Complete mitogenome sequence of the Chinese medaka Oryzias sinensis (Teleostei: Beloniformes) and its phylogenetic analysis

Chinese medaka Oryzias sinensis (Teleostei: Beloniformes) is distributed in China and the western areas of Korea. It differs from the Japanese medaka O. latipes in its morphology and biogeographical distribution in Korea. In this study, we analyzed the complete nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of O. sinensis and determined its genomic structure. The complete mitogenome is a circular molecule of 16,654 bp and its structural organization is conserved across diverse vertebrate taxa. On a phylogenetic tree inferred from the nucleotide matrix, partitioned into four regions (i.e., the first and second codon positions of protein-coding genes, and the ribosomal RNA and transfer RNA genes), O. sinensis clustered consistently with O. latipes specimens from China and Korea, with a relatively short branch length, but was separated from O. latipes specimen from Japan. Our findings will allow the resolution of the taxonomic problems of closely related Oryzias species, such as O. sinensis and O. latipes in a future study.     

Resveratrol alters microRNA expression profiles in A549 human non-small cell lung cancer cells

Resveratrol is a plant phenolic phytoalexin that has been reported to have antitumor properties in several types of cancers. In particular, several studies have suggested that resveratrol exerts antiproliferative effects against A549 human non-small cell lung cancer cells; however, its mechanism of action remains incompletely understood. Deregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small, noncoding, regulatory RNA molecules involved in gene expression, is strongly correlated with lung cancer. In this study, we demonstrated that resveratrol treatment altered miRNA expression in A549 cells. Using microarray analysis, we identified 71 miRNAs exhibiting greater than 2-fold expression changes in resveratrol-treated cells relative to their expression levels in untreated cells. Furthermore, we identified target genes related to apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, cell proliferation, and differentiation using a miRNA target-prediction program. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that resveratrol induces considerable changes in the miRNA expression profiles of A549 cells, suggesting a novel approach for studying the anticancer mechanisms of resveratrol.     

Fluorescent europium-modified polymer nanoparticles for rapid and sensitive anthrax sensors

Novel fluorescent polyacrylonitrile nanoparticles were synthesized by microemulsion polymerization and Schiff base modification. By further modification with europium, the polyacrylonitrile nanoparticles could be used as a highly sensitive and rapid sensor for Bacillus anthracis spore detection in aqueous solution. The europium-modified polyacrylonitrile nanoparticles were readily combined with dipicolinic acid as a unique biomarker of B. anthracis, leading to high fluorescence emission. These nanoparticles enabled ratiometric detection without instrument-specific calibration due to the internal fluorescence reference. Additionally, the europium-modified polyacrylonitrile nanoparticle sensors exhibited a remarkable limit of detection (10pM) for dipicolinic acid and outstanding selectivity (160×) over aromatic ligands in aqueous solution. The ultrafine nanoparticle sensor showed a high capability for detecting anthrax due to the increased surface area-to-volume ratio and enhanced dispersibility.     

Time-Course of Changes in Phosphorylated CREB in Neuroblasts and BDNF in the Mouse Dentate Gyrus at Early Postnatal Stages

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) response element-binding protein (CREB) is involved in memory, learning, and synaptic transmission. In this study, we observed changes of phosphorylated CREB (pCREB) immunoreactivity and its protein levels as well as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in the hippocampal dentate gyrus at postnatal (P) 1, 7, 14, and 21 in mice. In addition, we also investigated pCREB expression in doublecortin (DCX, a marker for neuronal progenitors) immunoreactive neuroblasts at P21. pCREB immunoreaction at P1 was detected in most of cells in the dentate gyrus, thereafter pCREB immunoreactivity was decreased in all the layers of the dentate gyrus with time, however, strong pCREB immunoreactivity was shown in cells confined to the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus at P21. In this group, many pCREB immunoreactive cells were co-localized with DCX immunoreactive neuroblasts. In addition, pCREB protein levels were decreased with age, showing that their levels were very low at P21, while BDNF protein levels were increased with age. These results suggest that pCREB may play important roles in functional maturity of granule cells in mice.     

Comprehensive identification of LMW-GS genes and their protein products in a common wheat variety

Although it is well known that low-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (LMW-GS) from wheat affect bread and noodle processing quality, the function of specific LMW-GS proteins remains unclear. It is important to find the genes that correspond to individual LMW-GS proteins in order to understand the functions of specific proteins. The objective of this study was to link LMW-GS genes and haplotypes characterized using well known Glu-A3, Glu-B3, and Glu-D3 gene-specific primers to their protein products in a single wheat variety. A total of 36 LMW-GS genes and pseudogenes were amplified from the Korean cultivar Keumkang. These include 11 Glu-3 gene haplotypes, two from the Glu-A3 locus, two from the Glu-B3 locus, and seven from the Glu-D3 locus. To establish relationships between gene haplotypes and their protein products, a glutenin protein fraction was separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DGE) and 17 protein spots were analyzed by N-terminal amino acid sequencing and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). LMW-GS proteins were identified that corresponded to all Glu-3 gene haplotypes except the pseudogenes. This is the first report of the comprehensive characterization of LMW-GS genes and their corresponding proteins in a single wheat cultivar. Our approach will be useful to understand the contributions of individual LMW-GS to the end-use quality of flour.     

New Insight into Ni‐Rich Layered Structure for Next‐Generation Li Rechargeable Batteries

An increase in the amount of nickel in LiMO₂ (M = Ni, Co, Mn) layered system is actively pursued in lithium‐ion batteries to achieve higher capacity. Nevertheless, fundamental effects of Ni element in the three‐component layered system are not systematically studied. Therefore, to unravel the role of Ni as a major contributor to the structural and electrochemical properties of Ni‐rich materials, Co‐fixed LiNi_0.5+xCo_0.2Mn_0.3–xO₂ (x = 0, 0.1, and 0.2) layered materials are investigated. The results, on the basis of synchrotron‐based characterization techniques, present a decreasing trend of Ni²⁺ content in Li layer with increasing total Ni contents. Moreover, it is discovered that the c_hex.‐lattice parameter of layered system is not in close connection with the interslab thickness related to actual Li ion pathway. The interslab thickness increases with increasing Ni concentration even though the c_hex.‐lattice parameter decreases. Furthermore, the lithium ion pathway is preserved in spite of the fact that the c‐axis is collapsed at highly deintercalated states. Also, a higher Ni content material shows better structural properties such as larger interslab thickness, lower cation disorder, and smoother phase transition, resulting in better electrochemical properties including higher Li diffusivity and lower overpotential when comparing materials with lower Ni content.     

Cleaved Cochlin Sequesters Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Activates Innate Immunity in the Inner Ear

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