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One step polyacrylamide gel method was used to synthesize the ZnO/MgO adsorbents and the adsorption behavior with Congo red (CR) from wastewater was extensively investigated. Various advanced techniques were applied to confirm the ZnO/MgO adsorbents consist of Zn, C, Mg and O elements and do not contain any other impurity elements. With the increase of MgO content, the morphology of ZnO/MgO adsorbent changes from the agglomeration of large particles to evenly dispersed fine particles and then to icicle structure. Results demonstrated that the adsorption process of ZnO/MgO adsorbents was significantly affected by the change in initial dye solution pH, initial adsorbent dosage, contact time and reaction temperature. The optimum pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time and reaction temperature is 9.81, 2 g /L, 65 min and 293 K, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity of ZnO/MgO (nZnO:nMgO = 8:2) adsorbents (295.138 mg/g) for the adsorption of CR dye was approximately double that of previous reports (125 mg/g). The adsorption equilibrium data are well fitted by the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. Thermodynamic studies indicate that the adsorption process of ZnO/MgO adsorbents is an exothermic process. Based on the experimental and theoretical analysis, the adsorption mechanism for the ZnO/MgO adsorbents consisted of hydrogen bonding, n-π interaction and electrostatic interaction. The present work pioneers the potential application of ZnO/MgO adsorbents for the adsorption of CR dye and further provides experimental evidence for the synthesis of other adsorbents.

Two 2D coordination sheets with narrow bandgap based on tetranuclear cuprofullerene pentafluorobenzoate constructed with linear (μ2–η2:η2)2-C60 connecting CuI/CuII pentafluorobenzoate polymeric chains, were realized under solvothermal conditions.

Introduction: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DN) is the most common complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Objective: This study aimed to explore the role of fibrinogen (FIB) in T2DM neuropathy and its preliminary mechanism. Methods: Ten male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into a normal control group (NC group) and a T2DM neuropathy model group (DN group). The DN group was given a high-energy diet and streptozotocin, while the NC group was given a normal diet and a citric acid buffer. The expression levels of related proteins were analysed. Results: Electrophysiology: Compared with the NC group, the conduction latency of the somatosensory-evoked potential and nerve conduction velocity was prolonged in the DN group, while the motor nerve action potential was decreased. As seen under a light microscope, the peripheral nerve fibres in the DN group were swollen, and the nerve fibres in the posterior funiculus of the spinal cord were loose or missing. Moreover, as seen under an electron microscope, the peripheral nerve demyelination of the DN group was severe, with microvascular blood coagulation, luminal stenosis, and collapse. Compared with the NC group, in the DN group, the expression of FIB was positively correlated with the expression of both ionised calcium-binding adaptor molecule-1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein. Compared with the NC group, in the DN group, the expression of platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 and B-cell lymphoma 2 was negatively correlated. Conclusion: The increased concentration of FIB may be the cause of neuropathy, and its mechanism may be related to its promotion of inflammatory response, blood coagulation, and vascular stenosis.

Peer reviewed: True, There is an urgent need to understand the nature of awareness in people with severe Alzheimer's disease (AD) to ensure effective person-centered care. Objective biomarkers of awareness validated in other clinical groups (e.g., anesthesia, minimally conscious states) offer an opportunity to investigate awareness in people with severe AD. In this article we demonstrate the feasibility of using Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) combined with EEG, event related potentials (ERPs) and fMRI to assess awareness in severe AD. TMS-EEG was performed in six healthy older controls and three people with severe AD. The perturbational complexity index (PCIST) was calculated as a measure of capacity for conscious awareness. People with severe AD demonstrated a PCIST around or below the threshold for consciousness, suggesting reduced capacity for consciousness. ERPs were recorded during a visual perception paradigm. In response to viewing faces, two patients with severe AD provisionally demonstrated similar visual awareness negativity to healthy controls. Using a validated fMRI movie-viewing task, independent component analysis in two healthy controls and one patient with severe AD revealed activation in auditory, visual and fronto-parietal networks. Activation patterns in fronto-parietal networks did not significantly correlate between the patient and controls, suggesting potential differences in conscious awareness and engagement with the movie. Although methodological issues remain, these results demonstrate the feasibility of using objective measures of awareness in severe AD. We raise a number of challenges and research questions that should be addressed using these biomarkers of awareness in future studies to improve understanding and care for people with severe AD.

A new focus with respect to the extraction of plant protein is that ingredient enrichment should target functionality instead of pursuing purity. Herein, the sequence aqueous extraction method was used to co-enrich five protein-polysaccharide natural fractions from flaxseed meal, and their composition, structure, and functional properties were investigated. The total recovery rate of flaxseed protein obtained by the sequence extraction approach was more than 80%, which was far higher than the existing reports. The defatted flaxseed meal was soaked by deionized water to obtain fraction 1 (supernatant), and the residue was further treated to get fraction 2 (supernatant) and 3 (precipitate) through weak alkali solubilization. Part of the fraction 2 was taken out, followed by adjusting its pH to 4.2. After centrifuging, the albumin-rich supernatant and precipitate with protein content of 73.05% were gained and labeled as fraction 4 and fraction 5. The solubility of fraction 2 and 4 exceeded 90%, and the foaming ability and stability of fraction 5 were 12.76 times and 9.89 times higher than commercial flaxseed protein, respectively. The emulsifying properties of fractions 1, 2, and 5 were all greater than that of commercial sodium caseinate, implying that these fractions could be utilized as high-efficiency emulsifiers. Cryo-SEM results showed that polysaccharides in fractions were beneficial to the formation of network structure and induced the formation of tighter and smoother interfacial layers, which could prevent emulsion flocculation, disproportionation, and coalescence. This study provides a reference to promote the high-value utilization of flaxseed meals.

Background Neuroinflammatory factors, especially chemokines, have been widely reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It is unclear how chemokines are altered in AD, and whether dysregulation of chemokines is the cause, or the consequence, of the disease. Methods We initially screened the transcriptomic profiles of chemokines from publicly available datasets of brain tissues of AD patients and mouse models. Expression alteration of chemokines in the blood from AD patients was also measured to explore whether any chemokine might be used as a potential biomarker for AD. We further analyzed the association between the coding variants of chemokine genes and genetic susceptibility of AD by targeted sequencing of a Han Chinese case–control cohort. Mendelian randomization (MR) was performed to infer the causal association of chemokine dysregulation with AD development. Results Three chemokine genes (CCL5, CXCL1, and CXCL16) were consistently upregulated in brain tissues from AD patients and the mouse models and were positively correlated with Aβ and tau pathology in AD mice. Peripheral blood mRNA expression of CXCL16 was upregulated in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD patients, indicating the potential of CXCL16 as a biomarker for AD development. None of the coding variants within any chemokine gene conferred a genetic risk to AD. MR analysis confirmed a causal role of CCL5 dysregulation in AD mediated by trans-regulatory variants. Conclusions In summary, we have provided transcriptomic and genomic evidence supporting an active role of dysregulated CXCL16 and CCL5 during AD development.

Purpose Corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) is an effective treatment for progressive keratoconus. Multiple CXL modalities are clinically available. The present study compared the 1 year outcomes of five types of CXL procedures for progressive keratoconus in a Chinese population using generalized estimating equations (GEE). Methods This retrospective study included 239 eyes in 171 patients with keratoconus who underwent CXL and were followed up for 1 year. Five CXL procedures were assessed, including Accelerated Transepithelial CXL, Iontophoresis CXL for 10 min, CXL plus phototherapeutic keratectomy (CXL-plus-PTK), High-Fluence Accelerated CXL, and Accelerated CXL. Patients treated with the Accelerated CXL procedure represented the reference group. Primary outcomes were visual acuity change, spherical equivalence, endothelial cell density, mean keratometry (Kmean), maximum keratometry (Kmax), minimum corneal thickness (MCT), and the ABCD Grading System, consisting of A (staging index for ARC; ARC = anterior radius of curvature), B (staging index for PRC, PRC = posterior radius of curvature), and C (staging index for MCT) values 1 year postoperatively compared to baseline. Secondary outcomes were corrected GEE comparisons from each procedure versus the Accelerated CXL group. Results The Accelerated Transepithelial CXL group had lower performance than the Accelerated CXL group according to Kmean and Kmax. The CXL-plus-PTK group performed significantly better than the reference group as reflected by Kmax (β = -0.935, P = 0.03). However, the CXL-plus-PTK group did not perform as well for B and C, and the Iontophoresis CXL group performed better for C. Conclusions The CXL-plus-PTK procedure was more effective than the Accelerated CXL procedure based on Kmax, and the Iontophoresis CXL procedure performed better on the C value based on the ABCD Grading System.

Autoantibodies have been detected in leprosy patients, indicating that infection with M. leprae may lead to autoimmune disorders. However, whether autoimmune response last until patients are cured is unknown. Knowing the autoimmune response in cured leprosy patients is essential to identify whether symptoms are caused by leprosy itself or by other immune-related diseases. This knowledge is essential for the ongoing health management in cured leprosy patients where autoimmune disorders still exist. In our study, we selected six autoantibodies, including anticardiolipin antibody of IgG (ACA), anti-nuclear antibody (ANA), extractable nuclear antigen antibody (ENA), anti-streptolysin O (ASO), anti-double stranded DNA antibody (dsDNA), and rheumatoid factor (RF), that had been reported in leprosy patients as typical autoantibodies. We tested the six typical autoantibodies combined with LACC1, which encodes a protein associated with autoimmune disease such as Crohn’s disease and is also the susceptible gene conferring leprosy risk, in cured leprosy patients through ELISA to assess the cured patient’s immune status. We observed high positive rates of autoantibodies in cured leprosy patients, and the average plasma levels of five (ACA, ANA, ENA, ASO, and RF) out of the six autoantibodies were significantly higher in cured leprosy patients than in controls. The positive detection of autoantibodies is independent of the recovery period. Moreover, the level of these autoantibodies showed a strong positive correlation with the level of LACC1 in both controls and cured patients. This study showed that there is long-term autoimmunological activation in leprosy patients, even after decades of recovery. Autoimmune responses may influence the development and prognosis of leprosy. Special care should be given to posttreatment or cured leprosy patients regarding long-term autoimmunological activation.

Accurate accounting of emissions and removals of CO2 is critical for the planning and verification of emission reduction targets in support of the Paris Agreement. Here, we present a pilot dataset of country-specific net carbon exchange (NCE; fossil plus terrestrial ecosystem fluxes) and terrestrial carbon stock changes aimed at informing countries’ carbon budgets. These estimates are based on “top-down” NCE outputs from the v10 Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO-2) modeling intercomparison project (MIP), wherein an ensemble of inverse modeling groups conducted standardized experiments assimilating OCO-2 column-averaged dry-air mole fraction (XCO2 ) retrievals (ACOS v10), in situ CO2 measurements or combinations of these data. The v10 OCO-2 MIP NCE estimates are combined with “bottom-up” estimates of fossil fuel emissions and lateral carbon fluxes to estimate changes in terrestrial carbon stocks, which are impacted by anthropogenic and natural drivers. These flux and stock change estimates are reported annually (2015–2020) as both a global 1◦ × 1 ◦ gridded dataset and a country-level dataset and are available for download from the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites’ (CEOS) website: https://doi.org/10.48588/npf6-sw92 (Byrne et al., 2022). Across the v10 OCO-2 MIP experiments, we obtain increases in the ensemble median terrestrial carbon stocks of 3.29–4.58 PgCO2 yr−1 (0.90–1.25 PgC yr−1 ). This is a result of broad increases in terrestrial carbon stocks across the northern extratropics, while the tropics generally have stock losses but with considerable regional variability and differences between v10 OCO-2 MIP experiments. We discuss the state of the science for tracking emissions and removals using top-down methods, including current limitations and future developments towards top-down monitoring and verification systems. This research has been supported by the European Commission, Horizon 2020 Framework Programme (CoCO2 (grant no. 958927 856612/EMME-CARE)) and Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (grant no. CAMS73), the Australian Research Council (grant nos. DP190100180, DE180100203, DP160100598, LE0668470, DP140101552, DP110103118, DP0879468 and FT180100327), the Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency (grant no. JPMEERF21S20800), the Korea Meteorological Administration (grant no. KMA2018-00320), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (grant nos. 20-OCOST20-0004, 80NSSC18K0908, 80NSSC18K0976, 80NSSC20K0006, 80NSSC21K1068, 80NSSC21K1073, 80NSSC21K1077, 80NSSC21K1080, 80HQTR21T0069, NAG512247, NNG05GD07G, NNH17ZDA001N-OCO2 and NNX15AG93G), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (grant no. NA18OAR4310266).

Additional file 1: Fig. S1. Up-regulation of mRNA expression of chemokine genes during aging in AD mouse models. Fig. S2. Correlation between the mRNA expression levels of chemokine genes with AD pathology in AD mouse models. Table S1. Sequence coverage of each gene in the targeted sequencing. Table S2. Results of SKAT-O analysis in Han Chinese with and without AD. Table S3. Results of gene-based burden test of chemokine genes from ADSP. Table S4. Association results of common variants in European population.

Additional file 1: Fig S1. Bulb shapes of 9 species. (A), A.bidentatum; (B), A. mongolicum; (C), A. anisopodium; (D), A. tenuissimum; (E), A. senescens; (F), A. eduardii; (G), A. przewalskianum; (H), A. polyrhizum; (I), A. caespitosum.

The purpose of this article is to present a novel biobjective biform game framework for optimizing strategy selection of nodes (agents) in bilateral link network formation under dual objectives of profit and link security. First, in the first part of the noncooperative game, we construct various possible strategy combinations (situations) of all players (nodes) in the network, which define the competitive environment in the second part of the cooperative game. Second, in the second part, we derive coalitions' payoffs under the two objectives of profit and link security and propose the biobjective Banzhaf values to allocate the corresponding cooperative games in all strategy situations. Then, a biobjective noncooperative game is formed on the basis of the obtained biobjective Banzhaf values. Third, we redefine Pareto-Nash equilibriums (in the sense of pure strategies) and obtain the Pareto-Nash equilibriums of the biobjective noncooperative game in the first part. Subsequently, the choice of the obtained Pareto-Nash equilibriums is regarded as a biobjective group decision-making problem, which is solved by employing the redefined Borda choice function method with objective weights. Hence, we can obtain the optimal strategy choices of all the nodes (players) for the entire bilateral link network formation. Finally, numerical examples and comparative analysis are given to verify the validity and applicability of the proposed models and methods.

A novel zero-dimensional dinuclear zinc complex, di-μ-acetato-1:2κ4 O:O′-(μ-2-acetyl-6-{[(Z)-2-bromo-3-oxoprop-1-en-1-yl]azanidyl}phenolato-1κ2 O 1,O 2:2κ3 O 1,N,O 6)(N,N-dimethylacetamide-1κO)dizinc(II), [Zn2(C11H8BrNO3)(CH3COO)2(C4H9NO)] or [Zn2(L)(CH3COO)2(DMA)], 1, was synthesized using (Z)-3-[(3-acetyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)amino]-2-bromoprop-2-enal (H2 L), which was synthesized from 1-(3-amino-2-hydroxyphenyl)ethanone and 2-bromomalonaldehyde. H2 L and 1 were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, FT–IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Theoretical calculations of the bond orders and excited state of H2 L confirmed that there is extensive electron delocalization in the H2 L molecules. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction shows that the two Zn atoms are pentacoordinated in distorted trigonal bipyramidal configurations in the crystals of 1. The thermogravimetric analysis of 1 shows that the main frame of the complex remains stable to about 190 °C. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis shows that 1 possesses high purity and acid and alkali resistance. The intermolecular interactions of H2 L and 1 were analyzed using Hirshfeld surface analysis and the results indicate that the H...H and O...H interactions of H2 L and 1 play a considerable role in stabilizing the self-assembly process.

Objective: Glioma is the most common primary malignancy of the adult central nervous system (CNS), with a poor prognosis and no effective prognostic signature. Since late 2019, the world has been affected by the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Research on SARS-CoV-2 is flourishing; however, its potential mechanistic association with glioma has rarely been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential correlation of SARS-CoV-2-related genes with the occurrence, progression, prognosis, and immunotherapy of gliomas. Methods: SARS-CoV-2-related genes were obtained from the human protein atlas (HPA), while transcriptional data and clinicopathological data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) databases. Glioma samples were collected from surgeries with the knowledge of patients. Differentially expressed genes were then identified and screened, and seven SARS-CoV-2 related genes were generated by LASSO regression analysis and uni/multi-variate COX analysis. A prognostic SARS-CoV-2-related gene signature (SCRGS) was then constructed based on these seven genes and validated in the TCGA validation cohort and CGGA cohort. Next, a nomogram was established by combining critical clinicopathological data. The correlation between SCRGS and glioma related biological processes was clarified by Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). In addition, immune infiltration and immune score, as well as immune checkpoint expression and immune escape, were further analyzed to assess the role of SCRGS in glioma-associated immune landscape and the responsiveness of immunotherapy. Finally, the reliability of SCRGS was verified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) on glioma samples. Results: The prognostic SCRGS contained seven genes, REEP6, CEP112, LARP4B, CWC27, GOLGA2, ATP6AP1, and ERO1B. Patients were divided into high- and low-risk groups according to the median SARS-CoV-2 Index. Overall survival was significantly worse in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group. COX analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves demonstrated excellent predictive power for SCRGS for glioma prognosis. In addition, GSEA, immune infiltration, and immune scores indicated that SCRGS could potentially predict the tumor microenvironment, immune infiltration, and immune response in glioma patients. Conclusions: The SCRGS established here can effectively predict the prognosis of glioma patients and provide a potential direction for immunotherapy.

A new oleanane-type triterpenoid saponin, 21

Xiao Yu Hou,1 Chun Rong Peng,2 Guo Nan Zhang,2 Deng Feng Wang2 1School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Deng Feng Wang, Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 55, Section 4, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 15982222707, Fax +86 28 85420116, Email wonderful_96@163.comIntroduction: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common malignancy in women worldwide, and sinonasal inverted papilloma (SIP) is a rare benign sinus tumor with characteristics including a destructive growth pattern, high recurrence rate, and common malignant transformation. Cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) combined with SIP has not been reported thus far.Case Presentation: A 55-year-old woman was diagnosed with cervical SCC in our center and treated with concurrent radiochemotherapy. During the follow-up period after the completion of cervical cancer treatment, the progression of cervical squamous cell carcinoma was first considered because the squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) levels remained high and slowly increased. However, SIP was found after a detailed investigation. The SCCA levels returned to normal after surgery. Two months after the surgery, because SCCA slowly increased again, it was found that the SIP recurred. After additional surgical treatment, the SCCA level returned to normal.Discussion and Conclusion: First, SCCA is an important indicator for monitoring changes in cervical SCC. When the changes in SCCA levels are inconsistent with the prognosis of cervical SCC, we should be vigilant about considering the possibility of other diseases existing at other sites in the body, which might lead to the earlier detection and treatment of SIP. Second, We recommended that SCCA be used as a routine monitoring index for SIP. If available, SCCA1 and SCCA2 should be evaluated to provide a more detailed assessment. Finally, for a high recurrence rate of SIP, anti-HPV treatment might be considered to reduce the risk of recurrence.Keywords: cervical squamous cell carcinoma, inverted papilloma, squamous cell carcinoma antigen, human papilloma virus

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by progressive synaptic dysfunction, neuronal death, and brain atrophy, with amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque deposits and hyperphosphorylated tau neurofibrillary tangle accumulation in the brain tissue, which all lead to loss of cognitive function. Pathogenic mutations in the well-known AD causal genes including APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2 impair a variety of pathways, including protein processing, axonal transport, and metabolic homeostasis. Here we identified a missense variant rs117916664 (c.896T>C, p.Asn299Ser [p.N299S]) of the acetyl-CoA acyltransferase 1 (ACAA1) gene in a Han Chinese AD family by whole-genome sequencing and validated its association with early-onset familial AD in an independent cohort. Further in vitro and in vivo evidence showed that ACAA1 p.N299S contributes to AD by disturbing its enzymatic activity, impairing lysosomal function, and aggravating the Aβ pathology and neuronal loss, which finally caused cognitive impairment in a murine model. Our findings reveal a fundamental role of peroxisome-mediated lysosomal dysfunction in AD pathogenesis.

To assess the actual clinical application of poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase inhibitor (PARPi) maintenance therapy in Chinese patients with recurrent ovarian cancer, and to explore prognostic factors associated with progression-free survival (PFS).We retrospectively assessed real-world clinical data from our hospital using the inclusion and exclusion criteria of representative randomized controlled trials, analyzed the prognosis, and performed univariate and multivariate analyses of prognostic factors.Between 2019 and 2022, the proportion of platinum-sensitive recurrence ovarian cancer patients who received PARPi maintenance therapy increased to 29.6%, 53.3%, 43.8% and 62.2%, respectively, each year. A total of 48 patients were included in the prognostic analysis, of which 32 and 16 received olaparib and niraparib, respectively. Using the criteria of the Study19 and SOLO2 studies, the olaparib group in our patients had coincidence rates of 56.3% and 18.8%, respectively. Using the criteria of the NOVA and NORA studies, the niraparib group had coincidence rates of 31.3% and 37.5%, respectively. Median PFS was 26.1 months (95% CI 20.2-32.1). Response to primary therapy was an independent prognostic factor for PFS (relative risk, 3.248; 95% CI 1.081-9.757, P = 0.036).PARPi maintenance therapy was also effective in real world applications. Complete response (CR) to primary therapy was an independent factor favorably affecting PFS. Therefore, primary treatment choices aimed at optimal cytoreduction during primary surgery and improving the CR rate should still be considered, which positively affects the long-term prognosis of patients in the new treatment mode.

Key to the Cortiella species 1 Rays few (3–6); thin pedicels longer than leaves.......................................................................................................... C. yatungense 1 Rays many (more than 6); stout pedicels shorter than leaves or subequal.........................................................................................2 2 Petioles and rachis glabrous or essentially glabrous..........................................................................................................................3 2 Petioles and rachis densely puberulous..............................................................................................................................................4 3 Ultimate leaf segments trind; rays about 10................................................................................................................. C. lamondiana 3 Ultimate leaf segments obovate, 3-lobed, apex rounded; rays 20–30............................................................................ C. caespitosa 4 Dorsal ribs wings broad, slightly narrower than lateral wings, often convoluted and crowded when mature; ultimate leaf segments less than 4 mm; styles (1.5–) 2–3.5 mm after flowering..................................................................................................... C. hookeri 4 Dorsal ribs wings narrow, often poorly developed, much narrower than lateral wings, not convoluted and crowded; ultimate leaf segments usually more than 4 mm; styles 1.75–3 mm after flowering........................................................................... C. cortioides, Published as part of Deng, Jiao-Jiao, Peng, Chang, Liu, Chang-Kun, Xie, Deng-Feng, Gui, Ling-Jian, Zhou, Song- Dong & He, Xing-Jin, 2022, Cortiella yatungense, a new species of Cortiella (Apiaceae) from Xizang, China, pp. 189-199 in Phytotaxa 566 (2) on page 195, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.566.2.3, http://zenodo.org/record/7119151

We identified and described Cortiella yatungense, a new species of Cortiella (Apiaceae) from Xizang, China. This species can be distinguished from other members of this genus (C. hookeri, C. caespitosa, C. lamondiana, and C. cortioides) by fewer umbels (3–6), thinner and longer pedicels than the leaves, ovate to suborbicular fruits, and mericarp without vittae. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on the internal transcribed space (ITS) region and two chloroplast DNA intron sequences (rpl16 and rps16) showed that C. yatungense was sister to C. hookeri with strong support. Thus, both morphological and phylogenetic evidence suggested that C. yatungense is a distinct species of Cortiella. A comprehensive description of C. yatungense along with morphological characteristics and habitat are provided.

Cortiella yatungense J.J. Deng, C. Peng & X.J. He, sp. nov. (Figs. 1, 2) Diagnosis: — Cortiella yatungense is related to C. hookeri and C. cortioides but it can be distinguished from both by fewer rays (3–6 vs.>6), thin pedicels longer than leaves (vs. stout pedicels shorter than leaves or subequal), petals infolded at apex (vs. slightly incurved and infolded), calyx teeth long-triangular (vs. triangular), ovate to suborbicular (vs. oblong-globose and suborbicular) fruits, and mericarps without vittae (vs. furrow vittae 1, commissure vittae 0–2). Type: — CHINA. Xizang: Yatung County, Kangbu; 27°47’13.76’’N, 89°3’13.93’’E; elevation 4789 m a.s.l., 20 Sep 2021, DJJ2021092005 (holotype: SZ) (Fig. 4). Description: —Perennial stemless herbs. Plants 4–8 cm. Roots long-conical, 5–12 cm long, with a few branched roots. Leaves petiolate, petioles 3–5 cm long, 1–2 mm thick, sheaths inflated at base. Leaf rachis and petioles fluted, densely fulvous puberulous; blade narrowly oblong, 2.5–5 × 1–2 cm, 1–2-pinnate; pinnae 4–7 pairs, sessile, ultimate segments linear, 1–3 × 0.1–0.6 mm, apex acute. Both compound umbels and simple umbels are present, both drawing from the base; Bracts 1, pinnate; rays 3–6, unequal, pubescent; bracteoles 10–12, linear or pinnate. Calyx teeth long acuminate or linear, about the same length as petals. Petals white, white with purple or purple, ovate, apex infolded; Stylopodium conic, dark purple. Fruit ovate to suborbicular, mainly suborbicular, compressed dorsally, dorsal ribs narrowly winged, lateral ribs broadly winged; vittae absent in each furrow and on commissure. Seed transversely compressed dorsally. Phenology: —Flowering from August to September, fruiting from September to October. Etymology: —The specific epithet is derived from the name of Yatung (Xizang), where the type material was collected. Distribution, habitat and ecology: — Cortiella yatungense is distributed in Xizang (Yatung County) in southwestern China (Fig. 5). It grows in alpine meadows at altitudes of 4000–4800 m. Conservation status: —This species is currently known only from Yadong, Nyingchi and Cona County of China. In Yadong, a total of more than 300 individuals has been found. However, there is no more information about its conservation status. Based on current information, we propose to assess Cortiella yatungense as “Data Deficient” (DD) according to IUCN (2019). Additional specimens examined: — China. Xizang: Nyingchi, West of Shergyla mountain, 2 Aug 2008, Luo Jian & Wang Shuli LiuJQ-08XZ-151 (KUN); Cona County, Mamagou, 28 Aug 2011, Luo Jian & Wang Shuli LiuJQ-11XZ-071 (KUN); Yadong County, Kangbu, 4789 m, 20 Sep 2021, Deng Jiaojiao & Peng Chang DJJ2021092005(SZ)., Published as part of Deng, Jiao-Jiao, Peng, Chang, Liu, Chang-Kun, Xie, Deng-Feng, Gui, Ling-Jian, Zhou, Song- Dong & He, Xing-Jin, 2022, Cortiella yatungense, a new species of Cortiella (Apiaceae) from Xizang, China, pp. 189-199 in Phytotaxa 566 (2) on pages 192-195, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.566.2.3, http://zenodo.org/record/7119151

Cortiella yatungense J.J. Deng, C. Peng & X.J. He, sp. nov. (Figs. 1, 2) Diagnosis: — Cortiella yatungense is related to C. hookeri and C. cortioides but it can be distinguished from both by fewer rays (3–6 vs.>6), thin pedicels longer than leaves (vs. stout pedicels shorter than leaves or subequal), petals infolded at apex (vs. slightly incurved and infolded), calyx teeth long-triangular (vs. triangular), ovate to suborbicular (vs. oblong-globose and suborbicular) fruits, and mericarps without vittae (vs. furrow vittae 1, commissure vittae 0–2). Type: — CHINA. Xizang: Yatung County, Kangbu; 27°47’13.76’’N, 89°3’13.93’’E; elevation 4789 m a.s.l., 20 Sep 2021, DJJ2021092005 (holotype: SZ) (Fig. 4). Description: —Perennial stemless herbs. Plants 4–8 cm. Roots long-conical, 5–12 cm long, with a few branched roots. Leaves petiolate, petioles 3–5 cm long, 1–2 mm thick, sheaths inflated at base. Leaf rachis and petioles fluted, densely fulvous puberulous; blade narrowly oblong, 2.5–5 × 1–2 cm, 1–2-pinnate; pinnae 4–7 pairs, sessile, ultimate segments linear, 1–3 × 0.1–0.6 mm, apex acute. Both compound umbels and simple umbels are present, both drawing from the base; Bracts 1, pinnate; rays 3–6, unequal, pubescent; bracteoles 10–12, linear or pinnate. Calyx teeth long acuminate or linear, about the same length as petals. Petals white, white with purple or purple, ovate, apex infolded; Stylopodium conic, dark purple. Fruit ovate to suborbicular, mainly suborbicular, compressed dorsally, dorsal ribs narrowly winged, lateral ribs broadly winged; vittae absent in each furrow and on commissure. Seed transversely compressed dorsally. Phenology: —Flowering from August to September, fruiting from September to October. Etymology: —The specific epithet is derived from the name of Yatung (Xizang), where the type material was collected. Distribution, habitat and ecology: — Cortiella yatungense is distributed in Xizang (Yatung County) in southwestern China (Fig. 5). It grows in alpine meadows at altitudes of 4000–4800 m. Conservation status: —This species is currently known only from Yadong, Nyingchi and Cona County of China. In Yadong, a total of more than 300 individuals has been found. However, there is no more information about its conservation status. Based on current information, we propose to assess Cortiella yatungense as “Data Deficient” (DD) according to IUCN (2019). Additional specimens examined: — China. Xizang: Nyingchi, West of Shergyla mountain, 2 Aug 2008, Luo Jian & Wang Shuli LiuJQ-08XZ-151 (KUN); Cona County, Mamagou, 28 Aug 2011, Luo Jian & Wang Shuli LiuJQ-11XZ-071 (KUN); Yadong County, Kangbu, 4789 m, 20 Sep 2021, Deng Jiaojiao & Peng Chang DJJ2021092005(SZ).

Traditional classification based on morphological characters suggests that the genus Ostericum is closely related to Angelica, but molecular phylogenetic studies suggest that the genus Ostericum is related to Pternopetalum rather than Angelica. In this study, the plastomes of nine Ostericum species and five Angelica species were used to conduct bioinformatic and comparative analyses. The plastomes of Ostericum and Angelica exhibited significant differences in genome size, gene numbers, IR junctions, nucleotide diversity, divergent regions, and the repeat units of SSR types. In contrast, Ostericum is more similar to Pternopetalum rather than Angelica in comparative genomics analyses. In total, 80 protein-coding genes from 97 complete plastomes and 112 ITS sequences were used to reconstruct phylogenetic trees. Phylogenies showed that Angelica was mainly located in Selineae tribe while Ostericum was a sister to Pternopetalum and occurred in the Acronema clade. However, morphological analysis was inconsistent with molecular phylogenetic analysis: Angelica and Ostericum have similar fruit morphological characteristics while the fruits of Ostericum are quite different from the genus Pternopetalum. The phylogenetic relationship between Angelica and Ostericum is consistent with the results of plastome comparisons but discordant with morphological characters. The cause of this phenomenon may be convergent morphology and incomplete lineage sorting (ILS).