[Mechanism of intestinal injury induced by acute diquat poisoning in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of diquat (DQ) on the expression of intestinal pyroptosis-related proteins and tight junction proteins in rats,and to analyze the role of pyroptosis in the intestinal injury of rats with acute DQ poisoning. METHODS: A total of 36 Wistar male rats were randomly divided into control group, and 3 hours, 12 hours, 36 hours and 3 days exposure groups, with 6 rats in each group. Each exposure group was given 1/2 median lethal dose (LD50) of 115.5 mg/kg DQ by one-time gavage. The control group was given the same amount of normal saline by gavage. The control group was anesthetized at 3 hours after DQ gavage to take jejunal tissues; each exposure group was anesthetized at 3 hours, 12 hours, 36 hours, and 3 days after DQ gavage to take jejunal tissues, respectively. The general conditions of the rats were recorded. The pathological changes of jejunum tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The expression of intestinal pyroptosis-related proteins [NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), cysteine aspartate-specific protease 1 (caspase-1), Gasdemin D (GSDMD)] in the intestinal tissues was observed by immunohistochemical staining. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of intestinal pyroptosis-related proteins and intestinal tight junction proteins (Occludin and Claudin-1). RESULTS: Light microscopy showed that pathological changes occurred in jejunum tissue at the early stage of exposure (3 hours), and the injury was the most serious in the 12 hours exposure group, with a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrating in the tissue, and the damage was significantly reduced after 3 days exposure. Immunohistochemical results showed that NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD were expressed in the jejunal mucosa of the control group and the exposure groups, and the positive cells in the control group were less expressed with light staining. The expression of the above proteins in the exposed group was increased significantly and the staining was deep. Western blotting results showed that compared with the control group, the expression of NLRP3 protein in jejunum tissues of all groups was increased, with the most significant increase in the 36 hours group (NLRP3/ß-actin: 1.47±0.06 vs. 0.43±0.14, P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the expression of GSDMD protein in the 3 hours, 12 hours and 36 hours exposure groups increased, and the expression of GSDMD protein in the 3 hours and 12 hours exposure groups increased significantly (GSDMD/ß-actin: 1.04±0.40, 1.25±0.15 vs. 0.65±0.25, both P < 0.05). The expression of caspase-1 protein was increased in 36 hours exposure group compared with the control group (caspase-1/ß-actin: 1.44±0.34 vs. 0.98±0.19, P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression of Occludin and Claudin-1 proteins in each exposure group decreased, and the expression of Occludin proteins was significantly decreased in the 3 hours, 12 hours, and 36 hours exposure groups decreased significantly (Occludin/ß-actin: 0.74±0.17, 0.91±0.20, 0.79±0.23 vs. 1.41±0.08, all P < 0.05). Although the protein expression of Claudin-1 decreased in each exposure group, the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The intestinal injury caused by acute DQ poisoning may be related to the activation of pyroptosis pathway of small intestinal cells and the reduction of the density of intercellular junctions.

Simonia gen. nov., a new spider genus (Araneae, Theridiosomatidae) from Southeast Asia.

A new theridiosomatid genus, Simonia Yu & Lin, gen. nov., is described, with Baalzebubyouyiensis Zhao & Li, 2012 (♂♀, China, Vietnam and Laos) as the type species. Three species are included in Simoniagen. nov., i.e., S.youyiensis (Zhao & Li, 2012) comb. nov. ex. Baalzebub, S.steineri Yu & Lin, sp. nov. (♀, Huapan, Laos), and S.sumatra Yu & Lin, sp. nov. (♀, Sumatra, Indonesia). A key to theridiosomatid genera endemic to the Oriental Realm and a key to species of the new genus are provided, as well as diagnoses, descriptions and a distribution map for the species of Simoniagen. nov.

A review of the spider genus Sinoalaria (Araneae, Theridiosomatidae), with the descriptions of four new species and two new combinations.

The spider genus Sinoalaria Zhao & Li, 2014 is redefined and reviewed. A total of ten species are studied, including four new species: S.chi Yu & Lin, sp. nov. (♂♀), S.shenhei Yu & Lin, sp. nov. (♀), S.shuidi Yu & Lin, sp. nov. (♀), S.xiaotu Yu & Lin, sp. nov. (♂♀). Two new combinations are proposed: Sinoalarianitida (Zhao & Li, 2012), comb. nov. and S.prolata (Zhao & Li, 2012), comb. nov., both transferred from Karstia Chen, 2010. The material of six known species were re-examined and photographed, including the type species, S.chengguanensis (Zhao & Li, 2012). A key is provided for all species of the genus, as well as diagnoses, illustrations, and a distribution map.

A survey of Tmarus Simon, 1875 (Araneae, Thomisidae) from Fanjing Mountain Nature Reserve, Guizhou, China.

Background: Tmarus Simon, 1875 is a relatively large spider genus, currently includes 227 species distributed worldwide. Fanjing Mountain Nature Reserve is one of China's most biodiverse regions. However, Tmarus can be regarded as being poorly represented in Fanjing Mountain, with only one species having been recorded so far: T.fanjing Yang & Yu, 2022. New information: Recently, various expeditions to Fanjing Mountain Nature Reserve were carried out by the authors. In this paper, two Tmarus species were brought to light by those expeditions: T.fanjing Yang & Yu, 2022 and T.circinalis Song & Chai, 1990. T.fanjing is redescribed, based on new material and the female is described and illustrated for the first time. The supplementary micrographs of T.circinalis are given for the first time. The DNA barcodes and a distribution map of both species are provided for future use.

Two new species of Sinopoda from China, with first description of the male of S.horizontalis Zhong, Cao & Liu, 2017 (Araneae, Sparassidae).

Three species of spider genus Sinopoda Jäger, 1999 are reported from southern China. Two of them are described as new to science: S.guiyang Zhang, Yu & Zhong, sp. nov. and S.xishui Zhang, Yu & Zhong, sp. nov., both from Guizhou Province. The male of S.horizontalis Zhong, Cao & Liu, 2017 is described for the first time based on new material from the type locality, Wuyishan National Nature Reserve, Fujian Province, China. Detailed descriptions, diagnoses, photographs and a distribution map of the three species are provided.

Integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics reveal metabolites difference between wild and cultivated Ophiocordyceps sinensis.

Ophiocordyceps sinensis is a traditional medicinal fungus endemic to the alpine and high-altitude areas of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau. The scarcity of the wild resource has led to increased attention to artificially cultivated O. sinensis. However, little is known about the metabolic differences and the regulatory mechanisms between cultivated and wild O. sinensis. This study exploited untargeted metabolomics and transcriptomics to uncover the differences in accumulated metabolites and expressed genes between wild and cultivated O. sinensis. Metabolomics results revealed that 368 differentially accumulated metabolites were mainly enriched in biosynthesis of amino acids, biosynthesis of plant secondary metabolites and purine nucleotide metabolism. Cultivated O. sinensis contained more amino acids and derivatives, carbohydrates and derivatives, and phenolic acids than wild O. sinensis, whereas the contents of most nucleosides and nucleotides in wild O. sinensis were significantly higher than in cultivated O. sinensis. Transcriptome analysis indicated that 4430 annotated differentially expressed genes were identified between two types. Integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses suggested that IMPDH, AK, ADSS, guaA and GUK genes might be related to the synthesis of purine nucleotides and nucleosides. Our findings will provide a new insight into the molecular basis of metabolic variations of this medicinal fungus.

[Experimental study on the toxicokinetics and gastrointestinal damage in rats poisoned with acute diquat poisoning at different exposure doses].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the toxicokinetic parameters, absorption characteristics and pathomorphological damage in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract of rats poisoned with different doses of diquat (DQ). METHODS: Ninety-six healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group (six rats) and low (115.5 mg/kg), medium (231.0 mg/kg) and high (346.5 mg/kg) dose DQ poisoning groups (thirty rats in each dose group), and then the poisoning groups were randomly divided into 5 subgroups according to the time after exposure (15 minutes and 1, 3, 12, 36 hours; six rats in each subgroup). All rats in the exposure groups were given a single dose of DQ by gavage. Rats in the control group was given the same amount of saline by gavage. The general condition of the rats was recorded. Blood was collected from the inner canthus of the eye at 3 time points in each subgroup, and rats were sacrificed after the third blood collection to obtain gastrointestinal specimens. DQ concentrations in plasma and tissues were determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (UPHLC-MS), and the toxic concentration-time curves were plotted to calculate the toxicokinetic parameters; the morphological structure of the intestine was observed under light microscopy, and the villi height and crypt depth were determined and the ratio (V/C) was calculated. RESULTS: DQ was detected in the plasma of the rats in the low, medium and high dose groups 5 minutes after exposure. The time to maximum plasma concentration (Tmax) was (0.85±0.22), (0.75±0.25) and (0.25±0.00) hours, respectively. The trend of plasma DQ concentration over time was similar in the three dose groups, but the plasma DQ concentration increased again at 36 hours in the high dose group. In terms of DQ concentration in gastrointestinal tissues, the highest concentrations of DQ were found in the stomach and small intestine from 15 minutes to 1 hour and in the colon at 3 hours. By 36 hours after poisoning, the concentrations of DQ in all parts of the stomach and intestine in the low and medium dose groups had decreased to lower levels. Gastrointestinal tissue (except jejunum) DQ concentrations in the high dose group tended to increase from 12 hours. Higher doses of DQ were still detectable [gastric, duodenal, ileal and colonic DQ concentrations of 6 400.0 (1 232.5), 4 889.0 (6 070.5), 10 300.0 (3 565.0) and 1 835.0 (202.5) mg/kg respectively]. Light microscopic observation of morphological and histopathological changes in the intestine shows that acute damage to the stomach, duodenum and jejunum of rats was observed 15 minutes after each dose of DQ, pathological lesions were observed in the ileum and colon 1 hour after exposure, the most severe gastrointestinal injury occurred at 12 hours, significant reduction in villi height, significant increase in crypt depth and lowest V/C ratio in all segments of the small intestine, damage begins to diminish by 36-hour post-intoxication. At the same time, morphological and histopathological damage to the intestine of rats at all time points increased significantly with increasing doses of the toxin. CONCLUSIONS: The absorption of DQ in the digestive tract is rapid, and all segments of the gastrointestinal tract may absorb DQ. The toxicokinetics of DQ-tainted rats at different times and doses have different characteristics. In terms of timing, gastrointestinal damage was seen at 15 minutes after DQ, and began to diminish at 36 hours. In terms of dose, Tmax was advanced with the increase of dose and the peak time was shorter. The damage to the digestive system of DQ is closely related to the dose and retention time of the poison exposure.

Coarse spatial resolution remote sensing data with AVHRR and MODIS miss the greening area compared with the Landsat data in Chinese drylands.

The warming-wetting climates in Chinese drylands, together with a series of ecological engineering projects, had caused apparent changes to vegetation therein. Regarding the vegetation greening trend, different remote sensing data had yielded distinct findings. It was critical to evaluate vegetation dynamics in Chinese drylands using a series of remote sensing data. By comparing the three most commonly used remote sensing datasets [i.e., MODIS, Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR), and Landsat], this study comprehensively investigated vegetation dynamics for Chinse drylands. All three remote sensing datasets exhibited evident vegetation greening trends from 2000 to 2020 in Chinese drylands, especially in the Loess Plateau and Northeast China. However, Landsat identified the largest greening areas (89.8%), while AVHRR identified the smallest greening area (58%). The vegetation greening areas identified by Landsat comprise more small patches than those identified by MODIS and AVHRR. The MODIS data exhibited a higher consistency with Landsat than with AVHRR in terms of detecting vegetation greening areas. The three datasets exhibited high consistency in identifying vegetation greening in Northeast China, Loess Plateau, and Xinjiang. The percentage of inconsistent areas among the three datasets was 39.56%. The vegetation greening areas identified by Landsat comprised more small patches. Sensors and the atmospheric effect are the two main reasons responsible for the different outputs from each NDVI product. Ecological engineering projects had a great promotion effect on vegetation greening, which can be detected by the three NDVI datasets in Chinese drylands, thereby combating desertification and reducing dust storms.

A new species of Utivarachna Kishida, 1940 from Fanjing Mountain Nature Reserve, Guizhou, China (Araneae: Trachelidae).

A new species belonging to the kinabaluensis group of the trachelid genus Utivarachna Kishida, 1940, U. fanjing sp. nov., is described from southwestern China. Detailed description, diagnosis, photographs and distribution map of the new species are given. DNA barcodes (a partial fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene, COI) of the species were obtained to confirm matching of the sexes and for future use in molecular studies.

Synemaguiyang sp. nov., the fourth endemic species of Synema Simon, 1864 (Araneae, Thomisidae) from China.

Background: Synema Simon, 1864 is a relatively large genus of family Thomisidae Sundevall, 1833 and currently includes 124 species distributed worldwide, except for the Polar Regions. However, Synema can be regarded as being poorly represented in China, with only seven species, three of which are endemic. New information: A new spider species of the genus Synema from Guiyang City in China, is described under the name of S.guiyang J. Zhang, Q. Lu & H. Yu, sp. nov. Detailed descriptions and photographs of the new species are provided. DNA barcodes (a partial fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene, COI) of the species were obtained to confirm matching of the sexes and for future use in molecular studies.

Two new species of Diphya Nicolet, 1849 (Araneae, Tetragnathidae) from Southwest China.

Two new species of tetragnathid spiders from Guizhou and Sichuang provinces of China are described: Diphyaguiyang J. Zhang & H. Yu, sp. nov. (♂♀) and Diphyaweimiani J. Zhang & H. Yu, sp. nov. (♀). Detailed descriptions, diagnoses, and photographs are provided for these two species, as well as a key and a distribution map for Chinese Diphya species. DNA barcodes (a partial fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene, COI) of both new species were obtained for species delimitation, matching of different sexes, and future use in molecular studies.

On the Clubiona reclusa species-group in China, with the description of Clubiona qianlei sp. nov. (Araneae, Clubionidae).

The representation of the Clubiona reclusa species-group in China is here established in two species: Clubiona qianlei sp. nov. from Central China and C. interjectaL. Koch, 1879, which is mainly distributed in northern China. Detailed description, diagnosis, photographs of the new species are given. DNA barcodes (a partial fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene, COI) of the new species were obtained to confirm matching of the sexes and for future use in molecular studies. Supplementary micrographs of C. interjecta are provided for the first time, alongside an emended diagnosis, to demonstrate the validity of C. qianlei sp. nov.. A distribution map of the reclusa group species in China is given.

Forty-two years of scientific research on eight legs-celebrating the 60th birthday of Dr Yuri M. Marusik.

The biography of Dr Yuri Mikhailovich Marusik is presented, and his scientific life illuminated on the occasion of his 60th birthday. Yuri is a renowned specialist of spiders. He has described 718 new species, 57 new genera, and two new subfamilies of order Araneae. Twenty-five species and one genus have been dedicated to him. Facts and impressions are given as well as a bibliography of his 545 publications.

On the clubionid spiders (Araneae, Clubionidae) from Xishuangbanna, China, with descriptions of two new genera and seven new species.

Clubionid spiders from Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, China are studied. A total of seven genera and 13 species have been found, including two new genera with one new species each, i.e., Ramosatidia Yu & Li, gen. nov., with R.situ Yu & Li, sp. nov. (♂♀) as the type species and Sinostidia Yu & Li, gen. nov., with S.shuangjiao Yu & Li, sp. nov. (♂♀) as the type species. Five additional new species are Sinostidiadujiao Yu & Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), Matidiaxieqian Yu & Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), Nusatidiachangao Yu & Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), N.mianju Yu & Li, sp. nov. (♀), and N.subjavana Yu & Li, sp. nov. (♀). The following genera and species are reported from China for the first time: Malamatidia Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001, Pteroneta Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001, Malamatidiazu Jäger & Dankittipakul, 2010, Nusatidiaaeria (Simon, 1897), N.camouflata Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001, Porrhoclubionapteronetoides (Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001), and Pteronetaultramarina (Ono, 1989). Malamatidiachristae Jäger & Dankittipakul, 2010 syn. nov. is a junior synonym of Malamatidiazu. Nusatidiarama Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001 syn. nov. is synonymised with N.aeria (Simon, 1897).

Femorbiona gen. nov., a new genus of sac spiders (Araneae, Clubionidae) from Southeast Asia.

A new genus of Clubionidae Wagner, 1887, Femorbiona Yu & Li, gen. nov., is described, with Clubiona brachyptera Zhu & Chen, 2012 (♂♀; Hainan, China) as the type species. Three species are included in Femorbiona gen. nov.: F. brachyptera comb. nov., F. phami Yu & Li, sp. nov. (♂♀; Hai Phong, Vietnam), and F. shenzhen Yu & Li, sp. nov. (♂♀; Guangdong, China).

Taxonomic studies on the sac spider genus Clubiona (Araneae, Clubionidae) from Xishuangbanna Rainforest, China.

Spiders of the genus Clubiona Latreille, 1804 from Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, China are studied. A total of 47 species is reported and illustrated, including 14 new species and two new synonyms. Twelve of the new species belong to four species groups: C. dengpao Yu & Li, sp. nov., C. subdidentata Yu & Li, sp. nov., C. tixing Yu & Li, sp. nov., C. xiaoci Yu & Li, sp. nov., C. xiaokong Yu & Li, sp. nov., C. yejiei Yu & Li, sp. nov., C. zhaoi Yu & Li, sp. nov. and C. zhigangi Yu & Li, sp. nov. from the C. corticalis group; C. mii Yu & Li, sp. nov. and C. subtongi Yu & Li, sp. nov. from the C. ternatensis group; C. banna Yu & Li, sp. nov. from the C. filicata group; and C. menglun Yu & Li, sp. nov. from the C. trivialis group. The remaining two new species, C. shuangsi Yu & Li, sp. nov. and C. wangchengi Yu & Li, sp. nov., are not readily assignable to any of the existing species groups. The female of C. cochlearis Yu & Li, 2019, the female of C. tiane Yu & Li, 2019, the female of C. bicornis Yu & Li, 2019, the male of C. lala Jäger & Dankittipakul, 2010 and the true female of C. suthepica Dankittipakul, 2008 are described for the first time. Two new synonyms are: C. vukomi Jäger & Dankittipakul, 2010 syn. nov. = C. circulata Zhang & Yin, 1998; C. melanothele Thorell, 1895 syn. nov. = Clubiona melanosticta Thorell, 1890. A checklist of Clubiona species from Xishuangbanna is provided. The DNA barcodes of almost all of the species were obtained for species delimitation, matching of sexes and future use.

Resurrection of the spider genus Bucliona Benoit, 1977, with a description of a new species from Kenya (Araneae, Clubionidae).

The monotypic genus Bucliona Benoit, 1977 (type Clubiona dubia O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1870 from Saint Helena Island), previously considered a junior synonym of Clubiona Latreille, 1804, is resurrected. Three species are assigned to the genus Bucliona: B. dubia comb. reval., B. kirilli sp. n. (♂, Kenya), and B. jucunda (Karsch, 1879) comb. n., ex Clubiona (♂♀, Far East Asia).

First description of the female of Clubiona milingae Barrion-Dupo, Barrion & Heong, 2013 (Araneae, Clubionidae).

BACKGROUND: Clubiona milingae Barrion-Dupo, Barrion & Heong, 2013 was described from a single male and no additional specimens have been recorded. The original description was brief and the illustrations were inadequate. NEW INFORMATION: Clubiona milingae is redescribed and illustrated based on new material from the type locality and the new distribution region (Jianfeng Mountains and Limu Mountains of Hainan Island, China). The female is reported for the first time.

Redescription of Pristidia cervicornuta (Araneae, Clubionidae), with a first description of the female.

Pristidia cervicornuta Yu, Zhang & Chen, 2017 is redescribed based on new material from the type locality, Diaoluo Mountains of Hainan Island, China. The female is described and illustrated for the first time. In addition, this paper further illustrates the male, and provides a supplementary description.

New cheiracanthiid spiders from Xishuangbanna rainforest, southwestern China (Araneae, Cheiracanthiidae).

Four new species of the genus Cheiracanthium C.L. Koch, 1839 from Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, China are described: C. daofeng Yu & Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), C. duanbi Yu & Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), C. gou Yu & Li, sp. nov. (♂), and C. wuquan Yu & Li, sp. nov. (♀). In addition, Sinocanthium Yu & Li, gen. nov., is described with the type species S. shuangqiu Yu & Li, sp. nov. A key to cheiracanthiid genera distributed in East and Southeast Asia is provided.