extracellular matrix

Benefits and risks of hair, skin, and nail supplements in older adults

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This article reviews popular supplements that older adults, especially women, take to improve their hair, skin, and nails. While some supplements like nicotinamide show promise for sun-damaged skin, most lack strong evidence of benefit in healthy people. Important risks include biotin interfering with heart and thyroid tests, too much zinc causing copper deficiency, and excess vitamins A and E building up to toxic levels. Doctors should talk to older patients about these supplements and help them make informed decisions based on scientific evidence rather than marketing claims.

Latest advance anti-inflammatory hydrogel wound dressings and traditional Lignosus rhinoceros used for wound healing agents

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This review examines modern hydrogel wound dressings and traditional medicinal mushrooms like Lignosus rhinoceros for treating wounds. Hydrogels are water-absorbing materials that mimic natural tissue and help wounds heal by maintaining moisture, preventing infection, and promoting cell growth. Traditional mushrooms offer anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties that could complement modern dressing technologies for better wound healing outcomes.

Scanning electron microscopy of hyphal ectobiont bacteria within mycelial extracellular matrices

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Researchers studied how bacteria (Bacillus subtilis) attach to mushroom fungi (Lion’s Mane/Hericium erinaceus) in liquid cultures. Using a special drying technique and electron microscopy, they were able to see tiny structures where bacteria stick to the fungal threads. These structures are made of slimy substances produced by the fungus and could potentially allow bacteria to influence the fungus’s electrical and physical properties.

Enhanced biodegradation of fluorinated pharmaceutical by Aspergillus flavus and Cunninghamella elegans biofilms: kinetics and mechanisms

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This research shows that two types of fungi—Aspergillus flavus and Cunninghamella elegans—can effectively break down commonly prescribed medications found in wastewater through biofilm formation on foam carriers. The fungi degrade these drugs through enzymatic action rather than absorption, removing 85-99% of the pharmaceuticals within days. This discovery offers a promising, cost-effective biological treatment for cleaning wastewater from hospitals and pharmaceutical factories, potentially protecting aquatic environments from drug pollution.

Functionalized Micellar Membranes from Medicinal Mushrooms as Promising Self-Growing Bioscaffolds

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Researchers created special membranes from medicinal mushrooms that could be used for wound healing and skin repairs. These membranes were grown in laboratory conditions and then treated with mango peel extract, which gave them antimicrobial properties to fight bacteria. The membranes are biodegradable, environmentally friendly, and work similar to the structure of skin tissue, making them promising for medical applications.

Functionalized Micellar Membranes from Medicinal Mushrooms as Promising Self-Growing Bioscaffolds

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Scientists created special membranes from medicinal mushrooms that can help heal wounds and regenerate damaged skin. These membranes are grown naturally in liquid culture and enriched with extract from mango peels to fight bacteria and promote healing. The material is completely natural, biodegradable, and performs better than many conventional wound healing materials, making it an eco-friendly option for medical applications.

Neuronal TIMP2 regulates hippocampus-dependent plasticity and extracellular matrix complexity

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Scientists discovered that a protein called TIMP2, which is naturally higher in young blood, plays a crucial role in maintaining brain memory and learning ability. Using laboratory mice, they found that TIMP2 helps keep the brain’s cellular environment flexible by controlling the buildup of structural proteins around nerve connections. Without adequate TIMP2, the brain develops more rigid connections that interfere with forming new memories and creating new brain cells, mimicking changes seen in aging and cognitive decline.

Decellularized extracellular matrix scaffolds from Pleurotus ferulae mushrooms for sustainable production of steak-like cultured meat with authentic texture

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Scientists developed a new way to grow steak-like meat in the laboratory using mushroom scaffolds. They used edible oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ferulae) that were treated to remove all cells while keeping the fibrous structure intact. This mushroom scaffold provided the perfect environment for cow muscle cells to grow and organize into meat-like tissue. The resulting cultured meat had texture and appearance similar to real beef, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional livestock farming.

The cysteine-rich virulence factor NipA of Arthrobotrys flagrans interferes with cuticle integrity of Caenorhabditis elegans

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Researchers discovered how a predatory fungus attacks roundworms by producing a special protein called NipA that weakens the worm’s protective outer layer. This cysteine-rich protein causes blister-like formations in the worm’s skin and disrupts the genes responsible for maintaining the protective barrier. Understanding this mechanism helps scientists learn how fungi infect organisms and could lead to better control methods for parasitic nematodes.

Characterization of Biofilm Formation by the Dermatophyte Nannizzia gypsea

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This research studies how a fungus called Nannizzia gypsea forms protective biofilms on skin and hair, making infections harder to treat. Scientists grew the fungus in the lab and on real human hair, discovering it creates thick slime-like protective layers containing proteins, sugars, and DNA. The fungus also produces enzymes that break down keratin (the main protein in skin and hair) and activates drug-pumping proteins that help it resist antifungal medications. Understanding these defense mechanisms could help develop better treatments for fungal skin infections that are currently difficult to cure.

Research Keyword: extracellular matrix