Nanoparticle-Based Hybrid Scaffolds for Deciphering the Role of Multimodal Cues in Cardiac Tissue Engineering.

Myocardial microenvironment plays a decisive role in guiding the function and fate of cardiomyocytes, and engineering this extracellular niche holds great promise for cardiac tissue regeneration. Platforms utilizing hybrid hydrogels containing various types of conductive nanoparticles have been a critical tool for constructing engineered cardiac tissues with outstanding mechanical integrity and improved electrophysiological properties. However, there has been no attempt to directly compare the efficacy of these hybrid hydrogels and decipher the mechanisms behind how these platforms differentially regulate cardiomyocyte behavior.

Growth, accumulation, and antioxidative responses of two Salix genotypes exposed to cadmium and lead in hydroponic culture.

Cd and Pb are a toxic environmental pollutant, and their elevated concentrations in the waters and soils could exert detriment effects on human health by food chain. In order to evaluate the capacity to heavy metal accumulation and the physiochemical responses of two Salix genotypes, a 35-day hydroponic seedling experiment was implemented with Salix matsudana Koidz. 'Shidi1' (A42) and Salix psammophila C.

Electrically Driven Microengineered Bioinspired Soft Robots.

To create life-like movements, living muscle actuator technologies have borrowed inspiration from biomimetic concepts in developing bioinspired robots. Here, the development of a bioinspired soft robotics system, with integrated self-actuating cardiac muscles on a hierarchically structured scaffold with flexible gold microelectrodes is reported. Inspired by the movement of living organisms, a batoid-fish-shaped substrate is designed and reported, which is composed of two micropatterned hydrogel layers.

Reduced Graphene Oxide-GelMA Hybrid Hydrogels as Scaffolds for Cardiac Tissue Engineering.

Biomaterials currently used in cardiac tissue engineering have certain limitations, such as lack of electrical conductivity and appropriate mechanical properties, which are two parameters playing a key role in regulating cardiac cell behavior. Here, the myocardial tissue constructs are engineered based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-incorporated gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hybrid hydrogels. The incorporation of rGO into the GelMA matrix significantly enhances the electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of the material.

[Gene expression pattern of senescence associated genes in rat muscle].

This work is aimed at the investigation of the senescence associated genes differentially expressed in rat muscle by cDNA microarray. After total RNA isolation, mRNA purification and probe preparation, the gene expression patterns of rat muscle from the old group (30 months old) and the young group (3 months old) were compared by cDNA gene chips. In the muscle of old rats there were reproducibly 127 differentially expressed genes, among which some down-regulated genes were involved in energy metabolism and signal transduction, while some up-regulated genes were related to protein degradation and cell apoptosis.

[Insulin resistance model induced by dexamethasone in rats].

Aim: To build a easy and reliable rat model of insulin resistance.

Methods: Changes concerning sugar metabolism were observed in experimental rats injected intraperitoneally by different doses of dexamethasone.

Results: The changes by dexamethasone in fasting blood insulin and insulin resistance prior to that of fasting blood glucose were dose and time dependent.