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Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is closely associatedwith chronic liver diseases, particularly liver cirrhosis, which has an altered extracellular matrix (ECM) composition. The influence and its mechanism of the cirrhotic-ECM on the response of HCC to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) remains less clarified. Methods: In silico, proteomic and pathological assessment of alteration of cirrhotic-ECM were applied in clinical cohort. Multiple pre-clinical models with ECM manipulation were used to evaluate cirrhotic-ECM's effect on ICI treatment. In silico, flow cytometry and IHC were applied to explore how cirrhotic-ECM affect HCC microenvironment. In vitro and in vivo experiments were carried out to identify the mechanism of how cirrhotic-ECM undermined ICI treatment. Results: We defined "a pro-tumor cirrhotic-ECM" which was featured as the up-regulation of collagen type 1 (Col1). Cirrhotic-ECM/Col1 was closely related to impaired T cell function and limited anti PD-1 (aPD-1) response of HCC patients from the TCGA pan cancer cohort and the authors' institution, as well as in multiple pre-clinical models. Mechanically, cirrhotic-ECM/Col1 orchestrated an immunosuppressive microenvironment (TME) by triggering Col1-DDR1-NFκB-CXCL8 axis, which initiated neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation to shield HCC cells from attacking T cells and impede approaching T cells. Nilotinib, an inhibitor of DDR1, reversed the neutrophils/NETs dominant TME and efficiently enhanced the response of HCC to aPD-1. Conclusions: Cirrhotic-ECM modulated a NETs enriched TME in HCC, produced an immune suppressive TME and weakened ICI efficiency. Col1 receptor DDR1 could be a potential target synergically used with ICI to overcome ECM mediated ICI resistance. These provide a mechanical insight and novel strategy to overcome the ICI resistance of HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yunnan is located in the center of the east-Asian karst area, one of the three largest karst areas in the world. Rocky desertification is widespread in the area, which seriously restricts the sustainable development of local social economy. In this study, we summarize the research status and achievements of rocky desertification in Yunnan mainly from three aspects, rocky desertification zoning, governance model and vegetation restoration in rocky desertification areas. The results show that rocky desertification areas in Yunnan are divided into 2 large areas and 5 small ones. After years of exploration, 23 kinds in 4 categories of rocky desertification control models have been formed, and 435 kinds of plant species can be used for ecological restoration in rocky desertification areas, including 376 species of shrubs and 59 species of herbs. Finally, combined with geographical location, climate and altitude, this paper preliminarily summarizes the suitable restoration vegetation, and points out the shortcomings in the studies on the control of rocky desertification, so as to provide an important theoretical reference for the subsequent research on the restoration and control of rocky desertification vegetation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study non-structural carbohydrate characteristics and nutrient utilization strategies of Pinus yunnanensis under continuous drought conditions, 2-year-old seedlings were planted in pots with appropriate water, light and moderate and severe drought treatments [(80 ± 5), (65 ± 5), (50 ± 5), and (35 ± 5)% of field water-holding capacity]. Non-structural carbohydrates, carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) concentrations were measured in each plant component. The results show that: (1) With increasing drought, non-structural carbohydrates gradually increased in leaves, stems, and coarse roots, while gradually decreased in fine roots; (2) C concentrations of all were relatively stable under different stress levels. Phosphorous utilization of each component increased under light and moderate drought conditions, while N and P utilization efficiency of each plant component decreased under severe drought. Growth was mainly restricted by N, first decreasing and then increasing with increased drought; (3) There was a correlation between the levels of non-structural carbohydrates and C, N, and P in each component. Changes in N concentration affected the interconversion between soluble sugar and starch, which play a regulatory role in the fluctuation of the concentration of non-structural carbohydrates; and, (4) Plasticity analysis showed that P. yunnanensis seedlings responded to drought mainly by altering starch concentration, the ratio of soluble sugar to starch in leaves and stems, and further by altering N and P utilization efficiencies. Overall, these results suggest that the physiological activities of all organs of P. yunnanensis seedlings are restricted under drought and that trade-offs exist between different physiological indicators and organs. Our findings are helpful in understanding non-structural carbohydrate and nutrient adaptation mechanisms under drought in P. yunnanensis seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new corticioid fungal species, Phanerochaete pruinosa and P. rhizomorpha spp. nov. are proposed based on a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. Phanerochaete pruinosa is characterized by the resupinate basidiomata with the pruinose hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with simple-septate generative hyphae and subcylindrical basidiospores measuring as 3.5–6.7 × 1.5–2.7 µm. Phanerochaete rhizomorpha is characterized by having a smooth hymenophore covered by orange hymenial surface, the presence of rhizomorphs, subulate cystidia, and narrower ellipsoid to ellipsoid basidiospores. Sequences of ITS+nLSU nrRNA gene regions of the studied specimens were generated and phylogenetic analyses were performed with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. These phylogenetic analyses showed that two new species clustered into genus Phanerochaete, in which P. pruinosa was sister to P. yunnanensis with high supports (100% BS, 100% BT, 1.00 BPP); morphologically differing by a pale orange to greyish orange and densely cracked hymenial surface. Another species P. rhizomorpha was closely grouped with P. citrinosanguinea with lower supports; morphologically having yellow to reddish yellow hymenial surface, and smaller cystidia measuring as 31–48 × 2.3–4.8 µm.

Three wood-inhabiting fungal species, Xylodon laceratus, X. montanus, and X. tropicus spp. nov., were collected from southern China, here proposed as new taxa based on a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. Xylodon laceratus is characterized by the resupinate basidiomata with grandinioid hymenophore having cracked hymenial surface, and ellipsoid basidiospores; X. montanus is characterized by the annual basidiomata having the hard, brittle hymenophore with cream hymenial surface, and ellipsoid to broadly ellipsoid basidiospores (3.9–5.3 × 3.2–4.3 µm); and X. tropicus is characterized by its grandinioid hymenophore with buff to a pale brown hymenial surface and subglobose basidiospores measuring 2–4.8 × 1.6–4 µm. Sequences of ITS and nLSU rRNA markers of the studied samples were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. The ITS+nLSU analysis of the order Hymenochaetales indicated that the three new species clustered into the family Schizoporaceae, located in genus Xylodon; based on further analysis of ITS dataset, X. laceratus was a sister to X. heterocystidiatus; X. montanus closely grouped with X. subclavatus and X. xinpingensis with high support; while X.tropicus was retrieved as a sister to X. hastifer.

Three wood-inhabiting fungal species, Xylodon laceratus, X. montanus, and X. tropicus spp. nov., were collected from southern China, here proposed as new taxa based on a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. Xylodon laceratus is characterized by the resupinate basidiomata with grandinioid hymenophore having cracked hymenial surface, and ellipsoid basidiospores; X. montanus is characterized by the annual basidiomata having the hard, brittle hymenophore with cream hymenial surface, and ellipsoid to broadly ellipsoid basidiospores (3.9–5.3 × 3.2–4.3 µm); and X. tropicus is characterized by its grandinioid hymenophore with buff to a pale brown hymenial surface and subglobose basidiospores measuring 2–4.8 × 1.6–4 µm. Sequences of ITS and nLSU rRNA markers of the studied samples were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. The ITS+nLSU analysis of the order Hymenochaetales indicated that the three new species clustered into the family Schizoporaceae, located in genus Xylodon; based on further analysis of ITS dataset, X. laceratus was a sister to X. heterocystidiatus; X. montanus closely grouped with X. subclavatus and X. xinpingensis with high support; while X.tropicus was retrieved as a sister to X. hastifer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Despite early mobilization has been proposed as an effective intervention to improve prognosis of patients in intensive care unit and other clinical settings, the benefits of it in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing catheter ablation is still unknow., Method: 273 geriatric patients with atrial fibrillation underwent catheter ablation in our center were included in this retrospective cohort study, with 137 in early mobilization group and 136 in routine care group., Result: After in-hospital observation and 90-day follow-up, we found though patients undergoing early mobilization didn't suffer more post-procedural complications, early mobilization didn't either shorten or extend the length of hospital stay. The average score of EQ-5D visual analogue scale and EHRA symptom scale were significantly improved and less unscheduled outpatient visits were recorded in early mobilization group during 90-day follow-up., Conclusion: Early mobilization could be a safe and favorable intervention for patients underwent catheter ablation., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest We declare that we have no financial and personal relationships with any other people or organizations that can inappropriately influence our work., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)