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PurposeThis paper aims to analyze the mechanism underlying the impact of boundary-spanning search (BS) on the sustainable development ability (SDA) of service-oriented manufacturing enterprises and to emphasize the intermediary role of knowledge integration (KI). The moderating role of knowledge inertia on the link between BS and KI is also investigated.Design/methodology/approachThis study constructs direct, mediating and moderating effects, selects 110 service-oriented manufacturing enterprises as research samples and obtains empirical data from questionnaires and annual reports. Among them, triangulation is skilfully used to obtain questionnaire data, and the regression method is used to test model relationships.FindingsThe results show that BS not only directly enhances SDA but also indirectly affects it through KI, which plays a mediating role in the impact of BS on SDA. In addition, knowledge inertia negatively moderates the relationship between BS and KI.Originality/valueThis paper makes three contributions. First, it enriches the research on the antecedent variables related to the SDA of service-oriented manufacturing enterprises. Second, by examining the mediating role of KI and the moderating role of knowledge inertia, the relationship between BS and SDA is revealed. Third, the research on knowledge management related to the SDA of service-oriented manufacturing enterprises is expanded.

Endometriosis has been found to be closely related to autophagy. This study aimed to elucidate the possible mechanism of Bushen Wenyang Huayu Decoction (BWHD) in treating endometriosis (EMs) by targeting TLR4/NF-κB-mediated autophagy. Autologous grafting was used to generate the EMs model in rats. Once the model was developed, BWHD high-dose and low-dose groups received intragastric administration of BWHD, and the gestrinone group served as a positive control. Immunofluorescence labeling and Western blotting were used for the protein expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB), Beclin-1, and selective autophagy connector protein P62 (P62). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to analyze mRNA levels of TLR4, NF-κB, Beclin-1, and P62. We found that BWHD significantly reduced the size of ectopic lesions in rats with EMs, regulated reproductive hormone levels, and alleviated the cell autophagy level. It suggested that BWHD could be an effective treatment of EMs by targeting TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

This study was conducted in a Pinus sylvestris var. Mongolia plantation within the Xiaotaojiagou watershed of the Winter Olympic venues (Chongli competition area) to explore the influence of forest growth factors, soil physical properties, soil nutrients, and other factors on the competition index (CI) of dominant trees in the plantation. A 20 m × 20 m sample square was established every 300 m, and a total of 20 plots were set. The Hegyi single-tree competition index model and structural equation model (SEM) were used to analyze the dominant tree CI and its association with the forest growth factor, soil nutrient content, and soil physical properties. The CI of Pinus sylvestris var. Mongolia showed a decreasing trend with increases in the forest growth factor, the soil nutrient content, and the soil physical properties. Soil physical properties had the greatest influence on the CI, with a significant negative correlation (p < 0.05) and a total effect of −0.91. The results indicate that the competition index of dominant trees is sensitive to changes in soil physical and chemical properties as well as growth indicators such as diameter at breast height, tree height, and crown width of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica.

Desertification land in Gonghe Basin of Tibetan Plateau, China accounts for 91.9% of the total land area. Vegetation restoration and reconstruction with desert shrubs in degraded ecosystem are effective ways to prevent and control desertification. However, the evaluation studies of fine root dynamic characteristics of desert shrubs and their contribution to carbon sequestration of plantation are limited. To gain a better understanding of vegetation restoration, the vertical distribution of fine root biomass, fine root decomposition, fine root turnover was investigated, as well as their coupling effect on carbon sequestration of plantation in three desert vegetation. The results estimated that the total decomposition time of fine roots of Salix cheilophila (S. cheilophila), Salix psammophila (S. psammophila), and Salix microstachya (S. microstachya) are 39.00, 27.99 and 35.95 years. Biomass carbon density for three Salix plantations ranged from 1.42 to 2.39 t/hm2, which showed that three Salix plantations in alpine sandy land are an important carbon pool. In addition, fine root biomass carbon density for the three shrub plantations varied significantly. Fine root biomass carbon density for S. psammophila reached the largest among the three plantations, which was 1.48 t/hm2, accounting for the ratio of 62% of the plantation total biomass carbon density. The results indicated that the root system of S. psammophila, especially the fine roots, was very developed, which was conducive to soil water transportation and carbon sequestration. Therefore, S. psammophila might be a better species for carbon sequestration of plantation in alpine sandy areas. The carbon input from the fine roots of the three shrub plantations through decomposition and turnover into the plantations accounts for 11.5% to 15.5% of total carbon sequestration of plantations. Therefore, the fine roots dynamics must be considered for long‐term carbon pool estimations in three Salix plantations, otherwise the total carbon sequestration of plantations would be underestimated.

This study was carried out to clarify the response of photosynthesis physiology of Caragana intermedia, an excellent tree species for wind protection and sand fixation, to soil water content (SWC) and to determine the relevant threshold ranges in the sandy lands of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. In this study, based on the three-year forest experiment from 2017a to 2019a, C. intermedia in different afforestation years (2013a, 2011a, 2008a, 2006a, 2001a and 1986a) were selected for experimental analysis, the response process of leaf photosynthesis of C. intermedia to SWC changes was studied, and the physiological mechanism and growth suitability of C. intermedia to adapt to an alpine desert environment were clarified. The results showed that SWC played a critical role in the photosynthesis of C. intermedia in the sandy lands of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Afforestation years are negatively correlated with Pn, gs and Tr, but positively correlated with WUE; the longer the afforestation years, the higher demand for soil moisture. Regarding the relative roles of SWC and photosynthetic parameters, we demonstrated that this showed a significant square relationship (p < 0.001), while stomatal closure induced by the photosynthesis decline was important under dryness stress. The no-productivity and no-efficiency water (NPNEW) for the photosynthesis physiology of trees in different afforestation years were 3.31–3.64%; 3.33–4.06%; 3.08–3.63%; 3.36–3.85%; 1.45–4.02% and 3.39–5.50%, and the highest productivity with the highest availability of water (HPHAW) were 6.65–7.19%; 6.74–7.36%; 7.36–7.91%; 6.10–7.51%; 6.57–8.19% and 6.52–8.35%. Plantations in different afforestation years could survive safely in the sandy lands of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. However, the productivity of trees decreased with the increase length of afforestation years; thus, we should pay attention to their growth status and make timely management adjustments in the future. These results provide important information for theoretical support for the diagnosis of ecological adaptability and field water management of C. intermedia in the sandy lands of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and provide a reference for the adaptability evaluation and water–carbon cycle simulation of plantations in the sandy lands of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau against the background of global climate change.

Accurate assessment of soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) stocks and analyzing the main influencing factors after revegetation for restoration of sandy soils in alpine regions are important for formulating sustainable management measures and understanding the role of revegetation in mitigating climate change. This study compared SOC and TN stocks and their vertical distributions among 6-, 11-, 17- and 31-year-old Caragana intermedia plantations and shifting sand dunes. The results showed that SOC and TN stocks significantly increased as plantation age increased, with the 31-year-old stands having the highest SOC stocks (26.73 Mg ha−1) and TN stocks (2.64 Mg ha−1), which were 97.4% and 149.56% higher, respectively, than those of the shifting sand dunes. Compared to the total soil depth, SOC and TN stocks at all stand ages were higher in surface soil (0–20 cm). SOC stocks in the surface soil of the 6-, 11-, 17- and 31-year-old stands were 38.03%, 71.32%, 103.67% and 253.30% higher, respectively, than those in the surface soil of the shifting sand dunes, and TN stocks in the surface soil were 17.03%, 117.96%, 148.93% and 232.06% higher, respectively, than those in the surface soil of the shifting sand dunes. The percentage of the SOC and TN stock in the 0–20 cm soil depth increased significantly as plantation age increased, with the 31-year-old plantation reaching 43.66% and 33.39%, respectively. Redundancy analysis and correlation analysis showed that at 0–20 cm soil depth, above-ground biomass was the main influencing factor for SOC and TN stocks. At 20–80 cm soil depth, fine root biomass and medium root biomass were the main influencing factors for SOC stocks, and medium root biomass was the main influencing factor for TN stocks.

In order to explore the protective function of metformin on pancreatic β cells to alleviate insulin resistance and underlying mechanisms, INS‐1 cells were cultured into normal control (N), high glucose (H), high glucose and metformin (H + Met), high glucose and chloroquine (H + CQ), and high glucose and Ex527 (H + Ex527) groups, respectively. Upon 24‐hr cultivation, the proliferation and glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) of INS‐1 cells were determined, and the expression of irisin and other proteins associated with AMPK/SIRT1/PGC‐1α signal pathway, autophagy, and apoptosis was evaluated. Compared with the N group, the cells from the H group revealed lower proliferation, GSIS, and expression of irisin and proteins associated with AMPK/SIRT1/PGC‐1α signal pathway and autophagy, but higher expression of proteins associated with apoptosis; in contrast, metformin could significantly rescue lower cell proliferation, GSIS, and expression of proteins associated with AMPK/SIRT1/PGC‐1α signal pathway and autophagy, as well as irisin, and suppress apoptosis in high‐glucose environment. Meanwhile, autophagy inhibitor CQ and SIRT1 inhibitor Ex527 can block above functions of metformin. Therefore, metformin can promote INS‐1 cell proliferation, enhance GSIS, and suppress apoptosis by activating AMPK/SIRT1/PGC‐1α signal pathway, up‐regulating irisin expression, and inducing autophagy in INS‐1 cells in high‐glucose environment.

Background and aims Research into the variability of fine‐root decomposition and nutrient cycling processes in arid and semiarid ecosystems is highly significant not only for investigations of regional and global carbon and nitrogen cycling but also for offering a theoretical basis for vegetation restoration and reconstruction. In particular, information is limited on fine‐root decomposition processes and nutrient releasing characteristics in the high‐altitude Qinghai Gonghe basin, which has different tree species and variable fine‐root diameters. Materials and methods Four types of Salicaceae and Caragana shrubs were selected at the Qinghai Gonghe desert ecosystem research station. The litterbag method was adopted to measure decomposition rates of fine‐roots with three diameter classes (1–2 mm, 0.5–1 mm, and 0–0.5 mm). Chemical analysis was performed to determine nutrient (C, N, P, and K) concentrations of fine‐root, and nutrient release rates were compared among fine‐roots with different diameters during different decomposition periods. The differences in mass residual ratio and nutrient release rate among different diameter classes were studied with one‐way ANOVA. Results Fine‐root decomposition rates were in the order Caragana intermedia > Caragana korshinskii > Salix psammophila > Salix cheilophila. Fine‐root decomposition showed a trend of “fast‐slow‐fast” variation, and decomposition rate increased as the diameter of fine‐roots increased, irrespective of tree species. During the decomposition process, the nutrients C, N, and P of fine‐root were in a release state for the four shrubs with different fine‐root diameters, and the corresponding release rates of Caragana shrubs were higher than those of Salicaceae shrubs. Release rates of nutrients C and N accelerated as fine‐root diameter increased, whereas release rates of nutrients P and K had no observed relation with fine‐root diameter. Fine‐root decomposition ratio was significantly correlated with initial values of N, P, C/N, C/P, and N/P of fine‐root. Fine‐root mass loss ratio was significantly correlated with initial concentration of soil nutrient K, and the correlation was positive for fine‐roots with diameters of 0–0.5 mm and 0.5–1 mm; however, no other significant correlation was observed between fine‐root mass loss ratio and initial soil environmental factors within this study. Conclusions Our study showed that tree species and fine‐root diameter strongly affected decomposition rates, whereas diameter class exerted little effect on nutrient release rates.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) maintains lifelong latency in neurons following initial infection and can subsequently be reactivated to result in herpes zoster or severe neurological manifestations such as encephalitis. Mechanisms of VZV neuropathogenesis have been challenging to study due to the strict human tropism of the virus. Although neuronal entry mediators of other herpesviruses, including herpes simplex virus, have been identified, little is known regarding how VZV enters neurons. Here, we utilize a human stem cell-based neuronal model to characterize cellular factors that mediate entry. Through transcriptional profiling of infected cells, we identify the cell adhesion molecule nectin-1 as a candidate mediator of VZV entry. Nectin-1 is highly expressed in the cell bodies and axons of neurons. Either knockdown of endogenous nectin-1 or incubation with soluble forms of nectin-1 produced in mammalian cells results in a marked decrease in infectivity of neurons. Notably, while addition of soluble nectin-1 during viral infection inhibits infectivity, addition after infection has no effect on infectivity. Ectopic expression of human nectin-1 in a cell line resistant to productive VZV infection confers susceptibility to infection. In summary, we have identified nectin-1 as a neuronal entry mediator of VZV. IMPORTANCE Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes chickenpox, gains access to neurons during primary infection where it resides lifelong, and can later be reactivated. Reactivation is associated with shingles and postherpetic neuralgia, as well as with severe neurologic complications, including vasculitis and encephalitis. Although the varicella vaccine substantially decreases morbidity and mortality associated with primary infection, the vaccine cannot prevent the development of neuronal latency, and vaccinated populations are still at risk for reactivation. Furthermore, immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk for VZV reactivation and associated complications. Little is known regarding how VZV enters neurons. Here, we identify nectin-1 as an entry mediator of VZV in human neurons. Identification of nectin-1 as a neuronal VZV entry mediator could lead to improved treatments and preventative measures to reduce VZV related morbidity and mortality.

Endometriosis (EM), a benign aseptic inflammatory disease, is associated with the presence of endometrial foci. Pain, one of its typical symptoms, has been reported as a constant stressor, but the etiology and pathogenesis of EM-associated pain are unclear. In the present study, eutopic and ectopic endometrium samples from women with EM (n=50) and normal endometrium samples from control subjects (n=20) were collected. Serum levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and bradykinin (BK) were measured using commercial ELISA kits. The expression of the BKB1 receptor (BKB1R) protein was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining and western blot assay. The mRNA expression of BKB1R was measured by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. The results revealed that there was a substantial increase in the protein and mRNA expression of BKB1R, as well as the release of PGE2, PGF2α and BK in the blood, in the EM group compared with that in the control group. Moreover, PGE2, PGF2α and BK levels were significantly correlated with each other, as well as with the pain intensity of EM. The increased expression levels of BKB1R protein and mRNA were positively correlated with the pain degree of EM. Thus, these data indicated that BK and BKB1R were involved in the pathological onset of EM-associated pain and that they may play an important role in EM-related pain by inducing PGE2 and PGF2α. The data indicate a potential new therapeutic target for EM-related pain.

Purpose While most adults are infected Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), 3-5% remain uninfected. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex, which controls many pathogens, may influence infection and disease associated with EBV. Recent findings Numerous EBV proteins and miRNAs down-regulate HLA class I and II expression on the cell surface. HLA class II functions as a receptor for EBV entry into B cells. Specific HLA class II alleles correlate with the susceptibility of B cells to EBV infection in vitro and with EBV seropositivity or seronegativity of humans. HLA class I polymorphisms correlate with development and severity of EBV infectious mononucleosis and with the risk of several virus-associated malignancies including nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. Significance These findings indicate that while EBV has evolved to use MHC class II as a receptor for virus entry, polymorphisms in MHC class II and class I influence virus infection and disease.

Limited by the resource characteristics of the agricultural information cloud platform, the existing resource allocation methods have higher energy consumption when the user density is high. Therefore, a resource allocation method based on cluster mapping is proposed for the agricultural information cloud platform. Based on the technology of cluster mapping, the resource allocation framework of agricultural information cloud platform is constructed, and then the dormancy allocation of cluster resources is proposed, and the coordination and optimization of resource allocation among clusters are carried out. The simulation results show that the resource allocation method of agricultural information cloud platform based on cluster mapping has good robustness and can reduce energy consumption.

Desertification land in Gonghe Basin of Tibetan Plateau, China accounts for 91.9% of the total land area. Vegetation restoration and reconstruction with desert shrubs in degraded ecosystem are effective ways to prevent and control desertification. However, the evaluation studies of fine root dynamic characteristics of desert shrubs and their contribution to carbon sequestration of plantation are limited. To gain a better understanding of vegetation restoration, the vertical distribution of fine root biomass, fine root decomposition, fine root turnover was investigated, as well as their coupling effect on carbon sequestration of plantation in three desert vegetation. The results estimated that the total decomposition time of fine roots of Salix cheilophila (S. cheilophila), Salix psammophila (S. psammophila), and Salix microstachya (S. microstachya) are 39.00, 27.99 and 35.95 years. Biomass carbon density for three Salix plantations ranged from 1.42 to 2.39 t/hm2, which showed that three Salix plantations in alpine sandy land are an important carbon pool. In addition, fine root biomass carbon density for the three shrub plantations varied significantly. Fine root biomass carbon density for S. psammophila reached the largest among the three plantations, which was 1.48 t/hm2, accounting for the ratio of 62% of the plantation total biomass carbon density. The results indicated that the root system of S. psammophila, especially the fine roots, was very developed, which was conducive to soil water transportation and carbon sequestration. Therefore, S. psammophila might be a better species for carbon sequestration of plantation in alpine sandy areas. The carbon input from the fine roots of the three shrub plantations through decomposition and turnover into the plantations accounts for 11.5% to 15.5% of total carbon sequestration of plantations. Therefore, the fine roots dynamics must be considered for long‐term carbon pool estimations in three Salix plantations, otherwise the total carbon sequestration of plantations would be underestimated., The total decomposition time of fine roots of Salix cheilophila, Salix psammophila, and Salix microstachya were significantly larger than that of other regions in desert ecosystem. The increase of N concentration in fine roots of Salix would promote the increase of net primary productivity. The contribution of fine roots to carbon storage of plantation could reach 16% through input soil carbon by dynamic activities such as turnover and decomposition.

Vegetation coverage is an important biophysical parameter of terrestrial ecosystems. In this study, MODIS data were used to estimate sparse vegetation coverage using an improved dimidiate pixel model in northern China. Specifically, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Fraction of Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FPAR) and Leaf Area Index (LAI) products acquired from MOD09A1 and MOD15A2 were selected to acquire the sparse vegetation coverage in northern China. When 1

Land desertification is one of the world’s most important global ecological environment problems and sensitive to global climate change. In this study, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Gaofen-1 (GF-1) data were used to obtain aeolian desertification land distribution in Northern China. Aeolian desertification land distribution from 2001 to 2015 was used to analyze the spatiotemporal change in this area. Results show that aeolian desertification situation of 70 counties is expanded with low slope values and 250 counties is reversed. Aeolian desertification situation in most areas is improved in recent 15 years. Gravity center of the aeolian desertification has a trend to move towards the direction of the high latitude and low longitude. It moves towards north about 0.06° and west about 2.2° from 2001 to 2015. The main distribution area is between 90–100°E, 30– 40°N and altitude which less than 2000 m in desert and steppe climate zone. Aeolian desertification is worsening in recent 5 years around rivers and lakes. In recent years, the government has made great efforts to strengthen ecological construction with positive effect, but we still need to pay more attention to environment deterioration of rivers, lakes and the nearby areas in the future.

This study investigated the occurrence and distribution of pesticides in surface water (lakes, major rivers and tributaries) and potential discharge sources (fish ponds, livestock and poultry farms, and sewage treatment plants) in Wujin District (northwest of Taihu Lake), Jiangsu province, China. An analytical liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for 38 pesticides, which was applied in the monitoring of 240 surface water samples and 76 potential discharge source samples. Eleven insecticides and five fungicides with temporal and spatial variation were detected in surface water. The total pesticide concentrations in surface water in different seasons were as follows: March > August > June > November. The two most polluting and widespread pesticides were carbendazim (maximum concentration 508 ng L−1, detection rate 100%) and imidacloprid (maximum concentration 438 ng L−1, detection rate 88%). Gehu Lake (S46) and Sanshangang River (S12) were seriously polluted water bodies. Seven insecticides and four fungicides were detected in the potential discharge sources; and their composition changed significantly with the seasons. The concentrations of detected organophosphorus pesticides and neonicotinoids (e.g. acetamiprid in March and dichlorvos in November) in a few non-agricultural planting sources were far greater than those detected in surface water, and hence a few fish ponds, livestock and poultry farms, and sewage treatment plants might be the potential discharge sources of pesticides in the surrounding surface water. The estimated input flux of the studied pesticides from upstream rivers to Taihu Lake was 141.95 kg a−1. Furthermore, more attention should be paid to the medium or high aquatic ecotoxicological risk presented by the levels of organophosphorus pesticides, carbamates, and benzimidazoles.

Background Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus (CAEBV) presents with high levels of viral genomes in blood and tissue infiltration with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)–positive lymphocytes. The pathogenesis of CAEBV is poorly understood. Methods We evaluated 2 patients with natural killer (NK) cell CAEBV and studied their NK cell phenotype and signaling pathways in cells. Results Both patients had increased numbers of NK cells, EBV predominantly in NK cells, and immature NK cells in the blood. Both patients had increased phosphorylation of Akt, S6, and STAT1 in NK cells, and increased total STAT1. Treatment of 1 patient with sirolimus reduced phosphorylation of S6 in T and B cells, but not in NK cells and did not reduce levels of NK cells or EBV DNA in the blood. Treatment of both patients’ cells with JAK inhibitors in vitro reduced phosphorylated STAT1 to normal. Patients with T- or B-cell CAEBV had increased phosphorylation of Akt and S6 in NK cells, but no increase in total STAT1. Conclusions The increase in phosphorylated Akt, S6, and STAT1, as well as immature NK cells describe a new phenotype for NK cell CAEBV. The reduction of STAT1 phosphorylation in their NK cells with JAK inhibitors suggests a novel approach to therapy.

Large areas of Artemisia ordosica Krasch., Caragana korshinskii Kom., and Caragana intermedia Kuang and H. C. Fu plantations were established on moving sand dunes in the Gonghe Basin (northeastern Tibetan Plateau) for vegetation restoration. Elevating our understanding of the changes in soil characteristics after the establishment of different plantation types can be useful in the context of combating desertification. To assess the effects of these plantation types on the restoration of sandy land, we measured soil physical-chemical properties at four depths (0–5, 5–10, 10–20, and 20–50 cm) in each of the three plantation types and also in non-vegetated moving sand dunes (as control sites). Generally, the establishment of A. ordosica, C. korshinskii and C. intermedia plantations on sand dunes has greatly ameliorated soil quality in the Gonghe Basin. Specifically, relative to the moving sand dunes, shrub plantation has increased the silt and clay contents, total porosity and water holding capacity, soil organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and total potassium contents. The calculated soil quality index suggested that in the Gonghe Basin, C. intermedia is the best choice for soil amelioration. In all the three plantation types, soil amelioration mainly occurred in the shallow depths.

In this study, a femtosecond laser was focused to ablate brass target and generate plasma emission in air. The influence of lens to sample distance (LTSD) on spectral emission of brass plasma under linearly and circularly polarized pulses with different pulse energies was investigated. The results indicated that the position with the strongest spectral emission moved toward focusing lens with increasing the energy. At the same laser energy, the line emission under circularly polarized pulse was stronger compared with linearly polarized pulse for different LTSDs. Next, electron temperature and density of the plasma were obtained with Cu (I) lines, indicating that the electron temperature and density under circularly polarized pulse were higher compared to that under linearly polarized pulse. Therefore, changing the laser polarization is a simple and effective way to improve the spectral emission intensity of femtosecond laser-induced plasma.

Fractional vegetation cover (FVC) is an important ecological parameter and indication for ecological environment change. As the main part of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Qinghai Province is a more sensitive area of climate change and fragile zone of ecology environment. In this study, multi-temporal satellite data were analyzed to estimate FVC from 2000 to 2013 in Qinghai Province using no-dense & dense model. When 1

Irisin, as a new hormone-like myokine, is discovered in the presence of exercise-induced peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1-alpha (PGC-1α). Which substance plays an important role in energy metabolism in each organ in the body and the regulation of metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes. The finding of irisin can contribute to the exploration of the novel and effective therapeutic targets or therapeutic strategies of these metabolic diseases or metabolism-associated health issues. To date, little is known regarding the functions and regulatory mechanisms of irisin with respect to metabolic diseases or metabolism-associated health issues. In this narrative review article, we systematically introduce its structural characteristics, production and distribution in tissues and organs, and the regulation and corresponding mechanisms for metabolic diseases or metabolism-associated health issues of irisin. Meanwhile, its future prospects and the development of irisin-related products for the promotion of human health have also been proposed, which will benefit future research and application of irisin. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.