Molecular basis for heat desensitization of TRPV1 ion channels.

The transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) ion channel is a prototypical molecular sensor for noxious heat in mammals. Its role in sustained heat response remains poorly understood, because rapid heat-induced desensitization (Dh) follows tightly heat-induced activation (Ah). To understand the physiological role and structural basis of Dh, we carried out a comparative study of TRPV1 channels in mouse (mV1) and those in platypus (pV1), which naturally lacks Dh. Here we show that a temperature-sensitive interaction between the N- and C-terminal domains of mV1 but not pV1 drives a conformational rearrangement in the pore leading to Dh. We further show that knock-in mice expressing pV1 sensed heat normally but suffered scald damages in a hot environment. Our findings suggest that Dh evolved late during evolution as a protective mechanism and a delicate balance between Ah and Dh is crucial for mammals to sense and respond to noxious heat

Sleep apnea syndrome sensing at C-Band

A non-intrusive sleep apnea detection system using a C-Band channel sensing technique is proposed to monitor sleep apnea syndrome in real time. The system utilizes perturbations of RF signals to differentiate between patient's breathing under normal and sleep apnea conditions. The peak distance calculation is used to obtain the respiratory rates. A comparison of the datasets generated by the proposed method and a wearable sensor is made using a concordance correlation coefficient to establish its accuracy. The results show that the proposed sensing technique exhibits high accuracy and robustness, with more than 80% concordance with the wearable breathing sensor. This method is, therefore, a good candidate for the real-time wireless detection of sleep apnea

Recent advances in PEG–PLA block copolymer nanoparticles

Due to their small particle size and large and modifiable surface, nanoparticles have unique advantages compared with other drug carriers. As a research focus in recent years, polyethylene glycol–polylactic acid (PEG–PLA) block copolymer and its end-group derivative nanoparticles can enhance the drug loading of hydrophobic drugs, reduce the burst effect, avoid being engulfed by phagocytes, increase the circulation time of drugs in blood, and improve bioavailability. Additionally, due to their smaller particle size and modified surface, these nanoparticles can accumulate in inflammation or target locations to enhance drug efficacy and reduce toxicity. Recent advances in PEG–PLA block copolymer nanoparticles, including the synthesis of PEG–PLA and the preparation of PEG–PLA nanoparticles, were introduced in this study, in particular the drug release and modifiable characteristics of PEG–PLA nanoparticles and their application in pharmaceutical preparations

Association between waist circumference and chronic pain: insights from observational study and two-sample Mendelian randomization

BackgroundCurrent research offers limited clarity on the correlation between waist circumference and chronic pain prevalence.ObjectiveThis investigation seeks to elucidate the potential relationship between waist circumference and chronic pain and their causal association.MethodsAn observational study was conducted, leveraging data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected between 2001 and 2004. The multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between waist circumference and chronic pain. Furthermore, a meta-analysis of Mendelian Randomization (MR) was applied to explore a causal relationship between waist circumference and pain.ResultsThe observational study, post multivariable adjustment, indicated that an increase in waist circumference by 1 dm (decimeter) correlates with a 14% elevation in chronic pain risk (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.14, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.04–1.24, p = 0.01). Moreover, the meta-analysis of MR demonstrated that an increased waist circumference was associated with a genetic predisposition to pain risk (OR = 1.14, 95%CI: 1.06–1.23, p = 0.0007).ConclusionObservational analysis confirmed a significant relationship between increased waist circumference and the incidence of chronic pain, and results based on MR Study identified increased waist circumference as potentially causal for pain

Gate-Tunable Critical Current of the Three-Dimensional Niobium Nano-Bridge Josephson Junction

Recent studies have shown that the critical currents of several metallic superconducting nanowires and Dayem bridges can be locally tuned using a gate voltage {V_g}. Here, we report a gate-tunable Josephson junction structure constructed from a three-dimensional (3D) niobium nano-bridge junction (NBJ) with a voltage gate on top. Measurements up to 6 K showed that the critical current of this structure can be tuned to zero by increasing {V_g}. The critical gate voltage Vgc was reduced to 16 V and may possibly be reduced further by reducing the thickness of the insulation layer between the gate and the NBJ. Furthermore, the flux modulation generated by Josephson interference of two parallel 3D NBJs can also be tuned using {V_g} in a similar manner. Therefore, we believe that this gate-tunable Josephson junction structure is promising for superconducting circuit fabrication at high integration levels.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figure