樟子松固沙林林水关系研究进展及对营林实践的指导

中国有着世界上最大面积的人工林, 如何维持人工林的可持续性已成为气候变化背景下需要面对的重大挑战。樟子松(Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica)以其抗旱、抗寒、耐贫瘠等优良特性成为中国北方生态治理中最主要的常绿针叶树种之一, 近70年来发挥了巨大的防风固沙与生态固碳功能。然而, 随着林分的生长与气候变化, 樟子松人工固沙林正经历着越来越严峻的环境胁迫, 部分地区出现了林分“早衰”或死亡的现象, 引起了人们对樟子松固沙林适应与应对气候变化能力的担忧。该文在回溯樟子松基本生物学特征与引种推广历史, 系统总结近年来樟子松林林水关系研究新成果的基础上, 全面分析了樟子松固沙林林水关系存在的主要矛盾, 并提出了基于林水关系相协调的林分经营措施的调整: 由倡导防护功能为主的单一目标向包含林分稳定性、生态固碳功能、可持续发展等多目标平衡方向调整; 由以沙地森林景观培育为主向以良好土壤生境培育为主的方向调整; 由倡导天然更新为主向以人工造林与天然更新相结合的世代更新方向调整。在立足于北方沙地脆弱生境与气候变化客观现实的基础背景下, 应坚持樟子松在固沙林生态系统演化过程中的先锋种与建群种地位, 基于“以水定绿”原则, 采取“隔行带伐+再造林”等方式开展林分密度动态调控, 促进林分向异龄林结构演化, 促进樟子松固沙林生态服务的优质化和生态固碳功能的最大化。     

Neutralization of five SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern by convalescent and BBIBP-CorV vaccinee serum

The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) is still escalating throughout the world. However, the level of neutralization of the inactivated viral vaccine recipients’ sera and convalescent sera against all VOCs, including B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), P.1 (Gamma), B.1.617.2 (Delta), and B.1.1.529 (Omicron) remains to be lack of comparative analysis. Therefore, we constructed pseudoviruses of five VOCs using a lentiviral-based system and analyzed their viral infectivity and neutralization resistance to convalescent and BBIBP-CorV vaccinee serum at different times. Our results show that, compared with the wild-type strain (WT), five VOC pseudoviruses showed higher infection, of which B.1.617.2 and B.1.1.529 variant pseudoviruses exhibited higher infection rates than wild-type or other VOC strains, respectively. Sera from 10 vaccinated individuals at the 1, 3 and 5-month post second dose or from 10 convalescent at 14 and 200 days after discharge retained neutralizing activity against all strains but exhibited decreased neutralization activity significantly against the five VOC variant pseudoviruses over time compared to WT. Notably, 100% (30/30) of the vaccinee serum samples showed more than a 2.5-fold reduction in neutralizing activity against B.1.1.529, and 90% (18/20) of the convalescent serum samples showed more than 2.5-fold reduction in neutralization against B.1.1.529. These findings demonstrate the reduced protection against the VOCs in vaccinated and convalescent individuals over time, indicating that it is necessary to have a booster shot and develop new vaccines capable of eliciting broad neutralization antibodies.     

HDAC3 inhibition disrupts the assembly of meiotic apparatus during porcine oocyte maturation

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are involved in a wide array of biological processes. However, the role of HDAC3 in porcine oocytes remains unclear. In the current study, we examine the effects of HDAC3 inhibition on porcine oocyte maturation using RGFP966, a selective HDAC3 inhibitor. We find that suppression of HDAC3 activity prevents not only the expansion of cumulus cells but also the meiotic progression of oocytes. It is interesting to note that HDAC3 displays a spindle-like distribution pattern as the porcine oocytes enter meiosis. In line with this, confocal microscopy reveals the high frequency of spindle defects and chromosomal congression failure in metaphase oocytes exposed to RGFP966. Moreover, HDAC3 inhibition results in the hyperacetylation of α-tubulin during oocyte meiosis. These findings indicate that HDAC3 activity might control the microtubule stability via the deacetylation of tubulin, which is critical for maintaining the proper spindle assembly, accurate chromosome separation, and orderly meiotic progression during porcine oocyte maturation.     

miR-548c-5p inhibits colorectal cancer cell proliferation by targeting PGK1

Accumulating studies have implicated that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the role of miR-548c-5p, a novel identified miRNA in malignancies, in colorectal carcinogenesis remains largely unknown. The present study is aimed to investigate the effect and molecular mechanism of miR-548c-5p in CRC by a sequence of cellular experiments. miR-548c-5p was significantly downregulated, whereas phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1), a key enzyme for glycolysis, was obviously upregulated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and cancer tissues from patients with CRC. Besides, miR-548c-5p and PGK1 were negatively associated with each other. The luciferase reporter assay revealed that PGK1 was a targeted gene of miR-548c-5p. Moreover, the proliferation and generation of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) were significantly inhibited in miR-548c-5p-overexpressed SW480 CRC cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Accordingly, miR-548c-5p may serve as a cancer suppressor in CRC by targeting PGK1.     

Early priority effects of occupying a nutrient patch do not influence final maize growth in intensive cropping systems

Plant and Soil - Priority effects can be caused by an individual plant within a population that is the first to occupy and explore nutrient patches. However, the magnitude of priority effects of...     

Mesenchymal stem cells improve platelet counts in mice with immune thrombocytopenia

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a common autoimmune bleeding disorder. The breakdown of immune tolerance (regulatory T [Treg] cells and suppressor cytokines) plays an important role in ITP pathophysiology, especially in refractory ITP. Bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) show immunomodulatory properties and have been extensively utilized for autoimmune diseases. However, it has not been fully elucidated how BM-MSCs affect ITP. In this study, we explore the therapeutic mechanism of BM-MSCs on ITP in mice. Dose-escalation passive ITP mice were inducted by injection of MWReg30. BALB/c mice were randomly divided into two groups: ITP with BM-MSC transplantation and ITP controls. The serum levels of cytokines (interleukin 10 [IL-10] and transforming growth factor-β1 [TGF-β1]) were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The frequency of Treg cells in both peripheral blood and spleen mononuclear cells was analyzed by flow cytometry, and the forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) messenger RNA (mRNA) level was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. After BM-MSC treatment, the platelet (PLT) counts were significantly elevated. Meanwhile, cytokines (TGF-β1 and IL-10), the ratios of Treg cells, and the Foxp3 mRNA expression level were significantly higher in the BM-MSC group. Our results show that BM-MSCs can improve PLT counts mainly by secreting suppressive cytokines and upregulating Tregs, which may provide new therapeutic potential for human ITP.     

寄主植物对扶桑绵粉蚧体型及体内能源物质含量的影响

[目的]研究寄主植物对扶桑绵粉蚧雌成虫体型和体内能源物质含量的影响,为扶桑绵粉蚧的寄主适应性和风险分析提供科学参考.[方法]在室内用8种寄主植物连续饲养扶桑绵粉蚧5代后,测量7日龄雌成虫体长、体宽和体重,并测定体内能源物质(脂肪、可溶性蛋白质、可溶性糖)含量,分析上述指标在不同寄主间的差异.[结果]取食不同寄主后,扶桑...     

Exosomes from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells promote survival of fat grafts by regulating macrophage polarization via let-7c

The rate of fat graft survival is a critical aspect of successful surgery and has been a matter of concern for over 20 years.Owing to their anti-inflammatory ef...