Grazing significantly affects the distribution,growth,and productivity of shrubs.In this study,we evalu-ated the effects of grazing disturbance on the spatial distri-bution patterns and interspecific relationships of ...Grazing significantly affects the distribution,growth,and productivity of shrubs.In this study,we evalu-ated the effects of grazing disturbance on the spatial distri-bution patterns and interspecific relationships of two desert shrubs,Ammopiptanthus mongolicus and Sarcozygium xan-thoxylon.Three types of grazing conditions were considered,including enclosed area(EA),seasonal rotational grazing area(SRGA),and grazing area(GA)(100 m×100 m),in the West Ordos Nature Reserve of Inner Mongolia,China.The results showed that A.mongolicus and S.xanthoxylon populations were uniformly distributed at a small scale,and the distribution in EA and SRGA became gradually ran-dom.In GA,A.mongolicus population showed aggregated distribution but S.xanthoxylon population showed random distribution at a small scale. Moreover, both A. mongolicus and S. xanthoxylon populations at the 5-7 m scale showed random distribution. At the small and intermediate scales, the two species showed positive interspecific relationships of GA. However, no interspecific relationship was noted between the two species in EA and SRGA. A significant positive relationship (P < 0.01) was noted between the two species at 2-9 m and a negative relationship (P < 0.01) at 13-17 m scales in GA. Positive relationship (P < 0.01) was noted between the two species at 6-13 m scales and a sig-nificant negative relationship (P < 0.01) at 14-24 m scales in SRGA. The two species of desert shrubs showed posi-tive interspecific relationships at the small scale, and they showed negative relationships as the interspecific compe-tition intensified in the presence of grazing disturbance. When the grazing intensity exceeds a certain threshold, the interspecific relationships become weak. Therefore, moder-ate grazing would facilitate interspecific competition and species succession, whereas excessive grazing would disrupt natural competition causing desertification ultimately.展开更多
Pathogenic and spoilage fungi pose great challenges to food safety,leading to increased attention on the development and application of biologically sourced antimicrobial agents.In this study,an antimicrobial protein ...Pathogenic and spoilage fungi pose great challenges to food safety,leading to increased attention on the development and application of biologically sourced antimicrobial agents.In this study,an antimicrobial protein SDZ3-1 was isolated from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ALAC-6 and its antimicrobial spectrum was evaluated,demonstrating broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity with particularly strong inhibition of Candida albicans.The mechanism of fungal inhibition was investigated,and the results revealed that,compared to the control group,the minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC)SDZ3-1 treatment led to significant reactive oxygen species(ROS)generation(p<0.001)and a reduction in the reduced glutathione/glutathione disulfide(GSH/GSSG)ratio to 2.56(p<0.001),which further resulted in ROS accumulation and triggered oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in C.albicans.Transcriptome and RT-qPCR assays showed low expression of glr1 and high expression of mca1,the pro-apoptotic factor nma111,and dhh1.Meanwhile,high expression of the Dhh1 gene was observed within p-bodies,suggesting that p-bodies play a role in the apoptotic process and warranting further research.Addi-tionally,transcriptome functional enrichment analysis showed that the C.albicans cells treated with SDZ3-1 were enriched in the autophagy pathway.In summary,the findings of this study indicate that SDZ3-1 effectively inhibits C.albicans through the apoptotic pathway,accompanied by autophagy.Further research should focus on whether the relationship between apoptosis and autophagy in C.albicans cells is cooperative or antagonistic.展开更多
Background Prolonged length of stay(LOS)of sepsis can drain a hospital's material and human resources.This study investigated the correlations between T helper type 17(Th17)and regulatory T(Treg)balance with LOS i...Background Prolonged length of stay(LOS)of sepsis can drain a hospital's material and human resources.This study investigated the correlations between T helper type 17(Th17)and regulatory T(Treg)balance with LOS in sepsis.Methods A prospective clinical observational study was designed in Changhai Hospital affiliated to Naval Medical University in Shanghai,China,from January to October 2020.The patients diagnosed with sepsis and who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited and whether the levels of cytokines,procalcitonin,subtypes,and biomarkers of T cells in the peripheral blood were detected.We analyzed the correlation between these and LOS.Results Sixty septic patients were classified into two groups according to whether their intensive care unit(ICU)stay exceeded 14 days.The patients with LOS≥14 days were older([72.6±7.5]years vs.[63.3±10.4]years,P=0.015)and had higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment(SOFA)(median[interquartile range]:6.5[5.0–11.0]vs.4.0[3.0–6.0],P=0.001)and higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation(APACHE)II scores(16.0[13.0–21.0]vs.8.5[7.0–14.0],P=0.001).There was no difference in other demographic characteristics and cytokines,interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor-α,and interleukin-10 between the two groups.The Th17/Treg ratio of sepsis with LOS<14 days was considerably lower(0.48[0.38–0.56]vs.0.69[0.51–0.98],P=0.001).For patients with LOS≥14 days,the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the Th17/Treg ratio was 0.766.It improved to 0.840 and 0.850 when combined with the SOFA and APACHE II scores,respectively.Conclusions The Th17/Treg ratio was proportional to septic severity and can be used as a potential predictor of ICU stay in sepsis,presenting a new option for ICU practitioners to better care for patients with sepsis.展开更多
基金The work was supported by the Basic Scientific Research Foundation Special Project of the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research(nos.MK2020J08 and MK2016J03)National Natural Science Foundation of China:Action Mechanism Research on Ecological Spatial Configuration of Desert Shrub To The Formation and Development of Fertile Island(41967009).
文摘Grazing significantly affects the distribution,growth,and productivity of shrubs.In this study,we evalu-ated the effects of grazing disturbance on the spatial distri-bution patterns and interspecific relationships of two desert shrubs,Ammopiptanthus mongolicus and Sarcozygium xan-thoxylon.Three types of grazing conditions were considered,including enclosed area(EA),seasonal rotational grazing area(SRGA),and grazing area(GA)(100 m×100 m),in the West Ordos Nature Reserve of Inner Mongolia,China.The results showed that A.mongolicus and S.xanthoxylon populations were uniformly distributed at a small scale,and the distribution in EA and SRGA became gradually ran-dom.In GA,A.mongolicus population showed aggregated distribution but S.xanthoxylon population showed random distribution at a small scale. Moreover, both A. mongolicus and S. xanthoxylon populations at the 5-7 m scale showed random distribution. At the small and intermediate scales, the two species showed positive interspecific relationships of GA. However, no interspecific relationship was noted between the two species in EA and SRGA. A significant positive relationship (P < 0.01) was noted between the two species at 2-9 m and a negative relationship (P < 0.01) at 13-17 m scales in GA. Positive relationship (P < 0.01) was noted between the two species at 6-13 m scales and a sig-nificant negative relationship (P < 0.01) at 14-24 m scales in SRGA. The two species of desert shrubs showed posi-tive interspecific relationships at the small scale, and they showed negative relationships as the interspecific compe-tition intensified in the presence of grazing disturbance. When the grazing intensity exceeds a certain threshold, the interspecific relationships become weak. Therefore, moder-ate grazing would facilitate interspecific competition and species succession, whereas excessive grazing would disrupt natural competition causing desertification ultimately.
基金supported by the Inner Mongolia Natural Science Foundation Project[grant number 2020ZD13]the Inner Mongolia Key Technology Project[grant number 2021GG0083].
文摘Pathogenic and spoilage fungi pose great challenges to food safety,leading to increased attention on the development and application of biologically sourced antimicrobial agents.In this study,an antimicrobial protein SDZ3-1 was isolated from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ALAC-6 and its antimicrobial spectrum was evaluated,demonstrating broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity with particularly strong inhibition of Candida albicans.The mechanism of fungal inhibition was investigated,and the results revealed that,compared to the control group,the minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC)SDZ3-1 treatment led to significant reactive oxygen species(ROS)generation(p<0.001)and a reduction in the reduced glutathione/glutathione disulfide(GSH/GSSG)ratio to 2.56(p<0.001),which further resulted in ROS accumulation and triggered oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in C.albicans.Transcriptome and RT-qPCR assays showed low expression of glr1 and high expression of mca1,the pro-apoptotic factor nma111,and dhh1.Meanwhile,high expression of the Dhh1 gene was observed within p-bodies,suggesting that p-bodies play a role in the apoptotic process and warranting further research.Addi-tionally,transcriptome functional enrichment analysis showed that the C.albicans cells treated with SDZ3-1 were enriched in the autophagy pathway.In summary,the findings of this study indicate that SDZ3-1 effectively inhibits C.albicans through the apoptotic pathway,accompanied by autophagy.Further research should focus on whether the relationship between apoptosis and autophagy in C.albicans cells is cooperative or antagonistic.
基金supported by Shanghai Natural Science Foundation(19ZR1456600).
文摘Background Prolonged length of stay(LOS)of sepsis can drain a hospital's material and human resources.This study investigated the correlations between T helper type 17(Th17)and regulatory T(Treg)balance with LOS in sepsis.Methods A prospective clinical observational study was designed in Changhai Hospital affiliated to Naval Medical University in Shanghai,China,from January to October 2020.The patients diagnosed with sepsis and who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited and whether the levels of cytokines,procalcitonin,subtypes,and biomarkers of T cells in the peripheral blood were detected.We analyzed the correlation between these and LOS.Results Sixty septic patients were classified into two groups according to whether their intensive care unit(ICU)stay exceeded 14 days.The patients with LOS≥14 days were older([72.6±7.5]years vs.[63.3±10.4]years,P=0.015)and had higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment(SOFA)(median[interquartile range]:6.5[5.0–11.0]vs.4.0[3.0–6.0],P=0.001)and higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation(APACHE)II scores(16.0[13.0–21.0]vs.8.5[7.0–14.0],P=0.001).There was no difference in other demographic characteristics and cytokines,interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor-α,and interleukin-10 between the two groups.The Th17/Treg ratio of sepsis with LOS<14 days was considerably lower(0.48[0.38–0.56]vs.0.69[0.51–0.98],P=0.001).For patients with LOS≥14 days,the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the Th17/Treg ratio was 0.766.It improved to 0.840 and 0.850 when combined with the SOFA and APACHE II scores,respectively.Conclusions The Th17/Treg ratio was proportional to septic severity and can be used as a potential predictor of ICU stay in sepsis,presenting a new option for ICU practitioners to better care for patients with sepsis.
