GEC1-kappa Opioid Receptor Binding Involves Hydrophobic Interactions GEC1 has Chaperone-Like Effect

We demonstrated previously that the protein GEC1 (glandular epithelial cell 1) bound to the human κ opioid receptor (hKOPR) and promoted cell surface expression of the receptor by facilitating its trafficking along the secretory pathway. Here we showed that three hKOPR residues (Phe345, Pro346, and Met350) and seven GEC1 residues (Tyr49, Val51, Leu55, Thr56, Val57, Phe60, and Ile64) are indispensable for the interaction. Modeling studies revealed that the interaction was mediated via direct contacts between the kinked hydrophobic fragment in hKOPR C-tail and the curved hydrophobic surface in GEC1 around the S2 β-strand. Intramolecular Leu44-Tyr109 interaction in GEC1 was important, likely by maintaining its structural integrity. Microtubule binding mediated by the GEC1 N-terminal domain was essential for the GEC1 effect. Expression of GEC1 also increased cell surface levels of the GluR1 subunit and the prostaglandin EP3.f receptor, which have FPXXM and FPXM sequences, respectively. With its widespread distribution in the nervous system and its predominantly hydrophobic interactions, GEC1 may have chaperone-like effects for many cell surface proteins along the biosynthesis pathway

Effects of Billet-Making Methods on Volatile Flavor Components of Sanhua Plum Fruit Billets Based on Headspace-Gas Chromatography-Ion Mobility Spectroscopy and Electronic Nose

In order to investigate the effect of billet-making methods on the volatile components of the Sanhua plum fruit billets, electronic nose and headspace-gas chromatography-ion mobility spectroscopy (HS-GC-IMS) were used to analyze and compare the volatile components of four groups of samples of salt cured, sulfite mixed salt cured, lactic acid bacteria fermented fruit billets and fresh fruit control. The results showed that both the electronic nose linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and the principal component analysis based on the HS-GC-IMS assay results clearly distinguished the four groups of samples, the flavor characteristics of fresh fruits were significantly changed after different curing treatments, and the differences among fruit blanks samples were significant. HS-GC-IMS detected and identified a total of 49 volatile compounds in four groups of samples, and the high relative contents were mainly alcohols, esters and aldehydes. The relative odor activity value (ROAV) showed significant differences in key flavor substances among the three fruit billets, the lactic acid fermented fruit billet had the highest total peak volume of volatile flavor substances (194760) and the most types of key flavor substances (10), mainly short-chain aldehydes. From the perspective of flavor richness of fruit billets, the flavor quality of fruit billet by lactic acid fermentation was considered to be better. The results of this study provided an useful reference for the selection of the billet-making methods of Sanhua plums

Acupuncture modulates temporal neural responses in wide brain networks: evidence from fMRI study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Accumulating neuroimaging studies in humans have shown that acupuncture can modulate a widely distributed brain network, large portions of which are overlapped with the pain-related areas. Recently, a striking feature of acupuncture-induced analgesia is found to be associated with its long-last effect, which has a delayed onset and gradually reaches a peak even after acupuncture needling being terminated. Identifying temporal neural responses in these areas that occur at particular time -- both acute and sustained effects during acupuncture processes -- may therefore shed lights on how such peripheral inputs are conducted and mediated through the CNS. In the present study, we adopted a non-repeated event-related (NRER) fMRI paradigm and control theory based approach namely change-point analysis in order to capture the detailed temporal profile of neural responses induced by acupuncture.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our findings demonstrated that neural activities at the different stages of acupuncture presented distinct temporal patterns, in which consistently positive neural responses were found during the period of acupuncture needling while much more complex and dynamic activities found during a post-acupuncture period. These brain responses had a significant time-dependent effect which showed different onset time and duration of neural activities. The amygdala and perigenual anterior cingulate cortex (pACC), exhibited increased activities during the needling phase while decreased gradually to reach a peak below the baseline. The periaqueductal gray (PAG) and hypothalamus presented saliently intermittent activations across the whole fMRI session. Apart from the time-dependent responses, relatively persistent activities were also identified in the anterior insula and prefrontal cortices. The overall findings indicate that acupuncture may engage differential temporal neural responses as a function of time in a wide range of brain networks.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our study has provided evidence supporting a view that acupuncture intervention involves complex modulations of temporal neural response, and its effect can gradually resolve as a function of time. The functional specificity of acupuncture at ST36 may involve multiple levels of differential activities of a wide range of brain networks, which are gradually enhanced even after acupuncture needle being terminated.</p

Single-atom tailoring of Li2S to Form Li2S2 for building better lithium-sulfur batteries

The Li2S-based cathodes to couple with Li-free anodes are regarded as a commercially available approach to overcome the safety risk of lithium metal anodes. However, the passivated Li2S instinct leads to a high activation potential in the initial charging process, and the notorious shuttle effect of polysulfide is inevitable upon cell cycling. Here we create a single atom tailoring strategy by comproportionation reactions (Li2S + 1/8S8 = Li2S2) to form the Li2S2 materials without any complex manufacturing process or additives, where the Li2S2 cell enables a lower potential barrier and allows for the 3.0 V activation voltage without any other material modification. Meanwhile, the polar conducting material TaB2 is introduced to restrain the migration of polysulfides, and provide fast redox reaction kinetics. With those ingenious tailoring of cell designs, the Li2S2-TaB2 cell (Li2S2: 88 wt%) exhibits high areal capacity (4.6 mAh/cm2 at 6.0 mg/cm2 Li2S2 loading), excellent cycling stability (500 cycles at 1.6 mA/cm2)

In situ tailored strategy to remove capping agents from copper sulfide for building better lithium–sulfur batteries

Capping agents are frequently used in the chemical synthesis of materials, to precisely tailor the size, shape, and composition, with the expectation of high-performance catalysis. However, the adsorbed capping agents also serve as a physical barrier to restrict the interaction between reactants and catalytically active sites on the material surface. In this article, an in situ tailored interface strategy is introduced for effectively removing capping agents (long-chain oleylamine) from the surface of copper sulfide, to maximize the catalytic activity. The interface long-chain molecules of oleylamine are replaced by the inorganic S2- ion via a facile stirring approach without harsh processing conditions or the need for additional non-commercial materials. The as-cleaned copper sulfide shows greatly enhanced activity toward lithium-sulfur batteries, with an impressive current rate, excellent cycling stability, and great rate capability. These "clean surface"strategies using interface engineering provide a significant insight into the structure-activity relationships to support advancements in electrocatalysis technology in lithium-sulfur batteries. This journal i

Metabolic risk factors of cognitive impairment in young women with major psychiatric disorder

BackgroundCognitive performance improves clinical outcomes of patients with major psychiatric disorder (MPD), but is impaired by hyperglycemia. Psychotropic agents often induce metabolism syndrome (MetS). The identification of modifiable metabolic risk factors of cognitive impairment may enable targeted improvements of patient care.ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between MetS and cognitive impairment in young women with MPD, and to explore risk factors.MethodsWe retrospectively studied women of 18–34 years of age receiving psychotropic medications for first-onset schizophrenia (SCH), bipolar disorder (BP), or major depressive disorder (MDD). Data were obtained at four time points: presentation but before psychotropic medication; 4–8 and 8–12 weeks of psychotropic therapy; and enrollment. MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery, (MCCB)—based Global Deficit Scores were used to assess cognitive impairment. Multiple logistic analysis was used to calculate risk factors. Multivariate models were used to investigate factors associated with cognitive impairment.ResultsWe evaluated 2,864 participants. Cognitive impairment was observed in 61.94% of study participants, and was most prevalent among patients with BP (69.38%). HbA1c within the 8–12 week-treatment interval was the most significant risk factor and highest in BP. Factors in SCH included pre-treatment waist circumference and elevated triglycerides during the 8–12 weeks treatment interval. Cumulative dosages of antipsychotics, antidepressants, and valproate were associated with cognitive impairment in all MPD subgroups, although lithium demonstrated a protect effect (all P &lt; 0.001).ConclusionsCognitive impairment was associated with elevated HbA1c and cumulative medication dosages. Pre-treatment waist circumference and triglyceride level at 8–12 weeks were risk factors in SCH. Monitoring these indices may inform treatment revisions to improve clinical outcomes

GEC1-κ Opioid Receptor Binding Involves Hydrophobic Interactions: GEC1 HAS CHAPERONE-LIKE EFFECT*S⃞

We demonstrated previously that the protein GEC1 (glandular epithelial cell 1) bound to the human κ opioid receptor (hKOPR) and promoted cell surface expression of the receptor by facilitating its trafficking along the secretory pathway. Here we showed that three hKOPR residues (Phe345, Pro346, and Met350) and seven GEC1 residues (Tyr49, Val51, Leu55, Thr56, Val57, Phe60, and Ile64) are indispensable for the interaction. Modeling studies revealed that the interaction was mediated via direct contacts between the kinked hydrophobic fragment in hKOPR C-tail and the curved hydrophobic surface in GEC1 around the S2 β-strand. Intramolecular Leu44-Tyr109 interaction in GEC1 was important, likely by maintaining its structural integrity. Microtubule binding mediated by the GEC1 N-terminal domain was essential for the GEC1 effect. Expression of GEC1 also increased cell surface levels of the GluR1 subunit and the prostaglandin EP3.f receptor, which have FPXXM and FPXM sequences, respectively. With its widespread distribution in the nervous system and its predominantly hydrophobic interactions, GEC1 may have chaperone-like effects for many cell surface proteins along the biosynthesis pathway