We consider a biopolymer bundle consisting of filaments that are cross-linked together. The cross-links are reversible: they can dynamically bind and unbind adjacent filament pairs as controlled by a binding enthalpy. The bundle is subjected to a bending deformation and the corresponding distribution of cross-links is measured. For a bundle consisting of two filaments, upon increasing the bending amplitude, a first-order transition is observed. The transition is from a state where the filaments are tightly coupled by many bound cross-links, to a state of nearly independent filaments with only a few bound cross-links. For a bundle consisting of more than two filaments, a series of first-order transitions is observed. The transitions are connected with the formation of an interface between regions of low and high cross-link densities. Combining umbrella sampling Monte Carlo simulations with analytical calculations, we present a detailed picture of how the competition between cross-link shearing and filament stretching drives the transitions. We also find that, when the cross-links become soft, collective behavior is not observed: the cross-links then unbind one after the other leading to a smooth decrease of the average cross-link density.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3675832 | DOI Listing |
J Biomech Eng
January 2025
School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, 865 Asp Ave, Norman, OK 73019, USA.
Hearing loss is highly related to acoustic injuries and mechanical damage of ear tissues. The mechanical responses of ear tissues are difficult to measure experimentally, especially cochlear hair cells within the organ of Corti (OC) at microscale. Finite element (FE) modeling has become an important tool for simulating acoustic wave transmission and studying cochlear mechanics.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLaryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol
February 2025
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the histological and ultrastructural features of the elastic cartilage at the tip of the vocal process in the arytenoid cartilage, which is essential for laryngeal biomechanics.
Methods: Five larynges, including the vocal folds and epiglottis, were examined using transmission electron microscopy. The elastic cartilage at the tip of the vocal process was compared to the epiglottic cartilage within the same larynx to elucidate structural differences.
Int J Mol Sci
December 2024
Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
Mitochondrial carriers transport organic acids, amino acids, nucleotides and cofactors across the mitochondrial inner membrane. These transporters consist of a three-fold symmetric bundle of six transmembrane α-helices that encircle a pore with a central substrate binding site, whose alternating access is controlled by a cytoplasmic and a matrix gate (C- and M-gates). The C- and M-gates close by forming two different salt-bridge networks involving the conserved motifs [YF][DE]XX[KR] on the even-numbered and PX[DE]XX[KR] on the odd-numbered transmembrane α-helices, respectively.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntern Emerg Med
January 2025
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey.
Patients presenting with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the emergency department (ED) require rapid and accurate electrocardiographic (ECG) evaluation. This study aims to assess conventional ECG markers for diagnosing non-ST-elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS) in patients with chest discomfort and right bundle branch block (RBBB). A nested case-control design was employed to compare patients with RBBB admitted to the ED for suspected cardiac ischemia, focusing on those who developed NSTE-ACS versus those who did not.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLung
January 2025
Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China.
Purposes: Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) and plasma cell-type idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (PC-iMCD) have many overlapping features. Their differential diagnosis is challenging and crucial for clinical management due to their different prognoses and treatments. However, reports that compare these conditions are scarce, especially for patients with lung involvement.
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