To investigate the characteristics of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) pollution in Taichung, Taiwan, atmospheric concentrations of PM_2.5 and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured weekly from 2016 to 2017 in Taichung and Saitama in the Tokyo metropolitan area of Japan. The following conclusions were drawn: (1) the annual mean concentration of PM_2.5 in Taichung was 27.7 µg/m³ (2016) and 31.1 µg/m³ (2017), which was twice that of Saitama and exceeded the long-term environmental standard of 15 µg/m³ in both years. (2) Two-year mean concentration of the 10 PAHs was 1.42 ng/m³, which was twice that in Saitama. (3) PM_2.5 and PAH concentrations were higher with the winter monsoon from China being most likely cause. (4) The correlation between PM_2.5 and the other pollutant concentrations revealed that the primary sources of PM_2.5, automobiles, thermal power plants, and factories were also significant. Based on the findings, reducing PM_2.5 concentration in Taichung requires not only reducing emissions from automobiles, but also implementing measures against power plants and factories. Additionally, it is effective in reducing PM_2.5 in China. We hope that the reduction in air pollutants in Taiwan and China will clean air in Taichung.

Transcription of mRNA consists of three critical steps - initiation, elongation, and termination - and is driven by RNA polymerase II (Pol II), whose activity is regulated by a unique C-terminal domain (CTD). The transcription-related kinases CDK7, CDK9, and CDK12 regulate transcription by differentially phosphorylating serine 2, serine 5, and serine 7 of the Pol II CTD, although their functional interactions are not yet fully understood. Since these CDKs are involved in cancer cell proliferation and survival, elucidating these interactions is useful for cancer treatment. We focused on CDK12, which plays an important role in the late phase of transcription and identified several novel autophosphorylation sites of CDK12. Among these, serine 423 on CDK12 was found to be a critical residue affecting the half-life of the CDK12 protein and its phosphorylation is mediated by both CDK12 and CDK7. Additionally, comprehensive phosphoproteomic analysis revealed that CDK7 and CDK9 affect the phosphorylation of CDK12 and the CDK12 interactome, suggesting crosstalk between these kinases. Inhibition of CDK7 disrupted the interaction between CDK12 and proteins phosphorylated by CDK12, including RNA processing factors, while inhibition of CDK7 and CDK9 enhanced the interaction between CDK12 and splicing factors. In conclusion, our results indicate that CDK7 and CDK9 functionally regulate CDK12 upstream, suggesting that transcriptional CDKs cooperatively regulate RNA transcription and subsequent transcriptional processes.

Diabetes mellitus includes type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease affecting young people. Although several factors that worsen type 1 diabetes are known, information on the effects of blue light remains obscure. In this study, we investigated the effects of blue light irradiation on diabetes using mice with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetes. Furthermore, we investigated the potential of selected compounds in rescuing the blue light-induced aggravation of diabetes. Blue light irradiation exacerbated type 1 diabetes. It activated insulin-like growth factor-1 and reactive oxygen species/caspase 3/apoptosis/endothelial-monocyte activating polypeptide II/neutrophil/neutrophil extracellular trap-associated cell death (NETosis) system signaling and increased the expression of angiopoietin-like protein 2 (Agptl2). These results indicate that blue light worsens type 1 diabetes by increasing NETosis production and the expression of Agptl2. Administration of pantethine or tranexamic acid prevented the blue light-induced worsening of type 1 diabetes by suppressing neutrophil production and Agptl2 expression. Our results provide insights into the effects of blue light on type 1 diabetes and highlight the potential of compounds that can be used in ameliorating such effects.

We chose colistin as a new potentiator, which exhibited the relatively good potentiation activity of OMT against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. This study uncovered new insight into an OMT based combination therapy.