Glutamine-Fructose-6-Phosphate Transaminase 2 (GFPT2) Is Upregulated in Breast Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition and Responds to Oxidative Stress

Breast cancer cells that have undergone partial epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) are believed to be more invasive than cells that have completed EMT. To study metabolic reprogramming in different mesenchymal states, we analyzed protein expression following EMT in the breast epithelial cell model D492 with single-shot LFQ supported by a SILAC proteomics approach. The D492 EMT cell model contains three cell lines: the epithelial D492 cells, the mesenchymal D492M cells, and a partial mesenchymal, tumorigenic variant of D492 that overexpresses the oncogene HER2. The analysis classified the D492 and D492M cells as basal-like and D492HER2 as claudin-low. Comparative analysis of D492 and D492M to tumorigenic D492HER2 differentiated metabolic markers of migration from those of invasion. Glutamine-fructose-6-phosphate transaminase 2 (GFPT2) was one of the top dysregulated enzymes in D492HER2. Gene expression analysis of the cancer genome atlas showed that GFPT2 expression was a characteristic of claudin-low breast cancer. siRNA-mediated knockdown of GFPT2 influenced the EMT marker vimentin and both cell growth and invasion in vitro and was accompanied by lowered metabolic flux through the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP). Knockdown of GFPT2 decreased cystathionine and sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase (SQOR) in the transsulfuration pathway that regulates H₂S production and mitochondrial homeostasis. Moreover, GFPT2 was within the regulation network of insulin and EGF, and its expression was regulated by reduced glutathione (GSH) and suppressed by the oxidative stress regulator GSK3-β. Our results demonstrate that GFPT2 controls growth and invasion in the D492 EMT model, is a marker for oxidative stress, and associated with poor prognosis in claudin-low breast cancer.     

Tree age and bark thickness as traits linked to frost ring probability on Araucaria araucana trees in northern Patagonia

Frost events may damage the cambium and consequently the newly produced tracheids whose cell walls have not yet completed their lignifications, leading to the formation of frost rings. This study deals with the presence of frost rings in Araucaria araucana trees according to cambial age and bark thickness, under the assumption that these factors may be involved in physical or physiological mechanisms that increase resistance to freezing temperatures that impact the cambial tissue. The study was conducted in northern Patagonia at two sites of contrasting geomorphology, and therefore potentially associated with a differential degree of exposure to extreme cold. Wood plus bark cores were extracted from main stems at two heights from the ground and from each of the four cardinal point directions for 30 individuals per site. A Linear Mixed Model and a Generalized Linear Mixed Model were applied in order to relate the bark thickness and the frequency of frost rings in accordance with the different sampling points on the stem. It was observed that as bark becomes thicker with cambial age, the frequency of frost rings decreases, indicating a possible thermal-induced mechanism of bark protection. Consequently, there is an increase in the presence of frost rings at the younger stages of tree life. Although the mechanisms of cold hardiness in trees can be complex, including aspects of the tree physiology, our data indicated that as tree age increases, the thickness of the bark is higher, resulting in a potential effect of isolation and passive protection against the harmful effects of frosts. This mechanism may be relevant in the ecology, conservation and management of forests faced with extreme variability in future climate and changing scenarios.     

Thermal sensation prediction by soft computing methodology

Thermal comfort in open urban areas is very factor based on environmental point of view. Therefore it is need to fulfill demands for suitable thermal comfort during urban planning and design. Thermal comfort can be modeled based on climatic parameters and other factors. The factors are variables and they are changed throughout the year and days. Therefore there is need to establish an algorithm for thermal comfort prediction according to the input variables. The prediction results could be used for planning of time of usage of urban areas. Since it is very nonlinear task, in this investigation was applied soft computing methodology in order to predict the thermal comfort. The main goal was to apply extreme leaning machine (ELM) for forecasting of physiological equivalent temperature (PET) values. Temperature, pressure, wind speed and irradiance were used as inputs. The prediction results are compared with some benchmark models. Based on the results ELM can be used effectively in forecasting of PET.     

New high-quality peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) genome assembly to analyze the molecular evolutionary mechanism of volatile compounds in peach fruits

Peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) is an economically important fruit crop worldwide. Although a high-quality peach genome has previously been published, Sanger sequencing was used for its assembly, which generated short contigs. Here, we report a chromosome-level genome assembly and sequence analysis of Chinese Cling, an important founder cultivar for peach breeding programs worldwide. The assembled genome contained 247.33 Mb with a contig N50 of 4.13 Mb and a scaffold N50 of 29.68 Mb, representing 99.8% of the estimated genome. Comparisons between this genome and the recently published one (Lovell peach) uncovered 685 407 single nucleotide polymorphisms, 162 655 insertions and deletions, and 16 248 structural variants. Gene family analysis highlighted the contraction of the gene families involved in flavone, flavonol, flavonoid, and monoterpenoid biosynthesis. Subsequently, the volatile compounds of 256 peach varieties were quantitated in mature fruits in 2015 and 2016 to perform a genome-wide association analysis. A comparison with the identified domestication genomic regions allowed us to identify 25 quantitative trait loci, associated with seven volatile compounds, in the domestication region, which is consistent with the differences in volatile compounds between wild and cultivated peaches. Finally, a gene encoding terpene synthase, located within a previously reported quantitative trait loci region, was identified to be associated with linalool synthesis. Such findings highlight the importance of this new assembly for the analysis of evolutionary mechanisms and gene identification in peach species. Furthermore, this high-quality peach genome provides valuable information for future fruit improvement.     

Human Biology

This paper describes the setting up of a nature trail for educational purposes. It discusses the aims, methods of use, and possible evaluation techniques for such a trail. Some probable developments of the ‘trail’ concept at Hartsholme are reviewed. Examples are given of both school-based and leisure-learning activities.     

Hierarchical grouping analysis and skeletal materials

The technique of hierarchical grouping analysis is examined with respect to its use as a tool in grouping skeletal remains, utilizing both continuous and certain types of discontinuous anthropometric variables. The method is found to be useful when tested with Amerind skeletal materials at the micro-evolutionary level, and as a technique for sexual differentiation within human and non-human primate populations. The application of this form of cluster analysis to dental data is examined.