The myoarchitectonics of the human gastric cardia]

Anatomical investigations of the muscular layer of the cardia in corpses of adults (30-70 years of age) have shown the presence in the cardia of a 25-35 mm long sphincter disposed at an angle to the horizontal plane. Its formation proceeds with the participation of both the esophageal musculature (circular layer) and gastric musculature (gastro-esophageal fibers of the oblique muscular layer). As a whole, myo-architectonics of the cardia is dependent on the character of interrelation of the muscular layers of the esophagus and stomach which is responsible for the opening and closure of the gastro-esophageal junction.     

Scale‐dependent biases in species counts in a grassland

Abstract. Numbers of plant species were recorded in species‐rich meadows in the Bílé Karpaty Mts., SE Czech Republic, with the aim to evaluate the sampling error made by well‐trained observers. Five observers recorded vascular plants in seven plots ranging from 9.8 cm² to 4 m² independently and were not time‐limited. In larger plots a discrepancy of 10–20% was found between individual estimates, in smaller plots discrepancy increased to 33%, on average. The gain in observed species richness by combining records of individual observers (in comparison with the mean numbers estimated by single observers) decreased from the smallest plot (27–82% for two to five observers) to the largest one (13–25%). However, after misidentified and suspicious records were eliminated, the gain was much lower and became scale‐independent; two observers added 12% species, on average, and the increase by combining species lists made by three or more observers was negligible (3% more on average). It is concluded that most discrepancies between individual observers were caused by misidentification of rare seedlings and young plants. We suggest that in species‐rich meadows plants should be recorded by at least three observers together and that they should consult all problematic plant specimens together in the field, to minimize errors.     

Cytogenetic effects of nine <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helichrysum</Emphasis> taxa in human lymphocytes culture

Helichrysum Mill. (Asteraceae) species have been used in folk medicine for thousands of years in the world. The in vitro cytogenetic effects in human lymphocytes of nine Helichrysum taxa used in Turkey folk medicine were investigated. Blood samples were obtained from healthy donors, non-smoking volunteers, which were incubated and exposed to increasing concentrations of methanol extracts of Helichrysum taxa (0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/mL). The inhibitory effects of H. stoechas (L.) Moench subsp. barrelieri (Ten.) Nyman, H. armenium DC. subsp. armenium, H. armenium DC. subsp. araxinum (Kirp.) Takht., H. plicatum DC. subsp. plicatum, H. compactum Boiss. and H. artvinense P.H.Davis & Kupicha on the mitotic index and replication index indicate that these taxa can have genotoxic and mutagenic effects. They should therefore not be used freely in alternative medicine although their antiproliferative activity may suggest anticarcinogenic properties. Increase effects of H. stoechas subsp. barrelieri, H. armenium subsp. armenium, H. armenium subsp. araxinum, H. chasmolycicum P.H.Davis, H. plicatum subsp. plicatum, H. compactum and H. artvinense on the micronucleus rates showed that these taxa can have genotoxic and carcinogenic effects.     

USP15 promotes the apoptosis of degenerative nucleus pulposus cells by suppressing the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway

ObjectivesDegenerative disc disease is characterized by an enhanced breakdown of its existing nucleus pulposus (NP) matrix due to the dysregulation of matrix enzymes and factors. Ubiquitin‐specific protease 15 (USP15) is reported to be abnormal in certain human diseases. However, its role in NP degeneration remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to explore the function of USP15 in degenerative NP cell specimens.MethodsWe induced gene silencing and overexpression of USP15 in degenerative NP cells using RNA interference (RNAi) and a lentiviral vector, respectively. qRT‐PCR and Western blotting were used to determine gene and protein expression levels. Cell apoptosis was analysed via flow cytometry. Protein interaction was examined by performing a co‐immunoprecipitation assay. Furthermore, the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 and agonist IGF‐1 were used to investigate the link between USP15 and AKT in NP degeneration.ResultsWe found that USP15 was up‐regulated in degenerative NP cells and that its overexpression accelerated the process of apoptosis. Moreover, USP15 expression levels negatively correlated with AKT phosphorylation in degenerative NP cells. Furthermore, targeting and silencing USP15 with miR‐338‐3p and studying its interaction with FK506‐binding protein 5 (FKBP5) revealed enhancement of FKBP5 ubiquitination, indicating that USP15 is a component of the FKBP5/AKT signalling pathway in degenerative NP cells.ConclusionsOur results show that USP15 exacerbates NP degradation by deubiquitinating and stabilizing FKBP5. This in turn results in the suppression of AKT phosphorylation in degenerative NP cells. Therefore, our study provides insights into the understanding of USP15 function as a potential molecule in the network of NP degeneration.     

Perovskite Solar Cells go Outdoors: Field Testing and Temperature Effects on Energy Yield

Perovskite solar cells (PSC) have shown that under laboratory conditions they can compete with established photovoltaic technologies. However, controlled laboratory measurements usually performed do not fully resemble operational conditions and field testing outdoors, with day‐night cycles, changing irradiance and temperature. In this contribution, the performance of PSCs in the rooftop field test, exposed to real weather conditions is evaluated. The 1 cm² single‐junction devices, with an initial average power conversion efficiency of 18.5% are tracked outdoors in maximum power point over several weeks. In parallel, irradiance and air temperature are recorded, allowing us to correlate outside factors with generated power. To get more insight into outdoor device performance, a comprehensive set of laboratory measurements under different light intensities (10% to 120% of AM1.5) and temperatures is performed. From these results, a low power temperature coefficient of ?0.17% K^?1 is extracted in the temperature range between 25 and 85 °C. By incorporating these temperature‐ and light‐dependent PV parameters into the energy yield model, it is possible to correctly predict the generated energy of the devices, thus validating the energy yield model. In addition, degradation of the tested devices can be tracked precisely from the difference between measured and modelled power.     

亏缺灌溉对板蓝根叶片光合生理特性及产量的影响

以北板蓝根(Isatis tinctoria)为研究对象, 于2018年在河西走廊中部干旱绿洲开展水分控制试验, 设轻、中、重度亏水及充分供水4个控水水平, 通过大田试验探究膜下滴灌条件下亏缺灌溉对板蓝根叶片生理指标、灌水量及产量的影响, 为河西地区板蓝根灌溉策略的制定提供理论依据。结果表明, 板蓝根叶片净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)和气孔导度(G_s)因营养和肉质根生长期受到亏缺灌溉影响而显著下降, 降幅随亏水程度的加剧而增大, 轻度亏水处理对叶片光合能力的影响不显著, 且在复水之后存在一定的补偿响应; 轻度亏水处理的产量与对照(8 348.91 kg·hm^-2)相比无显著差异, 而其它处理的产量均有不同程度的下降; 灌水量与产量的拟合关系呈二次抛物线, 即产量不随灌水量的增加而升高。因此, 综合分析表明膜下滴灌调亏降低了板蓝根叶片的光合能力, 而营养生长期轻度亏缺灌溉可以节水并提高产量和灌溉效率。     

Polymorphism analysis and supertype definition of swine leukocyte antigen class I molecules in three-way crossbred (Landrace,Duroc, and Yorkshire) pigs: implications for the vaccine development of African swine fever virus

正Dear Editor,Swine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a highly polymorphic gene in pigs and is also called swine leukocyte antigen (SLA)(Fan et al., 2018). SLA is divided into three major categories, SLA Ⅰ (SLA-1,-2,-3), SLA Ⅱ, and SLA Ⅲ(Smith et al., 2005). SLA Ⅰ plays an important role in cellular immunity which can eliminate viruses and other foreign     

Population responses of roe deer to the recolonization of the French Vercors by wolves

In a context of changing carnivore populations worldwide, it is crucial to understand the consequences of these changes for prey populations. The recolonization by wolves of the French Vercors mountain range and the long-term monitoring (2001–2017) of roe deer in this area provided a unique opportunity to assess the effects of wolves on this prey. Roe deer was the main prey of wolves in the west Vercors mountain range during this recolonization. We compared roe deer abundance and fawn body mass in two contrasted areas of a wolf pack territory: a central area (core of the territory characterized by an intense use by wolves) and a peripheral area (used more occasionally). Roe deer population growth rates were lower in the central area between 2001 and 2006, resulting in a decline in roe deer abundance. Roe deer abundance substantially dropped in the two study areas after an extremely severe winter but the abundance of roe deer in the central area facing with wolves was slower to recover and remained at lower abundance levels for 6 years. Fawn body mass was consistently lower in the central area, varied similarly as roe deer abundance, and was not influenced by weather conditions or red deer population abundance. Altogether, the effects of wolves on roe deer in the central area occurred during a 10-year period following the establishment of wolves, through the interplay between wolf predation (before wolves started preying on red deer), harsh winter conditions and possibly naivety of prey to this recolonizing predator.