A strong quick-release biointerface in mussels mediated by serotonergic cilia-based adhesion.

The mussel byssus stem provides a strong and compact mechanically mismatched biointerface between living tissue and a nonliving biopolymer. Yet, in a poorly understood process, mussels can simply jettison their entire byssus, rebuilding a new one in just hours. We characterized the structure and composition of the byssus biointerface using histology, confocal Raman mapping, phase contrast-enhanced microcomputed tomography, and advanced electron microscopy, revealing a sophisticated junction consisting of abiotic biopolymer sheets interdigitated between living extracellular matrix.

From binary AB to ternary ABC supraparticles.

Control over the assembly and morphology of nanoscale functional building blocks is of great importance to hybrid and porous nanomaterials. In this paper, by combining different types of spherical nanoparticles with different size ratios in a hierarchical assembly process which allows us to control the final structure of multi-component assemblies, we discuss self-assembly of an extensive range of supraparticles, labelled as AB particles, and an extension to novel ternary particles, labelled as ABC particles. For supraparticles, the organization of small nanoparticles is known to be inherently related to the size ratio of building blocks.

Cells Dynamically Adapt to Surface Geometry by Remodeling Their Focal Adhesions and Actin Cytoskeleton.

Cells probe their environment and adapt their shape accordingly the organization of focal adhesions and the actin cytoskeleton. In an earlier publication, we described the relationship between cell shape and physiology, for example, shape-induced differentiation, metabolism, and proliferation in mesenchymal stem cells and tenocytes. In this study, we investigated how these cells organize their adhesive machinery over time when exposed to microfabricated surfaces of different topographies and adhesive island geometries.

Multiscale characterization of pathological bone tissue.

Bone is a complex natural material with a complex hierarchical multiscale organization, crucial to perform its functions. Ultrastructural analysis of bone is crucial for our understanding of cell to cell communication, the healthy or pathological composition of bone tissue, and its three-dimensional (3D) organization. A variety of techniques has been used to analyze bone tissue.

Building Reversible Nanoraspberries.

The adsorption mechanism of small positively charged silica nanoparticles (SiO NPs) onto larger polystyrene latex nanoparticles (PSL NPs) forming hybrid particles was studied. CryoTEM showed the morphology of these supraparticles to be raspberry-like. After surface modification of the SiO NPs, the optimum pH regime to initiate the formation of nanoraspberries was determined.

Spontaneous organization of supracolloids into three-dimensional structured materials.

Periodic nano- or microscale structures are used to control light, energy and mass transportation. Colloidal organization is the most versatile method used to control nano- and microscale order, and employs either the enthalpy-driven self-assembly of particles at a low concentration or the entropy-driven packing of particles at a high concentration. Nonetheless, it cannot yet provide the spontaneous three-dimensional organization of multicomponent particles at a high concentration.

Self-agglomerated collagen patterns govern cell behaviour.

Reciprocity between cells and their surrounding extracellular matrix is one of the main drivers for cellular function and, in turn, matrix maintenance and remodelling. Unravelling how cells respond to their environment is key in understanding mechanisms of health and disease. In all these examples, matrix anisotropy is an important element, since it can alter the cell shape and fate.

Modifying the thickness, pore size, and composition of diatom frustule in Pinnularia sp. with Al ions.

Diatoms are unicellular photosynthetic algae that produce a silica exoskeleton (frustule) which exposes a highly ordered nano to micro scale morphology. In recent years there has been a growing interest in modifying diatom frustules for technological applications. This is achieved by adding non-essential metals to the growth medium of diatoms which in turn modifies morphology, composition, and resulting properties of the frustule.

Tendon-Derived Biomimetic Surface Topographies Induce Phenotypic Maintenance of Tenocytes .

The tenocyte niche contains biochemical and biophysical signals that are needed for tendon homeostasis. The tenocyte phenotype is correlated with cell shape and , and shape-modifying cues are needed for tenocyte phenotypical maintenance. Indeed, cell shape changes from elongated to spread when cultured on a flat surface, and rat tenocytes lose the expression of phenotypical markers throughout five passages.

The transcriptional regulation of the human angiotensinogen gene after high-fat diet is haplotype-dependent: Novel insights into the gene-regulatory networks and implications for human hypertension.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human angiotensinogen (hAGT) gene may modulate its transcription and affect the regulation of blood pressure via activation of the renin-angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS). In this regard, we have identified polymorphisms in the 2.5 Kb promoter of the hAGT gene that form two haplotype (Hap) blocks: -6A/G (-1670A/G, -1562C/T, -1561T/C) and -217A/G (-532T/C, -793A/G, -1074T/C & -1178G/A).

Balloon dilation-assisted laparoscopic heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication.

Two methods are currently used in the treatment of achalasia: endoscopic balloon dilation and surgical Heller myotomy. Laparoscopy has come into use in achalasia surgery, and good outcomes have been achieved. This study included 11 patients (mean age, 30.

The effect of the pneumoperitoneum on the peritoneal defense mechanisms in diabetic rats.

To investigate the effects of pneumoperitoneum on the peritoneal defense mechanism induced by streptozocin infusion during laparoscopic surgery in diabetic rats and to show the importance of regulation of diabetes for peritoneal defense mechanisms. One hundred twenty-six Sprague-Dawley male rats were allocated into six groups each consisting of 21 rats: group 1, nondiabetic sham laparotomy (control); group 2, nondiabetic pneumoperitoneum (control); group 3, uncontrolled diabetes plus sham laparotomy; group 4, controlled diabetes plus sham laparotomy; group 5, uncontrolled diabetes plus pneumoperitoneum; and group 6, controlled diabetes plus pneumoperitoneum. Diabetes was constituted by intraperitoneal infusion of one dose of 60 mg/kg streptozotocin, and diabetes was regulated (in groups 4 and 6) by subcutaneous injection of 10 IU/kg insulin in the morning and evening after the blood glucose measurements since the fourth day.