Differential toxic and antiepileptic features of Vigabatrin raceme and its enantiomers.

Background: The study aimed to investigate the potential pharmacological and toxicological differences between Vigabatrin (VGB) and its enantiomers S-VGB and R-VGB. The researchers focused on the toxic effects and antiepileptic activity of these compounds in a rat model.

Methods: The epileptic rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of kainic acid, and the antiepileptic activity of VGB, S-VGB, and VGB was observed, focusing on the improvements in seizure latency, seizure frequency and sensory, motor, learning and memory deficits in epileptic rats, as well as the hippocampal expression of key molecular associated with synaptic plasticity and the Wnt/β-catenin/GSK 3β signaling pathway.

Potential role of 25(OH)D insufficiency in the dysfunction of glycolipid metabolism and cognitive impairment in patients with T2DM.

Purpose: To investigate the changes of plasma 25(OH)D levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and explore its role in the dysfunction of glucose and lipid metabolism and cognition.

Methods: One hundred and thirty-two T2DM patients were enrolled and the demographic and clinical data were collected. The plasma concentration of 25(OH)D was detected and the patients were divided into two groups including a Vitamin D insufficient (VDI) group and a normal VD group according to the clinical diagnostic criterial of VDI with the plasma 25(OH)D level less than 29 ng/mL.

Resveratrol ameliorates learning and memory impairments induced by bilateral hippocampal injection of streptozotocin in mice.

Resveratrol (RES) is a polyphenol with diverse beneficial pharmacological activities, and our previous results have demonstrated its neuroprotective potential. The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of RES in Alzheimer's disease (AD)-like behavioral dysfunction induced by streptozotocin (STZ) and explore it's potential mechanism of action. STZ was microinjected bilaterally into the dorsal hippocampus of C57BL/6J mice at a dose of 3 mg/kg, and RES was administered intragastrically at a dose of 25 mg/kg for 5 weeks.

Predictive Role of Executive Function in the Efficacy of Intermittent Theta Burst Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Modalities for Treating Methamphetamine Use Disorder-A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has therapeutic effects on craving in methamphetamine (METH) use disorder (MUD). The chronic abuse of METH causes impairments in executive function, and improving executive function reduces relapse and improves treatment outcomes for drug use disorder. The purpose of this study was to determine whether executive function helped predict patients' responses to rTMS treatment.

Modulation of the electronic band structure of silicene by polar two-dimensional substrates.

Using the density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we find that  Janus group-III chalcogenide monolayers can serve as a suitable substrate for silicene, and the Dirac electron band properties of silicene are also fully preserved. The maximum opened band gap can reach 179 meV at the Dirac point due to the interaction of silicene and the polar two-dimensional (2D) substrate. In addition, the electronic band structure of the heterostructure can be modulated by applying an electric field where its predicted band gap increases or decreases according to the direction of the applied external electric field.

Hexagonal layered group IV-VI semiconductors and derivatives: fresh blood of the 2D family.

New phases of group IV-VI semiconductors in 2D hexagonal structures are predicted and their unusual physical properties are revealed. The structures of monolayer group IV-VI semiconductors are similar to those of blue phosphorene and each unit has the same ten valence electrons. The band gap of 2D hexagonal group IV-VI semiconductors depends on both the thickness and stacking order.

Highly Tunable Electronic Structures of Phosphorene/Carbon Nanotube Heterostructures through External Electric Field and Atomic Intercalation.

Black phosphorene (BP)/carbon nanotube (CNT) heterostructures can be classified as either type I or II, depending on the size of the CNTs. An external electric field (E) can modulate the interfacial electronic structures and separate the electron and hole carriers of the BP/CNT heterostructures. The giant Stark effect is observed, and the band gap of the semiconducting heterostructures can vary several-fold.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms associated with susceptibility to high altitude pulmonary edema in Chinese railway construction workers at Qinghai-Tibet over 4 500 meters above sea level.

Objective: To examine whether the polymorphisms of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene are associated with the susceptibility to high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) in Chinese railway construction workers at Qinghai-Tibet where the altitude is over 4 500 m above sea level.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted including 149 HAPE patients in the construction workers and 160 healthy controls randomly recruited from their co-workers, matching the patients in ethnicity, age, sex, lifestyle, and working conditions. Three polymorphisms of eNOS gene, T-786C in promoter, 894G/T in exon 7, and 27bp variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) in intron 4, were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and confirmed with DNA sequencing.

Molecular characterization of a phospholipid-hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase from the bumblebee Bombus ignitus.

Phospholipid-hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx or GPx4; EC 1.11.1.

Genetic interaction of Hsp70 family genes polymorphisms with high-altitude pulmonary edema among Chinese railway constructors at altitudes exceeding 4000 meters.

Background: High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is thought of as an independent clinical disorder with a constitutional or genetic component in its etiology. We focused on 5 common polymorphisms within HSPA1A (rs1043618 and rs1008438), HSPA1B (rs1061581 and rs539689) and HSPA1L (rs2227956) of Hsp70 family to explore their potential interaction upon susceptibility to HAPE in Chinese.

Methods: A total of 148 HAPE patients and 483 matched controls were recruited during the construction of Qinghai-Tibet railway from 2001 to 2006.

Functional role of aspartic proteinase cathepsin D in insect metamorphosis.

Background: Metamorphosis is a complex, highly conserved and strictly regulated development process that involves the programmed cell death of obsolete larval organs. Here we show a novel functional role for the aspartic proteinase cathepsin D during insect metamorphosis.

Results: Cathepsin D of the silkworm Bombyx mori (BmCatD) was ecdysone-induced, differentially and spatially expressed in the larval fat body of the final instar and in the larval gut of pupal stage, and its expression led to programmed cell death.

Molecular cloning, expression, and enzymatic activity of a novel endogenous cellulase from the mulberry longicorn beetle, Apriona germari.

A novel endogenous beta-1,4-endoglucanase (Ag-EGase III) gene belonging to the glycoside hydrolase family (GHF) 5 was cloned from the mulberry longicorn beetle, Apriona germari. The Ag-EGase III gene spans 1061 bp and consists of a single exon coding for 325 amino acid residues. The Ag-EGase III showed 89% protein sequence identity to another beetle, Psacothea hilaris, cellulase belonging to GHF 5.

N-linked glycosylation of a beetle (Apriona germari) cellulase Ag-EGase II is necessary for enzymatic activity.

We previously reported that the beta-1,4-endoglucanase (EGase) belonging to glycoside hydrolase family (GHF) 45 of the mulberry longicorn beetle, Apriona germari (Ag-EGase II), has three potential N-linked glycosylation sites; these sites are located at amino acid residues 56-59 (NKSG), 99-102 (NSTF), and 237-239 (NYSstop). In the present study, we analyze the functional role of these potential N-linked glycosylation sites. Tunicamycin treatment completely abolished the enzymatic activity of Ag-EGase II.

N-glycosylation is necessary for enzymatic activity of a beetle (Apriona germari) cellulase.

We previously reported that the beta-1,4-endoglucanase (EGase) belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 45 cloned from the mulberry longicorn beetle, Apriona germari (Ag-EGase I), is composed of 237 amino acid residues and has a potential N-glycosylation site at 97-100 amino acid residues (NSTF). We here describe the N-glycosylation and its role for enzymatic activity of the Ag-EGase I. The N-glycosylation of Ag-EGase I was revealed by the treatment of tunicamycin to the recombinant virus-infected insect Sf9 cells and by endoglycosidase F to the purified recombinant Ag-EGase I, demonstrating that the carbohydrate moieties are not necessary for secretion but essential for Ag-EGase I enzyme activity.