Effect of choline amino acid ionic liquids on maize seed germination and endogenous plant hormone levels.

Prior research has established choline-based ionic liquids (ILs) as safe for various organisms. However, their impact on plants has been underexplored. To identify effective eco-friendly ILs, we synthesized seven choline amino acid ([Chl][AA]) ILs and analyzed their physiological influence on maize seed germination. In contrast to the traditionally used N-octyl pyridinium bromide IL, these seven [Chl][AA] ILs exhibited substantially lower toxicity. Moreover, within a broad treatment concentration range (10-100 mg L-1), these ILs notably enhanced maize germination indices and root and shoot growth. Specifically, treatment with 100 mg L-1 choline tryptophan resulted in a 21.2% increase in germination index compared to those of control maize. Compared to the control, the application of choline serine, choline aspartic acid, choline phenylalanine, and choline tryptophan at 100 mg L-1 led to respective increases of 23.9%, 21.5%, 22.5%, and 24.5% in maize shoot length. Analysis of endogenous hormones and free amino acid contents revealed elevated levels of growth-promoting plant hormones (gibberellic acid and zeatin) in maize shoot tips, as well as increased contents of major amino acids (glutamate, glycine, and arginine) following treatment with different [Chl][AA] ILs at 100 mg L-1. These findings indicate that [Chl][AA] holds promise for the development and application of novel low-toxicity ILs.

LncRNA MEG3 activates CDH2 expression by recruitment of EP300 in valproic acid-induced autism spectrum disorder.

LncRNAs partake in the biological processes contributing to development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of lncRNA maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) on viability and apoptosis of hippocampal neurons from ASD rats. Rats with ASD were induced using valproic acid (VPA) with normal saline (NS) as control. We performed microarray analysis on hippocampal tissues of NS rats and ASD rats to screen the differentially expressed lncRNAs. MEG3 loss in rats alleviated the impairment of learning and memory abilities induced by VPA, and promoted neuronal viability and inhibited apoptosis. MEG3 could recruit the transcription factor E1A binding protein p300 (EP300) in the nucleus and promote the cadherin 2 (CDH2) expression. CDH2 depletion in rats ameliorated the impairment of learning and memory capacities in ASD rats. After upregulation of CDH2 in neurons with sh-MEG3, we found diminished viability and increased apoptosis in hippocampal neurons of ASD rats. Taken together, MEG3 supports activation of CDH2 via EP300, thus repressing the viability of hippocampal neurons. Therefore, MEG3 upregulation may be partially responsible for the pathogenesis of ASD.

[Spatial-temporal dynamic change of land resource degradation in China].

Large scale spatial and temporal land use survey data were used to study the dynamics of land use change in China recently. With the aid of GIS, the spatial-temporal dynamic change of land resource degradation at the national level was investigated using authoritative datasets from detailed land use surveys (early 1990s approximately 2003). As a result, seven major types of land degradation processes were identified, including sandy desertification, rocky desertification, secondary salinification, non-agricultural land occupation, deforestation, natural grassland degradation and wetlands shrinking. This paper comprehensively explored the characteristics of these land degradation processes and revealed the status and trend of the holistic land resource degradation in China. Results shows that: (1) Although land degradation has been controlled in local area, but it is still continuing to spread in the whole country. The total degradation index of the holistic land resource presented fluctuating trend. Indexes of non-agricultural construction occupation and wetland shrinking process are far more than that of other process, which are two primary causes contribution to heading straight towards full-scale land resource deterioration in China. (2) Land resource degradation process of China focused on natural grass land, and non-agricultural construction land, which attained 66.27%; Land resource degradation rehabilitation mainly focused on desertification and forest restoration, which accounts for 57.5%. (3) Sandy desertification and rocky desertification process have been reversing greatly. The total net change of their quantities was decreased by 15,578km2. But most of the rehabilitation of land desertification was concentrated on the originally ecological vulnerable northwestern zone, whereas newly added desertified land has been expanding and aggravating in eastern zone, especially around river watersheds. (4) Over two-thirds of non-agriculture land expansion came from cultivated land. In addition, almost 60 percent of the loss cultivated land occupied by non-agricultural land was appeared in the Northeast, the Eastern coast and Central China where have many high productive agricultural lands of China. This kind of land degradation has threatened food security of China seriously. (5) However, large scale reclamation of ecological land transferred into cultivated land was the most dominant factor of degradation. For example, the conversion of wetland resource to croplands by reclamation accounts for over 50 percent of wetland shrinking.

[Application of bi-pedicel and bi-muscle flaps for the expanded partial laryngectomy in the patients with T3T4 laryngeal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the application of bi-pedicel and bi-muscle flaps for the expanded partial laryngectomy in the patients with T3T4 larynx cancer. METHODS: From 1990 to 1997, 386 patients of laryngeal cancer were treated by expanded partial laryngectomy and repaired with unilateral or bilateral bi-pedicel and bi-muscle flaps. 322 patients were male and 64 were female. The age ranged from 30 to 84 years old. All the patients were in the stage T3 or T4 of cancer. The operation included expanded horizontal supraglottic laryngectomy, vertical partial laryngectomy, 3/4 laryngectomy and sub-total laryngectomy. RESULTS: After operation, the speech function was still good in all cases. The swallow function recovered in 8 to 12 days post-operation. The extraction rate of tracheal tube was 50.3% (194/386), and the 5-years survival rate was 55.2% (213/386) while the local recurrence rate was 16.6% (64/386). CONCLUSION: With the application of bi-pedicel and bi-muscle flaps, the patients, if treated by total laryngectomy as traditional technique, could be treated by partial laryngectomy. This method could expand the indication of partial laryngectomy and improve the life quality and survival rate.