Patterned glycopeptide-based supramolecular hydrogel promotes the alignment and contractility of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes.

The functional restoration of a damaged cardiac tissue relies on a synchronized contractile capacity of exogenous and/or endogenous cardiomyocytes, which is challenging to achieve. Here, we explored the potential of the short glycopeptide diphenylalanine glucosamine-6-sulfate (FFGlcN6S) conjugated with an aromatic moiety, namely fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc), to enhance cardiac tissue regeneration. At physiological conditions, Fmoc-FFGlcN6S assembles into nanofibrous hydrated meshes, i.

Antibacterial properties of photo-crosslinked chitosan/methacrylated hyaluronic acid nanoparticles loaded with bacitracin.

The current treatments for wounds often fail to induce adequate healing, leaving wounds vulnerable to persistent infections and development of drug-resistant microbial biofilms. New natural-derived nanoparticles were studied to impair bacteria colonization and hinder the formation of biofilms in wounds. The nanoparticles were fabricated through polyelectrolyte complexation of chitosan (CS, polycation) and hyaluronic acid (HA, polyanion).

Endothelin-1 influences mechanical properties and contractility of hiPSC derived cardiomyocytes resulting in diastolic dysfunction.

A better understanding of the underlying pathomechanisms of diastolic dysfunction is crucial for the development of targeted therapeutic options with the aim to increase the patients' quality of life. In order to shed light on the processes involved, suitable models are required. Here, effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1) treatment on cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) were investigated.

Cooling rate uncovers epimer-dependent supramolecular organization of carbohydrate amphiphiles.

We show distinct CH-π interactions and assembly pathways for the amphiphile -(fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl)-galactosamine and its epimer -(fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl)-glucosamine. These differences result in the formation of supramolecular nanofibrous systems with opposite chirality. Our results showcase the importance of the carbohydrates structural diversity for their specific biointeractions and the opportunity that their ample interactome offers for synthesis of versatile and tunable supramolecular (bio) materials.

The Potential of the Fibronectin Inhibitor Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser in the Development of Therapies for Glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most lethal and common malignant primary brain tumor in adults. An important feature that supports GBM aggressiveness is the unique composition of its extracellular matrix (ECM). Particularly, fibronectin plays an important role in cancer cell adhesion, differentiation, proliferation, and chemoresistance.

Clinical Reasoning: A 24-Year-Old Pregnant Woman With Headache and Behavioral Change Progressing to Coma.

The broad differential diagnosis associated with progressive subacute encephalopathy can be intimidating, especially in a young, pregnant woman. In this case, a 24-year-old woman at 21 weeks of gestation presented with persistent, drug-resistant fronto-parietal headache, with subsequent progressive development of psychomotor lentification and inappropriate behavior. Physical examination was normal, as were routine laboratory parameters and CT findings, and these symptoms were initially interpreted in the context of chronic depression.

Fucoidan-Coated Silica Nanoparticles Promote the Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells into the Osteogenic Lineage.

Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) are widely used in biomedical applications, such as cancer therapy/diagnosis or tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Herein, we synthesized SiNPs and modified them with sulfonic acid groups (by organosilylation followed by oxidation) or a sulfated polysaccharide (i.e.

Revisiting predictions of movie economic success: random Forest applied to profits.

Unlabelled: Previous studies have employed machine learning tools to classify films according to success to guide a reduction in the degree of uncertainty of film production. We revisited the literature to contribute to three relevant issues in classifying films according to economic success. First, we explored the differences between the results of the shortest or longest samples in terms of time to study possible changes in patterns of consumption mainly due to technological changes and between total and wide-released films.

Glycopeptide-Based Supramolecular Hydrogels Induce Differentiation of Adipose Stem Cells into Neural Lineages.

We applied a bottom-up approach to develop biofunctional supramolecular hydrogels from an aromatic glycodipeptide. The self-assembly of the glycopeptide was induced by either temperature manipulation (heating-cooling cycle) or solvent (DMSO to water) switch. The sol-gel transition was salt-triggered in cell culture media and resulted in gels with the same chemical compositions but different mechanical properties.

A new species of () from Brazil.

sp. nov. () is described and illustrated based on specimens collected from a reforestation area in southeastern Brazil.

The Influence of Feeder Cell-Derived Extracellular Matrix Density on Thymic Epithelial Cell Culture.

The thymus is responsible for the selection and development of T cells, having an essential role in the establishment of adaptive immunity. Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are key players in T cell development interacting with thymocytes in the thymic 3D environment. Feeder-layer cells have been frequently used as platforms for the successful establishment of TEC cultures.

Efficacy of molecular and nano-therapies on brain tumor models in microfluidic devices.

The three-dimensional (3D) organization of cells affects their mobility, proliferation, and overall response to treatment. Spheroids, organoids, and microfluidic chips are used in cancer research to reproduce in vitro the complex and dynamic malignant microenvironment. Herein, single- and double-channel microfluidic devices are used to mimic the spatial organization of brain tumors and investigate the therapeutic efficacy of molecular and nano anti-cancer agents.

3D Biocomposites Comprising Marine Collagen and Silica-Based Materials Inspired on the Composition of Marine Sponge Skeletons Envisaging Bone Tissue Regeneration.

Ocean resources are a priceless repository of unique species and bioactive compounds with denouement properties that can be used in the fabrication of advanced biomaterials as new templates for supporting the cell culture envisaging tissue engineering approaches. The collagen of marine origin can be sustainably isolated from the underrated fish processing industry by-products, while silica and related materials can be found in the spicules of marine sponges and diatoms frustules. Aiming to address the potential of biomaterials composed from marine collagen and silica-based materials in the context of bone regeneration, four different 3D porous structure formulations (COL, COL:BG, COL:D.

Cell-surface contacts determine volume and mechanical properties of human embryonic kidney 293 T cells.

Alterations in the organization of the cytoskeleton precede the escape of adherent cells from the framework of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions into suspension. With cytoskeletal dynamics being linked to cell mechanical properties, many studies elucidated this relationship under either native adherent or suspended conditions. In contrast, tethered cells that mimic the transition between both states have not been the focus of recent research.

Electrocardiography in Hypertensive Patients without Cardiovascular Events: A Valuable Predictor Tool?

Background: Hypertension is an important risk factor of cardiovascular (CV) disease. An early diagnosis of target organ damage could prevent major CV events. Electrocardiography (ECG) is a valuable clinical technique, with wide availability and high specificity, used in evaluation of hypertensive patients.

Edaravone for acute ischemic stroke - Systematic review with meta-analysis.

Introduction: Ischemic stroke is a major cause of death and disability. Despite major advances in reperfusion therapies, most patients don´t benefit from these treatments as the time window for such interventions is limited. Therefore, other treatment options are desirable.

Switching in the expression pattern of actin isoforms marks the onset of contractility and distinct mechanodynamic behavior during cardiomyocyte differentiation.

Differentiation of cardiac progenitor cells (CPC) into cardiomyocytes is a fundamental step in cardiogenesis, which is marked by changes in gene expression responsible for remodeling of the cytoskeleton and in altering the mechanical properties of cells. Here we have induced the differentiation of CPC derived from human pluripotent stem cells into immature cardiomyocytes (iCM) which we compare with more differentiated cardiomyocytes (mCM). Using atomic force microscopy and real-time deformability cytometry, we describe the mechanodynamic changes that occur during the differentiation process and link our findings to protein expression data of cytoskeletal proteins.

Nanosurgical Manipulation of Titin and Its M-Complex.

Titin is a multifunctional filamentous protein anchored in the M-band, a hexagonally organized supramolecular lattice in the middle of the muscle sarcomere. Functionally, the M-band is a framework that cross-links myosin thick filaments, organizes associated proteins, and maintains sarcomeric symmetry via its structural and putative mechanical properties. Part of the M-band appears at the C-terminal end of isolated titin molecules in the form of a globular head, named here the "M-complex", which also serves as the point of head-to-head attachment of titin.

Hyaluronic Acid Oligomer Immobilization as an Angiogenic Trigger for the Neovascularization of TE Constructs.

Tissue engineered (TE) substitutes of clinically relevant sizes need an adequate vascular system to ensure function and proper tissue integration after implantation. However, the predictable vascularization of TE substitutes is yet to be achieved. Molecular weight variations in hyaluronic acid (HA) have been pointed to trigger angiogenesis.

Functional Gallic Acid-Based Dendrimers as Synthetic Nanotools to Remodel Amyloid-β-42 into Noncytotoxic Forms.

The self-assembly of amyloid-β (Aβ) generates cytotoxic oligomers linked to the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). As many fundamental molecular pathways that control Aβ aggregation are yet to be unraveled, an important strategy to control Aβ cytotoxicity is the development of bioactive synthetic nanotools capable of interacting with the heterogeneous ensemble of Aβ species and remodel them into noncytotoxic forms. Herein, the synthesis of nanosized, functional gallic acid (Ga)-based dendrimers with a precise number of Ga at their surface is described.

Expanding the Conformational Landscape of Minimalistic Tripeptides by Their -Glycosylation.

We report on the supramolecular self-assembly of tripeptides and their -glycosylated analogues, in which the carbohydrate moiety is coupled to a central serine or threonine flanked by phenylalanine residues. The substitution of serine with threonine introduces differential side-chain interactions, which results in the formation of aggregates with different morphology. -glycosylation decreases the aggregation propensity because of rebalancing of the π interactions.