E3 ligase substrate adaptor SPOP fine-tunes the UPR of pancreatic β cells.

The Cullin-3 E3 ligase adaptor protein SPOP targets proteins for ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. We previously established the β-cell transcription factor (TF) and human diabetes gene PDX1 as an SPOP substrate, suggesting a functional role for SPOP in the β cell. Here, we generated a β-cell-specific deletion mouse strain ( ) and found that is necessary to prevent aberrant basal insulin secretion and for maintaining glucose-stimulated insulin secretion through impacts on glycolysis and glucose-stimulated calcium flux.

The Enhancement of the Thermal Conductivity of Epoxy Resin Reinforced by Bromo-Oxybismuth.

With the gradual miniaturization of electronic devices, the thermal conductivity of electronic components is increasingly required. Epoxy (EP) resins are easy to process, exhibit excellent electrical insulation properties, and are light in weight and low in cost, making them the preferred material for thermal management applications. In order to endow EPs with better dielectric and thermal conductivity properties, bromo-oxygen-bismuth (BiOBr) prepared using the hydrothermal method was used as a filler to obtain BiOBr/EP composites, and the effect of BiOBr addition on the properties of the BiOBr/EP composites was also studied.

Integrated metabolite profiling and transcriptome analysis reveal candidate genes involved in the formation of yellow Nelumbo nucifera.

As a worldwide major ornamental flower and a edible plant, lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is also used as medicine and tea beverage. Here, transcriptome and metabolites of yellow (MLQS) and white (YGB) lotus cultivars during five key flower coloration stages were profiled. 2014 differentially expressed genes were detected with 11 carotenoids in lotus were identified for the first time.

A PDX1 cistrome and single-cell transcriptome resource of the developing pancreas.

Pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1) is crucial for pancreas organogenesis, yet the dynamic changes in PDX1 binding in human or mouse developing pancreas have not been examined. To address this knowledge gap, we performed PDX1 ChIP-seq and single-cell RNA-seq using fetal human pancreata. We integrated our datasets with published datasets and revealed the dynamics of PDX1 binding and potential cell lineage-specific PDX1-bound genes in the pancreas from fetal to adult stages.

Formation mechanism of zigzag patterned P(NIPAM--AA)/CuS composite microspheres by biomimetic mineralization for morphology modulation.

Poly(-isopropylacrylamide--acrylic acid)/copper sulfide (P(NIPAM--AA)/CuS) composite microspheres with variable zigzag patterned surfaces have been synthesized by employing an biomimetic mineralization reaction between HS and Cu immersed in P(NIPAM--AA) microspheres for morphology modulation. The morphology and composition of the P(NIPAM--AA)/CuS composite microspheres with zigzag patterned surfaces prepared in different conditions were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR). The polymeric microgels swelled by Cu(Ac) solution after freeze-drying treatment were of porous structure, indicating that there were polymeric frameworks and rich-water domains in the microgels before the deposition.

Facile synthesis of superhydrophobic MS/TiO/PDMS sponge for efficient oil-water separation.

To obtain a kind of superhydrophobic sponge with high oil and water selectivity, the MS/TiO/PDMS sponge was prepared via a two-step hydrophobic fabrication based on the melamine sponge (MS), tetrabutyl titanate (TBOT), and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The effects of modification time, the concentrations of TBOT and PDMS on the properties of the MS/TiO/PDMS sponge were studied, and the separation mechanism was also discussed based on the interaction between the oil and the surface of the MS/TiO/PDMS sponge. The results suggest that under optimal conditions, the MS/TiO/PDMS sponge show superhydrophobicity.

Tetrahydroxy stilbene glycoside regulates TGF-β/fractalkine/CX3CR1 based on network pharmacology in APP/PS1 mouse model.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a serious, progressive neurodegenerative disease that involves irreversible neuronal death. Tetrahydroxy stilbene glycoside (TSG) is an active compound extracted from P. multiflorum, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, but its role in neuroprotection is unclear.

Decreased KATP Channel Activity Contributes to the Low Glucose Threshold for Insulin Secretion of Rat Neonatal Islets.

Transitional hypoglycemia in normal newborns occurs in the first 3 days of life and has clinical features consistent with hyperinsulinism. We found a lower threshold for glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from freshly isolated embryonic day (E) 22 rat islets, which persisted into the first postnatal days. The threshold reached the adult level by postnatal day (P) 14.

Facile and simple fabrication of superhydrophobic and superoleophilic MS/PDA/DT sponge for efficient oil/water separation.

To overcome the problems of frequent leakage accidents during oil exploitation, a superhydrophobic and superoleophilic porous MS/PDA/DT sponge was successfully prepared via mild solvent evaporation method, and a polydopamine assisted surface coating of 1-dodecanethiol (DT) on a melamine sponge (MS) substrate. Surface structure and performance of the MS/PDA/DT sponge were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), and Video Optical Contact Angle (CA) metre. The results showed that the as-prepared MS/PDA/DT sponge has a high-water contact angle (WCA) of 147.

FBXW7 mediates high glucose‑induced SREBP‑1 expression in renal tubular cells of diabetic nephropathy under PI3K/Akt pathway regulation.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a severe complication of diabetes mellitus and lipid metabolism abnormality serves a key role in the pathogenesis of DN. Sterol regulatory element‑binding protein 1 (SREBP‑1) overexpression mediates aberrant lipid accumulation in renal tubular cells of DN. However, the exact mechanism involved in increased SREBP‑1 has not been fully elucidated.

Brazilin Treatment Produces Antidepressant- and Anxiolytic-Like Effects in Mice.

Increasing evidence shows depression relevant to oxidative stress and inflammation. Anti-inflammatory strategies or antioxidants have led to the development of new antidepressants. Brazilin is a natural product from the Chinese traditional medicine Caesalpinia sappan L.

Differences in flavonoid pathway metabolites and transcripts affect yellow petal colouration in the aquatic plant Nelumbo nucifera.

Background: The Asia lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) is an ornamental aquatic plant with high economic value. Flower colour is an important ornamental trait, with much of N.

Genome-wide analyses of the bHLH gene family reveals structural and functional characteristics in the aquatic plant .

Lotus ( Gaertn.) is an economically important aquatic plant with multiple applications, but water salinity and cold stress seriously affect lotus yield and distribution. The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors (TFs) play a vital role in plant growth and development, metabolic regulation processes and responses to environmental changes.

JUND regulates pancreatic β cell survival during metabolic stress.

Objective: In type 2 diabetes (T2D), oxidative stress contributes to the dysfunction and loss of pancreatic β cells. A highly conserved feature of the cellular response to stress is the regulation of mRNA translation; however, the genes regulated at the level of translation are often overlooked due to the convenience of RNA sequencing technologies. Our goal is to investigate translational regulation in β cells as a means to uncover novel factors and pathways pertinent to cellular adaptation and survival during T2D-associated conditions.

Solvation effect and binding of rhaponticin with iron: a spectroscopic and DFT/TDDFT study.

In this article, both experimental and computational methods are employed to investigate the photophysics of rhaponticin (RH). The bathochromic shift was observed in absorption and fluorescence spectra with increasing solvent polarity, which implied that the charge transition of RH involved was π → π*. The results showed that RH possess strong intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), and the most important parameter to characterize the photophysical behavior of RH is the intermolecular hydrogen bonding ability of the solvent.

Repeated arctigenin treatment produces antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects in mice.

Depression is the root of various diseases. It is one of the most debilitating conditions globally. Antidepressant drugs are usually the first-line of depression treatment.

Detection of Highly Differentiated Genomic Regions Between Lotus ( Gaertn.) With Contrasting Plant Architecture and Their Functional Relevance to Plant Architecture.

The lotus ( Gaertn.) is one of the most economically and ornamentally important perennial aquatic plants. Plant architecture is an important trait for lotus classification, cultivation, breeding, and applications.

A PDX1-ATF transcriptional complex governs β cell survival during stress.

Objective: Loss of insulin secretion due to failure or death of the insulin secreting β cells is the central cause of diabetes. The cellular response to stress (endoplasmic reticulum (ER), oxidative, inflammatory) is essential to sustain normal β cell function and survival. Pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1), Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), and Activating transcription factor 5 (ATF5) are transcription factors implicated in β cell survival and susceptibility to stress.

Narirutin produces antidepressant-like effects in a chronic unpredictable mild stress mouse model.

Depression is a highly debilitating and life-threatening mental disorder, which is accompanied by dysregulation of the peripheral and central immune system. Narirutin (NR), which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, is one of the active constituents isolated from Citrus unshiu. However, its potential antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like effects are poorly understood.

Effect of Alkali Metal Atoms Doping on Structural and Nonlinear Optical Properties of the Gold-Germanium Bimetallic Clusters.

A new series of alkali-based complexes, AM@GeAu (AM = Li, Na, and K), have been theoretically designed and investigated by means of the density functional theory calculations. The geometric structures and electronic properties of the species are systematically analyzed. The adsorption of alkali metals maintains the structural framework of the gold-germanium bimetallic clusters, and the alkali metals prefer energetically to be attached on clusters' surfaces or edges.

ATF5 regulates β-cell survival during stress.

The stress response and cell survival are necessary for normal pancreatic β-cell function, glucose homeostasis, and prevention of diabetes. The homeodomain transcription factor and human diabetes gene pancreas/duodenum homeobox protein 1 (Pdx1) regulates β-cell survival and endoplasmic reticulum stress susceptibility, in part through direct regulation of activating transcription factor 4 (Atf4). Here we show that Atf5, a close but less-studied relative of Atf4, is also a target of Pdx1 and is critical for β-cell survival under stress conditions.

LIM domain-binding 1 maintains the terminally differentiated state of pancreatic β cells.

The recognition of β cell dedifferentiation in type 2 diabetes raises the translational relevance of mechanisms that direct and maintain β cell identity. LIM domain-binding protein 1 (LDB1) nucleates multimeric transcriptional complexes and establishes promoter-enhancer looping, thereby directing fate assignment and maturation of progenitor populations. Many terminally differentiated endocrine cell types, however, remain enriched for LDB1, but its role is unknown.

Poly-(acryl amine-co-dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride) graft starch flocculant for cleaning-up of wastewater.

Graft starch flocculant (GSF) was synthesized by copolymerization of carboxymethylated soluble starch, acryl amine and dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride using ceric ammonium nitrate (NH4)2Ce(NO3)6 as the polymerization initiator. The morphology was observed by scanning electron microscope, the structure was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the surface area was measured by the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method. The experimental results showed that the GSF had huge pore volume, high specific area and proper reaction groups, which could enhance its ability to adsorb heavy metal ions.

Diabetes Susceptibility Genes Pdx1 and Clec16a Function in a Pathway Regulating Mitophagy in β-Cells.

Mitophagy is a critical regulator of mitochondrial quality control and is necessary for elimination of dysfunctional mitochondria to maintain cellular respiration. Here, we report that the homeodomain transcription factor Pdx1, a gene associated with both type 2 diabetes and monogenic diabetes of the young, regulates mitophagy in pancreatic β-cells. Loss of Pdx1 leads to abnormal mitochondrial morphology and function as well as impaired mitochondrial turnover.

Synthesis of P(AM-co-MAA)/AEM composite microspheres with lichi-like surface structure using porous microgel as template.

The P(AM-co-MAA)/AEM composite microspheres with lichi-like structure were synthesized by the hydrolysis and condensation of 3-(trimethoxysilyl)-propyldimethyloctadecyl-ammonium chloride (AEM) located within porous poly(acrylamide-co-methylacrylic acid) (P(AM-co-MAA)) microgels in an ammonia water atmosphere. The morphology and composition of the composite microspheres were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FI-IR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. The results indicated that the composite microspheres with lichi-like surface structure could be obtained by controlling the loaded amount of AEM, the hydrolysis-condensation time of AEM, and the cross-linking degree of the porous P(AM-co-MAA) microgels.