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We utilized a CO2 laser to carve long-period fiber gratings (LPFGs) on polarization-maintaining fibers (PMFs) along the fast and slow axes. Based on the spectra of LPFGs written along two different directions, we found that when LPFG was written along the fast axis, the spectrum had lower insertion loss and fewer side lobes. We investigated the temperature and twist characteristics of the embedded structure of the LPFG and Sagnac loop and ultimately obtained a temperature sensitivity of −0.295 nm/°C and a twist sensitivity of 0.87 nm/(rad/m) for the LPFG. Compared to the single LPFG, the embedded structure of the LPFG and Sagnac loop demonstrates a significant improvement in temperature and twist sensitivities. Additionally, it also possesses the capability to discern the direction of the twist. The embedded structure displays numerous advantages, including easy fabrication, low cost, good robustness, a wide range, and high sensitivity. These features make it highly suitable for applications in structural health monitoring and other related fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The rising cancer incidence in patients with oral leukoplakia (OL) highlights the importance of identifying potential biomarkers for high‐risk individuals and lesions because these biomarkers are useful in developing personalized management strategies for OL patients. This study systematically searched and analyzed the literature on potential saliva and serum biomarkers for OL malignant transformation. Methods: PubMed and Scopus were searched for studies published up to April 2022. The primary outcome of this study was the difference in biomarker concentrations in saliva or serum samples from healthy control (HC), OL and oral cancer (OC) populations. Cohen's d with 95% credible interval was calculated and pooled using the inverse variance heterogeneity method. Results: A total of seven saliva biomarkers were analyzed in this paper, including interleukin‐1alpha, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), interleukin‐6‐8, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), copper, zinc, and lactate dehydrogenase. IL‐6 and TNF‐α exhibited statistically significant deviations in comparisons between HC versus OL and OL versus OC. A total of 13 serum biomarkers were analyzed, including IL‐6, TNF‐α, C‐reactive protein, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high‐density lipoproteins, low‐density lipoproteins, albumin, protein, β2‐microglobulin, fucose, lipid‐bound sialic acid (LSA), and total sialic acid (TSA). LSA and TSA exhibited statistically significant deviations in comparisons between HC versus OL and OL versus OC. Conclusion: IL‐6 and TNF‐α in saliva have strong predictive values for OL deterioration, and LSA and TSA concentration levels in serum also have the potential to serve as biomarkers for OL deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a mixture of various carbon (C) compounds with different stability, which can be distinctly affected by the priming effect (PE). However, little is known about how the PE changes with SOC stability.We address this issue by combining results from two experiments and a metaanalysis.We found that the PE increased with the prolongation of soil preincubation, suggesting that higher PE occurred for more stable SOC than for labile SOC. This was further supported by the metaanalysis of 42 observations. There were significant negative relationships between the difference in PE (ΔPE) between labile and more stable SOC and their differences in SOC, microbial biomass C and soil C : N ratio, indicating that soil C availability exerts a vital control on ΔPE.We conclude that, compared with labile SOC, stable SOC can be more vulnerable to priming once microbes are provided with exogenous C substrates. This high vulnerability of stable SOC to priming warrants more attention in future studies on SOC cycling and global change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Global warming is a major global issue that may affect nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Plants usually employ the strategy of nutrient resorption to conserve resources. Over the past few decades, there has been widespread attention given to how warming affects the nutrient resorption efficiency (NuRE) in leaves. Twig is another important component of plant. The unique physiological characteristics of twig may make its NuRE response to warming different from that of leaf. However, there is insufficient knowledge regarding how warming affects NuRE in twigs.We assessed the response of nutrient concentrations (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium) and NuREs in leaves and twigs to warming, by using plant samples (Cunninghamia lanceolata) from a manipulative field warming experiment (+ 5 °C).The nutrient concentrations and NuREs of leaves remained unchanged under warming. In contrast, warming significantly decreased nitrogen concentration (− 13%) and increased calcium (+ 21%) and magnesium (+ 44%) concentrations in mature twigs. Warming significantly decreased NRE (− 10%), KRE (− 15%), and CaRE (− 7%), and increased MgRE (+ 12%) in twigs. It was also found that warming decreased the water content of twigs, and there were significant negative correlations between NuREs and nutrients in senesced organs.The nutrient concentrations and NuRE of twigs are more vulnerable to warming than those of leaves. The regulation of NuRE response to warming is influenced by water and nutrients. Incorporating plant twig NuRE into nutrient cycling modeling and ecosystem productivity predictions may improve the accuracy of predictions under future warming conditions.Methods: Global warming is a major global issue that may affect nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Plants usually employ the strategy of nutrient resorption to conserve resources. Over the past few decades, there has been widespread attention given to how warming affects the nutrient resorption efficiency (NuRE) in leaves. Twig is another important component of plant. The unique physiological characteristics of twig may make its NuRE response to warming different from that of leaf. However, there is insufficient knowledge regarding how warming affects NuRE in twigs.We assessed the response of nutrient concentrations (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium) and NuREs in leaves and twigs to warming, by using plant samples (Cunninghamia lanceolata) from a manipulative field warming experiment (+ 5 °C).The nutrient concentrations and NuREs of leaves remained unchanged under warming. In contrast, warming significantly decreased nitrogen concentration (− 13%) and increased calcium (+ 21%) and magnesium (+ 44%) concentrations in mature twigs. Warming significantly decreased NRE (− 10%), KRE (− 15%), and CaRE (− 7%), and increased MgRE (+ 12%) in twigs. It was also found that warming decreased the water content of twigs, and there were significant negative correlations between NuREs and nutrients in senesced organs.The nutrient concentrations and NuRE of twigs are more vulnerable to warming than those of leaves. The regulation of NuRE response to warming is influenced by water and nutrients. Incorporating plant twig NuRE into nutrient cycling modeling and ecosystem productivity predictions may improve the accuracy of predictions under future warming conditions.Results: Global warming is a major global issue that may affect nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Plants usually employ the strategy of nutrient resorption to conserve resources. Over the past few decades, there has been widespread attention given to how warming affects the nutrient resorption efficiency (NuRE) in leaves. Twig is another important component of plant. The unique physiological characteristics of twig may make its NuRE response to warming different from that of leaf. However, there is insufficient knowledge regarding how warming affects NuRE in twigs.We assessed the response of nutrient concentrations (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium) and NuREs in leaves and twigs to warming, by using plant samples (Cunninghamia lanceolata) from a manipulative field warming experiment (+ 5 °C).The nutrient concentrations and NuREs of leaves remained unchanged under warming. In contrast, warming significantly decreased nitrogen concentration (− 13%) and increased calcium (+ 21%) and magnesium (+ 44%) concentrations in mature twigs. Warming significantly decreased NRE (− 10%), KRE (− 15%), and CaRE (− 7%), and increased MgRE (+ 12%) in twigs. It was also found that warming decreased the water content of twigs, and there were significant negative correlations between NuREs and nutrients in senesced organs.The nutrient concentrations and NuRE of twigs are more vulnerable to warming than those of leaves. The regulation of NuRE response to warming is influenced by water and nutrients. Incorporating plant twig NuRE into nutrient cycling modeling and ecosystem productivity predictions may improve the accuracy of predictions under future warming conditions.Conclusion: Global warming is a major global issue that may affect nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Plants usually employ the strategy of nutrient resorption to conserve resources. Over the past few decades, there has been widespread attention given to how warming affects the nutrient resorption efficiency (NuRE) in leaves. Twig is another important component of plant. The unique physiological characteristics of twig may make its NuRE response to warming different from that of leaf. However, there is insufficient knowledge regarding how warming affects NuRE in twigs.We assessed the response of nutrient concentrations (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium) and NuREs in leaves and twigs to warming, by using plant samples (Cunninghamia lanceolata) from a manipulative field warming experiment (+ 5 °C).The nutrient concentrations and NuREs of leaves remained unchanged under warming. In contrast, warming significantly decreased nitrogen concentration (− 13%) and increased calcium (+ 21%) and magnesium (+ 44%) concentrations in mature twigs. Warming significantly decreased NRE (− 10%), KRE (− 15%), and CaRE (− 7%), and increased MgRE (+ 12%) in twigs. It was also found that warming decreased the water content of twigs, and there were significant negative correlations between NuREs and nutrients in senesced organs.The nutrient concentrations and NuRE of twigs are more vulnerable to warming than those of leaves. The regulation of NuRE response to warming is influenced by water and nutrients. Incorporating plant twig NuRE into nutrient cycling modeling and ecosystem productivity predictions may improve the accuracy of predictions under future warming conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary chia seed (Salvia hispanica L.) has significant health‐related benefits due to its high nutrient contents. However, few studies reported the fate of whole seeds in the gastrointestinal tract. Herein, we explored the digestive characteristics in terms of hydrolysis of nutrients, structural and functional properties with a static in vitro digestion method. After gastrointestinal digestion, the digestibility of lipid and protein was 0.46% and 11.38%, respectively. The release rates of tryptophan, tyrosine and lysine were greater than 20%, whereas the glutamic acid and aspartic acid were less than 5%. The microscopic results (optical microscopy (OM), laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)) demonstrated that the seeds remained intact, and the mucilage adhered tightly to the seed coat during digestion. The water holding capacity and oil holding capacity of seeds accounted for 6.37 and 3.28 g/g after intestinal digestion, which were significantly lower than gastric digestion endpoints (P < 0.05). And there were no significant differences in Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of G‐Mucilage and I‐Mucilage. In general, preprocessing before being consumed is necessary for chia seeds to take full advantage of rich polyunsaturated fatty acids and proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To identify new tumor marker genes available for early tumor screening, differentially expressed gene profiles of multiple tumors were compared using Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx), Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE), and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. As AP1M2 was highly and differentially expressed in invasive breast carcinoma, the purpose of this study was to explore the association of AP1M2 gene with the survival, immune invasion, and tumor neoantigens of patients on a pan-cancer basis. Methods. The expression and distribution of AP1M2 gene in tumor tissues and the corresponding normal control tissues were analyzed using the pan-cancer databases GTEx, CCLE, and TCGA. Kaplan-Meyer survival plots and proportional hazards model (COX) were employed to evaluate actions of AP1M2 on the clinical prognosis of tumor patients. Subsequently, the association of AP1M2 expression with immune invasion in different tumor types was explored. Simultaneously, the investigation of the interrelationship of AP1M2 and tumor neoantigens of the immune system, unstable microsatellite, DNA repair genes, and DNA methyltransferases were explored, and the mutation frequency of AP1M2 gene in diverse tumors was studied. Several tumor types were analyzed using gene-set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Results. AP1M2 was abundantly expressed in a wide range of cancers, and its expression level was positively correlated with the outcome of tumor victims. Through a study on AP1M2 action on clinical prognosis and immune infiltration in tumor patients, AP1M2 expression in breast-infiltrating carcinoma was found to be highly associated with patients' overall survival and infiltration levels of macrophages, dendritic cells, T cells (CD4+ and CD8+), and B cells. Also, AP1M2 expression was positively correlated with tumor immune neoantigens and microsatellite instability in breast invasive carcinoma. The effect of AP1M2 on tumors was analyzed by GSEA, and findings demonstrated that AP1M2 expression levels in most tumors influenced the activation of tumor-associated pathways and immune-associated pathways. Conclusions. These findings suggest that AP1M2 expression levels are significantly correlated to patients' outcomes and levels of immune infiltration in most cancer types, including T cells (CD8+ and CD4+), macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells (DCs), particularly in breast cancer. The results indicate that AP1M2 may influence the tumor environment of invasive breast cancer patients and it may be a target contributing to early screening and treatment for breast cancer, helping improve the efficiency of early screening and overall survival rate in invasive breast cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming is widely expected to alter nitrogen (N) cycling in terrestrial ecosystems by accelerating N transformations in soils. However, it is unclear how warming will affect plant–soil N cycling in subtropical ecosystems.Here, we measured the N transformations including net ammoniation, nitrification, nitrous oxide emissions and nitrate in soil solution throughout the plant–soil continuum with 2 years of experimental soil warming (+5°C) in a young subtropical Chinese fir mesocosm. Seasonal variations of soil and plant (foliage and root) N concentrations and isotopes (δ15N), foliar water use efficiency and arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization rate were measured.Soil warming significantly increased net ammonization and nitrification of the soil, together with the transient positive response observed in inorganic N of the soil. Warming increased nitrate N fluxes in soil solution and nitrous oxide emissions in the first year but not in the second year, suggesting N losses through leaching and gaseous in the initial period of warming. Warming primarily induced enrichment of 15N in foliage relative to the soil, which was attributed to the trade‐offs of persistent increases in plant N uptake caused by enhanced tree growth and a decrease in N losses with continuous warming. Furthermore, young trees' growth and N uptake capacity can rapidly acclimate to climate warming as a result of warming‐induced increases in arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and foliar water use efficiency.Our findings highlight that warming accelerates the plant–soil N cycle and promotes young trees' growth and N uptake, which in turn reduces soil N lost from this subtropical ecosystem. Therefore, our study suggests that the competition for N between plants and microbes governs whether subtropical forests are opened or closed N cycle systems under climate warming. We predict that subtropical young forests can still maintain their high productivity because young trees can maintain their N uptake capacity and adequate soil N supply in facing future climate warming. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Elevated nitrogen deposition can alter the soil P (phosphorous) composition and availability, thereby affecting long-term plant growth. However, the effects of N (nitrogen) deposition and seasonal changes on soil P fractions in subtropical forests remain elusive. Methods: We conducted an experiment to simulate N deposition in a subtropical Phyllostachys pubescens (Moso bamboo) forest. We collected samples during the wet and dry seasons (2018–2019) and determined soil abiotic and biotic factors and soil P fractions. Results: N deposition in the wet season significantly reduced the content and proportion of labile P and organic P extracted from NaOH, wherein it markedly increased only NaHCO3-Pi content during the dry season. Redundancy analysis and structural equation model showed that soil P was primarily affected by acid phosphatase and root P content under N deposition in the wet season, whereas organic-bound Fe (Fep) and NO3−-N concentrations under N deposition treatment were the key factors during the dry season. These factors explained 22.5% and 9.2%, and 21.0% and 15.4% of the changes in soil P fractions in the wet and dry seasons, respectively. Conclusions: Our study suggests that N deposition accelerates the soil P cycle in the wet season due to increased plant P absorption and acid phosphatase activity. N had a minor effect on soil P fractions in the dry season because of decreasing P adsorption from Fe and Al oxides. These findings provide insights into understanding soil P transformation and supply in response to N deposition and seasonal changes in subtropical forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil nitrogen (N) availability plays an important role in regulating priming effects (PE). In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of long-term N fertilization on PE under single and more frequent additions of labile carbon (C) inputs (13C-labeled glucose). The soils collected from a 6-year-long inorganic N fertilization experiment in a subtropical Phyllostachys edulis forest in China were incubated at a constant temperature of 25 °C for 90 days. Regardless of the mode of glucose addition, the cumulative primed C was lower in the previously fertilized soil and showed a positive relationship with soil pH and peroxidase activity. When comparing the amount of cumulative primed C and the remaining added glucose-C after 90 days of incubation, the fertilized soil had a higher net C increase than the control. These results indicate that atmospheric N deposition and N fertilization might reduce the PE caused by labile organic matter inputs, thereby increasing soil organic C sequestration. The effect of N fertilization on PE under a single glucose addition (reduced by 11%) was smaller than that of repeated additions (reduced by 24%). Previously fertilized soil with a single glucose addition exhibited higher microbial P deficiency, which had a negative impact on PE; in contrast, in soil with repeated glucose additions, higher abundance of Gram-positive bacteria contributed to the negative PE. As such, the frequency of glucose addition affects the intensity and regulation of soil PE. Regardless of the N fertilization treatment, soil with a single glucose addition exhibited stronger PE but lower soil net C increases than those with repeated additions, which might be related to higher microbial activities. Collectively, our findings provide insights regarding soil PE in subtropical forests under the combined effects of increasing N deposition and glucose addition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical fiber Fabry-Pérot (FP) interferometer sensors have long been the focus of researchers in sensing applications because of their simple light path, low cost, compact size and convenient manufacturing methods. A miniature and highly sensitive optic fiber temperature sensor using an ultraviolet glue-filled FP cavity in a hollow capillary fiber is proposed. The sensor is fabricated by fusion splicing a single-mode fiber with a hollow capillary fiber, which is filled with ultraviolet glue to form a FP cavity. The sensor has a good linear response in the temperature testing and high-temperature sensitivity, which can be increased with the length of the FP cavity. The experimental results show that the temperature sensitivity reaches 1.174 nm/°C with a high linear response in the range of 30–60 °C. In addition, this sensor is insensitive to pressure and can be highly suitable for real-time water temperature monitoring for ocean research. The proposed ultraviolet glue-filled structure has the advantages of easy fabrication, high-temperature sensitivity, low cost and an arbitrary length of capillary, which has broad application prospects for marine survey technology, biological diagnostics and environmental monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Increasing temperature and nitrogen (N) deposition are major drivers of global change that will influence plant-soil systems. We aimed to understand how plant stoichiometry and nutrient limiting types could change with continued warming and N inputs in subtropical regions. Methods: In 2014, the experiments were established in 30 mini-plots (2 × 2 m) with the following treatments: control, high N addition, low N addition, warming, warming + high N addition, and warming + low N addition. We sampled the leaf and root of Cunninghamia lanceolata and soils to assess their elemental and stoichiometric variables and δN under all six conditions. Results: Both experimental warming and N fertilization consistently induced an increase in fine-root N, P, and N:P. The N:P ratio of the mature green-leaf and soil was 7.24-11.63 and 4.79-6.56, respectively. On average, C. lanceolata showed higher proportional P resorption, but lower N resorption. The δN enrichment factor significantly increased in the warming and N addition treatments. Conclusions: N addition decrease leaf N content, and increased the plant growth, which was due to the effect of the N dilution of C. lanceolata. In subtropical regions, N-limitation affects the growth of C. lanceolata, and the concurrent increase in warming and N fertilization should help relieve N-limiting conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel ultrawideband (UWB) monocycle pulse generation system by modulating a polarization modulator (PolM) with a low speed electrical nonreturn-to-zero (NRZ) signal is proposed, which significantly reduce the bandwidth requirement of the driving signal. At each bit transition of the input NRZ signal, two polarity-reversed Gaussian pulses are generated. By properly setting the delay between these two Gaussian pulses, an optical UWB monocycle pulse can be generated. Biphase modulation (BPM) can be realized by electrically switching the polarization direction at the output of PolM, if an electrically tunable arbitrary wave plate (AWP) is employed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Effects of warming and N addition on microbial functional genes were studied. • There was no interaction between warming and N addition on functional genes. • Warming had minimal effect on functional genes associated with soil C and N cycling. • The increase in gene abundance due to N addition was related to pH and available N. Climate warming and nitrogen (N) deposition are expected to increase in the coming decades. The consequences of the interaction between warming and N deposition on forest ecosystems and their functions (i.e., carbon sequestration) remain uncertain. In this study, we examined the composition, diversities, and abundances of soil microbial functional genes in a subtropical forest after four years of exposure to warming and N addition. We found that warming alone did not have a significant effect on the composition, diversities, and abundances of functional genes, suggesting that four years were not long enough to reach the critical threshold that would activate a response to warming from soil functional genes in the subtropical forest. Conversely, warming significantly decreased soil labile carbon (C) content. The application of N in combination with warming significantly enhanced the diversities and abundances of functional genes associated with C and N cycling, leading to an accelerated loss of soil N. Interestingly, the interaction between warming and N addition did not have a significant effect on the diversities and abundances of functional genes associated with C and N cycling. Redundancy analysis indicated that a decrease in pH caused by N addition significantly affected the abundances of those functional genes. Overall, our study fills a research gap by examining the effect of simultaneous warming and N deposition on soil microbial functional genes in subtropical forests. Additionally, the study indicates that microbial functional genes are more sensitive to a combination of warming and N addition than to warming alone. Therefore, the effects of multi-factor global change on soil microbial functional genes cannot be underestimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrite reduction is regulated by nitrite reductase encoded by nirK and nirS genes. This study aimed to investigate the abundance and composition of nirK- and nirS-containing denitrifiers in response to Spartina alterniflora invasion at the Jiulong River estuary, China. The sediment samples (depth: 0–5.0 and 5.1–20 cm) were collected from 3 vegetation zones, 1 dominated by the exotic plant S.alterniflora, 1 dominated by the native plant Kandelia candel, and 1 dominated by the native plant Cyperus malaccensis, and from an unvegetated flat zone. nirK- and nirS-containing denitrifier population sizes were lower in the invaded and nonvegetated zones than in those dominated by native K.candel and C.malaccensis, which were impacted by depth – vegetation species interaction. The ratios of nirS to nirK abundance ranged from 42.10 to 677.27, with the lowest ratio found for the upper layer in the invaded zone. The nirK-containing denitrifier compositions showed a 35% similarity between invaded zone and others. Most of the sequences of nirK genes recovered from the S.alterniflora zone were specific and distinct from those of nirK genes recovered from other vegetation types; nirS genes in the invaded zone were highly divergent. These results reveal that S.alterniflora invasion has a significant effect on the abundance and composition of both nirK- and nirS-containing denitrifiers, and nirS-containing denitrifiers were less responsive to invasion than nirK-containing denitrifiers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrite reduction is regulated by nitrite reductase encoded by nirK and nirS genes. This study aimed to investigate the abundance and composition of nirK- and nirS-containing denitrifiers in response to Spartina alterniflora invasion at the Jiulong River estuary, China. The sediment samples (depth: 0-5.0 and 5.1-20 cm) were collected from 3 vegetation zones, 1 dominated by the exotic plant S. alterniflora, 1 dominated by the native plant Kandelia candel, and 1 dominated by the native plant Cyperus malaccensis, and from an unvegetated flat zone. nirK- and nirS-containing denitrifier population sizes were lower in the invaded and nonvegetated zones than in those dominated by native K. candel and C. malaccensis, which were impacted by depth - vegetation species interaction. The ratios of nirS to nirK abundance ranged from 42.10 to 677.27, with the lowest ratio found for the upper layer in the invaded zone. The nirK-containing denitrifier compositions showed a 35% similarity between invaded zone and others. Most of the sequences of nirK genes recovered from the S. alterniflora zone were specific and distinct from those of nirK genes recovered from other vegetation types; nirS genes in the invaded zone were highly divergent. These results reveal that S. alterniflora invasion has a significant effect on the abundance and composition of both nirK- and nirS-containing denitrifiers, and nirS-containing denitrifiers were less responsive to invasion than nirK-containing denitrifiers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Question: What is the prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in Han Chinese women from different communities? Summary Answer: The prevalence of PCOS in Chinese women aged 19-45 years is 5.6%. What Is Known Already: The prevalence of PCOS is reported to range from 5 to 10% but to the best of our knowledge the Han Chinese population has not been studied. Study Design, Size, Duration: A large-scale epidemiological study was carried out between October 2007 and September 2011 in 15 924 Han Chinese women of reproductive age (19-45 years) from the 10 provinces and municipalities in China. Participants/materials, Setting, Methods: A total of 16 886 women from 152 cities and 112 villages were involved in the study. All study participants received a questionnaire and underwent a physical and transvaginal ultrasound examination. Blood samples were collected from a subsample of women (n = 3565) for analysis of metabolic markers and hormones. Based on the Rotterdam PCOS criteria, we assessed hyperandrogenism (H), chronic anovulation (O) and polycystic ovaries (P). Following diagnosis, women with PCOS were assigned to one of four different phenotypes. Finally, the prevalence and related risks of PCOS among Chinese women were estimated based on all the data sources. Main Results and the Role Of Chance: A total of 16 886 women were initially involved in the study and 15 924 eligible participants then completed the study; the overall response rate was 94.3% (15 924/16 886). The prevalence of PCOS in the Chinese community population was 5.6% (894/15 924). Blood samples were analyzed from 833 of these women who were assigned to the four PCOS phenotypes as follows: 19% H + O, 37% H + P, 15% O + P and 29% H + O + P. Comparing the 833 women with PCOS to 2732 women without PCOS indicated that PCOS occurs in younger women (P < 0.05) and these women were prone not only to menstrual problems, hyperandrogenism, PCO and infertility but also metabolic syndrome (MS) and insulin resistance (IR). However, there was no significant difference in the rate of hypertension or hyperlipemia between the two groups. Obese patients with PCOS had a higher rate of MS (16 versus 48%), IR (7 versus 28%), hypertension (8 versus 30%) and hyperlipemia (48 versus 73%) compared with non-obese patients (all P < 0.05), respectively. The rates of metabolic complications in patients with PCOS increased with age. Limitations, Reasons For Caution: Age and ethnic origin contribute to the differing manifestations of PCOS; therefore, sampling is one of the most important issues in epidemiological research into PCOS. Owing to the mobility of the Chinese population, the survey among resident populations caused a certain deviation in the age distribution. Wider Implications Of the Findings: The prevention and treatment of PCOS, particularly in those who are obese, are essential in Chinese women of reproductive age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STUDY QUESTION What is the prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in Han Chinese women from different communities? SUMMARY ANSWER The prevalence of PCOS in Chinese women aged 19–45 years is 5.6%. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The prevalence of PCOS is reported to range from 5 to 10% but to the best of our knowledge the Han Chinese population has not been studied. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A large-scale epidemiological study was carried out between October 2007 and September 2011 in 15 924 Han Chinese women of reproductive age (19–45 years) from the 10 provinces and municipalities in China. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS A total of 16 886 women from 152 cities and 112 villages were involved in the study. All study participants received a questionnaire and underwent a physical and transvaginal ultrasound examination. Blood samples were collected from a subsample of women (n = 3565) for analysis of metabolic markers and hormones. Based on the Rotterdam PCOS criteria, we assessed hyperandrogenism (H), chronic anovulation (O) and polycystic ovaries (P). Following diagnosis, women with PCOS were assigned to one of four different phenotypes. Finally, the prevalence and related risks of PCOS among Chinese women were estimated based on all the data sources. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE A total of 16 886 women were initially involved in the study and 15 924 eligible participants then completed the study; the overall response rate was 94.3% (15 924/16 886). The prevalence of PCOS in the Chinese community population was 5.6% (894/15 924). Blood samples were analyzed from 833 of these women who were assigned to the four PCOS phenotypes as follows: 19% H + O, 37% H + P, 15% O + P and 29% H + O + P. Comparing the 833 women with PCOS to 2732 women without PCOS indicated that PCOS occurs in younger women (P < 0.05) and these women were prone not only to menstrual problems, hyperandrogenism, PCO and infertility but also metabolic syndrome (MS) and insulin resistance (IR). However, there was no significant difference in the rate of hypertension or hyperlipemia between the two groups. Obese patients with PCOS had a higher rate of MS (16 versus 48%), IR (7 versus 28%), hypertension (8 versus 30%) and hyperlipemia (48 versus 73%) compared with non-obese patients (all P < 0.05), respectively. The rates of metabolic complications in patients with PCOS increased with age. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Age and ethnic origin contribute to the differing manifestations of PCOS; therefore, sampling is one of the most important issues in epidemiological research into PCOS. Owing to the mobility of the Chinese population, the survey among resident populations caused a certain deviation in the age distribution. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The prevention and treatment of PCOS, particularly in those who are obese, are essential in Chinese women of reproductive age. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was supported by National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, Capital Medical Development Scientific Research Fund and National Key Technology R&D Program. Ten participant university hospitals and the National Center for Chronic and Noncomunicable Disease Control and Prevention participated. All authors have nothing to disclose. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background and Purpose: Considerable evidence indicates that the beta(2)-adrenoceptor agonist clenbuterol decreases apoptosis in a rodent model of ischaemic cardiomyopathy. In this study, we investigated the effects of clenbuterol on infarct size caused by myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) in anaesthetized rats.Experimental Approach: Rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: (i) sham (ii) I/R (iii) clenbuterol + I/R (iv) ICI 118551 + clenbuterol + I/R (v) metoprolol + clenbuterol + I/R (vi) metoprolol + I/R (vii) pertussis toxin + clenbuterol + I/R. Under anaesthesia, left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded for 30 min followed by reperfusion for 2 h.Key Results: Compared with the control I/R group,the clenbuterol (0.5 mg.kg(-1), i.p.) group had reduced infarct size, improved diastolic function and sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) activity, increased superoxide dismutase activity, and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) level and LDH, CK release. Clenbuterol increased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, which resulted in inhibition of myocardial apoptosis as indicated by the reduction of terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase end labelling-positive staining, Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA and caspase-3 protein expression. The G(i)-protein inhibitor pertussis toxin blocked the clenbuterol-induced improvement in cardiac function and infarct size. Pretreatment with ICI 118551(a selective beta(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist) inhibited the effects of clenbuterol mentioned above. The beta(1)-adrenoceptor agonist metoprolol had similar effects to clenbuterol but failed to reduce MDA and improve SERCA activity. When administered together, metoprolol and clenbuterol did not induce synergistic effects.Conclusions and Implications: Clenbuterol pretreatment provides significant cardioprotection against ischaemia/reperfusion injury and this is mediated by the beta(2)-adrenoceptor-G(i)-protein signalling. A combination of the beta(2)-adrenoceptor agonist clenbuterol and the beta(1)-antagonist metoprolol did not lead to a synergistic anti-apoptotic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The priming effect (PE) induced by fresh carbon inputs generally stimulates soil organic matter (SOM) mineralization. However, the magnitude of the PE will vary according to the chemical composition of plant litter and nitrogen (N) deposition, due to the effect of these factors on soil microbial community composition and activity. This needs to be considered explicitly in ecosystem models, for more accurate prediction of soil carbon dynamics and stocks. Thus, we conducted a 100-day incubation experiment with additions of three 13C-labeled litters and inorganic N to evaluate the effects of plant litter in combination with N additions on SOM mineralization, PE, microbial community composition and activity in a subtropical Cunninghamia lanceolata forest soil. We found no difference in SOM mineralization and PE among three litter types, but the addition of litter together with N increased the PE by approximately 11–42%, apparently through a microbial stoichiometry decomposition process. When N was added, the PE response, biomass of microbial groups and enzyme activities were related to the litter chemical composition. The direction of PE varied with time, and different microbial mechanisms operated at different decomposition stages. Moreover, microbial activity seemed to be energy-limited by the late decomposition stage, based on the incorporation of litter-derived carbon into soil microbial phospholipid fatty acids with high-lignin litter than other litter types. In conclusion, our findings emphasize that different chemical composition litters in combination with N inputs into soil can have a strong effect on soil carbon stocks by stimulating the priming of native SOM mineralization in subtropical forests. Our results also highlight that changes in litter chemical composition, nutrient availability and microbial processes need to be considered from short to long term, which is of great importance to accurately evaluate the variability of the PE under future climate change scenarios. • We studied the effects of litter and inorganic N addition on SOC mineralization. • We included three litters with different chemical composition and a subtropical forest soil. • N addition stimulated the magnitude of litter-induced PE across all litter types. • Only under N addition, the litter-induced PE was related to litter chemical composition. • The direction of PE varied over time, associated with different mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single and mixed vegetation types have significant effects on soil parameters and the composition and diversity of soil bacterial community. To understand the influence of different vegetation types on the structure of soil bacterial community across soil depth in a subtropical forest, we assessed the relative abundance of edaphic bacterial community and soil parameters, including pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and dissolved organic C in Daiyun Mountain Nature Reserve in Fujian Province, southeastern China. The study area constitutes pine coniferous forest (CF) of Pinus taiwanensis Hayata, broad‐leaved forest (BF) of Castanopsis fabri Hance, and a mixed forest comprising CF and BF (MF). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Illumina sequencing of 16S ribosomal DNA were used to analyze the abundance, diversity, and composition of soil bacteria. The results showed that the pH, CEC, and diversity of tree species are all associated with the composition of bacterial community in the soil. It was found that CEC, soluble organic N, and pH largely affected the structure of soil bacterial community in A horizon, whereas CEC, moisture content, and organic P affected the structure of soil bacterial community in B horizon. We found that the dominant taxa in the CF and BF were Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria, respectively. The results of both mental and random forest analyses displayed groups according to vegetation types, indicating that the bacterial communities in the research site were significantly influenced by vegetation types in subtropical forests. The study highlights the ecological effects of forest management and elucidates the differences in the functional structure of soil bacterial communities under different vegetation types and soil depths. Core Ideas: Broad‐leaved forests have the highest soil nutrient content in subtropical forests.Acidobacteria and Proteobacteria are biomarker phyla in subtropical forests.Vegetation type affects soil bacterial community structure in subtropical forests.Soil moisture content and organic P affect bacterial community composition in the A horizon.Cation exchange capacity and pH affect bacterial community composition in the B horizon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global changes can alter plant inputs from both above‐ and belowground, which, thus, may differently affect soil carbon and microbial communities. However, the general patterns of how plant input changes affect them in forests remain unclear. By conducting a meta‐analysis of 3193 observations from 166 experiments worldwide, we found that alterations in aboveground litter and/or root inputs had profound effects on soil carbon and microbial communities in forest ecosystems. Litter addition stimulated soil organic carbon (SOC) pools and microbial biomass, whereas removal of litter, roots or both (no inputs) decreased them. The increased SOC under litter addition suggested that aboveground litter inputs benefit SOC sequestration despite accelerated decomposition. Unlike root removal, litter alterations and no inputs altered particulate organic carbon, whereas all detrital treatments did not significantly change mineral‐associated organic carbon. In addition, detrital treatments contrastingly altered soil microbial community, with litter addition or removal shifting it toward fungi, whereas root removal shifting it toward bacteria. Furthermore, the responses of soil carbon and microbial biomass to litter alterations positively correlated with litter input rate and total litter input, suggesting that litter input quantity is a critical controller of belowground processes. Taken together, these findings provide critical insights into understanding how altered plant productivity and allocation affects soil carbon cycling, microbial communities and functioning of forest ecosystems under global changes. Future studies can take full advantage of the existing plant detritus experiments and should focus on the relative roles of litter and roots in forming SOC and its fractions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Short-circuit faults in a receiving-end power system can lead to blocking events of the feed-in high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) systems, which may further result in system instability. However, security assessment methods based on the transient stability (TS) simulation can hardly catch the fault propagation phenomena between AC and DC subsystems. Moreover, effective emergency control strategies are needed to prevent such undesired cascading events. This paper focuses on power systems with multi-infeed HVDCs. An on-line security assessment method based on the electromagnetic transient (EMT)-TS hybrid simulation is proposed. DC and AC subsystems are modeled in EMTDC/PSCAD and PSS/E, respectively. In this way, interactions between AC and DC subsystems can be well reflected. Meanwhile, high computational efficiency is maintained for the on-line application. In addition, an emergency control strategy is developed, which coordinates multiple control resources, including HVDCs, pumped storages, and interruptible loads, to maintain the security and stability of the receiving-end system. The effectiveness of the proposed methods is verified by numerical simulations on two actual power systems in China. The simulation results indicate that the EMT-TS hybrid simulation can accurately reflect the fault propagation phenomena between AC and DC subsystems, and the coordinated emergency control strategy can work effectively to maintain the security and stability of systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrient addition to forest ecosystems significantly influences belowground microbial diversity, community structure, and ecosystem functioning. Nitrogen (N) addition in forests is common in China, especially in the southeast region. However, the influence of N addition on belowground soil microbial community diversity in subtropical forests remains unclear. In May 2018, we randomly selected 12 experimental plots in a Pinus taiwanensis forest within the Daiyun Mountain Nature Reserve, Fujian Province, China, and subjected them to N addition treatments for one year. We investigated the responses of the soil microbial communities and identified the major elements that influenced microbial community composition in the experimental plots. The present study included three N treatments, i.e., the control (CT), low N addition (LN, 40 kg N ha-1 yr-1), and high N addition (HN, 80 kg N ha-1 yr-1), and two depths, 0−10 cm (topsoil) and 10−20 cm (subsoil), which were all sampled in the growing season (May) of 2019. Soil microbial diversity and community composition in the topsoil and subsoil were investigated using high-throughput sequencing of bacterial 16S rDNA genes and fungal internal transcribed spacer sequences. According to our results, 1) soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC) significantly decreased after HN addition, and available nitrogen (AN) significantly declined after LN addition, 2) bacterial α-diversity in the subsoil significantly decreased with HN addition, which was affected significantly by the interaction between N addition and soil layer, and 3) soil DOC, rather than pH, was the dominant environmental factor influencing soil bacterial community composition, while AN and MBN were the best predictors of soil fungal community structure dynamics. Moreover, N addition influence both diversity and community composition of soil bacteria more than those of fungi in the subtropical forests. The results of the present study provide further evidence to support shifts in soil microbial community structure in acidic subtropical forests in response to increasing N deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Long-term nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization could immensely alter plant-soil-microbial properties, thereby impacting the priming effect (PE). However, previous studies mostly simulated PE responses to fertilization by adding nutrient in the laboratory, which could not represent PE changes under long-term fertilization-induced ecosystem alteration. Our aim is to clarify the PE alteration in soils with long-term fertilization history in an alpine meadow.Soil samples (0–10 cm) were collected from a 9-year field fertilization experiment (including four treatments: control, + N with urea, + P with triple superphosphate, + NP with both fertilizers), and incubated for 30 days with 13C-labeled glucose amendment (2% SOC). Plant-soil-microbial properties were measured before/after incubation.Glucose addition induced a positive PE in all soils with a range from 0.56 to 1.37 mg C g−1 soil. N fertilization did not affect PE intensity due to the microbial adaptation and fast utilization of the added glucose for metabolic needs. P fertilization caused P accumulation in soils, and decreased available N and pH. Such changes inhibited microbes, and glucose activated microbial activities, causing higher PE intensity.Long-term N fertilization did not significantly affect PE, while P fertilization stimulated PE intensity. Overall, we highlight that P fertilization may induce higher risk of CO2 release, which deserves more attention when applying P fertilizers in this alpine meadow.Methods: Long-term nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization could immensely alter plant-soil-microbial properties, thereby impacting the priming effect (PE). However, previous studies mostly simulated PE responses to fertilization by adding nutrient in the laboratory, which could not represent PE changes under long-term fertilization-induced ecosystem alteration. Our aim is to clarify the PE alteration in soils with long-term fertilization history in an alpine meadow.Soil samples (0–10 cm) were collected from a 9-year field fertilization experiment (including four treatments: control, + N with urea, + P with triple superphosphate, + NP with both fertilizers), and incubated for 30 days with 13C-labeled glucose amendment (2% SOC). Plant-soil-microbial properties were measured before/after incubation.Glucose addition induced a positive PE in all soils with a range from 0.56 to 1.37 mg C g−1 soil. N fertilization did not affect PE intensity due to the microbial adaptation and fast utilization of the added glucose for metabolic needs. P fertilization caused P accumulation in soils, and decreased available N and pH. Such changes inhibited microbes, and glucose activated microbial activities, causing higher PE intensity.Long-term N fertilization did not significantly affect PE, while P fertilization stimulated PE intensity. Overall, we highlight that P fertilization may induce higher risk of CO2 release, which deserves more attention when applying P fertilizers in this alpine meadow.Results: Long-term nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization could immensely alter plant-soil-microbial properties, thereby impacting the priming effect (PE). However, previous studies mostly simulated PE responses to fertilization by adding nutrient in the laboratory, which could not represent PE changes under long-term fertilization-induced ecosystem alteration. Our aim is to clarify the PE alteration in soils with long-term fertilization history in an alpine meadow.Soil samples (0–10 cm) were collected from a 9-year field fertilization experiment (including four treatments: control, + N with urea, + P with triple superphosphate, + NP with both fertilizers), and incubated for 30 days with 13C-labeled glucose amendment (2% SOC). Plant-soil-microbial properties were measured before/after incubation.Glucose addition induced a positive PE in all soils with a range from 0.56 to 1.37 mg C g−1 soil. N fertilization did not affect PE intensity due to the microbial adaptation and fast utilization of the added glucose for metabolic needs. P fertilization caused P accumulation in soils, and decreased available N and pH. Such changes inhibited microbes, and glucose activated microbial activities, causing higher PE intensity.Long-term N fertilization did not significantly affect PE, while P fertilization stimulated PE intensity. Overall, we highlight that P fertilization may induce higher risk of CO2 release, which deserves more attention when applying P fertilizers in this alpine meadow.Conclusion: Long-term nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization could immensely alter plant-soil-microbial properties, thereby impacting the priming effect (PE). However, previous studies mostly simulated PE responses to fertilization by adding nutrient in the laboratory, which could not represent PE changes under long-term fertilization-induced ecosystem alteration. Our aim is to clarify the PE alteration in soils with long-term fertilization history in an alpine meadow.Soil samples (0–10 cm) were collected from a 9-year field fertilization experiment (including four treatments: control, + N with urea, + P with triple superphosphate, + NP with both fertilizers), and incubated for 30 days with 13C-labeled glucose amendment (2% SOC). Plant-soil-microbial properties were measured before/after incubation.Glucose addition induced a positive PE in all soils with a range from 0.56 to 1.37 mg C g−1 soil. N fertilization did not affect PE intensity due to the microbial adaptation and fast utilization of the added glucose for metabolic needs. P fertilization caused P accumulation in soils, and decreased available N and pH. Such changes inhibited microbes, and glucose activated microbial activities, causing higher PE intensity.Long-term N fertilization did not significantly affect PE, while P fertilization stimulated PE intensity. Overall, we highlight that P fertilization may induce higher risk of CO2 release, which deserves more attention when applying P fertilizers in this alpine meadow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Grasslands hold one of the most important soil carbon stocks in the world, which is vulnerable to climate change (i.e. precipitation) and human disturbance (i.e. land-use). This study aimed to investigate responses and mechanisms of soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition and accumulation to precipitation and land-use in an Inner Mongolian grassland. Methods: Using a randomized complete block design with a split plot, an experiment with land-use regimes (fencing, grazing, and mowing, since 2011) and altered precipitation amount (wet, + 50% precipitation; CT, ambient precipitation; dry, −50% precipitation; since 2016) was conducted to explore their impacts on SOC decomposition (represented by soil heterotrophic respiration and extracellular enzyme activities) and accumulation (represented by SOC and its physical fractions) from samples collected in 2019. Results: SOC decomposition significantly increased under wet treatment, but decreased under dry treatment. Wet treatment increased SOC accumulation via the increment of mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC), and vice versa for dry treatment. Precipitation amount may affect soil microbial biomass and activities via alterations of water supply, plant-derived carbon input, and other soil properties, leading to changes of SOC dynamics. Nevertheless, land-use regimes had little influences on SOC dynamics. Conclusions: Compared to land-use regimes, precipitation treatments can significantly change SOC dynamics. Overall, SOC increased under higher precipitation amount, but decreased with less precipitation. We emphasize that the SOC stock in Inner Mongolia temperate grassland may have an unexpectable fast response to precipitation alteration, but more investigation is still needed in longer terms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The expression level of ANGPTL8 is correlated with liver fibrosis staging. • ANGPTL8 knockout suppresses HFD-induced hepatic steatosis and liver fibrosis in mice. • ANGPTL8 functions as a pro-inflammatory factor induced by HFD, and liver-derived ANGPTL8 interacts with the receptor LILRB2 on the membranes of hepatic stellate cells to activate downstream ERK signaling and increase expression of known liver fibrosis genes. • The serum ANGPTL8 level may represent a potential diagnostic marker for liver fibrosis, and targeting ANGPTL8/LILRB2/ERK signaling holds great promise for developing innovative therapies to treat liver fibrosis. • Metformin can potentially confer protective effects against the pathological progression known to lead to liver fibrosis in vulnerable patient populations. High calorie intake is known to induce nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by promoting chronic inflammation. However, the mechanisms are poorly understood. This study examined the roles of ANGPTL8 in the regulation of NAFLD-associated liver fibrosis progression induced by high fat diet (HFD)-mediated inflammation. The ANGPTL8 concentration was measured in serum samples from liver cancer and liver cirrhosis patients. ANGPTL8 knockout(KO) mice were used to induce disease models (HFD, HFHC and CCL4) followed by pathological staining, western blot and immunohistochemistry. Hydrodynamic injection of an adeno-associated virus 8 (AAV8) was used to establish a model for restoring ANGPTL8 expression specifically in ANGPTL8 KO mice livers. RNA-sequencing, protein array, Co-IP, etc. were used to study ANGPTL8′s mechanisms in regulating liver fibrosis progression, and drug screening was used to identify an effective inhibitor of ANGPTL8 expression. ANGPTL8 level is associated with liver fibrogenesis in both cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Mouse studies demonstrated that ANGPTL8 deficiency suppresses HFD-stimulated inflammatory activity, hepatic steatosis and liver fibrosis. The AAV-mediated restoration of liver ANGPTL8 expression indicated that liver-derived ANGPTL8 accelerates HFD-induced liver fibrosis. Liver-derived ANGPTL8, as a proinflammatory factor, activates HSCs (hepatic stellate cells) by interacting with the LILRB2 receptor to induce ERK signaling and increase the expression of genes that promote liver fibrosis. The FDA-approved anti-diabetic drug metformin, an ANGPTL8 inhibitor, inhibited HFD-induced liver fibrosis in vivo. Our data support that ANGPTL8 is a proinflammatory factor that accelerates NAFLD-associated liver fibrosis induced by HFD. The serum ANGPTL8 level may be a potential and specific diagnostic marker for liver fibrosis, and targeting ANGPTL8 holds great promise for developing innovative therapies to treat NAFLD-associated liver fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Effects of tree leaf and root residues on SOC mineralization were studied. • Root residue generally induced stronger negative priming than leaf residue. • Priming effect induced by residue input varied greatly with tree species. • Tree chemical composition controlled the magnitude of priming. Changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition in response to fresh plant residue inputs (i.e., the priming effect) represent an important biogeochemical process controlling soil C dynamics. However, the variations in priming induced by the addition of leaf and root residues with different chemical compositions among tree species and their potential mechanisms are not yet well known. We conducted a 90-day incubation experiment and explored the responses of priming effect to the 13C-labelled leaf and root residues of Cyclobalanopsis glauca , Cunninghamia lanceolata , Acacia confusa and Manglietia fordiana and further examined the relationships between the priming and the chemical compositions of these tree residues. Our results show that tree residue inputs decreased native SOC mineralization by approximately 20–59%, and root residues induced more pronounced or comparable negative priming effects than leaf residues. Moreover, the intensities of the negative priming were greater in soils supplemented with C. glauca and C. lanceolata residues than in soils supplemented with A. confusa and M. fordiana residues. The magnitude of the negative priming effect was inversely correlated with K content in plant residues but positively correlated with lignin content, lignin/N ratio and C/N ratio. The structural equation model indicates that residue K content, lignin/N ratio, as well as plant-derived microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were the key derivers of the priming, with these drivers together explaining approximately 82% of the variations in the cumulative priming effects. Overall, our study suggests that tree root residues generally induce a more negative priming than tree leaf residues, but the extent of priming varied with tree species. Chemical properties of tree residues can help to improve our understanding of the priming mechanisms that could lead to a more precise estimation of SOC dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we grafted hydrophilic γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) with the hydrophobic drug methotrexate (MTX) to develop an amphiphilic and stimuli-responsive nanoparticles (MTX-SS-PGA NPs). The average size and zeta potential for MTX-SS-PGA NPs were 100.5 nm and −20.4 mV. In vitro drug release, the MTX cumulative release of nanoparticles within 72 h, which was more robust at 10 mM GSH (90.1%) than normal physiological environment pH 7.4 (9.8%). The disulphide bond was easily cleaved by glutathione, which subsequently led to the disintegration of the nanoparticle structure and the release of MTX. In cell studies, 10 μM MTX-SS-PGA NPs was efficient taken up into the cancer cell, released MTX in a redox-responsive manner, and exhibited cytotoxicity as potent as MTX.Moreover, 10 μM MTX-SS-PGA NPs have little side effects on normal cells. Overall, this new type of glutathione-responsive anti-osteosarcoma prodrug nanoparticles is promising for efficient drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The responses of enzyme kinetics to N addition follow the optimal foraging strategy. • Soil DOM quality has positive impacts on the affinity of enzymes related to C cycling. • Bacterial community composition regulates enzyme kinetics involved in N and P cycling. Soil enzymes play important roles in soil C and nutrient cycling. However, the effects of N addition on soil enzyme kinetics and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Thus, we aimed to determine the effects of short-term N addition on the soil properties, microbial properties, maximum reaction rate (Vm , which is attained at saturating substrate concentrations), and Michaelis constant (Km , where a high Km indicates low substrate affinity) of microbial C- (β-1,4-glucosidase and cellobiohydrolase), N- (β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase and L-leucine aminopeptidase), and P-degrading (acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase) enzymes in subtropical coniferous (Pinus taiwanensis) and broadleaf (Castanopsis faberi) forests. In the broadleaf forest, N addition increased the Vm and substrate-binding affinities (decline in Km) of C- and P-degrading enzymes by triggering a P deficiency response in microorganisms (i.e., increased microbial biomass N:P ratio). These findings indicate that the soil enzyme kinetics followed the optimal foraging strategy in response to N addition. Moreover, N addition reduced the proportion of complex organic molecules in dissolved organic matter (DOM; e.g., reduced abundance of humic-like fluorophores and humification index), suggesting that N addition increased soil DOM quality and thus increased the affinities of C-degrading enzymes. N addition increased the abundance of Acidobacteria and Chloroflexi but reduced the abundance of Proteobacteria and Rhizobiales , indicating a shift in microbial community toward efficient P acquisition. N addition affected bacterial composition and thus indirectly influenced N- and P-degrading enzymes. In the coniferous forest, N addition significantly increased the Vm of C-degrading enzymes but did not change other enzyme kinetics, which could be partly attributed to the unchanged N availability and microbial properties. Collectively, our findings provide insights into the relationship between enzyme kinetics, DOM quality, and microbial properties, which are important for predicting soil nutrient cycling and parameterizing models of C cycling under N deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microorganisms play an integral role in driving phosphorus (P) transformation in forest soils; however, studies on soil P cycling and the molecular mechanisms of microbes activated in response to elevated nitrogen (N) deposition are limited. In this study, we conducted a multilevel field N enrichment experiment in a subtropical P-deficient Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys heterocycla) system to evaluate the microbial ecological traits of P transformation (e.g., organic P mineralization and inorganic P solubilization) over three consecutive years. N addition significantly decreased available and organic P levels in the soil and increased the microbial biomass C:P and N:P ratios, indicative of severe microbial P limitation. Consequently, N addition increased the absolute abundance of P starvation response regulation genes (phoU and phoR), which further induced an increase in organic P mineralization (phoN , phoD, appA), but not that of inorganic P solubilization genes (ppx and gcd). This suggests that microbes enhance P availability by organic P mineralization rather than inorganic P solubilization to ameliorate reduced P availability. Furthermore, a bacterial functional module (B_Mod#0) consisting of Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria , and Firmicutes accounted for more than 60% of the changes in the abundance of genes responsible for organic P-mineralization in the soil, suggesting that B_Mod#0 acts as a keystone phylotype in enhancing functional P-cycling potential. This study provides novel insights into microorganism-driven P cycling in P-deficient forest soils with N addition. • N addition reduced soil P availability and intensified microbial P limitation. • N addition activated microbial P starvation response and enhanced expression of P mineralization genes. • B_Mod#0 acts as a keystone phylotype in enhancing functional potential for organic P mineralization. • Organic P mineralization is more important than inorganic P desorption for microbial amelioration of P limitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Icariin (ICA), a bioactive flavonoid compound derived from Epimedium , have been demonstrated possessing anti-oxidative stress, anti-inflammation in the cardiovascular disease. But its effects on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and the underlying mechanisms remains unclear. Here we found that ICA alleviated ISO-induced H9c2 or NRCM myocytes hypertrophy, assessed by surface area and the expression of ANP, BNP and β-MHC. Furthemore, ICA reversed cardiomcytes enlargment by suppresing apoptotic injury and increasing autophagic flux. By contrast, 3-MA, an autophagy inhibitor, could abolished the antihypertrophic and pro-autophagic flux effects of ICA. Mechanistically, ICA increased the phosphorylation levels of AMPK and autophagy-related markers beclin-1, Atg5 and the LC3II/I ratio, and decreased phosphorylated mTOR. But the effects of ICA on ISO-induced cardiomyocytes hypertrophy were attenuated by selective AMPK inhibitor Compound C. In conclusion, these findings indicated that ICA attenuated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by ISO and prevented cell injury, and the specific mechanism was mediated by AMPK/mTOR pathway to enhance autophagy and reduce autophagy-related cardiomyocyte apoptosis. • We first systematically demonstrated the mechanism of ICA in isoproterenol-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophic injury by activating autophagy. • AMPK is the key target for ICA to regulate autophagy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Prokaryotic communities were more intensely affected by soil heterogeneity than eukaryotes. • The complexity and stability of microbial networks are regulated by heterogeneous soils. • Soil heterogeneity had the same effect on the symbiosis pattern of microbial functions and taxa. • There are obvious differences in multiple prokaryotic functions but not eukaryotes. Although microbes are crucial in ecological cycling in forest soil, the response of the network structure and ecological functions of these microorganisms to soil heterogeneity remains elusive. Here, we analyzed the composition and co-occurrence network patterns of microorganisms in heterogeneous soil areas and evaluated their potential ecological functions, taking the scenic area (SA) and nature reserve (NR) of Wuyishan National Park as examples. Our results showed that the soil properties of SA and NR could almost be clustered separately, and soil heterogeneity between them has been found. Prokaryotic communities in both areas were also divided and showed higher similarities individually than those of eukaryotes. The prokaryotic community composition in both areas was mainly affected by pH and ammonia, while the eukaryotic community composition was mainly affected by total carbon and the carbon to nitrogen ratio. Both the microbial network and ecological function network in SA were more complex than those of NR, while those of NR were more stable than those of SA. The keystone taxa of pro- and eukaryotes with important ecological functions were enriched in SA and NR, respectively. Moreover, significant discrepancies between SA and NR were found in the prokaryotic functions related to nitrogen cycling, sulfur cycling, and compound degradation. Our study illuminated that the soil heterogeneity in subtropical areas changed microbial community diversity, interaction patterns, and keystone taxa composition, and might further affect their ecological functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preeclampsia is characterized by systemic maternal endothelial dysfunction that precedes the onset of clinical symptoms. Antiangiogenic factors are associated with preeclampsia. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the levels of three antiangiogenic factors in preeclamptic pregnancies with/without fetal growth restriction (FGR), and to compare their level in early onset or late onset preeclampsia. Antiangiogenic factors, soluble endoglin (sEndoglin), sFlt-1, and placental growth factor (PIGF) were analyzed in healthy and preeclamptic women (including seven with FGR) at three different time points. sEndoglin or sFlt-1 but not PIGF levels were significantly higher in women with preeclampsia at admission. The level of sEndoglin was significantly higher in early onset, and higher in preeclamptic pregnancies with FGR compared to those without FGR. The level of sEndoglin was correlated with mean arterial pressure or 24-h urine protein in preeclampsia. Our data potentially suggest that Endoglin level correlates with the clinical symptoms of preeclampsia and preeclamptic pregnancies with FGR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid dc circuit breaker (HCB) is an effective device for interrupting dc fault currents in dc grids. Conventional two-port HCB requires too many insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) in series in its main breaker, resulting in considerable costs. Recently proposed multiport hybrid dc circuit breakers (multiport HCBs, and the number of ports is greater than or equal to 2) interrupt fault currents on multiple lines using only one shared main breaker, significantly reducing the implementation costs but losing some fault handling capabilities. To overcome these obstacles, we propose a novel high-performance economical multiport hybrid dc circuit breaker (MP-HCB) in this article. The topology and its control method are proposed. Due to the designed ring-connection structure, the proposed MP-HCB can avoid dc bus fault, and thus is more reliable. The electrical stresses of the breaker are theoretically analyzed, and the parameters are determined to make the MP-HCB capable of multiple-line faults. Compared with the typical two-port HCB and the existing multiport HCBs, the proposed MP-HCB can achieve full fault current interruption capability with lower costs. To protect a dc node connecting with three lines, the cost of the semiconductors of the proposed MP-HCB is only 1/3 of the typical two-port HCB and 1/2 of the existing multiport HCB. Finally, the performances of the proposed MP-HCB are verified via a four-terminal HVdc system in power systems computer aided design/ electromagnetic transients including DC (PSCAD/EMTDC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• SOC mineralization increased with experimental warming but decreased with increasing elevation. • Short-term temperature sensitivity of SOC mineralization was higher at lower than higher elevations. • Substrate availability and soil microbes are key to the response of temperature sensitivity to experimental warming. Subtropical forest soil exerts a large, but uncertain effect on terrestrial carbon (C) cycling. Global warming is anticipated to alter subtropical soil C cycling but currently, there is no consensus on how warming will affect soil C at different elevations. We conducted a short-term laboratory soil warming incubation experiment (ambient temperature +4 °C) along an elevational gradient in Wuyi Mountains of southeastern China to examine the response of soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization to rising temperatures. Soil samples were collected from three elevations (630 m, 1450 m and 2130 m), and microbial community composition was determined using phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs). The SOC mineralization increased with rising mean annual temperature (i.e., with decreasing elevation) and with experimental warming. Unlike most other similar experimental studies, we found that the temperature sensitivity (Q 10) of SOC mineralization to short-term experimental warming significantly decreased with increasing elevation. We also found that temperature sensitivity of SOC mineralization in response to warming depends on substrate availability, as indicated by the significant relationship between dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and Q 10 values. In addition, soil microbial biomass increased significantly with increasing elevations, but was not significantly affected by short-term experimental warming. Experimental warming reduced the abundance of total PLFAs, bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes in the low-elevation soil. Experimental warming significantly changed soil microbial community composition at low elevation, with increases in the ratios of cyclopropyl to monoenoic precursor fatty acids (cy:pre), saturated to monounsaturated fatty acids (sat:mono), and isomers to trans-isomers fatty acids (i:a), all of which are stress indicators, indicating that warming treatment increased microbial respiration rather than microbial growth, because the microbial respiration per biomass increases under environmental stress. Microorganisms likely altered their membrane fatty acid components and mass in response to changes in available C. The differences in Q 10 associated with short-term warming and among elevations with long-term temperature differences indicate that the effect of warming on SOC mineralization may change through time and this should be taken into account when predicting SOC mineralization in response to continual rising temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Icariin (ICA), a major active ingredient from Chinese medicine, has unique pharmacological effects on ischaemic heart disease. However, its hydrophobic property limits its administration and leads to poor efficacy. This work aimed to change its hydrophobic property and improve the treatment efficacy. We designed a new nano-drug to increase the ICA delivery. ICA was modified with hydrophilic polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether (mPEG) by a succinic anhydride linker to form a polyethylene glycol-icariin (mPEG-ICA) polymer. The structure of this polymer was identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The content of ICA in the polymer was 32% as detected by ultraviolet spectrophotometry. mPEG-ICA nanoparticles, of 143.3 nm, were prepared by the dialysis method, and zeta potential was 0.439 mV by dynamic light scattering. The nanoparticles had a spherical shape on transmission electron microscopy. In media with pH 7.4 and 6.8, ICA release from mPEG-ICA nanoparticles after 72 h was about 0.78% and 64.05%, respectively, so the ICA release depended on the release media pH. On MTT and lactate dehydrogenase activity assay, mPEG-ICA nanoparticles could reduce cell damage induced by oxgen-glucose deprivation. Hoechst 33258 staining and TUNEL and AnnexinV-FITC/PI double staining showed that ICA nanoparticles could increase the activity of H9c2 cardiomyocytes under oxgen-glucose deprivation conditions by decreasing apoptosis. ICA modified by hydrophilic mPEG could improve its efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To clarify nanoparticle-protein interaction and their action characteristics, the interactions between MTO-CHP NPs and human serum albumin (HSA) were studied by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), fluorescence spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and circular dichroism spectroscopy (CD). Hydrophobically modified pullulan (CHP) nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with mitoxantrone (MTO) were prepared (MTO-CHP NPs) with size 166.9 nm. The spherical shape was verified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The ITC results demonstrated an interaction between MTO-CHP NPs mainly by hydrophobic interaction force, electrostatic force, and hydrogen bonding. The mean binding constant KA was 0.832×104 M−1 and mean HSA coverage 0.939±0.302. MTO-CHP NPs could quench the fluorescence intensity of HSA, which gradually decreased to be balanced in 9 h and indicated the completion of the complexation. The size and zeta potential changes of the combined particle were dynamically detected with DLS at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 h. When the reaction was completed at 9 h, the particle size and potential remained stable, accompanied by a size change from 89.91 to about 145 nm and potential change from -15 to -3 mV, respectively. The results of CD measurement showed that the change in ellipticity of HSA at 208 nm was similar to the fluorescence spectra and DLS measurements with MTO-CHP NPs combined with HSA. At the beginning of the reaction, the proportion of α-helix was 52.3% to 43.7%, which decreased by 39.1% at compound stabilization. The release of MTO from MTO-CHP NPs at pH=5.6 was significantly accelerated, whereas that of MTO from HSA-MTO-CHP NPs was significantly reduced, and the drug release was significantly slowed down even under acidic conditions, which indicates the beneficial effect of HSA on the persistence and stability of the HSA-MTO-CHP NP compound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing temperature and nitrogen (N) deposition are two large-scale changes projected to occur over the coming decades. The effects of these changes on dissolved organic matter (DOM) are largely unknown. This study aimed to assess the effects of warming and N addition on the quantity and quality of DOM from a subtropical Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation. Between 2014 and 2016, soil solutions were collected from 0–15, 15–30, and 30–60 cm depths by using a negative pressure sampling method. The quantity and quality of DOM were measured under six different treatments. The spectra showed that the DOM of the forest soil solution mainly consisted of aromatic protein-like components, microbial degradation products, and negligible amounts of humic-like substances. Warming, N addition, and warming + N addition significantly inhibited the concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the surface (0–15 cm) soil solution. Our results suggested that warming reduced the amount of DOM originating from microbes. The decrease in protein and carboxylic acid contents was mostly attributed to the reduction of DOC following N addition. The warming + N addition treatment showed an interactive effect rather than an additive effect. Thus, short-term warming and warming + N addition decreased the quantity of DOM and facilitated the migration of nutrients to deeper soils. Further, N addition increased the complexity of the DOM structure. Hence, the loss of soil nutrients and the rational application of N need to be considered in order to prevent the accumulation of N compounds in soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Soil respiration and its components were higher in the C. carlesii forest. • Effects of root exclusion on soil respiration were more than litterfall exclusion in C. lanceolata forest. • Microbial community composition in C. carlesii forest was altered by litter exclusion. • Root exclusion altered the microbial community composition in C. lanceolata soil. Soil respiration (R S) is the largest terrestrial carbon (C) flux to the atmosphere, and it can be influenced by changing input of plant C from above- and/or below ground. Especially in tropical and sub-tropical ecosystems, the contributions of litter respiration (R L), autotrophic respiration (R A) and mineral soil respiration (R M) are still poorly understood. In the present study, R S was measured under untreated control (CT), root exclusion (NR), litterfall exclusion (NL), and combined litterfall and root exclusion (NRNL) in a subtropical Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation and a secondary Castanopsis carlesii forest for three years. In addition, litter input, litter and soil chemistry, and microbial biomass and community structure (PLFAs) were assessed. R S was significantly higher in the C. carlesii forest than in the coniferous C. lanceolata forest. R L and R A were significantly higher in the C. carlesii forest than in the C. lanceolata forest, while there was no significant difference in R M. R M , R A , and R L contributed 55%, 29%, and 16% to R S under C. lanceolata , and 39%, 32%, and 29% under C. carlesii , respectively. Above ground litter input and microbial biomass were lower in the coniferous C. lanceolata forest. Soil microbial biomass was significantly lower in NL, NR and NRNL in both forests. NL had most pronounced effects on the microbial community composition in the C. carlesii soil, whereas NR and NRNL affected the community composition in C. lanceolata soil. Overall, the unexpectedly small and only insignificant additive effects of litter exclusion and root exclusion in the combined treatment (NRNL) suggest that yet unresolved interactions had accelerated the decomposition of mineral soil organic matter and R M under this lowest plant C-input scenario. Hence, in the case that above and below ground plant C inputs change simultaneously, effects on R S and its components might be more complex than suggested by single-C-source manipulation studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pristimerin, a triterpenoid, has exhibited potential anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities. Nevertheless, the role and mechanism of pristimerin in intestinal inflammation and colon cancer require further investigation. Here, we found that pristimerin protected mice from dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis, restoring epithelial damage and reducing tissue inflammation and inflammatory cell infiltration. In addition, pristimerin dramatically reduced the number and size of the tumors in a azoxymethane (AOM)/DSS-induced colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) model. Furthermore, we found that pristimerin suppressed Wnt/β-catenin signaling by RNA-Seq. Pristimerin inhibited Wnt/β-catenin signaling via activation of GSK3β, thereby suppressing Wnt target gene expression in colon cancer HCT116 and HT-29 cells. In HCT116 colon cancer xenografts and APC min/+ mice, which undergo spontaneous intestinal tumorigenesis, administration of pristimerin reduced the tumor progression and decreased the expression of phosphorylated GSK3β Ser 9, β-catenin, cyclin D1 and c-Myc. These results suggest that pristimerin is a potent agent for preventing colon inflammation and carcinogenesis. • Pristimerin ameliorates DSS-induced colitis in mice. • Pristimerin inhibits colitis-associated colorectal cancer. • Pristimerin disrupts the progression of spontaneous intestinal tumorigenesis. • Pristimerin suppresses Wnt/β-catenin via activation of GSK3β. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]