声学指数在城市森林鸟类多样性评估中的应用

鸣声是鸟类之间进行沟通和传递信息的重要方式,这为通过声学监测评估鸟类多样性提供了独特的机会。利用声学指数快速评估生物多样性是一种新兴的调查方法,但城市森林中的复杂声环境可能会导致声学指数的指示结果出现偏差。为了解声学指数在城市森林中应用的可行性,本研究在北京市东郊森林公园设置了50个矩阵式调查样点,于2021年4–6月每月进行1次鸟类传统观测和同步鸣声采集,通过比较两种方法的结果来探究声学监测的有效性。采用Spearman相关分析和广义线性混合模型评估6个常用声学指数与鸟类丰富度和多度的关系,并衡量了每个指数的性能。结果表明:(1)本研究共记录到鸟类10目23科35种,通过声学监听识别的总物种数与传统鸟类观测相等,但具体鸟种存在差异;(2)不同月份间声学指数与鸟类丰富度和多度的相关性有明显差别,声学复杂度指数(ACI)和标准化声景差异指数(NDSI)优于其他指数,是评估鸟类多样性的关键变量;(3)声学指数对鸟类多度的预测能力(R²m=0.32,R2c=0.80)要高于丰富度(R²m=0.12,R2c=0.18)。声学指数为快速评估生物多样性提...     

中国扁裸藻属新记录

本文报道采自哈尔滨的扁裸藻属我国新记录3种2变种,它们是Phacus balatonicus var.boglariensis Hortob.,Ph.elegans Pochm.,Ph.glaber(Defl.)Pochm.,Ph.suecicus var.invermis Nyg.,Ph.war-szewiczii Drez.     

Dampening HOTAIR sensitizes the gastric cancer cells to oxaliplatin through miR-195-5p and ABCG2 pathway

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) have an extensive role in the progression and chemoresistance of gastric cancer (GC). Deeply study the regulatory role of lncRNAs could provide potential therapeutic targets. The aim of this study is to explore the regulatory role of HOTAIR in the progression and oxaliplatin resistance of GC. The expression of HOTAIR in GC and cell lines were detected by using qRT-PCR. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were analysed by CCK-8, EdU incorporation and flow cytometry. Luciferase reporter assay was used to identify the interaction between HOTAIR and ABCG2 (ATP-binding cassette (ABC) superfamily G member 2, ABCG2) via miR-195-5p. The regulatory functions were verified by using molecular biology experiments. HOTAIR was significantly overexpressed in GC and associated with poor prognosis. Knock-down of HOTAIR inhibited the GC cells proliferation and oxaliplatin resistance, while overexpression of HOTAIR showed opposite functions. Further studies found that HOTAIR acted as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to absorb miR-195-5p and elevated the expression of ABCG2, which leads to resistance of GC cells to oxaliplatin. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that HOTAIR regulates ABCG2 induced resistance of GC to oxaliplatin through miR-195-5p signalling and illustrate the great potential of developing new therapeutic targets for GC patients.     

Effect of balloon pre-dilation on performance of self-expandable nitinol stent in femoropopliteal artery

Balloon pre-dilation is usually performed before implantation of a nitinol stent in a femoropopliteal artery in a case of severe blockage or calcified plaque. However, its effect on performance of the nitinol stent in a diseased femoropopliteal artery has not been studied yet. This study compares the outcomes of stenting with pre-dilation and without it by modelling the entire processes of stent deployment. Fatigue deformation of the implanted stent is also modelled under diastolic–systolic blood pressure, repetitive bending, torsion, axial compression and their combination. Reduced level of stress in the stent occurs after stenting with pre-dilation, but causing the increased damage in the media layer, i.e. the middle layer of the arterial wall. Generally, pre-dilation increases the risk of nitinol stent’s fatigue failure. Additionally, the development of in-stent restenosis is predicted based on the stenting-induced tissue damage in the media layer, and no severe mechanical irritation is induced to the media layer by pre-dilation, stent deployment or fatigue loading.

     

A new strategy for cellulases application in high temperature industrial scenarios with syringic acid assisting

In the process of bioethanol production, more stable and active cellulase in high temperature condition is required. In this study, syringic acid was applied in cellulase hydrolysis system. At 70°C, TvEG3 activity increased 201.36%, CtBglA activity decreased 72.79% by syringic acid. With syringic acid assisting, TvEG3 thermostability was improved, CtBglA thermostability was reduced. Syringic acid scarcely affected CtCBH. In hydrolysis system with the cellulases containing TvEG3, CtCBH, and CtBglA, the reducing sugar yield improved by 28.37% with syringic acid assisting. With the molecular dynamic simulation in syringic acid system, the backbone root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) and the residue root-mean-square fluctuation (RMSF) of TvEG3, CtCBH reduced, while the RMSD and RMSF of CtBglA increased. The reduction in the number of secondary structures, especially α-helix, caused the structure of CtBglA in the presence of syringic acid to collapse at high temperature. More secondary structures in TvEG3 and more α-helix in CtCBH in the presence of syringic acid make them more stable at high temperatures. These means syringic acid can stabilize TvEG3 and CtCBH structure, destabilize CtBglA structure at high temperature. In summary, this study not only provides insight into cellulase hydrolysis at high temperature with syringic acid assisting but also demonstrates the promoting mechanism of syringic acid.     

Enrichment of homoacetogens converting H2/CO2 into acids and ethanol and simultaneous methane production

An anaerobic granular sludge was enriched to utilize H₂/CO₂ in a continuous gas-fed up-flow anaerobic sludge reactor by applying operating conditions expected to produce acetic acid, butyric acid, and ethanol. Three stages of fermentation were found: Stage I with acetic acid accumulation with the highest concentration of 35 mM along with a pH decrease from initial 6 to 4.5. In Stage II, H₂/CO₂ was replaced by 100% H₂ to induce solventogenesis, whereas butyric acid was produced with the highest concentration of 2.5 mM. At stage III with 10 µM tungsten (W) addition, iso-valeric acid, valeric acid, and caproic acid were produced at pH 4.5–5.0. In the batch tests inoculated with the enriched sludge taken from the bioreactor (day 70), however, methane production occurred at pH 6. Exogenous 15 mM acetate addition enhanced both the H₂ and CO₂ consumption rate compared to exogenous 10, 30, and 45 mM acetate by the enriched sludge. Exogenous acetate was failed to be converted to ethanol using H₂ as electron donor by the enriched acetogens.