De-Novo Design of Actively Spinning and Gyrating Spherical Micro-Vesicles.

Self-propelled lipid-based artificial cells that can achieve controlled rotation and directed translation present significant potential for biomedical applications, yet their engineering poses considerable challenges. Lipid vesicles synthesized via solution-based methods naturally adopt isotropic spherical shapes. Active motion of these spherical objects requires symmetry breaking and rigidity.

Emergence of slip-ideal-slip behavior in tip-links serve as force filters of sound in hearing.

Tip-links in the inner ear convey force from sound and trigger mechanotransduction. Here, we present evidence that tip-links (collectively as heterotetrameric complexes of cadherins) function as force filters during mechanotransduction. Our force-clamp experiments reveal that the tip-link complexes show slip-ideal-slip bond dynamics.

Nodal changes during the early stages of Wallerian degeneration of central nerve fibres.

The nodal changes in central nerve fibres undergoing Wallerian degeneration have been studied during the first 48 hr after section of the dorsal columns of the rat by single fibre teasing and by conventional light and electron microscopic techniques. The earliest changes found at 24 hr consisted of an accumulation of mitochondria, other organelles and lamellar bodies in the nodal axoplasm. Attenuation of the myelin sheath on one side of the node due to detachment of terminal myelin loops and slipping of the outer myelin lamellae was found in some fibres, and varying degrees of nodal widening in others at 24 hr.

Effects of x-radiation on the spinal cord: an experimental study of the morphological changes in central nerve fibres.

The morphological changes in central nerve fibres after irradiation have been studied in the spinal cord of young adult rats exposed to 100-6 000 rad doses of 250 kV x-rays using the technique of single fibre teasing as well as conventional light and electronmicroscopic examination of cord sections. Two groups of degenerative changes were found in myelinated fibres. The first consisted of breakdown of paranodal myelin and nodal widening.