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Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive and malignant glioma, has poor prognosis. Although patients with GBM are treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, GBM is highly resistant to treatment, difficult to treat, and expensive. In this study, we analyzed the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis dataset, the Cancer Genome Atlas dataset, and Gene Expression Omnibus array data. ZBTB7A (also called FBI1/POKEMON/LRF) was found to be highly expressed in low-grade GBM, but significantly reduced in patients with GBM. ZBTB7A is a transcription factor that plays an important role in many developmental stages, including cell proliferation. The activation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer is a key process in cancer progression and metastasis. Erythrocyte membrane protein band 4.1 Like 5 (EPB41L5) is an essential protein for EMT progression and metastasis in various types of cancer. We found that ZBTB7A-depleted U87 cells exhibited GBM progression and metastasis. Based on RNA sequencing data, ZBTB7A directly binds to the promoter of the EPB41L5 gene, reducing its expression and inhibiting GBM progression. We demonstrated that ZBTB7A dramatically inhibited GBM tumor growth through transcriptional repression of EPB41L5. Thus, both ZBTB7A and EPB41L5 may be potential biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets for GBM treatment. Taken together, we discovered the role of a novel tumor suppressor, ZBTB7A, that directly inhibits GBM progression, and EPB41L5 is a therapeutic target protein for patients with GBM and an essential protein for the development of GBM therapeutics.

Accurate and reliable prediction of the optical and photophysical properties of organic compounds is important in various research fields. Here, we developed deep learning (DL) optical spectroscopy using a DL model and experimental database to predict seven optical and photophysical properties of organic compounds, namely, the absorption peak position and bandwidth, extinction coefficient, emission peak position and bandwidth, photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY), and emission lifetime. Our DL model included the chromophore–solvent interaction to account for the effect of local environments on the optical and photophysical properties of organic compounds and was trained using an experimental database of 30 094 chromophore/solvent combinations. Our DL optical spectroscopy made it possible to reliably and quickly predict the aforementioned properties of organic compounds in solution, gas phase, film, and powder with the root mean squared errors of 26.6 and 28.0 nm for absorption and emission peak positions, 603 and 532 cm–1 for absorption and emission bandwidths, and 0.209, 0.371, and 0.262 for the logarithm of the extinction coefficient, PLQY, and emission lifetime, respectively. Finally, we demonstrated how a blue emitter with desired optical and photophysical properties could be efficiently virtually screened and developed by DL optical spectroscopy. DL optical spectroscopy can be efficiently used for developing chromophores and fluorophores in various research areas.

Experimental databases on the optical properties of organic chromophores are important for the implementation of data-driven chemistry using machine learning. Herein, we present a series of experimental data including various optical properties such as the first absorption and emission maximum wavelengths and their bandwidths (full width at half maximum), extinction coefficient, photoluminescence quantum yield, and fluorescence lifetime. A database of 20,236 data points was developed by collecting the optical properties of organic compounds already reported in the literature. A dataset of 7,016 unique organic chromophores in 365 solvents or in solid state is available in CSV format., Measurement(s) absorption wavelength • emission wavelength • fluorescence lifetime • bandwidth • extinction coefficient • electronic absorption spectrum • fluorescence spectrum • optical property of organic compound Technology Type(s) ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry • spectrofluorimeter • time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy • digital curation Factor Type(s) organic molecule • solvent Machine-accessible metadata file describing the reported data: 10.6084/m9.figshare.12808424

The genusSpumella, established by Cienkowsky in 1870, is characterized by omnivory, two (rarely three) flagella, a short stick-like structure beneath the flagella, a threadlike stalk, cell division via constriction and cyst formation. Since the first phylogenetic study ofSpumella-like flagellates, their paraphyly has consistently been shown, with separation into several genera. More recently,Spumellawas carefully investigated using molecular and morphological data to propose seven new species. Classification of this genus and knowledge of its species diversity remain limited becauseSpumella-like flagellates are extremely difficult to identify based on limited morphological characters. To understand the phylogeny and taxonomy ofSpumella, we analyzed molecular and morphological data from 47 strains, including 18 strains isolated from Korean ponds or swamps. Nuclear SSU, ITS and LSU rDNA data were used for maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses. The molecular data divided the strains into 15 clades, including seven new lineages, each with unique molecular signatures for nuclear SSU rRNA from the E23-2 to E23-5 domains, the spacer between the E23-8 and E23-9 domains of the V4 region and domain 29 of the V5 region. Our results revealed increased species diversity inSpumella. In contrast to the molecular phylogeny results, the taxa showed very similar cell morphologies, suggesting morphological convergence into simple nanoflagellates to enable heterotrophy. Three new species produced stomatocysts in culture. Aspects of stomatocyst morphology, including collar structure, surface ornamentation, and cyst shape, were very useful in differentiating the three species. The general ultrastructure ofSpumella bureschiistrain Baekdongje012018B8 andS. benthicastrain Hwarim032418A5 showed the typical chrysophyte form for the leucoplast, a vestigial chloroplast surrounded by four envelope membranes, supporting the hypothesis thatSpumellaevolved from a phototroph to a heterotroph via the loss of its photosynthetic ability. Seven new species are proposed:S. benthica,S. communis,S. longicolla,S. oblata,S. rotundata,S. similis, andS. sinechrysos.

The genus Mallomonas consists of single-celled flagellates covered with siliceous scales and bristles and is well known in freshwater environments. Two new marine Mallomonas species were collected ...

Most antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), initiate their drug actions by rapid elevation of serotonin, but they take several weeks to achieve therapeutic onset. This therapeutic delay suggests slow adaptive changes in multiple neuronal subtypes and their neural circuits over prolonged periods of drug treatment. Mossy cells are excitatory neurons in the dentate hilus that regulate dentate gyrus activity and function. Here we show that neuronal activity of hippocampal mossy cells is enhanced by chronic, but not acute, SSRI administration. Behavioral and neurogenic effects of chronic treatment with the SSRI, fluoxetine, are abolished by mossy cell-specific knockout of p11 or Smarca3 or by an inhibition of the p11/AnxA2/SMARCA3 heterohexamer, an SSRI-inducible protein complex. Furthermore, simple chemogenetic activation of mossy cells using Gq-DREADD is sufficient to elevate the proliferation and survival of the neural stem cells. Conversely, acute chemogenetic inhibition of mossy cells using Gi-DREADD impairs behavioral and neurogenic responses to chronic administration of SSRI. The present data establish that mossy cells play a crucial role in mediating the effects of chronic antidepressant medication. Our results indicate that compounds that target mossy cell activity would be attractive candidates for the development of new antidepressant medications.

Metabolic syndrome is a worldwide health problem, and obesity is closely related to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and cancer. According to WHO in 2018, the prevalence of obesity in 2016 tripled compared to 1975. D. morbifera reduces bad cholesterol and triglycerides levels in the blood and provides various antioxidant nutrients and germicidal sub-stances, as well as selenium, which helps to remove active oxygen. Moreover, D. morbifera is useful for treating cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. Therefore, we study in vivo efficacy of D. morbifera to investigate the prevention effect of obesity and cholesterol. The weight and body fat were effectively reduced by D. morbifera water (DLW) extract administration to high-fat diet-fed C57BL/6 mice compared to those of control mice. The group treated with DLW 500 mg∙kg−1∙d−1 had significantly lower body weights compared to the control group. In addition, High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol increased in the group treated with DLW 500 mg∙kg−1∙d−1. The effect of DLW on the serum lipid profile could be helpful to prevent obesity. DLW suppresses lipid formation in adipocytes and decreases body fat. In conclusion, DLW can be applied to develop anti-obesity functional foods and other products to reduce body fat.

Glutamatergic mossy cells (MCs) are responsible for the associational and commissural connectivity of the dentate gyrus. MCs are widely distributed along the dorsoventral axis, but potential heterogeneity within MCs is scarcely explored. Here, we showed that MCs consist of two subpopulations which differ in their neuronal properties and functions. We discovered that MCs, depending on their dorsoventral location, extend distinct axonal projections in the molecular layers. Comparative transcriptional profiling of dorsal and ventral MCs revealed different neurobiological characteristics in axon guidance and synapse assembly. Despite common activation by external stimuli, dorsal MCs, but not ventral MCs, provide net inhibitory control on granule cells across the longitudinal axis. Furthermore, dorsal MC inhibition, unlikely that of ventral MCs, increases behavioral anxiety and disables rapid contextual discrimination. Collectively, dorsoventral heterogeneity of MCs may provide a novel mechanism for functional differentiation as well as distinct association along the longitudinal extent of the hippocampus.

Spumella-like heterotrophic chrysophytes are important eukaryotic microorganisms that feed on bacteria in aquatic and soil environments. They are characterized by their lack of pigmentation, naked cell surface, and extremely small size. Although Spumella-like chrysophytes have lost their photosynthetic ability, they still possess a leucoplast and retain a plastid genome. We have sequenced the plastid genomes of three non-photosynthetic chrysophytes, Spumella sp. Baeckdong012018B8, Pedospumella sp. Jangsampo120217C5 and Poteriospumella lacustris Yongseonkyo072317C3, and compared them to the previously sequenced plastid genome of “Spumella” sp. NIES-1846 and photosynthetic chrysophytes. We found the plastid genomes of Spumella-like flagellates to be generally conserved with respect to genome structure and housekeeping gene content. We nevertheless also observed lineage-specific gene rearrangements and duplication of partial gene fragments at the boundary of the inverted repeat and single copy regions. Most gene losses correspond to genes for proteins involved in photosynthesis and carbon fixation, except in the case of petF. The newly sequenced plastid genomes range from ~55.7 kbp to ~62.9 kbp in size and share a core set of 45 protein-coding genes, 3 rRNAs, and 32 to 34 tRNAs. Our results provide insight into the evolutionary history of organelle genomes via genome reduction and gene loss related to loss of photosynthesis in chrysophyte evolution.

Transforming growth factor-&beta, 1 (TGF-&beta, 1) is highly expressed in the tumor microenvironment and known to play a multifunctional role in cancer progression. In addition, TGF-&beta, 1 promotes metastasis by inducing epithelial&ndash, mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a variety of tumors. Thus, inhibition of TGF-&beta, 1 is considered an important strategy in the treatment of cancer. In most tumors, TGF-&beta, 1 signal transduction exhibits modified or non-functional characteristics, and TGF-&beta, 1 inhibitors have various inhibitory effects on cancer cells. Currently, many studies are being conducted to develop TGF-&beta, 1 inhibitors from non-toxic natural compounds. We aimed to develop a new TGF-&beta, 1 inhibitor to suppress EMT in cancer cells. As a result, improved chalcone-like chain CTI-82 was identified, and its effect was confirmed in vitro. We showed that CTI-82 blocked TGF-&beta, 1-induced EMT by inhibiting the cell migration and metastasis of A549 lung cancer cells. In addition, CTI-82 reduced the TGF-&beta, 1-induced phosphorylation of SMAD2/3 and inhibited the expression of various EMT markers. Our results suggest that CTI-82 inhibits tumor growth, migration, and metastasis.

We prepared poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)-coated sulfonated polystyrene copolymer particles as efficient heat-shielding agents, which showed strong near-infrared (NIR) absorption, with high solid contents and good solution stability. The poly(styrene sulfonate -co-styrene) (P(SS-co-St)) copolymers were successfully synthesized via radical solution polymerization, and PEDOT-coated P(SS-co-St) (PEDOT:P(SS-co-St)) was synthesized via Fe+-catalyzed oxidative polymerization. PEDOT:P(SS-co-St) was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies. The particle size and morphology of PEDOT:P(SS-co-St) were examined using transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential measurements. The maximum NIR-shielding efficiency of the film was 92.0% with 40% transmittance. The high solution stability of PEDOT:P(SS-co-St) make it an ideal candidate for heat-insulating materials that find application in semi-transparent heat-insulator-coated windows.

This work reports a new flexible transparent conductive electrode architecture based on solution-processed silver nanowire percolation metal grids (AgNW MGs). The AgNW MGs are stably fabricated by a well-established wet coating method and subsequent selective chemical etching of the AgNWs. The fabricated AgNW MGs exhibit good optoelectronic performance with sheet resistances of 9.9 Ω sq−1 and 14.7 Ω sq−1 at transmittances of 84.7% and 88.7%, respectively. The integration of percolated NW networks into the micro-grid structures also enables reproducible fabrication and controllable and reversible performance. The electrical robustness is greatly improved by incorporating a conductive polymer over-coating.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) has been implicated in the pathology of human ovarian cancer. This phospholipid elicits a wide range of cancer cell responses, such as proliferation, trans-differentiation, migration, and invasion, via various G-protein-coupled LPA receptors (LPARs). Here, we explored the cellular signaling pathway via which LPA induces migration of ovarian cancer cells. LPA induced robust phosphorylation of ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM) proteins, which are membrane-cytoskeleton linkers, in the ovarian cancer cell line OVCAR-3. Among the LPAR subtypes expressed in these cells, LPA

An online suit-customizing system for the special accessibility needs of wheelchair users should be developed because the demand for business suits by wheelchair users involved in economic activities has increased. This studydevelops a user interface an online customizing system for men's suits specialized for wheelchair users. This study used a five-step approach: (1) search for online men's suits customizing system in web porter sites, (2) select three sites based on three terms, (3) heuristic testing with five web specialists, (4) development of a system user interface based on suggestionsfor improvement from the heuristic test, (5) usability testing of the user interface prototype by 10 disabled men in wheelchairs. The interface of Company S had high ratings on interactivity, accessibility, informativeness, and consistency in the heuristic test results; subsequently, a user interface was developed based on suggestions for improvement from the heuristic test. This online user interface for customizing men's suits provides better usability to wheelchair users than existing online interfaces aimed at the non-disabled and disabled; consequently, this study contributes to thecommercialization of an online customizing system for men's suits specializing in serving wheelchair users.