Altered levels of α-synuclein and sphingolipids in Batten disease lymphoblast cells

Batten disease (juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by blindness, seizures, cognitive decline, and early death due to the inherited mutation of the CLN3 gene. Although α-synuclein and sphingolipids are relevant for the pathogenesis of some neuronal disorders, little attention has been paid to their role in Batten disease. To identify the molecular factors linked to autophagy and apoptotic cell death in Batten disease, the levels of α-synuclein, sphingomyelin, and gangliosides were examined. We observed enhanced levels of α-synuclein oligomers and gangliosides GM1, GM2, and GM3 and reduced levels of sphingomyelin and autophagy in Batten disease lymphoblast cells compared with normal lymphoblast cells, possibly resulting in a higher rate of apoptosis typically found in Batten disease lymphoblast cells.     

The small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequences from the hypotrichous ciliates Oxytricha nova and Stylonychia pustulata

We have determined the complete nucleotide sequence of the small- subunit ribosomal RNA genes for the ciliate protozoans Stylonychia pustulata and Oxytricha nova. The sequences are homologous and sufficiently similar that these organisms must be closely related. In a phylogeny inferred from comparisons of several eukaryotic small-subunit ribosomal RNAs, the divergence of the ciliates from the eukaryotic line of descent is seen to coincide with the radiation of the plants, the animals, and the fungi. This radiation is preceded by the divergence of the slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum.      

NPP1 is responsible for potent extracellular ATP hydrolysis as NTPDase1 in primary cultured murine microglia

The movement of microglia is regulated mainly by P1 and P2 purinergic receptors, which are activated by various nucleotides and their metabolites. Recently, such purinergic signalling has been spotlighted because of potential roles in the pathophysiologies of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. To understand the characteristics of microglia in relation of P1 and P2 signalling, we investigated the ectoenzymes expressed in microglia. At first, we profiled the expression of all known ectoenzymes in cultured microglia. We found that, like NTPDase1 (ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 1, CD39), NPP1 (ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1, PC-1) is also highly expressed in primary cultured murine microglia. Knockdown of NPP1 significantly reduced ATP hydrolysis and P_i production in cultured microglia. In addition, the knockdown of NPP1 enhanced basal nucleotide-stimulating responses of cultured microglia, such as phagocytosis and cell migration, and these results were very similar to NTPDase1 knockdown results. Moreover, inhibition of the adenosine receptors by caffeine treatment reduced phagocytosis of NPP1 knock downed-cultured microglia. In conclusion, we suggest that these potent ectoenzymes of primary cultured murine microglia, NPP1 together with CD73 (ecto-5′-nucleotidase) maintain the adenosine levels for triggering nucleotide-stimulating responses.     

Large‐Scale Conductive Yarns Based on Twistable Korean Traditional Paper (Hanji) for Supercapacitor Applications: Toward High‐Performance Paper Supercapacitors

A simple and scalable method to fabricate a yarn‐type supercapacitor with a large specific capacitance without the aid of traditional pseudocapacitive electrode materials such as conducting polymers and metal oxides is reported. The yarn‐type supercapacitors are made from twisting reduced graphene oxide (rGO) or/and single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs)‐coated Korean traditional paper (KTP). The yarn‐type paper supercapacitor displays surprisingly enhanced electrochemical capacitance values, showing synergistic effect between rGO and SWNTs (500 times larger than performance of yarn‐type rGO‐coated paper supercapacitors). Coating rGO or/and SWNTs on KTP gives good morphology to the composite film, in which porosity increases and mean pore diameter decreases. The yarn‐type rGO/SWNT paper supercapacitor shows good mechanical strength, high flexibility, excellent electrochemical performance, and long‐life operation. The yarn‐type supercapacitor has an excellent electrochemical performance with a specific capacitance of 366 F g^?1 at scan rate of 25 mV s^?1 and high stability without any degradation in electrical performance up to 10 000 charge–discharge cycles. The average capacitance of rGO/SWNT@KTP yarn‐type supercapacitors is seven times higher than that of sheet‐type supercapacitors at scan rate of 500 mV s^?1. The lighting of a red light‐emitting diode (LED) is demonstrated by the yarn‐type paper supercapacitor without connecting supercapacitors in series.     

New Na‐Ion Solid Electrolytes Na4−xSn1−xSbxS4 (0.02 ≤ x ≤ 0.33) for All‐Solid‐State Na‐Ion Batteries

Sulfide Na‐ion solid electrolytes (SEs) are key to enable room‐temperature operable all‐solid‐state Na‐ion batteries that are attractive for large‐scale energy storage applications. To date, few sulfide Na‐ion SEs have been developed and most of the SEs developed contain P and suffer from poor chemical stability. Herein, discovery of a new structural class of tetragonal Na_4?xSn_1?xSb_xS₄ (0.02 ≤ x ≤ 0.33) with space group I4₁/acd is described. The evolution of a new phase, distinctly different from Na₄SnS₄ or Na₃SbS₄, allows fast ionic conduction in 3D pathways (0.2–0.5 mS cm^?1 at 30 °C). Moreover, their excellent air stability and reversible dissolution in water and precipitation are highlighted. Specifically, TiS₂/Na–Sn all‐solid‐state Na‐ion batteries using Na_3.75Sn_0.75Sb_0.25S₄ demonstrates high capacity (201 mA h (g of TiS₂)^?1) with excellent reversibility.     

Seasonal Prevalence of Mosquitoes Collected from Light Traps in Gyeongsangnam Province,Republic of Korea (2013–2014)

Adult mosquito surveillance was conducted from 2013 through 2014 at four cattle sheds, a wild bird refuge, and two residential areas located in Gyeongnam Province in the Republic of Korea. Adult mosquitoes were collected in black light traps from April 1, through November 30. Mosquito surveillance was conducted to figure out population densities of vector mosquitoes, possibly invaded mosquitoes and identify various virus infections at the selected sites. A total of 107,466 females comprising 14 species and 7 genera were collected from 2013 to 2014. The most common species collected were Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles (63.8%), Anopheles sinensis s.l. (18.9%), Aedes vexans nipponii (Theobald) (7.7%), and Culex pipiens Coquillett (5.1%). Trap indices (TIs) varied widely for species over their range, due to geographical distribution and degree of association with rural and urban communities . The most collected An. sinensis s.l. and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus appeared at a cow shed in Hapcheon (TI 347.5) and a pigsty in Daejeo‐1‐dong, Busan (TI 1,040.8), respectively, due in part to their situation near breeding sites such as rice paddies. The bi‐weekly population densities for mosquito species were variable for each of the years, apparently as a result of variable annual weather conditions. None of the mosquito species collected tested for the flavivirus including Japanese Encephalitis Virus, West Nile Virus, Dengue Virus, and Zika Virus infections by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay were positive.     

Establishment of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Miscanthus sinensis</Emphasis> with decreased lignin biosynthesis by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium</Emphasis>–mediated transformation using antisense <Emphasis Type="Italic">COMT</Emphasis> gene

This study was to determine a transformation system for Miscanthus sinensis, and to optimize factors and conditions required for expression of an antisense caffeic acid O-methyltransferase gene in the M. sinensis (MsCOMT-AS). Transformation of callus derived from seeds and immature inflorescences of M. sinensis was established by using Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 harboring a binary vector pMBP1. In order to establish the stable transformation system, several transformation factors such as explant type, strain, co-culture periods, acetosyringone concentration, and selective markers were assessed. In this study, seven putative transgenic plants were obtained from callus transformation and plantlet regeneration. Various tests including PCR analysis and RT-PCR were used to detect the transgenic insert. The transgenic plants were also characterized for their agronomic and morphological characteristics, expression of MsCOMT-AS gene, and variation in lignocellulosic content. Biomass related traits such as plant height, number of leaves, length of leaf, stem diameter, fresh weight, dry weight, and cell size of the control plants were superior to transgenic plants. Total lignin content of transgenic plants was lower than that of the control plant due to reduced caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene expression related to lignin production. Cellulose and hemicellulose content in transgenic plants were not increased. Variation in cellulose and hemicellulose content had no correlation with variation in lignin content of transgenic plants. In conclusion, transgenic M. sinensis was obtained with down-regulated COMT gene. Lignin synthesis was decreased what offers possibility of crop modification for facilitated biofuel production.