Mechanisms underlying the succession of plant rhizosphere microbial community structure and function in an alpine open-pit coal mining disturbance zone.

Elucidating the responses and potential functions of soil microbial communities during succession is important for understanding biogeochemical processes and the sustainable development of plant communities after environmental disturbances. However, studies of such dynamics during post-mining ecological restoration in alpine areas remain poorly understood. Microbial diversity, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycle functional gene potential in the Heishan mining area of Northwest China was studied, including primitive succession, secondary succession, and artificial succession disturbed by mining. The results revealed that: (1) The dominant bacteria in both categories (non-remediated and ecologically restored) of mining area rhizosphere soil were Proteobacteria, adopting the r strategy, whereas in naturally occurring soil outside the mining area, the dominant bacteria were actinomycetes and Acidobacteria, adopting the k strategy. Notably, mining perturbation significantly reduced the relative abundance of archaea. (2) After restoration, more bacterial network node connections were observed in mining areas than were originally present, whereas the archaeal network showed the opposite trend. (3) The networks of microbial genes related to nitrogen and phosphorus cycle potential differed significantly, depending on the succession type. Namely, prior to restoration, there were more phosphorus related functional gene network connections; these were also more strongly correlated, and the network was more aggregated. (4) Soil factors such as pH and NO3-N affected both the mining area remediation soil and the soil outside the mining area, but did not affect the soil of the original vegetation in the mining area. The changes in the structure and function of plant rhizosphere microorganisms after mining disturbance can provide a theoretical basis for the natural restoration of mining areas.

Xinkeshu Improves Endothelial Function and Augments Reendothelialization Capacity in Coronary Artery Disease with Anxiety/Depression.

The disruption of endothelial homeostasis is the hallmark of coronary artery disease (CAD) and psychological disorders such as anxiety/depression. Xinkeshu (XKS), a traditional Chinese patent medicine, plays an essential role in CAD and psychological condition; however, the mechanisms underlying the effects of XKS on the endothelial function and endogenous endothelium-repair capacity in CAD patients with anxiety/depression remain elusive. In this study, endothelial function and endothelial progenitor cell- (EPC-) mediated reendothelialization capacity were compared among age-matched healthy subjects, CAD patients with or without anxiety/depression. Besides, CAD patients with anxiety/depression received 1-month XKS treatment. Anxiety/depression symptoms were evaluated by Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7)/Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score, endothelial function was tested by flow mediated dilation (FMD) measurement, and EPC-mediated reendothelialization capacity was evaluated by a carotid artery injury model in nude mouse (n = 6) with the injection of XKS-incubated EPCs from CAD patients with anxiety/depression. The results showed that FMD and EPC-mediated reendothelialization capacity of CAD patients with anxiety/depression were compromised compared to healthy subjects and CAD patients without anxiety/depression. After 1 month of XKS treatment, FMD increased from 4.29 ± 1.65 to 4.87 ± 1.58% (P < 0.05) in CAD patients with anxiety/depression, whereas it remained unchanged in the controls. Moreover, XKS decreased GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores. Meanwhile, incubating XKS enhanced in vivo reendothelialization capacity and in vitro apoptosis of EPCs from CAD patients with anxiety/depression, which was associated with the upregulation of CXC-chemokine receptor 7 (CXCR7) and inhibition of phosphorylation of p38 signaling. CXCR7 knockdown abolished the beneficial effects of XKS, which was rescued by p38 inhibitor SB203580. Our data demonstrate for the first time that XKS improves endothelial function and enhances EPC-mediated reendothelialization through CXCR7/p38/cleaved casepase-3 signaling and provides novel insight into the detailed mechanism of XKS in maintaining endothelial homeostasis in CAD patients with anxiety/depression.

The antithrombotic activity of the active fractions from the fruits of Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb through the anti-coagulation, anti-platelet activation and anti-fibrinolysis pathways.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Traditional Chinese medicine Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb (C. orbiculatus) with peel and seeds is mainly composed of flavonoids, sesquiterpenes and tripenes. According to the Traditional Chinese medicine standard of Liaoning province (2009), it has been long used to invigorate blood circulation. AIM OF THE STUDY: To identify the antithrombus fraction and components of C. orbiculatus, and to investigate the underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antithrombus effects of C. orbiculatus fractions were evaluated in vitro by plasma recalcification time (PRT). The antithrombus effect of NST-50, the most effective fraction, was further investigated in acute pulmonary embolism (APE) mice and FeCl3-induced carotid arterial thrombus rats. Bleeding assessment was also carried out to assess the side effects of NST-50. In addition, the content of total flavonoids and active components of NST-50 was also quantified. RESULTS: Nine flavonoids were detected in NST-50 as main components with the content of 44.70%. Next, NST-50 was found with significant anticoagulation activity by prolonging the plasma recalcification time (PRT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT) and prothrombin time (PT) and decreasing the content of fibrinogen (FIB). Furthermore, NST-50 administration markedly suppressed the level of TXB2 and PAI-1, while significantly up-regulated the level of 6-keto-PGF1a and t-PA (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated that NST-50 could be valuable in clinical application against acute coronary syndrome, venous thromboembolisms and cerebrovascular thrombosis. It was possible that the anticoagulation action of NST-50 could be related to the regulation of TXA2 - PGI2 and t-PA - PAI-1 pairs.

Effectiveness of simultaneous foliar application of Zn and Mn or P to reduce Cd concentration in rice grains: a field study.

Excess cadmium (Cd) in agricultural soils can be taken up by rice plants and concentrated in the grain, presenting a human health risk. In this study, we field tested the effects of three foliar treatments (zinc (Zn) alone, or combined with manganese (ZnMn) or phosphorus (ZnP)) on the Cd concentration and grain yield of six rice cultivars (C Liangyou 7, Fengyuanyou 272, Xiangwanxian 12, Tianyouhuazhan, Xiangwanxian 13, and Jinyou 284) at the grain filling stage. Our results showed that rice yield and Cd, Zn, Mn, P, and K concentrations were significantly different among the cultivars (p < 0.05); for example, Jinyou 284 recorded lower Cd levels than any other cultivar. Application of Zn, ZnMn, and ZnP had no significant effect on rice yield and Mn, P, and K concentrations for all cultivars. Compared with the control, Cd concentrations after treatment with Zn, ZnMn, and ZnP decreased by 19.03-32.55%, 36.63-55.78% (p < 0.05), and 25.72-49.10%, respectively, while Zn concentrations increased by 11.02-29.38%, 10.63-32.67%, and 11.97-36.82%, respectively. There was a significant negative correlation between Cd and Zn concentrations (p < 0.01). All three treatments increased Zn and reduced Cd concentration in rice grains, though ZnMn was most effective. Therefore, cultivar selection and Zn fertilizer application are effective strategies to minimize Cd concentration in rice grains. However, the lowest result still exceeded the Chinese Cd safety limit (0.2 mg Cd kg-1) by a factor of 2.6, demonstrating that additional effective measures should be simultaneously used to further reduce the accumulation of Cd in rice grains.

Evaluation of the antithrombotic activity of Zhi-Xiong Capsules, a Traditional Chinese Medicinal formula, via the pathway of anti-coagulation, anti-platelet activation and anti-fibrinolysis.

Zhi-Xiong Capsules (ZXC) involving Hirudo, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Leonurus artemisia, and Pueraria lobata, is an empirical prescription used in Chinese clinics applied for treating cerebral arteriosclerosis and blood-stasis in clinic. However, the mechanism of its antithrombotic activity has not been investigated until now. The present study was designed to investigate its antithrombotic effects, the mechanism of ZXC on anti-thrombus action and to identify the main chemical composition of ZXC using HPLC-DAD-ESI-IT-TOF-MS. Two animal models were used to evaluate the antithrombotic effect of ZXC, the arterial thrombosis model and a venous thrombosis model. ZXC prolonged the plasma recalcification time (PRT), the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), the thrombin time (TT) and the prothrombin time (PT) and clearly reduced the content of fibrinogen (FIB) obviously in the arterial thrombosis model. Furthermore, it markedly suppressed the level of TXB2 and up-regulated the level of 6-keto-PGF1a. In addition, it significantly up-regulated the level of t-PA and down-regulated the level of PAI-1 (p < 0.05). These results revealed that ZXC played a vital role in the prevention of thrombosis through interacting with multiple targets, including inhibition of coagulation and platelet aggregation and increasing thrombolysis. A total of 23 compounds were identified as the main components of ZXC by HPLC-DAD-ESI-IT TOF-MS.

Complete chloroplast genome of seven Fritillaria species, variable DNA markers identification and phylogenetic relationships within the genus.

Fritillaria spp. constitute important traditional Chinese medicinal plants. Xinjiang is one of two diversity hotspots in China in which eight Fritillaria species occur, two of which are endemic to the region. Furthermore, the phylogenetic relationships of Xinjiang Fritillaria species (including F. yuminensis) within the genus are unclear. In the present study, we sequenced the chloroplast (cp) genomes of seven Fritillaria species in Xinjiang using the Illumina HiSeq platform, with the aim of assessing the global structural patterns of the seven cp genomes and identifying highly variable cp DNA sequences. These were compared to previously sequenced Fritillaria cp genomes. Phylogenetic analysis was then used to evaluate the relationships of the Xinjiang species and assess the evolution of an undivided stigma. The seven cp genomes ranged from 151,764 to 152,112 bp, presenting a traditional quadripartite structure. The gene order and gene content of the seven cp genomes were identical. A comparison of the 13 cp genomes indicated that the structure is highly conserved. Ten highly divergent regions were identified that could be valuable in phylogenetic and population genetic studies. The phylogenetic relationships of the 13 Fritillaria species inferred from the protein-coding genes, large single-copy, small single-copy, and inverted repeat regions were identical and highly resolved. The phylogenetic relationships of the species corresponded with their geographic distribution patterns, in that the north group (consisting of eight species from Xinjiang and Heilongjiang in North China) and the south group (including six species from South China) were basically divided at 40°N. Species with an undivided stigma were not monophyletic, suggesting that this trait might have evolved several times in the genus.

Influence of aridity and salinity on plant nutrients scales up from species to community level in a desert ecosystem.

Soil moisture and salt play key roles in regulating desert plant nutrient cycles on a local scale. However, information on the response of plant nutrient stoichiometric patterns to soil water and salt gradients is limited. Here, we assessed leaf N and P levels of 18 species of desert plants and measured the corresponding soil nutrient, water and salt concentrations, at four dry sites, five humid-saline sites and four humid-non-saline sites (reference sites) along a transect in a temperate desert in Xinjiang Province, northwest China. Our results indicated that the desert plants had lower N and P concentrations and higher N:P mass ratios in dry and humid-saline sites than in the humid-non-saline sites. Unlike the single-factor effect of salinity driving the plasticity of species N concentration, aridity and salinity interacted in their impact on the plasticity of plant P and the N:P ratio. Moreover, the plant community N and P concentrations and N:P ratio exhibited significant positive linear and nonlinear correlations with soil moisture in shallow and deep soil, respectively. Aridity reduced the N plasticity and increased P plasticity of the plant community. The results strongly supported the hypothesis that soil moisture and salt concentration were the dominant drivers of leaf N and P concentrations and their plasticity across species and community scales.