Prevalence, complete genome, and metabolic potentials of a phylogenetically novel cyanobacterial symbiont in the coral-killing sponge, Terpios hoshinota.

Terpios hoshinota is an aggressive, space-competing sponge that kills various stony corals. Outbreaks of this species have led to intense damage to coral reefs in many locations. Here, the first large-scale 16S rRNA gene survey across three oceans revealed that bacteria related to the taxa Prochloron, Endozoicomonas, SAR116, Ruegeria, and unclassified Proteobacteria were prevalent in T. hoshinota. A Prochloron-related bacterium was the most dominant and prevalent cyanobacterium in T. hoshinota. The complete genome of this uncultivated cyanobacterium and pigment analysis demonstrated that it has phycobiliproteins and lacks chlorophyll b, which is inconsistent with the definition of Prochloron. Furthermore, the cyanobacterium was phylogenetically distinct from Prochloron, strongly suggesting that it should be a sister taxon to Prochloron. Therefore, we proposed this symbiotic cyanobacterium as a novel species under the new genus Candidatus Paraprochloron terpiosi. Comparative genomic analyses revealed that 'Paraprochloron' and Prochloron exhibit distinct genomic features and DNA replication machinery. We also characterized the metabolic potentials of 'Paraprochloron terpiosi' in carbon and nitrogen cycling and propose a model for interactions between it and T. hoshinota. This study builds a foundation for the study of the T. hoshinota microbiome and paves the way for better understanding of ecosystems involving this coral-killing sponge.

Transcriptome Profile of the Variegated Ficus microcarpa c.v. Milky Stripe Fig Leaf.

Photosynthetic properties and transcriptomic profiles of green and white sectors of Ficus microcarpa (c.v. milky stripe fig) leaves were examined in naturally variegated plants. An anatomic analysis indicated that chloroplasts of the white sectors contained a higher abundance of starch granules and lacked stacked thylakoids. Moreover, no photosynthetic rate was detected in the white sectors. Transcriptome profile and differential expressed gene (DEG) analysis showed that genes encoding PSII core proteins were down-regulated in the white sectors. In genes related to chlorophyll metabolism, no DEGs were identified in the biosynthesis pathway of chlorophyll. However, genes encoding the first step of chlorophyll breakdown were up-regulated. The repression of genes involved in N-assimilation suggests that the white sectors were deprived of N. The mutation in the transcription factor mitochondrial transcription termination factor (mTERF) suggests that it induces colorlessness in leaves of the milky stripe fig.

White lie effects of information asymmetry on stock momentum.

This paper aims to explore the relationship between information asymmetry and stock momentum. Using winner and loser approach, we find that winners with exaggerated forecast of earnings per share are more likely to have contrarian profits in subsequent holding periods. On the contrary, winners with low or middle-low information asymmetry tend to continue their good returns in future holding periods. In addition, the losers with middle information asymmetry achieve the highest contrarian profits, which may be called "white lie effects."

Effect of ammonia on the growth of carbon nanotubes.

Carbon nanotubes were grown on hydrogen-treated Fe catalyst at 700 degrees C using a thermal chemical vapor deposition method. During the growth, acetylene was used as the carbon source, which is balanced by hydrogen and/or ammonia. Raman analysis shows that the introduction of ammonia to the gaseous carbon source can lead to defect structures in the carbon nanotubes due to the incorporation of nitrogen atoms into the carbon nanotubes. Furthermore, the growth rate of carbon nanotubes was also affected by the introduction of ammonia into the gaseous carbon source. We show that the dependence of the growth rate on the gaseous source composition is better described in terms of the ratio of ammonia to acetylene than the overall ammonia concentration. It is proposed that there is a competition between the ammonia and the acetylene during the growth of CNTs. At low ammonia/acetylene ratios the growth increases with ammonia concentration; while at high ammonia/acetylene ratios the growth decreases with the ammonia concentration. A critical ammonia/acetylene ratio of 4.4, at which the growth peaks, was found and discussed.

Transcriptome profile of cup-shaped galls in Litsea acuminata leaves.

BACKGROUND: Insect galls are atypical plant tissues induced by the invasion of insects. Compared to the host leaf, gall tissues lose photosynthetic ability, but have higher soluble sugar content. Although the physiological and biochemical regulation of gall tissues have been demonstrated, the mechanism of genetic regulation has only been analyzed in few studies. RESULTS: In this study, the transcriptome of cup-shaped galls and its host leaf were de novo assembled. Cellular functional enrichment and differentially expressed gene groups in the gall tissues were analyzed. The genes associated with primary metabolism, including photosynthesis, cell wall turnover, and sugar degradation, were expressed differently in galls and leaves. The examination of gene expression demonstrated that the genes involved in brassinosteroid synthesis and responses exhibited a remarkable modulation in cup-shaped galls, suggesting a potential role of steroid hormones in regulating gall development. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed the genetic responses, including those involved in source-sink reallocation and phytohormone metabolism, of galls induced by a dipteran insect.