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This study collected 49 topsoil samples in agricultural soil from Panxi district (Sichuan, China), investigating the contamination status and probabilistic health risk of their heavy metal(loid)s (HMs). The average concentrations (mg/kg) of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were 18.18, 1.66, 294.05, 143.37, 70.18, 31.70 and 139.18, respectively. The pollution index (Pi) of the seven HMs were in the descending order of Cd > Cr > Cu > As > Zn > Ni > Pb, and the comprehensive Nemeiro risk index (PN) was 2.67, indicating that the study area was a moderate pollution by HMs. Meanwhile, Cd showed major contribution to the soil pollution among these HMs. The spatial distribution of HMs revealed that the southwestern part of the study area was the contamination hotspots. The hazard index (Hi) for children and adults were 1.621 and 0.346, respectively, and the total non-carcinogenic risk for children exceeded the threshold of 1. The carcinogenic risks associated with Cr (adults:, children:) and Ni (adults:) far exceeded the safe level of 1E-04; Monte Carlo simulations showed that humans locating in the study area suffered from a relatively significant carcinogenic risk; and the children were at higher risk than the adults. Among the three exposure pathways (ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact), the ingestion was the most important way for HMs to harm human health. Overall, this study provides a scientific basis for both controlling HMs contamination and reducing the potential health risks in studied soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intervention of nectar robbers in plant pollination systems will cause some pollinators to modify their foraging behavior to act as secondary robbers, consequently adopting a mixed foraging strategy. The influence of nectar robbing on pollinator behavior may be affected by spatio-temporal difference of robbing intensity, and consequently, may have different effects on the pollination of host plants. However, whether and how the nectar robbing might influence pollinators under different robbing intensity still needs further investigation. In this study, Symphytum officinale was used to detect the effect of nectar robbers on pollinators under different robbing intensity as well as their effects on plant reproductive success. Six robbing levels and three bumblebees with mixed foraging behaviors were used to evaluate the effect of different robbing intensity on pollinator behavior, visitation rate, flower longevity and pollen deposition. Our results indicated that the robbing rate increased gradually with the proportion of robbed flowers, but which did not affect the frequency of legitimate visits. The increase of robbing rate promoted the corolla abscission, and then enhanced the self-pollen deposition, but which had no significant effect on cross-pollen deposition. These results indicate that the overall fitness of S. officinale was improved by combined self and cross-pollination modes when visited by both pollinators and nectar robbers simultaneously. Although nectar robbing is not uncommon, its consequences for pollination in the interaction web have not been well studied. Our results emphasize the significance of indirect impacts in mediating the adaptive outcomes of species interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy and rarely develops after drug therapy. This study describes the clinical, electrodiagnostic (EDX), and ultrasound (US) findings in seven patients who experienced CTS due to anti-cancer therapeutic agents. Methods: All patients underwent EDX testing, and four patients had an US study. Results: CTS occurred in four patients with aromatase inhibitors, two with immune checkpoint inhibitors, and one with a selective estrogen receptor modulator. The mean duration between initiation of the anti-cancer therapeutic agents and symptom onset was 6 weeks (range: 2–12 weeks). Decreased digit sensation was noted in all patients; wasting and weakness of the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) was observed in three (42.8%) patients. The compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) of the APB and sensory nerve action potentials of the second or third digit could not be recorded in two (28.5%) and four (57.1%) patients, respectively. The needle EMG detected fibrillations and positive sharp waves in the APB in two patients. The motor unit potentials of the APB were decreased with large polyphasics in three (42.8%) patients. Of the four patients who underwent US testing, all had increased cross-sectional area of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel inlet, three (75%) had thenar muscle atrophy, and two (50%) had a loss of fascicular pattern. Three (42.8%) patients underwent a CTR. Conclusions: Physicians should be cognizant of the relationship between anti-cancer therapeutic agents and CTS. EDX studies and US play important roles in the diagnostic assessment of such patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The production of lily bulbs and flowers is under serious threat from basal rot of the bulbs caused by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lilii. Oriental lily hybrid 'Casa Blanca' resistant clones to Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lilii was available by toxin screening. To explore disease-resistance based on the cytology, colonization processes in the resistant oriental lily clones following inoculation with Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lilii were studied prepared by transmission electron microscopy for ultra section preparation. Samples of susceptible clones and selected resistant clones were collected before inoculation and 3–6 days after inoculation and processed following conventional procedures. Before inoculation, from the ultrastructure of the cells and tissues, more starch grains in selected resistant somaclones and less starch grains in susceptible somaclones. After inoculation, from the ultrastructure of the cells and tissues, selected disease-resistant clone mainly in terms of resistance to extension mechanism is better than susceptible somalclones. Less number of hyphae found in disease-resistant clone cells. Resistant clone cells have a large number of degradable material and secretion, thus preventing fungus extension ability stronger. All of these results showed that Fusarium oxysporum after the invasion of disease-resistant clones is greatly hindered further expansion of the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 3-hydroxypiperidine moiety is a privileged scaffold encountered in many bioactive compounds. An NADPH-dependent reductase (YGL039W) from Kluyveromyces marxianus ATCC 748 was isolated to show excellent catalytic activity in ( R )- N -Boc-3-hydroxypiperidine [( R )-NBHP] production. Using a GDH-catalyzed cofactor-recycling system to ensure a sufficient supply of NADPH, the effects of temperature, pH, metal ions, substrate concentration, biocatalyst dosage, and cofactors on the YGL039W-catalyzed bioreduction were investigated and optimized. Finally, an extremely high concentration of N -Boc-piperidin-3-one (NBPO, 400 g/L) could be completely reduced to ( R )-NBHP (> 99% ee ), with a total turnover number of 20,000. This process shows significant potential for the industrial production of ( R )-NBHP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monthly mean surface air temperatures and precipitation at 20 meteorological stations in the Jinsha River Valley (JRV) of southwest China were analyzed for temporal-spatial variation patterns during the period 1961-2010. The magnitude of a trend was estimated using Sen's Nonparametric Estimator of Slope approach. The statistical significance of a trend was assessed by the MK test. The results showed that mean annual air temperature has been increasing by 0.08°C /decade during the past 50 years as a whole. The climate change trend in air temperature was more significant in the winter (0.13°C/decade) than in the summer (0.03°C/decade). Annual precipitation tended to increase slightly thereafter and the increasing was mainly during the crop-growing season. Both the greatest variation of the annual mean temperature and annual precipitation were observed at the dry-hot valley area of middle reaches. Significant warming rates were found in the upper reaches whereas the dry-hot basins of middle reaches experienced a cooling trend during the past decades. Despite of the overall increasing in precipitation, more obvious upward-trends were found in the dry-hot basins of middle reaches whereas the upper reaches had a drought trend during the past decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most in vivo spinal cord injury (SCI) experimental models use rodents. Due to the anatomical and functional differences between rodents and humans, reliable large animal models, such as non-human primates, of SCI are critically needed to facilitate translation of laboratory discoveries to clinical applications. Here we report the establishment of a controlled spinal contusion model that produces severity-dependent functional and histological deficits in non-human primates. Six adult male rhesus macaque monkeys underwent mild to moderate contusive SCI using 1.0 and 1.5 mm tissue displacement injuries at T9 or sham laminectomy (n = 2/group). Multiple assessments including motor-evoked potential (MEP), somatosensory-evoked potential (SSEP), MR imaging, and monkey hindlimb score (MHS) were performed. Monkeys were sacrificed at 6 months post-injury, and the lesion area was examined for cavitation, axons, myelin, and astrocytic responses. The MHS demonstrated that both the 1.0 and 1.5 mm displacement injuries created discriminative neurological deficits which were severity-dependent. The MEP response rate was depressed after a 1.0 mm injury and was abolished after a 1.5 mm injury. The SSEP response rate was slightly decreased following both the 1.0 and 1.5 mm SCI. MRI imaging demonstrated an increase in T2 signal at the lesion site at 3 and 6 months, and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography showed interrupted fiber tracts at the lesion site at 4 h and at 6 months post-SCI. Histologically, severity-dependent spinal cord atrophy, axonal degeneration, and myelin loss were found after both injury severities. Notably, strong astrocytic gliosis was not observed at the lesion penumbra in the monkey. In summary, we describe the development of a clinically-relevant contusive SCI model that produces severity-dependent anatomical and functional deficits in non-human primates. Such a model may advance the translation of novel SCI repair strategies to the clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blocking LINGO-1 has been shown to enhance remyelination in the rat lysolecithin-induced focal spinal cord demyelination model. We used transcranial magnetic motor-evoked potentials (tcMMEPs) to assess the effect of blocking LINGO-1 on recovery of axonal function in a mouse lysolecithin model at 1, 2 and 4 weeks after injury. The role of LINGO-1 was assessed using LINGO-1 knockout (KO) mice and in wild-type mice after intraperitoneal administration of anti-LINGO-1 antagonist monoclonal antibody (mAb3B5). Response rates (at 2 and 4 weeks) and amplitudes (at 4 weeks) were significantly increased in LINGO-1 KO and mAb3B5-treated mice compared with matched controls. The latency of potentials at 4 weeks was significantly shorter in mAb3B5-treated mice compared with controls. Lesion areas in LINGO-1 KO and mAb3B5-treated mice were reduced significantly compared with matched controls. The number of remyelinated axons within the lesions was increased and the G -ratios of the axons were decreased in both LINGO-1 KO and mAb3B5-treated mice compared with matched controls. These data provide morphometric and functional evidence of enhancement of remyelination associated with antagonism of LINGO-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To investigate the influence of hydrogen bonds and secondary ligands on the structures and properties of the resulting frameworks, five new Co(II) compounds have been synthesized by the reactions of Co(II) salts and 3,5-bis(pyridin-4-ylmethoxy)benzoic acid (HL) with four rationally selected dicarboxylic acid ligands. Without secondary ligand, we got one compound [CoL2(H2O)2] n ·2nH2O (1), which possesses a 1D chain structure. In the presence of ancillary ligands, namely, 1,3-adamantanedicarboxylic acid (H2adbc), terephthalic acid (H2tpa), thiophene-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (H2tdc) and 1,4-benzenedithioacetic acid (H2bdtc), four 3D structures [Co2L2(adbc)] n ·nH2O (2), [Co2L2(tpa)] n (3), [Co2L2(tdc)] n (4), [Co2L2(bdtc)(H2O)] n (5) were obtained, respectively. It can be observed from the architectures of 1–5 that hydrogen bonds and secondary ligands both have great effects on the spatial connective fashions, resulting in the formation of various dimensional compounds. The XRPD, TGA data of title polymers and the magnetic properties for 2 and 5 have also been investigated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The force distribution on a surface-piercing yawed cylinder surface differs significantly from that on a surface-piercing vertical cylinder. The established numerical model for flow past the surface-piercing yawed cylinder with yaw angles from −45° to 45° was solved by the standard large-eddy simulation (LES) methodology. Six cases at intervals of ±15° relative to the vertical were studied at the Reynolds number of 27000 and the Froude number of 0.8 based on the cylinder diameter and free-stream velocity, among which the drag forces on four cylinders with yaw angles from −15° to 30° were tested for the validation of the LES approach. The results revealed that the time-averaged total drag coefficient for all cases increases with the increase of yaw angle compared to that of the surface-piercing vertical cylinder, even over 2.5 for the ±45°-yawed cylinders. The sectional drag coefficients for the negatively yawed cylinders are much greater than that for the vertical cylinder, and much less for the positively yawed cylinders. The unbalanced hydrostatic pressures on the inclined section are mainly responsible for those increment and decrement. Once the hydrostatic pressure was removed, the sectional drag coefficient on the mid-span of the positively yawed cylinder increases from the top section to the bottom, and decreases for the negatively yawed cylinder. The corresponding integrated total drag coefficient decreases with the increase of the yaw angle to ±15°, then increases with the further increase of the magnitude of yaw angle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Reliable animal models of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are essential to test novel hypotheses and therapeutic interventions. In this study, based on advantages of both the closed head injury (CHI) and controlled cortical impact (CCI) models, we developed a bilateral head injury model in mice. C57BL/6 mice were used in this study. A midline craniotomy (5mm diameter) was performed extending 2mm anteriorly and 3mm posteriorly from the bregma, centered over the sagittal suture. The skull flap was left in place. A cortical impact on the surface of the skull flap was performed using an electromagnetic impactor. Here we report that the injury significantly decreased the neuroscore and increased foot drops in a severity-dependent manner. Severity-related deficits in performance on a rotarod device were also found at both slow and fast accelerations. These findings suggest that our TBI model can produce graded motor deficits. In addition, Morris water maze testing showed increased latency to locate a hidden platform in a severity-dependent manner, suggesting that our model can also produce graded memory deficits. Furthermore, an adhesive removal test revealed significant increases in time-to-contact and time-to-remove the adhesive tape from the paw in a severity-dependent manner, indicating that our TBI model produced graded somatosensory and motor deficits. Histological analysis presented a clear gradation in brain tissue damage following graded brain injuries. These findings collectively suggest that the current model may offer a sensitive, reliable and clinically-relevant model for assessments of therapeutic strategies forTBI. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper proposes an agent-based modeling and simulation method to overcome the limitations of traditional personalized recommendation method. Customer behavior and the effectiveness of personalized recommendation strategy under mobile electronic commerce were analyzed according to the emergence generated by the interactions of each agent entity. Taking catering recommendation system under mobile e-commerce as an example, this paper analyzed the interactions of customer and server in consuming process and the impact of context to customer consuming, and the recommendation and customer behavior rules were built, then on this basis the agent simulation model was realized under REPAST simulation environment. The simulation results show that this model can analyze and forecast the emergence of server recommendation and customer decision, and accordingly deduce the general consumer trends. Moreover, the effectiveness of recommendation model considering context is enhanced obviously compared with that of model based on only customer personalization information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two-year study (2009 ∼ 2010) was carried out to investigate the dynamics of different carbon (C) forms, and the role of stream export in the C balance of a 23.4-ha headwater catchment in a tropical seasonal rainforest at Xishuangbanna (XSBN), southwest China. The seasonal volumetric weighted mean (VWM) concentrations of total inorganic C (TIC) and dissolved inorganic C (DIC) were higher, and particulate inorganic C (PIC) and organic C (POC) were lower, in the dry season than the rainy season, while the VWM concentrations of total organic C (TOC) and dissolved organic C (DOC) were similar between seasons. With increased monthly stream discharge and stream water temperature (SWT), only TIC and DIC concentrations decreased significantly. The most important C form in stream export was DIC, accounting for 51.8% of the total C (TC) export; DOC, POC, and PIC accounted for 21.8%, 14.9%, and 11.5% of the TC export, respectively. Dynamics of C flux were closely related to stream discharge, with the greatest export during the rainy season. C export in the headwater stream was 47.1 kg C ha−1 yr−1, about 2.85% of the annual net ecosystem exchange. This finding indicates that stream export represented a minor contribution to the C balance in this tropical seasonal rainforest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study investigated whether neuronal inhibitor of DNA binding 2 (Id2), a regulator of basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors, can activate the intrinsic neuritogenetic mode of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in adult mice following spinal cord injury (SCI). First, the Id2 developmental expression profile of DRG neurons, along with the correlated activity of Cdh1-anaphase promoting complex (Cdh1-APC), was characterized. Next, a D-box mutant Id2 (Id2DBM) adenoviral vector, resistant to Cdh1-APC degradation, was developed to enhance neuronal Id2 expression. After the vector was introduced into DRG neurons, the effect of Id2 on neurite outgrowth of cultured DRG neurons and sensory axonal regeneration following spinal cord dorsal hemisection was evaluated. The expression of Id2 in DRG neurons was high in the embryonic stage, downregulated after birth, and significantly reduced in the adult. Expression of Cdh1-APC was opposite to Id2, which may be responsible for Id2 degradation during DRG maturation. Overexpression of Id2DBM in DRG neurons enhanced neuritogenesis on both permissive and inhibitory substrates. Following spinal cord dorsal hemisection, overexpression of Id2DBM reduced axon dieback and increased the number and length of regenerative fibers into the lesion gap. Reprogramming the intrinsic growth status of quiescent adult DRG neurons by enhancing Id2 expression results in active neuritogenesis following SCI. Id2 may be a novel target for enhancing sensory axonal regeneration following injuries to the adult spinal cord. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Old-growth forests are primarily found in mountain ranges that are less favorable or accessible for land use. Consequently, there are fewer scientific studies on old-growth forests. The eddy covariance method has been widely used as an alternative approach to studying an ecosystem’s carbon balance, but only a few eddy flux sites are located in old-growth forest. This fact will hinder our ability to test hypotheses such as whether or not old-growth forests are carbon neutral. The eddy covariance approach was used to examine the carbon balance of a 300-year-old subtropical evergreen broadleaved forest that is located in the center of the largest subtropical land area in the world. The post-QA/QC (quality assurance and control) eddy covariance based NEP was ∼ 9tC ha−1 yr−1, which suggested that this forest acts as a large carbon sink. The inventory data within the footprint of the eddy flux show that ∼6tC ha−1 yr−1 was contributed by biomass and necromass. The large-and-old trees sequestered carbon. Approximately 60% of the biomass increment is contributed by the growth of large trees (DBH>60cm). The high-altitude-induced low temperature and the high diffusion-irradiation ratio caused by cloudiness were suggested as two reasons for the large carbon sink in the forest we studied. To analyze the complex structure and terrain of this old-growth forest, this study suggested that biometric measurements carried out simultaneously with eddy flux measurements were necessary. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We present a potential of which the short-distance part is given by one gluon exchange plus perturbative one- and two-loop corrections and of which the large-distance part exhibits a temperature-dependent constant value. The Schrödinger equation with this temperature-dependent potential yields a temperature dependence of the mesonic quark–antiquark relative-motion wave function and of meson masses. The temperature dependence of the potential, the wave function and the meson masses brings about temperature dependence of cross sections for the nonresonant reactions for , for , for , for , for , for and for . As the temperature increases, the rise or fall of peak cross sections is determined by the increased radii of initial mesons, the loosened bound states of final mesons, and the total-mass difference of the initial and final mesons. The temperature-dependent cross sections and meson masses are parametrized. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Surface modification is an effective way to enhance adsorption of pollutants by soil. In this study, we investigated the individual adsorption of cadmium ion (Cd2+) and phenol and also in combination by the clay layer of a loessial soil treated with the amphoteric modifier, duodalkylbetaine (BS-12). Three levels of BS-12 modification were compared in this experiment: (1) unmodified soil (CK), (2) modification with an amount of BS-12 equivalent to 50% of the soil''s CEC (50BS) and (3) modification with an amount of BS-12 equivalent to 100% of the soil''s CEC (100BS). Cd2+ adsorption was 0.92–1.70 times higher in the amphoteric modified soil compared to unmodified soil. Adsorption isotherms for Cd2+ displayed a L1-type shape. Phenol adsorption was 1.25–4.35 times higher in the amphoteric modified soil compared to the unmodified control. The adsorption isotherms of phenol on amphoteric modified soils were generally linear, but changed to L1-type isotherms for modified soil in the Cd2+ +phenol treatment at 40°C. The results clearly showed that amphoteric modified soil had the ability to simultaneously adsorb Cd2+ and phenol. Cd2+ adsorption by the amphoteric modified soil was related to the initial concentration of Cd2+ in the supernatant. Cd2+ adsorption in the 100BS treatment exceeded adsorption in the 50BS treatment when Cd2+ initial concentrations were higher than approximate 200μgmL−1. Phenol adsorption by modified soils decreased in the order: 100BS>50BS>CK and was primarily determined by the surface hydrophobicity of the soil. For the unmodified soil, total adsorption in the Cd2+ +phenol treatment was slightly lower compared to treatments that contained only Cd2+ or phenol. This indicated an antagonistic effect between the adsorption of Cd2+ and phenol, which was reduced after amphoteric modification. A comparison of temperature effects on Cd2+ and phenol adsorption indicated that Cd2+ was both physically and chemically adsorbed by the amphoteric modified soil, but phenol was primarily adsorbed physically. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans are up-regulated in the spinal cord after SCI, creating a molecular barrier inhibitory to axon growth. Chondroitinase ABC degrades CSPGs in vitro and in vivo. Methods: We studied whether IT ChABC promotes axonal regeneration in a laceration model of SCI. Three groups of Sprague-Dawley rats were used: control and rats treated with low-dose and high-dose IT ChABC. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan breakdown products were measured by 2-B-6 expression, and intact CSPGs by CS-56 expression. Sensory axonal regeneration was traced after CTB injection into the median, ulnar, and sciatic nerves. Results: CS-56 expression was down-regulated and 2-B-6 expression was increased in the groups treated with IT ChABC but not in the control. Laminin and GFAP immunoreactivity was unaltered in the ChABC groups. The number of axons growing into the scar was 3.1 times greater (P < .01) in the high-dose ChABC group and 2.1 times greater (P < .01) in the low-dose group compared with the controls. The length of axonal growth after high- and low-dose ChABC was 9.9 (P < .01) and 8.3 (P < .01) times greater, respectively, than in the control group. Axons extended across the lesion gap and into the distal spinal cord stump in 2 of 8 (low dose) and in 3 of 9 (high dose) rats compared with none in the control group. Conclusions: Intrathecal ChABC administration caused a slight decrease in CSPGs in the scar after a laceration SCI with a minimal increase in sensory axonal regeneration into and across the laceration gap. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Assessment of locomotor function of rodents may be supplemented using electrophysiological tests which monitor the integrity of ascending and descending tracts as well as the focal circuitry of the spinal cord in non-sedated rodents. Magnetically induced SSEPs (M-SSEPs) were elicited in rats by activating the hindpaw using magnetic stimulation (MS). M-SSEP response latencies were slightly longer than those elicited by electrical stimulation. M-SSEPs were eliminated following selective dorsal column lacerations of the spinal cord, indicating that they were transmitted via this tract. Magnetically induced motor evoked potentials (M-MEPs) were elicited in mice following transcranial MS and recorded from the gastrocnemius muscles. M-MEPs performed on myelin deficient mice demonstrated longer onset latencies and smaller amplitudes than in wild-type mice. Magnetically induced H-reflexes (MH-reflexes) which assess local circuitry in the lumbosacral area of the spinal cord were performed in rats. This response disappeared following an L3 contusion spinal cord injury, however, kainic acid (KA) injection at L3, known to selectively destroy interneurons, caused a shorter latency and an increase in the amplitude of the MH-reflex. M-SSEPs and MH-reflexes in rats and M-MEPs in mice compliment locomotor evaluation in assessing the functional integrity of the spinal cord under normal and pathological conditions in the non-sedated animal. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The effects of canopy development, solar angle, and weather conditions on temporal variation in photosynthetic photon flux density(PPFD) at three heights within a tropical rain forest canopy in Xishuangbanna, China, were examined. PPFD was measured every second and stored as 10-min averages from 1 December 2002 to 30 November 2003. PPFD variability was examined at three different temporal scales. Specific days in March, September, and December with clear and overcast sky conditions were selected to separate the effects of leaf area index (LAI) and solar angle on diurnal variability. On both clear and overcast days, mean daily average PPFD was significantly different between March and September at all heights, except 10 m on clear days, suggesting that LAI directly influences PPFD. In contrast, the differences in daily average PPFD among three heights between September and December were likely due to variation in solar angle. In addition, daily average PPFD at all locations were significantly lower under overcast than clear sky conditions in March, September and December. Over the year-long study, the mean daily total PPFD at 21 m, 10 m and 4 m was 2.8, 2.7 and 0.7 mol/(m2 · d), which accounted for 9.7%, 9.4% and 2.4% of the daily PPFD above the canopy, respectively. Significant differences in mean daily total PPFD occurred at the same heights among different seasons, and diurnal, day-to-day and seasonal PPFD varied at different heights within the canopy. The possible effects of light variability on physiological and morphological responses of plants are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Repairing upper extremity function would significantly enhance the quality of life for persons with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). Repair strategy development requires investigations of the deficits and the spontaneous recovery that occurs when cervical spinal cord axonal pathways are damaged. The present study revealed that both anatomically and electrophysiologically complete myelotomies of the C4 spinal cord dorsal columns significantly increased the adult rat''s averaged times to first attend to adhesive stickers placed on the palms of their forepaws at 1 week. Complete bilateral myelotomies of the dorsal funiculi and dorsal hemisection, but not bilateral dorsolateral funiculi injuries, also similarly increased these times at 1 week. These data extend a previous finding by showing that a forepaw tactile sensory deficit that occurred in the adult rat after bilateral C4 spinal cord dorsal funiculi injury is due to damage of the dorsal columns. Averaged times to first attend to the stickers also decreased to those of sham-operated rats at 3 and 4 weeks post-dorsal hemisection with weekly testing. In contrast, a separate group of rats with dorsal hemisections had significantly increased times when tested only at 4 weeks. These data indicate that frequent assessment of this particular behavior in rats with dorsal hemisections extinguishes it and/or engenders a learned response in the absence of sensory axons in the dorsal columns and dorsolateral funiculi. This finding contrasted with weekly testing of grid walking where increased forelimb footfall numbers persisted for 4 weeks post-dorsal hemisection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Land-use change altered mass proportion of aggregate- and density-size fractions. • TF soils had higher light fraction mass and associated C and N than RP soils. • RP soil δ13C was enriched whereas, δ15N depleted. • Bulk soil C and N loss in RP mainly driven by macroaggregate and heavy fraction loss. Land-use change (LUC) in the tropics, such as the exponential rate of conversion of natural habitats into intense monocultures focusing on cash-crop cultivation, is a major causal factor of global environmental change. To understand the effects of LUC on soil organic matter (SOM) stability and the dynamics of C and N within SOM fractions, we measured the C and N content and δ13C and δ15N in fractions of different aggregate- and density-size of acric ferralsols in tropical rainforests and rubber plantations. The proportion of macroaggregates, heavy and light fractions significantly decreased after LUC. The results showed that, in general, conversion of tropical rainforest to rubber plantation significantly decreased the C and N content in bulk soil and the aggregate- and density-size to 20 cm soil depth. The decrease in C and N content in bulk soil was mainly driven by decreasing C and N associated with macroaggregates and light fractions, which accounted for > 50%. We found significant correlations among mean weight diameter, aggregate-, and density-size fractions C, N, and C/N ratios. The conversion of tropical rainforest to rubber plantation significantly enriched soil δ13C while depleting δ15N. Enrichment of δ13C in rubber plantations could be explained by the mixing of old and fresh C. We conclude that, C and N dynamics within SOM fractions were greatly affected by LUC and the δ13C and δ15N signature confirms the changes in SOM stability after forest conversion. We suggest that planting intercrops within rubber monocultures may improve SOM accumulation, soil aggregation, and C and N sequestration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diagnosis of comorbid carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is challenging due to the overlapping symptoms and inconclusive electrodiagnostic studies (EDX). This case report is aimed at illustrating the value of ultrasonography (US) in a patient with CMT1 disease and comorbid CTS. A 28-year-old woman presented with symptoms of painful paresthesia and weakness of both hands. EDX demonstrated a demyelinating sensory-motor polyneuropathy in the upper and lower extremities, consistent with CMT1 disease. US showed an increased cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel inlet (CTI) with a significant drop in the diameter within the carpal tunnel, confirming concurrent CTS. Genetic testing confirmed PMP22 duplication consistent with CMT1A. Bilateral carpal tunnel releases were performed with partial symptom resolution within 3 weeks. Postoperative EDX demonstrated improved motor conduction across the wrist, but the sensory potentials continued to be unrecordable. US showed a significant reversal of the diameter-drop of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel and decrease in CSA at the CTI. US imaging is a valuable technique for identifying comorbid CTS in patients with CMT and directing appropriate treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parsonage-Turner syndrome (PTS) following COVID-19 infection or vaccination is rare. The pathophysiology may involve an immune-mediated inflammatory reaction against brachial plexus nerve fibers in a genetically predisposed individual. We describe the clinical and electromyographic features of 6 patients presenting with the clinical picture of PTS following COVID-19 vaccination. All patients were referred for electromyographic studies to evaluate the acute onset of pain in the shoulder girdle/upper limb accompanied by muscle weakness in the distribution of one or more branches of the brachial plexus. Each patient had received the COVID-19 vaccine within a few weeks prior to the onset of symptoms. Patients underwent detailed neurological examinations followed by nerve conduction and EMG studies. The patients developed symptoms after a mean duration of 17 days (5 days–8 weeks) after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. The initial symptom was pain in the shoulder girdle/upper limb, followed within days by muscle weakness. Physical examinations and EMG studies showed upper trunk brachial plexopathy in 2 patients, lower trunk plexopathy in 1 patient, posterior cord brachial plexopathy in 1 patient, and anterior/posterior interosseous nerve involvement in 2 patients. All patients either improved or attained complete resolution of the arm pain at follow-up. Three (50%) patients did not have any improvement in the arm/hand weakness, while 3 (50%) patients had some recovery in strength. PTS may occur after the COVID-19 vaccine and should be suspected in patients with symptoms and signs suggestive of acute brachial plexopathy. Studies of a larger series may provide insight into predisposing factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The glial response in multiple sclerosis (MS), especially for recruitment and differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), predicts the success of remyelination of MS plaques and return of function. As a central player in neuroinflammation, activation and polarization of microglia/macrophages (M/M) that modulate the inflammatory niche and cytokine components in demyelination lesions may impact the OPC response and progression of demyelination and remyelination. However, the dynamic behaviors of M/M and OPCs during demyelination and spontaneous remyelination are poorly understood, and the complex role of neuroinflammation in the demyelination-remyelination process is not well known. In this study, we utilized two focal demyelination models with different dynamic patterns of M/M to investigate the correlation between M/M polarization and the demyelination-remyelination process.Methods: The temporal and spatial features of M/M activation/polarization and OPC response in two focal demyelination models induced by lysolecithin (LPC) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were examined in mice. Detailed discrimination of morphology, sensorimotor function, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), inflammation-relevant cytokines, and glial responses between these two models were analyzed at different phases.Results: The results show that LPC and LPS induced distinctive temporal and spatial lesion patterns. LPS produced diffuse demyelination lesions, with a delayed peak of demyelination and functional decline compared to LPC. Oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and M/M were scattered throughout the LPS-induced demyelination lesions but were distributed in a layer-like pattern throughout the LPC-induced lesion. The specific M/M polarization was tightly correlated to the lesion pattern associated with balance beam function.Conclusions: This study elaborated on the spatial and temporal features of neuroinflammation mediators and glial response during the demyelination-remyelination processes in two focal demyelination models. Specific M/M polarization is highly correlated to the demyelination-remyelination process probably via modulations of the inflammatory niche, cytokine components, and OPC response. These findings not only provide a basis for understanding the complex and dynamic glial phenotypes and behaviors but also reveal potential targets to promote/inhibit certain M/M phenotypes at the appropriate time for efficient remyelination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to investigate the seepage process of fractured rock mass at a mesoscopic level, using the discrete element method. To this end, an improved pipe flow algorithm is proposed within the framework of particle flow code, including the heterogeneity of initial micro‐cracks and the deformation of solid skeleton. A series of numerical samples with a single non‐penetrating fracture are then studied. The relationships between the rock permeability and different properties of fracture (i.e., the aperture, dip angle and length) are investigated. The influence of fracture properties on the distribution of pore pressure in the rock mass is also analyzed. The obtained numerical results exhibit that the seepage properties of rock mass with non‐penetrating fracture depend strongly on the dip angle and length of fracture and are slightly disturbed by the fracture aperture. Moreover, its permeability is almost of the same order as that of non‐fractured rock. The numerical results and mesoscale analysis can help us understand the influence of fracture properties on the permeability of host rock and provide practical guidance for the prevention of hydraulic disasters and the development of mineral resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: ASTRIS study aimed the largest to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of second- or higher-line osimertinib in patients with advanced/metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) T790M mutation-positive non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the real-world setting. Here we report the results of Chinese patients in ASTRIS study. Methods: Adults with EGFR T790M-positive advanced NSCLC pretreated with EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI), having a WHO performance status score of 0–2 and asymptomatic, stable central nervous system (CNS) metastases were included. All patients received once-daily osimertinib 80 mg orally. The outcomes included investigator-assessed clinical response, progression-free survival (PFS), time-to-treatment discontinuation (TTD), and safety. Results: A total of 1350 patients were included. Response rate was 55.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53–0.58). The median PFS and the median TTD were 11.7 months (95% CI 11.1–12.5) and 13.9 months (95% CI 13.1–15.2), respectively. Overall, 389 patients (28.8%) had at least one protocol-specified adverse event (AE); AEs of interstitial lung diseases/pneumonitis-like events and QT prolongation were reported in 3 (0.2%) and 59 (4.4%) patients, respectively. Conclusion: Osimertinib was effective in Chinese patients with T790M-positive NSCLC who had progressed after first- or second-generation EGFR-TKI in real-word setting and the results were consistent with ASTRIS study overall population and AURA studies. No new safety signals or events were identified. Clinical trial number: NCT02474355. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whether the northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC) was a continental arc or in a lithospheric extensional setting during the Carboniferous is the primary divergence among different tectonic models about the terminal evolutionary history of the southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). The Alxa block is the western segment of the northern NCC and contiguous to the southeastern CAOB, and therefore the tectonic setting of the Carboniferous magmatic intrusions in this block can shed light on this controversy. In this contribution, new zircon U–Pb ages, elemental geochemistry, and Sr-Nd isotopes are presented for thirteen Late Carboniferous (~318–300 Ma) magmatic intrusions in the southwestern Alxa block. Among them, seven calc-alkaline I-type granites and one aluminous A2-type granite were probably generated by the partial melting and crystallization differentiation of various crustal sources (perhaps including earlier orogenic materials) under different temperature conditions. Four quartz diorites and one hornblende gabbro may be the partial melts of subduction-modified basaltic lower crust sources and sub-continental lithospheric mantle sources, respectively. According to the integration of the new results and regional geological correlations, the Alxa block and the southeastern CAOB were most likely in a uniform tectonic regime during the Carboniferous. At that time, this region was characterized by the lithospheric extension-related magmatic rock associations, the increasing mantle inputs over time, the clockwise P–T paths of high temperature-low pressure metamorphic rocks, and the transgression sedimentary sequences. All these lines of evidence suggest an intra-continental lithospheric extensional setting rather than a continental arc setting for the southeastern CAOB during the Carboniferous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemokine CXCL12 plays a vital role in regulating the development of the central nervous system (CNS) by binding to its receptors CXCR4 and CXCR7. Recent studies reported that the CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 axis regulates both embryonic and adult oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) in their proliferation, migration, and differentiation. The changes in the expression and distribution of CXCL12 and its receptors are tightly associated with the pathological process of demyelination in multiple sclerosis (MS), suggesting that modulating the CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 axis may benefit myelin repair by enhancing OPC recruitment and differentiation. This review aims to integrate the current findings of the CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 signaling pathway in the CNS and to highlight its role in oligodendrocyte development and demyelinating diseases. Furthermore, this review provides potential therapeutic strategies for myelin repair by analyzing the relevance between the pathological changes and the regulatory roles of CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 during MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asymmetric reduction of ethyl 4-chloro-3-oxobutyrate (COBE) by carbonyl reductases presents an efficient way to produce Ethyl ( S )-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate (( S )-CHBE), an important chiral intermediate for the synthesis of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors such as Lipitor ® . In this study, an NADPH-dependent carbonyl reductase (SrCR) from Synechocystis sp. was characterized to demonstrate a broad substrate spectrum, and the highest activity (53.1 U/mg protein) with COBE. To regenerate the cofactor NADPH, Bacillus subtilis glucose dehydrogenase was successfully coexpressed with SrCR. Owing to the product inhibition, no more than 400 mM of COBE could be completely reduced to ( S )-CHBE using the recombinant Escherichia coli/ pET-SrCR-GDH. The macroporous adsorption resin HZ 814 was applied to adsorb ( S )-CHBE in situ to alleviate the product inhibitio. Consequently, 3000 mM (494 g/L) of COBE was bioconverted within 8 h, resulting in a ( S )-CHBE yield of 98.2%, with 99.4% ee and total turnover number of 15,000, revealed great industrial potential of ( S )-CHBE production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

( S )- N -Boc-3-hydroxypiperidine (( S )-NBHP) is an important chiral intermediate for the synthesis of ibrutinib, an anticancer drug targeting B-cell malignancies. An NADPH-dependent reductase (YDR541C) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was isolated and found to show excellent catalytic activity in the production of ( S )-NBHP. The reductase YDR541C was cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), purified to homogeneity, and its catalytic properties were studied. Furthermore, an ethyl caprylate-water (1:1, v/v) biphasic system was introduced to alleviate product inhibition. After optimization of the reaction, as much as 1200 mM N -Boc-piperidin-3-one (NBPO) (240 g/L) was asymmetrically reduced to ( S )-NBHP within 6 h, resulting in a yield of 99%, an enantioselectivity of >99.5% ee , and a total turnover number (TTN) of 8000. These results indicate great potential for industrial application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A graded contusion spinal cord injury (SCI) was created in the adult rat spinal cord using the Infinite Horizons (IH) impactor to study the correlation between injury severity and anatomical, behavioral, and electrophysiological outcomes. Adult Fisher rats were equally divided into five groups and received contusion injuries at the ninth thoracic level (T9) with 100, 125, 150, 175, or 200 kdyn impact forces, respectively. Transcranial magnetic motor-evoked potentials (tcMMEPs) and BBB open-field locomotor analyses were performed weekly for 4 weeks postinjury. Our results demonstrated that hindlimb locomotor function decreased in accordance with an increase in injury severity. The locomotor deficits were proportional to the amount of damage to the ventral and lateral white matter (WM). Locomotor function was strongly correlated to the amount of spared WM, which contains the reticulospinal and propriospinal tracts. Normal tcMMEP latencies were recorded in control, all of 100-kdyn-injured and half of 125-kdyn-injured animals. Delayed latency responses were recorded in some of 125-kdyn-injured and all of 150-kdyn-injured animals. No tcMMEP responses were recorded in 175- and 200-kdyn-injured animals. Comparison of tcMMEP responses with areas of WM loss or demyelination identified the medial ventrolateral funiculus (VLF) as the location of the tcMMEP pathway. Immunohistochemical and electromicroscopic (EM) analyses showed the presence of demyelinated axons in WM tracts surrounding the lesion cavities at 28 days postinjury. These data support the notion that widespread WM damage in the ventral and lateral funiculi may be a major cause for locomotor deficits and lack of tcMMEP responses after SCI. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To investigate if deep-sedated colonoscopy affects adenoma detection in certain colorectal segment. Review of colonoscopy reports, electronic images and medical records of individuals underwent screening colonoscopy with or without propofol sedation between October 2020 and March 2021 from seven hospitals in China. A total of 4500 individuals were analyzed. There was no significant difference in ADR between deep-sedated colonoscopy and unsedated colonoscopy [45.4% vs. 46.3%, P > 0.05]. The APP of deep-sedated colonoscopy was lower than unsedated colonoscopy (1.76 ± 0.81 vs. 2.00 ± 1.30, P < 0.05). Both average number of adenomas and luminal distention score of splenic flexure and descending colon were lower in deep-sedated colonoscopy (P < 0.05), and average number of adenomas was positively correlated with an improved distension score in splenic flexure and descending colon (splenic flexure r = 0.031, P < 0.05; descending colon r = 0.312, P < 0.05). Linear regression model showed deep-sedated colonoscopy significantly affected luminal distention of splenic flexure and descending colon as well as average number of adenomas detected in splenic flexure (P < 0.05). Deep-sedated colonoscopy decreased adenoma detection in splenic flexure and the luminal distention of splenic flexure and descending colon compared with unsedated colonoscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Listeria monocytogenes and its biofilms can constitute a severe threat to public health. RSQ04 is a novel bacteriocin produced by Lactococcus lactis CGMCC20699 against L. monocytogenes ATCC 19115. Molecular mass and amino acid sequence of RSQ04 were, respectively, 1164.55 Da and NGNGAAPAAASPAP. RSQ04 exhibited excellent stability during storage and adverse conditions such as low temperature, heat, and acid stress. Growth and biofilm formation of L. monocytogenes _15 planktonic cells were significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited after treatment with RSQ04. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that cellular structure of L. monocytogenes _15 was disrupted by RSQ04 due to pore formation on the cell membrane. Hemolytic and cytotoxicity activity on HEK293T cells as well as in vivo evaluation in Kunming mice confirmed safety of RSQ04. Moreover, antibiofilm activity of RSQ04 was confirmed against L. monocytogenes _15 onto abiotic (stainless steel) and biotic surfaces (chicken breast and Italian ham). These findings indicate that RSQ04 could be used as a potential food biopreservative to control contamination by L. monocytogenes. This study systematically investigated RSQ04 from purification, characterization, safety assessment, and practical application on model food systems, providing an example for development and utilization of bacteriocins in food industries. • A novel bacteriocin RSQ04 produced by LAB was purified and characterized. • RSQ0 4 has antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against L. monocytogenes. • In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated biosafety of RSQ04. • RSQ04 presented antibiofilm activity in abiotic and biotic model food systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is devastating, causing sensorimotor impairments and paralysis. Persisting functional limitations on physical activity negatively affect overall health in individuals with SCI. Physical training may improve motor function by affecting cellular and molecular responses of motor pathways in the central nervous system (CNS) after SCI. Although motoneurons form the final common path for motor output from the CNS, little is known concerning the effect of exercise training on spared motoneurons below the level of injury. Here we examined the effect of treadmill training on morphological, trophic, and synaptic changes in the lumbar motoneuron pool and on behavior recovery after a moderate contusive SCI inflicted at the 9th thoracic vertebral level (T9) using an Infinite Horizon (IH, 200 kDyne) impactor. We found that treadmill training significantly improved locomotor function, assessed by Basso–Beattie–Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale, and reduced foot drops, assessed by grid walking performance, as compared with non-training. Additionally, treadmill training significantly increased the total neurite length per lumbar motoneuron innervating the soleus and tibialis anterior muscles of the hindlimbs as compared to non-training. Moreover, treadmill training significantly increased the expression of a neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the lumbar motoneurons as compared to non-training. Finally, treadmill training significantly increased synaptic density, identified by synaptophysin immunoreactivity, in the lumbar motoneuron pool as compared to non-training. However, the density of serotonergic terminals in the same regions did not show a significant difference between treadmill training and non-training. Thus, our study provides a biological basis for exercise training as an effective medical practice to improve recovery after SCI. Such an effect may be mediated by synaptic plasticity, and neurotrophic modification in the spared lumbar motoneuron pool caudal to a thoracic contusive SCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed oil has long been recognized as an important source of food, industry and biodiesel. In biological aspect, seed oil fatty acid composition (FAC) affects lipid fluidity and cellular metabolism, depending on temperature. Hence, the variation of FAC in seeds may reflect adaptive strategies for seed survival and seedling establishment under contrasting climate conditions. In this study, we investigated the relative effects of phylogeny and climate on seed oil FAC, testing the hypothesis that the degree of fatty acid unsaturation increases in colder climates. A large seed oil FAC dataset representing 747 species from 207 sites across China was compiled and a general linear model was used to partition total variance in FAC into taxonomic ranks (family, genus and species) and environmental components. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the relative effects of mean annual temperature (MAT) and mean annual precipitation (MAP). Phylogenetically independent contrast (PIC) analysis was used to test the evolutionary association of FAC with climate at the family level. The results showed that seed oil FAC varied considerably across plant species, with phylogeny explaining a greater proportion of variance than environment; however, FAC showed obvious large-scale spatial patterns. Total unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) content increased with increasing latitude. The degree of fatty acid unsaturation, as indicated by the ratio of UFA to saturated fatty acids and iodine value, was negatively correlated with MAT and to a lesser extent with MAP. The PIC results indicated that at the family level, nearly all significant phenotypic correlations of FAC with spatial and climatic variables were evolutionarily convergent. These results indicate that despite strong phylogenetic constraints on FAC, fatty acid unsaturation in seed oil appears to evolve as an adaptive strategy in colder climates. The affiliation of phylogenetic and climate in seed oil FAC may assist in the search of potential oil plants with particular FAC for food and fuel needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate whether cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2 ), an important isoform of PLA2 that mediates the release of arachidonic acid, plays a role in the pathogenesis of spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods: A combination of molecular, histological, immunohistochemical, and behavioral assessments were used to test whether blocking cPLA2 activation pharmacologically or genetically reduced cell death, protected spinal cord tissue, and improved behavioral recovery after a contusive SCI performed at the 10th thoracic level in adult mice.Results: SCI significantly increased cPLA2 expression and activation. Activated cPLA2 was localized mainly in neurons and oligodendrocytes. Notably, the SCI-induced cPLA2 activation was mediated by the extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathway. In vitro, activation of cPLA2 by ceramide-1-phosphate or A23187 induced spinal neuronal death, which was substantially reversed by arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone, a cPLA2 inhibitor. Remarkably, blocking cPLA2 pharmacologically at 30 minutes postinjury or genetically deleting cPLA2 in mice ameliorated motor deficits, and reduced cell loss and tissue damage after SCI.Interpretation: cPLA2 may play a key role in the pathogenesis of SCI, at least in the C57BL/6 mouse, and as such could be an attractive therapeutic target for ameliorating secondary tissue damage and promoting recovery of function after SCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The objective of this study was to investigate whether cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), an important isoform of PLA2 that mediates the release of arachidonic acid, plays a role in the pathogenesis of spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods A combination of molecular, histological, immunohistochemical, and behavioral assessments were used to test whether blocking cPLA2 activation pharmacologically or genetically reduced cell death, protected spinal cord tissue, and improved behavioral recovery after a contusive SCI performed at the 10th thoracic level in adult mice. Results SCI significantly increased cPLA2 expression and activation. Activated cPLA2 was localized mainly in neurons and oligodendrocytes. Notably, the SCI-induced cPLA2 activation was mediated by the extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathway. In vitro, activation of cPLA2 by ceramide-1-phosphate or A23187 induced spinal neuronal death, which was substantially reversed by arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone, a cPLA2 inhibitor. Remarkably, blocking cPLA2 pharmacologically at 30 minutes postinjury or genetically deleting cPLA2 in mice ameliorated motor deficits, and reduced cell loss and tissue damage after SCI. Interpretation cPLA2 may play a key role in the pathogenesis of SCI, at least in the C57BL/6 mouse, and as such could be an attractive therapeutic target for ameliorating secondary tissue damage and promoting recovery of function after SCI. ANN NEUROL 2014;75:644-658 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new flavonoid, acacetin-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)]-β-Dglucopyranoside (1), and four known flavonoids, phloretin-3′,5′-di-C-β-glucopyranoside (2), 4′-methoxyvitexin-2′′-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (3), 4′-methoxyisovitexin-2′′-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (4), and fortunellin (5), were isolated from the 70% ethanolic extract of Fortunella margarita. Their structures were established by spectroscopic data and comparison with previous reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Fruit ripening in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is the result of selective expression of ripening‐related genes, which are regulated by transcription factors (TFs). The NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2) TF family is one of the largest families of plant‐specific TFs and members are involved in a variety of plant physiological activities, including fruit ripening. Fruit ripening‐associated NAC TFs studied in tomato to date include NAC‐NOR (non‐ripening), SlNOR‐like1 (non‐ripening like1), SlNAC1, and SlNAC4. Considering the large number of NAC genes in the tomato genome, there is little information about the possible roles of other NAC members in fruit ripening, and research on their target genes is lacking. In this study, we characterize SlNAM1, a NAC TF, which positively regulates the initiation of tomato fruit ripening via its regulation of ethylene biosynthesis. The onset of fruit ripening in slnam1‐deficient mutants created by CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR‐associated protein 9) technology was delayed, whereas fruit ripening in OE‐SlNAM1 lines was accelerated compared with the wild type. The results of RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐seq) and promoter analysis suggested that SlNAM1 directly binds to the promoters of two key ethylene biosynthesis genes (1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylate synthase: SlACS2 and SlACS4) and activates their expression. This hypothesis was confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays and dual‐luciferase reporter assay. Our findings provide insights into the mechanisms of ethylene production and enrich understanding of the tomato fruit ripening regulatory network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scandent shrub plant form is a variant of liana that has upright and self-supporting stems when young but later becomes a climber. We aimed to explore the associations of stem and leaf traits among sympatric lianas, scandent shrubs and trees, and the effects of growth form and leaf habit on variation in stem or leaf traits. We measured 16 functional traits related to stem xylem anatomy, leaf morphology and nutrient stoichiometry in eight liana, eight scandent shrub and 21 tree species co-occurring in a subalpine cold temperate forest at an elevation of 2600–3200 m in Southwest China. Overall, lianas, scandent shrubs and trees were ordered along a fast–slow continuum of stem and leaf functional traits, with some traits overlapping. We found a consistent pattern of lianas > scandent shrubs > trees for hydraulically weighted vessel diameter, maximum vessel diameter and theoretical hydraulic conductivity. Vessel density and sapwood density showed a pattern of lianas = scandent shrubs < trees, and lianas < scandent shrubs = trees, respectively. Lianas had significantly higher specific leaf area and lower carbon concentration than co-occurring trees, with scandent shrubs showing intermediate values that overlapped with lianas and trees. The differentiation among lianas, scandent shrubs and trees was mainly explained by variation in stem traits. Additionally, deciduous lianas were positioned at the fast end of the trait spectrum, and evergreen trees at the slow end of the spectrum. Our results showed for the first time clear differentiation in stem and leaf traits among sympatric liana, scandent shrub and tree species in a subalpine cold temperate forest. This work will contribute to understanding the mechanisms responsible for variation in ecological strategies of different growth forms of woody plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While exercise has been shown to reduce the negative effects of substance withdrawal symptoms, no research has investigated if Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese exercise, has similar effects. Here, we observed the physiological effects of Tai Chi on protracted abstinence syndrome (PAS) in female heroin addicts by comprehensively inspecting their immune system function, complete blood count, hepatic function and renal function. To determine the psychological effects, we used the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) and the rating scale of heroin withdrawal symptoms. We recruited 70 heroin-addicted young women beginning to undergo withdrawal and randomly assigned them into two groups: one group received one-hour Tai Chi exercise every two days (Tai Chi group, n = 36) and the other group did not (control group, n = 34). Thirty-three patients finished this six-month trial. Numerous significant physiological differences were observed between all heroin-addicted subjects (n = 70) and age-matched healthy individuals (n = 18), suggesting a deleterious effect of drug addiction. There were improvements for certain physical parameters between the Tai Chi group (n = 17) and the control group (n = 16), although the differences were not statistically significant. We observed a small significant difference in psychological effects near the 60-day mark between the two groups. Taken together, our results suggest that Tai Chi might have a positive effect on PAS, which future studies can confirm by using an expanded sample size, longer trial time, and more sensitive and specific indicators of psychological and physiological health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slimmer's paralysis refers to a common fibular nerve palsy caused by significant and rapid weight loss. This condition usually results from entrapment of the common fibular nerve due to loss of the fat pad surrounding the fibular head. Several etiologies of common fibular nerve palsy have been proposed, including trauma, surgical complications, improperly fitted casts or braces, tumors and cysts, metabolic syndromes, and positional factors. We present 5 cases of slimmer's paralysis in patients who had lost 32–57 kg in approximately 1 year. In 2 cases, MR neurogram of the knee demonstrated abnormalities of the common fibular nerve at the fibular head. Two patients underwent a common fibular nerve decompression at the fibular head and attained improved gait and sensorimotor function. Weight loss, diabetes mellitus, and immobilization may have contributed to slimmer's paralysis in 1 case. Awareness of slimmer's paralysis in patients who have lost a significant amount of weight in a short period of time is imperative to detect and treat a fibular nerve neuropathy that may ensue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here an efficient copper‐catalyzed cascade cyclization of azide‐ynamides via α‐imino copper carbene intermediates is reported, representing the first generation of α‐imino copper carbenes from alkynes. This protocol enables the practical and divergent synthesis of an array of polycyclic N‐heterocycles in generally good to excellent yields with broad substrate scope and excellent diastereoselectivities. Moreover, an asymmetric azide–ynamide cyclization has been achieved with high enantioselectivities (up to 98:2 e.r.) by employing BOX‐Cu complexes as chiral catalysts. Thus, this protocol constitutes the first example of an asymmetric azide–alkyne cyclization. The proposed mechanistic rationale for this cascade cyclization is further supported by theoretical calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here an efficient copper‐catalyzed cascade cyclization of azide‐ynamides via α‐imino copper carbene intermediates is reported, representing the first generation of α‐imino copper carbenes from alkynes. This protocol enables the practical and divergent synthesis of an array of polycyclic N‐heterocycles in generally good to excellent yields with broad substrate scope and excellent diastereoselectivities. Moreover, an asymmetric azide–ynamide cyclization has been achieved with high enantioselectivities (up to 98:2 e.r.) by employing BOX‐Cu complexes as chiral catalysts. Thus, this protocol constitutes the first example of an asymmetric azide–alkyne cyclization. The proposed mechanistic rationale for this cascade cyclization is further supported by theoretical calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dissecting pseudoaneurysms of the craniocervical circulation are uncommon, accounting for only 3% of all cerebral aneurysms. These aneurysms pose a challenge due to their location and anatomic configuration. The Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) is a flow diversion technique that successfully treats aneurysms by diverting blood flow away from the aneurysm and reconstructing the diseased parent artery by altering its hemodynamics. We report 3 cases in which the PED was used to treat craniocervical carotid artery dissection with associated pseudoaneurysms. A single PED was used in the first case, 4 PEDs were used in the second case, and 3 PEDs and a PRECISE PRO RX carotid stent were placed in the third case. All 3 patients achieved full neurologic recovery postoperatively. Cerebral angiography performed postoperatively demonstrated revascularization, good laminar flow, and no in-stent or adjacent stenosis. PED placement offers a safe and effective method of treating spontaneous or traumatic craniocervical carotid artery dissections with excellent neurologic outcomes postoperatively and complete long-term aneurysmal occlusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differences, arising from differences in gross primary production (GPP) model structures and driving forces, have fuelled arguments concerning interannual changes of GPP in China since 2000. To better investigate the interannual variability of GPP and its covariance with climate factors in China, this study adopted a multi‐model analysis based on three GPP models (i.e., Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon flux model [TEC], Breathing Earth System Simulator model [BESS], and MOD17 GPP model). The results show that annual GPP in China increased by 0.021–0.057 Pg C year−1 from 2000 to 2015 attributable to atmospheric‐CO2 fertilization effects and favourable climate change, that is, increasing precipitation (Pr) and temperature (Ta). However, northern China and southern China had a large difference in the amplitude of these GPP changes; annual GPP increased by 0.017–0.039 Pg C year−1 in northern China but only 0.001–0.018 Pg C year−1 in southern China. Northern China and southern China occupy contrasting climate zones and this contrast produced different interannual variability of GPP through different mechanisms. Northern China has a dry climate with GPP changes sensitive to Pr. As a result, more Pr along with higher Ta in northern China produced the strong uptrend of GPP from 2000 to 2015. In contrast, southern China has a wet climate with its GPP sensitive to solar radiation and Ta. For the interval of 2000–2015, decreasing radiation plus drought exerted a negative influence on GPP in southern China. This study highlights the diverse mechanisms in which climate change affects GPP in dry and wet climate zones. A robust multi‐model analysis is preferred to reduce uncertainties arising from a single GPP model and its driving data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An AGPP data was generated through building its yearly mapping schemes. • Chinese total AGPP was 7.39 ± 0.62 PgC yr−1 with a growth rate of 0.095 PgC yr−2. • Chinese AGPP trends spatially decreased from east to west. • Ecosystem responses dominate AGPP trends via structural properties in north regions. • Ecosystem responses dominate AGPP trends in west and south regions via functional properties. The annual gross primary productivity (AGPP) forms the foundation for terrestrial carbon sink. AGPP trends stem from the combined impacts of environmental factors and ecosystem responses to those factors. These responses include model structure modifications altering both the structural properties (represented by leaf area index) and the functional properties (represented by per leaf AGPP). Understanding the contributions of ecosystem responses to AGPP trends is crucial for accurately assessing spatiotemporal variations in AGPP, which aids in effective carbon management. Based on eddy covariance measurements of AGPP in China, we generated AGPP during 2000–2020 by constructing yearly AGPP mapping schemes from site measurements and analyzed AGPP trends. The roles of ecosystem responses and their pathways were further elucidated by employing analysis of variance. Results showed that the total AGPP in China was 7.39 ± 0.62 PgC yr−1, with an increasing trend of 0.095 PgC yr−2. This increase primarily sourced from the total AGPP in Subtropical Evergreen Needleleaf Forest. AGPP trends spatially decreased from east to west, with most regions showing positive values. Structural and functional properties contributed similarly to AGPP trends, with varying regional contributions. The structural properties played a dominant role in north regions while the functional properties were more important in south and west regions. Ecosystem responses similarly determined the trends of ecosystem properties, which decreased from west to east. Ecosystem responses thus dominated AGPP trends through the structural properties in north regions but through the functional properties in south and west regions. Therefore, Chinese AGPP exhibited a spatially varied increasing trend during 2000–2020. Ecosystem responses dominated AGPP trends through divergent properties across regions. Our results highlight the significanc of ecosystem responses in AGPP trends and their divergent pathways across regions. This also provides independent data support for quantifying regional carbon budgets. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C19H17FN2O2, triclinic, P1̅ (no. 2), a = 7.8593(19) Å, b = 10.3322(18) Å, c = 10.9747(19) Å, α = 108.914(18)°, β = 92.931(3)°, γ = 99.544(3)°, V = 826.1(3) Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0431, wRref(F2) = 0.1170, T = 296.15 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C19H17BrN2O2, triclinic, P1̅ (no. 2), a = 8.3979(11) Å, b = 10.4083(14) Å, c = 11.1696(15) Å, α = 69.270(2)°, β = 89.401(2)°, γ = 73.709(2)°, V = 872.1(2) Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0422, wRref(F2) = 0.1138, T = 296.15 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]