Positive Effects of Land Use Change on Wintering Bar-Headed Geese between 2010 and 2021.

Human-induced land use change often drives species losses, yet some species can derive benefits from particular land use changes. Thus, case studies of how specific land use changes affect population size for species of interest are essential to their conservation. In this study, wintering bar-headed geese in Caohai, in Guizhou Province in China, were fitted with satellite trackers to assess their use of different land types and the impact of land use changes occurring between 2010 and 2021. We found that bar-headed geese preferentially spent time in arable lands, grasslands, and open water; most foraging occurred in cropland (59.5%) and grasslands (26.4%), while resting occurred in open water (68.3%) and in grasslands (43.5%). The population of wintering bar-headed geese in Caohai increased in size from 1366 to 2803 between 2010 and 2021. A concomitant decrease in cropland area (10.7%) and increase in open water (5.52%) and grasslands (48.45%) positively affected population growth. The use of abandoned croplands reduced human disturbance of goose foraging, while larger water and grassland areas provided more foraging and resting opportunities for bar-headed geese. Our study reveals a positive impact of recent land use changes on waterbird populations and provides a case study for managing human-wildlife relationships and protecting waterbirds and other wildlife.

The role of lung macrophages in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as a common, preventable and treatable chronic respiratory disease in clinic, gets continuous deterioration and we can't take effective intervention at present. Lung macrophages (LMs) are closely related to the occurrence and development of COPD, but the specific mechanism is not completely clear. In this review we will focus on the role of LMs and potential avenues for therapeutic targeting for LMs in COPD.

Sestrin2 is involved in asthma: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a chronic disease that seriously harms the health of patients. Oxidative stress is involved in asthma. As an oxidative stress-inducible protein, sestrin2 is elevated in oxidative stress-related diseases. We aimed to explore whether sestrin2 was involved in asthma. METHODS: Seventy-six subjects (44 in the asthma group, 32 in the control group) were recruited in this study. Plasma sestrin2 levels, peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) % predicted, forced vital capacity (FVC) % predicted and FEV1/FVC ratio were measured in controls and in asthmatics both during an exacerbation and when controlled after the exacerbation. RESULTS: The asthma group had a significant higher sestrin2 level than the control group (asthmatics during exacerbation, 1.75 ± 0.53 ng/mL vs. 1.32 ± 0.48 ng/mL, p < 0.001; asthmatics when controlled after the exacerbation, 1.56 ± 0.46 ng/mL vs. 1.32 ± 0.48 ng/mL, p = 0.021, respectively). In addition, sestrin2 was negatively correlated with FEV1% predicted and FEV1/FVC ratio in asthmatics during exacerbation (r = - 0.393, p = 0.008; r = - 0.379, p = 0.011; respectively). Moreover, negative correlations between sestrin2 and FEV1% predicted and FEV1/FVC ratio also existed in asthmatics when controlled after the exacerbation (r = - 0.543, p < 0.001; r = - 0.433, p = 0.003 respectively). More importantly, multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that FEV1% predicted was independently associated with sestrin2 in asthmatics both during exacerbation and when controlled after the exacerbation. CONCLUSIONS: Sestrin2 is involved in asthma. Sestrin2 levels increase in asthmatics both during exacerbation and when controlled after the exacerbation. In addition, sestrin2 is independently associated with FEV1% predicted.

Investigation of Urinary Sestrin2 in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disease seriously threatening individual health, which results in serious complications such as hypertension and stroke. These complications are associated with oxidative stress triggered by intermittent hypoxia in OSA. Sestrin2 is a crucial factor involved in oxidative stress. The goal of this study was to investigate if a relationship exists between OSA and Sestrin2. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 71 subjects, and 16 patients of them with severe OSA completed 4 weeks of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) therapy. We measured and compared the concentration of Sestrin2 in the urine of all subjects, as well as the changes between before and after nCPAP treatment. Additionally, the correlation between Sestrin2 and sleep parameters was analyzed, and the multiple linear regression analysis with stepwise selection was performed to explore the relationship between Sestrin2 and various factors. RESULTS: A total of 71 subjects were enrolled and divided into two groups: OSA group (n = 41), control group (n = 30). The level of urinary Sestrin2 in OSA patients was significantly higher than that of the control group, and increased with the severity of OSA, while it reduced after nCPAP treatment. Additionally, Sestrin2 was positively correlated with apnea/hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen desaturation index, oxygen saturation < 90% percentage of recording time spent (PRTS) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), while negatively correlated with the lowest oxygen saturation. Importantly, Sestrin2 was independently associated with AHI, oxygen saturation < 90% PRTS and HDL. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary Sestrin2 is involved in OSA, and is a paramount marker of OSA severity.

Sperm movement during double fertilization of a flowering plant, Phaius tankervilliae.

Fertilization in flowering plants involves the fusion of one sperm with the egg cell and a second sperm with the central cell. In the Nun orchid, Phaius tankervilliae (Aiton) Bl., the pollen tube deposits two sperms in the "cytoplasmic mass" of the degenerating synergid. Initially both sperms stay close together. Soon afterwards, the two sperms undergo migration. The leading sperm migrates towards the central cell, while the other sperm moves laterally towards the egg cell. The degenerated synergid cytoplasmic content fills in the available space between the central cell and the egg cell, forming the actin coronas. Due to the high actin content, the bright fluorescence initially prevents the visualization of cellular details. With the subsequent reduction in fluorescence, actin staining reveals that the two sperms are pear-shaped with pointed tails. As the sperms approach their respective target cells, cellular extensions form near the point of sperm entry in both the egg cell and the central cell. These structures appear to aid in the cell fusion process. The morphological and structural features observed provide evidence that the process of double fertilization requires the active participation of not only the two sperms but also the egg cell and the central cell.

[Genetic mechanism and molecular basis of apomixis in plant].

Apomixis allows the establishment of genetically stable seed propagating clones of crops, which can perpetuate themselves across countless sporophytic generations. This asexual mode of reproduction, which naturally occurs in some angiosperms,may prove to be an unrivalled tool to improve crop yields. The current state of knowledge on the molecular and genetic basis of apomixis is reviewed.