Polysaccharide hydrogels with tunable stiffness and provasculogenic properties via α-helix to β-sheet switch in secondary structure.

Mechanical aspects of the cellular environment can influence cell function, and in this context hydrogels can serve as an instructive matrix. Here we report that physicochemical properties of hydrogels derived from polysaccharides (agarose, κ-carrageenan) having an α-helical backbone can be tailored by inducing a switch in the secondary structure from α-helix to β-sheet through carboxylation. This enables the gel modulus to be tuned over four orders of magnitude (G' 6 Pa-3.

Elevated B-type natriuretic peptide levels in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy predict occurrence of arrhythmic events.

Background: Patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy (DCM) are at high risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD). However, the predictive value of prophylactic implantation of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) in this patient cohort is yet unclear.

Methods And Results: Whether NT pro BNP levels and/or reproducible non sustained ventricular tachycardias (NSVTs) are predictive for SCD was prospectively tested in 30 patients with DCM and LVEF View Article and Find Full Text PDF