Two C-terminal isoforms of Aplysia tachykinin-related peptide receptors exhibit phosphorylation-dependent and phosphorylation-independent desensitization mechanisms.

Diversity, a hallmark of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling, partly stems from alternative splicing of a single gene generating more than one isoform for a receptor. Additionally, receptor responses to ligands can be attenuated by desensitization upon prolonged or repeated ligand exposure. Both phenomena have been demonstrated and exemplified by the deuterostome tachykinin signaling system, although the role of phosphorylation in desensitization remains a subject of debate.

Mechanisms for the biological activity of Gastrodia elata Blume and its constituents: A comprehensive review on sedative-hypnotic, and antidepressant properties.

Background: Insomnia and depressive disorder are two common symptoms with a reciprocal causal relationship in clinical practice, which are usually manifested in comorbid form. Several medications have been widely used in the treatment of insomnia and depression, but most of these drugs show non-negligible side effects. Currently, many treatments are indicated for insomnia and depressive symptom, including Chinese herbal medicine such as Gastrodia elata Blume (G.

Novel ligustilide derivatives target quorum sensing system LasR/LasB and relieve inflammatory response against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.

The increasing antibiotic resistance driven by Pseudomonas aeruginosa typically leads to uncontrolled and persistent inflammatory damage, which is primarily attributed to the virulence and biofilms produced by the bacteria. Herein, we present a novel anti-infective drug strategy designed to inhibit the bacterial quorum sensing system, thereby attenuating P. aeruginosa virulence, and modulating inflammation from drug-resistant bacterial infections.

Novel Coumarin Derivatives Inhibit the Quorum Sensing System and Iron Homeostasis as Antibacterial Synergists against .

() is well-known to cause biofilm-associated drug resistance and infections that often lead to treatment failure. Herein, we reported a dual-acting antibiofilm strategy by inhibiting both the bacterial quorum sensing system and the iron uptake system. A series of coumarin derivatives were synthesized and evaluated, and compound was identified as the most effective biofilm inhibitor (IC = 3.

Molecular Characterization of Two Wamide Neuropeptide Signaling Systems in Mollusk .

Neuropeptides with the C-terminal Wamide (Trp-NH) are one of the last common ancestors of peptide families of eumetazoans and play various physiological roles. In this study, we sought to characterize the ancient Wamide peptides signaling systems in the marine mollusk , i.e.

AI protein structure prediction-based modeling and mutagenesis of a protostome receptor and peptide ligands reveal key residues for their interaction.

The protostome leucokinin (LK) signaling system, including LK peptides and their G protein-coupled receptors, has been characterized in several species. Despite the progress, molecular mechanisms governing LK peptide-receptor interactions remain to be elucidated. Previously, we identified a precursor protein for Aplysia leucokinin-like peptides (ALKs) that contains the greatest number of amidated peptides among LK precursors in all species identified so far.

CDC Like Kinase 2 plays an oncogenic role in colorectal cancer via modulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality, and significant heterogeneity among patients. In this study, we aimed to explore the role and mechanism of CLK2 in CRC, a kinase that phosphorylates SR proteins involved in splicing. Based on the analysis from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset and tissue microarray, we found that CLK2 was upregulated in CRC tissues and associated with a higher tumor stage and poorer overall survival.

Identification of an allatostatin C signaling system in mollusc Aplysia.

Neuropeptides, as pervasive intercellular signaling molecules in the CNS, modulate a variety of behavioral systems in both protostomes and deuterostomes. Allatostatins are neuropeptides in arthropods that inhibit the biosynthesis of juvenile hormones. Based on amino acid sequences, they are divided into three different types in arthropods: allatostatin A, allatostatin B, allatostatin C.

Outcomes of atrial fibrillation in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Recently, emerging evidence has suggested that atrial fibrillation (AF) has an epidemiological correlation with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the clinical outcomes of AF in COVID-19 remain inconsistent and inconclusive. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive description of the impact of AF on the prognosis of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Association Between Dietary Iron Intake and Serum Ferritin and Severe Headache or Migraine.

Dietary iron intake and serum ferritin in relation to severe headache or migraine remain largely unknown. Therefore, we investigated the associations between dietary iron intake and serum ferritin with severe headache or migraine among American adults. This cross-sectional study included 7,880 adults (≥20 years) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) of America from 1999 to 2004.

Helping Roles of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Screening and Evaluation of COVID-19 Based on the CT Images.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the role of the AI system which was designed and developed based on the characteristics of COVID-19 CT images in the screening and evaluation of COVID-19.

Methods: The research team adopted an improved U-shaped neural network to segment lungs and pneumonia lesions in CT images through multilayer convolution iterations. Then the appropriate 159 cases were selected to establish and train the model, and Dice loss function and Adam optimizer were used for network training with the initial learning rate of 0.

Dietary Intake of Calcium and Magnesium in Relation to Severe Headache or Migraine.

Migraine is a common neurological disorder and is affected by nutrients. Calcium and magnesium are essential minerals that play an important role in nerve function. So we investigated the association between dietary calcium and magnesium and migraine.

Comparison of the clinical efficacy of different fixation systems for the treatment of transverse patellar fractures.

Purpose: This study was designed to compare the clinical efficacy of "8" and "0" wire fixation systems combined with double-head cannulated compression screws or Kirschner wires for the treatment of transverse patellar fractures.

Methods: From September 2011 to September 2018, patients with closed transverse patellar fractures treated with a double-head compression screw or Kirschner wire were included and analyzed retrospectively. Patients with patellar fractures combined with distal femoral fractures, tibial plateau fracture or preoperative lower limb dysfunction were excluded.

Outcomes of new-onset atrial fibrillation in patients with sepsis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 225,841 patients.

Background: The outcomes of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) during sepsis are inconsistent and inconclusive. This meta-analysis aims to provide a comprehensive description of the impact of new-onset AF on the prognosis of sepsis.

Methods: Three electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library) were searched for relevant studies.

Design, synthesis and evaluation of halogenated furanone derivatives as quorum sensing inhibitors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is regulated by a phenomenon of quorum sensing (QS). With 5-hydroxyl-3,4-halogenated-5H-furan-2-ones as beginning, analogs bearing alkyl chains, vinyl bromide, or aromatic rings were designed and synthesized.

Long-term Low-Dose Sucrose May Prevent Migraine: Two Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Pilot Trials.

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of sucrose in the prevention of migraine attacks.

Methods: Two randomized double-blinded pilot trials were conducted, one in college students and one in adults. Migraineurs were randomized into two groups that each received an oral liquid: for students, sucrose 5 g/day (s-group; n = 12) or glucose 2.

Novel 2, 8-bit derivatives of quinolines attenuate Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence and biofilm formation.

Signal molecules are stimulators of multiple quroum-sensing virulence and biofilm formation. Small molecule analogues have been suspected as a potent inhibitor in therapeutic strategy. Herein, we synthesized a series of small molecule compounds from the 2, 8-bit derivatives of quinoline by Suzuki coupling reaction.

Cholecystocolic Fistula Misdiagnosed as Colon Cancer: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Due to the absence of specific symptoms and signs, cholecystocolic fistula is easy to miss as a diagnosis or misdiagnose. CASE REPORT We report a case of an older male patient who had cholecystocolic fistula which was misdiagnosed as colon cancer. The cholecystocolic fistula was incidentally discovered during surgery and was appropriately treated.

[Treatment of habitual dislocation of patella with reconstruction of medial patellofemoral ligament combined with release of lateral retinaculum and medial transfer and advancement of tibial tuberosity under arthroscopy].

Objective: To study clinical effects of triad operation including reconstruction of medial patellofemoral ligament, release of lateral retinaculum, Fulkerson tibial tubercle osteotomy, medial transfer and advancement under arthroscopy for the treatment of habitual dislocation of patella.

Methods: From March 2010 to May 2016, 35 patients with habitual patellar dislocation were treated with the triad operation, including 14 males, 21 females, ranging in age from 18 to 38 years old, with an average of 25.8 years old.

[Postoperative clinical effects of plantar pressure measurement system in treating the first ray hypermobility].

Objective: To explore plantar pressure measurement system in treating the first ray hypermobility.

Methods: From June 2013 to January 2014, 16 female patients (20 feet) with hallux valgus with unstable of the first sequence were treated by first tarsometatarsal joint fusion, aged from 42 to 52 years old with an average of(46.5±2.

A case of multiple myeloma initially presenting as hematemesis.

A few cases of multiple myeloma with gastrointestinal bleeding have been reported, but hematemesis is rarely encountered as an initial symptom of multiple myeloma. Here we report a case of multiple myeloma with an initial symptom of hematemesis. Gastroscopy revealed ulceration in the angulus of the stomach.