Native Mass Spectrometry of Membrane Protein-Lipid Interactions in Different Detergent Environments.

Native mass spectrometry (MS) reveals the role of specific lipids in modulating membrane protein structure and function. Membrane proteins solubilized in detergents are often introduced into the mass spectrometer. However, detergents commonly used for structural studies, such as dodecylmaltoside, tend to generate highly charged ions, leading to protein unfolding, thereby diminishing their utility in characterizing protein-lipid interactions.

Native mass spectrometry of membrane protein-lipid interactions in different detergent environments.

Native mass spectrometry (MS) is revealing the role of specific lipids in modulating membrane protein structure and function. Membrane proteins solubilized in detergents are often introduced into the mass spectrometer; however, commonly used detergents for structural studies, such as dodecylmaltoside, tend to generate highly charged ions, leading to protein unfolding, thereby diminishing their utility for characterizing protein-lipid interactions. Thus, there is a critical need to develop approaches to investigate protein-lipid interactions in different detergents.

Polyamine detergents tailored for native mass spectrometry studies of membrane proteins.

Native mass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful technique for interrogating membrane protein complexes and their interactions with other molecules. A key aspect of the technique is the ability to preserve native-like structures and noncovalent interactions, which can be challenging depending on the choice of detergent. Different strategies have been employed to reduce charge on protein complexes to minimize activation and preserve non-covalent interactions.

Step toward Probing the Nonannular Belt of Membrane Proteins.

Integral membrane proteins are embedded in the biological membrane, where they carry out numerous biological processes. Although lipids present in the membrane are crucial for membrane protein function, it remains difficult to characterize many lipid binding events to membrane proteins, such as those that form the annular belt. Here, we use native mass spectrometry along with the charge-reducing properties of trimethylamine -oxide (TMAO) to characterize a large number of lipid binding events to the bacterial ammonia channel (AmtB).

Impact of Medicaid Expansion on Incidence and Mortality from Gastric and Esophageal Cancer.

Background And Aims: Individuals in Medicaid expanded states have increased access to treatment for medical conditions and other health care resources. Esophageal and gastric cancer are associated with several modifiable risk factors (e.g.

Language matters: humanizing service robots through the use of language during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unlabelled: Service robots are emerging quickly in the marketplace (e.g., in hotels, restaurants, and healthcare), especially as COVID-19-related health concerns and social distancing guidelines have affected people's desire and ability to interact with other humans.

Entropy in the Molecular Recognition of Membrane Protein-Lipid Interactions.

Understanding the molecular driving forces that underlie membrane protein-lipid interactions requires the characterization of their binding thermodynamics. Here, we employ variable-temperature native mass spectrometry to determine the thermodynamics of lipid binding events to the human G-protein-gated inward rectifier potassium channel, Kir3.2.

Markov chains for modeling complex luminescence, absorption, and scattering in nanophotonic systems.

We developed a method to model fluorescence, absorption, and scattering in nanophotonic systems using ergodic Markov chains. Past works have used absorbing Markov chains to find the long-run angle-dependent distribution of emitted photons. In contrast, we use ergodic Markov chains to focus on the steady state distribution of photons within various media, giving additional insight into the macroscopic optical response during illumination.

Impact of Medicaid Expansion on Liver-Related Mortality.

Background & Aims: The Affordable Care Act provided the opportunity for states to expand Medicaid for low-income individuals. Not all states adopted Medicaid expansion, and the timing of adoption among expansion states varied. Prior studies have shown that Medicaid expansion improved mortality rates for several chronic conditions.

Liver Damage due to Hypervitaminosis.

Dietary supplements are unregulated medications that can lead to serious liver injury. Despite this, many people take vitamin supplements believing they are safe because they do not require prescriptions. We are reporting a case of an African American man who took large doses of vitamin supplements leading to noncirrhotic portal hypertension.

An open-label study on the effect of flax seed powder (Linum usitatissimum) supplementation in the management of diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by hyperglycemia and associated with aberrations in the metabolism of carbohydrate, protein, and lipid that result in development of secondary complications. Extensive studies have indicated that nutritional therapy plays a pivotal role in the controlling or postponing of development of these secondary complications. Several functional foods have been shown to possess hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties.

MicroRNA signature of cis-platin resistant vs. cis-platin sensitive ovarian cancer cell lines.

Background: Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancer in women worldwide. According to the National Cancer Institute, ovarian cancer has the highest mortality rate among all the reproductive cancers in women. Advanced stage diagnosis and chemo/radio-resistance is a major obstacle in treating advanced ovarian cancer.

An open label study on the supplementation of Gymnema sylvestre in type 2 diabetics.

Diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, and associated with long-term damage and dysfunction of various organs. Management of diabetes is therefore vital and involves maintaining euglycemia as much as possible by reducing blood glucose and by increasing insulin sensitivity and peripheral glucose uptake. Ayurveda has promoted the management of diabetes by regulating carbohydrate metabolism using several medicinal herbs, one of which is Gymnema sylvestre (GS).