Aboveground biomass stocks of species-rich natural forests in southern China are influenced by stand structural attributes,species richness and precipitation

Forests,the largest terrestrial carbon sinks,play an important role in carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation.Although forest attributes and environmental factors have been shown to impact aboveground biomass,their influence on biomass stocks in species-rich forests in southern China,a biodiversity hotspot,has rarely been investigated.In this study,we characterized the effects of environmental factors,forest structure,and species diversity on aboveground biomass stocks of 30 plots(1 ha each) in natural forests located within seven nature reserves distributed across subtropical and marginal tropical zones in Guangxi,China.Our results indicate that forest aboveground biomass stocks in this region are lower than those in mature tropical and subtropical forests in other regions.Furthermore,we found that aboveground biomass was positively correlated with stand age,mean annual precipitation,elevation,structural attributes and species richness,although not with species evenness.When we compared stands with the same basal area,we found that aboveground biomass stock was higher in communities with a higher coefficient of variation of diameter at breast height.These findings highlight the importance of maintaining forest structural diversity and species richness to promote aboveground biomass accumulation and reveal the potential impacts of precipitation changes resulting from climate warming on the ecosystem services of subtropical and northern tropical forests in China.Notably,many natural forests in southern China are not fully stocked.Therefore,their continued growth will increase their carbon storage over time.

Comparative analysis of DNA extraction protocols for ancient soft tissue museum samples

DNA studies of endangered or extinct species often rely on ancient or degraded remains.The majority of ancient DNA(aDNA)extraction protocols focus on skeletal elements,with skin and hair samples rarely explored.Similar to that found in bones and teeth,DNA extracted from historical or ancient skin and fur samples is also extremely fragmented with low endogenous content due to natural degradation processes.Thus,the development of effective DNA extraction methods is required for these materials.Here,we compared the performance of two DNA extraction protocols(commercial and custom laboratory aDNA methods)on hair and skin samples from decades-old museum specimens to Iron Age archaeological material.We found that apart from the impact sample-specific taphonomic and handling history has on the quantity and quality of DNA preservation,skin yielded more endogenous DNA than hair of the samples and protocols tested.While both methods recovered DNA from ancient soft tissue,the laboratory method performed better overall in terms of DNA yield and quality,which was primarily due to the poorer performance of the commercial binding buffer in recovering aDNA.

Role of platelet TLR4 expression in pathogensis of septic thrombocytopenia

BACKGROUND： Infection-induced thrombocytopenia （TCP） is an independent risk factor for death of patients with sepsis, but its mechanism is unknown. This study aimed to explore the underlying mechanism of TCP based on the relationship between TLR4 expression and platelet activation in septic patients. METHODS： A total of 64 patients with sepsis were prospectively studied. Platelet count （PC）, mean platelet volume （MPV）, platelet distribution width （PDW）, platelet TLR4 expression, platelet PAC-1 expression, sCD40L and TNF-a concentrations were compared between the healthy control group （15 volunteers） and sepsis group （64 patients） at admission and on the 3, 5, and 9 days after admission. The changes of MPV and PDW in the TCP and non-TCP subgroups of sepsis before and after treatment were recorded. Prognostic index was analyzed. RESULTS：PC was lower in the sepsis group （P=0.006）, and MPV and PDW were higher in the sepsis group than those in the healthy control group （P=0.046, P=0.001）. Platelet TLR4 and PAC-1 expressions, and sCD40L and TNF-a levels increased more significantly in the sepsis group （P〈0.001）. PAC-1 expression and TNF-a level were higher in the TCP group than in the non-TCP group before and after treatment （P=0.023, P=0.011）. sCD40L concentration and platelet TLR4 expression were significantly higher in the treated TCP group than in the non-TCP group （P=0.047, P=0.001）. Compared to the non-TCP group, the rate of bleeding was higher （P=0.024） and the length of ICU stay was longer （P=0.013）. The APACHE II score and the 28-day mortality were higher in the TCP group （P〈0.01, P=0.048）. CONCLUSIONS：The elevation of platelet TLR4 expression in sepsis along with platelet activation is closely related to the incidence of thrombocytopenia. The occurrence of TCP is a sign of poor prognosis in sepsis patients.

Cannabinomimetric Lipids:From Natural Extract to Artificial Synthesis

Endocannabinoid system is related with various physiological and cognitive processes including fertility,pregnancy,during pre-and postnatal development,pain-sensation,mood,appetite,and memory.In the latest decades,an important milestone concerning the endocannabinoid system was the discovery of the existence of the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2.Anandamide was the first reported endogenous metabolite,which adjusted the release of some neurotransmitters through binding to the CB1 or CB2 receptors.Then a series of cannabinomimetric lipids were extracted from marine organisms,which possessed similar structure with anandamide.This review will provide a short account about cannabi-nomimetric lipids for their extraction and synthesis.

Schroth exercises improve health-related quality of life and radiographic parameters in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients

Background:Finding an optimal treatment strategy for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis(AIS)patients remains challenging because of its intrinsic complexity.For mild to moderate scoliosis patients with lower skeletal growth potential(Risser 3-5),most clinicians agree with observation treatment;however,the curve progression that occurs during puberty,the adolescent period,and even in adulthood,remains a challenging issue for clinicians.The aim of the study is to investigate the efficacy of Schroth exercise in AIS patients with lower skeletal growth potential(Risser 3-5)and moderate scoliosis(Cobb angle 20°-40°).Methods:From 2015 to 2017,data of 64 patients diagnosed with AIS in Peking University Third Hospital were reviewed.Forty-three patients underwent Schroth exercise were classified as Schroth group,and 21 patients underwent observation were classified as observation group.Outcomes were measured by health-related quality of life(HRQOL)and radiographic parameters.HRQOL was assessed using the visual analog scale(VAS)scores for back,Scoliosis Research Society-22(SRS-22)patient questionnaire.Radiographic spinopelvic parameters were obtained from anteroposterior and lateral X-rays.The pre-treatment and post-treatment HRQOL and radiographic parameters were tested to validate Schroth exercise efficacy.The inter-rater reliability of the radiographic parameters was tested using the interclass correlation coefficient(ICC).The pairedt test was used to examine HRQOL and radiographic parameters.Clinical relevance between C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis(SVA)and thoracic kyphosis was analyzed using Spearman correlation.Results:In Schroth group,VAS back score,SRS-22 pain,and SRS-22 self-image domain were significantly improved from pre-treatment 3.0±0.8,3.6±0.5,and 3.5±0.7 to post-treatment 1.6±0.6(t=5.578,P=0.013),4.0±0.3(t=-3.918,P=0.001),and 3.7±0.4(t=-6.468,P<0.001),respectively.No significant improvements of SRS-22 function domain(t=-2.825,P=0.088)and mental health domain(t=-3.174,P=0.061)were observed.The mean Cobb angle decreased from 28.9±5.5°to 26.3±5.2°at the final follow-up,despite no statistical significance was observed(t=1.853,P=0.102).The mean C2-C7 SVA value decreased from 21.7±8.4 mm to 17.0±8.0 mm(t=-1.224P=0.049)and mean T1 tilt decreased from 4.9±4.2°to 3.5±3.1°(t=2.913,P=0.011).No significant improvement of radiographic parameters and HRQOL were observed in observation group.Conclusions:For AIS patients with a Risser 3-5 and a Cobb angle 20°-40°,Schroth exercises improved HRQOL and halted curve progression during the follow-up period.Both cervical spine alignment and shoulder balance were also significantly improved after Schroth exercises.We recommend Schroth exercises for patients with AIS.

Oral administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG to newborn piglets augments gut barrier function in pre-weaning piglets

To understand the effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG(ATCC 53103)on intestinal barrier function in pre-weaning piglets under normal conditions,twenty-four newborn littermate piglets were randomly divided into two groups.Piglets in the control group were orally administered with 2 mL 0.1 g/mL sterilized skim milk while the treatment group was administered the same volume of sterilized skim milk with the addition of viable L.rhamnosus at the 1st,3rd,and 5th days after birth.The feeding trial was conducted for 25 d.Results showed that piglets in the L.rhamnosus group exhibited increased weaning weight and average daily weight gain,whereas diarrhea incidence was decreased.The bacterial abundance and composition of cecal contents,especially Firmicutes,Bacteroidetes,and Fusobacteria,were altered by probiotic treatment.In addition,L.rhamnosus increased the jejunal permeability and promoted the immunologic barrier through regulating antimicrobial peptides,cytokines,and chemokines via Toll-like receptors.Our findings indicate that oral administration of L.rhamnosus GG to newborn piglets is beneficial for intestinal health of pre-weaning piglets by improving the biological,physical,and immunologic barriers of intestinal mucosa.

Tissue lipid metabolism and hepatic metabolomic profiling in response to supplementation of fermented cottonseed meal in the diets of broiler chickens

This study investigated the effects of fermented cottonseed meal（FCSM） on lipid metabolites, lipid metabolism-related gene expression in liver tissues and abdominal adipose tissues, and hepatic metabolomic profiling in broiler chickens. One hundred and eighty 21-d-old broiler chickens were randomly divided into three diet groups with six replicates of 10 birds in each group. The three diets consisted of a control diet supplemented with unfermented cottonseed meal, an experimental diet of cottonseed meal fermented by Candida tropicalis, and a second experimental diet of cottonseed meal fermented by C. tropicalis plus Saccharomyces cerevisae. The results showed that FCSM intake significantly decreased the levels of abdominal fat and hepatic triglycerides（P〈0.05 for both）. Dietary FCSM supplementation down-regulated the m RNA expression of fatty acid synthase and acetyl Co A carboxylase in liver tissues and the lipoprotein lipase expression in abdominal fat tissues（P〈0.05 for both）. FCSM intake resulted in significant metabolic changes of multiple pathways in the liver involving the tricarboxylic acid cycle, synthesis of fatty acids, and the metabolism of glycerolipid and amino acids. These findings indicated that FCSM regulated lipid metabolism by increasing or decreasing the expression of the lipid-related gene and by altering multiple endogenous metabolites. Lipid metabolism regulation is a complex process, this discovery provided new essential information about the effects of FCSM diets in broiler chickens and demonstrated the great potential of nutrimetabolomics in researching complex nutrients added to animal diets.

Observing dynamic oscillatory behavior of triple points among black hole thermodynamic phase transitions

Understanding the dynamic process of black hole thermodynamic phase transitions at a triple point is a huge challenge. In this paper, we conduct the first investigation of dynamic phase behavior at a black hole triple point. By numerically solving the Smoluchowski equation near the triple point for a six-dimensional charged Gauss-Bonnet anti-de Sitter black hole, we report that initial small, intermediate, or large black holes can transit to the other two coexistent phases at the triple point, indicating that thermodynamic phase transitions can indeed occur dynamically. More significantly, we observe characteristic weak and strong oscillatory behavior in this dynamic process, which can be understood from an investigation of the rate of first passage from one phase to another. Our results further an understanding of the dynamic process of black hole thermodynamic phase transitions.

Disruption of egg-specific protein causes female sterility in Bombyx mori

Yolk proteins are the main source of nutrients during embryonic and early larval development in oviparous animals. Therefore, vitellogenesis is crucial for reproduction. The silkworm, Bombyx mori, is a model lepidopteran insect in which there are three yolk proteins: vitellin, 30-kDa protein, and egg-specific protein (Esp). In this study, we explored the gene function of Esp through transgenic clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR) / CRISPR-associated protein 9 technology-mediated mutations in the silkworm. We found that Esp mutation resulted in female sterility but had no effect on male fertility. Female mutants could lay eggs after mating, but the eggs were smaller and lighter colored than those laid by wild-type females. The most important finding is that the eggs laid by female mutants did not hatch. Furthermore, we observed stable inheritance of female sterility caused by Esp mutation through successive generations. Thus, Esp encodes a yolk protein that is crucial for female reproductive success and is a potential target for pest control.

Isolation and Characterization of a Putative Class E Gene from Taihangia rupestris

Studies In model plants showed that SEPALLATA （SEP） genes are required for the Identification of floral organs and the determination of floral meristems In Arabidopsis. In this paper a SEP homolog, TrSEP3, was Isolated from a China-specific species, Taihangla rupestrisi Yü et LI. Phylogenetlc analysis showed that the gene belongs to the SEP3-clade of SEP （previous AGL2） subfamily. In situ hybridization was used to reveal the potential functional specification, and the results showed that TrSEP3 expression was first observed in floral meristems and then confined to the floral primordla of the three inner whorls. In the matured flower, TrSEP3 was strongly expressed In the tips of pistils and weak In stamens and petals. The evolution force analysis shows that TrSEP3 might undergo a relaxed negative selection. These results suggested that TrSEP3 may not only function In determining the identity of floral merlstems and the primordia of three inner whorls, but also function In matured reproductive organs.

Excited states of holographic superconductors from massive gravity

In this paper,we generalize the study of the model of holographic superconductors in excited states to the framework of massive gravity at the probe limit.By taking into account the effect of a massive graviton,we numerically present a family of solutions for holographic superconductors in excited states and find that the critical temperatures can be higher due to the effect of the massive graviton,in comparison with the superconductor in Einstein gravity.We also investigate the condensates and conductivities in the ground state and the excited states by studying various parameters that determine the framework of gravity background.

Zero Temperature Numerical Studies of Multiband Lattice Models of Strongly Correlated Electrons

Relative to single-band models,multiband models of strongly interacting electron systems are of growing interest because of their wider range of novel phenomena and their closer match to the electronic structure of real materials.In this brief review we discuss the physics of three multiband models(the three-band Hubbard,the periodic Anderson,and the Falicov-Kimball models)that was obtained by numerical simulations at zero temperature.We first give heuristic descriptions of the three principal numerical methods(the Lanczos,the density matrix renormalization group,and the constrainedpath Monte Carlo methods).We then present generalized versions of the models and discuss the measurables most often associated with them.Finally,we summarize the results of their ground state numerical studies.While each model was developed to study specific phenomena,unexpected phenomena,usually of a subtle quantum mechanical nature,are often exhibited.Just as often,the predictions of the numerical simulations differ from those of mean-field theories.