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TASK-1 and TASK-3 are functional members of the tandem-pore K+ (K2P) channel family, and mRNAs for both channels are expressed together in many brain regions. Although TASK-1 and TASK-3 subunits are able to form heteromers when their complementary RNAs are injected into oocytes, whether functional heteromers are present in the native tissue is not known. Using cultured cerebellar granule (CG) neurones that express mRNAs of both TASK-1 and TASK-3, we studied the presence of heteromers by comparing the sensitivities of cloned and native K+ channels to extracellular pH (pHo) and ruthenium red. The single-channel conductance of TASK-1, TASK-3 and a tandem construct (TASK-1/TASK-3) expressed in COS-7 cells were 14.2 ± 0.4, 37.8 ± 0.7 and 38.1 ± 0.7 pS (-60 mV), respectively. TASK-3 and TASK-1/TASK-3 (and TASK-3/TASK-1) displayed nearly identical single-channel kinetics. TASK-3 and TASK-l/ TASK-3 expressed in COS-7 cells were inhibited by 26 ± 4 and 36 ± 2%, respectively, when pHo was changed from 8.3 to 7.3. In outside-out patches from CG neurones, the K+ channel with single channel properties similar to those of TASK-3 was inhibited by 31 ± 7% by the same reduction in pHo. TASK-3 and TASK- 1/TASK-3 expressed in COS-7 cells were inhibited by 78 ± 7 and 3 ± 4%, respectively, when µM ruthenium red was applied to outside-out patches. In outside-out patches from CG neurones containing a 38 pS channel, two types of responses to ruthenium red were observed. Ruthenium red inhibited the channel activity by 77 ± 5% in 42% of patches (range: 72-82%) and by 5 ± 4% (range: 0-9%) in 58% of patches. When patches contained more than three 38 pS channels, the average response to ruthenium red was 47 ± 6% inhibition (n = 5). These electrophysiological studies show that native 38 pS K+ channels of the TASK family in... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author discusses the potential endocytosis as another pathway in receptor Gq-TASK signalling. He cites a study which indicates that muscarine can cause a rapid, clathrin-mediated endocytosis which was dependent on protein kinase C (PKC). The author explains the outcome of the study and suggests the need for investigators to repeat studies using more than one cell type to show pathways in receptor-Gq-TASK signalling and indeed cell type specific.

Highlights from the article: Keywords: energy-storage electrodes; flexible electrodes; layer-by-layer assembly; room-temperature metallic fusion; tetraoctylammonium thiosulfate-stabilized silver nanoparticles In article number 1806584, Seung Woo Lee, Jinhan Cho, and co-workers report a room-temperature metallic fusion-induced layer-by-layer assembly that can produce highly flexible paper electrodes with bulk-metal like electrical conductivity. Energy-storage electrodes, flexible electrodes, layer-by-layer assembly, room-temperature metallic fusion, tetraoctylammonium thiosulfate-stabilized silver nanoparticles.

To fabricate flexible electrodes, conventional silver (Ag) nanomaterials have been deposited onto flexible substrates, but the formed electrodes display limited electrical conductivity due to residual bulky organic ligands, and thus postsintering processes are required to improve the electrical conductivity. Herein, an entirely different approach is introduced to produce highly flexible electrodes with bulk metal–like electrical conductivity: the room‐temperature metallic fusion of multilayered silver nanoparticles (NPs). Synthesized tetraoctylammonium thiosulfate (TOAS)‐stabilized Ag NPs are deposited onto flexible substrates by layer‐by‐layer assembly involving a perfect ligand‐exchange reaction between bulky TOAS ligands and small tris(2‐aminoethyl)amine linkers. The introduced small linkers substantially reduce the separation distance between neighboring Ag NPs. This shortened interparticle distance, combined with the low cohesive energy of Ag NPs, strongly induces metallic fusion between the close‐packed Ag NPs at room temperature without additional treatments, resulting in a high electrical conductivity of ≈1.60 × 105 S cm−1 (bulk Ag: ≈6.30 × 105 S cm−1). Furthermore, depositing the TOAS–Ag NPs onto cellulose papers through this approach can convert the insulating substrates into highly flexible and conductive papers that can be used as 3D current collectors for energy‐storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depending on the amount of AgSbF6 used, this hydroarylation of alkynes yields either E- or Z-triarylalkenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple procedure is elaborated for the preparation of coumarins (III) by an oxidation of cyclohexanones (I) followed by an oxidative Heck coupling-cyclization process of resulting phenols with butyl acrylate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aims: Lacunar infarct, a small subcortical ischaemic lesion, is a known risk factor for future cognitive impairment, dementia and stroke. We evaluated the relationship between fatty liver disease (FLD) and lacunar infarct in a healthy general population., Methods: Subjects who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and abdominal ultrasonography (US) during health check-ups from 2007 to 2009 were included. FLD was diagnosed by US. Subjects with a history of cerebrovascular disease, radiological findings consistent with cerebrovascular stenosis or cerebral small vessel disease were excluded., Results: Of the 1277 subjects, 54 (4.2%) exhibited lacunar infarct, and 514 (40.3%) had FLD. Subjects with lacunar infarct had a higher prevalence of FLD (59.3% vs 39.4%, P = .004). There was significant interaction between obesity (BMI < 25 kg/m 2 vs ≥ 25 kg/m 2 ) and FLD for lacunar infarct (P for interaction = .024). Subgroup analysis revealed that non-obese FLD was more common in the subjects with lacunar infarct than those without (51.7% vs 23.5%, P = .001). However, there was no significant difference in the obese FLD prevalence between these 2 groups. In multivariate models adjusted by age, sex, smoking, alcohol, hypertension and diabetes, FLD was significantly associated with lacunar infarct (odds ratio [OR] 1.97; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-3.58; P = .027). Non-obese FLD was associated with lacunar infarct (OR 3.58; 95% CI 1.63-7.89; P = .002); however, this association remained insignificant in obese FLD. Instead, ageing and hypertension were independent risk factors for lacunar infarct in the obese population., Conclusions: FLD is significantly associated with lacunar infarct, independent of traditional risk factors. This association was prominent in the non-obese population., (© 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)