Circadian oscillations of mRNAs and proteins are the main features of circadian clock genes. Among them, Period1 (Per1) is a key component in negative-feedback regulation, which shows a robust diurnal oscillation and the importance of circadian rhythm and translational regulation of circadian clock genes has been recognized. In the present study, we investigated the 5′-untranslated region (5′-UTR) of the mouse core clock gene, Per1, at the posttranscriptional level, particularly its translational regulation. The 5′-UTR of Per1 was found to promote its translation via an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES). We found that polypyrimidine tract-binding protein 1 (PTBP1) binds to the 5′-UTR of Per1 and positively regulates the IRES-mediated translation of Per1 without affecting the levels of Per1 mRNA. The reduction of PTBP1 level also decreased the endogenous levels of the PER1 protein but not of its mRNA. As for the oscillation of PER1 expression, the disruption of PTBP1 levels lowered the PER1 expression but not the phase of the oscillation. PTBP1 also changed the amplitudes of the mRNAs of other circadian clock genes, such as Cryptochrome 1 (Cry1) and Per3. Our results suggest that the PTBP1 is important for rhythmic translation of Per1 and it fine-tunes the overall circadian system.

A novel PVA/clay (MMT) film is prepared for the first time based on the saponification of the PVAc/MMT film in the presence of heterogeneous conditions. With the help of optical microscopy, the characteristics and surface morphology of the saponified PVA/MMT film is confirmed. It is found to contain black MMT nanoparticles in PVAc films as the content of MMT increased. According to atomic force microscopy results, PVAc/MMT films shows unexpected surface roughness owing to the slow progress of the saponification reaction in the presence of MMT contents in the PVAc matrix. The thermal stability of the PVA/MMT film is measured using thermal gravimetric analyses. The results indicate that thermal stability increases significantly when the MMT concentration increases. The entire structure of the PVA/MMT nanocomposite has been elucidated using XRD. To prove the differences between the PVAc/MMT and the PVA/MMT films, XRD measurements and Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy analyses are utilized.

Heating films were prepared by using poly(methyl methacrylate) and polybutadiene composites containing graphite. The heating film was prepared by casting the as-made polymer composite on the PET film. Copper electrodes were attached to both ends of the as-prepared film, and the heating characteristics of the film were analyzed while applying the DC voltage. The electrical conductivity and the heating temperature of the heating films depended on the size, the structure, the content, and the dispersion characteristics of the graphite in the composite. The electrical resistance of the heating film was controlled to adjust the heating temperature of the film. The relationship between the physical/chemical structure and the heating characteristics of the composite film was studied by measuring the heating temperature as functions of film thickness and resistance by using an infrared thermal imaging camera. The lower the film resistance, the higher the heating temperature of the film. The surface temperature was uniform throughout the film.