Targeted Transposition of Minicircle DNA Using Single-Chain Antibody Conjugated Cyclodextrin-Modified Poly (Propylene Imine) Nanocarriers.

Among non-viral vectors, cationic polymers, such as poly(propylene imine) (PPI), play a prominent role in nucleic acid delivery. However, limitations of polycationic polymer-based DNA delivery systems are (i) insufficient target specificity, (ii) unsatisfactory transgene expression, and (iii) undesired transfer of therapeutic DNA into non-target cells. We developed single-chain antibody fragment (scFv)-directed hybrid polyplexes for targeted gene therapy of prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA)-positive tumors.

In Silico Evaluation of Antifungal Compounds from Marine Sponges against COVID-19-Associated Mucormycosis.

The world is already facing the devastating effects of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. A disseminated mucormycosis epidemic emerged to worsen this situation, causing havoc, especially in India. This research aimed to perform a multitargeted docking study of marine-sponge-origin bioactive compounds against mucormycosis.

Skin epithelial cells change their mechanics and proliferation upon snail-mediated EMT signalling.

Skin cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in the USA and Germany, and the fourth most common cancer worldwide. Snail-dependent epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was shown to initiate and promote skin cancer. Previous studies could show that EMT changes actin cortex regulation and cellular mechanics in epithelial cells of diverse tissue origin.

CuCoFeO (x = 0.33, 0.67, 1) Spinel Ferrite Nanoparticles Based Thermoplastic Polyurethane Nanocomposites with Reduced Graphene Oxide for Highly Efficient Electromagnetic Interference Shielding.

CuCoFeO (x = 0.33, 0.67, 1)-reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanocomposites exhibiting highly efficient electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding were prepared by a melt-mixing approach using a microcompounder.

Synthesis and biological and physico-chemical characterization of glycodendrimers and oligopeptides for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Anti-(ds)-DNA antibodies are the serological hallmark of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). They assemble in the bloodstream with (ds)-DNA, forming immunocomplexes, which spread all over the body causing, among the other symptoms, lupic glomerulonephritis. Pathological manifestations of the disease may be reduced by destabilizing or inhibiting the formation of the immunocomplexes.

A thrombin-triggered self-regulating anticoagulant strategy combined with anti-inflammatory capacity for blood-contacting implants.

Interrelated coagulation and inflammation are impediments to endothelialization, a prerequisite for the long-term function of cardiovascular materials. Here, we proposed a self-regulating anticoagulant coating strategy combined with anti-inflammatory capacity, which consisted of thrombin-responsive nanogels with anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory components. As an anticoagulant, rivaroxaban was encapsulated in nanogels cross-linked by thrombin-cleavable peptide and released upon the trigger of environmental thrombin, blocking the further coagulation cascade.

Platelet Membrane-Coated Nanocarriers Targeting Plaques to Deliver Anti-CD47 Antibody for Atherosclerotic Therapy.

Atherosclerosis, the principle cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) worldwide, is mainly characterized by the pathological accumulation of diseased vascular cells and apoptotic cellular debris. Atherogenesis is associated with the upregulation of CD47, a key antiphagocytic molecule that is known to render malignant cells resistant to programmed cell removal, or "efferocytosis." Here, we have developed platelet membrane-coated mesoporous silicon nanoparticles (PMSN) as a drug delivery system to target atherosclerotic plaques with the delivery of an anti-CD47 antibody.

Revealing spatio-temporal dynamics with long-term trypanosomatid live-cell imaging.

Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of human African trypanosomiasis, is highly motile and must be able to move in all three dimensions for reliable cell division. These characteristics make long-term microscopic imaging of live T. brucei cells challenging, which has limited our understanding of important cellular events.

Shape-Morphing Fibrous Hydrogel/Elastomer Bilayers Fabricated by a Combination of 3D Printing and Melt Electrowriting for Muscle Tissue Regeneration.

This paper reports an approach for the fabrication of shape-changing bilayered scaffolds, which allow the growth of aligned skeletal muscle cells, using a combination of 3D printing of hyaluronic acid hydrogel, melt electrowriting of thermoplastic polycaprolactone-polyurethane elastomer, and shape transformation. The combination of the selected materials and fabrication methods allows a number of important advantages such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and suitable mechanical properties (elasticity and softness of the fibers) similar to those of important components of extracellular matrix (ECM), which allow proper cell alignment and shape transformation. Myoblasts demonstrate excellent viability on the surface of the shape-changing bilayer, where they occupy space between fibers and align along them, allowing efficient cell patterning inside folded structures.

Review of Bioprinting in Regenerative Medicine: Naturally Derived Bioinks and Stem Cells.

Regenerative medicine offers the potential to repair or substitute defective tissues by constructing active tissues to address the scarcity and demands for transplantation. The method of forming 3D constructs made up of biomaterials, cells, and biomolecules is called bioprinting. Bioprinting of stem cells provides the ability to reliably recreate tissues, organs, and microenvironments to be used in regenerative medicine.

Supposedly identical microplastic particles substantially differ in their material properties influencing particle-cell interactions and cellular responses.

Microplastics and its putative adverse effects on environmental and human health increasingly gain scientific and public attention. Systematic studies on the effects of microplastics are currently hampered by using rather poorly characterised particles, leading to contradictory results for the same particle type. Here, surface properties and chemical composition of two commercially available nominally identical polystyrene microparticles, frequently used in effect studies, were characterised.

Cyclic Photoisomerization of Azobenzene in Atomistic Simulations: Modeling the Effect of Light on Columnar Aggregates of Azo Stars.

This computational study investigates the influence of light on supramolecular aggregates of three-arm azobenzene stars. Every star contains three azobenzene (azo) moieties, each able to undergo reversible photoisomerization. In solution, the azo stars build column-shaped supramolecular aggregates.

Columnar Aggregates of Azobenzene Stars: Exploring Intermolecular Interactions, Structure, and Stability in Atomistic Simulations.

We present a simulation study of supramolecular aggregates formed by three-arm azobenzene (Azo) stars with a benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA) core in water. Previous experimental works by other research groups demonstrate that such Azo stars assemble into needle-like structures with light-responsive properties. Disregarding the response to light, we intend to characterize the equilibrium state of this system on the molecular scale.

Elasticity-to-Capillarity Transition in Soft Substrate Deformation.

Whereas capillarity controls fluid dynamics at submillimeter scale and elasticity determines the mechanics of rigid solids, their coupling governs elastocapillary deformations on soft solids. Here, we directly probed the deformations on soft substrates induced by sessile nanodroplets. The wetting ridge created around the contact line and the dimple formed underneath the nanodroplet were imaged with a high spatial resolution using atomic force microscopy.

Modeling the Tumor Microenvironment of Ovarian Cancer: The Application of Self-Assembling Biomaterials.

Ovarian cancer (OvCa) is one of the leading causes of gynecologic malignancies. Despite treatment with surgery and chemotherapy, OvCa disseminates and recurs frequently, reducing the survival rate for patients. There is an urgent need to develop more effective treatment options for women diagnosed with OvCa.

Airborne microplastic concentrations and deposition across the Weser River catchment.

Microplastic (MP) appears to be omnipresent in the atmosphere, raising concerns about dispersion across environmental compartments, ecological consequences and human health risks by inhalation. To date, data on the sources of atmospheric MP and deposition to river catchment areas are still sparse. We, therefore, took aerosol and total atmospheric deposition samples in the catchment area of the large German river Weser to estimate microplastic deposition fluxes (DFs) at six specific sites and airborne MP concentrations.

A Multimodal Neuroprosthetic Interface to Record, Modulate and Classify Electrophysiological Biomarkers Relevant to Neuropsychiatric Disorders.

Most mental disorders, such as addictive diseases or schizophrenia, are characterized by impaired cognitive function and behavior control originating from disturbances within prefrontal neural networks. Their often chronic reoccurring nature and the lack of efficient therapies necessitate the development of new treatment strategies. Brain-computer interfaces, equipped with multiple sensing and stimulation abilities, offer a new toolbox whose suitability for diagnosis and therapy of mental disorders has not yet been explored.

Mapping Tumor Spheroid Mechanics in Dependence of 3D Microenvironment Stiffness and Degradability by Brillouin Microscopy.

Altered biophysical properties of cancer cells and of their microenvironment contribute to cancer progression. While the relationship between microenvironmental stiffness and cancer cell mechanical properties and responses has been previously studied using two-dimensional (2D) systems, much less is known about it in a physiologically more relevant 3D context and in particular for multicellular systems. To investigate the influence of microenvironment stiffness on tumor spheroid mechanics, we first generated MCF-7 tumor spheroids within matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-degradable 3D polyethylene glycol (PEG)-heparin hydrogels, where spheroids showed reduced growth in stiffer hydrogels.

Wetting Behavior of Surface Nanodroplets Regulated by Periodic Nanostructured Surfaces.

Surfaces with nanostructure patterning are broadly encountered in nature, and they play a significant role in regulating various phenomena such as phase transition at the liquid/solid interface. Here, we designed two kinds of template substrates with periodic nanostructure patterns [i.e.

High-Performance, Lightweight, and Flexible Thermoplastic Polyurethane Nanocomposites with Zn-Substituted CoFeO Nanoparticles and Reduced Graphene Oxide as Shielding Materials against Electromagnetic Pollution.

The development of flexible, lightweight, and thin high-performance electromagnetic interference shielding materials is urgently needed for the protection of humans, the environment, and electronic devices against electromagnetic radiation. To achieve this, the spinel ferrite nanoparticles CoFeO (CZ1), CoZnFeO (CZ2), and CoZnFeO (CZ3) were prepared by the sonochemical synthesis method. Further, these prepared spinel ferrite nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were embedded in a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrix.

3D Collagen-Nanocellulose Matrices Model the Tumour Microenvironment of Pancreatic Cancer.

Three-dimensional (3D) cancer models are invaluable tools designed to study tumour biology and new treatments. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), one of the deadliest types of cancer, has been progressively explored with bioengineered 3D approaches by deconstructing elements of its tumour microenvironment. Here, we investigated the suitability of collagen-nanocellulose hydrogels to mimic the extracellular matrix of PDAC and to promote the formation of tumour spheroids and multicellular 3D cultures with stromal cells.

Nanocomplex of Berberine with C Fullerene Is a Potent Suppressor of Lewis Lung Carcinoma Cells Invasion In Vitro and Metastatic Activity In Vivo.

Effective targeting of metastasis is considered the main problem in cancer therapy. The development of herbal alkaloid Berberine (Ber)-based anticancer drugs is limited due to Ber' low effective concentration, poor membrane permeability, and short plasma half-life. To overcome these limitations, we used Ber noncovalently bound to C fullerene (C).

Multicolor Patterning of 2D Semiconductor Nanoplatelets.

Nanocrystal micro/nanoarrays with multiplexed functionalities are of broad interest in the field of nanophotonics, cellular dynamics, and biosensing due to their tunable electrical and optical properties. This work focuses on the multicolor patterning of two-dimensional nanoplatelets (NPLs) two sequential self-assembly and direct electron-beam lithography steps. By using scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy, we demonstrate the successful fabrication of fluorescent nanoarrays with a thickness of only two or three monolayers (7-11 nm) and a feature line width of ∼40 nm, which is three to four NPLs wide.