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Increased adipose tissue positively correlates with circulating inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6. We previously reported that adipose stem cells from genetically obese ob/ob mice produce significantly higher levels of IL-6 compared with other cell types such as adipocytes and macrophages within adipose tissue. We also demonstrated that (n-3) PUFA have anti-inflammatory effects on adipocyte IL-6 secretion. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that EPA 120:5 (n-3)] and stearidonic acid ESDA, 18:4 (n-3)1 would decrease LPS (200 μg/L)-induced IL-6 secretion and IL-6 mRNA content in the adipose stem cells. SDA (100 μmol/L) and EPA (100 μmol/L) significantly reduced LPS-induced IL-S secretion and decreased I L-6 mRNA expression. To determine the underlying intracellular mechanisms, we tested whether LPS-induced Toll-like-receptor (TLR) 4 and TLR2 expression were modulated by these fatty acids using Western-blot analysis. EPA and SDA suppressed LPS-induced TLR2 but not TLR4 protein expression in the adipose stem cells. Furthermore, SDA and EPA significantly lowered the activation and translocation of NE-κB, a TLR2 downstream signaling target, while protein expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinases-1/2 were unaffected. Collectively, our results suggest that EPA and SDA inhibit [PS-induced l[-6 secretion and IL-6 mRNA expression in the adipose stem cells by decreasing TRL2-mediated signaling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Tea catechin is one of the compounds that are closely related to obesity and insulin sensitivity. In order to determine the effect of catechin on adipocyte differentiation, we treated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes with different kinds of catechins. Our results showed that catechins, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), significantly reduced intracellular lipid accumulation and repressed the activity of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, an enzyme involved in lipid synthesis. Furthermore, glucose and fatty acid transport were also suppressed by catechin. We then analyzed the activity of transcription factors—forkhead transcription factor class O1 (FoxO1) and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP1c)—which are involved in adipocyte differentiation and lipid synthesis, respectively. The transcriptional activities of both these factors significantly decreased by EGCG. Western blot analysis revealed that EGCG induced the insulin signal-mediated phosphorylation of FoxO1 (Thr24, Ser256). These results suggest that EGCG suppresses the differentiation of adipocytes through the inactivation of FoxO1 and SREBP1c. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

A cluster of oligonucleotide repeat sequences was identified that is linked to the melon ( Cucumis melo L.) andromonoecious ( a) locus, which controls andromonoecy. Six different repeat units, ranging from 11 to 49 base pairs, were clustered within a 0.6-kb intergenic region. The number of repeat units varied from two to six. After sequence analysis of diverse melon germplasms, four haplotypes of this cluster were identified. Length variations among the four haplotypes resulted from insertion or deletion of repeat sequences. Particularly, a tandem array of six repeats of 21 nucleotides was a hotspot for insertion/deletion mutations. A simple PCR-based marker was developed to identify haplotypes of this cluster based on the length polymorphism. In practice, this marker was successfully used in genetic purity tests of melon F1 hybrid cultivars. Four self-pollinated contaminants, which were confirmed by phenotypic examination in grow-out tests, were easily discriminated from 99 F1 hybrid individuals. In addition, the genetic distance between this marker and the andromonoecious ( a) locus was calculated as 7.9 cM, after analyzing melon F2 populations originating from a cross between monoecious and andromonoecious parental lines. Therefore, this marker will be useful as a recombinant selection marker in marker-assisted backcrossing of monoecy in melon breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

A male-sterile (MS) radish ( Raphanus sativus L.) was found in an accession collected from Uzbekistan. Unlike Ogura MS radishes in which no pollen grain is typically visible during anthesis, a small number of pollen grains stuck together in the dehiscing anthers was observed in the newly identified MS radish. Fluorescein diacetate tests and scanning electron micrographs showed that pollen grains in the new MS radish were severely deformed and non-viable. Cytological examination of pollen development stages showed a clear difference in the defective stage from that seen in Ogura male-sterility. Reciprocal cross-pollination with diverse male-fertile lines indicated that pollen grains of the new MS radish were completely sterile, and the female organs were fully fertile. When the new MS radish and Ogura MS lines were cross-pollinated with a set of eight breeding lines, all F1 progeny originating from crosses with the new MS radish were male-sterile. In contrast, most of the F1 progeny resulting from crosses with Ogura MS lines were male-fertile. These results demonstrated that factors associated with induction of the newly identified male-sterility are different from those of Ogura male-sterility. The lack of restorer lines for the newly identified male-sterility led us to predict that it might be a complete cytoplasmic male-sterility without restorer-of-fertility genes in nuclear genomes. However, cross-pollination with more diverse radish germplasm identified one accession introduced from Russia that could completely restore fertility, proving the existence of restorer-of-fertility gene(s) for the new male-sterility. Meanwhile, the PCR amplification profile of molecular markers for the classification of radish mitochondrial genome types revealed that the new MS radish contained a novel mitotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Studies showed that monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) concentrations are increased in obesity. In our current study, we demonstrate that plasma MCP-1 level in leptin-deficient ob/ob mice is significantly higher than in lean mice. Furthermore, we determined that basal adipose tissue MCP-1 mRNA levels are significantly higher in ob/ob mice compared with lean mice. To determine the mechanisms underlying obesity-associated increases in plasma and adipose tissue MCP-1 levels, we determined adipose tissue cell type sources of MCP-1 production. Our data show that adipose tissue stem cells (CD34+), macrophages (F4/80+), and stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells express significantly higher levels of MCP-l compared with adipocytes under both basal and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated conditions. Furthermore, basal and LPS-induced MCP-1 secretion levels were the same for both adipose F4/80+ and CD34+ cells, whereas adipose CD34+ cells have twofold higher cell numbers (30% of total SVF cells) compared with F4/80+ macrophages (15%). Our data also show that CD34+ cells from visceral adipose tissue depots secrete significantly higher levels of MCP-1 ex vivo when compared with CD34+ cells from subcutaneous adipose tissue depots. Taken together, our data suggest that adipose CD34+ stem cells may play an important role in obesity-associated increases in plasma MCP-1 levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Resistive random-access memory (ReRAM) devices based on halide perovskites have recently emerged as a new class of data storage devices, where the switching materials used in these devices have attracted extensive attention in recent years. Thus far, three-dimensional (3D) halide perovskites have been the most investigated materials for resistive switching memory devices. However, 3D-based memory devices display ON/OFF ratios comparable to those of oxide or chalcogenide ReRAM devices. In addition, perovskite materials are susceptible to exposure to air. Herein, we compare the resistive switching characteristics of ReRAM devices based on a quasi-two-dimensional (2D) halide perovskite, (PEA)2Cs3Pb4I13, to those based on 3D CsPbI3. Astonishingly, the ON/OFF ratio of the (PEA)2Cs3Pb4I13-based memory devices (109) is three orders of magnitude higher than that of the CsPbI3 device, which is attributed to a decrease in the high-resistance state (HRS) current of the former. This device also retained a high ON/OFF current ratio for 2 weeks under ambient conditions, whereas the CsPbI3 device degraded rapidly and showed unreliable memory properties after 5 days. These results strongly suggest that quasi-2D halide perovskites have potential in resistive switching memory based on their desirable ON/OFF ratio and long-term stability. Memory technology: Organic tricks improve stability A type of computer memory that stores data by changing the resistance of insulating crystals can be made more durable with organic chemical additives. Resistive memory devices constructed from inorganic crystals known as halide perovskites are inexpensive and have minimal power requirements. However, they can degrade quickly in humid conditions. Hyojung Kim from Seoul National University in South Korea and colleagues now report that these stability issues can be improved by sandwiching thin layers of aromatic hydrocarbons between halide perovskite crystals. The water-repelling nature of the organic molecules helps double the lifespan of the new hybrid compared to an unmodified halide perovskite device. In addition, the organic layers augment the differences between 'ON' and 'OFF' resistive memory states, making device operation more reliable. ReRAM devices based on halide perovskites have recently emerged as a new class of data storage device, where the switching materials used in these devices have attracted huge attention in recent years. In this study, we compare the resistive switching characteristics of ReRAM devices based on a quasi-2D halide perovskite, (PEA)2Cs3Pb4I13, to those based on 3D CsPbI3. Astonishingly, the ON/OFF ratio of the (PEA)2Cs3Pb4I13-based memory devices was much higher than that of the CsPbI3 device. Also this device retained a high ON/OFF current ratio for two weeks under ambient conditions, whereas the CsPbI3 device degraded rapidly and showed unreliable memory properties after five days. We strongly believe that quasi-2D halide perovskites have potential in resistive switching memory based on their high ON/OFF ratio and long-term stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Resistive random-access memory (ReRAM) devices based on halide perovskites have recently emerged as a new class of data storage devices, where the switching materials used in these devices have attracted extensive attention in recent years. Thus far, three-dimensional (3D) halide perovskites have been the most investigated materials for resistive switching memory devices. However, 3D-based memory devices display ON/OFF ratios comparable to those of oxide or chalcogenide ReRAM devices. In addition, perovskite materials are susceptible to exposure to air. Herein, we compare the resistive switching characteristics of ReRAM devices based on a quasi-two-dimensional (2D) halide perovskite, (PEA)2Cs3Pb4I13, to those based on 3D CsPbI3. Astonishingly, the ON/OFF ratio of the (PEA)2Cs3Pb4I13-based memory devices (109) is three orders of magnitude higher than that of the CsPbI3 device, which is attributed to a decrease in the high-resistance state (HRS) current of the former. This device also retained a high ON/OFF current ratio for 2 weeks under ambient conditions, whereas the CsPbI3 device degraded rapidly and showed unreliable memory properties after 5 days. These results strongly suggest that quasi-2D halide perovskites have potential in resistive switching memory based on their desirable ON/OFF ratio and long-term stability.Memory technology: Organic tricks improve stability A type of computer memory that stores data by changing the resistance of insulating crystals can be made more durable with organic chemical additives. Resistive memory devices constructed from inorganic crystals known as halide perovskites are inexpensive and have minimal power requirements. However, they can degrade quickly in humid conditions. Hyojung Kim from Seoul National University in South Korea and colleagues now report that these stability issues can be improved by sandwiching thin layers of aromatic hydrocarbons between halide perovskite crystals. The water-repelling nature of the organic molecules helps double the lifespan of the new hybrid compared to an unmodified halide perovskite device. In addition, the organic layers augment the differences between ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’ resistive memory states, making device operation more reliable.ReRAM devices based on halide perovskites have recently emerged as a new class of data storage device, where the switching materials used in these devices have attracted huge attention in recent years. In this study, we compare the resistive switching characteristics of ReRAM devices based on a quasi-2D halide perovskite, (PEA)2Cs3Pb4I13, to those based on 3D CsPbI3. Astonishingly, the ON/OFF ratio of the (PEA)2Cs3Pb4I13-based memory devices was much higher than that of the CsPbI3 device. Also this device retained a high ON/OFF current ratio for two weeks under ambient conditions, whereas the CsPbI3 device degraded rapidly and showed unreliable memory properties after five days. We strongly believe that quasi-2D halide perovskites have potential in resistive switching memory based on their high ON/OFF ratio and long-term stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Recent advances in genome and transcriptome analysis have contributed to the identification of many potential cancer- related genes. Furthermore, biological and clinical investigations of the candidate genes provide us with a better understanding of carcinogenesis and development of cancer treatment. Here, we report a novel role of KIAA1324 as a tumor suppressor in gastric cancer. We observed that KIAA1324 was downregulated in most gastric cancers from transcriptome sequencing data and found that histone deacetylase was involved in the suppression of KIAA1324. Low KIAA1324 levels were associated with poor prognosis in gastric cancer patients. In the xenograft model, KIAA1324 significantly reduced tumor formation of gastric cancer cells and decreased development of preformed tumors. KIAA1324 also suppressed proliferation, invasion, and drug resistance and induced apoptosis in gastric cancer cells. Through protein interaction analysis, we identified GRP78 (glucose-regulated protein 78 kDa) as a KIAA1324- binding partner. KIAA1324 blocked oncogenic activities of GRP78 by inhibiting GRP78-caspase-7 interaction and suppressing GRP78-mediated AKT activation, thereby inducing apoptosis. In conclusion, our study reveals a tumor suppressive role of KIAA1324 via inhibition of GRP78 oncoprotein activities and provides new insight into the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...