Species divergence in seedling leaf traits and tree growth response to nitrogen and phosphorus additions in an evergreen broadleaved forest of subtropical China

Tree competitiveness generally depends on trait plasticity in response to environmental change.The effects of nitrogen(N)and phosphorus(P)on leaf trait variability by species is poorly understood,especially in China’s subtropical forests.This study examined the seedling leaf traits and net primary productivity of all trees>5 cm DBH of two dominant species,Schima superba and Castanopsis carlesii,in an evergreen broadleaved forest fertilized with nitrogen(+N),phosphorus(+P),and nitrogen plus phosphorus(N+P).The effect of N on seedling leaf traits was stronger than P,while fertilization in general was species dependent.Leaf mass per unit area decreased with N for S.superba seedlings but not for C.carlesii.Leaf N,P,and N/P ratios changed with N addition for both species.All four N fractions of carboxylation,bioenergetics,cell wall,and other N metabolites in C.carlesii leaves responded significantly to fertilization,while only the cell wall in S.superb a leaves responded.Other leaf functional traits,including light-saturated photosynthetic rates,water,N,and P use efficiencies,chlorophyll and non structural carbohydrate contents increased with N addition in S.superb a and by P addition in C.carlesii.Canopy closure at the stand-level increased due to N.Litter biomass and relative growth rate of S.superb a was not affected by any treatments,while both for C.carlesii significantly decreased with N+P addition.Collectively,nutrient limitation may vary at a small scale among species in a subtropical forest based on their responses of seedling traits and net primary productivity to fertilization.Seedling traits are not correlated with the net primary productivity of larger trees except for N fractions,because low light conditions induced by fertilization reduces the proportion of N allocated to photosynthesis in seedlings.In addition,acclimation differences of tree species may increase the uncertainty of community succession.

MOF@γ-Al_(2)O_(3)复合材料的制备及其选择性染料吸附性能研究

本文通过原位生长法将金属有机骨架(MOF)与γ-Al2O3相结合制备了两种MOF@γ-Al_(2)O_(3)复合材料,即UIO-66/UIO-66-NH2@γ-Al_(2)O_(3),并将其应用于选择性染料吸附性能研究。结果表明:UIO-66/UIO-66-NH_(2)@γ-Al2O3复合材料可选择性吸附阴离子染料(刚果红,CR),吸附量分别可以达到1520.91mg·g^(-1)和1598.65mg·g^(-1)。同时,UIO-66/UIO-66-NH2@γ-Al_(2)O_(3)复合材料还具备优异的稳定性,重复使用10次后对CR的选择性吸附性能基本保持不变。

Growth performance and scale insect infestation of Shorea leprosula in a common garden experimental plot

Many tree planting programmes have long been initiated to increase forest cover to mitigate the effects of global climate change.Successful planting requires careful planning at the project level,including using suitable species with favourable traits.However,there is a paucity of improvement data for tropical tree species.An experimental common garden of Shorea leprosula was established to study traits related to growth performance which are key factors in planting success.Seedlings of S.leprosula were collected from nine geographical forest reserves.To study the effects of genetic variation,seedlings were planted in a common environment following a randomized complete block design.From performance data collected 2017‒2019,one population showed the highest coefficient for relative height growth,significantly higher than most of the other populations.Interestingly,this population from Beserah also exhibited the lowest coefficient for scale insect infestation.This study provides preliminary results on growth performance and susceptibility to scale insect infestation in S.leprosula and the first common garden experiment site conducted on dipterocarp species.It lays a foundation for future genome-wide studies.

静电纺MOFs基聚合物纳米纤维的研究进展

为了探讨静电纺丝技术组装的MOFs基聚合物纳米纤维的研究进展,综述了MOFs基聚合物纳米纤维的4种制备方法,包括混纺法、原位生长法、后修饰法及静电纺丝-静电喷雾法,并对各制备方法的特点作以总结分析。介绍了MOFs基聚合物纳米纤维在生物医疗、能源转化与存储、气体储存与分离及水处理领域的应用情况。认为:MOFs的引入为纳米纤维的应用拓宽了领域,静电纺丝-静电喷雾制备方法在柔性MOFs基聚合物纳米纤维膜材料的实际生产中将具有很大优势。

Plasma Levels of Transforming Growth Factor-Beta 1 in Women with Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Objective: In women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP), decreased expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) has been shown in POP tissues. However, no studies have evaluated plasma TGF-β1 levels in patients with POP, so it is unknown whether they are also changed or not. Therefore, we compared plasma TGF-β1 levels in women with and without POP. Methods: Participants were 49 women with POP and 23 healthy control women. All participants were postmenopausal. We measured plasma TGF-β1 and compared data between patients with POP and controls, and between patients with uterine prolapse (UP, n = 19) and those with a cystocele (CC, n = 30). In addition, in patients, we assessed the POP quantification system (POP-Q) stage. Results: Plasma TGF-β1 levels were significantly lower in patients than in healthy controls. POP-Q stage was not significantly different between the UP and CC subgroups, but POP-Q stage IV was diagnosed in 63% of patients with UP and 7% of those with CC. Plasma TGF-β1 levels were significantly lower in the CC subgroup than in the UP subgroup. Conclusion: Plasma TGF-β1 is decreased in POP. It remains unclear whether the lower levels indicate a reduction in systemic TGF-β1 activity, but they can be assumed to reflect reduced TGF-β1 expression in POP tissues.

A GENERAL CONSTITUTIVE RELATION FOR FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH ANALYSIS OF METAL STRUCTURES

Crack growth rate curves are the fundamental material property for metal structures under fatigue loading. Although there are many crack growth rate curves available in the literature, few of them showed the capability to explain various special phenomena observed in tests. A modified constitutive relation recently proposed by McEvily and his co-workers showed very promising capability. This modified constitutive relation is further generalized by (1) introducing an unstable fracture condition; (2) defining a virtual strength to replace the yield stress; and (3) defining an overload and underload parameter. The performances of this general constitutive relation for fatigue crack growth is extensively studied and it is found that this general constitutive relation is able to explain various phenomena observed with particular strong capability on load sequence effect.

Relationships of growth and mortality to enzymatic activity,and the relative mRNA expression of cultured scallops Patinopecten yessoensis in the Yellow Sea, China

The bottom aquaculture of yesso scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) has developed rapidly in the north of Yellow Sea, China, but not without accompanying productivity problems. We, therefore, conducted field surveys to investigate factors related to growth and mortality rates of bottom-cultured scallops after release. Specifically, we focused on the effects of total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) and three key enzymes involved in antioxidant and metabolic function:glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Across summer and winter, we also measured the relative mRNA expression of GPT and SOD to understand their seasonal variation in the scallops, along with how such variation correlated to growth and mortality. Results show that bottom cultured scallops experienced mass mortality during the first six months post-release. During winter (December), scallops grew more rapidly and suffered less mortality than in summer (August). The observed lower performance probably resulted from less advantageous environmental factors during the summer seasons, such as high temperature and low dissolved oxygen. These environmental stressors enhance protein consumption while decreasing energetic resources in scallops. Furthermore, scallops in summer exhibited high antioxidant levels that probably competed for energy with process integral to growth and survival. These negative factors combined to elevate mortality rates. In conclusion, we provided evidence suggesting correlations between metabolic/antioxidant activity and growth and mortality of bottom-cultured yesso scallops. These correlations implied us an accurate method to estimate the performance of bottom culture system. Suggestions about innovative aquaculture techniques were also discussed in the study. Our results might provide a possible guideline to the improvement of bottom culture techniques for this commercially valuable seafood species.

Photosynthetic Light Utilization Efficiency, Water Relations and Leaf Growth of C3 and CAM Tropical Orchids under Natural Conditions

Native orchid species of Singapore in their natural conditions experience stress from high irradiance, high temperatures and periods of extended low rainfall, which impact orchid plant physiology and lead to reduced growth and productivity. In this study, it was found that there was a reduction in photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) in 6 native orchid species under high light (HL) and Bulbophyllum membranaceum under low light (LL). There was chronic photoinhibition in these 6 orchid species over a period of 3 months after transplanting onto the tree trunks without watering and fertilization, especially in Coelogynes mayeriana and Bulbophyllum membranaceum under both HL and LL. This chronic photoinhibition caused by sustained period of water deficit in their natural conditions was later reversed by natural re-watering conditions from higher rainfall. These results indicate that water deficit has a greater impact on photosynthetic light utilization efficiency than excess light. The present study also showed that after natural rewatering, relative water content (RWC) of leaves and pseudobulbs generally increased. During the natural re-watering, total leaf area also gradually increased and reached maximum expansion after 7 weeks under both HL and LL, with some exceptions due to leaf abscission or decline in total leaf area, possibly a strategy for water conservation.

Empirical Analysis on the Relations between Rural Residents' Consumption and Economic Growth——A Case of Liaoning Province

Liaoning is a granary province with a large agricultural population and great market potential. Expanding rural residents' consumption becomes a necessity for enlarging domestic demand, solving three agriculture problems and promoting sustainable and rapid economic development. The research shows that since invigorating old industrial base in Liaoning, the contribution rate of rural residents' consumption to economic motivation is low and unstable, which has become one of the choke points for the development of economy. By using the grey correlation method, the influences of rural residents' consumption in different periods to GDP per capita are analyzed, the results show that the consumption level of rural residents were increasing, but their contribution rate on economic growth showed the descending tend. The residential expenses stay in the major position of consumption expenses; the education and entertainment products and service consumption play an important role; the growth of transportation and telecommunication is slow; the expenses on medical care are low and its contribution rate on economic growth is relatively weak. The countermeasures on developing rural economy, increasing rural residents' income, improving rural consumption environment, accelerating rural infrastructure construction, constructing and perfecting rural social security system and expanding rural consumption credit market are put forward to expand rural residents' consumption demand and realize the sustainable development of economy.

Mathematical Representation of Partial Organs Growth in Duck Embryos

In this study, the ontogeny of body and the growth pattern of heart, brain, liver, lung, gizzard, glandular stomach and spleen of duck embryos were measured from embryonic day 2 to embryonic day 26. The results indicated that the organs development trend of absolute growth and relative growth rate were almost synchrony, and both exhibited increase from embryonic day 20 to embryonic day 22. The whole growth intensity was from strong to weak with age increasing. The results of differentiation growth rate and the relative growth coefficient indicated that the brain and heart was premature while gizzard was serotinous; the liver, giz- zard, and spleen occupied the dominant position on embryonic days 16, 18 and 26. Therefore, duck embryos growing process was in a wave type state; different or- gans of duck embryos had different growth and development patterns; the relative growth index could supersede the differentiation growth rate preferably.

Factors Affecting the Relation of Fracture Toughness V_(GC) with Critical Void Growth Ratio R_C/R_O

The relationship between fracture toughness VGC and critical void growth RC/RO was studied for ten kinds of Steel. The macroscopic fracture toughness VGC was determined by using notched tensile specimens. and the microscopic parameters of critical void growth ratio RC/RO were quantitatively measured under SEM. Then, the coefhcient C in the relation VGC = C In(RC/RO) proposed in author's past work was specifically explored. The correlation of C with tensile proderty parameter φ=σyδ/(Eφn) was presented for the Steel investigated, and the effects of low temperature on C were also discussed. Results show that the coefficient C is linearly related to the parameter and insensitive to low temperature.

Effects of Sand Burial on the Survival, Growth, and Biomass Allocation in Semi-shrub Hedysarum laeve Seedlings

Hedysarum laeve Maxim. (Leguminosae) is one of the major species used frequently in revegetation of dune_field in the sandlands of the northern part of China by means of aerial sowing. Seedlings of the species after emergence above the sand surface may be buried in sand to various depths during its establishment in late spring and early summer. A study was made to examine the effects of sand burial at different levels of 0 (control), 33%, 67%, 100% and 133% of their shoot height, on the survivorship, growth, and biomass allocation pattern of H. laeve seedlings (one and two weeks old after emergence). When burial depth was up to 100% of their shoot height, about 70% seedlings died; and the burial at depth of 133% of their shoot height led to death of all seedlings. When seedlings was buried at depth of 33% and 67% of their shoot height, respectively, after six_week growth, their biomass of whole plant, blade, and root and relative growth rate were higher than the unburied counterparts. The seedlings in both 33% and 67% sand burial treatments did not significantly change their biomass allocation pattern comparing with the unburied ones. Furthermore, the number of leaves and shoot height of the seedlings in both 33% and 67% sand burial treatments were not significantly different from those of unburied individuals, respectively. The newly born leaves of the surviving seedlings, in 33%, 67%, and 100% burial treatments, during the period of experiment, were significantly more than those in control.

政治关系、经济增长率对中国在欧洲OFDI的影响——基于33个欧洲国家面板数据的实证研究

欧洲是中国重要的投资目的地,近年来因其内部政治格局调整、经济增速放缓,使中国对欧洲OFDI的风险增大。文章选取33个欧洲国家2010年—2019年面板数据,构建固定效应模型探讨双边政治关系及经济增长率对中国在欧洲OFDI的影响。结果表明:良好的双边政治关系不仅能够促进中国OFDI,还能减弱东道国监管对中国OFDI的不利影响;东道国经济增长率可通过调节市场规模对中国OFDI的正向影响,进而促进中国OFDI;中国对东道国出口额、东道国市场规模、东道国税收负担对中国OFDI均具有显著影响;同时,中国OFDI存在地区异质性和经济体异质性,表明中国对不同地区或不同经济体进行直接投资的动机和目标差异较大。今后应进一步巩固和深化双边政治关系,积极构建并逐步完善中国OFDI安全审查机制,助力中国对欧洲OFDI持续增长。

Effect of Different Organic Fertilizers on Chinese Chives(Allium tuberosum) Growth and Yield

[Objeclive] This study was conducted to select suitable organic fertilizer for Chinese chives, so as to improve yield and benefit of Chinese chives. [Method] Pot experiments were carried out to investigate effects of 3 organic fertilizers peanut cake fertilizer, chicken manure and mushroom residue on growth and yield of Chi- nese Chives. [Result] The 3 organic fertilizer treatments had better effects on plant height, stem diameter and leaf width than the CK. Treatment 1 showed the best effect on growth and development of Chinese chives, treatment 2 exhibited the sec- ond best effect, and treatment 3 showed the poorest effect. Treatment 1 showed the highest yield and economic benefit, of 65.514 t/hm^2 and 175.556×10^4 Yuardhm2, respectively, treatment 2 showed the second highest effects, and treatment 3 showed the lowest yield and economic benefit. [Conclusion] Selecting peanut cake fertilizer for production of Chinese chives could significantly improve yield and eco- nomic benefit of Chinese chives.

Integrated Use of Organic and Bio-fertilizers to Improve Yield and Fruit Quality of Olives Grown in Low Fertility Sandy Soil in an Arid Environment

Olive productivity should be improved through stimulating nutrition,particularly under poor fertility soils.Consequently,the objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of applying organic and bio-fertilizers on the physiological growth,yield and fruit quality of olive trees under newly reclaimed poor-fertility sandy soil in an arid environment.During a field experiment carried out at El-Qantara,North Sinai,Egypt over two consecutive seasons(2019-2020 and 2020-2021),olive Kalamata trees were evaluated under three organic fertilizer treatments alone or in combination with three bio-fertilizers treatments.Organic fertilizer was applied as goat manure(16.8 kg/tree/year),or olive pomace(8.5 kg/tree/year)in mid-December of each season vs.untreated trees.The bio-fertilizers were applied as N-fixing bacteria(150 g/tree)was inculated in early March of each season,or amino acid mixture(1.5%)was applied three times,at 70%of full bloom,21 days after full bloom,and a month later in comparison to a non-fertilized trees(control).The cultivar used was Kalamata,a dual-purpose cultivar for oil and table olives whose value increases when processed as table olives.The results indicated that the goat manure followed by olive pomace significantly enhanced photosynthetic pigments(chlorophyll a,b,and carotenoids),leaf mineral contents(N,P,K,Ca,Mg and Fe),tree canopy volume,number of flowers per inflorescence,number of inflorescences per shoot,initial fruit set,fruit retention.For fruit quality,fruit length and width,fruit weight,and total fruit yield was increased compared to the non-fertilized control.Likewise,The bio-fertilizer N-fixing bacteria followed by the amino acid mixture significantly improved all of the aforementioned parameters.Accordingly,it is recommended,both environmentally and economically to utilize organic and bio-fertizers,particularly goat manure combined with N-fixing bacteria,in low-fertility soil to sustain olive production as well as reducing mineral fertilization.

Effect of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch polysaccharide on growth performance and immunologic function in mice in Ural City,Xinjiang

Objective:To discuss the effect of Glycyrrhiza uralensis(G.uralensis) Fisch polysaccharide on growth performance and immunologic function in mice in Ural City,Xinjiang and to provide important data supporting the application of Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide.Methods:A total of100 Kunming mice aged 3 weeks old were randomly divided into 5 groups with 20 mice in each group(10 were females and 10 were males).About 0.5 mL normal saline was given to the mice of control group every day and 0.5 mL G.uralensis Fisch polysaccharide was given to the mice of other groups at the concentration of 1,20,50 and 100 mg/mL respectively.The growth performance(average body weight,average daily feed intake and feed efficiency),immune organ indexes(spleen index and thymus index) and immunologic function(serum IL-2,CD4^+/CD8^+ and the activity of NK cells) of mice in each group were detected continuously.Results:The average body weight,feed efficiency,serum IL-2,CD4^+/CD8^+ and the activity of NK cells of mice were increased with the increase of administrated time after administrating G.uralensis Fisch polysaccharide and were reached up the largest level on Day 28.At the same time,each index was proportional to the given dose and was significantly higher than those of control group and reached up the largest level at the administrated dose of 100 mg/mL.After administrating G.uralensis Fisch polysaccharide,the spleen index and thymus index of mice were increased with the increase of administrated dose and the spleen index and thymus index of mice administrated with the dose of 100 mg/mL were maximum which was more than 1.51 times and 1.43 times of that in control group respectively and the comparative differences showed statistical significance(P<0.05).The average daily feed intake of mice in each group was increased with the passage of lime and at the same time,the comparison of average daily feed intake of mice in each group was not significantly different(P>0.05).Conclusions:G.uralensis Fisch polysaccharide can significantly improve the growth performance and immunologic function of mice and laid a research basis for the clinical application of G.uralensis Fisch polysaccharide.

Effects of Integrated Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Yield and Growth Parameters of Rice Varieties

We investigated the effects of integrated organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of indica rice variety Manawthukha and japonica rice variety Genkitsukushi.In a split-plot design,the two rice varieties were assigned as main plot factors,and the integrated treatments were the subplot factors,including no-N fertilizer(N0),50%chemical fertilizer(CF)(CF50),100%CF(CF100),50%CF+50%poultry manure(PM)(CF50PM50),50%CF+50%cow manure(CM)(CF50CM50),and 50%CF+50%compost(CP)(CF50CP50).CF100 was equivalent to N at 85 kg/hm2.Manure was applied based on the estimated mineralizable nitrogen(EMN)level,which is dependent on total N(%)of each manure type.Manawthukha rice plants were taller with higher tiller number and dry matter content.However,higher soil-plant analysis development(SPAD)values were measured in Genkitsukushi throughout the crop growth period,resulting in higher seed-setting rate(%)and greater yield.At the same N level,CF50PM50 application in both rice varieties resulted in higher SPAD values,plant height and tiller number than CF100.CF50PM50 containing total N more than 4%supplied synchronized N for the demands of the rice plants,resulting in maximum dry matter,yield and yield components.CF50CM50 and CF50CP50 treatments containing total N less than 4%resulted in lower yields which were similar to CF100.These results indicated that integrating organic and inorganic fertilizers enhanced growth parameters and yields of Manawthukha and Genkitsukushi,while reducing the dose of chemical fertilizer.

Effects of temperature and organic and inorganic nutrients on the growth of Chattonella marina (Raphidophyceae)from the Daya Bay,South China Sea

The effects of temperature and different forms of nutrients on Chattonella marina growth have been investigated in strains isolated from the Daya Bay, the South China Sea. The strain of C. marina preferred high temperatures, with an optimal temperature of 25℃, and 18℃ was the minimum for its survival. Higher cell number and growth rate were obtained in high nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations （500 μg/L, 74μg/L） than under nutrient limitation. Nitrogen influenced the growth most, as the specific growth rate and maximum cell density were lower in nitrogen- limited cultures than noted under phosphorus limitation or under limitation from both. C. marina was capable of using many kinds of organic nitrogen sources including L-serine （L-Ser）, glycine （Gly）, alanine （Ala）, L-threonine （L-Thr）, glutamic acid （Glu） and urea, but could not utilize uric acid. Various forms of organic phosphorus compound such as glucose-6-phosphate （G6P）, sodium glycerophosphate （GYP）, adenosine triphosphate （ATP）, adenosine monophosphate （AMP）, cyti- dine monophosphate （CMP）, guanosine monophosphate （GMP）, uridine monophosphate （UMP）, 4-nitrophenylphosphate （NPP） and triethyl phosphate （TEP） supported the growth as well. Algal cells had the ability to sustain growth under nitrogenand/or phosphorus-free conditions particularly under phosphorus depleted condition. These results led to the hypothesis that high loading of nitrogen has played an important role in frequent C. marina blooms in the past decade, and its capability for utilization of diverse forms of organic nutrients and growth in low nutrient conditions make this species a likely recurrent dominant in the Daya Bay phytoplankton assemblages, visible as more frequent blooms.

Superior growth performance in broiler chicks fed chelated compared to inorganic zinc in presence of elevated dietary copper

Background： The goal of this study was to compare the antagonism of elevated dietary Cu （250 mg/kg） from CuS04 on three different Zn sources （ZnS04. H20; [Zn bis（-2-hydroxy-4-（methylthio）butanoic acid）], Zn（HMTBa）2 a chelated Zn methionine hydroxy analogue; and Zn-Methionine）, as measured using multiple indices of animal performance in ROSS 308 broilers. Methods： Three experiments were conducted in broiler chicks fed a semi-purified diet. All birds were fed a Zn-deficient diet （8.5 mg/kg diet） for 1 wk, and then provided with the experimental diets for 2 wks. Results： Experiment 1 was a 2 x 2 factorial design with two levels of Cu （8 vs. 250 mg/kg diet from CuSO4） and two Zn sources at 30 mg/kg [ZnSO4. H20 vs. Zn（HMTBa）2]. Elevated Cu impaired growth performance only in birds fed ZnSO4. Compared to ZnSO4. H20, Zn（HMTBa）2 improved feed intake （12 %; P 〈 0.001） and weight gain （12 %, P 〈 0.001） and the benefits were more pronounced in the presence of 250 mg/kg diet Cu. Experiment 2 was a dose titration of ZnSO4- H20 and Zn（HMTBa）2 at 30, 4,5, 60, and 75 mg/kg diet in the presence of 250 mg/kg CuSO4. Feed：gain was decreased and tibia Zn was increased with increasing Zn levels from 30 to 75 mg/kg. Birds fed Zn（HMTBa）2 consumed more food and gained more weight compared to birds fed ZnSO4, especially at lower supplementation levels （30 and 45 mg/kg; interaction P 〈 0,05）. Experiment 3 compared two organic Zn sources （Zn（HMTBa）2 vs. Zn-Methionine） at 30 mg/kg with or without 250 mg/kg CuSO4. No interactions were observed between Zn sources and Cu levels on performance or tissue mineral concentrations. High dietary Cu decreased weight gain （P 〈 0.01）. Tibia Cu and liver Cu were significantly increased with 250 mg/kg dietary Cu supplementation （P 〈 0.01）. No difference was observed between the two Zn sources. Conclusions： Dietary 250 mg/kg Cu significantly impaired feed intake and weight gain in birds fed ZnSO4. H20, but had less impact in birds fed Zn（HMTBa）2. No difference was observed between the two organic zinc sources These results are consistent with the hypothesis that chelated organic Zn is better utilized than inorganic zinc in the presence of elevated Cu.

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein related protein 1 knockdown attenuates hepatic ?brosis via the regulation of MMPs/TIMPs in mice

Background: Previous research suggested that insulin-like growth factor binding protein related protein 1(IGFBPrP1), as a novel mediator, contributes to hepatic fibrogenesis. Matrix metalloproteinases(MMP) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases(TIMP) play an essential role in hepatic fibrogenesis by regulating homeostasis and remodeling of the extracellular matrix(ECM). However, the interaction between IGFBPrP1 and MMP/TIMP is not clear. The present study was to knockdown IGFBPrP1 to investigate the correlation between IGFBPrP1 and MMP/TIMP in hepatic fibrosis. Methods: Hepatic fibrosis was induced by thioacetamide(TAA) in mice. Knockdown of IGFBPrP1 expression by ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction-mediated CMB-shRNA-IGFBPrP1 delivery, or inhibition of the Hedgehog(Hh) pathway by cyclopamine treatment, was performed in TAA-induced liver fibrosis mice. Hepatic fibrosis was determined by hematoxylin and eosin and Sirius red staining. Hepatic expression of IGFBPrP1, α-smooth muscle actin( α-SMA), transforming growth factor β 1(TGF β1), collagen I, MMPs/TIMPs, Sonic Hedgehog(Shh), and glioblastoma family transcription factors(Gli1) were investigated by immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting analysis. Results: We found that hepatic expression of IGFBPrP1, TGF β1, α-SMA, and collagen I were increased longitudinally in mice with TAA-induced hepatic fibrosis, concomitant with MMP2/TIMP2 and MMP9/TIMP1 imbalance and Hh pathway activation. Knockdown of IGFBPrP1 expression, or inhibition of the Hh pathway, reduced the hepatic expression of IGFBPrP1, TGF β1, α-SMA, and collagen I and re-established MMP2/TIMP2 and MMP9/TIMP1 balance. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that IGFBPrP1 knockdown attenuates liver fibrosis by re-establishing MMP2/TIMP2 and MMP9/TIMP1 balance, concomitant with the inhibition of hepatic stellate cell activation, down-regulation of TGF β1 expression, and degradation of the ECM. Furthermore, the Hh pathway mediates IGFBPrP1 knockdown-induced attenuation of hepatic fibrosis through the regulation of MMPs/TIMPs balance.