Phylogenetic diversity and morphological characterization of cordycipitaceous species in Taiwan.

Species classified in () include multiple entomopathogenic fungi. Numerous changes have recently occurred in the nomenclature of cordycipitaceous fungi due to the single naming system proposed for pleomorphic fungi in 2011. Species of are widely applied as herbal medicines, especially in Asian cultures.

A DNA barcode reference of Asian ferns with expert-identified voucher specimens and DNA samples.

Ferns belong to species-rich group of land plants, encompassing more than 11,000 extant species, and are crucial for reflecting terrestrial ecosystem changes. However, our understanding of their biodiversity hotspots, particularly in Southeast Asia, remains limited due to scarce genetic data. Despite harboring around one-third of the world's fern species, less than 6% of Southeast Asian ferns have been DNA-sequenced.

Host Plants for the Lanternfly Kato, 1929 (Hemiptera, Fulgoridae) Endemic to Taiwan, and Parasitism of Its Eggs by Wasps.

Since Kato, 1929 was first reported as a new species in Taiwan; there have been few published reports on its ecology, and fundamental knowledge of this species is still lacking. The objectives of this study are to (1) determine the preferred plants of adults, egg-laying, and nymphs, (2) analyze the change in host plants with time and development, and (3) explore the relationship between the survival of eggs and parasitism by their wasps. We detected the adults of this species between May and September 2023, and again in April 2024, mainly on F.

Exploring Candesartan, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, as a novel inhibitor of NLRP3 inflammasome: alleviating inflammation in Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection.

Background: Gonorrhea, induced by Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection, stands as a prevalent sexually transmitted inflammatory disease globally. Our earlier research illuminated that N. gonorrhoeae-infected macrophages provoke inflammation by activating the intracellular sensor NACHT, LRR, and PYD domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, a pivotal regulator in inflammatory diseases governing the maturation and secretion of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18.

New Invasive Leaf Gall-Inducing Wasps sp. nov. and on Eucalypts in Taiwan.

We identified two gall-inducing wasp species infesting eucalypts leaves, including an undescribed species, sp. nov., and , which is a new record for Taiwan.

Combining citizen science data and literature to build a traits dataset of Taiwan's birds.

Trait-based methodologies are gaining traction in the field of ecology, providing deeper insights into ecosystem structure and functions. To this end, trait databases tailored to specific taxonomic groups have become foundational. In Taiwan, the collaborative efforts of avian researchers and dedicated citizen scientists have led to the compilation of a vast array of data.

The Impact of Changing Climate on an Endangered Epiphytic Orchid () in a Montane Cloud Forest and the Conservation Challenge Ahead.

Hayata is an endemic orchid that was once widely distributed across the mid-elevations of Taiwan. However, populations of this orchid have steadily shrunk due to orchid poaching in most of its habitats. By correlating data from micrometeorological stations that we installed in the cloud forest canopy at the study site, Yuanyang Lake (YYL) from 2017, we discovered the critical role of spring rainfall in triggering flowering and summer rainfall in promoting the growth of new bulbs.

Characterization of Seven Species of Oil: Oil Content, Volatile Compounds, and Oxidative Stability.

In this study, we conducted tests on the seeds from four Taiwanese native species (, , , and ) and three commercialized species (, , and ) for comparison. We examined various aspects of these species, such as seed oil content, suitability for mechanical pressing, volatile components (edible flavor), and oil stability (suitability for cooking), to assess the feasibility of using these four native Taiwanese seeds as sources of edible oil. The results from solvent extraction tests and mechanical pressing experiments confirm that the seeds from , , and have high oil contents, and their oils are suitable for extraction via the popular mechanical pressing method, with oil yields comparable to or higher than those of the commercialized species.

Development and Evaluation of Real-Time Quantitative PCR Assays for Detection of Causing Brown Root Rot Disease.

Brown root rot disease (BRRD) is a highly destructive tree disease. Early diagnosis of BRRD has been challenging because the first symptoms and signs are often observed after extensive tissue colonization. Existing molecular detection methods, all based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, were developed without testing against global isolates, other wood-decay fungi, or host plant tissues.

Cinnamaldehyde, A Bioactive Compound from the Leaves of Cinnamomum osmophloeum Kaneh, Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis in Mice by Inhibiting the NLRP3 Inflammasome.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises a group of idiopathic intestinal disorders, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, significantly impacting the quality of life for affected individuals. The effective management of these conditions remains a persistent challenge. The NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, a complex molecular structure, regulates the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β.

Honokiol Exhibits Anti-NLRP3 Inflammasome and Antimicrobial Properties in -Infected Macrophages.

Purpose: The NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, crucial in infectious and inflammatory diseases by regulating IL-1β, presents a target for disease management. causes gonorrhea in over 87 million people annually, with previous research revealing NLRP3 inflammasome activation in infected macrophages. No natural products have been reported to counteract this activation.

Species selection as a key factor in the afforestation of coastal salt-affected lands: Insights from pot and field experiments.

Soil salinization is a significant global issue that leads to land degradation and loss of ecological function. In coastal areas, salinization hampers vegetation growth, and forestation efforts can accelerate the recovery of ecological functions and enhance resilience to extreme climates. However, the salinity tolerance of tree species varies due to complex biological factors, and results between lab/greenhouse and field studies are often inconsistent.

A leading-edge scenario in the phylogeography and evolutionary history of East Asian insular in Taiwan and the Philippines.

The cool temperate origin of gymnosperm species in East Asia is specifically diverse and widespread. Certain lineages have managed to extend their distribution further south to subtropical and tropical islands such as Taiwan and the Philippines. To address questions including whether these insular lineages, recently identified as , have become genetically distinct from each other and from their continental relatives, and when and how they colonized their residing islands, we sampled over 11 populations, covering 179 individuals from Taiwan and the Philippines.

Comparative chemical profiling of leaf essential oils from and related species using steam distillation and solvent extraction: Implications for plant-based classification.

belonging to Lauraceae family, is an indigenous and endangered species of considerable economic importance in Taiwan. It plays a crucial role as the host for the economically valuable saprotrophic fungus, . However, accurate species identification poses a challenge due to the similarity in morphological features and frequent natural hybridization with closely related species.

Prevalent arbuscular mycorrhizae in roots and highly variable mycobiome in leaves of epiphytic subtropical fern Ophioderma pendulum.

Premise: Endophytic and mycorrhizal fungi are crucial in facilitating plant nutrition acquisition and stress tolerance. In epiphytic habitats, plants face nutrition and water stress, but their roots are mostly nonmycorrhizal and especially lacking in arbuscular mycorrhizal associations. Ophioderma pendulum is an epiphytic fern with a partially mycoheterotrophic lifestyle, likely heavily reliant on symbiotic fungi.

Functional identification of specialized diterpene synthases from Chamaecyparis obtusa and C. obtusa var. formosana to illustrate the putative evolution of diterpene synthases in Cupressaceae.

Chamaecyparis obtusa and C. obtusa var. formosana of the Cupressaceae family are well known for their fragrance and excellent physical properties.

Towards sustainable management of polyacrylamide in soil-water environment: Occurrence, degradation, and risk.

Polyacrylamide (PAM) possesses unique characteristics, including high water solubility, elevated viscosity and effective flocculation capabilities. These properties make it valuable in various sectors like agriculture, wastewater treatment, enhanced oil recovery, and mineral processing industries, contributing to a continually expanding market. Despite its widespread use globally, understanding its environmental fate at the soil-water interface remains limited.

The Angiotensin II Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitor LCZ696 Inhibits the NLRP3 Inflammasome By Reducing Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Macrophages and Alleviates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-induced Colitis in a Mouse Model.

The intracellular sensor protein complex known as the NACHT, LRR, and PYD domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome plays a crucial role in regulating inflammatory diseases by overseeing the production of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. Targeting its abnormal activation with drugs holds significant promise for inflammation treatment. This study highlights LCZ696, an angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor, as an effective suppressor of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophages stimulated by ATP, nigericin, and monosodium urate.

Application of frass from black soldier fly larvae treatment of cattle dung in pulp and papermaking.

Cattle dung treatments in Taiwan have developed a process called Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) treatment, which can digest cow dung and generate the frass (larvae drops), the residue fiber in cow dung. This study aims to assess frass for its potential in pulp and papermaking, considering its chemical compositions, appearance, and fiber morphology, and also evaluate its suitability for pulping by soda method to create added value. The frass exhibits favorable material properties for pulping and papermaking, including a high holocellulose (67.

A taxonomic study on the genus Zethus Fabricius from Hong Kong, with proposal of a new synonym (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae).

We review three leaf-cutter wasp species of the genus Zethus Fabricius, 1804 occurring in Hong Kong. Zethus malayanus Gusenleitner, 2010, syn. nov.

Responses of a common tropical epiphyte, , to changes in water and nutrient availability.

Epiphytes are highly dependent on atmospheric inputs of water and nutrients. Reductions in water availability associated with warming and climate change and continual atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition can affect plant growth but few studies have evaluated the effects of changes in both water and nutrient availabilities on epiphytes. We experimentally tested whether epiphyte growth is more water- or nutrient-limited, if nutrient limitation was stronger for nitrogen or phosphorus, and whether nutrient limitation interacts with water availability.

Circular utilization of discarded oyster farming bamboo scaffolding in pulp and papermaking.

Oyster Farming is one of important fisheries and aquaculture industries in Taiwan. Each year, approximately 4000-5000 tons of discarded bamboo scaffolding (BS) used in oyster farming, are generated, so the treatment and utilization of BS should be taken seriously. This study evaluates the suitability of BS for pulp and papermaking by assessing the chemical compositions, microstructural, and fiber morphology.