Flightless-1 inhibits ER stress-induced apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells by regulating Ca homeostasis.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response is an adaptive mechanism that is activated upon disruption of ER homeostasis and protects the cells against certain harmful environmental stimuli. However, critical and prolonged cell stress triggers cell death. In this study, we demonstrate that Flightless-1 (FliI) regulates ER stress-induced apoptosis in colon cancer cells by modulating Ca homeostasis.

Hovering and forward flight of the hawkmoth Manduca sexta: trim search and 6-DOF dynamic stability characterization.

We show that the forward flight speed affects the stability characteristics of the longitudinal and lateral dynamics of a flying hawkmoth; dynamic modal structures of both the planes of motion are altered due to variations in the stability derivatives. The forward flight speed u e is changed from 0.00 to 1.

Novel phosphorylation of PPARγ ameliorates obesity-induced adipose tissue inflammation and improves insulin sensitivity.

Chronic inflammation in adipose tissue is highly associated with insulin resistance. Herein, we demonstrate that a novel modification of PPARγ is strongly associated with inflammatory responses in adipose tissue. c-Src kinase directly phosphorylated PPARγ at Tyr78, and this process was reversed by protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B (PTP-1B).

An improved quasi-steady aerodynamic model for insect wings that considers movement of the center of pressure.

A quasi-steady aerodynamic model in consideration of the center of pressure (C.P.) was developed for insect flight.

Endogenous Ligand for GPR120, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Exerts Benign Metabolic Effects on the Skeletal Muscles via AMP-activated Protein Kinase Pathway.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an endogenous ligand of G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120). However, the mechanisms underlying DHA action are poorly understood. In this study, DHA stimulated glucose uptake in the skeletal muscles in an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-dependent manner.

Visfatin, a novel adipokine, stimulates glucose uptake through the Ca2 +-dependent AMPK-p38 MAPK pathway in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells.

Visfatin is a novel adipocytokine produced by visceral fat. In the present study, visfatin increased AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation in mouse C2C12 skeletal muscle cells. It also increased phosphorylation of the insulin receptor, whose knockdown blocked visfatin-induced AMPK phosphorylation and glucose uptake.

PRMT4 is involved in insulin secretion via the methylation of histone H3 in pancreatic β cells.

The relationship between protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) and insulin synthesis in β cells is not yet well understood. In the present study, we showed that PRMT4 expression was increased in INS-1 and HIT-T15 pancreatic β cells under high-glucose conditions. In addition, asymmetric dimethylation of Arg17 in histone H3 was significantly increased in both cell lines in the presence of glucose.

Irisin, a Novel Myokine, Regulates Glucose Uptake in Skeletal Muscle Cells via AMPK.

Irisin is a novel myokine produced by skeletal muscle. However, its metabolic role is poorly understood. In the present study, irisin induced glucose uptake in differentiated skeletal muscle cells.

Dibenzoylmethane exerts metabolic activity through regulation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-mediated glucose uptake and adipogenesis pathways.

Dibenzoylmethane (DBM) has been shown to exert a variety of beneficial effects on human health. However, the mechanism of action is poorly understood. In this study, DBM increased phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and stimulated glucose uptake in a skeletal muscle cell line.

[6]-Gingerol Affects Glucose Metabolism by Dual Regulation via the AMPKα2-Mediated AS160-Rab5 Pathway and AMPK-Mediated Insulin Sensitizing Effects.

[6]-Gingerol has been used to control diabetes and dyslipidemia; however, its metabolic role is poorly understood. In this study, [6]-gingerol increased adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation in mouse skeletal muscle C2C12 cells. Stimulation of glucose uptake by [6]-gingerol was dependent on AMPKα2.

A multibody approach for 6-DOF flight dynamics and stability analysis of the hawkmoth Manduca sexta.

This paper investigates the six degrees of freedom (6-DOF) flight dynamics and stability of the hawkmoth Manduca sexta using a multibody dynamics approach that encompasses the effects of the time varying inertia tensor of all the body segments including two wings. The quasi-steady translational and unsteady rotational aerodynamics of the flapping wings are modeled with the blade element theory with aerodynamic coefficients derived from relevant experimental studies. The aerodynamics is given instantaneously at each integration time step without wingbeat-cycle-averaging.