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Governance and regulation of the use of live animals in research and teaching is examined in Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, China, Japan and India. A comparison of the systems in different countries will enable the determination of best practice and fit-forpurpose regulation. The most comprehensive government regulation of animal welfare in institutions covers a broad range of animals and institutions are required to have an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, whose membership is specified in guidelines or regulations. The work of the Committees is rigorously overseen by government and facilities that use live animals are audited externally. All countries examined have legislation governing the use of live animals in research, although only Australia and Malaysia have a fully equivalent mandated oversight of teaching. Teaching that uses live animals is partly covered in the Philippines, Japan, Singapore and Thailand This paper thus aims to review the regulation of animal use in different Asian jurisdictions in order to determine best practices that are appropriate to those settings. The most comprehensive oversight is provided in Australia and Malaysia that essentially use the same regulatory framework.

Simple Summary: Adults of stoneflies have diverse mating behaviors and complex signals for communication, but they are not always able to correctly recognize their mates. With the observations from several provinces of China, we provide the first study on the erroneous mating behaviors of stoneflies from this country. Three different categories of erroneous mating attempts involving 13 species belonging to three stonefly families are reported, and information on their physical competition, the sensorial mechanisms triggering the mating, the conditions favoring the mating mistakes, and the possible consequences of interspecific mating are discussed. Hitting and pushing with the head and abdomen could be the unique method employed in the male–male physical competition. Vibrational signals are considered not a prerequisite for triggering a mating behavior, while vision and/or touch could be a sufficient condition for triggering it, but they are not always efficient for species-specific recognition. Currently, information on the biology of Plecoptera from China is scarce, particularly on mating behavior. In this paper, the existence of mating mistakes (erroneous mating attempts) involving 13 Chinese stonefly species (belonging to nine genera and three families) is reported. These erroneous mating behaviors can be included into three different categories: mating attempts between conspecific males (including the formation of erroneous mating balls), mating attempts between different taxa (including displacement attempts during copulation), and mating-related behaviors with non-living objects. From these behaviors, some aspects of stoneflies during mating, such as the physical competition between males, the sensorial mechanisms implied in triggering a mating behavior, the conditions favoring the mating mistakes, and the possible consequences of interspecific mating in the hybrid production, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The reduviid genus Sycanus Amyot & Serville, 1843, possesses higher aesthetic value and plays a crucial role as a natural enemy in the control of agricultural and forestry pests. However, Sycanus from China has not undergone a comprehensive review for over four decades. Based on both molecular data and morphological evidence, we conducted a systematic review of the 14 Chinese Sycanus species, including a description of three new species. Due to the variability of body coloration and morphological similarity among closely related species, unresolved issues and debates still persist in the taxonomic study of the genus Sycanus from China. In this study, we conducted phylogenetic analyses and species delimitation for Sycanus in China based on a COI DNA barcoding dataset comprising 81 samples. The results revealed that all the samples could be classified into 12 species by integrating molecular analyses with morphological comparison. This paper provides a comprehensive systematic review of the Sycanus species found in China, including descriptions of three new species: S. taiwanensis Zhao & Cai sp. nov., S. flavicorius Li & Cai sp. nov., and S. hainanensis Wang & Cai sp. nov. Furthermore, it is proposed that S. croceovittatus Dohrn, 1859, S. leucomesus Walker, 1873, and S. villicus Stål, 1863, are three synonyms of S. bifidus (Fabricius, 1787); S. bicolor Hsiao, 1979, is a synonym of S. versicolor Dohrn, 1859; and S. hsiaoi Maldonado-Capriles, 1990, is a synonym of S. marginellus Putshkov, 1987. Additionally, brief biological information is provided for two species, S. falleni Stål, 1863, and S. croceus Hsiao, 1979. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The genus Cantonius Théry, 1929 is a small group with two subgenera and 12 species. However, the biology of this genus is still unknown. New information: In this paper, three species of the genus Cantonius Théry, 1929 were found on bamboo leaves, revealing for the first time that Cantonius species are also leaf-miners. Two new species were recorded from Jiangxi Province and are described here: Cantonius (Cantonius) anjiensis sp. n. (host plant: Pleioblastus amarus) and Cantonius (Procantonius) qiyunensis sp. n. (host plant: Bambusa blumeana) followed by C. (P.) austrisinicus Kalashian, 2021 (host plant: Oligostachyum paniculatum) recorded from Guangxi Province. Including habitats, photos of three species together with C. (P.) qiyunensis sp. n. pupa, host plants, and leaf mines of the three species are presented. Moreover, the bionomics and habits of the genus are discussed for the first time, and a hypothesis for the distribution of Cantonius is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the popularity of modern medicine, medicinal plants remain a cornerstone of treatment for numerous diseases, particularly among ethnic groups and tribal communities around the globe. Ethnomedicine offers advantages such as ease of use, convenience, and economic benefits. Medicinal plant knowledge within Bulang ethnic community of southwest China is a valuable complement to Chinese ethnomedicine systems. Accumulated medical knowledge is due to the extensive length of occupation by Bulang People, considered the earliest inhabitants of Xishuangbanna; this has resulted in the development of various traditional treatment methods with local characteristics and unique curative effects. Therefore, there is exceeding value in exploring the medical knowledge of Bulang. Methods: A total of 175 local informants participated in the interviews and distribution of questionnaires in 10 Bulang villages in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. We documented the community of Bulang's use of medicinal herbs, and we used both the informant consensus factor (ICF) and use value (UV) methodologies to analyze the data. Furthermore, we conducted a comparative study to explore the potential of Bulang traditional medicine by comparing it to traditional Dai medicine. Results: The study recorded 60 medicinal plant species belonging to 41 families and 59 genera, including 22 species of herb, 22 species of shrub, nine species of trees, and seven species of liana. Araceae, Compositae, Lamiaceae and Leguminosae were found to have the highest number of species. The affordability and cultural heritage of Bulang medicine make it advantageous, Investigated Informants report that increased usage of Western medicine (88%), less availability of herbal medicine (95.43%), and the reduction in medicinal plant resources (80.57%) pose significant threats to Bulang medicine. All Bulang medicinal plants are naturally grown, with only 22 per cent being cultivated. Camellia sinensis (0.94) and Zingiber officinale (0.89) showed the highest UV values, while the function of Phyllanthus emblica L. and Houttuynia cordata Thunb. were also noted. The ICF revealed digestive system related diseases were the most commonly treated, with conditions of the motor system using the highest number of plant species. Finally, a comparison with traditional Dai medicine determined that 22 plants (36.67%) of the 60 surveyed had higher medicinal value in Bulang medicine. Conclusion: Bulang communities primarily source medicinal plants from the wild. Should environmental damage lead to the extinction of these medicinal plants, it could result in a shift toward modern Western medicine as a preferred medical treatment. Bulang ethnomedicine is a vital supplement to China's traditional medicine, particularly aspects of ethnic medicine relevant to daily life. Future research should emphasize inter-ethnic medical studies to reveal the untapped potential of medicinal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The size of chum salmon juveniles is crucial to their survival. In order to understand the population status and migration patterns of juvenile chum salmon in the waters of the Amur River in China, this study investigated the status of juvenile chum salmon resources and their basic biological characteristics in the Amur River and the Ussuri River in China. The results showed that the average catch per unit effort (CPUE) of chum salmon in river margins was 0.140 ind·10−3 m3 for the Amur River and 0.255 ind·10−3 m3 for the Ussuri River. Chum salmon migrate downstream, mainly in mid-May in the Amur River and in early May in the Ussuri River, and no fish was caught in the rivers after June. Most chum salmon migrated when the water was between 10 and 14 °C. The average FL (fork length) and BW (body weight) of the Amur River samples were 37.1 ± 2.9 mm and 0.42 ± 0.09 g, respectively, while the Ussuri River samples' FL and BW were 34.9 ± 3.7 mm and 0.36 ± 0.08 g, respectively. The empty stomach rate of the samples was zero, and the prey category of the samples was composed of fish, aquatic insects, copepods, and cladocerans, of which Ephemeroptera had the largest percentage index of relative importance (IRI%), with a value of 58.45%. The size of the downstream-migrating juvenile chum salmon in this study is similar to the size of those in some other rivers, and the CPUE varies depending on the river conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biological characteristics of crop roots are closely related to the efficient utilization of nitrogen and have become a research hotspot in agricultural cultivation and breeding in recent years. The root system and root microbiota play a crucial role in both the basic and the plastic growth and development of plants in response to external environmental changes. Nitrogen is an indispensable nutrient element for crop growth, and the efficient utilization of nitrogen is the key to achieving the high yield and quality of crops and establishing environmentally friendly agricultural production. The nitrogen absorbed and utilized by rice mainly enters the aboveground part of the plant through the root system from within the soil. This process is explored from the perspective of root biology (root morphology, physiological and biochemical characteristics, root growth and development process and regulation, rhizosphere microorganisms, and their symbiotic systems), which is in line with the directions of "less investment, increased production, environmental protection, and sustainable development" in China. Based on the research status in this field at present, this article explored the interaction mechanism between crop root biology and nitrogen absorption and utilization, and looks forward to the future research directions for root biology. This study provides a theoretical basis for reducing nitrogen fertilizer application, optimizing nitrogen-efficient cultivation management techniques, and selecting nitrogen-efficient varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If evolution was/is a fact, a simplified/unifying approach to explain cellular physiology is warranted. Such a perspective should agree with the thermodynamic, kinetic, structural, and operational‐probabilistic considerations; without invoking overt intelligence or determinism, and must enable a synthesis from chaos. In this regard, we first list salient theories in cellular physiology for (i) powering (generation of chemical/heat energy), (ii) coherence (interconnectivity and workability as a unit), (iii) homeostasis (metabolizing and expelling of unfamiliar/unwanted materials, maintaining concentration/volume), and (iv) cellular electrical‐mechanical activities. While doing so, we discuss the scopes and limitations of (a) the classical active‐site affinity and recognition‐based modality of lock‐key and induced‐fit enzyme‐catalytic mechanisms established by Fischer/Koshland, (b) membrane‐pump hypothesis acclaimed by biologists‐physicians and historically championed by the British Nobel‐laureates like Hodgkin–Huxley–Katz–Mitchell, and (c) association‐induction hypothesis advocated by physicists–physiologists from various parts of the world, for example, Gilbert Ling (China–USA), Gerald Pollack (USA), Ludwig Edelmann (Germany), Vladimir Matveev (Russia), and so on. We apply murburn concept (from "mured burning," capturing the thesis that one‐electron redox equilibriums involving diffusible reactive species play vital roles in maintaining life order) to amalgamate several core cellular functions and further discuss the prospects for establishing the continuum of the principles of physics in biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Tephritid fruit flies are widely distributed around the world and lay eggs in fruits and vegetables, resulting in rotting and economic losses. To limit economic loss caused by these flies, we reviewed and summarized three decades of literature on 10 important fly species occurring in China. We summarized the biology, ecology and integrated control methods to help researchers, quarantine officials and even hobbyists obtain more basic knowledge and a more innovative outlook. Tephritid fruit flies are notoriously known for causing immense economic losses due to their infestation of many types of commercial fruits and vegetables in China. These flies are expanding, causing serious damage, and we summarized references from the last three decades regarding biological parameters, ecological performance and integrated pest management. There are 10 species of tephritid fruit flies mentioned at a relatively high frequency in China, and a detailed description and discussion in this comprehensive review were provided through contrast and condensation, including economics, distribution, identification, hosts, damage, life history, oviposition preference, interspecific competition and integrated management, in anticipation of providing effective strategies or bases for the subsequent development of new research areas and improvement of integrated management systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major goal of ecology and evolutionary biology is to explain geographic patterns of species richness. Richness is often correlated with climatic variables. However, the processes underlying these climate‐diversity relationships remain poorly understood. Two potential hypotheses to explain these relationships involve: (i) faster diversification rates (speciation minus extinction) in high‐richness climates and (ii) earlier colonization of high‐richness climates, allowing more time for speciation to build up richness. Few studies have tested these hypotheses directly, and most focused on animal clades with limited richness. In this study, we test these hypotheses in Chinese angiosperms, encompassing ~10% of Earth's plant species, using large‐scale phylogenetic, climatic, and distributional data including 26,977 species. We find that climatic zones that were colonized earlier have higher species richness. By contrast, relationships between diversification rates and richness of climatic zones are often nonsignificant or negative. Our study reveals that even when richness is strongly correlated with climate, the underlying explanation may still be rooted in phylogenetic history. Thus, climate may not be a competing explanation for richness patterns relative to colonization times and diversification rates. We also show that the timing of colonization can be crucial for explaining richness patterns. Yet, many recent studies have ignored this explanation and instead have focused solely on rates of speciation and diversification as drivers of diversity gradients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New coronavirus infection causing COVID-19, which was first reported in late 2019 in China, initiated severe social and economic crisis that affected the whole world. High frequency of the errors in replication of RNA viruses, zoonotic nature of transmission, and high transmissibility allowed betacoronaviruses to cause the third pandemic in the world since the beginning of 2003: SARS-CoV in 2003, MERS-CoV in 2012, and SARS-CoV-2 in 2019. The latest pandemic united scientific community and served as a powerful impetus in the study of biology of coronaviruses: new routes of virus penetration into the human cells were identified, features of the replication cycle were studied, and new functions of coronavirus proteins were elucidated. It should be recognized that the pandemic was accompanied by the need to obtain and publish results within a short time, which led to the emergence of an array of conflicting data and low reproducibility of research results. We systematized and analyzed scientific literature, filtered the results according to reliability of the methods of analysis used, and prepared a review describing molecular mechanisms of functioning of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. This review considers organization of the genome of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, mechanisms of its gene expression and entry of the virus into the cell, provides information on key mutations that characterize different variants of the virus, and their contribution to pathogenesis of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft rot caused by Dickeya zeae is an important bacterial disease affecting rice and other plants worldwide. In this study, Nanopore and Illumina sequencing platforms were used to sequence the high-quality complete genome of a novel D. zeae strain WH1 (size: 4.68 Mb; depth: 322.37x for Nanopore, 243.51x for Illumina; GC content: 53.59%), which was isolated from healthy rice root surface together with Paenibacillus polymyxa, a potential biocontrol bacterium against D. zeae strain WH1. However, the pure WH1 culture presented severe pathogenicity. Multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) indicated that strains WH1, EC1, and EC2 isolated from rice were grouped into a clade differentiated from other D. zeae strains. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) analyses demonstrated that WH1 was phylogenetically closest to EC2. Furthermore, the pathogenicity determinants and virulence factors of WH1 were mainly analyzed through genomic comparison with complete genomes of other D. zeae strains with high virulence (EC1, EC2, MS1, and MS2). The results revealed that plant cell wall-degrading extracellular enzymes (PCWDEs), flagellar and chemotaxis, and quorum sensing were highly conserved in all analyzed genomes, which were confirmed through phenotypic assays. Besides, WH1 harbored type I, II, III, and VI secretion systems (T1SS, T2SS, T3SS, and T6SS), but lost T4SS and T5SS. Like strains MS1 and MS2 isolated from bananas, WH1 harbored genes encoding both capsule polysaccharide (CPS) and exopolysaccharide (EPS) biosynthesis. The results of pathogenicity assays demonstrated that WH1 produced severe soft rot symptoms on potato tubers, carrots, radishes, and Chinese cabbage. Meanwhile, WH1 also produced phytotoxin(s) to inhibit rice seed germination with an 87% inhibitory rate in laboratory conditions. More importantly, we confirmed that phytotoxin(s) produced by WH1 are different from zeamines produced by EC1. Comparative genomics analyses and phenotypic and pathogenicity assays suggested that WH1 likely evolved through a pathway different from the other D. zeae strains from rice, producing a new type of rice foot rot pathogen. These findings highlight the emergence of a new type of D. zeae strain with high virulence, causing soft rot in rice and other plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of the genus Solskyia, S. infossata sp. nov. and S. lhozhaga sp. nov., are described and illustrated from Xizang, China. Solskyia lhasana is redescribed and figured based on a male, and new material of S. caporiaccoi and S. parvicollis from China is documented. The ecology and biology of adults and larvae is briefly introduced. Furthermore, photographs of habitat, and a key to Chinese species are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freshwater mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionida) have a broad global distribution on every continent except Antarctica. However, owing to human activities, the diversity of freshwater mussels is seriously globally threatened. China is an important global biodiversity hotspot for this fauna.This article comprehensively reviews the 99 currently recognized species in China, collating for the first time their systematics, distribution, life‐history traits, habitat preferences, conservation status, and main threats to suggest future management actions.The review showed that the taxonomic status and species validity of many freshwater mussels are still not well resolved. The freshwater mussel diversity in the Yangtze River Basin is higher than that in other freshwater habitats in China. Life history characteristics and habitat preferences are poorly known for most species.Only half of the total number of species in China have been assessed for their conservation status. Among those assessed, around half of them are threatened with extinction with more than 10% being considered as Data Deficient.The key threats identified as potentially related to species declines are pollution, habitat loss and fragmentation, loss of access to host fishes and overharvesting of mussels or their host fishes.The review shows that there is a strong geographical bias in the amount of knowledge available for freshwater mussels, with most of the available data being concentrated in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze basin. Almost no data are available for these taxa north of the Yellow River basin and in the west and south‐west regions of China.To make future conservation and management more effective we suggest that efforts should be concentrated on: (i) increasing the amount of research on basic ecological and life‐history features, including growth, life‐span, reproductive cycle, host fish identification and habitat requirements of each species; (ii) establishing the interspecific and intraspecific genetic diversity patterns of Chinese freshwater mussels, to clarify their taxonomy, systematics and phylogeny, and to understand the phylogeography and population structure of each species; and (iii) urgently establishing protected areas for fish and mussels in locations of high species richness, such as Poyang Lake and Dongting Lake, and also in regions with high levels of endemism or genetic uniqueness, such as Guangxi Province, Yunnan Province and Heilongjiang Province. In addition, the need for habitat restoration and the conservation of freshwater mussels has become urgent in China, and an integrated systematic conservation and management plan should be developed and effectively implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The spider family Liocranidae Simon, 1897 contains 35 genera and 308 species, including six genera and 33 species reported in China, which are: Agroeca Westring, 1861 (13 species), Jacaena Thorell, 1897 (7 species), Mesiotelus Simon, 1897 (1 species), Oedignatha Thorell, 1881 (2 species), Paratus Simon, 1898 (4 species), Sesieutes Simon, 1897 (1 species) and Sphingius Thorell, 1890 (5 species). New information The spider genus Arabelia Bosselaers, 2009 is described from China for the first time, with one new species Arabelia xizang sp. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural enemies that impact pest populations must be understood in order to build integrated pest control strategies and to understand the most important aspects affecting pest dynamics. Haloxylon ammodendron (C. A. Mey.) Bunge is an important perennial plant species extensively used in sand stabilization and wind prevention in arid areas. This study aimed to determine the main defoliators that damage H. ammodendron and the parasitoid complex associated with them. Twelve species of defoliators were found in Northern Xinjiang, and Teia dubia (Tauscher) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), Scrobipalpa sp. (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), and Eucharia festiva Hüfnagel (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) were the dominant pests. T. dubia is the predominant defoliator with three generations a year. Northwest China, Central Asia, and the Mediterranean region are potentially suitable habitats for T. dubia in the world, while Xinjiang is the primary distribution area in China. Parasitoids belonging to seven species and four families were reared from the larvae of T. dubia, they were all endoparasitoids and koinobiont. Cotesia sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is the dominant parasitoid and prefer to parasitic in the 3rd–5th instar larvae. The present study provides the basis for understanding the species composition and natural enemies of lepidopteran defoliators. It will be an effective tool for the integrated pest management programs of H. ammodendron forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Plants in cliff habitats may evolve specific reproductive strategies to cope with harsh environments, and unraveling these reproductive characteristics can improve our understanding of survival strategies and lithophyte evolution. This understanding is especially important for efforts to protect rare and endemic plants. Here, we investigated the reproductive biology of Lonicera oblata, an endangered lithophytic shrub that is scattered in highly fragmented and isolated cliff habitats of the Taihang and Yan mountains in North China. Results: Flowers of L. oblata are herkogamous and protandrous, characteristics that can prevent autogamy at the single-flower level, and insects are necessary for pollination. The outcrossing index, pollen/ovule ratio, and the results of hand pollination were measured and all revealed a mixed mating system for L. oblata, that combines cross-fertilization and partial self-fertilization. The floral traits of L. oblata of zygomorphic and brightly yellowish corolla, heavy fragrance, and rich nectar, suggest an entomophilous pollination system. Sweat bees were observed as the most effective pollinators but their visiting frequencies were not high. Pollen limitation may limit the reproductive success of L. oblata. Conclusions: We determined the reproductive characteristics of L. oblata, a critically endangered species endemic to cliffs in North China, providing insight into its endangerment and suggesting conservation strategies. L. oblata has highly pollinator-dependent self-fertilization as part of a mixed mating system. Floral features such as low-flowering synchrony, asynchronous anthers dehiscence, and high duration of stigma receptivity, improve pollination efficiency in the case of low pollinator service. Our work provides reference information to understand the survival strategies and conservation of L. oblata and other lithophytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd. et Wils (S. sphenanthera) is a single species of Schisandra genus, Magnoliaceae family, and it is a famous medicinal herb mostly growing in southern China, China Taiwan and Vietnam. S. sphenanthera is usually used for the treatments of hepatitis, Alzheimer's disease, renal transplantation, osteoporosis, and insomnia. In present studies, approximately 310 natural constituents have been isolated from S. sphenanthera, including lignans, triterpenes, volatile oils, and polysaccharides, which were mainly obtained from the fruits and stems of S. sphenanthera. Pharmocological studies have shown that the extracts and monomeric compounds of S. sphenanthera possessed wide-range bioactivities, such as antitumor, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, osteoblastic, immune regulation, neuroprotective, kidney protection, hepatoprotective, and antiviral activities. However, resource availability, quality control measures, in-depth in vivo pharmacological study, and clinical application are still insufficient and deserve further studies. This review systematically summarized literatures on the botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, development utilization, and clinical application of S. sphenanthera, in hopes of provide a useful reference for researchers for further studies of this plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]