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To explore the effect of baicalin on cognitive function and nerves after splenectomy in aged rats is the main objective of the study. Aged rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group (to construct a splenectomy surgical model) and a baicalin treatment group (baicalin was given after the model was constructed). The pathological conditions like interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 beta content; brain detection by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling method apoptosis of tissue cell; western blot method was used to detect the expression of related proteins and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction method was used to detect the messenger ribonucleic acid levels of related genes. Compared with the control group, the brain tissue cell apoptosis increased and the expression of inflammatory factors increased in the model group; compared with the model group, the brain tissue apoptosis of the baicalin treatment group decreased, the expression of Ki67 positive cells increased and the inflammation-related factor interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 beta levels were significantly decreased, N-methyl D-aspartate receptor subtype 2B, phosphorylated-extracellular signal-regulated kinase, phosphorylated-cAMP response element-binding protein expressions were significantly increased. Baicalin can improve postoperative cognitive dysfunction and nerve injury in aged rats after splenectomy by improving the pathological state of brain tissue, attenuating the inflammatory response and promoting apoptosis of brain tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed the impact of land use changes on the structure and function of soil fungal communities in the Sanjiang Plain wetland. Soil samples were collected from natural wetlands, paddy fields, and restored wetlands in the Sanjiang Plain, after which the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of soil fungi was sequenced by Miseq technology. Our results demonstrated that the reclamation of wetlands into paddy fields can significantly reduce the α diversity index of soil fungi (P <0.05), whereas the restoration of wetlands can significantly increase the soil fungus Chao1 index (P <0.05). A total of 16 phyla were identified in three types of land use soil, among which Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Mortierellomycota, and Rozellomycota were the most dominant (relative abundance > 1%). Mycorrhizal fungi and parasitic fungi are the main functional groups of fungi in natural wetlands and restored wetlands, whereas saprophytes were the main functional groups of paddy fields. Soil pH, total carbon, organic carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus are the main factors affecting the diversity of soil fungal communities. Therefore, our findings indicated that resource development in natural wetlands increases potential ecological risks and reduces ecosystem stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this investigation, we used the growth, photosynthetic physiological parameters, and targeted metabolite analysis to evaluate the responses of Eleutherococcus senticosus in different shading treatments. The results showed that the moderate shading treatment (Z1) promoted the growth and inhibited photosynthesis of plants. The severe shading treatment (Z2) inhibited both the growth and photosynthesis of the plants. Besides, Z1 had no significant effect on the PSII, while Z2 inhibited the PSII. Most of the eight medicinal metabolites accumulated in the Z1. The C6C1- and C6C3-type phenolics accumulated in the Z1, and the C6C3C6-type in the Z2. In conclusion, the moderate shading treatment accumulated more defensive phenolics; this might be the reason for this shading condition promoting the growth and the accumulation of medicinal metabolites of the plant. The result of this study laid a theoretical foundation for the further study of shading treatments on the secondary metabolism of Eleutherococcus senticosus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycoplasma synoviae can cause worldwide respiratory diseases, synovitis, or subclinical symptoms in poultry. M. synoviae infection occurs throughout the yr and causes significant economic losses, including increased mortality, condemnations, medication, and live production cost. In the present study, the seroprevalence of M. synoviae among 44,395 non-vaccinated chickens from 21 provinces in China from 2010 to 2015 was estimated using ELISA. The overall seroprevalence was 41.19%. Seropositive rates in different yr ranged between 24.70 and 57.20%; the highest seropositive rate was observed in 2010, and the lowest was observed in 2013. The prevalence rates varied greatly in different provinces from 5.10 to 100%. Of the 463 commercial flocks tested, 375 (80.99%) were positive for M. synoviae by ELISA. The seasonal distribution ranged between 26.83% (in October) and 53.98% (in July). An investigation of chickens according to age further showed that M. synoviae can infect chickens at any age. Our findings indicate that M. synoviae infection is very common in China and should prompt further research into its prevalence to develop effective control and prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]