations (Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, Sr²⁺), covalent chemical linkages, and hybrid multi-crosslinking systems—and strategic modification strategies including chemical derivatization, polymer blending, and nanoparticle incorporation. These modifications address inherent limitations of native alginate, namely insufficient mechanical strength and biological inertness, thereby expanding applicability. The review examines applications across biomedical domains (drug delivery, tissue engineering, wound healing), environmental remediation, food industry systems, and emerging technologies including flexible electronics and soft robotics. Advanced fabrication techniques—3D/4D printing, microfluidics, and electrospinning—enable improved architectural control. Current evidence from preclinical and clinical studies demonstrates feasibility in specific applications, while important challenges persist, including predictable degradation kinetics, mechanical property optimization, standardization of characterization protocols, regulatory compliance, and manufacturing scalability. This review aims to provide a systematic assessment of alginate-based hydrogel development and identify areas requiring further investigation to advance clinical translation.

The advent of precision therapy has revolutionized breast cancer treatment, driven by the development of innovative diagnostic techniques and targeted drugs. Identifying biomarkers related to therapy response is crucial for tailoring treatment strategies for breast cancer patients. Liquid biopsies have emerged as minimally invasive techniques for biomarker profiling, leveraging the increasing sensitivity for detecting oncogenic drivers. These liquid biopsy methods, involving the testing of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in biofluids, offer more opportunities for early cancer detection, monitoring treatment efficacy, and identifying resistance mechanisms. This review focuses on the technical methodologies employed for the detection of CTCs and ctDNA. Beyond the technical aspects, we discuss the clinical applications of these biomarkers in breast cancer, including their roles in early detection, monitoring treatment response, and guiding therapeutic decisions. We also address the challenges associated with CTC and ctDNA detection, such as low concentrations in biofluids and tumor heterogeneity, which can complicate analysis and interpretation. By discussing the current landscape of CTC and ctDNA methodologies and their clinical implications, this review highlights the potential of liquid biopsies to enhance personalized medicine approaches in breast cancer management.

Inulin, a natural polysaccharide, has emerged as a promising precursor for the preparation of hydrogels due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and structural versatility. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent progress in the preparation, characterization, and diverse applications of inulin-based hydrogels. Different synthesis strategies, including physical methods (thermal induction and non-thermal induction), chemical methods (free-radical polymerization and chemical crosslinking), and enzymatic approaches, are discussed in detail. The unique properties of inulin-based hydrogels, such as stimuli-responsiveness, antibacterial activity, and their potential as fat replacers, are highlighted. Special emphasis is given to their promising applications in drug delivery systems, especially for colon-targeted delivery, due to the selective degradation of inulin via colonic microflora. The ability to incorporate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs further expands their therapeutic potential. In addition, the applications of inulin-based hydrogels in responsive materials, the food industry, wound dressings, and tissue engineering are discussed. While significant progress has been achieved, challenges and prospects in optimizing synthesis, improving mechanical properties, and exploring new functionalities are discussed. Overall, this review highlights the remarkable properties of inulin-based hydrogels as a promising class of biomaterials with immense potential in the biomedical, pharmaceutical, and materials science fields.

Conductive hydrogels, known for their flexibility, biocompatibility, and conductivity, have found extensive applications in fields such as healthcare, environmental monitoring, and soft robotics. Recent advancements in 3D printing technologies have transformed the fabrication of conductive hydrogels, creating new opportunities for sensing applications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements in the fabrication and application of 3D-printed conductive hydrogel sensors. First, the basic principles and fabrication techniques of conductive hydrogels are briefly reviewed. We then explore various 3D printing methods for conductive hydrogels, discussing their respective strengths and limitations. The review also summarizes the applications of 3D-printed conductive hydrogel-based sensors. In addition, perspectives on 3D-printed conductive hydrogel sensors are highlighted. This review aims to equip researchers and engineers with insights into the current landscape of 3D-printed conductive hydrogel sensors and to inspire future innovations in this promising field.

Background: Stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) is an aggressive malignancy characterized by high tumor plasticity and heterogeneity. This study investigates the role of Autophagy and Beclin 1 Regulator 1 (AMBRA1) in regulating tumor plasticity in STAD progression.Methods: Combined with clinical data, the pan-cancer analysis of AMBRA1 was performed to analyze the role of AMBRA1 in STAD. Western blot, Flow Cytometry (FCM) assay, trans-well assay, wound healing assay, MTT, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) assay, Reverse Transcription Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) and staining were performed to study the effects of AMBRA1 in AGS human gastric cancer cells. An AGS gastric cancer xenograft model was constructed to further verify the role of AMBRA1 in the development of STAD.Results: AMBRA1 overexpression correlated with poor overall survival in STAD and was positively associated with T cell CD4+ infiltration. High AMBRA1 expression also indicated worse prognosis in patients with high cancer-associated fibroblast infiltration. AMBRA1 depletion suppressed STAD cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. Mechanistically, AMBRA1 knockdown induced G1/S cell cycle arrest and triggered cellular senescence through epigenetic alterations, including changes in H3K9me3 levels. AMBRA1 inhibition also sensitized STAD cells to chemotherapeutic agents. In vivo studies confirmed the tumor-suppressive effects of AMBRA1 loss, resulting in reduced tumor growth and increased cellular senescence.Conclusions: Our findings uncover an oncogenic role for AMBRA1 in STAD. Targeting AMBRA1 may induce tumor cell senescence, apoptosis, and potentiate anti-tumor immunity, providing a rationale for developing AMBRA1-targeted precision therapies to improve clinical outcomes in STAD patients.

Background/Objectives: Hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) poses significant challenges due to limited targeted therapeutic options. This study investigates SMYD5, an oncogene implicated in the pathogenesis of LIHC, and its interaction with the BRD4 protein. Methods: We employed bioinformatics analyses alongside experimental validations to assess SMYD5 expression across various cancers, particularly LIHC. This included survival analysis, protein expression studies, and functional assays to understand the role of SMYD5 in LIHC progression. Results: Our findings demonstrate that SMYD5 expression is markedly elevated in LIHC tumor tissues compared to normal liver tissues. Moreover, high levels of SMYD5 correlate with poor overall survival and disease-free survival rates in LIHC patients. Functional assays indicate that the knockdown of SMYD5 significantly inhibits cell proliferation and increases apoptosis in LIHC cell lines. Additionally, a notable interaction between SMYD5 and BRD4 was identified, suggesting a potential therapeutic target in the SMYD5-BRD4 axis. Conclusions: These findings collectively establish SMYD5 as a molecular driver in LIHC pathology and identify the SMYD5-BRD4 interaction axis as a promising therapeutic target for future drug development.