贵州花溪大学城破碎化林地鸟类多样性与嵌套分布格局

为揭示城镇化进程中生境破碎化对鸟类多样性及分布格局的影响, 本研究于2017-2019年每年的4-8月使用样线法对贵州花溪大学城26块破碎化林地(面积介于0.3-290.4 ha)中的鸟类群落进行了10次调查。共记录到鸟类78种, 隶属于11目37科。其中, 东洋界物种数占56.4%, 古北界物种数占32.1%, 广布种占11.5%; 有中国特有种1种。剔除高空飞行、非森林鸟类及偶然出现物种后, 不同斑块中的鸟类物种数介于12-55之间, 平均每个斑块有23.2 ± 10.5种。线性回归分析显示, 鸟类物种丰富度与林地斑块的面积有显著相关性, 斑块面积越小, 鸟类物种丰富度越低; 斑块隔离度对物种丰富度没有显著影响。基于物种多度分布矩阵的WNODF (weighted nestedness metric based on overlap and decreasing fill)嵌套分析显示, 不同斑块中鸟类群落呈现出反嵌套结构。小斑块中鸟类物种丰富度较低可能与植物丰富度较低、食物资源稀缺和繁育条件不足有关, 但短距离的隔离对鸟类迁入或扩散影响有限。环境过滤效应、种间竞争或优先效应可能导致不同斑块间存在较大的物种组成差异, 从而导致反嵌套格局。因此, 本研究建议在城市规划建设中应注重维持栖息地的完整性, 对不同面积大小的破碎化斑块都应加以保护。     

入侵植物三裂叶豚草在中国的潜在适生区预测

[目的] 三裂叶豚草是中国重点防控的入侵植物,研究其潜在的适生区分布格局变化对预警防控具有重要意义。[方法] 基于MaxEnt优化模型预测当前及未来（RCP2.6、RCP4.5、RCP8.5）气候情景下三裂叶豚草潜在的地理分布格局。[结果] 当调控倍频（RM）=3.5,FC（特征组合）=LQH（线性、二次型、片段化组合）时为最优模型,MaxEnt模型的预测结果较准确,受试者工作特征曲线下的面积（AUC值）达0.9287;综合8种途径评估出人类活动因子（hfp,贡献率69%）、等温性（bio3,贡献率8.9%）、温度季节变动系数（bio4,贡献率2.9%）、年降水量（bio12,贡献率7.3%）和海拔（ELEV,贡献率3.7%）是制约三裂叶豚草潜在地理分布的主要环境因子;在当前气候情景下,三裂叶豚草的高适生区主要集中在东北平原、江淮地区、京津冀、山东半岛等经济发达地区。[结论] 在未来气候变化情景下,三裂叶豚草在我国的潜在适生区范围总体呈现不同程度的缩减,即丧失率大于增加率;三裂叶豚草将有向南迁移的趋势;最冷月最低温度（bio6）是最不相似变量分析中出现频次最高的因子,表明温度因素对三裂叶豚草潜在地理分布变迁起到重要制约作用。本研究结果可为三裂叶豚草的预防和控制提供理论基础。     

Expression of Insulin-Like Growth Factor System Genes in Liver Tissue During Embryonic and Early Post-Hatch Development in Duck (Anas platyrhynchos Domestica)

The IGF system is one of the most important endocrine and paracrine growth factor systems that regulate fetal and placental growth, whereas the liver is the principal source of circulation IGF-I. In the present study, expression of IGF-I, IGF type-I receptor (IGF-IR), and IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-3 genes was quantified by RT-PCR in the liver tissue on days 13, 17, 21, 25, and 27 of embryonic development, as well as at 7 days post-hatching (PH) in meat-type Gaoyou ducks and egg-type Jinding ducks. The results showed that IGF-I mRNA could be detected as early as on E 13d, but the expression level was low throughout embryonic development before increasing dramatically by E 27d and 7 days PH in both duck breeds. However, Gaoyou ducks exhibited higher IGF-I mRNA level than Jinding ducks, and the differences were significant on E 13d, E 21d, and at 7 days PH. Expression of IGF-IR in liver increased gradually in the former stages of the embryonic development, reaching its highest point on E 21d, and then declined up until 7 days PH. The expression pattern of IGFBP-3 gene was similar to that of IGF-IR gene, increasing significantly from E 17d. The expression peak appeared on E 25d, then declined significantly just prior to hatching (day 27) and was followed by an increase at 7 days PH. In general, the expression level of IGF-IR and IGFBP-3 genes in Jinding ducks was higher than that in Gaoyou ducks. Inverse relationships were observed for the expression of IGF-I and IGF-IR, and IGF-I and IGFBP-3, whereas a positive relationship was observed for the expression of IGF-IR and IGFBP-3. Our data indicate a differential expression of selected genes that comprise the IGF system in the duck liver tissue during embryonic and early PH growth and development.     

The differential contributions of herkogamy and dichogamy as mechanisms of avoiding self‐interference in four self‐incompatible Epimedium species

Self‐interference is one of the most important selective forces in shaping floral evolution. Herkogamy and dichogamy both can achieve reductions in the extent of self‐interference, but they may have different roles in minimizing self‐interference in a single species. We used four self‐incompatible Epimedium species to explore the roles of herkogamy and dichogamy in avoiding self‐interference and to test the hypothesis that herkogamy and dichogamy may be separated and become selected preferentially in the taxa. Two species (E. franchetii and E. mikinorii) expressed strong herkogamy and weak protogyny (adichogamy), whereas another two species (E. sutchuenense and E. leptorrhizum) expressed slight herkogamy and partial protandry. Field investigations indicated that there was no physical self‐interference between male function and female function regarding pollen removal and pollen deposition in all species. Self‐pollination (autonomous or facilitated) was greater in species with slight herkogamy than in those with strong herkogamy. Artificial pollination treatments revealed that self‐pollination could reduce outcrossed female fertility in all species, and we found evidence that self‐interference reduced seed set in E. sutchuenense and E. leptorrhizum in the field, but not in E. franchetii and E. mikinorii. These results indicate that well‐developed herkogamy is more effective compared with dichogamy in avoiding self‐interference in the four species. In genus Epimedium, herkogamy instead of dichogamy should be selected preferentially and evolved as an effective mechanism for avoiding self‐interference and might not need to evolve linked with dichogamy.     

Immunohistochemical Expression of RAGE and Its Ligand (S100A9) in Cervical Lesions

Altered expressions of receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) and its ligand (S100A9) are observed in many cancers and play a key role in inflammation-associated cancer. In our previous study, by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometry, the expression of S100A9 protein was found to increase in squamous cervical cancer compared with adjacent normal cervical tissues. Therefore, in the present study we observed the expressions of S100A9 and RAGE in 30 chronic cervicitis, 50 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and 40 squamous cervical cancer (SCC) using immunohistochemical analysis and analyzed the differential expression and possible role of S100A9 and RAGE in cancer development. Immunohistochemical findings were as follows: the expressions of S100A9 and RAGE were demonstrated in chronic cervicitis, CIN, and SCC. Moreover, their expressions were gradually increasing as the tumor progressed. In SCC, the staining scores of S100A9 and RAGE were significantly higher in well-differentiated tumors compared to moderately and poorly differentiated tumors. The expression of S100A9 in epithelial cells exhibited a positive correlation to RAGE expression in chronic cervicitis, CIN, and SCC. There were no significant difference of S100A9 immunoreactivity in stromal cells among chronic cervicitis, CIN, and SCC. Moreover, there was no correlation between S100A9 immunoreactivity in stromal cells of SCC and clinicopathological parameters. Finally, double immunohistochemistry illustrated that RAGE and S100A9 co-express in SCC. In conclusion, RAGE binds its ligand (S100A9), which plays an important role in the development of SCC. In addition, the expressions of S100A9 and RAGE in SCC tumor cells were closely associated with histological differentiation.     

Role of Complement 3 in TNF-α-Induced Mesenchymal Transition of Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells In Vitro

Injured renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) have been recently thought to directly contribute to the accumulation of myofibroblasts in renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis through a process of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, the factors inducing RTECs to undergo EMT and the underlying mechanisms need to be further elucidated. This study aimed to determine the EMT-inducing activity of proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α and the role for complement 3 (C3) in this activity in an in vitro model of human RTECs (HK-2 cells). Wild type HK-2 cells were treated with TNF-α, IFN-γ or C3a; C3 siRNA- or control siRNA-carrying HK-2 cells were treated with TNF-α. Changes in the cell morphology and phenotype were assessed by microscopy, RT-PCR, western blotting, and immunostaining. TNF-α effectively induced HK-2 cells to express C3 and to transform into morphologically myofibroblast-like cells that lost E-cadherin (a classical epithelial cell marker) expression but acquired alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA, a classical myofibroblast differentiation marker) expression. C3 siRNA robustly attenuated all the morphologic and phenotypic changes induced by TNF-α but the control siRNA showed no effect. Our preliminary observations suggest that TNF-α may induce EMT in RTECs through inducing C3 expression.     

Design,synthesis and in vitro biological evaluation of quinazolinone derivatives as EGFR inhibitors for antitumor treatment

Abstract

In this paper, a series of novel 3-methyl-quinazolinone derivatives was designed, synthesised and evaluated for antitumor activity in vitro on wild type epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase (EGFR^wt-TK) and three human cancer cell lines including A549, PC-3, and SMMC-7721. The results displayed that some of the compounds had good activities, especially 2-{4-[(3-Fluoro-phenylimino)-methyl]-phenoxymethyl}-3-methyl-3H-quinazolin-4-one (5?g), 2-{4-[(3,4-Difluoro-phenylimino)-methyl]-phenoxymethyl}-3-methyl-3H-quinazolin-4-one (5k) and 2-{4-[(3,5-Difluoro-phenylimino)-methyl]-phenoxymethyl}-3-methyl-3H-quinazolin-4-one (5?l) showed high antitumor activities against three cancer cell lines. Moreover, compound 5k could induce late apoptosis of A549 cells at high concentrations and arrest cell cycle of A549 cells in the G2/M phase at tested concentrations. Also, compound 5k could inhibit the EGFR^wt-TK with IC₅₀ value of 10?nM. Molecular docking data indicates that the compound 5k may exert inhibitory activity by forming stable hydrogen bonds with the R817, T830 amino acid residues and cation-Π interaction with the K72 residue of EGFR^wt-TK.     

The influence of cathelicidin LL37 in human anti-neutrophils cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis

Introduction

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is characterised by the autoinflammation and necrosis of blood vessel walls. The renal involvement is commonly characterised by a pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis (PiCGN) with a very rapid decline in renal function. Cathelicidin LL37, an endogenous antimicrobial peptide, has recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. To assess whether serum LL37 reflects renal crescentic formation, we measured the serum levels of LL37 in AAV patients with and without crescentic glomerulonephritis (crescentic GN) as compared to healthy controls (HCs). We also analysed the correlation of the serum levels of LL37 and interferon-α (IFN-α) with the clinical characteristics of the patients.

Methods

The study population consisted of 85 AAV patients and 51 HCs. In 40 ANCA-positive patients, a parallel analysis was performed, including the assessment of LL37 and IFN-α levels in the serum and renal biopsies. Of those studied, 15 AAV patients had biopsy-proven crescentic GN, and 25 AAV patients lacked crescent formation. The serum levels of cathelicidin LL37 and IFN-α were both measured by ELISA, and the clinical and serological parameters were assessed according to routine procedures. Immunofluorescence staining was performed on frozen sections of kidney needle biopsies from AAV patients with crescentic GN.

Results

The serum levels of LL37 and IFN-α were significantly increased in AAV patients with crescentic GN compared to AAV patients without crescentic formation and HCs, and patients with high LL37 and IFN-α levels were more likely to be in the crescentic GN group. The LL37 levels were positively correlated with the IFN-α levels, and both LL37 and IFN-α levels showed a positive correlation with serum creatinine and no correlation with complement C3. The renal tissue of crescentic GN patients showed expression of LL37 and IFN-α at the Bowman’s capsule and extracellular sites, suggesting the active release of LL37 and IFN-α.

Conclusions

Significantly higher levels of LL-37 and IFN-α were observed in AAV patients, particularly those with crescentic formation, and LL37 and IFN-α were expressed in the renal tissue of patients with crescentic GN. These data suggest that serum levels of LL37 and IFN-α may reflect both local renal inflammation and systemic inflammation.