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Three cyst-forming Sarcocystis species have been identified in horsemeat; however, there exists considerable confusion concerning their relationships. Here, 74% (34/46) of the examined tissue samples from horses contained sarcocysts based on examination by light microscopy (LM), and the organism was identified as Sarcocystis bertrami based on cyst structure. The S. bertrami cysts were microscopic (up to 6750 μm in length) and exhibited a striated wall with 2.0-5.1 μm villar protrusions (vps) under LM. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations showed that the vps were tightly packed, similar to "type 11c". Four genetic markers (18S, 28S, ITS1 and the mitochondrial cox1 gene) of S. bertrami were sequenced and analyzed. The 28S and ITS1 sequences are the first records for Sarcocystis in horses. The newly obtained sequences of the 18S and cox1 genes both shared the highest similarities with those of S. bertrami and S. fayeri obtained from horses. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 18S, 28S and cox1 sequences revealed that S. bertrami and S. fayeri formed an independent clade within a group comprising Sarcocystis spp. from ruminants and pigs. Therefore, S. bertrami and S. fayeri are considered to represent the same species of Sarcocystis in horses, and S. fayeri is a junior synonym of Sarcocystis bertrami.Prévalence et caractéristiques morphologiques et moléculaires de Sarcocystis bertrami chez les chevaux en Chine.Trois espèces de Sarcocystis formant des kystes ont été identifiées dans la viande de cheval, mais il existe une confusion considérable concernant leurs relations. Ici, 74 % (34/46) des échantillons de tissus examinés provenant de chevaux contenaient des sarcocystes selon l’examen par microscopie optique (LM), et l’organisme a été identifié comme Sarcocystis bertrami selon la structure du kyste. Les kystes de S. bertrami étaient microscopiques (jusqu’à 6 750 μm de longueur) et présentaient une paroi striée avec des saillies villaires (vp) de 2,0 à 5,1 μm sous LM. Les observations en microscopie électronique à transmission ont montré que les vp étaient très serrées, similaires au « type 11c ». Quatre marqueurs génétiques (18S, 28S, ITS1 et le gène mitochondrial cox1) de S. bertrami ont été séquencés et analysés. Les séquences de 28S et ITS1 sont les premières de Sarcocystis chez les chevaux. Les séquences nouvellement obtenues de 18S et des gènes mitochondriaux cox1 partagent les similitudes les plus élevées avec celles de S. bertrami et S. fayeri obtenues à partir de chevaux. Une analyse phylogénétique basée sur les séquences de 18S, 28S et cox1 a révélé que S. bertrami et S. fayeri formaient un clade indépendant au sein d’un groupe comprenant les Sarcocystis spp. des ruminants et des porcs. Par conséquent, S. bertrami et S. fayeri sont considérés comme représentant la même espèce de Sarcocystis chez les chevaux, et S. fayeri est un synonyme plus récent de Sarcocystis bertrami.

In our previous study, we obtained a large number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between second-generation merozoites (MZ-2) and third-generation merozoites (MZ-3) of Eimeria necatrix using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Here, we report two subtractive cDNA libraries for MZ2 (forward library) and MZ3 (reverse library) that were constructed using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH). PCR amplification revealed that the MZ2 and MZ3 libraries contained approximately 96.7% and 95% recombinant clones, respectively, and the length of the inserted fragments ranged from 0.5 to 1.5 kb. A total of 106 and 111 unique sequences were obtained from the MZ2 and MZ3 libraries, respectively, and were assembled into 13 specific consensus sequences (contigs or genes) (5 from MZ2 and 8 from MZ3). The qRT-PCR results revealed that 11 out of 13 genes were differentially expressed between MZ-2 and MZ-3. Of 13 genes, 11 genes were found in both SSH and our RNA-seq data and displayed a similar expression trend between SSH and RNA-seq data, and the remaining 2 genes have not been reported in both E. necatrix genome and our RNA-seq data. Among the 11 genes, the expression trends of 8 genes were highly consistent between SSH and our RNA-seq data. These DEGs may provide specialized functions related to the life-cycle transitions of Eimeria species.

Preliminary diagnosis of clinical symptoms and gross lesions with subsequent histopathologic and PCR analyses revealed histomoniasis in 276 chicken flocks in Jiangsu Province, China, and surrounding areas from January 2012 to December 2015. Detailed statistical analysis was performed to explore the occurrence and epidemic characteristics of histomoniasis in chicken flocks. The results indicated that histomoniasis usually occurred in free-range flocks of local broilers and laying hens. Also, 2- to 3-mo-old chickens were most susceptible to infection, and adult chickens rarely developed infection. The morbidity rate of chickens was generally 10%-30%, with mortality rates of less than 10%. Moreover, histomoniasis is a seasonal disease, occurring most often from April to June, and the rate of coinfection with heterakids in the ceca of infected chicken was 50.8%. The symptoms of diseased chickens included mental fatigue, bowing of the head and wings, and yellowish green droppings, with bloody stool in very limited cases. Most of the pathologic changes were characteristic of the disease, but there were also some atypical lesions confirmed by laboratory techniques. In the current study, the histomoniasis epidemic was first investigated in Chinese chicken flocks, and the results provided a useful reference for further study of this disease.

Karst rocky desertification (KRD) is a process of land degradation, which causes desert-like landscapes, deconstruction of endemic biomass, and declined soil quality. The relationship of KRD progression with above-ground communities (e.g. vegetation and animal) is well-studied. Interaction of soil desertification with underground communities, such as soil microbiome, however, is vastly unknown. This study characterizes change in soil bacterial community in response to KRD progression. Soil bacterial communities were surveyed by deep sequencing of 16S amplicons. Eight soil properties, pH, soil organic matter (SOM), total and available nitrogen (TN and AN), total and available phosphorus (TP and AP), and total and available potassium (TK and AK), were measured to assess soil quality. We find that the overall soil quality decreases along with KRD progressive gradient. Soil bacterial community compositions are distinguishingly different in KRD stages. The richness and diversity in bacterial community do not significantly change with KRD progression although a slight increase in diversity was observed. A slight decrease in richness was seen in SKRD areas. Soil pH primarily correlates with bacterial community composition. We identified a core microbiome for KRD soils consisting of; Acidobacteria, Alpha-Proteobacteria, Planctomycetes, Beta-Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Delta-Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Bacteroidetes, Nitrospirae, and Gemmatimonadetes in this study. Phylum Cyanobacteria is significantly abundant in non-degraded soils, suggesting that Cyanobacterial activities might be correlated to soil quality. Our results suggest that Proteobacteria are sensitive to changes in soil properties caused by the KRD progression. Alpha- and beta-Proteobacteria significantly predominated in SKRD compared to NKRD, suggesting that Proteobacteria, along with many others in the core microbiome (Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Nitrospirae), were active in nutrient limiting degraded soils. This study demonstrates the relationship of soil properties with bacterial community in KRD areas. Our results fill the gap of knowledge on change in soil bacterial community during KRD progression.

Histomonas meleagridis is a facultative anaerobic parasite, which can cause a common poultry disease known as histomoniasis. The species and age of the birds impacts on the susceptibility, with turkey being the most susceptible species. Chickens are less susceptible to H. meleagridis than turkeys and usually serve as reservoir hosts. Here, the diagnosis of an outbreak of histomoniasis in backyard Sanhuang chickens is described. The primary diagnosis was made based on clinical symptoms, general changes at necropsy, histopathology, and the isolation and cultivation of parasites. The pathogen was further confirmed by cloning, PCR identification, and animal inoculation tests. A strain of H. meleagri- dis, named HM-JSYZ-C, with a higher pathogenicity level in chickens was obtained. The study lays a foundation for further investigations into H. meleagridis and histomoniasis in chickens.

The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between angiogenesis and the differential expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors in myocardial microvascular endothelial cells (MMVECs) co-cultured with mast cells (MCs) or mast cell granules (MCGs) under oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD). MMVECs and MCs were isolated from Wistar rats. MCs spontaneously degranulated in OGD. The expression of VEGF peaked at 8 h and decreased from 16 h in OGD. However, the expression of its receptor, fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (Flt-1), and fetal liver kinase-1 (Flk-1), decreased significantly, and angiogenic potential of MMVECs decreased in OGD. Expression of VEGF, Flt-1, and Flk-1 increased significantly when MMVECs were co-cultured with MCGs or active MCs, but MCs had only a limited ability to induce angiogenesis in OGD. The angiogenic potential of MMVECs cultured in OGD (even with MCGs) was inferior to that of MMVECs cultured under normoxic conditions. OGD have a profound effect on angiogenesis, which is more pronounced than the effect of MCs on angiogenesis.

Eimeria necatrix is one of the most pathogenic parasites causing high mortality in chicken older than 8 weeks. Eimeria spp. possess a coccidian lifecycle including both sexual and asexual stages. Sexual differentiation and development occupies a central place in the life cycle of the Eimeria parasite. However, our knowledge of the sexual differentiation and gametocyte development of Eimeria is very limited. Here using RNA sequencing, we conducted a comparative transcriptome analysis between third-generation merozoites (MZ-3) and gametocytes (GAM) of E. necatrix to identify genes with functions related to sexual differentiation and gametocyte development. Approximately 4267 genes were differentially expressed between MZ-3 and GAM. Compared with MZ-3, 2789 genes were upregulated and 1478 genes were downregulated in GAM. Approximately 329 genes in MZ-3 and 1289 genes in GAM were further analyzed in the evaluation of stage-specific genes. Gene Ontology (GO) classification and KEGG analysis revealed that 953 upregulated gametocyte genes were annotated with 170 GO assignments, and 405 upregulated genes were associated with 231 signaling pathways. We also predicted a further 83 upregulated gametocyte genes, of which 53 were involved in the biosynthesis of the oocyst wall, and 30 were involved in microgametocyte development. This information offers insights into the mechanisms governing the sexual development of E. necatrix and may potentially allow the identification of targets for blocking parasite transmission.

Uneven soil depth and low water availability are the key limiting factors to vegetation restoration and reconstruction in limestone soils such as in vulnerable karst regions. Belowground competition will possibly increase under limited soil resources. Here, we investigate whether low resource availability (including shallow soil, low water availability, and shallow soil and low water availability combined) stimulates the competition between grasses with different root systems in karst soil, by assessing their growth response, biomass allocation, and morphological plasticity. In a full three-way factorial blocked design of soil depth by water availability by neighbor identity, we grew Festuca arundinacea (deep-rooted) and Lolium perenne (shallow-rooted) under normal versus shallow soil depth, high versus low water availability, and in monoculture (conspecific neighbor) versus mixture (neighbor of the other species). The key results were as follows: (1) total biomass and aboveground biomass in either of the species decreased with reduction of resources but were not affected by planting patterns (monoculture or mixture) even at low resource levels. (2) For F. arundinacea, root biomass, root mass fraction, total root length, and root volume were higher in mixture than in monoculture at high resource level (consistent with resource use complementarity), but lower in mixture than in monoculture at low resource levels (consistent with interspecific competition). In contrast for L. perenne, either at high or low resource level, these root traits had mostly similar values at both planting patterns. These results suggest that deep-rooted and shallow-rooted plant species can coexist in karst regions under current climatic regimes. Declining resources, due to shallow soil, a decrease in precipitation, or combined shallow soil and karst drought, increased the root competition between plants of deep-rooted and shallow-rooted species. The root systems of deep-rooted plants may be too small to get sufficient water and nutrients from dry, shallow soil, while shallow-rooted plants will maintain a dominant position with their already adaptive strategy in respect of root biomass allocation and root growth.

Histomonas meleagridis is the causative agent of histomonosis, a disease of gallinaceous fowl characterized by necrotic typhlitis, hepatitis, and high mortality. To develop a rapid and sensitive method for specific detection of H. meleagridis, an assay based on loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) targeting the 18S rRNA gene was established. The detection limit of the LAMP assay was 10 copies for standard plasmids containing an 18S rRNA gene fragment, which was superior to that of a classical PCR method. Specificity tests revealed that there was no cross-reaction with other protozoa such as Trichomonas gallinae, Blastocytis sp, Tetratrichomonas gallinarum, Plasmodium gallinaceum, Toxoplasma gondii, Eimeria tenella, Leucocytozoon caulleryi and Leucocytozoon sabrazesi. The assay was evaluated for its diagnostic utility using liver and caeca samples collected from suspected field cases, the detection rate was 100 and 97.92%, respectively. These results indicate that the LAMP assay may be a useful tool for rapid detection and identification of H. meleagridis in poultry.

Anticoccidial effects of Aloe secundiflora crude leaf extract was tested in broiler chickens following oral infection with Eimeria tenella. Sixty 22-day-old birds were divided into six groups of ten birds each. Three treatment groups A, B, and C were fed with the extract (100, 250, and 500 mg/day, respectively) mixed in feed for 10 days, and three control groups: group D (drug control) administered 300 mg/l of sulfachloropyrazine sodium soluble powder in drinking water for 5 days, group E (infected/non-medicated positive control), and group F (uninfected/non-medicated negative control). Except for group F, all groups were orally inoculated with 75,000 sporulated oocysts of E. tenella. The effects of the extract on E. tenella infection were evaluated by severity of bloody diarrhea, body weight (BW) gain, oocyst output, and lesion score. No bird in the treated groups died of coccidiosis, and severity of bloody diarrhea was milder than in the positive control group. BW gains in the treated groups were significantly higher than in group E (p

Angiopoietin (Ang)-1 and Ang-2 interact in angiogenesis to activate the Tie-2 receptor, which may be involved in new vessel maturation and regression. Mast cells (MCs) are also involved in formation of new blood vessels and angiogenesis. The present study was designed to test whether MCs can mediate angiogenesis in myocardial microvascular endothelial cells (MMVECs). Using a rat MMVEC and MC co-culture system, we observed that Ang-1 protein levels were very low even though its mRNA levels were increased by MCs. Interestingly, MCs were able to enhance migration, proliferation, and capillary-like tube formation, which were associated with suppressed Ang-2 protein expression, but not Tie-2 expression levels. These MCs induced effects that could be reversed by either tryptase inhibitor [N-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK)] or chymase inhibitor (N-tosyl-L-phenylalanyl chloromethyl ketone), with TLCK showing greater effects. In conclusion, our data indicated that MCs can interrupt neovessel maturation via suppression of the Ang-2/Tie-2 signaling pathway.

To control coccidiosis without using prophylactic medications, a DNA vaccine targeting the gametophyte antigen Gam56 from Eimeria maxima in chickens was constructed, and the immunogenicity and protective effects were evaluated. The ORF of Gam56 gene was cloned into an eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1(zeo)+. Expression of Gam56 protein in COS-7 cells transfected with recombinant plasmid pcDNA-Gam56 was confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence assay. The DNA vaccine was injected intramuscularly to yellow feathered broilers of 1-week old at 3 dosages (25, 50, and 100 µg/chick). Injection was repeated once 1 week later. One week after the second injection, birds were challenged orally with 5×10(4) sporulated oocysts of E. maxima, then weighed and killed at day 8 post challenge. Blood samples were collected and examined for specific peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation activity and serum antibody levels. Compared with control groups, the administration of pcDNA-Gam56 vaccine markedly increased the lymphocyte proliferation activity (P

Apoptosis is an important aspect of a number of biological processes, from embryogenesis to the stress–injury response. It plays a central role in balancing cell proliferation and tissue remodeling activity in many organisms. In the present study, apoptosis in 14 days post infection schistosomula was evaluated using TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling) assays and DAPI staining. Additionally, flow cytometry using the Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) (Annexin V/PI) assay confirmed the percentage of early apoptotic, late apoptotic, and necrotic cells in 14 and 23 days post infection worms. Conserved Domain Database (CDD) BLAST analysis and alignment analysis of known schistosome proteins demonstrated the feasibility of detecting the activity of caspase-3 and -7 using the caspase-3/7 Glo analysis assay. Analysis of caspase-3 and -7 activities in schistosome demonstrated that both caspases were active in each developmental stage of Schistosoma japonicum , but was highest in the 14 days post infection schistosomula. Additionally, the caspase peptide inhibitor (Z-VAD-FMK) inhibited the caspase-3/7 activity at all developmental stages examined. Therefore, we hypothesized that two main signaling pathways are involved in apoptosis in S . japonicum , the caspase cascade and the mitochondrial-initiated pathway. We have constructed a model of these two pathways, including how they may interact and their biological outcomes. qRT-PCR analyses of the gene expression profiles of apoptosis-related genes supported our hypothesis of the relationship between the apoptotic pathway and parasite development. The data presented here demonstrates that apoptosis is an important biological process for the survival and development of the schistosome, and identifies potential novel therapeutic targets.

The aim of the present study was to determine the correlation between angiogenesis and the differential expression of growth factors and their receptors when myocardial microvascular endothelial cells (MMVECs) were co-cultured with mast cell granules (MCGs) under hyperglycemic conditions. MMVECs and mast cells (MCs) were isolated from Wistar rats. An in vitro angiogenesis assay was used to observe any differences when MMVECs were co-cultured with MCGs in normal or hyperglycemic medium. The mRNA and protein expression of growth factors and their receptors were analyzed by real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and western blot analysis. Real-time RT-PCR analysis demonstrated the upregulated mRNA and protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the MMVECs; however, the expression of its receptor, fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (Flt-1) and fetal liver kinase-1 (Flk‑1), decreased significantly, and the angiogenic ability of the MMVECs decreased under hyperglycemic conditions. The angiogenic ability of the MMVECs cultured under hyperglycemic conditions (even after the addition of MCGs) was inferior to that of the MMVECs cultured under normal glucose conditions. The specific inhibitor of tryptase, N-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK), suppressed angiogenesis regardless of the glucose concentration, and the specific inhibitor of chymase, N-tosyl-L-phenylalanyl chloromethyl ketone (TPCK), was not as effective as TLCK, which was mainly detected under hyperglycemic conditions. High glucose levels have a profound effect on angiogenesis; this effect may be more pronounced than the effects of MCGs on angiogenesis.

Schistosomiasis remains an important global public health problem that affects 200 million people in 76 countries. The molecular mechanisms of host-parasite interaction are complex, and in schistosome infection regulation of microRNA (miRNA) and the host micro-environment may be involved. In this study, an miRNA microarray was applied to investigate differences in miRNA expression in different tissues of mice before and 10 days post infection. In total, 220 miRNAs were detected in different tissues of the BALB/c mice before and after infection, including 8 miRNAs in liver, 8 in spleen and 28 in the lungs with up-regulated expression, and 3 miRNAs in liver, 5 in spleen and 28 in the lungs with down-regulated expression in mice 10 days post infection with schistosomes. The functions of these differentially expressed miRNAs are related mainly to the immune response, nutrient metabolism, cell differentiation, apoptosis, and signal pathways. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis of the differentially expressed miRNAs revealed that many important biological pathways are triggered by schistosome infection in BALB/c mice, such as the MAPK signaling pathway, insulin signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway and TGF-β signaling pathway.The results reveal that miRNAs may be an important regulator of schistosome-host interaction in the early phase of Schistosoma japonicum infection. The data presented here provide valuable information to increase understanding of the regulatory function of the miRNAs in the host micro-environment, as well as the mechanism of host-parasite interactions. This may be helpful in the search for potential new drugs, and for biomarkers of early S. japonicum infection applicable in the future control of schistosomiasis.

In this study, we applied asymmetric Gaussian function fitting to reconstruct a high-quality MODIS normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) time series dataset. Following this, we retrieved vegetation cover data from the Chongqing area between 2001 and 2010 using this dataset, applying a dimidiate pixel method. We then used several analytical indices to analyze spatial and temporal changes and trends related to these changes. We determined that a reconstruction of the MODIS NDVI dataset using asymmetric Gaussian fitting in conjunction with a data quality weight coefficient improved data quality and created a foundation for accurate estimations of vegetation cover. We also determined that vegetation cover in the Chongqing area decreased gradually from east to west. During the 10-year study period, vegetation cover in the Chongqing area generally increased, changing from low to high coverage. This increase in vegetation cover was mainly the result of ecological protection policies and improving climate conditions. We also found that changes in vegetation cover were mainly the result of urban construction and afforestation initiatives, but vegetation cover improved overall.

Back blades are usually assembled on the outside surface of impeller back shroud as a sealing device in centrifugal slurry pumps. The presence of solid particles in slurry leads to an obvious problem about the abrasion of the flow components of pump. Especially, the life of sealing devices, like the back blades, the oil seals and the shaft sleeve, is only a quarter or less of other components. Hence, an important engineering significance lies in the research on the abrasion of back blades. In this paper, a single-stage horizontal type centrifugal pump was chosen as the main study model. The 3D model of the entire flow field was meshed by hexahedral structured grids. Based on the Particle model, which is an Eulerian multiphase method, the internal two-phase flow in the centrifugal slurry pump was simulated by using ANSYS CFX software. Six optimized design cases with the variation of back blades were analyzed to study the influence of vane profile and blade number of back blades on the abrasion characteristic and sealing performance. The main conclusions obtained are as follows: the volume fraction of solid phase achieved by simulation is in good agreement with the test results; the effect of vane profile on the flow of particles in the passages and the pressure on the seal is small; the usage of less back blade number will lower the flow constraint of blades on the particles and increase the area of axial vortex in each single passage, which means that the impact velocity of particles towards the pressure side grows and the pressure on the seal increases significantly. Based on the simulation mentioned above, two better cases were selected and manufactured for trial. Then, a wear test rig was set up to study the wear pattern of impeller during the operation of pump. Through the comparison of these two impellers after the wear test, it is found that: the back blades with the back forward shape can effectively reduce the abrasion of back blades at the pressure sides near the trailing edge; thickening the trailing edge of back blades to increase the life of back blades is feasible in practical application. The optimization design of back blades was preliminarily achieved which could provide some reference for the optimization design of back blades in centrifugal slurry pumps.

Oncomelania hupensis snails along the Yangtze River and the low positive rate and infectiosity of human and livestock schistosomiasis still pose a threat to public health in China. Adult blood flukes were recognized as Schistosoma japonicum, which are found in the portal system of the sentinel mice bred in the laboratory for 35 days after contact with the water. However, 35 days was too long from the field test to dissection, and the dissection in the laboratory was also time-consuming and labor-intensive. Serum peptides in mice at different times after infection were measured by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. ClinProTool was used to establish the proteomic detection pattern (PDP), based on the differentially expressed peptide between the infection and healthy control groups. Under experimental conditions, characteristic PDP were detected in 5 % (3/60), 35 % (21/60), 75 % (45/60), 87.93 % (51/58), and 98.15 % (53/54) of infected mice from weeks 1 to 5 post-infection, whereas ELISA and dissection examination for adult blood flukes missed the first 2 weeks. At 35 days post-infection, the infectiosity assay showed 40 % (4/10), 50 % (5/10), and 80 % (8/10) positivity with the PDP test in mice infected with 4, 6, and 10 cercariae, respectively, as well as 100 % (10/10) positivity in mice infected with 14, 18, and 22 cercariae. Five stored sera of positive sentinel mice with parasite detection were verified correctly in the PDP test. The results confirm that PDP can be used as a rapid and early detection method for S. japonicum infection in experimental mice, which are expected to apply in early surveillance for schistosomiasis.

In the continental tropics, herbaceous vines and lianas are roughly equal in abundance, and the former are even more abundant in the temperate region. However, only little attention has been paid to the study of biological and ecological characteristics of herbaceous vines. In particular, research about effects of herbaceous vines acting as a biological control on plant communities has not been carried out in depth. Herbaceous vines are widely distributed and abundant also in humid subtropical areas, especially in the early stages of forest community succession, but their ecology is little known. The aim of our study is to understand the effect of local herbaceous vines on community characteristics in pioneer succession stages. The hypothesis was tested that herbaceous vines would have predominantly negative effects on co-occurring species, thereby reducing their diversity. Based on a quadrate method, a detailed survey of shrub and herb communities covered by herbaceous vines was conducted in the Jinyun Mountain Nature Reserve of Chongqing, SW China. The sample plots were selected based on the numbers and coverage of vines, distinguishing among high vine coverage plots, middle vine coverage plots and low vine coverage plots. All species in the plots with different herbaceous vine coverage were identified and measured. The measurements for each species included number, average height and coverage. Because of abundant tree seedlings in the habitat of forest edge plots, we only recorded the number of tree seedlings in those plots to evaluate the overall effects of vines on tree seedling regeneration. After the field investigation, herbaceous vines and other species in the plots were harvested respectively, then oven dried and weighed. The results showed that herbaceous vines had high productivity and produced a lot of branches, which caused above-ground competition and mechanical stress to other species. Herbaceous vines seriously affected species composition and species importance values of self-supporting species. In all three habitats, the number of species and families in low coverage samples was larger than that in high coverage samples, and furthermore the identities of species were different between them. Species richness significantly decreased with increasing herbaceous vine coverage, illustrating that some species disappeared. Herbaceous vines reduced species diversity of communities, and as a result, community complexity was decreased, which might also decrease community stability. Biomass of communities of self-supporting species significantly decreased with increasing herbaceous vine coverage, which suggested that herbaceous vines significantly decreased community productivity. The number of seedlings also significantly decreased with increasing herbaceous vine coverage, and seedlings were mainly distributed in lower coverage samples. Herbaceous vines reduced the light exposure in the understory, which may be the mechanistic explanation for the negative influence of vines on the performance of tree seedlings. It was concluded that herbaceous vines affected seedling quantitative dynamics and distribution, and inhibited the natural succession from shrub and herb communities to tree communities. Thus herbaceous vines not only had significant influences on community characteristics in pioneer succession stages, but also on subsequent succession stages.

Rationale: Remote ischemic conditioning induced by repeated episodes of transient limb ischemia is a clinically applicable method for protecting the heart against injury at the time of reperfusion. Objective: To assess the effect of chronic, repeated, remote conditioning on infarct size and long-term remodeling after myocardial infarction. Methods and Results: Rats with ischemia/reperfusion injury received different protocols of remote limb conditioning. While a single early episode of remote ischemic conditioning during coronary occlusion (perconditioning) resulted in a decrease in infarct size on both day 4 and day 28, when it was repeated (postconditioning) intermittently (every 3 days) and intensively (every day), it was not associated with a further decrease in infarct size. However, the protection against adverse remodeling offered by a single episode of limb perconditioning was further enhanced by repeated remote postconditioning therapy in a dose-dependent manner. In separate experiments there was a dose-dependent improvement in survival at 84 days by Kaplan–Meier analysis. Conclusions: Whereas a single early episode of remote perconditioning reduces infarct size, repeated remote postconditioning further reduces adverse LV remodeling and improves survival in a dose-dependent fashion. These data may have clinical implications for the treatment of patients with evolving myocardial infarction.

Aim? The drivers of species assembly, by limiting the possible range of functional trait values, can lead to either convergent or divergent distributions of traits in realized assemblages. ...

The objective of this study was to evaluate the action of S-nitroso-glutathione (GSNO) on the sporogony and the mRNA expression for EtCRK2 (a cyclin-dependent kinase related protein-2 in Eimeria tenella) during oocyst sporulation. Meanwhile, the effects of GSNO on the sporozoite excystability and infectivity to chickens were also investigated. The results showed that within 10 h after the initial sporulation, the sporulation process could be interrupted by GSNO treatment, and most of the oocysts failed to continue to sporulate. However, if the sporulation lasted more than 12 h, the sporogony process could not be blocked by GSNO. RT-PCR assay suggested that in the early stage of sporulation, the mRNA expression of EtCRK2 was completely inhibited by GSNO. For the infective oocysts or sporocysts treated by GSNO, the proportion of sporozoite excystation decreased significantly by about 20% and 40%, respectively. However, clinical coccidiosis could be observed in all experimental broilers inoculated with the oocysts or sporocysts treated by GSNO or not. The animal test showed that GSNO treatment reduced the infectivity of sporocysts, whereas it did not alleviate that of oocysts to broilers. Taken together, the data indicated that the viability of sporulated E. tenella oocysts could not be inactivated in vitro by GSNO. The inhibiting action of GSNO on oocysts was mainly limited to the early stages of sporulation, and this may partially associate with the inhibition of EtCRK2 mRNA expression.

X-linked lympho-proliferative (XLP) is an immunodeficiency condition caused by mutation or deletion of the gene encoding the adaptor protein SAP/SH2D1A. Besides defects in T cell and NK cell function and an absence of NKT cells, XLP can also manifest as lymphomas resulting primarily from uncontrolled B cell proliferation upon acute infection by Epstein-Barr virus. While it has been demonstrated that SAP regulates the functions of T cells and NK cells through the SLAM family of immunoreceptors, its role in B cells has not been defined. Here we show that SAP forms a ternary complex with the kinase Lyn and the inhibitory IgG Fc receptor FcgammaRIIB to regulate B cell proliferation and survival. SAP binds directly and simultaneously to the Lyn SH3 domain and an Immuno-receptor Tyrosine-based Inhibitory Motif (ITIM) in FcgammaRIIB, resulting in the activation of the latter. Moreover, SAP associates with FcgammaRIIB in mouse splenic B cells and promotes its tyrosine phosphorylation. Expression of SAP in the A20 B cell line led to a marked reduction in Blnk phosphorylation, a decrease in Akt activation, and a near-complete ablation of phosphorylation of the MAP kinases Erk1/2, p38 and JNK upon colligation of FcgammaRIIB with the B cell receptor (BCR). In contrast, an XLP-causing SAP mutant was much less efficient in eliciting these effects in B cells. Furthermore, compared to A20 cells, SAP transfectants displayed a significantly reduced rate of proliferation and an increased sensitivity to activation-induced cell death. Collectively these data identify an intrinsic function for SAP in inhibitory signaling in B cells and suggests that SAP may play an important role in balancing positive versus negative immune responses.

Aims Many researches have shown that the interlaced roots of dwarf bamboo (Fargesia nitida) can influence the regeneration of trees and the growth of seedlings and saplings through competition for light, water and nutrients. We explore the effect of dwarf bamboo on the regeneration of Abies faxoniana on the forest edge and estimate the effect of dwarf bamboo on the dispersal and community development. We asked: 1) how will quantitative characteristics and population structure change under different densities of F. nitida, and 2) how will the density of F. nitida influence the growth and biomass allocation of A. faxoniana seedlingsMethods We sampled five belt transects and analyzed 30 plots within each transect in Wolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve (30°51′41″ N,102°58′21″ E) during August and September 2005. The transects were selected based on different densities of F. nitida (i.e., distance to the F. nitida cluster): 2 m outside the cluster (Zone 1), 1 m outside the cluster (Zone 2), 1 m inside the cluster (Zone 3), 2 m inside the cluster (Zone 4) and 3 m inside the cluster (Zone 5). We measured the height, basal diameter and crown of each A. faxoniana seedling. We used five BD classes: Ⅰ (0BD0.3 cm), Ⅱ (0.3 cm≤BD0.6 cm), Ⅲ (0.6 cm≤BD0.9 cm), Ⅳ (0.9 cm≤BD1.2 cm), Ⅴ (BD≥1.2 cm), and five size classes: Ⅰ (0H15 cm), Ⅱ (15 cm≤H30 cm), Ⅲ (30 cm≤H45 cm), Ⅳ (45 cm≤H60 cm), and Ⅴ (H≥60 cm). The seedlings were divided into two groups, large (H0.2 m) and small (H≤0.2 m), to explore the accumulation and allocation of biomass by A. faxoniana seedlings. We obtained data on biomass from regression equations based on a sample of 60 A. faxoniana seedlings.Important findings Regeneration and growth of A. faxoniana seedlings were restrained in the F. nitida-dominated zones, and dispersal of the A. faxoniana population and development of an A. faxoniana-dominated community were affected. Closer to F. nitida clusters, the number of old seedlings and the efficiency of transformation (seedling number ratio of the next BD class to the preceding BD class) were reduced (the older the A. faxoniana seedlings, the smaller the efficiency of transformation); the peak of number of seedlings moved from larger (Ⅲ) to the smallest size (Ⅰ); the total biomass and allocation of biomass aboveground of A. faxoniana seedlings decreased; and the presence of F. nitida restrained the height growth of small (Ⅰ) A. faxoniana seedlings (confirmed by regression of basal diameter and height). The expansion of crowns of bigger (Ⅲ) seedlings increased in moderate density (Zone 4) of F. nitida.

Forest structure and succession in Wolong Nature Reserve is influenced by the understory dwarf bamboo population. However, less is known about how the forest succession affects the dwarf bamboo population. To examine the bamboo ramet population growth of Fargesia nitida (Mitford) Keng f. et Yi and to determine how ramet population structure varies along the succession of coniferous forest, we sampled ramet populations of F. nitida from the following three successional stages: (i) a deciduous broad-leaved (BL) stand; (ii) a mixed broad-leaved coniferous (MI) stand; and (iii) a coniferous (CF) stand. We investigated the population structure, biomass allocation, and morphological characteristics of the bamboo ramet among the three stand types. Clonal ramets, constituting the bamboo population, tended to become short and small with succession. The ramet changed towards having a greater mass investment in leaves, branches and underground roots and rhizomes rather than in the culm. With respect to leaf traits, individual leaf mass and area in the BL stand were markedly bigger than those in both the MI and CF stands, except for no significant difference in specific leaf area. The age distribution showed that the bamboo population approached an older age with succession. The results demonstrate that the ramet population structure of F. nitida is unstable and its growth performance is inhibited by succession. (Managing editor: Ya-Qin Han)

According to the forest-growth-cycle theory, forest communities are dynamic, mosaic systems composed of patches in different developmental phases. Based on an investigation in a sample of tropical montane rain forest of Hainan Island in South China, four distinct growth phases or patch types were recognized and patterns of patch mosaics and changes in tree species diversity were studied. Diurnal changes in light and temperature regimes in different patch types of the forest growth cycle were measured and analysed. Our results were as follows: (1) The percentages of different patch types within the sampled forest community were for the gap phase 38.5%, building phase 28.5%, mature phase 27.0% and degenerate phase 6.0%; (2) The change of densities (number of individuals/ha) of trees in the forest growth cycle was mainly caused by the larger sized trees; (3) The changes of species diversity with the forest growth cycle showed a humpback pattern; (4) The average DBH, average height, average basal area at DBH, and average volume of each individual and stand volume all increased with the forest cycle process; (5) Tree species richness and tree density at each phase of the forest cycle were positively correlated; (6) The environmental factors changed significantly, both diurnally and with progress of the forest cycle. Light intensity and soil surface temperature changed more in the gap phase than the other three phases. A framework to explain the mechanism for maintaining biological diversity within the tropical montane forest of Hainan Island is described.

Artemisinin (ART) is a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from Artemesia annua L., and well-known for the antimalarial treatment. Recently many reports show the effectiveness of ART in the control of poultry coccidiosis, but the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we found that ART could effectively improve the pathological alterations in chicken ceca infected by E. tenella with decreased number of second generation merozoites (SGM). In addition, ART significantly reduced mitochondrial membrane potential by 47.4% and notably increased apoptotic rate by 61.9% in SGM. Morphological analysis showed that SGM with ART treatment represented some apoptotic features such as the condensability of chromatin, increase of cytoplasmic density and the marginalization of heterochromatin. We also found that ART treatment significantly increased caspase-3 activity whereas reduced Bcl-2 activity in cecum tissues compared with the infection group by immunohistochemical analysis. These results suggest the anticoccidial effects of ART are closely related to facilitate apoptosis in both merozoites and the infected host cells. This study makes a better understanding of ART against poultry coccidiosis.

To analyze the diagnosis and treatment characteristics of patients with severe Influenza A.A retrospective investigation on the clinical manifestation, chest radiography, electronic fiber bronchoscopy and the histology of the cast, rescue course and outcome was conducted in 15 children with severe influenza A during January to May of 2013.Eleven cases were male, the range of age was 2 to 6 years; 5 cases were female, the range of age was 1 month to 6 years, accouting for 4.2% of hospitalized children with influenza. Three patients had an underlying chronic disease, two had nephrotic syndrome, and one had congenital heart disease. All the 15 cases were diagnosed as severe influenza A virus infection complicated with pneumonia and respiratory failure, of whom 10 cases were infected with H1N1 virus , the other 5 cases could not be identified as H1N1 virus by using H1N1 kit, but none of the 15 cases were infected with H7N9 virus. Of 15 cases, 8 had atelectasis, 4 had pneumothorax, 3 had pneumomediastinum, 4 had pleural effusion, 1 had pneumorrhagia; 12 patients required mechanical ventilation. 1 only required noninvasive mask CPAP, 2 did not require assisted ventilation, they were just given mask oxygen. Seven cases' sputum culture showed combined infection with bacteria and fungi, sputum smear examination detected: G(+) cocci in 2 cases, and G(-) bacilli in the other 2. By using electronic fiber bronchoscopy, bronchial cast was detected in 5 patiens. Histological examination of the bronchial cast revealed a fibrinous exudation containing large quantity of eosinophils, neutrophils in 1 patients, fibrinous exudation and necrotic material containing large quantity of neutrophils in 4 patients. After the bronchial casts were removed, 4 patients were improved greatly. All patients were treated with postural drainage of left and right side position, massage of electric oscillation, strengthening the sputum suction aiming to improve pulmonary ventilation function. Three patients died: 1 case was compliicated with nephrotic syndrome, another case had congenital heart disease, and 1 case hads pneumorrhagia, renal failure and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).The mortality of severe Influenza A is higher if it is complicated with underlying chronic diseases. In children undergoing rapid and progressive respiratory distress with lung atelectasis, consolidation or emphysema on chest X-ray, plastic bronchitis should be considered. Electronic fiber bronchoscopy should be performed early Lung physicotherapeutics still are important assistant measures for improving the pulmonary ventilation function.

There is a need for an endogenous internal control (EIC) for PCRs to monitor the quality and quantity of DNA in test samples. We designed and validated a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-PCR targeting the mammalian homolog of the hydroxymethylbilane synthase (HMBS) gene as an EIC for PCRs on mammals. The designed FRET-PCR detected the HMBS gene in whole blood of 13 mammalian species collected from eight countries and in 11 murine organs/tissues. It could also be used to quantify the volumes of mammalian blood meals in mosquitoes and by sequencing the amplicons obtained we could determine the mammalian species (6) from which the meal was obtained. The FRET-PCR proved highly sensitive (one gene copy in 0.05 ng tissue or 0.5 nl whole blood) and specific with no false negative or positive results. The high sensitivity and specificity of the FRET-PCR and its ability to differentiate mammalian species makes it an ideal EIC for PCRs involving mammals and a useful tool for hematophagous insect studies.

The perfectly matched layer (PML) was first introduced by Berenger as a material absorbing boundary condition (ABC) for electromagnetic waves. It was first proven by Chew and Liu that a fictitious elastic PML half-space also exists in solids, which completely absorbs elastic waves, in spite of the coupling between compressional and shear waves. The PML absorbing boundary condition provides much higher absorption than other previous ABCs in finite-difference methods. In this work, a method is presented to extend the perfectly matched layer to simulating acoustic wave propagation in absorptive media. This nonphysical material is used at the computational edge of a finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) algorithm as an ABC to truncate unbounded media. Two aspects of the acoustic PML are distinct: (a) For a perfectly matched layer in an intrinsically absorptive medium, an additional term involving the time-integrated pressure field has to be introduced to account for the coupling between the loss from the PML a...

Resveratrol is a natural phenol, produced from red grapes, berries and peanuts. Previous studies have suggested that resveratrol exerts anticancer effects. Activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) is important in cancer. However, the mechanisms by which resveratrol suppresses the Stat3 signaling pathway remain to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of resveratrol on GRIM‑19‑Stat3 signaling in HeLa cells, derived from a cervical tumor. HeLa cells were divided into experimental groups and treated with resveratrol. Western blotting was used to analyze the expression levels of p‑Stat3, Stat3, GRIM‑19 and β‑actin. Cell viability was determined using an MTT assay. The results showed that 100 µM resveratrol suppressed the proliferation and Stat3 phosphorylation in HeLa cells, and induced the expression of the gene associated with retinoid‑IFN‑induced mortality 19 (GRIM‑19) protein. Overexpression of GRIM‑19 suppressed the Stat3 signaling pathway in HeLa cells. The Stat3 signaling pathway was activated following the downregulation of GRIM‑19 expression using short interfering RNAs (siRNAs). Resveratrol suppressed cell proliferation, however, this effect was decreased through the use of siRNAs. The suppression of Stat3 phosphorylation by resveratrol decreased following treatment with siRNAs. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is among the first to identify GRIM‑19‑Stat3 signaling as a target of resveratrol, and further elucidates the mechanisms underlying the antitumor activity of resveratrol.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is generated by oxidative stress and plays an important role in various cardiac pathologies. The SIRT1 signaling pathway and mitochondrial biogenesis play essential roles in mediating the production of ROS. SIRT1 activated by resveratrol protects cardiomyocytes from oxidative stress, but the exact mechanisms by which SIRT1 prevents oxidative stress, and its relationship with mitochondrial biogenesis, remain unclear. In this study, it was observed that after stimulation with 50μMH2O2 for 6h, H9C2 cells produced excessive ROS and downregulated SIRT1. The mitochondrial protein NDUFA13 was also downregulated by ROS mediated by SIRT1. Resveratrol induced the expression of SIRT1 and mitochondrial genes NDUFA1, NDUFA2, NDUFA13 and Mn-SOD. However, the production of these genes was reversed by SIRT1 inhibitor nicotinamide. These results suggest that resveratrol inhibits ROS generation in cardiomyocytes via SIRT1 and mitochondrial biogenesis signaling pathways.

Background When compared to the murine permissive host of Schistosoma japonicum, Wistar rats are less susceptible to Schistosoma japonicum infection, and are considered to provide a less suitable microenvironment for parasite growth and development. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), are a class of endogenous, non-coding small RNAs, that impose an additional, highly significant, level of gene regulation within eukaryotes. Methods To investigate the regulatory mechanisms provided by miRNA in the schistosome-infected rat model, we utilized a miRNA microarray to compare the progression of miRNA expression within different host tissues both before and 10 days after cercarial infection, in order to identify potential miRNAs with roles in responding to a schistosome infection. Results Among the analysed miRNAs, 16 within the liver, 61 within the spleen and 10 within the lung, were differentially expressed in infected Wistar rats. Further analysis of the differentially expressed miRNAs revealed that many important signal pathways are triggered after infection with S. japonicum in Wistar rats. These include the signal transduction mechanisms associated with the Wnt and MAPK signaling pathways, cellular differentiation, with a particular emphasis on adipocyte and erythroid differentiation. Conclusions The results presented here include the identification of specific differentially expressed miRNAs within the liver, lungs and spleen of Wistar rats. These results highlighted the function of host miRNA regulation during an active schistosome infection. Our study provides a better understanding of the regulatory role of miRNA in schistosome infection, and host–parasite interactions in a non-permissive host environment.

Conceptual frameworks relating plant traits to ecosystem processes such as organic matter dynamics are progressively moving from a leaf-centred to a whole-plant perspective. Through the use of meta-analysis and global literature data, we quantified the relative roles of litters from above- and below-ground plant organs in ecosystem labile organic matter dynamics. We found that decomposition rates of leaves, fine roots and fine stems were coordinated across species worldwide although less strongly within ecosystems. We also show that fine roots and stems had lower decomposition rates relative to leaves, with large differences between woody and herbaceous species. Further, we estimated that on average below-ground litter represents approximately 33 and 48% of annual litter inputs in grasslands and forests, respectively. These results suggest a major role for below-ground litter as a driver of ecosystem organic matter dynamics. We also suggest that, given that fine stem and fine root litters decompose approximately 1.5 and 2.8 times slower, respectively, than leaf litter derived from the same species, cycling of labile organic matter is likely to be much slower than predicted by data from leaf litter decomposition only. Synthesis. Our results provide evidence that within ecosystems, the relative inputs of above- versus below-ground litter strongly control the overall quality of the litter entering the decomposition system. This in turn determines soil labile organic matter dynamics and associated nutrient release in the ecosystem, which potentially feeds back to the mineral nutrition of plants and therefore plant trait values and plant community composition. © 2013 The Authors. Journal of Ecology © 2013 British Ecological Society.

The reed vole Microtus fortis is the only mammal known in China in which the growth, development and maturation of schistosomes (Schistosoma japonicum) is prevented. It might be that the anti-schistosomiasis mechanisms of M. fortis associate with microRNA-mediated gene expression, given that the latter has been found to be involved in gene regulation in eukaryotes. In the present study, the difference between pathological changes in tissues of M. fortis and of mice (Mus musculus) post-schistosome infection were observed by using hematoxylin-eosin staining. In addition, microarray technique was applied to identify differentially expressed miRNAs in the same tissues before and post-infection to analyze the potential roles of miRNAs in schistosome infection in these two different types of host. Histological analyses showed that S. japonicum infection in M. fortis resulted in a more intensive inflammatory response and pathological change than in mice. The microarray analysis revealed that 162 miRNAs were expressed in both species, with 12 in liver, 32 in spleen and 34 in lung being differentially expressed in M. fortis. The functions of the differentially expressed miRNAs were mainly revolved in nutrient metabolism, immune regulation, etc. Further analysis revealed that important signaling pathways were triggered after infection by S. japonicum in M. fortis but not in the mice. These results provide new insights into the general mechanisms of regulation in the non-permissive schistosome host M. fortis that exploits potential miRNA regulatory networks. Such information will help improve current understanding of schistosome development and host–parasite interactions.

The efficacy and therapeutic mechanisms of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) for improvement of oxygenation in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remain controversial. These questions were addressed by retrospective analysis of severe ARDS patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit of our hospital from 2009 to 2015 who received high-volume continuous veno-venous hemofiltration during mechanical ventilation. There was a significant improvement in partial oxygen pressure/fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) 24 hours after CRRT onset compared with baseline (median change = 51.5; range = −19 to 450.5; P < .001) as well as decreases in FiO2, peak inspiratory pressure, positive end-expiratory pressure, and mean airway pressure ( P < .05). The majority of patients had a negative fluid balance after 24 hours of CRRT. White blood cell (WBC) count decreased in the subgroup with high baseline WBC count ( P < .05). PaO2/FiO2 was higher in ARDS patients with extrapulmonary etiology than in those with pulmonary etiology ( P < .05). Improvement in oxygenation is likely related to both restoration of fluid balance and clearance of inflammatory mediators.

Cyclophilins belong to a group of proteins that have peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase activity and have been identified in all cell types and all organisms studied. In both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, they have been characterized as functional chaperones and involved in cell signaling. In the present study, Sj cyclophilin A (CyPA) was cloned, characterized, and subcloned into a prokaryotic expression vector to produce soluble recombinant rSjCyPA protein. qPCR analysis revealed that SjCyPA was expressed at each schistosome developmental stage tested, but reached its highest levels at days 7 and 13. In addition, the gene was also found to be significantly downregulated in adult worms from Microtus fortis. The SjCyPA protein was located on the subtegumental musculature of Schistosoma japonicum as determined by immunohistochemical staining analysis. Direct administration of recombinant SjCyPA to mice induced partial protective efficacy against subsequent schistosome infection. Length and width of adult worms and expression of SjCyPA were significantly decreased in the immunized groups, at 42 days post-infection, indicating that immunization with recombinant SjCyPA may suppress the schistosomes development. rSjCyPA can also react with sera from S. japonicum-infected rabbits at different time points. The data presented here suggest that SjCyPA may be an important molecule in the schistosome life-cycle and may be useful as a therapeutic target to treat schistosomiasis infection or as a potential diagnostic antigen.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is activated during and contributes to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Attenuation of ER stress-induced apoptosis protects the heart against I/R injury. Using apelin, a ligand used to activate the apelin APJ receptor, which is known to be cardioprotective, this study was designed to investigate 1) the time course of changes in I/R injury after ER stress; 2) whether apelin infusion protects the heart against I/R injury via modulation of ER stress-dependent apoptosis signaling pathways; and 3) how phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and ERK activation are involved in the protection offered by apelin treatment. The results showed that, using an in vivo rat I/R model induced by 30 min of ischemia followed by reperfusion, infarct size (IS) increased from 2 h of reperfusion (34.85 ± 2.14%) to 12 h of reperfusion (48.98 ± 3.35, P < 0.05), which was associated with an abrupt increase in ER stress-dependent apoptosis activation, as evidenced by increased CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP), caspase-12, and JNK activation (CHOP: 2.49-fold increase, caspase-12: 2.09-fold increase, and JNK: 3.38-fold increase, P < 0.05, respectively). Administration of apelin at 1 μg/kg not only completely abolished the activation of ER stress-induced apoptosis signaling pathways at 2 h of reperfusion but also significantly attenuated time-related changes at 24 h of reperfusion. Using pharmacological inhibition, we also demonstrated that PI3K/Akt, AMPK, and ERK activation were involved in the protection against I/R injury via inhibition of ER stress-dependent apoptosis activation. In contrast, although eNOS activation played a role in decreasing IS at 2 h of reperfusion, it failed to modify either IS or ER stress-induced apoptosis signaling pathways at 24 h after reperfusion.

A preliminary study showed that the sporogony process of Eimeria tenella oocysts could be irreversibly inhibited by the S-nitrosothiols, such as S-nitroso-glutathione (GSNO), S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine. However, the mechanism is unclear at present. In this study the polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) photoreduction methods were used to analyze the effects of GSNO on the activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), aconitase and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Methods of specific substrate staining were employed to display the enzymes after PAGE. The results showed that the activities of LDH, G6PD, aconitase and SOD in fresh unsporulated and sporulated oocysts could be distinctly detected after treatment by GSNO or without treatment. However, there were no obvious alterations of the tested enzymes' activities in all oocysts treated by GSNO or not. This indicated that the inhibitory effects of GSNO on the sporulation of E. tenella oocysts did not work through inactivating the activities of LDH, G6PD, aconitase and SOD, and the activities of these enzymes in sporulated oocysts were also not inactivated by GSNO.

Nitric oxide (NO) is involved in many physiological processes including regulation of blood pressure, immune response, and neural communication. The effects of NO donors on the sporogony of Eimeria tenella oocysts and the blocking effects of NO scavenger, hemoglobin (Hb), against NO donors were investigated in this study. The results showed that the sporulation of oocysts could be completely inhibited by acidic sodium nitrite (NaNO2), S-nitroso-glutathione (GSNO) or S-nitroso-N-acetyl-dl-penicillamine (SNAP) in profound dose-dependent and time-dependent manners, and the inhibiting process was irreversible and not affected by feces of chickens. However, not all NO donors in this study, such as sodium nitroprusside (SNP), demonstrated above-mentioned effect. The NO scavenger Hb could significantly prevent the detrimental effects of NO donors on the sporogony of oocysts in a dose-dependent manner. At present, the inhibiting mechanism of NO donors on the sporulation of oocysts was still unclear.

This paper studied the size structure and formation pattern of gaps and the characteristics of gap makers (GM) in subalpine dark coniferous forests in Wolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province, China. The results showed that the gap density was 18.5 per hm2, and the area of canopy gap and extended gap accounted for 28.4% and 60% of total forest area, respectively. Canopy gap varied from 10 m2 to 1134.7 m2, and expanded gap varied from 84.11 m2 to 1646.3 m2. Canopy gaps and expanded gaps had an average area of 153.45 m2 and 324.34 m2, respectively. The average number of gap makers (GM) per gap was 5.14, and only 8.1% of all gaps were created by just one GM. The order of GM contributed to gap formation was trunk snapuprootstanding deathbranch breakage. Abies faxoniana, Tsuga chinensis, and Betula utilis were the major gap makers, while Abies faxoniana in the canopy layer with 60-70 cm DBH and 30-35 m high had the greatest probability of gap making.

The growth dynamics, morphological characteristics and biomass allocation of climbing plant Momordica charantia were studied under shading. The results showed that the growth of Momordica charantia had a significant difference under different levels of shading. Under weak light, the plants decreased the chance to increase their modular numbers and accumulate biomass, and had fewer shoots, thinner laminas, longer and thinner petioles, and more slender stems. The plants showed a stronger morphological plasticity under weak light than under strong light, and had a stronger morphological plasticity at early growth stage than at later growth stage. The laminas and stem biomass allocation increased, while branch biomass allocation decreased with decreasing light illumination. Light intensity had little effect on biomass allocation to shoot stems. External support is not necessary for the growth of Momordica charantia under strong light.

Disordered calcium homeostasis can lead to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Our previous data showed that time course activation of ER stress contributes to time-related increase in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, it has not been tested whether PI3K/Akt and JAK2/STAT3 pathways play differential roles in reducing ER stress to protect the heart. In the present study, using fasudil which is a specific inhibitor of ROCK, we aimed to investigate whether improved SERCA expression and activity accounts for reduced ER stress by ROCK inhibition, specifically whether PI3K/Akt and JAK2/STAT3 pathways are differentially involved in modulating SERCA activity to reduce ER stress and hence I/R injury. The results showed that during the reperfusion period following 45 min of coronary ligation the infarct size (IS) increased from 3 h of reperfusion (45.4±5.57%) to 24 h reperfusion (64.21±5.43, P