Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“Integrins have emerged as key sensory molecules that translate chemical and physical cues from the extracellular matrix (ECM) into biochemical Selleckchem OSI-744 signals that regulate cell behavior. Integrins function by clustering into adhesion plaques, but the molecular mechanisms that drive integrin clustering in response to interaction with the ECM remain unclear. To explore how deformations in the cell-ECM interface influence integrin clustering, we developed a spatial-temporal simulation that integrates the micro-mechanics of the cell, glycocalyx, and ECM with a simple chemical model of integrin
activation and ligand interaction. Due to mechanical coupling, we find that integrin-ligand interactions
are highly cooperative, and GDC-0068 manufacturer this cooperativity is sufficient to drive integrin clustering even in the absence of cytoskeletal crosslinking or homotypic integrin-integrin interactions. The glycocalyx largely mediates this cooperativity and hence may be a key regulator of integrin function. Remarkably, integrin clustering in the model is naturally responsive to the chemical and physical properties of the ECM, including ligand density, matrix rigidity, and the chemical affinity of ligand for receptor. Consistent with experimental observations, we find that integrin clustering is robust on rigid substrates with high ligand density, but is impaired on substrates that are highly compliant or have low ligand density. We thus demonstrate how
integrins themselves could function as sensory molecules that begin sensing matrix properties even before large multi-molecular adhesion complexes are assembled.”
“In this study, we explore the possibility of fabricating a kind of piezoelectric actuators by exploiting the converse flexoelectric effect. The phenomena of flexoelectricity demonstrate that inhomogeneous external stimuli (either mechanical or electric stimuli) can break the inversion symmetry and induce the piezoelectric response even in nonpiezoelectric materials. By using the finite element method, we approximately estimate the magnitude of the converse piezoelectric effect under such circumstances. Our simulation results have proved that the inhomogeneous electric field generated by the asymmetric configuration of electrodes can be manipulated to create the converse piezoelectric response in nonpiezoelectric dielectrics. SNX-5422 inhibitor It is also reasonable to expect that this method may provide an alternative way to overcome the negative influence of the Casimir force on micro or nanoscale devices. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3486459]“
“Objective: It was the aim of this study to assess the outcome of prostate cancer patients with preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels >= 100 ng/ml who were treated with antegrade radical prostatectomy with intended wide resection (aRP). Patients and Methods: Eighteen patients who underwent aRP had an initial PSA level >= 100 ng/ml.
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