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Lipid droplets (LDs) are dynamic organelles that store neutral lipids and are closely linked to obesity. Previous studies have suggested that Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) supplements can ameliorate obesity, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we hypothesize that LBP alleviates LD accumulation in adipose tissue (AT) by inhibiting fat-specific protein 27 (Fsp27) through an activating transcription factor-6 (ATF6)/small-molecule sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)-dependent mechanism. LD accumulation in AT is induced in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice, and differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes (PAs) is induced. The ability of LBP to alleviate LD accumulation and the possible underlying mechanism are then investigated both in vivo and in vitro. The influences of LBP on the expressions of LD-associated genes ( ATF6 and Fsp27) are also detected. The results show that HFD and PA differentiation markedly increase LD accumulation in ATs and adipocytes, respectively, and these effects are markedly suppressed by LBP supplementation. Furthermore, LBP significantly activates SIRT1 and decreases ATF6 and Fsp27 expressions. Interestingly, the inhibitory effects of LBP are either abolished or exacerbated when ATF6 is overexpressed or silenced, respectively. Furthermore, SIRT1 level is transcriptionally regulated by LBP through opposite actions mediated by ATF6. Collectively, our findings suggest that LBP supplementation alleviates obesity by ameliorating LD accumulation, which might be partially mediated by an ATF6/SIRT1-dependent mechanism.

The carbon brush/collector ring device of the hydro--generator unit often encounter problems such as overheating and sparking due to the contact problem of the friction interface. Ionic liquids have excellent lubricating properties under current--carrying conditions without destroying the electrical continuity between the contact surfaces, it can improve the safety and reliability of the unit' s operation. To further explore the adaptability, reliability and related mechanism of ionic liquids as lubricants for carbon brush/collector ring assemblies, three types of ionic liquids, including imidazoles, quaternary phosphines, and functionalized ionic liquids, were selected in the experiment, and the tribological performance under current-carrying friction conditions were evaluated. The results show that functionalized ionic liquids have the best lubricating performance among the three types of ionic liquids, which can reduce the friction coefficient and contact resistance to the greatest extent, making the interface contact more stable. The length of the alkyl side chain of imidazole ionic liquids strongly affects the lubricity of the current--carrying interface, and imidazole ionic liquids with longer alkyl side chains have better tribological properties. The current-carrying and lubricating properties of ionic liquids under current-carrying friction conditions are related to the properties of the lubricant and the double-layer protective composite film formed on the wear surface, and the functionalized ionic liquids with special functionalities are more easily adsorbed on the surface of carbon brushes to form strong lubricating film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the current alternative splicing (AS) analysis tools are powerless to analyse complex splicing. To address this, we developed SUVA (Splice sites Usage Variation Analysis) that decomposes complex splicing events into five types of splice junction pairs. By analysing real and simulated data, SUVA showed higher sensitivity and accuracy in detecting AS events than the compared methods. Notably, SUVA detected extensive complex AS events and screened out 69 highly conserved and dominant AS events associated with cancer. The cancer-associated complex AS events in FN1 and the co-regulated RNA-binding proteins were significantly correlated with patient survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]