Transcriptomes of human primary skin fibroblasts of healthy individuals reveal age-associated mRNAs and long noncoding RNAs.

Changes in the transcriptomes of human tissues with advancing age are poorly cataloged. Here, we sought to identify the coding and long noncoding RNAs present in cultured primary skin fibroblasts collected from 82 healthy individuals across a wide age spectrum (22-89 years old) who participated in the GESTALT (Genetic and Epigenetic Signatures of Translational Aging Laboratory Testing) study of the National Institute on Aging, NIH. Using high-throughput RNA sequencing and a linear regression model, we identified 1437 coding RNAs (mRNAs) and 1177 linear and circular long noncoding (lncRNAs) that were differentially abundant as a function of age.

Enhanced myogenesis through lncFAM-mediated recruitment of HNRNPL to the MYBPC2 promoter.

The mammalian transcriptome comprises a vast family of long noncoding (lnc)RNAs implicated in physiologic processes such as myogenesis, through which muscle forms during embryonic development and regenerates in the adult. However, the specific molecular mechanisms by which lncRNAs regulate human myogenesis are poorly understood. Here, we identified a novel muscle-specific lncRNA, lncFAM71E1-2:2 (lncFAM), which increased robustly during early human myogenesis.

Reactive Grand-Canonical Monte Carlo Simulations for Modeling Hydration of MgCl.

Thermochemical heat-storage applications, based on the reversible endo-/exothermic hydration reaction of salts, are intensively investigated to search for compact heat-storage devices. To achieve a truly valuable storage system, progressively complex salts are investigated. For these salts, the equilibrium temperature and pressure conditions are not always easy to predict.

Improved Pd/CeO Catalysts for Low-Temperature NO Reduction: Activation of CeO Lattice Oxygen by Fe Doping.

Developing better three-way catalysts with improved low-temperature performance is essential for cold start emission control. Density functional theory in combination with microkinetics simulations is used to predict reactivity of CO/NO/H mixtures on a small Pd cluster on CeO(111). At low temperatures, NO formation occurs via a NO dimer over metallic Pd.

AUF1 ligand circPCNX reduces cell proliferation by competing with p21 mRNA to increase p21 production.

Mammalian circRNAs can influence different cellular processes by interacting with proteins and other nucleic acids. Here, we used ribonucleoprotein immunoprecipitation (RIP) analysis to identify systematically the circRNAs associated with the cancer-related protein AUF1. Among the circRNAs interacting with AUF1 in HeLa (human cervical carcinoma) cells, we focused on hsa_circ_0032434 (circPCNX), an abundant target of AUF1.

Interaction of OIP5-AS1 with MEF2C mRNA promotes myogenic gene expression.

Long noncoding (lnc)RNAs potently regulate gene expression programs in physiology and disease. Here, we describe a key function for lncRNA OIP5-AS1 in myogenesis, the process whereby myoblasts differentiate into myotubes during muscle development and muscle regeneration after injury. In human myoblasts, OIP5-AS1 levels increased robustly early in myogenesis, and its loss attenuated myogenic differentiation and potently reduced the levels of the myogenic transcription factor MEF2C.

Linear Activation Energy-Reaction Energy Relations for LaBO (B = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) Supported Single-Atom Platinum Group Metal Catalysts for CO Oxidation.

Single-atom catalysts are at the center of attention of the heterogeneous catalysis community because they exhibit unique electronic structures distinct from nanoparticulate forms, resulting in very different catalytic performance combined with increased usage of often costly transition metals. Proper selection of a support that can stably keep the metal in a high dispersion is crucial. Here, we employ spin-polarized density functional theory and microkinetics simulations to identify optimum LaBO (B = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) supported catalysts dispersing platinum group metals as atoms on their surface.

Hepatic HuR modulates lipid homeostasis in response to high-fat diet.

Lipid transport and ATP synthesis are critical for the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we report that the RNA-binding protein HuR (ELAVL1) forms complexes with NAFLD-relevant transcripts. It associates with intron 24 of Apob pre-mRNA, with the 3'UTR of Uqcrb, and with the 5'UTR of Ndufb6 mRNA, thereby regulating the splicing of Apob mRNA and the translation of UQCRB and NDUFB6.

circSamd4 represses myogenic transcriptional activity of PUR proteins.

By interacting with proteins and nucleic acids, the vast family of mammalian circRNAs is proposed to influence many biological processes. Here, RNA sequencing analysis of circRNAs differentially expressed during myogenesis revealed that circSamd4 expression increased robustly in mouse C2C12 myoblasts differentiating into myotubes. Moreover, silencing circSamd4, which is conserved between human and mouse, delayed myogenesis and lowered the expression of myogenic markers in cultured myoblasts from both species.

Water-gas-shift reaction on reduced gold-substituted CeO(111) surfaces: the role of Au charge.

Density functional theory is employed to investigate the role of Au charge in the water-gas-shift (WGS) reaction on a CeO(111) surface with a cerium atom replaced by a gold atom. The oxidation state of the gold atom, varied between +3 and -1, is controlled by altering the number and configuration of oxygen vacancies. The findings indicate that Au and Au are not catalytically active for the WGS reaction because of a high energy barrier of +1.

The charge states of Au on gold-substituted Ce1-xO2(111) surfaces with multiple oxygen vacancies.

The surface structures and the charge on Au for a gold atom adsorbed on the cerium vacancy of the (111) surface of CeO2 in the presence of oxygen vacancies are investigated via density functional theory calculations. Without oxygen vacancies, the Au atom adsorbed on a Ce vacancy of CeO2(111) is highly positively charged. By systematically exploring oxygen vacancy configurations, it is found that not only does the Au charge have a trend of decreasing when the number of oxygen vacancies increases, but this charge also can be significantly changed by adjusting the locations of the oxygen vacancies without altering the vacancy number.

Improved infrared-sensing running wheel systems with an effective exercise activity indicator.

This paper describes an infrared-sensing running wheel (ISRW) system for the quantitative measurement of effective exercise activity in rats. The ISRW system provides superior exercise training compared with commercially available traditional animal running platforms. Four infrared (IR) light-emitting diode/detector pairs embedded around the rim of the wheel detect the rat's real-time position; the acrylic wheel has a diameter of 55 cm and a thickness of 15 cm, that is, it is larger and thicker than traditional exercise wheels, and it is equipped with a rubber track.

Therapeutic evaluation of etanercept in a model of traumatic brain injury.

Antagonism of tumor necrosis factor-alpha with etanercept has proved to be effective in the treatment of spinal cord injury and centrally endotoxin-induced brain injury. However, etanercept may offer promise as therapy for traumatic brain injury (TBI). In this study, anesthetized rats, immediately after the onset of TBI, were divided into two major groups and given the vehicle solution (1 mL/kg of body weight) or etanercept (5 mg/kg of body weight) intraperitoneally once per 12 h for consecutive 3 days.

A force plate measurement system to assess hindlimb weight support of spinal cord injured rats.

This paper describes a force plate system for quantitative measurement of the hindlimb weight support of rats. The system is built around a microcontroller and uses strain gauges to measure individually the weight applied by each limb and also the general hindquarters of the rat. The sum of weights on the individual force plates adds up to the total weight of the rat.

An inclined plane system with microcontroller to determine limb motor function of laboratory animals.

This study describes a high-accuracy inclined plane test system for quantitative measurement of the limb motor function of laboratory rats. The system is built around a microcontroller and uses a stepping motor to drive a ball screw, which changes the angle of the inclined plane. Any of the seven inclination speeds can be selected by the user.