Sex-specific role for the long noncoding RNA Pnky in mouse behavior.

The aberrant expression of specific long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been associated with cognitive and psychiatric disorders. Although a growing number of lncRNAs are now known to regulate neural cell development and function, relatively few lncRNAs have been shown to underlie animal behavior. Pnky is an evolutionarily conserved, neural lncRNA that regulates brain development. Using mouse genetic strategies, we show that Pnky has sex-specific roles in mouse behavior and that this lncRNA can underlie specific behavior by functioning in trans. Male Pnky-knockout mice have decreased context generalization in a paradigm of associative fear learning and memory. In female Pnky-knockout mice, there is an increase in the acoustic startle response, a behavior that is altered in affective disorders. Remarkably, expression of Pnky from a bacterial artificial chromosome transgene decreases the acoustic startle response in female Pnky-knockout mice, demonstrating that Pnky can modulate specific animal behavior by functioning in trans. More broadly, these studies illustrate how specific lncRNAs can underlie cognitive and mood disorders.

Therapeutic Transplantation of Human Central Nervous System Organoids for Neural Reconstruction.

Damage to the central nervous system (CNS) often leads to irreversible neurological deficits, and there are currently few effective treatments available. However, recent advancements in regenerative medicine have identified CNS organoids as promising therapeutic options for addressing CNS injuries. These organoids, composed of various neurons and supporting cells, have shown potential for direct repair at injury sites. CNS organoids resemble the structure and function of actual brain tissue, which allows them to adapt and function well within the physiological environment when transplanted into injury sites. Research findings suggest that CNS organoids can replace damaged neurons, form new neural connections, and promote neural recovery. This review highlights the emerging benefits, evaluates preclinical transplantation outcomes, and explores future strategies for optimizing neuroregeneration using CNS organoids. With continued research and technological advancements, these organoids could provide new hope for patients suffering from neurological deficits.

Morphogenetic Designs, and Disease Models in Central Nervous System Organoids.

Since the emergence of the first cerebral organoid (CO) in 2013, advancements have transformed central nervous system (CNS) research. Initial efforts focused on studying the morphogenesis of COs and creating reproducible models. Numerous methodologies have been proposed, enabling the design of the brain organoid to represent specific regions and spinal cord structures. CNS organoids now facilitate the study of a wide range of CNS diseases, from infections to tumors, which were previously difficult to investigate. We summarize the major advancements in CNS organoids, concerning morphogenetic designs and disease models. We examine the development of fabrication procedures and how these advancements have enabled the generation of region-specific brain organoids and spinal cord models. We highlight the application of these organoids in studying various CNS diseases, demonstrating the versatility and potential of organoid models in advancing our understanding of complex conditions. We discuss the current challenges in the field, including issues related to reproducibility, scalability, and the accurate recapitulation of the in vivo environment. We provide an outlook on prospective studies and future directions. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art CNS organoid research, highlighting key developments, current challenges, and prospects in the field.

First-principles evaluation of transition metal dichalcogenide-graphene pairs functionalized with oxygen-containing groups for sodium-ion battery anodes.

Composites of reduced graphene oxides (rGOs) with transition metal dichalcogenides have garnered considerable attention as promising anode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) because of their superior theoretical capacity and long-term stability compared with pure graphene. However, the underlying mechanism of how the oxygen functional groups improve the functionality of rGO remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the roles of functional groups in rGO-based heterogeneous bilayers using first-principles density functional theory calculations. The thermodynamic affinities to Na atoms, kinetic diffusion, and working potential behaviors of the Na atoms in various models, such as MoS2/graphene (Gr), MoS2/Gr-O, MoS2/Gr-OH, and MoS2/Gr-COOH, were accurately evaluated. It is clearly demonstrated that the noncovalent bonding nature is a predominant descriptor of Na affinity rather than the charge distribution around the intercalated Na atom. The activation barriers for Na atomic diffusion in the MoS2/Gr, MoS2/Gr-O, MoS2/Gr-OH, and MoS2/Gr-COOH models were estimated to be 0.24, 0.27, 0.35, and 0.31 eV, respectively. This indicated that the functional groups slightly delayed the Na motion. Notably, the obtained results demonstrated that the -COOH group not only enhanced the affinity towards Na intercalation but also induced a low working voltage at approximately 1 V. Therefore, the carboxyl functional group exhibits high material stability, making rGO a promising candidate for SIB anode materials.

Sex-specific role for the long noncoding RNA Pnky in mouse behavior.

The human brain expresses thousands of different long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and aberrant expression of specific lncRNAs has been associated with cognitive and psychiatric disorders. While a growing number of lncRNAs are now known to regulate neural cell development and function, relatively few have been shown to underlie animal behavior, particularly with genetic strategies that establish lncRNA function in trans. Pnky is an evolutionarily conserved, neural lncRNA that regulates brain development. Using mouse genetic strategies, we show that Pnky has sex-specific roles in mouse behavior and that this lncRNA underlies specific behavior by functioning in trans. Male Pnky-knockout (KO) mice have deficits in cued fear recall, a type of Pavlovian associative memory. In female Pnky-KO mice, the acoustic startle response (ASR) is increased and accompanied by a decrease in prepulse inhibition (PPI), both of which are behaviors altered in affective disorders. Remarkably, expression of Pnky from a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgene reverses the ASR phenotype of female Pnky-KO mice, demonstrating that Pnky underlies specific animal behavior by functioning in trans. More broadly, these data provide genetic evidence that a lncRNA gene and its function in trans can play a key role in the behavior of adult mammals, contributing fundamental knowledge to our growing understanding of the association between specific lncRNAs and disorders of cognition and mood.

Whole genome sequence of lactic acid bacterium Pediococcus acidilactici strain S1

Abstract Pediococcus acidilactici strain S1, a lactic acid-fermenting bacterium, was isolated from makgeolli-a Korean traditional fermented alcoholic beverage. Here we report the 1,980,172 bp (G + C content, 42%) genome sequence of Pediococcus acidilactici strain S1 with 1,525 protein-coding sequences (CDS), of which 47% could be assigned to recognized functional genes. The genome sequence of the strain S1 might provide insights into the genetic basis of the lactic acid bacterium with alcohol-tolerant.

Draft genome sequence of a caprolactam degrader bacterium: Pseudomonas taiwanensis strain SJ9

Abstract Pseudomonas taiwanensis strain SJ9 is a caprolactam degrader, isolated from industrial wastewater in South Korea and considered to have the potential for caprolactam bioremediation. The genome of this strain is approximately 6.2 Mb (G + C content, 61.75%) with 6,010 protein-coding sequences (CDS), of which 46% are assigned to recognized functional genes. This draft genome of strain SJ9 will provide insights into the genetic basis of its caprolactam-degradation ability.

Draft genome sequence of sulfur-reducing archaeon Thermococcus thioreducens DSM 14981T

Abstract Thermococcus thioreducens DSM 14981T, a sulfur-reducing archaeon, was isolated from the rainbow hydrothermal vent site on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Herein, we report the draft genome sequence of T. thioreducens DSM 14981T; we obtained 41 contigs with a genome size of 2,052,483 bp and G + C content of 53.5%. This genome sequence will not only help understand how the archaeon adapts to the deep-sea hydrothermal environment but also aid the development of enzymes that are highly stable under extreme conditions for industrial applications.

Draft genome sequence of alcohol-tolerant bacteria Pediococcus acidilactici strain K3

Abstract Pediococcus acidilactici strain K3 is an alcohol-tolerant lactic acid bacterium isolated from nuruk, which is a traditional Korean fermentation starter for makgeolli brewing. Draft genome of this strain was approximately 1,991,399 bp (G+C content, 42.1%) with 1525 protein-coding sequences (CDS), of which 44% were assigned to recognized functional genes. This draft genome sequence data of the strain K3 will provide insights into the genetic basis of its alcohol-tolerance.