Differences in ecological resilience of radial growth between Larix principis-rupprechtii and Picea meyeri after drought.

To understand the responses of radial growth to climatic factors and the differences in ecological resilience to drought between a heliophilous species Larix principis-rupprechtii and a shade species Picea meyeri in mixed forests, we developed the tree-ring width chronologies of L. principis-rupprechtii and P. meyeri in three mixed forests based on the samples collected from Toudaogou of Saihanba in Hebei, Ningwu County and Kelan County in Shanxi Province. We analyzed the correlation between climatic factors and various chronologies and examined the differences in resistance (Rc), recovery (Rt), and resilience (Rs) of L. principis-rupprechtii and P. meyeri in response to drought stress. The results showed that the radial growth of L. principis-rupprechtii and P. meyeri was negatively correlated with the mean and maximum air temperature from May to July in three mixed forests, and was positively correlated with the Palmer drought index (PDSI) from May to September. Radial growth decline in trees due to drought stress was significantly different between the two species among the three sites, indicating different physiological and ecological regulation strategies. The resistance of P. meyeri was stronger than that of L. principis-rupprechtii at the three study sites, with stronger resilience and resilient elasticity of L. principis-rupprechtii than P. meyeri. As a result, P. meyeri exhibited greater drought resistance than L. principis-rupprechtii. Under global warming condition, L. principis-rupprechtii might be at greater risk of growth decline than P. meyeri in this region.

Novel mutations of the Alström syndrome 1 gene in an infant with dilated cardiomyopathy: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Alström syndrome (AS) is a rare autosomal recessive disease that is generally induced by mutations of the Alström syndrome 1 (ALMS1) gene. We report a case of AS, extend the spectrum of ALMS1 mutations and highlight the biological role of ALMS1 to explore the relationship between dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and mutations in ALMS1. CASE SUMMARY: We present the case of an infant with AS mainly manifesting with DCM that was caused by a novel mutation of the ALMS1 gene. Whole-exome sequencing revealed a simultaneous large deletion and point mutation in ALMS1, leading to frameshift and missense mutations, respectively, rather than nonsense or frameshift mutations, which have been reported previously. Upon optimized anti-remodeling therapy, biohumoral exams and arrhythmic burden of the infant were alleviated at follow-up after 6 mo. CONCLUSION: We identified novel mutations of ALMS1 and extended the spectrum of ALMS1 mutations in an infant with AS.