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ABSTRACT

Runze Zhao¹, Tingting Xia¹, Mengyue Wang¹, Fan Feng¹, Wanqian Liu^1,*, Li Yang^1,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 77-77, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07155
Abstract This study was focus on the exploring the therapeutic function of lysyl oxidase (LOX) in rat nucleus pulposus (NP) cells in intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). To do this, a Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat caudal spine degeneration model was established by puncturing the Co5-6 disc. NP cells apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) degeneration in IVDD were evaluated by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) and immunofluorescence. Then, the therapeutic effect of LOX on IVDD was evaluated by histological staining. In vitro, the regulator effect of LOX on degenerate rat NP cell was explored. ECM relate proteins and cytokines were… More >

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Lili Dong¹, Yang Song^1,*, Li Yang^1,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 78-78, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07130
Abstract It has been widely recognized that stem cells possess the potential of osteogenic differentiation, which greatly contribute to bone repair. Recently, accumulating evidences have indicated that mechanical cues are required for bone repair ^[1,2]. However, how local and recruited stem cells in the bone architecture receive the mechanical signals is poorly understood ^[3,4]. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that macrophages potentially transduce the mechanical signals for stem cell osteogenic lineage. This demonstration has been carried out through a co-culture system to investigate the effect of macrophages which subjected to cyclic stretch on the osteogenic potential of bone… More >

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1198

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ABSTRACT

Yingxiao Wang^1,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 79-79, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07268
Abstract Genetically-encoded biosensors based on fluorescence proteins (FPs) and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) have enabled the specific targeting and visualization of signaling events in live cells with high spatiotemporal resolutions. Single-molecule FRET biosensors have been successfully developed to monitor the activity of variety of signaling molecules, including tyrosine/serine/threonine kinases. We have a developed a general high-throughput screening (HTS) method based on directed evolution to develop sensitive and specific FRET biosensors. We have first applied a yeast library and screened for a mutated binding domain for phosphorylated peptide sequence. When this mutated binding domain and the peptide sequence are connected by… More >

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1212

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ABSTRACT

Linhong Deng^1,*, Yang Jin², Mingzhi Luo¹
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 80-80, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07370
Abstract Airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) exists within the bronchial airway wall in a form of spirally winding bundles [1]. This pattern emerges early during embryonic development and is involved in airway branching [2], providing the airway appropriate contractile capacity and resistance to circumferential tension in health or causing excessive airway narrowing in disease such as asthma. Despite its importance, the cause of ASMCs self-organization remains largely a mystery. Previously, we have demonstrated in 2D that ASMCs can sense the curvature in their microenvironment and change behaviors in differentiation, orientation and migration accordingly [3]. Here we further explore in 3D microenvironment… More >

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1163

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ABSTRACT

Takeo Matsumoto^1,*, Chizuru Hirooka¹, Yong Fan¹, Junfeng Wang¹, Naoki Mori¹, Eijiro Maeda¹
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 81-81, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07102
Abstract Aortic wall thickens in response to hypertension. Many studies reported that the wall thickening occurs to maintain the wall stress in the circumferential direction at a constant level. In case of the longitudinal direction, however, there are few studies suggesting the constancy of the stress. Such anisotropic response may be attributable to the circumferential alignment of the smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in the wall [1]. However, to the authors’ knowledge, there are no study discussing the underlying mechanism of the anisotropic response. It has been reported that mechanical deformation of the nuclei causes transcription upregulation [2]. This might suggest that… More >

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1141

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ABSTRACT

Longwei Liu¹, Praopim Limsakul¹, Shaoying (Kathy) Lu¹, Peter Yingxiao Wang^1,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 82-82, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07360
Abstract Genetically-encoded biosensors based on Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET biosensors) have been widely used to dynamically track the activity of Protein Tyrosine Kinases (PTKs) in living cells because of their sensitive ratiometric fluorescence readout, high spatiotemporal resolution. However, the limitation in sensitivity, specificity, and dynamic range of these biosensors have hindered their broader applications, and there was a lack of efficient ways to optimize FRET biosensors. Here we established a rapid, systematic and universal approach for FRET biosensor optimization through directed evolution which involves generating genetic diversity and screening for protein variants with desired properties at the same time and… More >

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2328

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Qin Peng¹, Shaoying Lu¹, Shu Chien¹, Yingxiao Wang^1,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 83-83, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07385
Abstract The dramatic re-organization of chromatin during mitosis is perhaps one of the most fundamental of all cell processes [1,2]. It remains unclear how epigenetic histone modifications, despite their crucial roles in regulating chromatin architectures, are dynamically coordinated with chromatin reorganization in controlling this process. Mechanical cues have also been shown to play important roles in modulating gene expressions and cellular functions [3,4]; however, it is still unclear about the mechanical regulations of epigenetics and chromatin organization. In this study, we have developed and characterized biosensors with high sensitivity and specificity based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). These biosensors were… More >

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1192

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Xiao Lu^1,*, Ghassan Kassab¹
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 84-86, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07089
Abstract This article has no abstract. More >

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1116

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ABSTRACT

Pullela Mythravaruni¹, Konstantin Volokh^1,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 87-87, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07274
Abstract We present a theoretical approach to study the onset of failure localization into cracks in arterial wall. The arterial wall is a soft composite comprising hydrated ground matrix of proteoglycans reinforced by spatially dispersed elastin and collagen fibers. As any material, the arterial tissue cannot accumulate and dissipate strain energy beyond a critical value. This critical value is enforced in the constitutive theory via energy limiters. The limiters automatically bound reachable stresses and allow examining the mathematical condition of strong ellipticity. Loss of the strong ellipticity physically means inability of material to propagate superimposed waves. The waves cannot propagate because… More >

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1112

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Taiji Adachi^1,*, Yoshitaka Kameo¹
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 88-88, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07417
Abstract Bone adaptation by remodeling is a process to change its outer shape and internal structure to the changing mechanical environment by osteoclastic bone resorption and osteoblastic bone formation. These cellular activities are regulated by mechanosensory network of osteocytes embedded in bone matrix. An imbalance between bone resorption and formation due to low loadings or disuse results in metabolic bone disorders such as osteoporosis. Many studies have identified various signaling pathways that regulate these cellular activities; however, the physiological and pathological conditions of bone as a system remain difficult to understand because of the complexity of the signaling networks including mechano-biochemical… More >

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1285

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ABSTRACT

Xiuqing Qian^1,2, Fan yuan^1,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 89-89, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07041
Abstract Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is the most important risk factor for disease progression in glaucoma patients. The elevation is predominantly due to the increase in the aqueous outflow resistance in the trabecular outflow pathway. Recent data have shown that the resistance increase is correlated with changes in the tissue stiffness. To this end, we developed a mathematical model to simulate how the tissue stiffness can affect the deformation of the trabecular meshwork (TM) that can be determined experimentally. The goal of the study is to develop a method to non-invasively determine the TM stiffness in patients through measurement of the… More >

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1149

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ABSTRACT

Tin-Kan Hung^1,*, Ruei-Hung Kuo², Cheng-Hsien Chiang³
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 90-91, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07854
Abstract Pulsating flow in a human aortic arch is studied from its kinematic and dynamic characteristics of transient tubular boundary layer. The results can only be obtained by a 3D fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis for the rapidly accelerated and decelerated systolic flow. The flow is based on a prescribed inlet velocity, V_O(t), which can be expressed as the instantaneous Reynolds number, Re(t) = ρDV_O/μ in which D is the tube diameter, ρ the blood density and μ the dynamic viscosity. Computation of pressure field requires a reference pressure at the downstream end section. The pressure is based on the pulse in… More >

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1162

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ABSTRACT

Yang Song¹, Jennifer Soto¹, Song Li^1,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 92-92, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07345
Abstract Cell reprograming technologies have broad applications in cell therapy, disease modeling and drug screening. Direct reprogramming of fibroblasts into induced neuronal (iN) cells has been achieved via the forced expression of three transcription factors: Ascl1, Brn2 and Myt1l. Accumulative evidence suggests that biophysical factors in the microenvironment can regulate the epigenetic state and cell reprogramming. However, whether intracellular mechanical properties regulate cell reprogramming remains unknown. Here, we show for the first time, that the mechanical property of cells is modulated during the early phase of reprogramming as determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and high-throughput quantitative deformability cytometry (q-DC). We… More >

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1103

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ABSTRACT

Yan Gao¹, Chunli Wang¹, Li Yang^1,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 93-93, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07322
Abstract At present, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) damage repair is still a huge challenge. Our previous studies indicated that the Lysyl oxidase (LOX) were significantly reduced in injurious ACL fibroblasts, which is the major reason for its poor healing ability. The main purpose of our study was to detected the potential of LOX to act as an anabolic agent in injured ACL. The effect of LOX on the ACL at a concentration of 20ng/mL was investigated. The molecular mechanisms and signaling pathway were elucidated by RNA-sequencing, q-PCR and western blotting. For the in vivo study, the LOX was injected into the… More >

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1236

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ABSTRACT

Lucy Wanjiru Njunge¹, Andreanne Poppy Estania¹, Li Yang^1,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 94-94, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07116
Abstract Mechanical stimulation contributes to the development, homeostasis, integrity and functionality of the articular cartilage by modulating several cellular activities including production and remodeling of extracellular matrix (ECM), chondrocyte differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. On the other hand, abnormal mechanical strain play a critical role in osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis by inducing ECM degradation and chondrocyte apoptosis. Furthermore, deleterious mechanical loading can also stimulates the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as interleukin 1β (IL-1β) that promote to cartilage degradation, chondrocyte hypertrophy and inflammation [1]. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNPK), a member of the hnRNP family, is implicated in the expression, stabilization and organization… More >

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1272

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ABSTRACT

Pingping Ma¹, Wanqian Liu^1,*, Li Yang^1,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 95-95, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07363
Abstract Globally, consumption of sodium (5.8 g per day) was far above the optimal levels (2.3 g per day). High intake of sodium was the leading dietary risk factor for deaths, which caused by cardiovascular disease [1]. Nevertheless, how high-salt intake leads to the occurrence of many cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis is still not very clear. Dmitrieva has reported that elevated sodium concentration promoted thrombogenesis by activating the signal pathway of NFAT5 (nuclear factor of activated T cells 5), a transcription factor which orchestrates cellular defense against osmotic stress [2]. Inflammatory is accompanied with the entire development process of atherosclerosis.… More >

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1220

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ABSTRACT

Lining Arnold Ju^{1,2,3,4,6,†,*}, James McFadyen^4,†, Saheb Al-Daher^4,†, Imala Alwis^1,2,3,4, Yunfeng Chen^6,7,8, Mark E. Cooper⁹, Cheng Zhu^1,2,3,5,6,7, Shaun P. Jackson^1,2,3,4,8
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 96-96, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.06979
Abstract Thrombotic diseases where platelets form clots and obstruct blood vessels remains the leading cause of death and disability in the world. Despite intense investigation over the last 40 years into the discovery and development of more effective drugs, less than 1 in 6 patients taking anti-thrombotic therapies avoid a fatal event. This situation is likely to worsen in younger generations due to the rapidly growing incidence of diabetes, which makes people more prone to thrombosis and resistant to existing anti-thrombotics with unknown reasons.
To investigate this, I have developed the ‘Biomembrane Force Probe’ as the first-of-its-kind. This nanotool represents… More >

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1137

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ABSTRACT

Yunfeng Chen^1,2,3,†,*, Jiexi Liao^4,†, Zhou Yuan¹, Kaitao Li⁴, Baoyu Liu⁴, Lining Arnold Ju^4,5,6, Cheng Zhu^1,2,4,5,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 97-97, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07123
Abstract Force-mediated molecular binding initiates numerous cellular activities such as cell adhesion, migration, and activation. Dynamic force spectroscopy (DFS) is widely used to examine molecular binding and cell mechano-signaling [1]. The rate of dissociation, off-rate, is an important attribute of molecular binding that reflects bond stability. Extensive DFS works have demonstrated that off-rates are a function of force magnitude, yielding signature bond behaviors like “catch bond” [2]. However, as a controversial topic of the field, different DFS assays, i.e., force-clamp and force-ramp assays, often yielded distinctive "off-rate vs. force" relations from the same molecular system [3]. Such discrepancies cast doubt on… More >

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1185

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ABSTRACT

Jian Shi^1,*, Baptiste Rode¹, David Beech¹
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 98-98, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.06939
Abstract The sensing of blood flow-evoked shear stress is critical in vascular development and maintenance of a healthy vasculature in the adult [1,2]. The identity of molecules which sense and transduce this force into appropriate vascular anatomy and function is therefore keenly sought. A central question is whether there is a force sensor protein (“receptor”) which directly detects the force, acting either alone or in complex with other proteins. Piezo1 channels are Ca²⁺-permeable non-selective cationic channels which are activated by membrane stretch. These channels are important for shear stress-sensing and vascular function in embryonic and adult mice. Through whole-cell perforated patch… More >

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1154

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ABSTRACT

Yuhsuan Wang^1,2, Yuwei Guo^1,2, Lisha Zheng^1,2,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 99-99, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.06995
Abstract Many studies have shown that cell shape effects cell chromatin aggregation, gene expression, protein synthesis, cell growth, apoptosis, and cytoskeletal rearrangement [1, 2]. Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are capable of osteogenic, dentinogenic, chondrogenic, and neurogenic differentiation. They are regarded as a promising candidate for tissue regeneration. How the cell shape regulates their cell behavior is still unknown. We used micropatterning technology to design single cell patterns in a 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, 1:8, 1:16 length-width ratio of rectangles with the same area. The results indicated that cell shape rearranged the cytoskeleton of DPSCs. The nuclear shape also affected by different… More >

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1295

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Sufang Wang^1,2, Wenjuan Zhao^1,2, Guolin Shi^1,2, Nu Zhang^1,2, Chen Zhang^1,2, Hui Yang^1,2,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 100-100, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07112
Abstract Long-term space flight will be a major mission for International Space Administration. However, it has been shown that exposure to space flight result in immune system dysfunction. Therefore, understand the mechanism of immune response under microgravity condition is a key topic. Macrophage is one of the most important immune cells in human body, playing key roles in both innate and adaptive immune systems. In this research, we used mouse macrophages (RAW264.7) and collected samples at short-term (8 hour), mediate-term (24 hour) and long-term (48 hour) microgravity treatment. We measured cell proliferation, phagocytosis function and used next-generation sequencing (NGS) to obtain… More >

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1224

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Xueyi Yang¹, Yue Xu¹, Chun Yang^1,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 101-101, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07117
Abstract Cell-matrix interactions guide various cell behaviors, including proliferation, differentiation, migration, etc. Integrins, as a known transmembrane mechanosensor, undergo conformational changes in response to mechanical stimuli, and manipulate cell-matrix chemical-mechanical coupled signaling transduction [1]. The integrin-ligand bond kinetics has gain increasing attention among researchers. Independent studies showed that the integrin-ligand bond has been reported to be reinforced by the applied force f, while the loading rate df/dt had little effect on the bond lifetime [2].
We previously observed a dramatic increase in bond lifetime beyond a loading rate threshold for the integrin α2β1-DGEA bond, by introducing AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy)… More >

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1149

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Ning Jiang^1,2,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 102-102, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07486
Abstract Force is not only involved in motion, but also involved in molecular interactions that guide cells to execute important physiological functions. Getting to know Dr. Fung at an early age shaped my college major decision, which lead me into the field of biomedical engineering. Applying a force-based measurement tool to study T cell receptor interaction with ligands in graduate school prepared me to use technology development as a foundation to answer important biological and clinical questions.
By combining engineering principle, quantitative modeling, and a deep understanding of biology and medicine, my current research focuses in systems immunology and immune… More >

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1094

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Jiachen Wei^1,2,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 103-104, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07721
Abstract Phoretic flow can be generated by different types of gradient (e.g. temperature, concentration, or charge gradient) [1-3]. Within micro-to-nano confined system, the diffusio-phoretic property for proteins differs dramatically from that obtained in bulk condition, due to concentration fluctuation that emerges at microscopic level induced by specific and nonspecific interactions between protein and co-solute [4-5]. The phoretic mobility of protein individuals and complex in solute gradients can be theoretically described by continuum model [1-2] that neglects microscopic heterogeneity and determined experimentally by microfluidics [6], but the underlying mechanism of diffusio-phoretic motion for confined protein still remains unclear.
Our approach to… More >

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1220

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Yongliang Wang¹, Dana N LeVine², Xuefeng Wang^1,3,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 105-105, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07872
Abstract Platelets are important blood cells mediating hemostasis and thrombosis. Integrin tension plays a critical role in most platelet functions, such as adhesion, activation, aggregation and contraction. Visualizing and measuring single platelet forces are desired in both research and diagnosis of platelet functions. Here we developed integrative tension sensor (ITS) which converts integrin molecular tension to fluorescent signal, therefore enabling cellular force mapping directly by fluorescence imaging. With the ITS, we mapped integrin-transmitted platelet force at 0.4 µm resolution during platelet adhesion and contraction. We found that platelet force distribution has strong polarization which is sensitive to treatment with anti-platelet drugs,… More >

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1153

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Yan Zu^1,2, Qiang Li¹, Chun Yang^2,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 106-106, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07132
Abstract Extracellular matrix (ECM) elasticity affects the function of a variety of cells. Integrins are transmembrane receptors that considered to be a sensor of cellular mechanical stimulation. The activity of integrins is strongly influenced by glycans through glycosylation events and the establishment of glycan-mediated interactions. Our study found that the level of β1 integrin N-linked glycosylation was significantly down-regulated on softer ECM. Further, sialic acid is a common monosaccharide modified at the end of the sugar chain during N-glycosylation. We subjected the enriched sialylated glycoproteins to gel-based proteomic identification by tandem mass spectrometry and found that the chondrocytes seeded on stiff… More >

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1235

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ABSTRACT

Nathaniel Huebsch^1,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 107-108, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.08524
Abstract This article has no abstract. More >

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3017

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1221

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Chenyi An¹, Wei Chen^2,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 109-110, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07634
Abstract Biomembrane force probe (BFP) is a single-molecule biomechanical technique that has been widely used to characterize protein dynamics (e.g., protein-protein interactions and protein conformational changes), especially suitable for measuring force-regulated receptor-ligand binding kinetics in situ[1-4]. Integrated with various force spectroscopies, such as lifetime assay, it has become a powerful platform to systematically characterize many force-regulated receptor-ligand dissociation of great biological significance, which cannot be done with traditional solution based assays (e.g., surface plasma resonance) [5].
Even though the BFP has been quite successful in characterizing binding kinetics of weak and transient molecular interactions, it is still incapable of stably… More >

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1193

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Yongqiang Li^1,#, Changxin Lai^1,#, Chengchen Zhang², Alexa Singer¹, Suhao Qiu¹, Boming Sun², Michael S. Sacks³, Yuan Feng^1,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 111-111, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07098
Abstract Surgeries such as implantation of deep brain stimulation devices require accurate placement of devices within the brain. Because placement affects performance, image guidance and robotic assistance techniques have been widely adopted. These methods require accurate prediction of brain deformation during and following implantation. In this study, a magnetic resonance (MR) image-based finite element (FE) model was proposed by using a coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian method. Anatomical accuracy was achieved by mapping image voxels directly to the volumetric mesh space. The potential utility was demonstrated by evaluating the effect of different surgical approaches on the deformation of the corpus callosum (CC) region. The… More >

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Xiaofei Wang^1,2,*, Yubo Fan^1,2
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 112-112, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07053
Abstract Accommodation is the ability of the eye to adjust its lens thickness to alter the refractive power through the contraction of ciliary muscles. The loss of accommodation ability due to aging leads to presbyopia, a condition in which the eye is unable to focus on near objects. Glaucoma is a disease that vision is impaired due to damage of the retinal ganglion cell at the optic nerve head (ONH) region, which is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. The biomechanical theory of glaucoma suggests that the deformations of ONH tissues could (directly or indirectly) drive retinal ganglion cell death.… More >

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Hsiang-Wen Huang¹, Ting-Wei Kuo¹, Chi-Long Lee¹, Yan-Ting Lin¹, Yan-Ying Ju², Chih-Hsiu Cheng^1,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 113-115, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07509
Abstract Wheelchair basketball is mainly designed for people who are physically challenged with permanent lower body disabilities. Free throw execution is one of the basic skills and could represent the preferred shooting mechanics so as to examine the overall shooting mechanics in basketball players. It requires the body to act as a kinetic chain to summate energy from the wheelchair to the upper extremity for the coordinated movements. Researchers have shown that the kinetic chain of the wheelchair basketball athletes could be affected by the kinematic parameters such as the release velocity and shooting angle [1-3]. The goal of this study… More >

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1319

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Zhongzheng Wang^1,2, Fei Tian³, Shaobai Wang³, Songtao Ai², Tsung-Yuan Tsai^1,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 116-117, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07690
Abstract This article has no abstract. More >

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2497

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1202

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Lianhong Pan¹, Li Yang^2,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 118-118, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07133
Abstract Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint bone disease which always leads to the dysfunction and disability of arthritis. Synovial inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progress of OA which can secrete large amounts of inflammatory cytokines. There is an urgent need to find safe and effective drugs that can reduce the inflammation and regulate the pathogenesis of cytokines of the OA disease. Icariin, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, is the major pharmacological active component of herb Epimedium. This study we investigated the influence of icariin on the main cells in synovium-osteoarthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (OA-FLSs). The OA-FLSs were… More >

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1341

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1

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1

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Yao Guo¹, Yijiang Song², Yu Zhang¹, Li Yang^1,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 119-119, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07134
Abstract Osteoarthritis (OA), with its high disability and mortality rate, is the most common arthritis throughout the world [1]. Exposure of articular cartilage to excessive mechanical stress is deeply involved in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) [2,3]. However, the mechanism of how mechanical stress causes cartilage degradation is not clear yet. Here we report that bioinformatics-based integrative analyses can assist in the study of mechanisms modulated by mechanical stress within OA pathology, and we reveal that B-cell Translocation Gene 2 (BTG2) can be a mechanosensitive gene involved in OA development. We obtained OA-associated differentially expressed genes from human and rat datasets… More >

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1318

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1

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1

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ABSTRACT

Chien-Chi Liu¹, Sai-Wei Yang^1,*, Tsui-Fen Yang²
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 120-122, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07150
Abstract Scoliosis is the most common type of spinal deformity of the young adults, and women outnumber men about 10:1 [1], in which the Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is up to 90% for ages 10 to 16year-old teenagers [2]. Studies revealed that due to the 3-dimensional musculoskeletal deformities, the AIS subjects to the dynamic postural instability including vestibular and proprioception disorders [3-5]. Dynamic postural Balance is monitored by integration of cortical modulation and somatosensory response [6], and the either motor or sensory impairment lead to balance dysfunction as well as pathologic gait. Studies revealed that the biomechanics functional foot orthotics can… More >

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1197

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Meng-Wei Lin¹, Feng Yang^1,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 123-124, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07343
Abstract This article has no abstract. More >

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Lulu Wang^1,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 125-125, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07101
Abstract Early diagnosis of stroke with timely treatment could reduce adult permanent disability significantly [1]. Conventional medical imaging tools such as X-ray, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) have been widely used for diagnosis of brain disease. However, each of these methods has some limitations. X-ray imaging produces harmful radiation to the human body and challenging to identify early-stage abnormal tissue due to the relatively small dielectric proprieties contrast between the healthy tissue and abnormal tissue at X-ray frequencies [2]. PET provides useful information about soft tissues, but it is expensive and produces poor… More >

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Akisue Kuramoto^1,*, Hitoshi Kimura², Norio Inou²
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 126-126, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.08127
Abstract Comfortable bedding is usually designed subjectively because of the difficulty in performing a quantitative evaluation. This paper proposes a quantitative evaluation method of comfortableness of beddings. The bedding shape determining how comfortable an individual may feel in using it depends on the body shape and normal posture of individuals. The internal physical load is expected to relate to the comfortableness of bedding. However, only a few quantitative discussions exist on the relation between the comfortableness of bedding and physical load. This study proposes a new evaluation method of physical load in a relaxed posture. The strain energy of muscles and… More >

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Qiuping Liu¹, Guanbin Song^1,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 127-127, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07105
Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent and lethal malignancies worldwide. Increased matrix stiffness of extracellular matrix (ECM) is commonly associated with HCC. During tumour formation and expansion, increasing glucose metabolism is necessary for unrestricted growth of tumour cells. Yet, the correlation between matrix stiffness and glucose metabolism in the development of HCC remains unknown. In this study, we aim to investigate the effect of matrix stiffness on glucose metabolism and migration of MHCC97L and HepG2 hepatoma cells, and explore the mechanotransduction involved in this process. Polyacrylamide hydrogels with stiffness gradients of 6, 25, 54 kPa were produced… More >

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Yun Peng¹, Guoan Li^1,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 128-129, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07392
Abstract This article has no abstract. More >

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Mengyue Wang¹, Runze Zhao¹, Fan Feng¹, Tingting Xia^1,*, Li Yang^1,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 130-130, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07154
Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common cancer in the world. Previous studies have shown that hard matrix promotes the proliferation of liver tumor cells. However, the role of matrix stiffness on hepatic cancer stem cells (HCSCs) is still unclear. Three-dimensional hydrogels with different stiffness were used to mimic the normal liver tissue (4kPa) and cancerous liver tissue (26kPa) stiffness. The proliferation, stemness and invasion properties of HCSCs under 3D different stiffness were detected. METHOD: HSCSs were screened and cultured by enrichment method, and the effect of matrix stiffness on HCSCs was studied by three-dimensional culture of HCSCs in… More >

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Fan Feng¹, Tingting Xia¹, Runze Zhao¹, Mengyue Wang¹, Li Yang^1,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 131-131, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07211
Abstract Objective: To study the effects of different substrate stiffness on human hepatocytes using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) technology. The stiffness was corresponding to physiology and pathology stiffness of liver tissues.
Results: With the aid of RNA-Seq technology, our study characterizes the transcriptome of hepatocytes cultured on soft, moderate, stiff and plastic substrates. Compared to soft substrate, our RNA-Seq results revealed 1131 genes that were up-regulated and 2534 that were down-regulated on moderate substrate, 1370 genes that were up-regulated and 2677 down-regulated genes on stiff substrate. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that differentially expressed genes were associated with the regulation of actin… More >

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Pan Zhang^1,2, Chen Zhang^1,2, Jiyang Han^1,2, Xiru Liu^1,2, Qishan Wang³, Hui Yang^1,2,4,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 132-132, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.06839
Abstract Research in stem cell biology relies on the knowledge of the cell microenvironment in vivo, known as “stem cell niche”, where stem cells are nurtured by the niche signals. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are capable of continuously generating and maintaining the body’s full immune and hematopoietic systems. In adult, a pool of hematopoietic cells, including HSCs, primarily reside in the bone marrow (BM) niches that plays critical roles on cell fate. Niche supporting cells, cytokines, extracellular matrix proteins and other biochemical cues associated with HSCs behaviors (quiescence, self-renewal, proliferation, differentiation, mobilization, homing, and apoptosis) has been revealed in quantity. Recently… More >

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Viviane Timmermann¹, Kevin Vincent², Joakim Sundnes¹, Andrew D. McCulloch^2,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 133-133, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07311
Abstract Heterogeneous mechanical dyskinesis has been implicated in arrhythmogenic phenotypes. Strain-induced perturbations to cardiomyocyte electrophysiology (EP) may trigger arrhythmias via a variety of mechano-electric feedback (MEF) mechanisms. While the role of stretch-activated ionic currents (SACs) has been investigated intensively using computational models, experimental studies have shown that mechanical strain can also trigger intra- and inter-cellular calcium waves. To investigate whether the inherent strain dependence of myofilament calcium affinity may promote arrhythmogenic intra- and inter-cellular calcium waves under conditions of pathologic mechanical heterogeneity, we coupled a mathematical model of excitation-contraction coupling (ECC) in rabbit ventricular myocytes to a model of myofilament activation… More >

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Qiqing Zhang^1,2,3,*, Yuan Zhang⁴, Linzhao Wang⁴, Yongzhen Xing⁴
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 134-135, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07301
Abstract Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) is a technique that selectively guides cells to attach and proliferate towards an injured site to achieve tissue regeneration through a physical barrier membrane. In this review, we presented a brief overview of the development of GTR technology and GTR materials. Nowadays, new technologies such as electrospinning, nanotechnology, controlled release technique, and 3D printing have been introduced into the study of GTR materials. Resorbable membrane as GTR materials are available as alternatives to conventional non-resorbable membranes. Current GTR materials not only act as a physical barrier membrane but also as a scaffold to play a role… More >

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Shuang Ge¹, Ruolin Du¹, Yuhua Huang¹, Guixue Wang¹, Yazhou Wang¹, Tieying Yin^1,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 136-137, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07317
Abstract Stent implantation is the most effective method in the treatment of cardiovascular disease which always destroy the integrity of the vascular endothelium and the local mechanical environment at the stent segment was changed, especially the biodegradable stents [1]. In this study, 3D printed biodegradable poly (L-lactic acid) stents were implanted into SD rat abdominal aorta and the endothelialization, intimal hyperplasia, and MGF after stent implantation were studied. Besides, based on the MGF we explored the effects of mechanical stimulation on MGF express in vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells, and also the effects of MGF with different concentrations on… More >

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Junyang Huang¹, Shuang Ge¹, Yang Wang¹, Ruolin Du¹, Yazhou Wang¹, Tieying Yin¹, Guixue Wang^1,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 138-139, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07305
Abstract Tight junctions are the most apical intercellular junctions of the lateral membrane in endothelial cells, regulating the paracellular material and energy exchange and maintain plasma membrane polarity. Occludin protein is one of the important proteins involved in endothelial tight junctions, and also closely related to the occurrence of atherosclerosis. Therefore, the study of occludin is valuable ^[1]. With the implantation of coronary stents, the integrity of the vascular endothelium is damaged and the local mechanical environment at the stent segment was changed ^[2]. The present study tried to explore the impact of mechanical stimulation after stent implantation on the expression… More >

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Yang Wang¹, Shuang Ge¹, Junyang Huang¹, Ruolin Du¹, Tieying Yin¹, Guixue Wang^1,*, Yazhou Wang^1,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 140-141, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07300
Abstract Zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) is a peripheral membrane protein belongs to the family of zona occludens proteins and plays an important role as a scaffold protein which cross-links and anchors tight junction (TJ) strand proteins, within the lipid bilayer, to the actin cytoskeleton^[1-2]. Stent implantation is the most effective method in the treatment of cardiovascular disease which always destroy junctions of endothelial cells, the functions of the tight junction were also affected. However, the role of ZO-1 before and after stent implantation has not been fully understood. In this study, the expression of ZO-1 were analyzed by qPCR, western blot and… More >

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Jianxiong Xu¹, Lu Wang¹, Jinxuan Wang¹, Juhui Qiu^1,*, Guixue Wang^1,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 142-142, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07273
Abstract Endothelial cell injured or dysfunction, which results lipid deposition and inflammation, is the key point to exacerbate the process of atherosclerosis [1, 2]. Meanwhile oscillatory shear stress is a key factor that results cell dysfunction in vascular disease [3, 4]. Previous research reported that P2Y12 plays a critical role in the development of atherosclerotic lesion through promoting smooth muscle cells migration [5]. As well P2Y12 stimulated the internalization and transendothelial transport of high density lipid. However, whether the P2Y12 induce atherosclerosis through endothelial cell remain elusive. In this study we firstly found P2Y12 were expressed in endothelial cells of atheroprone… More >

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Yuhua Gong¹, Shilei Hao^1,*, Bochu Wang^1,*
Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 143-143, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07095
Abstract The mechanical response of brain tissue closely relates to cerebral blood flow and brain diseases. During intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), a mass effect occurs during the initial bleeding. As the hematoma increases, the haematoma mass effect continues to squeeze the brain tissue mechanically, which can even lead to the formation of fatal cerebral hernia. However, fewer studies have focused on the brain damage mechanisms and treatment approaches associated with mass effects compared to the secondary brain injuries after ICH, which may be a result of the absence of acceptable animal models mimicking a mass effect. Thus, a thermo-sensitive poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM)… More >

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