ITGB1 enhances the Radioresistance of human Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Cells by modulating the DNA damage response and YAP1-induced Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition

Objectives: Radiotherapy has played a limited role in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) due to the risk of tumour radioresistance. We previously established the radioresistant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell line H460R. In this study, we identified differentially expressed genes between these radioresistant H460R cells and their radiosensitive parent line. We further evaluated the role of a differentially expressed gene, ITGB1, in NSCLC cell radioresistance and as a potential target for improving radiosensitivity.Materials and Methods: The radiosensitivity of NSCLC cells was evaluated by flow cytometry, colony formation assays, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting. Bioinformatics assay was used to identify the effect of ITGB1 and YAP1 expression in NSCLC tissues.Results: ITGB1 mRNA and protein expression levels were higher in H460R than in the parental H460 cells. We observed lower clonogenic survival and cell viability and a higher rate of apoptosis of ITGB1-knockdown A549 and H460R cells than of wild type cells post-irradiation. Transfection with an ITGB1 short hairpin (sh) RNA enhanced radiation-induced DNA damage and G2/M phase arrest. Moreover, ITGB1 induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of NSCLC cells. Silencing ITGB1 suppressed the expression and intracellular translocation of Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), a downstream effector of ITGB1.Conclusions: ITGB1 may induce radioresistance via affecting DNA repair and YAP1-induced EMT. Taken together, our data suggest that ITGB1 is an attractive therapeutic target to overcome NSCLC cell radioresistance.     

Correction to: Transmission of a novel predatory behaviour is not restricted to kin

Biological Invasions - A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-021-02548-x     

A review of the genus Rusa in the indo-malayan archipelago and conservation efforts

Genus Rusa, belonging to the deer family Cervidae is native to the Indo-Malaya Archipelago (IMA). However, detailed information on the Rusa genus in the IMA is limited. This review provides comprehensive information on the Rusa genus in the IMA including, threats and conservation efforts. There are four species of deer in Rusa genus, which is Sambar deer (Rusa unicolor), Javan deer (Rusa timorensis), Visayan spotted deer (Rusa alfredi) and Philippine deer (Rusa marianna). Despite their wide distribution in the South Asian and Southeast Asian regions, they are under serious threats. Some conservation efforts that are being done to protect and conserve them among others are; (1) facilities protection, (2) habitat enrichment programme, (3) Ex-situ conservation, (4) legislations, and (5) captive breeding. Conservation through genetics is also an important step in conserving these species. Recommendations for conservation of the genus are also discussed; 1. maintenance of ecosystem. 2. more effective monitoring system on the existing protected area. 3. ex-situ conservation, and 4. habitat monitoring.     

The pollination of Habenaria rhodocheila (Orchidaceae) in South China: When butterflies take sides

Habenaria is one of the largest terrestrial genera in the family Orchidaceae. Most field studies on Habenaria species with greenish–white and nocturnal scented flowers are pollinated by nocturnal hawkmoths and settling moths. However, H. rhodocheila presents reddish flowers lacking a detectable scent and fails to fit the moth pollination syndrome. We investigated the pollinators, breeding system, and functional traits of H. rhodocheila in South China and found that two diurnal swallowtail butterflies Papilio helenus and Papilio nephelus (Papilionidae) were the effective pollinators. When butterflies foraged for nectar in the spur, the pollinia became attached between the palpi. A triangular projected median rostellar lobe was found at the entrance (sinus) of the spur of H. rhodocheila. This lobe divided the spur opening into two entrances forcing butterflies to enter their proboscides through the left or right side. When the projection of median rostellar lobe was removed, the site of pollinium attachment changed to the eyes of the butterflies, leading to a higher rate of pollinium removal but lower rate of pollinium deposition. Our quartz glass cylinder choice experiment suggested that visual rather than olfactory cues provided the major stimuli for butterflies to locate these flowers. Hand pollination experiments suggested this species was self‐compatible but pollinator‐dependent. However, the proportion of seeds with large embryos produced in self‐pollinated fruits was significantly lower than in cross‐pollinated fruits, indicating a significant inbreeding depression. Unlike many other orchid species, fruit set was higher than rates of pollinium removal, indicating a high level of pollination efficiency in a species with friable pollinia. Shifts from moth to butterfly pollination in the genus Habenaria parallel other orchid lineages providing insights into the potential for pollinator‐mediated floral trait selection.     

Mutations of Thr169 affect substrate specificity of pyranose 2-oxidase from Trametes multicolor

Site-directed mutagenesis was used to enhance the catalytic activity of pyranose 2-oxidase (P2Ox) from Trametes multicolor with different substrates. To this end, threonine at position 169 was replaced by glycine, alanine and serine, respectively. Using oxygen as electron acceptor the mutant T169G was equally active with d-glucose and d-galactose, whereas wild-type recombinant P2Ox only showed 5.2% relative activity with the latter substrate. When d-galactose was used as electron donor in saturating concentrations, T169G showed a 4.5-fold increase in its catalytic efficiency k_cat/K_M for the alternative electron acceptor 1,4-benzoquinone and a nine-fold increased k_cat/K_M value with the ferricenium ion compared with wt recP2Ox. Variant T169S showed an increase in its catalytic efficiency both with 1,4-benzoquinone (3.7 times) as well as with the ferricenium ion (1.4 times) when d-glucose was the substrate.     

A computational study of the EN 1078 impact test for bicycle helmets using a realistic subject-specific finite element head model

Abstract

In the present study, the free fall impact test in accordance with the EN1078 standard for certification of bicycle helmets is replicated using numerical simulations. The impact scenario is simulated using an experimentally validated, patient-specific head model equipped with and without a bicycle helmet. Head accelerations and intracranial biomechanical injury metrics during the impacts are recorded. It is demonstrated that wearing the bicycle helmet during the impact reduces biomechanical injury metrics, with the biggest reduction seen in the metric for skull fracture.     

Left ventricular wall stress compendium

Left ventricular (LV) wall stress has intrigued scientists and cardiologists since the time of Lame and Laplace in 1800s. The left ventricle is an intriguing organ structure, whose intrinsic design enables it to fill and contract. The development of wall stress is intriguing to cardiologists and biomedical engineers. The role of left ventricle wall stress in cardiac perfusion and pumping as well as in cardiac pathophysiology is a relatively unexplored phenomenon. But even for us to assess this role, we first need accurate determination of in vivo wall stress. However, at this point, 150 years after Lame estimated left ventricle wall stress using the elasticity theory, we are still in the exploratory stage of (i) developing left ventricle models that properly represent left ventricle anatomy and physiology and (ii) obtaining data on left ventricle dynamics. In this paper, we are responding to the need for a comprehensive survey of left ventricle wall stress models, their mechanics, stress computation and results. We have provided herein a compendium of major type of wall stress models: thin-wall models based on the Laplace law, thick-wall shell models, elasticity theory model, thick-wall large deformation models and finite element models. We have compared the mean stress values of these models as well as the variation of stress across the wall. All of the thin-wall and thick-wall shell models are based on idealised ellipsoidal and spherical geometries. However, the elasticity model's shape can vary through the cycle, to simulate the more ellipsoidal shape of the left ventricle in the systolic phase. The finite element models have more representative geometries, but are generally based on animal data, which limits their medical relevance. This paper can enable readers to obtain a comprehensive perspective of left ventricle wall stress models, of how to employ them to determine wall stresses, and be cognizant of the assumptions involved in the use of specific models.