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Understanding the molecular associations underlying pathogen resistance in invasive plant species is likely to provide useful insights into the effective control of alien plants, thereby facilitating the conservation of native biodiversity. In the current study, we investigated pathogen resistance in an invasive clonal plant, Sphagneticola trilobata, at the molecular level. Sphagneticola trilobata (i.e., Singapore daisy) is a noxious weed that affects both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and is less affected by pathogens in the wild than co-occurring native species. We used Illumina sequencing to investigate the transcriptome of S. trilobata following infection by a globally distributed generalist pathogen (Rhizoctonia solani). RNA was extracted from leaves of inoculated and un-inoculated control plants, and a draft transcriptome of S. trilobata was generated to examine the molecular response of this species following infection. We obtained a total of 49,961,014 (94.3%) clean reads for control (un-inoculated plants) and 54,182,844 (94.5%) for the infected treatment (inoculated with R. solani). Our analyses facilitated the discovery of 117,768 de novo assembled contigs and 78,916 unigenes. Of these, we identified 3506 differentially expressed genes and 60 hormones associated with pathogen resistance. Numerous genes, including candidate genes, were associated with plant-pathogen interactions and stress response in S. trilobata. Many recognitions, signaling, and defense genes were differentially regulated between treatments, which were confirmed by qRT-PCR. Overall, our findings improve our understanding of the genes and molecular associations involved in plant defense of a rapidly spreading invasive clonal weed, and serve as a valuable resource for further work on mechanism of disease resistance and managing invasive plants.

Invasive plants are a major threat to biodiversity and may adversely affect food security. Clonal integration enables the sharing of resources between connected ramets and can enhance plant performance in many invasive species. However, few studies have examined the role of clonal integration when weeds are exposed to plant growth regulators (PGRs). PGRs are used extensively in agriculture and may affect nearby weeds through soil leaching, erosion and runoff. Our aim was to investigate the effects of clonal integration on growth in a noxious weed, Alternanthera philoxeroides (alligator weed), in response to two PGRs frequently used in agriculture, gibberellins (GAs) and paclobutrazol (PAC). Ramets of A. philoxeroides were propagated in the greenhouse, and treated with PGRs. PGRs were applied to the older ramets (i.e. ‘basal’ part), with half of the plants having the stems between the apical (younger) and basal parts left connected, while the remaining plants had the stems between the two parts severed. Following the growing period, plants were measured for growth traits. We found that GA and PAC had contrasting effects on plant growth. GA significantly promoted above-ground growth of the apical ramets via clonal integration. Alternatively, PAC inhibited above-ground growth in the basal and apical parts, and enhanced below-ground growth of the basal and apical ramets through clonal integration. Our results highlight how clonal integration can promote growth in A. philoxeroides following the application of PGRs, which is likely an important mechanism for this species to invade new environments.

To observe the efficacy and prognosis of cladribine (2-CdA) combined with cytarabine (Ara-C) regimen in the treatment of relapsed refractory Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) in children.Nine patients with relapsed refractory LCH treated with the 2-CdA combined with Ara-C regimen in the Department of Hematology and Oncology of Wuhan Children's Hospital from July 2014 to February 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, and the efficacy and disease status were evaluated according to the Histiocyte Society Evaluation and Treatment Guidelines (2009) and the Disease Activity Score (DAS), the drug toxicity were evaluated according to the World Health Organization（WHO） grading criteria for chemotherapy. All patients were followed up for survival status and disease-related sequelae.Before the treatment combining 2-CdA and Ara-C, 7 of 9 patients were evaluated as active disease worse (ADW), and 2 as active disease stable (ADS) with a median disease activity score of 8 (4-15). Of 9 patients, 6 cases achieved non active disease (NAD) and 3 achieved active disease better (ADB) with a median disease activity score of 0 (0 to 5) after 2-6 courses of therapy. All 9 patients experienced WHO grade IV hematologic toxicity and 3 patients had hepatobiliary adverse effects (WHO grade I～II) after treatment. The median follow-up time was 31(1 to 50) months with all 9 patients survived, 3 of the 9 patients experienced sequelae to the disease with 2 combined liver cirrhosis as well as cholestatic hepatitis and 1 with oral desmopressin acetate tablets for diabetes insipidus.2-CdA combined with Ara-C is an effective regimen for the treatment of recurrent refractory LCH in children, and the main adverse effect is hematologic toxicity, which is mostly tolerated in children. Early treatment with this regimen may be considered for patients with multisystem LCH with risky organ involvement who have failed first-line therapy and for patients with relapse.克拉屈滨联合阿糖胞苷治疗儿童复发难治性朗格汉斯细胞组织细胞增生症.观察克拉屈滨（Cladribine，2-CdA）联合阿糖胞苷（Ara-C）方案治疗儿童复发难治性朗格汉斯细胞组织细胞增生症（LCH）的疗效及预后.回顾性分析2014年7月至2020年2月于武汉儿童医院血液肿瘤科接受2-CdA联合Ara-C方案治疗的复发难治性LCH患儿9例，根据国际组织细胞协会LCH评估指南以及疾病活动度评分（DAS）对疗效以及疾病状态进行评估，根据世界卫生组织（WHO）化疗药物不良反应分级标准进行药物不良反应评估，随访患者生存状态以及疾病相关后遗症.在接受2-CdA联合Ara-C方案治疗前，9例患者中有7例评估为活动性疾病进展（ADW），2例评估为活动性疾病稳定（ADS），中位DAS为8分（4-15分）。经过（2-6）个该疗程治疗后，有6例患者达到无活动性疾病（NAD），3例达到活动性疾病好转（ADB），中位DAS为0分（0-5分）。9例患者在治疗后均出现血液系统不良反应（WHO IV级），3例患者出现肝胆系统不良反应（WHO I-II级）。中位随访时间31（1-50）个月，9例患者均存活，3例出现疾病相关后遗症，2例合并肝硬化以及胆汁淤积性肝炎、1例因中枢性尿崩症口服醋酸去氨加压素片.2-CdA联合Ara-C是治疗儿童复发难治性LCH的有效方案，主要药物不良反应为血液学毒性，儿童多可耐受。对于一线治疗失败的多系统LCH伴危险器官受累患者以及复发患者可考虑尽早使用2-CdA联合Ara-C方案治疗.

To observe the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of intestinal acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in children and futher evaluate the occurring risk factors.The clinical data of 136 patients undergoing allo-HSCT in Wuhan Children's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College from August 2016 to August 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, clinical characteristics of children with intestinal aGVHD were observed. The risk factors of intestinal aGVHD were assessed by logistic regression while cumulative survival were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method.Among 136 patients intestinal aGVHD occurred in 24 (17.6%) cases, with 4 cases of grade II, 20 cases of grade III-IV, and the median occurrence time was 28(10-63) days. The clinical manifestations were diarrhea with intermittent abdominal pain, 17 cases with nausea and vomiting, 11 cases with fresh bloody stool, and 8 cases with skin rash before intestinal aGVHD. The average time for treatment was 33(11-100) days. 18 cases received electronic colonoscopy and histopathology examination. 20 out of 24 cases achieved remission after treatment, and the total effective rate was 83.3%. Finally, 9 out of 24 cases died during the follow-up time. Survival analysis showed that the cumulative survival rate of patients with intestinal aGVHD (15/24, 62.5%) were significantly lower than those without intestinal aGVHD (101/112, 90.2%) (Log-rank test, P=0.001). Univariate analysis showed that recipient age, sex, primary disease, donor age, donor sex, donor-recipient blood type, conditioning regimen, prophylaxis of GVHD, dosage of ATG, engraft time of blood platelet and neutrophils, and number of MNC/CD34+ were not risk factors for intestinal aGVHD (P0.05). Only the type of HSCT (χ2=16.020, P=0.001) and matched degree of HLA (χ2=15.502, P=0.001) had statistical significance with intestinal aGVHD (P0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that only HLA-mismatched unrelated donor was the risk factor for intestinal aGVHD for children (P=0.014，OR=16，95%CI 1.735-147.543).Intestinal aGVHD is a risk factor for cumulative survial of patients who received allo-HSCT in children and HLA-mismatched unrelated donor is its independent risk factor.儿童异基因造血干细胞移植后肠道急性移植物抗宿主病的临床研究.观察儿童异基因造血干细胞移植（allo-HSCT）后肠道急性移植物抗宿主病（aGVHD）的临床特点、治疗及转归，并分析其危险因素.回顾性分析2016年8月-2020年8月在同济医学院附属武汉儿童医院接受allo-HSCT的136例患儿的临床资料，观察肠道aGVHD患儿的临床特征，并用Logistic回归分析其危险因素及Kaplan-Meier模型分析其累积生存率.136例患儿中24例（17.6%）发生肠道aGVHD, 其中4例为II度，20例为III-IV度，发生的中位时间为28（10-63）d。临床表现为腹泻黄绿色稀水便伴间断腹痛，其中17例伴有恶心呕吐，11例伴鲜血便，8例患儿在出现肠道aGVHD前有皮疹。肠道aGVHD的平均治疗时间为33（11-100）d；18例患儿接受电子肠镜检查及组织病理学检查。经过治疗后，24例患儿中20例肠道aGVHD症状得到控制，总有效率为83.3%, 最终9例在随访期内死亡。发生肠道aGVHD组累积总生存率为62.5%（15例/24例），明显低于无肠道aGVHD组（90.2%，101例/112例）（Log-rank 检验，P=0.001）。单因素分析显示，儿童allo-HSCT后肠道aGVHD的发生与患儿年龄及性别、基础疾病、供者性别、供受者血型、预处理方案、GVHD的预防方案、ATG使用剂量、移植物单个核细胞数（MNC）和CD34+数量、中性粒细胞及血小板的植入时间无明显相关性（P0.05），与移植类型（χ2=16.020, P=0.001）及HLA相合程度（χ2=15.502, P=0.001）具有相关性（P0.05）;多因素分析显示，仅HLA不全相合（1位点不合）无关供者是儿童allo-HSCT后并发肠道aGVHD的独立危险因素（P=0.014，OR=16，95%CI 1.735-147.543）.肠道aGVHD是影响儿童allo-HSCT后总生存率的危险因素，HLA不全相合（1位点不合）无关供者为其发生的高危因素.

Aims Projections of invasive species expansion under a warmer world often do not explicitly consider the concurring nitrogen (N) deposition. It remains largely unknown how the convoluted effect of climate warming and N deposition will shift the native and invasive species dynamics. Here, we hypothesize that the concurring increases in N and temperature would promote growth of invasive species greater than that of native species. Methods A controlled greenhouse experiment was conducted to quantify the growth response of an invasive species (Solidago canadensis L.) and a co-existing native species (Artemisia argyi Levl. et Van) under the effects of climate warming, N deposition and their interactions. Important Findings Due to the strong positive effect of N addition, the interactive effect of temperature increase and N addition resulted in an overall significant increase in growth of both invasive and native species, demonstrating that these manipulations may make microhabitats more favorable to plant growth. However, the relative increases in biomass, height and diameter of invasive S. canadensis were significantly lower than those of native A. argyi. This suggests that the vegetative growth superiority of invasive S. canadensis over the native species A. argyi is reduced by the enhanced N availability in the warmer world. Therefore, the inclusion of N deposition may mitigate the projection of invasive species S. canadensis expansion under climate warming.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the serious complications in diabetes. Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) from black rice was reported to have hypoglycemic effects and an anti-osteoporosis effect in diabetic rats. Whether it has preventive effects on DN has not been reported. In this study, we established a rat model of DN, and C3G at two doses (10 and 20 mg kg-1 day-1) were administered to see its anti-DN effect. A total of 8 weeks of C3G supplementation decreased blood glucose and serum insulin, improved the renal function, and relieved renal glomerular sclerosis and interstitial fibrosis of DN rats. Also, the kidneys of DN rats had improved the oxidative defense system. Pro-inflammatory mediators were markedly reduced in serum and kidneys of the C3G-treated groups. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), phosphor-Smad2, and phosphor-Smad3 protein expression levels were significantly decreased in the kidney of the C3G-treated group, whereas the Smad7 expression level was upregulated by C3G. Our results indicate that C3G can ameliorate DN via antioxidative stress and anti-inflammation and regulate the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathway. Our results suggest that C3G from black rice might be used as a renal-protective nutrient in DN.

Diabetic osteoporosis (DOP) belongs to secondary osteoporosis caused by diabetes; it has the characteristics of high morbidity and high disability. In the present study, we constructed a type 1 diabetic rat model and administered chondroitin sulfate (200 mg/kg) for 10 weeks to observe the preventive effect of chondroitin sulfate on the bone loss of diabetic rats. The results showed that chondroitin sulfate can reduce blood glucose and relieve symptoms of diabetic rats; in addition, it can significantly increase the bone mineral density, improve bone microstructure, and reduce bone marrow adipocyte number in diabetic rats; after 10 weeks of chondroitin sulfate administration, the SOD activity level was upregulated, as well as CAT levels, indicating that chondroitin sulfate can alleviate oxidative stress in diabetic rats. Chondroitin sulfate was also found to reduce the level of serum inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and MCP-1) and alleviate the inflammation in diabetic rats; bone metabolism marker detection results showed that chondroitin sulfate can reduce bone turnover in diabetic rats (decreased RANKL, CTX-1, ALP, and TRACP 5b levels were observed after 10 weeks of chondroitin sulfate administration). At the same time, the bone OPG and RUNX 2 expression levels were higher after chondroitin sulfate treatment, the bone RANKL expression was lowered, and the OPG/RANKL ratio was upregulated. All of the above indicated that chondroitin sulfate could prevent STZ-induced DOP and repair bone microstructure; the main mechanism was through anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, and regulating bone metabolism. Chondroitin sulfate could be used to develop anti-DOP functional foods and diet interventions for diabetes.

The molecular mechanisms underlying allelopathy and their role in the interactions between invasive weeds and native species remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to explore the physiological and molecular response of plant roots of a native species to allelopathy from an invasive weed. We examined the growth and development of roots of native Arabidopsis thaliana for a 2-week period after being treated with aqueous extracts at different concentrations from invasive Conyza canadensis. Extracts with higher concentration in the Murashige and Skoog (MS) media (i.e., 4 mg of extract/mL of MS) significantly affected the root growth of A. thaliana. Roots of A. thaliana displayed weakened root tip activity and an accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to extracts from C. canadensis. The transcriptome analysis of A. thaliana roots exposed to phytotoxicity revealed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in cell wall formation, abiotic stress, transporter genes and signal transduction. We found that genes associated with nutrient transport, such as major facilitator superfamily (MFS) and amino acid permease (AAP3) transporters as well as genes involved in stress response, including leucine-rich repeat receptor-like protein kinases (LRR-RLKs) were down-regulated. In addition, we found that many transcription factors associated with plant stress (such as APETALA2/ethylene response factors) were up-regulated while others (e.g., zinc-finger proteins) were down-regulated. Allelochemicals from C. canadensis also induced the up-regulation of detoxification (DTX) genes, ROS related genes, calcineurin B-like interacting protein kinases (CIPKs) and calmodulin. Overall, our findings provided insights into allelopathy in C. canadensis at the molecular level, and contributes to our understanding of invasion mechanisms of alien plant species. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: This study does not contain any studies with clinical trials performed by any of the authors.

To explore the relationship between plasma sST2/Reg3α levels and acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) in children after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).The clinical data of 29 pediatric patients received allo-HSCT treatment in Department of Hematology and Oncology of Wuhan Children's Hospital from January 2019 to January 2020 were collected. Peripheral blood samples were collected at 14 and 28 day after allo-HSCT. The plasma concentrations of sST2 and Reg3α were detected by Luminex assay.Among 29 patients there were 15 males and 14 females with a median age of 53 (29-117) months. After allo-HSCT, 18 patients developed grade 0-I aGVHD; while 11 patients developed grade II-IV aGVHD. These included skin aGVHD in 6 cases, gastrointestinal aGVHD (GI-aGVHD) in 3 cases and gastrointestinal/skin aGVHD in 5 cases. Plasma sST2 level in II-IV aGVHD group showed significantly higher than that in 0-I aGVHD group at 28 days after allo-HSCT [101.81 (73.94-150.77) ng/ml vs 48.97 (28.82-56.69) ng/ml, P=0.021]. Also, the plasma sST2 level was significantly higher in GI-aGVHD group than that in no-aGVHD group at 28 days after allo-HSCT [118.74 (87.00-243.36) ng/ml vs 48.97 (23.55-61.40) ng/ml, P=0.004]. Plasma sST2 level ≥65.34 ng/ml at 28 days after allo-HSCT showed a sensitivity of 85.7% and a specificity of 87.5% in predicting II-IV aGVHD. And the patients with a plasma sST2 level ≥65.34 ng/ml showed a significantly higher incidence of II-IV aGVHD than those with plasma sST2 level of65.34 ng/ml after allo-HSCT (P=0.021). There was no significant difference in plasma Reg3α level between the patients with II-IV aGVHD and the non-aGVHD ones.The increasing plasma sST2 level after allo-HSCT in children indicates the development of II-IV aGVHD, so sST2 is promising as a biomarker for predicting II-IV aGVHD.儿童异基因造血干细胞移植后血浆sST2/Reg3α蛋白水平与急性移植物抗宿主病的相关性.探讨儿童异基因造血干细胞移植（allo-HSCT）后血浆sST2/Reg3α蛋白动态变化与急性移植物抗宿主病（aGVHD）的相关性.收集2019年1月至2020年1月在武汉儿童医院血液肿瘤科接受allo-HSCT的患儿29例的临床资料。采集患者移植后14 d和28 d外周血标本，使用Luminex方法检测血浆sST2/Reg3α蛋白浓度.29例患儿中男性15例，女性14例，中位年龄53（29-117）个月。接受移植后0-I度aGVHD 18例，II-IV度aGVHD 11例；皮肤aGVHD 6例，肠道aGVHD（GI-aGVHD）3例，肠道及皮肤aGVHD 5例。II-IV度aGVHD组与0-I度aGVHD组移植后28 d血浆sST2蛋白水平分别为101.81（73.94-150.77）ng/ml与48.97（28.82-56.69）ng/ml，差异具有统计学意义（P=0.021）。GI-aGVHD组与无aGVHD组患者移植后28 d血浆sST2蛋白水平分别为118.74（87.00-243.36）ng/ml和48.97 （23.55-61.40） ng/ml，差异具有显著性（P=0.004）。当移植后28 d血浆sST2蛋白浓度≥ 65.34 ng/ml时预测II-IV度aGVHD的敏感度为85.7%，特异性为87.5%；且移植后血浆sST2蛋白高水平组（≥65.34 g/ml）患者II-IV度aGVHD发生率显著高于低水平组（65.34 ng/ml）（P=0.021）。Reg3α蛋白在II-IV度aGVHD组与无aGVHD组的差异无统计学意义.儿童allo-HSCT后血浆sST2蛋白水平升高提示II-IV度aGVHD的发生。高水平sST2蛋白有望作为预测II-IV度aGVHD发生的生物学诊断标志.

The Novel Defense Hypothesis predicts that introduced plants may possess novel allelochemicals which act as a defense against native generalist enemies. Here, we aim to test if the chemicals involved in allelopathy in the invasive plant Wedelia trilobata can contribute to higher resistance against generalist herbivore and pathogen enemies by comparing with its native congener W. chinensis in controlled laboratory conditions. The allelopathic effects of the leaf extract from W. trilobata on the generalist enemies were also assessed. We showed that the larvae of two moth species preferred W. chinensis over W. trilobata. The growth rate of larvae feeding on W. trilobata leaves was significantly lower than those feeding on W. chinensis leaves. When detached leaves were inoculated with phytopathogens, the infected leaf area of W. trilobata was significantly smaller than that of W. chinensis. In addition, the leaf extract of W. trilobata also effectively inhibited the growth of the larvae and the mycelial growth of the phytopathogens. Our results indicate that the defenses of invasive W. trilobata against generalist herbivore and pathogen enemies are stronger than that of its native congener, which may be attributed to the allelopathic effects. This study provides novel insights that can comprehensively link the Novel Defense, Behavioral Constraint and Enemy Release hypotheses. These combined hypotheses would explain how invasive plants escape from their natural specialist enemies, where their allelopathic chemicals may deter herbivorous insects and inhibit pathogen infection.

AimsChange in nitrogen (N) availability regulates phosphorus (P) acquisition and potentially alters the competition among native species and invasive weeds. This study determines how current and projected N deposition affect the growth, the intraspecific and interspecific competitive ability of native and invasive plants in calcareous soils with low P availability.MethodsA controlled greenhouse experiment was conducted using sparingly soluble hydroxyapatite (HAP) to simulate the calcareous soils with low P availability. The growth and competitive intensity between an invasive weed (Solidago canadensis) and a native weed (Pterocypsela laciniata) exposed to two levels of N addition representative of current and future N deposition in China were experimentally determined.Important FindingsP acquisition and the growth of both S. canadensis and P. laciniata growing alone significantly increased with increasing N level. However, the effect of N addition was reduced when intraspecific or interspecific competition existed. N addition altered the competitive relationship between S. canadensis and P. laciniata allowing S. canadensis to out-compete P. laciniata due to variation in P acquisition from HAP. Elevated N deposition might assist the invasion of S. canadensis in the widely distributed calcareous soils under environmental changes.

Most of the ion exchange membranes distinguished monovalent ions from the multivalent ions according to the charge difference, but scarcely had selectivity to the specific ions. In order to effectively separate potassium ions from seawater containing more than 30 times sodium ions, potassium ion-sieve composite membranes with specific selectivity to potassium ions had been synthesized in this paper. The potassium ion sieve was successfully synthesized on the flat α-Al2O3 membrane by secondary hydrothermal method to form potassium ion sieve composite membrane. Then, the results of SEM, XRD and EDS showed that the potassium ion sieve had been successfully bonded with base membrane. The results of electrodialysis experiments showed that the ionic perm-selectivity were α (K/Na) = 7.62, α (K/Mg) = 68.43 and α (K/Ca) = 162.92 respectively, which indicated that the composite membrane had special selectivity for potassium ions. The composite membrane had been evaluated under different voltages and temperatures. As the voltage increased, the ion flux and the perm-selectivity to potassium were all improved. Moreover, with the increase of temperature, the ion flux increased but the selectivity to potassium decreased. The separation performance of the composite membrane was studied by using equimolar solution (containing K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+), seawater and twice concentrated seawater as the test solutions, and the results had exhibited that the composite membrane had good application performance in extracting potassium from seawater.

Over recent decades, many studies have reported that hypocrellin A (HA) can eliminate cancer cells with proper irradiation in several cancer cell lines. However, the precise molecular mechanism underlying its anticancer effect has not been fully defined. HA-mediated cytotoxicity and apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells were evaluated after photodynamic therapy (PDT). A temporal quantitative proteomics approach by isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) 2D liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric (LC–MS/MS) was introduced to help clarify molecular cytotoxic mechanisms and identify candidate targets of HA-induced apoptotic cell death. Specific caspase inhibitors were used to further elucidate the molecular pathway underlying apoptosis in PDT-treated A549 cells. Finally, down-stream apoptosis-related protein was evaluated. Apoptosis induced by HA was associated with cell shrinkage, externalization of cell membrane phosphatidylserine, DNA fragmentation, and mitochondrial disruption, which were preceded by increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generations. Further studies showed that PDT treatment with 0.08 µmol/L HA resulted in mitochondrial disruption, pronounced release of cytochrome c, and activation of caspase-3, -9, and -7. Together, HA may be a possible therapeutic agent directed toward mitochondria and a promising photodynamic anticancer candidate for further evaluation., Graphical abstract Hypocrellin A-mediated oxidative injury induced by light emitting diode irradiation triggers mitochondrial membrane potential changes and dysfunction, then mitochondrial cytochrome c release and caspase activation, which consequently lead to apoptosis. The study demonstrated hypocrellin A may be a possible therapeutic anticancer agent directed toward mitochondria.fx1

Six endospore-forming, Gram-stain-positive or variable, motile, rod-shaped, aerobic or facultatively anaerobic bacteria with different MALDI-TOF mass spectra (MS) were isolated from the phyllosphere of Arabidopsis thaliana plants grown in plant chambers after inoculation of surface sterilized seeds with a top soil microbial cell suspension. They were identified as members of the genus Paenibacillus through comparison with a commercial MALDI-TOF MS database and comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Their genome sequences comprised multiple biosynthetic gene clusters and suggested they have unexplored biotechnological potential. Analyses of average nucleotide identity values between these strains and the type strains of their nearest neighbour species demonstrated that they represented a novel Paenibacillus species each. A detailed phenotypic comparison yielded distinctive biochemical characteristics for each of these novel species. We therefore propose to classify that these isolates into six novel species within genus Paenibacillus , for which we propose the names Paenibacillus foliorum sp. nov., Paenibacillus phytohabitans sp. nov., Paenibacillus plantarum sp. nov., Paenibacillus planticolens sp. nov., Paenibacillus phytorum sp. nov. and Paenibacillus germinis sp. nov., with strains LMG 31456T (=R-74617T=CECT 30138T), LMG 31459T (=R-74621T=CECT 30135T), LMG 31461T (=R-74618T=CECT 30133T), LMG 31457T (=R-74619T=CECT 30137T), LMG 31458T (=R-74620T=CECT 30136T) and LMG 31460T (=R-74622T=CECT 30134T) as the type strains, respectively.

International audience; A diverse set of bacteria live on the above ground parts of plants, composing the phyllosphere, and play important roles for plant health. Phyllosphere microbial communities assemble in a predictable manner and diverge from communities colonizing other plant organs or the soil. However, how these communities differ functionally remains obscure. We assembled a collection of 258 bacterial isolates representative of the most abundant taxa of the phyllosphere of Arabidopsis and a shared soil inoculum. We screened the collection for the production of metabolites that inhibit the growth of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria either in isolation or in co-culture. We found that isolates capable of constitutive antibiotic production in monoculture were significantly enriched in the soil fraction. In contrast, the proportion of binary cultures resulting in the production of growth inhibitory compounds differed only marginally between the phyllosphere and soil fractions. This shows that the phyllosphere may be a rich resource for potentially novel molecules with antibiotic activity, but that production or activity is dependent upon induction by external signals or cues. Finally, we describe the isolation of antimicrobial acyloin metabolites from a binary culture of Arabidopsis phyllosphere isolates, which inhibit the growth of clinically relevant Acinetobacter baumannii.

Changes in resource supply ratios affect interspecific competition; however, the effects on the plant invasions are still relatively unknown. To determine the effects of phosphorus (P) availability on the competitive ability of the invasive herb Solidago canadensis in an elevated P environment, we conducted a greenhouse P addition experiment. The invasive herb S. canadensis and the native plant Pterocypsela laciniata were grown in both monoculture and mixture with P addition under an ambient N condition (P+N−) and under a high N condition (P+N+), using ambient N and P conditions (P−N−) as a control. The growth of P. laciniata was significantly inhibited by S. canadensis under the ambient conditions. The P+N− treatment promoted the growth of P. laciniata, but did not promote the growth of S. canadensis. The competition between S. canadensis and P. laciniata was alleviated under the ambient N condition after P addition. The N requirement of P. laciniata was higher than that of S. canadensis, and P. laciniata outcompeted S. canadensis under the P+N+ treatment. We concluded that P addition may reduce the competitive ability of the invasive weed S. canadensis, especially under a high N condition. The ratio of N and P might be a critical factor for determining the competitive abilities of the invasive herb S. canadensis and the native plant P. laciniata.

RX-0201 is an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) against Akt1 currently in clinical trial for metastatic renal cancer.To improve the delivery of RX-0201 using folate receptor-targeted lipid-albumin nanoparticles (F-LAN).F-LAN were synthesized with the composition of DOTAP/soyPC/TPGS/folate-PEG-DSPE (25:70:4:1 m/m), a cationic human serum albumin-pentaethylenehexamine (HSA-PEHA) conjugate and RX-0201. The nanoparticles were evaluated in KB human carcinoma cells in vitro and in a KB murine xenograft tumour model in vivo for pharmacokinetics and antitumor activities.The F-LAN-RX-0201 had a mean particle size of 108.6 ± 5.8 nm, zeta potential of 10.5 ± 3.2 mV and ASO loading efficiency of 71.5 ± 4.5%. In KB cells, uptake and Akt1 inhibition by F-LAN-RX-0201 were greater than those of non-targeted LAN-RX-0201 and could be partially blocked by excess free folate. F-LAN-RX-0201 inhibited cell growth with an ICF-LAN-RX-0201 showed promise as a therapeutic agent for tumours with elevated folate-receptor expression.

Diabetic osteoporosis (DOP) is one of the complications of diabetes, with high morbidity, and high disability rate. Here, we established a diabetic rat model and administered lycopene to observe its effect on DOP. Our results showed that ten weeks lycopene treatment lowered blood glucose, improved diabetic induced polydipsia, overeating and body weight loss. Lycopene treatment also enhanced bone mineral density, restored bone mechanical and bone Micro-CT parameters of diabetic rats. Subsequently, lycopene decreased serum inflammatory cytokines levels and increased serum anti-oxidant indicators levels. Moreover, lycopene reduced the number of bone marrow adipocytes, and osteoclasts numbers of diabetic rats. The serum bone turnover markers levels were down-regulated after lycopene treatment. Meanwhile, the bone and serum OPG, RUNX 2 expression levels were up-regulated by lycopene in diabetic rats, and the OPG/RANKL ratio was also up-regulated. This study showed that lycopene could ameliorate diabetic induced bone loss via anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, and increasing OPG/RANKL ratio in diabetic rats. Lycopene could be used for nutritional intervention in patients with diabetic osteoporosis.

Anthropogenic nitrogen (N) inputs lead to the increase of phosphorus (P) demand for plants and plant species competition in a N enriched environment may hinge on its ability to utilize soil P sources. In soils, P mostly exists as insoluble phosphate compounds with three mineral elements: iron (Fe), aluminum (Al) or calcium (Ca), and it remains largely unknown whether invasive plant species are able to access such insoluble P sources and its interaction with N enrichment to gain competitive advantage. We determined the morphological traits, growth and nutrient status of an invasive plant Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L.) cultured in soluble phosphate KH2PO4 (Ortho-P), and insoluble inorganic phosphate AlPO4 (Al–P), FePO4 (Fe–P), Ca5(OH)(PO4)3 (Ca–P) at three N supply levels. Results showed that S. canadensis was able to selectively utilize P from Al–P but not from Fe–P or Ca–P by increasing root number and length under N additions. The increasing growth in S. canadensis was closely correlated with the increasing foliar P. Ability to utilize insoluble P sources under enriched N environment serves as a competitive advantage for S. canadensis in Al rich soils. Effective control of S. canadensis invasion may need to consider soil P management in the context of atmospheric N deposition as well.

Clonal integration facilitates the growth and reproduction of clonal plants by providing the ability to share resources among ramets in heterogeneous environments. The benefits of clonal integration for plant growth may depend on a contrast in resource availability and may encounter costs, especially when a young part of the clone is growing across a border between richer and poorer conditions than the old part. We studied a clonal amphibian plant growing across a border between an aquatic and a terrestrial ecosystem, which typically differ in the availability of resources. We asked whether the young part of the clone is supporting the old part with phosphorus and whether this support has costs. We performed an experiment with Alternanthera philoxeroides where plants grow from water to a terrestrial habitat. The terrestrial habitat had either a low or high phosphorus supply, and the connection between the old and young parts of the clone was either left intact or split. We determined that the young part of the clone growing in a terrestrial habitat supported the old part with phosphorus when growing on a substrate rich in phosphorus. We have found no cost of this resource translocation; on the contrary, whole clones increased not only their accumulation of phosphorus, but also of nitrogen. Our study shows how an amphibian plant may profit from heterogeneous habitats by resource sharing in a clonal network.

The endangered Vatica mangachapoi, a long-lived, tropical tree with economic and ecological importance found in Hainan, China, was used to assess the hypothesis that historical human activities in Hainan’s tropical rain forest could have negative effects on the genetic diversity of V. mangachapoi. Three hundred and twenty individuals from 11 natural populations—which were classified into three groups according to levels of disturbance—were sampled and analyzed with ISSR markers. Although genetic diversity of V. mangachapoi is high at the species level, it is relatively low within populations. A significant genetic differentiation occurs among different disturbance levels. Significant isolation-by-distance indicated relevant historical anthropogenic changes. Our findings showed that historical human disturbances significantly increase the genetic differentiation and slightly decrease the genetic diversity of long-lived tree V. mangachapoi. Relevant targeting conservation actions were recommended.

To achieve superior therapeutic efficacy, the combination chemotherapy using two or more anticancer drugs in clinical practice has been generally accepted as a feasible strategy. On account of the concept of combination chemotherapy, co-delivery of anticancer drugs with nanotechnology gradually becomes a desired strategy and one of the research frontiers on modern drug delivery. In recent years, nano drug co-delivery system (NDCDS), which loads at least two anticancer drugs with different physicochemical and pharmacological properties into a combination delivery system, has achieved rapid development. NDCDS synergistically inhibited the growth of the tumor compared with the free drugs. In this review, we highlighted the current state of co-delivery nanoparticles and the most commonly used nanomaterial, discussed challenges and strategies, and prospect future development.

Hypocrellin A (HA), a perihydroxylated polycyclic quinone isolated from the fungus of Shiraia bambusicola, exhibits a wide spectrum of biological activities in pre-clinical studies. However, poor water solubility is a major clinical constraint factor of HA, leading to unpredictable bioavailability. In this study, HA-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (PLGA/HA NPs) were prepared by the single-emulsion solvent-evaporation technique. Characterization of PLGA/HA NPs showed that HA was successfully encapsulated on the PLGA. The drug-loading content and encapsulation efficiency (EE) were 7.0% and 57.5%, respectively. The in vitro release profile demonstrated that HA was released more slowly from nanoparticles in pH 1.5 and pH 6.8 than in pH 7.4. Furthermore, the highest solubility of PLGA/HA NPs in aqueous solution was approximately 35.67-fold that of native HA (n-HA). PLGA/HA NPs had more superior stability compared with n-HA in physiological conditions. In this paper, a sample and sensitive LC-MS/MS method was validated for the first time to quantify HA in rat plasma. The pharmacokinetic parameters and bioavailability of HA between PLGA/HA NPs and n-HA were compared after oral administration in rat. The results implied that the relative bioavailability of PLGA/HA NPs was 2.67-fold that of n-HA, and PLGA/HA NPs had a longer half-life. Therefore, these results suggested that PLGA-blend nanoparticles improved the solubility, stability and bioavailability of HA, and could become a potential and promising carrier for the oral delivery of HA.

Three rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, yellow or pale-yellow pigmented bacteria with distinct MALDI-TOF mass spectra were isolated from the phyllosphere of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. Their 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that these isolates belong to the genus Pedobacter . The nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain LMG 31462T were Pedobacter steynii DSM 19110T (98.3 % 16S rRNA sequence similarity) and Pedobacter caeni LMG 22862T (98.3 %); the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain LMG 31463T were Pedobacter panaciterrae Gsoil 042T (98.3 %) and Pedobacter nutrimenti DSM 27372T (98.1 %); and the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain LMG 31464T were Pedobacter boryungensis BR-9T (99.0 %) and Pedobacter daejeonensis THG-DN3.18T (98.7 %). Average nucleotide identity analyses between the whole genome sequences of the three strains and of the type strains of their respective nearest-neighbour taxa yielded values well below the species delineation threshold and thus confirmed that the three strains represented a novel Pedobacter species each. An extensive phenotypic comparison and an analysis of whole-cell fatty acid components yielded distinctive phenotypic characteristics for each of these strains. We therefore propose to classify these isolates as three novel species, for which we propose the names Pedobacter gandavensis with LMG 31462T (=R-74704T=CECT 30149T) as the type strain, Pedobacter foliorum with LMG 31463T (=R-74623T=CECT 30150T) as the type strain and Pedobacter planticolens with LMG 31464T (=R-74626T=CECT 30151T) as the type strain.

Aims Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are symbiotic partners of many invasive plants, however, it is still unclear how AMF contribute to traits that are important for the successful invasion of their host and how environmental factors, such as nutrient conditions, influence this. This study was to explore the effects of Glomus versiforme (GV) and Glomus mosseae (GM) on the growth and disease resistance of the invasive plant Wedelia trilobata under different nutrient conditions. Methods and results We found that GV and GM had higher root colonization rates resulting in faster W. trilobata growth under both low-N and low-P nutrient conditions compared to the normal condition. Also, the colonization of W. trilobata by GV significantly reduced the infection area of the pathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani under low-N conditions. Conclusions These results demonstrated that AMF can promote the growth and pathogenic defence of W. trilobata in a nutrient-poor environment, which might contribute to their successful invasion into certain type of habitats. Significance and impact of the study In this study, we report for the first time that AMF can promote growth and disease resistance of W. trilobata under nutrient-poor environment, which contribute to a better understanding of plant invasion.

Background Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC) is one of the main antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. Little data are available on how biofilm formation (BF) contributes to EC-caused bloodstream infection (BSI) in cancer patients. This study investigated the impact of BF on clinical outcomes of cancer patients with EC-caused BSI. Methods Clinical outcome and microbiological characteristics including the presence of bla genes in ESBL-EC isolates were retrospectively collected from BSI cancer patients. Patients infected with ESBL-EC were compared with patients infected with third-generation cephalosporin-susceptible strains. Survival curves were generated by Kaplan–Meier analysis and the survival difference was assessed by the log-rank test. Risk factors for ESBL-EC infection, predictors of mortality, and outcome differences were determined by multivariate logistic regression and Cox regression analysis, respectively. Results A high prevalence of ESBL-EC with dominant blaCTX-M-15, blaCTX-M-15 plus blaTEM-52 genotype was found in BSI cancer patients. Independent risk factors for infection with ESBL-EC were cephalosporins, chemotherapy, and BF. Metastasis, ICU admission, BF-positive ESBL-EC, organ failure, and the presence of septic shock were revealed as predictors for mortality. The ESBL characteristic was associated with the BF phenotype, and the overall mortality was significantly higher in cancer patients with BF-positive ESBL-EC-caused BSI. Conclusion blaCTX-M-15 type ESBL-EC is highly endemic among cancer patients with BSI. BF is associated with multi-drug resistance by ESBL-EC and is also an independent risk factor of mortality for cancer patients with BSI. Our findings suggest that the combination of BF-positive ESBL-EC isolates with other appropriate laboratory indicators might benefit infection control and improve clinical outcomes.

Salidroside from Rhodiola rosea L. has hypoglycemic effects, and has anti-osteoporosis effect in diabetic rats. Whether it has beneficial effects on diabetic nephropathy (DN) has not been fully reported. Here, a DN rat model was established by streptozotocin (STZ). Salidroside (10, and 20 mg kg−1 d−1) were orally giving for eight weeks. The purity of salidroside was 99%. The results showed that eight weeks salidroside supplementation dose-dependently decreased blood glucose, serum insulin, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), as well as urinary albumin of DN rats, repaired the pathological changes of kidney tissue, the renal sclerosis and fibrosis in the kidney of DN rats were improved, and the activities of oxidative defense system associated enzyme such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were also improved. Serum inflammatory cytokines (including tumor necrosis factor-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6) were decreased significantly in DN rats after eight weeks salidroside supplementation. Immunohistochemical results showed that fibrosis related proteins such as transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), phospho-Smad2 (p-Smad2), and phospho-Smad3 (p-Smad3) expression levels were decreased significantly in the kidney of salidroside treated group. Our results indicate that daily salidroside consumption could alleviate DN in rats, the main mechanisms are anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress, and inhibition of the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathway. This study suggested that salidroside could be used as a nutrient against DN, as well as diabetes.

Several studies have been conducted on the distribution of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in plant, however, there has been rare data linking Ecological Stoichiometry to plant invasion success, especially in a low-N environment. Accordingly, an experiment in this study was performed to explore the nutrition distribution and stoichiometry among various organs in plant, contributing to plant invasion. According to the results of this study, both invasive and native species exhibited a higher C, N concentration and lower C/N ratio in their leaf compared with stem and root overall (p

Allelochemicals released by invasive plants contribute to the successful invasion of new habitats. However, the relationship between allelopathic effects and competitive ability of invasive plants has not been characterized. We quantified the neighbor effects of Wedelia trilobata (family: Asteraceae) and the allelopathic effects of its leaf litter on two Asteraceae competitor species (invasive Eupatorium catarium and non-invasive Lactuca sativa) and on its own ramet growth. The seed germination rate and seedling biomass of the two competitor species decreased following treatment with W. trilobata leaf extracts. When co-cultured with W. trilobata, the total biomass of the two competitor species significantly decreased regardless of whether leaf extracts were present. Under low plant density co-culture conditions, W. trilobata leaf extracts enhanced the inhibitory effects on E. catarium. In contrast, W. trilobata leaf extracts promoted the growth of W. trilobata adventitious roots, resulting in increased competitive ability. Therefore, W. trilobata growth was promoted by its own allelochemicals in leaf extracts, whereas the growth of the invasive and non-invasive competitors was inhibited by the same chemicals. These responses facilitated the invasion by W. trilobata. Our study demonstrates that leaf litter of invasive plants may inhibit the growth of neighboring species to enhance the competitive ability of the invasive plants during the early stages of invasion.

The invasive clonal plant Wedelia trilobata contains higher levels of ent-kaurane diterpenes, which are precursors of gibberellins (GAs), and higher rates of clonal growth than its native congener W. chinensis in invaded habitats. We hypothesized that the higher levels of endogenous GAs facilitate greater ramet growth in W. trilobata compared with W. chinensis. We quantified endogenous levels of GA1+3 in the two species and compared their growth responses to the changes of endogenous and exogenous GA3 by using short-term and long-term hydroponics experiments. After a period of homogeneous cultivation, levels of endogenous GA1+3 were higher in W. trilobata than in W. chinensis. The reduction of endogenous GAs repressed the emergence of adventitious roots and the growth of W. trilobata in the initial cultivation stage, and inhibited its shoot elongation and biomass. Levels of endogenous GA1+3 were positively correlated with the length of shoots and adventitious roots of W. trilobata. Adventitious roots of W. trilobata also emerged earlier and grew faster when treated with exogenous GA3. In contrast, exogenous GA3 treatment inhibited the length of adventitious roots in W. chinensis, and levels of endogenous GA1+3 did not correlate with shoot or adventitious root length. Our study suggests that GAs accelerate the rapid clonal growth of W. trilobata, more than that of its native congener W. chinensis, illustrating the relationship between plant hormones and the clonal growth of invasive plants. These findings are important for understanding the mechanisms associated with the invasiveness of clonal plants and their potential management.

Invasive plants readily invade metal-contaminated areas. The hyperaccumulation of toxic heavy metals is not an uncommon feature among plant species. Although several hypotheses were proposed to explain this phenomenon, it is currently unclear how hyperaccumulation may benefit plants. The invasive Crofton weed (Ageratina adenophora) is a known hyperaccumulator of chromium and lead. We previously found that the species can also hyperaccumulate cadmium. The role of phytoaccumulation in defense to pathogen attack is unclear. We inoculated A. adenophora plants with a common generalist pathogen (Rhizoctonia solani) to test its resistance under cadmium treatment. We found evidence that cadmium hyperaccumulation reduced pathogen infection in A. adenophora. Our findings indicate elemental defense is highly cost efficient for hyperaccumulators inhabiting metal-contaminated sites, where plants were only modestly affected by cadmium. The reduction in pathogen damage conferred by cadmium was relatively high, particularly under lower cadmium levels. However, the benefits at higher levels may be capped. Elemental defense may be a key mechanism for plant invasion into polluted sites, especially in regions with widespread industrial activity. Our study highlights the importance of testing different metal concentrations when testing plant resistance and the importance of considering enemy attack when selecting plants for phytoremediation.

Hyperglycemia, increased inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetes may eventually cause kidney damage. Black rice cyanidin-3-glucoside has anti-hyperglycemic and anti-osteoporosis effects. Whether it has preventive effects on renal dysfunction in diabetes has not been reported. In this study, a rat model of diabetic nephropathy was established, and cyanidin-3-glucoside was administered for 56 days, lisinopril was administered as the positive control. The research found that black rice cyanidin-3-glucoside supplementation decreased glucose, prevented insulin resistance, repaired kidney function of diabetic rats, prevented renal interstitial fibrosis, glomerulosclerosis, and oxidative stress of diabetic rats. The inflammatory cytokines were significantly reduced in cyanidin-3-glucoside treated group. The renal Nrf2 mRNA level was evaluated, renal TNF-α mRNA, and NF-κΒ mRNA expression levels was decreased in cyanidin-3-glucoside treated group. Immunohistochemical results showed that cyanidin-3-glucoside inhibited transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), phosphorylated Smad2 (p-Smad2), phosphorylated Smad3 (p-Smad3), type IV collagen, fibronetin, and laminin expression in the kidney of diabetic rats. Our results indicate cyanidin-3-glucoside can protect against diabetic nephropathy in rats; it is mainly attributed to its anti-insulin resistance, anti-oxidative stress, anti-inflammation, as well as inhibit TGF-β1/p-Smads expression and extracellular matrix (ECM) aggregation.

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) has antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-osteoarthritic and hypoglycemic effects. However, whether it has antidiabetic osteoporosis effects has not been reported. Therefore, in this study, we established a STZ-induced diabetic rat model, CS (500 mg kg&minus, 1 d&minus, 1) was orally administrated for eight weeks to study its preventive effects on diabetic osteoporosis. The results showed that eight weeks of CS treatment improved the symptoms of diabetes, the CS-treated group has increased body weight, decreased water or food intake, decreased blood glucose, increased bone-mineral density, repaired bone morphology and decreased femoral osteoclasts and tibia adipocytes numbers. After CS treatment, bone histomorphometric parameters returned to normal, the levels of serum inflammatory cytokines (IL-1&beta, IL-6 and TNF-&alpha, ) decreased significantly, serum SOD, GPX and CAT activities increased and MDA level increased. In the CS-treated group, the levels of serum ALP, CTX-1, TRACP 5b, osteocalcin and RANKL decreased and the serum RUNX 2 and OPG levels increased. Bone immunohistochemistry results showed that CS can effectively increase the expression of OPG and RUNX2 and reduce the expression of RANKL in diabetic rats. All of these indicate that CS could prevent STZ induced diabetic osteoporosis&mdash, mainly through decreasing blood glucose, antioxidative stress, anti-inflammation and regulation of OPG/RANKL expression. CS can therefore effectively prevent bone loss caused by diabetes.

Modifications in soil fertility and microbiota structure driven by invasive plants can initiate a self-promoting mechanism that facilitates their invasion process. This study aimed to resolve how the progression of invasion affects the chemical, biochemical and microbial properties of soil using Conyza canadensis, a widespread and noxious invasive farmland weed, as a model. Different stages of the invasion process were simulated by growing C. canadensis and a non-invasive crop, Lactuca sativa, at different relative densities. Increasing invasion levels (i.e. increasing invader relative densities) resulted in altered properties of the soil, with an overall increase in nutrient supply and enzymatic activities as invasion intensified. Threshold changes in available nitrogen, organic matter and catalase activity in the soil were identified at invasion levels of 69%, 50% and 47%, respectively. Increasing invasion levels also affected the structure of the soil microbiota, with substantial changes occurring in the relative abundance for a number of bacterial and fungal taxa, including some that are relevant to nutrient cycling. Such changes in soil abiotic and biotic composition driven by C. canadensis might lead to positive plant-soil feedbacks that could promote the establishment and spread of the invasive weed.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most important complications&nbsp, of&nbsp, diabetes，&nbsp, and the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). While Chromium picolinate (CrPic) supplementation has been found to be effective in treating diabetes, its effects on diabetic-induced nephropathy have not been studied. Therefore, in this study, CrPic (1 mg kg &minus, 1 d &minus, 1) was administered to a DN rat model by oral gavage for eight weeks to investigate its effects. The results show that CrPic supplementation caused a decrease in levels of blood glucose, serum insulin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, and urinary albumin in DN rats. It also reversed renal pathological changes, including renal glomerular sclerosis and interstitial fibrosis. In addition, the oxidative defense system in the kidneys of DN rats was found to be improved, the biological activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) increased, and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) lowered. Immunohistochemical results reveal that the expression levels of renal transforming growth factor-&beta, 1 (TGF-&beta, 1), Smad 2, and Smad 3 decreased significantly in the kidneys of rats in the CrPic-treated group. CrPic administration was thus found to ameliorate diabetic nephropathy in SD rats via an antioxidative stress mechanism, as well the ability to inhibit TGF-&beta, 1/Smad2/3 expression. This study suggests that CrPic could be a potential renal-protective nutrient against diabetic nephropathy.

Exosomes are small secretory vesicles that are involved in intercellular communication. Exosomes are secreted by many types of cells and exert important functions in plasma-membrane exchange as well as the transport of bioactive substances, such as proteins, messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs), micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) and organelles. Exosomes may regulate physiological processes by altering gene regulatory networks or epigenetic recombination. Recent studies have shown that exosomes secreted by stem cells can effectively transport proteins, mRNAs and miRNAs and play important roles in the regulation of tissue regeneration. This report reviews current progress in exosome studies as well as their emerging roles in stem cell research and potential clinical use.

Supports for the molecular evolution of host pathogen interactions on enemy release hypothesis are rare. According to the theory of plant immunity and the coevolution of hosts and pathogens, we hypothesized that the evolutionary rate (d(N)/d(S)) of resistance genes (R-genes) in invasive plants would be greater than in non-invasive plants, assuming that based on the enemy release hypothesis, the former would suffer less selection stress from co-evolutionary specialist pathogens. To test our hypothesis, we isolated and analyzed the conserved nucleotide-binding sites (NBS) of resistance gene analogues (RGAs) of an invasive weed, Wedelia trilobata (WTRGA). We then used the information in GenBank to compare the d(N)/d(S) of the NBS R-gene/RGAs in invasive and homologous non-invasive plants. Three W. trilobata NBS RGA sequences were obtained, belonging to the Toll/Interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) (WTRGA1 and WTRGA2) and non-TIR subclasses (WTRGA3). Compared with the homologous non-invasive plants, the invasive plants showed a significantly greater d(N)/d(S) for TIR NBS R-gene/RGAs (p < 0.0001), supporting our hypothesis. Future research should include an examination of R-genes/RGAs from more invasive plants on a population level to understand diversity and R-gene functions in invasive plant species, as well as to explore how disease resistance allows plants to adapt to changing pathogen stresses. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.