基于“心与小肠相表里”理论探讨肠道微生态与骨质疏松症的关系

近年来相关研究显示,肠道微生态在骨质疏松症的发生发展中起着重要作用。中医脏腑理论密切关注脏腑之间的生理病理关系,以中医经典《内经》“心与小肠相表里”理论为基础,探讨心、小肠、肠道微生态与骨质疏松症之间的关系。研究发现肠道微生态可能是心系疾病导致骨质疏松症的途径之一,这一发现可能为骨质疏松症的研究与防治提供一定的理论依据。     

中国葫芦科1新记录种——厚叶棒锤瓜

报道了葫芦科厚叶棒锤瓜[Neoalsomitra sarcophylla(Wall.)Hutch.]在中国的分布新记录。该物种形态上与N.balansae(Gagnep.)Hutch.近似,但蒴果长3~4cm;种子长6~7mm,宽3~4mm,两端呈短角状。本研究利用DNA条形码技术对该物种进行测序,获得matK、rbcL、psbA-trnH 3个基因序列。应用Blast法为该物种的分类处理提供佐证。凭证标本存放于广西药用植物园标本馆(GXMG)。     

西藏兰科新记录

报道了兰科（Orchidaceae）高山铠兰［Corybas himalaicus (King & Pantl.) Schltr.］和山珊瑚（Galeola faberi Rolfe）在中国西藏自治区的分布新记录。高山铠兰形态上因唇瓣先端边缘齿蚀状,花瓣与侧萼片在基部贴生,长7～8 mm,距暗红色而区别于铠兰属其他种;山珊瑚形态上因萼片狭椭圆形,唇瓣上散生褶片状附属物,边缘不规则齿状而区别于山珊瑚属其他种。凭证标本存放于广西药用植物园标本馆（GXMG）。     

Quantitative proteomic analysis of hepatic tissue in allotetraploid hybridized from red crucian carp and common carp identified crucial proteins and pathways associated with metabolism and growth rate

Allotetraploid is a new species produced by distant hybridization between red crucian carp (Carassius auratus red var., abbreviated as RCC) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio L., abbreviated as CC). There is a significant difference in growth rate between allotetraploid and its parents. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is largely unknown. In this study, to find direct evidence associated with metabolism and growth rate in protein level, we performed quantitative proteomics analysis on liver tissues between allotetraploid and its parents. A total of 2502 unique proteins were identified and quantified by SWATH-MS in our proteomics profiling. Subsequently, comprehensive bioinformatics analyses including gene ontology enrichment analysis, pathway and network analysis, and protein–protein interaction analysis (PPI) were conducted based on differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between allotetraploid and its parents. The results revealed several significant DEPs involved in metabolism pathways in liver. More specifically, the integrative analysis highlighted that the DEPs ACSBG1, OAT, and LDHBA play vital roles in metabolism pathways including “pentose phosphate pathway,” “TCA cycle,” and “glycolysis and gluconeogenesis.” These could directly affect the growth rate in fresh water fishes by regulating the metabolism, utilization, and exchange of substance and energy. Since the liver is the central place for metabolism activity in animals, we firstly established the comprehensive and quantitative proteomics knowledge base for liver tissue from freshwater fishes, our study may serve as an irreplaceable reference for further studies regarding fishes’ culture and growth.     

Reconciling estimates of the contemporary North American carbon balance among terrestrial biosphere models,atmospheric inversions,and a new approach for estimating net ecosystem exchange from inventory‐based data

We develop an approach for estimating net ecosystem exchange (NEE) using inventory‐based information over North America (NA) for a recent 7‐year period (ca. 2000–2006). The approach notably retains information on the spatial distribution of NEE, or the vertical exchange between land and atmosphere of all non‐fossil fuel sources and sinks of CO₂, while accounting for lateral transfers of forest and crop products as well as their eventual emissions. The total NEE estimate of a ?327 ± 252 TgC yr^?1 sink for NA was driven primarily by CO₂ uptake in the Forest Lands sector (?248 TgC yr^?1), largely in the Northwest and Southeast regions of the US, and in the Crop Lands sector (?297 TgC yr^?1), predominantly in the Midwest US states. These sinks are counteracted by the carbon source estimated for the Other Lands sector (+218 TgC yr^?1), where much of the forest and crop products are assumed to be returned to the atmosphere (through livestock and human consumption). The ecosystems of Mexico are estimated to be a small net source (+18 TgC yr^?1) due to land use change between 1993 and 2002. We compare these inventory‐based estimates with results from a suite of terrestrial biosphere and atmospheric inversion models, where the mean continental‐scale NEE estimate for each ensemble is ?511 TgC yr^?1 and ?931 TgC yr^?1, respectively. In the modeling approaches, all sectors, including Other Lands, were generally estimated to be a carbon sink, driven in part by assumed CO₂ fertilization and/or lack of consideration of carbon sources from disturbances and product emissions. Additional fluxes not measured by the inventories, although highly uncertain, could add an additional ?239 TgC yr^?1 to the inventory‐based NA sink estimate, thus suggesting some convergence with the modeling approaches.     

中国球兰属新记录植物——长瓣球兰（Hoya acuminata）

报道了夹竹桃科萝藦亚科长瓣球兰［Hoya acuminata (Wight) Benth. ex Hook. f.］在中国的新分布记录。长瓣球兰过去记录在不丹、印度东北部（Sikkim, Khasia）和缅甸,2015年在中国西南部的西藏墨脱县内、海拔1 577 m的山林树上发现长瓣球兰。该物种与景洪球兰相近,但前者枝条光滑无毛,每个花序着花3~5朵,花冠直径达5 cm,花冠裂片长2 cm。凭证标本存放于广西药用植物园标本馆（GXMG）。     

Further evidence for paternal DNA transmission in gynogenetic grass carp

Gynogenesis is an important breeding method in aquaculture and has been widely applied to many fish species. If gynogenetic progenies are to inherit paternal partial genomic DNA, this will increase genetic variation and will provide a useful outcome for breeding. In this study, we investigated the genetic variation in homeobox(Hox) gene clusters(Hox A4 a, Hox A9 a, Hox A11 b,Hox B1 b, Hox C4 a, Hox C6 b, and Hox D10 a) among koi carp(Cyprinus carpio haematopterus, KOC; the stimulation sperm source), grass carp(Ctenopharyngodon idellus), and gynogenetic grass carp(GGC). We found paternal DNA(a special DNA fragment and Hox C6 b) derived from KOC and a recombinant gene belonging to Hox C6 b in GGC. We are the first to report the recombinant Hox C6 b in GGC. Our study provides further evidence for paternal DNA transmission to gynogenetic progenies,which is a finding with great significance for the genetic breeding of fish.     

The next-generation sequencing technology and application

As one of the key technologies in biomedical research, DNA sequencing has not only improved its productivity with an exponential growth rate but also been applied to new areas of application over the past few years. This is largely due to the advent of newer generations of sequencing platforms, offering ever-faster and cheaper ways to analyze sequences. In our previous review, we looked into technical characteristics of the next-generation sequencers and provided prospective insights into their future development. In this article, we present a brief overview of the advantages and shortcomings of key commercially available platforms with a focus on their suitability for a broad range of applications.     

Differential expression profile of mRNAs,lncRNAs, and circRNAs reveals potential molecular mechanism in breast cancer

In recent years, breast cancer attracts more and more attention because of its high incidence. To explore the molecular functions and mechanisms, we performed RNA sequencing on the tumor tissues and their paired normal tissues from three breast cancer patients. By differential expression analysis, we found 3764 differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs, 5416 DE lncRNAs, and 148 DE circRNAs. Enrichment analysis suggested that the DE lncRNAs and DE circRNAs were enriched in mitochondria and nucleus, which indicated that they may participate in the vital metabolism directly or indirectly, such as fatty acid metabolism. Subsequently, the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed and we got 8 key proteins, of which the matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9; degree 5) draws our attention. Based on the 38 up-regulated circRNAs and 14 down-regulated circRNAs, we constructed competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks, from which the has-miR-6794-5p has been identified to enriched in the up-regulated network and correlated with the circNFIX directly. At this point, we presented that the circNFIX and MMP9 may play a significant role by regulating fatty acid metabolism in breast cancer.     

A biogeochemistry‐based dynamic vegetation model and its application along a moisture gradient in the continental United States

Abstract. We develop and evaluate a large‐scale dynamic vegetation model, TEM‐LPJ, which considers interactions among water, light and nitrogen in simulating ecosystem function and structure. We parameterized the model for three plant functional types (PFTs): a temperate deciduous forest, a temperate coniferous forest, and a temperate C₃ grassland. Model parameters were determined using data from forest stands at the Harvard Forest in Massachusetts. Applications of the model reasonably simulated stand development over 120 yr for Populus tremuloides in Wisconsin and for Pinus elliottii in Florida. Our evaluation of tree‐grass interactions simulated by the model indicated that competition for light led to dominance by the deciduous forest PFT in moist regions of eastern United States and that water competition led to dominance by the grass PFT in dry regions of the central United States. Along a moisture transect at 41.5° N in the eastern United States, simulations by TEM‐LPJ reproduced the composition of potential temperate deciduous forest, temperate savanna, and C3 grassland located along the transect.