Osmosis-driven stiffening of structured hydrogels

Applied Materials Today, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 37, С. 102155 - 102155

Опубликована: Март 12, 2024

Plant cells harness osmotic pressures to stiffen their leaves through strong turgor pressures. Key this osmosis-driven stiffening is the confinement of liquids within semipermeable membranes that can regulate transport water molecules and ions. Inspired by effect in plants, we fabricate rather stiff hydrogels with inclusions fill them polyelectrolytes possessing a high degree swelling. The swelling these spatially confined stiffer inert hydrogel surrounding, resulting an up three-fold increase stiffness structured compared matrix water-filled inclusions. We leverage pressure gradients change morphology cm-sized immersing bottom parts water, without need for additional stimuli consume energy or require environmental conditions. Similarly, exploit release ball. foresee materials open new possibilities actuate soft benign, energy-efficient manner.

Язык: Английский

---

Nucleus softens during herpesvirus infection

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Янв. 3, 2025

Mechanical properties of the nucleus are remodeled not only by extracellular forces transmitted to but also internal modifications, such as those induced viral infections. During herpes simplex virus type 1 infection, regulation essential nuclear functions and growth replication compartments known reorganize structures. However, little is about how this infection-induced deformation changes mechanobiology. Our analyses showed that softens during infection. To understand why happens, we used microscopy computational methods study mechanical components modified We discovered compartment occupying center has a low biomolecular density compared centrally located euchromatin in noninfected cells. The lamina was infection amount lamin proteins increased envelope had more outward curved regions moved less modeling virus-induced cellular most probable cause for decreasing stiffness removal lamina-associated domains or decrease forces, reduced intranuclear osmotic pressure cytoskeletal pull. simulations an increase tension can occur with stiffness. Based on these findings, propose model explains mechanistic coordination between decreased

Язык: Английский

---

Regulation of chromatin modifications through coordination of nucleus size and epithelial cell morphology heterogeneity

Communications Biology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 8(1)

Опубликована: Фев. 20, 2025

Abstract Cell morphology heterogeneity is pervasive in epithelial collectives, yet the underlying mechanisms driving such and its consequential biological ramifications remain elusive. Here, we observed a consistent correlation between cell nucleus during crowding, revealing persistent log-normal probability distribution characterizing both areas across diverse model systems. We showed that this morphological diversity arises from asymmetric partitioning division. Next, provide insights into impact of on chromatin modifications. demonstrated constraining leads to downregulation euchromatic mark H3K9ac upregulation heterochromatic H3K27me3. Furthermore, size regulates H3K27me3 levels through histone demethylase UTX. These findings highlight significance as driver state diversity, shaping functional variability within tissues.

Язык: Английский

---

The Erosion of Healthcare and Scientific Integrity: A Growing Concern

Journal of Healthcare Leadership, Год журнала: 2025, Номер Volume 17, С. 23 - 43

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2025

Tremendous achievements in healthcare and science over the past 200 years have enhanced life expectancy parallel with a shift from dogma to humanistic liberal education. Advancements cancer included vaccines treating causes of (eg, hepatitis C- induced liver human papillomavirus-induced cervical cancer) along improved survival children. In contrast, developments cancer, frequently touted as "discoveries" or "breakthroughs" media headlines, been demonstrated be ephemeral rather than game changers. reality, incidences are increasing, relapse mortality rates not changed substantially. By this, we experiencing today similar challenges those before so-called Humboldt reform. The trend towards managerialism focus on quantity health care endangers their integrity. Due complexity integrity science, in-depth contemplation this review contains foundations actions information regarding an example, healthcare, technology, publishing, marketing media, predatory publishers, followed by psychologic sociologic aspects which influence our perception. A complex paradoxical transformation has occurred, quality humanism replaced quantity, revenue, marketing, together "citation silence", (ignoring original findings), increased corruption misconduct. This explains why is being eroded. Countries societies only strong both emphasis Awareness situation may represent first step toward renewed accountability.

Язык: Английский

---

Indocyanine Green Aggregation-Induced Hypotonic Stress to Remodel Aloe Exosome-like Vesicles for Enhanced Tumor Penetration and Phototherapy

ACS Nano, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Апрель 17, 2025

As ubiquitous transport nanovesicles in cell biology, plant exosome-like vesicles (PELVs) have enormous potential to deliver drugs safely and effectively. Drug encapsulation mechanical stability of are key limitations influencing their delivery efficiency. However, common methods (i.e., ultrasound, electroporation) for drug loading inevitably affect the inherent vesicle characteristics, which influence stability, leakproof nature, cellular internalization, tumor penetration. Herein, order balance this contradiction, we put forward a strategy skillfully remodel aloe (AELVs) through indocyanine green (ICG)-induced hypotonic stress during endogenous loading. We observe that rigidity AELVs is enhanced with accumulation long hydrocarbon chain lipids under ICG-induced stress. Synchronously, ICG also loaded into (ICG/AELVs, IAs), effectively prevents secondary damage More interestingly, find promotes IA secretion less intravesicular protein, beneficial enlarge inner space more The IAs show great storage leakproof, antidegradation performance. Compared control AELVs, higher liable penetrate tumor. further modifying AS1411 aptamer (AS1411-IAs, AIAs) exhibit high targeting vivo. After intravenous administration, 4T1 obviously inhibited by AIAs plus NIR irradiation, improves survival rate tumor-bearing mice. Overall, systematically explore effects drug-induced osmotic on PELVs achieve efficient therapy. This work simplifies process enhances plasticity, provides promising perspective PELV-based clinical application.

Язык: Английский

---