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The degradation and desertification of grassland ecosystems have garnered significant attention both domestically and internationally. Grassland restoration techniques are widely considered a principal measure to promote the sustainable utilization of grasslands, with soil nutrient content being a core indicator for assessing the effectiveness of restoration in degraded grasslands. This study aims to explore the differential impacts of various grassland restoration methods on soil nutrient distribution in degraded Stipa grandis grasslands. Three major restoration methods, i.e., root cutting, enclosure, and fertilization, were applied in the study area. The soil nutrient content was measured and analyzed under the different restoration methods and at varying depths. The results revealed that under all three restoration methods and at different soil depths (0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, 20–30 cm), the organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, alkali-hydrolyzable phosphorus, and available potassium contents were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, as soil depth increased, the contents of organic matter and all nutrients gradually decreased. Specifically, regarding the contents of different nutrients, the order of organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, and available phosphorus was as follows: fertilization > enclosure > root cutting > control, while the contents of total potassium and available potassium followed the sequence: fertilization > enclosure > control > root cutting. Additionally, based on the canonical correlation analysis (R2 = 0.88), the total phosphorus content in soil had the greatest impact on soil nutrients, while vegetation cover and plant height contributed the most to vegetation characteristics. In grassland restoration, the increase in soil total phosphorus led to higher vegetation cover and height, mildly influenced plant diversity and density, and simultaneously promoted biomass accumulation. These research findings provide a solid theoretical foundation for the application of grassland restoration techniques, contributing to the sustainable development of grassland ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peony seed dreg protein (PSDP) was hydrolyzed by proteases secreted by Pseudoalteromonas sp. CSN423. This hydrolysate exhibited excellent antioxidant capability after passing through a 3 kDa ultrafiltration membrane. The antioxidant peptides further purified by size-exclusion chromatography scavenged 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH∙) (73.0 ± 1.46%) and hydroxyl radicals (∙OH) (81.17 ± 3.69%), protected DNA from oxidative injury, and displayed an oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of 4.04 ± 1.11 μmol TE/mg. Furthermore, the antioxidant peptide inhibited apoptosis by inhibiting the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential in H2O2-induced RAW264.7 cells. We identified four major peptides such as YFPF, ECCASLAPL, YVSLK, and YFEM by using mass spectrometry. YFPF showed a potent ∙OH scavenging capability of 75.30 ± 1.08%. ECCASLAPL exhibited higher DPPH∙ scavenging capability (87.20 ± 1.03%) than glutathione (GSH) (49.50 ± 1.50%). Moreover, the peptide YVSLK exhibited the highest ORAC of 2.52 ± 1.20 μmol TE/mg of the identified peptides. This work highlights that the peptides from PSDP might have potential uses in cosmetics, functional foods, and drug development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To study the percutaneous permeability through mouse skin of lidocaine hydrochloride-loaded destran-based niosomes (LID-HLD-BNs)in vitro and in vivo. Methods HPLC was employed to exam lidocaine hydrochloride. Lidocaine hydro-chloride-loaded conventional liposomes (LID-CLs) and lidocaine hydrochloride injection (LID-IJ) were used as control. Isolated mouse skin was added into Franz diffusion cell to evaluate the permeability of LID-HLD-BNs in vitro. Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM)was used to observe the permeation depth of mouse skin in vivo. Results The permeation rate and cumulative permeation amount were significantly higher in LID-HLD-BNs group than those of LID-CLs and LID-IJ groups (P<0.05). CLSM studies also confirmed that HLD-BNs reached deeper layers of the skin. Conclusion LID-HLD-BNs has good transdermal ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To prepare a new dental topical anesthetics, lidocaine hydrochloride loaded trans-activator of transcription peptide conjugated nano-niosome (LID-TAT-N), and to evaluate its transdermal properties and topical anesthesia effects., Methods: LID-TAT-N was prepared using reverse-phase evaporation method, and lidocaine loaded conventional liposome (LID-CL) was prepared in the same manner as positive control. The diameter, ζ potential and encapsulation efficiency of LID-TAT-N and LID-CL were measured. The skin permeation of LID-TAT-N was examined, and compared with LID-CL and lidocaine injection (LID-IJ, as negative control), using a Franz diffusion cell mounted with depilated mouse skin in vitro for 12 hours. Each experiment was repeated six times. The anesthetic effect of the new topical anesthetic was investigated on the cornea of rabbits., Results: The mean diameter of LID-TAT-N was smaller than that of LID-CL [(152.7 ± 10.6) nm vs. (259.5 ± 15.5) nm, P < 0.01]. The 12 h cumulative permeation amount was significantly higher in LID-TAT-N group [(1 340.0 ± 97.5) µg · cm(-2)] than those of LID-CL and LID-IJ groups [(1 060.6 ± 80.2), (282.6 ± 65.1) µg · cm(-2), respectively, P < 0.05]. Rabbit corneal reflex results showed that LID-TAT-N had anesthetic effect and the duration of analgesia [(24.8 ± 2.8) min] was also longer than that of LID-IJ [(14.5 ± 2.3) min, P < 0.05]., Conclusions: LID-TAT-N had good transdermal ability, and the advanced skin penetration feature can improve its tropical anesthetic effect.