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Abstract Background Rhamnus utilis Decne (Rhamnaceae) is an ecologically and economically important tree species. The growing market demands and recent anthropogenic impacts to R. utilis forests has negatively impacted its populations severely. However, little is known about the potential distribution of this species and environmental factors that affect habitat suitability for this species. By using 219 occurrence records along with 51 environmental factors, present and future suitable habitats were estimated for R. utilis using Maxent modeling; the important environmental factors affecting its distribution were analyzed. Results January water vapor pressure, normalized difference vegetation index, mean diurnal range, and precipitation of the warmest quarter represented the critical factors explaining the environmental requirements of R. utilis. The potential habitat of R. utilis included most provinces from central to southeast China. Under the climate change scenario SSP 245, Maxent predicted a cumulative loss of ca. 0.73 × 105 km2 in suitable habitat for R. utilis during 2041–2060 while an increase of ca. 0.65 × 105 km2 occurred during 2081–2100. Furthermore, under this climate change scenario, the suitable habitat will geographically expand to higher elevations. Conclusions The findings of our study provide a foundation for targeted conservation efforts and inform future research on R. utilis. By considering the identified environmental factors and anticipating the potential impacts of climate change, conservation strategies can be developed to preserve and restore suitable habitats for R. utilis. Protecting this species is not only crucial for maintaining biodiversity but also for sustaining the economic benefits associated with its ecological services.

Increasingly severe crises, such as climate change, water scarcity and environmental pollution, pose significant challenges to global food security and sustainable agricultural development. For efficient and sustainable tomato cultivation management under resource constraints, quantitatively describing the relationship between yield-quality harvest and water-nitrogen application is practically beneficial. Two successive greenhouse experiments with three irrigation levels (1/3 FI, 2/3 FI, and full irrigation (FI)) and four nitrogen fertilizer treatments (0 FN, 1/3 FN, 2/3 FN, and full nitrogen (FN)) were conducted on tomatoes during the whole phenological stage. The tomato evapotranspiration and nitrogen application amount, yield, comprehensive quality, solid–acid ratio, and lycopene content were measured. Based on crop water production functions, three equation forms of water-nitrogen production functions containing 20 models were established and evaluated to predict tomato harvest parameters. The results show that water increased tomato yield while decreasing fruit quality, and the effect of nitrogen was primarily contrary. Water most significantly impacted tomato formation, and the interaction of water and nitrogen changed among different harvest parameters. Tomato yield and quality formation was more sensitive to water and nitrogen at the flowering and fruit maturation stages. Model Singh-2 outweighed other models for yield estimates, with an R2 of 0.71 and an RMSE of 0.11. Singh-Log, Singh-sigmoid and Rao-Root models were effective models for comprehensive quality, solid–acid ratio, and lycopene content prediction, with an R2 of 0.41, 0.62, and 0.42, and an RMSE of 0.33, 0.50, and 0.16, respectively. Finally, models in the form of f(ETi)·f(N) were ideal for tomato harvest prevision and are recommended for water and nitrogen management in tomato cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Understanding the reproductive biology of weeds is crucial for managing them effectively. Diplachne fusca (Poaceae) is a widely distributed weed species that poses significant challenges to agricultural productivity. Nevertheless, it remains unclear how the soil seed bank of D. fusca responds to environmental shifts, and whether a dormancy cycle is present in this species. Methods: We investigated how seed dormancy in D. fusca is broken and how it responds to natural environmental changes. The impact of incubation temperature, light exposure, cold stratification at 4 °C, and gibberellic acid (GA3) on seed germination/dormancy-break was investigated, along with assessing seasonal changes in germinability through monthly excavation and laboratory incubation of buried seeds over 2 years. Results: Results indicated that newly ripened seeds of D. fusca were dormant, with germination facilitated by GA3, cold stratification, and after-ripening at ambient room conditions. Exposure to darkness inhibited germination. Seasonal patterns of germination were observed, with peak germination occurring in cooler months and a marked decline during the hot summer months. After 2 years of being buried, approximately 40% of the seeds remained viable. Conclusion: In summary, seeds of D. fusca exhibit non-deep physiological dormancy and maintain a persistent soil seed bank. Seeds buried in the soil undergo a yearly dormancy/non-dormancy cycle. This dormancy cycle prevents seed germination and seedling emergence in autumn, which boosts the survival of seedlings in less favorable seasons, yet it also makes it more challenging to eradicate this weed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jasmine tea is loved by most people who drink flower tea owing to its unique aroma, and it is known as the top of flower teas. In our study, the quantitative evaluation of the quality of jasmine tea and detection of aroma components were carried out. First, the flavor quality of 92 kinds of jasmine tea was evaluated using multiple sub‐factor quality evaluation methods. According to the evaluation results, jasmine tea was divided into three types: "fresh and lovely" (FL), "heavy and thick" (HT), and "fresh and heavy" (FH). Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used to detect the aroma components of the three types of jasmine tea samples. α‐Farnesene, cis‐3‐hexenyl benzoate, acid phenylmethyl ester, linalool, methyl anthranilate, and indole were the main substances that constituted the basic aroma quality characteristics of jasmine tea. Compared to the FL type, the HT and FH types were weaker in the diversification of the characteristic aroma and accumulation of green, herb, sweet, and roast aroma substances. Green and herb aromas play crucial roles in the fresh and persistent qualities of the three types of jasmine tea, which are the key quality factors research focus of jasmine tea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N-degron pathway plays an important role in the protein quality control and maintenance of cellular protein homeostasis. ZER1 and ZYG11B, the substrate receptors of the Cullin 2-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase (CRL2), recognize N-terminal (Nt) glycine degrons and participate in the Nt-myristoylation quality control through the Gly/N-degron pathway. Here we show that ZER1 and ZYG11B can also recognize small Nt-residues other than glycine. Specifically, ZER1 binds better to Nt-Ser, -Ala, -Thr and -Cys than to -Gly, while ZYG11B prefers Nt-Gly but also has the capacity to recognize Nt-Ser, -Ala and -Cys in vitro. We found that Nt-Ser, -Ala and -Cys undergo Nt-acetylation catalyzed by Nt-acetyltransferase (NAT), thereby shielding them from recognition by ZER1/ZYG11B in cells. Instead, ZER1/ZYG11B readily targets a selection of small Nt-residues lacking Nt-acetylation for degradation in NAT-deficient cells, implicating its role in the Nt-acetylation quality control. Furthermore, we present the crystal structures of ZER1 and ZYG11B bound to various small Nt-residues and uncover the molecular mechanism of non-acetylated substrate recognition by ZER1 and ZYG11B. N-degron pathways play an important role in maintaining protein homeostasis. Here, Li et al. demonstrates an additional non-Ac/N-degron pathway, in which N-terminal non-acetylated small residue degrons (Ser, Ala, or Cys) are recognized by CRL2ZER1/ZYG11B and targeted for protein degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Psoriasis, the most common skin inflammatory disease, is characterized by massive keratinocyte proliferation and immune cell infiltration into epidermis. L-Theanine (L-THE), a nonproteinogenic amino acid derived from green tea (Camellia sinensis), has been proved to possess the properties of anti-inflammatory, antidepressants and neuroprotective. However, whether L-THE has a therapeutic effect on psoriasis is still unknown. In this study, we found that the epidermal thickness and inflammatory response were significantly reduced in Imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis mice by applying with L-THE on mice skin. The expression of proliferation and inflammation associated genes such as keratin 17 , IL-23 and CXCL1-3 was also downregulated by L-THE. Furthermore, L-THE inhibited the production of IL-23 in dendritic cells (DCs) after IMQ treatment, and decreased the levels of chemokines in keratinocytes treated with IL-17A by downregulating the expression of IL-17RA. RNA-seq and KEGG analysis revealed that L-THE significantly regulated the expression of IL-17A and NF-κB signaling pathway-associated genes. Metabolomics analysis displayed that L-THE promoted propanoate metabolism which has been reported to inhibit the activity of TH17 cells. Therefore, our results demonstrated that L-THE significantly decreases the levels of IL-23 and chemokines, and attenuates IMQ-induced psoriasis like skin inflammation by inhibiting the activation of NF‐κB and IL-17A signaling pathways, and promoting the propanoate metabolism. Our findings suggest that topical applied L-THE can be used as a topical drug candidate for the treatment of psoriasis or as an adjuvant treatment of ustekinumab or secukinumab to prevent the relapse of psoriasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies in the past decades have reported anti-tumor activity of the bioactive compounds extracted from tea leaves, with a focus on the compound epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). However, further investigations are required to unravel the underlying mechanisms behind the anti-tumor activity of EGCG. In this study, we demonstrate that EGCG significantly inhibits the growth of 4T1 breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. EGCG ameliorated immunosuppression by significantly decreasing the accumulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and increasing the proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in spleen and tumor sites in 4T1 breast tumor-bearing mice. Surprisingly, a low dose of EGCG (0.5–5 μg/mL) effectively reduced the cell viability and increased the apoptosis rate of MDSCs in vitro. EGCG down-regulated the canonical pathways in MDSCs, mainly through the Arg-1/iNOS/Nox2/NF-κB/STAT3 signaling pathway. Moreover, transcriptomic analysis suggested that EGCG also affected the non-canonical pathways in MDSCs, such as ECM–receptor interaction and focal adhesion. qRT-PCR further validated that EGCG restored nine key genes in MDSCs, including Cxcl3, Vcan, Col4a1, Col8a1, Oasl2, Mmp12, Met, Itsnl and Acot1. Our results provide new insight into the mechanism of EGCG-associated key pathways/genes in MDSCs in the murine breast tumor model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is closely associated with neuroinflammation in the hypothalamus, which is characterized by over-activated microglia and excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The present study was aimed at elucidating the effects of (−)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on palmitic acid-stimulated BV-2 microglia and high-fat-diet-induced obese mice. The results indicated the suppressive effect of EGCG on lipid accumulation, pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) release, and microglial activation in both cellular and high-fat-diet rodent models. These results were associated with lower phosphorylated levels of the janus kinase 2/signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) signaling pathway. In conclusion, EGCG can attenuate high-fat-induced hypothalamic inflammation via inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways in microglia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracts of Jiuqu Hongmei tea were prepared using distilled water, 25% ethanol, 50% ethanol, and 75% ethanol, respectively, and their antioxidant activities and protective capacity on HUVEC cells from damage induced by Na2S2O3 were investigated. All tea extracts exhibited remarkable antioxidant activity, especially E2 extracted by 25% ethanol, Pearson correlation analysis indicated theaflavins, total phenolics, and soluble sugar could be the possible effective components (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, extracts prepared by 25% ethanol and 75% ethanol showed notable protective abilities on HUVEC cells injured by Na2S2O3. Considering the application in functional foods development, 25% ethanol was shown to be a better solvent for retaining phytochemicals of Jiuqu Hongmei tea in this study. Practical applications: This research focused on the investigation of the antioxidant activities and HUVEC cell protective ability of Jiuqu Hongmei tea extracts prepared by four solvents. Selection of an ideal solvent which can effectively extract the compounds from Jiuqu Hongmei tea is critical, as it determines the amount and type of different compounds extracted. Our findings indicate that the Jiuqu Hongmei tea extracts have remarkble antioxidant potential (1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl, ferric‐reducing antioxidant power, and 2,2′‐azino‐bis‐(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid) diammonium salt assay), as well as notable protective ability on HUVEC cells injured by Na2S2O3, especially the 25% ethanol extract. Hence, the 25% ethanol extract of Jiuqu Hongmei tea may play a promising role in health benefits, nutraceutical, and functional foods development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the influence of pain care and hospice care on the quality of life of patients with advanced gastric cancer., Methods: 136 patients with advanced gastric cancer were randomly divided into a experimental group (n=68) and a control group (n=68). The experimental group received pain care combined with hospice care, and control group received routine nursing. We measured quality of life and pain relief to assess the effect of pain care and hospice care., Results: After nursing, the visual analogue scale (VAS) of the two groups decreased, the VAS score of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the scores of SF-36 questionnaire (physiological function, psychological function, physical pain, emotional function, social function, and mental health) of the control group were lower than those of the experimental group (P < 0.05)., Conclusions: Pain care and hospice care can effectively reduce the pain degree of patients with advanced gastric cancer and improve the quality of nursing., Competing Interests: None., (AJTR Copyright © 2021.)

Objectives: This study analyzed the effect of multi-platform extended care on postoperative self-efficacy and quality of life in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compressive fracture (OVCF)., Methods: 162 OVCF patients who underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) or percutanous kyphoplasty (PKP) surgery in our hospital from January 2018 to June 2019 were classified into a control group (n=78) and an observation group (n=84) based on the admission time. The control group was given conventional health guidance and follow-up by telephone, and the observation group got multi-platform extended care. The postoperative incidence of re-fracture, Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI) before and after intervention, self-efficacy and quality of life were compared between the two groups., Results: Incidence of re-fracture in the observation group was higher than that of the control group ( P<0.05 ). The ODI scores of the two groups 3, 6, and 12 months after operation were lower than those on discharge ( P<0.05 ), and the observation group had lower OD scores than the control group 6 and 12 months after operation ( P<0.05 ). The self-efficacy scores of the two groups 6 months after discharge were higher than that on discharge ( P<0.05 ), and the index in the observation group was higher than that of the control group ( P<0.05 ). In addition, the scores of all dimensions of quality of life in two groups 6 months of discharge were higher than those on discharge ( P<0.05 ), and the scores in the observation group were higher than those of the control group ( P<0.05 )., Conclusion: Multi-platform extended care can effectively reduce the risk of postoperative re-fracture in OVCF patients, facilitate the improvement of patients' lumbar function, self-efficacy, and quality of life, and improve the prognosis of patients, which is worthy of clinical promotion., Competing Interests: None., (AJTR Copyright © 2021.)

Natural siderite was selected as a raw material for preparing nano zero-valent iron (nZVI). The efficiency of the as-synthesized nZVI for PO 3- ₄-P removal was investigated, and the effects of the annealing temperature, pH, initial PO 3- ₄-P concentration, adsorption temperature and oxygen were investigated. The results indicated that after annealing at 550 °C, nZVI exhibited an average crystal size of 56.3 nm and a surface area of 14.1 m²/g. A decrease in pH and an increase in oxygen availability enhanced the removal efficiency. The adsorption process, which was spontaneous and exothermic according to the thermodynamic analysis, agreed well with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Based on the Langmuir equilibrium isotherms, the capacity of nZVI to adsorb phosphorus was determined to be 33.18 mg/L. The optimized conditions for the experimental conditions were defined by an orthogonal experiment as follows: initial P concentration 2 mg/L, initial pH 4, iron dose 2 g/L, adsorption time 60 min. The experimental results suggested that the as-prepared nZVI was a promising adsorbent for the removal of phosphate.

Obesity is closely associated with neuroinflammation in the hypothalamus, which is characterized by over-activated microglia and excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The present study was aimed at elucidating the effects of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on palmitic acid-stimulated BV-2 microglia and high-fat-diet-induced obese mice. The results indicated the suppressive effect of EGCG on lipid accumulation, pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) release, and microglial activation in both cellular and high-fat-diet rodent models. These results were associated with lower phosphorylated levels of the janus kinase 2/signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) signaling pathway. In conclusion, EGCG can attenuate high-fat-induced hypothalamic inflammation via inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways in microglia.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a type of catechin. It exhibits excellent antioxidant effects and anti-tumour activities for cancer chemoprevention. The mechanism of anti-tumour effects of EGCG on different cancers has been studied for the past few decades, but remains controversial. To investigate the potential role that EGCG may play in the epigenetic regulation of colorectal cancer (CRC) cell line, we integrated bioinformatics analysis with experimental validation. We found that levels of the enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2) were significantly higher in CRC tissues compared to normal adjacent tissues, based on the Genomic Data Commons (GDC) data portal. Different human CRC cell lines exhibited differing expression of levels of the EZH2 protein. In RKO cells, EGCG and the EZH2 inhibitor GSK343 exhibited similar inhibitory efficacy on the proliferation, invasion and migration abilities of the cells, and suppressed protein expression of trimethylated lysine 27 on histone H3 (H3K27me3), which may be caused by the loss of the enzymatic function of EZH2. EGCG and GSK343 were found to have a synergistic effect on the growth of RKO cells in lower concentrations. EZH2-correlated genes were enriched in the cell cycle pathway, the top-ranking up-regulated pathway in tumour tissues, based on pathway analyses using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). In accord with this, we confirmed that EGCG and GSK343 could both significantly arrest the G0/G1 phase in RKO cell cycle, suggesting EGCG and EZH2 inhibitor share a common mechanism of action in RKO cells., (© 2017 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)