Homologous shell microstructures in Cambrian hyoliths and molluscs

Hyoliths were among the earliest biomineralizing metazoans in Palaeozoic marine environments. They have been known for two centuries and widely assigned to lophotrochozoans. However, their origin and relationships with modern lophotrochozoan clades have been a longstanding palaeontological controversy. Here, we provide broad microstructural data from hyolith conchs and opercula from the lower Cambrian Xinji Formation of North China, including two hyolithid genera and four orthothecid genera as well as unidentified opercula. Results show that most hyolith conchs contain a distinct aragonitic lamellar layer that is composed of foliated aragonite, except in the orthothecid New taxon 1 that has a crossed foliated lamellar microstructure. Opercula are mostly composed of foliated aragonite and occasionally foliated calcite. These blade or lath‐like microstructural fabrics coincide well with biomineralization of Cambrian molluscs rather than lophophorates, as exemplified by the Cambrian members of the tommotiid‐brachiopod linage. Accordingly, we propose that hyoliths and molluscs might have inherited their biomineralized skeletons from a non‐mineralized or weakly mineralized common ancestor rather than as a result of convergence. Consequently, from the view of biomineralization, the homologous shell microstructures in Cambrian hyoliths and molluscs strongly strengthen the phylogenetic links between the two groups.     

First-principles investigations on structural stability,elastic and electronic properties of Co7M6 (M= W,Mo, Nb) µ phases

The structural, elastic and electronic properties of Co₇M₆ (M?=?W, Mo, Nb) μ phases were investigated by first-principles calculations based on the density functional theory (DFT). The calculated cohesive energy indicates that Co₇M₆ (M?=?W, Mo, Nb) μ phases are thermodynamically stable. Besides, Co₇W₆ owns a higher structural stability than that of Co₇Mo₆ and Co₇Nb₆. The obtained elastic constant demonstrates that Co₇M₆ (M?=?W, Mo, Nb) are mechanically stable. With Voigt-Reuss-Hill (VRH) approximation, the elastic bulk modulus (B), shear modulus (G), Young's modulus (E) and Poisson's ratio (ν) were derived. The ductility and plasticity as well as the elastic anisotropy of the three phases were discussed in details. Finally, the density of states and charge density difference were also analysed to reveal the underlying mechanism of structural stability and the elastic properties.     

LncRNA POU3F3 promotes proliferation and inhibits apoptosis of cancer cells in triple-negative breast cancer by inactivating caspase 9

It has been reported that lncRNA POU3F3 was upregulated in esophageal squamous-cell carcinomas, indicating its role as an oncogene in this disease. However, the mechanism of its function and its involvement in other malignancies is unknown. In the present study we found that expression levels of lncRNA POU3F3 were higher in tumor tissues than in adjacent healthy tissues of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients and were significantly and inversely correlated with levels of cleaved caspase 9 only in tumor tissues. In addition, plasma levels of lncRNA POU3F3 were higher in TNBC patients than in healthy controls and were significantly and inversely correlated with levels of cleaved caspase 9 only in TNBC patients. In addition, treatment of exogenous Cleaved Caspase-9 significantly attenuated the effects of lncRNA POU3F3 overexpression on cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis. lncRNA POU3F3 may promote proliferation and inhibit apoptosis of cancer cells in triple-negative breast cancer.     

Global distribution and invasion pattern of oriental fruit fly,Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Since the start of the 20th century, many invasive alien species (IAS) have spread rapidly around the world, causing serious threats to economies, societies and the environment. Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is an important quarantine insect species in many countries that spread around the world over the last century. This review collected information on the distribution of B. dorsalis to explore the patterns of its invasion expansion. We found B. dorsalis to be distributed in 75 countries (comprised of 124 geographical distribution regions: provinces or states) in Asia, Africa, North America, South America and Oceania up to 2017. Asia and Africa were the most represented regions, accounting for 86.3% of the total number of countries. From 1910 to 1990, B. dorsalis was only found in five countries, but in the last three decades, it has experienced a sharp increase in its rate of spread, invading 70 more countries. Global temperature anomaly has significantly positive correlation with the spread of B. dorsalis. The results of this review provide a theoretical basis for understanding and predicting the continued spread of B. dorsalis under global changes.     

Host MOV10 is induced to restrict herpes simplex virus 1 lytic infection by promoting type I interferon response

Moloney leukemia virus 10 protein (MOV10) is an interferon (IFN)-inducible RNA helicase implicated in antiviral activity against RNA viruses, yet its role in herpesvirus infection has not been investigated. After corneal inoculation of mice with herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), we observed strong upregulation of both MOV10 mRNA and protein in acutely infected mouse trigeminal ganglia. MOV10 suppressed HSV-1 replication in both neuronal and non-neuronal cells, and this suppression required the N-terminus, but not C-terminal helicase domain of MOV10. MOV10 repressed expression of the viral gene ICP0 in transfected cells, but suppressed HSV-1 replication independently of ICP0. MOV10 increased expression of type I IFN in HSV-1 infected cells with little effect on IFN downstream signaling. Treating the cells with IFN-α or an inhibitor of the IFN receptor eliminated MOV10 suppression of HSV-1 replication. MOV10 enhanced IFN production stimulated by cytoplasmic RNA rather than DNA. IKKε co-immunoprecipitated with MOV10 and was required for MOV10 restriction of HSV-1 replication. Mass spectrometry identified ICP27 as a viral protein interacting with MOV10. Co-immunoprecipitation results suggested that this interaction depended on the RGG box of ICP27 and both termini of MOV10. Overexpressed ICP27, but not its RGG-Box deletion mutant, rendered MOV10 unable to regulate HSV-1 replication and type I IFN production. In summary, MOV10 is induced to restrict HSV-1 lytic infection by promoting the type I IFN response through an IKKε-mediated RNA sensing pathway, and its activity is potentially antagonized by ICP27 in an RGG box dependent manner.     

Targeting ASCT2-mediated glutamine metabolism inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells

Some tumor cells have a high rate of glutamine uptake and exhibit glutamine addiction. Alanine-serine cysteine-preferring transporter 2 (ASCT2) is a major mediator of glutamine supply in many tumor cells, but the underlying effects and mechanisms of ASCT2 in pancreatic cancer (PC) are largely unknown. Our results show that ASCT2 expression is significantly higher in PC than in normal pancreatic duct cells and pancreas. Utilizing the Kaplan–Meier Plotter database, a high expression of SLC1A5 mRNA was significantly associated with poor overall survival (OS) in patients with PC. shRNA-mediated inhibition of ASCT2 function in vitro can significantly decrease glutamine consumption, α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) production and ATP generation and increase the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. Moreover, the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine partially attenuated the increase in the ROS levels and reduced ATP generation. These data suggest that ASCT2 mediates glutamine metabolism and maintains redox homeostasis in PC. To further investigate whether ASCT2 is involved in PC cell growth, we blocked ASCT2 activity with the ASCT2 inhibitor l-γ-glutamyl-p-nitroanilide (GPNA) and silenced the expression of ASCT2 with specific shRNAs. We found that the growth of PC cells was significantly inhibited. Additionally, knockdown of ASCT2 induced apoptosis through the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Furthermore, the loss of ASCT2 in BxPC-3 cell xenografts significantly inhibited tumor growth in vivo, and this effect was associated with an increase in cleaved caspase-3 expression and a decrease in Ki67 staining. Taken together, our results show that ASCT2 may be utilized as a putative therapeutic target for PC.     

A Data Base for Scaling up from the Leaf to the Canopy

A data base was generated for quantifying effects of thermal time (degree-days) on the appearance of new leaves, the expansion of such leaves to maximum area, their death, the appearance of new internodes below the node associated with such leaves, and the extension of these internodes to maximum length. The data base for a list of crop (agronomic and horticultural), weed, and native Tallgrass Prairie plants has been summarized, with equations for the above events as a function of degree days, with appropriate base temperatures and maximum cut-off temperatures, in a Java applet which is available at a website with the URL . Associated graphical plots such as shown in this paper are also given. Branching behavior was accounted for. These events predict the effect of thermal time on leaf age and its height in the plant canopy, both important factors needed for upscaling functions for leaf behavior to those for behavior of the plant canopy. The data base is evolving to include coefficients for other species. Coefficients are used to predict the leaf area index of the canopy, which is important for predicting evapotranspiration from the crop and the protection of the soil from erosion.