(Asteraceae), a new species from Xizang (Tibet), China.

, a new species of Asteraceae from the Xizang (Tibet) Autonomous Region of China, is described and illustrated here. Morphologically, it is most similar to but can be distinguished by the combination of monoecious and dioecious individuals, involucral bracts arranged in 3-5 series (with outer series herbaceous and middle to inner series membranous), fimbriate apices on female florets, rough-edged lobes on male florets, and achenes lacking costae. Phylogenetic analyses further support the separation of this new species from related taxa.

Advantages of diapause in Anastatus japonicus Ashmead mass production on eggs of the Chinese oak silkworm, Antheraea pernyi.

Background: Anastatus japonicus Ashmead, a biological control agent utilized in China to control fruit bugs and forest caterpillars, is efficiently raised on large Chinese oak silkworm (Antheraea pernyi) eggs. Here, we investigated the biological parameters of non-diapaused and diapaused Anastatus japonicus after long-term storage within eggs of the host, Antheraea pernyi, under laboratory conditions.

Results: Diapaused mature larvae of Anastatus japonicus were more cold-tolerant than non-diapaused mature larvae, as reflected by a lower supercoiling point, lower freezing point, and higher survival rate at cold temperatures.

Behavioral response of (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae) to synthetic chemicals and oils.

Background: (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae) population outbreaks after the citrus plantation's chemical application is a common observation. Dispersal behavior is an essential tool to understand the secondary outbreak of population. Therefore, in the current study, the dispersal activity of was observed on the leaf surfaces of (Rutaceae) treated with SYP-9625, abamectin, vegetable oil, and EnSpray 99.

Mineral Composition and Its Control on Nanopores of Marine-Continental Transitional Shale from the Ningwu Basin, North China.

There is a large difference between the sedimentary environment and maturity of organic matter between marine shale and marine-continental transitional shale. It is of great significance to discuss the effect of inorganicminerals on the pores for marine-continental transitional shale gas exploration. In this study, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), low temperature liquid nitrogen adsorption and Xray diffraction (XRD) were conducted on eight marine-continental transitional shale samples from the Ningwu Basin, Shanxi Province, China.

Combined administration on You-Gui Yin and low-dose Raloxifene partially attenuates the bone loss in ovariectomized mice through the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells.

Background: Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease of fragility fractures due to the loss of mass and deterioration of the microarchitecture of bone.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the osteogenic effects and the underlying mechanisms of the combined administration of You-Gui Yin (YGY) and Raloxifene hydrochloride (RLX) in ovariectomized (OVX) mice.

Methods: First, a classic animal model was used to mimic postmenopausal osteoporosis through the removal of the ovary of mice.

An iminocoumarin sulfonamide based turn-on fluorescent probe for the detection of biothiols in aqueous solution.

A new chemodosimeter for the highly selective sensing and imaging of biothiols was designed and realized in phosphate-buffered saline solution at pH 7.4 through a fluorescence "off-on" response. A unique mechanism featuring a two-step cascade (biothiols→H2 O) sequence for this remarkable recognition is disclosed for the first time.

Comparison of the efficacy of Lamivudine plus adefovir versus entecavir in the treatment of Lamivudine-resistant chronic hepatitis B: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Hepatitis B virus infection remains 1 of the major health threats worldwide. Currently, lamivudine plus adefovir combination therapy or entecavir monotherapy is usually used for the treatment of patients with lamivudine-resistant chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, there are few systematic comparisons between the efficacy of lamivudine plus adefovir and the efficacy of entecavir in the treatment of these patients.

HMGB1 release by human liver L02 and HepG2 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide.

Liver cells release the high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) protein when exposed to lipopolysaccharides (LPSs). However, the timing and levels of protein released remain unclear. The present study aimed to characterize the secretion of the late pro-inflammatory cytokine HMGB1 by liver L02 and HepG2 cells.

Evaluation of predation abilities of Blattisocius dolichus (Acari: Blattisociidae) on a plant-parasitic nematode, Radopholus similis (Tylenchida: Pratylenchidae).

Predation and predatory behavior of Blattisocius dolichus on Radopholus similis were tested both in experimental arenas and on potted plants. Predation occurred in all active stages of B. dolichus.

Protective role of α2HS-glycoprotein in HBV-associated liver failure.

In this study, levels of plasma α2-Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein, serum tumor necrosis factor-α, serum liver function parameters and short-term mortality were measured in 100 hepatitis B patients. Release of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α from the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the presence/absence of spermine and α2-Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to determine the significance and potential mechanism of α2-Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein in hepatitis B virus-associated liver damage. Results showed that serum α2-Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein levels in acute-on-chronic liver failure patients were significantly lower than that in chronic hepatitis B patients or healthy controls (p < 0.

Protective effect of Acanthopanax gracilistylus-extracted Acankoreanogenin A on mice with fulminant hepatitis.

The release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in both acute (IL-1β and TNF-α) and chronic [high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1)] phases, is thought to play important roles in the development of fulminant hepatitis (FH). Triterpenoid Acankoreanogenin A (AA) which is extracted from the leaves of the Acanthopanax gracilistylus W.W.

Hepatitis B virus is inhibited by RNA interference in cell culture and in mice.

Background And Aims: For chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection the effects of current therapies are limited. Recently, RNA interference (RNAi) of virus-specific genes has emerged as a potential antiviral mechanism. Here we studied the effects of HBV-specific 21-bp short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) targeted to the surface antigen (HBsAg) region and the core antigen (HBcAg) region both in a cell culture system and in a mouse model for HBV replication.

[Inhibition of hepatitis B virus replication and expression by RNA interference in vivo].

Objective: To evaluate the inhibitory effect of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting HBV C gene region on hepatitis B virus (HBV) in vivo.

Methods: An animal model of HBV infection was developed hydrodynamically, and pcDNA3.1-HBV and siRNA were together injected into the tail vein of the BALB/c mice.