Search

Abstract Background The influence of native secondary succession associated with anthropogenic disturbance on the biodiversity of the forests in subtropical China remains uncertain. In particular, the evolutionary response of small understory shrubs, particularly pioneer species inhabiting continuously disturbed habitats, to topographic heterogeneity and climate change is poorly understood. This study aimed to address this knowledge gap by focusing on the Gaultheria crenulata group, a clade of small pioneer shrubs in subtropical China. Results We examined the genetic structure and demographic history of all five species of the G. crenulata group with two maternally inherited chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) fragments and two biparentally inherited low-copy nuclear genes (LCG) over 89 natural populations. We found that the genetic differentiation of this group was influenced by the geomorphological boundary between different regions of China in association with Quaternary climatic events. Despite low overall genetic diversity, we observed an isolation-by-distance (IBD) pattern at a regional scale, rather than isolation-by-environment (IBE), which was attributed to ongoing human disturbance in the region. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the genetic structure of the G. crenulata group reflects the interplay of geological topography, historical climates, and anthropogenic disturbance during the Pliocene–Pleistocene-Holocene periods in subtropical China. The observed IBD pattern, particularly prominent in western China, highlights the role of limited dispersal and gene flow, possibly influenced by physical barriers or decreased connectivity over geographic distance. Furthermore, the east-to-west trend of gene flow, potentially facilitated by the East Asian monsoon system, underscores the complex interplay of biotic and abiotic factors shaping the genetic dynamics of pioneer species in subtropical China’s secondary forests. These findings can be used to assess the impact of environmental changes on the adaptation and persistence of biodiversity in subtropical forest ecosystems.

Abstract Background Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is closely associated with inflammatory responses. However, as a crucial regulator of the immune and inflammatory responses, the role of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) in the pathogenesis of HE remains unraveled. Herein, we investigated this issue in thioacetamide (TAA)-induced HE following acute liver failure (ALF). Methods TAA-induced HE mouse models of LRRK2 wild type (WT), LRRK2 G2019S mutation (Lrrk2 G2019S) and LRRK2 knockout (Lrrk2 −/−) were established. A battery of neurobehavioral experiments was conducted. The biochemical indexes and pro-inflammatory cytokines were detected. The prefrontal cortex (PFC), striatum (STR), hippocampus (HIP), and liver were examined by pathology and electron microscopy. The changes of autophagy-lysosomal pathway and activity of critical Rab GTPases were analyzed. Results The Lrrk2 −/−-HE model reported a significantly lower survival rate than the other two models (24% vs. 48%, respectively, p

Gaultheria nummularioides D.Don 1825 (Ericaceae) is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The complete chloroplast genome of G. nummularioides has been sequenced and assembled. The genome is 176,207 bp in total with one large single copy (LSC: 107,726 bp), one small single copy (SSC: 3,389 bp), and two inverted repeat regions (IRa and IRb; each 32,546 bp). The chloroplast genome encoded a total of 110 unique genes; the GC content of these genes is 36.6%. The results based on phylogenetic analysis of the complete chloroplast genome suggests that G. nummularioides diverged later than G. praticola, the sister relationship between G. nummularioides and the clade comprising G. fragrantissima Wall. 1820 and G. hookeri C.B. Clarke 1882 was strongly supported. This study provides additional information on the genetic diversity of G. nummularioides, its closely related taxa, and further exploration of chloroplast genomes in the Ericaceae family.

Objective To explore the early diagnosis and the therapy of Sjogren's syndrome combined with hypokalemic periodic paralysis. Methods Clinical data of 2 cases with Sjogren's syndrome and hypokalemic periodic paralysis were analyzed. Results The first symptom of both two cases was suddenly or paroxysmal progressive four limbs weakness. The levels of serum potassium and chloride ion were decreased significantly, combined with alkaline urine, anti SS⁃A (+), anti SS⁃B (+), and sometimes with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism (the level of serum FT3 and FT4 being lower), or renal failure. In pathological examination of labial gland, mulifocality lymphocytes were seen in glandulae saliviae minores tissue in lower lip, or nature saliva flow rate measurement positive. All the patients' symptom improved after they were given potassium citrate, potassium chloride, sodium bicarbonate and levothyroxine (euthyrox). Conclusion The diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome and hypokalemic periodic paralysis depends on comprehensive analysis of patient history, physical and laboratory examination. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve the prognosis. The treatment principle includes potassium supplement, correction of acidosis, improvement of thyroid function, and expectant alimentary support. DOI：10.3969/j.issn.1672⁃6731.2012.02.016

Recent studies suggest that high-salt diet is associated with cognitive decline in human and mouse. The fact that genetic factors account for less than 50% cases of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) highlights the important contribution of environmental factors, such as high-salt diet, in AD pathogenesis. However, whether and how high-salt diet fits the "amyloid cascade" hypothesis remains unexplored. Here, we show sodium chloride (NaCl) could increase Aβ levels in the medium of HEK293 cells overexpressing amyloid precursor protein (APP) or C99 fragment. NaCl treatment dose not affect APP level, gamma secretase level or activity. Instead, NaCl treatment suppresses the capacity of cells to clear Aβ and reduces Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) level. Finally, NaCl treated THP-1 or BV2 cells are inefficient in clearing Aβ when co-cultured with rat primary neurons. Our study suggests that high-salt diet may increase AD risk by directly modulating Aβ levels.

Gaultheria nummularioides D.Don 1825 (Ericaceae) is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The complete chloroplast genome of G. nummularioides has been sequenced and assembled. The genome is 176,207 bp in total with one large single copy (LSC: 107,726 bp), one small single copy (SSC: 3,389 bp), and two inverted repeat regions (IRa and IRb; each 32,546 bp). The chloroplast genome encoded a total of 110 unique genes; the GC content of these genes is 36.6%. The results based on phylogenetic analysis confirmed that G. nummularioides diverged later than G. praticola, and the sister-group relationship between G. nummularioides and the clade comprising G. fragrantissima Wall. 1820 and G. hookeri C.B.Clarke 1882 was strongly supported, revealing the phylogenetic position of G. nummularioides. This work provides additional information for studying the genetic diversity of G. nummularioides and its closely related taxa, as well as further exploration of chloroplast genomes in the Ericaceae family.

Objective: To analyze associations of MRI-lesions and clinical features with disability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Shanghai, China. Methods: We studied patients with MS, identified from a survey in Shanghai, whose sites of lesions in the CNS was based on the MRI examinations. Associations between MRI-lesions, various clinical variables and the severity of disability were analyzed with univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: There were 210 patients in this study. The disability of the patients with lesions confined to the spinal cord was significantly more severe than those with lesions in the brain (p < 0.008). Current age (OR: 1.041, 95% CI: 1.007∼1.077), MS duration (OR: 1.082, 95% CI: 1.011∼1.159) and MRI-lesions in the spinal cord (OR: 2.441, 95% CI: 1.039∼5.737) were significantly associated with severity of disability on multivariate logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: MRI-lesions in the spinal cord, older age, a longer MS duration were significantly associated with a more severe disability in this MS study in Shanghai China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]