Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 (ICAM-1): An Inflammatory Regulator with Potential Implications in Ferroptosis and Parkinson's Disease.

Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1/CD54), a transmembrane glycoprotein, has been considered as one of the most important adhesion molecules during leukocyte recruitment. It is encoded by the gene and plays a central role in inflammation. Its crucial role in many inflammatory diseases such as ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis are well established.

A Haplotype-resolved, Chromosome-scale Genome for Malus domestica Borkh. 'WA 38'.

Genome sequencing for agriculturally important Rosaceous crops has made rapid progress both in completeness and annotation quality. Whole genome sequence and annotation gives breeders, researchers, and growers information about cultivar specific traits such as fruit quality and disease resistance, and informs strategies to enhance postharvest storage. Here we present a haplotype-phased, chromosomal level genome of Malus domestica, 'WA 38', a new apple cultivar released to market in 2017 as Cosmic Crisp®.

Iron toxicity, ferroptosis and microbiota in Parkinson's disease: Implications for novel targets.

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Iron (Fe)-dependent programmed cell death known as ferroptosis, plays a crucial role in the etiology and progression of PD. Since SNpc is particularly vulnerable to Fe toxicity, a central role for ferroptosis in the etiology and progression of PD is envisioned.

COVID-19-associated Coagulopathy: Role of Vitamins D and K.

Recent reports show coagulopathy as a potential complication and poorer outcome of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), especially in those with comorbid conditions such as diabetes and hypertension as thrombosis could result in stroke and heart attacks. Indeed, cardiovascular complications in COVID-19 account for 40% of mortality. Although there is no standard treatment protocol or guidelines for COVID-19, it is a common practice to use anti-inflammatory corticosteroids and anti-coagulants, especially for severe COVID-19 patients.

Therapeutic Potential of Flavonoids and Zinc in COVID-19.

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a devastating global pandemic. Although control of inflammation and supportive care is a common practice, effective and safe disease-modifying or preventive treatments are not yet available. Recent studies demonstrate that small natural molecules belonging to polyphenol family can interfere with various stages of coronavirus entry and replication.

Guiding Ketogenic Diet with Breath Acetone Sensors.

Ketogenic diet (KD; high fat, low carb) is a standard treatment for obesity, neurological diseases (e.g., refractory epilepsy) and a promising method for athletes to improve their endurance performance.

Modeling of porous filter penneability via image-based stochastic reconstruction of spatial porosity correlations.

A methodology for producing a pore-scale, 3D computational model of porous filter permeability is developed that is based on the analysis of 2D images of the filter matrix and first principles. The computationally reconstructed porous filter model retains statistical details of porosity and the spatial correlations of porosity within the filter and can be used to calculate permeability for either isotropic or 1D anisotropic porous filters. In the isotropic case, validation of the methodology was conducted using 0.

Intramolecular backfolding of the carboxyl-terminal end of MxA protein is a prerequisite for its oligomerization.

Mx proteins are large GTPases, which play a pivotal role in the interferon type I-mediated response against viral infections. The human MxA inhibits the replication of several RNA viruses and is organized in oligomeric structures. Using two different experimental approaches, the mammalian two-hybrid system and an interaction dependent nuclear translocation approach, three domains in the carboxyl-terminal moiety were identified that are involved in the oligomerization of MxA.

Human MxA protein protects mice lacking a functional alpha/beta interferon system against La crosse virus and other lethal viral infections.

The human MxA protein is part of the antiviral state induced by alpha/beta interferon (IFN-alpha/beta). MxA inhibits the multiplication of several RNA viruses in cell culture. However, its antiviral potential in vivo has not yet been fully explored.

Human MxA protein confers resistance to Semliki Forest virus and inhibits the amplification of a Semliki Forest virus-based replicon in the absence of viral structural proteins.

Mx proteins form a small family of interferon (IFN)-induced GTPases with potent antiviral activity against various negative-strand RNA viruses. To examine the antiviral spectrum of human MxA in homologous cells, we stably transfected HEp-2 cells with a plasmid directing the expression of MxA cDNA. HEp-2 cells are permissive for many viruses and are unable to express endogenous MxA in response to IFN.

Adrenomedullary function in depressed patients.

In this paper from the Collaborative Depression Study (CDS)--Biological, a set of data analyses are presented which indicate that depressed states and perhaps depressed mood are associated with a greater activation of the adrenomedullary system than the sympathetic nervous system [as measured by norepinephrine (NE) and normetanephrine excretion]. For the most part this finding of predominant activation of the adrenomedullary system is seen in unipolar and not bipolar patients.

Serotonin function and the mechanism of antidepressant action. Reversal of antidepressant-induced remission by rapid depletion of plasma tryptophan.

Brain serotonin content is dependent on plasma levels of the essential amino acid tryptophan. We investigated the behavioral effects of rapid tryptophan depletion in patients in antidepressant-induced remission. Twenty-one patients who were depressed by DSM-III-R criteria received a 24-hour, 160-mg/d, low-tryptophan diet followed the next morning by a 16-amino acid drink, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled (acute tryptophan depletion and control testing), crossover fashion.

Neuroendocrine and behavioral effects of dietary tryptophan restriction in healthy subjects.

The neuroendocrine and behavioral effects of gradual dietary tryptophan (TRP) depletion, utilizing two magnitudes of a 10-day TRP-restriction diet (700 mg/day and 200 mg/day), were studied in 22 healthy subjects. The prolactin response to a 7 gm L-TRP infusion was measured prior to and on day 10 of the diet. Both diets significantly reduced fasting total plasma TRP by 15 to 20%, but only the 200 mg/day TRP diet led to an enhancement of the prolactin response to intravenous L-TRP.

Abrupt discontinuation of tricyclic antidepressant drugs: evidence for noradrenergic hyperactivity.

The effect of abrupt discontinuation of amitriptyline, desipramine, or imipramine) on norepinephrine turnover and specific symptoms in seven depressed patients was examined. Turnover, as determined by plasma and urinary 3 methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylethylene glycol (MHPG), was increased to a peak during the second week following discontinuation. There were no changes in blood pressure or heart rate.

The occurrence of free vs. conjugated MHPG in non-human and human primate brain.

It has been found that in the brain of the non-human primate (Macaca arctoides) MHPG occurs principally if not exclusively in the free rather than the conjugated form. It has also been found that in all areas of human brain examined MHPG is present in the free form rather than the conjugated form. The quantity of free MHPG present in various structures of human brain ranged from 46.