Pathophysiological Roles of Ion Channels in Epidermal Cells, Immune Cells, and Sensory Neurons in Psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by the rapid abnormal growth of skin cells in the epidermis, driven by an overactive immune system. Consequently, a complex interplay among epidermal cells, immune cells, and sensory neurons contributes to the development and progression of psoriasis. In these cellular contexts, various ion channels, such as acetylcholine receptors, TRP channels, Ca release-activated channels, chloride channels, and potassium channels, each serve specific functions to maintain the homeostasis of the skin.

Antibacterial and deodorizing effects of cold atmospheric plasma-applied electronic deodorant.

Axillary odor is a malodor produced by bacterial metabolism near the apocrine glands, which often causes discomfort in an individual's daily life and social interactions. A deodorant is a personal care product designed to alleviate or mask body odor. Currently, most deodorants contain antimicrobial chemicals and fragrances for odor management; however, direct application to the underarm skin can result in irritation or sensitivity.

Implantable anti-biofouling biosupercapacitor with high energy performance.

Biofluidic open-type supercapacitors offer significant advantages over batteries in implantable electronics. However, poor energy storage in bioelectrolytes and performance degradation owing to electrode biofouling remain challenges and hamper their implementation. In this study, we present a flexible polydopamine (PDA)-infiltrated carbon nanotube (CNT) yarn (PDA/CNT) supercapacitor with high performance in biofluids, encapsulated by a hydrogel-barrier circular knit that provides anti-biofouling protection.

Inhaled Volatile Molecules-Responsive TRP Channels as Non-Olfactory Receptors.

Generally, odorant molecules are detected by olfactory receptors, which are specialized chemoreceptors expressed in olfactory neurons. Besides odorant molecules, certain volatile molecules can be inhaled through the respiratory tract, often leading to pathophysiological changes in the body. These inhaled molecules mediate cellular signaling through the activation of the Ca-permeable transient receptor potential (TRP) channels in peripheral tissues.

Odorant-responsive biological receptors and electronic noses for volatile organic compounds with aldehyde for human health and diseases: A perspective review.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gaseous chemicals found in ambient air and exhaled breath. In particular, highly reactive aldehydes are frequently found in polluted air and have been linked to various diseases. Thus, extensive studies have been carried out to elucidate disease-specific aldehydes released from the body to develop potential biomarkers for diagnostic purposes.

Tissue-engineered vascular graft based on a bioresorbable tubular knit scaffold with flexibility, durability, and suturability for implantation.

The tissue-engineered vascular graft (TEVG) is a technology used to recreate a blood vessel by using vascular cells (endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells) and their scaffolds, and is a promising approach as a clinically feasible alternative for small-diameter blood vessel replacement. Since mechanical damage occurs during/after implantation, it needs flexibility and durability to withstand the mechanical damage to be applied. To achieve this, we applied a bioresorbable polyglycolic acid (PGA) fiber-knitted tubular scaffold for vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cell layers.

Disease-Modifying Effects of Non-Invasive Electroceuticals on β-Amyloid Plaques and Tau Tangles for Alzheimer's Disease.

Electroceuticals refer to various forms of electronic neurostimulators used for therapy. Interdisciplinary advances in medical engineering and science have led to the development of the electroceutical approach, which involves therapeutic agents that specifically target neural circuits, to realize precision therapy for Alzheimer's disease (AD). To date, extensive studies have attempted to elucidate the disease-modifying effects of electroceuticals on areas in the brain of a patient with AD by the use of various physical stimuli, including electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic waves as well as ultrasound.

A Coiled Carbon Nanotube Yarn-Integrated Surface Electromyography System To Monitor Isotonic and Isometric Movements.

A surface electromyogram (sEMG) electrode collects electrical currents generated by neuromuscular activity by a noninvasive technique on the skin. It is particularly attractive for wearable systems for various human activities and health care monitoring. However, it remains challenging to discriminate EMG signals from isotonic (concentric/eccentric) and isometric movements.

Human Trial for the Effect of Plasma-Activated Water Spray on Vaginal Cleaning in Patients with Bacterial Vaginosis.

Underwater plasma discharge temporally produces several reactive radicals and/or free chlorine molecules in water, which is responsible for antimicrobial activity. Hence, it can simply sanitize tap water without disinfectant treatment. Additionally, the spraying technique using cleaning water exploits deep application in the narrow and curved vaginal tract of patients.

SIRT2 regulates mitochondrial dynamics and reprogramming via MEK1-ERK-DRP1 and AKT1-DRP1 axes.

During somatic reprogramming, cellular energy metabolism fundamentally switches from predominantly mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation toward glycolysis. This metabolic reprogramming, also called the Warburg effect, is critical for the induction of pluripotency, but its molecular mechanisms remain poorly defined. Notably, SIRT2 is consistently downregulated during the reprogramming process and regulates glycolytic switch.

Biomimetic cell-actuated artificial muscle with nanofibrous bundles.

Biohybrid artificial muscle produced by integrating living muscle cells and their scaffolds with free movement in vivo is promising for advanced biomedical applications, including cell-based microrobotic systems and therapeutic drug delivery systems. Herein, we provide a biohybrid artificial muscle constructed by integrating living muscle cells and their scaffolds, inspired by bundled myofilaments in skeletal muscle. First, a bundled biohybrid artificial muscle was fabricated by the integration of skeletal muscle cells and hydrophilic polyurethane (HPU)/carbon nanotube (CNT) nanofibers into a fiber shape similar to that of natural skeletal muscle.

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Hydrogel for Diving/Surfacing Device.

Underwater robots and vehicles have received great attention due to their potential applications in remote sensing and search and rescue. A challenge for micro aquatic robots is the lack of small motors needed for three-dimensional locomotion in water. Here, we show a simple diving and surfacing device fabricated from thermo-sensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) or a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-containing hydrogel.

Implantable Biosupercapacitor Inspired by the Cellular Redox System.

The carbon nanotube (CNT) yarn supercapacitor has high potential for in vivo energy storage because it can be used in aqueous environments and stitched to inner parts of the body, such as blood vessels. The biocompatibility issue for frequently used pseudocapacitive materials, such as metal oxides, is controversial in the human body. Here, we report an implantable CNT yarn supercapacitor inspired by the cellular redox system.

An Atmospheric Plasma Jet Induces Expression of Wound Healing Genes in Progressive Burn Wounds in a Comb Burn Rat Model: A Pilot Study.

Burn-related injuries are devastating injuries with a high mortality rate that affect people of all ages worldwide. We assessed the effectiveness of plasma jet treatment in altering the expression of genes involved in wound healing in a prospective longitudinal observational animal study. Six male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 350 g were used, and burn wounds were made by applying a preheated brass comb (100°C) to the back of the rats, resulting in four full-thickness burn wounds separated by three interspaces.

Potent synthetic and endogenous ligands for the adopted orphan nuclear receptor Nurr1.

Until recently, Nurr1 (NR4A2) was known as an orphan nuclear receptor without a canonical ligand-binding domain, featuring instead a narrow and tight cavity for small molecular ligands to bind. In-depth characterization of its ligand-binding pocket revealed that it is highly dynamic, with its structural conformation changing more than twice on the microsecond-to-millisecond timescale. This observation suggests the possibility that certain ligands are able to squeeze into this narrow space, inducing a conformational change to create an accessible cavity.

Two-Ply Carbon Nanotube Fiber-Typed Enzymatic Biofuel Cell Implanted in Mice.

Implantable devices have emerged as a promising industry. It is inevitable that these devices will require a power source to operate in vivo. Thus, to power implantable medical devices, biofuel cells (BFCs) that generate electricity using glucose without an external power supply have been considered.

Crotamiton, an Anti-Scabies Agent, Suppresses Histamine- and Chloroquine-Induced Itch Pathways in Sensory Neurons and Alleviates Scratching in Mice.

Crotamiton is an anti-scabies drug, but it was recently found that crotamiton also suppresses non-scabietic itching in mice. However, the underlying mechanism is largely unclear. Therefore, aim of the study is to investigate mechanisms of the anti-pruritic effect of crotamiton for non-scabietic itching.

Electrical energy harvesting from ferritin biscrolled carbon nanotube yarn.

Various studies about harvesting energy for future energy production have been conducted. In particular, replacing batteries in implantable medical devices with electrical harvesting is a great challenge. Here, we have improved the electrical harvesting performance of twisted carbon nanotube yarn, which was previously reported to be an electrical energy harvester, by biscrolling positively charged ferritin protein in a biofluid environment.

PGE1 and PGA1 bind to Nurr1 and activate its transcriptional function.

The orphan nuclear receptor Nurr1 is critical for the development, maintenance and protection of midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons. Here we show that prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and its dehydrated metabolite, PGA1, directly interact with the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of Nurr1 and stimulate its transcriptional function. We also report the crystallographic structure of Nurr1-LBD bound to PGA1 at 2.

Self-Helical Fiber for Glucose-Responsive Artificial Muscle.

A helical configuration confers a great advantage in artificial muscle due to great movement potential. However, most helical fibers are exposed to a high temperature to produce the coiled helical structure. Hence, thermoset polymer-composed hydrogels are difficult to fabricate as helical fibers due to their thermal degeneration.

Quasi-solid-state highly stretchable circular knitted MnO@CNT supercapacitor.

Flexible and stretchable fiber supercapacitors have been progressively improved for wearable electronic devices. However, they should be further improved with respect to stretchable range and stable electrochemical performance during dynamic movement when considering the tensile range for wearable applications. Here, we report a quasi-solid-state circular knitted MnO@CNT supercapacitor with high tensile range.

Molecular mechanisms underlying the actions of arachidonic acid-derived prostaglandins on peripheral nociception.

Arachidonic acid-derived prostaglandins not only contribute to the development of inflammation as intercellular pro-inflammatory mediators, but also promote the excitability of the peripheral somatosensory system, contributing to pain exacerbation. Peripheral tissues undergo many forms of diseases that are frequently accompanied by inflammation. The somatosensory nerves innervating the inflamed areas experience heightened excitability and generate and transmit pain signals.

EF-hand like Region in the N-terminus of Anoctamin 1 Modulates Channel Activity by Ca and Voltage.

Anoctamin1 (ANO1) also known as TMEM16A is a transmembrane protein that functions as a Ca activated chloride channel. Recently, the structure determination of a fungal TMEM16 (nhTMEM16) scramblase by X-ray crystallography and a mouse ANO1 by cryo-electron microscopy has provided the insight in molecular architecture underlying phospholipid scrambling and Ca binding. Because the Ca binding motif is embedded inside channel protein according to defined structure, it is still unclear how intracellular Ca moves to its deep binding pocket effectively.

Chloroquine modulates inflammatory autoimmune responses through Nurr1 in autoimmune diseases.

For over a half-century the anti-malarial drug chloroquine (CQ) has been used as a therapeutic agent, alone or in combination, to treat autoimmune diseases. However, neither the underlying mechanism(s) of action nor their molecular target(s) are well defined. The orphan nuclear receptor Nurr1 (also known as NR4A2) is an essential transcription factor affecting the development and maintenance of midbrain dopaminergic neurons.

Self-Healing Electrode with High Electrical Conductivity and Mechanical Strength for Artificial Electronic Skin.

A self-healing electrode is an electrical conductor that can repair internal damage by itself, similar to human skin. Since self-healing electrodes are based on polymers and hydrogels, these components are still limited by low electrical conductivity and mechanical strength. In this study, we designed an electrically conductive, mechanically strong, and printable self-healing electrode using liquid crystal graphene oxide (LCGO) and silver nanowires (AgNWs).