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The fabrication of well-defined interfaces is in high demand in many fields of biotechnologies. Here, high-definition membrane-like arrays are developed through the self-assembly of water droplets, which work as natural building blocks for the construction of ordered channels. Solution viscosity together with the dynamics of the water droplets can decide the final formation of three-dimensional well-ordered patterns resembling anodic structures, especially because solvents denser than water are used. Particularly, the polymer solution viscosity is demonstrated to be a powerful tool for control of the mobility of submerged droplets during the microfabrication process. The polymeric patterns are structured at very high levels of organization and exhibit well-established transport-surface property relationships, considered basics for any types of advanced biotechnologies.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/am900701r | DOI Listing |
Mater Horiz
September 2025
MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, PR China.
Globular proteins, traditionally regarded as non-structural biomolecules due to the limited load-bearing capacity in their monomeric states, are increasingly recognized as valuable building blocks for functional-mechanical materials. Their inherent bioactivity, chemical versatility, and structural tunability enable the design of materials that combine biological functionality with tailored mechanical performance. This review highlights recent advances in engineering globular proteins-spanning natural systems (serum albumins, enzymes, milk globulins, silk sericin, and soy protein isolates) to recombinant architectures including tandem-repeat proteins-into functional-mechanical platforms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPhilos Trans A Math Phys Eng Sci
September 2025
Interdisciplinary Centre for Mathematical Modelling and Department of Mathematical Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK.
Nature uses elongated shapes and filaments to build stable structures, generate motion and allow complex geometric interactions. In this review, we examine the role of biological filaments across different length scales. From the molecular scale, where cytoskeletal filaments provide a robust but dynamic cellular scaffolding, over the scale of cellular appendages like cilia and flagella, to the scale of filamentous microorganisms like cyanobacteria, among the most successful genera on Earth, and even to the scale of elongated animals like worms and snakes, whose motility modes inspire robotic analogues.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSchizophr Bull
September 2025
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QG, United Kingdom.
Background And Hypothesis: The dysconnectivity hypothesis of schizophrenia suggests that atypical neural communication underlies the disorder's diverse symptoms. Building on this framework, we propose that specific synaptic disturbances within thalamo-cortical circuits contribute to an imbalance in excitation and inhibition, leading to alteration in oscillations. Our study investigates these alterations and explores whether synaptic restoration can remediate neural activity of schizophrenia and align it with healthy patterns.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFKidney Blood Press Res
August 2025
Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by a deficiency of the hepatic peroxisomal enzyme alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase (AGT), which catalyses the conversion of glyoxylate to glycine, resulting in increased oxalate production. The clinical consequences of the progressive build up of oxalates include nephrocalcinosis, nephrolithiasis, chronic kidney disease and ultimately renal failure with extra-renal involvement. The diagnosis of PH1 is challenging due to the non-specific nature of its symptoms and the need for costly genetic testing.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Nurs
September 2025
Institute of Business Administration and Business Informatics, IT for the Caring Society, University of Hildesheim, Hildesheim, Germany.
Background: As populations age, informal caregivers play an increasingly vital role in long-term care, with 80% of care provided by family members in Europe. However, many individuals do not immediately recognize themselves as caregivers, especially in the early stages. This lack of awareness can increase physical and emotional stress and delay access to support services.
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