Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yan Han, Joel Gomez, Rui Hua, Pengwei Xiao, Wei Gao, Jean X. Jiang, Xiaodu Wang
Summary: Research shows that removal of GAGs from bone tissues increases the elastic modulus and reduces plastic energy dissipation, particularly in wet conditions. GAGs not only affect the capacity of EFM, but may also impact the elastic modulus of MCFs.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Mechanics
Lingling Chen, Xinyu Xing, Shengyou Yang
Summary: This paper investigates the buckling behavior of an elastic block with graded moduli. By solving the quadratic equation of the Young's modulus of the material analytically, good results are obtained. The study shows that the form of the modulus can tune the buckling load, and the quadratic equation can make the structure weaker or stronger.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOLIDS AND STRUCTURES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Lu Wang, Hao Lyu, Xinyuan Zhang, Yuelong Xiao, Aofei Li, Zhengxin Ma, Chengchen Guo, Ying Pei
Summary: This study investigated the aggregation behaviors of mesostructured collagen fibrils in suspension by varying pH, ionic strength, temperature, and solvent. Reconstituted collagen films were fabricated with mesostructured fibrils as building blocks. The findings provide comprehensive understanding and guidance for practical applications of mesostructured collagen.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Emilie Gachon, Patrick Mesquida
Summary: The bending properties of individual collagen fibrils at the nanometer scale were determined using the theory of column-buckling. The results showed that this simple approach can quickly and accurately determine mechanical properties, avoiding some issues of other methods.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xun Xiao, Jiadong Zuo, Yaqiang Wang, Kai Wu, Jinyu Zhang, Gang Liu, Jun Sun
Summary: This study investigates the effect of sputtering power on the microstructure and mechanical properties of nanocrystalline Cr coatings prepared by magnetron sputtering. The experimental results show that increasing the sputtering power leads to changes in surface morphology and grain size, as well as an increase in hardness and elastic modulus. The size-dependent strengthening behavior can be explained using the classical Hall-Petch theory.
MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING A-STRUCTURAL MATERIALS PROPERTIES MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROCESSING
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Amira M. Eltony, Peng Shao, Seok-Hyun Yun
Summary: This study successfully visualizes and quantifies the anisotropic mechanical properties of corneal tissues at different length scales using Brillouin optical microscopy. By observing the fiber structure of the porcine cornea and measuring the angle-resolved properties of the human cornea, significant anisotropy in corneal tissues is revealed.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Orthopedics
Wen-qing Xie, Miao He, Yu-qiong He, Deng-jie Yu, Hong-fu Jin, Fang Yu, Yu-sheng Li
Summary: Complete rupture of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) has no significant immediate effect on the mechanical and histological properties of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) under physiological loading, but these properties of MCL decrease over time.
JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY AND RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Katarina Kacvinska, Martina Travnickova, Lucy Vojtova, Petr Polacek, Jana Dorazilova, Martin Kohoutek, Kristyna Hlinakova, Julia Pajorova, Maria Tirpakova, Lucie Bacakova
Summary: This study compares the performance of two types of bioresorbable cellulose in composite scaffolds. The calcium-sodium salt of oxidized cellulose significantly improves the stiffness and elasticity of collagen fibrils, while the sodium salt of carboxymethylcellulose reduces these properties. The addition of oxidized cellulose improves cell-material interaction and enhances the adhesion, proliferation, and metabolic activity of human adipose-derived stem cells. In contrast, carboxymethylcellulose only provides limited mechanical support for cells and inhibits their attachment and proliferation.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Stephane da Silva, Eduardo Moreira da Silva, Eduarda Lima Muniz de Carvalho, Caroline dos Santos Moreira, David Rodrigues da Rocha, Miriam Lacalle Turbino, Maristela Barbosa Portela, Cristiane Mariote Amaral
Summary: This in vitro study evaluated the effect of different concentrations of DCMC on dentin. The results showed that DCMC pretreatment decreased the biodegradation rate, improved the mechanical properties of dentin, and preserved the long-term bond strength.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADHESION AND ADHESIVES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Diana M. Darvish
Summary: Collagen type I is a frequently used biomaterial in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, showcasing advantages such as mimicking the structure of native extracellular matrix. However, controversies surround the methods for collagen fibril formation, such as temperature settings and extraction methods. This review aims to summarize important studies on in vitro collagen fibril formation and address these issues.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Delun Gong, Haoliang Wang, Qiushuang Wang, Shujun Li, Kun Lin, Yandong Wang, Rui Yang, Yulin Hao
Summary: The temperature coefficient of elastic modulus in titanium alloys can be positive or negative depending on the phase present. By aging treatment in a Ti-Nb-based alloy, the coefficient can be tuned from positive to negative through a phase transition process. This study shows that the coefficient can be continuously adjusted by a compositionally-modulated dual-phase microstructure induced by spinodal decomposition. These findings provide a new strategy for achieving Elinvar effect through heat treatments.
SCRIPTA MATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Jana Stepanovska, Martin Otahal, Karel Hanzalek, Monika Supova, Roman Matejka
Summary: This study demonstrated the successful 3D bioprinting of highly concentrated collagen hydrogels with incorporated cells by optimizing the bioink properties and printing parameters. The addition of NaOH to adjust the pH of the bioink to 13 mu L per mL was found to be optimal for cell growth and division, as well as for enhancing the mechanical properties of the printed structures. High collagen gel concentration may not limit cell proliferation when the bioink composition and printing conditions are well optimized.
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
T. Shan, L. Huang, F. R. Tay, L. Gu
Summary: The concept of extrafibrillar demineralization involves selectively removing apatite crystallites from the spaces between mineralized dentin fibers without affecting the minerals within the collagen fibers. Quaternized carboxymethyl chitosan (QCMC)-based demineralization is effective in improving resin-dentin bond durability by retaining intrafibrillar minerals, preserving the elastic modulus of collagen fibers, reducing proteolytic activity, and inhibiting bacteria biofilms.
JOURNAL OF DENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marco Beaumont, Blaise L. Tardy, Guillermo Reyes, Tetyana Koso, Elisabeth Schaubmayr, Paul Jusner, Alistair W. T. King, Raymond R. Dagastine, Antje Potthast, Orlando J. Rojas, Thomas Rosenau
Summary: Selective surface modification of biobased fibers allows for individualization and functionalization into nanomaterials using TEMPO-mediated oxidation, but can lead to changes in native surface chemistry. A methodology is introduced to extract cellulose fibrils with regioselective surface modification, which can be reverted with mild post-treatment, without polymer degradation or changes in crystallinity. This offers significant potential in reconstituting the chemical and structural interfaces of native states for sustainable building blocks.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Correction
Construction & Building Technology
Bastian Valentin Wilding, Michele Godio, Katrin Beyer
Summary: A correction to the paper has been published and can be found at the provided link.
MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES
(2021)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jim E. Horne, Sheena E. Radford
Summary: New structures and experiments reveal that the 0-barrel assembly machinery (BAM) in bacteria utilizes the energy of membrane elastic tension to aid in the folding of 0-barrel outer membrane proteins.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yong Xu, Roberto Maya-Martinez, Sheena E. Radford
Summary: The pathological assembly of intrinsically disordered proteins/peptides (IDPs) into amyloid fibrils is associated with various human pathologies. Discovering therapeutic agents for these diseases is challenging due to the diverse aggregation pathways and transient nature of IDPs.
ESSAYS IN BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
N. Guthertz, R. van Der Kant, R. M. Martinez, Y. Xu, C. Trinh, B. I. Iorga, F. Rousseau, J. Schymkowitz, D. J. Brockwell, S. E. Radford
Summary: This article investigates the aggregation of a class of proteins into amyloid fibrils and reveals a mechanism underlying an amino acid substitution that causes hereditary amyloidosis. The results show that certain mutations can reduce aggregation without affecting protein stability.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kevin Wu, Thomas C. Minshull, Sheena E. Radford, Antonio N. Calabrese, James C. A. Bardwell
Summary: Trigger factor plays a more active role in protein folding by binding to partially folded proteins, preventing non-productive self-association, and facilitating proteins to reach a native-like intermediate state before completing folding and acquiring enzymatic activity upon release.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Bob Schiffrin, Jonathan M. Machin, Theodoros K. Karamanos, Anastasia Zhuravleva, David J. Brockwell, Sheena E. Radford, Antonio N. Calabrese
Summary: This study reveals the crucial interaction between the OMP chaperone SurA and the OMP folding catalyst BAM, and proposes a model for OMP biogenesis.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chalmers Chau, Fabio Marcuccio, Dimitrios Soulias, Martin Andrew Edwards, Andrew Tuplin, Sheena E. Radford, Eric Hewitt, Paolo Actis
Summary: This study presents a polymer-electrolyte solid-state nanopore system for analyzing biomolecular conformation under physiological conditions. By using specific salts, the system's performance is enhanced, allowing for the analysis of Chikungunya virus RNA conformation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Roberto Maya-Martinez, Yong Xu, Nicolas Guthertz, Martin Walko, Theodoros K. Karamanos, Frank Sobott, Alexander L. Breeze, Sheena E. Radford
Summary: This study utilized NMR methods combined with photo-induced crosslinking to detect and structurally characterize transient dimers of D76N-112m. The results showed that these crosslinked dimers have different structures from previously characterized dimers and possess potent inhibitory effects on amyloid formation.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sabine M. Ulamec, Roberto Maya-Martinez, Emily J. Byrd, Katherine M. Dewison, Yong Xu, Leon F. Willis, Frank Sobott, George R. Heath, Patricija van Oosten Hawle, Vladimir L. Buchman, Sheena E. Radford, David J. Brockwell
Summary: In this study, the authors characterized the impact of amino acid substitution on alpha-synuclein aggregation. They found that residues 38 and 42 within the P1 region of alpha-synuclein influence amyloid formation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexander J. E. Bruce, Emanuele Paci, David J. Brockwell
Summary: The Staphylococcus aureus surface protein G (SasG) is associated with host colonization and biofilm formation. It shows extreme mechanical strength due to its unique structure and interactions. The main force-bearing regions of the protein are the N- and C-terminal 'Mechanical Clamps' and their side-chain interactions, as revealed by residue-level analysis.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Anders Aufderhorst-Roberts, Sophie Cussons, David J. Brockwell, Lorna Dougan
Summary: Folded protein hydrogels, inspired by muscle protein titin and engineered to polyprotein I27(5), exhibit diverse viscoelastic properties originating from both nanoscale and mesoscopic scale origins. This study highlights the potential for engineering novel biomaterials with tunable mechanical properties.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Christa P. Brown, Matt D. G. Hughes, Najet Mahmoudi, David J. Brockwell, P. Louise Coletta, Sally Peyman, Stephen D. Evans, Lorna Dougan
Summary: Globular folded proteins have been explored as powerful building blocks for developing biomaterials with mechanical strength and biological functionality. In this study, microbubbles were embedded in a cross-linked bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein network for advanced drug delivery scaffolds. Various characterization techniques were used to determine the structure and mechanics of this multi-composite system. The results demonstrate successful embedding of microbubbles within the folded protein network, which can be ruptured using ultrasound for burst drug release. This fundamental insight into the impact of embedded microbubbles in protein scaffolds is crucial for the development of targeted and controlled drug delivery platforms.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Fabio Marcuccio, Dimitrios Soulias, Chalmers C. C. Chau, Sheena E. Radford, Eric Hewitt, Paolo Actis, Martin Andrew Edwards
Summary: In this study, the addition of poly(ethylene) glycol (PEG) to the external solution is shown to enhance the detection of biomolecules using solid-state nanopores. The researchers demonstrate that this addition creates an imbalance in the transport properties of cations and anions, which significantly affects the current response of the nanopore. The findings suggest that tuning the diffusion coefficients of ions could enhance the sensitivity of nanopore sensing.
ACS NANOSCIENCE AU
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Romany J. McLure, Sheena E. Radford, David J. Brockwell
Summary: Directed evolution is a powerful tool for engineering new functions in biomolecules and gaining insights into protein behavior. It accelerates the process of natural evolution through multiple rounds of gene diversification and selection.
TRENDS IN CHEMISTRY
(2022)