Distribution patterns of clonal plants in the subnival belt of the Hengduan Mountains,SW China

Clonal reproduction(i.e.,production of potentially independent offspring by vegetative growth)is thought to provide plants with reproductive assurance.Thus,studying the evolution of clonal reproduction in local floras is crucial for our understanding of the adaptive mechanisms plants deploy in stressful environments such as alpine regions.In this study,we characterized clonal plant species in the subnival belt of the Hengduan Mountains(a global biodiversity hotspot with extreme environmental conditions in southwest China),in order to determine the effects of sex system,growth form,and elevational distribution on clonality.We compiled clonality data of angiosperm species belonging to 41 families in the subnival belt of the Hengduan Mountains using published information.Of the 793 species recorded in the region,47.92%(380 species)are clonal species.Both sex system and growth form had significant effects on the occurrence of clonal reproduction:unisexual species(79.79%)were more likely to be clonal than bisexual species(43.63%),and herbaceous species(51.04%)were more likely to be clonal than woody species(16.67%).Compared with non-alpine-endemic species(44.60%),alpine-endemic species(58.33%)showed a significantly higher proportion of clonal reproduction.Further logistic regression analysis showed a positive association between incidence of clonality and elevational range,indicating that species distributed at high elevations are more likely to be clonal.Furthermore,the elevational gradients in clonality were contingent on sex system or growth form.This study reveals that plants in the subnival belt of the Hengduan Mountains might optimize their probability of reproduction through clonal reproduction,a finding that adds to our growing understanding of plant's adaptations to harsh alpine environments.

Biomimetic 3D printing of composite structures with decreased cracking

The development of tissue engineering and regeneration research has created new platforms for bone transplantation.However,the preparation of scaffolds with good fiber integrity is challenging,because scaffolds prepared by traditional printing methods are prone to fiber cracking during solvent evaporation.Human skin has an excellent natural heat-management system,which helps to maintain a constant body temperature through perspiration or blood-vessel constriction.In this work,an electrohydrodynamic-jet 3D-printing method inspired by the thermal-management system of skin was developed.In this system,the evaporation of solvent in the printed fibers can be adjusted using the temperature-change rate of the substrate to prepare 3D structures with good structural integrity.To investigate the solvent evaporation and the interlayer bonding of the fibers,finite-element analysis simulations of a three-layer microscale structure were carried out.The results show that the solvent-evaporation path is from bottom to top,and the strain in the printed structure becomes smaller with a smaller temperaturechange rate.Experimental results verified the accuracy of these simulation results,and a variety of complex 3D structures with high aspect ratios were printed.Microscale cracks were reduced to the nanoscale by adjusting the temperature-change rate from 2.5 to 0.5℃s-1.Optimized process parameters were selected to prepare a tissue engineering scaffold with high integrity.It was confirmed that this printed scaffold had good biocompatibility and could be used for bone-tissue regeneration.This simple and flexible 3D-printing method can also help with the preparation of a wide range of micro-and nanostructured sensors and actuators.

A New Species of <i>Gentiana, Gentiana ciliolata</i>and It’s Two Subspecies of subsp. ciliolata and subsp. <i>longiloba</i>of Yunnan &Sichuan Provinces

A new species of Gentiana (Gentianaceae), Gentiana ciliolata is described and illustrated;it has a spectacular characteristics of calyx lobe ciliolate, distributed in Yunnan and Sichuan Provinces on the two sides of Jinsha River, and then two subspecies have been further re-classified as Gentiana ciliolata subsp. ciliolata and Gentiana ciliolata subsp. longiloba respectively. The subsp. ciliolata idistributes on the right side of Jinsha River in Yiliang County, Yunnan Province and the subsp. longiloba distributes itself on the southwest and west part of Sichuan Province, such as Leibo County, Wenchuan County and Mabian Yi Autonomous Prefacture, in the grassland under forests and moist rock slopes at an altitude of 1300 - 3200 m.

不同浓度百草枯对人支气管上皮细胞自噬的影响

目的研究不同浓度百草枯(PQ)对人支气管上皮细胞(16HBE)自噬的影响。方法不同浓度(50μM,150μM,500μM)的百草枯作用16HBE,分别在0 h、12 h、24 h通过Western Blot检测细胞中LC3-Ⅱ蛋白、LC3-I蛋白及P62蛋白的表达,电镜观察染毒组及对照组自噬小体变化。结果在实验中,PQ染毒组观察到细胞质中出现广泛大量自噬小体,相较对照组,自噬小体明显增多。50μMPQ染毒组Western Blot检测LC3-II/LC3-I蛋白浓度24 h组最高,12 h组次之,对照组表达水平最低(P<0.05),P62蛋白浓度24 h最低,12 h次之,对照组表达水平最高(P<0.05)。150μMPQ染毒组Western Blot检测LC3-II/LC3-I蛋白浓度各干预组与对照组相比无明显统计学意义,P62蛋白浓度各干预组与对照组相比统计学意义(P>0.05)。500μMPQ染毒组Western Blot检测LC3-II/LC3-I蛋白浓度各干预组与对照组相比无明显统计学意义(P>0.05),P62蛋白浓度各干预组与对照组相比无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论 PQ作用人支气管上皮细胞调节自噬具有时间和浓度依赖性。

日本斑点热并发多器官功能障碍1例

日本斑点热(Japanese spotted fever)属于斑点热群立克次体属的传染性疾病,是日本立克次体感染引起的,以蜱类为传播媒介的急性热性发疹性疾病。日本斑点热的典型症状表现为被蜱叮咬2~8 d后出现全身弥漫性红斑、手掌红斑、头痛、高热、寒战等症状。日本斑点热的主要发病地区为日本和韩国、菲律宾和泰国等邻近国家。近年来我国浙江省、安徽省、河南省、陕西省、湖北省等地区均有散发病例报道,且发病有上升趋势。

A New Species of Ehretia, Ehretia retroserrata in Nujiang County, Yunnan Province, China

On the investigation of the biodiverisities of plant resources of Nujiang River Valley in Nujiang Autonomous Prefacure, Yunnan Province, China, a new species of Ehretia has been described and illustrated as Ehretia retroserrata in the arid valley of Nujiang according to the new living state of erect shrub and the characteristics of serrate leave margin, retrose, apiculate, endocarp divided at maturity into 4 1-seeded pyrene and serrate leaves margins by comparison with other species of the genus Ehretia.

Biodiversity of the Micro-morphologies of the Petal Epidermis of Angiosperms &Their Scientific Aesthetics, Quasi-Geometry

The micro-morphologies and biodiversities of the epidermis of flower petals of angiosperms were reported for the first time. By manual slicing anatomy and microscopic photography technique, the micro-morphologies of the upper and lower epidermis of petals of some common ornamental flowers in Kunming were studied, and the biodiversities were discovered. The results showed these much-varied pigment cells appeared not only a new compensation to anatomy, but a new criteria to taxonomy, so that a brand new research field of “Cell Taxonomy” was established instead of the current “Chromosome Taxonomy” widely used in phytosystematics research. Furthermore, the most interesting and significant phenomena was their scientific aesthetics: these pigment cells of flower petals were quite special, planary, far different from the ordinary plant cells in plant organs & tissues. By comparison to ordinary geometry, these colorful cells of the fresh flower petals could be described as “Quasi-geometry” for their special origin and micro-morphological characteristics. As for the aspect of art, it was quite similar to “Quasi-crystal” discovered by Daniel Schechtman, so that the art future was discussed, obviously another new epoch of scientific-art history began.

Anti-hepatitis B Virus Treatment with Tenofovir Amibufenamide Has No Impact on Blood Lipids: A Real-world, Prospective, 48-week Follow-up Study

Background and Aims:The effect of tenofovir amibufenamide(TMF)on blood lipid profiles in patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB)remains unclear.This study aimed to explore whether TMF affects blood lipids during 48 weeks in patients with CHB.Methods:A total of 91 patients with CHB undergoing TMF treatment for 48 weeks were divided into two groups:Lipid Normal(n=42)and Lipid Abnormal(n=49),based on baseline blood lipid levels.Lipid indices,virological responses,and biochemical indicators were compared between the two groups.Clinical observations were further verified through in vitro experiments.Results:After an average follow-up of 373±121 days,lipid indices in all 91 patients had not significantly changed compared with baseline(total cholesterol:4.67 vs.4.69 mmol/L,P=0.2499;triglycerides:1.08 vs.1.04 mmol/L,P=0.4457;high-density lipoprotein cholesterol:1.25 vs.1.25 mmol/L,P=0.3063;low-density lipoprotein cholesterol:3.03 vs.3.02 mmol/L,P=0.5765).Subgroup comparisons showed lipid indices remained stable.Among treatment-naïve patients(n=82),complete viral suppression rates were 23.2%,59.8%,70.7%,and 86.6%at four,12,24,and 48 weeks,respectively.Cellular experiments revealed that TMF did not promote lipid metabolism in primary hepatocytes and AML12 cells.Conclusions:Regardless of baseline blood lipid characteristics,48 weeks of antiviral treatment with TMF in patients with CHB had no significant lipid-raising effect.

Effectiveness of Tenofovir Alafenamide in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients with Normal Alanine Aminotransferase and Positive Hepatitis B Virus DNA

Background and Aims:With an increasing understanding of hepatitis B,the antiviral indications have been broadening gradually.To evaluate the effectiveness of tenofovir alafena-mide(TAF)in chronic hepatitis B(CHB)patients with normal alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and detectable hepatitis B virus(HBV)DNA,those who are ineligible for broader anti-viral criteria from the Chinese CHB prevention guide(2019).Methods:A total of 117 patients were recruited and their data were collected from paper or electronic medical records.HBV DNA and liver function were measured at baseline and throughout the 24-week follow-up.The effectiveness end-point was complete virological response.The safety endpoint was the first occurrence of any clinical adverse event during the treatment.Results:Among the 117 patients,45 had normal ALT as well as detectable HBV DNA and they were not recommended for antiviral therapy according to Chinese Guidelines(2019).After TAF antiviral therapy,the rates of patients who achieved HBV DNA<20 IU/mL at 4,12 and 24 weeks were 77.1%,96.7%and 96.8%respectively.Among them,the undetectable rates of HBV DNA in patients with low baseline viral load at 4,12 and 24 weeks were 92.3%,100%and 100%,while the rates of those with high baseline viral load were 68.2%,94.1%and 94.4%.Compared with 71.4%,94.4%and 94.7%in the high baseline group,the undetectable rates of HBV DNA at 4,12 and 24 weeks in the low baseline liver stiffness group were 85.7%,100%and 100%.There was no statistical significance among the above groups.Conclusions:CHB patients who had normal ALT and detectable HBV DNA and did not meet“CHB prevention guide(2019)”,could achieve complete virological response in 24 weeks after antiviral treatment by TAF.

Modeling the optical properties of twisted bilayer photonic crystals

We demonstrate a photonic analog of twisted bilayer graphene that has ultra-flat photonic bands and exhibits extreme slow-light behavior.Our twisted bilayer photonic device,which has an operating wavelength in the C-band of the telecom window,uses two crystalline silicon photonic crystal slabs separated by a methyl methacrylate tunneling layer.We numerically determine the magic angle using a finite-element method and the corresponding photonic band structure,which exhibits a flat band over the entire Brillouin zone.This flat band causes the group velocity to approach zero and introduces light localization,which enhances the electromagnetic field at the expense of bandwidth.Using our original plane-wave continuum model,we find that the photonic system has a larger band asymmetry.The band structure can easily be engineered by adjusting the device geometry,giving significant freedom in the design of devices.Our work provides a fundamental understanding of the photonic properties of twisted bilayer photonic crystals and opens the door to the nanoscale-based enhancement of nonlinear effects.

Retrorsine Cooperates with Gut Microbiota to Promote Hepatic Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome by Disrupting the Gut Barrier

Background and Aims:Hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome(HSOS)is a life-threatening syndrome,and a cause is exposure to pyrrolizidine alkaloid(PA)-containing products.It is well-established that retrorsine(RTS),a rep-resentative Pas,insults hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells and ensues congestion of hepatic sinusoids.However,little known about the impact of Pas on gut microbiota and intesti-nal barrier and inflammation in HSOS.Methods:Mice were gavaged with or without nonabsorbable antibiotics(ABX),followed by a single dose of RTS.The gut microbiota was examined by 16S rDNA sequencing.Results:ABX pretreat-ment significantly reversed RTS-induced liver damage.RTS altered gut microbiota composition,increasing Gram-nega-tive bacteria and resulting in a sharp elevation of circulating lipopolysaccharides(LPS)in HSOS mice.Gut decontamina-tion with ABX alleviated RTS-induced intestine inflamma-tion,protected against disruption of the intestinal epithelial barrier and gut vascular barrier(GVB),and suppressed he-patic LPS-NF-κB pathway activation in RTS-induced HSOS.Importantly,the LPS level was positively correlated with MELD score in patients with HSOS.Elevated LPS in patients with HSOS confirmed that Gram-negative bacteria were in-volved in the pathogenesis of HSOS.Conclusions:RTS,a PA,cooperated with gut dysbiosis to cause intestinal inflam-mation and gut barrier compromise that increased transport of gut-derived LPS into the liver through the portal vein,which contributed to the pathology of HSOS.Modulating the gut microbiota,protecting the intestinal barrier,and sup-pressing intestinal inflammation with prebiotics or antibiot-ics might be a useful pharmacologic intervention in HSOS.

维生素D受体基因多态性与吸烟人群慢性阻塞性肺疾病易感性研究

目的探讨长沙地区汉族吸烟人群中维生素D受体(VDR)基因多态性与慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)易感性的关系。方法针对长沙地区汉族吸烟人群,共收集50例在长沙市第三医院呼吸内科门诊就诊的有吸烟史的COPD稳定期患者,设为吸烟COPD组;同时收集50例在同院同期体检中心体检的吸烟健康者,设为吸烟对照组。采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)法检测VDR基因多态位点Apa I、Bsm I以及Taq I的基因型,探讨VDR基因多态性与COPD易感性的关系。结果吸烟COPD组与吸烟对照组之间Apa I位点的aa、Aa、AA基因型频率分布差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。以Aa+AA基因型做参照,携带aa基因型可能增加吸烟人群COPD的发病风险(OR=2.786,95%CI:1.215~6.389)。2组的a、A等位基因频率分布差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),且与携带等位基因A相比,携带等位基因a的个体可能增加吸烟人群COPD的发病风险(OR=1.897,95% CI:1.042~3.457)。2组Bsm I与Taq I位点的基因型频率分布差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论Apa I的基因多态性可能增加吸烟人群COPD的易感性,而Bsm I以及Taq I位点多态性可能与吸烟人群COPD的易感性无关联。

Low threshold anti-Stokes Raman laser on-chip

Raman lasers based on integrated silica whispering gallery mode resonant cavities have enabled numerous applications from telecommunications to biodetection. To overcome the intrinsically low Raman gain value of silica, these devices leverage their ultrahigh quality factors(Q), allowing submilliwatt stimulated Raman scattering(SRS) lasing thresholds to be achieved. A closely related nonlinear behavior to SRS is stimulated anti-Stokes Raman scattering(SARS). This nonlinear optical process combines the pump photon with the SRS photon to generate an upconverted photon. Therefore, in order to achieve SARS, the efficiency of the SRS process must be high. As a result, achieving SARS in on-chip resonant cavities has been challenging due to the low lasing efficiencies of these devices. In the present work, metal-doped ultrahigh Q(Q > 10~7) silica microcavity arrays are fabricated on-chip. The metal-dopant plays multiple roles in improving the device performance. It increases the Raman gain of the cavity material, and it decreases the optical mode area, thus increasing the circulating intensity. As a result, these devices have SRS lasing efficiencies that are over 10× larger than conventional silica microcavities while maintaining low lasing thresholds. This combination enables SARS to be generated with submilliwatt input powers and significantly improved anti-Stokes Raman lasing efficiency.

Predictive Model of Ursodeoxycholic Acid Treatment Response in Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Background and Aims:Although ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA)treatment in primary biliary cholangitis is effective in many patients,there are still many people who respond poorly to it.Identifying and intervening these patients early is important.Therefore,exploring the risk factors and proposing a predictor index to predict the UDCA treatment nonresponse earlier among primary biliary cholangitis patients were the aims of this research.Methods:A total of 135 primary biliary cholangitis patients treated with UDCA(13–15 mg/kg/d)were enrolled in this retrospective study.The response to treatment was evaluated based on Paris I criteria.The univariate and logistic multivariate regression analyses were adopted to determine the independent risk factors and propose a predictor index.Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the predictive ability of the predictor index.Results:Total bilirubin,albumin,globulin,immunoglobin M,and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index were the five independent risk factors associating with early biochemical nonresponse to UDCA treatment.Based on these factors,we established a predictor index with the predictive value being 0.886(sensitivity:82.80%,specificity:84.40%).Conclusions:We developed a predictor index that had an accurate prediction of the early biochemical nonresponse to UDCA treatment,which is expected to provide valuable information for the high-risk group before treatment begins.

Hepatitis Virus-associated Non-hodgkin Lymphoma: Pathogenesis and Treatment Strategies

Over the last decade,epidemiological studies have discovered a link between hepatitis C virus(HCV)and hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection and non-Hodgkin lymphoma(NHL).The regression of HCV-associated NHL after HCV eradication is the most compelling proof supporting HCV infection’s role in lymphoproliferative diseases.HBV infection was found to significantly enhance the incidence of NHL,according to the epidemiological data.The exact mechanism of HCV leading to NHL has not been fully clarified,and there are mainly the following possible mechanisms:(1)Indirect mechanisms:stimulation of B lymphocytes by extracellular HCV and cytokines;(2)Direct mechanisms:oncogenic effects mediated by intracellular HCV proteins;(3)hit-and-run mechanism:permanent genetic B lymphocytes damage by the transitional entry of HCV.The specific role of HBV in the occurrence of NHL is still unclear,and the research on its mechanism is less extensively explored than HCV,and there are mainly the following possible mechanisms:(1)Indirect mechanisms:stimulation of B lymphocytes by extracellular HBV;(2)Direct mechanisms:oncogenic effects mediated by intracellular HBV DNA.In fact,it is reasonable to consider direct-acting antivirals(DAAs)as first-line therapy for indolent HCV-associated BNHL patients who do not require immediate chemotherapy.Chemotherapy for NHL is affected by HBV infection and replication.At the same time,chemotherapy can also activate HBV replication.Following recent guidelines,all patients withHBsAg positive/HBV DNA≥2,000IU/mL should be treated for HBV.The data on epidemiology,interventional studies,and molecular mechanisms of HCV and HBV-associated B-NHL are systematically summarized in this review.