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There are a number of therapeutic targets to treat organ fibrosis that are under investigation in preclinical models. There is increasing evidence that stimulation of the angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) is a novel anti-fibrotic strategy and we have reviewed the published in vivo preclinical data relating to the effects of compound 21 (C21), which is the only nonpeptide AT2R agonist that is currently available for use in chronic preclinical studies. In particular, the differential influence of AT2R on extracellular matrix status in various preclinical fibrotic models is discussed. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that pharmacological AT2R stimulation using C21 decreases organ fibrosis, which has been most studied in the setting of cardiovascular and renal disease. In addition, AT2R-mediated anti-inflammatory effects may contribute to the beneficial AT2R-mediated anti-fibrotic effects seen in preclinical models.

The multiwavelength anomalous dispersion (MAD) method is used to solve the phase problem for an inverted hexagonal phase of a phospholipid with brominated chains. The analysis has shown that the lipid chains pack the hexagonal unit cell at constant volume per chain, with no detectable effect from a high-energy interstitial region.

The antimicrobial cyclic peptide, RTD-1, exhibits two physically distinct states of binding to lipid bilayers as shown by circular dichroism and X-ray lamellar diffraction techniques. However, RTD-1 shows differences in the nature of transition between the two states in contrast with other antimicrobial peptides. RTD-1 induced membrane thinning depends on the peptide-to-lipid-ratio.

A two-state model for the action of antimicrobial peptides has been developed. It explains the action of helical and beta-sheet antimicrobial peptides after they bind to the plasma membranes of cells and gives reasonable explanations for the finding that susceptibility of different bacteria to a peptide is not directly correlated to its binding affinity. It also is relevant to the killing by certain peptides of certain pathogens and to the exhibiting by peptides of varying levels of lytic activity against different eukaryotic cells.

A study of lipid bilayers that contain antimicrobial peptide protegrin-1 is presented. The usage of lamellar X-ray diffraction is discussed.

The properties of the beta-type antimicrobial peptide protegrin-1 were investigated. Protegrin-1 was analyzed in aligned lipid bilayers using oriented circular dichroism (OCD) and shown to exhibit two significantly distinct OCD spectra as a function of lipid composition, hydration condition and peptide concentration. These two distinct spectra allow the easy determination of the state of the peptide in aligned multilayers. However, the structural basis of the spectra cannot be determined due to lack of a theoretical approach.

In-plane neutron scattering analysis indicated the presence of pores that is formed in the cytoplasmic membrane by the antimicrobial 23-residue peptide, magainin. Magainin forms transient pores due to a fluctuation phenomenon during the adsorption of magainin in the membrane surface ar low protein concentrations. The pores also act as regulators of magainin-mediated adsorption in the head group region of the cytoplasmic membrane during channel formation.

A neutron in-plane scattering technique indicates that alamethicin forms pores in lipid bilayers. Antimicrobial peptides from the host defense systems of animals act on the lipid bilayer of cell membranes. The mechanism of antimicrobial action probably involves the formation of pores. The pore formation reaches an equilibrium state after the insertion of a major portion of the peptide. The adsorption of the peptide increases with an increase in concentrations of the peptide.

Construction projects inevitably encounter adversities that threaten their functionality and performance. Understanding the enhancement of project resilience, especially in extreme situations like the COVID-19 pandemic, is crucial. This study introduces a theoretical model to explore how partnering and boundary activities among project stakeholders influence project resilience, and in turn, impact project performance. Based on data gathered from a questionnaire survey involving 172 construction projects in China, the results indicate that project resilience directly and positively affects project performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Partnering and boundary activities emerge as primary determinants of project resilience. They not only directly impact project resilience and performance, but their impact on project resilience also indirectly influences project performance. The findings offer valuable theoretical and practical insights into the improvement of project resilience through effective boundary activities and partnering.