Relationship between species diversity and tree size in natural forests around the Tropic of Cancer

Although numerous hypotheses have been proposed to explain the patterns of species diversity of forests at local and landscape levels,it is still difficult to predict the alpha diversity of species,especially in tropical and subtropical natural forests where trees of different sizes and shapes are highly mixed.Size might characterize species diversity,and the possible correlation between these variables may contribute to the development of easy-to-use growth indicators to predict diversity and to understand the status of trees within a stand.In this study,diameter classes were divided using the equal diameter class(EDC)and minimum measured diameter(MMD)methods,and five species diversity indices were calculated for each diameter class of 14 permanent plots in five national nature reserves surrounding the Tropic of Cancer(23.5°),southwest China.The results show that species richness,abundance,and spatial diversity indices decreased in a typical inverted J-shape pattern with increasing diameter class and MMD,and could be easily modeled by a negative exponential function.The ShannonWiener index showed a linear decrease while Pielou’s evenness index displayed a linear increase,with a small degree of instability.The results suggest that species diversity in subtropical forests is closely related to tree size,and the relationship is possibly independent of habitat.Measuring DBH of some trees in a stand could be informative regarding species diversity and contribute to the investigation and assessment of biodiversity.

Schisandrin B exerts anticancer effects on human gastric cancer cells through ROS-mediated MAPK,STAT3,and NF-κB pathways

Schisandrin B(Sch B)is a monomer with anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects,which are isolated from the plant Schisandra chinensis(Turcz)Baillon.We investigated the anti-gastric cancer(GC)effects of Sch B and its underlying molecular mechanisms.The Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was used to determine the effects of Sch B on the viability of GC and normal cell lines.Hoechst/propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry were used to assess the apoptosis induction of Sch B.Western blotting was used to evaluate the effects of Sch B on downstream apoptotic proteins.The DCFH-DA fluorescent probe was used to assess the regulatory effects of Sch B on reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels and related signaling pathways in GC cells.The results showed that Sch B could regulate the phosphorylation level of mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)by upregulating ROS accumulation in gastric cancer cells,and then reduce the expression of nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)and phosphorylated transcription 3(p-STAT3).In addition,Sch B downregulated the cell cycle proteins cyclin-dependent kinase 2/4/6 and cyclin D1/E,and arrested cells in the G0/G1 phase.Moreover,it also inhibited cell migration,which was reversed with Nacetylcysteine pretreatment.In summary,Sch B has killing effects on GC cells by upregulating the production of intracellular ROS and regulating the MAPK/STAT3/NF-κB signaling pathway,leading to the migration arrest and apoptosis of GC cells.

Review on marine collagen peptides induce cancer cell apoptosis,necrosis,and autophagy by reducing oxidized free radicals

Marine collagen peptides(MCPs)are natural products prepared by hydrolyzing marine collagen protein through a variety of chemical methods or enzymes.MCPs have a range of structures and biological activities and are widely present in marine species.MCPs also have a small molecular weight,are easily modified,and absorbed by the body.These properties have attracted great interest from researchers studying antioxidant,anti-tumor,and anti-aging activities.MCPs of specific molecular weights have significant anti-tumor activity and no toxic side effects.Thus,MCPs have the potential use as anti-cancer adjuvant drugs.Free radicals produced by oxidation are closely related to human aging,cancer,arteriosclerosis,and other diseases,but their relationship with cancer is not well known.In this review,we focus on the antioxidant properties of MCPs in the treatment of cancer,highlighting their antioxidant molecular structure and potential for clinical practice.

Pharmacological Effects and Molecular Mechanism of Osthole

Osthole has various pharmacological effects such as anti-cancer,anti-inflammation,prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and neuroprotection.This paper reviews the advances in the research of the pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms of osthole,in order to provide new ideas for further research and clinical application of osthole.

Purification Process,Content Determination,Pharmacological Activity and Molecular Mechanism of Neogambogic Acid

Neogambogic acid is characterized by broad antitumor spectrum,good antitumor effect and low toxicity and side effects.This paper reviews the purification process,content determination and pharmacologic activity of neogambogic acid,in order to provide a theoretical reference for the research and application of neogambogic acid.

Purification Process and Biological Activity of Daphnoretin

Daphnoretin,belonging to coumarin compounds,is the main active ingredient of Wikstroemia indica,and has anti-inflammatory,anti-depression,anti-tumor and other pharmacological activities.This article reviews the extraction and purification process,content determination methods and pharmacological activity of daphnoretin,in order to provide a theoretical reference for optimization of purification process,improvement of content determination technique and further clinical application of daphnoretin.

Molecular Mechanism of Induction on Apoptosis of Human Esophageal Cancer HCE-4 Cells by Active Components from Astragalus membranaceus

[Objectives] To investigate the pharmacologic effects of active components from A. membranaceus on human esophageal cancer HCE-4 cells and its apoptosis mechanism. [Methods] The viabilities of HCE-4 cells were measured by MTT assay. The induction of active components from A. membranaceus on apoptosis of HCE-4 cells was detected by Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining. The apoptotic-related protein expression levels were determined by Western blotting. [Results] Formononetin and astragaloside IV suppressed the proliferation of HCE-4 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining results showed that formononetin and astragaloside IV could induce HCE-4 cells apoptosis in a time-dependent manner. The Western blotting results showed that formononetin and astragaloside IV could significantly down-regulate p-AKT,pro-caspase-3,and increase cle-caspase-3 protein expression in HCE-4 cells. [Conclusions]Active components from A. membranaceus such as formononetin and astragaloside IV significantly inhibited the proliferation of human esophageal cancer HCE-4 cells by inducing mitochondrial dependent apoptosis via AKT signaling pathway.

Advances in Research on Anti-cancer Mechanism of 18β Glycyrrhetinic Acid

Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch has been used to treat the symptoms of organ fever, food poisoning, typhoid fever, sore throat, cough due to lung heat, children's diseases and so on since the ancient times. It is a solid Chinese herbal medicine which is good for the health. In recent years, it has been found that licorice extract also has excellent anti-cancer effect. The 18β glycyrrhetinic acid, obtained by hydrolysis of precursor glycyrrhizic acid, is a relatively efficient anti-cancer ingredient. 18β glycyrrhetinic acid can exert anti-cancer effects by inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis of cancer cells, inhibiting invasion and metastasis of cancer cells, preventing oxidation, inhibiting neovascularization, inhibiting lymphangiogenesis, and regulating hormone secretion. This paper reviewed the advances in research of the anticancer mechanism of 18β glycyrrhetinic acid, to provide a theoretical basis for future research.

Brief Study on Application of New Indoor Lawn in Northern Areas of China

At present,the development and function research of lawn has become diversified,and the application of lawn has been extended from outdoor to indoor environment. The indoor lawn has functions of absorbing toxic and harmful gases,releasing oxygen,increasing air humidity and regulating temperature. It can effectively improve the indoor air quality of northern areas,purify and beautify the home environment.This paper elaborated the purpose and significance of the application of new indoor lawn,the establishment methods of the indoor lawn,and the application design of the indoor lawn landscape.

Research and Practice on the Training Mode of Innovative and Entrepreneurial Talents in Colleges and Universities:A Case Study of Academic Association of"Federation of Life Science Research and Innovation"

Taking the academic association of the Federation of Life Science Research and Innovation of the College of Life Science and Biotechnology of Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University as the research platform,it is necessary to organically combine personalized education with the cultivation of innovative and entrepreneurial ability.On the basis of unified teaching ideas,we should pay attention to the individual differences of educational objects,eliminate the disadvantages of traditional education,and break the conventional"spoon-feeding"teaching mode.It is necessary to shift from only paying attention to one-way indoctrination to paying attention to the cultivation of students'innovative quality,and to enhance students'interest in scientific research and practical ability of innovation and entrepreneurship through the rich scientific research activities of academic associations.

Apoptotic Effect of Cryptotanshinone on Human Melanoma A375 Cells

[Objectives] The aim was to investigate the effect of cryptotanshinone on apoptosis of human melanoma A375 cells and its related mechanism of mitochondrial pathway.[Methods]The cytotoxic effect of cryptotanshinone on apoptosis of human melanoma A375 cells was detected by MTT colorimetry.The apoptosis of melanoma A375 cells was detected with Annexin V-FITC/PI and observed by fluorescence inverted microscope.The expression of apoptosis-related proteins was detected by Western blotting.[Results]The viability of the A375 cells decreased with the increase of drug concentration.The fluorescence intensity of the cells increased with the treatment time.The expression of pro-apoptotic protein caspase-3 gradually increased,while the expression of apoptosis-inhibiting proteins p-AKT and Bcl-2 gradually reduced.[Conclusions]Cryptotanshinone induces apoptosis of human melanoma A375 cells via AKT signaling pathway,thus exerting a good cytotoxic effect on A375 cells.

Pro-apoptotic Effects of OSNQ on Human Colon Cancer SW480 Cells

[Objectives] The aim was to elucidate the pro-apoptosis mechanism of naphthoquinone derivative 2-octyl sulfoxide-1,4-naphthoquinone(OSNQ) on human colon cancer SW480 cells.[Methods]The cytotoxic effect of OSNQ on colon cancer SW480 cells was detected by MTT colorimetry.The pro-apoptotic effect of OSNQ on human colon cancer SW480 cells was detected by Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining.The changes in expression of apoptosis-related proteins were detected by Western blot.[Results]The results of MTT assay showed that OSNQ had a significant cytotoxic effect on colon cancer SW480 cells.The results of Western blot showed that OSNQ induced the apoptosis in colon cancer SW480 cells through promoting the expression of pro-apoptotic caspase-3 and inhibiting the expression of apoptosis-inhibiting protein Bcl-2.[Conclusions] OSNQ has a significant cytotoxic effect on colon cancer SW480 cells,and it induces the apoptosis of colon cancer SW480 cells by AKT signaling pathway.

Research Progress on Biological Activity of Cytisine

Cytisine(Cyt) is a kind of quinolizidine alkaloids mainly existing in seeds of plants from Laburnum of Leguminosae sp. In recent years, various biological activities of Cyt have been explored gradually, and it has the effects of quitting smoking, promoting breathing, analgesia, and anti-cancer. At anti-cancer aspect, Cyt could induce apoptosis of cancer cells, and has been widely applied to inhibit proliferation of multiple tumor cells. At quitting smoking aspect, Cyt could be taken as selective local agonist to decline smokers' dependence on nicotine, and it is expected to be widely used in quitting smoking. At analgesia aspect, Cyt could regulate reflective exciting breathing and has been widely used in anesthesia of patients in clinical operation. In this paper, through consulting and verifying a large number of documents, biological activities of Cyt and its related action mechanisms are summarized, to provide theoretic basis for the development and utilization of Cyt.

Pharmacological Mechanism of Isoliquiritigenin Antitumor

Isoliquiritigenin could play an antitumor role by inhibiting proliferation of tumor cells, inducing apoptosis of tumor cells and resisting neovascularity. In this paper, antitumor activity and mechanism of isoliquiritigenin are summarized.

Study on Anti-tumor Activity and Mechanism of Isoorientin

Isoorientin can play an anti-tumor effect through interfering with tumor cell proliferation, inducing tumor cell apoptosis, regulating reactive oxygen species level, inducing tumor cell autophagy, blocking tumor cell infiltration and metastasis, inhibiting tumor neovascularization and other pathways. This paper reviews the research progress of anti-tumor activity and mechanism of isoorientin in recent years.

Advance in Research on Anti-tumor Pharmacological Mechanism of Cryptotanshinone

Cryptotanshinone is a natural active ingredient extracted from traditional Chinese medicine Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae.It has a variety of pharmacological effects,in addition to preventing and treating ischemic diseases,coronary artery disease Alzheimer's disease and fighting tumors.The anti-tumor effects are exerted through inhibiting tumor cell proliferation,inducing tumor cell apoptosis,inhibiting tumor metastasis and invasion,inhibiting angiogenesis and regulating reactive oxygen species levels.The studies on the anti-tumor activity and action mechanism of cryptotanshinone in recent years are reviewed in this article.

Development of College Students' Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ability under the Model of Personalized Education

The essence of personalized education is an innovative education that respects individual differences. With the continuous evolution of the times,the ability of innovation and entrepreneurship has become the key to reflecting comprehensive national strength. In response to the call of China to build " an innovative country",colleges and universities should cultivate students' individualized thinking and methods and abilities to solve problems on the basis of respecting the creativity and subjectivity of college students,and lay a solid foundation for students' future innovation and entrepreneurship. In this paper,the present situation of students' independent development promoted by personalized education at home and abroad was analyzed firstly,and the existing problems and solutions were pointed out. The study aims to contribute to the acceleration of China's innovation-driven development.

Research Progress on Biological Activity of Sciadopitysin

Sciadopitysin(SP)belongs to flavonoids.Recent studies showed that sciadopitysin has anti-tumor,anti-oxidation,treatment of osteoporosis,diabetic osteopathy,Alzheimer's disease and other effects.This study will review the biological activity and related action mechanism of the sciadopitysin in recent years,in order to provide theoretical basis and reference for the future research and drug development of the sciadopitysin.

Research Progress on Pharmacological Action of 5-O-methylvisammioside

5-O-methylvisammioside is a chemical derived from the dry root of Saposhnikovia divaricata,which has the functions of expelling pathogenic wind from body surface,removing dampness to relieve pain,and relieving convulsion.Recent studies have found that 5-O-methylvisammioside can play a variety of pharmacological effects such as anti-tumor,anti-inflammation,anti-virus and anti-depression through a variety of ways.The paper reviews the pharmacological action and mechanism of 5-O-methylvisammioside in recent years.

Effect of Different Inoculation Methods on Pathogenicity of Fusarium proliferatum to Alfalfa

[Objectives]To find out the suitable inoculation method for Fusarium proliferatum.[Methods]Longmu 801 and TG4 were inoculated with rice grain-based inoculum at the bud and seedling stages and with root irrigation at the seedling stage,respectively,and then,the plant height,aboveground biomass,underground biomass,incidence rate and disease index of the alfalfa were determined to conduct comprehensive resistance evaluation.[Results]There was obvious difference in disease resistance between the two alfalfa varieties.Among the three inoculation methods,the relative plant height,relative aboveground biomass and relative underground biomass of Longmu 801 differed insignificantly(P>0.05),all around 100.There were significant differences in TG4 among different inoculation methods(P<0.05).The incidence rates and disease indices of Longmu 801 and TG4 inoculated with rice grain-based inoculum at the bud stage were the highest,and their incidence rates and disease indices were 73.3%and 100%,and 40 and 60,respectively,significantly higher than those under the other two inoculation methods.The incidence rates and disease indices of Longmu 801 and TG4 inoculated with rice grain-based inoculum at the seedling stage were the lowest,and their incidence rates and disease indices were 0%and 13.30%,and 0 and 5.33,respectively,significantly lower than those under the other two inoculation methods.[Conclusions]The inoculation time and inoculation method of the pathogen both affect the inoculation effect.Among the three inoculation methods,the inoculation with rice grain-based inoculum at the bud stage is the most pathogenic to alfalfa seedlings,and can be popularized in the resistance evaluation of alfalfa to root diseases.