Identification of key genes and novel immune infiltration-associated biomarkers of sepsis

Sepsis is the major cause of mortality in the intensive care unit. The aim of this study was to identify the key prognostic biomarkers of abnormal expression and immune infiltration in sepsis. In this study, a total of 36 differentially expressed genes were identified to be mainly involved in a number of immune-related Gene Ontology terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways. The hub genes (MMP9 and C3AR1) were significantly related to the prognosis of sepsis patients. The immune infiltration analysis indicated a significant difference in the relative cell content of naive B cells, follicular Th cells, activated NK cells, eosinophils, neutrophils and monocytes between sepsis and normal controls. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis and a de-convolution algorithm that quantifies the cellular composition of immune cells were used to analyse the sepsis expression data from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and to identify modules related to differential immune cells. CEBPB is the key immune-related gene that may be involved in sepsis. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that CEBPB is involved in the processes of T cell selection, B cell–mediated immunity, NK cell activation and pathways of T cells, B cells and NK cells. Therefore, CEBPB may play a key role in the biological and immunological processes of sepsis.     

Four cypermethrin isomers induced stereoselective metabolism in H295R cells

Cypermethrin (CP) is widely used for controlling agricultural and indoor vermin. Previous studies have reported the stereoselective difference of CP in biological activities. However, little is known about their potential mechanisms between metabolic phenotypes and endocrine-disrupting effects. Herein, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics combining metabolite identification and pathway analysis were applied to evaluate the stereoselective metabolic cdisorders induced by CP isomers in human adrenocortical carcinoma cells (H295R) culture medium. Then, gene expression levels related to disturbed metabolic pathways were assessed to verify according to metabolic phenotypes. Metabolomics profiles showed that [(S)-cyano(3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl](1R,3R)-3-(2,2-dichloroethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylate [(1R,3R,αS)-CP] induced the most significant changes in metabolic phenotypes than did the other stereoisomers. There are 10 differential metabolites (isoleucine, valine, leucine, ethanol, alanine, acetate, aspartate, arginine, lactate, and glucose) as well as two significantly disturbed pathways, including “pyruvate metabolism” and “alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism,” that were confirmed in H295R cells culture medium of (1R,3R,αS)-CP compared with other stereoisomers. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array also confirmed the results of metabolomics. Our results can help to understand the potential mechanisms between the isomer selectivity in metabolic phenotypes and endocrine-disrupting effects. Data provided here not only lend authenticity to the cautions issued by the scientists and researchers but also offer a solution for the balance between environment and political regulations.     

Taxonomic review and phylogenetic inference elucidate the evolutionary history of Mesozoic Procercopidae,with new data from the Cretaceous Jehol Biota of NE China (Hemiptera,Cicadomorpha)

The Mesozoic family Procercopidae is widely treated as the ancient group of Cercopoidea and a transitional unit to recent lineages, but its evolution and diversity are vague due to fragmentary fossil record and confusing taxonomic history. Herein, an extensive taxonomic review of Procercopidae is presented and some new fossils are reported from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of NE China. As a result, Chengdecercopis Hong, 1983 is transferred from Procercopidae to Sinoalidae; Procercopis longipennis Becker-Migdisova, 1962 and P shawanensis Zhang, Wang and Zhang, 2003 are transferred to Procercopina Martynov, 1937, resulting in Procercopina longipennis (Becker-Migdisova, 1962), comb. n. and P shawanensis (Zhang, Wang and Zhang, 2003), comb. n.; Luanpingia senjituensis Hong, 1984 is transferred to Stellularis Chen, Yao and Ren, 2015, leading to Stellulari senjituensis (Hong, 1984), comb. n.; Anthoscytina macula Hu, Yao and Ren, 2014 is transferred to Sinocercopis Hong, 1982, and Sunoscytinopteris (Scytinopteridae) and Cathaycixius (Cixiidae) are treated as junior homonym names of Sinocercopis, leading to Sinocercopis macula (Hu, Yao and Ren, 2014), comb. n., S lushangfenensis (Hong, 1984), comb. n., S pustulosis (Ren, 1995), comb. n., and S trinervis (Ren, 1995), comb. n. Additionally, two new species are erected: Stellularis bineuris Chen and Wang, sp. n. and S minutus Chen and Wang, sp. n. Our cladistic analysis based on wing (tegmen and hind wing) characteristics recovers the high-level relationships within Cercopoidea: Sinoalidae + (Procercopidae + (Cercopionidae + modern cercopoids)). Within the family Procercopidae, the cladistic analysis reveals that the Middle to Late Jurassic Titanocercopis and Jurocercopis and the Cretaceous Cretocercopis occupy the basal position, and a gradual change in wing venation can be recognized from the Early Jurassic Procercopis and Procercopina to the Jurassic Anthoscytina, and then to the Cretaceous Stellularis and Sinocercopis. The two Cretaceous genera, sharing wing traits with extant cercopoids, likely represent transitional forms between Procercopidae and recent Cercopoidea; however, they are very similar to their Jurassic relatives in body structures, suggesting it is applicable to attribute them to Procercopidae. Furthermore, our analysis suggests that the extinction of Procercopidae and the origin and early diversification of modern Cercopoidea approximately coincided with the rise and explosive radiation of angiosperms in the late Early Cretaceous and onwards.     

Ultra‐high α‐linolenic acid accumulating developmental defective embryo was rescued by lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase 2

For decades, genetic engineering approaches to produce unusual fatty acids (UFAs) in crops has reached a bottleneck, including reduced seed oil production and seed vigor. Currently, plant models in the field of research are primarily used to investigate defects in oil production and seedling development, while the role of UFAs in embryonic developmental defects remains unknown. In this study, we developed a transgenic Arabidopsis plant model, in which the embryo exhibits severely wrinkled appearance owing to α‐linolenic acid (ALA) accumulation. RNA‐sequencing analysis in the defective embryo suggested that brassinosteroid synthesis, FA synthesis and photosynthesis were inhibited, while FA degradation, endoplasmic reticulum stress and oxidative stress were activated. Lipidomics analysis showed that ultra‐accumulated ALA is released from phosphatidylcholine as a free FA in cells, inducing severe endoplasmic reticulum and oxidative stress. Furthermore, we identified that overexpression of lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase 2 rescued the defective phenotype. In the rescue line, the pool capacity of the Kennedy pathway was increased, and the esterification of ALA indirectly to triacylglycerol was enhanced to avoid stress. This study provides a plant model that aids in understanding the molecular mechanism of embryonic developmental defects and generates strategies to produce higher levels of UFAs.     

“2020年后全球生物多样性框架”进展及展望

“2020年后全球生物多样性框架”是当前《生物多样性公约》谈判的焦点议题之一。本文阐述了框架制定的背景, 介绍了“2020年后全球生物多样性框架”不限成员名额工作组(Open Ended Working Group, OEWG),的谈判过程, 综合分析了缔约方在各有关磋商进程中的观点, 以及目前缔约方对框架各个要素的共识和分歧, 评估了框架的制定进展, 并就框架的设计提出四点展望: (1)阐明转型变革的具体实施路径; (2)平衡反映公约三大目标; (3)加强与其他全球治理进程的协同; (4)强化框架对全球及缔约方履约进展的评估和审查。最后提出对我国的建议: (1)及时更新国家生物多样性战略与行动计划(National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans, NBSAP); (2)加强国内生物多样性工作的协调; (3)继续加强生态环境执法和责任机制。为缔约方更好参与框架制定进程, 深入了解框架及其磋商进展提供参考, 并为下一步框架制定提供参考。     

四川省蝶类物种组成及名录

通过整理鉴定四川大学自然博物馆馆藏的100多年间采自四川省的1万余号蝶类标本,最早的四川蝶类标本(宽带凤蝶西部亚种Papilio nephelus chaon)采于1910年,结合文献和专著资料,参考《中国蝶类志》的分类系统,得到四川省蝶类644种,隶属于12科240属。其中,蛱蝶科Nymphalidae 162种、弄蝶科Hesperiidae 125种、眼蝶科Satyridae 114种、灰蝶科Lycaenidae 100种、粉蝶科Pieridae 59种、凤蝶科Papilionidae 45种、蚬蝶科Riodinidae 14种、绢蝶科Parnassiidae 11种、斑蝶科Danaidae 8种、环蝶科Amathusiidae 4种、喙蝶科Libytheidae 1种、珍蝶科Acraeidae 1种。四川省蝶类物种组成丰富,其中,蛱蝶科、弄蝶科、眼蝶科和灰蝶科物种数均超过或达到100种。建议在全省范围内选择不同生境建立长期监测点,持续监测蝶类物种多样性分布及变化情况,这对于保护全省生态环境和维持生物多样性都是至关重要的。建议尽快开展相关研究,包括四川省蝶类的经典分类学、系统发育及区系、生物地理学、生态学、行为学和进化生态学等研究。     

中国科学院清原森林生态系统观测研究站塔群平台的功能和应用

森林生态系统结构与生态服务功能关系是森林生态学和林学的永恒研究主题。受传统森林调查方法及技术手段的限制,对复杂地形下森林生态系统结构和功能的监测及二者关系的研究面临诸多挑战。在中国科学院野外站网络重点科技基础设施建设项目的支持下,中国科学院清原森林生态系统观测研究站在独立流域内建成了以观测塔群(三座观测塔覆盖各自子流域代表性森林类型)为主体,集激光雷达(LiDAR)、通量仪器、水文站网、固定标准地和数据中心为综合体的“次生林生态系统塔群激光雷达监测平台”(简称塔群平台)。塔群平台采用激光雷达扫描获取森林点云数据,描述森林生态系统的全息三维结构;依托独立流域/子流域内的通量监测系统、水文监测站网和通量源区内的长期固定标准地,可保证碳-水过程观测的可靠性,并用于验证复杂地形下的通量监测技术与方法,揭示森林生态水文与碳交换过程,准确估算森林生态系统主体生态服务功能(水源涵养和固碳)。所有“塔-站”数据通过无线网络实时汇集于数据中心,便于数据监视、管理与共享。此外,塔群平台将侧重研究森林生态系统结构量化的新方法和新指标,探索复杂地形森林生态系统中H₂O/CO₂/痕量气体通量观测的理论与方法,为阐明森林结构与功能的关系、服务于森林生态系统管理提供基础数据。