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Background: Chronic stress exacerbates motor deficits and increases dopaminergic cell loss in several rodent models of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, little is known about effects of stress on gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction, a common non‐motor symptom of PD. We aimed to determine whether chronic stress exacerbates GI dysfunction in the A53T mouse model of PD and whether this relates to changes in α‐synuclein distribution. Methods: Chronic isolation stress was induced by single‐housing WT and homozygote A53T mice between 5 and 15 months of age. GI and motor function were compared with mice that had been group‐housed. Key Results: Chronic isolation stress increased plasma corticosterone and exacerbated deficits in colonic propulsion and whole‐gut transit in A53T mice and also increased motor deficits. However, our results indicated that the novel environment‐induced defecation response, a common method used to evaluate colorectal function, was not a useful test to measure exacerbation of GI dysfunction, most likely because of the reported reduced level of anxiety in A53T mice. A53T mice had lower corticosterone levels than WT mice under both housing conditions, but single‐housing increased levels for both genotypes. Enteric neuropathy was observed in aging A53T mice and A53T mice had a greater accumulation of alpha‐synuclein (αsyn) in myenteric ganglia under both housing conditions. Conclusions & Inferences: Chronic isolation stress exacerbates PD‐associated GI dysfunction, in addition to increasing motor deficits. However, these changes in GI symptoms are not directly related to corticosterone levels, worsened enteric neuropathy, or enteric αsyn accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to understand and utilize the macrofungal resources in Huangpushan Natural Reserve of Anhui Province, their species composition and ecological distribution were investigated, and a comprehensive evaluation was made. A total of 87 macrofungal species were recorded, belonging to 46 genera, 22 familes, 6 orders and 4 classes. They were widely distributed in broadleaf forest, coniferous forest, mixed broadleaf and coniferous forest, bamboo forest, and wasteland. According to their economic values, there were 42 edible species, 31 medicinal species, and 6 poisonous species; based on their ecological habitats, they were categorized into humicolous (44 species), lignicolous (30), ectomycorrhizal (19), and entomogenous species (2). The macro-fungi in the Reserve had great prospects of applying in food, medicine, and forestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endophytic fungi from the fruit of Pteroceltis tatarinowii were studied, to understand the characteristics of microbial community composition on this ancient and peculiar wild plant. Healthy fruits were collected from areas of the natural distribution of P. tatarinowii in Langyashan Natural Reserve, Anhui Province, China. Endophytic fungi were isolated from fruit tissue, and fungal strains were classified on the basis of morphology. From 500 tissue blocks taken from fruit, a total of 428 isolates of endophytic fungi were identified and classified into 20 genera, 4 families, and 3 orders. Eighty strains showed no reproductive structures, and were classified as Mycelia sterilia (18.7%). The dominant families were Dematiaceae and Sphaeropsidaceae, occupying 38.1% and 32.9% of isolates, respectively. Alternaria and Phomopsis were the dominant genera, accounting for 27.1% and 16.8% of isolates. Different parts of the fruit had different compositions of endophytes. The highest number of fungi was isolated from seeds (19 genera, 181 strains, 42.3%), and the lowest from fruiting wings (7 genera, 88 strains, 20.6%). Alternaria was the commonest genus of endophytes, isolated from three different parts of the fruit. Phomopsis and Macrophoma were the dominant genera on carpopodium and fruiting wings, respectively. The communities on carpopodium and fruiting wings were most similar to one another (C S =0.78), while those on fruiting wings and seeds were least similar (C S =0.50). Fisher's exact test showed no significant difference between the compositions of endophytes from the carpopodium and fruiting wings, while significant diffe-rences were observed between communities on seed and carpopodium, and seed and fruiting wings.

In order to understand and utilize the macrofungal resources in Huangpushan Natural Reserve of Anhui Province, their species composition and ecological distribution were investigated, and a comprehensive evaluation was made. A total of 87 macrofungal species were recorded, belonging to 46 genera, 22 families, 6 orders and 4 classes. They were widely distributed in broadleaf forest, coniferous forest, mixed broadleaf and coniferous forest, bamboo forest, and wasteland. According to their economic values, there were 42 edible species, 31 medicinal species, and 6 poisonous species; based on their ecological habitats, they were categorized into humicolous (44 species), lignicolous (30), ectomycorrhizal (19), and entomogenous species (2). The macro-fungi in the Reserve had great prospects of applying in food, medicine, and forestation.