Estimating the flexural rigidity of Arabidopsis inflorescence stems: Free-vibration test vs. three-point bending test.

The mechanical strength of a plant stem (a load-bearing organ) helps the plant resist drooping, buckling and fracturing. We previously proposed a method for quickly evaluating the stiffness of an inflorescence stem in the model plant based on measuring its natural frequency in a free-vibration test. However, the relationship between the stiffness and flexural rigidity of inflorescence stems was unclear.

Ocean currents and acoustic backscatter data from shipboard ADCP measurements at three North Atlantic seamounts between 2004 and 2015.

Seamounts are amongst the most common physiographic structures of the deep-ocean landscape, but remoteness and geographic complexity have limited the systematic collection of integrated and multidisciplinary data in the past. Consequently, important aspects of seamount ecology and dynamics remain poorly studied. We present a data collection of ocean currents and raw acoustic backscatter from shipboard Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) measurements during six cruises between 2004 and 2015 in the tropical and subtropical Northeast Atlantic to narrow this gap.

Diabetes-associated angiotensin activation enhances liver metastasis of colon cancer.

We examined the effects of hyperglycemic conditions on liver metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Angiotensin (A)-II increased growth, invasion, and anti-apoptotic survival in HT29 and CT26 cells. In contrast, angiotensinogen (ATG) increased these features in HT29 cells but not in CT26 cells.

Advanced glycation end products (AGE) induce the receptor for AGE in the colonic mucosa of azoxymethane-injected Fischer 344 rats fed with a high-linoleic acid and high-glucose diet.

Background: Advanced glycation end products (AGE) and the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) are closely associated with colorectal cancer progression. The association between RAGE and AGE in colon carcinogenesis needs to be clarified.

Methods: Levels of RAGE and AGE were examined in azoxymethane (AOM)-injected Fischer 344 rats fed a control diet (Group C), a 15 % linoleic acid (LA) diet (Group L), a control diet with 10 % glucose drink (Group G), and a 15 % LA diet with 10 % glucose drink (Group L + G).

Dietary linoleic acid and glucose enhances azoxymethane-induced colon cancer and metastases via the expression of high-mobility group box 1.

Objective: High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) was closely associated with progression and metastasis of colorectal cancer.

Methods: We examined the significance of HMGB1 in causing colon carcinogenesis induced by azoxymethane (AOM) injection in Fischer 344 rats fed on a control diet (group C), a 15% linoleic acid (LA) diet (group L), a control diet with 10% glucose drink (group G), and a 15% LA diet with a 10% glucose drink (group L+G).

Results: Group L+G showed the highest body weight and calorie intake.