PPM1A Controls Diabetic Gene Programming through Directly Dephosphorylating PPAR?? at Ser273

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) is a master regulator of adipose tissue biology. In obesity, phosphorylation of PPAR gamma at Ser273 (pSer273) by cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) orchestrates diabetic gene reprogramming via dysregulation of specific gene expression. Although many recent studies have focused on the development of non-classical agonist drugs that inhibit the phosphorylation of PPAR gamma at Ser273, the molecular mechanism of PPAR gamma dephosphorylation at Ser273 is not well characterized. Here, we report that protein phosphatase Mg2+/Mn2+-dependent 1A (PPM1A) is a novel PPAR gamma phosphatase that directly dephosphorylates Ser273 and restores diabetic gene expression which is dysregulated by pSer273. The expression of PPM1A significantly decreases in two models of insulin resistance: diet-induced obese (DIO) mice and db/db mice, in which it negatively correlates with pSer273. Transcriptomic analysis using microarray and genotype-tissue expression (GTEx) data in humans shows positive correlations between PPM1A and most of the genes that are dysregulated by pSer273. These findings suggest that PPM1A dephosphorylates PPAR gamma at Ser273 and represents a potential target for the treatment of obesity-linked metabolic disorders

Effect of N-substitution in naphthalenediimides on the electrochemical performance of organic rechargeable batteries

We have demonstrated that even small structural variations on the imide nitrogens of naphthalenediimides bearing identical Li-ion binding sites can cause dramatic effects in the performance of organic rechargeable batteries. In particular, naphthalenedimide dilithium salt showed excellent cycling with a capacity of 130 mA h g(-1) at potentials as high as 2.5 V vs. Li/Li+.

Malignant Mesothelioma of the Spermatic Cord

Primary tumors arising from the spermatic cord are very rare. Mesothelioma derives from the mesothelial cells lining the serous membrane, such as the pleura, peritoneum, and tunica vaginalis of testis. Paratesticular malignant mesothelioma (MM), which usually presents as a hydrocele or intrascrotal mass, accounts for 0.3% to 1.4% of MMs. MMs of the spermatic cord account for less than 10% of paratesticular MMs. We report a case of MM of the spermatic cord in a 65-year-old man who primarily presented to the hospital with a left inguinal mass. Following the diagnosis after surgery, he was found to have a contralateral right inguinal mass and died in 6 months. Despite their rare occurrence in the spermatic cord, MMs need to be suspected, especially in patients with a history of asbestos exposure

Lifetime improvement of green phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes by charge confining device structure

Lifetime improvement of green phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes by charge confinement inside an emitting layer was investigated. Excitons were confined within the emitting layer by using a charge confining structure with a high doping concentration at the center of the emitting layer. The lifetime of green devices could be improved by more than five times by confining the excitons at the center of the emitting layer

High-Efficiency Blue Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Using C60 as a Surface Modifier on Indium Tin Oxide

C60 was introduced as a modifier on indium tin oxide (ITO) and the effect of C60 modification on light-emitting efficiency of blue organic light-emitting didoes was investigated. Device performances of C60 modified devices were greatly dependent on ITO surface properties and C60 thickness. Power efficiency of blue devices was improved by 80% by C60 buffer layer on ITO because of low driving voltage and balanced electron-hole recombinatio

Efficient electron injection in organic light-emitting diodes using lithium quinolate/Ca/Al cathodes

Device performances of green devices with cathode structure of lithium quinolate Liq /Ca/Al were investigated and electron injection mechanism was studied using ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. Power efficiency could be improved by 70% by using Liq/Ca/Al cathode structure due to efficient electron injection, and interfacial energy barrier lowering by Liq/Ca/Al metal cathode was observed

Improvement in Power Efficiency in Organic Light Emitting Diodes Through Intermediate Mg:Ag Layer in LiF/Mg:Ag/Al Cathodes

Effects of Mg:Ag interlayer between LiF and Al on electron injection and device performances of organic light-emitting diodes OLEDs were investigated. Thickness of Mg:Ag layer was changed from 0 to 10 nm and the relationship between interlayer thickness and device performances was studied. Current density of OLEDs was increased due to efficient electron injection from cathode to organic layer by Mg:Ag interlayer. In addition, power efficiency of OLEDs was improved by more than 50% due to low driving voltage and high recombination efficiency and it showed a maximum value at a Mg:Ag thickness of 1.0 nm