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Key message: We identified FLY as a previously uncharacterized RNA-binding-family protein that controls flowering time by positively regulating the expression of FLC clade members. The ability of flowering plants to adjust the timing of the floral transition based on endogenous and environmental signals contributes to their adaptive success. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the MADS-domain protein FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) and the FLC clade members FLOWERING LOCUS M/MADS AFFECTING FLOWERING1 (FLM/MAF1), MAF2, MAF3, MAF4, and MAF5 form nuclear complexes that repress flowering under noninductive conditions. However, how FLM/MAF genes are regulated requires further study. Using a genetic strategy, we showed that the previously uncharacterized K-homology (KH) domain protein FLOWERING LOCUS Y (FLY) modulates flowering time. The fly-1 knockout mutant and FLY artificial microRNA knockdown line flowered earlier than the wild type under long- and short-day conditions. The knockout fly-1 allele, a SALK T-DNA insertion mutant, contains an ~ 110-kb genomic deletion induced by T-DNA integration. FLC clade members were downregulated in the fly-1 mutants and FLY artificial microRNA knockdown line, whereas the level of the FLC antisense transcript COOLAIR was similar to that of the wild type. Our results identify FLY as a regulator that affects flowering time through upregulation of FLC clade members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tissue architecture determines its unique physiology and function. How these properties are intertwined has remained unclear. Here we show that the metabolic enzyme CTP synthase (CTPS) form filamentous structures termed cytoophidia along the adipocyte cortex in Drosophila adipose tissue. Loss of cytoophidia, whether due to reduced CTPS expression or a point mutation that specifically abrogates its polymerization ability, causes impaired adipocyte adhesion and defective adipose tissue architecture. Moreover, CTPS influences integrin distribution and dot-like deposition of type IV collagen (Col IV). Col IV-integrin signaling reciprocally regulates the assembly of cytoophidia in adipocytes. Our results demonstrate that a positive feedback signaling loop containing both cytoophidia and integrin adhesion complex couple tissue architecture and metabolism in Drosophila adipose tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein-1 (LRG1) is widely involved in proliferation, migration, and invasion of various tumor cells. Recent studies have evaluated the potential of LRG1 as both an early tumor and a prognostic biomarker. Method: The relevant literature from PubMed is reviewed in this article. Results: It has been found that LRG1 mainly acts on the regulatory mechanisms of angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and apoptosis by transforming growth factor (TGF-β) signaling pathway as well as affecting the occurrence and development of the tumors. Moreover, with advancement of research, LRG1 regulation pathways which are independent of TGF-β signaling pathway have been gradually revealed in different tumor cells; There are several studies on the biological effects of LRG1 as an inflammatory factor, vascular growth regulator, cell adhesion, and a cell viability influencing factor. In addition, various tumor suppression methods which are based on regulation of LRG1 levels have also shown high potential clinical value. Conclusions: LRG1 are critical for the processes of tumorigenesis, development, and metastasis in various tumors. The present study reviewed the latest research on the achievements of LRG1 in tumor genesis and development. Further, this study also discussed the related molecular mechanisms of various biological functions of LRG1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated associations between cardiometabolic diseases, frailty, and healthcare utilization and expenditure among Chinese older adults. The participants were 5204 community-dwelling adults aged at least 60 years from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Five cardiometabolic diseases were assessed including hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, cardiac diseases and stroke. Frailty status was based on five criteria: slowness, weakness, exhaustion, inactivity, and shrinking. Participants were deemed frailty if they met at least three criteria. As the number of cardiometabolic diseases increased, so did the prevalence of frailty, and the proportion of healthcare utilization, including outpatient visit and inpatient visit. Moreover, the total healthcare expenditure and the odds of catastrophic health expenditure were increased with the number of cardiometabolic disorders. After adjusting for covariates, cardiometabolic diseases were positively associated with higher odds of frailty, incurring outpatient and inpatient visit. And individuals with 2 or more cardiometabolic diseases had a higher odds of catastrophic health expenditure than persons with non-cardiometabolic disease. Participants who were frailty were more likely to report higher odds of healthcare utilization. These findings suggest that both cardiometabolic diseases and frailty assessment may improve identification of older adults likely to require costly, extensive healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seismic performance of masonry-infilled reinforce concrete (RC) frame buildings is an intricate issue due to the variety and complexity failure mechanisms observed on this type of buildings during an earthquake, mainly due to wall-frame interaction. This leads to seriously damaged infill walls and it can produce large economic losses and even jeopardize human lives in an earthquake event. For this reason, in this study a new type of flexible connection able to reduce the wall-frame interaction, and consequently improving the overall seismic performance of the structure is examined. The research encompasses both experimental and numerical analyses of three distinct cases: a rigid connection (Case 1), a traditionally flexible connection (Case 2), and the new proposed type of flexible connection (Case 3). The in-plane and out-of-plane seismic performance is analyzed and compared for these cases. As a result of the study, the new type of flexible connection effectively reduced in-plane damage of the infill walls and minimized undesirable infill-frame interaction. Compared with rigid and traditional connections, the energy dissipation capacity increased by 37.7% and 3.5% for the masonry-infilled RC frame structure with a new flexible connection. At the same time, the out-of-plane strength and stiffness of the new flexible connection increased by 119.8% and 104.2% in the same prior in-plane drift ratio than that of traditional flexible connection. It is concluded that the steel cable structure (the U-bars are connected to the frames to ensure out-of-plane stability of infill walls.) can improve the restraint of frames on infill walls, which is beneficial to development of out-of-plane horizontal arch mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method to deal with the design of automatic parting in calibrator computer-aided design (CAD) for plastic profile extrusion dies via feature recognitions is presented. An integral design method to design all the calibrator plates simultaneously is presented. The approach to automatic parting in calibrators is proposed. For a given calibrator integral plate, the positions of calibrators' parting faces are identified automatically based on recognitions of the visibility, attribute adjacent graphs of calibrator cavity surfaces. To meet the machining process requirements of calibrators, a parting process to achieve the final position of the calibrator parting faces is presented. A case study is presented to validate the proposed methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]