ACE2, the Receptor that Enables Infection by SARS-CoV-2: Biochemistry,Structure, Allostery and Evaluation of the Potential Development of ACE2 Modulators

Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the human receptor that interacts with the spike protein of coronaviruses, including the one that produced the 2020 coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). Thus, ACE2 is a potential target for drugs that disrupt the interaction of human cells with SARS-CoV-2 to abolish infection. There is also interest in drugs that inhibit or activate ACE2, that is, for cardiovascular disorders or colitis. Compounds binding at alternative sites could allosterically affect the interaction with the spike protein. Herein, we review biochemical, chemical biology, and structural information on ACE2, including the recent cryoEM structures of full-length ACE2. We conclude that ACE2 is very dynamic and that allosteric drugs could be developed to target ACE2. At the time of the 2020 pandemic, we suggest that available ACE2 inhibitors or activators in advanced development should be tested for their ability to allosterically displace the interaction between ACE2 and the spike protein.     

Influence of the Temperature on Coccolith-Containing Systems from Emiliania huxleyi Cultivations

Thermogravimetric analysis of a coccolith-containing biogenic broth showed a three-step degradation process. According to this system behavior, the biogenic broth was heated to specific temperatures and characterized in terms of its morphology, surface chemistry, and crystallinity. The elemental and organic composition of the treated samples was also evaluated and compared to the reference material. The presented results were acquired in an effort to exploit pretreatment scenarios for such a biogenic system that would improve and support a separation process.     

Men, medicine and machines

PURPOSE: To examine the management and possible causes of primary valve malfunction of the Krupin eye valve with disk. METHODS: The authors reviewed the results of 113 patients undergoing implantation of the Krupin eye valve with disk and identified eight patients with primary valve malfunction requiring surgical revision. RESULTS: Valve revision involved manipulation (n = 1 case), explantation of the malfunctioning valve and implantation of a new valve (n = 2), and amputation of the valve (n = 5). Six of eight patients had final intraocular pressures of < 21 mmHg on one or no medications at a mean interval of 15.9 months (range 5-36) after surgical revision. Transient postoperative hypotony was noted in three patients and chronic hypotony with loss of light perception in one patient. One explanted valve was examined and found to have partially fused leaflets. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical revision in cases of primary valve malfunction of the Krupin eye valve with disk may be accomplished relatively safely with an acceptable level of postoperative complications. The etiology of primary valve malfunction may be related to the sterilization process and prolonged storage before implantation.     

The social consequences of expressive suppression.

At times, people keep their emotions from showing during social interactions. The authors' analysis suggests that such expressive suppression should disrupt communication and increase stress levels. To test this hypothesis, the authors conducted 2 studies in which unacquainted pairs of women discussed an upsetting topic. In Study 1, one member of each pair was randomly assigned to (a) suppress her emotional behavior, (b) respond naturally, or (c) cognitively reappraise in a way that reduced emotional responding. Suppression alone disrupted communication and magnified blood pressure responses in the suppressors' partners. In Study 2, suppression had a negative impact on the regulators' emotional experience and increased blood pressure in both regulators and their partners. Suppression also reduced rapport and inhibited relationship formation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Inorganic–organic hybrid materials with zirconium oxoclusters as protective coatings on aluminium alloys

Inorganic–organic hybrid materials are attracting a strong scientific interest mainly for their outstanding inherent mechanical and thermal properties, which can be traced back to the intimate coupling of both inorganic and organic components. By carefully choosing the experimental parameters used for their synthesis, chemically and thermally stable acrylate-based hybrid material embedding the zirconium oxocluster Zr₄O₄(OMc)₁₂, where OMcCH₂C(CH₃)C(O)O, can be deposited as UV-cured films on aluminium alloys.

In particular, the molar ratios between the oxocluster and the monomer, the polymerisation time, the amount of photo-initiator and the deposition conditions, by using an home-made spray-coating equipment, were optimised in order to obtain the best performing layers in terms of transparency and hardness to coat aluminium alloy (AA1050, AA6060 and AA2024) sheets. Furthermore, it was also evaluated whether the hybrid coatings behave as barrier to corrosion.

Several coated samples were prepared and characterised. Environmental scanning electronic microscopy (ESEM) and scratch test were used to investigate the morphology of the films and to evaluate their scratch resistance, respectively. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was performed in order to evaluate if the coatings actually protect the metallic substrate from corrosion.

In order to measure shear storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) of the materials used for coatings, bulk samples were also obtained by UV-curing of the precursors solution. Dynamical mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) was performed in shear mode on cured disks of both the hybrid materials and pristine polymer for comparison. The values of T_g were read off as the temperatures of peak of loss modulus. The length and mass of all the samples were measured before and after the DMTA analysis, so that the shrinkage of the materials in that temperature range was exactly evaluated.     

Prevalence of weight reducing and weight gaining in adolescent girls and boys.

Surveyed the prevalence of weight reducing and weight gaining in 1,373 high school students. 63% of the girls and 16.2% of the boys reported being on weight-reducing regimens; 9.1% of the girls and 28.4% of the boys were trying to gain weight. Most female reducers and male gainers were already normal weight. Whites and Hispanics were more likely to be reducing, whereas Blacks were more likely to be gaining. Exercise and moderate caloric reduction were most popular for weight reducing, and a small but significant number were regularly using fasting, vomiting, laxatives, and appetite suppressants. The rate of weight reducing in female high school adolescents has increased significantly since similar surveys of American youths 20 yrs ago. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Fetus-in-fetu with malignant recurrence

Fetus-in-fetu is an unusual condition in which a vertebrate fetus is enclosed within the abdomen of another fetus. These occurrences are usually benign. This report describes an instance of malignant recurrence after resection of a fetus-in-fetu.