Severe hypoxia decreases oxygen uptake relative to intensity during submaximal graded exercise

The effect of severe acute hypoxia (fractional concentration of inspired oxygen equalled 0.104) was studied in nine male subjects performing an incremental exercise test. For power outputs over 125 W, all the subjects in a state of hypoxia showed a decrease in oxygen consumption ( O₂) relative to exercise intensity compared with normoxia (P < 0.05). This would suggest an increased anaerobic metabolism as an energy source during hypoxic exercise. During submaximal exercise, for a given O₂, higher blood lactate concentrations were found in hypoxia than in normoxia (P < 0.05). In consequence, the onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA) was shifted to a lower O₂ ( O₂ 1.77 l·min^–1 in hypoxia vs 3.10 l·min^–1 in normoxia). Lactate concentration increases relative to minute ventilation ( _E) responses were significantly higher during hypoxia than in normoxia (P < 0.05). At OBLA, _E during hypoxia was 25% lower than in the normoxic test. This study would suggest that in hypoxia subjects are able to use an increased anaerobic metabolism to maintain exercise performance.     

Sequence and structural homology among membrane-associated domains of CFTR and certain transporter proteins

A sequence comparison of the two membrane-associated (MA) domains of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), multidrug resistance transporter (MDR), and -factor pheromone export system (STE6) proteins, each of which are believed to contain a total of 12 transmembrane (TM) segments, reveals significant amino acid homology and length conservation in the loop regions that connect individual TM sequences. Similar structural homology is observed between these proteins, hemolysin B (HLYB) and the major histocompatibility-linked peptide transporter, HAM1, the latter two which contain a single MA domain composed of six TM segments. In addition, there are specific sequences that are conserved within the TM segments of the five different membrane proteins. This observation suggests that the folding topologies of the MA domains of MDR, STE6, and CFTR in the plasma membrane are likely to be very similar. The sequence analysis also reveals that there are three characteristic motifs (a pair of aromatic residues, LTLXXXXXXP and GXXL) that are conserved in MDR, STE6, HLYB, HAM1, but not in CFTR. We propose that although CFTR may be evolutionarily related to these other membrane proteins, it belongs to a separate subclass.     

Correlation of the expression of double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (p68) with differentiation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

p68 is an inducible protein kinase which is believed to be an important factor in the regulation of both viral and cellular protein synthesis. We have produced a monoclonal antibody (TJ4C4) which specifically detects p68, and which can be used to detect this antigen in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. Because p68 plays an important role in cellular protein synthesis, we hypothesized that it may correlate with normal and neoplastic cellular differentiation. One hundred and seventy-seven head and neck squamous cell carcinoma specimens, representing 82 patients, were studied. The relative amount, frequency, and distribution of p68 expression were determined by microscopic evaluation of ABC immunoperoxidase-stained specimens. A spectrum of immunoreactivity was detected in 156 of 177 tumors, as well as within the normal squamous epithelium. Normal, actively proliferating cells, such as the basal layer of squamous epithelium, expressed comparatively little p68. Increased p68 expression was noted to parallel the morphologic features of cellular differentiation. In neoplastic tissue, p68 expression also increased with the degree of cellular differentiation. These data demonstrate that the expression of p68 parallels the degree of cellular differentiation in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region, as well as within normal squamous mucosa. Therefore, p68 may provide an objective biologic measure of cellular differentiation which does not depend on morphologic features.     

The ecosystem wilting point defines drought response and recovery of a Quercus-Carya forest

Soil and atmospheric droughts increasingly threaten plant survival and productivity around the world. Yet, conceptual gaps constrain our ability to predict ecosystem-scale drought impacts under climate change. Here, we introduce the ecosystem wilting point (Ψ_EWP), a property that integrates the drought response of an ecosystem's plant community across the soil–plant–atmosphere continuum. Specifically, Ψ_EWP defines a threshold below which the capacity of the root system to extract soil water and the ability of the leaves to maintain stomatal function are strongly diminished. We combined ecosystem flux and leaf water potential measurements to derive the Ψ_EWP of a Quercus-Carya forest from an “ecosystem pressure–volume (PV) curve,” which is analogous to the tissue-level technique. When community predawn leaf water potential (Ψ_pd) was above Ψ_EWP (=−2.0 MPa), the forest was highly responsive to environmental dynamics. When Ψ_pd fell below Ψ_EWP, the forest became insensitive to environmental variation and was a net source of carbon dioxide for nearly 2 months. Thus, Ψ_EWP is a threshold defining marked shifts in ecosystem functional state. Though there was rainfall-induced recovery of ecosystem gas exchange following soaking rains, a legacy of structural and physiological damage inhibited canopy photosynthetic capacity. Although over 16 growing seasons, only 10% of Ψ_pd observations fell below Ψ_EWP, the forest is commonly only 2–4 weeks of intense drought away from reaching Ψ_EWP, and thus highly reliant on frequent rainfall to replenish the soil water supply. We propose, based on a bottom-up analysis of root density profiles and soil moisture characteristic curves, that soil water acquisition capacity is the major determinant of Ψ_EWP, and species in an ecosystem require compatible leaf-level traits such as turgor loss point so that leaf wilting is coordinated with the inability to extract further water from the soil.     

Microbial nitrogen and phosphorus co-limitation across permafrost region

The status of plant and microbial nutrient limitation have profound impacts on ecosystem carbon cycle in permafrost areas, which store large amounts of carbon and experience pronounced climatic warming. Despite the long-term standing paradigm assumes that cold ecosystems primarily have nitrogen deficiency, large-scale empirical tests of microbial nutrient limitation are lacking. Here we assessed the potential microbial nutrient limitation across the Tibetan alpine permafrost region, using the combination of enzymatic and elemental stoichiometry, genes abundance and fertilization method. In contrast with the traditional view, the four independent approaches congruently detected widespread microbial nitrogen and phosphorus co-limitation in both the surface soil and deep permafrost deposits, with stronger limitation in the topsoil. Further analysis revealed that soil resources stoichiometry and microbial community composition were the two best predictors of the magnitude of microbial nutrient limitation. High ratio of available soil carbon to nutrient and low fungal/bacterial ratio corresponded to strong microbial nutrient limitation. These findings suggest that warming-induced enhancement in soil nutrient availability could stimulate microbial activity, and probably amplify soil carbon losses from permafrost areas.     

Relationships of reproductive traits and body size with attainment of sexual maturity and age in Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingi)

To place associations among body size, age at maturity, age, and reproductive traits of a long-lived organism in the context of current life history models based on the concept of norms of reaction, we examined data from a mark-recapture study of Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingi) in southeastern Michigan during 24 of the years between 1953 and 1988. Females matured between 14 and 20 years of age. Both the smallest and largest adult females in the population were reproducing for the first time in their lives. This result suggests that a combination of differences in juvenile growth rates and ages at maturity, and not indeterminate growth, are the primary cause of variation in body size among adults. Body size variation among individuals was not related to age at sexual maturity. Females that had slower growth rates as juveniles matured later at similar mean body size compared to those with more rapid growth that matured at an earlier age. As a result, a linear model of age at sexual maturity with growth rates of primiparous females between hatching and maturity was significant and negative (R² = 0.76). Frequency of reproduction of the largest and smallest females was not significantly different. Clutch size did not vary significantly with age among either primiparous or multiparous females. Clutch sizes of primiparous females and multiparous females were not significantly different. However, older females (>55 years minimum age) reproduced more frequently than did younger females (minimum age <36 y).     

Tropical dry woodland loss occurs disproportionately in areas of highest conservation value

Tropical and subtropical dry woodlands are rich in biodiversity and carbon. Yet, many of these woodlands are under high deforestation pressure and remain weakly protected. Here, we assessed how deforestation dynamics relate to areas of woodland protection and to conservation priorities across the world's tropical dry woodlands. Specifically, we characterized different types of deforestation frontier from 2000 to 2020 and compared them to protected areas (PAs), Indigenous Peoples' lands and conservation areas for biodiversity, carbon and water. We found that global conservation priorities were always overrepresented in tropical dry woodlands compared to the rest of the globe (between 4% and 96% more than expected, depending on the type of conservation priority). Moreover, about 41% of all dry woodlands were characterized as deforestation frontiers, and these frontiers have been falling disproportionately in areas with important regional (i.e. tropical dry woodland) conservation assets. While deforestation frontiers were identified within all tropical dry woodland classes of woodland protection, they were lower than the average within protected areas coinciding with Indigenous Peoples' lands (23%), and within other PAs (28%). However, within PAs, deforestation frontiers have also been disproportionately affecting regional conservation assets. Many emerging deforestation frontiers were identified outside but close to PAs, highlighting a growing threat that the conserved areas of dry woodland will become isolated. Understanding how deforestation frontiers coincide with major types of current woodland protection can help target context-specific conservation policies and interventions to tropical dry woodland conservation assets (e.g. PAs in which deforestation is rampant require stronger enforcement, inactive deforestation frontiers could benefit from restoration). Our analyses also identify recurring patterns that can be used to test the transferability of governance approaches and promote learning across social–ecological contexts.     

Accelerated organic matter decomposition in thermokarst lakes upon carbon and phosphorus inputs

Mineralization of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in thermokarst lakes plays a non-negligible role in the permafrost carbon (C) cycle, but remains poorly understood due to its complex interactions with external C and nutrient inputs (i.e., aquatic priming and nutrient effects). Based on large-scale lake sampling and laboratory incubations, in combination with ¹³C-stable-isotope labeling, optical spectroscopy, and high-throughput sequencing, we examined large-scale patterns and dominant drivers of priming and nutrient effects of DOM biodegradation across 30 thermokarst lakes along a 1100-km transect on the Tibetan Plateau. We observed that labile C and phosphorus (P) rather than nitrogen (N) inputs stimulated DOM biodegradation, with the priming and P effects being 172% and 451% over unamended control, respectively. We also detected significant interactive effects of labile C and nutrient supply on DOM biodegradation, with the combined labile C and nutrient additions inducing stronger microbial mineralization than C or nutrient treatment alone, illustrating that microbial activity in alpine thermokarst lakes is co-limited by both C and nutrients. We further found that the aquatic priming was mainly driven by DOM quality, with the priming intensity increasing with DOM recalcitrance, reflecting the limitation of external C as energy sources for microbial activity. Greater priming intensity was also associated with higher community-level ribosomal RNA gene operon (rrn) copy number and bacterial diversity as well as increased background soluble reactive P concentration. In contrast, the P effect decreased with DOM recalcitrance as well as with background soluble reactive P and ammonium concentrations, revealing the declining importance of P availability in mediating DOM biodegradation with enhanced C limitation but reduced nutrient limitation. Overall, the stimulation of external C and P inputs on DOM biodegradation in thermokarst lakes would amplify C-climate feedback in this alpine permafrost region.     

硫酸铝钾对小鼠肝损害的实验研究

本文主要观察硫酸铝钾——饮用水净化剂引致小鼠肝酶组化,超微结构和组织结构的变化。动物30只,分为正常组、硫酸铝钾大、小剂量组。实验结果:硫酸铝钾10mg/kg/日(大剂量组)与5mg/kg/日(小剂量组)动物用药10天、80天均可使肝SDH酶活性降低;肝细胞线粒体肿胀、嵴断裂和溶解。在光学显微镜下用药80天后大部分肝细胞肿胀,胞浆疏松淡染、肝小叶内可见呈小灶状分布的炎性细胞浸润,主要为淋巴细胞及浆细胞,门管区偶见少许炎性细胞,但肝小叶和门管区未见结缔组织增生。为此,硫酸铝钾作为净水剂,不宜用量过大。     

半枝莲中二萜内酯和黄酮化合物的分离和鉴定

半枝莲（Scutellaria barbata D.Don）为唇形科黄芩属植物,全草入药,具有清热解毒,化瘀利尿,消肿止痛和抗癌等功效。国内学者报道从全草中分得红花素（carthamidin）、异红花素（isocarthamidin）、印黄芩甙（scutellarein）、β-谷甾醇（β-sitosterol）、硬脂酸（stearic acid）和生物碱。台湾学者从中分离得汉黄芩素（wogonin）、5-羟基-7,8-二甲氧基黄酮（5-hydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyflavone）、半枝莲素（Rivularin）。我们从全草的乙醇提取液中分得两个化合物,经鉴定为汉黄芩素、新穿心莲内酯,该内酯在本植物中属首次发现。