Vegetation restoration through artificial plantation is an effective method to combat desertification,especially in arid and semi-arid areas.This study aimed to explore the ecological effect of the plantation of Sabin...Vegetation restoration through artificial plantation is an effective method to combat desertification,especially in arid and semi-arid areas.This study aimed to explore the ecological effect of the plantation of Sabina vulgaris on soil physical and chemical properties on the southeastern fringe of the Mu Us Sandy Land,China.We collected soil samples from five depth layers(0-20,20-40,40-60,60-80,and 80-100 cm)in the S.vulgaris plantation plots across four plantation ages(4,7,10,and 16 years)in November 2019,and assessed soil physical(soil bulk density,soil porosity,and soil particle size)and chemical(soil organic carbon(SOC),total nitrogen(TN),available nitrogen(AN),available phosphorus(AP),available potassium(AK),cation-exchange capacity(CEC),salinity,p H,and C/N ratio)properties.The results indicated that the soil predominantly consisted of sand particles(94.27%-99.67%),with the remainder being silt and clay.As plantation age increased,silt and very fine sand contents progressively rose.After 16 years of planting,there was a marked reduction in the mean soil particle size.The initial soil fertility was low and declined from 4 to 10 years of planting before witnessing an improvement.Significant positive correlations were observed for the clay,silt,and very fine sand(mean diameter of 0.000-0.100 mm)with SOC,AK,and p H.In contrast,fine sand and medium sand(mean diameter of 0.100-0.500 mm)showed significant negative correlations with these indicators.Our findings ascertain that the plantation of S.vulgaris requires 10 years to effectively act as a windbreak and contribute to sand fixation,and needs 16 years to improve soil physical and chemical properties.Importantly,these improvements were found to be highly beneficial for vegetation restoration in arid and semi-arid areas.This research can offer valuable insights for the protection and restoration of the vegetation ecosystem in the sandy lands in China.展开更多
Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and can choose any one of the two alternative pathways for infection,i.e.,lysis or lysogeny.Phage lysis is one of the conventional biological processes required to sprea...Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and can choose any one of the two alternative pathways for infection,i.e.,lysis or lysogeny.Phage lysis is one of the conventional biological processes required to spread infection from one bacterium to another.Our analysis suggests that in the paradigm bacteriophage Mu,six proteins might be involved in host cell lysis.Mu has a broad host range,and Mu-like phages were found in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.An analysis of the genomes of Mu and Mu-like phages could be useful in elucidating the lysis mechanism in this group of phages.A detailed review of the various mechanisms of phage lysis and different proteins associated with the process will help researchers understand the phage biology and their life cycle in different bacteria.The recent increase in the number of multidrug-resistant(MDR)strains of bacteria and the usual long-term nature of new drug development has encouraged scientists to look for alternative strategies like phage therapy and the discovery of new lysis mechanisms.Understanding the lysis mechanism in the Mu-like phages could be exploited to develop alternative therapeutics to kill drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria.In this review article,we have analyzed the phage Mu-mediated host lysis system,which is unknown till now,and our analysis indicates a possibility of the existence of a new lysis mechanism operating in Mu.展开更多
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is one of the most common digestive system cancers with high mortality rates worldwide.The main ingredients in Mu Ji Fang Granules(MJF)are alkaloids,flavonoids,and polysaccharid...BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is one of the most common digestive system cancers with high mortality rates worldwide.The main ingredients in Mu Ji Fang Granules(MJF)are alkaloids,flavonoids,and polysaccharides.MJF has been used in the clinical treatment of hepatitis,cirrhosis and HCC for more than 30 years.Few previous studies have focused on the mechanism of MJF on tumor immunology in the treatment of HCC.AIM To explore the mechanism of action of MJF on tumor immunology in the treatment of HCC.METHODS The absorbable ingredients of MJF were identified using Molecule Network related to High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Electron Spray Ionization-Time of Flight-Mass Spectrometry,and hub potential anti-HCC targets were screened using network pharmacology and pathway enrichment analysis.Forty male mice were randomly divided into the Blank,Model,and MJF groups(1.8,5.4,and 10.8 g/kg/d)following 7 d of oral administration.Average body weight gain,spleen and thymus indices were calculated,tumor tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin,and Interferon gamma(IFN-γ),Tumor necrosis factorα(TNF-α),Interleukin-2,aspartate aminotransferase,alanine aminotransferase,alpha-fetoprotein(AFP),Fas,and FasL were measured by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay.Relevant mRNA expression of Bax and Bcl2 was evaluated by Real Time Quantitative PCR(RTqPCR)and protein expression of Transforming growth factorβ1(TGF-β1)and Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog(SMAD)4 was assessed by Western blotting.The HepG2 cell line was treated with 10 mg/mL,20 mg/mL,30 mg/mL,40 mg/mL of MJF,and another 3 groups were treated with TGF-β1 inhibitor(LY364947)and different doses of MJF.Relevant mRNA expression of TNF-α,IFN-γ,Bax and Bcl2 was evaluated by RT-qPCR and protein expression of TGF-β1,SMAD2,p-SMAD2,SMAD4,and SMAD7 was assessed by Western blotting.RESULTS It was shown that MJF improved body weight gain and tumor inhibition rate in H22 tumorbearing mice,protected immune organs and liver function,reduced the HCC indicator AFP,affected immunity and apoptosis,and up-regulated the TGF-β1/SMAD signaling pathway,by increasing the relative expression of TGF-β1,SMAD2,p-SMAD2 and SMAD4 and decreasing SMAD7,reducing immune factors TNF-αand IFN-γ,decreasing apoptosis cytokines Fas,FasL and Bcl2/Bax,and inhibiting the effect of LY364947 in HepG2 cells.CONCLUSION MJF inhibits HCC by activating the TGF-β1/SMAD signaling pathway,and affecting immune and apoptotic cytokines,which may be due to MJF adjusting immune escape and apoptosis.展开更多
The recent ecological improvement in the Mu Us Desert of China, largely attributed to large-scale afforestation projects, has created new opportunities for cultivation activities. However, the subsequent rapid increas...The recent ecological improvement in the Mu Us Desert of China, largely attributed to large-scale afforestation projects, has created new opportunities for cultivation activities. However, the subsequent rapid increase in reclamation on desertification land and its impact on desertification have raised concerns. In this study, we first extracted data on cultivated land and desertification land in 1975,1990, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020 through the human-computer interaction visual interpretation method. By overlaying the cultivated land dynamics and desertification land, we subsequently explored the effect of cultivation activities on desertification in the Mu Us Desert during the six periods from 1975 to 2020(1975–1990, 1990–2000, 2000–2005, 2005–2010, 2010–2015, and 2015–2020). The results showed that cultivated land in the Mu Us Desert showed a fluctuating and increasing trend from 3769.26 km~2 in 1975 to 4865.73 km~2 in 2020, with 2010 as the turning point for the recent rapid increase. The main contributors included the large and regular patches distributed in Yuyang District and Shenmu of Shaanxi Province, and relatively smaller patches concentrated in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The increased cultivated land from the reclamation on desertification land was dominated by moderate and severe desertification lands, and the decreased cultivated land that was transferred into desertification land as abandoned cultivated land was dominated by slight and moderate desertification lands. The effect of cultivation activities on desertification reversal(average area proportion of 10.61% for reversed desertification land) was greater than that of the development of desertification(average area proportion of 5.82% for developed desertification land). Nevertheless, compared to reversed desertification land,both the significant increase of developed desertification land during the periods of 2000–2005 and 2005–2010 and the insignificant decrease during the periods of 2005–2010, 2010–2015, and 2015–2020 implied a potential remobilization risk. Therefore, this study provides a significant theoretical reference for the formulation of ecological restoration projects and regional macroeconomic development policies by considering the influence of cultivation activities, to ensure the overall environmental stability and sustainability in desertification land where reclamation and abandonment activities have taken place.展开更多
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42171004)the Key Research and Development Program in Shaanxi Province,China(2021ZDLSF05-02)the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program(2019QZKK0403)。
文摘Vegetation restoration through artificial plantation is an effective method to combat desertification,especially in arid and semi-arid areas.This study aimed to explore the ecological effect of the plantation of Sabina vulgaris on soil physical and chemical properties on the southeastern fringe of the Mu Us Sandy Land,China.We collected soil samples from five depth layers(0-20,20-40,40-60,60-80,and 80-100 cm)in the S.vulgaris plantation plots across four plantation ages(4,7,10,and 16 years)in November 2019,and assessed soil physical(soil bulk density,soil porosity,and soil particle size)and chemical(soil organic carbon(SOC),total nitrogen(TN),available nitrogen(AN),available phosphorus(AP),available potassium(AK),cation-exchange capacity(CEC),salinity,p H,and C/N ratio)properties.The results indicated that the soil predominantly consisted of sand particles(94.27%-99.67%),with the remainder being silt and clay.As plantation age increased,silt and very fine sand contents progressively rose.After 16 years of planting,there was a marked reduction in the mean soil particle size.The initial soil fertility was low and declined from 4 to 10 years of planting before witnessing an improvement.Significant positive correlations were observed for the clay,silt,and very fine sand(mean diameter of 0.000-0.100 mm)with SOC,AK,and p H.In contrast,fine sand and medium sand(mean diameter of 0.100-0.500 mm)showed significant negative correlations with these indicators.Our findings ascertain that the plantation of S.vulgaris requires 10 years to effectively act as a windbreak and contribute to sand fixation,and needs 16 years to improve soil physical and chemical properties.Importantly,these improvements were found to be highly beneficial for vegetation restoration in arid and semi-arid areas.This research can offer valuable insights for the protection and restoration of the vegetation ecosystem in the sandy lands in China.
基金Hallym University Research Fund and by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF)Funded by the Ministry of Education(NRF-2020R1C1C1008694&NRF-2020R1I1A3074575).
文摘Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and can choose any one of the two alternative pathways for infection,i.e.,lysis or lysogeny.Phage lysis is one of the conventional biological processes required to spread infection from one bacterium to another.Our analysis suggests that in the paradigm bacteriophage Mu,six proteins might be involved in host cell lysis.Mu has a broad host range,and Mu-like phages were found in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.An analysis of the genomes of Mu and Mu-like phages could be useful in elucidating the lysis mechanism in this group of phages.A detailed review of the various mechanisms of phage lysis and different proteins associated with the process will help researchers understand the phage biology and their life cycle in different bacteria.The recent increase in the number of multidrug-resistant(MDR)strains of bacteria and the usual long-term nature of new drug development has encouraged scientists to look for alternative strategies like phage therapy and the discovery of new lysis mechanisms.Understanding the lysis mechanism in the Mu-like phages could be exploited to develop alternative therapeutics to kill drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria.In this review article,we have analyzed the phage Mu-mediated host lysis system,which is unknown till now,and our analysis indicates a possibility of the existence of a new lysis mechanism operating in Mu.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81874342Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province,No.2020-MZLH-35.
文摘BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is one of the most common digestive system cancers with high mortality rates worldwide.The main ingredients in Mu Ji Fang Granules(MJF)are alkaloids,flavonoids,and polysaccharides.MJF has been used in the clinical treatment of hepatitis,cirrhosis and HCC for more than 30 years.Few previous studies have focused on the mechanism of MJF on tumor immunology in the treatment of HCC.AIM To explore the mechanism of action of MJF on tumor immunology in the treatment of HCC.METHODS The absorbable ingredients of MJF were identified using Molecule Network related to High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Electron Spray Ionization-Time of Flight-Mass Spectrometry,and hub potential anti-HCC targets were screened using network pharmacology and pathway enrichment analysis.Forty male mice were randomly divided into the Blank,Model,and MJF groups(1.8,5.4,and 10.8 g/kg/d)following 7 d of oral administration.Average body weight gain,spleen and thymus indices were calculated,tumor tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin,and Interferon gamma(IFN-γ),Tumor necrosis factorα(TNF-α),Interleukin-2,aspartate aminotransferase,alanine aminotransferase,alpha-fetoprotein(AFP),Fas,and FasL were measured by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay.Relevant mRNA expression of Bax and Bcl2 was evaluated by Real Time Quantitative PCR(RTqPCR)and protein expression of Transforming growth factorβ1(TGF-β1)and Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog(SMAD)4 was assessed by Western blotting.The HepG2 cell line was treated with 10 mg/mL,20 mg/mL,30 mg/mL,40 mg/mL of MJF,and another 3 groups were treated with TGF-β1 inhibitor(LY364947)and different doses of MJF.Relevant mRNA expression of TNF-α,IFN-γ,Bax and Bcl2 was evaluated by RT-qPCR and protein expression of TGF-β1,SMAD2,p-SMAD2,SMAD4,and SMAD7 was assessed by Western blotting.RESULTS It was shown that MJF improved body weight gain and tumor inhibition rate in H22 tumorbearing mice,protected immune organs and liver function,reduced the HCC indicator AFP,affected immunity and apoptosis,and up-regulated the TGF-β1/SMAD signaling pathway,by increasing the relative expression of TGF-β1,SMAD2,p-SMAD2 and SMAD4 and decreasing SMAD7,reducing immune factors TNF-αand IFN-γ,decreasing apoptosis cytokines Fas,FasL and Bcl2/Bax,and inhibiting the effect of LY364947 in HepG2 cells.CONCLUSION MJF inhibits HCC by activating the TGF-β1/SMAD signaling pathway,and affecting immune and apoptotic cytokines,which may be due to MJF adjusting immune escape and apoptosis.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41971277, 41730752)。
文摘The recent ecological improvement in the Mu Us Desert of China, largely attributed to large-scale afforestation projects, has created new opportunities for cultivation activities. However, the subsequent rapid increase in reclamation on desertification land and its impact on desertification have raised concerns. In this study, we first extracted data on cultivated land and desertification land in 1975,1990, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020 through the human-computer interaction visual interpretation method. By overlaying the cultivated land dynamics and desertification land, we subsequently explored the effect of cultivation activities on desertification in the Mu Us Desert during the six periods from 1975 to 2020(1975–1990, 1990–2000, 2000–2005, 2005–2010, 2010–2015, and 2015–2020). The results showed that cultivated land in the Mu Us Desert showed a fluctuating and increasing trend from 3769.26 km~2 in 1975 to 4865.73 km~2 in 2020, with 2010 as the turning point for the recent rapid increase. The main contributors included the large and regular patches distributed in Yuyang District and Shenmu of Shaanxi Province, and relatively smaller patches concentrated in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The increased cultivated land from the reclamation on desertification land was dominated by moderate and severe desertification lands, and the decreased cultivated land that was transferred into desertification land as abandoned cultivated land was dominated by slight and moderate desertification lands. The effect of cultivation activities on desertification reversal(average area proportion of 10.61% for reversed desertification land) was greater than that of the development of desertification(average area proportion of 5.82% for developed desertification land). Nevertheless, compared to reversed desertification land,both the significant increase of developed desertification land during the periods of 2000–2005 and 2005–2010 and the insignificant decrease during the periods of 2005–2010, 2010–2015, and 2015–2020 implied a potential remobilization risk. Therefore, this study provides a significant theoretical reference for the formulation of ecological restoration projects and regional macroeconomic development policies by considering the influence of cultivation activities, to ensure the overall environmental stability and sustainability in desertification land where reclamation and abandonment activities have taken place.
