Article
Cell Biology
Qing Zhu, Xue Rui, Ya Li, Ya You, Xun-Lun Sheng, Bo Lei
Summary: The study aimed to describe the genetic and clinical features of 17 patients with ABCA4-related inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs) and define the phenotype-genotype correlations. Four novel ABCA4 variants were identified, expanding the spectrum of disease-causing variants in ABCA4 for future genetic counseling.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chanseok Lee, Yedam Lee, Woo Hyuk Jung, Tae-Yeon Kim, Taehwi Kim, Do-Nyun Kim, Dong June Ahn
Summary: Self-assembled DNA origami nanostructures can serve as cryoprotectant agents, protecting cells from damage during freeze-thaw cycles. Functionalized DNA nanopatches improve cell viability and exhibit minimal dependence on cryopreservation period and conditions.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dandan Wang, Lingfang Zhu, Xiangkai Zhen, Daoyan Yang, Changfu Li, Yating Chen, Huannan Wang, Yichen Qu, Xiaozhen Liu, Yanling Yin, Huawei Gu, Lei Xu, Chuanxing Wan, Yao Wang, Songying Ouyang, Xihui Shen
Summary: Bacteria have developed a secretion system to deliver effector proteins into neighboring cells, but the functions of many effectors are still unknown. In this study, the researchers identified an effector called CccR secreted by Yersinia pseudotuberculosis that can act as both a toxin and a transcription factor. CccR can enter nearby cells of the same and other species, and modulate gene expression and inhibit the growth of competitors.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ivan J. Santiago, Dawei Zhang, Arunesh Saras, Nicholas Pontillo, Chundi Xu, Xiaoting Chen, Matthew T. Weirauch, Meeta Mistry, David D. Ginty, Matthew Y. Pecot, Jing Peng
Summary: The layered compartmentalization of synaptic connections is essential for proper connectivity between neurons and parallel processing of neural information. The Drosophila visual system's medulla neuropil provides a model system for studying layered synaptic connectivity.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ping Zhu, Frank Dyka, Xiaojie Ma, Ling Yin, Heather Yu, Wolfgang Baehr, William W. Hauswirth, Wen-Tao Deng
Summary: The missense mutations in red/green cone opsin genes have been shown to impact the structure, function, and localization of M-opsin, potentially resulting in damage and loss within cone cells.
Review
Cell Biology
Shengxu Zhu, Junlin Wang, Moran Suo, Huagui Huang, Xin Liu, Jinzuo Wang, Zhonghai Li
Summary: Low back pain caused by intervertebral disc degeneration is a global public health problem that significantly impacts patients' quality of life and imposes a huge economic burden on individuals and society. Current treatments cannot reverse or delay the progression of intervertebral disc degeneration. The emergence of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as a biologic therapy offers new hope for the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration.
AGEING RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaoyuan Ren, Thierry Leveillard
Summary: The human retina is exposed to reactive oxygen species (ROS) from both internal and external sources, which can cause oxidative stress and lead to damage and cell death. This review focuses on the antioxidant systems in the retina and how they protect against oxidative stress. Both small antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes are involved in the removal of ROS, with the thioredoxin and glutaredoxin systems playing a major role in regulating redox signaling. Additionally, the proteins RdCVFL and TXNIP are involved in metabolic regulation and promoting survival in photoreceptors. Increasing antioxidant capacity in the retina shows promise as a therapy for inherited retinal degeneration.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Zihuan Yang, Weishi Li, Chunli Song, Huijie Leng
Summary: CTGF is a multifunctional protein that plays different roles in different cells and conditions. CTGF antibodies have the potential to be a new drug for osteoarthritis. Abnormal CTGF expression is associated with inflammation and cartilage degeneration, making CTGF a potential therapeutic target for osteoarthritis treatment.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Cheng Sun, Shiwen Zhang, Peiqi Qu, Xingjin Wu, Peng Feng, Zhanya Tao, Jin Zhang, Ying Wang
Summary: This paper proposes a lightweight algorithm based on YOLOV5 for detecting safety helmet wearing in construction sites. By embedding the MCA attention mechanism in the backbone network, detection accuracy is improved. Additionally, a channel pruning strategy is used to compress the model, enabling real-time detection on embedded or mobile devices.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Ming Zhao, Tie Luo, Sheng-Lung Peng, Junbo Tan
Summary: To solve the problem of complex network models with redundant parameters, a pruning algorithm combined with an attention mechanism is proposed. The network model is first trained, then retrained with the attention mechanism, and pruned based on channel correlation to obtain a simplified model while maintaining accuracy.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Danny Hsu Ko, Ashton Partridge, Ali Hosseini
Summary: This study investigates a low-cost method using a self-assembled monolayer as a template for the deposition of N particles. The impact of hydrophobicity on particle size, population density, and growth mechanism is explored. The results show that SAM templating can effectively control particle growth, but there are limitations in the existing model.
JOURNAL OF ELECTROANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shenyi Ding, Sarmad Ali, Shudong Zhang, Jun Zhao, Cui Liu, Muhammad Adnan Aslam, Xinling Yu, Min Xi, Lei Pan, Nian Li, Zhenyang Wang
Summary: Robust platforms and advanced biocompatible materials are needed for cryopreservation of biocells to combat the formation of ice crystals. Au colloids are designed as an effective solution to cell damage during freezing-thawing process. The emerging biomimetic hybrid nanomaterial (AuNR@SiO2-CDs) with optimal aspect ratio has shown promising performance in freezing and resuscitation of Hela cells. The linkage between AuNR and CDs retains stable structure and possesses cryoprotectant characteristics with low cytotoxicity. The cell recovery rate of Hela cells is significantly improved, especially with laser irradiation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Silvia Vicenzi, Lisa Foa, Robert J. Gasperini
Summary: The neurotransmitter serotonin can act as both an attractive and repulsive guidance cue for rodent sensory neurons in vitro, with extracellular gradients of 50 mu M serotonin inducing attraction mediated by the serotonin 5-HT2a receptor and 100 mu M serotonin inducing repulsion mediated by the 5-HT1b receptor. High resolution imaging of growth cones showed that these receptors signal through their canonical pathways to shape neuronal circuit formation during development.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biology
Alessandro Dema, Rabab Charafeddine, Shima Rahgozar, Jeffrey van Haren, Torsten Wittmann, Kassandra M. Ori-McKenney
Summary: A challenge in analyzing dynamic intracellular cell biological processes is the lack of methodologies for perturbing intracellular protein activities. Here, we describe an advanced method to replace endogenous EB1 with a light-sensitive variant, enabling its application in hiPSCs and hiPSC-derived neurons. We demonstrate that acute and local optogenetic EB1 inactivation induces microtubule depolymerization and neurite retraction in developing cortical neurons.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dayo O. Adewole, Laura A. Struzyna, Justin C. Burrell, James P. Harris, Ashley D. Nemes, Dmitriy Petrov, Reuben H. Kraft, H. Isaac Chen, Mijail D. Serruya, John A. Wolf, D. Kacy Cullen
Summary: This study introduces a novel approach for implantable neural interfaces, utilizing a biological intermediary to enhance specificity and longevity through optogenetic manipulation. In vitro experiments demonstrate successful axonal outgrowth, reproducible cytoarchitecture, and simultaneous optical stimulation and recording of these living electrodes. Additionally, in vivo transplantation and integration of these optically controllable living electrodes in rat cortex provide proof of concept for this new neural interface paradigm.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
L. Vaiani, E. Migliorini, E. A. Cavalcanti-Adam, A. E. Uva, M. Fiorentino, M. Gattullo, V. M. Manghisi, A. Boccaccio
Summary: This paper presents an alternative approach for extracting common mechanical parameters, such as the Young's modulus of cell components, from AFM nanoindentation measurements conducted on human mesenchymal stem cells. A Coarse-Grained Elastic Network Model (CG-ENM) was used to simulate the real AFM experiment and extract global Young's moduli for different stem cell samples. The proposed simulation flow proved to be an accurate, fast, and stable method for understanding the mechanical behavior of soft biological materials, even at subcellular levels of detail.
MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING C-MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura Andolfi, Alice Battistella, Michele Zanetti, Marco Lazzarino, Lorella Pascolo, Federico Romano, Giuseppe Ricci
Summary: The use of scanning probe microscopies in reproductive medicine research offers new insights into cellular structures and functions, allowing for in-depth studies on gamete morphology, mechanical properties, and molecular interactions. These techniques have the potential to provide valuable information for understanding reproductive disorders and improving assisted reproductive technologies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Antonela Petrovic, Jelena Ban, Ivana Tomljanovic, Marta Pongrac, Matea Ivanicic, Sanja Mikasinovic, Miranda Mladinic
Summary: Researchers have successfully established and characterized primary dissociated neuronal cultures derived from the cortex of gray South American short-tailed opossums, which can survive for over a month. They also established mixed cultures including RGCs, as well as cultures composed of neurons, astrocytes, and microglia.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biophysics
Michele Zanetti, Suet Nee Chen, Martina Conti, Matthew R. G. Taylor, Orfeo Sbaizero, Luisa Mestroni, Marco Lazzarino
Summary: The study introduces a novel approach to improve single-cell adhesion measurement by fabricating large cantilevers and directly culturing cells on them. This method can significantly enhance cell adhesion statistics, reduce experiment time, and investigate the adhesion properties of cells that do not grow well in solution or on low adherent substrates.
EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL WITH BIOPHYSICS LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ivana Tomljanovi, Antonela Petrovi, Jelena Ban, Miranda Mladinic
Summary: The inability of the adult mammalian central nervous system to regenerate and repair itself after injury is a major challenge in modern neurobiology. The marsupial neonatal opossum serves as a convenient model to study the loss of regenerative capacity in the CNS, with its unique ability to regenerate spinal cord in the first two weeks of life and the abrupt cessation of this ability. Proteomic analysis revealed differential distribution of proteins related to neurodegenerative diseases in opossum spinal tissue with regenerative capacity, shedding light on potential physiological roles of these proteins in CNS development and neuroregeneration.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Adria Sales, Valia Khodr, Paul Machillot, Line Chaar, Laure Fourel, Amaris Guevara-Garcia, Elisa Migliorini, Corinne Albiges-Rizo, Catherine Picart
Summary: By studying the presentation of matrix-bound BMPs on films of controlled stiffness, it was found that different BMP members have specific effects on cell adhesion and differentiation of skeletal progenitors. This response involves certain BMP receptors and beta chain integrins and is dependent on the stiffness of the substrate.
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Jelena Ban, Miranda Mladinic
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Antonela Petrovic, Jelena Ban, Matea Ivanicic, Ivana Tomljanovic, Miranda Mladinic
Summary: In this study, we found that ATF3 plays an important role in neurodevelopment and regeneration in neonatal opossums. ATF3 is differentially expressed in neurons at different stages of differentiation, and its inhibition leads to reduced neurite outgrowth and regeneration capacity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nicoletta Braidotti, Maria Augusta do R. B. F. Lima, Michele Zanetti, Alessandro Rubert, Catalin Ciubotaru, Marco Lazzarino, Orfeo Sbaizero, Dan Cojoc
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between cytoskeleton alterations and diseases through examining primary rat cardiac fibroblasts. The results show that changes in the cytoskeleton can affect cell adhesion, rheological behavior, and morphology.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Damjan Glavac, Miranda Mladinic, Jelena Ban, Graciela L. Mazzone, Cynthia Samano, Ivana Tomljanovic, Gregor Jezernik, Metka Ravnik-Glavac
Summary: Neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS, pose a significant burden on modern medicine with limited treatment options. Recent advancements in understanding the genetic mutations and molecular pathways associated with ALS offer potential for new treatments and diagnostic procedures.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Yeh Chwan Leong, Valentina Di Foggia, Hema Pramod, Maria Bitner-Glindzicz, Aara Patel, Jane C. Sowden
Summary: This study investigated the pathomechanism of Usher syndrome type 1B (RP) using 3D retinal organoids generated from induced pluripotent stem cells derived from USH1B patients. The results revealed differential gene expression related to mitochondrial functions, proteasomal protein degradation, and RNA splicing. Single-cell RNA sequencing showed MYO7A expression in rod photoreceptor and Mu center dot ller glial cells, suggesting involvement in stress responses and apoptotic signaling pathways. This human model provides important insights for the development of therapeutic strategies.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Martina Conti, Ilaria Bolzan, Simone Dal Zilio, Pietro Parisse, Laura Andolfi, Marco Lazzarino
Summary: Cell migration plays a crucial role in physiological and pathological contexts, but its mechanisms are still not fully understood due to the complex interaction between cells and their surroundings. Traditional assays lack the ability to capture this complexity, while a novel approach using 2D micro-patterned substrates provides a promising tool to investigate cell migration in complex environments. The developed method was tested with breast cancer cell lines and revealed that invasive cells are more responsive to the size of the water meniscus and exhibit significative matrix deposition process connected to cell migration.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Domenico Tierno, Eros Azzalini, Rossella Farra, Sara Drioli, Fulvia Felluga, Marco Lazzarino, Gabriele Grassi, Barbara Dapas, Serena Bonin
Summary: Epithelial ovarian cancers (EOCs) are a heterogeneous group of tumors with different molecular and clinical features. Few improvements have been achieved in terms of EOC management and treatment efficacy, and the 5-year survival rate of patients remained almost unchanged. A better characterization of EOCs' heterogeneity is needed to identify vulnerabilities, stratify patients, and adopt proper therapies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Zrinko Baricevic, Zahra Ayar, Samuel M. Leitao, Miranda Mladinic, Georg E. Fantner, Jelena Ban
Summary: Time-lapse light microscopy combined with in vitro neuronal cultures has made a significant contribution to Developmental Neuroscience. Although fluorescently labeled tags and dyes have provided advancements in cell imaging, long-term recordings remain challenging due to phototoxicity and interference with cell physiology. Hence, label-free high-resolution methods, such as scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) or digital holography microscopy (DHM) are proposed for studying live cell dynamics during neuronal development and regeneration.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jean Le Pennec, Catherine Picart, Romain R. Vives, Elisa Migliorini
Summary: Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) have a crucial role in maintaining tissue homeostasis by regulating the activity and diffusion of bioactive molecules. Incorporating GAGs into biomaterials is a widely adopted strategy in medical applications due to their biocompatibility and ability to control the release of bioactive molecules. Understanding the interactions between GAGs and bioactive molecules within biomaterials is important for designing GAG-based biomaterials for specific medical applications.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
