Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system.It results in cognitive dysfunction due to the loss of functional neurons and a deficit of new neurons,which can lead to death in severe ...Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system.It results in cognitive dysfunction due to the loss of functional neurons and a deficit of new neurons,which can lead to death in severe cases.Repairing damaged neurons by promoting hippocampal neurogenesis has become therapeutic modality to combat neurodegenerative diseases.The novel isoflavone alkaloid LY01,found in the edible fruits of Sophora alopecuroides L.,has various neuroprotective effects.However,the molecular mechanism by which it promotes the proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells(NSCs)is not yet precisely known.The effects of LY01 were investigated in vivo and in vitro.In vivo experiments showed that LY01 could counteract the toxic damage of amyloid β-protein(Aβ),enhance the learning ability and memory capacity of 5×FAD mice,and improve the morphology of neurons in the hippocampal region.In vitro experiments showed that LY01 was effective against antioxidant damage,improved the cell morphology of C17.2 mouse NSCs after hydrogen peroxide injury,and increased cell viability.Both in vitro and in vivo experiments promoted NSC proliferation by upregulating the mRNA and protein levels of the critical genes of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway,which increased levels of doublecortin to facilitate new neuronal generation.This indicates that the ability of LY01 to counteract Aβ toxicity and alleviate oxidative damage in early AD is associated with activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to promote NSC proliferation and thus repair damaged neurons.展开更多
The number of secondary feathers varies among orders of birds with some orders exhibiting a positive relationship with ulna length,whereas in other orders secondary number is invariant.This difference has implications...The number of secondary feathers varies among orders of birds with some orders exhibiting a positive relationship with ulna length,whereas in other orders secondary number is invariant.This difference has implications for scaling of the width of the feather vane within orders.In those species where the number of secondary remiges is invariant with ulna length,vane width should scale isometrically with ulna size to maintain an aerodynamic flight surface.Where feather count increases with increasing ulna length then vane width should exhibit negative allometry.Vane length should also correlate with ulna length,irrespective of the number of feathers.Data were compiled from an online library of images for the vane length and the width of the vane at 50%of the vane length for the fifth secondary feather for 209 bird species from 24 different orders.The results supported the hypotheses that vane width is a function of ulna size,and the number of secondary feathers as associated with different orders.Vane length was unaffected by the number of secondaries but varied between orders.The results suggest that birds have solved the problem of maintaining the aerodynamic surface of the proximal wing in two ways.Hence as ulna length increases the first solution involves more feathers that exhibit negative allometry for vane width,or in the second where feather count doesn't change,the vane width simply scales isometrically.The implications for the mechanical properties of the vane,and how it affects wing function,have not yet been explored in a range of birds.展开更多
Using 2-dicyanomethylene-3-cyano-4,5,5-trimethyl-2,5-dihydrofuran(TCF)as a near-infrared fluorescent chromophore,we designed and synthesized a TCF-based fluorescent probe TCF-NS by introducing 2,4-dinitrophenyl ether ...Using 2-dicyanomethylene-3-cyano-4,5,5-trimethyl-2,5-dihydrofuran(TCF)as a near-infrared fluorescent chromophore,we designed and synthesized a TCF-based fluorescent probe TCF-NS by introducing 2,4-dinitrophenyl ether as the recognized site for H_(2)S.The probe TCF-NS displayed a rapid-response fluorescent against H_(2)S with high sensitivity and selection but had no significant fluorescence response to other biothiols.Furthermore,TCF-NS was applied to sense H_(2)S in living cells successfully with minimized cytotoxicity and a large Stokes shift.展开更多
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome(PRRS),a highly infectious immunosuppressive disease caused by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus(PRRSV),has led to significant economic losses in the glob...Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome(PRRS),a highly infectious immunosuppressive disease caused by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus(PRRSV),has led to significant economic losses in the global swine industry.The complexity of preventing and controlling PRRS,compounded by the limited efficacy of current vaccines,underscores the urgent need to identify antiviral targets and develop effective therapeutics against PRRSV.From the perspective of virus-host interactions,the discovery of target molecules associated with PRRSV resistance offers a promising strategy for future disease management.In this study,we conduct a comprehensive proteomic analysis using data-independent acquisition(DIA)mode to investigate the host response throughout the acute phase of PRRSV infection.This approach provides critical insights into the regulation of host antiviral and immune pathways during acute infection,advancing our theoretical understanding of PRRSV-host interactions and host gene dynamics during this critical phase.Notably,we identified SCARB2,a major lysosomal membrane protein associated with cholesterol metabolism,as a potential regulator of PRRSV replication.These findings offer novel perspectives for the prevention and control of PRRSV,contributing to the development of targeted antiviral strategies.展开更多
Prostate cancer(PCa),one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality in men worldwide,presents significant challenges due to its heterogeneity and the presence of cancer stem cells(CSCs),which contribute to ther...Prostate cancer(PCa),one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality in men worldwide,presents significant challenges due to its heterogeneity and the presence of cancer stem cells(CSCs),which contribute to therapy resistance and metastasis.Advances in three-dimensional(3D)bioprinting have ushered in a new era of precision medicine by enabling the recreation of complex tumor mi-croenvironments.This review highlights the transformative potential of 3D bioprinting technology in modelling prostate cancer stem cells(PCSCs)to identify therapeutic vulnerabilities and develop targeted treatments.By integrating bioinks with PCSCs and their niche components,3D bioprinting offers a robust platform to investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying PCa progression and resistance.Furthermore,it allows high-throughput drug scree-ning,cellular cross talks,facilitating the discovery of novel interventions aimed at eradicating CSCs while preserving healthy tissue.The review also discusses the challenges of scalability,bioink optimization,and clinical translation,alongside emerging technologies such as organ-on-chip systems and bioprinted metastatic models.This review underscores the promise of bioprinting as a disruptive in-novation in cancer care,capable of redefining therapeutic approaches and offering hope for better patient outcomes in PCa.展开更多
The bone marrow microenvironment is critical for the maintenance and functionality of stem/progenitor cells,which are essential for bone development and regeneration.However,the composition and potential use of bone m...The bone marrow microenvironment is critical for the maintenance and functionality of stem/progenitor cells,which are essential for bone development and regeneration.However,the composition and potential use of bone marrow interstitial fluid have not been well explored.In this study,we report the role of neonatal bovine bone marrow interstitial fluid(NBIF)in enhancing the bone regeneration capacity of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(hBMSCs).Unlike adult bovine bone marrow interstitial fluid(ABIF),NBIF-fed hBMSCs exhibit enhanced self-renewal and osteogenic potential and bone marrow homing ability,along with transcriptome changes as compared to hBMSCs cultured in standard fetal bovine serum(FBS)supplemented medium.Mass spectrometry analysis reveals that multiple secreted factors associated with tissue repair and bone development are enriched in NBIF compared to FBS and ABIF.The combined use of NBIF-enriched Nerve Growth Factor(NGF),Lactoferrin(LTF),and High Mobility Group Protein B1(HMGB1),together with Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1(IGF1)for culturing hBMSCs in the presence of FBS can enhance osteogenic potential and bone marrow homing ability,mimicking NBIF's effects.These findings highlight the role of interstitial fluid in the bone marrow microenvironment and its potential to optimize stem cell-based therapies.展开更多
As a renovator in the field of gene editing,CRISPR-Cas9 has demonstrated immense potential for advancing next-generation gene therapy owing to its simplicity and precision.However,this potential faces significant chal...As a renovator in the field of gene editing,CRISPR-Cas9 has demonstrated immense potential for advancing next-generation gene therapy owing to its simplicity and precision.However,this potential faces significant challenges primarily stemming from the difficulty in efficiently delivering large-sized genome editing system(including Cas9 protein and sgRNA)into targeted cells and spatiotemporally controlling their activity in vitro and in vivo.Therefore,the development of CRISPR/Cas9 nanovectors that integrate high loading capacity,efficient encapsulation and spatiotemporally-controlled release is highly desirable.Herein,we have engineered a near-infrared(NIR)light-activated upconversion-DNA nanocapsule for the remote control of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing.The light-responsive upconversion-DNA nanocapsules consist of macroporous silica(mSiO_(2))coated upconversion nanoparticles(UCNPs)and photocleavable onitrobenzyl-phosphate-modified DNA shells.The UCNPs act as a“nanotransducers”to convert NIR light(980 nm)into local ultraviolet light,thereby facilitating the cleavage of photosensitive DNA nanocapsules and enabling on-demand release of CRISPR-Cas9 encapsuled in the macroporous silica.Furthermore,by formulating a sgRNA targeted to a tumor gene(polo-like kinase-1,PLK-1),the CRISPR-Cas9 loaded UCNPDNA nanocapsules(crUCNP-DNA nanocapsules)have effectively suppressed the proliferation of tumor cells through NIR light-activated gene editing both in vitro and in vivo.Overall,this UCNP-DNA nanocapsule holds tremendous potential for CRISPR-Cas9 delivery and remote-controlled gene editing in deep tissues,as well as the treatment of diverse diseases.展开更多
Iron-porphyrin metal-organic frameworks(MOFs)have emerged as a remarkable class of semiconductors with adjustable photoelectrical properties and peroxidase-mimicking activities,yet their full potential remains largely...Iron-porphyrin metal-organic frameworks(MOFs)have emerged as a remarkable class of semiconductors with adjustable photoelectrical properties and peroxidase-mimicking activities,yet their full potential remains largely unexplored.The organic photoelectrochemical transistor(OPECT)has been proven to be a prominent platform for diverse applications.Herein,iron-porphyrin MOFs,as bifunctional photo-gating module and horseradish peroxidase-mimicking nanozyme,is explored for novel OPECT bioanalysis.Exemplified by alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)-dependent sandwich immunorecognition and therein glucose oxidase(GOx)-generated H_(2)O_(2)to etch CdS quantum dots on the surface of iron-porphyrin MOFs,this OPECT bioanalysis achieved high-performance AFP detection with a low detection limit of 24 fg/mL.This work featured a bifunctional iron-porphyrin MOFs gated OPECT,which is envisioned to inspire more interest in developing the diverse MOFs-nanozymes toward novel optoelectronics and beyond.展开更多
Linear mRNA vaccines are constrained by exonuclease susceptibility and instability,leading to compromised antigen expression.Circular RNA(circRNA) lacking canonical 5' and 3' untranslated regions demonstrates ...Linear mRNA vaccines are constrained by exonuclease susceptibility and instability,leading to compromised antigen expression.Circular RNA(circRNA) lacking canonical 5' and 3' untranslated regions demonstrates intrinsic exonuclease resistance.Current circularization strategies face three principal limitations:chemical methods produce non-native 2',5'-phosphodiester bonds;ribozyme-mediated approaches are restricted to RNA fragments shorter than 500 nucleotides;the Anabaena Group I intron system retains immunogenic exon sequences.In contrast,the self-splicing Group I intron ribozyme from Tetrahymena enables precisely controlled circularization through autonomous structural rearrangement,yielding exonfree constructs.Through optimized purification protocols,historical scalability challenges are systematically addressed.This Perspective establishes the mechanistic rationale and therapeutic superiority of this engineered RNA circularization platform.展开更多
The relationship between ecosystem services(ES)and human well-being(HWB)is fundamental to the science and practice of sustainability.However,studies have shown conflicting results,which has been attributed to the infl...The relationship between ecosystem services(ES)and human well-being(HWB)is fundamental to the science and practice of sustainability.However,studies have shown conflicting results,which has been attributed to the influences of indicators,contexts,and scales.Yet,another potential factor,which has been overlooked,may be the mixed use of spatial and temporal approaches.Using twelve ES and seven well-being indicators and multiple statistical methods,we quantified and compared the spatial and temporal ES–HWB relationships for Inner Mongolia,China.The spatial and temporal relationships differed in both correlation direction and strength.Most relationships of economic and employment-related indicators with food provisioning and supporting services were temporally positive but spatially nonsignificant or negative.Some relationships of economic and employmentrelated indicators with water retention,sandstorm prevention,and wind erosion were temporally negative but spatially complex.However,the spatial and temporal ES–HWB relationships could also be similar in some cases.We conclude that although both the spatial and temporal approaches have merits,space generally cannot substitute for time in the study of ES–HWB relationship.Our study helps reconcile the seemingly conflicting findings in the literature,and suggests that future studies should explicitly distinguish between the spatial and temporal ES–HWB relationships.展开更多
Safe and just operating spaces(SJOS)are influenced by complex cross-scale interactions and cascading effects spanning global,regional,and local landscape scales.However,existing SJOS research has often focused on sing...Safe and just operating spaces(SJOS)are influenced by complex cross-scale interactions and cascading effects spanning global,regional,and local landscape scales.However,existing SJOS research has often focused on single-scale assessments,overlooking the impacts of multiscale interactions and within-region heterogeneity on urban SJOS.To address this gap,we developed a cross-scale framework for assessing urban SJOS,explicitly incorporating top-down influences from upper-level constraints and bottom-up effects from lower-level heterogeneity.This approach was applied to China's five major metropolises to examine the states and cross-scale dynamics influencing urban SJOS between 1990 and 2020.Our findings reveal that the SJOS of China's metropolises were primarily influenced by factors at national and local landscape scales,with weaker influences from the global and continental scales.A persistent trade-off between social justice and environmental safety was identified across spatiotemporal scales.For instance,Chongqing in southwestern China lagged behind the eastern four metropolises in social performance but exhibited stronger environmental safety due to its extensive natural landscapes,which mitigated the anthropogenic impacts of urban centers.Regional issues,such as the overshoot of PM_(2.5)and ecological footprints(EF),were primarily driven by the bottom-up accumulation of localized pressures,while the overshoot of CO_(2)was attributed to national policy constraints and the universal exceedance of safe thresholds across scales.Addressing urban sustainability requires avoiding adverse cascading effects from other levels by emphasizing landscape heterogeneity within metropolises and fostering coordinated collaboration across scales,particularly at the regional landscape and national levels.展开更多
The liver performs several vital functions such as metabolism,toxin removal,and glucose storage through the coordination of various cell types.With the recent breakthrough of the single-cell/single-nucleus RNAseq(sc/s...The liver performs several vital functions such as metabolism,toxin removal,and glucose storage through the coordination of various cell types.With the recent breakthrough of the single-cell/single-nucleus RNAseq(sc/snRNA-seq)techniques,there is a great opportunity to establish a reference cell map of the liver at single-cell resolution with transcriptome-wise features.In this study,we build a unified liver cell atlas uniLIVER(http://lifeome.net/database/uniliver)by integrative analysis of a large-scale sc/snRNA-seq data collection of normal human liver with 331,125 cells and 79 samples from 6 datasets.Moreover,we introduce LiverCT,a machine learning based method for mapping any query dataset to the liver reference map by introducing the definition of“variant”cellular states analogous to the sequence variants in genomic analysis.Applying LiverCT on liver cancer datasets,we find that the“deviated”states of T cells are highly correlated with the stress pathway activities in hepatocellular carcinoma,and the enrichments of tumor cells with the hepatocyte-cholangiocyte“intermediate”states significantly indicate poor prognosis.Besides,we find that the tumor cells of different patients have different zonation tendencies and this zonation tendency is also significantly associated with the prognosis.This reference atlas mapping framework can also be extended to any other tissues.展开更多
The cell fate of primordial germ cell(PGC)in zebrafish is pre-determined by maternally deposited germ plasm,which is packaged into ribonucleoprotein complex in oocytes and inherited into PGC-fated cells in embryos.How...The cell fate of primordial germ cell(PGC)in zebrafish is pre-determined by maternally deposited germ plasm,which is packaged into ribonucleoprotein complex in oocytes and inherited into PGC-fated cells in embryos.However,the maternal factors regulating the assembly of germ plasm and PGC development remain poorly understood.In this study,we report that the maternal transcription factor Znf706 regulates the assembly of germ plasm factors into a granule-like structure localized perinuclearly in PGC during migration.Maternal and zygotic mutants of znf706 exhibit deficient germ plasm scattering at the early embryonic stage,decreased PGC numbers with some mislocation during PGC migration,and a lower female ratio in adulthood.Notably,the implementation of Znf706 CUT&Tag and RNA-seq on immature oocytes uncovers that Znf706 in stage I oocytes may promote transcription of several mitochondrial genes in addition to other functions.Hence,we propose that Znf706 is implicated in germ plasm assembly and PGC development in zebrafish.展开更多
Integrative data from plastid and nuclear loci are increasingly utilized to resolve species boundaries and phylogenetic relationships within major angiosperm clades.Debregeasia(Urticaceae),an economically important ge...Integrative data from plastid and nuclear loci are increasingly utilized to resolve species boundaries and phylogenetic relationships within major angiosperm clades.Debregeasia(Urticaceae),an economically important genus,presents challenges in species delimitation due to its overlapping morphological traits and unstable taxonomic assignments.Here,we analyzed 14 morphological traits and generated 12 data matrices from the plastomes and nrDNA using genome skimming from the nine recognized morphospecies to clarify species boundaries and assess barcode performance in Debregeasia.We also used a universal set of 353 nuclear genes to explore reticulate evolution and biogeographic history of Debregeasia.Plastomes of Debregeasia exhibited the typical quadripartite structure with conserved gene content and marginal independent variations in the SC/IR boundary at inter-and intra-specific levels.Three Debregeasia species were non-monophyletic and could not be discerned by any barcode;however,ultra-barcodes identified the remaining six(67%),outperforming standard barcodes(56%).Our phylogenetic analyses placed Debregeasia wallichiana outside the genus and suggested six monophyletic clades in Debregeasia,although the placement between Debregeasia hekouensis and Debregeasia libera varied.There was extensive trait overlap in key morphologically diagnostic characters,with reticulation analysis showing potentially pervasive hybridization,likely influenced by speciation patterns and overlaps between species ranges.We inferred that Debregeasia crown diversification began at ca.12.82 Ma(95%HPD:11.54-14.63 Ma)in the mid-Miocene within Australia,followed by vicariance and later longdistance dispersal,mainly out of southern China.Our findings highlight the utility of genomic data with integrative lines of evidence to refine species delimitation and explore evolutionary relationships in complex plant lineages.展开更多
Mountains serve as exceptional natural laboratories for studying biodiversity due to their heterogeneous landforms and climatic zones.The Himalaya,a global biodiversity hotspot,hosts rich endemic flora,supports vital ...Mountains serve as exceptional natural laboratories for studying biodiversity due to their heterogeneous landforms and climatic zones.The Himalaya,a global biodiversity hotspot,hosts rich endemic flora,supports vital ecosystem functions,and offers a unique window into multifaceted plant diversity patterns.This review synthesizes research on Himalayan plant diversity,including species,phylogenetic,functional,and genetic dimensions,highlighting knowledge gaps and solutions.Research on Himalayan plant diversity has developed significantly.However,gaps remain,especially in studies on phylogenetic and functional diversity.The region's vegetation ranges from tropical rainforests to alpine ecosystems,with species richness typically following a hump-shaped distribution along elevation gradients.The eastern Himalaya exhibits higher plant diversity than the central and western regions.Low-elevation communities were found to be more functionally diverse,whereas high-elevation communities displayed greater ecological specialization.Communities at mid-elevations tend to show greater phylogenetic diversity than those at higher and lower elevations.The eastern and western flanks of the Himalaya retain high levels of genetic diversity and serve as glacial refugia,whereas the central region acts as a hybrid zone for closely related species.Himalayan plant diversity is shaped by historical,climatic,ecological and anthropogenic factors across space and time.However,this rich biodiversity is increasingly threatened by environmental change and growing anthropogenic pressures.Unfortunately,research efforts are constrained by spatial biases and the lack of transnational initiatives and collaborative studies,which could significantly benefit from interdisciplinary approaches,and other coordinated actions.These efforts are vital to safeguarding the Himalayan natural heritage.展开更多
Osteoporosis has become a serious health problem throughout the world which is associated with an increased risk of bone fractures and mortality among the people of middle to old ages.Diabetes is also a major health p...Osteoporosis has become a serious health problem throughout the world which is associated with an increased risk of bone fractures and mortality among the people of middle to old ages.Diabetes is also a major health problem among the people of all age ranges and the sufferers due to this abnormality increasing day by day.The aim of this review is to summarize the possible mechanisms through which diabetes may induce osteoporosis.Diabetes mellitus generally exerts its effect on different parts of the body including bone cells specially the osteoblast and osteoclast,muscles,retina of the eyes,adipose tissue,endocrine system specially parathyroid hormone(PTH) and estrogen,cytokines,nervous system and digestive system.Diabetes negatively regulates osteoblast differentiation and function while positively regulates osteoclast differentiation and function through the regulation of different intermediate factors and thereby decreases bone formation while increases bone resorption.Some factors such as diabetic neuropathy,reactive oxygen species,Vitamin D,PTH have their effects on muscle cells.Diabetes decreases the muscle strength through regulating these factors in various ways and ultimately increases the risk of fall that may cause bone fractures.展开更多
Spartina alterniflora Loisel, a species vegetating in intertidal flats along the eastern coast of the United States, was introduced in China almost 30 years ago and has become an urgent topic due to its invasiveness i...Spartina alterniflora Loisel, a species vegetating in intertidal flats along the eastern coast of the United States, was introduced in China almost 30 years ago and has become an urgent topic due to its invasiveness in the coastal zone of China. The impacts of this alien species S. alterniflora on intertidal ecosystem processes in the Jiangsu coastland were investigated by comparing the sediment nutrient availability and trace element concentration characteristics in a mud flat and those of a four-year old Spartina salt marsh that had earlier been a mudflat. At each study site, fifteen plots were sampled in different seasons to determine the sediment characteristics along the tidal flats. The results suggested that Spartina salt marsh sediments had significantly higher total N, available P, and water content, but lower pH and bulk density than mudflat sediments. Sediment salinity, water content, total N, organic C, and available P decreased along a seaward gradient in the Spartina salt marsh and increased with vegetation biomass. Furthermore, the concentrations of trace elements and some metal elements in the sediment were higher under Spartina although these increases were not significant. Also, in the Spartina marsh, some heavy metals were concentrated in the surface layer of the sediment. The Spartina salt marsh in this study was only four years old; therefore, it is suggested that further study of this allen species on a longer time frame in the Jiangsu coastland should be carried out.展开更多
Objective:To explore the efficacy of ethanolic leaf extract of Typhonium trilobatum L.Schott in treating diarrhea,pain and inflammation using experimental models.Methods:In the present study,acetic acid-induced writhi...Objective:To explore the efficacy of ethanolic leaf extract of Typhonium trilobatum L.Schott in treating diarrhea,pain and inflammation using experimental models.Methods:In the present study,acetic acid-induced writhing,xylene-induced ear edema and castor oil-imluced diarrlieal model were used to evaluate the analgesic,anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrheal activities,respectively.Acute toxicity test was carried out to fix the safe doses of the plant extract.Results:The plant extract demonstrated a significant inhibition of writhing(P<0.01)compared with the control group in acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice.The extract also significantly inhibited the xylene induced ear edema formation(P<0.05).In anti-diarrheal test,the extract significantly decreased the frequency of defecation and increased the mean latent period(P<0.0l)in castor oil-induced diarrheal model mice at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight.Conclusions:These results suggest that the extract possesses significant analgesic,anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrheal activities that support to the ethnopharmacologicl uses of this plant.展开更多
Dengue virus(DENV) is a mosquito-borne virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family. There are 4 serotypes of DENV that cause human disease through transmission by mosquito vectors. DENV infection results in a broad spe...Dengue virus(DENV) is a mosquito-borne virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family. There are 4 serotypes of DENV that cause human disease through transmission by mosquito vectors. DENV infection results in a broad spectrum of clinical symptoms, ranging from mild fever to dengue hemorrhagic fever(DHF), the latter of which can progress to dengue shock syndrome(DSS) and death. Researchers have made unremitting efforts over the last half-century to understand DHF pathogenesis. DHF is probably caused by multiple factors, such as virus-specific antibodies, viral antigens and host immune responses. This review summarizes the current progress of studies on DHF pathogenesis, which may provide important information for achieving effective control of dengue in the future.展开更多
Objective Isoliquiritigenin （ISL）, a licorice chalconoid, is considered to be a bioactive agent with chemopreventive potential. This study investigates the mechanisms involved in ISL-induced apoptosis in human cervi...Objective Isoliquiritigenin （ISL）, a licorice chalconoid, is considered to be a bioactive agent with chemopreventive potential. This study investigates the mechanisms involved in ISL-induced apoptosis in human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells. Methods Cell viability was evaluated using a 3-（4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide （MTT） assay. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry using an Annexin V-FITC Apoptosis Detection Kit. The intracetlular ROS levels were assessed using a 2, 7-dichlorofluorescein probe assay. The mitochondrial membrane potential was measured with the dual-emission potential-sensitive probe 5, 5＇, 6, 6＇-tetra-chloro-1, 1＇, 3, 3＇-tetraethyl-imidacarbocyanine iodide （JC-1）. The degradation of poly-ADP-ribose polymerase （PARP） protein, the phosphorylation of PKR-like ER kinase （PERK）, the phosphorylation of the a-subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 （elF2a）, the expression of the 78 kD glucose-regulated protein （GRP 78）, and the activation of caspase-12 were analyzed via western blot analysis. Results ISL significantly inhibited the proliferation, the increase in ROS levels and apoptotic rates of HeLa cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, ISL induced mitochondrial dysfunction, caspase activation, and PARP cleavage, which displayed features of mitochondria dependent on apoptotic signals. Besides, exposure of HeLa cells to ISL triggered endoplasmic reticulum （ER） stress, as indicated by the increase in p-elF2a and GRP78 expression, ER stress-dependent apoptosis is caused by the activation of ER-specific caspase-12. Conclusion The findings from our study suggest that ISL-induced oxidative stress causes HeLa cel apoptosis via the mitochondrion-dependent and the ER stress-triggered signaling pathways.展开更多
基金supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China(82174085)Natural Science Foundation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region(2019MS08032).
文摘Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system.It results in cognitive dysfunction due to the loss of functional neurons and a deficit of new neurons,which can lead to death in severe cases.Repairing damaged neurons by promoting hippocampal neurogenesis has become therapeutic modality to combat neurodegenerative diseases.The novel isoflavone alkaloid LY01,found in the edible fruits of Sophora alopecuroides L.,has various neuroprotective effects.However,the molecular mechanism by which it promotes the proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells(NSCs)is not yet precisely known.The effects of LY01 were investigated in vivo and in vitro.In vivo experiments showed that LY01 could counteract the toxic damage of amyloid β-protein(Aβ),enhance the learning ability and memory capacity of 5×FAD mice,and improve the morphology of neurons in the hippocampal region.In vitro experiments showed that LY01 was effective against antioxidant damage,improved the cell morphology of C17.2 mouse NSCs after hydrogen peroxide injury,and increased cell viability.Both in vitro and in vivo experiments promoted NSC proliferation by upregulating the mRNA and protein levels of the critical genes of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway,which increased levels of doublecortin to facilitate new neuronal generation.This indicates that the ability of LY01 to counteract Aβ toxicity and alleviate oxidative damage in early AD is associated with activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to promote NSC proliferation and thus repair damaged neurons.
文摘The number of secondary feathers varies among orders of birds with some orders exhibiting a positive relationship with ulna length,whereas in other orders secondary number is invariant.This difference has implications for scaling of the width of the feather vane within orders.In those species where the number of secondary remiges is invariant with ulna length,vane width should scale isometrically with ulna size to maintain an aerodynamic flight surface.Where feather count increases with increasing ulna length then vane width should exhibit negative allometry.Vane length should also correlate with ulna length,irrespective of the number of feathers.Data were compiled from an online library of images for the vane length and the width of the vane at 50%of the vane length for the fifth secondary feather for 209 bird species from 24 different orders.The results supported the hypotheses that vane width is a function of ulna size,and the number of secondary feathers as associated with different orders.Vane length was unaffected by the number of secondaries but varied between orders.The results suggest that birds have solved the problem of maintaining the aerodynamic surface of the proximal wing in two ways.Hence as ulna length increases the first solution involves more feathers that exhibit negative allometry for vane width,or in the second where feather count doesn't change,the vane width simply scales isometrically.The implications for the mechanical properties of the vane,and how it affects wing function,have not yet been explored in a range of birds.
基金financially supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(Grant No.BK20241181)the State Key Laboratory of AnalyticalChemistry for Life Science,School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering,Nanjing University(Grant No.SKLACLS2419)。
文摘Using 2-dicyanomethylene-3-cyano-4,5,5-trimethyl-2,5-dihydrofuran(TCF)as a near-infrared fluorescent chromophore,we designed and synthesized a TCF-based fluorescent probe TCF-NS by introducing 2,4-dinitrophenyl ether as the recognized site for H_(2)S.The probe TCF-NS displayed a rapid-response fluorescent against H_(2)S with high sensitivity and selection but had no significant fluorescence response to other biothiols.Furthermore,TCF-NS was applied to sense H_(2)S in living cells successfully with minimized cytotoxicity and a large Stokes shift.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant no.:3217190296,82102755 and 32302887)Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(grant no.:2023A1515012623 and 2019B1515210030)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(grant no.:2021M703739)。
文摘Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome(PRRS),a highly infectious immunosuppressive disease caused by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus(PRRSV),has led to significant economic losses in the global swine industry.The complexity of preventing and controlling PRRS,compounded by the limited efficacy of current vaccines,underscores the urgent need to identify antiviral targets and develop effective therapeutics against PRRSV.From the perspective of virus-host interactions,the discovery of target molecules associated with PRRSV resistance offers a promising strategy for future disease management.In this study,we conduct a comprehensive proteomic analysis using data-independent acquisition(DIA)mode to investigate the host response throughout the acute phase of PRRSV infection.This approach provides critical insights into the regulation of host antiviral and immune pathways during acute infection,advancing our theoretical understanding of PRRSV-host interactions and host gene dynamics during this critical phase.Notably,we identified SCARB2,a major lysosomal membrane protein associated with cholesterol metabolism,as a potential regulator of PRRSV replication.These findings offer novel perspectives for the prevention and control of PRRSV,contributing to the development of targeted antiviral strategies.
基金Supported by GSBTM,DST Government of Gujarat for Financial Support to the Prostate Cancer Research Project at GSFC University,Vadodara,No.GSBTM/RSS/E-FILE/30/2024/0021/04306791.
文摘Prostate cancer(PCa),one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality in men worldwide,presents significant challenges due to its heterogeneity and the presence of cancer stem cells(CSCs),which contribute to therapy resistance and metastasis.Advances in three-dimensional(3D)bioprinting have ushered in a new era of precision medicine by enabling the recreation of complex tumor mi-croenvironments.This review highlights the transformative potential of 3D bioprinting technology in modelling prostate cancer stem cells(PCSCs)to identify therapeutic vulnerabilities and develop targeted treatments.By integrating bioinks with PCSCs and their niche components,3D bioprinting offers a robust platform to investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying PCa progression and resistance.Furthermore,it allows high-throughput drug scree-ning,cellular cross talks,facilitating the discovery of novel interventions aimed at eradicating CSCs while preserving healthy tissue.The review also discusses the challenges of scalability,bioink optimization,and clinical translation,alongside emerging technologies such as organ-on-chip systems and bioprinted metastatic models.This review underscores the promise of bioprinting as a disruptive in-novation in cancer care,capable of redefining therapeutic approaches and offering hope for better patient outcomes in PCa.
基金financially supported by the Guangzhou National Laboratory(grant#GZNL2025C02022,A.M.#QNPG2317,J.Z.)partially by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31988101)。
文摘The bone marrow microenvironment is critical for the maintenance and functionality of stem/progenitor cells,which are essential for bone development and regeneration.However,the composition and potential use of bone marrow interstitial fluid have not been well explored.In this study,we report the role of neonatal bovine bone marrow interstitial fluid(NBIF)in enhancing the bone regeneration capacity of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(hBMSCs).Unlike adult bovine bone marrow interstitial fluid(ABIF),NBIF-fed hBMSCs exhibit enhanced self-renewal and osteogenic potential and bone marrow homing ability,along with transcriptome changes as compared to hBMSCs cultured in standard fetal bovine serum(FBS)supplemented medium.Mass spectrometry analysis reveals that multiple secreted factors associated with tissue repair and bone development are enriched in NBIF compared to FBS and ABIF.The combined use of NBIF-enriched Nerve Growth Factor(NGF),Lactoferrin(LTF),and High Mobility Group Protein B1(HMGB1),together with Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1(IGF1)for culturing hBMSCs in the presence of FBS can enhance osteogenic potential and bone marrow homing ability,mimicking NBIF's effects.These findings highlight the role of interstitial fluid in the bone marrow microenvironment and its potential to optimize stem cell-based therapies.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.21804059 and 21701059)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(No.BK20180974)+1 种基金the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No.2020M681544)the Postdoctoral Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(No.2020Z351)。
文摘As a renovator in the field of gene editing,CRISPR-Cas9 has demonstrated immense potential for advancing next-generation gene therapy owing to its simplicity and precision.However,this potential faces significant challenges primarily stemming from the difficulty in efficiently delivering large-sized genome editing system(including Cas9 protein and sgRNA)into targeted cells and spatiotemporally controlling their activity in vitro and in vivo.Therefore,the development of CRISPR/Cas9 nanovectors that integrate high loading capacity,efficient encapsulation and spatiotemporally-controlled release is highly desirable.Herein,we have engineered a near-infrared(NIR)light-activated upconversion-DNA nanocapsule for the remote control of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing.The light-responsive upconversion-DNA nanocapsules consist of macroporous silica(mSiO_(2))coated upconversion nanoparticles(UCNPs)and photocleavable onitrobenzyl-phosphate-modified DNA shells.The UCNPs act as a“nanotransducers”to convert NIR light(980 nm)into local ultraviolet light,thereby facilitating the cleavage of photosensitive DNA nanocapsules and enabling on-demand release of CRISPR-Cas9 encapsuled in the macroporous silica.Furthermore,by formulating a sgRNA targeted to a tumor gene(polo-like kinase-1,PLK-1),the CRISPR-Cas9 loaded UCNPDNA nanocapsules(crUCNP-DNA nanocapsules)have effectively suppressed the proliferation of tumor cells through NIR light-activated gene editing both in vitro and in vivo.Overall,this UCNP-DNA nanocapsule holds tremendous potential for CRISPR-Cas9 delivery and remote-controlled gene editing in deep tissues,as well as the treatment of diverse diseases.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.22034003,22374066)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(No.2022300285)+1 种基金the Excellent Research Program of Nanjing University(No.ZYJH004)State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science(No.5431ZZXM2203).
文摘Iron-porphyrin metal-organic frameworks(MOFs)have emerged as a remarkable class of semiconductors with adjustable photoelectrical properties and peroxidase-mimicking activities,yet their full potential remains largely unexplored.The organic photoelectrochemical transistor(OPECT)has been proven to be a prominent platform for diverse applications.Herein,iron-porphyrin MOFs,as bifunctional photo-gating module and horseradish peroxidase-mimicking nanozyme,is explored for novel OPECT bioanalysis.Exemplified by alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)-dependent sandwich immunorecognition and therein glucose oxidase(GOx)-generated H_(2)O_(2)to etch CdS quantum dots on the surface of iron-porphyrin MOFs,this OPECT bioanalysis achieved high-performance AFP detection with a low detection limit of 24 fg/mL.This work featured a bifunctional iron-porphyrin MOFs gated OPECT,which is envisioned to inspire more interest in developing the diverse MOFs-nanozymes toward novel optoelectronics and beyond.
基金supported by the National Key Research&Development Program of China(Nos.2021YFC2302400,2021YFA1201000,2023YFC2606004)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(No.2022CX01013)。
文摘Linear mRNA vaccines are constrained by exonuclease susceptibility and instability,leading to compromised antigen expression.Circular RNA(circRNA) lacking canonical 5' and 3' untranslated regions demonstrates intrinsic exonuclease resistance.Current circularization strategies face three principal limitations:chemical methods produce non-native 2',5'-phosphodiester bonds;ribozyme-mediated approaches are restricted to RNA fragments shorter than 500 nucleotides;the Anabaena Group I intron system retains immunogenic exon sequences.In contrast,the self-splicing Group I intron ribozyme from Tetrahymena enables precisely controlled circularization through autonomous structural rearrangement,yielding exonfree constructs.Through optimized purification protocols,historical scalability challenges are systematically addressed.This Perspective establishes the mechanistic rationale and therapeutic superiority of this engineered RNA circularization platform.
基金supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Grant No.B240201068)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.42361144861)the National Basic Research Program of China(Grant No.2014CB954303).
文摘The relationship between ecosystem services(ES)and human well-being(HWB)is fundamental to the science and practice of sustainability.However,studies have shown conflicting results,which has been attributed to the influences of indicators,contexts,and scales.Yet,another potential factor,which has been overlooked,may be the mixed use of spatial and temporal approaches.Using twelve ES and seven well-being indicators and multiple statistical methods,we quantified and compared the spatial and temporal ES–HWB relationships for Inner Mongolia,China.The spatial and temporal relationships differed in both correlation direction and strength.Most relationships of economic and employment-related indicators with food provisioning and supporting services were temporally positive but spatially nonsignificant or negative.Some relationships of economic and employmentrelated indicators with water retention,sandstorm prevention,and wind erosion were temporally negative but spatially complex.However,the spatial and temporal ES–HWB relationships could also be similar in some cases.We conclude that although both the spatial and temporal approaches have merits,space generally cannot substitute for time in the study of ES–HWB relationship.Our study helps reconcile the seemingly conflicting findings in the literature,and suggests that future studies should explicitly distinguish between the spatial and temporal ES–HWB relationships.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.42101296)the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing(Grant No.CSTB2023NSCQ-MSX0041)Chongqing Municipal Training Program of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Project(Grants No.S202410635155 and X202410635116)。
文摘Safe and just operating spaces(SJOS)are influenced by complex cross-scale interactions and cascading effects spanning global,regional,and local landscape scales.However,existing SJOS research has often focused on single-scale assessments,overlooking the impacts of multiscale interactions and within-region heterogeneity on urban SJOS.To address this gap,we developed a cross-scale framework for assessing urban SJOS,explicitly incorporating top-down influences from upper-level constraints and bottom-up effects from lower-level heterogeneity.This approach was applied to China's five major metropolises to examine the states and cross-scale dynamics influencing urban SJOS between 1990 and 2020.Our findings reveal that the SJOS of China's metropolises were primarily influenced by factors at national and local landscape scales,with weaker influences from the global and continental scales.A persistent trade-off between social justice and environmental safety was identified across spatiotemporal scales.For instance,Chongqing in southwestern China lagged behind the eastern four metropolises in social performance but exhibited stronger environmental safety due to its extensive natural landscapes,which mitigated the anthropogenic impacts of urban centers.Regional issues,such as the overshoot of PM_(2.5)and ecological footprints(EF),were primarily driven by the bottom-up accumulation of localized pressures,while the overshoot of CO_(2)was attributed to national policy constraints and the universal exceedance of safe thresholds across scales.Addressing urban sustainability requires avoiding adverse cascading effects from other levels by emphasizing landscape heterogeneity within metropolises and fostering coordinated collaboration across scales,particularly at the regional landscape and national levels.
基金funded by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2021YFF1200901)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.61721003,62133006,and 92268104)。
文摘The liver performs several vital functions such as metabolism,toxin removal,and glucose storage through the coordination of various cell types.With the recent breakthrough of the single-cell/single-nucleus RNAseq(sc/snRNA-seq)techniques,there is a great opportunity to establish a reference cell map of the liver at single-cell resolution with transcriptome-wise features.In this study,we build a unified liver cell atlas uniLIVER(http://lifeome.net/database/uniliver)by integrative analysis of a large-scale sc/snRNA-seq data collection of normal human liver with 331,125 cells and 79 samples from 6 datasets.Moreover,we introduce LiverCT,a machine learning based method for mapping any query dataset to the liver reference map by introducing the definition of“variant”cellular states analogous to the sequence variants in genomic analysis.Applying LiverCT on liver cancer datasets,we find that the“deviated”states of T cells are highly correlated with the stress pathway activities in hepatocellular carcinoma,and the enrichments of tumor cells with the hepatocyte-cholangiocyte“intermediate”states significantly indicate poor prognosis.Besides,we find that the tumor cells of different patients have different zonation tendencies and this zonation tendency is also significantly associated with the prognosis.This reference atlas mapping framework can also be extended to any other tissues.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31988101 to A.M.)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2023YFA1800300 to X.W.and 2018YFC1003304 to A.M.)the Yunnan Provincial Science and Technology Project at Southwest United Graduate School(202302A0370011 to A.M.).
文摘The cell fate of primordial germ cell(PGC)in zebrafish is pre-determined by maternally deposited germ plasm,which is packaged into ribonucleoprotein complex in oocytes and inherited into PGC-fated cells in embryos.However,the maternal factors regulating the assembly of germ plasm and PGC development remain poorly understood.In this study,we report that the maternal transcription factor Znf706 regulates the assembly of germ plasm factors into a granule-like structure localized perinuclearly in PGC during migration.Maternal and zygotic mutants of znf706 exhibit deficient germ plasm scattering at the early embryonic stage,decreased PGC numbers with some mislocation during PGC migration,and a lower female ratio in adulthood.Notably,the implementation of Znf706 CUT&Tag and RNA-seq on immature oocytes uncovers that Znf706 in stage I oocytes may promote transcription of several mitochondrial genes in addition to other functions.Hence,we propose that Znf706 is implicated in germ plasm assembly and PGC development in zebrafish.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42171071,42211540718)Key Research Program of Frontier Sciences,CAS(ZDBS-LY-7001)+3 种基金Yunnan Fundamental Research Projects(202401AT070190,202201BC070001)Top-notch Young Talents Project of Yunnan Provincial“Ten Thousand Talents Program”(YNWR-QNBJ-2018-146,YNWR-QNBJ-2020-293)CAS“Light of West China”Programsupported by the China Scholarship Council(202304910135 and 202304910138)for a one-year study at the University of Toronto.
文摘Integrative data from plastid and nuclear loci are increasingly utilized to resolve species boundaries and phylogenetic relationships within major angiosperm clades.Debregeasia(Urticaceae),an economically important genus,presents challenges in species delimitation due to its overlapping morphological traits and unstable taxonomic assignments.Here,we analyzed 14 morphological traits and generated 12 data matrices from the plastomes and nrDNA using genome skimming from the nine recognized morphospecies to clarify species boundaries and assess barcode performance in Debregeasia.We also used a universal set of 353 nuclear genes to explore reticulate evolution and biogeographic history of Debregeasia.Plastomes of Debregeasia exhibited the typical quadripartite structure with conserved gene content and marginal independent variations in the SC/IR boundary at inter-and intra-specific levels.Three Debregeasia species were non-monophyletic and could not be discerned by any barcode;however,ultra-barcodes identified the remaining six(67%),outperforming standard barcodes(56%).Our phylogenetic analyses placed Debregeasia wallichiana outside the genus and suggested six monophyletic clades in Debregeasia,although the placement between Debregeasia hekouensis and Debregeasia libera varied.There was extensive trait overlap in key morphologically diagnostic characters,with reticulation analysis showing potentially pervasive hybridization,likely influenced by speciation patterns and overlaps between species ranges.We inferred that Debregeasia crown diversification began at ca.12.82 Ma(95%HPD:11.54-14.63 Ma)in the mid-Miocene within Australia,followed by vicariance and later longdistance dispersal,mainly out of southern China.Our findings highlight the utility of genomic data with integrative lines of evidence to refine species delimitation and explore evolutionary relationships in complex plant lineages.
基金funded by the Key Research Program of Frontier Sciences,CAS(ZDBS-LY-7001)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32170398,42211540718,W2433074,32071541)+6 种基金the CAS“Light of West China”Programthe Xingdian Talent Support Program of Yunnan Province(XDYC-QNRC-2022-0026)the Natural Science Foundation of Yunnan(202201AT070222)the Fund of Yunnan Key Laboratory of Crop Wild Relatives Omics(CWR-2024-04)funding from the China Scholarship Council(202304910135,202304910138)for their oneyear study at the University of Toronto,Canadathe Pakistan Science Foundation&NSFC for the joint venture under the project(PSF-NSFC/JSEP/BIO/COAU(04))surpported by the Innovation Program of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission(2023ZKZD36).
文摘Mountains serve as exceptional natural laboratories for studying biodiversity due to their heterogeneous landforms and climatic zones.The Himalaya,a global biodiversity hotspot,hosts rich endemic flora,supports vital ecosystem functions,and offers a unique window into multifaceted plant diversity patterns.This review synthesizes research on Himalayan plant diversity,including species,phylogenetic,functional,and genetic dimensions,highlighting knowledge gaps and solutions.Research on Himalayan plant diversity has developed significantly.However,gaps remain,especially in studies on phylogenetic and functional diversity.The region's vegetation ranges from tropical rainforests to alpine ecosystems,with species richness typically following a hump-shaped distribution along elevation gradients.The eastern Himalaya exhibits higher plant diversity than the central and western regions.Low-elevation communities were found to be more functionally diverse,whereas high-elevation communities displayed greater ecological specialization.Communities at mid-elevations tend to show greater phylogenetic diversity than those at higher and lower elevations.The eastern and western flanks of the Himalaya retain high levels of genetic diversity and serve as glacial refugia,whereas the central region acts as a hybrid zone for closely related species.Himalayan plant diversity is shaped by historical,climatic,ecological and anthropogenic factors across space and time.However,this rich biodiversity is increasingly threatened by environmental change and growing anthropogenic pressures.Unfortunately,research efforts are constrained by spatial biases and the lack of transnational initiatives and collaborative studies,which could significantly benefit from interdisciplinary approaches,and other coordinated actions.These efforts are vital to safeguarding the Himalayan natural heritage.
文摘Osteoporosis has become a serious health problem throughout the world which is associated with an increased risk of bone fractures and mortality among the people of middle to old ages.Diabetes is also a major health problem among the people of all age ranges and the sufferers due to this abnormality increasing day by day.The aim of this review is to summarize the possible mechanisms through which diabetes may induce osteoporosis.Diabetes mellitus generally exerts its effect on different parts of the body including bone cells specially the osteoblast and osteoclast,muscles,retina of the eyes,adipose tissue,endocrine system specially parathyroid hormone(PTH) and estrogen,cytokines,nervous system and digestive system.Diabetes negatively regulates osteoblast differentiation and function while positively regulates osteoclast differentiation and function through the regulation of different intermediate factors and thereby decreases bone formation while increases bone resorption.Some factors such as diabetic neuropathy,reactive oxygen species,Vitamin D,PTH have their effects on muscle cells.Diabetes decreases the muscle strength through regulating these factors in various ways and ultimately increases the risk of fall that may cause bone fractures.
基金Project supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (No.JSNSF 20050307)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.NSFC 30470326).
文摘Spartina alterniflora Loisel, a species vegetating in intertidal flats along the eastern coast of the United States, was introduced in China almost 30 years ago and has become an urgent topic due to its invasiveness in the coastal zone of China. The impacts of this alien species S. alterniflora on intertidal ecosystem processes in the Jiangsu coastland were investigated by comparing the sediment nutrient availability and trace element concentration characteristics in a mud flat and those of a four-year old Spartina salt marsh that had earlier been a mudflat. At each study site, fifteen plots were sampled in different seasons to determine the sediment characteristics along the tidal flats. The results suggested that Spartina salt marsh sediments had significantly higher total N, available P, and water content, but lower pH and bulk density than mudflat sediments. Sediment salinity, water content, total N, organic C, and available P decreased along a seaward gradient in the Spartina salt marsh and increased with vegetation biomass. Furthermore, the concentrations of trace elements and some metal elements in the sediment were higher under Spartina although these increases were not significant. Also, in the Spartina marsh, some heavy metals were concentrated in the surface layer of the sediment. The Spartina salt marsh in this study was only four years old; therefore, it is suggested that further study of this allen species on a longer time frame in the Jiangsu coastland should be carried out.
基金Khulna University,Bangladesh for providing adequate financial support to carry out the research work
文摘Objective:To explore the efficacy of ethanolic leaf extract of Typhonium trilobatum L.Schott in treating diarrhea,pain and inflammation using experimental models.Methods:In the present study,acetic acid-induced writhing,xylene-induced ear edema and castor oil-imluced diarrlieal model were used to evaluate the analgesic,anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrheal activities,respectively.Acute toxicity test was carried out to fix the safe doses of the plant extract.Results:The plant extract demonstrated a significant inhibition of writhing(P<0.01)compared with the control group in acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice.The extract also significantly inhibited the xylene induced ear edema formation(P<0.05).In anti-diarrheal test,the extract significantly decreased the frequency of defecation and increased the mean latent period(P<0.0l)in castor oil-induced diarrheal model mice at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight.Conclusions:These results suggest that the extract possesses significant analgesic,anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrheal activities that support to the ethnopharmacologicl uses of this plant.
文摘Dengue virus(DENV) is a mosquito-borne virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family. There are 4 serotypes of DENV that cause human disease through transmission by mosquito vectors. DENV infection results in a broad spectrum of clinical symptoms, ranging from mild fever to dengue hemorrhagic fever(DHF), the latter of which can progress to dengue shock syndrome(DSS) and death. Researchers have made unremitting efforts over the last half-century to understand DHF pathogenesis. DHF is probably caused by multiple factors, such as virus-specific antibodies, viral antigens and host immune responses. This review summarizes the current progress of studies on DHF pathogenesis, which may provide important information for achieving effective control of dengue in the future.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30960451)Major State Basic Research Development Program (2010CB535003)the Xinjiang production and construction corps funds for distinguished young scientists to ZHENG Qiu Sheng,international cooperation projects (2012BC001)
文摘Objective Isoliquiritigenin （ISL）, a licorice chalconoid, is considered to be a bioactive agent with chemopreventive potential. This study investigates the mechanisms involved in ISL-induced apoptosis in human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells. Methods Cell viability was evaluated using a 3-（4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide （MTT） assay. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry using an Annexin V-FITC Apoptosis Detection Kit. The intracetlular ROS levels were assessed using a 2, 7-dichlorofluorescein probe assay. The mitochondrial membrane potential was measured with the dual-emission potential-sensitive probe 5, 5＇, 6, 6＇-tetra-chloro-1, 1＇, 3, 3＇-tetraethyl-imidacarbocyanine iodide （JC-1）. The degradation of poly-ADP-ribose polymerase （PARP） protein, the phosphorylation of PKR-like ER kinase （PERK）, the phosphorylation of the a-subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 （elF2a）, the expression of the 78 kD glucose-regulated protein （GRP 78）, and the activation of caspase-12 were analyzed via western blot analysis. Results ISL significantly inhibited the proliferation, the increase in ROS levels and apoptotic rates of HeLa cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, ISL induced mitochondrial dysfunction, caspase activation, and PARP cleavage, which displayed features of mitochondria dependent on apoptotic signals. Besides, exposure of HeLa cells to ISL triggered endoplasmic reticulum （ER） stress, as indicated by the increase in p-elF2a and GRP78 expression, ER stress-dependent apoptosis is caused by the activation of ER-specific caspase-12. Conclusion The findings from our study suggest that ISL-induced oxidative stress causes HeLa cel apoptosis via the mitochondrion-dependent and the ER stress-triggered signaling pathways.
