Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Peijun Xia, Dongyue Liu, Yingying Jiao, Zhaoguo Wang, Xi Chen, Shuo Zheng, Jiayuan Fang, Linlin Hao
Summary: This review provides an overview of the production methods and recent research progress on deer antler peptides (DAPs), focusing on their physiological functions and regulatory mechanisms.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anna J. Korzekwa, Anna Kononiuk, Wladyslaw Kordan, Aleksandra Orzolek
Summary: Metalloproteinases (MMPs) play key roles in various developmental processes and are involved in stem cell biology. This study aimed to investigate the effects of retinoic acid (RA) on MMPs in antler stem cells (ASCs). The results showed that RA increased the expression and output of MMP-3 and TIMP-3 in ASCs, while it had no significant effect on the expression and output of MMP-1 and TIMP-1. The expression profiles of MMPs and TIMPs varied during the differentiation of ASCs into different lineages. These findings provide valuable insights into the physiological and differentiation processes of stem cells.
Article
Ecology
Stefano Mattioli, Francesco Ferretti, Sandro Nicoloso, Luca Corlatti
Summary: Heterogeneity in resource availability and quality can lead to spatial patterns in sexually selected traits, as observed in a nonmigratory population of red deer. The study found significant fine-scale spatial variations in body mass, antler mass, and antler allocation, matching differences in land cover. The results highlight the role of environmental heterogeneity in shaping spatial variations of key life-history traits within populations.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Jose Angel Gomez, Javier Perez-Barberia, Andres Jose Garcia, Jamil Cappelli, Louis Chonco, Francisco Ceacero, Martina Perez-Serrano, Tomas Landete-Castillejos
Summary: Body weight, age, and antler weight have effects on the casting date and growth period of antlers. Heavier and older males cast their antlers earlier and grow them faster. The date of the end of antler growth also influences casting date, with longer growth period leading to later casting.
JOURNAL OF MAMMALOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lucy Peters, Jisca Huisman, Loeske E. B. Kruuk, Josephine M. Pemberton, Susan E. Johnston
Summary: Sexually selected traits exhibit large variation and rapid evolution in the animal kingdom, yet genetic variation persists within populations despite directional selection. Understanding the genetic architecture of sexually selected traits, such as antler morphology in red deer, can shed light on evolutionary drivers and constraints at the genomic level. The study on red deer antler traits revealed high repeatability, heritability, and polygenic architecture, suggesting that genetic covariances among traits and pleiotropy may contribute to the maintenance of genetic variation in antler morphology.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Pierre P. Picavet, Marc Balligand, Marie-Helene Crigel, Nadine Antoine, Stephanie Claeys
Summary: This study investigated the use of red deer antler trabecular cylinders in bone defects in rabbits and evaluated the impact of decellularization protocols. The results showed successful implantation of the antler cylinders, with most implants demonstrating signs of osteointegration in radiographic analysis.
RESEARCH IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaoqi Tian, Kazutaka Shoyama, Bernhard Mahlmeister, Felix Brust, Matthias Stolte, Frank Wuerthner
Summary: Two heliceno-bis(naphthalimides) compounds with electron-accepting naphthalimide moieties attached at both ends of helicene core were synthesized by an effective two-step strategy. Their enantiomers were successfully resolved using chiral stationary-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The helical structure and absolute configuration of the compounds were confirmed through single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and experimental and calculated circular dichroism (CD) spectra. Both compounds exhibited high molar extinction coefficients and fluorescence quantum yields, and compound 2 demonstrated potential for applications in chiral optoelectronics due to its red circularly polarized luminescence emission and high brightness.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cherry Greiner, Stephanie Grainger, Samantha Farrow, Alena Davis, Jimmy L. Su, Matthew D. Saybolt, Robert Wilensky, Sean Madden, Stephen T. Sum
Summary: This study demonstrates a novel image acquisition technique and analysis method using linearly polarized light for quantitative analysis of collagen content in tissues. The technique showed high reproducibility and sensitivity in analyzing cap collagen in atherosclerotic plaque, suggesting its potential usefulness for predicting rupture risk.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yanxia Chen, Zhenxiang Zhang, Jingjing Zhang, Xiaxia Chen, Yuqin Guo, Changzhong Li
Summary: Through RNA sequencing analysis, we identified miRNAs that play important roles in the development of velvet antler in C. elaphus kansuensis. These findings provide new insights into the regulatory mechanisms mediated by miRNAs.
Article
Zoology
Peter Smolko, Peter Garaj, Tibor Lebocky, L'ubomir Butora, Tibor Pataky, Zuzana Janakova, Martin Babic, Alexandra Veselovska, Jakub Kubala, Rudolf Kropil
Summary: The size of antlers in polygynous male cervids is influenced by genetic potential, nutrition, and environmental conditions. This study found that the availability of calcium, phosphorus, and nitrogen in soils is related to the hunting value of antlers, while deer density has a negative impact on antler size.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Andres Posbeyikian, Esteban Tubert, Alejandro Bacigalupe, Mariano Martin Escobar, Patricio Roman Santagapita, Gabriela Amodeo, Mercedes Perullini
Summary: A cost-effective automatized Optical Video Microscopy approach was presented for in situ evaluation of the kinetics of alginate bead formation. Key parameters obtained through mathematical modeling reveal valuable information on the system, providing feasible tools for better interpretation of bead formation kinetics and rapid screening while designing gelling materials with specific properties.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Rodney J. McCabe, Daniel J. Savage, Abhishek Bhattacharyya, Renuka Gogusetti, David Alexander
Summary: Grain size and shape are important microstructure attributes that affect material properties. In this study, automated tools were developed to segment multi-angle polarized light microscopy (PLM) images for accurate measurement of grain size and shape statistics. The segmentation technique showed high accuracy in defining grain boundaries and twin features, making it a valuable tool for material analysis.
MATERIALS CHARACTERIZATION
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Yanxia Chen, Zhenxiang Zhang, Wenjie Jin, Zhaonan Li, Changhong Bao, Caixia He, Yuqin Guo, Changzhong Li
Summary: This study conducted an integrated analysis of the transcriptome and proteome of antler cartilage tissues at different growth stages, revealing candidate genes and proteins related to rapid growth and regeneration in velvet antler. The findings suggest that gene13546 and its coding protein protein13546 annotated in the Wnt signaling pathway may play important roles in the rapid growth of antler. This study provides further insights into the molecular mechanisms controlling antler development.
Article
Biology
Maria Lopez-Pedrouso, Jose M. Lorenzo, Tomas Landete-Castillejos, Louis Chonco, Francisco Javier Perez-Barberia, Andres Garcia, Maria-Pilar Lopez-Garrido, Daniel Franco
Summary: Deer antler is a unique case of annual regeneration in mammals, with potential anti-cancer activity and benefits for human health. Studies have identified proteins and pathways involved in cell differentiation and regeneration, with a focus on antioxidant mechanisms and Wnt signalling pathways. Further research is needed to determine which proteins in velvet antler extracts contribute to these beneficial effects.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ying-Kai Hung, Shang-Tse Ho, Ching-Yun Kuo, Ming-Ju Chen
Summary: The study demonstrated that velvet antler extracts could enhance the integrity of colonic epithelial cell barriers and promote repair through specific mechanisms. Future animal studies are needed for further confirmation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Editorial Material
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Peter Fratzl, Christiane Sauer, Khashayar Razghandi
BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Lorenzo Guiducci, Agata Kycia, Christiane Sauer, Peter Fratzl
Summary: Researchers conducted systematic experimental and numerical investigations on parallel rods printed onto a pre-stretched textile to quantitatively understand wrinkling phenomena. They derived a simple analytical description and obtained a phase diagram of behaviors, which can be used for design purposes or to describe wrinkling in biological or bioinspired systems.
BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ghazal Hedjazi, Gali Guterman-Ram, Stephane Blouin, Victoria Schemenz, Wolfgang Wagermaier, Peter Fratzl, Markus A. Hartmann, Jochen Zwerina, Nadja Fratzl-Zelman, Joan C. Marini
Summary: This study characterized bone tissue in a novel mouse model of atypical type VI osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) and found that the model exhibited hypermineralization of the matrix, increased osteocyte porosity, disrupted lacuno-canalicular network, and disordered collagen fibril orientation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marie Alberic, Emil Zolotoyabko, Oliver Spaeker, Chenghao Li, Maryam Tadayon, Clemens N. Z. Schmitt, Yael Politi, Luca Bertinetti, Peter Fratzl
Summary: We investigated the evolution of micro- and nano-porosity in the spines and test plates of Paracentrotus lividus sea urchins during the heat-mediated crystallization of remnant ACC and the destruction of intracrystalline organic molecules. Our findings demonstrate the presence of nanopores likely filled with hydrated organics and visualize the evolution of nano- to micro-pores induced by heating. The growth of nanopores is controlled by Ostwald ripening, and the diffusion mechanisms differ between the test plates and spines.
CRYSTAL GROWTH & DESIGN
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hang Ping, Wolfgang Wagermaier, Nils Horbelt, Ernesto Scoppola, Chenghao Li, Peter Werner, Zhengyi Fu, Peter Fratzl
Summary: Collagen fibrils can form a mineral-collagen composite during bone formation, resulting in a material with excellent properties. The deposition of minerals leads to contraction of collagen fibrils, generating a composite with tensile fibers.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Paul-Antoine Spies, Tobias Keplinger, Nils Horbelt, Friedrich Reppe, Ernesto Scoppola, Michaela Eder, Peter Fratzl, Ingo Burgert, Markus Ruggeberg
Summary: This study investigates the effect of delignification and densification on the tensile properties of spruce wood specimens with different degrees of delignification. The results show that delignification affects the strain and lattice strain of cellulose, but has a minor effect on the specific modulus of elasticity.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Oliver Spaeker, Gavin J. Taylor, Bodo D. Wilts, Tomas Slaby, Mohamed Ashraf Khalil Abdel-Rahman, Ernesto Scoppola, Clemens N. Z. Schmitt, Michael Sztucki, Jiliang Liu, Luca Bertinetti, Wolfgang Wagermaier, Gerhard Scholtz, Peter Fratzl, Yael Politi
Summary: The lateral eyes of the horseshoe crab have been studied to determine the mechanism of vision. It has been found that the refractive index gradients in the cornea are caused by the structural and compositional gradients in the cornea, as well as variations in protein composition and water content. The light collection mechanism switches from refraction-based optics to combined refraction and total internal reflection at high incident angles.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Max Renner-Rao, Franziska Jehle, Tobias Priemel, Emilie Duthoo, Peter Fratzl, Luca Bertinetti, Matthew J. Harrington
Summary: This study investigates the structure and formation process of mussel plaque, a bioinspired underwater glue composed of proteins, using 3D electron microscopic imaging. The study reveals that micro-and nanopores form spontaneously during the secretion of protein-filled secretory vesicles. Researchers also discovered that each vesicle contains a fluid condensate consisting of histidine and/or DOPA-rich proteins, which are likely the required ingredients for building the plaque. By rupturing vesicles under specific buffering conditions, controlled phase separation of different proteins occurs, resulting in the formation of a porous microplaque with fluid condensates within the pores. The results suggest that combining phase separation with tunable cross-linking kinetics could be effective for microfabricating hierarchically porous materials via self-assembly.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Tengteng Tang, William Landis, Stephane Blouin, Luca Bertinetti, Markus A. Hartmann, Andrea Berzlanovich, Richard Weinkamer, Wolfgang Wagermaier, Peter Fratzl
Summary: The spatial distribution of mineralization density is vital for bone growth and remodeling processes, while alterations are linked to diseases. In addition to the known lacunocanalicular network, a new nanochannel network has been discovered in the mineralized extracellular matrix of human femoral cortical bone. This network has a greater volume fraction and surface area, potentially allowing for ion and small molecule transport.
JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Wenbo Zhang, Luca Bertinetti, Efe Cuma Yavuzsoy, Changyou Gao, Emanuel Schneck, Peter Fratzl
Summary: Physical forces play a crucial role in the development and function of biological tissues. However, the measurement of osmotic pressures in cell and organ culture systems has been challenging. In this study, novel liposomal sensors based on resonance energy transfer (FRET) were developed to accurately measure osmotic pressures in physiological conditions. These sensors were successfully applied in pre-osteoblastic cell culture systems, paving the way for in situ osmotic pressure sensing in biological cultures.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Peter Fratzl
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Laura Zorzetto, Ernesto Scoppola, Emeline Raguin, Kerstin G. Blank, Peter Fratzl, Cecile M. Bidan
Summary: Biofilms form when bacteria colonize a surface and produce extracellular matrix components, including mineral particles such as calcium phosphate. Understanding the mineralization mechanisms in biofilms is crucial for disease prevention and the development of biofilm-based living composites.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Emeline Raguin, Richard Weinkamer, Clemens Schmitt, Luca Curcuraci, Peter Fratzl
Summary: During skeletal development, the transport of large amounts of calcium for bone growth and mineralization at low concentration is a major logistical challenge. Using cryo-FIB/SEM imaging, calcium-rich intracellular vesicles were observed in forming bone tissue of a chick embryo femur. Counting and measuring these vesicles revealed that active transport through the cellular network is involved in calcium logistics, along with calcium-binding proteins and blood flow in the vasculature.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shahrouz Amini, Tingting Zhu, Abin Biswas, Mohammad Avalin Charsooghi, Kyoohyun Kim, Simone Reber, Yannicke Dauphin, Peter Fratzl
Summary: The shells of the Pinnidae family have a structure that includes calcitic prisms and inner aragonitic nacre, providing exceptional mechanical performance. However, the absence of nacre on the posterior side raises the question of its functional role. Recent research has shown that the prismatic part of the Pinna nobilis shell has unique optical properties, where each prism acts as an individual optical fiber guiding light to the inner shell cavity through total internal reflection. This optical system enhances spatial resolution, contrast, and reduces angular blurring, making it ideal for tracking moving objects.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Adalbert Raimann, Barbara M. Misof, Peter Fratzl, Nadja Fratzl-Zelman
Summary: This review provides a concise summary of the complex interplay between bone modeling and remodeling during skeletal growth and highlights the complexity of bone tissue characteristics in children with bone disorders.
CURRENT OSTEOPOROSIS REPORTS
(2023)
