Potassium and calcium channels in different nerve cells act as therapeutic targets in neurological disorders

The central nervous system, information integration center of the body, is mainly composed of neurons and glial cells. The neuron is one of the most basic and important structural and functional units of the central nervous system, with sensory stimulation and excitation conduction functions. Astrocytes and microglia belong to the glial cell family, which is the main source of cytokines and represents the main defense system of the central nervous system. Nerve cells undergo neurotransmission or gliotransmission, which regulates neuronal activity via the ion channels, receptors, or transporters expressed on nerve cell membranes. Ion channels, composed of large transmembrane proteins, play crucial roles in maintaining nerve cell homeostasis. These channels are also important for control of the membrane potential and in the secretion of neurotransmitters. A variety of cellular functions and life activities, including functional regulation of the central nervous system, the generation and conduction of nerve excitation, the occurrence of receptor potential, heart pulsation, smooth muscle peristalsis, skeletal muscle contraction, and hormone secretion, are closely related to ion channels associated with passive transmembrane transport. Two types of ion channels in the central nervous system, potassium channels and calcium channels, are closely related to various neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and epilepsy. Accordingly, various drugs that can affect these ion channels have been explored deeply to provide new directions for the treatment of these neurological disorders. In this review, we focus on the functions of potassium and calcium ion channels in different nerve cells and their involvement in neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, depression, epilepsy, autism, and rare disorders. We also describe several clinical drugs that target potassium or calcium channels in nerve cells and could be used to treat these disorders. We concluded that there are few clinical drugs that can improve the pathology these diseases by acting on potassium or calcium ions. Although a few novel ion-channelspecific modulators have been discovered, meaningful therapies have largely not yet been realized. The lack of target-specific drugs, their requirement to cross the blood–brain barrier, and their exact underlying mechanisms all need further attention. This review aims to explain the urgent problems that need research progress and provide comprehensive information aiming to arouse the research community's interest in the development of ion channel-targeting drugs and the identification of new therapeutic targets for that can increase the cure rate of nervous system diseases and reduce the occurrence of adverse reactions in other systems.

Error Analysis of English Pronunciation Acquisition by Chinese Non-English Majors

Chinese non-English majors are a large group of English learners.In the process of English pronunciation acquisition,issues such as incomplete phonological knowledge,transfer of mother tongue,and overgeneralization,lead to confusion of phonemes and stress,misunderstanding of syllable structure,and errors of assimilation,drop,and epenthesis.The accuracy of English pronunciation can only be improved by knowing both English and Chinese phonological systems,strengthening the teaching of English phonological knowledge,and adopting various phonological training activities.

Integrated analysis of transcriptomic and proteomic data from tree peony(P.ostii)seeds reveals key developmental stages and candidate genes related to oil biosynthesis and fatty acid metabolism

Tree peony(Paeonia section Moutan DC.)seeds are an excellent source of beneficial natural compounds that promote health,and they contain high levels of alpha-linolenic acid(ALA).In recent years,tree peony has been emerging as an oil crop.Therefore,combined analysis of the transcriptome and proteome of tree peony(P.ostii)seeds at 25,32,39,53,67,81,88,95,and 109 days after pollination(DAP)was conducted to better understand the transcriptional and translational regulation of seed development and oil biosynthesis.A total of 38,482 unigenes and 2841 proteins were identified.A total of 26,912 differentially expressed genes(DEGs)and 592 differentially expressed proteins(DEPs)were clustered into three groups corresponding to the rapid growth,seed inclusion enrichment and conversion,and late dehydration and mature stages of seed development.Fifteen lipid metabolism pathways were identified at both the transcriptome and proteome levels.Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that a period of rapid fatty acid biosynthesis occurred at 53–88 DAP.Furthermore,211 genes and 35 proteins associated with the fatty acid metabolism pathway,63 genes and 11 proteins associated with the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids(UFAs),and 115 genes and 24 proteins associated with ALA metabolism were identified.Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 16 putative fatty acid desaturase(FAD)-encoding genes clustered into four FAD groups,eight of which exhibited the highest expression at 53 DAP,suggesting that they play an important role in ALA accumulation.RT-qPCR analysis indicated that the temporal expression patterns of oil biosynthesis genes were largely similar to the RNA-seq results.The expression patterns of fatty acid metabolism-and seed development-related proteins determined by MRM were also highly consistent with the results obtained in the proteomic analysis.Correlation analysis indicated significant differences in the number and abundance of DEGs and DEPs but a high level of consistency in expression patterns and metabolic pathways.The results of the present study represent the first combined transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of tree peony seeds and provide insight into tree peony seed development and oil accumulation.

Breeding and Cultivation Technique of Ditian 6

Ditian 6 is super sweet corn hybrid. Its parents are inbred line 201-2 and 769 respectively. It was certificated by Variety Certification Committee of Shanxi Province in 2013. Ditian 6 participated in regional trials of Shanxi Province in 2010 and 2011. The average fresh ear yield is 14257. 5 kg / ha. Its growth period is 81 d,belonging to the early variety. It has obvious advantages if it is early cultivated. The kernel is yellow,and the quality reaches a high level. In the early or late market,it has significant economic benefits. The variety has strong resistance to disease and adversity,with wide adaptability,high and stable yield. It can be planted in the areas where accumulated temperature is above 2300℃.

Glutamate-releasing BEST1 channel is a new target for neuroprotection against ischemic stroke with wide time window

Many efforts have been made to understand excitotoxicity and develop neuroprotectants for the therapy of ischemic stroke.The narrow treatment time window is still to be solved.Given that the ischemic core expanded over days,treatment with an extended time window is anticipated.Bestrophin1(BEST1)belongs to a bestrophin family of calcium-activated chloride channels.We revealed an increase in neuronal BEST1 expression and function within the peri-infarct from 8 to 48 h after ischemic stroke in mice.Interfering the protein expression or inhibiting the channel function of BEST1 by genetic manipulation displayed neuroprotective effects and improved motor functional deficits.Using electrophysiological recordings,we demonstrated that extrasynaptic glutamate release through BEST1 channel resulted in delayed excitotoxicity.Finally,we confirmed the therapeutic efficacy of pharmacological inhibition of BEST1 during 6—72 h post-ischemia in rodents.This delayed treatment prevented the expansion of infarct volume and the exacerbation of neurological functions.Our study identifies the glutamatereleasing BEST1 channel as a potential therapeutic target against ischemic stroke with a wide time window.