TRAIL and Celastrol Combinational Treatment Suppresses Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Human Glioblastoma Cells via Targeting Wnt/ß-catenin Signaling Pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanistic basis for the anti-proliferation and anti-invasion effect of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-induced ligand (TRAIL) and celastrol combination treatment (TCCT) in glioblastoma cells. METHODS: Cell counting kit-8 was used to detect the effects of different concentrations of celastrol (0-16 µmol/L) and TRAIL (0-500 ng/mL) on the cell viability of glioblastoma cells. U87 cells were randomly divided into 4 groups, namely control, TRAIL (TRAIL 100 ng/mL), Cel (celastrol 0.5 µmol/L) and TCCT (TRAIL 100 ng/mL+ celastrol 0.5 µmol/L). Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were detected by colony formation, wound healing, and Transwell assays, respectively. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were performed to assess the levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers (zona occludens, N-cadherin, vimentin, zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox, Slug, and ß-catenin). Wnt pathway was activated by lithium chloride (LiCl, 20 mol/L) and the mechanism for action of TCCT was explored. RESULTS: Celastrol and TRAIL synergistically inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT of U87 cells (P<0.01). TCCT up-regulated the expression of GSK-3ß and down-regulated the expression of ß-catenin and its associated proteins (P<0.05 or P<0.01), including c-Myc, Cyclin-D1, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2. In addition, LiCl, an activator of the Wnt signaling pathway, restored the inhibitory effects of TCCT on the expression of ß-catenin and its downstream genes, as well as the migration and invasion of glioblastoma cells (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Celastrol and TRAIL can synergistically suppress glioblastoma cell migration, invasion, and EMT, potentially through inhibition of Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. This underlies a novel mechanism of action for TCCT as an effective therapy for glioblastoma.

Ten new nortriterpenes from Euphorbia resinifera and their anti-tomato yellow leaf curl virus activities.

Ten new nortriterpenes, euphorbiumrins A-J (1-10), together with three known analogues (11-13) were isolated from the latex of Euphorbia resinifera. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses (IR, UV, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR). Their inhibitions on tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) were evaluated and compound 5 exhibited significant anti-TYLCV activity with an inhibition rate of 71.7% at concentration of 40 µg/mL.

Two new steroidal alkaloids from the rhizomes of Veratrum nigrum L. and their anti-TYLCV activity.

Two new steroidal alkaloids (1-2), together with seven known related steroidal alkaloids (3-9), were isolated from the rhizomes of Veratrum nigrum L. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis, and by comparison with literature data. Compound 1 possessed a rare 1, 3-oxazolidine unit within varazine-type alkaloids, and 2 was a 9-hydroxy-4-one derivative of 3-veratroylgermine. All isolates were evaluated inhibit tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) activity. Compounds 5 and 7 (40 µg/mL) showed a significant anti-TYLCV activity in the host Nicotiana benthamiana with inhibition rates 74.6% and 63.4%, respectively, which are higher than that of the positive control ningnanmycin (51.4%).

[Research and development of certified reference material of swertioside].

The standard sample of natural products is an essential standard reference to determine the quality of the product in the quality control of natural products. To develop a certified reference material(CRM) of swertioside according to the Work Guideline for Reference Materials(3): Reference Material-General Principles and Statistical Method for Certification(GB/T 15000.3-2008), swertioside was purified from whole plant of Swertia mussotii by extraction, isolation and Prep-HPLC to obtain certified reference material of swertioside. The structure of swertioside was identified by IR, UV, high-resolution MS, NMR. Thin layer chromatography, optical rotation, elemental analysis and melting point was carried out for the identification. The purity of the prepared sample was tested from different chromatographic elution conditions, thin layer chromatography and HPLC-MS. Swertioside was divided into 140 bottles, with 10 mg per bottle after homogeneity test, stability test and quantitative analysis. This CRM is 7-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-ß-D-xylopyranosyl]; the homogeneity of the 95% confidence interval was good; the certified purity value was 98.66%, with a relative expanded uncertainty of 0.38%; the storage period was 36 months at 0-8 ℃. Therefore, the CRM of sakuranetin reached the technical requirements of CRM, and was accepted by SAC. Swertioside is successfully developed and can be used for determining content, evaluating test methods, detecting relevant products and controlling quality.

[Mechanism of Effects of Genistein on the Reproductive System of Prepubertal Male Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of genistein (GEN) on reproductive system in prepubertal male rats. METHODS: Thirty SPF-rated male SD rats were randomly divided into control group (Con group), low-dose group (G1 group) and high-dose group (G2 group), with 10 rats in each group. Corn oil, 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg GEN dissolved in corn oil of equal volume were respectively administered every day and weighed the next day. After 6 weeks, the rats were sacrificed, and the testis, epididymis and prostate were dissected, and organ coefficients were calculated. Histopathological changes of testis was observed. The number of sperm was counted and the rate of sperm malformation was calculated. The concentrations of serum testosterone and estradiol were detected by radioimmunoassay. The protein phosphatase 2, regulatory subunit B, gamma (PPP2R2C) protein expression in testicular tissue was detected by immunofluorescence assay. The mRNA and protein expression levels of PPP2R2C and cyclin dependent protein kinases 2 (CDK2) in rat testis were detected by real-time quantitative fluorescence PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot, respectively. The protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity in testicular tissue was detected by immunoprecipitation. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in body mass, sperm number, serum estradiol and PP2A enzyme activity among the groups ( P>0.05). The pathological structure of testicular in G2 group was disordered. Sperm abnormality rate in G1 and G2 groups was higher than that in Con group ( P<0.05). Serum testosterone concentration in G2 group was lower than that in Con group ( P<0.05). The expression of PPP2R2C and CDK2 in G2 group was higher than that in Con group ( P<0.05), but the protein level was lower than that in Con group ( P<0.05). PPP2R2C protein was expressed in testicular tissue in each group. CONCLUSION: Long-term exposure to high dose (300 mg/kg) GEN during prepuberty may cause adverse effects on reproductive function in adult male rats. Further investigation is needed to determine whether PPP2R2C-PP2A-CDK2 phosphorylation pathway affects reproductive system in rats.

Melatonin triggers the anticancer potential of phenylarsine oxide via induction of apoptosis through ROS generation and JNK activation.

Melatonin, a safe endogenous hormone and a natural supplement, has recently been recognized to have antiproliferative effects and the ability to sensitize cells to other anticancer therapies. Phenylarsine oxide (PAO) has anticancer potential but it is considered as a toxic agent. In this study we combined melatonin to reduce the toxicity while securing the anti-cancer effects of PAO. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay, whereas cytotoxic assays were performed using an LDH cytotoxicity assay kit. Cell cycle analysis, Annexin V/PI staining, the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), mitochondrial calcium and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were analyzed using flow cytometry. Sytox stained cells were visualized by fluorescence microscopy and the expression of proteins was detected by western blotting. Melatonin increased the anticancer potential of PAO by decreasing the cell viability and increasing LDH release in various cancer cells. The mode of cell death was determined to be typical apoptosis, as evidenced by Annexin V/PI-stained cells, PARP cleavage, and caspase-3 activation, and with significant modulations in the expression of proapoptotic, antiapoptotic and cell cycle-related proteins. ROS generation played a critical role in induction of cell death by this combined treatment, which is validated by reversal of cytotoxicity upon cotreatment with NAC. Furthermore, the activation of MAPKs, especially JNK, contributed to the induction of cell death, accompanied by endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy, affirmed by the abrogation of cytotoxicity after JNK-IN-8 and TUDCA application. Melatonin showed promising potential as a chemotherapeutic agent in combination with PAO to achieve a better anticancer response.

Increased pollinator service and reduced pollen limitation in the fixed dune populations of a desert shrub.

Evaluations of restoration success usually focus on the structural aspects of ecosystems. Pollination, as an important functional aspect, is often overlooked. Here, the shifts in pollinator assemblage and pollen limitation in the desert shrub Caragana microphylla were examined along a restoration gradient in Horqin Sand Land, northern China. We identified seven species of bees; however, only four bee species were found to be effective pollinators, with Xanthosaurus remota dominating in the fixed dunes, and with no bee species or only a single species, X. remota, being observed in the semi-fixed and mobile dunes. Flower visitation rate was nearly ten times higher in the fixed dunes than in the mobile and semi-fixed dunes. Experimental floral manipulations revealed that the fixed dune populations experienced less pollen limitation, along with the increase in pollinator availability. Between the mobile and semi-fixed dune populations, pollen limitation was severe and at similar levels. The intensity of pollen limitation was negatively related to pollinator abundance and richness. Overall, the dependence on pollinators for reproduction may be an important constraint that limits persistence in this system. Increased pollinator service during the restoration process may ameliorate pollen limitation, benefiting the restoration of vegetation in this semiarid sandy area.

Analgesic and physiological effect of electroacupuncture combined with epidural lidocaine in goats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate physiological and antinociceptive effects of electroacupuncture (EA) with lidocaine epidural nerve block in goats. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective experimental trial. ANIMALS: Forty-eight hybrid male goats weighing 27 ± 2 kg. METHODS: The goats were randomly assigned to six groups: L2.2, epidural lidocaine (2.2 mg kg-1); L4.4, epidural lidocaine (4.4 mg kg-1); EA; EA-L1.1, EA with epidural lidocaine (1.1 mg kg-1); EA-L2.2, EA with epidural lidocaine (2.2 mg kg-1); and EA-L4.4, EA with epidural lidocaine (4.4 mg kg-1). EA was administered for 120 minutes. Epidural lidocaine was administered 25 minutes after EA started. Nociceptive thresholds of flank and thigh regions, abdominal muscle tone, mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), respiratory frequency (fR) and rectal temperature were recorded at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 minutes. RESULTS: Lidocaine dose-dependently increased nociceptive thresholds. There were no differences in nociceptive thresholds between L4.4 and EA from 30 to 120 minutes. The threshold in EA-L2.2 was lower than in EA-L4.4 from 30 to 120 minutes, but higher than in EA-L1.1 from 30 to 150 minutes or in L4.4 from 30 to 180 minutes. The abdominal muscle tone in EA-L2.2 was higher at 30 minutes, but lower at 90 and 120 minutes than at 0 minutes. There were no differences in muscle tone between L4.4 and L2.2 or EA-L4.4, and between any two of the three EA-lidocaine groups from 0 to 180 minutes. The fR and HR decreased in L4.4 at 60 and 90 minutes compared with 0 minutes. No differences in fR, HR, MAP and temperature among the groups occurred from 30 to 180 minutes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: EA combined with 2.2 mg kg-1 epidural lidocaine provides better antinociceptive effect than 4.4 mg kg-1 epidural lidocaine alone in goats. EA provided antinociception and allowed a decrease in epidural lidocaine dose.

Earlier flowering did not alter pollen limitation in an early flowering shrub under short-term experimental warming.

In animal pollinated plants, phenological shifts caused by climate change may have important ecological consequences. However, no empirical evidence exists at present on the consequences that flowering phenology shifts have on the strength of pollen limitation under experimental warming. Here, we investigated the effects of experimental warming on flowering phenology, flower density, reproductive success, and pollen limitation intensity in Caragana microphylla and evaluated whether earlier flowering phenology affected plant reproduction and the level of pollen limitation using warmed and unwarmed open top chambers in the Horqin Sandy Land of Inner Mongolia, northern China. The results of this study indicated that artificial warming markedly advanced flower phenology rather than extending the duration of the flowering. Additionally, warming was found to significantly reduce flower density which led to seed production reduction, since there were insignificant effects observed on fruit set and seed number per fruit. Experimental floral manipulations showed that warming did not affect pollen limitation. These results revealed the negative effects of advanced phenology induced by warming on flower density and reproductive output, as well as the neutral effects on reproductive success and pollen limitation intensity of long surviving plants.

Separation of three phenolic high-molecular-weight compounds from the crude extract of Terminalia Chebula Retz. by ultrasound-assisted extraction and high-speed counter-current chromatography.

This study presents an efficient strategy for separation of three phenolic compounds with high molecular weight from the crude extract of Terminalia chebula Retz. by ultrasound-assisted extraction and high-speed counter-current chromatography. The ultrasound-assisted extraction conditions were optimized by response surface methodology and the results showed the target compounds could be well enriched under the optimized extraction conditions. Then the crude extract was directly separated by high-speed counter-current chromatography without any pretreatment using n-hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water (1:7:0.5:3, v/v/v/v) as the solvent system. In 180 min, 13 mg of A, 18 mg of B, and 9 mg of C were obtained from 200 mg of crude sample. Their structures were identified as Chebulagic acid (A, 954 Da), Chebulinic acid (B, 956 Da), and Ellagic acid (C) by (1) H NMR spectroscopy.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: Evidence From Randomized-controlled Trials.

OBJECTIVES: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been reported to relieve pain and improve function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of TENS for the management of knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: We searched Embase, PubMed, CENTRAL, SIGLE, PEDro, and clinicaltrials.gov, up to June 2014 for literature related to TENS used for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Two authors independently screened the searched records based on the title and abstract. Information including the authors, study design, mean age, sex, study population, stimulation frequency (of TENS), outcome measures, and follow-up periods were extracted by the 2 authors. RESULTS: Eighteen trials were included in the qualitative systematic review, and 14 were included in the meta-analysis. TENS significantly decreased pain (standard mean difference, -0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.31 to -0.27; P<0.00001) compared with control groups. There was no significant difference in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (standard mean differences, -0.13; 95% CI, -0.35 to 0.1; P=0.09) or the rate of all-cause discontinuation (risk ratio, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.48 to 1.22; P=0.94) between the TENS and control groups. DISCUSSION: TENS might relieve pain due to knee osteoarthritis. Further randomized-controlled trials should focus on large-scale studies and a longer duration of follow-up.

Ginsenoside Rg1 downregulates the shear stress induced MCP-1 expression by inhibiting MAPK signaling pathway.

Ginsenoside Rg1 has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory activities, but the effects of Rg1 on the shear induced MCP-1 upregulation mechanism on endothelial cells (ECs) remain to be determined. In this study, we show that Rg1 down modulates shear induced pro-inflammatory cytokine MCP-1 gene expression and monocytes adhesion without potential cell toxicity. The negative effects on monocytes adhesion is due to a decrease in MCP-1 protein release. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of Rg1 on the phosphorylation level of ERK, p38, and JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) induced by shear stress (SS) is similar with that of specific chemical inhibitors for MAPK pathways activation. These results demonstrate that ginsenoside Rg1 inhibits the shear induced inflammation by suppressing the MAPK pathway. This suggests that Rg1 may serve as a novel anti-inflammatory agent for inflammation-induced cardiovascular diseases treatment.

Application of high-speed counter-current chromatography combined with macroporous resin for rapid enrichment and separation of three anthraquinone glycosides and one stilbene glycoside from Rheum tanguticum.

In this paper, an efficient method was successfully established by the combination of macroporous resin (MR) and high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) for rapid enrichment and separation of aloe-emodin 8-O-ß-D-glucoside, emodin 1-O-ß-D-glucoside, emodin 8-O-ß-D-glucoside and piceatannol 4'-O-ß-D-(6″-O-gallate)-glucoside. Six kinds of macroporous resins were investigated in the first step and X-5 macroporous resin was selected for the enrichment of the target compounds. The recoveries of the target compounds reached 89.0, 85.9, 82.3 and 84.9% respectively after 40% ethanol elution. In the second step, the target compounds were separated by HSCCC with a two-phase solvent system composed of chloroform/ethyl acetate/methanol/water (8:1:6:5, v/v). The established method will be helpful for further characterization and utilization of Rheum tanguticum. The results demonstrate that MR coupled with HSCCC is a powerful technique for separation of bioactive compounds from natural products.

Separation of phenylpropanoid glycosides from a Chinese herb by HSCCC.

An effective high-speed counter-current chromatography method was established for the preparative isolation and purification of two phenylpropanoid glycosides from the Tibetan medicinal plant Pedicularis longiflora Rudolph. var. tubiformis (Klotz). Tsoong. With a two-phase solvent system composed of chloroform-n-butanol-methanol-water (4:3:4:5, v/v), 40 mg of an extract of Pedicularis longiflora Rudolph. var. tubiformis (Klotz). Tsoong was separated to yield 20 mg of verbascoside and 18 mg of isoacteoside, with purity values of 97 and 98%, respectively. The chemical structures of these two components were identified by proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance. In addition, the antioxidant activity of the two phenylpropanoid glycosides was evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-high-performance liquid chromatography, and the results showed that the two components exhibited strong antioxidant DPPH radical scavenging activity, with IC50 values of 15.6 and 18.9 µg/mL, respectively.

Preparative isolation and purification of three stilbene glycosides from the tibetan medicinal plant Rheum tanguticum maxim. Ex Balf. by high-speed counter-current chromatography.

INTRODUCTION: Stilbene glycosides are the primary constituents of Rheum tanguticum Maxim. ex Balf., to which different bioactivities has been attributed, including: anti-HIV, anti-oxidant, anti-tumour, anti-malarial, and anti-allergy activity. However, effective methods for the isolation and purification of stilbene glycosides, such as trans-rhapontin, cis-rhapontin and trans-desoxyrhaponticin, from this herb are not currently available. OBJECTIVE: To develop an efficient method for the preparative isolation and purification of three stilbene glycosides from Rheum tanguticum Maxim. ex Balf. via high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC). METHODS: A solvent system composed of chloroform:n-butanol:methanol:water (4:1:3:2, v/v/v/v) was developed for the separation. The upper phase was used as the stationary phase, and the lower phase was used as the mobile phase. The flow rate was 1.8 mL/min. The apparatus was controlled at 800 rpm and 25 °C, and the effluent was monitored at 280 nm. Chemical constituents were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and their structures were identified by ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR. RESULTS: Under the optimised conditions, 25.5 mg trans-rhapontin, 16.0 mg cis-rhapontin and 20.5 mg trans-desoxyrhaponticin were separated from 80 mg crude sample; the isolates had purities of 99.6, 97.2 and 99.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: A simple and efficient HSCCC method has been optimised for the preparative separation of stilbene glycosides from Rheum tanguticum Maxim. ex Balf.

Sequence mining and transcript profiling to explore differentially expressed genes associated with lipid biosynthesis during soybean seed development.

BACKGROUND: Soybean (Glycine max L.) is one of the most important oil crops in the world. It is desirable to increase oil yields from soybean, and so this has been a major goal of oilseed engineering. However, it is still uncertain how many genes and which genes are involved in lipid biosynthesis. RESULTS: Here, we evaluated changes in gene expression over the course of seed development using Illumina (formerly Solexa) RNA-sequencing. Tissues at 15 days after flowering (DAF) served as the control, and a total of 11592, 16594, and 16255 differentially expressed unigenes were identified at 35, 55, and 65 DAF, respectively. Gene Ontology analyses detected 113 co-expressed unigenes associated with lipid biosynthesis. Of these, 15 showed significant changes in expression levels (log2fold values ≥ 1) during seed development. Pathway analysis revealed 24 co-expressed transcripts involved in lipid biosynthesis and fatty acid biosynthesis pathways. We selected 12 differentially expressed genes and analyzed their expressions using qRT-PCR. The results were consistent with those obtained from Solexa sequencing. CONCLUSION: These results provide a comprehensive molecular biology background for research on soybean seed development, particularly with respect to the process of oil accumulation. All of the genes identified in our research have significance for breeding soybeans with increased oil contents.

Effect of injection of brucea javanica oil emulsion plus chemoradiotherapy for lung cancer: a review of clinical evidence.

OBJECTIVE: Injection of brucea javanica oil emulsion (IBJOE), one of Chinese patent drugs has been widely used for lung cancer (LC) in China, and is known to provide some favorable outcomes, in particular when it combined with conventional treatment. However, little available best evidence is known about its effect and safety. This paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of IBJOE plus chemoradiotherapy to alleviate symptoms of LC patients. METHODS: A complete literature searching was conducted in databases including Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China Academic Journals Full-text Database, Chinese Scientific Journals Database, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, and EMBASE to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of IBJOE with chemoradiotherapy versus chemoradiotherapy alone for LC patients regardless of blinding, duration of treatment or duration of follow-up. All searching dates were from the beginning to December 2011. Quality of the included studies was assessed using the method by Cochrane Reviewer Handbook, and data analysis was performed using RevMan 5.10 software developed by The Cochrane Collaboration. RESULTS: The searching yielded over 1371 relevant citations, most of which did not meet the inclusion criteria. Finally, only 21 RCTs involving 1619 patients were included, and all the studies were of poor quality. Pooled analyses were performed to reveal that compared with chemoradiotherapy alone, IBJOE plus chemoradiotherapy had a better complete response rate (relative risk (RR) = 1.42; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.92; P = 0.02) and improved quality of life (RR = 1.83; 95% CI 1.63 to 2.07; P < 0.00001) measured by Karnofsky Performance Status scale. In addition, there was a significant difference on the outcome of long-term survival rate, level of immune function, and some incidences of adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: IBJOE plus chemoradiotherapy may have positive effects on LC patients in response rate, improvement of quality of life, and reducing incidences of some adverse effects compared with chemoradiotherapy alone. However, the results need to be viewed with caution because of low quality of the included studies.

[Leaf nitrogen and phosphorus stoichiometry in typical desert and desertified regions, north China].

Characteristics of leaf nitrogen and phosphorus stoichiometry at regional scale is key factors to understand spatial pattern, forecast change trends and reveal responses of terrestrial ecosystem to global change. In this study, pattern of leaf nitrogen and phosphorus of 214 plants was investigated to elucidate their relationships with rainfall and temperature in typical desert and desertified regions of northern China. The results showed that average leaf nitrogen concentration, average leaf phosphorus concentrations, and leaf N/P of 214 species are (24.45 +/- 8.1) mg/g, (1.74 +/- 0. 88) mg/g, 15.77 +/- 7.5 in these regions of northern China, respectively. Compared with other studies at global, national or regional scale, leaf nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations are significantly higher in this study (p < 0.001). However, leaf N/P didn't show any significant differences with other studies. This implies that leaf N/P is generally well-constrained. One-way ANOVA analysis showed that leaf N, P, and N/P varied significantly among trees, shrubs, graminoids, and forbs. Leaf N concentration in shrubs, forbs and leaf P concentration in forbs are averagely higher than those in other life-forms, respectively. This implies that nutrient use strategies are significantly different among plant life-forms. There are no significant differences in leaf nitrogen concentration among each typically desert and desertified region. However, Leaf phosphorus concentration and leaf N/P are significantly different among each typically desert and desertified regions. Leaf phosphorus concentrations are relatively high in Kerqin Sand Land and Mowuso Sand Land. Leaf N/P of most species in Talimu basin, Zhunger Basin, and Alashan is higher than 16, and lower than 14 of most species in Kerqin Sand land. This means that nutrient constraining in different regions varies greatly. Correlations analysis showed that leaf N, P, and N/P are significantly correlated with annual precipitation, but not significantly correlated with annual mean temperature in desert and desertified regions of northern China.

[Crust development and subsurface soil properties under dominant shrubs in the process of dune restoration, Horqin Sand Land].

Soil crust is a common and widespread phenomenon in desert areas all over the world due to its extraordinary ability to survive desiccation and extreme temperatures, high pH and salinity. Despite its unassuming appearance, biological soil crusts play a significant role in desert ecosystems, including involvement in the process of formation, stability and fertility of soil, preventing soil erosion by water or wind, increasing the possibility of vascular plant colonization, and being responsible for the stabilization of sand dunes. This study taking Horqin Sand Land as research region, by field sampling, crust and topsoil (0-2.5 cm and 2.5-5 cm under crust) samples in different dune habitats and shrub communities were collected, and their physicochemical properties were analyzed, including particle size distribution, bulk density, total nutrients and available nutrients, pH, EC and CaCO3 content. The result revealed that Artemisia halodendron in semi-mobile dune, Caragana microphylla in semi-fix dune, Artemisia frigida in fix dune and Salix microstachya in interdunal lowland were respectively developed physical soil crust, algae crust, lichen crust and moss crust. Crust thickness, hardness, water content, fine fraction, total and available nutrients gradually increased by semi-mobile dune < semi-fix dune < fix dune < interdunal lowland in terms of different dune habitats, and by physical soil crust < algae crust < lichen crust < moss crust in terms of different crust types. There were significant differences among crust types on nutrient content and particle size distribution (p < 0.01). Meanwhile, crust enhanced the < 0.05 mm content and nutrient content of topsoil, following an increasing trend from semi-mobile dune to interdunal lowland. As to each crust, the parameters of 0-2.5 cm subsurface soil layer were higher than that in 2.5-5 cm soil layer. The result also showed that the fine fraction and nutrient content of moss crust under Salix microstachya in interdunal lowland were higher than others, so did the 0-5 cm subsurface soil under it.

The glycosides from Lomatogonium rotatum.

A new phenyl glycoside, 2-(3'-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)benzoyloxygentisic acid (1), along with seven known glycosides 2-8 was isolated from Tibetan herbal medicine Lomatogonium rotatum. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR techniques and MS data.