[Response of Water Quality in Small Reservoirs to Landscape Composition, Landscape Configuration, and Reservoir Characteristics in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River During Dry Season].

Small reservoirs in the Yangtze River are large in quantity and widely distributed, which have important ecological and economic benefits. It is of great significance to explore the response law of small reservoir water quality to environmental variables for improving reservoir water quality. Based on the measured water quality data of 36 small reservoirs in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, combined with the measured water quality data, using correlation analysis, redundancy analysis, and other research methods, we divided the environmental variables into three categories:landscape configuration index, landscape composition index, and reservoir characteristic index, and explored their impact on the change in water quality index. The research results showed that:① farms were the main source of NO3--N, TN, and TP, and residential land was the main source of TP. Paddy, forest land, and wasteland had positive effects on the retention and purification of N and P in reservoirs. ② The LPI of farms was significantly positively correlated with the concentrations of TN and NO3--N in the reservoir, and the paddy and forest were significantly negatively correlated with the concentrations of NO3--N and TN in the reservoir. The PD of farms was positively correlated with TP. The LPI was negatively correlated with TP content. ③ The correlation between average reservoir depth and reservoir water quality was the strongest. Reservoir capacity, reservoir average depth, and reservoir LSI had significant positive effects on water quality improvement. ④ Among the environmental variables of the reservoir, landscape configuration index had the highest explanatory rate (24%), followed by that of the reservoir characteristics index (11%) and landscape composition index (9%). Watershed factors were the key factors (55%), and internal factors (19%) also had a significant influence on reservoir water quality. The research results can provide a theoretical basis for controlling water quality degradation of small reservoirs by managing and optimizing the landscape characteristics of reservoirs.

Potential Implications of the Lung Microbiota in Patients with Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Recently, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been considered as a common risk factor of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, very few studies have been conducted on the effects of COPD on the lung microbiota in patients with NSCLC. To identify the lung microbiota in patients with COPD and NSCLC (CN), the microbiome of the induced sputa of 90 patients was analyzed using 16S rDNA sequencing. The results showed no significant differences in the bacterial diversities of induced sputa among patients with COPD, NSCLC, and CN and no intrinsic differences among patients with different pathological types of lung cancer. After surgical operation, the diversities of the induced sputa in patients with CN significantly decreased. More remarkably, both the microbial community phenotypes and the components of the induced sputa in patients with CN obviously differed from those in patients with COPD or NSCLC. The relative abundances of Streptococcus, Veillonella, Moraxella, and Actinomyces significantly decreased, but those of Neisseria and Acinetobacter significantly increased in patients with CN compared with those in patients with COPD or NSCLC alone, resulting in increased Gram-negative microbiota and, therefore, in potential pathogenicity and stress tolerance, as well as in enhancement of microbial glycolipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and oxidative stress. Although COPD did not affect the number of pulmonary flora species in patients with NSCLC, these significant alterations in the microbial populations, phenotypes, and functions of induced sputa due to COPD would contribute to inflammation-derived cancer progression in patients with CN.

[Relationship between alien plant invasion and landscape matrix in the water-level fluctuating zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China.] / ä¸‰å³¡åº“åŒºæ¶ˆè½å¸¦å¤–æ¥æ¤ç‰©å ¥ä¾µä¸Žæ™¯è§‚åŸºè´¨ç»„æˆç»“æž„çš„å ³è”æ€§.

Invasive process of alien species is affected by not only the invaded habitats, but also the surrounding landscape matrix. Understanding the effects of landscape matrix on alien species is of great significance for controlling invasive alien species. We surveyed plant communities along the water-level fluctuating zone (WLFZ) of the Three Gorges Reservoir. Invasive status of alien plant species was evaluated. Totally 10 spatial scales of the surrounding landscape matrix in the scope of 2000 m (including WLFZ) were classified, and 14 landscape indices were applied to analyze the landscape matrix composition and configuration. Using the principal component analysis and correlation analysis, the effects of landscape matrix on the alien invasive plant species and associated scale effect were tested. Results showed that a total of 42 alien invasive plant species were found in the WLFZ, belonging to 17 families and 36 genera. Fuling was a dividing place to differentiate invasive species distribution. The number of the alien invasive species between Fuling and the Three Gorges Dam was found more than that between Fuling and Jiangjin. For the all scales (within 2000 m). The higher the landscape matrix fragmentation was, the more difficult the alien species invading. The higher landscape connectivity was, the easier the alien species invading. The effects of landscape matrix composition and configuration on the invasive plant diversity at large scales (1200-2000 m) was more significant than those at small scales (200-1000 m), in which landscape matrix composition and configuration at 1200-1400 m showed the strongest effect, demonstrating a significant spatial scale effect. Different invasive plant species showed the scale effects of landscape matrix composition and configuration. At all scales, Xanthium strumarium and Bidens frondosa showed weak correlations with landscape indices, but Bidens tripartita and Erigeron canadensis showed strong correlations. Landscape matrix was closely related to invasive plant species, and demonstrated a significant scale effect. The alien invasive plant species could be traced to the landscape matrix at large scales. Grassland and forest patches at the small scales could be used as the 'stepping stone' for the alien species transiting before they arrived at the WLFZ. In order to control alien plants in the WLFZ, land-use management and optimization should be strengthened at different scales of landscape matrix on the basis of enhancement of habitat management. A diversified comprehensive control for alien species should thus be taken into account.

Anti-proliferation and apoptosis-inducing effects of sodium aescinate on retinoblastoma Y79 cells.

AIM: To investigate the anti-proliferation and apoptosis-inducing effects of sodium aescinate (SA) on retinoblastoma Y79 cells and its mechanism. METHODS: Y79 cells were cultured at different drug concentrations for different periods of time (24, 48, and 72h). The inhibitory effect of SA on proliferation of Y79 cells was detected by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and the morphology of Y79 cells in each group was observed under an inverted microscope. An IC50 of 48h was selected for subsequent experiments. After pretreatment with SA for 24 and 48h, cellular DNA distribution and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. Real-time qunatitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot were used to assess changes in related genes (CDK1, CyclinB1, Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-9, caspase-8, and caspase-3). RESULTS: SA inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of Y79 cells in a time-dependent and concentration-dependent manner. Following its intervention in the cell cycle pathway, SA can inhibit the expression of CDK1 and CyclinB1 at the mRNA and protein levels, and block cells in the G2/M phase. In caspase-related apoptotic pathways, up-regulation of Bax and down-regulation of Bcl-2 caused caspase-9 to self-cleave and further activate caspase-3. What's more, the caspase-8-mediated extrinsic apoptosis pathway was activated, and the activated caspase-8 was released into the cytoplasm to activate caspase-3, which as a member of the downstream apoptotic effect group, initiates a caspase-cascade reaction that induces cell apoptosis. CONCLUSION: SA inhibits the proliferation of Y79 cells by arresting the cell cycle at the G2/M phase, and induces apoptosis via the caspase-related apoptosis pathway, indicating that SA may have promising potential as a chemotherapeutic drug.

Tracing controlling factors of riverine chemistry in a headwater tributary of the Yangtze River, China, inferred from geochemical and stable isotopic signatures.

The Jialing River is the second largest headwater tributary of the Yangtze River in China, therefore, the river water has been contaminated and water quality is deteriorated. Hence, this study aims to find the main controling factors of riverine chemistry. 52 water samples were collected for the determination of major ions and environmental isotopes of δ18O and δ2H. Stoichiometry of geochemical data with mixing end members and multivariate statistical analysis were employed with integrated GIS approach for data interpretations. The δ18O and δ2H of the Jialing River Basin (JRB) were used to define the origin of river water from meteoric water and water in the spring season is affected by high evaporation and evaporates dissolution. The average TDS 301 mg/L that is higher than the Yangtze River. In the JRB, 80% of the anion in water samples represented HCO3- (207 mg/L) and SO42- (80 mg/L) while 80% of the cations were accounted by Ca2+ (59.8 mg/L) and Mg2+ (17.9 mg/L). The water chemistry mainly derived from the water rock interaction. Piper plot indicated that Ca-Mg-HCO3- was the most dominant water type and most ions derived from carbonate weathering by H2SO4 and H2CO3. The stoichiometry results further confirmed carbonate weathering is dominant than silicate weathering. Evaporate ions were modified by anthropogenic sources. Agricultural inputs are higher than the industry and atmospheric inputs. Redundancy analysis showed that most contributive land-use type in explaining riverine chemistry was the cultivate land (62.6, 66.4, and 67.9%) at all buffer scales of 30, 20, and 10 km, respectively. Forest and grasslands mostly correlate with Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, SO42-, EC, pH, and HCO3- while anthropogenic land-use types such as cultivated and construction lands correlate with Na+, K+, Cl-, and NO3-. These results revealed that the lithology of the basin mainly controlled the upstream water chemistry while downstream riverine chemistry was controlled by both lithology and anthropogenic inputs. Nevertheless, this study suggested that explicitly determining the controlling factors of riverine chemistry involves a complex process and combination of different chemical constituents and factors on river water. However, this study managed to provide useful information to further understanding of the geochemical process in JRB.

Different Recovery Processes of Soil Ammonia Oxidizers from Flooding Disturbance.

Understanding how microorganisms respond to environmental disturbance is one of the key focuses in microbial ecology. Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and archaea (AOA) are responsible for ammonia oxidation which is a crucial step in the nitrogen cycle. Although the physiology, distribution, and activity of AOA and AOB in soil have been extensively investigated, their recovery from a natural disturbance remains largely unknown. To assess the recovery capacities, including resistance and resilience, of AOA and AOB, soil samples were taken from a reservoir riparian zone which experienced periodically water flooding. The samples were classified into three groups (flooding, recovery, and control) for a high-throughput sequencing and quantitative PCR analysis. We used a relative quantitative index of both the resistance (RS) and resilience (RL) to assess the variation of gene abundance, alpha-diversity, and community composition. The AOA generally demonstrated a better recovery capability after the flooding disturbance compared to AOB. In particular, AOA were more resilient after the flooding disturbance. Taxa within the AOA and AOB showed different RS and RL values, with the most abundant taxa showing in general the highest RS indices. Soil NH4+ and Fe2+/Fe3+ were the main variables controlling the key taxa of AOA and AOB and probably influenced the resistance and resilience properties of AOA and AOB communities. The distinct mechanisms of AOA and AOB in maintaining community stability against the flooding disturbance might be linked to the different life-history strategies: the AOA community was more likely to represent r-strategists in contrast to the AOB community following a K-life strategy. Our results indicated that the AOA may play a vital role in ammonia oxidation in a fluctuating habitat and contribute to the stability of riparian ecosystem.

Preparation and characterisation of the oligosaccharides derived from Chinese water chestnut polysaccharides.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a strong oxidant that cleaves glycosidic bonds in polysaccharides. In this study, the oligosaccharides were prepared by removing the starch from Chinese water chestnuts through hydrolysis using α-amylase and then hydrolysing the remaining polysaccharides with H2O2, during which the oligosaccharide yield was monitored. The yield of oligosaccharide was affected by reaction time, temperature, and H2O2 concentration. Extended reaction times, high temperatures, and high H2O2 concentrations decreased oligosaccharide yield. Under optimum conditions (i.e., reaction time of 4h, reaction temperature of 80°C, and 2.5% H2O2 concentration), the maximum oligosaccharide yield was 3.91%. The oligosaccharides derived from Chinese water chestnuts polysaccharides exhibited strong hydroxyl and 2,2-diphenyl-ß-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity when applied at a concentration of 100 µg/mL. The results indicate that the oligosaccharides derived from Chinese water chestnuts polysaccharides possessed good antioxidant properties and can be developed as a new dietary supplement and functional food.

Effect of peach gum polysaccharides on quality changes of white shrimp.

Peach gum polysaccharides (PGPs) have both antibacterial and antioxidant activities. In this study, the retardation effect of the PGPs on the quality changes of white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) during refrigerated storage was investigated. Shrimp samples were untreated with different concentrations of the PGPs solution and then they were stored under refrigerated conditions for 10 days. During refrigerated storage, shrimp samples were taken periodically and their total viable count, pH value, total volatile basic nitrogen, and overall acceptability score were evaluated. Compared to the control, treatment of the PGPs solution effectively retarded bacterial growth and pH changes, reduced total volatile basic nitrogen, and increased overall acceptability score of white shrimp (P. vannamei) during refrigerated storage. The results indicate that treatment of PGPs could be a promising means to preserve white shrimp (P. vannamei).

Preparation and gel properties of low molecular weight curdlan by hydrolysis of curdlan with commercial α-amylase.

Low molecular weight curdlan (LMWC) was prepared by hydrolysis of curdlan with commercial α-amylase. The hydrolysis reaction was conducted using 31.94 mg α-amylase per 500 mL reaction mixture, which contained 5 g curdlan. The hydrolysis was performed at pH 5.98 and 55.92 °C for 10 min. The molecular weight and structure of LMWC were characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. Generally, LMWC showed lower gel strength than high molecular weight curdlan (HMWC). Unlike HMWC, LMWC could form into a gel at 50 °C. By contrast, HMWC could form into a gel at pH 11, but LMWC gel failed to form at this pH level. The strength of LMWC and HMWC gels increased with increasing temperature and decreased with increasing pH level.

Preparation of maltotriose from fermentation broth by hydrolysis of pullulan using pullulanase.

In this study, we prepared maltotriose from the fermentation broth of Auerobasidium Pullulans CJ001 isolated from the sea mud by hydrolysis of pullulan with pullulanase. The fermentation broth was centrifuged to remove the microorganisms and then hydrolysed by pullulanase. The optimal hydrolysis conditions were obtained as follows: time, 9.40 h; pH, 4.92; temperature, 47.88°C; pullulanase, 10ASPU/g. Under these optimum hydrolysis conditions, the maximum dextrose equivalent value reached 31.86. The hydrolysates were filtrated through a filter membrane to separate any particle with molecular weight higher than 1,000 Da, concentrated to ∼20%, and precipitated with 8 volumes of absolute ethanol. The precipitate was dried at 80°C for 2h to yield the maltotriose product. The maltotriose content in the product and the yield of maltotriose were 92.13% and 90.23%, respectively. The results indicate that this was a promising way of maltotriose production.

Preparation and antioxidant activity of the oligosaccharides derived from Laminaria japonica.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) can degrade polysaccharides and has bleaching effect. In this study, the oligosaccharides derived from Laminaria japonica were prepared by hydrolysis with H2O2 and their antioxidant activity was investigated. The optimal hydrolysis conditions were determined as follows: reaction time 24h, reaction temperature 75°C, and H2O2 concentration 4%. Under the optimum conditions, the maximum yield of the oligosaccharides reached 17.65%, which was higher than that of aqueous extraction, and at the same time, the maximal decoloration rate reached 79.85%. The oligosaccharides sample contained 94.82% sugar, of which the average degree was approximately 8, and showed light green. The oligosaccharides derived from L. japonica showed high hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (91.31%) at the concentration of 100 µg/mL.

Chitooligosaccharides suppress the freeze-denaturation of actomyosin in Aristichthys nobilis surimi protein.

Effect of chitooligosaccharides on the denaturation of bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) surimi protein during frozen storage at -18 °C was investigated. The addition of 4 g of chitooligosaccharides to 100 g of the bighead carp (A. nobilis) surimi effectively inhibited the inactivation of the Ca(2+)-ATPase during frozen storage at -18 °C for 15 days compared to the control group (p<0.05), while excessive chitooligosaccharides decreased the inhibition effect. The Ca(2+)-ATPase activity of actomyosin for the treatment group decreased gradually during frozen storage at -18 °C, while that of the control dropped drastically and could not be detected after 30 days of storage. On the other hand, the addition of chitooligosaccharides also significantly increased the solubility of actomyosin compared to the control group (p<0.05) during frozen storage at -18 °C up to 120 days.

Preparation of polysaccharides from cyanobacteria Nostoc commune and their antioxidant activities.

In this study, water soluble polysaccharides were prepared from cyanobacteria Nostoc commune by water extraction. Factors affecting the polysaccharide yields were investigated, and the optimum extraction conditions were determined as follows: time, 4h; temperature, 90 °C; the ratio of liquid to solid, 60:1 (v/w); and extraction times, 4. The extract was filtered, concentrated to ∼10% (w/v), precipitated with 3 volumes of ethanol, freeze-dried, and ground to yield a water soluble power. The polysaccharide content of the product was 96.7%, and the yield was 9.18% (w/w). Fourier transform infrared spectra demonstrated that the product samples were mainly composed of polysaccharides. The polysaccharides showed high hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (92.71%) and reducing capacity (0.445) at the concentration of 10 mg/mL.

Preparation of chitooligosaccharides from cicada slough and their antibacterial activity.

In this study, chitooligosaccharides were prepared from cicada slough of Cryptotympana atrata Fabricius by hydrolysis using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Factors affecting the hydrolysis of chitosan were investigated and the optimum hydrolysis conditions were as follows: time, 4 h; temperature, 65 °C; amount of H2O2, 2% (v/v); and pH, 5. Under these conditions, the average degree of polymerisation decreased to ~4.5. The Fourier transform infrared spectra and product sugar composition indicate that there were no significant chemical changes in the backbones of the chitosan treated with H2O2.The chitooligosaccharides had high antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli at the concentration of 100mg/mL.

Antioxidant activity and antibacterial activity of peach gum derived oligosaccharides.

In this study, peach gum derived oligosaccharides (PGDO) were prepared from peach gum polysaccharides by hydrolysis using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) under following conditions: time, 8h; temperature, 55 °C; H2O2 concentration, 4% (v/v); and NaOH concentration, 2.0 M. The antioxidant activity and antibacterial activity of PGDO were estimated. There were no significant chemical changes in the backbones of the peach gum polysaccharides treated with H2O2. The PGDO showed high hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (86.12%) and 2, 2-diphenyl-ß-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (91.70%) at the concentration of 100 µg/mL as well as high reducing capacity at the concentration of 50 µg/mL. In addition the PGDO had high antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli at the concentration of 100 µg/mL.

Preparation of peach gum polysaccharides using hydrogen peroxide.

Most polysaccharides cannot dissolve in water but can be hydrolysed using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to yield a water-soluble product. This study presents a method of preparing water-soluble polysaccharides from peach gum by hydrolysis using H2O2. Extraction was monitored by the recovery rate. Factors affecting the hydrolysis of peach gum were investigated, and the optimum hydrolysis conditions were determined as follows: time, 8 h; temperature, 55°C; H2O2 concentration, 4% (v/v); and NaOH concentration, 2.0 M. The hydrolysates were filtered, neutralised with HCl, concentrated to ∼20% (w/v), precipitated with 5 volumes of ethanol, freeze-dried, and ground to yield a water soluble and white powder. The polysaccharide content of the product was 97.8%, and the yield was 83.6% (w/w).

Preparation of xanthan-derived oligosaccharides and their hydroxyl radical scavenging activity.

In this study, the xanthan-derived oligosacchrides were prepared by hydrolysis of xanthan using hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) in alkaline solution. The hydrolysis process was monitored by the dextrose equivalent values of the hydrolysates. The optimal hydrolysis conditions were found to be reaction time 24 h, temperature 65 °C, H(2)O(2) concentration 1.6% (v/v), and NaOH concentration, 3 M. Under these optimized conditions, the maximum dextrose equivalent value (7.53%) was observed. The structure of the hydrolysates were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The xanthan-derived oligosacchrides showed high hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. The xanthan-derived oligosacchrides content of the product and the yield were 96.8% and 95.7% (w/w), respectively.

FBW7 upregulation enhances cisplatin cytotoxicity in non- small cell lung cancer cells.

INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer is extremely harmful to human health and has one of the highest worldwide incidences of all malignant tumors. Approximately 80% of lung cancers are classified as non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). Cisplatin-based multidrug chemotherapy regimen is standard for such lesions, but drug resistance is an increasing problem. F-box/WD repeat-containing protein 7 (FBW7) is a member of the F-box protein family that regulates cell cycle progression, and cell growth and differentiation. FBW7 also functions as a tumor suppressor. METHODS: We used cell viability assays, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence combined with siRNA interference or plasmid transfection to investigate the underlying mechanism of cisplatin resistance in NSCLC cells. RESULTS: We found that FBW7 upregulation significantly increased cisplatin chemosensitivity and that cells expressing low levels of FBW7, such as NCI-H1299 cells, have a mesenchymal phenotype. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated silencing or plasmid-mediated upregulation of FBW7 resulted in altered epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) patterns in NSCLC cells. These data support a role for FBW7 in regulating the EMT in NSCLC cells. CONCLUSION: FBW7 is a potential drug target for combating drug resistance and regulating the EMT in NSCLC cells.

Degradation of κ-carrageenan by hydrolysis with commercial α-amylase.

κ-Carrageenan was degraded by hydrolysis using commercial α-amylase (4000 U/mg). The hydrolysis process was monitored by the intrinsic viscosity [η] of the hydrolysates. Factors affecting the enzymatic hydrolysis of carrageenan were investigated, and the optimum hydrolysis conditions were as follows: duration, 4 h; pH, 7.5; temperature, 50°C; and amount of commercial α-amylase, 40 mg of the mixture containing 5 g κ-Carrageenan. Under the optimized conditions, minimum intrinsic viscosity (12.31) was obtained. The dextrose-equivalent value of the resulting products was 20.41, indicating that the average degree of polymerization was approximately equal to 5.0. The hydrolysates were filtered, concentrated to ∼15% (w/v), and precipitated with 6 volumes of ethanol; the precipitates were then freeze-dried to yield a white, water-soluble powder. The carrageenan-derived oligosaccharide content of the product and the yield were 96.5% and 92.6% (w/w), respectively.

Preparation of glucosamine by hydrolysis of chitosan with commercial α-amylase and glucoamylase.

OBJECTIVE: In order to overcome the defects of chemical hydrolysis approach to prepare glucosamine, an enzymatic hydrolysis method was developed. METHODS: Glucosamine was prepared by hydrolyzing chitosan, employing α-amylase initially, and subsequently, glucoamylase. RESULTS: The optimal hydrolyzing conditions were as follows: reaction time, 4 h; pH, 5.0; temperature, 50 °C; and, α-amylase, 80 U/g for the initial reaction. Subsequently, glucoamylase was added in the presence of α-amylase. The optimal reaction conditions were found to be: reaction time, 8 h; pH, 4.5; temperature, 55 °C; and, glucoamylase, 4000 U/g. The hydrolysates were subject to filtrating, concentrating to about 20% (w/w), precipitating with five volumes of ethanol, and drying at 60 °C for 2 h. The content and the yield of glucosamine in the dried precipitate were 91.3% (w/w) and 86.2% (w/w), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The method developed in this study is a promising option in the preparation of glucosamine.