Sodium Nitrate Improves Oxidative Energy Contribution and Reduces Phosphocreatine Contribution During High-Intensity Intermittent Exercise.

The present study aimed to verify the effect of acute nitrate supplementation on oxidative, phosphocreatine, and glycolytic energy contribution (C, C, and C respectively) during a high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE). Fifteen physically active subjects were submitted to incremental running test on a treadmill and two random HIIE (10 × 1 min at maximal aerobic speed with 1 min of passive recovery) in the following conditions: sodium nitrate (SN) or Placebo (PL). Repeated measure ANOVA was used to compare C, and C within the 10 efforts.

Peptide-Based Biomimetic Condensates via Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation as Biomedical Delivery Vehicles.

Biomolecular condensates are dynamic liquid droplets through intracellular liquid-liquid phase separation that function as membraneless organelles, which are highly involved in various complex cellular processes and functions. Artificial analogs formed via similar pathways that can be integrated with biological complexity and advanced functions have received tremendous research interest in the field of synthetic biology. The coacervate droplet-based compartments can partition and concentrate a wide range of solutes, which are regarded as attractive candidates for mimicking phase-separation behaviors and biophysical features of biomolecular condensates.

Light-Activated Membrane Transport in Polymeric Cell-Mimics.

Giant polymersomes are versatile and stable biomimetic compartments that are ideal for building cell-like systems. However, the transport of hydrophilic molecules across the membrane, which controls the function of cell-like systems, is limited by the low permeability of polymeric bilayers. Therefore, mechanisms to control the permeability of polymersomes are necessary to create functional cell-like systems.

Synthetic Cells: From Simple Bio-Inspired Modules to Sophisticated Integrated Systems.

Bottom-up synthetic biology is the science of building systems that mimic the structure and function of living cells from scratch. To do this, researchers combine tools from chemistry, materials science, and biochemistry to develop functional and structural building blocks to construct synthetic cell-like systems. The many strategies and materials that have been developed in recent decades have enabled scientists to engineer synthetic cells and organelles that mimic the essential functions and behaviors of natural cells.

Airflow restriction mask induces greater central fatigue after a non-exhaustive high-intensity interval exercise.

The airflow restriction mask (ARM) is a practical and inexpensive device for respiratory muscle training. Wearing an ARM has recently been combined with high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE), but its effect on neuromuscular fatigue is unknown. The present study investigated the effects of ARM wearing on neuromuscular fatigue after an HIIE session.

Directed Growth of Biomimetic Microcompartments.

Contemporary biological cells are sophisticated and highly compartmentalized. Compartmentalization is an essential principle of prebiotic life as well as a key feature in bottom-up synthetic biology research. In this review, the dynamic growth of compartments as an essential prerequisite for enabling self-reproduction as a fundamental life process is discussed.

Functional Conjugated Polymers for CO Reduction Using Visible Light.

The reduction of CO with visible light is a highly sustainable method for producing valuable chemicals. The function-led design of organic conjugated semiconductors with more chemical variety than that of inorganic semiconductors has emerged as a method for achieving carbon photofixation chemistry. Here, we report the molecular engineering of triazine-based conjugated microporous polymers to capture, activate and reduce CO to CO with visible light.

Molecular Motion of the Junction Points in Model Networks Prepared by Acyclic Triene Metathesis.

The junction dynamics in a selectively deuterated model polymer network containing junctions on every 21st chain carbon is studied by solid state (2) H echo NMR. Polymer networks are prepared via acyclic triene metathesis of deuteron-labeled symmetric trienes with deuteron probes precisely placed at the alpha carbon relative to the junction point. The effect of decreasing the cross-link density on the junction dynamics is studied by introduction of polybutadiene chains in-between junctions.