[Semaphorin 3A-stimulated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells sheets promotes osteogenesis of type 2 diabetic rat]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) pre-treated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) sheets on new bone formation in type 2 diabetes mellitus rats. Methods: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were induced by injection of streptozotocin, and the BMSC were isolated, controlled, identified and induced into cell sheets. Fifteen T2DM rats were randomly divided into control, sheets and Sema3A-sheets group and the calvarial critical size defect (CSD) model of rats were established. The defect zone of rats from control group were implanted with bone powder. The defect zone of rats from sheets group were implanted with bone powder and BMSC sheets. The defect zone of rats from Sema3A-sheets group were implanted with bone powder and BMSC sheets pretreated with 1.0 mg/L Sema3A. After 8 weeks, the bone samples were harvested and analyzed by micro-CT scanning, HE staining for the evaluation of new bone formation, and the immunohistochemical analysis for the expression of osteogenesis-related proteins including type Ⅰ collagen (COL- Ⅰ ), bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), and osteocalcin (OCN). Results: The BMSC were isolated and cultured, and oil red O and Alizarin red S staining proved the multi-potential differentiation. Eight weeks after the establishment of calvarial CSD model, Sema3A-sheet group showed the most abundant new bone formation (0.516±0.070), with increased bone volume fraction, namely bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV) compared with sheets group (0.319±0.050) and control group (0.224±0.037) (P<0.05), and the sheets group showed increased BV/TV compared with control group (P<0.05). While trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) control group showed no difference in three groups (P>0.05). HE staining also confirmed that Sema3A-sheets group showed the most new bone formation. Sheet group (0.174±0.051) compared showed difference with control group (0.099±0.033) (P< 0.05), and Sema3A-sheet group (0.421±0.069) showed increased bone formation compared with sheet group and control group (P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed that BMSC sheet increased the expression of osteogenesis-related proteins including COL-Ⅰ, BMP-2 and OCN, while Sema3A pretreatment showed more obvious increase of the expression of COL-Ⅰ and OCN. Conclusions: The combined implantation of bone powder and Sema3A stimulated BMSC sheets significantly increased bone regeneration in vivo. Therefore, Sema3A pre-treated BMSC sheets transplantation provides a new strategy for restoring bone defect in T2DM.

[The clinical significance of EBV DNA analysis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma screening]

Objective:The aim of this study is to explore the value of EBV DNA monitor in high risk population of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Method:A total of 366 cases of NPC at high risk were screened for 15 864 cases by ELISA, and 262 cases were randomly selected from low-risk groups. Fifty-eight nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients were also involved. EBV DNA was detected by PCR in 366 NPC high risk patients and followed up for 1 year. The clinical significance of EBV-DNA in screening NPC was compared. Result:The positive rate of EBV-DNA test was 12.0% in primary screening, EBV-DNA test in primary screening was 3.4% in low-risk population, and EBV-DNA in nasopharyngeal carcinoma was 91.4%, The positive rate of the three groups was statistically significant (P<0.01); After one year follow-up, a total of 267 cases returned visit. Positive rate of group A with continuous high risk was significantly higher than group B who was high risk at the first time of visit and non high risk at returned visit (P＜0.05). Conclusion:Quantitative analysis of plasma EBV DNA in high risk population can supply serological risk assessment. It can elevate the efficiency of screening and has significant application value for NPC high risk population.

[Clinical manifestations analysis of patients diagnosed with primary pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma]

Objective: To analyze the clinical features of pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Methods: A total of 14 cases diagnosed with primary pulmonary MALT lymphoma were collected from May 2007 to May 2017 in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University. The clinical features, pathological characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis were retrospectively analyzed. Results: All 14 cases were pathologically diagnosed with primary pulmonary MALT lymphoma. The biopsy tissues were obtained through the Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) (4 cases), percutaneous puncture (2 cases), and bronchoscopy (8 cases). Cell types of these tumors were centrocyte-like cells (10 cases), lymphocytoid cells (2 cases), and monocytoid B cells (2 cases). The B cell clonality was detected by IgH cloning test in 4 cases and 3 of them were demonstrated with monoclonal strips. MALT1 breakup gene was positive in 3 out of 6 examined cases using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). As for the treatment, 8 patients underwent chemotherapy, 5 patients underwent surgical resection and 1 patient abandoned treatment. Twelve patients were followed up to 9 years. The tumor recurrence occurred in 2 patients and resulted their death. Conclusions: The clinical manifestations of primary pulmonary MALT lymphoma are lack of specificity. The pathology, immunohistochemistry, IgH cloning test and MALT1 breakup gene tested by FISH are the criteria for diagnosis.

[Preoperative dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI can reduce the rate of tumor-positive resection margins after breast conserving surgery in patients with early non-mass breast carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the value of preoperative dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI in reducing the rate of tumor-positive resection margins after breast conserving surgery in patients with early non-mass breast carcinoma. Methods: Seventy-two patients with early non-mass breast carcinoma received ultrasonographic and mammographic examination and subsequently underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI examination before breast conserving surgery. The control group consisted of 74 patients who had early non-mass breast carcinoma. They only received ultrasonographic and mammographic examination and didn't undergo contrast-enhanced MRI examination. The comparison of the rate of tumor-positive resection margins between two groups was performed. The MRI findings that had the significant influence on the rate of tumor-positive resection margins were analyzed using Logistic regression model. Results: In 28 patients (28/72, 38.9%), dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI could correct or supplement the ultrasonographic and mammographic findings and resulted in the reasonable change of surgical program. The preoperative MRI examination group (n=30) had lower rate of tumor-positive resection margins than control group for invasive ductal carcinoma (23.3% vs 40.0%, P=0.02), but there was no significant difference (21.4% vs 26.9%, P=0.10) between two groups for ductal carcinoma in situ (n=28). The preoperative MRI examination group (n=14) had lower rate of tumor-positive resection margins than control group for the other pathologic types of breast carcinoma (14.3% vs 38.9%, P=0.02). The statistical analysis on the basis of Logistic regression model showed that some main MRI findings, including change surrounding the tumor, distance between tumor and nipple and tumor size, had the significant influence on the rate of tumor-positive resection margins. Conclusion: Preoperative dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI significantly increased the accuracy of resection margins evaluation, and greatly reduced the rate of tumor-positive resection margins after breast conserving surgery in patients with early non-mass breast carcinoma.

Different elevational patterns of rodent species richness between the southern and northern slopes of a mountain

Studies on elevational gradients in biodiversity have accumulated in recent decades. However, few studies have compared the elevational patterns of diversity between the different slopes of a single mountain. We investigated the elevational distribution of rodent diversity (alpha and beta diversity) and its underlying mechanisms along the southern and northern slopes of Mt. Taibai, the highest mountain in the Qinling Mountains, China. The species richness of rodents on the two slopes showed distinct distribution patterns, with a monotonically decreasing pattern found along the southern slope and a hump-shaped elevational pattern evident along the northern slope. Multi-model inference suggested that temperature was an important explanatory factor for the richness pattern along the southern slope, and the mid-domain effect (MDE) was important in explaining the richness pattern along the northern slope. The two slopes also greatly differed in the elevational patterns of species turnover, with the southern slope demonstrating a U-shaped curve and the northern slope possessing a roughly hump-shaped pattern. Our results suggest that even within the same mountain, organisms inhabiting different slopes may possess distinct diversity patterns, and the underlying mechanisms may also differ. The potential role of the factors associated with slope aspect in shaping diversity, therefore, cannot be ignored.

[Analysis and discussion of risk factors related to dental implant failure]

The implant prosthesis has been extensively used in clinic recently, and implant failure is appearing. Many factors may cause the failure, and they work together generally. This paper summarizes and analyzes the failure cases related to implant treatment and relevant risk factors of oral implants in Department of Implantation, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University during the past six years, in order to improve the success rate of implant prosthesis and provide guidance for clinical application.

[The causes and treatment strategies of molar food impaction after implant restoration]

At present, dental implant technology with high chewing efficiency and good appearance in esthetics has been widely used. However, some problems may be found in the follow-up procedure of implant prostheses, and one of them is food impaction. This article discussed the causes of food impaction in the posterior region with implant prostheses and provided treatment strategies to this biological complication.

Diagnostic and Treatment Monitoring Potential of Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-D in Lymphangioleiomyomatosis

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare multisystem disease occurring almost exclusively in premenopausal women and characterized by cystic lung destruction, abdominal tumors (renal angiomyolipomas (AML)), and involvement of the axial lymphatics (adenopathy, lymphangioleiomyomas). Serum vascular endothelial growth factor-D (VEGF-D), a lymphangiogenic factor, has been recently considered as a novel marker for LAM. Herein we report the diagnostic and differential diagnostic value of serum VEGF-D in LAM patients and evaluate the change of serum VEGF-D levels before and after treatment with sirolimus. The study group included 66 patients with LAM (47 definite LAM and 19 probable LAM based on European Respiratory Society guidelines), 14 patients with other polycystic lung diseases, and 20 healthy female controls. Serum VEGF-D levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Serum VEGF-D levels were significantly increased in definite LAM patients compared with healthy controls (3890.3±373.3 pg/ml vs. 413.3±33.2 pg/ml, p<0.05). The optimal cutoff point for LAM diagnosis was 692.5 pg/ml with sensitivity of 97.9% and specificity of 100%. In probable LAM patients, serum VEGF-D levels were all greater than 692.5 pg/ml. Serum VEGF-D levels were significantly increased in definite LAM patients who had chylothorax compared with those without chylothorax (5153.9±598.3 pg/ml vs. 2869.8±372.8 pg/ml, p<0.05). But serum VEGF-D levels in LAM patients with/without pneumothorax, AML, and lymphangioleiomyomas were not significantly changed. Serum VEGF-D levels in definite LAM patients and patients with other cystic lung diseases were 3890.3±373.3 pg/ml and 412.6±27.5 pg/ml, respectively (p <0.05). We determined an optimal cutoff value of 688.5pg/ml, resulting in sensitivity of 97.9% and specificity of 100%. Following a median of 12-month treatment with sirolimus, serum VEGF-D levels decreased from 3135.0±909.4 pg/ml to 1731.8±621.2 pg/ml and symptoms improved. Our study found that serum VEGF-D levels were significantly higher in LAM patients compared with healthy controls and patients with other polycystic lung diseases and that the levels were further increased when complicated by chylothorax. Serum VEGF-D levels may be useful for diagnosis and differential diagnosis with high specificity and sensitivity as well as for following treatment response with sirolimus.

Effects of cattle grazing on small mammal communities in the Hulunber meadow steppe

Small mammals play important roles in many ecosystems, and understanding their response to disturbances such as cattle grazing is fundamental for developing sustainable land use strategies. However, how small mammals respond to cattle grazing remains controversial. A potential cause is that most of previous studies adopt rather simple experimental designs based solely on the presence/absence of grazing, and are thus unable to detect any complex relationships between diversity and grazing intensity. In this study, we conducted manipulated experiments in the Hulunber meadow steppe to survey small mammal community structures under four levels of grazing intensities. We found dramatic changes in species composition in native small mammal communities when grazing intensity reached intermediate levels (0.46 animal unit/ha). As grazing intensity increased, Spermophilus dauricus gradually became the single dominant species. Species richness and diversity of small mammals in ungrazed and lightly grazed (0.23 animal unit/ha) area were much higher than in intermediately and heavily grazed area. We did not detect a humped relationship between small mammal diversity and disturbance levels predicted by the intermediate disturbance hypothesis (IDH). Our study highlighted the necessity of conducting manipulated experiments under multiple grazing intensities.

Role of New Nature Reserve in Assisting Endangered Species Conservation - Case Study of Giant Pandas in the Northern Qionglai Mountains, China

The creation of nature reserves is the most direct way to save endangered species populations and their habitat. Development of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) nature reserve network in China was initiated in the 1960s, though the effort to create new reserves boomed considerably after the year 2000. Given this rapid development of protected areas in panda habitats, and the potential conflicting interests between conservation administrations and local economic development, it is essential to assess the role of new nature reserves in the overall giant panda conservation effort and reserve network. We utilized data from national giant panda surveys conducted in 2000 and 2012 to compare the size, spatial use, and distribution of panda populations, as well as the habitat suitability and connectivity in the Northern Qionglai Mountains between the two survey years. Our results show that although the total giant panda population in the study area did not change remarkably, local changes did occur. Most notably, the population in Wolong Nature Reserve declined by 27.3% (N = 39) and the population in Caopo Nature Reserve increased by 71.4% (N = 29) over the 12-year study period. We also found habitat suitability and availability decreased in both Wolong (12.4%) and Caopo (7.4%), but that the relative density of giant pandas declined (19.2%) and increased (84.6%) at each site, respectively. The distance between centers of high IUA were more distant in 2012 (14.1±1.9km) than that in 2000 (6.1±0.9km; t = -7.4, df = 5, p = 0.001), showing a scattered spatial pattern. Habitat availability decreased by 42% within the corridor between the two reserves, however panda occurrences in the corridor increased 24.6%. Compared to the total number of encounters, the proportion of the corridor increased 45.76%. Our results show the importance and success of the newly established Caopo to the conservation of giant pandas, and how crucial it is to identify and repair reserve corridors. Furthermore, we propose criteria for future nature reserve network management and investment, which is applicable for other endangered species conservation practices.

Effects of Different Anesthetic Methods on Cellular Immune and Neuroendocrine Functions in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Before and After Surgery

BACKGROUND

Many anesthesia methods have been studies in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to explore the effects of combined intravenous and inhalation anesthesia and combined general and epidural anesthesia on cellular immune function and neuroendocrine function in patients with HCC before and after surgery.

METHODS

Between September 2012 and April 2014, 72 patients who underwent a hepatectomy in our hospital were enrolled.

RESULTS

Compared with the combined intravenous and inhalation anesthesia group, the combined general and epidural anesthesia group demonstrated increased CD4⁺ /CD8⁺ T cells 0 hr after surgery, increased CD3⁺ , CD4⁺ , CD4⁺ /CD8⁺ cells, and IFN-γ levels 12 hr after surgery, and increased CD3⁺ , CD4⁺ , and CD4⁺ /CD8⁺ cells 24 hr after surgery (all P < 0.05). At 72 hr after surgery, the levels of ACTH and Cor in the combined general and epidural anesthesia group, and the levels of CD3⁺ , CD4⁺ , CD4⁺ /CD8⁺ cells, and IFN-γ in both the combined intravenous and inhalation anesthesia and the combined general and epidural anesthesia groups decreased to pre-surgery levels. Significant differences were observed in the comparisons of CD3⁺ , IL-6, and IL-10 between the combined intravenous and inhalation anesthesia and the combined general and epidural anesthesia groups 72 hr after surgery (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our results revealed that combined general and epidural anesthesia plays a crucial role in hepatectomy via the mitigation of the inhibition of immunologic function in HCC patients during the perioperative period. Combined general and epidural anesthesia also hastens the recovery of immunologic suppression after surgery, which can provide a certain reference for the selection of clinical anesthesia in the treatment of HCC.

Ghrelin level negatively predicts quality of life in obese women

A cross-sectional cohort study was conducted to investigate whether ghrelin level in obese women predicts the quality of life (QOL). A total of 307 subjects fulfilled the criteria: (1) age between 20 and 65 years old, (2) body mass index ≥27 kg/m² (3) waist circumference ≥80 cm were enrolled in the study. All subjects were assigned to one of the plasma ghrelin level categories according to the quartiles. The median of age and BMI of the 307 obese women were 45 ± 18 years and 29.9 ± 4.1 kg/m², respectively. The main outcome evaluated is the associations of plasma ghrelin level and QOL, which were evaluated using multiple linear regression analysis. Results of linear trend test show significant statistical difference in plasma lipoproteins (triglyceride, cholesterol, HDL-cholestero and LDL-cholesterol = and levels of obesity-related hormone peptides, including leptin, adiponectin, insulin among quartiles of ghrelin. Multiple liner regression analysis of serum obesity-related hormone peptide level and QOL using stepwise method shows ghrelin concentration was the only predictor of QOL, including PCS-12 level (β = -0.18, p = 0.001), MCS-12 level (β = -0.14, p = 0.009), WHOQOL-BREF scores: physical (β = -0.13, p = 0.03), psychological (β = -0.16, p = 0.007), social (β = -0.21, p =  < 0.001), and environmental (β = -0.22, p =  <0.001), after adjusting other factors for obese female subjects. This study demonstrated that ghrelin concentration is strongly associated with QOL level among obese women. Hence, ghrelin concentration might be a valuable marker to be monitored in obese women.

Foraging behaviour in East Asian desert rodents and its implications on coexistence

We studied the foraging behaviour of two sympatric rodents (Meriones meridianus and Dipus sagitta) in the Gobi Desert, Northwestern China. The role of the foraging behaviour in promoting species coexistence was also examined. We used giving-up densities (GUDs) in artificial food patches to measure the patch use of rodents and video trapping to directly record the foraging behaviour, vigilance, and interspecific interactions. Three potential mechanisms of coexistence were evaluated (1) microhabitat partitioning; (2) spatial heterogeneity of resource abundance with a tradeoff in foraging efficiency vs. locomotion; and (3) temporal partitioning on a daily scale. Compared to M. meridianus, D. sagitta generally possessed lower GUDs, spent more time on patches, and conducted more visits per tray per capita, regardless of microhabitat. However, M. meridianus possessed advantages in average harvesting rates and direct interference against D. sagitta. Our results only partly support the third mechanism listed above. We propose another potential mechanism of coexistence: a tradeoff between interference competition and safety, with M. meridianus better at interference competition and D. sagitta better at avoiding predation risk. This mechanism is uncommon in previously studied desert rodent systems.

CYP1A2-163C/A (rs762551) polymorphism and bladder cancer risk: a case-control study

To date, no study has investigated the association between CYP1A2-163C/A polymorphism and bladder cancer risk in a Chinese population. Here, we extracted genomic DNA from peripheral white blood cells, and differentiated CYP1A2 alleles by polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. Differences in genotype frequencies between the cases and controls were evaluated using a chi-square test. The odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using an unconditional logistic regression model. This revealed that the -163A allele was present at a significantly increased frequency in bladder cancer patients compared to healthy controls (44.10 vs 22.25%, P < 0.001). The prevalence of CC genotype, CA genotype, and AA genotype was 34.91, 41.98, and 23.11% in bladder cancer patients, and 64.00, 27.50, and 8.5% in the controls, respectively. Therefore, significant differences in the frequencies of -163 genotypes were found between bladder cancer patients and controls (P < 0.001). We found that the AA genotype was significantly associated with increased bladder cancer risk (OR = 3.72; 95%CI = 1.55-7.16; P = 0.02), and the -163A carriers were at increased risk of bladder cancer in a multivariate COX regression model (OR = 4.89, 95%CI = 2.78-10.87, P = 0.01). We conclude that the CYP1A2-163C/A polymorphism is associated with increased susceptibility to bladder cancer in the Chinese population.

Habitat use and selection by takin in the Qinling Mountains, China

Context Understanding habitat use and selection by threatened ungulates is a crucial prerequisite to prioritise management areas and for developing effective conservation strategies. Aims The aim of our research was to determine the habitat use and selection of takins (Budorcas taxicolor) in the middle range of the Qinling Mountains, China. Methods The study was conducted from August 2013 to August 2015. Global positioning system (GPS) radio-tracking was used to monitor 10 collared takins to gain their location information. The Manly–Chesson selectivity index and Bonferroni-adjusted 95% confidence intervals were applied to determine which habitats were selected. Key results Habitat use and selection by takins showed obvious individual differences. At the landscape scale, all of the four most common habitat types were preferred by takins. However, all takins avoided artificially planted larch forest, and farmland and village. Available habitats within the home ranges also mostly included the four common habitat types. At the home-range scale, all individuals had significant habitat selectivity during the entire tracking period and each season. The habitat use and selection within the home range varied obviously with season and showed sexual differences to a certain extent. Conclusions The habitat selection by takins is scale-dependent. At the landscape scale, takins are most likely to occur at sites covered by forest. At both landscape and home-range scales, our results indicated that takins need more diverse forest habitats, but none of the four most common forest habitats is essential for survival of this species. Implications The present work has provided more insight into the habitat use and habitat selection of takins in mountainous forest landscapes. Many measures such as maintaining a diversity of forest habitats, avoiding habitat alteration by invasion of exotic plants, and increasing the area of available habitats by relocating the villages from within to outside of the reserve are recommended to conserve this large species.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a proliferating cell nuclear antigen gene by chemically induced male sterility in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Although a number of studies have shown that chemical hybridizing agents (CHAs) affect anther growth and regulate cell-cycle progression, little is known about the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is an essential factor in DNA replication, and in many other processes in eukaryotic cells. In this study, the open reading frame of TaPCNA, the PCNA in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), was cloned by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Sequence analysis revealed that this gene was 792-bp long and encoded a protein with 234 amino acids. Alignment of the TaPCNA-predicted sequence revealed a high degree of identity with PCNAs from other plant species. A subcellular localization assay indicated that TaPCNA was localized in the nucleus. The TaPCNA was cloned into the prokaryotic expression plasmid pET32a, and the recombinant plasmid was transformed into BL21 (DE3). TaPCNA expression was induced by 0.5 mM isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside and verified using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blot assays, which indicated that the fusion protein was successfully expressed. The gene involved in the G1-to-S transition, Histone H4, was downregulated by 1376- CIMS, which is a chemically induced male sterility line. However, a semi-quantitative RT-PCR revealed that TaPCNA expression was upregulated in 1376-CIMS. Our results suggest that CHAs (SQ-1) induce DNA damage in wheat anthers. DNA damage results in either the delay or arrest of cell-cycle progression, which affects anther development. This study will help to elucidate the mechanisms of SQ-1-induced male sterility.

Spectroscopic investigation on the sonodynamic damage to protein in the presence of eosine B

In this work, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and eosine B (EB) were selected as a model protein and sonosensitizer, respectively. The sonodynamic damage to protein in the presence of EB and its mechanism were studied by means of absorption and fluorescence spectra. The results indicated that the synergistic effects of ultrasound and EB can efficiently damage the BSA molecules, and the damage of protein could be mainly due to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The damage degree of protein increased with the increase of ultrasonic time and EB concentration because of the increased quantities of ROS. Hydroxyl free radical (OH) was the major mediators of the ultrasound-inducing proteins damage in the presence of EB. In addition, the quantities of ROS from the diphenylcarbazide (DPCI)-EB solutions and the DPCI-fluorescein (FS) solutions with or without ROS scavengers were contrasted, respectively. The results show that FS mainly produce OH, but the quantities of ROS in the presence of FS were lower than those of EB, which indicates that the nitro and bromine substituent groups on the benzene ring of FS increase the quantity of ROS, but do not change the kinds of ROS.

First Report of Fusarium pseudograminearum from Wheat Heads with Fusarium Head Blight in North China Plain

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), the most widely grown winter cereal crop in China, was grown on 24.3 million hectares in 2012. There was an outbreak of Fusarium head blight in 2012, and it was prevalent in 2013 in North China Plain, the largest area producing winter wheat in China. In 2013, a total of 213 Fusarium graminearum-like isolates were collected from diseased wheat heads in 33 fields in 17 counties in Henan province. The pathogen was isolated from the base of Fusarium-damaged spikelets on potato dextrose agar (PDA) after being surface-sterilized (70% EtOH for 30 s and 3% NaClO for 1.5 min) and rinsed three times in sterilized distilled water. After 3 days, the mycelia were transferred to fresh PDA and purified by the single-spore isolation method. Species were identified based on morphological characteristics (2), and sequence analysis of the translation elongation factor-1α (TEF) and trichothecene 3-O-acetyltransferase (Tri 101) gene (3). The results indicated that F. graminearum species complex (97.2%) is the main causal agent of Fusarium head blight in this region. However, four strains (2%) from the two fields in Jiao Zuo and Xin Xiang counties were found to be identical to F. pseudograminearum. The four (13JZ3-1, 13JZ3-2, 13XX1-2, and 13XX1-6) isolates of F. pseudograminearum were transferred onto carnation leaf agar (CLA) and incubated at 20°C under black light blue illumination. On CLA, macroconidia were abundant, relatively slender, curved to almost straight, commonly six- to seven-septate, and averaged 49.7 × 5.0 μm. Microconidia were not observed. Chlamydospores were observed after 4 weeks. The fungus was initially identified as F. graminearum on the basis of morphology of the asexual stage (2). However, the TEF sequences (Accession nos. KJ863322 to KJ863325) showed 99 to 100% similarity with several F. pseudograminearum sequences (e.g., AF212468, AF212469, and AF212470); the Tri 101 sequences (KJ863326 to KJ863329) showed 99 to 100% similarity with accession nos. AF212615 and AF212616 of F. pseudograminearum. The identification was further confirmed by the F. pseudograminearum species-specific PCR primers (Fp1-1: CGGGGTAGTTTCACATTTCCG and Fp1-2: GAGAATGTGATGACGACAATA) (1). To complete Koch's postulates, the pathogenicity of the fungus was tested by spraying five healthy inflorescences (average of 19 spikelets per spike) of wheat cultivar Zhoumai 18 with a 5-ml suspension (5 × 10⁴ conidia per milliliter). Another five healthy inflorescences were sprayed with sterile distilled water. Plants were placed in a growth chamber with a 12-h photoperiod at 22°C, covered with polyethylene bags that were removed after 2 days. Seven days later, while control inflorescences were asymptomatic, inoculated inflorescences showed a mean of 10 bleached spikelets per spike. By using the methodology described above, the fungus was re-isolated from infected spikelets of inoculated wheat heads but not from the controls. To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. pseudograminearum from diseased wheat heads in China. Further investigation is needed to gain a better understanding of the spatial and temporal dynamics of this new pathogen. References: (1) T. Aoki and K. O'Donnell. Mycologia 91:597, 1999. (2) J. F. Leslie and B. A. Summerell. The Fusarium Laboratory Manual. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, UK, 2006. (3) R. H. Proctor et al. Mol. Microbiol. 74:1128, 2009.

Habitat selection by Eld's deer following relocation to a patchy landscape

An emerging issue in wildlife conservation is the re-establishment of viable populations of endangered species in suitable habitats. Here, we studied habitat selection by a population of Hainan Eld's deer (Cervus eldi) relocated to a patchy landscape of farmland and forest. Hainan Eld's deer were pushed to the brink of extinction in the 1970s, but their population expanded rapidly from 26 to more than 1000 individuals by 2003 through effective reserve protection. As part of a wider relocation and population management strategy, 131 deer were removed from the reserve and reintroduced into a farmland-forest landscape in 2005. Habitat use under a context of human disturbance was surveyed by monitoring 19 radio-collared animals. The majority of deer locations (77%) were within 0.6-2 km of villages. Annual home ranges of these collared deer averaged 725 ha (SD 436), which was 55% of the size of the reserve from which they had originated. The annual home ranges contained 54% shrub-grassland, 26% forest and 15% farmland. The relocated deer population selected landscape comprising slash-and-burn agriculture and forest, and avoided both intensively farmed areas and areas containing only forest. Within the selected landscape, deer preferred swiddens and shrub-grasslands. Forests above 300 m in elevation were avoided, whereas forests below 300 m in elevation were overrepresented during the dry season and randomly used during the wet season. Our findings show that reintroduced deer can utilize disturbed habitats, and further demonstrate that subsistence agroforest ecosystems have the capacity to sustain endangered ungulates.

Qualitative analysis and enantiospecific determination of angular-type pyranocoumarins in Peucedani Radix using achiral and chiral liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

Angular-type pyranocoumarins (APs), the derivatives of khellactone, are widely documented as the main active constituents in Peucedani Radix (Chinese name: Qian-hu). Owing to the natural occurrence of chiral centers, enantiomers of APs are extensively distributed in the original plant, and enantioselective performances have been definitely demonstrated for these enantiomers. In current study, the chemical characterization of the major and minor APs in Peucedani Radix was performed using ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector and hybrid ion trap-orbitrap mass spectrometry. On the other hand, a heart-cut two-dimensional achiral-chiral liquid chromatography combining triple quadropole-linear ion trap mass spectrometry system (2D LC-MS/MS) was developed for simultaneous enantiospecific quantification of eighteen coumarins, including seven pairs of enantiomers. Eleven APs (1-11) were recruited to propose UV absorption characteristics and electrospray ionization fragmentation patterns of APs. A total of 42 components were categorized into APs based on their UV spectral properties and identified according to the proposed mass fragmentation pathways, while two linear-type furanocoumarins (12-13) were unambiguously assigned by further purification. A Capcell core RP-C18 column was employed in the primary LC dimension to achieve efficient racemic separation for the main chemical constituents (1-9 and 12-13) in Peucedani Radix, while a Chiralpak AD-RH column was utilized in the secondary dimension to contribute enantioselective separation for seven enantiomerically enriched components (1, 3 and 5-9). Collectively, the results provided the chemical evidences for revealing the material basis of the therapeutic effects of Peucedani Radix, and the developed 2D LC-MS/MS system in the present study is expected to be an ideal tool for the quality control of Peucedani Radix as well as a reliable technique for complex matrices containing both achiral and chiral components.

AQP1 expression alterations affect morphology and water transport in Schwann cells and hypoxia-induced up-regulation of AQP1 occurs in a HIF-1α-dependent manner

Aquaporin-1 (AQP1) is the principle water channel in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and is specifically localized to Schwann cells in the PNS. However, the pathophysiological role of AQP1 in peripheral nerves is poorly understood. Here, we utilized RNA interference by lentiviral transduction to specifically down-regulate AQP1 expression and a lentiviral overexpression protocol to up-regulate AQP1 expression, in primary Schwann cell cultures. AQP1 gene silencing resulted in a cell shrinkage phenotype, while AQP1 gene overexpression caused a cell swelling phenotype, as validated by cell volume determinations. Secondly, we utilized an in vitro hypoxia model in Schwann cells to mimic in vivo facial nerve injury. We demonstrated that AQP1 expression was induced within 8h following hypoxia injury in vitro, and that AQP1 knockdown (KD) caused the cells to resist edema following hypoxia. Finally, we investigated the hypoxic regulation of the AQP1 gene, as well as the involvement of Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in AQP1 modulation and we found that KD of HIF-1α decreased hypoxia-dependent induction of endogenous AQP1 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. Taken together, these results indicate that (1) AQP1 is an important factor responsible for the fast water transport of cultured Schwann cells and is involved in cell plasticity; (2) AQP1 alterations may be a primary factor in hypoxia-induced peripheral nerve edema; (3) HIF-1α participates in the hypoxic induction of the AQP1 gene; (4) AQP1 inhibition might provide a new therapeutic alternative for the treatment of some forms of peripheral nerve edema.