An unprotected vulnerable relict subtropical conifer-: Its forests, populations, growth and endangerment by invasive alien plant species in China.

Relict subtropical coniferous forests in China face severe fragmentation, resulting in declining populations, and some are under significant threat from invasive alien species. Despite the crucial importance of understanding forest dynamics, knowledge gaps persist, particularly regarding the impact of invasive plants on vulnerable natives like . In this study, we investigated the impact of invasive plants on the regeneration of forests dominated by .

Morphological characterization and distribution of antennal sensilla of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) using scanning electron microscopy.

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a globally significant agricultural pest, causing severe damage to corn production in China.

Computational Insights into SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Mutations and Nirmatrelvir Efficacy: The Effects of P132H and P132H-A173V.

Nirmatrelvir, a pivotal component of the oral antiviral Paxlovid for COVID-19, targets the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (M) as a covalent inhibitor. Here, we employed combined computational methods to explore how the prevalent Omicron variant mutation P132H, alone and in combination with A173V (P132H-A173V), affects nirmatrelvir's efficacy. Our findings suggest that P132H enhances the noncovalent binding affinity of M for nirmatrelvir, whereas P132H-A173V diminishes it.

Extraction and characterization of anti-virus anthraquinones from Nicotiana tabacum-derived Aspergillus oryzae YNCA1220.

In this study, seven novel anthraquinones (1-7) and four described anthraquinones (8-11) were purified from Nicotiana tabacum-derived Aspergillus oryzae YNCA1220. It is worth noting that only analogs of 4 and 5 have been reported as natural products to date, while the nuclei of compounds 1-3, 6 and 7 were isolated for the first time in nature. Among them, compounds 1-3 bear an unusual anthra[2,3-b]furan-9,10-dione nucleus, 4 and 5 possess a rare 3-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl substituent, and 6 and 7 are new framework anthraquinones bearing a 6-methyl-1,7-dihydro-2H-azepin-2-one ring.

Forest characteristics, population structure and growth trends of threatened relict in China.

is a relict evergreen coniferous tree species in Pinaceae endemic to China. tree numbers have greatly decreased due to deforestation, over-utilization and habitat degradation. Here we clarify community types, structure, species diversity, seedling recruitments and growth trends.

Bloodletting Acupuncture at Jing-Well Points on Hand Induced Autophagy to Alleviate Brain Injury in Acute Altitude Hypoxic Rats by Activating PINK1/Parkin Pathway.

Objective: To explore the protective effect of bloodletting acupuncture at twelve Jing-well points on hand (BAJP) on acute hypobaric hypoxia (AHH)-induced brain injury in rats and its possible mechanisms.

Methods: Seventy-five Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups by a random number table (n=15), including control, model, BAJP, BAJP+3-methyladenine (3-MA), and bloodletting acupuncture at non-acupoint (BANA, tail tip blooding) groups. After 7-day pre-treatment, AHH models were established using hypobaric oxygen chambers.

Dispersal Behavior Characters of Larvae.

The fall armyworm (FAW), (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a major pest of corn worldwide.

Bloodletting Acupuncture at Jing-Well Points Alleviates Myocardial Injury in Acute Altitude Hypoxic Rats by Activating HIF-1α/BNIP3 Signaling-Mediated Mitochondrial Autophagy and Decreasing Oxidative Stress.

Objective: To explore the protective effect and possible mechanisms of bloodletting acupuncture at Jing-well points (BAJP) pre-treatment on acute hypobaric hypoxia (AHH)-induced myocardium injury rat.

Methods: Seventy-five rats were randomly divided into 5 groups by a random number table: a control group (n=15), a model group (n=15), a BAJP group (n=15), a BAJP+3-methyladenine (3-MA) group (n=15), and a BANA (bloodletting at nonacupoint; tail bleeding, n=15) group. Except for the control group, the AHH rat model was established in the other groups, and the corresponding treatment methods were adopted.

[Effect of blood-letting puncture of "Well-points" on hippocampal mitophagy-related protein expression in rats with acute brain injury due to hypobaric hypoxia].

Objective: To study the effect of blood-letting puncture at "Well-points" of the twelve meridians on hippocampal mitophagy of hypobaric hypoxia-induced brain injury (HHIBI) rats, so as to explore its biological mechanisms underlying improvement of high altitude hypoxia-induced brain injury.

Methods: Male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group （=9）， and model and blood-letting groups which were further divided into 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h subgroups (=9 in each subgroup). The HHIBI model was established by putting the rats into a hypobaric hypoxia chamber (equivalent to 5 000 m above sea level).

Reference gene selection for qRT-PCR analyses of luffa (Luffa cylindrica) plants under abiotic stress conditions.

Selecting suitable internal reference genes is an important prerequisite for the application of quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). However, no systematic studies have been conducted on reference genes in luffa. In this study, seven reference genes were selected, and their expression levels in luffa plants exposed to various simulated abiotic stresses [i.

The Energetic Origin of Different Catalytic Activities in Temperature-Adapted Trypsins.

Psychrophilic enzymes were always observed to have higher catalytic activity ( ) than their mesophilic homologs at room temperature, while the origin of this phenomenon remains obscure. Here, we used two different temperature-adapted trypsins, the psychrophilic Atlantic cod trypsin (ACT) and the mesophilic bovine trypsin (BT), as a model system to explore the energetic origin of their different catalytic activities using computational methods. The results reproduce the characteristic changing trends in the activation free energy, activation enthalpy, and activation entropy between the psychrophilic and mesophilic enzymes, where, in particular, the slightly decreased activation free energy of ACT is determined by its considerably reduced activation enthalpy rather than by its more negative activation entropy compared to BT.

Spatial Distribution of Pollinating Butterflies in Yunnan Province, Southwest China with Resource Conservation Implications.

Pollinating butterflies are an important asset to agriculture, which still depends on wild resources. Yunnan Province in Southwest China is a region with typical montane agriculture, but this resource is poorly investigated. From literature reference and specimen examination, the present study identified 554 species of pollinating butterflies (50.

Facile Preparation of Highly Stretchable TPU/Ag Nanowire Strain Sensor with Spring-Like Configuration.

Stretchable nano-fibers have attracted dramatic attention for the utility in wearable and flexible electronics. In the present case, Ag nanowires (AgNWs)-intertwined thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) unwoven nano-membrane is fabricated by an electrospinning method and dip coating technique. Then a strain sensor with a spring-like configuration is fabricated by a twisted method.

An efficient TILLING platform for cultivated tobacco.

Targeting-induced local lesions in genomes (TILLING) is a powerful reverse-genetics tool that enables high-throughput screening of genomic variations in plants. Although TILLING has been developed for many diploid plants, the technology has been used in very few polyploid species due to their genomic complexity. Here, we established an efficient capillary electrophoresis-based TILLING platform for allotetraploid cultivated tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.

Probing primordial gravitational waves: Ali CMB Polarization Telescope.

In this paper, we will give a general introduction to the Ali CMB Polarization Telescope (AliCPT) project, which is a Sino-US joint project led by the Institute of High Energy Physics and involves many different institutes in China. It is the first ground-based Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) polarization experiment in China and an integral part of China's Gravitational-wave Program. The main scientific goal of the AliCPT project is to probe the primordial gravitational waves (PGWs) originating from the very early Universe.

[Effect of Acupuncture on Reproductive Endocrine and p-Akt Protein Expression in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Rats with Insulin Resistance].

Objective: To observe the effect of manual acupuncture intervention on the reproductive endocrine and p-Akt protein expression in polycystic ovary syndrome with insulin resistance (PCOS-IR) rats, so as to reveal its mechanism in relieving PCOS-IR.

Methods: Female Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, model, medication (Metformin) and acupuncture groups (＝8 in each). The PCOS-IR model was established by subcutaneous injection of Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA, 6 mg/100 g), once daily for 20 days.

Expression of multidrug-resistance associated proteins in human retinoblastoma treated by primary enucleation.

Aim: To reveal the expression of multidrug-resistance associated proteins: glutathione-S-transferase π (GSTπ), P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and vault protein lung resistance protein (LRP) in retinoblastoma (RB) without any conservative treatment before primary enucleation and to correlate this expression with histopathological tumor features.

Methods: A total of 42 specimens of RB undergone primary enucleation were selected for the research. Sections from the formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens were stained with HE and immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of GSTπ, P-gp and LRP.

Genome-wide genetic variation and comparison of fruit-associated traits between kumquat (Citrus japonica) and Clementine mandarin (Citrus clementina).

The comprehensive genetic variation of two citrus species were analyzed at genome and transcriptome level. A total of 1090 differentially expressed genes were found during fruit development by RNA-sequencing. Fruit size (fruit equatorial diameter) and weight (fresh weight) are the two most important components determining yield and consumer acceptability for many horticultural crops.

Case report of ocular Kaposi's sarcoma.

Background: Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is generally considered a neoplastic disorder of vascular origin and occurs in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or who have received immunosuppressive treatments after an organ transplant (Soulier et al., Blood 86(4):1276-80, 1995; Viejo-Borbolla and Schulz, AIDS Rev 5(4):222-9, 2003; Schulz, J Antimicrob Chemother 45(Suppl T3):15-27, 2000; Aversa et al. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 53(3):253-65, 2005; Mbulaiteye and Engels, Int J Cancer 119(11):2685-91, 2006; Tessari et al.

The cubital tunnel syndrome caused by the intraneural or extraneural ganglion cysts: Case report and review of the literature.

Cubital tunnel syndrome is the second most common nerve compression syndrome in peripheral nerve compression disease. Although potential ulnar nerve entrapment can occur at multiple points along its course, such as the arcade of struthers, the medial intermuscular septum, the medial epicondyle, the cubital tunnel, and the deep flexor pronator aponeurosis, the most common site of entrapment is the cubital tunnel. However, cubital tunnel syndrome could also be caused by the occupying masses along the course of ulnar nerve, such as intraneural or extraneural ganglia.

The Role of miRNAs in Cartilage Homeostasis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is an age-related disease with poorly understood pathogenesis. Recent studies have demonstrated that miRNA might play a key role in OA initiation and development. We reviewed recent publications and elucidated the connection between miRNA and OA cartilage anabolic and catabolic signals, including four signaling pathways: TGF-β/Smads and BMPs signaling, associated with cartilage anabolism; and MAPK and NF-KB signaling, associated with cartilage catabolism.

Prognostic value of p53 alterations in human osteosarcoma: a meta analysis.

Tumor suppressor gene p53 functions as the guardian of the human genome and mutations in p53 contribute to cancer development. However, studies that investigated the potential of p53 as a prognostic marker in osteosarcoma patients have yielded inconclusive results. Based on recommendation of the Cochrane Collaboration, this meta-analysis was conducted using data from the 17 published studies to evaluate the association of p53 alterations with clinical outcome of osteosarcoma patients.

Expression levels of autophagy related proteins and their prognostic significance in retinocytoma and retinoblastoma.

Aim: To discuss the prognostic significant of autophagy related proteins (ARPs) in retinoblastoma (RB) and to find the molecular marker to distinguish retinocytoma (RC) and RB by investigating the different expression profiling of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3B) and other ARPs in RC and RB.

Methods: Specimens with retinocytoma region (RCR) or mainly composed with Flexner-Winterstein rosettes (FWR) were screen out from 219 paraffin-embedded RB samples and respectively taken as RCR group and FWR group. Others were taken as undifferentiated (UD) group.

The protective effect of Agaricus blazei Murrill, submerged culture using the optimized medium composition, on alcohol-induced liver injury.

Agaricus blazei Murrill (ABM), an edible mushroom native to Brazil, is widely used for nonprescript and medicinal purposes. Alcohol liver disease (ALD) is considered as a leading cause for a liver injury in modern dietary life, which can be developed by a prolonged or large intake of alcohol. In this study, the medium composition of ABM was optimized using response surface methodology for maximum mycelial biomass and extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) production.