Positive-Parity Linear-Chain Molecular Band in

An inelastic excitation and cluster-decay experiment ^{2}H(^{16}C,^{4}He+^{12}Be or ^{6}He+^{10}Be)^{2}H was carried out to investigate the linear-chain clustering structure in neutron-rich ^{16}C. For the first time, decay paths from the ^{16}C resonances to various states of the final nuclei were determined, thanks to the well-resolved Q-value spectra obtained from the threefold coincident measurement. The close-threshold resonance at 16.5 MeV is assigned as the J^{π}=0^{+} band head of the predicted positive-parity linear-chain molecular band with (3/2_{π}^{-})^{2}(1/2_{σ}^{-})^{2} configuration, according to the associated angular correlation and decay analysis. Other members of this band were found at 17.3, 19.4, and 21.6 MeV based on their selective decay properties, being consistent with the theoretical predictions. Another intriguing high-lying state was observed at 27.2 MeV which decays almost exclusively to ^{6}He+^{10}Be(∼6 MeV) final channel, corresponding well to another predicted linear-chain structure with the pure σ-bond configuration.

Elevation of adenylate energy charge by angiopoietin-like 4 enhances epithelial-mesenchymal transition by inducing 14-3-3γ expression.

Metastatic cancer cells acquire energy-intensive processes including increased invasiveness and chemoresistance. However, how the energy demand is met and the molecular drivers that coordinate an increase in cellular metabolic activity to drive epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), the first step of metastasis, remain unclear. Using different in vitro and in vivo EMT models with clinical patient's samples, we showed that EMT is an energy-demanding process fueled by glucose metabolism-derived adenosine triphosphate (ATP). We identified angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) as a key player that coordinates an increase in cellular energy flux crucial for EMT via an ANGPTL4/14-3-3γ signaling axis. This augmented cellular metabolic activity enhanced metastasis. ANGPTL4 knockdown suppresses an adenylate energy charge elevation, delaying EMT. Using an in vivo dual-inducible EMT model, we found that ANGPTL4 deficiency reduces cancer metastasis to the lung and liver. Unbiased kinase inhibitor screens and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed that ANGPTL4 regulates the expression of 14-3-3γ adaptor protein via the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/AKT and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways that culminate to activation of transcription factors, CREB, cFOS and STAT3. Using a different mode of action, as compared with protein kinases, the ANGPTL4/14-3-3γ signaling axis consolidated cellular bioenergetics and stabilized critical EMT proteins to coordinate energy demand and enhanced EMT competency and metastasis, through interaction with specific phosphorylation signals on target proteins.

First Report of Bark Cracking of Koelreuteria bipinnata var integrifoliola Caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae in China.

Koelreuteria bipinnata var integrifoliola is becoming a popular urban green tree in Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, China, because of its adaptation ability to local conditions, fast growth, and beautiful appearance. A survey conducted from 2007 to 2010 revealed serious bark cracking on greenbelt trees approximately 15 to 16 years old that had been transplanted 5 to 6 years ago. Bark cracks increased in size over time, extending into the phloem and leading to extensive areas of bark loss with discoloration of the underlying xylem. Symptomatic trees had fewer new shoots in spring; many wilted and died in summer. Root rot was not observed in the withered trees but large light brown lesions were observed on cross sections of the main stem, each with a dark brown outer margin. In a September 2009 survey, 95% of symptomatic trees had stem lesions more than 50 cm long. Pieces of xylem (2 × 2 × 1 mm thick) were obtained from the margin of lesions surface sterilized using 0.1% mercuric chloride for 30 s, washed in sterile distilled water, and placed on 2% potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 28°C for 2 days. The fungus was then isolated and 12 colonies were obtrained. Three isolates KL-1-2, KL-3-2, and KL-4-3 were incubated on 2% PDA at 28°C for 30 days to produce spores. On PDA, the colonies were circular or near circular with irregular gray edges turning black green or black. The fungus also produced abundant aerial hyphae that were villous, septate, and irregular branched. Conidia were elliptical (or rounded) and hyaline when immature, becoming dark brown and septate longitudinally when mature and ranged from 23.2 to 27.0 × 10.8 to 16.2 µm (average 25.3 × 13.6 µm), similar to Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Patouillard) Griffon =Botryodiplodia theobromae Pa.t, Botryosphaeria rhodina (Berkeley & Curtis) von Arx (2). DNA extraction directly from the mycelium of KL-1-2, KL-3-2, and KL-4-3 was performed after 10 days' growth on PDA (1). The identities of the three isolates were confirmed by ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA sequence (GenBank Accession Nos. JN681172, JQ894322, and JQ894323, respectively) analysis that showed 99%, 100%, and 100% sequence similarity to L. theobromae xsd08006 (Accession No. FJ478102), L. theobromae PD20 (Accession No. GU251120), and L. theobromae xsd08008 (Accession No. EU918707), respectively. Pathogenicity tests were performed on 20 five-year-old K. bipinnata var integrifoliola plants by placing mycelia plugs of isolate KL-1-2 (10 × 10 mm) on the main trunk after wounding with a metal needle. Control plants received PDA plugs without mycelium. After inoculation, humidity was maintained using wet absorbent cotton and PE wrap film. Stem bark and phloem cracking was observed after 60 days on 85% of inoculated plants; 30% of those trees also had xylem discoloration. Symptoms were similar to those with natural infection. Control plants remained symptomless. The same fungus was reisolated from the brown xylem of inoculated plants. To our knowledge, this is the first report of bark cracking of K. bipinnata var integrifoliola caused by L. theobromae in China. References: (1) M.-J. Côté et al. Plant Dis. 88:1219, 2004. (2) G. Fu et al. Australas. Plant Dis. Notes 2:75, 2007.