Didymodon mesopapillosus sp. nov. (Pottiaceae) from Tibet,China

Didymodon mesopapillosus J. Kou, X.‐M. Shao & C. Feng is described and illustrated as a new species from Tibet, China. It is characterized mainly by its ovate to ovate‐lanceolate leaves appressed to weakly erect when dry, margins recurved from leaf base to apex, laminal cell superficial walls markedly thicker than the internal walls, laminal papillae present only on both sides of costa, short‐excurrent costa, undifferentiated basal cells and differentiated perichaetial leaves. This species is compared with similar species and its ecology is discussed.     

NOTCH3 Is Induced in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and Promotes Angiogenesis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Recent studies have shown that Notch signaling is involved in many types of cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs). However, the role of Notch signaling in the tumor microenvironment is not yet fully understood. In this study, we investigated the roles of NOTCH3 signaling in cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in OSCCs. Immunohistochemical study of 93 human tongue OSCC cases indicated that about one third of OSCCs showed NOTCH3 expression in CAFs, and that this expression significantly correlated with tumor-size. In vitro study showed that OSCC cell lines, especially HO1-N-1 cells stimulated NOTCH3 expression in normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) through direct cell-to-cell contact. Immunohistochemical and morphometric analysis using human OSCC samples demonstrated that NOTCH3 expression in CAFs significantly correlated with micro-vessel density in cancer stroma. In vitro angiogenesis assays involving co-culture of NHDFs with HO1-N-1 and human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs), and NOTCH3 knockdown in NHDFs using siRNA, demonstrated that HO1-N-1 cells significantly promoted tube formation dependent on NOTCH3-expression in NHDFs. Moreover, NOTCH3 expression in CAFs was related to poor prognosis of the OSCC patients. This work provides a new insight into the role of Notch signaling in CAFs associated with tumor angiogenesis and the possibility of NOTCH3-targeted molecular therapy in OSCCs.     

Mycorrhizal type governs foliar and root multi-elemental stoichiometries of trees mainly via root traits

Plant and Soil - Multi-elemental stoichiometry can represent the biogeochemical niches of species, which can further guide community assemblage. Mycorrhizae play a key role in plant elemental...     

α-Lipoic acid ameliorates impaired glucose uptake in LYRM1 overexpressing 3T3-L1 adipocytes through the IRS-1/Akt signaling pathway

Overexpression of the Homo sapiens LYR motif containing 1 (LYRM1) causes mitochondrial dysfunction and induces insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. α-Lipoic acid (α-LA), a dithiol compound with antioxidant properties, improves glucose transport and utilization in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The aim of this study was to investigate the direct effects of α-LA on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and insulin sensitivity in LYRM1 overexpressing 3T3-L1 adipocytes and to explore the underlying mechanism. Pretreatment with α-LA significantly increased both basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation, while intracellular ROS levels in LYRM1 overexpressing 3T3-L1 adipocytes were decreased. These changes were accompanied by a marked upregulation in expression of insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and serine phosphorylation of Akt following treatment with α-LA. These results indicated that α-LA protects 3T3-L1 adipocytes from LYRM1-induced insulin resistance partially via its capacity to restore mitochondrial function and/or increase phosphorylation of IRS-1 and Akt.     

Voltage-dependent calcium channels in the corpora allata of the adult male loreyi leafworm, Mythimna loreyi

In the corpora allata (CA) of the adult male loreyi leafworm, Mythimna loreyi, juvenile hormone acid (JHA) biosynthesis and release show a dose dependence on extracellular Ca(2+) concentration. Maxima are obtained with Ca(2+) concentrations of 2-10 mM, and synthesis and release are significantly inhibited under a Ca(2+)-free condition. The Ca(2+)-free inhibition of JHA release can be reversed by returning the glands to medium at 5 mM Ca(2+). The cytosolic free Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)), which was measured with fura-2, in individual CA cells also shows a dose dependence on extracellular Ca(2+) concentration, with significant [Ca(2+)](i) depression being observed in the absence of extracellular Ca(2+).High K(+) significantly increases the JHA release and causes a transient [Ca(2+)](i) increase within seconds in CA cells. High-K(+)-stimulated JHA release is partially inhibited by the benzothiazepine (BTZ)-, dihydropyridine (DHP)- and phenylalkylamine (PAA)-sensitive L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel (VDCC) antagonists diltiazem, nifedipine and verapamil, respectively; by the N- and P/Q-type VDCC antagonist omega-conotoxin (omega-CgTx) MVIIC; and by the T-type VDCC antagonist amiloride. The N-type antagonist omega-CgTx GVIA is the most potent in inhibiting the high-K(+)-stimulated JHA release. No inhibitory effect is shown by the P-type antagonist omega-agatoxin TK (omega-Aga TK). The high-K(+)-induced transient [Ca(2+)](i) increase is largely inhibited by the L-type antagonists (diltiazem, nifedipine, verapamil), by the N- and P/Q-type antagonist omega-CgTx MVIIC and by the T-type antagonist amiloride, and is totally inhibited by the N-type antagonist omega-CgTx GVIA. No inhibitory effect is shown by the P-type antagonist omega-Aga TK.We hypothesize that L-type, N-type and T-type VDCCs may be involved to different degrees in the high-K(+)-stimulated JHA release and transient [Ca(2+)](i) increase in the individual CA cells of the adult male M. loreyi, and that the N-type VDCCs may play important roles in these cellular events.     

Pseudohalide-bridged five-coordinate Ni(II) or Co(II) complexes with bulky bidentate ligands: Magneto-structural correlationship

Bidentate ligands 2,2′-biquinoline (biq) and 6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (dmbpy) with steric hindrance substituents cis to the nitrogen atoms have been used in the synthesis of transition metal complexes. Six new doubly end-on azido-bridged binuclear complexes [M₂(biq)₂(μ_1,1-N₃)₂(N₃)₂] (M = Ni (1), M = Co (2)), [M₂(biq)₂(μ_1,1-N₃)₂Cl₂] (M = Ni (3), M = Co (4)), [M₂(dmbpy)₂(μ_1,1-N₃)₂(N₃)₂] (M = Ni (5), M = Co (6)) and one end-to-end thiocyanato-bridged polymeric [Ni(dmbpy)(μ_1,3-SCN)(NCS)]_n (7) have been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and magnetic studies. Complexes 1-6 comprise five-coordinate M(II) ions bridged by two end-on azide ligands. The bridging M-N-M bond angles are in the small range 104.1-105.2°. Complex 7 consists of a singly thiocyanate-bridged Ni(II) chain in which Ni(II) ions are five-coordinate. This research suggests that the bulky ligands play a key role in the formation of five-coordinate coordination structure. All complexes display intramolecular intermetallic ferromagnetic coupling with J_NiNi and J_CoCo of ca. 23 or 13 cm⁻¹ based on the Hamiltonian (S₁ = S₂ = 1 for Ni₂, or 3/2 for Co₂). The singly SCN⁻-bridged chainlike complex 7 shows intrachain ferromagnetic interaction with J = 3.96(2) cm⁻¹ and D = −4.55(8) cm⁻¹ (. Magneto-structural correlationship has been investigated.     

The Cancer Mutation D83V Induces an α-Helix to β-Strand Conformation Switch in MEF2B

MEF2B is a major target of somatic mutations in non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Most of these mutations are non-synonymous substitutions of surface residues in the MADS-box/MEF2 domain. Among them, D83V is the most frequent mutation found in tumor cells. The link between this hotspot mutation and cancer is not well understood. Here we show that the D83V mutation induces a dramatic α-helix to β-strand switch in the MEF2 domain. Located in an α-helix region rich in β-branched residues, the D83V mutation not only removes the extensive helix stabilization interactions but also introduces an additional β-branched residue that further shifts the conformation equilibrium from α-helix to β-strand. Cross-database analyses of cancer mutations and chameleon sequences revealed a number of well-known cancer targets harboring β-strand favoring mutations in chameleon α-helices, suggesting a commonality of such conformational switch in certain cancers and a new factor to consider when stratifying the rapidly expanding cancer mutation data.     

Functional Recovery of Denervated Skeletal Muscle with Sensory or Mixed Nerve Protection: A Pilot Study

Functional recovery is usually poor following peripheral nerve injury when reinnervation is delayed. Early innervation by sensory nerve has been indicated to prevent atrophy of the denervated muscle. It is hypothesized that early protection with sensory axons is adequate to improve functional recovery of skeletal muscle following prolonged denervation of mixed nerve injury. In this study, four groups of rats received surgical denervation of the tibial nerve. The proximal and distal stumps of the tibial nerve were ligated in all animals except for those in the immediate repair group. The experimental groups underwent denervation with nerve protection of peroneal nerve (mixed protection) or sural nerve (sensory protection). The experimental and unprotected groups had a stage II surgery in which the trimmed proximal and distal tibial nerve stumps were sutured together. After 3 months of recovery, electrophysiological, histological and morphometric parameters were assessed. It was detected that the significant muscle atrophy and a good preserved structure of the muscle were observed in the unprotected and protective experimental groups, respectively. Significantly fewer numbers of regenerated myelinated axons were observed in the sensory-protected group. Enhanced recovery in the mixed protection group was indicated by the results of the muscle contraction force tests, regenerated myelinated fiber, and the results of the histological analysis. Our results suggest that early axons protection by mixed nerve may complement sensory axons which are required for promoting functional recovery of the denervated muscle natively innervated by mixed nerve.     

Microcella flavibacter sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment,and reclassification of Chryseoglobus frigidaquae,Chryseoglobus indicus,and Yonghaparkia alkaliphila as Microcella frigidaquae comb. nov., Microcella indica nom. nov., and Microcella alkalica nom. nov.

A novel Gram-staining positive, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile and yellow-pigmented actinobacterium, designated strain WY83^T, was isolated from a marine sediment of Indian Ocean. Strain WY83^T grew optimally at 30–35 °C, pH 7–8 and with 0–3% (w/v) NaCl. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10, MK-11 and MK-12, and the major fatty acids were C_19:1 ω9c/C19:1 ω11c, anteiso-C_15:0, C_17:0 3OH, and iso-C_16:0. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and one unidentified glycolipid. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained lysine as a diamino acid. The DNA G?+?C content was 72.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and ninety-two bacterial core genes indicated that strain WY83^T formed an evolutionary lineage with Chryseoglobus frigidaquae JCM 14730^T, Chryseoglobus indicus CTD02-10-2^T, Yonghaparkia alkaliphila JCM 15138^T, Microcella alkaliphila DSM 18851^T and Microcella putealis DSM 19627^T within the radiation enclosing members of the family Microbacteriaceae. All pairwise percentage of conserved proteins between strain WY83^T and the closely related phylogenetic neighbors were greater than 65%. The average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA–DNA hybridization values were both below the thresholds used for the delineation of a new species. On the basis of the evidence presented, strains WY83^T, Y. alkaliphila JCM 15138^T, C. frigidaquae JCM 14730^T, M. alkaliphila DSM 18851^T and M. putealis DSM 19627^T should belong to different species of the same genus. Strain WY83^T represents a novel species of the genus Microcella, for which the name Microcella flavibacter sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WY83^T (=?KCTC 39637^T?=?MCCC 1A07099^T). Furthermore, Chryseoglobus frigidaquae, Chryseoglobus indicus, and Yonghaparkia alkaliphila were reclassified as Microcella frigidaquae comb. nov., Microcella indica nom. nov., and Microcella alkalica nom. nov., respectively.